Spray Park Opening

Thursday was the opening of the Spray Park.

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 It was well attended.

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

After school 72 children were counted playing there and a little less than that after supper.

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

 Spray Park Opening. Sept 25, 2014

Water pipes in the Water Tower. Sept 25, 2014

Brookhollow Estates Condo Pictures

I received an update on the progress of the condos being built for Brookhollow Estates. Here are some pictures of one of the units. All of the photos were taken by Grandeur Housing and are courtesy of Wynn Sturm.

Ensuite Bathroom

Kitchen

Main Floor

Laundry

Laundry

Moment with the Mayor: Celebrating Kindersley Businesses & Residents

Hi Neighbours:

SaskBusiness Magazine recently completed its annual list of the Top 100 SK Businesses and a local business was rated 92! Congratulations to Rod MacDiarmid, General Manager, and Tom Watt, Chair, of the Kindersley and District Co-operative Association Ltd! 2014 is also the Co-op's centenary! Millsap Fuel Distributors, locally managed by Michelle Clark and Farm Credit Canada, who also have a local branch, made the list as well.

A Kindersley connection - former Mayor John Boquist's son, Trevor, owner of Driving Change Automotive Group Ltd – placed 37 on the list. Congrats Trevor!

If you are wondering about the next generation of business leaders, I have good news. At this past summer's Alberta Young Entrepreneurs Camp hosted by Alberta Community Futures (of which CF Meridian is a member, with Vickie Newmeyer as General Manager), all 4 attenders from Kindersley won awards. Awards were won for Mr. Entrepreneur, Most Innovative Group, Hardest Working Group, and Spirit.

The Kindersley Chamber of Commerce is also in the process of introducing awards celebrating business excellence. I am looking forward to learning more about the program and discovering the inaugural winners.

Finally, congratulations also go to Kramer Ltd., which has been operating in Kindersley for more than a decade. Last week the company celebrated its 70^th anniversary.

Recognizing Others:

Do you know a friend, neighbour, or an acquaintance who gives a lot to your group or business, neighbourhood, or civic organization? Please email me their name and what makes them great and I would like to recognize them in this space. Actually, what I would really like to do (but it has been one of those projects that keeps sliding through the cracks) is develop an award to recognize people and groups who go above and beyond to make Kindersley a vibrant and thriving community. So, if you know of someone, or even an organization, please let me know and I’ll acknowledge them in the Bean. My address: mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca.

Here is a heads up: watch for notices asking for your input into the Kindersley Health Services Needs Assessment. The public sessions will be the first couple of days of October. The consultants were in town last week speaking with some stakeholder groups.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.

Heartland Health Region and Town of Kindersley Joint Press Release

Date: September 16, 2014
Kindersley Health Service Needs Assessment

A formal agreement has been signed between the Heartland Health Region and the Town of Kindersley engaging the services of Western Management Consultants to assess the every-day primary health care services and needs of Kindersley and area residents. Kindersley is a growing community. It has experienced steady population growth over the past five years, with this trend anticipated to continue in coming years. Ensuring adequate primary health care capacity for the people of this area is an important priority.

Putting patients first is a top priority for health system leaders and providers. A patient-focused primary health care system ensures timely access to appropriate care, with assistance to navigate services and supports for maintaining good health. Primary health care makes better use of a full range of health professionals, working to full scope of practice, with a physician as a key team member.

The Ministry of Health is supportive of health regions who engage communities directly to develop sustainable, patient-first delivery of health care services. Work on The Kindersley Needs Assessment began in early 2014. This work represents more than an engagement process, but is a partnership between the Heartland Health Region and one of its largest communities focused on improving the delivery of primary health care services in the Kindersley area.

Physicians, health care providers, patients and families will be engaged in the assessment of primary health care services, which will take place this fall. Focus Groups will be happening in early October. Dates will be confirmed in the very near future. A final report is expected in late fall 2014.

Western Management Consultants (WMC) is an independent, Alberta based consultancy established in 1975, and is well respected across Canada. WMC strives to assist clients in many areas, often focused to define and implement change.

For further information, please contact Mayor John Enns-Wind at 306-463-2675 or Greg Cummings, CEO Heartland Health Region at 306-882-4111.

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Kramer Celebration

Tonight we celebrated Kramers' 70th Anniversary. Kramer is a third generation family run business based in Regina with 7 locations throughout Saskatchewan. Our neighbours, the RM of Kindersley, has a CAT fleet of graders supplied by Kramer.

Kramer 70th Anniversary Celebration

Kramer also partners with Great Plains College to deliver heavy equipment training, such as graders, via portable simulators.

Tim Kramer, the President, extend his gratitude to me to pass on to the Airport Board and Dave for the great work and service. Mr. Kramer very much appreciates the airport and the courtesy vehicle that is provided.

(I regret saying that my phone has let me down: the photos I took this evening, including Tim Kramer, did not save and seem to be lost.)

Moment with the Mayor: Town Growth

Hi Neighbours:

A citizen recently posed a question to Council and I asking us to identify the ways in which Kindersley has experienced improvement and growth in the past ten years, excluding roadways/sidewalks and the Water West Project.

The question implies that municipal government is a driver of growth; however, I don’t think this is the case. Growth is the result of decisions made by businesses, non-government organizations, and citizens, acting or reacting to their vision of the future. It is a multi-faceted activity that reflects the confidence of a group of people living together. I believe the growth that you see - or don’t think you see – is a result of everyone’s confidence and decision-making about their lives and their lives with others.

What, then, do municipal governments facilitate? I believe there are four things:

Beauty:

Beauty isn’t just about how aesthetically pleasing a community appears, though it is very important to live in a community that is inspirational. Beauty is also about hygiene – is the water, wastewater and refuse treated appropriately so there are no health concerns? Are property owners maintaining their properties? Are green spaces provided and maintained? The Town facilitates some of this but the appearance of the Town is fundamentally that of the community working together.

Justice (including economics):

At the municipal level, justice is about upholding the other pillars of community through things like ensuring homes are being well kept so there are no potential risks (falling buildings, mold, garbage laying about, etc.) or conditions to encourage rodents, and land use design. Justice is about economic and social sustainability. Justice in the municipal context is also about enforcing federal and provincial regulations designed to ensure beauty, fulfillment, and relationships.

Recently the Town adopted a new Official Community Plan that guides the relationships between different types of land use. To ensure that sustainable growth can be accommodated the Town is currently implementing our Asset Management Plan and Long Term Financial Plan, which is built on the foundation of our infrastructure capacity assessment.

Fulfillment:

I believe that everyone is searching for fulfillment in life. Municipal government works with residents to provide space and opportunity for activities that contribute to personal fulfillment. The WCEC provides space for hockey, figure skating, yoga, boxing, walking, and more. Land is zoned so that industrial activity doesn’t interfere with residential living. Space is provided so that churches, mosques, and temples can be built. Further, parks are provided and commercial enterprises have space to flourish.

Relationships:

Municipal government’s responsibility is to allow spaces for peoples to gather together for a host of reasons, including fellowship, learning, worship, and more. The Town facilitates space but civic groups and individuals can also create the space for gathering.  What goes on in these spaces is about relationships. How one land use, such as commercial, relates to another land use, residential, is important and good design is a part of that relationship.

Conclusion:

The Town’s role is to ensure growth is healthy, responsible, and sustainable. Here is a quick note: 130 municipalities have been told by the province that they don’t have the infrastructure to support any new residences, commercial or industrial businesses. This is not the case in Kindersley.  Furthermore, the Town is but one component of our community. Kindersley is about us, you and me, working together creating a life for you, me, our neighbours, acquaintances, and friends. Kindersley is us - working, playing, and creating together.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.

SaskBusiness Top 100 Companies - Kindersley

SaskBusiness Magazine recently completed their annual top 100 SK business and a local business was rated 92! Congratulations to Rod MacDiarmid, General Manager, and Tom Watt, Chair, of the Kindersley and District Co-operative Association Ltd! 2014 is also the Co-op's centenary!

Also making the list is former Mayor John Boquist's son Trevor owner of Driving Change Automotive Group Ltd at 37. Congrats Trevor!

If you are wondering about the next generation of business leaders I have good news. At this past summer's Alberta Young Entrepreneurs Camp hosted by Alberta Community Futures, of which CF Meridian is a member with Vickie Newmeyer as General Manager, all 4 attenders from Kindersley won awards. Awards were won for:

• Mr. Entrepreneur,
• Most Innovative
• Hardest Worker
• Spirit

Congratulations to the award winners!

The horizon looks to be in good shape!

Surgite!

New School Year at Great Plains College

Monday was a busy day. Great Plains College held their welcome session first thing Monday morning. They have a new cohort of students and some new staff as well.

Great Plains College is also undergoing some renovations to spruce up the interior including the basement area.

I hope the students work hard, play hard, and create lasting memories. The education they earn over the next year will be one of the lightest things for them to carry throughout their life.

Great Plains College Welcome session at the United Church. Sept 8/14

Our House

This is our town, our house in a manner of speaking. I have to admit to being either naive or unaware but: why does this happen? and more than a couple of times.

Motherwell Walking Trail. Sept 7/14

Financial Tools Infrastructure

Municipalities across the province are facing fiscal challenges keeping abreast with growth. Good and sustainable decision making requires prudent and discerning planning. We can endeavour to make the best decision we can based on the best data and plans we collect and develop; however, these decisions and plans mean nothing if the they are unable to be implemented.

To address this issue I wrote this resolution for Council's consideration.

Resolution to Address the Lack of Financial Tools Municipalities Have to Address Infrastructure Needs

Whereas Kindersley is a growing community with a growing commercial, industrial, retail, and residential base; and

Whereas the Town of Kindersley, having completed a number of assessments and plans including: infrastructure capacity assessment, long term financial plan, asset management, traffic study, landfill site assessment, and other planning tools like the new strategic plan, organizational effectiveness plan, culture and economic development plan, arts and recreation needs and operational assessment, as well as a new Official Community Plan and accompanying zoning by-laws; and

Whereas, based on the above assessments and plans, Kindersley’s growth may be compromised due to a lack of financial resources to sustainably support growth; and

Whereas the Town of Kindersley has identified as priority needs a new landfill site, a new sewage lagoon or treatment facility, new arts and recreation facilities to replace facilities almost 40 years old or facilities deemed unsafe or not cost effective and directed to be demolished; and

Whereas 130 urban municipalities are unable to accept or plan for new residents and new business because of a lack of resources to develop new infrastructure; and

Whereas infrastructure current funding available through the Build Canada Fund and matching funding from the Province of Saskatchewan are inadequate to address the immediate infrastructure needs of growing municipalities and regions; and

Whereas municipalities, especially towns, have limited revenue generating means; and

Whereas infrastructure funding by the federal and provincial governments are below the historical level in relation to GDP when most infrastructure was built.

Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Town of Kindersley strongly encourages the Government of the Province of Saskatchewan to amend current legislation and regulations to allow increased flexibility for borrowing monies to develop infrastructure. Items to amend include:

·         Increasing the amortization period for repayment;

·         Different considerations, or thresholds, for borrowing limits between those infrastructures that generate revenue and those that don’t;

·         Separating from municipal debt limit those infrastructures, such as utilities, that are self-sustaining; and

·         Provide approvals for increased debt limits for those municipalities who have developed asset management plans, infrastructure capacity plans, and long term financial plans;

And further be it resolved that the Government of the Province of Saskatchewan make such amends with all reasonable haste to facilitate ongoing and sustainable growth and competitiveness.