The View from Ward Three

The Second Bridge Campaign

Submitted on May 15, 2012 - 7:30am

No question, Prince Albert needs a second bridge. I've lived here more than thirty years, and people have been talking about the need for at least that long, and no doubt longer than that. Last year's bridge repairs certainly underlined the importance of the bridge for both businesses and the general public, and kicked it to the forefront of discussion once again.

The View from Ward Three

What I Hope We've Learned from This Year's Budget Process

Submitted on April 30, 2012 - 8:26am

Well, the budget is now done for another year, after the budget bylaw was passed at a special council meeting last Monday. That it passed wasn't a surprise for anyone involved, despite its defeat through a tie vote at an executive meeting two weeks earlier - we all know that votes at executive aren't the final word, and some council members are known for changing their minds when things come to council, for whatever reason.

The View from Ward Three

Popular Misconceptions

Submitted on April 16, 2012 - 11:46am

One of the difficulties of being on council is trying to refute the misconceptions that seem to pop up everywhere. Sometimes they're the result of a rumour being repeated and exaggerated for effect, sometimes they're put out there by some members of council to defend council decisions, or they may be put forth pseudonymously on electronic news sites by those who try to appear that they're just wondering about stuff, but they're really trying to confuse the issue.

The View from Ward Three

And the Budget Process Gets Even More Confusing (if possible)

Submitted on April 12, 2012 - 9:19am

At last week's Executive Meeting, a bylaw setting the mill rate for this year's tax rate was put forward. This is the bylaw that gives council the authority to tax property, the largest by far funding source for city activities. The vote on the bylaw was tied, as one councillor was absent, and a tie vote is considered to be a defeated vote.

The View from Ward Three

Well, It's a Start

Submitted on April 12, 2012 - 9:17am

I've spent a fair amount of time over the past few years asking for financial information about the various facilities that the city taxpayer supports. To use an old expression - it's been like pulling teeth. However, some of those teeth appear to be getting loose. At last week's council meeting, we were given some information about two of the larger facilities - the Art Hauser Centre and the EA Rawlinson Centre. It's a start, and I'm sure it was an eye-opener for many city residents.

The View from Ward Three

Refinancing - An Option that Makes Sense

Submitted on March 12, 2012 - 6:51am

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how members of council need to ask for and take advice from a wide variety of sources, one of which is city staff. So I was very pleased to find, in this week's council package, a memo from the financial services department, outlining very clearly how the city could save over half a million dollars by refinancing an old debenture.

The View from Ward Three

Going Paperless (More or Less)

Submitted on March 5, 2012 - 7:13am

It's been about a year since City Council decided to move to iPads, rather than having council agendas on paper. This was an idea put forward by administration, with the proposed benefit being that staff time and paper, and thus money, would be saved. The city bought twenty-two iPads, nine for members of council, the remainder for staff.

The View from Ward Three

None of Us is as Smart as All of Us

Submitted on February 27, 2012 - 9:42am

One of the oddities of a democracy is that there is no entrance exam, no educational prerequisites, no relevant experience that a candidate is required to have before getting nominated for election. To run for Prince Albert City Council, all you need is the specified number of eligible signatures on a nomination form and a financial deposit, and your name goes on the ballot. For city councillors, you have to live within the city boundaries, but not within the ward that you plan on representing.

The View from Ward Three

Some More Thoughts on the Budget

Submitted on February 20, 2012 - 11:53am

By Lee Atkinson

We had our first vote on this year's budget at last week's council meeting. The final vote won't happen until mid-March, as no council meetings are scheduled until then.

I voted against this budget, because I can't support many parts of it. It's unfortunate, because early in the process we were given valuable information about expenditures and projected building maintenance costs, but we didn't really follow through with any of this information in our budget discussions.

The View from Ward Three

Troubled Waters

Submitted on February 13, 2012 - 6:44am

I've been part of city council for more than ten years, and the public outcry following the boil water order is the greatest I've seen in that time. Whether we've been shopping at the grocery store, having coffee at the Bison, or talking to friends at church, people have been stopping me to ask questions and let me know how angry they are.

They're angry because they are paying for an essential service that they are not getting.