He was escorted out of the building by police.
It was suggested by an audience member that counsel increases taxes to “weekenders.” These people are also known as the people who own property in the municipality, but only use it as a temporary house, and live elsewhere. This suggestion has heavily argued by other audience members, and questioned by Lonsbury.
“Weekenders spend a lot of money in our municipality, said Lonsbury. They come into our businesses and spend money.”
Perhaps what generated the most positive excitement from the audience was the announcement that council is making plans to help develop a 75 room hotel, following the demolition of the old hospital, and put in the same location. This hotel is planned to have a convention room, and to serve a continental breakfast.
“Something like this could ultimately accelerate the movement on Highway 3,” Mayor Decoux said. “Good things will soon be happening here.”
Other operations that are being planned in the 6.25 acre space that will be vacant once the hospital is torn down will be a truck stop area, a dog run area, a park space, a fast food outlet, an area for quading and snowmobiling, and a franchise restaurant.
Mayor Decoux reminded audience to take what he is announcing with a grain of salt.
“We’re at that stage where things look good, but we’re not getting excited yet.”
A question that was brought up numerous times during the four hour meeting was why taxes are increasing in the municipality.
“We realize it’s a problem,” said Mayor Decoux. “We need to make the community look well, while staying on budget,” he said.
Mayor Decoux explained to audience members that there is a jurisdiction nearby the Crowsnest Pass that has taxes seven times greater than the taxes of the Crowsnest Pass. The population of the jurisdiction is about 80 people.
The Crowsnest Pass municipality is reaching out to the jurisdiction, also known as Ranchmans, and is trying to create a plan to work with them. Counsel is currently waiting for a response.
“We’re going to try to improve things,” said Mayor Decoux. “We don’t know how successful we’ll be, but if we don’t know, then we’ll never know. And we are going to try.”
More information on counsel, and issues around the municipality, can be found in counsel’s newsletter, their Facebook page, and their website:
town.crowsnestpass.ab.ca
