A regular Ratepayers meeting was held on Wednesday, December 5th at the Bellevue Legion to discuss recent events in the municipality, including the municipal inspection that was confirmed just a day before. President of the Ratepayers Association Bill Kovach called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
Kovach announced that the petition delivered to the provincial government on November 1st was deemed satisfactory and a municipal inspection will be undergone in coming months.
“We are finally moving in the right direction,” said Kovach.
"We are now a majority, not a minority," said Marlene Anctil, a director of the association. The intervention came as a result of a petition that saw nearly 2510 signatures. Several issues discussed at the meeting were the high cost of funds to build a home in the Crowsnest Pass, the decrease of volunteerism in the Pass and the controversy regarding the possible closure of the Bellevue seniors hall.
“We tried to resolve the Seniors Centre in the spring,” said Kovach. “Now it’s an issue again.”
Also discussed was the Crowsnest Pass Pool Board Society’s presentation at the regular Governance and Priorities Committee meeting. “They put on a good presentation and presented their point,” said Kovach. He voiced his concerns of when Council will make a decision, as the time to start hiring lifeguards for the summer is quickly approaching.
Kovach also discussed franchise fees.
“Council has backed down a bit on franchise fees, as they are no longer as high as they were going to be,” said Kovach.
"Either they're out of money, or they are listening a little bit," said Kovach.
Sue Aris, a Pincher Creek native and a former Councillor of the Town of Pincher Creek was a guest speaker at the event.
"I believe very strongly in the future of the Crowsnest Pass," said Aris. "We are looking for change."
She explained that in order to make change, we need to be the change.
She reminded audience members of our renewable resources and how fortunate the municipality is to be surrounded by “virtually every natural resource.” She then suggested a public meeting, where residents post one wonderful thing about the Crowsnest Pass. She also suggested a “why drive” campaign, focusing on how to get drivers travelling through the Pass to stop.
We are thinking big,” said Aris, “But we need to think way bigger. And we are the people who need to do that."
The Ratepayers proposed will be holding a meeting in the New Year.
In the public input portion of the meeting, people had concerns regarding the new firemen. Kovach reminded the audience that the new firemen should not be the ones held at fault, as they are only doing their jobs as firefighters. “They respond to a higher authority,” said Kovach.
Another audience member asked about a municipal audit. Bill said it was "more than likely."
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
