This is the pilot article for Mayor’s Corner. Mayor’s Corner is a monthly installment in The Crowsnest Pass Herald giving the public the chance to catch up with any news or messages from their Mayor and council. It is also a unique opportunity where the Mayor is given an open platform to address any issues affecting the residents or area of the Crowsnest Pass. If you have any questions or issues you would like our Pass Herald reporter to relay to the Mayor please send them to passherald@shaw.ca, addressing your email to “Mayor’s Corner”.

Pass Herald: What can people expect from Council in the coming year?

Mayor Painter: I believe the people of the Crowsnest Pass are expecting great things from their council. They are looking for a council that shows an openness and willingness to work together with our community, as well as, our neighbours. A council that is committed and shows integrity.

Herald: What were some of the big issues when the new council started?

Mayor Painter: Shortly after being elected, our Chief Administrative Officer gave us his resignation because he did not like the direction council was planning to go. It has been a struggle to get him to change his focus on the direction the community sees as their future. Other big issues we face involve the legacies left to our council from previous councils. We have initiated dialog with CUPE to address the labor issues and an openness to resolve the other problems we are facing. It has become apparent that our community has not bought into the “branding”. So you can see, we have some problems to address.



Herald: How about a council update for the people of the Crowsnest Pass?

Mayor Painter: As new councillors, we have undertaken an extensive amount of training and made many influential contacts. We have already opened channels of communication with several community groups. We have initiated contact with the Hon. Kyle Fawcett who is the minister in charge of “Flood Recovery”. This has been very positive and we should see results very soon. Mayor and Council welcomed an open dialogue with Teck Resources regarding their expansion and look forward to working with them. The Riversdale and Elan/Altitude projects are very exciting prospects, as well. We have also just hired a new CAO. Sheldon Steinke comes to us with 35 years of municipal governance experience. Mr. Steinke also lives here and has a vested interest in our communities’ future.

Herald : Do you have a holiday message for the people of the Crowsnest Pass from Mayor and Council?

Mayor Painter: In closing, both myself and our council would like to wish the Crowsnest Pass a very Merry Christmas and a Joyful Holiday Season. We are looking forward to the exciting things on the horizon in 2014, and may the New Year bring us Peace, Joy and Prosperity.