Crowsnest Pass Chamber Q&A

1)Your stance on heavy industry including the proposed coal mine

Heavy industry can help relieve tax burden.

I will support any industry or project that comes to the Crowsnest Pass if its done honestly and responsibly, they must be willing to work collaboratively with the community with practices and procedures that respect the safety, beauty and the  environment of the Crowsnest Pass. We absolutely need industry here, an opportunity for jobs, an opportunity to meet the needs of a growing community, we need opportunity to improve and build infrastructure, we need an opportunity to create an economy that keeps the community sustainable into the future.

I believe the Grassy Mountain Project can bring economic benefit to the Crowsnest Pass. However the decision to open this mine is not a decision local government can make. It is in the hands of the Provincial and Federal regulators. I am willing to work with any industry to ensure the needs of the community are addressed on all levels. I know there are those opposed to the Mine but I am willing to listen to them, to work with environmental experts, industry and Government agencies to ensure their concerns are addressed.

If the mine goes ahead, I will be proactive about holding them to the highest standard regarding environment, safety and long term community impact. The community must see real long term economic benefit not just promises.

We deserve accountability and we will get it. There are still several steps in the process before approval of the Grassy Mountain Mine as I understand, so whether the mine is approved or not I would urge the community to live and work together peacefully and respectfully.

I also think we need to continue searching for other industry as well one that offers diversification and sustainable opportunities.

I will commit to being a strong voice for the CNP and push to ensure our community interests are front and centre.

2) The twinning of highway 3

The twinning of highway 3 is a monumental project with a monumental budget.

This has been a conversation for a very long time, it is a significant infrastructure project that poses opportunities and challenges.

There is no question the twinning of highway 3 could improve safety and reduce collisions, provide better access for locals, open doors for tourists and businesses, offering economic benefit.

Highway 3 is a critical transportation corridor, a gateway to the Rockies and could offer enormous benefit, by re designing the highway.

However there is limited land through the Crowsnest Pass and this project could take up a significant chunk of land.

The town of Frank would be lost and the historic value of this small community gone forever.

My position as Mayor is not to approve or disapprove of the twinning but to listen, ensure safety, protect land and the environment, and understand the benefit  to the people of the Crowsnest Pass.

I believe it will take some time before we would appreciate any of the benefit.

I believe there has to be continued public consultation and meetings to ensure the community is heard and listened to.

There must be minimal disruption to local businesses and an opportunity to continue to work closely with the Provincial and Federal Governments to ensure benefit to the community.

3) Communication with the community about how decisions are made on council

I will ensure a Community engagement strategy is followed before decisions are made by council regarding all community issues.

The strategy we use will be made known to the community ahead of time.

I am a firm believer that continual, consistent and effective communication is the number one issue that need to be addressed.

All concerns and issues that involve individual residents and or the community can only be decided fairly if residents are given a fair chance to discuss and debate. Citizen lead advisory committees can be developed and can also take place out of Chambers and then brought back to council. After community discussions are had there could and should be a “ This is what we heard and this is what we will do report” back to the people. Short videos could be made and presented to show where ideas were used and where they were not used with clear rationale, as to why not. I understand that council has to make decisions and some will not suit everyone, but residents must be given a chance to participate. I feel strongly that a trained  Communications Lead could be very beneficial to the community and to council. I am prepared to have “A Mayor on the move day” where council and I could rotate throughout the 5 communities listening to people. I believe the Mayor needs to be visible and meet people where they are. I believe Mayor and Council should visit the schools and listen to youth and their concerns and ideas. (I have been invited to speak to the grade 4 classes as one of their projects on Citizenship and responsibility) This is where it should start. I believe Council could work with respected voices such as teachers, service clubs, Real estate experts, business owners, coaches and others to help distribute information and communications that involve the community. This would also give a chance to ask for participation and ideas on issues.

Discussions about Crowsnest Pass families should be held with Crowsnest Pass families.

4) Housing issues. Planning, development and affordability

The Municipal Development Plan does have Increase Housing Options as a goal.

The Crowsnest Pass will continue to grow and housing and services will become a priority. We are not alone housing is needed across the country. But our young families, seniors and young workers need places to live. Housing and land development here has created a flurry of activity, failure to communicate leaving people with, unanswered questions creating disappointment and anger. Early and meaningful engagement and transparency in decision making are paramount. Clearly a new council must go back to the table and do some serious restructuring, around streamlining permitting, researching affordable incentives and possibly partnering with provincial programs to ensure community needs are met and not just developers. I envision a plan for affordable housing and development created by  community members, contractors, Real Estate experts and land developers to ensure we protect all that is sacred to our mountain lifestyle, historic charm and sense of community.

5) Support for local and new business in CNP

Small businesses are the backbone of a community.

For those who cannot leave the community local business is critical. I have heard many stories of difficulties trying to get answers, permits, licenses to move forward with a business project. Council must be more business friendly firstly to locals and then to businesses wishing to establish here. Council can continue to explore new investments, cut red tape, and make permitting easier, simplify zoning rules, create a business support person to help with growing and start ups, research matching grants for décor or window improvements.

Some of our local businesses do well during peak seasons and then struggle. They need the help of council.

Local government needs to continue to champion local business making them more visible. Council can help by increased partnering for marketing, encouraging how to promote our mountain community. Visiting them often to hear their concerns, researching and establishing better broadband service or creating it. Going back to the housing issue ensuring housing for workers.

Council might be able to help with training and workshops for local business employees.

Last but not least show up at their events and openings.

The Chamber of Commerce gala is October 18th buy a ticket and support small business.

6) Property Tax levels

The Municipality operates on the back of Taxpayers so they have every right to know exactly where their money is going.

I believe we can decrease taxes responsibly, eliminate waste management debt with discipline, financial transparency and collaborative planning. We need to stabilize our tax base by attracting industry and business. We could start with low cost high return businesses or light industry using the infrastructure we have. This could be happening while we wait for larger industry such as the mine or something else.

The mine still has to work through the process and we may not see it for a while. We need to get serious about debt reduction.

We wont grow our way out of debt by building more we need to  build smarter. 

We can pause, scale down or delay capital projects that are not urgently needed.

A budget advisory committee with community involvement could be established.

We could have an audit done.

A new council needs to restore trust and respect and provide a clear picture of where every tax dollar is going and what is driving debt.

We must ensure we are living within our means. We need to investigate and plan the best way to do this.

A new council will create a strategic plan for the next 4 years with fiscal planning.

Serious consideration of the budget, spending, debt, business and industry attraction to the municipality will help to keep taxes affordable.

As Mayor I will ensure effective communication and transparency on where your tax dollars are being spent and debt reduction strategies.

7) Allocation of tax dollars and budget priorities

Again Tax payers have the right to know where their tax dollars are being spent.

The municipal budget is a big one but we must ensure water and sewer systems, 

road maintenance, reliable sidewalk repairs and snow removal are a priority for the safety of residents.

Emergency and disaster planning costs need to be a budget priority.

An infrastructure plan should be developed to prioritize critical needs.

Economic development supporting small business and searching for bigger business or industry should be a priority.

Continued housing plans should be a budget priority, permitting services with respectable time frames.

Environmental issues recycling and waste reduction are priorities.

Recreation, cultural activities that provide well being to the community.

These are only some that I have thought of that I think must  be priority items.

But I believe the community should have input into budget priorities that impact their safety, lifestyle and wellbeing.

Pat Rypien Candidate for Mayor