Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 2008 Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Vol. 65, No. 25
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DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF PONOKA
Town staff explain plans to improve downtown atmosphere By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Family dance: Father and daughter team Peter and Jayla Kinnard enjoy a dance together during the Ponoka Elementary School dance June 14. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
After controversy was sparked by the Town of Ponoka using a Lacombe company to install trees along 50 Street, town staff stepped forward to explain the purpose behind the project. Mike Lewis, director of operations and property services for the town, received complaints over the action and was publicly reprimanded by councillors during a regular meeting June 11. “I’ve got a problem, if we’ve got how many nurseries and people locally. My opinion is that they should get first shot on that,” stated Coun. Loanna Gulka. “They should at least get to bid on it,” added Coun. Rick Bonnett. “If nobody else has an opportunity to do it. We’ve made one phone call then we farmed it out to the community…I have a problem with that,” Gulka said. “Our belief of council is to try and do it locally where possible,” said Coun. John Jacobs. Lewis has since tendered his resignation. Beautifying the downtown was inspired by a 2007 Avi Friedman report that a previous council commissioned. The report laid out plans on how to make the area more welcome and increase the town’s population. Since the report was released there has been little action to follow through with Friedman’s plans. Sarah Olson, economic development officer, has been trying toimplement the report and present webinars made available to the business community. The webinars offer tips on how small towns can help grow their downtown areas. One of the things suggested was to plant trees downtown. Having similar businesses close together also benefits the area. “Something that they’ve identified is clustering,” explained Olson. This is possible but needs businesses to buy-in. Olson has fielded inquiries from businesspeople who were eager to set up shop in town but pulled out after hearing negative feedback on the town. “I know of at least two businesses that investigated moving here that have heard negative comments
from the local business population.” There was positive feedback as well but when other businesses speak negatively about the town, her job becomes tougher. “If they hear too much negative (comments), they are going to move elsewhere. It’s self-inflicted,” said Olson. If similar businesses are close together in a shopping district, consumers tend to feel they are getting a good deal on products. There appears to be an assumption the Town is responsible for bringing business to the community. Its job is to create an environment where businesses have an opportunity to thrive in town. Continued on page 2
Sherry Gummow, owner of Busted Ladies Lingerie, poses in front of her downtown store. She feels businesspeople are responsible to make their company successful. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
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