4 SYLVAN LAKE NEWS
THURSDAY, JAN. 16, 2014
OPINIONS Cheryl Hyvonen Sales Assistant admin@sylvanlakenews.com Shannon Smelt Sales
sales@sylvanlakenews.com Joe Furman Sales
sales1@sylvanlakenews.com Stuart Fullarton Reporter
features@sylvanlakenews.com Steve Dills Editor
editor@sylvanlakenews.com Michele Rosenthal Publisher
publisher@sylvanlakenews.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
The Sylvan Lake News welcomes letters to the editor on current issues and concerns from its readers. Letters must include the writer’s first and last names, address and phone number. Letters will be published with the writer’s name and city, town or country of residence (address and phone number not for publication). Letters signed with aliases, pen names or those left anonymous will not be used. The Sylvan Lake News reserves the right to edit all letters for length, clarity, legality, personal abuse, good taste and public interest. Not all letters may be published due to any of the previous editing reasons or availability of space. Please make letters legible (typed is preferred) and brief (under 250 words). The Sylvan Lake News thanks you for your interest in the “letters” page and encourages your comments, pro or con, through this popular public forum. Mail or drop off submissions to: Letters to the Editor, Suite103, 5020 50A Street, Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 1R2. Fax: 403-887-2081. Email: editor@sylvanlakenews.com Copyright Notice All printed material, including photographs and articles, is the sole property of Sylvan Lake News. No reproduction of this material is permitted without permission of the publisher.
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Will councillors hear reaction to their budget decisions? year, we have to remember While sitting that Sylvan Lake is growthrough hours of preSTEVE DILLS ing. We’re planning for sentations and deliberSYLVAN LAKE more land through annexations we saw a majoriNEWS ation, more people, more ty of Sylvan Lake counbusiness and more induscillors make their first try. Those plans come with attempt at balancing all costs, both in terms of the diverse needs of a growing town as they tried to determine developing them and then in implemenwhat our taxpayers could live with for a tation. Faced, as four of our councillors were, tax increase. Their decision — an increase of over with this, their first budget, we’d give three per cent was too much. So they them a passing grade for making the tackled the numbers one last time decisions they did. Of course, we could Saturday afternoon, as they came close to criticize some of those decisions. But the end of their work. And they were able when you look at the overall result, their to reduce the tax rate increase to 2.69 per struggles will result in real progress in the coming year. cent. There were areas they could have cut But wait, that’s not the total increase. Many residents will also be hit with to maintain the increase at one per cent assessment (property value) changes. as suggested by staff. Their visions, howThey’re estimated to average 1.8 per cent ever, determined we’re going in certain so if your property increased in value by directions. One of those items was $100,000 the average, your tax bill could be 4.49 slated for beach enhancement. That per cent higher this year. Then, if the province decides to tin- needs to be approved by the province ker with the provincial education tax, before it proceeds because it would take which is collected by the town on the place on provincial land. The amount same tax bill, and forward to the prov- budgetted is four times what was spent ince, the increase could be higher. That last year to add sand to the side of our lake and enhance the visitor experience. won’t be known until later this spring. We could criticize councillors for It must be stressed, again and again, that the town has no influence in what increasing the snow and ice clearing the province does. They get a bill from budget to improve service levels from the province, have to collect the money last year (not this extraordinary year). from you, the ratepayer, and then pay the But who can do that in a year like this province. Interestingly, the town actually — particularly when town staff are doing has to send the province two quarterly such a good job keeping us moving. payments before it even collects taxes Councillors did ascertain that if the increased snow removal budget isn’t from our residents and businesses. While that may give you a very entirely spent it would go into a reserve uneasy feeling about what’s to come this that could be accessed in years like we’re
How sad it would be not to have curling venue; volunteer experience was great Dear Editor, I volunteered last week for the Alberta Scotties Tournament of Hearts and want to commend all the event organizers and everyone else, like me, who volunteered. I have nothing to do with the curling club and don’t curl myself but do enjoy watching curling, and that is the reason I volunteered for the Scotties. I volunteered for a total of five shifts and got to spectate for four draws as well thanks to friends. I didn’t expect that I would have as much fun as I did in the end. I met many people from town and from out of town and got to meet a cou-
69 years ago ... From the issue of January 10, 1945
Red Deer, Alberta Published every Thursday by PNG Prairie Newspaper Group in community with: Publisher Fred Gorman
of the debate which went into the decisions and will enhance our community. We could continue, but we’d be surprised if more than a handful of people really care. Town councillors were adamant that residents and business owners be given time to digest their decisions. That’s why they’ve allowed a three-week comment period before they pass the final interim budget. They also plan to make themselves by hosting a coffee party at a local business. We hope they’re overwhelmed with comments. But we suspect from past experience, the response will be mediocre from an apathetic populace who understand there’s nothing certain in life but death and taxes.
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now experiencing. Another idea which portends future expenditure is $10,000 for spray park location search and design. That’s an idea with lots of traction among the public — so it seems councillors are reacting to discussions they had during the election and are proceeding. There will be a time for the public to provide their ideas on this project. Another radar trailer for Protective Services at $25,000??? How much did concerns about safety weigh on the minds of councillors on this item and others such as $800,000 for two sets of traffic lights at busy corners? Or $410,000 for a sidewalk to connect the northern part of 50th Street with Beacon Hill, Crestview and Lighthouse Christian Academy? All, we believe, were worthy
Excellent reports on the year’s activities were presented at the annual meeting of the Benalto Agricultural Society by President Clyde Stauffer and Secretary C. B. Pugh, showing the organization to be in sound financial position.
ple of the curling teams and their families as well. Every day I reported for duty I was met with smiles from all the volunteers and the volunteer supervisors which really made me feel welcome. I want to send a special thanks to Ken James who was the person I reported to everyday as security personnel. No matter what way Ken was being pulled, he always smiled and was right there to answer questions and greet people when he was needed. All the organizers and volunteers went way above and beyond their duties sometimes pulling 12 hour shifts and again, there they Improvements to the buildings and grounds last year amounted to about $1,000 and the entire plant is free from debt. A satisfactory balance is carried forward. Officers elected for 1945 were: Clyde Stauffer - president; L. Kathol vice-president; Ray Niemela - 2nd vice-president; D F. Neilsen - stampede manager. Directors: H. G. Bennett, A. J. Foster, Clifford Hillman, W. A. Holsworth, John McBride Jr., Lloyd McNeil, A. Norton, George Richardson, W. Schuneman, George Sterling, Peter A. Stewart, L. Wall, Langton Wells, Lloyd Wells, Miss B. Burdick, Mrs. P. N. Cameron, Mrs. W. A. Holsworth, Mrs. J. McBride, Mrs. Thomas Smith, Mrs. George Smith, Mrs. Peter A. Stewart. Thomas Smith was chairman dur-
were still smiling. This event had all teams staying within the town generating revenue for the town, staying in hotels and eating at our restaurants. How sad it would be not to have a curling venue to be enjoyed not
only by curlers but by the general public like me. Kudos to everyone! Kim Matthews, Sylvan Lake
Help getting unstuck appreciated Dear Editor, I want to thank the nice man in December who was driving around and helping people get unstuck. I was stuck on Hunter street and he came and helped ing the election of officers. ♦ ♦ ♦ Chuck Vanson, Les Perkinson, Ray White and Jack Sunell have taken their medicals for the navy and are awaiting their call.
50 years ago ...
From the issue of January 16, 1964
Further to past negotiations regarding garbage disposal for the Town of Sylvan Lake and surrounding ares in the Counties of Red Deer and Lacombe, letters will be sent to the two counties regarding a jointly operated disposal ground. Suitable sites are being considered. Councillor Cox reported at last Monday evening’s council meeting that the town fire truck had been tuned up and the engine valves
me. Thank you! Jessie Donald, Sylvan Lake
ground. It was decided to place two new street lights on 1st Street East — one of these lights to replace one of the old style. Further action will be taken by the town in its efforts to secure a hospital, nursing home, or senior citizens home. Letters received from the Minister of Health, Dr. Ross and Mr. Hooke will be answered. Letters will also be sent by the town in an endeavour to get a dentist to locate at Sylvan Lake. In response to a petition for paving of 1st Avenue West, the council decided to go ahead with this project. A petition to pave 2nd Ave. East from 2nd Street to 7th Street, will be held in abeyance for a year. ♦ ♦ ♦