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Vol. 63, Issue 213
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Auto mall election! planned for Theatre’14 Road BC MUNICIPAL
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ARNE PETRYSHEN Townsman Staff
ARNE PETRYSHEN PHOTO
Cranbrook City Council bid farewell to three stalwarts at Monday night’s regular Council meeting. Angus Davis, Denise Pallesen and Bob Whetham are not seeking re-election this time around, thus Monday night was their last time at the table. See story, Page 3.
ELECTION 2014
The men who would be mayor Candidates for Cranbrook first magistrate face Chamber of Commerce forum T R E VO R CR AWL EY Townsman Staff
If it’s one thing that’s been apparent in Cranbrook’s municipal election, it’s the buzz surrounding spending, the state of infrastructure and economic development. And for good measure. The three candidates running for the mayoral seat had a chance to make their case to the business community at a chamber of commerce luncheon on Wednesday at the Heritage Inn. Of course, the questions delivered by moderator David Walls, president and CEO of the College of the Rockies, focused on issues close to the heart of the business community, such as taxation and
growing the economy. Lee Pratt, Wayne Stetski and John York were on hand to answer prepared and unprepared questions during the one-hour forum. In political debates, observers always love to figure out who won, who delivered a knockout blow or who appeared the most statesmanlike. This debate didn’t have any straight-up winners, but all three had their jabs and were able to make their points pertaining to the issues. In a roomful of local businessmen, including current and former mayors and city councillors, Pratt, Stetski and York made introductory statements to the crowd.
Pratt leaned on his 45 years of business experience in his opening statement, telling the crowd that he understands the challenges facing businesses today. He charged that a lack of cooperation exists between the engineering, planning and bylaw departments at city hall. He voiced his support for downtown revitalization and the tax benefits in place for businesses that do storefront renovations. Pratt also wants to explore a three to five year tax freeze for new and existing businesses, if elected. Stetski, the mayoral incumbent, touted the last three years of his time in office, noting how the city has worked
with residents and businesses to make sidewalks accessible, create a new multicultural festival and bring in new performances to Western Financial Place. Stetski noted that economic activity is up across the board, as business licences are up 14 per cent, real estate sales are up 34 per cent and airport usage is up 10 per cent. He also listed how the city has implemented recommendations on a barriers to business report based on feedback from chamber members and added that new industry, in the form of solar energy, is setting up out at the spray irrigation field next year.
See MAYORAL, Page 3
comers to the town would only see where Cranbrook city coun- the old vacant garages cil approved an Indus- used to be and not the trial Development Per- new locations if nobody mit for a new auto mall takes over the old locadevelopment on The- tions. “I’m in favour of the atre Road. The proposal brings motion, I just think we together the Nissan, have to be prepared to Subaru and Volkswagon do something in the dealerships to a lot lo- community,” he said. Coun. Bob Whetham cated at 1950 Theatre Road, between Home noted that in Calgary, Depot and the Ministry Chinook Mall was at one point the loof Forests, cation of car Lands and Natural Re- “I don’t think dealerships back source Oper- we can stop in the 1960s. “They are acations offices. C o u n c i l progression of tually relatively e v e n t u a l l y our city moving easy to repurpose because the approved the application, forward simply land is just flat as per city because we and paved,” Whetham said. staff’s recomCoun. Gerry mendation, might have an but not before empty lot.” Warner shared Davis’s concern discussing some con- Denise Pallesen about the empty spaces left on the cerns relating strip. to the build“There was a time ings these businesses would be leaving be- when we had a lively, vibrant and an all filled hind. “Hopefully the build- up downtown,” Warner ings that they’re cur- said. “Then people got rently located in will be the idea that maybe they put to good use — sold should go on the Strip, in the marketplace,” and they went on the Mayor Wayne Stetski Strip for another decade said. “We don’t want until the Strip became empty buildings along the downtown and the main street, and our Highway 3.” Coun. Angus Davis downtown is half empty, said if you go along or at least considerably Highway 3 there are al- empty. Is that the kind of planning or developready empty buildings. “This is good news ment that we really and it’s great,” Davis want?” Warner also brought said. “It will attract all sorts of people, but it’s up city staff’s note that leaving the land behind the proposal still needs it in sort of a perilous an in-depth review by predicament because the engineering departfirst impressions are ment. He wondered if very important to peo- council could delay the ple when they come permit until then. into the community.” See AUTO, Page 3 He worried that new-