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- Your onlY locallY owned newspaper • serving the cnp since 1930 • septeMBer 25, 2019 ~ vol. 89 no. 39 $1.00
Game, set ... match
Frank McTighe photo
The Crowsnest Pass Pandas senior volleyball high school team played against F.P. Walshe Flyers in Fort Macleod on Thursday, Sept. 19. The team lost two games to one. Pictured above is Taylor Amos from the Pandas.
2 – crowsnest PAss HerALD – Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Future opportunities for joint tourism in the Pass Community Futures CNP
Tourism opportunities in the Southern Canadian Rockies have the potential to drive sustainable local prosperity if managed by a regional Destination Management Organization. That was the key message delivered by Eric Burton, CEO of Factor 5 Group to Crowsnest Pass Municipal Council following a 6 month project to engage industry and community leaders in the development of a Destination Management Strategy. “The opportunity is to unite around the regions diverse landscapes and cultural histories to
develop authentic, high quality visitor and guest experiences,” said Burton. “The key will be to connect regional priorities with existing and emerging market opportunities.” The project was undertaken through a partnership between The Town of Pincher Creek, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, Municipal District of Pincher Creek #9, Castle Mountain Resort, Community Futures Crowsnest Pass, Community Futures Alberta Southwest, Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce and the Province of Alberta. The strategy devel-
opment process included extensive research into best practices, deep engagement with industry leaders and facilitated workshops to develop a customized strategy that focuses on regional priorities and unique business opportunities. One of the key findings from a focus group of accommodation businesses from across the region was that businesses recommended a mandatory fee on room stays that gets passed along to travellers, rather than an optional fee, as it creates an even playing field in the region. Owner and operator of the Blairmore Travelodge, Sharin Shergill,
made a strong case for mandatory fees once she had a chance to discuss it at the focus group session. “Mandatory fees allow the playing field in the region to stay the same and not put the burden on some hotels to carry the weight. By passing the fee to the travellers the stress of providing this revenue source is again off the hotels and the increase to the cost of the traveller is very small,” said Shergill. Then she added a critical insight. “Many franchise hotels have corporate policies that restrict local owners and operators from collecting these fees unless it is mandatory and regulated.” Country Encounters Bed and Breakfast owner Dawn Rigby echoed Shergill’s recommendation. “We have so many small unique accommodations in the region that really need to draw in more visitors. By making the Travellers fee mandatory the funds will help us all and not give a competitive advantage to those that would other-
wise choose not to participate. Our properties can shine on their own merits rather than just price,” said Rigby. Similar fees are collected by hotels and Bed and Breakfasts all across Alberta and BC, empowering tourism organizations to successfully develop visitor destinations. “Travellers fees on accommodations are the best way to target visitors who will benefit from improved visitor and guest experiences, without impacting local residents” concluded Burton. The strategy outlines how the destination management organization will use resources to determine regional priorities, support product and business development, and market the region to target audiences that fit the region’s vision. Jeff McLarty, owner of Beaver Mines Store and participant in the strategy development process, attended the meeting to show his support for a regional approach to tourism management. “Visitors come to
enjoy all that the region has to offer, not just a single site. By working together to captivate target audiences, we can attract visitors and guests to the region, providing communities and businesses an opportunity to draw them in to enjoy their products and services” said McLarty after the meeting. The next step is for the three partner municipalities to review the recommendations. For more information on the Destination Management Strategy contact Sacha Anderson, Community Futures Crowsnest Pass or Marie Everts at the Town of Pincher Creek. For Inquiries, contact: Sacha Anderson CED and Marketing Coordinator Community Futures Crowsnest Pass (403.562.8858) s a n d e r s o n @ a l b e rtacf.com Marie Everts Marketing, Events and Economic Development Officer Town of Pincher Creek (403) 627-3156 economic@pinchercreek.ca
Ice, Ice, Baby Members of the Curling and Figure Skating clubs, along with Council member Dean Ward, were all thumbs up in front of the new ice plant at the Complex. The new plant will decrease the amount of time needed to create the ice helping the users start their seasons on time. Daveid Selles photo
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - Crowsnest PAss herAlD - 3
In the lIne of fIre Between September 16 and September 23, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to a total of 58 calls for service including the following reported incidents. One (1) assault, two (2) theft of motor vehicle, five (5) thefts, two (2) impaired driving, five (5) disturbing the peace, four (4) other criminal code, four (4) other provincial statutes, ten (10) driving complaints, eight (8) motor vehicle collisions, six (6) assistance to general public, seven (7) suspicious occurrences, one (1) lost and found, two (2) assistance to other agencies, and one (1) animal call. Theft On September 16th, 2019, there was a complaint of theft of a licence plate from a rental vehicle parked in Frank. The plate was recovered on a stolen vehicle in Calgary on September 22nd, 2019. Calgary Police Service identified two suspects.
Stolen Truck On September 16th, 2019, RCMP received a complaint of a stolen truck from a commercial business in Blairmore and two vehicles were damaged. The stolen vehicle was recovered in Castlegar on September 23rd, 2019. Counterfeit Money On September 16th, 2019, there was a report of a counterfeit $50 bill at a gas station in Coleman. The bill was seized for investigation. Bike Theft On September 16th, 2019, RCMP responded to a report of theft of a neon yellow GT Avalanche Bike from a yard of a residence at 127 Street and 19 Avenue in Blairmore. Motorcycle Theft On September 17th, 2019, there was a complaint of theft of two motorcycles from property at 119 Street in Blairmore. A 1971 black Yamaha and
~ rCMP news ~
2005 red Yamaha with Montana licence plates were taken within the past week. Traffic Stops On September 17th, 2019, there was a traffic stop of a vehicle on highway 3 near Bellevue. A 25-year-old female drivers licence was suspended for 72-hours and the vehicle was towed. On September 18th, 2019, there was a traffic stop of a vehicle in Hillcrest. A 35-year-old male driver admitted to recent alcohol consumption, tests were done, his drivers licence was suspended for 72 hours and his vehicle was towed. Found Bike On September 19th, 2019, a black Rockhopper bike was found. The bike had been left on property at 128 Street in Blairmore for the past few days. Vehicle Damage On September 22nd, 2019, there was a com-
The Simple Raven’s Post by Avner Perl Predictions and disagreements. (About Artificial Intelligence.) My “friends” the politicians. Again it is the season of elections and charismatic individuals stand before me calling me their friend. If I have anything to say to those “friends” I have to wait since they don’t have time to listen. They are too busy this time of the year, securing votes. I understand. It is difficult to figure out which promises will convince me and other “friends” to hand them power over us. It is burdensome to persuade so many people to vote when they know that you will lord over them for four years looking important but have no capacity to improve their lives even slightly. At best you have one vote. My “friends” in the halls of power will be entitled to use a fancy wooden bench and vote as they are told, or they can be replaced. Even the most influential amongst them must remember not to stand in the way of the party leaders at all times. Party leaders are more powerful “friends” but only one of them has the ability to make a difference in my life. It is the leader of the ruling party. By virtue of controlling the majority of wooden seats occupied by well-spoken individuals who obey their wishes, he or she rules. Each chair is a vote dedicated to a “leader” who owes his power to those who give him money to rent airplanes, big busses with lots of beautiful stickers and to finance brochures, ads, billboards, and payments to sympathetic popular media outlets. The big media corporations influence a large number of voters and the little ones play nice to representatives hoping for crumbs. The whole “machine” is feeding upon itself giving me the illusion that I have an influence. After all the candidates call us their “friends” before elections. I always vote and never tell others how to vote. I would like any and all Albertans in Ottawa to actively promote selling our oil east and possibly they are trying. I replay in my mind the important items from the first week of the political campaign. There is a lot of talk about the Prime Minister masquerading eighteen years ago as the cartoon character Aladdin. To me he looks more like a coal miner before a shower but apparently, he insulted minority groups. I welcome the discussion about racial discrimination in our society. I suffered from it. I remember graffiti on an old building in Calgary saying “keep Canada clean, paint a Pa- - i.” Many of my friends have been prejudiced towards French people, Muslims, and native people, it is a good time to get rid of the behavior, but we are not doing
plaint of damage to and theft from truck and motorcycle. Items were later found near a neighbor’s garage on 121 Street in Blairmore. FOUND PROPERTY Found keys Found cellphone Leitch Collieries Found bikes turned into Municipal Bylaw Anyone with information regarding any crime is urged to contact the Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment at 403-562-2867, or Crimestoppers to remain anonymous at 1-800-422TIPS. Reminder to residents of computer scams, credit cards scams, Grandparent scams, Revenue Canada scams asking for money or cash cards and saying warrants out for arrest, do not give out personal information to persons you don't know.
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that. The people who abhor the prime minister’s insult to minorities also want to cut transfer payments from Canadian oil revenues to the French and demand that we should force the First Nations to accept oil pipelines through the land, which we “graciously” allowed them to keep as Reserves. I guess wearing a costume is more insulting than forcing people to obey our wishes. I fear that I am becoming cynical. I take a pamphlet that came in the mail advocating to “re-elect” someone who’s been representing me in the halls of government. He doesn’t give an example of anything serious that was achieved. I don’t blame him. The benefits usually go to swing areas that the party in power hope to win in the next elections. My representative can promise but can’t grant money. If his party wins, my riding may receive some benefit but probably not. We are what they call a “safe seat.” I may as well look at what the parties offer all of us if elected. All of them promise whatever surveys show that Canadians want. I want what will help my community which is not being offered. Here are miners, farmers, ranchers, and many seniors. We are being baited with a promise to scrap a Carbon Tax. I see on the news millions of kids demonstrating all over the world wanting governments to cut carbon emissions. I investigate on Google and the picture is clear. The majority is demanding taking action to protect the environment with my province being somewhat an exception. Our vote may be a protest vote. The party in power may end up being a minority government but there are smaller parties who most likely will support them. What should I do? Should I vote for the most friendly candidate in my area? I have done that before. Being a writer I sit down and try to come up with a statement that I could ask all the candidates who are on my ballot. They all claim to be my “friends” and they all promise nice things. There is a possibility to improve. Here it is: “Will you promise to propose and pass a law that will allow voters to file a complaint about false promises or false statements by politicians and government officials, with high fines as penalties for misleading the voters?” I don’t know anyone who likes to be held accountable for the promises they make. On the other hand, I know most people like to know that a deal is a deal and all sides will live up to their word. Life could be so simple. The leader’s job is to give a good example and improve the lives of those they lead. Their vote may not count for much but their commitment is valuable and can restore people’s faith in our democratic system. If we had a law forcing honesty in the halls of power, it would affect all those who we pay to lead, from backbenchers to party leaders, including the Prime Minister. I don’t have enough money to buy elections but I would love to know that I invest my vote in people who will keep their word. At least that’s the way I see it. Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.