Focusing on budget and regional matters
Published December 21, 2007
As this is my first opportunity to write a column after our recent election, I would first like to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation and gratitude to the residents of Ward 1 for their confidence in entrusting me with their future municipal needs and vision. I will do my utmost to fulfill that confidence.
Next, I would like to inform those residents who talked to me at the doors about some personal challenges in specific areas of concern for which I indicated they would hear from me. As of today, I have been following up on those concerns and will continue to do so until I receive a reasonable answer. Some of you have heard from our staff on how your concerns will be dealt with but others have not. The last two months have been very hectic and as I indicated at your door, you will hear from me. I will be attempting to finalize my calls within the next couple of weeks.
The two main topics I would like to broach in this column are the new regionalization process being championed by our provincial government and the very challenging budget process we just went through.
When I decided to venture again into municipal politics I did so because I thought I could help in bringing together the players in the region and formulating a process and eventual plan that would be beneficial for not only Strathcona County but the entire region. Unfortunately, the Province determined they had waited long enough and had already put in motion the solution we are faced with today; even before the municipal election was held. We, on Council, only found this out after the election and now are faced with the task of determining how to best make this solution work. While I personally have some grave concerns about the provincial solution, I can only take an optimistic view and will do everything I can to ensure a fair conclusion for Strathcona County. More on Capital Region Integrated Growth Management Plan.
Even while we were engaged in the regionalization endeavour, another bombshell was dropped on Council's lap in the form of a possible 13% tax increase for 2008. I indicated right away this was not acceptable in my eyes, as my residents would not be receiving an increase in their income anywhere near that amount. Our Administration had brought forward a number of initiatives in this budget but I do not believe we can afford all of them at once. I also found it difficult to substantiate the items in the budget that were put forward to enhance all our services at once. After very heated discussions with both my fellow Councillors as well as our Administration, Council was able to par the increase back to 8.98%. In my eyes this is still high (I believe the highest I had previously approved was 6.9% when Millenium Place was built) and I will be looking forward to working on next year's budget in much more detail. We must look for "out of the box" solutions and ways to keep our increases much more palatable for all our residents.
Even though we are faced with many challenges every day, we cannot forget whose birthday we are celebrating at this time of the year and the challenges He faced for us. We cannot forget that this is a time for family and friends and the rest, in the end, does not really matter. We cannot forget that we do need each other to succeed and I believe, cannot experience true happiness alone. On behalf of myself, my wife Susan and our family, we would like to wish you and yours a very blessed and happy Christmas and a joyous and prosperous new year.
Vic Bidzinski
Councillor, Ward 1
780-464-8005
bidzinski@strathcona.ab.ca.
Last updated: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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