Capital Region Board update
Published July 25, 2008
It has been some time since the Capital Region Board has been a focal point in the media. I thought a brief update would be timely. Since its formation, work has been going on quietly but efficiently. Mayor Cathy Olesen is our representative on the Board and I serve as the alternate representative. Flowing from that Board is a number of committees that are doing the detailed work in regard to certain elements of the mandate. There are five committees at work - Governance, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Land Use, Transit and Affordable and Social Housing (Housing).
The Board is required to present to the Alberta Government a plan by March 2009 and that timeline is cast in stone. Much work must be done. Though all phases of the plan are critical and are interwoven, perhaps the greatest impact that residents will see on an ongoing basis are in the areas of Land Use, Transit and Housing. I say greatest impact as it is these three areas that will affect the residents of the Capital Region in a vivid and solid way.
The task is large but I can assure you all are committed. If you were at any of the Committee meetings you would ask this question, what are they doing? It would seem that no progress is being made however, I can assure you that all committees are setting the groundwork and establishing working plans and protocols to guide us along the path. The Committees meet frequently and are chaired by mayors from various communities in the Region.
One issue that is being worked on now that perhaps has the possibility of making a direct impact on all regional residents is the group working on a funding formula. As was indicated at the get go from the Radke Report is that if a project is deemed regional then all communities are required to contribute to it financially, in some fashion. This group is in its infancy and to date nothing has been determined and by no means should anyone consider the sky is falling.
This is a new process and with change comes uncertainty. At first you could sense such uncertainty in the Board as well as in the Committees. Rightly so as there is much at stake. With the passage of time and after working together I see a cohesion that is developing amongst all Board and Committee members. There is a genuine desire to get the job done with the goal of making the Capital Region a better place for all.
As everything moves forward certainly there will be apprehension however, some tough decisions will be made. After seeing the initial fruits of the labor, I am confident that everyone has the best interests of all at heart and I look forward to some positive things unfolding as the ultimate plan develops.
Though it appears to be going too fast for my liking, I trust that you and your families will all have a wonderful summer.
Peter Wlodarczak
Councillor, Ward 4
780-464-8146
wlodarczak@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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