As a recent candidate in the up coming municipal election I hope to let the residents of the Crowsnest Pass get to know me and what I stand for better through this blog.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

The Walking Trail System in The Crowsnest Pass

I have recently been educated on this wonderful project that is underway. The master plan can be found here. What an asset to the community this network will be when completed.

The last few days

For the last few days I have been out knocking on doors ,talking to people and listening to them. We held an open house and had a number of people drop by, some to lend their support, others to find out more about me. I would like to thank all that took the time to come and see us.
Today found us out  and about cruising town in the model A. Now that draws attention.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Open House

 Next Thursday October 14 between 5:00 and 7:30 I am hosting an Open house for all those intrested in chatting about my ideas and to express your concerns.
Drop by and visit us at
 Country Encounters  7701 17 ave Coleman
Thursday October 14 between 5:00 and 7:30

and Remember Oct 18 Vote George Hoff for Council

The Affordable Housing Dilemma

The term “affordable housing’ seems to be a catch all phrase for anything from subsidized rent, to housing that seniors on a fixed income can afford, to  assorted projects that can help first time home owners . Let’s leave the “seniors housing” out of this for a moment and talk about the future of our town – the young. When local voters mention “affordable housing” do they mean housing purchased at a low cost or do they mean a project where rent is subsidized in one form or another? To me “affordable housing” is the first where “low cost housing” is the second.

Both types have problems to overcome and benefits to be gained. To develop a project that could entice our young people back to The Pass, dangling the carrot of owning their own home is appealing. The administration for either type of project could be a nightmare if incorrectly undertaken. Those who really need the help and show the willingness to work for it, may lose out if a very stringent set of criteria are not set well in advance.  
One idea for “affordable housing” that has been presented runs as follows: A group of semi detached housing units are built and sold to qualified buyers (these qualification could be any number of things including income, down payment, etc.) with conditions attached. Things like maximum resale price achievable and only selling to another qualified buyer. It is really nothing more than a stepping stone to standard home ownership. Could it work? Maybe but only if the will is there. It would most certainly take a combined effort between Council, private business and those that would gain from such a project.
Low cost housing on the other where rents are subsidized creates a whole different set of problems and would have to be studied and undertaken only if it did not create a burden on the taxpayer. How much of a need actually exists, I don’t know nor do I have all the answers

In the case of low cost seniors housing work would have to be done with federal and provincial counterparts to expand program already in place.
It gives us all something to think on.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Marketing of a Community

                                                                                                                             
Some years ago the community of Milk River undertook the task of selling itself to the larger world. It had an organized schedule of TV and print ads, billboards, and the like. If a business sees the need to advertise (and almost all do) they may go about setting up a plan on where to spend their money in the most productive manor- The Marketing Plan.

Now keeping in mind these two points, is it possible for the Crowsnest Pass to do the same? Set up an organized plan of where and how to spend dollars most effectively in the world at large to produce the desired results of increasing the flow of people ( tourist and resident alike) as well as business to our area. Of course it is, and we should.

There have been several studies identifying businesses that could be encouraged to set up shop in our area. Now is the time to use that information as well as input from local groups such as Community Futures, The Chamber of Commerce and individuals to create a Marketing Plan that show first and foremost that the Crowsnest Pass is open for business and it wants you.  But planning is not enough, that plan must be implemented as soon as it is ready, strictly carried out, and the evaluated.  Time is of the essences.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

A Visit to York Creek Lodge

 I visited York Creek Lodge and Tecumseh Manor earlier this week and met a very pleasant group of residents.  During our chat some of the seniors brought up their displeasure with present Council. They have attempted to get a crosswalks plus lights for some time on 20 th ave by the York Creek turn off.  What is wrong with the present Council and Mayor?  This is not a major budget mater; it is a matter of safety. According to my in formation the light is in the municipal warehouse. The answer seems simple to me. Paint some lines, install the lights and have happy and safe seniors. Sometimes a little common sense goes a long ways.
Another concern that came up during our talk was the waking bridge over York Creek. According to the residents, in the winter snow from the street is piled up at the walking bridge so it is difficult to access it. Again it seems to me that if a little common sense is applied the problem could be solved.

Now these may not seem to many to be major issues but they are things that concern these nice folks and are easily fixed. A little listening and cooperation go along way.