Questions

Pass Herald 2010 Election Questionnaire

1. What specific issues or projects do you feel is most important for the Municipality to focus on in the next three years?

Increase economic base in the Crowsnest Pass by working with government agencies, private business and other interest groups produce an environment that is conducive to attracting and sustaining small and medium business.

2. How would you rate the current state of the Municipality, both economically and politically?

Politics are alive and well in the Crowsnest Pass. There have been some problematic situations in the past. The past is the past.  The large slate of candidates for this year’s election and the turn out to the candidate’s forum shows a keen interest by the community to get involved and move forward.

Economically we are at a standstill and work must be done to stimulate and maintain growth in all sectors well developing new areas. We are very good at studying and planning, but implementation has been a failure, that must change.

3. What specific strategies so you fell should be employed to increase the local tax base?

Entice industry and business to locate in the Crowsnest Pass via tax incentives, setting policies to streamline the approval processes and contracting a business development officer to package and market our community for the purpose of attracting new industries to our area.  Continue to develop the Crowsnest Pass as a tourism destination both for operators and tourists.  

4. Short of increasing the tax base, what would you do to promote the continuation of municipal services without dramatic tax increases? Are there any areas where you feel the Municipality should spend less or more than it currently does?

In business when budgets are tight we do more with less. Eliminate the duplication of services, developing policies to unsure taxpayers receive full value for dollars spent  practices and strict adherence to budgets are good starting places. 

My Views on: Council and the Community

Council and the Community:

·         Communications with the community should be open and accessible; to reflect our position as its servants.

·         Seek out opportunities to encourage Low Cost Housing.

·         Maintain high community standards to: keep our young people from looking for opportunities elsewhere. Having a good life within the Crowsnest Pass involves more than just good employment.

·         Enhance the living conditions for our seniors.

·         Hold taxation to, or below the inflation rate
       Petition the Provincial Government to move forward on twinning the #3 Highway.

·         Find a way to build a multi-purpose recreation centre – without increasing the tax burden.

·         Consider public transportation needs within the municipality.

·       More than the invisible infrastructure is needed to make a community into a home - it's time to look at creative ways to achieve those aminities   

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My Views on: Council,the municipality and Business

Council,the municipality and Business:

•  Council can create an atmosphere in which our municipality is more attractive to businesses and industry. 
•      The Municipality will achieve a higher level of success by seeking light industry to create an economic base – not only for taxation purposes, but also to provide a financial base so our young people are less likely to be compelled or enticed to relocate.
• ·         Support for local businesses should be encouraged in every way possible, and councilors could lead by example.
• ·         Hold taxation to, or below the inflation rate.
• ·         Provide meaningful help to the tourist industry, in every way (including expansion).

      

My Views on: Governance

Governance:

•        Decisions based on research (including feedback from citizens) help ensure the people are being served. It’s the responsibility of each and every councilor to operate in a manner consistent with this approach.
•    Once council has established its priorities it becomes the responsibility of every member to work together in achieving them. Success is also the product of unity.
•   Cuff Report recommendations should be examined and implemented with judicious haste.
•    Hold taxation to, or below the inflation rate.
•   Bona fide management practices lead to efficient use of time and facilitate success. (Micromanagement is counter-productive)
•    Communications with the community should be open and accessible; to reflect our position as its servants.
• Transparency in not just desired, it's required.

The Candidates

With nomination day come and gone the list of candidates proves to be lengthy and diverse. Should shape up to be an interesting run.



Mayor

Bruce Decoux

John Salus

John Prince

Councilors

Dave Cole

John Irwin

Siegbert Gail

George Hoff

Jamie Thomson

Merle Sandau

Dean Ward

Larry Mitchell

Brian Gallant

Doreen Glavin

Emile J Saindon

Andrew Saje

Donald J R Vaters

Sasha JaegerBaird

Ian Macleod

Jerry Lonsbury

Douglas Raines

Steve Bottrell

Gail Patricia Sygutek

Good Luck to all and may the Crowsnest Pass be the real winner in the end. 

Hi There

My parents and I  came to Canada from Norway in 1959. The family settled in Toronto and I moved to Calgary in 1969. In 2002 my wife Joan and I made our home in the Crowsnest Pass. Although semi-retired  I continue to enjoy great success as a carpenter, and my achievements provide a solid foundation upon which future success is assured. These achievements include, but are not exclusive to: earning certificates in Building Management, Project Estimation, Hazardous Goods Removal, Building Operations and a 4^th Class Engineering ticket. Forty-plus years of experience in construction and property management and fulfilling demands for detailed planning, strict adherence to budgets, and ensuring a great many people were happy with the results of his efforts are exactly what should be expected of a member of council.