Municipal Alberta
Mayor Rapped
EDMONTON -- Mayor Bill Smith is under fire for characterizing street people as "hookers, beggars and bums." (Edmonton Journal)
Regional Rec Site Required
MORINVILLE -- After two open house meetings in Morinville last week, town council has decided not to change its position that the proposed multi-purpose recreation centre must be located on Highway 2. (St. Albert Gazette)
Merger Mulled
ST. ALBERT -- Some Sturgeon County councillors agree with a St. Albert alderman that it may be time to consider a new form of governance for the area. (St. Albert Gazette)
No Way, We Won't Spray
SHERWOOD PARK -- Strathcona County won't renew spraying for mosquitoes despite predictions the West Nile virus will spread into Alberta this year. (Sherwood Park News)
No-Show Councillor May Be Ousted
PEACE RIVER -- Northern Sunrise County council is concerned whether or not the voice of Cadotte Lake and Little Buffalo is being heard in chambers as the chair of the communities' councillor has sat empty over several months. (Peace River Record Gazette)
No More Boil Orders
SLAVE LAKE -- If Slave Lake's water treatment plant upgrades had been completed a week or two earlier, chances are residents wouldn't have had to boil their water for four days last week. (Lakeside Leader)
Pipeline Pricetag Soars
LACOMBE -- The estimated cost to pump water north from the Red Deer River to Lacombe and several other communities took a dramatic upswing early last week. (Lacombe Globe)
Town Cops Safety Award
VERMILION -- Jump-started by a near miss in a local school zone a few years ago, the Town of Vermilion together with AMA came up with some effective ways to fix the safety concerns around the school zones and even managed to win an award in the process. (Vermilion Standard)
Census Questions Contentious
AIRDRIE -- The line between personal privacy and socially useful information is at issue for Airdrie city council. (Airdrie Echo)
Mayor Takes Strong Stand
COCHRANE -- There was palpable tension during the mayor's and councillors' reports, as Mayor Judy Stewart appears to have taken a strong stand on issues she's been hearing a lot about: shirts and trips. (Cochrane Times)
Smoke Eaters Score Hardware
CONSORT -- A Municipal Sponsorship Grant of $120,000 from Special Areas has been used by the Consort Fire Department to replace their old Rescue Van (1981-Dodge) and the old red fire engine that has served the area since 1968. (Consort Enterprise)
Ready To Rumble
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Drayton Valley town council is throwing its hat into the ring -- the prize fighting ring. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Town Won't Be Railroaded
PONOKA -- Members of Ponoka town council are upset and want answers from CP Rail. (Ponoka News)
Plug Pulled On Treatment Plant
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE -- Rocky Mountain House's water treatment plant was shut down earlier this month because of poor water quality flowing in from the North Saskatchewan River. (Rocky Mountain House Mountaineer)
Town Eyes Dump Fees
PINCHER CREEK -- Dropping off garbage at the landfill may soon cost you money. (Pincher Creek Echo)
Long Time Employee Ousted
VULCAN -- After nearly 20 years of service to Vulcan County, special constable Terry Penney was relieved of his duties after the April 9 county council meeting. (Vulcan Advocate)
Municipal Saskatchewan
RM, Union Settle
MEADOW LAKE -- The ratification of a collective agreement between the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees Union and the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake has paved the way for a new working relationship between the workers and their employer. (Meadow Lake Progress)
Fire Bans Issued Already
MEADOW LAKE -- Fire season is upon northwest Saskatchewan once again as dry conditions persist. (Meadow Lake Progress)
Windfall Comes In Handy
MELFORT -- A $350,000 windfall in investment income was all that kept the City of Melfort's operations budget in the black for 2002. (Melfort Journal)
Nothing To Crow About
MELFORT -- The City of Melfort has made no firm commitment when it comes to dealing with requests to do something about the presence of crows in the city. (Melfort Journal)
Mayor Faces Impaired Rap
PRINCE ALBERT -- The mayor of Prince Albert has been charged with drunk driving a month after he resigned from the city's police commission under mysterious circumstances. (Canadian Press on canada.com)
. . . But Never Blew
PRINCE ALBERT -- Although Prince Albert Mayor Don Cody says he agreed to take a breathalyser when pulled over by the city's police more than a month ago, the officers did not proceed with the blood alcohol test. (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)
City Sued
REGINA -- The City of Regina and Lakeview Gardens are going to court today over errant golf balls. (Regina Leader-Post)
Municipal Manitoba
Signage May Save Lives
OAKBANK -- A new addressing system is being put into place in the RM of Springfield and for the first time all residents will have a sign at the end of their driveway with a proper address clearly marked on it. (The Clipper Weekly News)
Budget Impact Varies
CARMAN -- This year's budget will be a mixed bag for Carman ratepayers. (Carman Valley Leader)
New Bucks Spread Around
MORDEN -- The new financial plan for the Town of Morden spreads the spending increases fairly evenly throughout most sectors. (The Morden Times)
Municipalities On Skeeter Slaying Mission
SELKIRK -- Local municipalities within the capital region are hoping to nip the mosquito population in the bud by joining the City of Winnipeg's enhanced larviciding program. (Selkirk Journal)
Distant Donation Pondered
WINKLER -- Should the City of Winkler make a donation to a project in a town 40 kilometres away? (Winkler Times)
Ambiguity Plagues Butt Bylaw
WINNIPEG -- Winnipeg's new smoking bylaw was supposed to be the definitive end to the smoking debate in the city, but the Manitoba Restaurant Association is worried the bylaw's wording will create more problems. (CBC Manitoba)
Municipal North
Taps Turned Back On
RAE-EDZO, NT -- Social housing tenants in Rae are back on regular water delivery after the hamlet received a payment from a delinquent account. (CBC North)
Resort Clears Hurdle
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- Yellowknife city council passed a by-law to sell two big parcels of Twin Pine hill to a developer Monday night -- but not before there were angry words in council chambers. (CBC North)
Lack Of Water Douses Firefighters
IQALUIT, NU -- A fire at house 2485 in Tundra Valley was compromised by an inadequate water supply system, said Leo Tobin, the city's deputy fire chief. (Nunatsiaq News)
Councillor Rejects Pay Hike
WHITEHORSE, YK -- People on council should earn the pay they're making before they ask for a raise, says Coun. Duke Connelly. (Whitehorse Star Daily)
Municipal Ontario
Official Plan Wins Final Approval
MASSEY -- It's been years in the making and now the final approval for the new Official Plan (OP) and comprehensive zoning by-law for Sables-Spanish Rivers township has come through. (Elliot Lake Standard)
Water, Sewer Take 20% Hike
KENORA -- Kenora households will be paying 20 per cent more for their water and sewer service this year if city council approves it next week, said a city councillor. (Kenora Miner and News)
And Then There Were Four
KIRKLAND LAKE -- The town's corporate restructuring has been completed, and 11 town departments have been pared down to 4. (Northern Daily News)
Reeve Will Run Again
NOBEL -- A change of circumstances means a change of heart, and mind, for Carling Reeve Mike Konoval. (Parry Sound North Star)
Muzzle Mayor Mel
SAULT STE MARIE -- Ontario Premier Ernie Eves has announced a $118-million aid package to "rehabilitate Toronto in the eyes of the world," but perhaps should spend the first $10 or so on a gag for Mayor Mel Lastman. An editorial opinion piece. (The Sault Star)
City Booming, Boasts Mayor
SUDBURY -- Sudbury is experiencing "a true economic renaissance, both in terms of what's happening here already and what's soon to come," Sudbury Mayor Jim Gordon said Wednesday. (The Sudbury Star)
Sewage Upgrades On Tap
EXETER -- South Huron Council has accepted a consultant's report that will see an old sewage lift station removed from Huron Park's Algonquin Drive and replaced with a gravity main system. (Exeter Times Advocate)
Climbing Ban On The Rocks
ELORA -- Centre Wellington council deferred a decision to ban rock climbing in the Elora Gorge. (Fergus-Elora News Express)
Lawns May Thirst Earlier Than Usual
GUELPH -- There hasn't been a lot of rain this spring, but there is a dark cloud forming over Guelph: water restrictions. (Guelph Mercury)
Three Is Enough
PETROLIA -- Petrolia Mayor Ross O'Hara won't seek a fourth straight term in the Nov. 10 municipal election. (Petrolia Topic)
Water Meeting Boils Into Frustration
PAISLEY -- A panel of seven authorities on the topic of Paisley's drinking water took a beating from a crowd of 100 residents who turned out to a public meeting in the village. (Shoreline Beacon)
Larger Slot Slice Sought
SARNIA -- The majority of city councillors say they are concerned about local charities and want the Ontario government to give host municipalities a larger share of slots revenue. (Sarnia Observer)
Committee Restructuring Recommended
ST. MARYS -- A motion brought forward by Coun. Stan Fraser that suggested some restructuring for town committees was amended to become a recommendation that the next council deal with the issue. (St. Marys Journal Argus)
A 'Fine' Fight
ST. THOMAS -- Elgin county council is determined to lobby the province for legislation change that will allow Chatham-Kent to refund money for traffic fines collected on Highway 401. (The Chronicle)
Old Deficit May Hike Taxes
SHELBURNE -- Shocking news was presented to Shelburne council, indicating that a major deficit in 2001's budget had been overlooked by auditors for the town. (Orangeville Banner)
City Sets SARS Strategy
BRAMPTON -- The City of Brampton has developed a 10-point plan to help lessen the impact of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) scare on local businesses. (Brampton Guardian)
Downtown Patios Possible
ORILLIA -- Orillians may soon be able to enjoy a cool drink and a favourite food dish at sidewalk patios downtown. (Orillia Packet and Times)
Skaters Rolling High
STAYNER -- A handful of local skateboarders, members of Clearview Township's recreation and culture committee and town staff held a press conference to discuss their plans for two skateboard parks in the township. (Enterprise Bulletin)
Water Deal Done
OWEN SOUND -- Owen Sound water will be extended to Leith if a three-part preliminary agreement comes to fruition. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Fire Chief Feels The Heat
OSHAWA -- Allegations of nepotism, unfair hiring and firing practices, under-staffing and general mismanagement have rocked the office of Oshawa Fire Chief Milt Wilson. (durhamregion.com)
Butt Out Or Face Fines, Says Bylaw Boss
BELLEVILLE -- If there are any bars or restaurant owners planning to flaunt the no-smoking bylaw, they should think again, says new bylaw enforcement officer Darrin Heasman. (Belleville Intelligencer)
568 Employees Getting Raises
KINGSTON -- Hundreds of City of Kingston employees will get bigger paycheques because of a new job evaluation policy approved by council. (Kingston This Week)
Boiling No Help
PETERBOROUGH -- A substance known to cause cancer in laboratory animals, found recently in the water supply, won't go away if drinking water is boiled. (Peterborough Examiner)
Future Directions Illustrates 'Family Feud': MP
BRIGHTON -- Eastern Ontario's wardens are involved in a "family feud" with their parent, the provincial government, says Northumberland MP Paul Macklin, commenting on the Future Directions Report. (The Independent Online)
Municipal Atlantic
Dark Sky Gets Support
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- Mayor George MacDonald says he's willing to consider street lamps that reduce light pollution as a way to promote star gazing on the Island. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Mayors Demand More Fed Funding
SUMMERSIDE, PE -- The Atlantic Mayors' Congress sent a clear message to Ottawa that municipalities should get more infrastructure funding -- and more say in how it's spent. (Summerside Journal Pioneer)
Tax Hike Looming
SAINT JOHN, NB -- City Commissioner of finance Andrew Beckett is predicting an estimated $5-million shortfall in 2004, meaning increases in the tax rate or cuts in services -- unless new sources of revenue can be found. (Saint John Telegraph-Journal)
Councillor Protests Ambulance Bill
BLACK'S HARBOUR, NB -- A Black's Harbour councillor says seniors in his village are paying an unfair share of ambulance bills.
RCMP Shoots Back
SACKVILLE, NB -- The RCMP is refuting allegations that the hiring process used to evaluate the current Sackville municipal police officers for employment with the incoming RCMP force is tainted. (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Council Disses Mobile Signs
HALIFAX -- Mobile signs are unsightly, obstructive and they've got to go, say some city councillors. (Halifax Daily News)
Arsenic Levels High
NEW HARBOUR, NF -- Results of latest testing at the New Harbour dump site were announced last week and according to some, it's not as bad as expected. (The Compass)
Residents Protest Proposed Road
CORNER BROOK, NF -- Residents of MacDonald Brown Drive in Corner Brook say opening their street to the Lewin Parkway will create a major threat to safety along the street and subdivision. (The Log)
Committee Resigns In Protest
DEER LAKE -- Deer Lake Mayor Harold (Smokey) Ball is sticking to his guns in an effort to develop contested lakefront property. (Corner Brook Western Star)
Undoused Fire Enflames Residents
GLENWOOD, NF -- Residents of Glenwood are frustrated that little has been done to put out a fire that's burning three kilometres outside of town. (CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador)
Getting Wired
The Latest Annoyance: Spam On Your Cellphone
OTTAWA -- Feeling overwhelmed by junk mail, telemarketers and spam? Just wait, a whole new world of ad pitches is getting ready to target your cellphone. (Ottawa Citizen)
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