Municipal Alberta
Chicken And Egg
DUNMORE -- Cypress County councillors tackled a big question on Tuesday: What comes first - the house or the road? Second story down. (40 Mile County Commentator)
Muni Buildings Ban Smoke
CROWSNEST PASS -- The municipality of Crowsnest Pass is getting closer to becoming smoke free. (Crowsnest Pass Promoter)
Ministerial Meeting On Wastewater
STRATHMORE -- Members of Strathmore Town Council and Administration will be talking face to face with Ministers of the Alberta Government about the Town's proposals on its wastewater delivery system. (Strathmore Standard)
County Rules On CFOs
VULCAN -- After much public debate, Vulcan County has rendered a decision pertaining to confined feeding operations (CFOs). (Vulcan Advocate)
Strip Club Debate Gets Hot
AIRDRIE -- There's no law against it. Yet. (Airdrie Echo)
Resignation Pressure Building
LETHBRIDGE -- The husband of a Lethbridge alderman -- now charged with public mischief for allegedly writing sex letters to herself while claiming they were from a stalker -- says he will continue to stand by his wife's side. (Calgary Herald)
Options Taxing City
CALGARY -- Tax hikes, soaring utility bills and layoffs at city hall -- or some combination of the three-- are what Calgarians can expect next year as council tries to close a $60-million gap projected for the city's budget. (Calgary Herald)
Council Catches Staff By Surprise
COCHRANE -- In what came as quite a surprise to members of the Town of Cochrane's senior staff, town council snuck a piece of new business on to the council agenda. (Cochrane Times)
Humongous Hopper Fight
DRUMHELLER -- Forecasts of severe grasshopper infestation this summer has prompted Wheatland County to take emergency measures. (Drumheller Mail)
No License, No Business
OLDS -- Although most businesses have complied by getting the required business license on time, some businesses have been reluctant. Second story down. (Olds Albertan)
Boundaries Set To Change
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Electoral boundaries in Brazeau County are going to change prior to the 2004 election after a 2002 census showed uneven distribution of population within its five divisions. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Land-Use Bylaw Gets New Look
LACOMBE -- A new land-use bylaw in the works for two years features a complete switch to metric, regulations on pre-manufactured homes and even stipulations on shadows. (Lacombe Globe)
Construction Boom
WETASKIWIN -- Foundations are being laid for an expanding city. (Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser)
E-Gov't Could Spell Job Losses
EDMONTON -- The City of Edmonton's quest to offer services on the internet could mean some front-line jobs will be phased out. (Edmonton Journal)
Battalion Honoured
SPRUCE GROVE -- The City of Spruce Grove will grant Freedom of the City to Canadian Forces 1 Service Battalion at a formal ceremony. (City of Spruce Grove Press Release hosted on MuniMall)
Council Hikes Its Pay
FORT SASKATCHEWAN-- City Council has given itself a salary increase of about 4% next year. (Sturgeon Creek Post)
Costly Hit
ST. ALBERT -- City council delivered a shock and awe message to St. Albert taxpayers, suggesting municipal taxes could increase by 63 per cent by 2010. (St. Albert Gazette)
Debt Capped At $82M
SHERWOOD PARK -- A couple of councillors want to further stymie Strathcona County from ratcheting up its debt. (Sherwood Park News)
Councillors Questioned On Plebiscite
EDSON -- A plebiscite is not legally binding. That was the message being delivered -- as well as questioned -- at Yellowhead County's public meeting on the June 16 plebiscite. (Edson Leader)
Arena Finances On Thin Ice
FALHER -- Facing the challenge of rising costs and decreasing revenues, a new lease agreement for Smoky River Minor Hockey Association to operate Falher Memorial Arena has been reached by the Town of Falher. (Smoky River Express)
Green With Goats
COLD LAKE -- Crunch. Crunch. Crunch. That's the sound of being green -- both environmentally and financially. (Cold Lake Sun)
Ambulance Amalgamation Gaining Steam
SPIRIT RIVER-- Spirit River council is the most recent municipality to give approval to a plan for the Central Peace Ambulance Authority (CPAA) to amalgamate with the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Services (GPREMS). Top story under photo. (The Signal)
Inter-Municipal Plan In Works
HIGH LEVEL -- After gaining approval from the Municipal District of Mackenzie No. 23 and the Town of High Level, a committee of councillors and administrative staff have started to work on the preparation of an inter-municipal development plan for the High Level area. (Town of High Level/ MD of Mackenzie Press Release, hosted on MuniMall)
Municipal Saskatchewan
Lengthy Probe Not A Problem
PRINCE ALBERT -- The acting chairman of the Prince Albert board of police commissioners isn't concerned about how long the investigation involving the mayor and three senior police officers is taking. (Prince Albert Daily Herald)
Saskwater Squeezing City
MELFORT -- Melfort city council says a Crown corporation is putting the squeeze on the city as part of a plan to expand the reach of the Codette Lake Regional Water Supply System. (Melfort Journal)
Demolitions Delay Cultural Centre
MOOSE JAW -- Those waiting in anticipation for the grand opening of the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre will likely be waiting until next year. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Hole Lotta Fun
TISDALE -- The town crew keeps fixing them, one after another, today by the park, tomorrow on 95th and Friday by the hospital. A photo essay. (Saskatchewan News)
Pension Plan Posts Painful Loss
REGINA -- The pension plan for Regina city employees had an $18.6-million investment loss last year and a report expected soon will show whether the plan is underfunded. (Regina Leader-Post)
Ruffians Taking Over, Says Mayor
FORT QU'APPELLE -- Pushed around and threatened during a fact-finding mission on Main Street, Fort Qu'Appelle's mayor learned first-hand just how big a problem loitering and littering have become. (CBC Saskatchewan)
Casino Vote, Election On Same Ballot
SASKATOON -- The casino referendum will be an election issue after councillors voted overwhelmingly Monday to hold it in conjunction with the Oct. 22 civic vote. (The StarPhoenix)
Municipal Manitoba
RM Joins Conservation District
STE. ANNE -- Only six months after being formed by the RM of La Broquerie, the Seine-Rat River Conservation District has had their first municipality come on board. (Dawson Trail Dispatch)
Village Development Debated
MORDEN -- Both sides rehashed their cases for and against an expansion of the village boundaries of Schanzenfeld at a municipal board hearing in Morden Thursday. (Morden Times)
Pool Penalties Bite Piranhas
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- Southport Portage Piranha Swim Club has taken the plunge and is asking City Hall to waive late payment charges for pool rentals last year. (The Daily Graphic)
Rec Centre Closer To Reality
SELKIRK -- Residents of three municipalities could soon be the proud new owners of a Wellness Centre, if a community group has its way. (Selkirk Journal)
Meters Questioned
HANOVER -- Residents of a Kleefeld street asked Hanover council last week to clarify why water meters are being installed at their homes even though they all have private wells. Tenth story down. (Carillon)
Southern MB Mayor Nets FCM Post
WINKLER -- Winkler and southern Manitoba will be represented on the board of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities this year. (Winkler Times)
Municipal North
Cemetery Search Is On
IQALUIT, NU -- Iqaluit's cemetery is filling up, and the city is asking residents to help select a site for a new one. (CBC North)
Waterfront Plans Unveiled
WHITEHORSE, YK -- Leaders from the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the City of Whitehorse had their first open discussion about waterfront development last night. (CBC North)
Municipal Ontario
Rotating Rec Directors
DRYDEN -- Three different people, all employed by the City of Dryden, will serve four-month terms each over the next year as acting directors of community services. (Dryden Observer)
Treasurer Departs
FORT FRANCES -- The Town of Fort Frances is looking to hire a new treasurer as Diane Pearson will be leaving the position as of July 11 and moving away. (Fort Frances Times)
Restructuring Recommendations Revealed
KENORA -- Kenora City planner Jeff Port presented his recommendations for terms of reference for Lake of the Woods municipal restructuring. (Kenora Daily Miner and News)
Applications Replace Elections
BALDWIN -- With approximately 6 months left before the 2003 municipal election, two local councils have replaced a municipal councillor each through an application process. (Mid-North Monitor)
Mayor Blasts MPP
SAULT STE MARIE-- Mayor John Rowswell lashed out at Sault MPP Tony Martin Monday for one of his recent press releases, calling it "offensive" and "insulting" to city council. (Sault Star)
City Error Could Cost Biz
TIMMINS -- Due to a city error, some businesses will be rebilled for 2002 taxes, while other taxpayers will receive a rebate. (Timmins Times)
More Referendum Bashing
PARRY SOUND -- The provincial Progressive Conservative Party campaign platform, for the as yet unannounced provincial election, includes something that has caught the ire of municipal governments across the province. (Parry Sound North Star)
Tainted Water Duo Appear In Court
WALKERTON -- The two brothers criminally charged in the tainted-water tragedy that shattered the calm of Walkerton three years ago made their first court appearance. (Owen Sound Sun Times)
Cafe Bylaw Coming
COLLINGWOOD -- Visitors and residents in Collingwood may soon be able to sip a glass of wine or their favourite cocktail while eating their lunch and enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze on the downtown streets. (SIMCOE.COM)
Councillors Get Court Date
MIDLAND -- Five members of Midland Town Council are scheduled to appear in the Superior Court of Justice, Barrie Courthouse to answer allegations of conflict of interest. (Midland Free Press)
Garbage Limit Dumped
RICHMOND HILL -- Richmond Hill councillors have recycled and reduced a controversial decision requiring residents to decrease drastically the amount of garbage they're allowed to put out. (yorkregion.com)
Flusher Truck Attacks West Nile
MARKHAM -- As the Region of York begins its larvicide program this week to combat West Nile virus, the Town of Markham will pay extra attention to its rural neighbourhoods in urbanized areas. (yorkregion.com)
Hot Dog Heroes
OSHAWA -- When fees to sell hot dogs and run jumping castles during community park openings skyrocketed, a group of volunteers brought unfair situation to the attention of City Hall. It worked. (durhamregion.com)
Zoning May Slow Mud Drags
NORTH AUGUSTA -- The mud can't stop the Wheels A Churnin' drag races but some paper may hold it up. (Brockville Recorder & Times Online)
Camera Shy Council
LANDSDOWNE -- Politicians in the small rural community of Leeds and Thousands Islands Township believe in open government, apparently as long as it's not too open. (Kingston Whig-Standard)
Brownfields Strategy Unveiled
KINGSTON -- City politicians will get their first look at a plan to spur development of contaminated land in Kingston. (Kingston Whig-Standard)
Taxes Headed Up
OTTAWA -- Brace yourself for a tax increase: Mayor Bob Chiarelli all but admitted that the city can't cut $120 million from its spending to balance the books in 2004. (Ottawa Citizen)
12% Hike Expected
LAURENTIAN HILLS -- With taxes in his municipality escalating on an annual basis, Laurentian Hills Mayor Paul Curtis is calling for provincial assistance to stop the upward spiral. (North Renfrew Times)
911 Surcharge Approved
PERTH -- A bylaw that will see a 911 surcharge applied to residential properties this year was approved by council, but not without considerable discussion. (Perth Courier)
Scaring Away Development?
ELORA -- The County of Wellington's proposed development charge has some Centre Wellington developers upset. (Fergus-Elora News Express)
Residents Trash Garbage Collection
GODERICH -- It has only been a month since the new garbage and recycling collection commenced in Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township but few residents are pleased with the program. (Lucknow Sentinel)
Pipeline Cheapest Option
PAISLEY -- A Chesley to Paisley pipeline is proving itself to be the best and least expensive option for a reliable water source for the two towns. (Shoreline Beacon)
Wind Power Examined
THOROLD -- Niagara Region is taking a serious look at wind and other renewable, cleaner energy sources. (St. Catharines Standard)
Ban On Cosmetic Pesticide Discussed
SEAFORTH -- Banning cosmetic pesticide use in Huron East will only put lawncare companies out of business, not eradicate the use of pesticides on area lawns, Huron East council heard. (Seaforth Huron Expositor)
Cultural Master Plan Gets Nod
STRATHROY -- Strathroy-Caradoc has given its approval in principle to a request for $15,600 to help fund a cultural master plan for the municipality. (Age Dispatch)
Fire Plan Ignites Debate
WELLAND -- A report heading to council next Tuesday will recommend sweeping changes to the way fire services are delivered. (Welland Tribune)
Vote Is In The Mail
WINDSOR -- In an effort to increase participation in municipal elections this fall, three local towns -- Lakeshore, Kingsville and Leamington -- will go ahead with "mail-in" voting. (Windsor Star)
Municipal Atlantic
Council Clashes Over Big Spending
SUMMERSIDE, PE -- Sharp divisions surfaced at the council table when councillors clashed over spending for major multi-million-dollar projects such as the wellness centre, the West End Redevelopment Project and police station renovations. (Summerside Journal-Pioneer)
Bylaw On Panhandling Pushed
ST. JOHN, NB -- Officials in Saint John are recommending that the city solicitor draft a bylaw that would curb aggressive panhandlers on their streets. (CBC - New Brunswick)
Civic Centre Scores Funding
PORT HAWKESBURY, NS -- The Cape Breton Growth Fund has committed $2.5 million to construction of a civic centre in the town, meaning about two-thirds of the funding required is now in place for the $14.5 million project. (Cape Breton Post)
Odor Problem Won't Waft Away
MULGRAVE, NS -- Frustration levels are still high for a number of Mulgrave residents over the foul order emanating from the Ocean Nutrition plant in the town. Third story down. (Guysborough Journal)
Shared Services Recommended
CARBONEAR, NF -- Towns in Conception Bay North are inching closer to the sharing of services. (The Compass)
Getting Wired
Upgraded Website Will Wow 'Em
TABER -- It's out with the old and in with the new, according to Town of Taber director of planning Lenze Kuiper. Third story down. (Taber Times)
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