Municipal Alberta
Speed Limit Decision Reversed
BOW ISLAND -- An attempt to put the brakes on speeders in Bow Island has hit a speed bump. Fourth story down. (40 Mile County Commentator)
Airport-of-Entry Status Flies
LETHBRIDGE -- The Lethbridge County Airport is looking for renewed flight traffic this fall now that Airport-of-Entry has been reinstated. Second story down. (Coaldale Sunny South News)
Animal Bylaw Caged
CLARESHOLM -- A delegation about 25 strong appeared before the regular M.D. of Willow Creek council meeting and had their say about the proposed animal control bylaw for the Hamlet of Parkland. (Nanton News)
Farmer Sows $238G Lawsuit
TABER -- A lease agreement between the town and a local farmer to farm 900 acres of town-owned land went sour and has landed the town in hot water. Second story down. (Taber Times)
Skatepark Funding Ramps Up
VAUXHALL -- Local skateboarders, BMX bikers and in-line rollerbladers will likely have a place to call their own by April or May of 2004. Second story down. (Vauxhall Advance) See another skateboard story in Municipal Atlantic section.
Furious Over Fire Bans
VULCAN -- Vulcan County councillors showed their displeasure with the provincial government's refusal to fully adhere to the county's total fire ban. (Vulcan Advocate)
Annexation Approved
AIRDRIE -- With the blessing of the provincial government, Airdrie became more than 3,000 acres larger last week. (Airdrie Echo)
Corporate Review A Go
BANFF -- John Szumlas sounded eager to start work when he talked about the task ahead, using the word opportunity several times when speaking briefly about his firm's latest client: the Town of Banff. (Banff Crag & Canyon)
Revitalization Celebration
COCHRANE -- The critics were loud, and did everything they could to scuttle the project, but after years of hard work, the project is finished, and the critics have been very quiet. (Cochrane Times)
Relax Bylaw, Plead Homeless
CALGARY -- The Calgary Homeless Foundation wants the city to relax its bylaws concerning illegal rental suites to meet a growing demand for affordable housing by homeless and low-income people. (Calgary Herald)
Urban Water Studies From Canada West
CALGARY -- On Tap: Urban Water Issues in Canada is the first of three Canada West Foundation studies that look at urban water management issues facing western Canada's large cities. Available as a free download from the Canada West website.
Boundary Meetings Set
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Brazeau County residents will have two chances to let their voices be heard about proposed electoral boundary changes for the 2004 municipal election. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
County Supports Town Ambulance Bid
ECKVILLE -- Eckville town council has received good news from Lacombe County regarding emergency service for the town. (Eckville Echo)
Infill Incentives Okayed
HANNA -- There is a new incentive for builders in Hanna looking to purchase what are described as 'infill' properties. (Hanna Herald)
Councils Set To Square Off
LACOMBE -- A pair of municipal councils are about to face off over the possibility of development on Highway 2. (Lacombe Globe)
Tree House Granny Gives Up
SYLVAN LAKE -- A central Alberta grandmother has hung up the gloves in her fight with town council to save her grandchildren's tree house from demolition. (CP on Calgary - canada.com)
Plebiscite Fingered In Cost Overruns
OLDS -- News that the new RCMP building will be over budget by $152,513 had council visibly frustrated at their regular meeting. (Olds Albertan)
City Loses Ambulance Contract
EDMONTON -- The city's emergency medical services department is losing a $5-million ambulance service contract with Capital Health. (Edmonton Journal)
Rec Agreement Near
MORINVILLE -- St. Albert and the Town of Morinville are expected to come to an agreement on a location for a $31-million multi-purpose recreation centre, once the site has been approved by Morinville's council. (stalbertgazette.com)
Plugging Into E-Cycling
ST. ALBERT -- For the month of September, City of St. Albert residents can drop off their unwanted electronics to the City of St. Albert's Public Works building. (City of St. Albert press release hosted on MuniMall)
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Pool Grant Makes Splash
JASPER -- The Jasper Aquatic Centre will soon be home to start of the art equipment thanks to a $125,000 grant from the provincial government. (Jasper Booster)
20% Utility Hike Possible
EDSON -- Yellowhead County is contemplating implementing a five per cent utility increase to county residents, annually, starting in 2005. (Edson Leader)
$30G Written Off
COLD LAKE -- Some city councilors think that the City administrators should be more aggressive in collecting accounts receivables. Second story down. (Cold Lake Sun)
No-Show Councillor Returns
PEACE RIVER -- After his chair sat empty for nearly eight months, Northern Sunrise County councillor Joseph Carifelle is back at the table ready to represent Cadotte Lake and Little Buffalo people. (Peace River Record Gazette)
Mill Rate Maintained
WANHAM -- Birch Hills County council has decided to maintain its existing millrate for the coming tax year. Fifth story down. (Central Peace Signal)
Municipal Saskatchewan
Garbage System "Littered" With Failure
GRENFELL -- At least two farmers just outside of the town of Grenfell have complained about an increase in refuse on or near their properties since the town switched to the "tag and bag" garbage system last month. (Grenfell Sun & Broadview Express)
Incumbents Gung-Ho
YORKTON -- Yorkton Council may have a familiar look after municipal elections this October if voters are happy with the job of the incumbents. (Yorkton This Week & Enterprise)
Lines Get The Big Flush
MELFORT -- Many of the water lines in Melfort are in need of replacing, according to the man conducting a major flushing of the water distribution system. (Melfort Journal)
Pawn Shop Limit Eyed
SASKATOON -- Some people in Saskatoon are blaming pawn shops for the high crime rate in the city's low income areas.( CBC Saskatchewan)
Complicated Question
MOOSE JAW -- A stream of no-smoking-in-public advocates failed to convince city council Monday to leave October's smoking referendum at one simple question. (Moose Jaw Times-Herald)
Municipal Manitoba
Back To The Drawing Board
ALTONA -- The town of Altona and developer Perry McDonald have gone back to the drawing board and redesigned the plans for the housing development on Tenth Avenue NW. (Altona Red River Valley Echo)
Tower Closure Spurs Conservation Call
BEAUSEJOUR -- Run through the water sprinkler one last time and give the grass a good long drink of water once more because as of Aug. 25 that's a no-no. (Beausejour Review)
Cabbies Feel Gagged
BRANDON -- "This whole thing is just Orwellian," says one taxi driver, referring to a motion that would limit industry members coming to council to discuss its proposed taxi bylaw. (Brandon Sun)
LUD No Dud: Chudd
GIMLI -- A 'transitional' governance mechanism serving the former Town of Gimli has served its purpose and should be scrapped, says Gimli Reeve Kevin Chudd. (Interlake Spectator)
Rescues Banned
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE -- Despite strong opposition from firefighters, the City of Portage la Prairie has adopted a new policy limiting involvement of emergency services personnel in search and rescue missions on Lake Manitoba. (The Daily Graphic)
Victory For Hog Op
ST. PIERRE-JOLYS -- A controversial hog operation application originally turned down by the RM of De Salaberry council in March was approved. (Steinbach Carillon on MyWinnipeg.com)
Biz Taxes Bashed
WINNIPEG -- A business lobby group says Winnipeg has the highest business property taxes in the province. (Winnipeg - canada.com network)
Municipal North
Haz Waste Drive Has Success
WHITEHORSE, YK -- Residents brought everything from waste motor oil to herbicides to the city dump on hazardous waste day to fill 21 barrels, each holding 200 litres. (Whitehorse Star Daily)
City, Union Ink Deal
IQALUIT -- The City of Iqaluit and its 93 unionized workers have ratified a new collective agreement. (Nunatsiaq News)
Permafrost Problems Plague Pool
INUVIK, NT -- Construction has stopped on Inuvik's new pool and family centre. (CBC North)
Enforcement Challenge
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- The new bylaw banning smoking in bars in Yellowknife has some business owners and municipal enforcement officers worried. (CBC North)
Municipal Ontario
City, County Seek Rx For Docs
AMHERSTBURG -- Essex County council is taking steps to help attract more physicians to the area and is looking to team with the City of Windsor to bolster efforts. (Amherstburg Echo)
Scofflaws Cost County $250G
CHATHAM -- The Chatham-Kent Police Service believes it will be unable to collect over $250,000 in traffic fines levied against American motorists this year. (Chatham This Week)
Rec Property Purchased
ELMIRA -- Recreation users in Elmira received a bit of good news on Tuesday night, as Woolwich township staff announced the purchase of 6.22 acres of land near the Elmira Arena. (Elmira Independent)
Factory Farm Opposition
VARNA -- "I can tell my children not to swim in the lake but I can't tell them not to breath" said a concerned citizen, citing health studies on exposure hydrogen sulfide from liquid manure. (Exeter Times Advocate)
Call For Coyote Bounty
GODERICH -- Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township Council is calling on Huron County to implement a bounty on coyotes after a number of cattle have been killed or injured by coyotes in the township. (Lucknow Sentinel)
Township Clerk Joins AMO Board
RIPLEY -- Laura Haight, Clerk of Huron-Kinloss Township, has been elected to the board of directors of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Fourth story down. (Kincardine Independent)
. . . Along With Mayor
BARRIE -- At last week's 104th-annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), Simcoe County Warden and Midland Mayor George MacDonald was elected to the board of directors of the AMO. (Barrie Advance on simcoe.com)
Dump The Dump!
WELLAND -- A citizen's group bent on reversing plans to make Welland a primary dumping ground for Niagara's garbage is ramping up its efforts. (Welland Tribune)
ED, Tourism Targeted
WINGHAM -- North Huron township council agreed to hire a part-time economic development officer for the municipality, build a tourism office in the North Huron Museum and approved a long term lease to the Wingham C of C. (Wingham Advance-Times)
Mayor Wants Answers
WALLACEBURG -- Chatham-Kent leaders are demanding answers about the possible contamination of this community's water system. (Sarnia Observer)
Stink Over Sewage Spill
NEWMARKET -- The Town of Newmarket has demanded that York Region investigate how a back-up generator at one of its 40 pumping stations malfunctioned, allowing the equivalent of two swimming pools of raw sewage to flow into Fairy Lake. (Yorkregion.com)
Inefficiencies Wreck Rec Budget
VAUGHAN -- For the second year in a row, Vaughan's recreation and culture department spent hundreds of thousands of dollars more than it should have, in part because of staff inefficiency. (Yorkregion.com)
Revenue Idea Could Be Bottled
COBOURG -- Northumberland County council wants the province to charge royalty fees for the taking of water for bottling and keep the money in reserve for municipalities to aid with issues of water quality and quantity. (Northumberland Today)
Volunteer Smoke Eaters Ponder Union
TRENTON -- A possibility exists that Quinte West's 123 volunteer firefighters will follow their Belleville brethren and unionize. (Trenton Trentonian)
Losers, Winners In Area Rating Study
KAWARTHA LAKES -- Fenelon and Carden residents would lose while Lindsay taxpayers would win if more city services are area rated, according to a city study. (Lindsay Daily Post)
Night-Use Crack Down
BRIGHTON -- Playing in Brighton's parks at certain hours could cost citizens a small fortune if they're not careful. (Online Independent)
$3M Sewage Grant On Tap
KINGSTON -- The provincial government will announce more than $3 million in grants for one of the city's key sewer projects, The Whig-Standard has learned. (Kingston Whig-Standard)
Expensive Football Game
OTTAWA -- The city may be faced with paying more than $1 million in compensation for the 2004 Grey Cup because subsequent delays in erecting the sports dome at Frank Clair Stadium could make it impossible for the facility to operate. (Ottawa Citizen)
Firefighters Spread Thin
ORILLIA -- A recent need to have Gravenhurst firefighters staff a Severn fire hall reinforced the need for more volunteers, says Severn Fire Chief Doug Tennant. (Orillia Packet & Times)
Fortresses Banned
UTOPIA -- A man's home may be a castle but it can't be a fort -- at least not in Essa Township. (Alliston Herald on simcoe.com)
Contentious Cop Boundaries
MINDEN -- The boundaries and role of the Haliburton Highlands Ontario Provincial Police detachment in Minden will be a hot topic at county council. (Haliburton County Echo)
City Seeks Blackout Compensation
SUDBURY -- The city is seeking more than $200,000 in compensation from the province for expenses related to a major power blackout this month. (The Sudbury Star)
Restructuring On Table
KENORA -- Three public meetings to be held over the Labour Day weekend in the city of Kenora, Township of Sioux Narrows/Nestor Falls and Lake of the Woods Township are the tip of the iceberg in a municipal restructuring timeline that could end with a major expansion of municipal boundaries. (Kenora Daily Miner and News)
Municipal Atlantic
Town Retaliates, Dismantles Skatepark
DEER LAKE -- As a consequence of vandals turning over the Pride of the Town memorial structure, the Town of Deer Lake ordered that the youth skateboard park be dismantled. (The Log)
Water Meters Mulled
ST. JOHN'S, NF -- The City of St. John's is working on a pilot project that eventually could see the installation of residential water meters and the abandonment of its flat water rate. (CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador)
Recycling Goes Rural
FREDERICTON -- Beginning in September, rural residents will be one step closer to having their own recycling program through a pilot project of the Fredericton Region Solid Waste Commission. (The Daily Gleaner on canadaeast.com)
Bylaw Officer On Hiring List
SACKVILLE, NB -- The town of Sackville will soon have someone in place to look after any infractions not dealt with by the RCMP. (Sackville Tribune-Post)
Rowhouses Rejected
SUMMERSIDE, PE-- Summerside residents from the Lefurgey subdivision have halted plans for a major rowhouse development in their neighbourhood. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Greens Against Development
GREENWICH, PE -- Island environmental activists are upset over an American developer's proposal to build an upscale subdivision close to the National Park in Greenwich. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Smoke Eaters Under-Equipped: Report
SYDNEY, NS -- A review of a near-fatal fire in Sydney this summer has led to recommendations for improvements within the fire service. (CBC - Nova Scotia)
Getting Wired
Muni Names Up For Grabs
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) recently freed up hundreds of many municipal domain names from exclusive municipal use. Check out the list of names that will become available to the public on a first-come-first-served basis starting on Sept. 25, 2003. (CIRA)
Mayoral Candidates Take To Web
SASKATOON -- More than two weeks before Mayor Jim Maddin officially puts his job on the line, few election signs or billboards are visible, but the race has already begun in cyberspace. (The StarPhoenix)
High Speed Heads North
IQALUIT, NU -- Nunavut's capital should receive high speed internet service within a month. (CBC North)
Report Traffic Offences On The Web
OAKVILLE, ON -- Halton Region residents who witness aggressive driving and other infractions can now report the incident via the web on http://www.haltonroadwatch.ca
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