Municipal Alberta
Thumbs Up For Throne Speech
EDMONTON -- The AUMA is pleased with the recent Speech from the Throne that clearly signals a deep desire to take positive new steps in municipal-federal relations. Pdf file. (AUMA Press Release)
Municipally Excellent Practices: CAO Review
EDMONTON -- The MD of Lesser Slave Lake developed a more effective, efficient method of conducting C.A.O. and management performance reviews. One of many cool practices recently posted on MENet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (menet.ab.ca)
Census Counts For Cash
OKOTOKS -- The Town of Okotoks is going ahead with a census to determine its official population in order to take advantage of grant money. (Western Wheel News)
Constable Questions
OKOTOKS -- The Town of Okotoks has penned a letter to the Alberta Solicitor General's office questioning whether or not there are anticipated changes to the roles of its special constables. (Western Wheel News)
Annexation Eyed
PINCHER CREEK -- The town of Pincher Creek will soon be bigger. (Pincher Creek Echo)
Errant Alderman Destroyed Clues
LETHBRIDGE -- A conflicted Darlene Heatherington told police she started destroying and withholding evidence from investigators -- including burning lingerie from her alleged stalker -- because she feared it would pinpoint her husband as the man who sent her 15 lurid letters and notes. (News - Calgary - canada.com network)
Bylaw Makes Noise
CALGARY -- Quiet time could start at 9 p.m. for Calgarians -- seven days a week and even in the summer -- under a new community standards bylaw that seeks to improve how neighbours get along. (Calgary - canada.com network)
Landfill Looks To Trash Costs
DRAYTON VALLEY -- Spiraling costs have led the local landfill authority to re-examine the way they handle our garbage. (Drayton Valley Western Review)
Fire Master Plan Adopted
BLACKFALDS -- Blackfalds council approved the adoption of the town's fire protection master plan as a guideline for planning and performance standards for community growth. (Lacombe Globe)
Mayor Wows Latin Hosts
LEDUC -- Leduc mayor George Rogers, the only North American representative in conference "successful mayors" in Peru, was named El Alcalde de Canada, "The Mayor of Canada," by his hosts. (Leduc Representative)
"Not In A War" Says Reeve
DIDSBURY -- Mountain View County Reeve, Ian Harvie, spoke up about at the disarray and eruptions at the Special County meeting called to announce the outcome of the Mountain View Taxpayers Association (MVTA) petition. (Olds Albertan)
Silliest Mayors Named, Edmonton Ranks High
EDMONTON - Of all the crazy politicians in all the crazy towns across this crazy country of ours, Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith has been rated one of the craziest. (Edmonton - canada.com network) See related story in Municipal Saskatchewan.
Cop Cost Revolt Brewing
GIBBONS -- Gibbons is once again considering withholding their policing payments to the federal government as one option to deal with what is seen as serious inequities in what rural and urban municipalities pay for policing. Third story down. (Mirror)
Regional Plan Dead
ST. ALBERT -- St. Albert council put to rest Monday any idea of a regional partnership to build a multi-purpose recreation complex on land in Sturgeon County. (stalbertgazette.com)
Heavy Debt Considered
BONNYVILLE -- While Bonnyville's 2004 budget hasn't gone public yet, council's plan to borrow heavily to finance projects was introduced in council. (Bonnyville Nouvelle on the Web)
Smoke Eaters Reorganize Region
WHITECOURT -- Woodlands County has reorganized their equipment allocation for their regional fire service. (Mayerthorpe Freelancer)
Parking Fines Pricier
PEACE RIVER -- When Town council passed its amended traffic bylaw last week, $50 became the cheapest ticket in town, warns bylaw officer Graham Smyth. (Peace River Record Gazette)
Council Expenses Revealed
FORT McMURRAY -- How much would you spend a year as a regional councillor? The answer ranges from zero dollars to almost $28G. (Fort McMurray Today Online)
Staff Thanked
HIGH PRAIRIE -- The efforts of Town of High Prairie staff are certainly not going unnoticed. (South Peace News)
Municipal Saskatchewan
More Muni Money
REGINA -- The federal government's pledge to rebate GST to municipalities will mean an additional $2 M in Regina's coffers, and the province's promise of an additional $10 M for municipalities should mean an additional $1.2 M for the city. (Regina Leader Post - canada.com network)
SUMA Leads Smoking Charge
REGINA -- Civic leaders overwhelmingly voted for a smoking ban and Health Minister John Nilson says Saskatchewan will ban smoking in all public places as early as next year. (Regina Leader Post - canada.com network)
Craziest Of All
SASKATOON -- The craziest mayor in Canada hangs his jacket and tie in Saskatoon, according to results of a contest run by the CBC-TV program Rick Mercer's Monday Report. (Fort Frances Times Online) See related story in Municipal Alberta.
Big Savings On The Way?
WEYBURN -- Mayor Don Schlosser said Martin's pledge to rebate 100% of GST to municipalities could bring Weyburn $100,000 a year. (Weyburn Review)
Municipal Manitoba
Emergency Host Swap
WINKLER -- The City of Winkler and the Town of Altona agreed to be the other's host if there's an emergency evacuation. (Altona Red River Valley Echo)
Mayor's Role Debated
BRANDON -- Two items could push the wedge between Mayor Dave Burgess and his council deeper than it already is. (Brandon Sun Online)
CAO Retires
CARMAN -- After 23 years with the RM of Dufferin, CAO Linda Baleja is moving on. (Carman Valley Leader)
Council Blasts MLA
WINNIPEG BEACH -- Mayor Don Pepe and his council let loose on new MLA Peter Bjornson. (Interlake Spectator)
CAO Replaced
SELKIRK -- The City of Selkirk has a named an acting chief administrative officer to replace former CAO Jim Fenske, whose contract was terminated by the city. (Selkirk Journal)
Ex-Staffer Jailed
WINNIPEG -- A former long-time city bureaucrat was sentenced to 8 years in jail for a string of armed robberies. (canadaeast.com - CP National News)
Municipal North
Mayor Sceptical
YELLOWKNIFE, NT -- The mayor of Yellowknife is hesitant to celebrate an announcement that Ottawa will forgive the city's GST bill. (CBC North)
Budget Flap Costs Thousands
WHITEHORSE, YK -- Whitehorse city council settled its budget crisis after a meeting between councillors and city managers, and Mayor Bourassa says the flap cost taxpayers $10-$20,000. (CBC North)
Mayors Face Off
IQALUIT, NU -- The mayors of Kugluktuk and Pangnirtun are both seeking the Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. wildlife post, even though both have a year remaining in their terms in office. (Nunatsiaq News)
Municipal Ontario
Welcome Relief
BRANTFORD -- Local politicians like the Liberal government's promise to devote $580 million a year toward cash-strapped municipalities by extending GST rebates. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Brantford Expositor)
Water Rates Under Pressure
NIAGARA FALLS -- Water and sewer bills will likely be going up in 2004 as Niagara Falls braces for higher costs for the water and sewage treatment purchased from Regional Niagara. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Niagara Falls Review)
Fired Clerk Rehired
CHESLEY -- Joan Albright is back at her desk three years after being fired by the former Arran-Elderslie Council and launching a lawsuit over her dismissal. (Shoreline Beacon)
Throne Speech Makes "Down Payment"
THOROLD -- He heard the words he wanted to hear, but now Niagara's regional chairman wants to see a commitment of more financial support for Canada's municipalities solidified in the next federal budget. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - St. Catharines Standard)
Taxpayers Face Big Hit
LONDON -- Property taxpayers across Ontario are bracing for big increases in their 2004 tax bills, and area leaders have to deal with unprecedented challenges in the battle to keep finances under control. (Strathroy Age Dispatch)
User-Pay Water On Tap
WELLAND -- Council voted to take the plunge toward a user-pay water delivery system. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Welland Tribune)
Recount Still Possible
OAKVILLE -- The Town of Oakville wants to settle the Nov. 10 municipal election challenge headed to court on March 8 with an electronic recount whose results would be binding -- if all parties agree within the next two weeks. (haltonsearch.com)
Township Slapped With Enviro-Fine
UXBRIDGE -- The Township of Uxbridge has been fined $3,000, plus a 25-percent victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to one offence under the Environmental Assessment Act (EAA).
Rubbed The Wrong Way
NEWMARKET -- York Regional Police continued their crackdown on body rub parlours last month, charging 30 people with a variety of bylaw offences. (Yorkregion.com)
Revolution In The Making?
TORONTO -- Paul Martin's first Speech from the Throne may be history, but the revolution it signals in the status of Canada's cities is just beginning, says Toronto Mayor David Miller. (TheStar.com)
Chair Slams Province
BROCK -- Regional chairman Roger Anderson didn't pull any punches towards the province in an address to Brock Township council. (durhamregion.com)
Objections Ignored
COBOURG -- Hamilton Township has decided to take its chances and submit its official plan for provincial approval despite the objections of neighbouring Cobourg. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Northumberland Today)
Works Budget Blown
TRENTON -- City officials are reeling from news the city's public works department has overspent its maintenance budget by $672G. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Trenton Trentonian)
Post Created, Pay Slashed
KINGSTON -- City council decided last night to elevate one of their own to be deputy mayor for a year, but whomever they choose to do the job next week won't be getting rich off the promotion. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - The Kingston Whig-Standard)
Expectations Pumped Up
OTTAWA -- The city can expect between $50 million and $60 million a year in gas tax revenue when negotiations are completed with the federal government, Environment Minister David Anderson says. (Ottawa Citizen - canada.com network)
Fees Soaring
NEW TECUMSETH -- Councillor Richard Norcross is disputing a consultant's bill for $5 million. (New Tecumseh Free Press Online)
Public Setting Taxes?
BARRIE -- As a new initiative, the city will organize public participation in the operating budget process -- which includes setting property taxes. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - The Barrie Examiner)
Fire Chief Dousing Flames
ORILLIA -- After facing a backdraft in city budget talks last year, Orillia's fire chief hopes to douse any potential flames by asking council for fewer full-time firefighters this time round. (Osprey Media Group Inc. - Orillia Packet & Times)
Lawyers Sue City
THUNDER BAY -- The lawyers who successfully defended ex-city councillor Orville Santa against conflict-of-interest allegations have filed a lawsuit to have their bills paid in full. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Unhealthy Levy
DRYDEN -- Dryden city council wants the Northwestern Health Unit to rethink a decision to hike municipal levies by 36%. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Burning Issue
MARATHON -- Mayor Dave Bell, who is in favour of a smoke-free bylaw, is expected to introduce a motion to approve a plebiscite. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Mayor, Council Split
KENORA -- Mayor Dave Canfield admits he's sceptical about city council's intention to make council more efficient and open the municipal decision-making process to public scrutiny. (Kenora Enterprise)
Municipal Atlantic
Mayor Won't Boss Cops
CHARLOTTETOWN, PE -- Mayor Clifford Lee says it is not his job to direct the operations of the Charlottetown Police Department. (CBC - Prince Edward Island)
Begging For A Better Bylaw
SAINT JOHN, NB -- A business group in Saint John wants the city's panhandling bylaw strengthened. (canadaeast.com - CP Atlantic Regional News)
City Eyes GST
HALIFAX, NS -- Municipal officials are urging the country's provincial governments not to claw back the federal GST rebate promised to towns and cities by Prime Minister Paul Martin in this week's throne speech. (canadaeast.com - CP Atlantic Regional News)
Fed's Free Ride Decried
LUNENBURG, NS -- The mayor of Lunenburg, a UN designated world heritage site, says the town is tired of being a showcase to the world without support from the federal government. (canadaeast.com - CP Atlantic Regional News)
Province Oughta Pay Up
TRURO, NS -- The Town of Truro is tired of waiting for compensation from the Nova Scotia government for damage caused by last spring's flood. (Maritimes - canada.com network)
Province Told Hands Off
ST. JOHN'S NF-- Newfoundland and Labrador municipalities want the provincial government to let them keep GST money promised by Ottawa. (CBC - Newfoundland & Labrador)
Snow Criminal Crackdown
ST. JOHN'S NF-- St. John's residents who are getting frustrated with their neighbours' snow clearing habits are being urged to call City Hall no matter what they might have heard previously. (The Express)
Getting Wired
Budget Process Goes Online
WINDSOR, ON -- Windsor residents can participate in the upcoming civic budget through an interactive form and information online at www.PeopleBasedBudget.com. (City of Windsor Press Release)
SuperNet Earns High Praise
EDMONTON, AB -- A well-respected international engineering institute recently gave high praise to the Alberta government's high-speed, broadband project Alberta SuperNet in their member publication. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
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