Municipal Alberta
Mayor Faces Assault Rap
SLAVE LAKE -- A business deal gone bad is allegedly at the root of a confrontation that led Slave Lake RCMP to charge Mayor Ray Stern with assault. (Lakeside Leader)
Well Deserved Retirement
NISKU -- After 35 years of dedicated service with Leduc County, Larry Majeski, Leduc County Manager, announced his plan to retire. (Leduc county press release submitted to MuniMall)
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Dissolution Bid Defeated
BARONS -- Residents of the community of Barons who want to hang onto village status were breathing a collective sigh of relief. (Coaldale Sunny South News)
Staff Threatened
VULCAN -- The Vulcan County administration building received an anonymous letter, and inside it stated that the letter contained a 'noxious substance,' according to Reeve Rod Ruark and the Vulcan RCMP. (Vulcan Advocate)
Balanced Budget
GRANUM -- The Town of Granum approved a balanced budget, showing no increase in the mill rate for residential and non-residential property. Second story down on right. (Claresholm Local Press)
Infrastructure Drives Increase
TURNER VALLEY-- Turner Valley council approved a 5% municipal tax hike for its residents in a bid to improve the town's aging infrastructure and add equipment, particularly vehicles, to several departments. (Western Wheel)
Annexation Gets Ugly
AIRDRIE -- The M.D. of Rocky View is pursuing court action over the annexation order which expanded Airdrie's boundaries last year -- and although M.D. council officials say the move is not adversarial, Airdrie city council is considering withholding services to the M.D. as a result. (Airdrie Echo)
Surplus Renews Tax Debate
CALGARY -- The city is looking at a $5.7-million first-quarter surplus -- a 78% jump from the same period last year -- according to a city report that has renewed calls for lower property taxes. (Calgary Herald - canada.com network)
Lake Sewage Targeted
LACOMBE -- Fears that sewage will leak into Sylvan Lake from proposed subdivisions have prompted the introduction of tougher sewage disposal standards in Lacombe County. (Red Deer Advocate)
Who Wants To Be Mayor?
RED DEER -- Several councillors, former councillors and business people are weighing their options after four-term Mayor Gail Surkan announced she will not run again. (Red Deer Advocate)
MDP Creates Concerns
LACOMBE -- Major issues were brought forward at a public hearing on the Town's proposed municipal development plan (MDP). (Lacombe Globe)
City Scores Affordable Housing Funds
LEDUC -- The City of Leduc has received $1.2 million in federal and provincial funds to facilitate the development of an affordable-housing project for low to moderate-income families. (Leduc Representative)
Paramedics, Council At Odds
EDMONTON -- Paramedics want the city to stay involved in providing ambulance services, even though councillors have made it clear they want out. (CBC Edmonton)
. . . But Move Will Save Cash
FORT SASKATCHEWAN -- A contracting shift for ambulance responsibility will free up some cash for the city says the protective services director. (Fort Saskatchewan Record)
Don't Drink The Water
EDMONTON -- AUMA has reviewed Alberta Environment's Drinking Water
Quality User Agreement, and has identified a number of concerns that need to be resolved before advising any municipality to sign this agreement. (AUMA website)
Warning System A First
EDMONTON -- Alberta has completed a province-wide Emergency Public Warning System, the first of its kind in North America, which enables local governments and agencies to send emergency warnings directly to radio, cable and television stations for immediate broadcast. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
ATV Ban Busted
MORINVILLE -- An outright ban of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in Sturgeon Valley is not the most efficient way to deal with the problem of noise pollution and the destruction of natural vegetation, Sturgeon County council heard. (stalbertgazette.com)
Partnership Nets New Fire Truck
REDWATER -- Sometimes past practice can really stand in the way of best practice especially when it comes to co-operation between governments, but not this time. Third story down. (Morinville Mirror and Redwater Tribune)
Tax Reduction
JASPER -- Jasperites could have a little extra spare change at the end of the year now that the municipality plans to cut residential property taxes by 7.9% and non-residential taxes by 9.9%. (Jasper Booster)
Miffed By Snub
FORT MCMURRAY -- The municipality has been knocked off the track by the company studying a the possibility of a rail link between Edmonton and the oilsands, Coun. Tom Weber told regional council. (Fort McMurray Today Online)
Legacy Grant Sought
FALHER -- The Town of Falher is applying for $850,000 from the Alberta Centennial Legacies Grant Program to upgrade the aging Falher Memorial Arena and Falher Curling Rink. (Smoky River Express)
Sewer Project Gets Nod
GIROUXVILLE -- Girouxville is one of 50 communities in Alberta to benefit directly from a cash injection of $25 million in federal/provincial grant funding under the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program (ICAP). (Smoky River Express)
Alberta Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Alberta, MuniMall recommends starting with Municipal Profiles, a very current set of listings maintained by Alberta Municipal Affairs.
Municipal Saskatchewan
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MuniMall has always strived to deliver the best possible information products, but now we need your help. Please take 10 minutes to fill in our web-based survey. Your input will help us create a more useful Newsletter and more relevant website. To start the survey, simply click the link above. Thanks in advance -- John Sinclair, Editor
Neighbourhood Crime Targeted
REGINA -- The new Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act will improve community safety by targeting and shutting down buildings that are used for illegal activities such as illegal drugs, prostitution, solvent abuse, or the unlawful use of alcohol. (Government of Saskatchewan News Release)
Community Investment Support Program
REGINA -- The new Community Investment Support Program (CISP) will help Canada build a strong economy by focussing on communities as important economic drivers. The program works at the municipal level by supporting non-profit and public-private partnerships. pdf file. (SUMA)
Citizens' Centennial Committee
SASKATOON -- In order to prepare for the City's 100th Anniversary in 2006, City Council voted to establish an advisory committee appropriately titled the Citizens' Centennial Committee. (City of Saskatoon Press Release)
"Quit Killing Rural Saskatchewan!"
GULL LAKE -- "Quit killing rural Saskatchewan" is the message the Mayor of Gull Lake is taking to Regina. (Swift Current Online)
Costly Resolution
WEYBURN -- Councillors for the RM of Weyburn learned the cost of endorsing a resolution of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) at their regular monthly meeting on May 4. (Weyburn Review)
Saskatchewan Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Saskatchewan, MuniMall recommends starting with the Municipal Directory System, maintained by Saskatchewan Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs.
Municipal Manitoba
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Rural Communities Gain
STE. ANNE -- Manitobans will benefit from a $3.87 million investment in youth, recreation and roads projects throughout rural and northern Manitoba under the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program (CMIP). (Province of Manitoba News Release)
The Peg's Mayor Moves On
WINNIPEG -- "It is with very mixed emotions that I confirm today that I have accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to run federally in the next national election," says Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray (Winnipeg.ca)
...And Acting Mayor Makes Quick Changes
WINNIPEG -- In his first day as acting mayor of Winnipeg, Dan Vandal made some key changes to ensure the smooth running of the city. (CBC Manitoba)
Merger Still Stalled
POWERVIEW -- Merging the two communities of Pine Falls and Powerview is stalled again, caught on the cost of upgrading Pine Falls' infrastructure and Tembec's contribution towards that cost. (Lac du Bonnet Leader)
Rurals, Urbans Pledge Cooperation
CLANDEBOYE -- Rural and urban elected officials put their pledge of working together on paper last week as part of a new co-operation agreement that could reshape the capital region. (Selkirk Journal)
Manitoba Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Manitoba, MuniMall recommends starting with Manitoba Municipal Profiles, maintained by Manitoba's Department of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Municipal North
Criticism Burns Smoke Eaters
IQALUIT, NU -- Iqaluit's CAO says the city's fire chief didn't have all the necessary qualifications to lead the department when a local school burned down last year. (CBC North)
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Community Praised
CORAL HARBOUR, NU -- The experience of Coral Harbour is offered as an example of how a community planning and economic development corporation lead to a commercial caribou hunt. (Nunatsiaq News)
Municipal North Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in the Northwest Territories, MuniMall recommends starting with the MACA Community Database, maintained by the NWT's Municipal and Community Affairs. For Yukon contacts, try Yukon Community Profiles. We are not aware of any online directory for Nunavut; if you can recommend one, please email us.
Municipal Ontario
City's Convictions Stand
KINGSTON -- In a landmark decision considered a victory for environmentalists, the City of Kingston has lost its 7 year legal battle over a former dump that has been leaking contaminated water into the Cataraqui River. (Osprey Media Group - Kingston Whig-Standard)
Cops Investigate Public Works
LINDSAY -- Business practices in the City of Kawartha Lakes public works department are being investigated by both the city's police forces, the city's CAO has confirmed. (Osprey Media Group - Lindsay Daily Post)
Former Staffer Pleads Guilty
GREATER SUDBURY -- A former city employee, who worked as project manager for the former Town of Walden between 1995 and 2000, admitted to stealing $44,000 in goods and services. (northernlife.ca)
Longtime CAO Retires
AJAX -- After 42 years in municipal government, including 27 years with Ajax, CAO Richard Parisotto is retiring. (durhamregion.com)
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"Pointed" Tax Innovation
VAUGHAN -- In an innovative new program under consideration, Vaughan is banking on people putting away their Air Miles cards and choosing instead to collect credit card points they can put toward property taxes. (yorkregion.com)
GTA Taxes Unfair: Report
TORONTO -- Residents of the Greater Toronto Area pay almost $24 billion more in taxes than they receive in spending from all levels of government, an outflow of more than $13,000 per household, a new report concludes. (National Post)
Muni Taxes Out Of Synch: Mayor
KENORA -- According to Mayor Dave Canfield, Ontario municipalities pay 27% of all health and social service expenses while municipalities in the rest of Canada pay an average of 1.7%. (Kenora Daily Miner)
Divorce Wanted
PARIS -- Five years ago, a "shotgun wedding" married the former town of Paris to an amalgamated Brant County -- now the man who was mayor of Paris for 17 years is certain the town would be better off "standing on its own feet." (Osprey Media Group - Brantford Expositor)
City, Educators Collaborate
HAMILTON -- The top decision-makers of Hamilton's six leading educational institutions came together in a unique collaboration with the City of Hamilton to strengthen Hamilton's economic future. (City of Hamilton - Mayor's News Release)
Pesticide Ban Pondered
LEAMINGTON -- After hearing pleas from several people, including youngsters, who want the town to ban the non-commercial use of such chemicals, council will examine what another municipality has done. (Leamington Post)
Mass EcDev Resignations
DUNDALK -- Mayor Lewis said mass resignations indicate the Southgate's economic development committee chairman has "lost the confidence of the committee" and said the EDC chairman will have two weeks to rebuild the committee. (Mt. Forest Confederate)
Wind Farm Breezes Through
SIMCOE -- Norfolk County councillors will allow AIM PowerGen Corporation to build the province's largest wind farm. (InPortDover.com)
Wind Power Rules
KESWICK -- Because of recent interest in use of wind power, planner Karyn Stone recommends the town provide policies on wind turbines. (yorkregion.com)
New Water Advisory Council
TORONTO -- The McGuinty government is further protecting Ontario's drinking water by establishing an Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and Testing Standards, Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky announced. (Ontario Ministry of the Environment News Release)
Clean Air Plan
TORONTO -- Mayor David Miller announced a new $35 million initiative to reduce emissions that cause global warming and smog, and called for substantial new investment in energy efficiency and innovative green power-generation in City-owned facilities and operations. (City of Toronto News Release)
New Career For EcDev Manager
NAPANEE -- Lennox and Addington's manager of economic development Paul Blais begins a new chapter in his career as the project manager of business development with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation [KEDCO]. (Osprey Media Group - Napanee Guide)
Recycling Just Too Costly
OTTAWA -- Come June, the city's blue boxes will no longer accept a raft of plastic products because the city has been spending $1M a year to ship the now-unwanted plastic to Asia. (CBC Ottawa)
Infrastructure Agreement Inked
OWEN SOUND, ON -- The Governments of Canada and Ontario have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent that will lead to increased funding for public infrastructure in small urban centres and rural municipalities through the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF). (Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal - Owen Sound - News Release)
It's All About Balance
PARRY SOUND -- A "big box" editorial cartoon. (Parry Sound Beacon)
Tough Talk On Vandalism
TIMMINS -- Coun. John Curley called it an act of terrorism, and that's the stance that Timmins Mayor Vic Power is taking, as council unanimously agreed to take aggressive steps in ensuring the safety of the city's drinking water. (Timmins Times)
Limits Backed
SAULT STE. MARIE -- The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities has backed Sault Ste. Marie City Council in calling on the provincial government for assurances that a proposed tax-free zone will be confined to Northern Ontario. (Osprey Media Group - Sault Star)
New Reeve
KAKABEKA FALLS -- Councillors named fellow councillor Robert Rydholm to replace Kevin Holland, who resigned in April citing "health reasons" and negative comments made about his business, as reeve. (Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)
Ontario Municipal Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in this province, MuniMall recommends starting with Community Profiles, maintained by Ontario Economic Development.
Municipal Atlantic
Manager Alleges Slander
SOUTH RIVER, NL -- Town Manager Sheila Bowering told Councillor Arthur Petten his treatment of her for the last two years had been inappropriate and constitutes "harassment and slander as talk had reached the citizens of the town" that she had mismanaged the books. (Compass)
Councillor Faces Criminal Charges
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS -- Annapolis County councillor Thomas Herbert Nelson has been charged with possession of a device to obtain telecommunications facility or service, unsafe storage of a firearm, and three charges of unauthorized possession of a firearm. (Monitor-Examiner)
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"Devastating" Rate Decision
WABUSH, NL -- Wabush councillor, Jim Skinner, said the Public Utilities Board's decision -- which will see electricity rates hiked in the area -- is devastating. (Aurora)
City Means Business
FREDERICTON, NB -- The City of Fredericton announced a new name and over $1.6 million worth of enhancements to its business park network. (City of Fredericton Press Release submitted to MuniMall)
Getting Along
DIEPPE, NB -- Dieppe Mayor Yvon LaPierre says he's pleased the candidates elected as mayors in Riverview and Moncton are talking about co-operation among the three communities. (CBC - New Brunswick)
Mayors Move On Health Care
BLACKS HARBOUR, NB -- Charlotte County's newly elected mayors aren't wasting any time tackling what they say is the biggest issue -- health care. (CBC - New Brunswick)
Greater Groundwater Protection
MONCTON, NB -- Another six New Brunswick communities have adopted measures designed to provide greater protection for municipal groundwater sources. (CNB)
Model Community
AMHERST, NS -- The Town of Amherst is one of only five communities in Canada that will be featured in a new federal report on good source protection of drinking water. (Nova Scotia Canada News Release)
Police Chief Honoured
HALIFAX, NS -- Mayor Peter Kelly extended congratulations to Chief Frank A. Beazley of Halifax Regional Police on being named an Officer of the Governor General's Order of Merit of the Police Forces. (Halifax Regional Municipality News Release)
Muni Amendments Mean More Power
HALIFAX, NS -- The province is proposing to give municipalities authority to offer a tax break to commercial child-care centres, and to give them more flexibility to build recreation facilities. (Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations News Release)
Municipal Atlantic Contact Info
To track down municipal officials in Prince Edward Island, MuniMall recommends starting with the PEI Municipalities web page, maintained by InfoPEI. For Nova Scotia officials, try Municipal Contacts from Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. For contacts in Newfoundland and Labrador, check out the Municipal Directory on this province's Municipal and provincial Affairs website. We are not aware of any online directory for New Brunswick; if you can recommend one, please email us.
Getting Wired
E-Recycling Program Launched
EDMONTON, AB -- Alberta is solidifying its reputation as a leader in environmental management with the creation of the first provincial electronic recycling program in Canada. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
Alberta SuperNet Gets Faster
EDMONTON, AB -- Bell West Inc., prime contractor for Alberta SuperNet, has completed a high-capacity connection between Edmonton and Grande Prairie which will help serve 66 communities and over 460 service locations. (Government of Alberta Press Release)
West Nile Fight Goes Online
HAMILTON, ON -- To protect the city against the West Nile Virus, Hamilton residents can report dead birds 24 hours a day/seven days a week online at www.hamilton.ca/westnile. (City of Hamilton - Media Release)
Best Practices -- Waste Diversion
Partnership Gets Results
LONDON, ON -- Through a Waste Management Community Partnership Program, the City of London established a synergy between community groups, city staff, and political leadership that encouraged households to practice waste diversion. Selected as a best practice by the Ontario Centre for Municipal Best Practices. (OCMBP website)
Diversion Programs Not Wasted
SPRUCE GROVE, AB -- To increase diversion from landfills and offer more recycling options, the City of Spruce Grove implemented curbside organics collection and newspaper collection programs. Another cool practice on MENet, Alberta's Municipal Excellence Network. (menet.ab.ca)
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