Blog

Week of August 2, 2010

This past week was a fantastic week for the City of St. Albert and we cannot be more proud of the volunteers who did such a fantastic job with Rock'n August; a very good job in its 14th year.  Following that was the St. Albert Triathlon - 300 participants and a wonderful battery of volunteers Sunday morning.  And of course Tigers Provincials were held in the City; well done Tigers.

A great presentation in Edmonton by some volunteers from the region including St. Albert to recommend to various Mayors in the region an economic development proposal.  Good work by many.

Great progress at Riel Park, Fowler Track to name a couple capital projects underway.

Week of August 9, 2010

 This week was a great week for various Mayor-matters being reviewed within the City.  The important business remaining on this Council’s term includes about 8 more Council meetings and about 50 agenda items needing to be addressed.  Business visits, committee meetings, communities in bloom reviews, helping charity at Dairy Queen, North Ridge Grand Opening, and a nephew’s birthday were part of what filled my week. 

Week of August 16, 2010

This past week was filled with challenges, including a 7-hour council meeting where numerous matters were dealt with. Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan was given third reading as well as the Triple Five development to the north of St. Albert was given first reading.  Preparation for the remaining key issues for this Council are well in hand including Green Trip initiatives, future growth planning, St. Albert Trail future plans to name a few.

 From a campaign point of view, there was a lot of time spent simply getting things organized for October.  October 4 through 18^th will require a significant amount of my time out of the normal routine of the Mayor’s role and in the role of campaigning for re-election.

Re-opened Mission Tennis courts Friday August 20th - great volunteers make good things happen.

 Week of August 23, 2010

Council has determined the last 6 meetings’ agenda and it includes a very very full agenda requiring several public hearings and many matters of economic development, capital planning and affordable housing to name a few.  September 7 meeting is so full it will run from about 2 pm through to 9 pm.

From a campaign point of view, there was a lot of time spent simply getting things organized for October 4th through 18th.  In reality there is a lot of work to be done as the Mayor and as such the role of campaigning will need to be done in parallel to the major work for Council.  It will be like having to be Mayor-squared.

Week of August 30, 2010

The budget process began for fall 2010 for many.  We have our capital planning documents for review and the hard and important work of the 2011 budget and the 2011-2013 planning has begun.  September 7 Council meeting begins at 2 pm with a chunk of it budget related.

I am forever proud to see the progress that volunteers make. This week the Historical Society received word on a grant approval and of course in the sports world a lot of work is done for fall sports tryouts and other organizing matters. Then there is the formation of the parent groups at school along with service clubs ramping up this fall for their winter work.  It may be the most pleasure I get in my job is watching volunteers volunteer.

Work continues on the campaign planning as there are various things that have to be planned for especially in October.

Week of September 6, 2010 

The budget process began this past week for City Council.  The capital planning documents were tabled September 7 as well as the new service and supply fees/rates were tabled with about a 3% increase proposed for 2011.

The community was in full swing with fall activities.  Schools are back in class, post-secondary students are now traveling into Edmonton, fall sports are in full swing, fall arts programs are filling up quickly. 

Key challenges this fall include full park and ride facilities as well as the need to complete summer construction projects prior to freeze up.  Examples include the opening of the new Kinex Arena dressing room, the resurfacing of Giroux Road, the completion of the Fowler Track upgrade and the upgrades to Lions Park that began in August.  Good weather this fall will allow the Riel capping and grading to stay on track so that the Rainmaker can continue on schedule.

Transitions opened their new building, the Steel opened their Junior A season, and 4 more block parties took place.

Work continues on the campaign planning.  A couple forums are scheduled as well as numerous personal events and meetings.  For the most part however until early October, the role as Mayor is a key priority for my time. Balancing both a campaign and current role will be a challenge between September 20^th and October 18^th.  

Week of September 13, 2010

I had an unbelievably full week with Mayor duties let alone the campaign stuff that I had to do.  Started Sunday night in Red Deer where I presented the importance of branding, business and tourism development to a symposium hosted by Travel Alberta.  Monday saw a full Finance agenda and that followed with numerous meetings associated with the normal business of the Municipality. 

Perhaps one of the most exciting announcements in my 6 years on Council came Wednesday as the stakeholders of the Province, the City, Beaverbrook, Ducks Unlimited, Holes, Barbara Poole and many others came together on an announcement of land exchange and Interpretive Centre. Nothing could be more complex and important.

The Mayor’s Celebrates the Arts Gala was another resounding success and the Arts Days were put on by an unbelievable group of volunteers.  This entire weekend is really perhaps a legacy that will live for decades; we must be proud of everyone who lead and participated.

The community continues to be in full swing with fall activities.  Key challenges this fall continue to include full park and ride facilities as well as the need to complete summer construction projects prior to freeze up.  Examples include completion of Giroux Road, Fowler Track, Lions Park that began in August.  Good weather this fall will allow the Riel capping and grading to stay on track so that the Rainmaker details and BMX season can continue as planned.

Wonderful tribute to National Sports day at Riel Park today.

Worked at the food bank for the food bank drive for today as well as helped with a fundraiser auctioning about 10 items for a local family in need.  Raised nearly 10,000 for the cause.

Work continues on the campaign planning.  Until early October the role as Mayor is a key priority for my time.  Balancing both a campaign and current role will continue be a challenge between September 20^th and October 18^th.  

Week of September 20, 2010

The community continues to be alive with fall activities.  The most significant community events the past week were all the activities around Arts Days. 

But there were more ; Stanski dryland with Olympian, Beckie Scott, 55 Plus launch, foodbank drive, Football fundraiser, St. Peter Church outdoor movie, Todd Kemp fundraiser and more.  What a show of love and support for the Kemp family; done in true St. Albert style.

A good turnout for the Terry Fox run even though the weather was a little chilly.  And the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean up had about 50 people show up to do a final cleanup in the river valley this fall.  A soccer team showed up and the coaches and players must be commended as the team shows commitment to their community in more ways than just soccer.

Aboriginal Day planning for 2011 kicked off. 

A great Mental Health Foundation breakfast raised awareness and funds.  Organizers of this event should be proud of what they do for mental illnesses in this region.

Congratulations to the Casino leadership for a wonderful grand opening of their new Vintage Restaurant.  It will have a great following for clientele, visitors and business I am convinced.

We welcomed several new youth volunteers into our city – a replacement of sorts for the Katimavik volunteers who are not back this year. 

Work continues on the campaign front as nomination day shows a great slate of candidates and an election in all 4 categories of elected official groupings including Mayor, Councillor, School Board Protestant and School Board Catholic.  

 All in all a great week in our community.

Week of September 27, 2010

Fall is in the air as leaves change, the air cools and the winds of winter blow in.

A kidney Foundation walk started the week on Sunday – 30 participants and that was up from 5 in 2009, so 2011 will be a big year likely.  Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club had 470 runners and walkers for their annual Fall Classic. This was the best ever.  What a great organization and group of volunteers. Bret, Christine and others do a great job growing this event.  I was sluggish at 34 minutes in my 5 K and now await surgery for a bad right knee.

King of Kings Church School official opening was Sunday and I thanked the Board, teachers, congregation and students.

Test drove a new car – took it back. My Ford Explorer sits with 416,000 km.  SUN meeting Monday afternoon, a visit to Chateau Mission, a visit to Ironwood Estates and a long Council meeting were all part of Monday.  Tuesday I called a special Council meeting for Wednesday because Habitat is informing us of their position on 70 Arlington.  That information along with the school board will be communicated publicly Wednesday at 5 pm. 

Farewell to retiring Gail Barrington-Moss from the City – a leader and respected Manager for 20 years.

Annual Boards meetings Wednesday night as we hear the next important changes that the Boards recommend to Council. 

Friday we nailed down the Capital Region Board Transit GreenTRIP (grant money from province) recommendations and that all goes to the Capital Region Board November 12. 

The weekly meat raffle at the Legion and Seniors Music day were also on the agenda of fun.

Work continues on the campaign front as nomination day shows a great slate of candidates and an election in all 4 categories of elected official groupings.  

All in all a great week in our community.

Week of October 3, 2010

Do you smell the change from fall to winter?  What a wonderful time of year. 

I attended a couple of enjoyable events this week for residents – the McFarlane’s 60^th wedding anniversary and Elsie Dittman’s 100^th Birthday.  Nice elegant events both of them.  Congratulations gifts were presented. 

It was great to see the Kinex arena dressing rooms re-open; necessary change as that area was run down and ready for retrofit; good job by our staff on this.   

Fire prevention week kicked off with a most wonderful open house of Fire Station # 3 and again our staff was gracious in the greeting of the public, training, and overall goodwill in the community demonstrated by all. 

PBS television was in town doing work on a documentary including a review of Jarome Iginla’s career; St. Albert should look forward to this.  

City Council completed its final meetings of this term; a term that resulted in a full agenda and a lot of great change for our community.  

The 2011 Lieutenant Governor Awards committee held its monthly meeting; important planning details being worked on for the 2011 gala. 

40 Asset Development meeting at the Storefront School this week was a great opportunity to connect with more young people in St. Albert.  This was one of many meetings like this being held in the community.   

Rosedale tour – what a great facility – affordable housing opportunity for seniors and what a wonderful place it is.  It recently opened and is located on Hebert Road and grand opening is October 20.  Two school visits were enjoyed as students study municipal government.  

And of course, advanced polls show the beginning of the voting process.

Work continues on the campaign front as nomination day shows a great slate of candidates and an election in all 4 categories of elected official groupings.  

All in all another great week in our community.

Days October 9 - 13, 2010

What a beautiful fall in Alberta.  Having been a farm boy for my first 18 years, I always pull for the farmers to get their crops in, straw baled and hay hauled in before the harsh realities set in. 

Family day October 9 with my sisters in Viking; turkey and pie (and ice cream).  Farmers market and advanced poll; the signal of voting beginning where dozens cast their ballots at City Hall. 

Door knocking, emailing, face-booking, blogging, tweeting, pamphlet delivery was what consumed me during the long weekend.  Perhaps 1,000 emails to gain support as we move into the final days prior to knowing the election results.   Now, 20 years ago no one would have known some of those words when campaigning – oh how times evolve. 

The Continental Curling Cup had their press conference October 12 and now tickets are on sale for one of the biggest spectator events we will ever see in St. Albert.  K-40 and an election forum rounded out Tuesday. 

Chamber lunch was on Wednesday – I love the chamber lunches because there is always an atmosphere of fun, trust, team spirit at that event.  And, a week would not be complete without a school visit; this time Leo Nickerson – grade 6 municipal affairs is their topic.   

A few great days in our community.