Decision making process moves ahead

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Hussar residents took a rainy night on Sept.14 to do some deep thinking and productive brainstorming for the Municipal Affairs Viability Team, at the workshop held in the Hussar Community Centre.
They were presented with five simple, direct, open-ended questions that participants answered individually and in group sessions. The questions were not targeted for specific responses or given leading multiple choice options. They gave participants a jumping off point to express their thoughts and concerns.
“You are residents of Hussar, and have so much in your heads about Hussar, and that is what the team wants to hear from you,” said facilitator Lynda Reynolds.
The questions were:
• What is important to you about Hussar being a village?
• What do you thing the top priorities for the Village of Hussar should be?
• Are property taxes and utility rates in Hussar affordable for the current service levels?
• What other viability issues should the Hussar Viability review team be reviewing?
• Do you consider the village of Hussar to be sustainable in the long run?
Discussion varied from table to table but topics included infrastructure, bylaw enforcement, economic development, growth, future planning, taxes, communication, the need for clarification of some issues, community spirit and participation, aging populations, and a request for more information and comparisons of options available and their ramifications.
There were some responses to topics that were split among the respondents and Reynolds said the individual responses from the worksheets will help with clarifying some areas.
Some interesting ideas were floated to improve viability, such as developing the nearby lake, providing a seniors lodge which would generate employment opportunities, developing the commercial base, utilizing an economic advisor, marketing the town and rural lifestyle and requesting that the provincial government honour commitments to support rural communities.
Reynold said that all input would be considered when developing the plan, which would present the options that apply to dissolution vs remaining a village.
She hoped the process of gathering information, engagement and gaining feedback will help the viability team to produce a working viability plan for consideration. The next step is to compile the information and have the viability team review the information. Members of the team were on hand to listen to discussion and they rotated through the various workgroups. There are ten members on the team, which included representatives from Alberta Municipal Affairs, Hussar council and administration, Wheatland County council and administration, Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, Alberta Municipalities and Urban Associations and Local Government Administration Association. The members did not fill out forms or direct discussion.
For those not at the meeting and members of the surrounding community, worksheets are available at the Hussar village office and can left with Jennifer Pratt, or mailed to: Village of Hussar, Viability Review, Municipal Services Branch, 17th floor, Commerce Place, 10155 102 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J4L4, or scanned and sent to viabilityreview@gov.ab.ca Deadline for submission is Sept, 25.