Speaking to the Premier’s ear

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Rick Pollard, stakeholder relations manager of the Premier’s office, spent some voice to voice time via a conference call with Wheatland county councillors on May 3, discussing area concerns.
He stated the premier wanted to ensure a more proactive communications approach within Alberta.
“I can act as a bit of a trouble shooter,” said Pollard. “If something is getting jammed up in government because a certain level of government isn’t reached … I can help with that.”
Wheatland County Reeve Glenn Koester took the lead on behalf of council and outlined some of their concerns. He led with the proposed centralized linear tax assessment process being proposed by the province. He stated it would remove municipal autonomy and put an extra workload on already limited staff.
Koester also commented on the 2016 eight per cent education taxation rates. He asked for clarification on how and why the increases were determined, when compared to other centres with less increases. He noted that existing allotments to the schools were not covering some education programs and supplies, forcing parents to fundraise in the community to supply those needs for their children.
The reeve touched on the Calgary Growth Management plan and council’s unified view that it did not represent rural interests because of veto and double majority voting structures.
“Being mandated to participate in this gives us concerns,” said Koester.
Councillor Brenda Knight asked about urban sprawl and whether any measures were in place to curtail this around big centres like Calgary.
Pollard said he had heard concerns that good quality land vs poor quality land was being developed, but did not offer any specific information from the province on the topic.