Dear editor,
Election day is Oct. 16. I Watch for the same old promise “I will cut taxes!”
Wouldn’t we all love lower taxes? Blanket tax cuts, no? How could any administration and council build solid future plans? Ten year plans exist for future needs. A good example of planning for the future was the decision of mayor and council years ago. Considering possible future drought conditions and continued growth, using foresight and advice from experts, they made the decision to build a new raw water reservoir for the Town of Turner Valley.
They had no way of knowing this would save Turner Valley and Black Diamond when the 2013 flood hit wiping out nearly all of both towns water wells.
Had it not been for that foresight (against some opposition) we would have been hauling costly water with no local water available!
Work is ongoing to recover the supplies both towns had before the flood. New wells, the infiltration gallery and next, the addition of a pond, continue to add to supplies, all paid through Disaster Recovery funds, not Turner Valley taxes.
Maintaining and upgrading infrastructure is imperative, it takes planning and it costs money. Council and staff study and discuss thousands of details to make informed, well thought out decisions. Without the new reservoir I wonder what water restrictions we might have today with the heat and low river levels?
Council procedures are mandated by the Municipal Government Act. A wealth of information, including yearly audited Financial Statements and Town Comparisons, is on both the Government of Alberta website under ‘Municipal Profiles’ and the Town of Turner Valley Website. Details include population, employees, area serviced, roads and length, water mains, financial assets, liabilities, and tax rates, etc. The MGA requires that all Municipalities have independent yearly audits.
Council is elected by us, the taxpayers. Hopefully solid, informed candidates come forward and the election has little mudslinging, innuendo and “rants.” Please don’t bother to run if your issue is only an “axe to grind.” That is not what we taxpayers need. We need leaders, not complainers.
As a candidate for mayor or council, please work for positive change. If you think there is a problem what solutions do you offer? Tell us what you want to change and why? Most importantly, how! We need you to give us details.
If you are asking for our vote, we are listening.
Maureen Nelson
Turner Valley
