About 30 citizens got face-to-face with Turner Valley councillors last week to meet their elected officials and address issues ranging from parking to economic development.
Turner Valley town council hosted its inaugural Coffee with Council in the Sheep River Library June 11, inviting the public to say hello, ask questions, address concerns and offer opinions. The Town also shared information on its strategic priorities, committees and boards of council, asset management and council’s recent successes.
Turner Valley resident Robert Dallas said he attended to introduce himself to council and discuss economic development in his community.
“I thought, if they’re going to go to the effort of hosting one of these it’s a good thing to support that effort,” he said. “I thought it was a good idea.”
With an interest in seeing Turner Valley advance economically, the senior wasn’t lacking in conversation.
“I chatted with them about economic development because that’s an area that interests me,” he said. “I would like to see the town and the area grow. I would like to see enough businesses here so our property taxes don't have to be as high as they are.”
Katerina Renny, who opened Foothills Counselling Psychology earlier this month, saw Coffee with Council as an opportunity to meet people in the community, including council and town staff.
“I don't have a lot of questions at this time,” she admitted. “I'm just trying to learn the issues in the community. For me it's mostly meet and greet.”
Black Diamond businesswoman Pamela Lyken said she attended to get a feel for what her neighbouring community is doing.
“I've been speaking with a couple of council members,” she said. “I think this council is really strong, just in the way they have been able to answer my questions.”
Lyken said she learned that the two towns are facing similar challenges when it comes to business development.
“The biggest challenge I have experienced and heard directly from business owners in both towns is they continue to halt business development,” she said of the Towns. “There are challenges in getting things approved.”
Lyken said she would like to get more involved and become an advocate for businesses to see more commercial success in the two communities.
Those in attendance also discussed off street parking for small businesses, which is currently under review, street cleaning, recycling and taxes.
Coun. Jonathan Gordon said from the discussions that took place during Coffee with Council, he feels local residents are up to date on current issues.
“Residents are aware of what’s going on and it pleases me,” he said. “That means our communication is effective.”
Gordon said he was pleased to see some new faces, in addition to familiar faces that he often sees during council meetings.
“There was a couple that’s been here two years, another here for a year,” he said. “We’ve had an opportunity to meet people publicly and build personal relationships.”
Mayor Barry Crane considers the inaugural event a “huge success.”
“The informal setting really added to the ability to just have flowing conversations about any topic,” he said. “We did meet a few new business owners. It was exciting for business owners to meet council and let themselves be known.”
Crane said a big topic of discussion was recycling – the cost versus the actual impact.
“People were wanting to know, is it going to landfill or is it being recycled and what is the world market doing that's affecting us as Canadians?” he said. “For me it's about capturing as much recyclables as possible and keeping them out of the landfill. We, as a society, have to change that habit. We need to create an industry for recyclables.”
Crane said he would like to see Coffee with Council occur quarterly. Announcements of the public events will be posted on the Town’s website and social media outlets before they occur.
