| Fighting development permits at city hall is no longer a right that comes free of charge.
Council has decided to start charging people $25 for the right to be heard by the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, which makes decisions when development conflicts arise. The move is intended to discourage frivolous appeals and enable the city to pay volunteers to sit on the board.
The issue was a contentious – several aldermen argued the right to appeal is a fundamental democratic right and should be free of any financial obligation. But they were outvoted by those who thought $25 isn’t onerous for anyone who wants to go through the appeal process.
The provincial government is conducting a review of the legislation that guides the relationship between residential home renters and landlords.
The review will consider revisions to the Landlord-Tenant Act, based on a discussion paper that suggests making changes to dispute resolution, security deposits and enforcement of rules.
The government is also seeking input from citizens as part of the review. The discussion paper and contact information is available at www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/depts/disc/rta/quest_emark.cfm
Opposition politicians say the provincial government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – created as an alternative to the Kyoto Protocol – will actually increase emissions.
Liberal MLA Debby Carlson pointed to several reports that say Alberta’s plan isn’t viable. She says the government should use credible, reliable emission reduction figures when discussion its plan and the Kyoto initiative, and stay away from the inflammatory political rhetoric that has marred the debate over climate change recently.
Meanwhile, the Alberta government has launched a $1.5 million advertising campaign to try and convince residents they shouldn’t support the Kyoto Protocol, despite several opinion polls that say a majority of Canadians, and Albertans, support the international treaty.
The campaign is short on details, focusing on the fact that the U.S. isn’t going to ratify the treaty, and presenting Premier Ralph Klein’s opinion that it will harm Alberta’s economy because of its reliance on fossil fuel development and use of coal.
The print, radio, TV and Internet campaign also says its own plan is a better way to reduce emissions without hurting the economy.
Ald. John Schmal is initiating a Canada-wide study to gauge the extra security costs incurred by municipalities since last September’s attacks on the United States.
The survey will be conducted through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, a nation-wide lobby group of towns and cities, of which Schmal is the president. The survey will be used to seek "solutions to additional financial burdens to Canadian cities," which likely means asking other levels of government to help cover the tab.
Schmal thinks cities have been forced to spend millions of dollars in security costs since last September.
A Winter Tune Up will be held September 27 to help prepare homeless people for the coming cold weather. The event, part of Homeless Awareness Week, focuses on health, especially proper foot care – frostbite is a major problem among the homeless throughout the winter. Soap and vaccinations will also be provided.
The number of homeless people in the city has boomed the past several years – especially the working poor – as the number of affordable dwellings has failed to keep up with population growth.
More information about Homeless Awareness Week is available at the event’s Web site (www.homeless-awareness.com).
A transplanted Newfoundlander has been named as the new director of the Truck Art Gallery.
Mike Hickey, formerly of the Eastern Edge Gallery in St. John’s, Newfoundland, was named to the position by the Truck board of directors. Hickey will be formally welcomed at a reception on September 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the gallery, located in the Grain Exchange Building (815 - 1 St. S.W.). |
