| A motion to change the title of municipal elected officials from alderman to councillor was soundly defeated by city council on September 22.
Supporters of the change said councillor is gender-neutral and less offensive than the existing alderman. Every other major city in Canada, and most in Alberta, have changed over the past few decades to councillor from alderman.
None of the aldermen who voted against the motion entered into debate on the issue – they simply voted against it without offering rationale. The lack of debate upset Ald. Madeleine King, who supported the change. She says refusing to speak about the issue was a stifling of public debate.
The motion gained support from four aldermen, but 10 voted against it, including Mayor Dave Bronconnier and three women, Alds. Diane Colley-Urquhart, Druh Farrell and Linda Fox-Mellway.
Millennium Park
Millennium Park’s future is in doubt after city council was forced to raid the park’s endowment fund to cover outstanding construction costs, a problem that emerged because some donors failed to make good on their pledges.
Council voted on September 22 to remove $500,000 from the park’s endowment fund to cover the $441,000 in donations pledged by Calgarians and Calgary companies that were never paid. That endowment fund is used to pay for ongoing maintenance of the park, which has raised concerns that there won’t be enough cash left to ensure the popular skateboard park and recreational facility doesn’t fall into disrepair.
City administrators say they have so far been unable to find donations to make up the endowment fund – raising funds for operating fees of any facility is more difficult than raising funds for construction. City council ordered administration to look into new ways of restoring the fund.
Smoking report
A new report on the city’s controversial smoking bylaw reveals few people have complained about it – meaning the bylaw is working or people are ignoring it, say those on both sides of the debate.
The report says 251 complaints have been received since the bylaw went into effect earlier this year, requiring businesses to either allow smoking and prohibit children, ban smoking, or offer separately ventilated smoking areas. City administrators say less than half of the city’s businesses have voluntarily declared their status to the city, and the number of complaints is very low.
Some of those opposed to an outright smoking ban – which will be in place under the bylaw by 2008 – say the small number of complaints means the bylaw is working as is and businesses should continue to be allowed to offer smoking areas. Others, however, say the bylaw is so confusing that it is being ignored, or that customers don’t understand it enough to issue complaints.
Some aldermen are still supporting a petition that would force a plebiscite asking whether residents support an immediate ban.
Community events
· Phoenix Festival, September 26 to 28, Crowsnest Pass: Rising from the ashes of the Lost Creek wildfire comes a birding festival intended to showcase the ecological importance of the Castle wilderness. Organized by the Crowsnest Environmental Action Society, the Phoenix Festival’s plans include guided birdwatching hikes as well as guest speakers. For more information, e-mail ceas@shaw.ca, or phone 403-563-3846 or 403-562-2454.
· Word on the Street Festival Book and Magazine Fair, September 29, Eau Claire Market: A celebration of literacy featuring readings, authors, and booths featuring various organizations and publications related to reading. For more information visit www.wordonthestreet.ca. |
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