Let's begin by thanking those of you who already have joined.
Have you noticed how we carefully chose our name? How we ensured that we included everyone that resides in the County of Lac Ste Anne as well as those that may own or rent property but not live full time ? We were very focused on ensuring that we leave no one behind that may have concerns, so we included everyone. If you are over the age of 18, we want you to become a member.
Let's use the 5 "W's"
WHO - LSARA began as an initiative by a group of concerned Ratepayers that reside in the County of Lac Ste Anne.
WHAT - The motivation to form the Association finally came to a head when WE as individual Ratepayers understood that nothing we did or said alone was being heard. Council and Administration had us all on mute. They passed by law after by law even though we petitioned.
WHEN - The not for profit Association was officially formed in the fall of 2016. We are working class people just like you. Volunteers, just like you.
WHERE- LSARA has members that reside all over the County. From all 7 Divisions . You see, we choose to represent EVERYONE. No by election for vacancies in our organization as we will represent all Divisions fairly.
WHY - The all important why. Probably the most important of the 5. When the right unite so to speak, it's usually as a direct result of a decision that is or isn't made that impacts people. In this case, first as private individuals , we saw a Council and an Administration making decisions without our input or regardless of our input, that had the ability to affect us for generations to come. Spending money we don't have in areas that further public consultation would have been the right thing to do. Some of you may believe that this Association is ONLY because of the Administration building, that is not correct. That was the FINAL STRAW. The one that literally and figuratively broke the Ratepayers back.
Some of you will remember issues with County over lagoons, gravel pits, building permits, subdivision applications, refusing to enforce bylaws. Some of you may never have felt the need to get involved as you didn't see how or where it was going to impact you, until it does.
The County of Lac Ste Anne has no economic development. We have very little commercial industry and what we do have is primarily in the East end. Why, when Lac Ste Anne County has the highest commercial tax rate in the Province would you want to even consider opening up a business in our County?
If you ask Council or Administration about this, their answer will be "well now with the new MGA we can blend rates". This is NOT the answer. We should be ACTIVELY seeking businesses and working as a COMMUNITY to ensure they remain viable.
Instead they are now focused with increased expenditures, on WHAT they can add taxes or fees to in order to increase revenue. WHY? Because they have sold our future.
Losses of Municipal Sustainability Initiatives from the government due to the decline in oil pricing. Keep in mind here that the rest of us knew we were in that recession, WHY didn't they? In addition, another component of WHAT impacts us is also due to oil and gas commodities , the Linear assessments. These are based on WHAT is producing and WHAT is not. Budgets should NEVER be based on WHAT you think you will receive and spend it before you get it. There are some budget factors that are difficult to predict, but never ever should spending be considered before the income is considered.
Many of you joined when we held our Annual General Meeting, thank you.
At that meeting, we shared with you how we put together our petition to the Minister requesting an Inquiry into the affairs of our Council and Administration. We delivered, as promised, all of our information to the Minister and await a response . We also put forth a request to Council and Administration to support the request. If you have an opportunity, please ask your Councillor to support that. If they don't, why not? WHAT is there to hide? For those of you who have no representation, please connect with Mayor Hegy. They chose to not hold a by election, not you.
Many of you responded to the latest introduction of an ill conceived poorly delivered RV tax. Many of you have grave concerns over the condition of our infrastructure, the roads and the bridges. Rightfully so. We have now thrown the baby out with the bath water figuratively speaking.
LSARA has attempted to cover a broad area of topics but focus on the very important ones. We are going to continue to host meetings in different divisions so all of you have an opportunity to meet us and join us. Packages to assist us in selling memberships are available. Drop us a line lsaracares@gmail.com or on our FB site Lac Ste Anne Ratepayers Association which also linked to our blog. Stay up to date by Liking, following, see first and sharing our articles. We will only get better with your support and by sharing your concerns. We can't take on the world but we can chip away one brick at a time. We are ONE.
Our next meeting will be held at the Darwell Community Hall May 27th at 1 PM. Memberships are $10 each or $20 a family. Hope to see you there.
Regards
LSARA
WHO - LSARA began as an initiative by a group of concerned Ratepayers that reside in the County of Lac Ste Anne.
WHAT - The motivation to form the Association finally came to a head when WE as individual Ratepayers understood that nothing we did or said alone was being heard. Council and Administration had us all on mute. They passed by law after by law even though we petitioned.
WHEN - The not for profit Association was officially formed in the fall of 2016. We are working class people just like you. Volunteers, just like you.
WHERE- LSARA has members that reside all over the County. From all 7 Divisions . You see, we choose to represent EVERYONE. No by election for vacancies in our organization as we will represent all Divisions fairly.
WHY - The all important why. Probably the most important of the 5. When the right unite so to speak, it's usually as a direct result of a decision that is or isn't made that impacts people. In this case, first as private individuals , we saw a Council and an Administration making decisions without our input or regardless of our input, that had the ability to affect us for generations to come. Spending money we don't have in areas that further public consultation would have been the right thing to do. Some of you may believe that this Association is ONLY because of the Administration building, that is not correct. That was the FINAL STRAW. The one that literally and figuratively broke the Ratepayers back.
Some of you will remember issues with County over lagoons, gravel pits, building permits, subdivision applications, refusing to enforce bylaws. Some of you may never have felt the need to get involved as you didn't see how or where it was going to impact you, until it does.
The County of Lac Ste Anne has no economic development. We have very little commercial industry and what we do have is primarily in the East end. Why, when Lac Ste Anne County has the highest commercial tax rate in the Province would you want to even consider opening up a business in our County?
If you ask Council or Administration about this, their answer will be "well now with the new MGA we can blend rates". This is NOT the answer. We should be ACTIVELY seeking businesses and working as a COMMUNITY to ensure they remain viable.
Instead they are now focused with increased expenditures, on WHAT they can add taxes or fees to in order to increase revenue. WHY? Because they have sold our future.
Losses of Municipal Sustainability Initiatives from the government due to the decline in oil pricing. Keep in mind here that the rest of us knew we were in that recession, WHY didn't they? In addition, another component of WHAT impacts us is also due to oil and gas commodities , the Linear assessments. These are based on WHAT is producing and WHAT is not. Budgets should NEVER be based on WHAT you think you will receive and spend it before you get it. There are some budget factors that are difficult to predict, but never ever should spending be considered before the income is considered.
Many of you joined when we held our Annual General Meeting, thank you.
At that meeting, we shared with you how we put together our petition to the Minister requesting an Inquiry into the affairs of our Council and Administration. We delivered, as promised, all of our information to the Minister and await a response . We also put forth a request to Council and Administration to support the request. If you have an opportunity, please ask your Councillor to support that. If they don't, why not? WHAT is there to hide? For those of you who have no representation, please connect with Mayor Hegy. They chose to not hold a by election, not you.
Many of you responded to the latest introduction of an ill conceived poorly delivered RV tax. Many of you have grave concerns over the condition of our infrastructure, the roads and the bridges. Rightfully so. We have now thrown the baby out with the bath water figuratively speaking.
LSARA has attempted to cover a broad area of topics but focus on the very important ones. We are going to continue to host meetings in different divisions so all of you have an opportunity to meet us and join us. Packages to assist us in selling memberships are available. Drop us a line lsaracares@gmail.com or on our FB site Lac Ste Anne Ratepayers Association which also linked to our blog. Stay up to date by Liking, following, see first and sharing our articles. We will only get better with your support and by sharing your concerns. We can't take on the world but we can chip away one brick at a time. We are ONE.
Our next meeting will be held at the Darwell Community Hall May 27th at 1 PM. Memberships are $10 each or $20 a family. Hope to see you there.
Regards
LSARA
When was this picture taken?? with the pickets
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