For those in our valley who believe offering structured input and embracing the opportunity to have their voice heard publicly is important, this has been a good week.
Generally, municipal governments in our valley have made a point of gathering public input on many issues; though it might be argued that the gathering goes to extremes in some cases.
But this week, skateboarders in Banff and patrons of the arts in Canmore had their concerns taken into account, while residents of Exshaw took advantage of a chance to be heard.
In two instances, the results were positive. In the other, much less so.
In Banff, a community which looks to reduce its carbon footprint and has embraced public transit, skateboarders who have spoken out are now free again to travel during the night in the community.
Being a town where the ability to travel on foot virtually anywhere within the community is a positive, skateboarders can embrace their non-motorized steeds as viable transportation in the wee hours.
While sometimes seen as loud and dangerous, used with some common sense, skateboards are as legitimate a ride as bicycles in a small town. And in a town where service workers are the hub of the tourism industry, skateboard use may make Banff a more popular seasonal employment destination.
In fact, given that cyclists have an on again, off again, preference for sidewalks and roads, with riders of all ages often seen at night sans lights, skateboards appear no more dangerous under sensible circumstances. Not to say a light isn’t a good idea, but so it is for bicycles as well.
Meanwhile, to the east, Canmore’s council has oked the creation of an arts space once the downtown library moves to the Multiplex.
Again, a task force went out to the citizenry to gather input as to usage once the library vacated the location.
Located in the downtown core, there is little doubt the building would be a welcome home for workspaces, a public gallery, performance space and pottery studio. But $50,000 for a feasibility study and a non-profit society/board to plan and develop it?
We realize town staff are busy…
Still, as Mayor Ron Casey said at his Spotlight on the Arts event – “This place would be dull, ordinary and uninspiring without the arts.”
With any luck, an arts centre won’t go the way of the Lamphouse Centre for the Arts. Of course, the building is in place and millions won’t need to be raised; it’s more a matter of deciding on best usage for a community arts facility.
Speaking of community, we’re somewhat disappointed that once again, the idea of creating a youth centre of some sort hasn’t been advanced.
Still further east, and we’re stepping away from municipal involvement here, Lafarge received quite an earful a week ago from Exshaw residents who, judging by their tone and level of angst, have reached the end of their collective rope with noise and dust levels in the hamlet they call home.
While there is no questioning that Lafarge is a major contributor to sports teams, the arts and virtually every community event in the valley, and has been for years, all that is cold comfort to citizens who live in spitting distance of the plant in Exshaw and feel their health may be threatened.
Hopefully, creation of a community liaison group will be instrumental in opening lines of communication before those lines are completely fouled and result in further outpourings of angry protest.
