We live in interesting times. In the fall of 2007 Medicine Hat elected a council that represented change. There seemed to be a real desire to change from the closed door secret agenda politics of the past. The council of the day reflected a shift in Medicine Hat attitudes. The people elected a mix between “Old Guard” politicians and new idealistic and somewhat naïve council members.
This “new council” was not perfect. It had raw and open cracks in their ability to work together. Spirited debate, and on key issues almost no compromise between groups. It was certainly ambitious looking to tackle and examine major issues all in one term. Some comment that our recent council was therefore a failure of leaders to work together. Certainly during an election cycle comments like this will be plentiful.
I don’t agree. I see a genuine split in our community. Between a demographic of older Hatters who have always ruled on Election Day, and a new emerging demographic of 25-40 year olds who are asserting their leadership in civic decisions. A quick look at the Medicine Hat Census data shows that our community is changing. A growing economy brought jobs and more permanent residence from a demographic that previously left town for fortunes elsewhere. Medicine Hat is now home to a robust business community who include a significant portion of professionals and entrepreneurs in a much younger demographic than before.
During the discussion around the upcoming Events Centre I noted that Graham Kelly claimed nobody he spoke to was really in support of the project. Alderman Thompson said the support for the project was overwhelming.
I believe them both. It seems entirely possible to me that the people who support Mr Kelly are very different than the ones who support Mr Thompson. I believe the hidden story of the 2007 election was the mobilization of a new demographic of voters in Medicine Hat. They didn’t mobilize enough support to dominate council, but their viewpoints are on the table even if in a minority position. The representation of a new community voice
In 2010 I see a different story shaping up. Will the old guard rally, mobilize and return council to the same type of leadership in the past. Or is the new emerging demographic going to be stay relevant. It will be interesting to see what unfolds in the next few weeks.
Medicine Hat Media
Nice intro post to the election Danger! Are we going to have a list of each candidate along with their platform like we did in ’07? Also, didn’t you guys do some interviews with certain candidates? Looking forward to your coverage!
Yes – each candidate will have a chance to put their election platform on display, and then we will field moderated questions for the candidate. No word limits.
Like on Twitter we will be able to have “verified” accounts
I am not sure all candidates will participate, but then again I think that will send a message as well.
Good to see you guys up and running will let others know.
I see more and more people saying that the events center needs to be put on hold until the city gets its finances in check and more important items (infrastructure, ie fire hall etc) as a priority. Nice to have items do not rate above things like these and need to have priorities. While the gas prices are low the city should also be looking at acquiring new gas fields so as to maintain that gas supply the city has enjoyed in the past but is scarcer now.
I tire at people saying it is the fault of the seniors that the city is not prospering/developing and that seniors want it to remain a “retirement” city. People do not move to a city because they have a “new” arena but because the city can support infrastructure without high taxes and high land values. Who will pay for these? Seniors on fixed income? No. And on the flipside the younger generation have to settle for low income jobs, high taxes and cheap housing. Council pushes the need for more low income housing but why not push for business that pay well and allow their employees the opportunity to purchase higher end housing that also bring more tax base to the city. That is progress in my opinion. And a new events center will not do that over a better quality of life from better jobs and infrastructure achieved by no tax increases. There are just as many younger people opposed to an events center so does it make them opposed to progress for the city?…No
The loss of IXL because of floods which the city in my mind could have prevented underlies the lack of infrastructure to support the people and industry. Methanex can just as easily close again with any increase in gas prices and so for the city to continue relying on a gas reliant industry as a source of employment for its citizens is foolhardy. Again this is cross related to infrastructure.
The city is in a crisis with its infrastructure and until this is resolved, an events center funded by the city (no other government funding) is a death sentence. This is a very important election issue and since the past and present council fail to address it, it should be a foremost issue this election. Many of the candidates chatter about fiscal conservatism but what relay is their plan.
For an candidate to push for a new events center with no funding model should not be elected.
The Events Center will certainly give us lots of discussion I am sure. On that i would say that businesses that pay well – come from commercial and economic development. An events center unlike say a fire hall – actually has an ROI. Fire Halls are certainly needed and important, but you cant calculate their cost in the same apples to apples type comparison. You wont get new taxes from ancillary development from a Fire Station. you will from developing a commercial district.
The Events Center in Box Springs has commitments for 75 million dollars in additional commercial construction (convention center, travel center, commercial strip) – Those are real jobs – not to mention work for construction trades in building the district. The cities own internal review cites a western Canadian study showing 5 to 20 times the public investment in private commercial investment when cities invest in an Events Center. In the case of the Events Center its an estimated 400 million to 2 billion. In case you doubt it there are as mentioned $75 million dollars lined up ready to build.
Which only to say that the case for “numbers” will depend greatly on your needs in the community.
If there was solid polling data I am certain that our city is split on this issue by demographics. Online polls are almost 100% in favour of the events center …but online polls are not a perfect sampling of Hatters, I bet they are more likely 20-45 year olds though. When I hear “nobody wants it” – My experience is that the group claiming this is more of the older generation.
It’s not to say that one generation is evil and the other is more “forward thinking” – but there is very much a culture clash on council and in the city, at least in my view that breaks solidly around lines of demographics. I suspect that a pensioner on a fixed income wont look with excitement to a 1 billion dollars worth of construction development over the next 10 years with the same amount of enthusiasm as a 30 something trades person does. it doesn’t make one right and the other wrong, but they certainly have viewpoints that wont align.
As far as the events center though – lets have another discussion on that. I think it deserves a good solid debate – and we can certainly do that!
Welcome Back Jim – Lets go for coffee!
DM
I can’t wait for the debate to start! I’ve missed the blog
Interesting enough but most of the ones I have talked to who are against the events center at this time are in the age group you state 25-45. But at any rate this is certainly an election issue.
Infrastructure is in it’s own a development ..it generates jobs too..
As for coffee..give me a call…I’m in the book. evenings or weekends.
if there is coffee, there needs to be a video feed, or pod cast at the very least
Good to see you back in action DM.
I heard today that the Medhatblog was reopened. Congratulations to the blog and to the writers! I do not participate on media related blogs (The News, CHAT, ETC) as they limit the comments to their stories, and I simply do not have time. As you know, there is a lot more to our City then news articles. Looking forward to participating when I can! I hope to enlighten some of you of the happenings at City Hall. There are so many lies, inuendoes and rumors out there that makes no sense. One only has to look at the source. Lastly, this blog is a better venue to voice some of my comments then letters to the Editor at the “News” because contributors can relate right back without screening of the Editor. Besides, they only print what they want and it is usually negative.
Good luck!
[VERIFIED ACCOUNT] – Norm Boucher Mayor of Medicine Hat (DM)
If you have the capability to have an on-line poll, I think it would be interesting to find out what issues people feel are relevant to them w.r.t. the election. The question could read, “How important is a candidates stand on the following issues to you?” Then list several issue topics with choices of “Not important, important, very important”. Not a list of for/against, but just what issues have traction for you. I would include (some of these are QUITE obvious), Event Center, Downtown, Utilities/Resources(gas), and Spending. Other less obvious choices might be Airport expansion (my fav!), TC Highway relocation, traffic lights (always a good one!), and Recycling.
Online Poll …I will look for a way to do that, good suggestion. We had one in the old version.
It is good to see DM back and having this up and running. Looking forward to reading what the candidates have to say. I know for sure who I am already voting for mayor and couple of alderman I am voting for right now. But would like to hear from some of the rest, especially ones who are seeking their first term as an alderman.
It is always interesting to me, that politicians that have things to hide, (failures, overspending, unanswered promises) that they are the ones who complain that the media has no credibility, belittle those who question them, or point fingers at others, calling them liars. The worst part is when an elected official thinks that taxpayers and the media don’t need to be answered, and that they are not worth his/her time.The gross arrogance of such thinking shakes the very foundation of our most precious institutions, the free -press, and the electoral process.
Only a politician with a record of failure and mismanagement would balk at the shining light of inquiry. When a man or a woman who holds himself out for election, and especially re-election, hides, misdirects, or stands indignant in the face of his questioners, he/she should know that this disqualifies him from the office he seeks.
To be elected to any position is a public trust. And funds administered should be dealt with and shown all the related care and concern of your own money being spent. When it is determined that their is factual mismanagement of funds and that person seeks to hide, the question then becomes, why would we then reelect them at all. Politicians aren’t better than us, nor are they smarter. We hired them by contract for 3 years, that’s why it’s called public service.
They are not celebraties. They are accountable to the voters. We should elect those who promise to do things we want, knowing they can only do their best.
But those who have violated their stated promises, and effectively accomplished the opposite things, or those who have not been able to do the job they were entrusted with, they must not be reelected.
This is democracy; It is our obligation to our neighbors, to our country, to inform ourselves, and to exercise our duty of voting on Ocober the 18th.
In my opinion, the other 2 candidates for mayor do not meet the criteria set forth above. I intend on moving forward into 2011 in a positive manner. It is not my intent to run a negative campaign, the truth is never negative. This is not the time to hide from the truth with smiles and grandiose intent of changing the past with future promises. They have failed at their opportunities to make things better, and now say they have miraculously figured out how to do it right in the future. Lets be commited to positive change, rather than be fooled by a positive outlook.
I ask with great humbleness that you, the voter would trust me to be your mayor, and in 3 years judge me with the same criteria that I use to judge my competitors.
I read this blog and find it interesting, this election will prove to be one that shows the future? spend money we don’t have, and go into debt much like every government, or restrain our selves and allow the thinking of one past generation where you do not spend until you have it. I am not sure where it will go, but when I read the Mayors words above, I get concerned, he is blaming everyone for his errors in the way he lead our city. I think one only has to listen to us the normal hard working citizens to find out if they want to pay more taxes and would be happy knowing we are in debt for our grand children to pay. I only wish would be that Graham Kelly ran as there is a huge following that would have had him elected mayor. We cannot afford any more taxes, and cannot afford any more poor leadership. Mr Ogston is correct from my point of view in his thinking, not sure why he did not run, this is the thinking we need on council.
Margi,
When in the past did previous generations wait until they saved all the money before they bought parks, pathways or Arena’s? Medicine Hat has all of these things and all of them were financed and paid down over time.
I am just not on board with the idea that putting 50% down on the Events Center and financing the rest at locked in interest rates that are the lowest since WWII represents wild irresponsible fiscal mgt.
I look at previous generations and I think it is a misrepresentation to pretend that they didnt value investing in this city. That they never financed a single capital purchase etc. Or never put a mortgage on a house. There are tons of examples in finance where borrowing is the smart option. Usually if you borrow money to buy services today – thats poor fiscal management. If you borrow money to buy something today that you use every year for 25 years like capital investments (equipment, buildings etc) that usually makes sense. it made sense to the generations previous as well.
When they wanted a Viener Center for seniors – they built it. They didnt save their money.
When they wanted an Arena in 1968 – they built it. The didn’t save their money
When they wanted an Cultural or Arts Center, Clay District restoration or Cultural Center – they built it. They didnt save our money.
It is a myth that in the past there was more fiscal restraint or management. On the events center they have been saving. They have put aside 43 million dollars into a capital reserve for the project. The payment on the loan to build the rest is LESS than the amount they have been setting aside each year to save for an pay for the events center. The did not do this for the Esplanade or Viener Center or the old Arena. I know that to many of us supporters of the Events Center it sure does feel like a “not for something young people want” mentality.
Scott Cowan,
Where was it ever determined that there was a “factual mismanagement of funds” – I hope you address your platform with the blog and explain your positions in more detail. I look forward to reading it.
Dm,I expect you know that the capital reserve is not an exclusive events centre savings account,it is for all future capital expenditures,including fire halls and a multiple list of other worthy projects that we need in this city. The event centre needs to be prioritized along with projects we actually need ,not only to enhance city infrastructure but to replace basic infrastructure.
While I like the idea of having money in Cap Reserve to help fund projects, the money doesn’t do much just sitting there, put it to work! Not by funding another study, or more consultations on issues and projects already discussed ad nauseum. I want a council that will lay out a plan, and get the ball rolling! Also let’s not follow an all too familiar pattern from past projects of building on the cheap then either paying for expensive renovations, or even worse, not spending money on upkeep and allowing the previously spent money to go to waste!
I agree that spending needs to be prioritized, but the criteria for that needs to be carefully laid out. Cost is only one factor. Impact on the city, upkeep costs, and return on investment/new revenue stream need to be considered as well.
Spending on existing infrastructure is always necessary, even if there is not real revenue generated from it (except traffic tickets from ridiculous traffic controls, but that’s another issue! lol).
The event center is big dollars, but has tremendous direct and residual revenue potential for the city, not to mention allowing us to host even better shows than what we already enjoy at the Esplanade.
These are obviously just two examples, but my points are, again, that cost should not be the only criteria for City spending, make a decision, and do it right the first time!
Dutch, on 4 Jan. 2010 , Boucher,White,Clugston and Thompson not only voted to use 30M from this fund they voted to borrow another $62,000,000 with interest of $4,220,000 yearly for the Event Center construction.This of course does not include any negative operational costs that will end up being paid for by taxpayers. Not sure what the tax revenue would be from the (proposed) additional builds around the center but it will certainly take awhile to recoup these costs. Without major financial input from the Prov. and Federal Govt. this project is a very poor use of our tax dollars in my opinion. P.S. nothing wrong with a little in the bank doing nothing more than providing you with an annual return and providing funds for emergencies such as floods or major repairs to our gas,electrical and water/sewer systems.
Just to clarify Citizenk; $4,220,000 was the loan payment. Interest on a 60M loan is would be 2.79M.
Skeet,thanks my error.
Agreed, Skeet. Prov/Fed or other outside funding would be required for the Event Center, especially if it were to be done correctly. My point was more to get the money to work for us, but in a way where the decision to spend/borrow is not dictated solely by cost, nor does it take years or even decades to decide to act.
Sorry, meant to agree with citizenk, but Skeet, I’m assuming you’re correct so I’ll agree with you too!
I like how Scott says that the current mayor hides, but Scott forgets to mention that himself likes to censorship anyone who comments on his thoughts or platform and deletes their posts.
Glad to finally find a few minutes to send in some comments to you. Let me state that M.H. is a great place to live. We have the second lowest house taxes in Canada for cities (Last survey conducted by the city of Edmonton see pages 12 and13). Only 3 cities decreased their per capital spending since 2007: Camrose, Leduc and Medicine Hat (see page 13 of the latest Canadian Federation of independant Business report). We have the lowest crime rate, and, highest crime solve rate in Alberta ( stats Canada). We have the lowest Gas and Electricity combined costs in Alberta, month after month
( see the statements you received with your utility bills in January and July 2010 comparing other Cities in Alberta). WE have a friendly city and the Community Foundation Vital Signs report of last week crystalizes this for all of us. This past Winter we drilled 61 new gas wells ($15 M) to increase our proven and probable gas reserves to one of the highest level ever for our City. WE asked our departments to provide from 10 to 15% return on investments and in 2009 we had 9.085% return from Electric Generation, 11.85% from Electric Distribution and 15.29% from Gas Distribution. Very good results in a tough economy. We have invested $25K to assist our citizens affected by disconnections and it is managed by the Salvation Army and St-Vincent de Paul. WE have tripled our combined assets in the last 10 years to over $900M, five times the cash reserves to $236 M, tripled the combined equity to $674 M. The Energy Division of the City made $92.8 M of net profit in 2008 and paid $41M of dividend that year and $42.8 M in 2009. ( see the 2008 and 2009 Annual reports). We have returned the Medicine Hat advantage on all the points addressed above and when I speak with other Mayors they can not hide their envy of our City’s position.
Now we have a debt but we are not in debt. 87% of the debt is repayable under utility costs and it is like most businesses, an investment for years to come. Our borrowing is at around a fixed interest of 4% and some for 20 years with a return or benefit for 40 to 75 years. In the last 3 years we have passed 71 debenture borrowing bylaws and they were all unanimous except 3. I personally voted against 1. Julie voted in favor of all of them and now she has a problem with our debt. So why would we borrow and not use our cash on hand?
Right now cash is king and most of us knew that we wanted to purchase more gas wells. We have made 2 offers in the last several months and they we not accepted. I noted that the wells were not sold and we are looking at potential higher offers that next Council will review. In the energy business cash is preferred as borowing take a lot of time and one can lose the bid on the time restrictions. Debts are assigned to specific department and they are required to account for the repayments in their budget like many businesses. Sometimes we borrow to create a profit (4% interest and a return of 15% or higher). We borrow to meet priorities. In accounting terms “today’s dollar is worth more then tomorrow’s dollar” like your house or business that is purchased at a price but after years is worth a lot more then the original cost.
I will send a seperate message to surface some accomplishments of this Council and some future needs to focus on to make our City even better.
Here are some of the accomplishments that I was proud that our Council addressed in the last 3 years:
Extension of service in our public transit (Sundays, new routes and added hours)
Rolling out of the Garbage and Yard waste automated collections
Seperation of the Energy Division from the Municipal Government responsabilties
Retrun of the Medicine Hat Advantage in combined costs of Gas and Electricity
Providing $25 K for needy disconnect citizens
All Hat Smart programs (Solar, Water, Appliances, House improvement, Geo Thermal)
Increased transparency by reversing the past larger closed council agendas to open
this appeared as a divisive Council but it provided more transparency on votes
Increased communication (Now on Facebook, Twitter, Recorded Council meeetings)
Increased capacity to produce eclectricity with a new LM 6000 trubine while reducing pollution
Finally signed the Intermunicipal Development Plan with Redcliff and Cypress Co. that stalled for 5 years
Signed a water agreement with Cypress Co.
Started to buy properties for a future Airport expansion
Met and improved relationships with 70 Developers
Led the way in creating a large Tourism Plan and we are seeing some positive benefits
Ensure that Council members could vote while outisde of M.H. for greater inclusion and started the use of electronic Council packages to save paper
WE are now asking for guarantees in negotiations/contracts
The first Mayor to have a computer and Mayor and Aldermen have Blackberries
City received numerous awards on Accounting/Financial awards, Emerald for environmental initiatives as well as outstanding employer
Solved some long standing lawsuits and appeals
Improved relations with Redcliff that faltered for decades
Focus on future improvements:
Municipal Development Plan MDP
24 Hour Border opening at Wildhorse
Participation on SEAWA (South East Alberta Watershed Alliance)
Regional Event Centre
Fire Prevention
Executive Particpation on the Federation of Canadian Municipalties
Downtown Development Plan
Airport Expansion Plan
Smart Metering on utilities
Acquiring and Expanding Gas ownership
Alternate Sources of Energy (Wind and Solar)
Potential of public transit service to Redcliff
Monday is ELECTION DAY! If you require a ride to and from your polling station you can contact the Vote Scott Cowan line any time today at 403-504-7092. The polls open at 10 am and close at 8 pm. Make a difference in this community! It’s your right!
If you would like to peruse my Platform, open the brochure here….
http://www.scott-cowan.com/documents/scott_cowan_for_mayor2010.pdf
Mr Cowan you approached me today in the parking lot of Safeways, I asked you to clarify one or two statements you made in the pamphlet you handed me. You ignored my question and immediately went into trying to impress me with your relationship with a very senior member of the provincial government, (who I just happen to know also, for your information) and I find it very difficult to believe that this very senior, experienced politician, would actually make the comments that you assured me he did. Firstly it would not be very politicly astute for a man in his position to personally attack incumbent municipal politicians in general conversation with a hopeful, (particularly as he will be voting in this election? I do believe he still has the right to vote in this municipal election)
You certainly proved one thing to me today Mr Cowan, that being, you will sink to any lengths to impress a potential vote(r).