All eyes on elected officials with fall election coming

Tick, tock, elected officials are on the clock these days it seems heading towards a fall election.

Its a sure sign of spring when council sessions lengthen as an election approaches. Often times noting the trend in a column is enough of a tactic to keep business moving on Monday nights.

Just as days grow longer and chickadees begin looking for company,

On April 3, a presentation on the Mayor’s poetry challenge sparked a lengthier than expected discussion, also five city council members extended congratulations for the fine work done by a number of advisory boards.

On April 17, seven members of council found the need to discuss the plan to reduce the frequency of interim financial reports from every three months (quarterly) to every four months (thirdly? thrice-yearly?).

Financial reports

Speaking of... it’s dry reading, but the year-end or first quarter financial reports are bountiful these days.

March and April bring us detailed reports from the area irrigation districts, South Country Coop, several major industrial players in the city and the City’s own reports provide enticements for curious reporters.

Elections Alberta also put out its first quarter statements recently showing that once again, the New Democrats are the leading fundraising competition.

The governing party brought in $345,125 in the first three months — about $20,000 more than the Wildrose Party and $150,000 more than the Progressive Conservatives.

It could be that the NDs are more popular than commonly thought, or perhaps the result of new rules that cap individuals’ donations to $4,000 (down from $15,000).

It may also be a symptom of uncertainty about party right-ofcentre donors should support financially.

It’s a murky path forward for the parties that are currently in merger talks that could result in one or both dissolving and, assumedly surrendering bank accounts.

Albertans might be holding off on signing cheques until that is sorted out.

Another report

There’s some good cheer in local library circles that the Saskatchewan government will reverse deep cuts proposed in that province’s budget last month.

The announcement came the same day the Medicine Hat Public Library presented its annual report to city committee on Monday.

That report will be given to city council this coming Monday to outline highlights of the 100th year of the operation.

During the centennial, 675,000 items either from the physical or virtual collection were lent.

There are currently about 13,000 members, though officials state the number is likely higher as they only count up-to-date library card accounts, which are renewed throughout the year.

In store for 2017 is the completion and grand re-opening of the renovated theatre at the facility.

The library is just past 80 per cent of its fundraising goal for the $680,000 project, with efforts still ongoing.

Any difference will become part of a building loan that will be repaid to the city on an annual basis, so the goal is to reduced that as much as possible.

A look ahead

A new condo development and a comparison of sewer and trash collection rates across Alberta will be on the agenda when city council meets on Monday.

A sod turning at the site of the expansion of the Veiner Centre is planned for Tuesday, at which time more information on timelines should be released.

100 years ago

Police promised that “severe measures” would be taken against boys who continue to ride on sidewalks or the opposite side of the street,” the News reported on May 4, 1917 after a collision between a bicycle and motorcar.

“Parents of boys owning wheels should warn their boys against these dangerous practices.”

Authorities also called for clarity when emergency requests were telephoned. That week the fire brigade was dispatched to Ninth Street by Central Park though the emergency was at Ninth Street in Crescent Heights.

Canadian Cabinet ministers would take part in a joint war council in Washington as soon as such a meeting could be arranged with the new member of the Allied war effort, reports from Ottawa stated.

Farmers protested the exclusion of farm machinery on the tariff free list proposed in the Commons after opposition parties moved to protect central Canadian manufacturers.

In the Pakowki region, Mr. Dillenbeck had created a school bus service of sorts, using his new auto to transport his two children plus four others to and from school in Four Ways.