Lac Ste Anne: What a difference a day makes

Those who live in the County of Lac Ste Anne will know what a difference a day makes. There is an active group of ratepayers and community members that have started a Not For Profit Society called the Lac Ste Anne and Communities Rate Payers Association. Formed from some frustration initiated over the lack of open discussion between the ratepayers and the County representatives, this group is looking for transparency and better public relations between our County representative and administration and the ratepayers and vested communities. Our objective reads: The association will be a positive and credible advocate of Lac Ste Anne County Communities and will, by coordinated input, oversee that elected county officials are held to the terms and conditions of provincial laws and regulations. It will continuously strive to work for the betterment of all ratepayers. Some of the issues that will impact us that this newly created group has looked at is :

. THE COST of REBRANDING: how is this funded? What are the real costs?

. Projected income from water filling stations. What is the ACTUAL COST VS. PROJECTED REVENUE

. JOB DESCRIPTIONS/PAY SCALE? Understanding how competition is held for these positions?

. TWO MILLION spent on communication towers. What is our Revenue?

. BRIDGES? Which are earmarked for immediate repair. Which ones will be replaced in the future and at what cost?

. MSI Funding – allocation? How much funding has been received?

. USER FEES? What has been taken out of our taxes and charged as a user fee?

These are just a few of the questions raised. There is a long list of questions not noted above and the Ratepayers Association will be working diligently to find information and answers. We will be hosting the FIRST GENERAL MEETING where we will be opening up the memberships and welcoming people to our organization. This first meeting will be held September 19th, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. at the Onoway Heritage Centre (4708 Lac Ste Anne Trail. Gymnasium). Our meetings will then rotate in different communities thereafter. Please plan to join us to discuss the issues that YOU feel have the ability to impact us as a community. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to send an email to LSARA@gmail.com