Since the most searched for terms at Local-Yokels.com are “Spruce Grove Post Office”, “Saskatchewan Ave” or search terms related to the location of the new post office, combined with the concern we have lately for the environment I thought I would examine what impact the move to the new location might have to residents of Spruce Grove. What I came up with was a big surprise not to mention disturbing. Since this is now a destination that yo... [More]

If my father would have attended the Council meeting last night (Dec. 14th 2009) I could just hear him say if he were alive, “They did something right, by George”, complete with a twinkle in his eye as his name was also George. Of course He would have been correct, as he was most of the time. They did something very right. They demonstrated how democracy can and should work. They approved with all three readings C-725-09 – Municipal Utility Services Bylaw Amendment. Council ... [More]

Presentations The Council recognized Mr. Ron Smith for his work on the Spruce Grove Public Library Board. Council also recognized the Barracuda Swim club for receiving first place for small swim clubs at the Alberta Summer Swim Association Provincials this past summer. Morgan Jamieson broke the provincial record for the 400 meter free style at the Humma swim meet. Connor Jamieson also set provincial records for the 400 meter free style, 200 meter I.M. and the 1500 free style at the Humma swi... [More]

At the Spruce Grove City Council meeting Bylaw C-723-09 was tabled for all three readings. The bylaw amends the Schedule of Fees for building permits. The purpose was to maintain a revenue source to ensure financial viability of the department in 2010. A copy of the fee changes can be found here. These do not seem out of line excepting the increase for non-residential fees. But there were two points that were of concern. First, the city delegate that spoke to the new fees stated that these ... [More]

I met with the Hon. Doug Horner, MLA on Friday Oct. 16th regarding the issue of recording City Council meetings, which in turn is really a Provincial issue since the Alberta Municipal Government Act does not give much guidance to city councils on what constitutes an open meeting and they are free to set their own rules as they see fit. More on our conversation but first I must publicly thank Mr. Horner for his time and efforts. It was a pleasure meeting you. Mr. Horner is a most personable an... [More]

Yesterday I received the response below from our Minister of Municipal Affairs regarding the recording of City Council meetings. Dear Mr. Weed Thank you for your recent email regarding the procedural bylaw of the City of Spruce Grove. I understand you have recently discussed your concerns directly with Municipal Affairs staff. The Municipal Government Act requires that the council meetings be open to the public. While the public is encouraged to observer council in action at the duly co... [More]

Democracy - do we deserve it? [More]

It’s official. On August 17th 2009 Spruce Grove City Council voted unanimously in all three readings to prohibit the public from recording the Open council meetings. On September 14th at the open council meeting I asked council if the public could record the meetings. They deferred my question and promised that the City Administration would respond. Here is the email I received from Mr. Lagore, City Manager. “Mr. Weed, firstly I would like to apologize for the time that it has ta... [More]

In the middle of July I asked a simple question; can the public record City Council meetings? This question seems to have hit a nerve with City Council, as they deemed it fit to pass a Bylaw prohibiting the recording of Council meetings. The surprise, disbelief, head shaking and even the outrage that others expressed, I expected. What I did not expected was the extent to which many actually went to find out if I was planning to run for City Council in 2010 myself! My God! What have I done! S... [More]