Chris Clegg
Town of High Prairie Councillor Judy Stenhouse vehemently opposes using taxpayer’s money to support community events.
Each time a request comes before council asking for money, she opposes. Her basic premise is council should not be taking money from its citizens, then deciding which community event and/or charity to support. She feels strongly that decision should be left to each citizen, and council should let each citizen keep their money and decide which event(s) to support.
In theory, Stenhouse is not wrong. Many agree.
When it comes to requests, some events do get more support from council than others. Each council differs in how much money they will support a community event.
With that said, council does have a role to play in supporting efforts made by its citizens to hold events which benefit the community economically (Elks Pro Rodeo, High Prairie Gun and Sportsman Show, Treaty 8 First Nations Cup Hockey Tournament, and more) and those which provide pure enjoyment, such as High Prairie Light-Up.
The fact is, each and every request that comes before council is important to the group attempting to host the event. What makes Indigenous Day celebrations less important than supporting a hockey tournament? Nothing! Each begins with passion for that specific event and/or activity. To that person or group, it deserves support.
To take the stand that each event and/or charity should survive on its own is terrific in theory, but not practical. If not for the few dollars council takes from the taxpayer and disperses, that money would never make its way to supporting the rodeo, Light-Up and other events. Where would we be without such support? The cold hard truth is most people will not part with their money unless council pries it from them with a crowbar through a method known as taxation.
A vibrant and lively community exists through hosting events and activities. How many times have you heard people in High Prairie ask, “Why isn’t anything going on during Canada Day?” but not step forward to volunteering and hosting events themselves? This is where council comes in and helps. With a little support, the job becomes easier.
It is true many events can survive on their own without help from council. Arguments for each are wide open on a case-by-case basis.
But what about STARS? They would have an enormously difficult time surviving without municipal government support. Is council wrong to support such a valuable service? Not at all!
One fact is hard to figure out, however. This newspaper has reported many times donations from Northern Sunrise County, the Town of Peace River, Town of High Prairie, Big Lakes County, and more. Yet, during the past few years the budget allotted by each government has in fact not been totally spent. There is still money to be had. Just ask.
Or, as Stenhouse suggests, perhaps each council is taking a little bit too much money from its taxpayers in the first place.