Chris Clegg
Whether you live in Falher, McLennan or High Prairie, government’s insatiable need for money never seems to end. It is not the fault of local government It costs money to operate infrastructure. Governments just can’t shut off the water or turn off the gas to save money.
Most citizens complain taxes are high and they don’t receive value for money spent. Still, the value received through local “investment” in paying taxes and utility bills is better than what you get from the provincial or federal governments.
Small towns have big problems facing them. The never-ending demands from the people for better services are cause to pull one’s hair out. In reality, the service is pretty good, however.
The biggest problem facing small towns is populations are dropping. Less people means less tax base for one thing, but there is much larger hidden problem. The bigger problem is there are less local people to support existing businesses. A drop of a few hundred people may not seem like much, but every person lost is a potential shopper lost that could support your local store. People serving on councils who do not or have never run a business can’t seem to grasp that concept. Raising the taxes “just a little bit” just may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but so what!
Years ago, M.D. of Big Lakes manager John Eriksson told council he believed the future of High Prairie and the M.D. rested on senior citizens. To paraphrase, Eriksson said more effort should be invested in providing amenities for senior citizens. In essence, he said, in addition to what High Prairie enjoys, the best chance for long-term success was to target becoming a retirement community.
His reasoning made sense. In general, retired people have money. They will spend. Any community which provides amenities will attract seniors. For all the professionals hired in High Prairie, their parents might move here if they can enjoy a comfortable living but they must have something to do.
It all takes money, however. Local government is not in the business of constructing multi-million housing facilities. To attract that interest is a big challenge. You have to find someone willing to put up the money, and perhaps wait a few years until the complex is filled. That is investment tied up and entrepreneurs like to see a quick return on their investment.
The vicious circle turns.
Most local governments do not put in much effort to try and grow the community. The attitude is to keep the taps running and gas lit and go home. Any get-up-and-go got-up-and-left the building a long time ago.
What was the last time your local government devised an economic plan and actually put a decent effort forward to make it work? Such plans just collect dust on the shelf.
Small towns are suffering. Less and less businesses each year. The outlook is gloomy.
Elections are next year. Ask yourself: where is the vison from your council?
At least Eriksson had a vision.