The 16 candidates vying for a seat on the Town of Athabasca’s council went head-to-head on local issues Oct. 4 at the Nancy Appleby Theatre during the Athabasca and District Chamber of Commerce’s candidate forum.
After everyone was settled, about 175 people had filed into the theatre for the two-hour discussion on amalgamation, council discord, supporting local business, business representation and library location.
The forum was moderated by Trevor Martin, and each candidate was given a two-minute introductory period, followed by five questions for which every candidate was given 30 seconds to answer. All 12 candidates for council and four for mayor were present.
Library location
The question of where the town’s library should be situated drew the strongest reaction from the crowd by far.
“Are you in favour of moving the library up to the Multiplex area, yes or no, and why?” Martin asked.
“No,” a murmur was heard throughout the theatre.
Incumbent mayor Roger Morrill said councils would need to sit down in consultation with community members, and it is very important to see through the completion of the school “and see how that turns out as far as the library.”
“I understand Mark Francis (Aspen View Public Schools superintendent) has followed through with some commitments to allow possibilities,” Morrill said.
Colleen Powell, also running for mayor, said “absolutely not,” to applause from the crowd.
“If you read any urban planning document they will say in a small community you have one major area that is the heart of your community – and that is our downtown,” she said. “The more services you take away from there, the more businesses are going to close, the fewer people are going to come to town. Keep the library downtown.”
Laurie Bonell, candidate for mayor, said that in conversations she has had with residents, more people are against the library moving to the Multiplex than for, and she would like to do more research, “To help people understand why it may become a good idea to move it up there.”
“Not necessarily I’m going to do it, but just find out the why,” she said.
Robert Woito, running for mayor, said the “old school” is historic building in town.
“There is an opportunity to get those groups into a partnership, form a charitable organization, similar to what we did with the trails group, and then from there you can go for funding and work hard at it…” he said, as he ran out of time.
Incumbent councillor Shelly Gurba said she is “definitely for keeping the library downtown and always will be.”
“I think where the location is right now, there’s a lot of seniors housing in this area, and it allows people to get easy access into that building,” she said. Gurba added the building is not in great condition, and council would have to look at finding a new location, but downtown.
Heather Kariel, town council candidate, said she has been married to a library trustee of over 20 years, and “has been hearing the story over the dinner table for all that time.”
“Based on the tremendous amount of research the library has done, I would say definitely no,” she said.
David Pacholok, town council candidate said it becomes an “issue of financial” whether “we can afford to have it downtown.”
“Certainly, it is a good spot. I do know they were given an attractive deal to go up the hill and they didn’t,” he said. “I know it’s going to make me some enemies here, but I think we have to do what’s financially better for the community.”
Incumbent councillor Joanne Peckham said, “we are elected to serve you,” and asked, “one more time, do you want your library moved?”
“No,” audience members echoed.
Incumbent councillor Steve Schafer said the “literature is ripe with information on the future of the library.”
“In NLLS (Northern Lights Library System) more than 20 libraries are in schools. Our library must be one for future users.”
John Traynor said he spoke with both librarians at both the Alice B. Donahue Library and at Edwin Parr Composite School, who he said both spoke unfavorably of public library’s being situated in schools.
“I like to listen to the professionals. I like to listen to the people who know what they’re talking about,” he said. “I say leave it where it is.”
Mike Arychuk said if the town wants the library to stay, “council can sharpen their pencils and figure out a way to make it work.”
Rob Balay, candidate for town council, said “ultimately, I think this is something that’s going to end up being a decision that may have to go to referendum.”
“Before that will happen all the cards have to be laid on the table – the economics, the pros and cons, so that everyone can make an informed decision.”
After Balay, council candidate Dan Bonell said, “can I just say ditto?”
He continued to say the library is one people can walk to, and a lot of people also do not walk to it.
“It does have to come down to economics. It has to go down to what the town and the people of the town want,” he said. “Is it better to be up there or is it better to stay in the red brick building?”
Tannia Cherniwchan, candidate for town council, said the town has a partner with the county, and there will be “major consultation” with the community, which does not only mean town residents.
“It’s difficult to make that decision at this point. There will be so much consultation involved, so we will do what the community wants and what’s best for everyone,” she said.
Council candidate Ida Edwards said the library question had her thinking about what other communities had, and spoke about how libraries in Edmonton, Slave Lake, St. Albert and Boyle are in their centres.
“I would be for accessibility and a community focus that builds a hub of activities, with our public library staying in the centre of our community.”
Neil Galus said if town residents do not want the library moved “then I would be in favour of not moving it.”
Amalgamation with Athabasca County
Candidates were also asked if they are in favour of town and county amalgamation, and how they would “convince both town and county residents to agree to it.”
Balay said when the town had their “first kick at the can of this” he was in favour of it, but if the town were to go the amalgamation route again, “many things would have to be considered,” and it would likely occur at the end of the 2017 term.
“You have to have two willing partners to do that. To go down the road, we’d have to have lots of public consultation. I’m not sure that was the reason it failed in the first place,” Balay said, adding he would be more than happy to explore the amalgamation question again.
Dan Bonell said he does not like the amalgamation idea and he would like to see Athabasca stay the way it is.
“Ultimately, it would be the choice of the people of Athabasca themselves, what do you want?” he said.
Galus, who sat on town council in 2004 when the issue was explored last time, said it was a long drawn-out process and he “truly believes” the town and county could “benefit greatly from amalgamation.”
“Being treated as a community, by the government, of 10 or 11 thousand people versus three thousand – there are lots of other benefits out there we don’t realize we’re not tapping into, because we are a town of three thousand people,” he said.
Peckham said under the modernized Municipal Government Act, councils would see “more regional partnerships and more frameworks” that will be put in place to cover cost-sharing and collaboration.
“In regards to actually amalgamating, I don’t think the county wants it, but you would have to ask them,” she said. “I think the best thing is just to continue with partnerships.”
Morrill said all possibilities should be considered, but not without “extensive consultation.”
Powell said the town cannot go into negotiations with the county and “perhaps the Village of Boyle until we put our own house in order.”
“You have to go into these negotiations from a position of strength. You have to go in as equal partners and right now we’re not there. We have to get there first,” she said, adding they would have to get the county on board, and “Right now, they’re not.”
Woito said it does not make sense tax-wise for two governments to work on the same projects together.
“Albertans are about less government, not more, and I think the partnership between the town and county has worked well in the past,” he said. “We will be a population of 10,000, which would potentially qualify us for better healthcare services, better policing, and a lot better services we would be able to look at.”
Laurie Bonell said from what she can tell, other communities that have amalgamated are functioning quite well.
“I’m a why person, so tell me why it will work; tell me why it won’t work. I research things out until I am comfortable with an answer. So whether I agree with it or not isn’t my choice, it’s your choice,” she said.
Gaining confidence back
While there were no questions directly related to the municipal inspection report of the town, candidates were asked, “considering all the discord in the current council” how they would gain back the confidence of town residents.
Powell said council needs training, and need to develop roles and responsibilities.
“Nobody goes into this meaning to fight and go down the rabbit hole. But unless you have procedures and mechanisms in place, it continues to happen,” she said. “Also, people have to get to know each other as people. It’s hard to attack a friend, but you can attack their issue.”
Morrill said he has always believed in “works by example” and following a code of conduct and respect. He said training will be mandated by the Municipal Government Act, and is not an option.
“The confidence of the community, though, will take time,” he said. “We’re going to have to set ourselves up for success to do that time.”
Peckham said she would like to see the community back in council chambers.
“For the last two terms, I can count on one hand how many times the council chambers were actually full of concerned citizens,” she said. “So I would think maybe some of the keyboard warriors could walk away from your keyboard and come and attend a meeting and see what’s happening in your own community.”
Arychuk said it is about “facts and data.”
“You can argue opinions all you want, but when you look at the facts, it’s a clear path,” he said. “When you do find yourself on the losing side of the argument, you have to leave as a unified team afterwards.”
Business representation and opportunities
Candidates were asked two questions on the topic of business – first how they would increasing business opportunities in Athabasca, and second how they would represent business owners that do not live in town.
Edwards said she is “already working” on increasing opportunities, and that she allows small entrepreneurs to use the space in Turnabout Avenue Place, which she owns.
“Part of growing a business is knowing businesses start small, and then develop.”
Galus said to increase business in Athabasca, he believes “we have to treat the Town of Athabasca” like a garden.
“We have to plant the seed, and we need the people in the community to water it and let it grow,” he said. “I believe town council’s main job is to plant the seed.”
Gurba said she believes the reason people move into communities is what the community offers, such as recreation, arts and entertainment,
“Any of that stuff is going to promote people and people will start up their own businesses because of that, as well,” she said. “The idea that what’s out there for recreation, arts and entertainment, the people will come.”
Schafer said the town needs to increase broadband capability.
“If we strategize a concerted effort to increase our broadband, we have opportunity then to increase the connectivity and transmission of everything about everything that we do in a far greater range,” he said. “I hear people want to come here, but if internet is down, well, we need broadband.”
Traynor said it is fairly simple to increase business opportunities, by giving businesses tax breaks.
“Another thing is you have to have places to grow,” he said. “Like the bridge, for example; people are saying we don’t need the utilities. I disagree. I think we should build it and have the utilities on the bridge.”
Arychuk said Athabasca “does not need to reinvent the wheel” in attracting businesses, and council could follow other municipalities examples in giving tax breaks, lending money out of town coffers and discounting property.
Pacholok said the tax base in Athabasca is important, but they are overcharged, and council needs to look at a way of trying to make it affordable to have business in “small town Athabasca.
“I’ll be pushing to try and find other ways we can create other tax dollars without always relying on the business sector.”
Dan said business owners do not get representation in the town, and there should be some way, “whether they can get a vote in” or council could set up a committee for businesses to submit input.
Cherniwchan said through door knocking and going to businesses she has “learned so much,” and said she feels communication must be established with businesses.
“I think the first step would be council needs to take that step and establish a strong bond between them to work together.”
Woito said businesses are in business to make a profit, and are not there to provide “freebies” for people.
“Athabasca is a business,” he said. “Even though we’re a government, we are a business and we need to be accountable not only to the taxpayers in this town, but also to the businesses.”
Laurie Bonell said “if you are a business owner in town, and own priority in town and pay taxes to the town, I think 100 per cent without a doubt you have a right to say. So yes, you should have the right to vote.”
“So you get two votes?” an audience member called out.
Closing
In closing, Kariel said the town definitely needs more communication, “because I’m hearing the confusing idea that we can lower taxes and increase services.”
“I’m all about transparent discussions around money… but I’m not pie in the sky and feel like it’s easily possible to increase services and reduce taxes.”
Pacholok said “bad councils are elected by good citizens who don’t take time to vote.”
“I ask you good citizens, to bring yourself, your family and your neighbours – take the time to elect an effective council.”
