A group in town wants stakeholders to come together to have a voice with Ponoka County and the Town of Ponoka.
The first 2013 meeting of the Ponoka County and Town Taxpayers Association was held Feb. 27 with residents and town councillors in attendance.
President Robert MacKenzie gave attendees a chance to raise their concerns and hear comments from councillors Rick Bonnett and Loanna Gulka.
There are seven directors in the association including MacKenzie; secretary Betty Lee, Audrey Cohoe, J.R. Lee, Peter Kinnaird, not in attendance were Ian Nicol and Ashley Plamondon.
There were some suggestions to councillors and MacKenzie was pleased to see town representatives. He feels it is a good start to the relationship between the organizations.
The town councillors are eager to work with the group.
“Any time we can hear the concerns, it’s a benefit,” stated Gulka. “If you don’t get a response, let us know.”
She suggested if taxpayers have a concern to put a formal complaint through to town administration, this helps councillors follow up to see if the problems were resolved.
The association did say community groups need to collaborate more as they have common goals. Director Cohoe suggested if more committees come together a common goal might be found. “They seem to have no direction in town.”
Kinnaird agreed and suggested a multi-use building might be a possible solution to everyone’s needs. “Nobody’s progressing.”
Coun. Bonnett agreed but feels there is a wall stopping that forward movement. “The vision’s there, the dollars aren’t.”
The provincial budget will have more information on municipal grants but he does not think there will be large grants this year. “We don’t have $10 or $12 million to start something like that.”
Kinnaird feels groups such as the Gymnastics Club would put their money into a larger pot to help pay for a multi-use building.
A five-year plan would give people time to get something built.
No decisions were made at the meeting but MacKenzie looks forward to future discussions with town and county taxpayers.
