Northgate crusade....Because it is a symptom

[oneoff]

When people don't seem to care or want to be involved in such matters as their municipal affairs; one needs some examples that focus the attention.


The Northgate story is a perfect example. But not a rare occurence. There is just one angle after another that can be used as another perfect thought to bring for discussion.

I was asked yesterday why there is such a variance in the prices being paid by Corus Land Holding Corp. (eg from $500 per lot to $57,000 for the lot next door; or $1100 per acre or $5,000 per acre for farm land size parcels)?
And the answer is well known; its because few will discuss or organize for their own good in negotiating a good deal for themselves. And it only hurts more to find out later that you received amongst the lowest price; so why would you ever want to find out. This scenario will be repeated ad infinitum.
So too with the arument that jobs will be created and so it will be good for the region. But should the matter of dealing with those workers and their families housing and lodging have not first been solved first.
And for whom are these jobs being created. Employers are now looking first to other countries to secure the laborers they need. And it is not the noble object of helping out a foreign worker (who are obviously considering escaping their present situation) that drives those Skype phone interviews.

Yes we do need long term plans and goals. And those plans should not be solely forged from a "multiple guess" questionaire on how satified you were on the past enacted rules, regulations and restrictions that you have been required to live by. Only more restrictions and red tape will ensue..
Some Canadians may even want to escape to live in a foreigh country for 6 months or longer. Meanwhile we will unwittingly hand over our assets and sovereinty for a few (or many) dollars.
And not have a clue or even a desire to know what we are doing.

[sumdumguy]

Usually there are public meetings where local
government lets the community know what is
going on. Its called urban planning where a
community has a say and everyone is informed.

Do I understand you correctly that a group of
insiders has hyjacked the information and the
power? Therefore there is no price discovery
because this cloak of secrecy exists.

Information is power!

[ASRG]

As someone who has been involved for a long time trying to protect property rights, I can certainly agree with a lot of oneoff's observations on the apathy and "stick your head in the sand" attitude of many people. (I have been following oneoff's postings with great interest).
I like to think most people who run for municipal councils do it with good intentions? It is largely a thankless job and unfortunately often they get jaded in their outlook.....and equally unfortunate sometimes they use the position to better their own interests!

People need to be more involved if they don't want to get screwed. If they won't stand up to protect their property rights, then maybe they deserve what they get?

[sumdumguy]

Some are jaded before their first day!

Try to run an on-farm business beside a jealous
lunatic!

[oneoff]

Not all local councils act in this way. But there are at least two really bad ones. Those ones don't walk away from ratepayer meetings. They run hard; and have had to be petitioned and even indirectly forced into those held by a petition for a referendum. Be assured they are well aware of these postings. As you will note they have stayed well clear of explaining their positions
There are words that summarize these types of behavior. And a united pack of seven can withdraw to form a pretty tight support group.

[oneoff]

Maybe its time to change gears and talk about positive moves that just might develop into real forward movement. Take the Town of Oxbow Council for instance. They are reported to have purchased iPads for all councillors; and will be used for such tasks as downloading council minutes and all forms of council business.
Of course the taxpayers dollars fund them 100%. Fine; now what in the line of ehanced communications could a council do for the ratepayer who have funded these remarkable devices.
It comes to mind that any council (Town, city or RM) could decide that within the Municioal act they are charged with supplying police and protective services, water supply; sewer; road infrastructure, libraries etc.and yes even can be involved in communication services.
Now it just happens that the tecnology for municipal Wi-Fi (operating on exactly the same licence-free frequency as everyone's iPad, smartphone (Wi-Fi enabled); computer network card; Wi; Blu-Ray player and Smart TV has been around and evolvong since at least the last decade. On the back side of that new iPad is a pretty powerful camera; and the router in that town office is hooked up to facebook; a town web page and high speed internet services and 4G phone service all interconnected and in use.
And on top of that; the very same Wi-Fi (or more commonly called Muni-Fi when cities and municipalities create a network for all kinds of users including the public) is available for next to a song.

For instance; there are a few private LAN networks in Sask and around the world that are using reasonably priced commercial equipment on a 7 mile radius and streaming US Netflix, Hulu Plus, VOIP, web surfing galore and it works like a charm; and is capable of serving hundreds idf not thousands of users. What I am saying is that with line of sight conditions (or whatever 4 watts of 2.4GHz microwaves will punch through) you can have megabytes of download speed and full 500K upload over radius of easily 1/2 mile with very few nodes; and many concurrent users. It would take a $25 USB "rage extender" that plugs into any USB port to communicate back to the Muni-Fi at these ranges.
Instead of spending $75,000 on half the cost of a town library; there would be enough money to provide an e-Book reader (or better still a tablet computer with an embeded e-Reader to any one interested); and still have enough money to leverage the necessary gateway(s) and nodes and strategic towers or high structures for a whole municipality or town.
About the only matter that would be outstanding is twisting the arm or better still educating Sask Tel about making their "reseller" and "affiliate" programs really workable for rural areas.
And that is where council should exercise their powers and influences.

[cottonpicken]

I have a "sick" love of people who fight with me.

You need to focus and exploit your changing world.

[oneoff]

To each his own. We all need to improve.

[sumdumguy]

Oneoff, there must be tons of opportunity there.
Get ready to get in on the spin-off. Agrivillers,
let's give him some ideas, besides stripper joint!

[oneoff]

I am told that Fort McMurray and Williston ND have changed somewhat with the growth they have experienced in recent years.
At least some thought should be given as to what we are getting into. That opportunity was left out of the equation.

[sumdumguy]

One or Oneoff could look at these boomtowns
and study the winners. As you mentioned many
times, it would be good to know what is going
down behind closed doors.

[oneoff]

But those closed doors won't open by themselves.......and it doesn't appear that there are but a few people willing to be the ones to turn the knob, or break the door down. I am sure there is much wider interest in what may be found behind those doors; but we'll probably never get to see..... will we.