My Freedom of Expression

‘Art for art sake’ ‘Freedom of expression’ – all the right words that express our support for people and artists worldwide. I have been to exhibits that challenged me ethically and politically. However, a few days ago I went to an exhibit that offended me. 

I was personally repulsed by a ‘satirical cartoon’ that appeared at the Strathcona County Art Gallery @501 that under the guise of slamming the oil industry depicted the beating up of a woman - all in glorious colour graphics. Another piece of art used sexual innuendo to slur our Premier and Prime Minister. This does not reflect the values of myself, my friends or neighbours.

Is this type of art of value as a way to initiate a thought provoking discussion on violence in our society? Sadly, the pulling of any art piece will provide media attention that will please the artist and all who benefit from the sale of this type of product. 

As a member of this community I pay for the gallery. This is the second exhibit that has displayed sexually explicit material that our community members have found offensive. Where are the regulations and direction? Why don’t we have a policy that more correctly aligns with our community values? 

This is not what I expect when I go into a facility that my taxes pay for. If it had been in a private room in a private gallery I would have sadly shaken my head and turned and walked away – because, I am only one and must respect ‘freedom of expression’.

So, that’s how I feel as a resident and taxpayer. As a Councillor, I will express my concerns again and again and demand a policy change that more accurately reflects this community’s values and beliefs. 

Council Meeting Highlights Sept. 11, 2012

In order to review the full agenda, reports and Council decisions, I ask you to go to the following link: Information on all of the background reports and minutes.

Webcast

To get the full flavour of how decisions are made tune into the webcast. The webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to the specific agenda items.

RCMP & Enforcement Services January to June Statistical Report

The 56% increase in traffic enforcement has had an impact in helping to reduce collisions involving injuries by over 20%.

Drug abuse is perhaps society’s greatest problem. Drug enforcement related to drug trafficking is still on the rise, up 78% midyear. Break and Enters have also increased by 39% (from 124 to 172 in the first six months of the year).

As of this July the new RCMP Family Violence Unit has been operating in Strathcona County, working closely with Family and Community Services and other local agencies. Thirty nine files have been opened with over half of elder abuse investigations involving fraud, credit card scams, and cyber crime. Complete report.

Social Services Grants Policy

This policy ensures the distribution of over two hundred thousand dollars of grant funding annually. From 1993 to 1999 an average of 14 groups applied annually. Applications have decreased somewhat. In 2000 to 2006 an average of 10 groups applied annually. Groups such as these represent valid community needs and are supported by hundreds of volunteers.

I support the policy’s focus on sustainable practice including long range planning, sound financial planning and accountability but found the policy detail, clarity and definition lacking. I also have a concern over the decrease of categories under which groups can apply. 

My overarching concern is that neither stakeholders nor the Advisory Committee actually reviewed this policy. Instead they gave out of context reaction to an application form and time line. Input and engagement from appropriate sectors and groups is, in my mind necessary for Council to be able to do due diligence when asked to approve significant changes to a social policy. These non profits support our community, leveraging volunteer hours and corporate support to create value far exceeding the municipal dollars they get.

Administration, in the Council meeting, refused to consider public engagement from involved groups. I believe that affected groups must be apprised of these changes and invited to comment. A great deal of work does need to be done. The stakeholders do need to be engaged. When this policy comes back to Council, I expect to see a much more holistic approach that would include a lot more input from our valued community organizations and a backgrounder from the Advisory Committee on the policy itself, in a holistic approach.  

Wye Road Functional Study - Report

The 2006 council approved Wye Road Functional Plan ground to a halt in 2007/2008 when business owners in the area brought forward concerns of accessibility to long time existing businesses. They objected to plans for a jug handle and road accesses restrictions.

With planners forecasting up to 40% increase in traffic (from 1995 to 2014), traffic flow needs to be addressed with light synchronization and other improvements.

This month, the Strathcona planning department and Al-Tera and Stantec will re-engage the business community in Wye Gardens, Wye Commercial, Wye Crossing and Sherwood Centre to develop a strategy that ensures convenient access and egress to businesses, while creating better flow for the increased traffic volumes at Sherwood Drive intersection.

Councillor Inquiries

Under this agenda section, I asked to have administration to update Council on the accountability process on spending that administration is putting into place for Priority Funds; look into the residents’ concerns being brought forward on secondary suites; and a report on the pet regulations on ‘over the limit’ numbers allowed in urban areas. 

E News Bulletin

I send out an E News Bulletin three times monthly to residents. It is an opportunity for me to inform you of community events and matters of interest to your family and neighbours and keep in touch you. You are welcome to sign up at roxanne.carr@strathcona.ca 

Put The Lid On

Last Sunday,  a group of people got together and rode their bikes (pedal not motor!) through the pathways and trails around the Dairy Queen on Baseline Road. There were big bikes and small bikes, Mums and Dads - and kids, some great kids who pedalled harder and faster than their parents (especially at the end of the trip when the Dairy Queen was in sight and they could smell the Blizzards!)

Most families rode with the Mud Sweat & Gears Club regularly. Others just came along for the ride. This was a diverse group of people of all ages, with one thing in common. They all had a passion for bicycle safety. They all believed that your helmet could one day save your brain, if not your life. So they joined together, with the support of Michael Liber, owner manager of the Dairy Queen, to embark on a ride safely campaign called ‘Put The Lid On’. 

One of the kids had a friend who had banged into a tree with his helmet on. One of our Granddads was wearing his helmet in a professional bike race – his helmet saved his life. We all knew someone who wore a helmet, or should have. We all had our reasons for riding that Sunday.

And what a great day it was. The idea was to give the kids we met wearing helmets a brochure on Safe Cycling with a free DQ treat inside. We also wanted to talk to kids and adults to explain why wearing your helmet is as important as wearing a seatbelt in the car. 

Pauline told of her group meeting a man with two kids – all on bikes. Only one child wore a helmet. The child without a helmet was not given a free treat. As the cyclists rode away, feeling bad about their ‘tough love’ treatment, they heard Dad  say “now stop crying Susie, the lady is right – we are going home right now to find your helmet.” Yay Dad! (I just know he took her to the nearest Dairy Queen too.)

Our group saw a Granddad riding with a helmet on. On a hunch I stopped and asked whether he had grand children and were they riding bikes. He said they never got on their bikes without their ‘lid on’. I gave him three brochures and coupons on the promise he would talk to his grand kids about bike safety.    

We had such a great time and felt that we had really made a difference. When you are out riding the next few weeks, look for us – and make sure you have your helmet on, for your family’s sake!