Little things

Have you ever noticed how much your work assists or hinders you physical health?

I've downloaded the moves app onto my phone and have it running in the background through out the day to see how far I walk.

The days that I work more at the restaurant, I'm averaging 5 kms of walking. The days I'm at the Town office more, I average 2.5 kms of walking per day.

Interesting to know, I'll have to adjust my eating habits to reflect this. Currently, I just eat what and whenever but I really should alter to eating to correlate with my working days.  2.5 kms extra of walking will affect the number of calories I burn so I should eat less/better on days that I'm working in the office more.

Just another little thing that could help you along you path to mastery. 

Missed opportunity

Another agenda package read and notes made for tomorrow's Council meeting.

Everyone who went down to Calgary for AUMA is back and they have a great time of meeting, learning, and sharing with other elected officials and levels of government. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to head down this year due to the Restaurant being short staffed. That's what happens you have other commitments.

I missed the opportunity to hear a keynote speaker that I really wanted to hear.  Which was Commander Hadfield, maybe I'll be able to catch him speak at another event.

Done for another year

Budget meetings are done for another year. The first night there was 9 people in the gallery, 5 the next night and only 4 on the final night where all the additions and subtractions were made to the budget.

After it was all the dust settled, it came to a 11.55% increase. It sounds like a big increase but it works out to be $18.55 per month for an average house ($400,000 is the average price in our area).  For the last six years Council have been slowing increasing tax rates to provide services for the community but it wasn't enough to offset the 9 consecutive years of 0% prior to 2008.

There is nothing wrong with that philosophy, it was the direction and vision of that Council. I wanted to address the issues that I've heard most often, the deterioration of service levels and policing and public safety.  I'm glad that the rest of Council have heard the same message and we were able to add personnel to address these issues.

My hope is that we continue to provide the services our residents expect and deserve. It takes a lot of planning and vision to set up a municipality that will be sustainable into the future.

Democracy?

As I finish preparing for budget meeting the next three evenings, I wonder how many people will come out and watch the proceedings?

Ever since I've been on Council, there has been no more the 5 people in the gallery during budget meetings.  I've never been to a budget meeting until I was elected onto Council, so I can guess that people are interested or just happy with whatever the decisions are of those we've elected.

Now that I've been involved for a few years, I see how important these decisions are and how the effect the residents and property owners of our community.  As a form of government, municipal officials are the closest to the people and the decisions made at the level have the most daily impact on the people.

After an election (only 20.8% of eligible voters voted in Stony Plain), are people happy to just let the elected officials make the choices for them? Do we place so much trust in our elected officials or the choices of a few voters to govern on our behalf.

Voter turnout in Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections on average are 55-70%, 45-65%, and 20-40% respectively. It should make one wonder if we really have a democracy?  At least we have the right to vote if we chose to exercise it.

Just random thoughts after a long week and preparing for another.

Go vote!

The election is 8 days ways and  I'm getting very excited to see the results and the new makeup of my Council team.  I mean "new" because regardless if your a veteran or rookie councillor, it's a new term, new focus, and new direction from Council.

I attended the candidates forum on Thursday. It was different sitting in the back and watching everything unfold. I found myself wanting to be in the thick of things. Sitting up front and answering questions posed by the residents.

All the candidates did very well and each one of them would be good representatives of the community. My job after the election is to evaluate the elected Councillors and determine what their best qualities are and how best they will fit into the team. With over 30 committees, boards and commission, it's not going to be an easy task.

October 21 from 9am to 8pm is Election Day. Make sure you go out and VOTE!!!!! This freedom is fought and died for all over the world and the majority of us take it for granted.  During the by-election last May when I won the Mayor seat, the voter turn out was only 20.5%.  Since I am acclaimed and there is no mayoralty race during this election, I'm not sure that the turnout will be any better.

GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Planning

Getting ready of another week.  I'm glad I don't have to prepare for the political forum. I've always been nervous about public speaking (kinda funny don't you think).

I've been doing a lot of planning for the next term since I'm not out campaigning. Who's going to be on my team? What are their strengths and weakness? What will their role in the team be? How are we going to functions as a team? What will my role be as the leader of the team? What do I want to accomplish in 4 years?

The lessons I've learnt as part of the I Ho Chaun team over the past 2 years will serve me well into the future.

Whew!

Acclaimed.
What a sense of relief.
The stress and anxiety I've been carry around for last couple of weeks has been lifted.

When I ran for Council, I was never worried. I knew my chances of securing enough votes to be in the top 6 was extremely good and I would have a seat in Council.

Running for the Mayor's seat is a totally different story. It's for all the marbles, if you opponent has one more vote then you, you don't get nothing.  The stress factor is 1000 fold more.

I'm humbled that no one put their name forward to run against me. The residents must feel that I'm doing a good job and want to with my leadership of the Town.

That's one goal taken care of.