Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

It seems odd to me that St. Albert has a bylaw to punish victims of a graffiti by fining them if they do not almost immediately remove the graffiti. Graffiti is by either protest or expression, and usually of no fault of the victim property. I would like to see a program in place by where those completing a community service would clean up graffiti. A program through the schools might be another viable choice. Regardless the victim should be assisted not penalized.

We are very fortunate to live in a city that has relatively low crime. I would like things to remain that way. I am not of the belief that allowing crime to grow and then adding more policing is the answer. I am more of the prevention mindset. Knowing your neighbors and your community is huge in preventing the growth of crime. Controlling how your communities are developed is another factor. It is also argued by some that high density increases crime. Most research that I can find tries to argue that density does not make a difference with an increase in crime, but most agree that if high density is all in one area is does substantially increase crime. If density is high and things aren’t affordable, crime increases dramatically. St. Albert has grown leaps and bounds, but still maintained a community focus, therefore keeping a hold on crime. Again, I would like to see community planning done very carefully with prevention of crime always in mind.

I as well have been guilty of losing hope at vote time. The more I get involved in the campaign, the more I realize how many people have just given up hope. Many regular citizens see politics as a game, a game that you have to know the rules in to play. Many are too busy working and with their day-to-day lives to follow what is going on in their city. We are fortunate that we live in a society that we can often get away with not voting and just hope for the best. The truth is when people don’t get involved in the game, there are no rules for those who regularly play the game.  I have been told that I have no hope of surviving in politics if I do not rub shoulders with those who play the game or if I do not learn to play the game myself.  I’ve chosen to be positive and believe that there is always an exception to the rules.  I would like to convince regular citizens that there is hope in their vote and what matters to them can come to be.  I would like to convince many that do not regularity vote or even those that do to become involved,  trust your heart and have hope in your vote.

It is said by some that government has to create laws and bylaws when people do not have enough common sense to do the right thing. It is also said that many bylaws do not make sense because they were created by a government without using common sense. Laws made by a small minority for large majority are often the norm and it seems we are constantly getting more and more bylaws. Does this in fact mean that there are less people with common sense or there is less common sense in government. I am not in favor of bylaws that take away from an individual right of choice if they are not harming another and I am not in favor of bylaws that punish victims. I would like to see a public vote on all relevant bylaws.

Crime is another focus that we see more and more in the news. Teens are often a target of blame. I truly would like to believe that teens are no different from we were as teens (usually looking for some type of adventure) and as a group are by at large good citizens. We as society have become less and less community and neighborhood oriented and greatly more and more suspicious of others. We often imagine the worst in strangers before seeing the good and we so depend on laws and the police for our protection. Again, this is where I support initiatives like block party programs and getting to know your neighbors. By knowing, appreciating and understanding the people of all ages in your neighborhoods you grow a trust and respect for each other. Crime is nothing more than lack of respect and trust. Kids travel in groups because they are taught it is not safe to travel alone and adults see a group of kids as a threat. Growing up and having adults perceive you as a threat, I would think would be tough on one’s self assessment. The fact is a lot of crimes are committed at an early adult age and certain crimes have become more serious(usually addiction related)but I would like to believe by nurturing our communities, our kids and our choices for kids we could have an influence that would far out way what laws and policing can ever hope to achieve.

Hello again, today I will write about community and what it means to me and as I am gathering many others as well.  Sports and all that come along with it is huge in St. Albert, the Farmers Market is huge, a trip to Hole’s is a busy event, an evening at the Arden is a busy event, the Fireworks draw a crowd as do Rockin August nights and the Rainmaker-all these have one thing in common- it’s community spending time together. Community is the life breath of St. Albert and I am of the belief that there can never be too many choices for ways to spend time with your friends and neighbors. I am a huge fan of the block party program. I would like to more events for seniors and teens as well. These are two groups that often get forgotten and they are our future and our experience. Rightfully I would like to see programs where teens and seniors connect. My grandpa, at 92 now has a memory of a boat ride with my teens a few weeks ago, and a fond memory I saw in his eyes. Seniors sometimes need a way around and teens never stop moving. Anything that helps community connect, I back 100% percent.