Have you counted yourself in? Are you making your views known? Are you helping to put your stamp on St. Albert?
Until June 18 the city is conducting the biennial census. The census information is used as a foundation for planning new programs and services and for enhancing existing ones. It is important that you are counted because many provincial and federal grants are based on population. Enumerators are telling participants that each name on the city census adds $500 to city coffers. Knowing the age and stage of every person helps the city to plan appropriate services. So every person counts.
You can participate in the census online, or arrange for someone to come to your door. This year the city is also making it easier for those without fixed addresses to be counted, by welcoming people to drop in downtown at The Collective or in the St. Albert Community Village and Food Bank to get counted.
Another way citizens can count themselves in is by providing feedback on various city projects. Open houses in the current and coming weeks invite people to share their views on a wide variety of city projects including a new fire hall proposed for Gate Avenue; the Red Willow Park Master Plan; the Riverside Park Master Plan; and options to replace the BLESS viewing platform. The city is also seeking public feedback about park planning and enhancements to Lacombe Lake Park, reconstruction of Stanley Drive and Springfield Road reconstruction.
Feedback from citizens is critical to making improvements to St. Albert's parks and infrastructure. Yet many open houses draw fewer than ten people.
The city is also inviting people to contribute ideas for cultural assets to include in its Cultural Map that would be an inventory for tourists and residents to locate cultural events and spaces. These include cultural enterprises, community cultural organizations, cultural facilities and spaces, natural and cultural heritage and cultural festivals and events.
There are other ways you can make a lasting contribution to St. Albert. The city wants your input on what to name future buildings, streets or parks. The city considers names of significant individuals or families who have helped make St. Albert the community it is today.
Check the city website stalbert.ca and search Public Participation or look for specific projects to learn about public open houses or look for areas to provide online feedback.
If you want St. Albert to be the best it can be, show up and share your views. Get engaged in the community you live in.
So count yourself in for the census. And let city officials know how you feel about the projects underway in your community.
A city can only be as good as the work we are prepared to do as citizens to achieve our shared vision of the future.
