For the last few months I have observed the attempted implementation of changes to make St. Albert a smart city. I would have thought that the prerequisite for a smart city would have been a smart city council however I feel there are inadequacies in this area.
First, I erroneously believed that we were striving for transparency in governance, so many of our council members espoused this as part of their platform, before they were elected. Yet I have learned through the Gazette that there are many "in camera" meetings. Having an independent audit was the mandate of one committee; one of the council members wishes to get rid of the committee and hand the job over to city hall employees.
Now we are told that our bills will be sent electronically over the internet: too bad if you do not have computer access - you will have to pay extra for your bill. This will affect a great number of older people. This smacks of discrimination against the elderly population. Incidentally June 3 to 9 was Seniors Week, did the mayor and city council acknowledge this? It is strange that a smaller community, Hanna in southern Alberta, had a lunch for its seniors hosted by the mayor and organized by Family and Community Services. I was part of a group providing some entertainment.
Fortunately we do have one member of council who still realizes that council is there to represent people and she does her best to bring this to the attention of council. Just hang in there, Ms. Sheena Hughes, hopefully the dollar (penny is not legal tender) will drop in the next few years. If not, I hope, my fellow citizens, that at that time you remember when you vote who has been smart enough to realize that citizens matter.
Elizabeth Allchin, St. Albert
