Town council to hold quarterly open houses

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

Claresholm town council has agreed to hold quarterly open houses with dates and locations to be determined.

At its Dec. 11 meeting, council discussed the idea of holding regular open houses where council can gather feedback from the public.

Mayor Doug MacPherson said he would like one in January, with it potentially being held at the community centre or golf course.

He then asked council to discuss how the open house would be presented.

MacPherson noted a focus should be the town’s updated municipal development plan. That is why Gavin Scott, the town’s planner from the Oldman River Regional Services Commission would also be at the open house.

However, the mayor did not want a forum where speeches were read by council and people just listened.

“We go out there and talk to people,” he said.

There would also be sandwich-board signs with different ideas and information.

One sign, he suggested, would have information about the former Claresholm Elementary School and its transformation into a new town hall and multi-use community building.

The goal, MacPherson said, is to gather input to help formulate the future direction.

“My hope is to have four meetings a year like this,” he said.

Coun. Gaven Moore said he liked the idea of having stations.

“It’s face-to-face interaction,” added Coun. Kieth Carlson.

MacPherson said he was hoping for a friendly environment, with no confrontation, and a place to exchange ideas.

Marian Carlson, the town’s chief administrative officer, suggested each quarterly open house could have a theme. This one could be the municipal development plan, with the following ones including the budget, summer projects, and a re-cap of the year.

After each one, council would do a de-brief, making the open houses more of an action item.

MacPherson also suggested providing a mic for people who do not want to speak in public, to record their question or comment for council to hear later.

“I want to make it as easy as possible,” MacPherson said.

Coun. Brad Schlossberger also suggested people could have five to eight days to provide feedback by dropping it off at the town office.

Council then agreed to hold quarterly open houses with dates and locations to be determined.