Editor:
In regards to the MD of Bighorn changing their bylaw for snow clearing and adding fines, help me understand this bylaw.
If a resident or business fails to abide, the MD can clear the sidewalk and charge for the service – if unpaid, it would be added to the responsible property’s tax roll. The bylaw also requires residents and businesses to shovel snow and ice within 48 hours of depositing or forming on sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
As a ratepayer, my question is why am I now obligated to maintain the property I am paying the municipality to maintain and care for?
Are our public sidewalks not the duty and obligation of the municipality? Why are we being mandated through fines, when we are already paying taxes for such services?
The MD is not a private corporation but a public corporation whose sole directive is to be governed by elected officials. All others hired are acting in the capacity of civil servants for the people they serve and are paying them their wages.
In all honesty, for more than three decades I’ve happily shovelled my walkway while living in Canmore because it often brought community as others were out as well. We all want to do the right thing by keeping all individuals safe causing no wrong or harm, but when mandated to do a service that’s not my obligation I’m wondering when I’ll have to shovel the public road adjacent to my property because you all just voted on this bylaw?
I realize surrounding communities have been enforcing this for decades, but my dad and mom often said years ago, if all others were jumping off the cliff it was not going to be a great career move for me to follow.
I’m just tired of paying taxes on taxes on taxes. At one point, we need to look at the budgets we have and maybe cut costs somewhere else. When will we all stand up and say “hell no”?
I humbly and totally disagree with this bylaw.
Laurie Francis,
Lac Des Arcs
