Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Optimism and the lack of it.

One example of the lack of optimism in the Crowsnest Pass which really surprises me.

This week the Herald for its poll of the week asks the question: "Do you expect the economy of the Crowsnest Pass to pick up in the New Year?"

The responses as of 4pm today total 46:
of which 5 people say absolutely
11 people perhaps a little
15 people choose I doubt it
and finally 15 people stated definitely not.

When you look at whats going on with Teck, (largest employer here) they are hiring numerous people at all of their mines, the price of coal is going through the roof and with it will come profits in the billions.
The slow down in real estate sales as levelled of, and I am told that 2011 is anticipated to be a decent year for this sector of the local economy.
There is a new council in place that spoke about positive change, holding the line on taxes, new recreation facilities, and attracting new business to town.
And the one thing that will never change, we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I ask the question. Why not be optimistic, is it really that bad here?

I am really shocked that 65% of the votes were placed in the last two catergories.

7 comments:

Peter Rosner said...

yes this is interesting but doesnt surprise me. A lot of people that are hired on at the mines don't relocate to here. they prefer to live elsewhere and commute. Also we have seen a lot of former residents stay at the mine but move to lethbrige. One person whom was hired recently moved his family to sparwood but after a couple of months of living there decided that community didnt have enough to offer his family and are moving to Saskatchewan and a larger community. It appears people are prefering centers that have more to offer in the form of recreation and social activies. My personal opinion is that the 4 on 4off shift has affected this community and now with the schedule they work at the tarsands in Ft mcmurray it will not get better. This is a bedroom community. What can we do to change this i have asked myself a thousand times.

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

Peter your comments on 4 and 4 are bang on. In this day and age people are very mobile. The mines are going every where to attract employees.
So you get families that want a mine wage but do not want to leave everything home as to offer.
So Dad gets kicked of to the mine every four days, while Mom still as all the shopping malls, costco's etc. Plus family and friends, mean while the kids get to stay in their own schools, all the facilities they could ask for.
Great example of that there is two guys from Red Deer renting an apartment by the sportsplex been here for two years got four kids between them and have no intention of moving here.
We will always face this issue as long as you have a mobile work force.

Anonymous said...

I agree. We live in a society of mostly double incomes.Most women do not want to work at a coal mine, so where can they work in the CNP?
I also agree that shopping is a big issue.Women love to shop.
I think not having a Rec centre is also a big issue.
On the positive side, we offer more than most small towns could ever offer.We have a ski hill, the great outdoors for Quading, sledding, fishing , hunting and the list goes on.Championship golf, a hospital, and overall great people.This is a great place to raise a family or retire and everything between.We also have very low crime, clean air, fresh water, no traffic jams.This should be a lifestyle choice, and I think it will be someday.

Anonymous said...

I am really shocked that you would comment on an online poll. Remember the accuracy of the election polls?

Crowsnest Pass Home said...

I guess all politicians, and media use polls as they suit there purposes.
I can remember six years ago council decided to conduct a public opinion poll that would go out to 20% of the homes each year with a different 20% every year.
When it was first proposed there were members of council that thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.
Then we received a couple of hundred responses, where the people did not respond the way those same politicians expected.
Suddenly that politician thought they were a piece of crap.

Yes I had this one on tape too ($35cost), with the councilor just ranting about what a great idea it was.

Anonymous said...

The Promoter is running a poll also on the very similar question.
It will be interesting to see if they get a similar result.

Peter Rosner said...

to add further to this issue yes we do have the recreation facilities here but the volunteer base is limited. that is partly because of the 4on and 4off schedule. I know my wife and i were running from the ski hill to the soccer fields for 10 years or more and at the end of this we were burnt out. We dedicated a lot of time well others dropped off their kids. I see the same thing happening with some of the volunteers now and things will not get better for the youth unless more people help out.This is very important as people looking to relocate here want to know there are good recreation programs for their kids.