I can see clearly now...

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothing but blue skies

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day. 


One of my commentators on my last post suggests to me to break-off from my support of my revolutionary French brothers in Quebec :-) and get back to writing about things in my own backyard. 

Well, in this regard, now that I have been given my marching orders, I can see clearly now. :-) 

So what I'd like to talk about is the state of our local economy, here in the Pass. For in last week's Promoter, I see our mayor and council is again trying to improve upon it (our economy) by once again forming a committee on economic development...

Committee on economic development to be formed

This committee for all intents and purposes will be similar to the Adhoc committee we had before, that I previously wrote about here, here, here and here. 

Are we in for more Déjà vu? If you read between the lines in Joni MacFarlane's editorial of last week on this subject, I believe that is what she is saying. My earlier warnings and concerns are once again echoed here by Joni, specifically with respect to the eventual makeup of this new committee.

Attention turns to the economy

Now that council has dealt with "housekeeping" issues, it appears they will begin to turn their attention to the econ­omy.

Mayor Bruce Decoux announced last week, he would like to begin the process of hir­ing an Economic Development Officer and the formation of a Community Economic Devel­opment Advisory Committee.

This is welcome news indeed.

As the Crowsnest Pass con­tinues to be passed over from the ongoing boom the rest of the province basks in, we can only hope that the creation of this committee and the subse­quent hiring of this individual results in real benefits for the community.

There will be those who balk at the expense, but we would argue that we can't afford not to. We need to have a qualified person give the economy and development of the Crowsnest Pass their undivided atten­tion. Done right, the benefits are numerous and could turn the corner of our slow decline downhill.

As for the committee, it is our hope that residents of the Pass with expertise and insight in this area step up to the plate. More of the same that we have seen too often in the past will not offer the fresh solutions we so badly need. 

Maybe this time, with a new mayor and council, my application for a position on this committee (if not for the actual position of EDO itself) will be accepted. Time will tell? But I won't be holding my breath. But I will keep you, my readers, posted on any further developments with respect to this matter.

In the meantime, lets all hope that mayor and council's efforts bear some fruit this time, for we know all other attemps have failed miserably.



Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.