Every now and again amalgamation pops up on the local political landscape.
This time it was North Battleford mayor Ian Hamilton speaking on the possible benefits of merging the governments of the City of North Battleford and Town of Battleford.
He makes some good arguments, pointing out a community of 20,000 (the fifth largest city in the province) and a surrounding economic hub of 9,000 would be a positive selling point.
He asks if potential costs would outweigh the benefits of what he describes as a favourable economic environment and whether the benefits would outweigh the loss of autonomy.
He also talked about co-operation and the need to share information.
It is telling that this idea was raised (again) by North Battleford’s mayor, because even superficial analysis of the pros and cons reveal it would be North Battleford that would benefit the most, not Battleford.
It’s no secret the City is deep in debt as it struggles to catch up with infrastructure repair that has snowballed because of decades-long neglect by successive administrations dedicated to holding the line on taxes. It was a focus that led to an infamous water contamination scandal and is now manifesting itself in a special UPAR frontage charge to address the burgeoning cost of repairing neglected roads and water and sewer lines.
Granted the focus of council and administration has made a huge turnaround in the years since cryptosporidum, but playing catch up is costly and the City has taken on significant debt financing to accomplish a lot in a short time.
Many in the community also point to the CUplex as an expensive drain on City resources.
Look to the other side of the river and you will find balanced budgets, infrastructure that is kept up to date on a constant basis and an entire mayor and council opposed to the notion of amalgamation. Heck, Battleford even has a vibrant and pleasant downtown.
As for co-operation between communities, that already exists on many fronts including the recreation grant paid to the City by the Town to support the use of City recreation resources by town residents.
On our Facebook page Becky Cuthbert says, “… no way. I grew up in Battleford. I like it that way.”
Randy Wasson-Wintonyk simply says, “No way.”
Roger Piatt commented, “Lived here for more than 20 years and never understood why these two communities were not one legal entity.” Piatt lives in North Battleford.
