Mastel wants City to be more efficient in handling finances
By Dan Jensen

Clarence Mastel

The City of Camrose needs to be more efficient in the way it handles its finances, says Clarence Mastel.

"It is critical that we be more innovative and creative in the ways we do things so that we are able to control the levels of taxation," said Mastel, who will be seeking a third term as Camrose's mayor October 18.

"We need to create a competitive environment in which businesses can operate, something that is going to take a lot of teamwork from City council and administration."

Mastel noted that council has been able to establish relationships with the federal and provincial levels of government, Camrose County, Augustana, the Elk Island and Battle River Regional Division school boards and Covenant Health that are stronger than ever before.

"Our relationship with Camrose County was enhanced to the extent that we were able to do an uncontested annexation of lands and sign an intermunicipal development plan that will set the guidelines for future development on our boundaries," he said.

Mastel is pleased with the progress that has been made on the development side, with the new Edgeworth Centre and Fire Hall, the 50 Street overpass, which he said will be a huge asset for the City of Camrose when it is completed this fall, and the affordable housing project at the former Wildrose Arena site.

"The affordable housing project is finally ready to go," he said.

"We should be seeing construction starting at any moment."

Mayor Mastel said the City of Camrose enjoys a high profile throughout the province with events like the Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose Kodiaks and Vikings, soccer events, and Founders Days, and is looking forward to hosting future events, including the women's provincial curling championships and the Royal Bank Cup in 2011, and the men's provincial championships in 2012.

"We received great exposure when the Olympic torch stopped at the Edgeworth Centre last February."

Mayor Mastel said one of his top priorities is to see the performing arts centre through to completion.

"We still have to see what it is going to cost to operate but we are  getting closer to making a decision and are hoping it will soon become a reality."

Mastel is also committed to working with the Bailey Theatre Society, which received $500,000 from the City of Camrose for its renovation/restoration project.

"They have asked us to lobby the different levels of government for funding and we will continue to do that," he said.

Mayor Mastel said the public transit issue is one he wants to continue to investigate.

"The discussion on public transit has never been lost. We need to find a model that will provide services to our residents at a sustainable level. We need to talk about what it will look like and how it will work."

Mastel said council is at the early stages now of a new economic development strategy that will pave the way for a more business friendly environment, and assist in attracting and retaining more residents.

"It will be a major review of our entire economic development profile. It will give council a chance to review where the City of Camrose is at and show how we should position ourselves moving forward."

Mastel feels the Municipal Sustainability Strategy that was completed in August following much public input will give the City of Camrose a lot of good information as it moves forward to the year 2055.

"We were pleased with how the strategy turned out. It was well done by the university."

Mastel said the recent financial statements, which showed reductions in both total debt and total long term debt, speaks highly to the fact that the City of Camrose needs to maintain a strong relationship with the provincial government and ensure the future of municipal sustainability initiative funding.

Mayor Mastel wants to keep building and promoting Camrose as a safe and caring community in which current and future residents can work, live and play.

"We have great emergency service providers, as witnessed by the response to the Big Valley situation in 2009," he said.