Please Check back after Jun 2017 ..
Breaking News!
I don't expect many of you to understand or even care, but I, Roger, have decided to go on Sabbatical for July 2016 through Jun 2017 (at latest notice). Unfortunately that will mean some adjustments to projects traditionally supported by me as I focus on other priorities.
The back story - after extensive discussions with town council members on the Beer Garden issue and despite individual assurances that they would never approve anything like it, we are getting our first Beer Garden this July 2016 in Magrath. I have considered my appropriate response, and have decided that the actions outlined in my letter to the town (below) are most appropriate at this time.
On the bright side this will permit me more time to focus on needed renovations on my rental.
I don't expect many of you to understand or even care, but I, Roger, have decided to go on Sabbatical for July 2016 through Jun 2017 (at latest notice). Unfortunately that will mean some adjustments to projects traditionally supported by me as I focus on other priorities.
The back story - after extensive discussions with town council members on the Beer Garden issue and despite individual assurances that they would never approve anything like it, we are getting our first Beer Garden this July 2016 in Magrath. I have considered my appropriate response, and have decided that the actions outlined in my letter to the town (below) are most appropriate at this time.
On the bright side this will permit me more time to focus on needed renovations on my rental.
Open Letter to: Town Council, Town of Magrath, Magrath, AB T0K 1J0
15 June 2016
Dear Sirs/Madam
What were you thinking? It is with great dismay that I have just learned that the 'Beer Garden' proposal by the local curling club has been discussed and approved by our Town Council last night. This despite verbal assurances to me by several council members that 1) it hadn't even come before the council, 2) that it was illegal to sell liquor in the town, and 3) that the council would not approve any thing like that, and 4) no mention of this issue can be found anywhere on the magrath.ca site.
I submit that this decision will be a big deal here in our town. Your decision flies in the face of the majority of upstanding citizens and their morals that you are supposed to be representing and defending. People of good morals are drawn to Magrath because of the community spirit, low crime rates and yes, because of the restrictions on just these same sorts of things. I will be supporting a petition to reverse this decision immediately.
Unless this action is reversed, and as an active volunteer within the town, I feel that perhaps my only recourse is to do my best to curtail all planned volunteer activities here until the town council comes back to their senses, or are replaced.
Please let me know at your earliest convenience if:If on the other hand, should you decide to change your decision, I will look forward to resuming my volunteer activities forthwith. Please Keep Magrath Magrath!
- • The Magrath Lions Club should cancel the planned upcoming No Cost Clothing event for the end of August
• I also stand ready to tender my resignation as member of the Chamber of Commerce, and as Secretary and Website administrator and as an active Member of the local Lions Club.
• We can cancel the Magrath Lions Club Operation Christmas Child drive until a new town council is elected.
• I will cancel plans for improvements to local playground equipment and maintenance on same.
• I will boycott the upcoming Aug 2016 Chautauqua events, what is the point of celebrating a 'Mormon Trail'?.
• I will boycott all town events, including the annual town celebration and Hometown Christmas event and like events.
• We will NEVER rent the curling ring facility EVER again, and will petition all like-minded citizens to boycott the same.- I encourage all my co-volunteers to consider what actions they can take to encourage the town council to actually represent our interests in all matters like these and take real action to represent the majority here in Magrath.
Roger Davies
A Very Concerned Citizen and local Volunteer
p.s. how do I request a refund of taxes paid to the town? :( ok the tax thing is a joke but seriously ):
I never received a response to this letter which was emailed to each council member and dropped off at the town hall. However ..
27 Jun 2016 Subsequent clarification of facts .. The 'approval' of this event was held at a meeting where the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were not present and never actually voted on - apparently it was submitted that no approval would be needed. I submitted a letter of concern to the ALCB on the special licence the Curling Club would be requiring from them to sell liquor as a fundraiser here in conjunction with our town celebration. They responded that they technically qualify despite my concerns but that the Town would first be consulted to see if they had concerns as well. Apparently they did contact the town and no concerns were raised. How unfortunate.
