Wow, what a deal. As of 01Mar07, Leaf Rapids loses the tax dollars from the 66 properties once held in the CMHC portfolio. Leaf Rapids also loses the Care & Maintenance revenue from CMHC. The reintroduction of 66 properties into an already dismal real estate market is the stuff Harvard case studies are made of. Due to a complete lack of communication or involvement between the community and the local governing body, many are left wondering who our new neighbours will be. Let's explore the options:
1. Will homes be sold to wealthy Americans & Albertans who only visit the community for a few days once a year? GW Bush lovin' Mr Lahey & Randy would love that scenario. The configuration of well heeled Yanks & the nouveau rich 'Bertans would be devastating to the local economy. Sure the muni govt would be all smiles, but local industry and social based services see a virtual ZERO return.
2. Diavik or another fly in mine could 'snap' up homes and bring families here to live while daddy or mommy fly out for work, but that requires a hell of a sales job equivalent to selling the recipe for ice cubes to the Inuit. Sure Leaf Rapids looks nice, it should since our muni payroll is 85% care & maintenance (Great job on the roads guys, btw), but start scratching the surface and we have significant dysfunctional obstacles for families to overcome for relocation, not the least of which is a lack of transparency in local govt. You gotta be Superman to get anything outta these despots.
*editors note: Leaf in Brief is a good initiative towards communication, openness & transparency, but the accuracy and editorial bias require major adjustments.
3. A Leaf Rapids Home Purchasing Plan (LRHPP) is the logical, sustainable development option. Reaching out to those who want to live here but have difficulty purchasing homes will provide an endless list of potential candidates. This demographic is local or regional, often with family already in the community or in the north. No need to negotiate through Bands/First Nations, go directly to the people who are dealing with a housing crisis.
What is the criteria for determining who will live in our community? Will we reach past our local/regional family & neighbours to roll out the red carpet for Yanks & 'Bertans? Or will we get down to the task of building our community social infrastructure so we are an appealing community to family oriented home seekers?
Tomorrow... We try to make sense of the deal points between our community & CMHC. Did the LRCDC buy the homes as reported or is it the Town of Leaf Rapids? Who is guiding us through this process and do they have the skills to make this move a success?
Stay Wired...
No comments:
Post a Comment