The same message of financial concern and lack of information by the municipality was given to Blairmore residents at a meeting with the Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers' Association last week.

Over 60 people attended the Blairmore Legion on June 28 to air their concerns about municipal governance and find out what the Ratepayers' group is all about.

A previous association, started in 1983, had about 700 members and was recently reactivated to give the electorate a voice in expressing concerns with municipal council in the hopes of finding solutions.

Moderator Bill Kovach said the purpose of the meeting was to reorganize the association through the sale of memberships and discuss issues facing the community today.

He gave the same message to the Blairmore audience as was given in Hillcrest and said the resolve of the ratepayers' association has strengthened after the town hall meeting with municipal council on June 21.

"The information presented at that meeting has not altered our concerns one bit," said Kovach. "In fact, if anything, the concerns raised at that meeting has strengthened our need to inform council of the issues that we feel are important in the Pass."

Kovach said the mandate of the ratepayers' group is to achieve solutions to issues such as the current trend of increased spending, increased hiring and top-heavy administration, increased taxes, fees, fines and permits, and council's apparent lack of accountability and transparency to the public.

"We are well aware that many of us have personal issues, but we as a taxpayers' association are committed to address only those issues that represent the concerns of this community as a whole that will make the municipality of Crowsnest Pass a better and affordable place to live," he said.

"Making council aware of our accumulated concerns is, we think, a step in the right direction, they need to know what their electorate is thinking and how municipal decisions are impacting our lives."

Comments from those in attendance centered on proposed demolition of the Albert Stella Memorial Arena and the Bellevue Seniors Centre, the need for peace officers, an increased budget for the fire department, increased spending with no return on investment, implementation of referendums, the number of municipal staff, and a lack of available bylaw information.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday July 5 at the Coleman Legion. Following that meeting, an Annual General Meeting to elect a Board of Directors and President will be held on Thursday, July 19. The location is still to be determined.