By STEPHAN BURNETT of the Weyburn Review
Mayor Don Schlosser declared a meeting with three provincial cabinet ministers and another MLA at City Hall on Thursday a success after speaking on topics such as infrastructure, school funding, VLT money and enticing a pasta plant into the area. The provincial cabinet ministers attending the meeting included Bernie Wiens, minister of intergovernmental affairs and aboriginal affairs, Eldon Lautermilch, minister of energy mines and resources, Keith Goulet, minister of northern affairs, as well as Estevan MLA Larry Ward. The meeting was also attended by aldermen Debra Button, Ray Wahl, Michael Pickering, Ray Hamm, city controller Stan Runne city commissioner Bob Smith and Mayor Don Schlosser.
"I thought they were quite reasonable, they listened to our concerns. As far as the infrastructure, the urbans have taken a hit for a number of years and now they feel they've got a few extra dollars, we should get some back," said Mayor Schlosser.
Schlosser also explained that over the years the level of school-based funding has been stood on it's head.
"We don't see a reduction as far as school taxes are concerned. It used to be the province would fund 60 per cent while the municipalities would fund 40 per cent and now 60 per cent is paid by the municipalities and it should go the other way," said Schlosser.
In a news release issued on Friday the City of Weyburn states, "Years of provincial under-funding have caused a backlog in much needed local public works.
"Taxpayers count on us to provide decent streets, water and sewage treatment, garbage disposal, recreational facilities, and police and fire services," Mayor Schlosser said. "But we cannot afford to maintain these vital services with just our limited property tax revenues, especially when more than half of out local taxes are consumed by school boards to meet their rising expenditures."
City commissioner Bob Smith reiterated the mayor's concerns about school funding.
"The schools used to receive 40 per cent of its funding from the municipal tax base and now it's close to 60 per cent. That shift concerns us and we'd like them to look at funding for schools to take the load off the municipal tax base.
"We also asked what we can expect from the provincial government regarding this year's budget - if there will be any downloading - and we tried to get a feel for what will happen in the budget, and although they weren't specific, the feel we got was that their priority is health. But the city and other municipalities will continue to lobby for infrastructure dollars even though their main objective may be health. It's fair to say because we've been helping the government get their house in order, we haven't been saying anything but that doesn't mean we don't need the funding," said Smith.
Smith also announced the City of Weyburn is vigorously pursuing the pasta plant being proposed by Prairie Pasta Producers. When asked if the pasta plant could be located at the old distillery site Smith responded, "If that can work in the picture great. We're actively pursuing them, we've sent letters to their board telling them we're open for business and they've advised us when they get closer to making a decision on location they will meet with us."
Smith added the city's aldermen requested the provincial government provide the city with assistance in landing the pasta plant. "They responded if there were to be any legislative changes made or roads blocks encountered they would be there to assist us," said Smith.
Smith also said Prairie Pasta Producers require a rail line and water to facilitate their plans. "If it (the old distillery site) can be utilized that's the best fit for the location. There's a rail line there and there's water."
But Smith cautioned the discussions with Prairie Pasta Producers haven't progressed to the level of site considerations as of yet.
And although Smith cautioned locating a pasta plant in Weyburn is far from being a reality, Cathy Kerr, manager of the Southeast Regional Economic Development Authority (SEREDA) was bit more positive.
SEREDA's meeting with the NDP caucus was attended by Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Janice MacKinnon, and Labour Minister Joanne Crofford along with approximately a half-dozen other MLAs, while SEREDA chairman Ray Hamm, manager Cathy Kerr and economic development intern Errin Pick represented Weyburn. Kerr said the provincial delegation asked how many jobs might be created if the pasta plant were located in Weyburn.
"It would employ 100 jobs - a good thing for the city of Weyburn," said Kerr.
Kerr also spoke with the ministers about a new enhancement fund established by MacKinnon which will provide $1 million in seed capital for the regional economic development authorities throughout the province.
SEREDA will qualify for $50,000 in funding which is to be dedicated toward projects revolving around tourism, feasibility studies, a business-entrepreneur centre, seminars or conferences, she said.
"We talked quite a bit about the enhancement funding. It will enable us to go out and solicit municipalities to become members who may be looking for projects," said Kerr. The SEREDA manager added although there are already interested parties with proposals, no formal applications have yet been made.
Membership to SEREDA for 1998-99 is based on 50 cents per capita for municipalities to a maximum of $600, while admission for organizations is $50.
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