Councillors received a presentation by Jasperite Harry Home on the prospect of commissioning the building of a new totem pole at the Tues., May 19 regular council meeting.  

Home is requesting council to consider replacing the totem pole with a replica carved by artisans in Bashaw, Alta. Recalling that when he moved to town, Jasper really pulled together around the totem pole and that this could happen again if a new one is erected.  

As for the current pole, which sits in the Parks compound, Home hopes that it will be preserved. Coun. Ray Melnyk questioned whether the Raven pole could be preserved and re-erected. However, a report commissioned by Parks Canada on the totem pole concluded that this would be improbable.  

Home expressed his hope that council could “spearhead” correspondence between the three major players – the Town, Parks Canada and CN Rail. Mayor Richard Ireland stated that council will give Home’s proposal some thought and consider Coun. Rico Damota’s idea to look into funding options, such as grants, for the commencement of the initiative.  

A report from Environmental Services was also presented with environmental stewardship coordinator, Lori Rissling-Wynn, discussing the upcoming Environmental Fair and the 500kW/H savings in energy for Earth Hour on March 28. Rissling-Wynn stated that the decrease was very moderate, but Coun. Ralph Melnyk added that it was “worth noting” that Earth Hour occurred during spring break and we still saw a decrease.   

Council also received a report from director of finance and administration, Alice Lettner on the state of the municipality’s finances. The review of financial statements to May 15 show the municipality to be on budget so far this year.  

As the tax bylaw was unanimously approved by council, the Mayor also questioned Lettner on the purpose of the $1 million reserve or surplus that the municipality has, given that Jasperites are still seeing a tax increase this year. Lettner explained that “you don’t want to spend everything you have.” She went on to say that the reserves are maintained for emergencies, such as wildfires.  

Lettner also added that if there was no tax increase this year, residents would be stuck with a seven per cent municipal tax increase next year. She also mentioned that if there was a serious emergency, such as a wildfire, and the $1 million reserve was entirely depleted, it would require that Jasperites be stuck with an 18 per cent increase in taxes for replenishment purposes. Smaller tax increase increments are “fiscally prudent and responsible,” she said.  

Council also unanimously approved the establishment of a loading/unloading zone in front of the Alpine Summit Seniors’ Lodge and unanimously voted in favour of a request for decision on the Centennial Park redevelopment plan.