• Sgt. Dave Maludzinski of the local RCMP detachment made his quarterly crime statistics presentation to councillors and provided a year-end review for 2008. 

Some of the highlights included a 22 per cent decrease in impaired driving offences, a 35 per cent decrease in the total number of drug-related investigations, a 32 per cent decrease in the number of crimes against property investigations and a 76 per cent decrease in the total number of trespass act investigations, stated Maludzinski’s report. 

As far as increases are concerned, the report showed a 43 per cent increase in the total number of sexual assault investigations, but Maludzinski cautioned that in absolute numbers there was a jump from 7 to 10 cases. Disturbing the peace investigations also rose as did the number of criminal code dangerous driving occurrences, which rose dramatically, stated the report. 

• Councillors also received departmental reports from culture and recreation, emergency services, community and family services, and the traffic committee.

• With Mayor Richard Ireland absent, councillors voted to unanimously send for decision at the May 5 council meeting economic development applications from the Jasper Heritage Rodeo and the Jasper Tourism and Commerce organization. Councillors also voted to approve the requests for decision on the new communications policy, a new respect and dignity policy designed to build a positive working environment, and to proclaim the first week of June Seniors’ Week. 

• Council also unanimously voted to approve the appointment of Janet Barker to the Health Advisory Committee, to send councillors Brenda Zinck and Gloria Kongsrud to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference in Whistler in June, and to approve the auditor’s report tabled at the last council meeting. 

• The Connaught Drive medians will receive beautification and new street lights. The TransCanada Yellowhead Highway Association will also receive $500 towards conference sponsorship. Coun. Zinck will also be taking over as deputy mayor of the municipality as of May 1, from Coun. Rico Damota, whose term is coming to an end. 

• Environmental stewardship coordinator Lori Rissling Wynn prepared a report on bottled water at the behest of council, which was tabled at Tuesday’s meeting. Councillors stated that they intend to follow Rissling-Wynn’s recommendations to the letter, which include: 1. develop and implement municipal drinking water awareness strategy in consultation with the municipal communications specialist; 2. develop implementation strategy (ie. phases, locations/infrastructure required, actions required); 3. develop a municipal policy if required. 

• Coun. Damota also presented on behalf of the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire a good citizens award to Jasper along with a cheque for $250.