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2011 to be Prince Albert’s year: Mayor

Jan 1, 2011 | 6:11 AM

By Andrew de Souza

paNOW Staff

With record development, industries about to fire up and a growing population, the New Year is set to be Prince Albert’s year said Mayor Jim Scarrow.

“2011 will be Prince Albert’s year,” said Scarrow. “We’re going to return to our roots as the Gateway to the North.”

Scarrow said that return would take the form of reinvigorated industries in the region.

“More and more that’s going to come to fruition with the forest industry being redeveloped and 2011 is also the year that Shore Gold will make their bid for permission to start and develop their mine sight, ensuring that Prince Albert and Central and Northern Saskatchewan can share in opportunities and growth.”

Scarrow said he was confident the city would continue to prosper, citing the city’s performance in 2010. Most obvious was the fact that 2010 was a record-setting year for development permits in the city.

“We’re seeing not growth in single year, but a growth trend,” he said.

Cautious optimism

But while Scarrow remains confident in the potential of the city, he also said he recognized the very real problems the city is facing.

That includes a growing infrastructure deficit, where the city is falling further and further behind in its ability to maintain and repair its roads, bridges and water systems. As well, the city is facing a record debt level for various projects.

The city also faces the potential for a large tax hike in order to generate funds necessary to stay ahead of the first two problems.

Scarrow said those tasks are daunting, but are manageable. He said council wouldn’t put the city in a position where it can react to emergencies.

“We still have the manageable ability to rise to any kind of calamity that may come into our community, whether that be fire, or police or any natural disasters—the citizens of Prince Albert are well protected,” he said.

He said while the city was in debt and did have an infrastructure deficit, they were taken on, and would be dealt with pragmatically.

“We use the basic yard stick of doing what’s right for the city,” said Scarrow. “And that’s a collectice decision, not a decision that the mayor makes… but if we do what’s right for the city, then the right things happen for Prince Albert.”

adesouza@panow.com