At the Rocky View Weekly, we take citizens’ democratic responsibilities very seriously. We consider it every voter’s responsibility to research options for every municipal, provincial and federal election.
Every citizen of this province has heard about increasing voter apathy and an unwillingness to get involved in the democratic process.
Due to this, governments are urging every citizen to make his or her voice heard. But when a grassroots group steps up in an attempt to solve a pressing problem, it seems they are often ignored. This seems to be the case for the ratepayers of the Kneehill regional waterline.
For years, concerned local politicians and citizens in the area have attempted to find a solution for their exorbitant water rates. Yet, every attempted resolution over the past five years has failed, and to make matters worse, the Province seems to be ignoring the issue.
However, we also know that grassroots movements can result in change.
For example, when hundreds of Canadians recently signed a petition to stop the pardoning of convicted sex offenders, politicians listened and changes to the legislation have been introduced.
We hope an attempt by the Village of Beiseker to arrange an inter-municipal information meeting is just as successful in its attempt to draw attention to the plight of Kneehill water customers.
A large gathering of like-minded people may put some much-needed pressure on the Province to deal with this issue for good. If the Province can see the communities are serious, it’s possible the ministers in charge may listen and make the issue a priority.
And why shouldn’t they? After all, we understand that this type of grassroots movement is just the type of democracy the Alberta Government applauds.
