Technology is a wonderful thing.  I get to read the articles that will appear in the paper tomorrow, today. I use Google Alerts to define a list of keywords I want to be notified about. News stories, Blogs, Web pages all get scanned by the google machine and I get a neat tidy email summary of the things that match. Wow.

Here's one that will be in tomorrow's Strathmore Standard.  Wheee!




Posted today in the Strathmore Standard.

Quality of life high in Strathmore

Kirsten Mundy

Standard Editor
Strathmore residents, groups and organizations have spoken, and it would turn out the town is fairly well equipped to offer a very high quality of life.
At least, that's what the results of a Quality of Life survey would indicate.
"I've been doing this for years and this is the best response I've ever seen," said Michael Roma, a partner with RC Strategies. "It gives us a good margin of error."
Of 5,677 surveys mailed out to homes, 953 were filled out and returned. That means about 17 per cent of Strathmore residents took the time to fill out the multi-page survey, questioning them about all aspects of recreational facilities and parks.
"There were no red flags in it for sure," said Roma. "Nothing was really negative."
The process through which these results were achieved was not just the household study. Starting in August, a committee was formed with members of Town Council, members of the community and staff. RC Strategies started the process by having various different experts go through Strathmore and assess what was already available. Then, the survey was sent out, at the same time RC Strategies met with various different groups and organizations. The results were then complied, and presented to the public last week.
There was an exit survey for those who attended the open house last Tuesday, and those results will also be compiled before the final presentation is made to council at their Feb. 3 council meeting.
"The most important thing about this is it's just a guidance document," said Councellor Brad Walls, who sits on the committee. "This doesn't tie council's hands."
Walls explained that this document will replace a previous Quality of Life Master Plan, and will give council the information they need to determine which projects should be done, and when.

They, however, are not bound by this document and are able to work using it as a guide.

"It's good for a third party to review it," said Walls.
RC Strategies commended council for having a Quality of Life Master Plan, and said it gives municipalities a chance to see the development in their town with fresh eyes. It means those who express their views the loudest or who keep quiet are heard equally.
As for the results, Walls said for the most part they were what they expected.
"A lot of the things on the survey that were recognized, I believe council is working towards already," said Walls. "Trails and paths are something I believe this council really believes in. I don't think any of us expected that bowling alley would be so close to the top of the list."
Walls explained that there were 10 priorities identified for outdoor and indoor facilities, and a bowling alley was seventh on the list for indoor spaces. Roma said that is likely because at one point, there was a bowling alley in town.
Since its departure, people have noticed more how much they enjoyed having it. Walls said the town won't likely be looking at building a bowling alley though, as it is generally taken on by the private sector.

Article ID# 2278124