Ald. Laking

January 4th, 1976

thank publicly all those who had worked and supported him at the polls

during the 1975 Municipal Election and also to compliment those present

for their efforts in helping to make the community what it is to-day.

Alderman Keryluk noted that his immediate concerns were in three major

areas, that of the Municipal Budget, Dyking, and Traffic Control. With
reference to the Budget he suggested that many economies must be made to CS
keep within reasonable and acceptable levels and that it must be understood |
that one cannot cut a budget and stilj provide the same level of services,
woting that the Parks and Recreation Department and Public Werks Department
will probably show reduced levels of service due to budget restrictions.

With regard to Dyking and Traffic Control, Alderman Keryluk stated that
commitments must be obtained from the senior governments respecting the

Dyking Programme and he urged-that and meetings be held with Victoria to
guarantee and speed-up completion of such traffic items as the new Pitt

River Bridge, widening to 4-lanes of the Lougheed Highway through the

City, re-alignment of the Shaughnessy Street and Lougheed Highway intersection,
construction of the Mary Hill By-pass, and replacement of the Red Bridge.

He expressed the hope that the new government in Victoria will give more
recognition to Municipalities as they are the closest to the people and

have served well in the past and the concept of Regional government

should not ignore this fact. In closing, Alderman Keryluk thanked

former Premier Barrett for his service to the community and wished Mr.

George Kerster success in Victoria, and stated that he had enjoyed his

past two years on Council and was looking forward to the coming two.
Alderman Laking addressed the meeting and thanked the citizens for

giving him the opportunity to serve on the Council once again and also

extended thanks to the members of the Staff for their assistance throughout

the year. Alderman Laking noted that one of the major concerns of

each member of Council was the 1976 Civic Budget and that in his opinion

the Federal guidelines were needed and must. be recognized; however,

there were two items in particular that would have to be considered over

and above the :0% level recommended; namely, the operational costs of

the new Hyde Creek Kecreation Centre which was not included in past get

budgets, and also the operational costs involved in the new Northside

Fire Hall which is expected to open in the spring. In his capacity as

Chairman of the Community Development Committee Alderman Laking expressed

a grave concern that the amount of industry coming into the area is not as

high as it should be with the apparent reasons being the cost of land in