| Subject: Small Town Mayor's mind ? |
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Dio
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Date Posted: 18:32:50 02/14/09 Sat
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2009/02/04/newcomers-towns.html?ref=rss#socialcomments
New residents who don't participate in town life a growing concern, rural mayors say
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 4, 2009 | 4:15 PM CT Comments112Recommended62
CBC News
Small town leaders in Saskatchewan say they're worried about an influx of outsiders who buy property but don't seem interested in bonding with their communities.
It's been a topic of conversation this week at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association conference in Saskatoon.
Some have linked an increase of residents with no stake in their community to a rise in rural crime.
Similar concerns have been raised by Willow Bunch Mayor Renaud Bissonnette, who says people from around Canada have been moving in but aren't necessarily trying to fit in.
"These people are kind of like outcasts, I guess, compared to what we're used to," he told CBC Saskatchewan's Blue Sky radio show.
A major concern is that some new arrivals haven't been getting involved in volunteer activities, he said.
That's a problem in a town where facilities like the curling rink, the skating rink and the Kinsmen's club are all volunteer-based, Bissonnette said.
Another worry is that some new people don't seem to understand the importance of supporting local businesses — heading off to the bigger cities to buy groceries and other goods, he said.
A number of mayors have raised the issue about such residents, he said.
"It's a big issue, also, in the village sector," he said. "People are buying houses, and you don't hear from them."
Several callers to Blue Sky were critical of Bissonnette's comments however, saying people in small communities should work harder to welcome newcomers.
"How many people there have baked a dozen muffins and walked over and said hello?" said Eric, a recent arrival to Saskatchewan.
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