BEAUMONT BUZZ - Idle Free Bylaw

There is a new bylaw being proposed by the Town. It's called "Idle Free Bylaw 696/08" and last week it was up for 2nd & 3rd reading. There is mention of it in this week's issue of La Nouvelle. Some members of council wanted more time for the public to take a look at it before they go ahead so they put off 3rd reading until June 24th.

There are three ways to encourage residents to reduce the time they have their vehicles idling. The most obvious is the fact that gas prices keep rising. Ouch! The second is to launch a solid media campaign. So Council is being asked to vote in favour of adding $5,000 to the 2008 budget to fund this. The final method is to pass a bylaw. If 3rd reading is successful, this would mean that residents could be fined $100 for an infraction.

If you want to get a look at the bylaw itself you can go to: http://www.town.beaumont.ab.ca, select "Council" from the menu, and look for the June 10th agenda package. The bylaw is Item 8a on the agenda.

I am concerned about idling. Several years ago, on a cold winter day, I noticed a number of school buses idling near a diner and as I walked on the sidewalk the fumes spewing forth were quite disgusting. I chose to call the school division and advise them of the problem. It was resolved quickly and efficiently and no fines were issued.

So I support the kind of media campaign that is being proposed. Providing residents with motivational information is a great way to get everyone onside. We can count on high gas prices to help too. But a bylaw should probably be used only as a last resort.

My main concern is that it is hard to enforce. And it would require people to complain about each other. I would rather we focussed on encouraging residents to voluntarily support the concept. It would be a much better way for us to lead other communities by example.

I encourage you to attend the next council meeting on June 24th. It may be the last opportunity the public has to weigh in on the issue.