The wooded area deemed unsafe by local residents. (Google Maps)

By Derek Cornet

town council

Council discusses increasing security, tree thinning for treed municipal land

Oct 12, 2022 | 4:48 PM

The possibility of increased security and tree thinning for a section of municipal land deemed unsafe was discussed by La Ronge council at a regular meeting Tuesday.

Mayor Joe Hordyski, as well as councillors Matthew Klassen and Ryan Veteri, were all supportive of two motions passed during the meeting regarding a wooded section of land between the Mel Hegland Uniplex and Churchill Community High School. Deputy-mayor Viviana Ruiz-Arcand was not present at the meeting and did not vote, while Coun. Jordan McPhail and Coun. Abby Besharah both expressed concerns about one or both of the motions.

The first motion directed administration to enter into discussions with the Northlands College manager of tech and trades to provide options for tree thinning in the area. The second directed administration to explore options and potential partnerships around security.

“I spoke to their manager of tech and trades and they said they would be interested in putting on a chainsaw-related course and they can utilize that area,” Klassen said. “It would cost the town, ratepayers nothing.”

At a regular meeting two weeks ago, Ruiz-Arcand and East Crescent resident Meghan Beaven approached council as a delegation and told them of the illegal activity occurring in the area. They provided photos of litter, vandalism, and gathering spots in an attempt to convince council to move ahead with tree thinning.

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Since then, administration worked on the issue and presented council with three options. Those were to increase security and patrols between April and September for an estimated $30,000, thin trees in the area for $40,000 or do nothing.

“I was having some conversations with some of the people involved in the delegation and they are prepared to put a work bee out as long as they have permission to thin out the trees,” Hordyski explained at the meeting, adding they wanted work done as soon as possible.

Coun. Abby Besharah questioned whether or not thinning trees would be effective at eliminating illegal activity from occurring. She noted council hasn’t been presented with any information stating that it would. Besharah also questioned the costs of hiring an individual to provide security for the town and how that service will likely cost more than what administration estimated.

Besharah also asked what council will decide when other residents want action to eliminate similar activity near their homes. She told council she believes making long-term investments would be a better way to go rather than addressing issues piece by piece.

“If and when the behaviours are displaced, will we do this again next time a delegate comes forward?” Besharah asked. “Are we going to spend $30,000 or $40,000 every time we have a delegation come forward? How much are we willing to spend before we actually realize how ineffective we look when we are approaching it this way.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno