Got a city related issue and not sure where to turn?
The Sault Ste. Marie Ratepayers Association wants you to know they are here to help - as of tonight.
Originally formed over a year ago, the Ratepayers Association's board of directors has been spending that period preparing for what came to fruition this evening in the Russ Ramsey room at the Civic Centre.
"Today is really the first official day of the Ratepayers Association," said Blair Reid (shown in this SooToday.com file photo), former president and current member of the Ratepayers Association.
"Basically, we've been organizing for tonight and the future. We've been doing research and meeting with other ratepayer associations, seeing how they operate and the issues they deal with."
Reid said he's now the former president because the board of directors has dissolved following completion of what he called a preparation stage.
"This is a collective of people, not an organization with a lot of higher-ups. We're all equals here," he added.
Around 20 people showed up for their first general meeting tonight - where registration was the main topic of discussion - and Reid said he expects those numbers to grow as the meetings become more frequent.
Reid said the Ratepayers Association hopes to have monthly meetings, but was unsure of an exact date for the next gathering.
The meetings will include speeches from guest speakers and a question period at the end for issues anyone in attendance might have.
"We hope to help connect people. If someone has an issue and addresses it at one of our meetings hopefully we'll be able to put them in contact with others that have the same issue and then assist them moving forward with whatever they are hoping will happen," Reid said.
Reid stressed the Ratepayers Association is not an advocacy group and explained their role is to assist people with a need by making them aware of municipal legislation that may deal with their issue.
"If somebody has an issue and doesn't understand the legislation we can advise them on whom to contact. Our meetings are really a sharing of information," he said.
Reid said he's currently working on developing a relationship with City Hall adds talks so far have been "defiantly positive".
In March, the Sault chapter will play host to other organizations from across northern Ontario in a regional meeting.
Reid said the exact date will be announced sometime near March.
"We hope to have guest speakers and some representation from council and other levels government in attendance," said Reid. "The meeting will be an excellent opportunity to see what other issues different cities have had and how their ratepayers association has dealt with it."
Those who want to find out further information can contact the Sault Ratepayers Association via email at [email protected].
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