Lethbridge Minute: Reconciliation Week, Communications Funding, and More Police Requested

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• An Audit Committee meeting was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but was cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.
  
  
• On Thursday, there will be a meeting of the Civic Works Standing Policy Committee at 1:30 pm. The Committee will receive several presentations, including one from the General Manager of Parks & Cemeteries concerning the results of a local Off-Leash Areas Community Survey, and a presentation from the Chair of the Heart Of Our City Committee and the Urban Revitalization Manager regarding the Heart Of Our City Committee Governance and Strategic Road Map.
  
  
• A member of the legendary Beatles is set to rock the stage this week. Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band will play at the ENMAX Centre on Thursday at 8:00 pm. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a member of the Beatles perform in Lethbridge, so grab a ticket and head on down, but don’t forget about the extra $5 for parking.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The Lethbridge Police Service made a formal request to hire 30 additional people at last week's meeting of the Economic Standing Policy Committee. The Committee is preparing for next year’s budget and is accepting requests. LPS said it has reached a breaking point given the volume of calls for service and the additional work required by civilian support staff. LPS wants the $1 million that was cut from the police budget in 2021-22 be restored as well as an additional 15 police officers and 15.5 civilian positions.
  
  
• Reconciliation Week officially kicked off with a flag-raising ceremony at Lethbridge City Hall, speeches from several dignitaries, and drumming and dancing performances. The week included a series of events connected to the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Mayor Blaine Hyggen said the annual event is a time for the community to come together, learn, and celebrate Indigenous culture.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge Communications and Engagement department manager has requested more funding. The Governance Standing Policy Committee had questions and concerns about staffing levels in the department, the work they do, and the effectiveness of that work. The department's staff worked 191 hours of overtime between May and June. The funding request would increase the size of the Communications and Engagement department by 30% over the next budget cycle. 

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