As the mayor of Spruce Grove, Alta. and a vacation property owner at Perrigrine Point in Vernon, I have to say I have a real connection and love for this area. The coolest thing lately is the solid hockey rivalry between our Spruce Grove Saints and the Vernon Vipers. It’s great with back-to-back seven-game series for the last two years and we expect to be there again in 2012 with a different result (hopefully).
The note today is a compliment to Mayor Lippert, the City of Vernon’s council and administration for the great work and developmental vision on your transportation system. When you are the mayor of any city you look at other municipalities for ideas on infrastructure and planning and I must say Vernon get’s top marks and an A+ grade for a number of things.
The elements of your road and transportation system are what I hope our council will implement and mirror going forward with Spruce Grove’s new 2012 transportation review and plan. The elements that Vernon has done so well are wide and varied and include, cost-effective, high visibility pedestrian crossing signals, high visibility back lighted pedestrian crossings, excellence on intersection and road markings, new and well-marked bike lanes, high-visibility safety markings where bike lanes pass intersections, new right-turn lanes to improve traffic flows, quality new road overlays, and Arizona landscaping.
When you couple these noticeable improvements with the city’s murals, flowers and zero tolerance on graffiti vandalism you have an incredibly livable community, way to go.
Maybe it’s time to tag Vernon and Spruce Grove as sister cities where the commonality of excellence in community development is front and centre for future focused and forward-thinking councils.
A special pat on the back to Vernon’s administration and staff where the implementation of these many new initiatives have gone a long way to enhance and improve Vernon’s appearance as well positively impact the quality of life for residents and visitors.
Take note Vernon of some of the great work by your city and realize that today’s dreams can become tomorrows realities if everyone continues to work together.
Stuart Houston
Mayor, City of Spruce Grove
