Directors of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce received an update Tuesday about a pilot project being launched in North Battleford to promote safety and develop a community safety plan.
Joan Barbondy, of The Co-operators, spoke about North Battleford Community SAGE — Safety, Acceptance, Guidance and Empowerment.
Its vision statement calls for “a dynamic community built on the strength and diversity of its people where we live, work and play in a safe and respectful environment, and where everyone is welcomed and valued.”
North Battleford was chosen as a place to pilot this program in an urban area. It is an initiative of the federal government and the concept has previous seen some success in First Nation communities.
She was one of the 50 people who was at the initial stakeholder meeting in February. A name was picked in June, and July saw the beginnings of a strategic plan.
A group of people had been meeting regularly since then, but as it turned out, Barbondy was the only representative there from the business community.
Her purpose in appearing before the Chamber included not only some information on what SAGE was about but also to get some feedback from the business community, which she could take back to the greater SAGE group.
In her presentation to the Chamber she cited the importance for community engagement to address the situation in North Battleford.
“What we have need for is a cohesive plan that is developed with the community,” said Barbondy.
A number of questions were posed to the directors about safety in North Battleford, and Barbondy was able to collect those that will go to the larger SAGE group.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
