For the final episode of our podcast pilot project, host Jay Hitchen, Mayor Linnsie Clark, and Councillor Ramona Robins speak with Medicine Hat Public Library’s Chief Librarian, Ken Feser about the very important role that public libraries play in our communities. More than just books, libraries act as a community living room with librarians working alongside social workers to provide essential services and connection to all. Tune in to hear stories of the impact our library is making. 

The very real concerns around homelessness, housing, drug use, and mental health are rearing their head across North America, and Medicine Hat is no exception. This week on Public Matters, joined by Jaime Rogers, Manager of Housing and Homelessness for Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, we break down the issues we have identified as a municipality, the system of care as it exists currently, spheres of responsibility to addressing these complicated issues, and where we go from here.

This month we are talking about everything from goats to disc golf to the upgrades at Echo Dale Park – it’s everything you want to know about parks in Medicine Hat this summer. Joined by Councillor Cassi Hider and Director of Parks, Dave Genio, our hosts Mayor Clark and Jay Hitchen lead us down the path (pun intended) to learn all about the community treasures contained in our parks system. 

To connect with Parks, you can email parks@medicinehat.ca or call 403-529-8333 

This week Mayor Clark and Jay are joined by Sue Sterkenburg, City Assessor and Manager of Assessment, and Denise Schmaltz, Manager of Customer Care and Billing, to talk all about TAXES.

Learn how tax rates are set, how your assessment is calculated, and so much more. Everything you ever wanted to know about tax assessment is all here in one place.

You can also check out Sue's  Assessment 101 with City Assessor Sue Sterkenburg - YouTube on the City of Medicine Hat YouTube page. 

To reach Customer Service and care, you can follow the prompts at 403-529-8100 . 

This week catch Pat Bohan, Director of City Assets, and Councillor Alison Van Dyke, Chair of Energy and Infrastructure, as they join us on the podcast to talk everything from potholes to road construction to upcoming and ongoing innovations in the City of Medicine Hat. If you have a road issue you want to report, please call 403-529-8177 and our team will be on the ground to address it as soon as possible. 

Strong Towns: What is it, how does it work, and how will it impact you? Learn this and more on episode one of “Public Matters” hosted by Mayor Clark and Jay Hitchen. Join us as we talk to Shawn Champagne, Senior Planner (Policy) with the City of Medicine Hat, about Strong Towns principles and what citizens of Medicine Hat can expect out of the program. 

Welcome to “Public Matters”, a monthly podcast that does a deep dive into municipal government topics in Medicine Hat that affect you. Mayor Linnsie Clark and Jay Hitchen are your hosts as we interview guests from our community and organization to help our citizens understand the issues that matter to you. To submit your question to “Public Matters” email us at publicmatters@medicinehat.ca