Editor: The Town council on May 5, 2016 developed a new policy (C5002 Banff Bench Program) which effectively is a multipurpose bench rental program costing $4,000 for 10 years of $8,000 for 20 years.
The original policy was developed to:
1. Provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to donate a bench to honour the memory and/or recognize the achievements of a friend or loved one, and
2. promote a sense of community.
Under the old policy, a new bench dedication would cost $2,000 with a guaranteed maintanance of 15 years or $1,000 for the dedication of an existing bench with a guaranteed maintenance of 10 years.
There was no mention of a fixed term or renewal fee other than after the maintenance period if the bench was in good repair it would remain and if beyond repair the donor could reinvest in the program or have the plaque returned.
Based upon the policy, a reasonable donor would have assumed in the absence of a fixed term the memorial bench would be similar to a grave marker and the payment would at least cover the life of the bench.
The current council adopted a new policy (C5002/Banff Bench Program) that “provides the opportunity for individuals or groups to make donations towards enhancing Town owned Public Places.” The policy change in dropping the memorial/dedication would indicate the desire of the Town to increase the donor base to be more multipurpose (your all purpose bench) and perhaps even become a commercial source of revenue.
The new policy (C5002) does fix the term for 10 years for $4,000 or 20 years for $8,000, unlike the previous policy, which did not have any fixed term.
The Town has been contacting families of donors advising them there will be a renewal fee of $3,000 for a further dedication period of 10 years. If the donor family/estate cannot be contacted, or does not renew for whatever reason, the Town will re-rent the bench at the sponsorship cost of $4,000 for a 10-year period.
The council that adopted the original policy C072 in 2000 had a sense of community, town history and appreciation of the legacy for the people who helped build Banff and make it a special place.
The current council that unanimously developed and adopted C5002 in 2016 has a strong attachment to a new revenue stream with no empathy for families and friends of those who dedicated these memorial benches in memory of loved ones, friends and special individuals.
The change by the current council conveys lack of respect for what most would consider Banff community values in respecting past individuals honoured on these benches.
David G. Morrison,
Banff
