Main Street

Four years later, we are still looking for answers.

High Level needs to fix Main Street.

There’s not much disagreement about that. Our roads and sidewalks are in rough shape, and some of the infrastructure beneath 100 Avenue is more than 60 years old.

We’ve had more than four years of planning, a number of unsuccessful grant applications, and a cancelled construction tender. Maybe we need to take a closer look at how this project has been managed.

In 2022, Council identified 100 Avenue as a priority, with construction originally scheduled for 2024.

In November 2023, cost was estimated at $3.46 million.

In November 2024, that estimate had increased to $5.73 million, partly because of additional underground infrastructure work.

As of October of this year, Council has approved a $6.785-million capital budget and is preparing to borrow the money needed to proceed.

Then came the tender.

The Town received just one bid for approximately $8.7 million. That was about $2.24 million higher than the engineering estimate. The tender was cancelled.

On October 13, Council heard another presentation from the engineering firm working on the project. This time, the discussion included additional sanitary sewer upgrades, aging water mains, and stormwater infrastructure that should be addressed before rebuilding the road.

The proposed approach would see underground work in 2027 and road reconstruction in 2028. And the full cost of that expanded underground work still hasn’t been established.

I watched the October 13 Council meeting and was glad to see Council engaged in the issue. It wasn’t simply accepting everything the consultants recommended. Mayor Lambert questioned the cost of lighting, fire hall signals, and other design features. He wanted to know whether cheaper alternatives were available.

Other councillors raised concerns about the expanding scope, the cost of underground work, and the possibility of further delays. There was discussion about whether existing sewer pipes could be lined rather than replaced, potentially saving money.

I was encouraged to hear those questions being asked.

That’s exactly what Council should be doing.

But this also leaves me wondering why we’re still working through some of these issues after four years of planning.

How much have we spent on consulting and redesigning this project since it began?

And what changes are being made to ensure we don’t end up with another unsuccessful tender?

I understand that construction costs change. Unexpected problems arise. And replacing underground infrastructure before rebuilding the road makes good sense. But good project management also means identifying risks early, establishing realistic budgets, and making sure Council has the information it needs before committing public money.

We just can’t afford to keep planning the same project over and over again.

I want to see Main Street rebuilt. I want to see our aging infrastructure replaced. And I want to see the Town succeed in delivering these projects.

But I also want residents to know what we’re spending, why we’re spending it, and what we’re getting for our money.

I really don’t think that is asking too much.

Good government begins with openness.

High Level deserves transparency, accountability, and answers.

November High Level By-Election details:
Voting takes place in Council Chambers at Town Hall (10511 103 Street).
Advance Voting will take place on Nov. 14 between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Election Day Voting will take place on Nov. 16 between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
(Vote for Bill!)

November 10, 2026

Building a Community Worth Coming Home To

My last assistant at the Town of High Level was a young man who grew up right here in our community. A lot of you probably know him.

He was bright, a talented artist, and had a goal. He wanted to become a teacher.

As a manager, I’ve always believed part of your role is to help the people working with you succeed. So, I tried to give him the flexibility to balance work and education, whether that meant adjusting his schedule around exams or finding time for his studies when our workload allowed.

Eventually, he left the Town for full-time employment. Fast forward to this past September.

I was visiting one of our local schools, helping my girlfriend get her son settled into the school year. And who should walk out of a classroom but my former assistant, now a teacher!

I was genuinely proud of him. He had set a goal, worked hard, and accomplished it. He deserves all the credit. But I’d like to think the little things I did to support him made the journey a bit easier. I hope he stays in our local schools for many years to come.

I’ve been thinking about that experience because I believe economic development works much the same way.

Economic Development Is More Than Business

When we talk about economic development in High Level, we often focus on attracting businesses, encouraging investment, and creating jobs. All important, but only part of the equation.

A municipality can’t run a private business or guarantee success. But it can help remove obstacles. It can make development approvals easier to navigate, provide predictable timelines and reasonable regulations, and work with businesses rather than leaving them to figure everything out alone. It can also draw on local expertise from people who understand the challenges of doing business in the North.

One of the biggest challenges facing northern employers is attracting and keeping qualified staff. Businesses need employees. Schools need teachers. Health care facilities need professionals. And all of us need somewhere we want to live.

A good job might bring someone to High Level. But what makes them stay? I’d suggest it’s the ability to find a home, raise a family, enjoy recreation, and find a sense of purpose here. It’s having opportunities for children, places to gather with friends, and a community worth being part of.

That’s why I believe recreation facilities, parks, reliable infrastructure, and community amenities are more than expenses on a municipal budget. They’re part of our economic development strategy.

That doesn’t mean we can afford everything we’d like. But we should consider the long-term value of these investments when deciding where our limited resources go. When an employer is trying to convince a professional to move to High Level, quality of life matters. When a family is deciding whether to stay, it matters just as much.

Growing Our Own

Every year, young people leave High Level to pursue education and careers. We should celebrate their opportunities and wish them success. But wouldn’t it be awesome if more of them saw High Level as a place they could return to?

Imagine our young people coming home as teachers, nurses, electricians, engineers, entrepreneurs, and other professionals. People who know our community, have connections here, and want to contribute to its future. We can’t guarantee they’ll come back. But we can build a community they want to return to.

That means supporting local businesses, maintaining our infrastructure, and recognizing that quality of life matters to economic development. It also means working with employers, schools, health care providers, and regional partners to understand where the Town can help. Economic development should influence decisions across the municipality.

I don’t know whether my former assistant will spend his entire teaching career in High Level. I certainly hope he does. But today, he’s helping educate another generation of young people in our community.

Perhaps one of those students will someday leave to pursue a dream of their own, before deciding to come home and build a life here. That’s the future I want us to work toward.

A community where businesses can succeed, employers can attract the people they need, and families can see a future for themselves.

A community people don’t just come to for work.

A community they choose to call home.

November High Level By-Election details:
Voting takes place in Council Chambers at Town Hall (10511 103 Street).
Advance Voting will take place on Nov. 14 between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Election Day Voting will take place on Nov. 16 between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

(Vote for Bill!)

www.jwschnarr.com

November 7, 2026

Municipal Franchise Fees: The Hidden Tax We All Pay

By Bill Schnarr

You open your power bill, sigh, and start doing some quick math in your head.

What else can be cut off your budget? Groceries? Something for your kids? Turn down the thermostat and pray the mild weather holds?

Take another look at your bill. Look at all those fees and riders.

The one called a “Local Access Fee”, or “Municipal Franchise Fee”? Surprise! That’s the Town of High Level reaching through your utility bill and directly into your pocket.

A franchise fee is what a utility pays the Town for the right to be the local distributor and to run power lines or gas pipes on public land. Council sets the rate, and then the utility passes the cost on to you through your bill, and the money goes to the Town.

And when that bill is so high you need to start looking for things to trim from your budget, whose name is at the top that you can point all your anger towards?

ATCO’s.

True Story. My last ATCO bill was $428.79. Of that, $48.65 went to the Town of High Level: $19 on the electricity side and $29.65 on the gas side. For ONE MONTH.

It’s a convenient arrangement for the Town. Sure, the fee is disclosed. You can see it right there on your electric bill and on your gas bill. What that line on your bill doesn’t tell you is that Council has the power to reduce it.

In fact, they could cut it entirely.

Free us from the fees

On Nov. 9, Council is being asked to approve a five-year extension of the electricity distribution agreement and keep the electricity franchise fee at 12.1% of eligible delivery charges for 2027. As part of that agreement, they have the ability to adjust the franchise fee annually.

The Town expects to collect roughly $1.1 million through electricity franchise fees in 2027. That money comes from your households and your businesses while you are trying to keep your own budgets afloat.

When we are already stretching our paycheques to heat our homes and keep the lights on, how can Council, in good conscience, keep collecting those fees without asking what it would take to suspend them for a year?

If Council wants to help the community with affordability, it can start with a charge it controls.

Suspend the electricity and gas municipal franchise fees for one year.

Give people some breathing room.

November High Level By-Election details:

Voting takes place in Council Chambers at Town Hall (10511 103 Street).

Advance Voting will take place on Nov. 14 between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.

Election Day Voting will take place on Nov. 16 between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

(Vote for Bill!)

October 29, 2026October 29, 2026

Five things I’m running for in this election

By Bill Schnarr

I’m running for High Level Town Council because I believe residents deserve a municipal government that is open, accountable, and willing to have difficult conversations.

I’ve lived in High Level since 2018. I’ve worked here as a journalist, an editor, and most recently as the Town’s Communications Coordinator. Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on how municipal government operates, how decisions affect residents, and where we can do better.

My priorities are straightforward.

Hi! This is my gorgeous girlfriend Shawna, and I’m Bill!

Transparency and Accountability

I’ve always believed Town Hall should be a glass house.

Residents deserve to know how decisions are made, where their tax dollars go, and why things happen the way they do. It’s not enough that this information is streamed online during council meetings. It needs to be delivered in a way that can quickly and easily be understood.bWhen projects are delayed, explain why. When costs increase, explain what happened. When something goes wrong, acknowledge it.

Public trust isn’t built by avoiding difficult conversations. It’s built by having them.

Responsible Spending

Every tax dollar matters.

I want clearer reporting on municipal spending – particularly when it comes to consultants, major projects, and the costs associated with changes in senior administration. This information needs to be delivered in a way that is not only easy for the public to digest, but for council as well.

For its part, Council needs to ask difficult questions, understand the answers, and ensure residents know how their money is being spent.

Serious question: when is the last time anyone asked you for your opinion on capital projects or budget spending?

Including the public in this process should be the priority, not an inconvenience.

Infrastructure and Recreation

Our roads, pool, arena, and long-discussed multiplex matter to this community.

Residents deserve realistic timelines, clear explanations of delays, and honest discussions about what we can afford.

We need to maintain what we already have while planning responsibly for the future.

Economic Development

High Level is an important gateway between Alberta and the Northwest Territories. We’re the halfway point between the two capital cities.

Every day, commercial trucks and travelers pass through our community. Many stop here, supporting local businesses and services.

We should be looking at ways to encourage more of that activity, from better facilities for commercial drivers to opportunities in transportation, logistics, and tourism.

We also need to support existing businesses, reduce unnecessary barriers to investment, and make High Level a place where people want to live and work.

Our priority should be High Level’s potential as a transportation, logistics, and service centre for northern travelers.

Listening and Asking Questions

I don’t have all the answers. And I won’t pretend one councillor can solve every problem.

But I can promise to do my homework, listen to residents, ask difficult questions, and explain my decisions.

You deserve transparency. You deserve accountability. You deserve answers.

On November 16, Vote for Bill!

October 22, 2026

Vote for Bill!

High Level Deserves Answers

High Level has been my home since 2018, and I’ve come to care deeply about this community and the people who live here.

I’ve spent much of my career as a journalist and municipal communications professional, asking questions, finding answers, and helping people understand the issues that affect their lives.

One thing I’ve learned is that people make better decisions when they have the information they need.

That’s why I’m running for High Level Town Council.

I believe residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, why decisions are made, and what’s happening with the projects and services they depend on.

We need to focus more on transparency and less on protecting the Town of High Level’s “corporate brand.”

Worrying about whether something will “blow up on Facebook” is NOT an acceptable strategy for public engagement and communication.

I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I believe we should be asking more questions, having more open conversations, and making sure residents are heard.

High Level is a great community with tremendous potential. I want to help us make the most of it.

You deserve transparency. You deserve accountability. You deserve answers.

On November 16, I’m asking for your support.

And, of course, your vote!

Vote for Bill!

Click here to learn more about me and why I’m running.

October 21, 2026October 21, 2026

Bill Schnarr for High Level Council

High Level Deserves Answers.

Good government starts with good communication.

Residents deserve to know how their tax dollars are being spent, how decisions are made, and what their municipal government is doing on their behalf.

My name is Bill Schnarr, and I’m running for High Level Town Council because I believe transparency and accountability should be the foundation of local government, not something residents have to fight for.

I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to ask the questions. And I know where to look.

October 21, 2026

My Experience

I’ve spent much of my professional life asking questions, finding information, and explaining complicated issues in ways people can understand.

As a journalist and newspaper editor, I learned the importance of asking difficult questions, checking facts, and holding public institutions accountable. I won 10 newswriting awards for my efforts.

As a municipal communications professional, I learned how local government operates, how decisions move through administration and Council, and how those decisions affect residents.

I’ve worked on public information campaigns, emergency communications, community engagement, municipal websites, public notices, and communications surrounding major projects and services.

That experience gives me a perspective on municipal government that I believe would be valuable at the Council table.

I understand the importance of good administration. I also understand that Council’s responsibility is to provide oversight, establish priorities, and represent the people who elected them.

These are very different but equally important jobs.

October 21, 2026

A Little About Me

I’ve called High Level home since 2018. I love it here.

I originally came here to take over as editor of the Echo Pioneer, bringing with me years of award-winning experience in journalism, writing, and communications. With that job, I developed a strong commitment to freedom of speech, and a belief that transparency is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy.

When the Chuckegg Creek wildfire disrupted life across our region in 2019, I found myself among those whose employment was affected. Like many people in our community, I had to figure out what came next.

That led me to opportunities with the Fort Vermilion School Division and the Town of High Level. In 2021, I joined the Town full time as its Communications Coordinator.

Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to tell High Level’s stories, celebrate its successes, help residents navigate difficult situations, and explain the decisions that affect our community.

I’ve worked with municipal staff, elected officials, local organizations, businesses, and residents.

I’ve seen what happens when people have the information they need, and I’ve seen the frustration that grows when they don’t.

That experience has shaped what I believe municipal government should be.

October 21, 2026

Why I’m Running

High Level residents deserve a municipal government that operates as openly as possible.

When I began working for the Town, I wanted Town Hall to be a glass house. Not literally, of course, but an organization where residents could see what was happening and understand why. Unless legally bound, any and all information should be available to the public in a timely manner.

I still believe in that principle.

Over the past several years, I’ve become increasingly concerned about the amount of information being shared with residents, significant changes in senior administration, the growing reliance on outside consultants, and the progress and costs of major municipal projects.

There may be perfectly reasonable explanations for many of these things. But residents should not have to guess what those explanations are.

When projects are delayed, we should know why.

When costs change, we should know how much.

When leadership changes, residents should know who is responsible for running their municipality.

And when Council makes decisions, the public should be able to understand the reasoning behind them, while respecting legitimate legal and privacy obligations.

That’s the kind of local government I want to help build. That is the kind of local government YOU deserve.

October 21, 2026

What I Want to Accomplish

A More Transparent Town Hall

I want residents to have better access to clear, timely, and meaningful information about municipal decisions, spending, projects, and priorities.

Council should be willing to explain not only what it decides, but why.

Greater Accountability for Public Spending

Every tax dollar matters.

I want to see clear reporting on major projects, consultant and contractor costs, changes to approved budgets, and the results taxpayers are receiving for their investment. And I want that provided to the public in easily understood messaging.

Spending money is easy. Demonstrating value takes work.

Stronger Oversight of Municipal Administration

High Level has experienced significant turnover in senior administrative positions.

I want to understand the reasons behind that turnover, its financial and operational impacts, and what can be done to support stable, effective municipal administration.

Council needs to provide meaningful oversight while respecting the professional responsibilities of municipal employees. Local residents need to know who is running things and why.

Better Planning and Project Delivery

Whether we’re talking about our pool, arena, roads, infrastructure, or future recreation facilities, residents deserve realistic plans, clear budgets, and regular progress updates.

When something goes wrong, the response shouldn’t be silence.

It should be an explanation and a plan to move forward.

A Council That Listens

Residents should feel comfortable asking questions, raising concerns, and disagreeing with their elected representatives.

You shouldn’t need to know somebody at Town Hall to get information about your municipal government.

I want to be approachable, accessible, and willing to listen, including when someone disagrees with me. And I want Council and Administration to do the same.

What You Can Expect From Me

I’m not going to promise that I can solve every problem facing High Level.

One councillor cannot make decisions alone, and good government requires people working together.

What I can promise is that I will come prepared, do my homework, ask questions, and make decisions based on the best information available.

I won’t pretend to know something I don’t. I won’t confuse asking questions with finding fault.

And I won’t assume that because something has always been done a certain way, it must be the best way to do it.

I believe residents are capable of making up their own minds when they’re given the facts.

I believe criticism can make an organization stronger. And I believe that public service can’t happen without you, the residents of High Level.