Camrose..The Bigger Picture

Ripped right from the cover of Camroses picturesque tourist booklet( not a shabby piece of reading material might i add) I am intorduced to a political and business minded review of this town I have been paraded int, literally. Its purpose is embedded in promoting Camrose to new investments and investors. Accompanied by a power point presentation , The Chamber of Tourisms' propaganda style brochure reads like an ad for an all inclusive vacation package. mayor Clarence Mastel for eg, speaks on the Camrose Tourism web site about his pride in "Camrose's Modern services, First Class Recreation facilities, All embracing cultural opportunities and extensive programs and services for all ages". In a town of just over 16,000 full time residents, it took almost three hours to see a doctor at the walk in clinic, I believe I am one of the 4 Black people living and working here and 98% of the programs offered service only those 60 and over. Another prime example of Camrose's ability to stretch the novelty truth is by proclaiming that their self sufficient status provides for hosting "Major" recreation sporting, cultural and entertainment events. While its true that the facilities may be available or could be made available, the hosting part is another matter. When taking a look at the events held here on the Tourism website, you will find the following:
Big Valley Jamboree, Founders Day, Jaywalkers Jamboree and a Night classic soccer tourny. 3 out of the 4 of these monumental events are clearly only meaningful to the local residents of Camrose.
Camrose however, is not to be beaten down with my seemingly skeptical nit picking. It has shaken me out of a level of my own personal comfort zone and allowed me to focus on a persons character rather than their appearance and to "consort" with the "underdogs" of society. Without a clear mind it would be easy to get caught up in this town and its beliefs. People are generally friendly, we'll set aside the long stares and efforts of communicating with me in learned african dialects, its grasses are green and lifestyle is simple. Without investigation, one could even believe that the core mission" preserving a high quality of life for all camrose residents and facilitating progressive development through fiscially responsible leadership" is held in high regard as an everyday practice. Camrose is Camrose and the only way that you could form an opinion about it would be to come here and see it fo yourself. Spend some time, go to Fiona's for a cofee, speak with the locals and then tell me what you think. After 3 months of living and working here, Im still deciding.