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Volume 2 * Issue 6A * June 2012 What’s Inside This Issue News from Division 2 Water Valley Rodeo Results Buzz on Business - 4 Pampered Pooches! Dog Grooming and Day Spa Another Edition of Stay with the Herd
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Letter to the Editor
Growing and Learning.... Every day we watch as our children grow and learn new things. Its amazing how one night they get tucked in not knowing how to pedal that bike or master that tough math problem but the next day through the miracle of sleep the skill is there. As adults it seems to take us a little bit longer, and here at HPN we are no exception. In doing the best we can we have stumbled, and have made another one with this issue. Due to a date problem that didn’t get caught until after we were printed the deadlines for this issue were incorrect. After some thought and deliberation it was decided that we would adhere to the printed dates, which means that while you get to enjoy this full issue of the paper another is literally just around the corner! We will have another paper in your hands on June 21 (or perhaps a few days later depending on when your mail is delivered). With Sundre Pro Rodeo, Water Valley Celtic Festival still to happen in June we look forward to hopefully less rain, and to see you at these events.
Distributed to Cremona, Water Valley, Carstairs, Crossfield and Sundre, Didsbury & the Rural Routes of Carstairs, Crossfield, Madden, Dog Pound, Didsbury, Sundre, Bergen and Bottrel
Deadline for the Second May issue is:
June 15 , 2012 11am Paper Release Date:
June 21, 2012 Paper Day is
Thursday
HITCHING POST NEWS Office Hours:9am-3:30pm Phone: 403-637-2953 editor@hitchingpostnews.com www.hitchingpostnews.com Editor Tara Jenkins Publishers Tara Jenkins & Angela Lambert Staff Cartoonist Simon Oleny tara@hitchingpostnews.com angela@hitchingpostnews.com Box 456 Water Valley, AB T0M 2E0 2 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A • Hitching Post News
Ever since Cremona’s dissolution debate began, my neighbours in Water Valley have urged me to write to the HPN and explain the facts of life in Mountain View County to the village’s 160-odd dissatisfied petitioners. Up until now I have refused, as I thought that it was none of our (Water Valley’s) business. However, after reading Jennie Thompson’s letter in the latest issue, I thought that the people of Cremona could benefit from the perspective of your close and caring neighbours. First, as an admitted outsider, I am puzzled by the opposition to plans to improve safety and the pedestrian environment on the highway. As a planner with extensive experience in transportation issues, I agree that angle parking is unsafe and inappropriate for the nature of the road (a provincial highway) and the traffic volumes, mixes, and speeds. I also believe that widening the sidewalks and providing a safe crossing to a parking lot across the street would improve the pedestrian environment, provide more (not less) parking, beautify the village’s main street, and draw more customers to mainstreet businesses. As for Ms. Thompson’s other complaints, there is little new here: these debates have been going on forever, and no council in the past decade has been able to satisfy the critics or under-pay and under-appreciate the village employees by an amount sufficient to be re-elected. Although I can offer no solution to the village’s ongoing political dysfunction, I can fill you in on what joining Mountain View County would be like. As an incorporated village, Cremona has three councillors who are responsible only to community residents and businesses. If you dissolved the village government, you would be absorbed into MVC Division 2, and be represented by a single councillor who would balance Cremona’s interests with Water Valley, Dogpound, and a large rural area. This councillor has only one vote out of seven on MVC council, so all decisions affecting you will essentially be made by people from around Olds, Didsbury, Sundre, etc. So, instead of having total local control over taxes, development, infrastructure and service delivery through your three local councillors and your own dedicated administration and staff, Cremona would have essentially no influence over any of these issues. And if you don’t like something, you’ll have to drive a half an hour to the County office to complain, beg, apply, or otherwise aggravate yourself. My advice: save yourself the drive. If you don’t think you’re being listened to now, just wait until you become part of MVC. Ms. Thompson and her followers seem to be under the impression that the County can offer resources that the Village cannot. While it is true that MVC does has a wider tax base, a dedicated Planning and Development Department, a corps of revenue-generating Peace Officers, and a fleet of maintenance equipment, there is no guarantee that any of these assets would be deployed to improve Cremona’s physical or social conditions. Think what you want about MVC Councillor Paddy Munro, but he is 100% correct in saying that there isn’t a Popsicle’s chance in Hades (to paraphrase) that the County would give Cremona any infrastructure or services not available to everybody else in the County. In other words, say goodbye to your garbage pick-up, among other things you may or may not wish to pay for. Cremona taxpayers would also get to contribute to the County’s agricultural services and numerous other programs and projects irrelevant to your wellbeing, as well as supporting MVC’s ever-expanding bureaucracy. And don’t be deluded in thinking that the County has a bundle of cash ready to improve your road, sewer and water systems… they’ve got enough problems in Netook Crossing, and they blew the paving budget on the County headquarter parking lot. Another apparent misconception is that the County is any better managed or any less dysfunctional than Cremona’s government. County politics are every bit as volatile, disruptive, and divisive as Cremona’s, and the County’s senior administration is a revolving door of firings, resignations, and “mutual partings of the way”. From my observations, the only thing that keeps things going at the County is a small contingent of loyal, longserving, long-suffering staff (you know who you are) who keep plugging away despite the constant political storms. Although Cremona’s economic track record has been no great shakes of Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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Letter to the Editor, Continued late, Mountain View County council hasn’t been any more successful in attracting economic development and managing orderly growth than Cremona. This is why the MVC office of economic development (starring the heroic Doug Erdman as Mr. Phelps) operates under the secret code name of Mission: Impossible. A case in point is the latest and greatest MVC Municipal Development Plan (motto: Someday We’re Gonna Get This Thing Right), which will be the third MVC MDP in five years and contains a number of anti-growth policies that will choke development until the next council trots in and turns over the applecart again. Think hard Cremona: is this really the kind of outfit you want to saddle up with? Truth be told, we in the Unincorporated Nothingness of Water Valley (our motto: Visit Mountain View County’s Cash Cow) are envious of Cremona, because you get to elect people who can actually make decisions and spend your money on your behalf. Through your council, you get to decide your own tax rates, what services and facilities you will have, and decide on your own future. Here in Water Valley, we pay our taxes and take whatever the County decides to give us. Our votes don’t count for much (a few hundred out of 12,000 MVC residents), and we get little enjoyment or benefit from seeing our property taxes go to a swimming pool in Olds, a new County office building, highway business parks, etc. As a detached observer, concerned neighbour, and long-time MVC taxpayer, it seems to me that Cremona’s choice is an easy one. You can keep on being the Village With Promise and get together and fulfill whatever promise lies at the end of your rainbow, or you can join Mountain View County (motto: Building Rural Better –Whatever the Heck That Means) and join Harmatten, Westcott, Eagle Hill, Dogpound, Bergen, Water Valley and a host of other unincorporated, under-represented dots on the County map. If you still have any doubt as to which is the right choice, just ask any of us Cash Cows in Water Valley. We’ll all tell you that, in Cremona’s Great Dissolution Debate, the grass is actually way greener on YOUR side of Highway 22.
2012 Print Ready Ad Prices - Black and White 1 2-5 Here’s My Card $27 $25 1/16 - Business Card $32 $29 1/8 - Double Business Card $53 $50 1/6 Page $86 $82 1/4 Page $153 $147 1/2 Page $278 $268 Full Page $530 $512
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Respectfully,
EMAIL FOR NON-PROFIT RATES
Scott Davis Water Valley
NOW ACCEPTING GROOMING BOOKINGS
GRAND OPENING EVENT 4 Pampered Pooches! Doggy Day Spa Water Valley AB Full grooming salon / daycare & boutique June 16 2012 from 11am – 6pm • BBQ between 12 -1 & 4 -5. Join us for hamburgers, smokies, salad & drinks • Dog & Cat give aways • 10% off all items in boutique • Grand door prize valued at $200 • Pet photography by Frames for Life Guest: Cochrane Humane Society All profits will be donated For more information visit our web site 4pamperedpooches.com
Authorized Blue Buffalo vendor
Call Linda (403)637-9110 Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• 3
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Media Release 1408 Twp. Rd. 320 / Postal Bag 100, Didsbury, AB Canada T0M 0W0 T 403.335.3311 F 403.335.9207 Toll Free 1.877.264.9754 www.mountainviewcounty.com
Share your event with us! We’re always looking for new events to share with our communities. Email editor@hitchingpostnews.com
May 29, 2012
MVC response to Netook Financial Impact Analysis Mountain View County, AB - On April 25, 2012, the proponents for the proposed Netook Crossing development presented their Netook Financial Impact Analysis to Mountain View County's Policies and Priorities Committee. One of the key conclusions of the analysis that the developers have promoted is that “after 20 years Netook Crossing will contribute $17.3 million to MVC’s bottom line”. As with any analysis that deals with the future the conclusions are based on assumptions about the future. Since no one knows the future, discussions of the assumptions quickly become academic. With this being the case the County won’t attempt to respond in detail. However, from a big picture perspective, the County is skeptical of the key conclusion that the proposed development would generate $17.3 million in surplus over 20 years for the County. This conclusion doesn’t correspond well with what we know about the current operations of municipalities; that most municipalities in Alberta are struggling to generate enough revenue to meet service demands. To reach their conclusion the Financial Impact Analysis assumes the total operating and capital expenses for the proposed Netook Crossing development to be $906,800 (the report provides details on how this number was calculated). This works out, on a per capita basis, to be $520. According to AUMA statistics the average expense per capita for towns, villages and municipal districts is $2,087, $2098 and $3,903 respectively. According to the 2010 Financial Indicator Graphs provided by the Alberta Government, the median cost per capita for municipalities similar to Mountain View County is $3,237 and the County's cost per capita is $2,578. According to the analysis, the proposed development would have a per capita expense that is 25 per cent of the lowest cost per capita reported by the AUMA and Alberta Government statistics. This gap between what’s currently occurring and one of the key assumptions is the basis for the County’s skepticism. As well the County is concerned over the market's ability to absorb 671 high value residential lots and 350 acres of industrial. If the development doesn't occur as quickly as assumed in the Financial Impact Analysis, there could be a significant impact on the viability of the proposed development. The County remains steadfast in mitigating or eliminating risk to all County ratepayers when it comes to servicing and maintaining such a large proposed development. While the potential financial benefit to the County is always part of the equation when considering application for development, the potential revenue is weighed against appropriate land use particularly in relation to quality agricultural land being taken out of production. From the beginning of the process to review the County's Municipal Development Plan, Council and administration have remained, and continue to remain focused on land use and best development practices for all areas of Mountain View County, including the Highways 2 and 27 area.
SEEKING HEAD COOK &DPS 9DODTXD LV D FKLOGUHQkV FDPS ORFDWHG NP North of Water Valley. We are currently seeking a HEAD COOK for our summer camp program. Position runs from June 28o August 24 (with a week of August 5-11 off). Rate of pay is $650/week plus room and board (if required) For more details or to apply, call or email Camp Valaqua ph:403-637-2510 email: manager@campvalaqua.com
Water Rising in Water Valley Recent rains have caused the water near Water Valley to once again rise causing road closures and the removal of the temporary bridge along Range Road 52 photos courtesy Doug Dennie
What an incredible year for the Cremona and District Community Chest!
Thanks to so many willing canvassers and so many generous donations we have collected over $40,000.00. Many sick people will benefit from the different charities that will receive an equal portion of this total, including the food bank. It is surprising how many people have received money from the local emergency fund to help victims of a fire in our area. If you have been missed and would like to make a donation, call Dave at (403)6372427 or Darrell at (403)637-2177. Thanks again to such a hard working group of canvassers. 4 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A • Hitching Post News
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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Water Rising in Water Valley
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• 5
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59th Annual Water Valley Rodeo The 59th Water Valley Rodeo was held June 2 and 3 with what locals call great weather. Just a few showers to dampen the ground, but nothing like in the past. The rodeo began with the Grand Entry. Riders were; Kaitlyn Blankert, Stephanie Newberry, Robyn Kennedy, Kaylee Myers, Cassidy Anderson, Katie Kennedy, and Anessa Good. A special appearance by Cochrane Lions Royalty; Kelsey Reinboldt-Lynch, and Shannon Black were also on hand to start the event. No Rodeo can be the spectacle of sportsmanship it is without some talented behind the scenes personnel. This year’s dedicated group of people included; Announcers: Wes Cummings & Cody Haney Stock Contractors: Pengelly Rodeo & Richards Rodeo Bullfighters: Trooper Whitney & Kuny Johnson Judges: Jim Turner & Chris Koenning Pickup Men: Keith Pengelly & Doug Borton Chute Bosses: Ben Grainger &
6 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• Hitching Post News
Boys Steer Riding Bryce West - Cadogan 75 points Junior Barrel Racing Rayna Longway - Calgary 16.577 Ladies Barrel Racing Honora Jackson-Roe - Milarville 16.413 Calf Roping Ben Robinson - Innisfail 10.2 Steer Wrestling Otys Little Mustache - Brocket 405 Junior Bull Riding Ethan Schultz - Strathmore 79 Saddle Bronc Mark O’Dempsey - Mayerthorpe 72 points on Pengelly Rodeo’s All of these individuals and Livewire countless more allow the Cowboys Bull Riding and Cowgirls their moment to shine. Adam Jamison - Okotoks 74 points on Cowboy Classifieds from The results from the rodeo follow. Richards Rodeo Wild Cow Milking Team Roping Tristan Woolsey from Nanton and Bruce Burrell/Nils Welk - Sundre Dustin Hewitt from Cowley with a Bareback time of 6.0 Cole Jamison - Innisfail 81 points on Richards Rodeo’s horse Wildwood Flower. As announced at the rodeo, this horse was one of the wild herd from around this area. Novice Horse Riding Jacob Stemo - Calgary 70points Wyatt Gleeson - Sundre 70 points Chris Montgomery Timers: Janey Newberry & Corinne Alstoff Steers: Raymond Havens Sheep: Ron Gale Rodeo Offic: Hilary Hahn, Cheryl Hahn, and Veronica Ramsay Gate: Kris Canaday Disc: Dan & Sandra Axelsson Water Truck: Mountain View County Concession & Games: Cremona Lions Rodeo Vetrinarian: Dr. Heather Van Esch, Cremona Veterinary Clinic
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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59th Annual Water Valley Rodeo
2012 rodeo photos T Jenkins
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Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• 7
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Two Men in Thailand - The Road to Bangkok Travel Log with Scott Davis Scott heads off alone to the exotic metropolis of Bangkok. The road to the capital has many interesting sights, including the ubiquitous Thai Spirit Houses. I had an uneventful trip to Bangkok, thanks to an excellent driver who skillfully sped along the six lane divided expressway between Hua Hin and the capital. The guy knew every bump and pothole on the road, and deftly weaved his way through slower traffic. He never once used his turn signal to make a lane change, although come to think of it, neither did any other driver.
The scenery included numerous billboards and giant photos making homage to the Thai royal family, roadside stands and markets, industrial plants, car dealerships, Wats (Buddhist temples), lumber yards, shopping malls, heavy equipment dealers, tire shops, you name it, you can find it on the road to Bangkok. Calling All Ghosts One thing that struck me, though, were shrines standing in front of many homes and b u s i n e s s establishments. We have seen these shrines everywhere in Thailand; in fact, there is one sitting on the floor beside me in the internet café as I write this story.
supposed to be in keeping with the a sight to behold. home or business they guard, so large fancy homes would have large The city stretched out endlessly in all directions, pockmarked with fancy spirit houses. skyscrapers, some of the size and Spirit Houses are easy to buy around architectural quality we were so here, as there seemed to be a shrine impressed by in Hong Kong. Oddly shop at least every mile along the enough, though, the towers were road to Bangkok, selling everything scattered all over the city, there from modest little jobs the size of a seemed to be no downtown or central business district like we are used to seeing in North America (Los Angeles excepted). By the time we reached the hotel district, traffic was at a standstill. Soon, however, I was dropped at the curb in front of the Dynasty Inn, somewhat dazed and disoriented, and wondering what the hell I would do with myself for the next two days.
Next Issue: The streets of Bangkok are chaotic, intimidating, and down-right dangerous. The author shares his In public places, they survival strategies, including the are often festooned highly-effective Clint Eastwood with offerings of fruit and breadbox to ornate eight foot high Treatment. soft drinks, left to curry monsters. favour with the spirits (the one next to me has fruit and A Sight to Behold a package of butter coconut The road to Bangkok does offer a cookies). few odd breaks in the mass of The ubiquitous Thai development. At one point, there shrines are actually not a was a mile or so of what appeared to Buddhist tradition. Rather, be a coconut plantation, the trees they are a superstition swaying in the breeze, just waiting passed down by the Brahmans, ancestors of the Buddha. The shrines are called Spirit Houses, and are The journey took a little over two intended to provide homes for hours, with a brief pit stop at a rest station about half way. Near Hua Hin there were a few hills to be seen, but the land soon flattened out, looking something like Saskatchewan with palm trees and funny writing on the billboards. I tried to take a few pictures, but at highway speeds to be paved over. Closer to Bangkok, got nothing but blurry there were several miles of land images. covered with dykes that contained shallow pools of water. I thought As we left Hua Hin, I they must be rice paddies, but the realized that there was driver said they were farms where table salt is produced. a lot more to the town than we had thought. As we approached the big city, The suburbs stretched traffic slowed and became busier. on forever, although I We stopped at a toll booth (a 50 Baht soon realized that it’s surcharge) before crossing a huge pretty much one big bridge across a river stuffed with mass of development cargo freighters. The Bangkok all the way to friendly spirits. Spirit houses are skyline came into view, and it’s quite Bangkok. 8 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• Hitching Post News
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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Buzz on Business
Bits & Bites from the Vet Dr. Heather Van Esch, Cremona Veterinary Clinic It is with great pride that I announce that July 1st, 2012 will mark my 10th year anniversary of owning the Cremona Veterinary Clinic. I would like to take a few moments to reminisce, and then I plan to jump with both feet into the NEXT 10 years with renewed enthusiasm! There are two upcoming events that I would love to share with you. First, I would like to invite my clients to join us in walking in the Cremona Day Parade on July 1st this year. This is a chance to show your support for the clinic, and to show off your animals! Bring along your pets, and lead, ride or drive your horses. All pets must be on a leash and under control, and all horses must be safe/calm in parade situations. We encourage you to dress up your pet, or decorate your horse to the nines. The theme this year is “Old Time Country Fair”, so feel free to be creative or just come as you are! We will provide candy for participants to toss during the parade, and we are planning on some surprise give-away items for those that walk with us. Just look for our clinic banner at the line up on parade morning, and join us! It would be a great honor to have some of our clients representing us on Cremona Day, as YOU are what makes our clinic special.
our veterinarians and staff on new procedures, products, and services, welcoming and saying goodbye to various staff members over the years, and always striving to get to know our clients and our patients, who we see year after year. It has been striking me a lot lately that all the dogs and cats I first met as puppies and kittens when I started out working here in 1999 are sure looking a lot older these days! It has been an honor for me to see that I have been your veterinarian for the whole life of some of your pets. For many of you, we have said goodbye to some of your beloved pets together, and after a time, you have happily introduced me to your new additions. It is greatly satisfying to feel that I have been partly responsible for helping your pets live longer by preventing and treating health issues that could have otherwise caused suffering and shortened their lives.
Over these years, I have seen farmers/ranchers that continually impress me with their dedication to their beef herds, working dog-tired through calving season, and feeling bad for calling me out in the middle of the night. One of my biggest rewards is getting that calf out alive, and another is finding that some of the greatest conversations can be The second event is our Client had chute-side at 2am while I am Appreciation BBQ that will be from sewing up a cow c-section! noon till 2pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012 outside on the lawn at the I have learned so much over the clinic. All past, present, and future years about wound management, clients are invited to drop by for a thanks to the many horses in the area FREE lunch (while supplies last) with an affinity to wire cuts! Colics and a casual visit with the staff and and chokes, castrations and equine fellow clients. There will be some dentistry are also topics that keep giveaways and door prizes as well. me occupied where horses are We would love to let you know how concerned. Getting the phone call grateful we are for your business that your horse has over these last 10 years, so please “pooped” the next day after an come out and enjoy lunch on us! episode of colic Over these past ten years, I have had could only be so many great experiences, exciting to your including working with staff that vet! were second to none, building I can’t forget to the lasting relationships with amazing mention clients, seeing your kids growing up, multitude of other getting to know other local business species I have had answer owners, becoming a part of a small to community where you say hi to questions about or people you know at the post office and grocery store, and most recently starting my own family and seeing how supportive my clients have been to the adjustments I’ve had to make at work due to becoming a parent.
somehow try to deal with over the years. Llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, pigs (I even had a piglet named after me once, after I helped deliver it), poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, and various other pocket pets have all sent me ‘back to my books’ at one time or other to look something up! There’s never a dull moment in a mixed animal practice, that’s for sure. All in all, these past 10 years have been amazing, and I am wondering what the next 10 years, and then the next 10 after that will bring. I have learned that it is the PEOPLE here that have made my experience and my profession so rewarding thus far. I hope that you will allow me to continue to serve you and your animals in the coming years, and I will commit to doing so with enthusiasm and ever-improving skills and knowledge. Thanks so much to all of our great clients for choosing the Cremona Veterinary Clinic. I really look forward to seeing you at the Cremona Day Parade July 1st, and at our Client Appreciation BBQ on July 7th. Please contact me at the Cremona Veterinary Clinic at 403-637-3928 if you have any questions or need any further details about the parade or BBQ.
Tara Jenkins Linda Foster is the owner and certified groomer at 4 Pampered Pooches! Doggy Day Spa in Water Valley. They are a full grooming salon and doggy daycare. “No more scruffy puppies and long drives to get your pet pampered, its all right here” Linda states on her website; “I have always had a passion for dogs and over the years have had various different breeds all of which found a place in my heart”. After an exhaustive search that many pet owners can relate to Linda came to the conclusion if she wanted her pets to have fantastic grooming experiences she would need to become the groomer. Linda became a certified groomer and also is CPR Pet Safety Certified. All your pets’ trips to the spa are set up to be safe and enjoyable ones. The boutique offers both cat and dog essentials as well as treats and other goodies. Hours of Operation 7-9am – drop off for grooming and daycare Tuesday – Saturday 7am-6pm Closed Sunday and Monday and all statutory holidays Contact us Linda (403)637-9110 info@4pamperedpooches.com website: www.4pamperedpooches.com
The clinic has changed and grown over the past 10 years, seeing improvements in technology and equipment, updating and educating Keeping Our Communities Connected!
Hitching Post News • Volume 2 , Issue 6A• 9
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News From Division 2 Patricia McKean, Division 2 Councillor Much has happened for Mountain View County Council in the 18 months since the community provided a mandate in the 2010 general election and I was elected to represent Division 2. Many of the priorities and actions that have been undertaken since that day have been accomplished and some others are still being worked towards a positive conclusion. Included in the ongoing list is the Municipal Development Plan review, which we hope will reach a successful conclusion in the coming weeks. Also included is the review of Fire Service Agreements with our urban municipal partners to address levels of service, equipment replacement, reporting and all other aspects of this important service. Other areas of priority moving forward include public awareness and engagement on issues regarding the energy sector and a report on Land Trusts. As for some of the accomplishments of the current council, following is some of the highlights, although not an exhaustive list, from the first half of council's three-year term: Recruitment and Hiring of a new CAO: Tony Martens was selected as the new Chief Administrative Officer and has undertaken an evaluation and re-organization of the county's workforce, among other projects. Noise Control Bylaw: Council and administration worked with the community to create a bylaw that addressed an ongoing problematic noise issue but won't negatively impact agriculture and other commercial operations.
Bridge; a $2.7 million project.
improvements and efficiencies.
Westward Ho Campground Contractor: Council approved a new contractor for the operation of the Westward Ho Campground.
50th Anniversary: County Successful events and a Councilapproved grant program helped drive a strong year-long 50th anniversary commemoration.
Emergency Maintenance Response: Council was able to quickly deal with two major incidents, including the road washout on RR 52 by approving a temporary bridge and with a protective structure to address a channel breach on the Red Deer River. Community Project Support: Council has approved funds for several planned and proposed community groups and projects, including the Carstairs Gymnasium Project, the Sundre Skatepark project, the Tri-Community Transit Pilot Project, youth programming with the Olds Ag Society, among others.
Shell Burnt Timber Road Repaving: In 2012, the Shell Burnt Timber Road will be repaved and is being done so as a P3 initiative between Shell Canada, the Municipal District of Bighorn and Mountain View County. Awareness for Fracking: Council had many groups and speakers come in and provide much needed information on the potential effects and benefits of fracking in our county.
Fiscally Responsible Spending: Council, as promised, has practiced fiscal responsibility to keep tax increases to a bare minimum while still providing ratepayers the necessary services to be able to enjoy the quality of life to which they are accustomed. Sewage Dumping Station: We are still currently working with the Village of Cremona to supply a Sewage Dumping Station for our local community. I look forward to the next year and ½ to come and will enjoy the new challenges that lie ahead and the positive changes that I will assist in making before Oct 2013.
Traffic Stops of the Month Acme Road Approval: While the • 2 stop sign offences County is still negotiating the land • 1 drive while unauthorized purchases with landowners adjacent offences to the Acme road, plans are well • 138 Km/hr in an 80 Km/hr zone underway for this project to start in • 133 Km/hr in a 80 Km/hr zone Council's Strategic Goals and 2013 as either a completed road • 106 km/hr on a 50 km/hr zone • semi - truck moving track hoe not Priorities Chart: These goals and project or partial road upgrade. chained down priorities were developed and approved to help direct the County Repair and Re-opening of the in terms of current and future Water Valley Campground – In the I also wanted to provide you with an Spring of 2011 a flood washed out update of the Big Prairie Bridge and planning and priorities. and damaged much of the Water supply you all with a schedule of New Road Bans Policy: Council Valley campground, but after the work that will be completed on this approved a change in the Road Bans road was repaired Council project. It is slated to be complete repairs to the November 2012. See the graphic Policy to fixed dates rather than the authorized campground and had it open again below for the detailed plan of this previous system of floating dates. work. Gravel Supply: Council authorized for business. the purchase of a graven pit in the centre region of the County to help Didsbury/Olds Airport Lot Sales – I invite you to contact at 403-637secure a proven supply for future It has been a long process, but 0140 to discuss any of your concerns Council approved having the lots or you can email me at usage. assessed at the airport and has listed patricia.mckean@mountainviewcou Sierra Systems Review: Council them for sale. The Economic nty.com requested consultant Sierra Systems Development Committee is quite conduct a review of the Operations close to having a business plan for Division 2 Councillor and Planning and Development the airport which will be presented Patricia McKean departments; from which the report to Council for approval. is being used to identify service
Community Aggregate Bylaw: Was developed with the direction of the provincial Sand and Gravel Association in order to address road degradation associated with the gravel-hauling industry. Land-use Bylaw: Amendments were made to streamline and clarify this vital planning document thanks to the work done by Planning & Development and the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC), with review and approval by Council. Funding and Approvals for Big Prairie Bridge: Through support and direction by Council, administration was able to secure the necessary provincial funding and multi-level approvals for the reconstruction of the Big Prairie 10 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A • Hitching Post News
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
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Summer is almost here! Tell us how you plan to beat the heat and be entered into a draw for 2 movie tickets!
Bridal Shower Bridal Shower in honour of Sherry Leask, bride elect of Neil MacDonald. Wednesday June 20 at 7pmat the Cremona Community Hall. Everyone Welcome! Water Valley Library Jaymee Shea
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We are getting new books each week and are ordering throughout the year, so if there is something you are itching to read, come on in and pick it up!
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Water Valley Library is swinging in to summer with some fantastic reads! Come check out our latest in fiction and non-fiction. Some of the latest titles include: John Irving In One Person Sophie Kinsella I’ve Got Your Number AJ Jacobs Drop Dead Healthy
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Valley Library. The sessions will cover our new Freading eBook service, as well as eBooks on EBSCO, eAudiobooks, and eReaders.
Water Valley Library has just acquired a new iPad available for weekly loans, loaded with Apps, games and books. It might be just what you need to make that road trip with 3 kids a little more bearable!
This month for book club, we are Stay tuned for our eBook workshop reading ‘A Fine Daughter’, By coming this summer to the Water Catherine Simmons Niven. We are meeting June 21 at 7pm. Book Club is open to everyone, and there are extra copies available in the library. Please come join us for lively discussions and great company. Just a friendly reminder that the Water Valley Library is closed on long weekends and will also be closed on Saturday June 23rd for Celtic Festival.
Keeping Our Communities Connected!
11 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A • Hitching Post News
JuneA_Layout 1 6/12/2012 8:54 AM Page 12
Here’s My Card www.hitchingpostnews.com has a new classified feature to gain added exposure to your business or what you have for sale check it out!
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HPN offers a wide variety of advertising options right for your business, event or activities. Contact by email or phone (403)637-2953 12 • Volume 2 , Issue 6A • Hitching Post News
Keeping Our Communities Connected!