A summer to remember
I hope everyone has been enjoying the newfound freedom this summer after losing much of it last summer due to the pandemic? What’s next?
It’s hard to fathom that we’re only weeks away from summer’s end where we endured a spruce budworm infestation, several heat waves, a continued battle with drought conditions/wildfire threats and many visitors to our area. All in all, an exciting summer. However, it’s not over yet so don’t even think of swapping out those summer tires for winters until the end of the month.
2021 RVC Election
As mentioned above, it’s been a hot summer and it’s about to get hotter on the election front. Not only are we in the midst of a federal election but on October 18th we’ll be heading to the polls to elect municipal leaders. With the new boundaries and divisions being trimmed to seven from nine, the election will be heated.
As for our division, as a reminder, Bragg Creek will be amalgamated with Elbow Valley, east of us, which will make this election very interesting. Council voted earlier this term to revisit the current RVC divisional boundaries to balance out divisions based mainly on population densities. The area north of the Trans-Canada Highway which was once part of Division1, the Jumping Pound area, will become part of Division 2.
At this writing, every division has a candidate. Yes! Even Division 1 finally. To date, five are incumbents with several new names and faces being introduced to add fuel to the election process. September 20th is the deadline for nominations where we’ll see who is vying for a council seat. Visit the RVC website and search “election 2021” to see the names of the candidates and other election related topics.
SBW Notice of Motion
It was just over a month ago that Reeve Dan Henn and I attended the Spruce Budworm town hall held at the community centre where we got to hear from experts on all sides of the infestation debate. I just wanted to let you know that the reeve and I will be addressing Council with a Notice of Motion to have Administration continue looking into how we handle this issue moving forward with the newly elected Council.
Film Industry
We’ve all heard on the news how fast the film production industry is growing since the provincial government introduced competitive tax benefits/incentives so that we could compete with our neighbouring provinces. I have been able to start the conversation between film industry experts and administration so that we as a county and reap some of the rewards our neighbours are garnering. We are a highly desired location and have the necessary amenities to make us the most envied film destination in the world. I want to thank my colleagues in administration for their continued efforts in making this happen and to work with those in this sector.
FireSmart says goodbye
I want to send a huge “thanks and all the best” note to our outgoing FireSmart Committee (FSC) chairperson Gary Nikiforuk for his dedication over the years to our community. Not only has he been instrumental in leading the volunteer FSC to help navigate the issues that come with living in these parts with the constant wildfire threat, but he has also given me a ton of support.
I first got to know Gary when I was running for councillor. He and some other residents made sure that I was worthy of the responsibilities that came with the job. From that time on, we have gotten to know each other as neighbours, colleagues, but more importantly, as friends. I hope I didn’t disappoint you too much Gary?
He and his wife are now heading east to be closer to family. Not east coast east but east Alberta east. We are losing a great community volunteer and leader and he will be missed. Thank you Gary for all you have done for this community and all the best to you.
In the meantime, I’d like to introduce Peter Dwan, a FSC board member who has graciously stepped in to run things until the new council is selected which will lead the selections of the various committee members come October. Peter has big shoes to fill. If you’re interested in becoming a FSC board member, please email me and I will put you in touch with Peter.
One more to go
With only six weeks left in my term I want to say once again, thanks for your support over the years and just because I won’t be your councillor, doesn’t mean I won’t be invested, just like you, in continuing to make this area the envy of the world.
Until my final blurb next month, stay healthy and safe.
– Cheers, Mark
