Barb Castell – Division 3
Happy New Year! I hope you had a fun and peaceful Christmas.
Many of you have phoned, emailed, and complained you cannot find what you are looking for on the Foothills County website. You also commented on how slow it was and that you eventually gave up. Good news! Council has approved development of a new website that will be coming in 2022.
More good news! Our own Bill Jackson was honoured with the 2021 Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award for all his tireless volunteer work around the Millarville community for over 75 years. From maintaining Christ Church in Millarville, to years with the 4 H programme, the Calgary Stampede and Agi-Days, to the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society. He volunteers year-round, day in and day out for, every event at MRAS. He has served as President of the Board of Directors 3 times and many more years as a Board member. Congratulations again Bill Jackson on this well-deserved recognition.
After many complaints, Council passed a bylaw authorizing “No Parking” signs to be placed along the south side of Plummers Road near Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. This will increase the safety for everyone.
Did you know you can borrow more than books from libraries? At the new Okotoks Library that opened in August, you can borrow camera and film equipment, snowshoes, musical instruments, video games, movies, CD players, walking poles, and much more. If you have a library card you have 24 hour access to many, many different online resources. You can read newspapers from around the world. Get books delivered from libraries around the world. Our own Millarville Community Library has a wide selection of new books coming in all the time and you can order books from the Marigold Library System. Millarville has great programmes for children and the convenience of being close.
The Family & Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) held a two day conference via ZOOM on December 2 and 3. There were excellent speakers both days with an emphasis on the value the FCSS funding is to organizations with a volunteer component. I attended the Rural Mental Health breakout sessions. During these past two years, FCSS has supported so many community groups. All of the speakers reminded us that without these community connections for people, many residents would not have the ability to interact with others and get the support they need.
Mother Nature was on a tear throughout Foothills County on December 1 and for days after. Power lines came down from strong winds that sparked fires across from Quirk Creek Gas Plant, off Plummers Road, and southwest of Brown-Lowery Provincial Park. Fortis Alberta was busy as power poles came down on Highway 762 near Plummers Road. Firefighters from every Fire Hall came to the aid of the area.
Area residents woke up neighbours who did not hear the alerts as there was no power or phone service. A huge thank you to all those fire fighters, many of whom are volunteers. It was a relief when the snow arrived.
As we start the new year, we are thankful for family, good friends, neighbours, and grateful for all the people who work to protect us and keep us safe.
Barb Castell
Phone: 403-931-3690
E-Mail: barb.castell@foothillscountyab.ca Website: www.barbcastell.com
FaceBook: facebook.com/barbcastell.ca
