Laura Kendall — Division 3
MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW AND LOCAL LAND LEGACY
Foothills County is undertaking a review of our Municipal Development Plan, MDP. There are 7 Open Houses scheduled and 3 Workshops from November 17th to December 1, 2026. The workshops require a sign up, open houses do not. The closest for Division #3 residents would be the Priddis Hall on November 17th from 3 to 9, Oilfields High School on November 23rd from 3:30 to 9 and Aldersyde Field House November 26th from 4 to 8. The 3 workshops are all at Aldersyde Field House on November 24th and 26th. Please check Foothills County Website for complete details . Deadline for workshops is October 30th. This is our opportunity to shape the future of Foothills County and protect the things we value and why we live here. Other phases will follow next year so please become engaged as soon as possible.
This process has brought to mind a pioneer who was implementing his own version of an MDP long before one was even contemplated by the current powers that be. George Connop, born and raised in Foothills County was a self made rancher. He was raised west of Bragg Creek but spent most of his life just west of Millarville. Through hard work and a passion for the land he ended up owning many acres for his farming and ranching endeavors. George donated much of his land to a land trust or conservancy so that it will remain as he left it, a home and refuge for wildlife, ranching, farming and for all others who pass by who take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of untouched pristine land and beautiful landscapes that he preserved. On all the various pieces of land George owned the only structures he left to my knowledge are a very modest home of about 1000 sq. ft., a barn and grain bins. He was a simple frugal man who valued the land more than any structure he could have built or new wheels he could drive. All Foothills County, not just Division 3 benefits from his bequeath. What an invaluable gift he left us, untouched natural beauty not marred by buildings or manmade interference, not subdivided for financial gain, just as it was thousands of years ago and hopefully for thousands of years to come. When I pass by George’s house its’ small size and simplicity belies the largess of vision that was embodied in the unassuming yet profound man who lived there. George did all this without ever having a corporate or union job to subsidize his agricultural work which is often the norm now a days. It crossed my mind if George would have attended the above mentioned meetings. If he did he would have had an opinion for sure. Whether he would have had time as an ag producer is another story, may have been too busy tending to his stock. George didn’t need to be told how to protect what was important to him, he just did it. What an inspiring way to impact others, what a legacy he left us. It is a reminder of how one individual can forge a lasting impression that can influence topics of the day for years to come. Thank you so much George.
Laura Kendall – Division 3 Foothills County
laura.kendall@foothillscountyab.ca
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