A Look back at April: April “snow” showers hopefully bring May flowers! Last weekend’s snow event was most certainly eventful! I hope you were all safe and snug at home. We had family stuck in the city and were very thankful for our friends who were able to accommodate a late overnight guest on such short notice! I’m looking forward to seeing those May flowers soon! Also, I’ll give you a heads up, I’ve added a lot of information on recreation here…..
Around the Division: Road sweeping (removal of gravel) is commencing for Springbank. Roads should have all gravel removed in the next 4 weeks. The County has also commenced road shoulder sweeping on long lane roadways to minimize sanding debris on road shoulders.
If you have a gravel road that requires attention, please call our Service Request line at 403.230.1401 or send us an email at questions@rockyview.ca to get your request in, or to get an update to determine if your road is already on the list. I have highlighted a few very problematic areas for the crews already and they will be working on those soon!
Recreation: I continue to advocate for recreational/community in Springbank. I know this is important to you and your families. There are many steps to this process and Council will ultimately decide where recreational dollars are spent. Until it comes in front of Council for a decision, my responsibility is to advocate for Springbank.
In 2004, Councillor Brenda Goode, in Division 2 had the vision and foresight to make a motion to allocate 4 acres of land in Commercial Court for the use of a Community Hall and then presented to the Springbank Community Association at that time, the land was allocated to them. (Supporting files are available from our office if you are interested).
Feb. 24th, 2004: Staff report on the Commercial Court application and applicant’s response to the requirements. If you review this file, both administration and the recreation board wanted cash in lieu (page 4 of 18) however, the applicant was aware that there was actually going to be a request for 4 acres for a community centre, and the applicant objected because this was “prime commercial land” (page 15 of 18). This establishes it was known to the applicant, staff and Council there would be a request for 4 acres of land for the purposes of a Community Centre during this hearing.
Feb. 24th, 2004: Minutes from Council Meeting. The above application is approved. Brenda Goode’s motion includes a condition #9, on page 23 that specifically states that a 4 acre municipal reserve lot be taken (this was carried).
April 19th, 2004: Finally, an excerpt from the minutes of the Springbank Community association indicating Brenda Goode reporting to the Springbank Community Association that she secured the 4 acre MR for a community hall. I have the full minutes if anyone would like them.
Now, I’ve been publicly accused of trying to usurp the traditional process for proceeds for MR lands, and try to steal it away from all of Rocky View for the purposes of this division. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What I am trying to do is honour a commitment that was made to this community in 2004. This commitment shouldn’t have taken 15 years to fulfil, but I never look backwards so we move forward.
I bring this to your attention, so that you have all the information, not just what gets printed by a couple of letters to the editor. It is NOT required, is that RVC allocate any funding to Recreation Boards from the sale of MR lands. This is only past practice. In fact, all recreation boards have a bank account of zero. Recreation boards from across the County bring recommendations to Council and Council decides whether to accept a board’s recommendation, modify or even reject in its entirety. Council has authority, to spend all the money evenly throughout the County, or if need be, a majority in a single area. This is and will always be dependent on need. Historically, in our area, most of the recreational allocation has gone to Bragg Creek (no offensive here!) – to assist in the completion of trails and pathways. Now that the bulk of that work has been completed, it is time to focus on our community and the greater Springbank area. We have no community centre. We have a very well run, but aging Park for All Seasons. We have a dedicated volunteer group (STAPA) working to try to get our pathway system started. We have many projects we could be spending recreational dollars on in the Springbank area that would add value to our community.
Now I am just one person, trying to advocate for you. There is a small group of folks out there that insist on making this issue about something else. If recreation is important to you, then I’d love to hear from you. If you believe that we do need more facilities, improved facilities, a community centre, pathways, etc. I need to hear from you! The public needs to hear from you! We can work towards a better Springbank together, I think that is what you elected me to do and I will continue to do that until I hear the larger community has different interests.
Approved Development Permits:
- Application for Athletic and Recreation Services (existing building), tenancy and signage for a gymnastics studio, Unit 27, Plan 1810211; SW-34-24-03-05 (6, 110 Commercial Drive)
- Application for Automotive, Equipment and Vehicle service (existing vehicle storage), placement of hail protection shelters and additional accessory buildings
- Application for Dwelling, Row, construction of six multi-family townhomes, an internal access road, site grading and signage; SE-07-25-03- 05, located approximately 1.61 km (1 mile) north of Township Road 250 and 1.61 km (1 mile) east of Range Road 40.
- Application for a dwelling, single detached (existing), relaxation of the minimum side yard setback requirement, Lot 34, Block 2, Plan 1612676; NW-05- 25-03-05 (19 Brome Bend)
Kim McKylor
Councillor, Division 2
kmckylor@rockyview.ca
Rural Crime Watch – guest submission:
Rural Crime Watch Update May 1, 2019
We really do live and play in a very safe part of the world. And yet, we do have rural crime that comes at unpredictable times and in a variety of ways. This article encourages thought and planning of what to do if faced with an intruder on your property. Recall that intruders really are opportunists? Wanting easy targets of value and wanting not to be seen or caught. A suggestion is to disrupt the intruder’s perceptions and plans. Possible strategies might include:
- Making your presence known with assertiveness. And the presence of others
- Dogs
- Add noise: loud noise that continues
- Turn on bright lights inside and out
- Have cameras visible and recording
- Call 911 with location, nature and details
- Alert neighbours promptly
- (Many others you may wish to contribute)
These strategies may be accomplished in many ways – quickly and without much cost. Remember our strongest goal is the safety of ourselves and our family. Stuff is stuff. Be aware that most intruders’ actions are the product of some form of addiction or mental health. They can be very unpredictable, aggressive and violent. So please be completely cautious.
To reduce the perception of an easy target, continually do some basic things. Be entirely aware of what is usual in your area. Pay more attention to all suspicious activity. Record the details immediately in any handy form to assist with complete reporting. Actions taken while an intruder is scouting are more likely lead to crime prevention. Call in the suspicious activity to the RCMP using the complaint line 403 932 2211 for most of western Rocky View. Alert neighbours to be part of community defence.
Alberta Rural Crime Watch is the joint effort of 17,000 rural members throughout Alberta. We share experiences and tips through newsletters, websites and community meetings. New members are welcome. Check out the website for the local chapter – Cochrane Foothills Protective Association, cfparcw.ca. Become part of a community movement to send a message to would- be intruders. “Beware. These rural people are informed, prepared and connected to deter crime.”
We are much stronger when we work together. And we enjoy a better community.
Submitted by Jim Willson
