As I review my newsletter from last month all I can say is a lot has changed! What a difference four weeks can make in our lives, our county, the province, country and the globe. I can’t remember anything like this in my lifetime and I’m hopeful nothing like this ever happens again.
In my past life, as an IT Manager – we often experienced major outages or outright catastrophic failures. It was all hands-on decks working to get the problem solved, then we’d fix the things we had to break while solving the first problem, then we’d buy our self some lunch and spend a day (or as long as it took) doing a “look-back” to see how we prevent a repeat performance. We’d analyze what we did well, not so well and ensure new processes and systems were in place to minimize future impacts.
All businesses, governments, etc. will perform this task once we right ourselves. There will be much work to do and much to recover from. And I suspect we will have new ways of conducting ourselves and we will examine our own readiness plans to weather tough times. While we are still very much in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, and likely just thinking about missing our family and friends; our co-workers, neighbours and others – we will get through this and we will be stronger. I am sure of that.
Rocky View County is also working to get through this. We are following the best advice from the Alberta & Federal Governments, but we aren’t immune to impacts. Our County offices have been closed for the past two weeks and will remain closed to the public for the next while. The MGA (Municipal Government Act) has allowed for electronic Council meetings, but RVC was not in the position for this to happen, so our last Council meeting in March and the first one in April have been cancelled. We are hoping to have technological solution in place so that we can conduct the last one in April, and allow the public to view at the same time. Because of the gathering size restriction of 15 (as at time of writing) we are unable to conduct public hearings because just with Council and staff we would exceed that number. We are adapting though and most of the critical work is being completed, albeit slightly differently. Please be bear with us – we can and are responding to the most pressing things (right now frozen culverts), planning is still processing what they can and meeting (virtually) with folks wanting permits, etc. Some of our community engagement is shifting to more online (ie Specialized Municipality status) and I’ve had a number of conversations with folks wanting to understanding more about that. So if you have questions at all about anything that is happening in the County, please send me a note or give me a call.
Fun Stuff (Seriously fun stuff)….
We have many local businesses here in Springbank. Many are still open, but unfortunately many are closed (non- essential). They will need us to support them once we are through this, so what better way than to hold a draw with Prizes donated by a few local businesses.
Grand Prize ($750 value) Kamoda Joe Jr. Smoker & Charcoal (Donated by Hank’s Grills) which comes with a couple of lawn chairs and a beef brisket.
Other Prizes (some confirmed, some I’m still working on, and there may be more!):
$250 Gift Certificate from Mountain View Building Products Complete Auto detailing – Carstars – Stampede Collision $100 Gift Certificate Little Tavern Pizza -Springbank Links Gift Certificate for Golf for 2 – Springbank Links
And there may be more!
So, maybe we can’t get outside and play yet, but we can enter a draw, visit a local business (now or when it opens again) and sign up for a great newsletter while you’re at it!
How do you enter? Here is a link to the entry form: forms.gle/ugZHob1yDBDaYw1y8. If it doesn’t work – send me a quick email at kmckylor@rockyview.ca and I’ll send one directly to you. Draw will be at the end of May.
Basic rules:
- You must be 18 years old – but anyone in the house can enter
- You must reside in Springbank (Division 2 or 3 address is required)
- One entry per adult in the house
- All info on the form must be completed (otherwise the form won’t submit).
There are many more local businesses in Springbank, as well as many, many home-based businesses. Please find them, support them. They support us in so many ways, including donations and contributions for this draw. They are the ones that support our community through time and donations, but they don’t always get our business – let’s see if one of the things we can do a little more of – shop closer to home!
List of businesses contributing and donating prizes:
Hank’s Grill (www.hanksgrills.ca) Kamada Joe Jr. Smoker & Charcoal. Brian & I will add a nice brisket, and I’m working on some lawn chairs. ($750 value) Open now for sales (online). Springbank Links (www.springbanklinks.com) Golf for 2 – won’t it be nice to go outside! ($150 value). Little Tavern Pizza @ Springbank Links – $100 Gift Certificate (littletavernpizzacompany.square.site) Open now for take out. Mountain View Building Materials – $250 Gift Certificate (mountainviewbm.ca) (open now – essential service). Stampede Collision – Complete Auto Detail (www.cochranedodgechryslerjeep.com/carstar-springbank) ($200 Value) Open now as an essential service.
AND I’m working on more prizes from more local businesses. Support these businesses! We need and want them!
Kim McKylor,
Councillor, Division 2
