What’s with September and early October snow? These two early events this year caused us some challenges with heavy snow clearing. We had equipment ready and cleared snow during the events, but the ground was not yet frozen. So, we had to back- off and push slush into the ditches and try again later. In these conditions, the weight of the heavy snow/slush will raise up the front end of the plough or grader off the ground and could damage the equipment. When the freezing temps came back in the morning hours, we re-worked the roads with more success. Another issue related to the not- frozen roads is that pushing it too hard could damage the surfaces. So, once we were done with round one, then came snow round two. Still not a very quick removal out in the west country, definitely related to repeat conditions. When we had to deal with the snow, our public works crews were actually not yet done this season’s road repair work. We often count on some weeks in the Fall to finish our road work, especially when we have a wet summer as occurred this year. Looks like we’ll have to shut that down now as we need a minimum of 15 degrees C. We’ll still work some of the roads, but won’t be laying down any more surfaces. Next year’s list will depend on this outstanding work, budget and weather again… so it goes in the northwest country.
October-November Budget time of the year. The municipal cycle of planning starts in October as we have our organizational meeting yearly mid- October. We review our procedures and look at each councillor’s workload with committees and boards. We also have a hint of the issues facing us as we start into the budget process. This year we are facing a few uncertainties relating to provincial expenses. As of the writing of this article, we await the provincial budget to hear what is in store relating to policing costs, grant funding for municipal infrastructure projects and other surprises that may be downloaded to this level of government and to your other pocket (you wish you had). I know that our council is really concerned that we do not burden you with a big increase. So we’ll be working with our staff and financial planners to come up with some options and strategies. I’ll provide you with an update in my next HCN article regarding a clear picture of our challenges and goals. By then, we should have 20/20 Vision!
Rural Crime review: This topic is receiving some prominence as the AB Justice Minister Rural Crime tour has just concluded and we await the action promised in response to the information gathering and discussions with residents. Let’s not forget about sending in our perspective – you are invited to participate in the Justice Department’s questionnaire. Find it here: hcrcwa.ca/downloads/Talking-Rural-Crime-Questionnaire-2019.pdf Unfortunately, keeping it current, on Thanksgiving Day, the Priddis Water’s Edge Pub was vandalized and broken into. Photos and a security video clip are posted on my Facebook page. Please be on the lookout and report to RCMP (403.933.4262).
CMRB Update: The Calgary Metropolitan Region Board is keeping us busy and requires a lot of our staff time. The Board is now meeting to review developments of regional significance based on the interim Regional Evaluation Framework. We have been a part of a special meeting to discuss the effects of flood on our communities and planning ways to prevent disaster by coordinating at municipal, regional and provincial levels. We are still awaiting flood mapping from the province for many of our local rivers and streams that will be added to the mix. Land Use and Intermunicipal Servicing Committees met to review projects under way or accept studies done which will inform the growth plan in areas such as employment, land supply, agriculture, transit, environmentally sensitive areas, transportation, recreation, policing, and water topics including: existing regional water and wastewater servicing and regional potential, demand management, managed and natural capacity, regulation-approvals-policy and water quality. Also, we participated in our first workshop with the growth planning consultant to work on the major task of formulating a plan which incorporates all these background studies, technical advisory group recommendations and consultation.
Priddis Fall Supper: Join us on Friday, November 8th for a tasty buffet dinner from 5-8 pm. Tickets are available at the Priddis Business Connection, or check out Priddis Community Association’s Facebook page for more info and a link to Eventbrite to pay online.
For Other News & Updates: Please visit my website: suzanneoel.com
www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel
Best Regards,
Councillor Suzanne Oel
