Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Stop & Smell the Flowers: As a highlight of summer, we experience some wonderful outdoor encounters. I would like to share one of those special moments with you, captured in my photo accompanying this article. While I was enjoying the lovely fragrance and visual burst of peonies in my garden, I noticed a little wonder of nature that I had not seen before. Nestled within the folds of a fuchsia-tipped white peony bloom, a Goldenrod Crab Spider displayed the same fuchsia highlights as are featured on the flower. My spider guest was not in a rush to depart, so I managed to reach the camera to photograph this surprising show of colour and creature.
While this is not a municipal topic, it is a literal reminder to stop and smell the flowers. We live in such a beautiful place on the planet! Amid all the busyness, business and challenges, it is refreshing to slow down for a moment and take the time to observe and appreciate what we have right in our own backyards.
Pathway Opening EVENT: Please mark your calendar to join our North West Foothills Recreation Board on Saturday, September 17, 2022, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. Test out our new pathway, located in the Seaman Sports Park at 192133 Hwy 549 W, just 0.8 km east of the intersection with Hwy 22. Drop in to meet the Board, go for a walk and enjoy a refreshment with us. More details will be provided in my September High Country News article and shared on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NWFoothillsRec
Wildfire Updates: As of the writing of this article on July 15, the Alberta Wildfire dashboard writes that there have been 593 wildfires in 2022, with 31 active wildfires ongoing. In case you want to find out the status of active wildfires and fire bans that have been issued across Alberta, visit: wildfire.alberta.ca/
Air Quality: In recognition of Alberta’s increased frequency of wildfire smoke in the recent years, the Calgary Region Airshed Zone (CRAZ) has recently released the “Community Guide to Wildfire Smoke and Health”. Check it out for information on smoke composition, fire and air info, negative effects of smoke and how to protect yourself during smoke events: https://craz.ca/community-guide-to-wildfire-smoke-and-health/
Burn Permits: are required year-round for all open burning in Foothills County. Our online burn permitting system allows for the Foothills Fire Department to monitor all active burns and to send notifications in case a fire ban is issued. For burn permits & fireworks permits info, visit: www.foothillscountyab.ca/emergency-services/foothills-fire/online-burn-fireworks-permit-application
Highway 762 Update: Speeding and racing continue to plague this popular touring area. In an ongoing effort to coordinate resources in response, we have collaborated with Alberta Transportation and our MLA Rosin to request that tubes be placed in 4 locations along Highway 762, to obtain some baseline results about traffic and speed. The results have come in, confirming a need for continued enforcement action. Thanks go to area residents, who have been helping to relay the incidents, and to our local RCMP who are also stepping up their response. We intend to continue the discussions and actions.
Volunteers Needed: Hope you are able to take part in our local events this summer! Congrats to all Community Associations and their volunteers for making these fun events happen. Please consider joining with the teams in our community to make a difference and to add your valuable perspective and a helping hand.
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
With Best Regards,
Suzanne
