Suzanne Oel – Division 4
Greetings! Sharing my News Update…
Highway 762 Area Fire: Thanks go to Highway 762 community-minded, caring neighbours and the Foothills Fire department for their efforts on Friday October 14, 2022, to extinguish a growing fire. The flames originated on the side of the highway, which then ignited the nearby hillside near the Fish Creek crossing. While the official cause has yet to be investigated and confirmed, this is a real-time, close-to-home example of how quickly a little spark can turn into a major fire. I am sure this situation will serve as a reminder for us all to be vigilant and to call 9-1-1 right away to get the fastest response possible from emergency services. In recognition of how dry conditions have been, a Fire Restriction from Foothills County has remained in effect for some time. Check the County’s website for up-to-date information: www.foothillscountyab.ca
Potable Water Discussions with West Foothills Residents: Foothills County recently received approval from Alberta Environment & Parks to transfer a rare, available Water Licence for use at the Fish Creek Ranch (FCR) Water Treatment Plant location. We are now in the process of setting up a Zoom meeting with West Foothills residents to share the latest information about the water licence and potable water service options stemming from FCR. I have invited our Foothills County Public Works representatives, and we hope to have the attendance of our Provincial MLA and Federal MP. Discussion topics include: potential service areas near FCR, number of hook- ups per property, payment options with or without grant funding, and obtaining input from our MLA and MP regarding provincial/federal grants. Our goal is to host this meeting in November 2022. As of the writing of this article, we are still working to confirm the meeting date. ASAP, I will send out information by email to the local community organizations and West Foothills area residents, and post on the area social media. While I do have a lot of contacts and you may be on my list, I welcome you to send me an email if you want to be sure to receive an invite to the upcoming Zoom meeting. For more information about water licences, please review my October 2022 High Country News article.
Ambulance Update: Residents met at the Priddis Hall on October 17 to discuss concerns with Ambulance Service. In a growing grassroots movement, community members gathered to hear about the issues and share their own experiences. We appreciated hearing from guest, Don Sharpe, and listening to our local citizens. I was also able to share an update and perspective related to our Foothills Regional 9-1-1 Commission’s ongoing efforts to help improve emergency communications, emergency response and patient outcomes. Our 9-1-1 Commission and Foothills County have participated in the Alberta EMS Provincial Advisory Committee (AEPAC) engagement over the last few months.
In a discussion, on October 14, with Highwood MLA Sigurdson, who is a co-chair of AEPAC, I learned that we can expect a release of some important information soon. I hope that, as of the printing of this article, we may already hear this news. AEPAC’s 30 members have heard extensive details from many contributors and are charting a critical path forward with impactful solutions. This includes 58 recommendations, which they will prioritize and implement asap. We look forward to seeing the list and then seeing this in action, as the new Premier has stated she wants to see this solved! So do we. Bottom line for us, amid all the complexity, is that we want to see improved response and availability of Ambulances in our communities. MLA Sigurdson also stated that he will be hosting a meeting in the next few weeks. We will be invited to attend and hear all about these plans first- hand. I will share the meeting details when they become available, and I look forward to seeing you there!
Mailbox Theft: Unfortunately, another incidence of mailbox theft occurred in October 2022 in the Priddis Greens area, which serves as a serious reminder for us to keep watch. In this case, mailbox units were stolen in their entirety. It is so concerning that residents could be subject to identity theft or have important funds or documents stolen. Since mailboxes in all areas are targeted, consider removing your mailbox contents more often. Please keep an observant eye on things and report suspicious activity at our mailboxes.
Volunteers Needed: Hope you are able to take part in the local events in our beautiful county! 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. We need you!
For Other News & Updates:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CouncillorSuzanneOel/
Email: Suzanne.Oel@FoothillsCountyAB.ca
Enjoy the beautiful Fall colours!
Suzanne
