DIDSBURY - Local firefighter David Smith has appeared as a delegation before town council and talked about his recent trip to Seattle where he competed in the prestigious Seattle Firefighter Stair Climb.
The climb is the world's largest on-air – using full equipment including breathing apparatus – stair climb competition and is also to raise money and awareness for cancer.
"I want to thank Mayor Hunter and council for inviting me here to share my recent experience representing my community of Didsbury and the volunteer fire department and the personal achievement of myself and our community," said Smith.
"The stair climb challenge is a test of endurance, stamina, strength and heart for nearly 2,000 firefighters all climbing to the top of the Columbia Tower in downtown Seattle. The tower is approximately 788 vertical feet up, 69 storeys, 1,351 steps."
Smith said the firefighters came from 26 different countries throughout the world and they all came with one thing in mind, "to climb, conquer and to cure."
"Several of these firefighters were climbing for a loved one or a friend to honour their memory," he said. "Surrounding the climb were survivors, the true masters of strength. The event itself is held to raise funds for research and support into lymphoma and blood cancers and preserving better lives for those afflicted."
Mayor Rhonda Hunter told the Gazette it was a very emotional presentation by Smith.
"Very emotional in that David’s statement about our departed loved ones pushing us," said Hunter. "I can relate, and to hear a young man with such sentiment and wisdom about personal motivations in his life was inspiring. His commitment had a big impact in that he carried such a memory to drive him to succeed in his 1,351-step (73-storey) climb."
Hunter added that it's great to see young people from the area representing Didsbury so well.
"Didsbury is in a really good place knowing that we have young people like David representing our town, our fire department, but, most importantly, himself, his family, and the people in his life," she said. "David’s representation of himself, the Town of Didsbury, and the town’s fire department is humbling. Congratulations, once again, to David! You should be proud, and you make us proud."
Meanwhile, councillors held their first policies and priorities (P & P) committee meeting during the recent regularly scheduled council meeting.
The policies and priorities meeting is an opportunity for council to discuss policies and procedures in-depth without having to make motions.
Mayor Hunter said the inaugural meeting went well and that it is a very important committee.
"I personally believe this is one of the most important committees that council will lead in getting things done in Didsbury," said Hunter. "The inaugural meeting went very well and will be key in helping council move forward with positive and productive and much-needed initiatives that are in the best interest of Didsbury and its citizens and businesses.
"These items and issues have been brought forward by our community and by our council members. We are aware of the issues in this town, which is why we have implemented our new policies and priorities committee to always be on top of the issues that need to be addressed, corrected, improved, enhanced, heard."
Items on the agenda for the policies and priorities committee meeting included council remuneration, council code of conduct, animal issues and the outlying plan for the Didsbury Memorial Complex.
"If you take a look at the most recent P&P agenda you will see the many items that council has put onto this agenda," she said. "Council has prioritized the first three that will be on the agenda: business relations/use of local contractors/developer meeting; Outlying plan – skateboard park, splash park; community meetings – cannabis, policing priorities. There are many other items on the agenda that you can see on our agenda that is posted on the town website."
The council remuneration policy was brought forward to the regular council meeting the same day but was then tabled by council. The council remuneration policy provides guidelines to reimburse council members for their time commitment and dedicated work.
"We were taking a lot of time with it, and we needed to get through some of the other important issues on our first agenda, mainly the setting of other priorities," she said.
The Didsbury Car Club's request for downtown road closures for their Fuelapalooza/Show 'n Shine car show event on May 11-13 was accepted for information only.
"There were a few details we needed to clean up and the item was tabled," said Hunter. "The request will be brought back for the road closures. Council recognizes the value and importance of this event in Didsbury, so just wanted the housekeeping all in order for the success of the event."
