Red Deer County budget OK'd
Red Deer County passed its 2013 budget after no public comments were received. The capital budget dropped from $42,320,858 in 2012 to $26,372,897, while the operating budget rose to $39,034,483 from $37,688,156 in 2012. “This budget is about protecting our infrastructure,” said Heather Gray, director of corporate services. “It's about keeping up the condition of our roads.”
Forest company planned upgrades
Sundre Forest Products (SFP), the largest forest company operation in West Central Alberta, said it would focus on wrapping up equipment upgrades, continuing operations and replacing older stock in 2013. The company was also continuing to work on its forest management plan, which includes the ongoing fight against the potentially devastating mountain pine beetle. “We have increased our cut, working with the province, to try to combat the mountain pine beetle,” said Alex Taylor, general manager of SFP.
Winter gravelling a first
Mountain View County undertook a winter gravelling program on 12 kilometres of roads near Highway 27, a first for the municipality.
“Gravel trucks hauling during the winter months over frozen roads, further protects the roads from damage and eliminates the problems caused by dust during the hauling,” said Dave McPhee, manager of infrastructure maintenance.
Poachers don't get message
Despite increased prosecution, poachers in West Central Alberta still weren't getting the message to change their ways, said longtime Crown prosecutor Dave Burrows. More than $30,000 in fines was handed out in Didsbury provincial court in the first two months of 2013 to poachers convicted of Wildlife Act violations. The convictions ranged from illegal shooting of deer, moose and elk to illegal possession of wildlife and spoilage of meat.
Fracking resolution approved
Rural municipal councillors from across the province, including from Mountain View County (MVC) and Red Deer County, passed a resolution calling for much tighter monitoring and oversight of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations, which is the use of water and other chemicals to break up rock formations, allowing for easier extraction of oil and gas.
Board supports youth in agriculture
The Mountain View County Agricultural Service Board came out in support of the Agricultural Youth Engagement Foundation's efforts to encourage young people to pursue careers in agriculture. Founded in Eagle Hill, the foundation was established in 2012 to “engage and support youth age 14 – 21 in the agriculture industry by providing opportunities for learning, involvement and mentorship.”
Aggregate committee formed
In April Mountain View County council approved the terms of reference for a new multi-stakeholder aggregate extraction and processing committee.
The committee was formed to “create a consistent and orderly method in processing each application” for gravel pits and “to create a more streamlined process when handling files from pre-application consultation and initial submission of the application to meeting conditions approved on the development permit.”
Gravel pit plan rejected
The Mountain View County municipal planning commission (MPC) rejected a development permit application by West Can Seal Coating Inc. for a proposed gravel pit southwest of Sundre. On May 2 committee members voted unanimously to reject the application for the 150-acre operation, located about one kilometre south of Highway 584.
Burrell remembered
Residents from across Mountain View County mourned the passing of Linda Burrell, a former county councillor and chair of the municipal planning commission. She passed away at age 57 in the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre on May 16, after many years of battling cancer, which in the end she couldn't overcome. A memorial service for Burrell was held at the Sundre rodeo grounds.
Flooding leads to campground, bridge damage
High water on the Red Deer River and its tributaries damaged bridges, roads and other infrastructure from west of Sundre to Red Deer County. Although there were no reports of injuries, widespread damage was caused in area campgrounds and to the Garrington Bridge north of Sundre. Local states of emergency were declared in several municipalities, including Mountain View County and the Town of Sundre.
Bridge opens on Little Red Deer River
The new $2.8-million Big Prairie Bridge over the Little Red Deer River northwest of Cremona finally opened, ending months of frustration for drivers in the area. The bridge was constructed to replace the former bridge at the site, which was destroyed by a still unsolved arson fire in November 2009. The new bridge was originally scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2012, but was slowed due to construction delays.
County sued by developer
Mountain View County was sued for $32,315,000 over the Netook Crossing Project business and residential development east of Olds. On July 28 a statement of claim was filed with the Court of Queen's Bench on behalf of Neuroese Properties against the municipality, as well as against two sitting councillors. The county and the councillors later filed statements of defence. The case remains before the court.
Fireworks part of new bylaw
In September Mountain View County passed a new fire bylaw, which includes a requirement for anyone selling or using fireworks anywhere in the municipality to first obtain a permit. Bylaw No. 11/13 also sets out rules and regulations for fireplaces, burning barrels, barbecues, burnable debris, fire bans and other things.
Water Valley-Winchell Lake, Sundre plans approved
Almost four years after work first began, Mountain View County council adopted a new area structure plan (ASP) for the Water Valley-Winchell Lake area and for an area southeast of Sundre. The Water Valley plan covers 47 sections of land while the Southeast Sundre plan covers eight sections of land immediately southeast of the Town of Sundre. The plans set out conditions for future development in the areas.
Elections held for municipalities and boards
Provincial municipal elections were held for area municipalities and school boards. In Mountain View County incumbents Bruce Beattie, Patricia McKean, Al Kemmere and Duncan Milne were re-elected along with newcomers Angela Aalbers, Ken Heck and Jeremey Sayer. Red Deer County elected Connie Huelsman, Don Church, Jean Marie Bota, Christine Moore, Richard Lorenz, Phillip Massier and mayor Jim Wood. Chinook's Edge School Division trustees elected were Connie Huelsman, Jackie Swainson, Holly Bilton, Ron Fisher, Trudy James, Gord Kerr, Sheldon Ball, Sherry Cooper and Colleen Butler.
Woman convicted of manslaughter
Three years after a 68-year-old man was shot and killed on a rural property in the Fallen Timber area south of Sundre, his 63-year-old wife was convicted in the death. An eight-woman, four-man Calgary Court of Queen's Bench jury found Heather Wilson Duncan guilty of manslaughter in the Dec. 2010 shooting death of Barry Duncan. She was sentenced for four years in prison.
Crime watch a must in county
The Olds and District Rural Crimewatch Association was encouraging rural residents to remain vigilant as some areas in Mountain View County were seeing thefts of gasoline and dumping of garbage onto rural properties. Judy Schlichenmayer, a member of the association, said during hunting season thieves may check out properties for nefarious purposes. “(People) need to continually stay vigilant,” she said.
Heavy snow hits region
A massive winter storm starting Dec. 2 caused no end of trouble for drivers and homeowners across West Central Alberta. The snow forced the cancellation of school buses for three straight days, lead to numerous multi-vehicle crashes, and left many rural homeowners snowed in, sometimes for days.
- Dan Singleton, editor MVG
