Recently, it was announced by the Alberta government that there would be emphasis placed on funding flood protection for properties in rural communities. If the community qualified, that funding would have to be applied for by the local municipal government. If approved, projects would be 90 per cent funded by the Alberta government.
So here in our community of Silver Lagoon, near Gleniffer Lake, which has the Little Red Deer River running through it, we have attempted to initiate the process. We were flooded early this spring due to an ice jam on the river and previously inundated during the flood of 2005.
Red Deer County staff came out and had a good look. Thereafter, our concerns were presented to council, which sent us approval for the project, conditionally subject to getting all appropriate approvals.
However, that decision did not include the county applying to the Alberta government for funding and according to the rules for the funding, cannot be applied by us, the residents.
That is of interest considering some of the projects the Alberta government has approved to fund at this time: $10 million to clear the hiking trails in Kananaskis Country, and $18 million to rebuild the 36-hole golf course in Kananaskis Country. Neither of those projects are for community or home protection.
There have been many instances of financial mismanagement by Alberta government members this year. But with the seeming continuing lack of direction of spending in an area of concern to all members of our society, I would suggest that they need to figure out which projects are needs and those that are just wants.
Bob Robblee
Red Deer County
