Well Penhold, another year has come and gone.
The year 2018 was one full of new challenges and important decisions for your town council. I am grateful to have such a great group of hard-working and dedicated councillors with me while we work to provide responsible leadership for the town.
This council has been very active in the community and we plan to continue taking that approach into 2019.
Our vision following the election in 2017 is beginning to take shape. In 2018 we established the Penhold Safe Community task force made up of residents and councillors. This committee has already been hard at work putting together and distributing a survey to bring in feedback from all our residents. Anyone looking to get involved with the committee is encouraged to contact the town office.
A recreation survey completed in the summer of 2018 told us that our residents want to see more connected walking trails throughout town. We plan to address this with some new and some improved walking trails.
In 2018 we showcased Penhold to the world when we hosted Team Sweden and Team Finland in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Future NHL players brought an excitement to the town that was great to see and be a part of.
We officially opened the Oxford Landing Water Reservoir, giving us a stable water supply for years to come. We also opened up our new RV park and have seen guests from all over Canada so far.
Perhaps the biggest news of the year in Penhold was the Municipal Government Board granting our annexation application. An additional 834 hectares were added, which sets the course for future growth in Penhold and positions us to be an excellent place for commercial business opportunities. Together with Red Deer County, we hope and expect to see some significant movement in the highways 2 and 42 sector over the next few years.
While residential growth was slower in 2018, we are beginning to see signs of an increase in activity throughout Central Alberta. Reducing the residential tax burden on residents is a priority and this annexation will help get us closer to achieving that.
From your mayor and council, administrative staff, bylaw enforcement department, public works staff, multiplex staff and the fire department, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2019!
Mike Yargeau is the mayor of Penhold.
