March 2013 Clinton Alexander Clinton Alexander, Councillor Phone: 780-464-8147 Cell: 780-914-4807 Fax: 780-464-8114 Email: [email protected]Twitter: @ClintonAlexand Sherwood Park Ward 5 Heartland Hall 15 38 21 16 830 830 824 N Uncas Ward 7 Ward 6 WARD FIVE Greetings to all of you in Ward 5. As I sit down to write this, I can see the signs of spring in the air. We are almost through the winter and I am looking forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. ere are so many exciting events happening in Strathcona County this summer. I am sure I will see many of you out and about over the next few months so please stop and say hi. e 2013 budget was passed by Council on December 11, 2012. It was my first budget process and it was certainly interesting, for lack of a better word. ere was very little ability for Council to ask our Administration whether the dollars each department requested were truly needed. I felt there was a disregard for the fact that taxpayer money is your money and that we should value those dollars more than we value our own money. e budget process cannot continue in the same manner moving forward. e current system does not provide value for your tax dollars on way too many fronts. e current process seems to take last year’s budget and add a percentage. Often I believe the added percentage is more a question of what will Council pass, as opposed to how many dollars do we need to efficiently provide adequate services to our residents. In the future, we must ask whether or not every dollar we spend provides positive value to residents. e budget process is changing. We have completed a review of the process and have made common sense recommendations that we will implement. Council has created a Finance Committee to involve members of the public and members of Council with the goal of having our residents become more involved in the outcome of the budget process. We are looking towards building budgets based on actual needs as opposed to just adding a percentage from last year. Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for providing better value for your money. I will continue to ask difficult questions and demand answers. We can and will do a better job when it comes to budgeting your tax dollars. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions about your County government please call or email me anytime at 780-914-4807 or [email protected]. FROM YOUR COUNCILLOR My views: Budget Process Changing PLEASE JOIN Councillor Clinton Alexander at a Ward 5 Town Hall Discussion Heartland Hall 55305 Range Road 214 March 18 - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Hall, Ardrossan 3 Main Street March 21 - 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
EGreetings to all of you in Ward 5. As I sit down to write this, I can see the signs of spring in the air. We are almost through the winter and I am looking forward to longer days and warmer temperatures. There are so many exciting events happening in Strathcona County this summer. I am sure I will see many of you out and about over the next few months so please stop and say hi.
The 2013 budget was passed by Council on December 11, 2012. It was my first budget process and it was certainly interesting, for lack of a better word. There was very little ability for Council to ask our Administration whether the dollars each department requested were truly needed. I felt there was a disregard for the fact that taxpayer money is your money and that we should value those dollars more than we value our own money. The budget process cannot continue in the same manner moving forward. The current system does not provide value for your tax dollars on way too many fronts.
The current process seems to take last year’s budget and add a percentage. Often I believe the added percentage is more a question of what will Council pass, as opposed to how many dollars do we need to efficiently provide adequate services
to our residents. In the future, we must ask whether or not every dollar we spend provides positive value to residents.
The budget process is changing. We have completed a review of the process and have made common sense recommendations that we will implement. Council has created a Finance Committee to involve members of the public and members of Council with the goal of having our residents become more involved in the outcome of the budget process. We are looking towards building budgets based on actual needs as opposed to just adding a percentage from last year.
Moving forward, I will continue to advocate for providing better value for your money. I will continue to ask difficult questions and demand answers. We can and will do a better job when it comes to budgeting your tax dollars.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions about your County government please call or email me anytime at 780-914-4807 or [email protected].
FROM YOUR COUNCILLORMy views: Budget Process Changing
PLEASE JOIN
Councillor Clinton Alexanderat a Ward 5 Town Hall Discussion
At your service… in rural Strathcona CountyHeartland Hall
Dinah Canart
Recognizing Residents: Ward 5 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal RecipientsThis year I had the honour of nominating some very deserving Ward 5 residents for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. I feel so fortunate to count among my friends and neighbours Strathcona County citizens who have consistently contributed above and beyond; tireless volunteers who give countless hours to make their community a better place. Medal or no medal, don’t forget to take the time to give all of our local heroes your thanks and express some heartfelt appreciation. Here are some of our local diamonds:
Celeste DusdalCeleste never fails to help the church women with fundraisers, provides meals for less fortunate, is hall manager, head of catering, rental manager, janitor and ultimate volunteer! She is the heart and soul of the Partridge Hill Community Club.
Trudy KadatzTrudy has been involved with the Josephburg Agricultural Society for 29 years, 18 as Treasurer. She served 25 years as coordinator of the famous Chicken Supper. She is also a valued part-time volunteer firefighter and historian preserving the heritage of Josephburg.
Nelson ModinNelson is a long term resident and has raised his family here. His keen sense of volunteering was instilled through his mother. He is a member of the Ardrossan Curling Club, a Trustee of the United Church, a volunteer with the local Parade & Picnic and any other church or community event.
Jerry DubykJerry maintains the flower beds for “Communities in Bloom”. His willingness to help resulted in Chairmanship. The community has since won international and national circle of excellence awards. He is involved in his church and service groups.
Sheila SmythSheila has put in countless volunteer hours planning and promoting SAFFRON, serving as president twice. She has a wonderful CAN DO attitude, a great sense of humour and tremendous community spirit.
Heather-Belle DowlingFirst director and tireless guide for the Municipal Library she created in 1977, establishing a Bookmobile for the rural community. She was the first female president of the local Chamber of Commerce.
SPRING AND SUMMER COMMUNITY EVENTS
“Pitch-In” Clean and Green Community Clean-Up May 4-31 The Pitch-In program in Strathcona
County will provide free litter bags and waste pick-up to schools, church groups, community groups and individuals… anyone who is interested and willing to Pitch-In! In 2012, there were 12,479 participants, 3,664 bags of litter picked and 9,094 volunteer hours put into keeping our County Clean & Green! Thank you to everyone who was involved!
Contact Sheila Flint at 780-464-8496 or [email protected] for more information.
Annual Ardrossan Lobster Dinner and Dance Ardrossan Recreation Complex - May 11 This annual major fundraising event
sponsored by ARAS has exploded with popularity in recent years!
Cocktails at 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Silent Auction and Dance with Live
Band to follow Tickets: $60 for choice of lobster or steak $80 for surf ‘n turf (lobster and steak) Tickets will be available for sale starting
March 1, 2013. Contact Jan Minarchi at 780-901-6145 or [email protected] for tickets!
Rural Living Days
Ardrossan - May 25
Country Classic Weekend Josephburg - May 25-27
Ardrossan Community Parade and Picnic Ardrossan Community - June 15
Rural Play Day Ardrossan - July 31
Vintage Tractor Pull Bremner House - Aug 24 & 25
Tour of Alberta Bike Race Strathcona County - Sept 4
Heartland Hall Contact Office 55305 Range Road 214 (in Fire Station #4)
Office hours: Monday to Thursday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
As “satellite” service of County Hall, the
rural liaison team is dedicated to serving
residents in rural Strathcona with:
•informationonCountyprogramsfor
ruralresidents
•assistancewithresidentinquiriesand
issues
•firepermits,doglicences,Countybill
paymentaccepted(bycheque)
•CommissionerforOathsservices-
freeofcharge
•computer/Internetaccess…
andmore
M a r c h 2 0 1 3 3
New Skill Maintenance Outdoor Training Centre to be built at Heartland HallAs part of Strathcona County Emergency Services’ vision to be the safest community in Canada, a new Skills Maintenance Outdoor Training Centre is planned for construction at Fire Station #4 (Heartland Hall). The Outdoor training centre will provide emergency responders with a dedicated training area where life-saving skills can be practiced. Training will focus on skills required for confined space, high angle water/ice and vehicle rescue, as well as industrial and aircraft fire fighting.
On February 12, neighbours had an opportunity to talk with Emergency Services to learn more about the new outdoor training centre. Staff explained the proposed training props for the site, such as;
• vesselsandstructuresforconfinedspaceand high angle rescue training
• burntower,wherecontrolledfireswillsimulate conditions typically witnessed in residential fires
• commercialandresidentialbuildingcollapse props
• avarietyofindustrialsimulatorsincludingpropane vessel and pipeline spill fires
simulator to be used periodically• apondforwater/icerescuetrainingand
for practicing the pumping of water from water sources
Following permit approval, construction is expected to occur throughout 2013.
Further information www.strathcona.ca/sces 780-467-5216
concept drawing
Emergency notification in Strathcona CountyIn the event of a disaster, Strathcona County residents will be notified through the Alberta Emergency Alert system. This will be the first place information will be posted.
Alberta Emergency Alert can issue warnings to Facebook, Twitter and RSS feed subscribers. All residents are encouraged to subscribe for alerts. Sign up today at www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca
Residents can also call the Strathcona County switchboard (780-464-8111), open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. After hours, phone 2-1-1. When warranted, information will also be posted to the Strathcona County Facebook (www.facebook.com/strathcona.county ) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/strathcocounty) pages.
Other sources for emergency notificationPhone the industry’s UPDATEline for information on current industrial site activities in the region that you may be curious about, such as unusual loud noises or alarms; prolonged flares; smoke or fire; traffic levels coming to and from a plant; or smells that are prolonged. Industry is responsible for posting information about training or drills that may affect surrounding neighbourhoods.
Did you know you can also subscribe for RSS feeds from Environment Canada to receive weather warnings? Visit www.weatheroffice.gc.ca and once you’ve selected the Edmonton region, sign up under “Warning RSS” at the bottom of the webpage.
Strathcona County is currently researching ways to expand the public notification system.
Moyer Recreation Centre interior renovation funding announcedOn February 22, Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville—Wainwright, on behalf of Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced support for the Moyer Recreation Centre under the Harper Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).
“My wife Linda grew up near Josephburg and over the years I have enjoyed getting to know the people and the community,” said MP Benoit. “I am pleased to see Josephburg benefit from our Government’s investment in community infrastructure as this investment will help create jobs, growth and will support the prosperity of the community for years to come.”
The Harper Government’s investment of $132,150 will support interior
renovations to the Moyer Recreation Centre. Improvements to the banquet hall/gymnasium, commercial kitchen and arena will increase the facility’s functionality and life span. The renovations will help ensure that residents of Josephburg and surrounding communities may enjoy the benefits and services of this Recreation Centre for years to come.
“We are appreciative of the federal government’s involvement in bringing the Josephburg Community’s Recreation Master Plan to life,” said Strathcona County Mayor Linda Osinchuk. “The modernization of the Moyer Recreation Centre is a wonderful investment into the future of Josephburg and its people.”
For more information, call 780-464-8117 or visit www.strathcona.ca
4 WA R D F I V E
Ward 5 Community AssociationsArdrossan Recreation and Agriculture Society www.ardrossanrecagsociety.ca
A complete listing of community halls and recreation centres can be found on the Strathcona County website at www.strathcona.ca. Under the Departments tab, find Recreation, Parks and Culture, click on Recreation Centres, and then Community halls and senior centres.
If you prefer, you can type the following address into your browser: www.strathcona.ca/departments/Recreation_Parks_and_Culture/Recreation_Centres/community-halls-and-senior-cen.aspx
Josephburg Area 5 Seniors Betty at 780-992-1464.
Ardrossan 55 Plus ClubWeekly events•Exerciseclasses• Scrabble,Whist,Crib,Billiards•ArdrossanPaintersGroup•FloorCurling Bruce or Leila at 780-922-2258
Josephburg Agricultural Society www.josephburg-ag.ca
Good Hope Community LeagueAnnualEvents•PieSocialandAuction•HalloweenKidsParty•PerogySupper•CommunityPotLuckSuppers•TurkeyDinner•PigRoast•CommunityGarageSale. 780-998-4661
Brookville Community LeagueAnnual events•Pyrogysupper•CommunityGarageSale•CanadaDayPancakeBreakfast Your membership supports our
community and is only $10 per household.
Jeannette at 780-998-1975
Partridge Hill Community Club The Partridge Community Club plans
and offers a number of Special events that include a Christmas Craft Fair and Family Day turkey supper and fun bingo.
Celeste at 780-998-2789
Open House
ClubrootA declared pest under the Agricultural Pest Act
P
Clubroot — ripens canola prematurely Clubroot — severe galls on roots Clubroot — impacts cole crops
Highlights• new research initiatives
• Strathcona County’s new procedures for clubroot inspection and enforcement
• future of the canola industry in our area
Presentations will be made by specialists from University of Alberta, Strathcona County and major canola seed companies.
Saturday, March 23, 2013 12 noon - 3 p.m. (lunch provided by DuPont Pioneer)
Brookville Community Hall 53203 Range Road 212
To register or for more information,contact Brenda Nachtegaele before Wednesday, March 20.
780-417-7135 www.strathcona.ca/tas
photo credit – Stephen Stelkov
On the move!Final ITMP approved by Council
Over the past two years Strathcona County has been working with residents to develop an Integrated Transportation Master Plan (ITMP). This plan will guide policy development and decision making about the County’s transportation network for 30+ years. The final plan was approved by Council on November 20, 2012.The final plan considers various types of transportation modes – private and commercial vehicles, public transit, cycling and walking. Resident input for the document was gathered via questionnaires, public events, and stakeholder forums.Copies of the plan are now available on the County’s website at www.strathcona.ca/ITMP. For further information, or to obtain a paper copy, please contact the Capital Planning and Construction Department at 780-464-8277.
