IN THE NEWS (Special Election Info)

By Marianne Cole

WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES???

• Ward 1:  Gennifer Mehlhaff, Breanne Powell
• Ward 2:  Cammie Laird, Hazen Letwin
• Ward 3:  Leona Bertagnolli, Daryl Lougheed, Andrew (Drew) McKay
• Ward 4:  Jordan Northcott, Deborah Skeels, John Vandermeer
• Ward 5:  James Cuthill, Jamie Gallagher, Tyler McCauley, Neil Ratcliffe
• Ward 6:  Brenda Barker, Russell Barnett, Bryan Cermak, William Davies, Ashley Perepelkin
• Ward 7:  Lorne Humphrey, Michelle Swanson

Information on each of the candidates may be found on the Clearwater County website by searching  “2025 Municipal Election”.

WHAT WARD MIGHT YOU BE IN???   

This is a brief summary of where the wards are:

• Ward 1  is south west of Rocky Mtn. House, taking in the Hardindell, Everdell, and Cow Lake areas.
• Ward 2 is generally in the Leslieville area, south of Highway 12 and includes the Bingley and Condor areas.
• Ward 3 is south of Ward 2 and includes the Arbutus and Evergreen areas east of Hwy. 22.
• Ward 4 is in the Dovercourt area and west of Hwy. 22.
• Ward 5 is around Rocky Mtn. House and then west through Farrier and out to Nordegg.
• Ward 6 is south west and west of Caroline and in the Crammond area.
• Ward 7 is north of Hwy. 12 in the Frisco and Gimlet areas.

CANDIDATES’ FORUMS   

Three different Candidates’ Forums will be held, giving you a chance to hear what each candidate’s position is on county matters and how they intend to work on your behalf.

• October 1, 2025, 7:00PM, Caroline HUB, hosted by the Caroline Chamber of Commerce
• October 2, 2025, 7:00PM, Rocky Mountain House Legion, hosted by the Rocky Chamber of Commerce
• October 8, 2025, 7:00PM, Leslieville Community Hall, hosted by the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association

We certainly encourage you to attend these events.

VOTING TIMES AND LOCATIONS   

Advanced voting will take place Monday, October 6, 2025 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM at the Caroline Hub and the Rocky Regional Recreation Centre. 

Regular election day voting will take place Monday, October 20, 2025 from 10:00AM to 8:00PM.  The various voting locations are as follows:

Ward 1:  Arbutus Hall,  Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Dovercourt Hall, Everdell Hall, or Hardindell    Hall

Ward 2:  Bingley Hall, Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Condor Hall, or Leslieville Elks’ Hall

Ward 3:  Arbutus Hall,  Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Condor Hall, Evergreen Hall, or Leslieville Elks’   Hall

Ward 4:  Caroline HUB, Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Dovercourt Hall, or Everdell Hall

Ward 5:  Bingley Hall, Buster Creek Hall/Crimson Lake Hall, Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Frisco    Hall,  Nordegg Public Services Building

Ward 6:  Caroline Hub, Rocky Regional Recreation Centre, Crammond Hall, Evergreen Hall, James River     Hall

Ward 7:  Bingley Hall, Rocky Regional Recreation Centre,  Frisco Hall, Gimlet Hall, Leslieville Elks’ Hall

We certainly encourage everyone to get out and vote.  This election will determine how our county operates for the next 4 years.  May your voice be heard as the in-coming council considers your input in the most beneficial way.

UP-COMING EVENTS: 

October 8, 2025, 7:00PM, Leslieville Community Hall, Candidates’ Forum

November 12, 2025, 7:30PM, Leslieville Elks’ Hall, CCTA Annual General Meeting

“As we express our gratitude we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter word but to live by them.”  John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie

“Each day is a gift from God.  What you do with it is your gift to Him.”  T.D. Jakes

In The News

By Marianne Cole

Expensive Land Purchase

Clearwater County recently purchased 138 acres of land east of Leslieville for $1.76M through an on-line auction conducted by CLHbid.com.  Rationale given for the need for this property was to expand the Leslieville Sewage lagoon.  Concerns have since been raised as to not only the significantly high price paid but also the need for 138 acres for a lagoon.  The response suggested that the portion of the property not used for the lagoon could be developed and sold for “lots”.

Land Use Bylaw Update

Following the July 24^th Public Hearing in Caroline, two joint meetings were held with PAC (Public Advisory Committee) and Council on August 15^th and August 22^nd.  A chart summarizing comments expressed at the Public Hearing was reviewed and some changes to the LUB were subsequently made.  Most notably suggested changes included:

• Allowing year round camping on major campgrounds, and from April 1^st to November 30^th on minor campgrounds.
• Increasing the time limit to 60 days for continuous occupation of RV’s on private property without a development permit.
• Removal of the “imprisonment” clause related to enforcement.
• Allowing direct market sales without a development permit provided that they are a personal endeavor and not related to a business or commercial use.
• Increasing the number of development options exempt from requiring permits in the various land use districts.

While there have been some positive changes, it is still a lengthy document of 200 plus pages with numerous guidelines for development permit applications and signs.  Revised copies of the LUB will hopefully be available shortly.

Even though there was significant support at the Public Hearing for delaying approval until after the fall election, the majority of participants at the PAC/Council meeting on August 25^th supported putting final consideration of the document on the agenda for Council’s up-coming September 9, 2025 meeting.  At that meeting Council will have the option to pass, amend, delay, or refuse acceptance of the Land Use Bylaw. 

 While the public will not have opportunity for input at that meeting it may be interesting to attend and hear the discussion as well as witness the vote on a document that determines land use rules in our county.

Special Guest Speaker Coming

Mr. Brian Hudson, IT Manager for Blue Mountain Power, will be addressing concerns about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as well as operational concerns with data centers at the next CCTA meeting on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 7:30PM at the Leslieville Elks’ Hall.  We encourage everyone to come to this informative evening and learn more about how AI could impact your life.

Up-Coming Candidates’ Forum

The CCTA will be hosting a Candidates’ Forum on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 7:00PM at the Leslieville Community Hall.  All Clearwater County candidates running in the up-coming municipal election in October will be invited to participate, present their platform, and answer questions or concerns from the general public.  We encourage everyone to attend as we hope it will be a great opportunity for you to hear from your future councillors.

• Another fall;  another turned page.  Wallace Stegner
• Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.  Unknown
• Days decrease, and autumn grows, autumn in everything.  Robert Browning.

 

Letter to Council

Marianne Cole, President Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association RR #1 Rocky Mtn. House, AB T4T 2A1 mcmajic@telus.net

Clearwater County Council Box 550 Rocky Mtn. House, AB T4T 1A4 mswanson@clearwatercounty.ca bcermak@clearwatercounty.ca gmehlhaff@clearwatercounty.ca dlougheed@clearwatercounty.ca jnorthcott@clearwatercounty.ca nratcliffe@clearwatercounty.ca bgibson@clearwatercounty.ca

June 16, 2025

Dear Reeve Swanson, Deputy Reeve Cermak, and County Councillors:

At the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association meeting on June 11, 2025 a motion was passed that we write a letter to Council with an urgent request to postpone passing the Land Use Bylaw draft until after the up-coming Municipal Election. Rationale for this request are as follows:

1. In the What We Heard Report, Page 8, response to the question, “What is your level of support for the proposed LUB, 48% did not support (38% strongly do not support; 10% do not support), only 31% supported it (12% strongly support; 19% support), and 21% were neutral (15% neutral, 6% unsure). According to those figures over 3 times (38%) were strongly non-supportive while only 12% were strongly supportive. Clearly the general public does NOT approve of this current draft document.

2. In the WWHR Comment Summary significant concerns were mentioned about the regulations, the restrictions, complaint based enforcement, short term rentals, permitting related to land use, seacans, and signage. While there have been some revisions made, there is a significant amount of work left to address these issues.

3. Repeatedly we have heard public concerns that the document is overly restrictive and not user friendly. This was also noted at our PAC/Council meeting on Monday, June 9th with these comments: “We need to simplify the document”, and “We don’t want rules we don’t support.”

In this regard, I draw your attention to the attachments from Ponoka County’s Land Use Bylaw. Clearly, it is much easier to read and less restrictive. First of all the developments not requiring a development permit are visibly listed and then described. Further, the requirements for an application for a development permit are significantly less and easier to read. Another example of the more user friendly Ponoka document is the section on signs which is also attached.

4. In support of postponement, we remind you of the responses to the CCTA survey handed out at the LUB information meetings we organized in Leslieville on March 12th and Caroline on March 18th. Those

responses indicated 88% of respondents (46 out of 52) wanted final approval postponed until after the election. (Note: A summary of all responses from both meetings were sent to Council later in March.)

Support for the delay noted that this document would be dealt with by the newly elected Council so it is only reasonable to have them become familiar with it and subsequently approve the final draft.

5. Finally, the proposed timing of the Public Hearing is most inconsiderate. Farmers are very busy in their hayfields in July and August so the possibility of/opportunity for their participation is certainly reduced. Furthermore, many people are away on holidays at that time.

While a response to the suggestion at the June 9th meeting of holding the hearing the first week in September suggested it was too close to the election, it is worthy to note that early in September would be a month and a half away from the election. Furthermore, with children back in school people are likely home from holidays and farming activities may be somewhat reduced between haying and harvesting.

6. Another disturbing comment that has been reiterated during the LUB review is that it is a “living document” and can be amended at any time. While this opportunity exists, it would be significantly onerous to amend the numerous, troublesome clauses and general format of the document. As an old adage goes, “Better to get it right the first time.”

In conclusion, we sincerely ask that you consider the voice of the people that has clearly indicated:

Ø Lack of support for this current draft

Ø A need to simplify the draft and make it more user friendly

Ø A review of the timing for the Public Hearing, if the process continues

Ø Ultimately a delay in passing the document until after the election

Throughout the review process you asked for, and received, public opinion. You organized, and paid for, public engagement meetings to gather information from your constituents. We now trust that those efforts and costs will be validated as you make a decision reflective of what you have heard.

Yours truly,

Marianne Cole

CC: Rick Emmons, Tracy Lynn Haight

IN THE NEWS

By Marianne Cole

We are still here!!! We apologize for this later than usual sending of The Beacon but we were waiting until after the June 9^th PAC/Council meeting so we could report the latest news on the Land Use Bylaw review.  Here it is!!

LAND USE BYLAW REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

“What We Heard Report”  

This report is a brief summary of information gathered from the various open houses held in Nordegg, Caroline, Condor, Frisco, and virtually from May 4th to May 8^th.  A total of 209 people attended the meetings.  A copy of the report is available from Planning at the County office.  Noted highlights are:

• 48% of the respondents DID NOT SUPPORT the draft LUB; 31% supported it; 21% were neutral.
• The most common comments said there were generally too many regulations, concerns were expressed over enforcement (especially with the complaint based format), and there were unfavorable controls being put forward on signs, seacans and RV’s. 

June 9^th PAC/Council Meeting   

There were distinct concerns with the excessive definitions and restrictive rules/guidelines for development permits.  Specific areas of concern focussed on:

• RV Usage.  This focussed on the number allowed on a property and the length of their continuous use.  Public feedback from the What We Heard Report showed that most people felt 6+ RV’s could be allowed on one’s property and 89% wanted longer than 2 week time limits on continuous use. Discussion at the meeting noted the value of year round usage due to current housing concerns.
• Seacans. In the draft, seacans are only permitted in agricultural, industrial, and public airport districts.  They are discretionary in country residential, country residential agricultural, leisure residence, manufactured home parks, hamlet commercial/mixed use, highway development, community amenities, recreation facilities, and some direct control districts.  They ARE NOT ALLOWED in hamlets, Nordegg Urban Residential, Nordegg Commercial Core, David Thompson Development Nodes, Crown Land, or on Compassionate Care/Health Services lands.  Comments made at the meeting suggested that they be allowed in ALL districts as they are much safer as ancillary buildings used for storage.
• Short Term Rentals.  This is a concern focussed mostly in Nordegg.  A very positive idea was put forward suggesting that a development permit for this be only granted initially for only one year.  Re-application and subsequent approval would be granted dependant on comments received about the facility’s past operation.
• Questionable Development Permit Requirements.  There are still many questions/concerns over the numerous items of information needed for development permits.  These ranged from concerns over landscaping requirements to financial information to design/character of proposed buildings.

Next Steps  

During discussion on a timeline for the process from here, some comments were made to delay things until after the election and it was specifically noted that a public hearing should not be held in July or August as people are on holidays and farmers are busy in the hay fields.  Unfortunately the following tentative dates received majority support:

• June 24, 2025:  Regular Council Meeting.  The latest draft will be presented for First Reading.   At that time Council has the opportunity to pass approval of the document, request some amendments and delay approval, or defeat approval.
• July 24, 2025:  Public Hearing.  Possibly at the Caroline HUB.  The public will have the opportunity to provide opinion/input on this document.
• 2^nd and 3^rd Reading to Follow

We certainly encourage you to attend both meetings and/or send your comments to Council.  While you may not be allowed to speak at the Council meeting, it would be beneficial for you to hear the discussion and comments from Council.  That may help you prepare for the Public Hearing that we certainly hope a large number will be able to attend.

Special Comments from the PAC/Council Meeting 

There were two very notable comments made at the meeting: “ We don’t want rules we don’t support” and  “We need to simplify the document”.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BYLAW 

  At Tuesday’s June 9^th Council meeting there was significant discussion on a Renewable Energy Bylaw.  (Note:  There is a similar section in the proposed Land Use Bylaw as well.)  It is noteworthy to mention that in this document solar installations (which would be more common than wind turbines in Clearwater County) are restricted from development on Class 3 lands which form the majority of our area.  During the discussion concerns focussed on:

• Size of installations needing permits (basically personal use vs. commercial)
• Questionable restrictions on small/personal installations
• Setbacks for large operations for both wind and solar
• Decommissioning rules and requirements for bonds/securities
• Concern with the control held by the AUC (Alberta Utilities Commission).

In the end the bylaw was passed.

UP-COMING MEETINGS:

 

June 24, 2025, 9:00AM, Council Meeting, County Office;    

July 24, 2025, 7:00PM ((Tentative)  Public Hearing, Caroline Hub;     

September 10, 2025, 7:30PM, Regular CCTA Meeting, Leslieville Elks’ Hall;   

October 8, 2025, 7:00PM Municipal Elections Candidates’ Forum, Leslieville Community Hall.

WE WISH YOU ALL A GREAT SUMMER!!!

 

Surface Rights Group Poster

Warburg Pembina Surface Rights Group

SPECIAL PRESENTATION ADMISSION IS FREE TO EVERYONE

Tuesday Evening, June 10, 2025. 7:00 PM

At the Pioneer Agriculture Center (Warburg Community Hall) 5335-50A Ave, Warburg, AB

Agenda:

6:30 PM 6:45 PM 7:00 PM

TOPICS:

Special Presentation by

Kara Westerlund

President of RMA Rural Municipalities of Alberta

Registration (come early, seating is limited)

Overview & Introduction

PRESENTATION AND GROUP DISCUSSION – POWERPOINT PRESENTATION BY KARA WESTERLUND

• RMA report
• About $300 million dollars of unpaid taxes owed to the 69 Rural Municipalities of Alberta from oil & gas companies.
• Some companies are bankrupt and some are operating but not paying taxes
• Municipalities can take action to recover unpaid taxes from you but the oil and gas industry is subject to legislative loopholes that municipalities cannot take action on linear property
• 41% of unpaid taxes are owed by companies that continue to operate and choose not to pay taxes owed.
• Government could take actions to compel these companies to pay taxes but has chosen not to do so.
• Counties may have to raise your taxes so they can operate
• 80000 inactive wells in Alberta need reclamation.

WILL YOU BE REQUIRED TO PAY FOR RECLAMATION??

Coffee Break
Meeting continues with questions and answers, session

8:15 PM 8:30 PM

Another company operating northwest of Warburg is not
paying annual rent to landowners. What can you do about that??

Everyone is welcome, plan to attend and bring a friend

For information call Karl Zajes, President, (780) 848-2508, Alvin Platz, Vice President, (780) 542-3984

IN THE NEWS

By Marianne Cole

Broadband 

Four open house public engagement meetings were recently held in Nordegg, Rocky Mtn. House, Leslieville, and Dovercourt to give residents information about the county’s “Fibre to the Home” (FTH) project to improve internet connectivity in our area. Some information highlights include:

· The county is offering a current reduced incentive hook-up charge of $399.00. Later, the hook-up charge will be $1500.00.

· The hook-up charge includes the cost of installation of the fibre optic cable from the “hook up box” at the roadway to your residence, provided the distance involved is less than 100m. For distances greater that 100m you would have to pay $14.00/m.

· The subsequent monthly charge would be dependent on the Internet Service Provider (ISP) you choose and their options. Currently there are 5 ISP’s that have expressed interest in working with the county to provide the “final step” hook-up.

· It has been suggested that 60% of the residences (or about 2000), plus numerous industrial sites, would need to hook up to make the project profitable.

· The overall budget for this project is just over $100M with $60+M coming from grants and $40+M funded by county coffers.

We certainly hope that progress can be made in the most financially beneficial way to provide a valuable service to county residents.

LUB Review Workshop 

An informative, successful workshop, organized by the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association was held on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at the Leslieville Community Hall. Special thanks to Councillor Neil Ratcliffe for his great technical assistance with the visual presentation, the Leslieville Hall caterers for the delicious beef on a bun lunch, and to all the attendees who were so engaged with their comments and concerns.

The focus of attention was Draft #4 of the Land Use Bylaw that is currently being reviewed. This document dictates the use of your property and any development that may occur within the county on 199 pages of guidelines. Similar documents in other counties have significantly less pages of guidelines.

Throughout the presentation attendees were welcome to ask questions and raise their concerns. Numerous comments were expressed on various specific clauses during the review. The most common general comments focussed on:

· What is the need for some of the restrictions?

· Who has suggested some of these rules?

· Why is the freedom to use our own property being reduced?

· Will the voice of the people actually be heard/have an impact when the final decisions are made?

Ultimately we urge you all to attend one of the following Public Engagement Open Houses being organized by the County. It is an important opportunity for you to not only gather helpful information but also to express your opinion.

Sunday, May 4, 2025, 1:00PM or 3:30PM, Nordegg Community Hall

Monday, May 5, 2025, 3:00PM or 6:00PM, Caroline Community Hub

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 3:00PM or 6:00PM, Condor Community Hall 

Thursday, May 8, 2025, 3:00PM or 6:00PM; Frisco Community Hall

Thursday, May 8, 2025, 12:00noon , Virtually; pre-register at www.clearwatercounty.ca/LUB

After these meetings the following steps will be taken:

· The Planning Department will prepare a “What We’ve Heard” Report and present it to Council.

· A final draft of the Land Use Bylaw will be prepared and presented to Council.

· First reading will take place and Council will have the choice to pass 1st reading, defeat it, or delay it.

· If passed, a Public Hearing will be organized. At least two weeks’ notice must be given for this with advertising usually taking place in local papers.

· The Public Hearing may potentially take place in July.

· Following that, Council will consider 2nd and 3rd reading where they will have the opportunity to pass, defeat, or revise the document.

Numerous comments have been heard suggesting that this process be delayed until after the election in October as it will ultimately be the new council dealing with the document.

Whatever the final result will be MAY THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE BE HEARD AND VALUED.

Coming Events: 

Noted Public Engagement Meetings above; 

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 7:30PM, regular monthly CCTA meeting, Leslieville Elks Hall

Thought for the day: Always look on the bright side.

IN THE NEWS

By Marianne Cole

LAND USE BYLAW REVIEW 

While there has not been PAC/Council meeting on this matter since January 24, 2025, the document and related issues were discussed at Council’s February 25th meeting as well as at two meetings organized by the Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association. The CCTA meetings were held in Leslieville on March 12th with 77 people in attendance, and in Caroline on March 18th with 109 attendees. At those meetings a survey was available and a total of 52 were completed/submitted.

Highlights of comments/concerns expressed both during the meetings and on completed surveys were:

· Lack of information The current draft has not been made available to the public and information meetings have not been held since the fall of 2023. Until the recent CCTA meetings, people were largely unaware of what was being proposed in the document that controls the use/development on their property.

· Lack of public input No only because the draft proposal has not been made available, but also because of lack of opportunity, the public has not had a reasonable chance to express their opinion on what should or should not be put into the document. Leaving public engagement until AFTER the draft has been completed, and reviewed by legal counsel, is like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped.

· Too many restrictions This document has 204 pages of guidelines and regulations. Not only are people concerned about the loss of freedom to use their own property as they wish, but the required guidelines, permits, and inspections make development costly or maybe even prohibitive.

· Troubling Public Engagement and final approval timeline Potentially, public engagement meetings may be held in May. At these meetings information will be presented on the document and people will have opportunity for feedback. Unfortunately that is busy spring work time for farmers. Then, the public hearing prior to 2nd and 3rd reading may be held in July. Again, this is an inconvenient time as people may be on holidays or busy haying. Of the 52 survey responses received, 5 (9%) said the timeline was OK while 43 (83%) said it was inappropriate. 4 responses did not reply to that question.

· Will the voice of the people actually be heard??? People are concerned that while there may be opportunity for input, will their opinions/voices actually have an impact on what is written in the final document??

· Delay decision until after the fall election Significant support was expressed for delaying any decision until after the fall election. In response to the survey question asking when final approval should occur 3 (6%) were in favor of July while 46 (88%) suggested waiting until after the election. 3 responses did not indicate a choice.

*** A note of interest: At the March 25th Council meeting Councillor Northcott made a motion to delay First Reading of the LUB until after the election. Unfortunately the motion was defeated with only Councillors Northcott and Mehlhaff voting in favor.

RENEWABLE ENERGY BYLAW 

Significant discussion took place at the Tuesday, March 25th Council meeting on a new Renewable Energy Bylaw. While there is a section on this matter in the proposed Land Use Bylaw, legal counsel has suggested the current bylaw be amended. This is partially due to the recent amalgamation with Caroline and the proposed solar project on the north side of the hamlet. It is interesting to note that during the discussion Councillor Mehlhaff brought up a concern about solar installations being restricted on Class 1 & 2 farmland but there is no mention of Class 3. This is a real concern as a larger portion of Clearwater County is Class 3 rated. In the end a motion made by Councillor Ratcliffe for 1st reading passed which would then allow the process to go to a public hearing. Please watch for news about when that hearing will take place and we encourage you to attend. It is interesting to note in recent research that solar projects in Canada are only 15% to 20% efficient. What farmer would remain successful if he only got 20 live calves out of 100 cows every year OR got only ½ a bale per acre instead of the normal of at least 2???

OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION AT COUNCIL MEETING

Christine Foesier of Caroline made an excellent presentation noting a lot of common concerns with the proposed Land Use Bylaw revision. In her presentation she raised concerns about the increase in control/restrictions, loss of freedom, discretionary wording, and ultimately that the voice of the people is being ignored in the “democratic” process. 24 members of the public were in the gallery to offer support and that was visibly noted with loud clapping and a standing ovation at the end.

COMING EVENTS: 

Regular monthly CCTA meetings Wednesday, April 9, 2025 and Wednesday, May 14, 2025 both at 7:30PM at the Leslieville Elks Hall

· “A true friend is someone who thinks you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked.” Bernard Melzer

· “Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” Helen Keller

· “Spring is the time of plans and projects.” Leo Tolstoy