By Marianne Cole
Presentation by FCSS
Andrea Vassallo, Manager of Clearwater Regional
Family and Community Support Services outlined the numerous programs
they coordinate for the benefit of residents of the town of Rocky,
Clearwater County and the village of Caroline. Funding for these
activities and the various community organizations they provide support
for is provided on an 80-20% basis with 80% of the funding coming from
the province. Three of the priorities they deal with are mental
illness, poverty, and affordable housing. There are also several
activities/programs for seniors, single newcomers to the area, and the
youth. Councillor Laing, council’s representative on FCSS, noted that
there are also more outreach programs for the outlying areas being
recently organized as well.
Presentation by Wildrose School
Division
Several representatives from the Wildrose School Division
came to give council an update on the plans for the Corridor Schools
Capital Plan. Plans are to up-grade the Condor School to accommodate K
to 6 classes. New information was provided that would see a replacement
of the Leslieville School for Grades 7-12. The timeline was uncertain
but hopes are to receive confirmation of the projects early this spring
and have construction completed by September 2021. The funding
“formula” provided for by the province was explained and it was noted
that the province covers only the very basic funding for facilities
based on per student populations. Extra gym size/features (room for
bleaches, stage, etc.) must be covered by the local school division.
Councillors brought up various concerns such as the Leslieville
playground, skating rink, parking, water/sewer, and school track/field.
It was also noted how the “extras” for the new school in Irma (Buffalo
Trails School Division) was supported by both community funding and the
Wainwright Municipality.
Presentation by Monica Ahlstrom and
Kyle Wadden from Ahlstrom Air
Monica outlined the very distinct
contributions Ahlstrom Air (stationed out of Nordegg) makes to the West
Country and the significant concern over what may happen with the
government’s proposal of establishing the Bighorn Wildland Park.
Ahlstrom Air is a highly used “on demand” business and with the proposed
new legislation, helicopters will be severely restricted in what they
are allowed to do/where they may go. Permits will be required and this
can take several days to get. An example was provided of the
significantly greater cost of fighting the Nordegg area fire in 2013
where a permit was required and if immediate action could have taken
place hundreds of thousands of dollars could have been saved. It was
also noted that the government had announced in the Legislature that a
supportive letter had been received from Clearwater County. Monica
happened to be in the Legislature that day and heard that comment but,
having seen the letter, knew it was an unbiased one asking for
information. More discussion with Ahlstrom Air was going to take place
in camera.
Presentation by Missing Link Internet
Andrew Van
Dirstein, Craig Bondy, and Phil Swanson with Missing Link Internet made
a presentation which outlined the history of the organization and their
efforts to provide improved broadband service. MLI is an amalgamation
of Harewaves and Pure High Speed and all the partners have had
significant experience with internet service provision. They mentioned
their frustrations with trying to get both improved wireless service as
well as fibre connectivity. Further discussion on how the county could
become involved was going to take place in camera.
(Other items
on the agenda included the Visitor Information Centre Agreement with the
Town of Rocky and the Rocky Mtn. House Lagoon Summary Report, December
2018.)
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