IN THE NEWS

Proposed Bighorn Wildland Park
As you may have heard, our NDP government is proposing major changes to our very important West Country. The area involved in this proposal stretches from Sundre to Drayton Valley along the eastern slopes of the Rockies. Included in the plan is the creation of one new Wildland Park, three new Provincial Parks, four new Provincial Recreation Areas, one new PLUZ (Public Land Use Zone) where there are currently six, and an amendment to the Kiska-Wilson PLUZ. These changes will severely impact all current users---hunters, trappers, grazing lease holders, equine users, guiders/outfitters, campers, snowmobilers, and off highway vehicle users. The changes have been fueled by input from such groups as the Alberta Hiking Association, Y2Y (Yellowstone to Yukon) and CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society). These organizations have largely urban oriented membership and directors, with the latter two (especially Y2Y) getting significant American input and funding.

“Public engagement” opportunity has been provided by the provincial government with public meetings held earlier in the year as well as currently. At these meetings significant opposition has been expressed but one is left to wonder if the voice of the people will actually be heard or if these “opportunities” are merely for show.
So, what can we do??? First of all you are encouraged to:

* A. Write to the following: Our MLA Jason Nixon; Shannon Phillips, Minister of Alberta Environment and Parks; and Todd Loewen, the Opposition Environment Critic. (You are welcome to phone Marianne for email addresses or mailing addresses for these people.

* B. Attend one of the following meetings if you can: Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, 6:00PM-9:00PM, McKenzie Conference Centre, 5745-45Ave. , Drayton Valley; Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, 6:00PM-9:00PM, German Canadian Club, 38167-RR 280, Red Deer; Monday, January 14, 2019, 4:00PM-9:00PM, Sundre Community Center, #3, 96-2 Ave., NW, Sundre; Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 4:00PM-9:00PM, Radisson Edmonton South, 4440 Gateway Boulevard, Edmonton.
(Note: The CCTA is looking into organizing a bus to go to the meeting in Edmonton so that our rural voice might be heard. Keep posted for further info.)

* C. Check out the information on the “Bighorn Wildland Park” website as well as information on Alberta Environment and Parks website



County Budget County
Council approved their 2019 budget at a special meeting on December 17th. According to a News Release on December 18th, “The 2019 operating budget includes revenues of $51, 275, 519 and expenses of $52, 020,916. The capital budget includes
revenues of $12, 994, 121 and expenses of $42, 411, 427.” Compared to the 2018 budget the predicted revenues are up 10.6% and expenses are up 28%. In order to create a balanced budget $15, 613, 701 will be transferred from reserves. Some of the main expenses include gravel road improvements/grading, bridge repairs, water & sewer upgrades, Clearwater Broadband, and the Condor Public Services Building. Tax rates will be established in the New Year.


CCTA AGM
The Clearwater County Taxpayers’ Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Arbutus Community Hall at 7:30PM. This will include election of officers and we certainly welcome/encourage new members to join us as we work for the common good of taxpayers in our county. At this meeting we will also be discussing what we can do as an organization with the Bighorn Wilderness issue.



ROSES
Special roses are being sent this month to all those involved with our county operations, right from those “out in the field”, to those in the offices, and to our councillors. So often they are at the receiving end of people’s frustrations and only hear the negative. While we may not always agree, I really do think we have a lot to be thankful for in our area so we are sending Happy New Year wishes along with bouquets of roses to all those involved in making this county a great place to call home.



COMING EVENTS
Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 7:30PM, Annual General Meeting, Arbutus Community Hall;

Tuesday, February 12, 2019, 7:30PM, Regular Monthly Meeting, Arbutus Community Hall