IN THE NEWS

Community Hall Funding Policy
 At their meeting on March 26th, County Council reviewed their policy for funding community halls. Currently there are 20 halls in the county with varying degrees of use and sustainability. The county has previously budgeted $35,000 annually to be available for funding only capital projects by community halls on a first come, first served basis. The maximum that a hall could apply for was $15,000 and this would be allocated on a 50-50 cost share basis. Following significant discussion council “directed Administration to draft a policy for Council’s consideration at a future meeting, reflective of split, flat rate funding policy for community halls, for both operating and capital costs, with annual amounts of $5,000 for halls with higher usage and $2500 for halls with lower usage, for a three year period.” (Quoted from County Meeting Highlights)

Town Sewage Lagoon Update
The town’s Director of Engineering and Operations attended the March 26th council meeting to provide an update on the status of the town’s sewage lagoon. For some time there have been issues with failed lethality testing of effluent going from the lagoon into the North Saskatchewan River, and full disclosure of this information had not been given to county council. The county was, however, involved in the usage of the lagoon as well as its funding.
At Tuesday’s meeting it was mentioned that there are additional problems with sludge build-up and this will require planned stages of clean up. In his report the Director apologized for the earlier lack of communication from the town and presented proposed improvements to address the de-sludging as well as other up-grades to the aerated lagoon.
We thank our current County Council for their diligence in requesting up to date information so that issues that we are involved with, and required to help fund, can be addressed appropriately in a timely manner.

Clearwater County Crime Watch
 The CCCW annual meeting was held on Thursday, March 21st at the Leslieville Community Hall. In his report President Dan Lyons noted:
· A significant increase in membership (now over 200)
· The positive impact of the Crime Reduction Units that focus on/target crime hot spots with special increased patrols
· Problems with the current fan out system and efforts to improve it
· The rural crime epidemic province wide, due in large part to the influence of drug activity.
RCMP Liason Harold Smits added his comments on the Crime Reduction Units as well, and also mentioned that with the warmer weather there will likely be an increase in criminal activity. We are all encouraged to be on the look out for, and report, any suspicious activity.
We certainly thank all the long serving members of the CCCW and wish the in-coming directors the very best as they diligently work to address crime in our area.


West Central Stakeholders Information Night 
 The WCS is holding a public information night on Thursday, April 11 at the Leslieville Community Hall. Doors open at 6:00PM and at 7:00PM there will be a presentation by Cody Battershill from Canada Action speaking on “Separating Facts from Friction”. His presentation will address the story behind the anti-industry strategies, supporting our resource industry and our community, and being a credible source for information. There will also be networking opportunities and information booths, refreshments, and door prizes. It should be a very interesting evening.

Meeting Date Change 
 Following concerns raised at our last CCTA meeting a motion was passed that our monthly meetings be changed from the 2nd Tuesday of the month to the third Tuesday. Consequently the next meeting will be April 16th… an interesting date as it’s also election day. There could be real opportunity for great discussion on numerous topics!!!

In the Wind
 April is usually the month when the County’s audited financial statements are presented and we have the opportunity to see exactly how our tax dollars were spent, along with the income that came in, during the previous year. This, then, sets the stage for determining what our taxes will be for the year. We encourage everyone to check the county’s website, “Meeting Minutes and Agendas”, for when these important items will be presented. Then come to the council meeting to hear first hand how your hard earned dollars have been used.


SMILES FOR THE MONTH:
 Why couldn’t the rabbit fly home for Easter?? He didn’t have the hare fare. What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole?? A Hot Cross bunny!!


UP-COMING EVENTS:
 Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 7:30PM, Arbutus Community Hall, Regular meeting 

 Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 7:30PM, Arbutus Community Hall, Regular meeting.