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.
