Safe drivers rewarded in Pincher Creek

At their August 16, 2018 meeting, council for the Town of Pincher Creek directed the Town's administration to purchase $200 in $10 gift cards from local businesses to be distributed by the Community Peace Officer to random safe drivers during the first week of September 2018.

At the same meeting council also directed the administration to set up a meeting with the Minister of Justice at the 2018 AUMA Conference (September 26 - 28) to discuss photo radar in Pincher Creek.

Sea cans used as sheds under discussion at town council

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek passed the first reading of land use bylaw amendment 1547-AF on Monday, July 23. This bylaw pertains to add standards of development which include allowing a shipping container such as a sea can be part of the accessory building for discretionary use in R1 areas within Pincher Creek. One consideration is the exterior finish is to match the design, character and appearance of the primary building. Council also passed there will be a public hearing on this bylaw amendment Monday, August 27, at 6 pm in council chambers.

Pool temperature to be raised and situation monitored

Toni Lucas - At their regular meeting on July 23. Council for the Town of Pincher Creek supported a recommendation to increase the pool temperature by 0.25 degrees to a 28.75 set-point The decision was in response to a request by a  June 25 delegation of people who participate in aquafit at the pool, represented by Debbie Reed.

Cannabis discussed at Town Council

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek held a public hearing on the subject of retail cannabis prior to their regular meeting Monday on Monday evening, July 23. Oldman River Regional Services Commission Senior Planner Mike Burla was present and discussed the matter at some length. "We are just moving into a totally different attitude in society in respect of some of the stuff that used to be taboo." Burla said the framework for non-medical cannabis establishments is regulated at a federal level. Non-medical cannabis use in Alberta is regulated by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.

Daycare service replacement announced

In June of this year Pincher Creek's Children's World Daycare Society (CWDS) announced they will be closing their doors effective August 31, 2018, a decision likely to affect 70 - 100 children and their caregivers.  On July 16 the Town of Pincher Creek issued a press release announcing that the day care services previously located at the Children’s World Day Care Town Hall site will move to St. Michael’s school, starting on September 3.

MD of Pincher Creek hires new CAO

MD of Pincher Creek Chief Administrative Officer Sheldon Steinke

Chris Davis - At a June 12 meeting of the council for the MD of Pincher Creek, Reeve Stevick officially welcomed Sheldon Steinke as the MD's new Chief Administrative Officer, taking over the role from interim CAO Roland Milligan, who in turn took on the role when former CAO Wendy Kay stepped down from the position as of March 28, 2018. June 11 was was Steinke's first day of "boots on ground".  Steinke was formerly interim CAO for Lethbridge County, and before that was CAO for the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass, and the Town Manager for Coaldale.

Pincher Creek Airport house to be removed

Chris Davis - At their June 26, 2018 regular meeting council for the MD of Pincher Creek decided to approve a motion by Councillor Brian Hammond to put the house located at the Pincher Creek Airport up for tender, as is where is, with no offer necessarily accepted, and with the condition that it must be removed from the site.  The decision came after an unflattering report on the structure's condition from Director of Operations Leo Reedyk.  Council also briefly discussed potential security issues at the airport with no one living on site, but there seemed to be a consensus that security is a separate issue.  CAO Sheldon  Steinke recommended council task administration with security plan options for future consideration.  Councillor Terry Yagos made a successful motion to that effect.

Rainbow flag flies in Pincher Creek

Chris Davis - A small crowd of approximately 35 citizens, dignitaries, and area media gathered at the flagpoles on the Pincher Creek Multipurpose Facility lawn yesterday evening, June 12 for an LGBTQ Pride flag-raising event, held two years to the day after the terrorist attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando Florida. The Pulse Nightclub incident resulted in 49 dead and 53 injured, "the deadliest incident of violence against LGBT people in U.S. history."  The flag raising was a first in Pincher Creek, and was the result of a successful petition to the Town of Pincher Creek's council by Pincher Creek Echo Editor Andrew Glen McCutcheon.  Events of a similar nature were held at numerous locations in Alberta and North America this week.

Children’s World Daycare to close, Mayor promises solution by fall

Chris Davis - After years of financial struggles, Pincher Creek's Children's World Daycare Society (CWDS) has announced they will be closing their doors effective August 31, 2018, a decision likely to affect 70 - 100 children and their caregivers.

MD of Pincher Creek appoints new CAO

MD of Pincher Creek - Council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 would like to announce that during their Council Meeting held May 22, 2018, Sheldon Steinke was appointed to the position of Chief Administrative Officer, effective June 11, 2018.

Council would like to thank the Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Roland Milligan, for his efforts and support during this transition.

Town of Pincher Creek council approves up to $60,000 for Lebel Mansion elevator

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek held a regular meeting on Monday, May 14 in council chambers. Pincher Creek Allied Arts Council (PCAAC) Executive Director Stacey McRae approached council as a delegation to ask if they could get a letter of support required the next day. They are hoping to get matching funding to complete the project they have had in the works for years, the addition of an elevator in the Lebel Mansion building. The letter is for a grant they are asking from Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP). The elevator has been planned to be in the back half of the building and help those with mobility issues and to make the building a more accessible public building.

Town of Pincher Creek donates $1,000 to Rough Runner event

Toni Lucas - Council for the Town of Pincher Creek met for their regular meeting on MondayMay 14.Wildrose Rough Runner Race (WILDR Rough Runner) Director Alecia Williams requested the Town of Pincher Creek sponsor an 'Elk' level donation to the race of $1,000. During her presentation, she explained this is the fourth year of the race and it has grown each year. This year they project 200 participants, 70% of whom are expected to be non-residents in the local area. Williams said non-local people are projected to spend approximately $350 each while in the local area including the race itself, accommodations, food, and fuel.  For the first time, this year the event is being expanded to two days, June 1-2, with events held at Castle Mountain.

Al Roth appointed Director of Emergency Management

Chris Davis - During their March 27 meeting council for the MD of Pincher Creek approved a recommendation by the Pincher Creek Regional Emergency Advisory Committee Meeting that Town Director of Operations Al Roth be appointed as Director of Emergency Management.  Roland Milligan and Cindy Cornish were appointed as Deputy Directors of the Emergency Management. Council.  The Town of Pincher Creek also approved the appointment of Roth to the position during their April 9 regular meeting.

Town of Pincher Creek councillors attend tribute dinner for Beverly McLachlin

Councillor Brian McGillivray and Councillor Korbett, of the Town of Pincher Creek, had the privilege of attending the Tribute Dinner for the Right Honourable Beverley  held in Vancouver Friday, April 27, 2018.

Town of Pincher Creek Councillor Brian McGillivray

Scott and I had the wonderful opportunity of representing the Town of Pincher Creek at the Tribute Dinner in Honour of the Right Honourable Beverly McLachlin, PC, Chief Justice of Canada.  At a reception before the actual event, we made a special presentation to Her Honour. My remarks appear below:

Emergency Services Chief Dave Cox asks for Pincher Creek Municipal Airport upgrades

File photo: Acting Landing Zone Officer Nichole Boissoneault January 2014 at Pincher Creek Municipal Airport

Chris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) Chief David Cox made a presentation to council for the MD of Pincher Creek on April 10, and to council for the Town of Pincher Creek on April 23. Cox aired concerns related to Pincher Creek Municipal Airport (CZPC). The airport is owned by the MD.

"We would prefer a proactive rather than a reactive approach." - PCES Chief David Cox

Chief Cox asked MD council to consider an improved level of snow removal prioritization and a backup generator to keep the lights running during power outages. Cox expressed concern that the airport is sometimes listed officially as open for traffic when it's not, creating potentially dangerous situations.  "It's not discretionary to do that properly," he clarified during a follow-up interview.  He also suggested to MD council that it consider installing potable water as a potential asset for future growth.

Community Grant Writer announced

• Liza Dawber of Inspired Approach Grants Consulting to begin contract work in mid May 2018.

Press release - The Pincher Creek Community Development Initiative (PCCDI) has announced that they have awarded a one-year contract to Ms. Liza Dawber of Inspired Approach Grants Consulting for services related to grant writing and capacity building for local Community Service Organizations (CSOs). PCCDI will manage the Grant Writer position through its partnership with the Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative (SASCI).

Property taxes in the MD of Pincher Creek - Part 2

Jonathan Skrimshire - The 2018 property tax rates and tax levies for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek were released April 10 and reported in detail in these pages. This followup piece presents the changes in the composition of the MD's assessment base for 2018, examines the relationship between the assessment base and the property tax levies, takes a short look at the process of selecting tax rates, and presents some comparative data on residential rates in neighbouring jurisdictions.

MD of Pincher Creek releases 2018 property tax rates

Jonathan Skrimshire - Council for the Municipal District of Pincher Creek passed the 2018 property tax bylaw at their meeting of April 10. Municipal tax rates are up across the board, with mill rate increases of 4.5 percent on residential property and farmland, and 8.3 percent on non-residential property, machinery, and equipment used in the generation of power. Total municipal property taxes are up $388,173 to $10,947,850, representing a 3.7 percent increase over 2017. Tax rates for schools, seniors lodging and emergency services are also up substantially, with an increase of 7.1% in the combined residential mill rates for those services. The impact of all 2018 tax rate changes on actual tax payable will be heavily affected by substantial changes in assessment values, with residential properties being the hardest hit category.

MD of Pincher Creek CAO retires

On March 2, 2018 council for the MD of Pincher Creek No. 9 released a statement via their website that "due to the temporary absence of Wendy Kay, CAO, Council hereby appoints Roland Milligan, Director of Development and Community Services, as the Interim CAO effective March 1, 2018 (resolution 18/098)."  Today the MD released a brief statement that "Ms. Wendy Kay has announced her retirement from her position as Chief Administrative Officer as of March 28, 2018.  The MD wishes to extend its  appreciation to Ms. Kay for her years of service, and wishes Ms. Kay the best in her future endeavors."

Pincher Creek Council assessing northeast recreational facilities complex

Jonathan Skrimshire - Pincher Creek Town Council has authorized the expenditure of up to $15,000 to develop a site plan for a potential new recreational facilities complex at their meeting of March 26. The plan will present siting options for a curling rink, skating rink, field house, football field, two soccer fields, and required streets and parking areas, on land east of the Walmart Supercentre. The Town is currently in the final stages of negotiating the purchase of the parcel designated Lot 1, Block 6, Plan 0512720, which would provide adequate land to support the phased development of the proposed facilities. No firm timeline for delivery of the plan or presentation to the public is available at this time.

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