Alternate Hwy 1 Proposal

Times Contributor

 

The Thiessen family proposed a revision to the Hwy 1 to Wheatland council at the Jan. 17 meeting, which they felt would give benefits to residents of the County and the Town of Strathmore.

The proposal is to swing three quarters of a mile south of the proposed Cheadle overpass and continue straight for four miles through the Area Service Plan, connecting to the current ring road at the canal south of Strathmore. This plan utilizes the existing Hwy 1 as a service road and leaves existing accesses in place.

“We are all aware growth is inevitable and we feel this plan would consider the town and county as a whole,” said Karla Theissen.

Their suggestion would increase the amount of industrial development that could occur and place it between the two major roadways. They compared the plan to the existing setup now in place for the city of Red Deer. The Theissens believe landowners would benefit from the move by the increased land prices for commercial property. They also suggested developers would be more interested in property serviced by two major routes. More area available would take into consideration the Town of Strathmore’s growth and the Wheatland County Area Structure Plan for the next decade.  Elimination of the second interchange would also save the province money.

The concern of town residents that the overpass at Cheadle is too far from Strathmore was brought to Alberta Transportation’s attention at the open houses, and there was no indication that running the freeway straight through Strathmore was feasible.

“Whether the ring road leaves the current Hwy 1, one mile out or four will make no difference,” said Theissen.  They felt upgraded signage would draw freeway traffic into the municipal businesses.

Wheatland council suggested the plan has merits but their support would have to be echoed by Strathmore’s council, for Alberta Transportation to consider the plan.

“If we go to the province and Strathmore said we are against it, Alberta Transportation won’t go for it,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “If one goes for the changes and the other doesn’t we will be at loggerheads.”

 

Gleichen Library at Crisis point

Members from the Gleichen library appealed to council for additional funding to cover their operating costs.

“We appreciate the past funding, but unfortunately we are at a crisis point and are facing closure,” said Faydra Burne spokesperson for the library.

The library began in 1883 and had previously disappeared once before, until revived in the 1970’s. The county funds all the libraries in its region through per capita payments to the Marigold Library, who administers the funds for them. Grant applications by the Gleichen library board and community fundraising supplement the library costs but still incurs shortfalls. 

“Fundraising in a small community is no easy task,” said Burne.

Last year the county gave the library an additional $12,000 to cover costs.

“We pay money to the Marigold Library System that is to go into the bricks and mortar of our libraries,” said Armstrong.

Council plans to readdress the funding issue with Marigold to determine why funds are not trickling down to the local libraries. Council has the option to withdraw funding from the administration of funds, and can set up an independent system to deal with County libraries if necessary.  

Council extended an advance of $5,000 to the library to keep the doors open. 

 

Addressing Windmill Emergencies

Carseland Fire Chief Al Jensen approached council for clarification of the emergency response policy regarding potential accidents at the new windmill sites. The Dalum service had been approached by Suncor to provide assistance in case of emergencies. Jensen also wondered if council could discuss high angle rescue situations, as there were other industrial and agricultural facilities within fire department jurisdictions, and provide direction to the fire services.

“We have been told that serious injuries occur if victims of windmill accidents are not released from their harnesses within one half hour,” said Jensen. He said crews do not want to be faced with an emergency of this nature and have no training or means to extricate victims. He indicated some of the volunteers have expressed interest in taking training.

Since volunteers, not paid personnel, man rural fire crews, Councillor Ben Armstrong reinforced that crews were to provide ground support only. 

Council’s main concern is for the safety of the volunteers, with subsequent liability and funding issues.

Gerald Skibinsky, Protective Services Coordinator, said training for high angle rescue and windmill certification courses run about $3,000 per man with significant equipment replacement costs.

Armstrong doubted that when push came to shove, few volunteers would be willing to risk their lives in windmill rescue situations. Physical fitness of the rescuer is another consideration in a safe recovery. He stated there were specialty teams which Suncor could contract to deal with such situations. Councillors reinforced their appreciation for the risks volunteer fire crews face in responding to motor vehicle and fire calls; but felt they would not commit crews to the windmill rescues without more information from Suncor.

A requirement of Suncor’s planning permit states they must have an emergency response plan, said Skibinsky. Council asked for a meeting with Suncor over this issue.

 

Utility Costs Up For County

Council voted to pay the province a $26,000 linear assessment shortfall. The cost covers ministerial fees for the pipelines, electrical and telecommunications systems provided to the county residents.

 

Dollar Lease Reviewed

In 1995, the county bought a 30-acre gravel pit from a farmer. At that time, they required the farmer to pay a one-dollar lease paid to farm the unused land. The gravel pit is now closed and the land reclaimed. The former owner has sold his property to a new owner. The new owner is now seeking to lease the reclaimed gravel pit; however, leases for land have risen to approximately $900 to $1,200 per year. Council moved that the new farmer could lease the land for one year at the one-dollar rate, while a reassessment is done on the property to determine the new rate, or a reclamation certificate is obtained allowing the land to be resold.