Nominations open

Times Contributor 

 

Nominees for the 2014 Calgary Stampede Farm Family award are being considered by Wheatland County council. 

“It is not the fanciest farm or the biggest that are put forward for nomination,” said Deputy Reeve Ben Armstrong. “It is who has contributed to the community, or had innovative farming practices…community members that stand out.”

Armstrong said the awards are valued by area farmers. The 2013 winners, the Pallesen family, took the award to England with them to show their relatives. They received some warm praise for their farm success and interest in how they achieved the award. 

Nomination suggestions were put forward at the Nov. 19 council meeting, and suggestions were Joyce and Ernest Walker, Bruce Farms and Allen and Robert Bolinger. Two councillors were away on leave, so council will be consulting with them for any suggestions they may want to put forward.

The nominations have to be in by Dec. 20. 

Past winners were: 1996-Bill and Elsie Treacy (Div.7), 1997-Johansen’s (Div.3), 1998-L4 Ranches (Div.1), 1999-John and Allison Sanden (Div.2), 2000/2001 none, 2002-Pat and Diane Cammaert (Div.6), 2003-Don and Carol Ostergard (Div.7), 2004-Hilton Acres (Div.2), 2005-Corbiell Herefords (Div.1), 2006-Marvin and Donna Sevik (Div. 7), 2007 Darryl and Connie Lausen (Div.3), 2008-Lorne and Noreen Stewart (Div. 5), 2009-Doug and Norma-Jean Risdon (Div.4), 2010-Doug and Susan Clark (Div. 1), 2011-Dwayne and Mary Marshman (Div. 6), 2012-Terry and Brenda Tower (Div.2) and 2013-Dalby Farms (Pallesens) (Div.7)

Open and Transparent

Wheatland council is now posting information packages with its meeting agendas on its public website, so that residents can view the same information given to council that they use to prepare for council meetings. 

“Other municipalities are doing this as well,” said James Laslo, Wheatland County general manager.

The process is considered a timely and efficient way for residents to gain a deeper and more accurate picture of information surrounding issues facing the County. County administrators anticipate this will serve resident’s concerns, as they can book an appointment with the Chief Administrative Officer to ask questions about the information, or request an opportunity to appear at council meetings to address concerns with council.

Some information will be excluded if it is protected under Municipal Governance Act guidelines for in-camera sessions and Freedom of Information Protection. The information is for council to consider in the upcoming meeting; however, their decisions on the material are not finalized until the council meeting after the information is presented.  

Setting things straight

Dillion Consulting requested a chance to debrief with Wheatland County councillors on the Municipal Development Plan contract and they will receive that opportunity.

While not all councillors were satisfied with process or the plan, Councillor Don Vander Velde felt a meeting would allow Dillion representatives and the county councillors an opportunity to speak and address concerns raised. Deputy Reeve Ben Armstrong also agreed it might be a good idea to have them back. County administrators wanted to see if there were things that could have been done differently.

“I encourage you to meet with them and to ask questions and share comments. Maybe there are some internal changes that need to occur as well, “ said Jim Laslo, Wheatland County general manager. “It is for our benefit not only theirs.”

Glenn Koester and Berniece Bland were absent with leave from the Nov. 19 meeting. Four council members voted in favour of the meeting, and Councillor Brenda Knight was opposed.

By whose authority

Sgt. Jeff Cyr, Senior Peace Officer for Wheatland County asked council to approve first reading of Bylaw 2013-42, which will update county policies on Municipal Government Act changes that affect Wheatland County peace officers and their dealings with the public. He stated areas of authority, for officers and council in relation to the officers, would be clarified and there were other areas that were also highlighted for attention in the document. 

“Council will take this document and consider the changes, in order to discuss them at the next stage,” said Deputy Reeve Ben Armstrong. “We will treat it as any other bylaw and this will start the process.” First reading of the bylaw was approved.

Housekeeping

Many conference approvals were given in Wheatland County council on Nov. 19, regarding staff participation in outside education and training sessions, and reimbursement to them for necessary over-night travel stays. 

Peace officers will be reimbursed for expenses incurred at their recertification training sessions. Three staff will attend financial software training workshops in Edmonton, in November. Two members of the Ag Service Board will attend in-service training in Calgary in December. Wheatland County’s CAO will attend a Municipal Affairs Training program on communication and negotiation skills in February 2014. All training costs are pre-budgeted and approval is necessary for repayment of over-night stays. 

 “It is necessary training and encourages team development. It is necessary in order that they may maintain their licenses,” said James Laslo, General Manager, about some staff’s attendance at training sessions. “It is also part of our professional development and education initiative.” 

Taking donations

Dalum Fire will be looking for donations towards their new fire hall, and the County of Wheatland has consented to collect the donations and issue a tax deductible receipt under their agreement with Revenue Canada. All the donations are recorded in a ledger. The money is kept separate from County funding processes and has not to date had a significant impact on staff demands.

 Receipts will be issued for donations starting Sept. 1, 2013 to Dec. 2015. 

“Part of our responsibility is to work closely with the fire services for fire protection and this measure reduces the burden on our residents, “said Jim Laslo about the collection and receipt process.

Laslo said the service is available for any non-profit agency in the community, but they must write and request that Council initiate the process on their behalf and then gain approval from Council for the collection process.