Wheatland County looks forward to 2013
Sharon McLeay
Times Reporter
Retelling a year in perspective is no short paragraph for Glenn Koester, Wheatland County Reeve. He leads a fast paced life, conversations with people in his district must be carried wherever he goes. He carries his districts residents’ concerns and views and blends them amongst the never ending, incoming reams of information, reports, discussions at committee meetings and government conferences. All of that is carried into Wheatland County chambers where thoughtful decisions are discussed with councillors from other districts and applied to a responsible vote. How he votes for programs helps determine whether problems are solved and new growth develops.
“I try to vote what the people want. I do what I think is best and what is in my heart,” said Koester.
Koester did pick out a few things, from the many events that defined 2012.
The Hwy 1 realignment was one. Although there was much discussion where the highway would run, Koester thought the best option was ultimately reached.
“It was a huge benefit keeping it tight to Strathmore,” said Koester.
He felt the route kept Strathmore residents happy and eliminated the need for farmers to go out of their way to tend to business. He is taking a wait-and-see attitude as to when it will all come to fruition.
He considers the County Roadway program a step in the right direction. A good road network is essential for residents and businesses alike. In the last year many roads were developed, maintained, reclaimed and paved.
“I would like to see Road program continue. It is a 10-year plan and it is coming together nicely. We have a good plan that will move us forward,” said Koester. “Paving projects like the Nightingale project will continue. It will make everything easier on the roadway. In years to come, we should start seeing some savings on road costs.”
The county has been consistently growing. From the last census in 2011, there was a 7.5 per cent growth, 2 per cent greater than the national average. With more people, hamlets develop into villages, villages into towns. So good planning is necessary. The Municipal Development Plan (MDP) was developed with that in mind. In 2012 Area Service Plans (ASP) for Rosebud and Nightingale were completed and Cheadle and Namaka ASP’s were started. Two more public open houses for those ASP’s are scheduled, with subsequent completion through bylaw processes. Koester hopes to see the MDP complete by spring.
“With the Municipal Development Plan, we have a good start. The County held open houses that were well attended by the public. Moving forward we will have more open houses in different parts of the county,” said Koester. “If everyone comes out and tells us what their dreams for the future are, it makes it a lot easier for council to move in those directions. “
There were also many discussions on providing safe water and sewer systems for the county residents. Participation in various regional partnerships and provincial environment groups is helping the county develop resources for its present need and in the future, as population grows.
With population expansion there is also industrial and business development. Wheatland councillors sift through development permits on a monthly basis, looking to approve what is in the best interest of the applicants, neighbours, county residents. They must weigh provincial regulations and environmental and health and safety concerns.
Many new businesses have set up in the Hwy 21 industrial area. Koester considers Agricultural businesses, like the Seed Cleaning plant, Patterson Grain and Crowfoot Ag Solutions, will be a huge bonus and help the farmers.
“As far as seeding crops, well…we will leave that up to them,” Koester joked.
Oil and gas developments will be picking up soon and Koester considers there is room to improve relationships in this area.
“We are working hard with them. There is not too much planning for the future with them,” said Koester.
Sometimes surface infrastructure takes a beating with increased development. There is an ongoing dialogue between the companies and council to improve that.
“At least they are staying away from drilling in the spring when the roads are soft,” Koester said.
Health and safety issues became a little complicated last year and work needed to be done to deal with the pressures provincial regulations, safety standards and increases in insurance and liability coverage place on volunteer fire services. It led to the development of a Fire Review Committee to help develop some solutions to difficult questions.
“The Fire review committee is in the middle of hiring a consultant, who should be hired next month. It shouldn’t take long, maybe six weeks, before we have a report. It will give us a document to talk about and plan with all the fire associations and villages. Having a neutral third party will help give us direction leading to an agreement,” said Koester.
One of Koester’s special interests is the Wheatland and District Emergency Medical Services Association (WADEMSA). With Alberta Health Services absorbing other rural ambulance and dispatch services and subsequently encountering problems, Koester has been fighting hard to have WADEMSA left autonomous.
“We are working hard to keep a local ambulance and dispatch service. I see huge benefits to keep it under our own control. It is one of my big things,” Koester said.
The Family and Community Social Service network divided between Strathmore and the rest of Wheatland County, but Koester is optimistic to the result.
“As far as the county is concerned, I think it will be OK. As far as that goes, it is a bonus. We now have two organizations to help people,” Koester said. Staff is looking forward to working with WFCSS staff, whose office with be in the County administration building.
The County has put in a new website that allows residents to give feedback on any of their issues and concerns, or voice positive encouragement to staff. Koester is looking forward to using the new technology, but also said that residents will only continue using the service, if the information is taken and used to develop future plans for Wheatland County.