Fule speaks to recent Regional Collaboration Meeting

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore hosted a regional collaboration meeting, Feb. 26, at the Strathmore Civic Centre, which aimed to discuss collaboration between municipalities within the greater region of Wheatland County.

Representation from the Villages of Hussar, Rockyford, and Standard, as well as from the Town of Strathmore were present.

“It was really good – I am really happy with the turnout; there were lots of good ideas, it was actually so good that we have planned to have another meeting towards the end of March or in early April sometime,” said Pat Fule, mayor of Strathmore. “We talked a lot about how to work together in the region, how to support each other, what things we can do to start promoting this area as an economic and tourism spot for people to go through and see things, and different economic strategies that we can use between our town and the villages.”

Fule explained the meeting opened with a PowerPoint presentation made by the Town of Strathmore CAO, Kevin Scoble, which was followed by discussion regarding the presentation. 

Jokingly, Fule described the discussion as being about the “meat and potatoes” of how the participating municipalities could start to support each other.

Suggestions included loaning equipment back and forth between municipalities such as for road and sidewalk maintenance and repair in order to save money.

“We have delivered our street sweepers out there to Rockyford in the spring to help with their road clearing and we have been able to give them a really good rate to save them money and just support them that way, so they are not waiting for some company from who knows where,” said Fule. “It is a way to develop friendships and collegiality and help each other with either operations or economic aspects.”

Among the topics discussed during the meeting was the imminent need for increased housing within the region in order to accommodate the staff who will be constructing, then subsequently operating the De Havilland of Canada campus.

Notably, Wheatland County declined the invitation to attend and participate during their Feb. 4, regular meeting of council.

“I do not see (the county participating) for the rest of this term. Perhaps in the next term, I do not know what will happen regarding the election, but I do not see it happening,” said Fule. “They have declined to attend and be a part of it … they definitely were not interested in taking part. It is disappointing, but there are still good things that can be done between the town and the villages. We are no longer a small town.”

Fule emphasized the necessity for municipalities to help each other and collaborate for the benefit of their residents and the betterment of their respective communities.

Another of the topics which emerged during the meeting discussions was with respect to the Frontier Diagnostics’ willingness to purchase a CT scanner to be housed in the Strathmore hospital. 

This would become a service which would be of significant benefit to residents within the county and greater region, as well as to those of Strathmore.

The Town of Strathmore intends to advertise when the next regional collaboration meeting will take place once it is scheduled. The ongoing intention is to continue hosting regular sessions roughly every six to eight weeks.

Fule added the Town of Strathmore also intends to further develop economic planning, emergency planning, and a collaborative relationship with the City of Chestermere through similar means.