2018: A year in review with Mayor Fule

By Brady Grove, Times Reporter

It was a busy first full year for Strathmore’s town council led by Mayor Pat Fule.
The year saw numerous infrastructure projects completed along with challenges and backlash that needed to be navigated through.
“We’ve had a very busy 2018 and we got a lot of projects done so we’re really happy,” said Fule.
George Freeman School saw its first students walk through the doors in September and the adjoining sports complex came closer to completion. Other projects completed this year included the pavilion in Kinsmen Park which hosted multiple events, radar signs and brighter crosswalks around the school areas, added walkways near George Freeman School and Strathmore Lakes, and ball diamond and soccer fields completed in Hillview.
As part of the downtown revitalization, Third Avenue renovations are almost complete with just a few areas needing to be fixed. Fule said he would like to see more signage on Highway 1 to attract visitors to the downtown and Kinsmen Park, which he called a “real gem.”
The household garbage pickup was also considered a success by the mayor with plans to bring in a recycling bin in the future. Fule praised the work of the town’s communications department for implementing a new program to get more information out to the public via Facebook and the town website.
There were some significant challenges for Fule and town council, too, specifically around the intense winter with snow removal frustrating some residents. Overall, Fule said they learned a lot from the experience and operated well together.
The town’s taxi industry saw a complete transformation in the face of new town bylaw that requires regular mechanical inspections on taxis, smoke-free vehicles and first aid training for drivers. Debate took place throughout the community and the backlash from the companies was intense, resulting in the closing of taxi companies and the re-emergence of new ones to fill the void.
An ongoing challenge for Fule and council is the bad smell from the compost area at the Waste Management recycle yard. Fule said the company is aggressively trying to repair the problem with new equipment.
“They are going to be monitoring it a lot more closely so they will be able to take care of it,” said Fule. “We have faith that they are going to be able to do the right thing and be a solid partner to the town.”
Going into 2019, the economy is a major focus for the mayor. This includes a new plan that includes hiring an economic development officer to work with business groups such as the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce on how to improve and attract business and market Strathmore.
“We want to push the idea that this is an affordable place to live. It’s a small town feel with a lot of good amenities like a hospital, a very good school system, and sporting venues like arenas, gyms and sports centres available here,” said Fule.
Fule was happy the town was able to secure a long-term lease of 320 acres of land known as the Pivot Fields for a solar farm – German company Solar Krafte will generate clean energy and revenue for the Town of Strathmore. Construction is set for June 2019 with an expected completion date of December 2019.
Another building project on the horizon is the proposal to move the town office into the downtown area which Fule said he hopes would help business in the area.
One aspect of the town’s economic strategy will be to create two reserves of money in case economic uncertainty is created by a change in government which can result in different funding for various programs.
“The town is taking a new approach – we are trying to set aside money in the budget each year to create lasting reserves of money,” said Fule. “We’re trying to look ahead four to five years from now and build up some money (so that) in case we do lose some funding, we will have a savings and reserve set up.”
One reserve will be used for infrastructure projects such as pipes below ground, and the second would be transferring leftover snow removal money into next year’s budget in case of a heavier snowfall this winter.
As 2018 comes to an end, Fule and town council with begin their second full year together in 2019.
“I hope that our Strathmore and area residents had a really good Christmas, and with their loved ones, family and friends, and we wish them a happy New Year,” said Fule. “A lot of projects got done to move the town forward and we are hoping 2019 is going to be just as good and just as busy.”