tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31703831555080703402024-02-06T19:45:44.699-07:00Crowsnest Pass HomeBringing you information, opinions and views on the political scene in the Crowsnest Pass since 2008Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.comBlogger880125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-30430587730639219952016-02-04T09:55:00.006-07:002016-02-04T10:21:14.468-07:00Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Electrical system <h2 style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Museo-Slab, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, Book Antiqua, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.15em;">Big news for the Crowsnest Pass, this is just the very early stages of the process there will be a lot of public </span><span style="line-height: 27.6px;">consultation as we work through this very important issue.</span></span></span></span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 1.15em;"><span style="font-size: small;">Press Release</span></span><span style="font-size: 2em; line-height: 1.15em;"> - </span><span style="line-height: 1.15em;"><span style="font-size: small;">Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Considers Sale of Electrical Utility</span></span></span></h2>
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<a href="http://www.crowsnestpass.com/media-center/media-centre/press-releases">http://www.crowsnestpass.com/media-center/media-centre/press-releases</a><br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-25109464707876671102016-02-03T12:16:00.001-07:002016-02-03T12:16:35.562-07:00Crowsnest Pass Pool Last week Council announced that we are going to replace the pool in Blairmore and released the new design.<br />
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Historically the last time a new facility was built in the Crowsnest Pass? late 1970"s, the pool itself was built in the early seventies and initially had a life expectancy of 25-30 years.<br />
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Why replace now? We had a company come in (2014) and do a review of the deficiencies at the pool <a href="http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/9424">http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/9424</a> it is in bad shape it's 45 years old.<br />
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At the same time we put together a ten year capital plan which really shows the challenge financially of maintaining our municipality moving forward. <a href="http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/12889">http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/12889</a><br />
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Within that plan Council felt it was not just important to plan for infrastructure needs, but it was also critical to replace the swimming pool and protect our other key facilities. (Coleman Complex, and the MDM). You can see from the plan that there is not a lot of spare money to throw around can we squeeze out a few million dollars for our facilities? yes. $20-30 million? show me where.<br />
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Which leads me to the choice of an outdoor pool, I have heard comments from a loud vocal minority over the last week. "Put a roof on it, We can only use it for three months of the year, I can't believe that's all we are getting for $1.5million, I don't mind paying a few extra dollars in taxes a year, find grants, why do our neighbors have an indoor pool" and it goes on. <br />
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Let's talk about these issues, yes all our neighbors have indoor pools. I wonder if that would be the case if Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie did not all participate in the Elk Valley Tax Sharing agreement?<br />
<a href="http://www.elkford.ca/modules/news/newsitem.php?ItemId=7">http://www.elkford.ca/modules/news/newsitem.php?ItemId=7</a> <br />
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Yes these communities share $9 million a year in property taxes from Teck we will collect $7 million total in property taxes this year and 90% of that comes from residents only 10% from commercial. Pincher Creek talk to anybody that's involved with the town the pool is a large burden on them, and they receive $200,000 a year from the MD of Pincher to offset their costs.<br />
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Can't believe the cost $1.5 million, in this day and age of liability, you can't just throw up a building that's going to be used by the public, you have to have design's done by architects, stamped by engineers with everything built to code. So I went to see what other communities are doing surprisingly it's not hard to find towns in Alberta that have built outdoor pools in the last few years.<br />
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A few examples and please take a look at the costs and what they are getting:<br />
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Spirit River (North of Grande Prairie) <a href="http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2013/08/08/new-spirit-river-pool-officially-opens">http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/2013/08/08/new-spirit-river-pool-officially-opens</a><br />
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Mayerthorpe (North west of Edmonton) <a href="http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/2013/06/06/mayerthorpe-swimming-pool-opens">http://www.mayerthorpefreelancer.com/2013/06/06/mayerthorpe-swimming-pool-opens</a><br />
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Rimby (West of Ponoka) <a href="http://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20120713105540549">http://issuu.com/blackpress/docs/i20120713105540549</a><br />
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Blackfalds (North of Red Deer) <a href="http://masonmartinhomes.com/blog/2012/07/good-news-for-current-and-future-residents-of-blackfalds/">http://masonmartinhomes.com/blog/2012/07/good-news-for-current-and-future-residents-of-blackfalds/</a><br />
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Then I found a community that is building an Indoor facilities:<br />
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Barrhead, below is the borrowing bylaw $13 million dollars just to build an indoor pool with a few extra's, not a full blown indoor facility. They are very fortunate, they are only paying 40% of the cost the county surrounding them is also paying 40% in addition they are fund raising $1.5 million and taking $1.5 million of their grant money. <a href="http://www.barrhead.ca/sites/default/files/2015-05-Barrhead%20Regional%20Aquatic%20Centre%20Debenture%20Borrowing.pdf">http://www.barrhead.ca/sites/default/files/2015-05-Barrhead%20Regional%20Aquatic%20Centre%20Debenture%20Borrowing.pdf</a><br />
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Now let's look how we would compare to that situation, do I think any of our neighbors will throw in $5 million? MD of Pincher Creek is already contributing to the Town of Pincher Creek facility.<br />
$1.5 million in fund raising can you imagine the task that would be to raise that much money in the Crowsnest Pass with no major corporations?<br />
Then the grants yes all communities get MSI and Gas tax grants, you can look at the Capital plan above we show those dollars every year, if you spend them on a pool you will take those dollars away from some where else, what should we drop. Other grants? we apply for every one just as thousands of other communities do. <br />
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So what is this costing the residents of Barrhead?, their taxes on a home worth $100,000 $59 per year on a home worth $300,000 $177 per year(See link below). But keep in mind that's just on $5 million if they had to finance the full $13 million like we would. Those numbers change to $153 on a $100,000 home and $460 on a $300,000 home, that's every year for 25 years. <br />
<a href="http://www.barrhead.ca/proposed-aquatic-centre">http://www.barrhead.ca/proposed-aquatic-centre</a><br />
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We have not even spoke about operating costs, our pool costs us about $120,000 a year to operate. Our neighbors anywhere from $600,000 to $800,000, lets be optimistic and say we can do it better than anybody else and come in at $500,000. That's $380,000 more than we are spending today, to pay for that we would have to increase our taxes 5% so that $100,000 home would pay an extra $50 a year the $300,000 home $150 per year. For the guy that told me he would gladly pay an extra $100 a year for an indoor facility, if that was only the case.<br />
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Bottom line in my opinion I believe that council as made a good choice, to replace an aging facility that's way past it's end date. With a facility that we can afford both now and moving forward.<br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-70267977187768989972016-01-29T12:33:00.000-07:002016-01-29T12:33:04.112-07:00Crowsnest Pass Transit SystemHere is one of our New Initiatives for 2016, great idea coming from Community Services department and the FCSS board. The Town Rounder will continue doing what its been doing for years on Monday's and Tuesday's, for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's we are running a Transit System to serve all our communities. All the information is available at the link below, be patient it will have growing pains, but it's a start. Hopefully residents will use it and this will be a huge success which will allow us to look at ways of expanding the service in the future.<br />
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<a href="http://www.crowsnestpass.com/living-here/community-services/community-transit-and-town-rounder-service">http://www.crowsnestpass.com/living-here/community-services/community-transit-and-town-rounder-service</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-46719178178665076662015-10-26T12:34:00.000-06:002015-10-26T12:34:38.969-06:00Crowsnest Pass: We are going into debt and why. Last week at the council meeting (Oct 20) we gave second and third readings to borrowing bylaws 934, 935 and 936 I will explain each in more detail.<br />
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Bylaw 934 is for the sum of $1.2 million which will be spent on upgrading the roofs at the MDM facility and the Crowsnest Sports Complex.<br />
The MDM is used by a large number of groups for various programs and the gym is our only community hall that can hold a large crowd or an event of more than 150 people.<br />
The Crowsnest Sports Complex is the arena in Coleman, both of these facilities are in dire need of their roofs being upgraded or they will continue to deteriorate and ultimately we will lose them.<br />
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Bylaw 935 is for the sum of $1,672,500 which will be spent on the Frank Wastewater Facility (Sewer plant). With this plant we have a provincial license to operate it that requires the municipality to upgrade the plant by 2019. The total upgrade of the plant will be in the range of $18 million with the expectation on our part that the project will be funded two thirds by the provincial and federal governments. The first phase of the project is for $5 million our share will be the $1.7 stated above, this project/borrowing will not proceed unless we receive the grants or council commits to borrow the full $5 million. The problem with that scenario is if you start the project before you get the grant you no longer qualify for the grants. Second the municipality by provincial law can only borrow up to $19 million so a big chunk of that would be eaten up by the Sewer Plant if we proceeded with that approach.<br />
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Bylaw 936 is for the sum of $700,000 which will be spent on either the upgrade of the York Creek lodge or the building of a new lodge. (We expect a decision in the next month). In 2010 previous council had made a commitment of $1 million to a proposal by the York Creek Lodge Board to upgrade the facility. This council felt it was important to fulfill that commitment so if the lodge proceeds we will be taking $300,000 out of reserves and borrowing the other $700,000 to honor that pledge.<br />
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How will this affect our taxes? It won't.<br />
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This year we are paying out of our operational budget the sum of $450,000 on our existing debt, that amount drops to $75,000 next year, $29,000 in 2017 and 2018.<br />
The annual principal payments on the above: Bylaw 934 $100,000, Bylaw 935 $42,000, and Bylaw 936 $60,000. Our total principal payment for next year would be $277,000 depending on when we borrow the money, if the lodge or the sewer plant doesn't happen until later in the year then we will not see payments until 2017.<br />
Based on the fact that we are paying more than those amounts right now this borrowing should have zero negative impact on our tax bills. Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-33450528098998159652015-09-10T16:03:00.000-06:002015-09-10T16:03:45.963-06:00Castle Park my thoughts. <div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.3px;">
There is no doubt that there as been a lot of discussion for many years about the Castle area. Through both the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan and various other forums. </div>
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But never once did this government or the previous one sit down with us and tell us, this is what you are getting, this is when you are getting it and this is what it is going to look like. Even now we have an announcement that we are getting two parks but please fill out a survey to tell us what you would like to see in the park. Good to have a consultation process but after the fact? I would have liked to have seen a survey open to the residents of this corner of the province asking them what they would like to see, even going has far has asking them if they were in favor of having a park. </div>
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The morning of Sept 4th I received a call from a friend asking me if I was going to Stone's Throw for the announcement. I had no idea so I called the municipal office expecting that somebody had missed informing us. Not the case, nobody knew so I headed down to Stone's Throw. I found it intriguing that every pro park group within 200 km was very aware of the announcement. I asked people how long they knew? some told me for a week. Another person said to me it was all over Facebook, well normally local governments are informed especially when we are all going to be partners in a new imitative. </div>
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After the announcement I approached one of the minister's assistants and asked why we were not informed, I was told that they wanted to keep it low key. Kind of surprising response especially when it took me ten minutes to find a parking space, having to avoid the "CTV" and "CBC" vehicles parked on main street. The crowd in Stone's Throw was large they were packed in like sardines. I told Minister Phillips assistant if you had given us some notice, we would have advertised on our website and they could have used the Elks Hall, would have been much more comfortable for everybody. </div>
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How will this park affect us in the Crowsnest Pass? Who knows for sure it will be a while before any of us know what the park will really be. When asked if there were funds available to promote tourism and the other economic spin offs that come with this type of venture, the minister reminded us of the dire financial situation at hand in this province right now. (Which I believe was code for "No"). </div>
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One thing that is clear, logging and surface disturbance of any kind is ended. Just as many people will tell me that is bad as will tell me that is good. Personally I believe in responsible use of our resources where would our community be without the coal mines, our neighbors without the gas plant. </div>
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Will this park be accessible to hunting, fishing, camping, OHV use ten years from now? Who knows. Will we have a thriving economy based on tourism creating lots of good paying jobs for young families to stay here? I'm going to be optimistic and say sure hope so. </div>
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Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-82505243235111587112015-09-09T12:29:00.001-06:002015-09-09T12:29:53.317-06:002016 Budget-Crowsnest PassOnce again we have started the budget process in the Crowsnest Pass. The following meeting are all in Council Chambers, open to the public. Meeting start at 1pm, unless otherwise posted. <div>
Come on down and check it out for yourself. <div>
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2016 Budget</h3>
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Date</h4>
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Topics</h4>
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Agenda</h4>
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Minutes</h4>
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Council Strategic Priorities</div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">August 27, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Budget Process</div>
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Budget Overview</div>
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Setting 2016 - 2018 Budget Guidelines</div>
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Reserves</div>
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New Initiatives</div>
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Grants to Community Organizations</div>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">October 29, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Council Boards and Associations</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">November 12, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Council Boards and Associations</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">November 26, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Council Boards and Associations</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">December 10, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Draft Operating Budget Presentation</div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;">December 11, 2015</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(209, 206, 189); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 4px 15px;"><div style="padding: 0px;">
Draft Operating Budget Presentation</div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
Council Debate & Resolution</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-30557410254894723082015-09-04T14:13:00.000-06:002015-09-04T15:17:23.031-06:00Castle Special Management Area-Two new parks announced<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21.375px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">
If you wish to voice your opinion on this initiative go to the following address and you only have until October 5 to provide your Input:</h1>
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<a href="https://extranet.gov.ab.ca/opinio6//s?s=27234">http://www.albertaparks.ca/consult</a></div>
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Province to fully protect Castle area</h1>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 20.235px;">September 04, 2015</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.25px; line-height: 20.235px;"> </span><a href="https://snt146.mail.live.com/ol/#media-contacts" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(216, 218, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.25px; line-height: 20.235px;">Media inquiries</a><br />
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Commercial forestry in the Castle Special Management Area has been stopped and the process to designate the entire area under Parks’ legislation is underway. </div>
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<span style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/governmentofalberta/20936610608/in/photostream/" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank" title="Castle Lynx II"><img alt="Castle Lynx II" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5650/20936610608_8f0bab86f0_z.jpg" style="border: none; color: #363535; line-height: 22.7644px; max-width: 100%;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><em style="line-height: 21.6262px;"><small style="line-height: 18.0218px;">A view of the Lynx Creek Valley within the Castle area. Photo credit: John Novotny</small></em></span></div>
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“Protecting the Castle is critically important for the biodiversity and water quality of this entire region. Under Parks’ legislation, and with the input of all Albertans, we will permanently protect this special place for future generations to enjoy as we transition the land to support good local jobs in tourism and recreation.”</div>
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<footer style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><em style="line-height: 22.7644px;">Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks</em></footer></blockquote>
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Government is protecting the area with two new designations within the Castle: an expanded Wildland Provincial Park and a new Provincial Park.</div>
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Covering nearly 104,000 hectares, the Castle area is an ecologically-diverse expanse of mountains, foothills, forests, grasslands, rivers and lakes in southwestern Alberta. It is prized for its headwaters, biodiversity and functions as a key wildlife corridor. The Castle is culturally significant to First Nations, and forms part of the Crown of the Continent – the mountainous region where Alberta, British Columbia and Montana meet.</div>
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“This will mean more visitor signatures in our guestbook from all over Canada, the U.S. and beyond, who come to play in our backyard. As parents of three young kids, we know how special and pristine this area is, and the importance of preserving it for our kids to enjoy with theirs one day.”</div>
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<footer style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><em style="line-height: 22.7644px;">Jessica Atkinson, Owner, Stone’s Throw Café, Blairmore </em></footer></blockquote>
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“We applaud the government for protecting this significant piece of the southern Alberta Rocky Mountain landscape. As a business owner in a protected area, we know the benefits and jobs they create. These are jobs and opportunities that are compatible with this landscape and preserve the critical watersheds that they hold.”</div>
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<footer style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><em style="line-height: 22.7644px;">Beth Russell-Towe, Owner, Bear Mountain Motel</em></footer></blockquote>
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Designating the Castle under the <cite style="line-height: 21.6262px;">Provincial Parks Act</cite> will allow government to focus on stewardship, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, and boosting the local economy by promoting the area as an outdoor destination for Albertans and out-of-province visitors.</div>
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Consultation with Albertans on the future of the Castle Special Management Area begins today and will remain open for the next 30 days. For more information and to participate, please visit <a href="http://bit.ly/1O2bZGO" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.6262px;" target="_blank">albertaparks.ca/consult</a>.</div>
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Aboriginal consultation will also begin immediately. The province is fully committed to upholding First Nation Treaty Rights across Alberta.</div>
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In addition to discontinuing commercial forestry within the Castle area, there will be a prohibition on surface rights access for any new petroleum and natural gas leases. Existing petroleum and natural gas leases will be honoured. No new tenure will be sold for extracting metallic, mineral, coal or surface resources. Existing leases for metallic, mineral and coal commodities will be cancelled, consistent with direction under the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan. Current livestock grazing permits will be respected. </div>
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Related information</h1>
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<li style="line-height: 22.7644px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1i1tTxr" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank">Castle Special Management Area</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7644px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1O2bZGO" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank">Parks Consultation</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7644px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1dn9YS0" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank">Land Use Secretariat Consultation</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7644px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/RZtq1z" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank">South Saskatchewan Regional Plan</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7644px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><cite style="line-height: 22.7644px;"><a href="http://bit.ly/1JEEbdG" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 22.7644px;" target="_blank">Provincial Parks Act</a></cite></li>
</ul>
</aside></div>
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Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-14688667008801914702015-09-03T13:00:00.002-06:002015-09-03T13:05:19.814-06:00Crowsnest Pass feeling the economic downturn. <br />
<br />
Bad news this week our Super Value (formally Extra Foods) is closing down. Back in July Loblaws had announced that they would be closing 52 stores over the next 12 months (see story below). We were hopeful that ours would survive. <br />
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I think the moment Wal-Mart opened in Pincher Creek a lot of people that used to shop here drive that extra 30 minutes down the highway to do their shopping. <br />
I feel very bad for the people that worked there, they had some excellent employees I also feel bad for our community it's always good to have choices. <br />
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<br />
Now we join the ranks of our neighbors to the west Sparwood and Elkford that have had one grocery store for the last twenty years. It's a story that's going to be repeated many times, in many other communities.<br />
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<br />
Just had a discussion this morning with somebody that tells me that half of Teck's employee's don't even live in this area any more. They commute from Lethbridge, Calgary, Cranbrook etc. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
Loblaws closing 52 unprofitable stores over next 12 months<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaws-closing-52-unprofitable-stores-over-next-12-months-1.3164578">http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/loblaws-closing-52-unprofitable-stores-over-next-12-months-1.3164578</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-38755633159934630212015-08-19T15:10:00.000-06:002015-08-19T15:38:31.841-06:00Crowsnest Pass Fall Winter Guide and Ski Hill Pass sale.Please check out the new Fall/Winter guide for the Crowsnest Pass, highlights all our various community groups, facilities, FCSS and Recreation programs etc . <br />
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<a href="https://cnp.recdesk.com/RecDeskPortal/Portals/149/Guide.pdf">https://cnp.recdesk.com/RecDeskPortal/Portals/149/Guide.pdf</a><br />
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<br />
Awesome deal on ski passes for the coming season.<br />
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<br />
<a href="https://cnp.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/Home/tabid/5158/Default.aspx">https://cnp.recdesk.com/recdeskportal/Home/tabid/5158/Default.aspx</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-83161209706084083392015-08-18T14:43:00.000-06:002015-08-18T14:43:56.739-06:00OFF-SITE LEVY in the Crowsnest Pass<br />
Good news if you paid an off-site levy in the Crowsnest Pass during the period of 2001 to 2011 you may be eligible for a refund. Council recently passed a policy to refund this regressive, anti development form of taxation.<br />
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Check out the following:<br />
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<a href="http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/13193">http://www.crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/13193</a><br />
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If you feel you qualify or have questions contact the municipal office.<br />
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My opinion of an off-site levy is based on the fact that we has a community are not growing in the sense that the number of people utilizing our Infrastructure is not increasing. We are being forced to replace Infrastructure because it is old, antiquated and does not meet today's standards. Not because we have a population that is 20% higher than it was 20 years ago.<br />
Communities that have tremendous growth impose off site levies because they are growing rapidly they have more people flushing the toilets, turning on the taps, driving on the roads.Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-87101441108921454612015-08-14T11:37:00.000-06:002015-08-14T11:37:41.839-06:00Getting the answers you want! Alberta climate change<br />
Remember the Prentice survey not too long ago, prior to his financial plan being released to the taxpayers. A blatant exercise in presenting the questions in such away to achieve the answers that fulfill your political objectives. (Would you be willing to pay more taxes? or shut schools, and throw seniors out on to the street, that kind of stuff) <br />
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Well I didn't think Prentice could be out done until I got the email today on the new governments "climate leadership discussions".<br />
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<a href="https://climateleadershipsurvey.alberta.ca/">https://climateleadershipsurvey.alberta.ca/</a><br />
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Check it out for yourself, if you believe that Alberta should increase taxes to subsidize green energy, allow Ontario and Quebec to set energy policy for us through "cap and trade". This is the survey for you, I am sure that every environmental group in the province and beyond our borders are filling out the survey as we speak. <br />
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At the end of the day these survey's mean nothing if 100% of the responses said expand the "oilsands" "build more coal mines" and "do not" use our tax dollars to subsidize green energy (check out Ontario if you want to see how well that worked). What do you think the government would do?Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-35294721123462119132015-08-13T14:37:00.000-06:002015-08-13T14:37:28.634-06:00Annexation the answer? Why not? I was recently asked why we had dropped the previous council's proposal to annex part of the MD of Ranchlands. <br />
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I will comment more shortly but in the mean time I would draw your attention to the following links:<br />
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The first link provides numerous examples where annexation as been successful, if you click on the board order number it provides all the background on each annexation.<br />
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<a href="http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/abc_MGB_annexations">http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/abc_MGB_annexations</a><br />
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Please pay special attention to the following in particular Appendix "B" on Page 22:<br />
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<a href="http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/mgb/MGB_Annexation_Rules_-_Jan2013.pdf">http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/mgb/MGB_Annexation_Rules_-_Jan2013.pdf</a><br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-51817749346190821602015-06-01T10:32:00.000-06:002015-06-01T10:32:47.278-06:00Rum Runner Days, Summer event???????<div class="name" style="background-color: #fbfbf1; color: #646464; font-family: proxima-nova, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 1.375em; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 1.375em; line-height: 1.5em;">Open Discussion/Meeting for Marquee Summer Event 2016</span></div>
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<strong style="color: #333333;">Time: </strong>7:00 pm</div>
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<strong style="color: #333333;">Location: </strong>Elks Hall, 2025 129 Street, Blairmore</div>
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The Municipal Council of Crowsnest Pass would like to invite all interested User Groups and Non-Profit Organizations of the Municipality to a meeting to discuss the possibility of a marquee Summer Event in 2016.Interest in moving forward with this event will be determined at the meeting.</div>
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Thursday night you get to be part of the decision, you could be part of the event.</div>
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Got an idea drop by share it, put your name on the list. </div>
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Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-14351992979039046942015-05-28T15:31:00.000-06:002015-05-28T15:31:01.041-06:00Crowsnest Pass Service Plus program 2015<br />
The big green bins will be at the following locations:<br />
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Coleman Sportsplex<br />
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June 11-13 9am-3pm<br />
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Blairmore Shop<br />
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June 15-17 12pm-6pm<br />
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Hillcrest Shop<br />
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June 18-20 9am-3pm<br />
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Toxic and E-waste Round-up<br />
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Coleman Sportsplex June 13 9am-3pm<br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-16041719140188719422015-05-28T10:05:00.000-06:002015-05-28T10:07:07.991-06:00Teck Coal and the news we didn't want to hear!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px;">Teck Responds to Steelmaking Coal Market Conditions</span><br />
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<strong style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Vancouver, B.C.</span></strong><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> – Teck Resources Limited (TSX: TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) ("Teck") announced today it will be implementing temporary shutdowns in the third quarter at its six Canadian steelmaking coal operations in order to align production and inventories with changing coal market conditions.</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Each of Teck’s steelmaking coal operations will be temporarily shut down for approximately three weeks in the quarter. Shutdowns will be staggered over the summer months among the operations. Teck will continue to meet all contracted and committed coal sales for its entire suite of products.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.125em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Third quarter production will be reduced by approximately 1.5 million tonnes (Mt) to 5.7 Mt, a reduction of 22% for the quarter, with expected sales in the range of 6.0 – 6.5 Mt. Annual coal production is now estimated at 25 – 26 Mt. Additional coal production adjustments will be considered over the course of 2015 as market conditions continue to evolve.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1.125em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Guidance for unit operating and distribution costs for the year is unchanged. Capitalized stripping is expected to be about $65 million lower than original guidance reflecting lower coal production and reduced stripping costs this year due to lower diesel costs and productivity improvements since the start of the year. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />“Rather than push incremental tonnes into an over-supplied market, we are taking a disciplined approach to managing our mine production in line with market conditions,” said Don Lindsay, President and CEO. “We will continue to focus on reducing costs and improving efficiency to ensure our mines are cash positive throughout the cycle and well-positioned when markets improve.” <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />This measure builds on cost reductions previously undertaken across Teck – which have resulted in $640 million in annualized savings to date – and the margin improvement program for 2015, which is on track to exceed the $100 million target previously announced. </span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Shut down schedule:</span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Line Creek/Coal Mountain June 28-July 5</span></div>
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Elkview July 2-July 5</div>
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Greenhills/Cardinal River July 6-July 13</div>
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Fording River July 14-July 21</div>
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Line Creek/Coal Mountain July 22-Aug 2</div>
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Elkview Aug 3-Aug 6</div>
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Greenhills/Cardinal River Aug 7-Aug 18</div>
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Elkview Aug 19-Aug 26</div>
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Fording Aug 27-Sept 7</div>
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Elkview Sept 8-Sept 11</div>
Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-31884253916225409542015-04-27T10:25:00.002-06:002015-04-27T10:26:05.041-06:00Alta link Update---Crowsnest Pass no longer an optionOn a positive note you can see that based on the following information the Alta Link line is not coming to the Crowsnest Pass:<br />
A lot of effort went in to this process, and a lot of our residents voiced their concerns about this power link. Bottom link for once speaking up made a difference.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">Dear Municipal Stakeholder:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">Today, as part of my commitment to keep you informed of AltaLink’s projects in your area, I’m pleased to send you the Castle Rock Ridge to Chapel Rock round 2 public consultation material being mailed in the coming days to the landowners and stakeholders in your Municipal District. AltaLink will also be providing your municipal office with printed versions of this material so you’ll have exactly what stakeholders will receive in their mail boxes. All the project details and the proposed schedule are shown in the Newsletter and other information attached.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">AltaLink has refined the routing under consideration by adjusting some proposed routes and eliminating other routes and substation sites. The Dropped Route Letter will only be sent to the Stakeholders whose land is on dropped routes but is included in this email for information purposes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">The proposed project includes:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">A new substation, to be called Chapel Rock Substation, located near the existing 500 kV (500,000 volts) 1201L transmission line. The proposed substation site will be approximately 255 by 210 metres (820 by 1,150 feet).</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">The existing Castle Rock Ridge Substation will be expanded as part of this project to accommodate the termination of the proposed new 240 kV transmission line. We are proposing to extend the northeast and northwest fence by approximately 25 metres (82 feet) in each direction.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Approximately five to 15 kilometres (3.1 to 9.3 miles) of two new, single circuit 500 kV transmission lines will also be required. The length of these lines depends on the location of the Chapel Rock Substation. We are proposing to use two single circuit, guyed structures for the portion within the hills west of Highway 22. These structures will be used for straight portions of the line. At locations where the line deflects, self-supporting steel lattice structures will be used.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US">Approximately 24 to 37 kilometres (15 to 23 miles) of new double circuit 240 kV transmission line from the existing Castle Rock Ridge Substation to the proposed Chapel Rock Substation. Final line length is dependent on the route approved by the AUC.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">Open Houses</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tuesday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">May 26, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cowley, Ab</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 to 7 p.m.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Cowley District Hall</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">122 Cameron Street, Cowley</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Wednesday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">May 27, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pincher Creek, Ab</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 to 7 p.m.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Heritage Hotel</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">919 Waterton Avenue</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Pincher Creek</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Tuesday</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">June 2, 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Calgary, Ab</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3 to 7 p.m.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Coast Plaza Hotel</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1316 33 Street NE</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Calgary</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">There are numerous ways for the public and stakeholders to provide input including:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">AltaLink</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">email us at </span><a href="mailto:satrinfo@altalink.ca" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US">satrinfo@altalink.ca</span></a><span lang="en-US"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">calling our toll-free line at 1-877-269-5903</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">our website at</span><a href="http://www.altalink.ca/projects/CRRCR" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US">www.AltaLink.ca/projects/CRRCR</span></a><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">participating in a one-on-one consultation</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">email at </span><a href="mailto:stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US">stakeholder.relations@aeso.ca</span></a><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">calling the toll-free line at 1-888-866-2959</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="en-US">Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC)</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">email at </span><a href="mailto:consumer-relations@auc.ab.ca" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US">consumer-relations@auc.ab.ca</span></a><span lang="en-US"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 72pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span lang="en-US">o</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US">calling at 780-427-4903 (You can call toll-free by dialing 310-0000 before the number.)</span></span></span></div>
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Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-64805472868701880162015-04-16T16:07:00.000-06:002015-04-16T16:07:04.663-06:00Crowsnest Pass council opposes transmission line<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
Crowsnest Pass council opposes transmission line</h3>
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Great article on the Crowsnest Council's position on the Altalink line.<br />
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<a href="http://www.albertavoice.ca/2015/04/crowsnest-pass-council-opposes.html">http://www.albertavoice.ca/2015/04/crowsnest-pass-council-opposes.html</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-1600229508864685362015-04-08T12:09:00.000-06:002015-04-16T10:35:01.146-06:00Taxes in the Crowsnest Pass 2015Well we are almost at the end of the budget process, we did first reading of the mill rate bylaw last night.<br />
<br />
The common questions I get asked:<br />
<br />
How much are taxes going up? 2%<br />
<br />
This will generate an additional $140,000 in tax revenue, which will be off set by a $146,000 drop in the School foundation rate. So unless your assessment went way up, the average resident should see virtually no increase in their over all taxes.<br />
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Is the mill rate going down? yes 3.2% our assessment base was up this year with 1% new development and a little over 3% in increased property values so the mill rate had to decease or taxes would have gone up an additional 3%.<br />
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What's happening to our utility bills? They are going up $4.98 per month.<br />
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What about Franchise Fees? No change.<br />
<br />
Is the municipality hiring new staff? We will be hiring one position this fall to replace a person who is anticipated to retire next year. (CUPE position).<br />
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Are we putting money into reserves? Yes 2% of our operating budget.<br />
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The problem today we still have a deficit of $117,000<br />
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Municipal Options?<br />
<br />
Increase revenue by that amount.<br />
Decrease spending<br />
Run with a deficit which with provincial approval we could have up to three years to fix. <br />
<br />
MORE******<br />
<br />
When we sat down with Administration on Monday April 13 to resolve the deficit we came up with the following cuts. The first item the municipality was informed late Friday that almost $20,000 the province as always paid us In Lieu of taxes on the seniors buildings (Westwinds and Tecumesh Manor) were cut in the most recent provincial budget so our deficit actually increased at the start of the meeting.<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span lang="en-US">Decrease in Senior’s housing revenue of ($18,904)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Reduce administration contingency budget by $50,000</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Remove budget for by-elections of $4,500</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Reduce Deputy Fire Chief contracted services by $20,000</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Increase enforcement services fines revenue by $10,000</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 12pt 14.2pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Budget to receive $50,000 back from the 2014 Hillcrest 100</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US"><sup>th</sup></span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US"> anniversary</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 12pt 14.2pt; text-indent: -14.2pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Reduce costs to produce municipal newsletter by $10,000</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Tahoma,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US">·</span></span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span lang="en-US"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;"><span lang="en-US">Reduce fire/rescue budget by $5,000</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-61235051545017445602015-04-06T09:52:00.000-06:002015-04-06T09:52:03.257-06:00Grassy Mountain Coal Project-Public Input<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.38; overflow: hidden;">
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GRASSY MOUNTAIN COAL PROJECT – PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED</div>
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Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency<br />Public Notice - Revised<br />Grassy Mountain Coal Project — Public Comments Invited</div>
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April 1, 2015 — As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, located in Alberta. To assist it in making its determination, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment.<br />Benga Mining Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Riversdale Resources Limited, is proposing to construct and operate an open-pit metallurgical coal mine near the Crowsnest Pass, approximately seven kilometres north of the community of Blairmore, in south-west Alberta. As proposed, the production capacity of the project would be a maximum of four million tonnes of clean coal per year, over a mine-life of about 25 years.</div>
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Written comments must be submitted by April 20, 2015 to:<br />Grassy Mountain Coal Project<br />Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency<br />Canada Place<br />9700 Jasper Avenue, Suite 1145<br />Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4C3<br />Telephone: 780-495-2037<br />Fax: 780-495-2876<br />CEAA.GrassyMountain.ACEE@ceaa-acee.gc.ca</div>
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For further details regarding the environmental assessment of the Grassy Mountain Coal Project, please visit Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s website at <a href="http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=80101" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm…</a></div>
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Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-53567319404478787552015-04-04T14:41:00.001-06:002015-04-04T14:47:27.084-06:00Crowsnest pass Community guideCheck out the new community guide<br />
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<a href="http://crowsnestpass.com/public/download/documents/10374">Crowsnestpass.com/public/download/</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-43526316641475671082015-04-01T12:32:00.000-06:002015-04-01T14:01:47.637-06:00Alta Link-Crowsnest Pass If you are not aware by now Alta Link has one of their options, is looking at a Crowsnest Pass route to run their Castle Rock Ridge to Chapel Rock Transmission line.<br />
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<a href="http://www.altalink.ca/projects/southernabtransmission/sabtransmissionreinforcement/satr-castle-rock-ridge-chapel-rock.cfm">http://www.altalink.ca/projects/southernabtransmission/sabtransmissionreinforcement/satr-castle-rock-ridge-chapel-rock.cfm</a><br />
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Municipal council came out strongly opposed to this route for many issues including, environmental, aesthetics, etc. If you go out to the east side of Pincher Creek and take a look at the horrible sight of transmission lines it should be enough to tell you why we don't want them here.<br />
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I know our neighbors don't want to see this new transmission line neither. But at least they gain all the millions of tax dollars from the wind mills annually. Alta Link informed us that the transmission line would generate $80,000 a year in taxes for us. <br />
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We are being told that in the next couple of months Alta link will be coming back with their options narrowed down to two.<br />
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If you are concerned about this issue contact Altalink at <a href="mailto:stakeholderrelations@altalink.ca">stakeholderrelations@altalink.ca</a> or 1-877-269-5903.<br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-52731533477380055602015-03-27T09:47:00.003-06:002015-03-27T09:47:46.832-06:00MSI Grant Funding for Crowsnest Pass 2015It appears the $521,174 MSI funding we received in March was just an advance on the 2015 funding. If you add the total back in to this years total we will receive $2,198,759 about $39,000 less than 2014.<br />
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2015-CROWSNEST PASS, MUNICIPALITY OF <br />
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MSI Capital Component $1,197,745<br />
BMTG Component $333,900<br />
Sub Total $1,531,645<br />
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Operating funding $145,940<br />
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Total MSI Funding $1,677,585<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">2014-CROWSNEST PASS, MUNICIPALITY OF</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">MSI Capital Component $1,771,588</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">BMTG Component $333,900</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Sub Total $2,105,488</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Operating Funding $131,924</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Total MSI Funding $2,237,412</span><br />
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<br />Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-25093134809364821612015-03-23T13:07:00.001-06:002015-03-23T13:07:22.131-06:00Government of Alberta Survey results<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21.375px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 5px;">
Survey says: Albertans understand budget challenge</h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1em; line-height: 20.2350006103516px;">March 23, 2015</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #363535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.25px; line-height: 20.2350006103516px;"> </span><a href="https://snt146.mail.live.com/ol/#media-contacts" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(216, 218, 217); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14.25px; line-height: 20.2350006103516px;">Media inquiries</a><br />
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Results from government’s online budget survey are now available and show Albertans want a balanced approach to Budget 2015. </div>
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The online Budget 2015 survey received 40,513 responses, which demonstrate a wide range of opinions with several clear themes.</div>
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<li style="line-height: 22.7643756866455px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">Nine out of 10 respondents feel low oil prices will greatly or somewhat affect the Alberta government’s ability to budget. (Question 1)</li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7643756866455px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">Nine out of 10 respondents feel government needs to take action either immediately or within this year. (Question 3)</li>
<li style="line-height: 22.7643756866455px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">When asked what is the right balance to respond to the drop in revenue, Albertans were split almost evenly three ways between reducing spending, increasing revenue and running a deficit budget. (Question 6)</li>
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“Albertans have been paying attention and they understand government needs to make tough decisions to deal with our fiscal situation. I want to thank everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Budget 2015 will reflect the balanced and thoughtful approach Albertans have signaled they want. Government understands it can’t move too hard in any direction without risking further economic damage.”</div>
<footer style="line-height: 22.7643756866455px;">Robin Campbell, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Finance</footer></blockquote>
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When asked how the province can stabilize revenue, the top three choices from Albertans were raising tobacco taxes, increasing corporate taxes and introducing a graduated personal tax rate. (Question 9)</div>
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"Right now, businesses are struggling to keep people working. We have seen thousands of jobs lost already this year and people are worried about their jobs. Increasing the corporate tax actually hurts the overall economy and puts jobs at risk - we will not do that. Budget 2015 will be fair and balanced as we protect working families and the most vulnerable."</div>
<footer style="line-height: 22.7643756866455px;">Robin Campbell, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Finance</footer></blockquote>
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Responses were about evenly split between north and south, with seven out of 10 responses coming from the greater Calgary and Edmonton regions. The majority of respondents have lived in Alberta between 11 and 41 years.</div>
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The Budget 2015 survey ran from February 5-28 and paper copies were mailed to Albertans on request. Results are<a href="http://bit.ly/1jWmeMw" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.6261577606201px;" target="_blank">available online</a> and through the <a href="http://bit.ly/10EIYp8" style="color: #0082c7; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 21.6261577606201px;" target="_blank">Open Data Portal</a>.</div>
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In addition to the survey, various members of government, including Premier Jim Prentice, participated in a 26-stop speaking tour across Alberta that ran from early January to early March. Roughly 2,000 people attended the various events. In early December and January, Minister Campbell met with chief economists from various financial institutions and also hosted several meetings with stakeholders across Alberta.</div>
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Alberta’s budget will be released on March 26, and for the first time will be presented in a fully consolidated fiscal format supported by the Auditor General. Also for the first time, Budget 2015 will have a five-year detailed fiscal and capital plans within the context of a 10-year vision that will help Albertans see the fiscal outlook for the province.</div>
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<a href="http://finance.alberta.ca/publications/budget/budget2015/Budget-2015-Consultation-Report.pdf">http://finance.alberta.ca/publications/budget/budget2015/Budget-2015-Consultation-Report.pdf</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-71634597937844040822015-03-06T10:49:00.000-07:002015-03-06T10:49:29.650-07:00Crowsnest Pass MSI Funding Just released today MSI funding numbers<br />
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2014-CROWSNEST PASS, MUNICIPALITY OF<br />
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MSI Capital Component $1,771,588<br />
BMTG Component $333,900<br />
Sub Total $2,105,488<br />
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Operating Funding $131,924<br />
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Total MSI Funding $2,237,412<br />
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2015 March Funding<br />
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CROWSNEST PASS, MUNICIPALITY OF $521,174Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-72655415733444611262015-02-05T10:40:00.001-07:002015-02-05T10:40:50.237-07:00Alberta Budget 2015 your Input The Alberta government is now providing you the opportunity to provide your input on solving the $7 billion shortfall. Just go to the following address and click on take the survey.<br />
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<a href="http://alberta.ca/budget.cfm">http://alberta.ca/budget.cfm</a>Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.com8