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2 D e c e m b e r 1 5 ' 1 6 C o r o n a t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b . E C A r e v i e w Technology advances means smaller wind farm footprint Cont’d from Pg 1 When the final budget is passed in April, it is hopeful that municipalities will know more on the effects of the carbon tax as to whether there will be reimbursements from the government or exemptions. The interim budget is taking into consideration of the current economic state a decrease in assessments of $95,068,540 so with the same mill rate as 2016 it will mean a decrease of $1,011,046 in tax revenue. The operating budget has increased approximately $75,000 with this change comprising of the decrease in operating revenue of $160,000 and the decrease in operating expenditures of $86,000 as a result of the decreased revenue in water for waterline hook-up fees, and the increase in fire services for the addition of the fire capital grants to the local fire departments as per the new agreement. Greengate wind farm project Dan Tocher of Greengate along with Matthew Breakey, a wind resource engineer with WSP Canada Inc. and Robert McCallum, a Merry Chistmas & Happy New Year to all the wonderful people of Coronation, Castor & Consort - Dr. Stephen Akindipe Manure & Compost Management For Details Call Brad • 403-575-5680 A Note of Thanks To Our Customers & Friends As another year comes to a close, we’d like to offer a chorus of thanks to all the individuals, customers, neighbours and friends who have made this year a noteworthy one for us. With best wishes for a merry and bright holiday season from all of us. From Bill, Mary Anne & Staff Big Country Construction & Building Supplies Ltd. 403-3rd Avenue. East, Hanna 403-854-3585 registered biological specialist gave a presentation on the Paintearth Wind Project going up between Sullivan Lake and Lanes Lake. With new technology for the generators, taller wind towers, and longer blades, the 45 towers will generate the same megawatts as the 83 towers do at the Halkirk wind farm making the footprint considerably smaller, noted Tocher. Greengate, along with their new corporate partner, Potentia from Ontario are developing three wind projects (383 megawatts) in Alberta. The Paintearth Project covers approximately 20,000 acres. The underground footprint on the taller towers remains the same. No actual construction will occur until 2018. When council questioned regarding geese mortality, the high population of swans in the area in the spring, owls and bats, McCallum said all environmental impacts have been and will continue to be studied. He noted the location moving for some towers followed the studies and also • POST FRAME • STICK FRAME • STEEL BUILDINGS blow-in insulation services using cellulose, fibreglass, Wallbar® and Rocksol® products Barns. Shops. Garages. Skid Shacks. Residential. Metal Roofing & Siding Sales & Delivery Contact Jake: 780-918-9873 email: jake.sandstormalberta@hotmail.com Now offering: said geese are known for ‘avoidance behaviour’ and lack of mortality on wind farms. He did however, say they have made a FOIP application to Alberta Environment for information as to exactly what is happening in the Halkirk project regarding geese mortality, which they haven’t received yet. Other considerations when Have a Very Happy Healthy Clip Cloppity Holiday Season - Dr Noelle O’Riordan placing towers is noise, shadow flicker, land value, crop dusting, visual impact, wildlife and impact on human health, although Tocher noted there is no independent documented studies that can link any health issues to wind farms. Breakey told council regarding shadow flicker, that Alberta Environment had no BLJ FARMS Ltd. Certified Seed For Sale Meadow Peas Meadow Morgan oats Peas Stettler Wheat Brandon Wheat Metcalfe Barley Barley Austenson Barley Certified Seed For Sale Dealer for Brett Young Grass & Canola Seed Call Charlie Nemetz 403-741-5761 Stettler bljfarms@hotmail.com regulations in place, but Greengate has applied Germany’s guidelines. When asked about land reclamation, Tocher noted that Greengate separates the top soil from the sub soil “We use best practices,” added Tocher. When Coun. Blumhagen asked about land value, Tocher said they really don’t get involved in that. Big Valley unveils vision for future Linda Stillinger ECA Review Reporter Weather may have been a contributing factor to the lower than hoped for attendance as Big Valley’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee unveiled its vision for the community in a draft strategic plan. Presented to the assembled stakeholders on Nov. 29 at the Big Valley Community Hall and facilitated by Victor Moisan from the Community Development Unit of Alberta Culture and Tourism, community members had the opportunity to provide feedback on the vision, mission and future goals for Big Valley. The report was generated from the input of an eight member committee who participated in a strategic planning workshop held in Big Valley on Oct. 31, 2016. Respect, integrity, fairness, leadership and involvement were identified as the core value words which helped to build the vision, mission and guiding principles for the strategic plan. Turn to ??, Pg 5 Auvigne Trucking Custom Tub Grinding Serving all of East Central Alberta (403) 872-0221 Provost Livestock Exchange The Livestock Market Serving Eastern Alberta and Western Saskatchewan 2016 Upcoming Sales Friday, December 16 - Last Regular & Presort Sale of 2016 @ 9 AM. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Last Bred Sale of 2016 @ Noon Andy Zacharias- Complete Dispersal of 115 Red Angus cross Cows bred to Black Angus June 22 Lorinda Wells – 125 Red, RBF & RWF Heifers bred to low birthweight Angus Bulls to start calving March 20 Gerry Wolfe – 27 fancy Red Angus/Simmental Heifers bred to Black Angus June 19 Jim Wilson – 55 Red & Black Heifers bred to Red Angus June 28 Gordon & Sheldon Stang – Herd Reduction of 46 Charolais & Simmental cross Cows bred Charolais on June 20. More Information Available on these, and other upcoming sales on our website www.plecattle.com Live Auctioneer & Live Nationwide internet sales to get the best exposure for your cattle! Direct Livestock Marketing Sales held every Thursday Jerry Hewson 306-753-7788 Dean Lawes 780-753-0803 Darcy Lakevold 780-753-8669 Casey Lawes 780-753-1466 Wayne Black 403-575-0200
E C A r e v i e w C o r o n a t i o n / S t e t t l e r , A b D e c e m b e r 1 5 ' 1 6 3 Utility rates increase for 2017 in interim budget Linda Stillinger, ECA Review An interim operating budget for 2017 was adopted by Stettler Town Council at their Dec. 6 regular meeting with estimates for expenditures of $16,801,224 and revenues of $17,785,191. The town’s 2017 Operating Budget will not be adopted until March or April of 2017. Utility rates will increase with the water rate per cubic metre rising from $2.73 to $2.78, though the water fixed rate will remain at $10 per month. Sewer rates will rise from $21.50 to $22, garbage rates from $22.50 to $23 and residential recycling fees from $6 to $6.25. These increases will come into effect January 1, 2017. Bad debts Council approved the motion to write off $16,015.59 of bad debt, representing a mix of 23 rental and business utility accounts. All bad debts have been given over to a collection agency. Based on the Town of Stettler 2016 utility revenues of approximately $3,598,330 the utility write-offs represent 0.47 per cent of revenues, up from 0.31 per cent in 2015. Bids accepted The town received two bids in a second round of tenders for a winged power take off pull behind mower. The original tender for a heavy duty mower received only one bid and was rejected by council because it was $13,900 over the budgeted amount. The new tender changed the specification to medium duty and netted bids of $19,915 from Cervus Equipment Ltd. and $13,600 from Future Ag. Inc. Though higher than the $10,000 originally budgeted, council accepted staff recommendations to purchase the mower from Future Ag. Equipment in the amount of $13,600. plus tax with funding to come from the Season’s Greetings and best wishes for the New Year! Innisfail, AB • 403-227-5581 Stettler, AB • 403-742-0200 We wish you safe and We happy wish you Christmas! a safe and happy Christmas! from Dale, Irene and Staff at Contact Safety Services Contact Safety Services 403-823-7771 Drumheller 403-742-2035 Stettler 2016 capital budget. Bids from Hi-way 12 Sales Inc. for $10,900 and Hitch to Headlights Inc. for $13,109 were received to provide a dump trailer with the lowest possible deck height. Both bids came under the approved $15,000 budgeted amount. After hearing staff recommendations, council approved the higher bid from Hitch to Headlights Inc. since that deck was 5.5 inches lower. Library budget Library Manager, Matthew Barabash and Andrew Brysiuk of the Stettler Public Library presented the 2017 library budget to council. The town contribution of $231,333 for 2017 is slightly down from last year’s $232,961. The library is jointly funded by the Town and County of Stettler. Though council voiced their STETTLER TOWN COUNCIL Hanna Rod & Gun Show presents their Big Game Scoring SOCIAL Saturday, January 28 Hanna Legion Hall Doors open @ 7pm 3 Raffles • Thompson Centre 306 Riffle • Primos Turbo Dogg Coyote Call • Vortex Crossfire 10 x 42 Binoculars Raffle Tickets to be sold locally Must be in attendance to win Call John Akkerman 403-854-6437 concerns regarding the reduction of user fees, it was explained how donations tend to rise when free programs are offered, offsetting the loss. Council recognised that a library is certainly a place for more than just books and values all the Stettler Library contributes to the community. Christmas Tree The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony was a great success. “We were very fortunate with the weather. There seemed to be more people than ever,” stated Mayor Dick Richards According to Richards, there were people lined up from Party Max down to John’s Mens Wear with everyone shopping, visiting and enjoying this annual event. Kelsey Roach donated this year’s Christmas tree and Heartland FLAGSTAFF COUNTY Single-tier governance model Members of the Flagstaff Intermunicipal Partnership (FIP) unanimously voted to design a singletier governance model for all member communities in the region to consider. The goal would be to dissolve Flagstaff County and all urban municipalities within its boundaries and have regional elections in October 2017 for a newly-created single municipality. “All the research, data and consultation feedback we’ve collected over the past year clearly indicates that one regional government gives our communities the best chance of success moving forward,” said Bob Coutts, Deputy Mayor of Forestburg and FIP Chair. “This is a bold step, but we have to work together if we want to grow and attract new families and businesses to our communities.” A sub-committee consisting of one representative from each of the ninemember FIP communities. Turn to Details, Pg 9 Castor & District AG Society would like to thank everyone for supporting the raffle. WINNERS • 1st Prize - Arctic Cat 4x4 Quad Jeff Ensign, Castor • 2nd Prize - Green Egg BBQ w/$1,500 Meat Package Dallas Pridell, Consort • 3rd Prize - $1,000 Cash Nick Jenkins, Halkirk Merry Christmas May the Joy of experiencing Jesus Christ as your living Saviour and Lord be yours this Christmas Season. the Grice family Christmas Greens now available Specializing in • Table Centrepieces • Outside Doorstep Arrangements • European Hand-tied Bouquets Come in and check out our vast array of giftware & wall decor. Congratulations on your 2011 Production Industries provided the free use of their picker truck to move the tree. Christmas Music Concert @ Zinger Music Barn Coronation AB Sun., Dec 18 @ 3:00 pm Free Admission Coffee and Dessert Everyone Welcome 403 578 3956 from Big Valley Antiques & Collectibles CHRISTMAS HOURS Dec 8-10 10am - 5pm Dec 14-23 10am- 5pm OPEN HOUSE Thurs. Dec 15 10am - 5pm Draws, goodies & fun WILD FURS Coyote, Fox, Shed Antlers Coming to Hanna AB Hanna Building Supply Yard at 1 pm Sat., Jan 7, Feb 11 & Mar 11 Contact Kim 780 755 3860 cell 780 842 7153 Prebook your Christmas Arrangements for best selection & Florist Check Out The NEW-TO-YOU Clothing Section Hoodies & Jersey’s 25 % off All purses & handbags 50 % off IN STORE SPECIALS 4801-50 Ave. Castor, AB 403-882-3144 Open Home Monday - Saturday - 8am-5:30pm Hardware Flowers Florists for special occasions, funeral tributes, weddings & everyday Serving Castor & Highway 12 to Consort, Highway 36 to Alliance Brian, Joan & Staff Castor, AB • 403-882-3144
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December15

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