Protecting our Animals

Animal Safety During Emergencies

The MD of Foothills has been taking steps to ensure our Fire and Protective Services are even more informed on how to deal with our animals (large and small) in the event of an emergency.

On November 21st, MD First Responders and Staff attended workshop to provide an overview of the equine industry in Alberta and assist municipal bodies and personnel to incorporate equine into their existing emergency management plans.

The workshop was very well received and valuable for providing more tools for our First Responders to help provide us all with an even higher level of care for our animals.

Also, the story below shares some news for our other furry friends.

How Fast is Your Internet?

Please Share

I am still trying to share this internet speed test from CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) to get as many people as possible to take the test so that they receive more data about what kind of speeds we have out our way.  The Federal Government has a target of getting households to a minimum up 5 mbps download speeds but they need data on what people are currently getting.

To take the test, go to: https://performance.cira.ca/

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Good news today from Municipal Affairs

Municipal Affairs just announced a program called Property Education Requisition Credit (PERC). The program will be giving a tax credit retroactive from 2015-19 for municipalities that had to pay the school requisition based on assessment, even though they were unable to collected taxes from some Oil & Gas companies. For the MD of Foothills, this credit could end up being up to $500k. This is very good news for all of us!

Millarville Halloween Howl

A Very Special Thank-You!

Thank-you so much to everyone that volunteered their time to make the Halloween Howl at the MRAS such an amazing night for everyone and for all those that attended!

A very special thanks to Andrea Matovich, Rebecca Clark, Laurie Minter-Borys, Shanna Dunne, Freddie Fleetcroft (Ben and Jenny), Laura Dunne, Adele Webb DePauw, Erica Aspden Crowe, Laura Ball, Melodie Webber-Koopman, Cinnamon Bunn (my pumpkin judging guru counterpart) and everyone else I am unable to tag for your ongoing efforts to make such a fantastic community event happen! A great time was had by all!

If for some reason you didn't make it out this year, be sure you don't miss it next year!

New Council, Councillor Training, Staff Orientation and Organizational Meeting

New Council

As many of you are aware, the M.D. of Foothills has a new council that started back to work and were sworn in on Oct 24th.  Your new council consists of:

• Division 1 - Rob Siewert
• Division 2 - Delilah Miller
• Division 3 - Myself Jason Parker
• Division 4 - Suzanne Oel
• Division 5 - Alan Alger
• Division 6 - Larry Spilak
• Division 7 - R.D. McHugh

Council Orientation

As per the new Municipal Government Act (MGA) Amendments, municipalities must offer orientation training within 90 days after each councillor takes oath of office.  The training provides important information addressing key topics outlined in the act.  Getting down to business ASAP, our council completed this training on Oct 24th.  The M.D.'s training was conducted by an outside party that has years of experience dealing in municipal law.  It was a great review for the previous councillors and very eye opening for the new councillors.  I am happy to report, that after completing the training, we still have a full council!

Staff Orientation

In order to prepare the new councillors as best as possible, Oct 25th consisted of a staff orientation where directors of all the departments at the M.D. of Foothills had an opportunity to walk council through what their departments do and who key staff members are in those departments.  Presentations were done by Public Works, Community Services, Planning, etc...  Due to all the valuable questions, we were unable to get through everyone in the full day and will have more introductions in the future.

Organizational Meeting

Oct. 26 consisted of council's Organizational Meeting where the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and committees are decided.  Council nominates and votes on each of these.  With the departure of the previous Deputy Mayor, Ted Mills, council elected a new Deputy Mayor, Delilah Miller from Division 2 and Larry Spilak retains his position of Mayor.

After the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were sworn in, council decided on each of the committees the individual councillors will sit on. 

Next week it is back to business as usual with the Wednesday council meetings.

THANK YOU!

Thanks so much to everyone for the support! I am honoured that once again you have put your trust and faith in me to represent you for Division 3 in the beautiful M.D. of Foothills. I look forward to doing my absolute best for you over the next four years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Keep an eye out as we move forward with ways to continue to keep you up to speed on the latest happenings within Division 3 and the M.D..  If there are specific ways you would like to be kept informed, please let me know by contacting me HERE.

All the best,
Jason

Polling Stations are OPEN!

Thank you so much for all your support over the last four weeks and four years!  It has truly been an honour to serve you and I have absolutely loved it!  Those of you I have helped over this last term I'm sure can attest to the fact that I genuinely love people and helping them.  That is a big part of the reason I decided to run in 2013 and I think this is one of the most important characteristics for being a good municipal councillor.

I feel I have done a very good job over this last term, but good is never good enough in my books.  As an athlete for 20 years, every day I woke with the intention of being better than I was the day before.  I wasn't always successful, but having that intention served me well in that arena.  This is the same mentality I have brought to serving you.  I know I didn't do a perfect job but every day, I have challenged myself to try to be better than the day before and that is what I will continue to do moving forward.


Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such amazing residents and putting your trust and

Oct 11 Update 2 - Alberta Transportation STIP grant applications for Division 3

Oct 11 Update 2 - Alberta Transportation STIP grant applications for Division 3

MD Council has directed staff to move forward and re-submit to projects to the Alberta Transportation Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program (STIP).

Both locations are in Division 3:

1. 1160 Dr. W. and 160 St W from 168 St W. - Engineering and reconstruction of approx 2.5 km of road just north of Black Diamond
2. Bridge over a tributary of Three Point Creek

For more information, watch the video below.

Oct 11 - Update MD Energy Distribution & Transmission cost review

Oct 11 Update - MD Energy Distribution & Transmission cost review and LED Retrofit

As MD Council, we are always looking at ways of saving money.  Today, Council decided to move forward on a couple cost saving projects.  Watch the video below for more details.

MEET JASON TONIGHT AT MRAS!

"I want to continue representing you to the best of my ability and would love to hear from you in person."

Come and meet Jason Parker, your Division 3 Councillor so that you can have the opportunity to have your feedback heard and get to know a little more about him. 

What do you love about the area?  Why do you live out here?  What have you found challenging? What would you like to see changed? What is your future vision for the area?

Doors open at 7:00 pm and the event will begin at 7:15 pm.

Location:

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Millarville Race Track Hall

We look forward to seeing you there, hearing your feedback and giving you the opportunity to get to know me better.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

We certainly have so much to be thankful for!  We live in such a beautiful place with such amazing people.  Lately, I have been very thankful for all the great feedback I have been receiving from you all as I have been arriving on your doorsteps. 

It was awesome talking to so many more of you this weekend! Thanks for all the Thanksgiving wishes and amazing feedback. We certainly have the best residents out here!

 
A special thanks to the great team effort today as well.  It means so much having such great support, not only from the many residents we have visited but my family and friends as well!

I look forward to seeing more of you tomorrow at the Millarville Race Track at 7pm for the "Meet Jason" Event and the upcoming days as I continue visiting your doors! Details for the event are HERE.  See you there!

TONIGHT MEET JASON EVENT - Square Butte Hall

"I want to continue representing you to the best of my ability and would love to hear from you in person."

Come and meet Jason Parker, your Division 3 Councillor so that you can have the opportunity to have your feedback heard and get to know a little more about him. 

What do you love about the area?  Why do you live out here?  What have you found challenging? What would you like to see changed? What is your future vision for the area?

Doors open at 7:00 pm and the event will begin at 7:15 pm.

Locations:

Thursday, October 5, 2017 
Square Butte Hall, HIghway 762

Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Millarville Race Track Hall

We look forward to seeing you there, hearing your feedback and giving you the opportunity to get to know Jason better.

Oct 5 - Advanced Vote TODAY and Oct 12!

Election Details and Dates

Advanced Vote - Thursday, October 5, and October 12, 2017 
4 pm - 8 pm

M.D. of Foothills No. 31 Administrative Office
309 Macleod Trail
High River, AB

Election Day - Monday, October 16, 2017 
10 am - 8 pm

Square Butte Hall, Highway 762
Millarville Community School, Millarville
Flare 'n Derrick, Turner Valley

 CLICK IMAGE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY (PDF Format)

Questions
If you have any questions about the election, please contact Heather McInnes at 403.603.6203 or Debbie Greenwood at 403-603.6237 for more information.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD VOTER IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS (PDF)

Connect with Jason on: Website - Facebook - Twitter

FIRE BAN LIFTED - as of Oct 2nd

FIRE BAN LIFTED - as of Oct 2nd  

At long last, the fire ban has been lifted! 

As of 1:00 p.m. Oct 2, in the M.D. of Foothills No. 31, by order of Council, has lifted the fire ban. All open fires will now be allowed by obtaining a burning permit issued through the Online Burning Permit application or through a Fire Guardian. 

Go to https://: .mdfoothills.com/residents/protective_services/fire_department/burning_permits__regulations.html for more information

ALERT - HWY 549 Closed due to accident

ALERT HWY 549 E CLOSED due to accident and weather conditions 

East of 112 St W.  BE SAFE OUT THERE!

Meet Jason - Your Division 3 Councillor

"I want to continue representing you to the best of my ability and would love to hear from you in person."

Come and meet Jason Parker, your Division 3 Councillor so that you can have the opportunity to have your feedback heard and get to know a little more about him. 

What do you love about the area?  Why do you live out here?  What have you found challenging? What would you like to see changed? What is your future vision for the area?

Doors open at 7:00 pm and the event will begin at 7:15 pm.

Locations:

Thursday, October 5, 2017 
Square Butte Hall, HIghway 762

Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Millarville Race Track Hall

We look forward to seeing you there, hearing your feedback and giving you the opportunity to get to know Jason better.

Sept 27 Update - Home Oil Rd, Racetrack Rd, Property Taxes, Additional Advanced Polls

New RCMP Staff Sergent

Resident Safety, Cyclists, Speeding and Shooting Big Concerns

A big thank-you to Turner Valley RCMP’s new staff sergeant Dwayne Helgeson for taking the time tonight to listen to the concerns of MD residents in Division's 3 and 4 at the High Country Rural Crime Watch meeting. We are lucky to have you. 

It was great meeting you in person and I look forward to working with you on some needed initiatives in our area.

In Our First 4 Years Together, We Have Accomplished Alot

In our first 4 years together, we have accomplished a lot. Infrastructure, Roads, Highways, Water, Recreation Projects, Communications and much more. Here is a sample of some of what we have achieved in Division 3.

Infrastructure, Roads, Highways and Water

• Flood Projects 
• $9.6 million in flood recovery projects in Division 3
• Road Projects
• Millarville Road - resurfacing
• 192 St W (Racetrack Road) - two lifts of chip seal with culvert replacement
• Highway Projects
• Highway 549 East - resurfacing
• Highway 22 - resurfacing
• Highway 762 - four slide area repairs underway with resurfacing either Fall 2017 or Spring/Summer 2018.  Approximately $11 million invested.

Rothney Observatory "Howdy Neighbour BBQ"

Great Turn-out for the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory's Annual "Howdy Neighbour BBQ"

If you missed the event, you will have to watch for it again next year!  It was a great evening of education, conversation and food wrapped up with a tour of the Observatory.  See below for more...


Dr. Phil Langil from the University of Calgary always does a brilliant job of making the complicated world of Astrophysics and bringing to a level that everyone can understand, appreciate and enjoy.

It is a great resource that we have in our MD and we need to do what we can to protect it by keeping our skies dark and following the MD's Dark Sky Bylaw.

Exciting things happening with the Millarville Sports Association

Nomination Day, Millarville School Event

Sept 13 - Potential Traffic Interruptions from Events coming up this week

Turner Valley to Millarville Water Pipeline Update

Seaman Sports Park Update

Sept 7 - TRAFFIC INTERRUPTIONS

Sept 5 - FYI Forrest Protection Areas Closed

Happy Labour Day Weekend, Please remember...

Aug 31 - 192 St ROAD CONSTRUCTION Update

Aug 30 - Updates - #SouthWestCalgaryRingRoad, Race Track Road and Highway 762

http://www.swcrrproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SWCRR_Mac_22X_Gird_AugV2.pdf

If there is anything else you would like me to cover in these updates, please feel free to let me know in the comments below or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/JasonParkerMD31.

Have an awesome day!

Jason

TRAFFIC ADVISORY Sept 4-9 #SouthWestCalgaryRingRoadProject

Aug 13 - Update Road Closure 2338 Dr W, #SWCRR Traffic Advisory and #MillarvilleFair

July 19 - Update Road Closures 224 St W and 290 Ave W

July 17 - FIRE BAN IN EFFECT

Effective July 17th, Fire Ban in Effect. See full details below. 

June 18 - Millarville Community School Grade 8 Exit Projects

June 8 - Update Marijuana Poll

June 7 - Update 242 Ave W Road Closures, 192 St Chip seal, Southwest Calgary Ring Road, Millarville Farmers' Market and Millarville "Run To The Farmers' Market" Half Marathon

In this video update I cover the following:

1. 242 Ave W road closures and chip seal
2. 192 St (Racetrack Rd) chip seal
3. Southwest Calgary Ring Road traffic update
4. Opening day Millarville Farmers' Market June17
5. Millarville "Run to the Farmers' Market" Half Marathon

If there is anything else you would like me to cover in these updates, please feel free to let me know in the comments below or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/JasonParkerMD31.

Have an awesome day!

Jason

June 6 - Update SWRRP Traffic Advisory

SWCRR Update Traffic Advisory - 22x and Macleod Trail

Here is another update that might affect your commute:

• Haul Trucks Crossing Macleod Trail Ramps
• Location - Southeast portion of Macleod Trail and 22X Interchange

Starting Date June 7

Completion Date August 1

If there is anything else you would like me to cover in these updates, please feel free to let me know in the comments below or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/JasonParkerMD31.

Have a great day!

Jason

June 5 - Update Road Closures 242 Ave W

ROAD CLOSURES - June 5-8

FYI - 242 Ave W will be closed at different locations over the next few days for culvert repair so be aware, there may be some traffic interruption.  You may want to consider using a different route if possible.

If there is anything else you would like me to cover in these updates, please feel free to let me know in the comments below or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/JasonParkerMD31.

Have a great day!

Jason

May 31 - Update Traffic Advisory - South West Calgary Ring Road Project

SWCRR Update Traffic Advisory - 22x and Macleod Trail

Here is another update that might affect your commute:

• May 31 to June 14, 2017 - Closure of the left northbound lane of Macleod Trail S.E., approximately 200 metres north of Highway 22X.  See details below the video or click here.

EXCITING NEWS! Additional $25,000 for Millarville Rink!

May 24 - Update Summer Weight Order, MD Newsletter, Cyclists, OHV's, Dog Control

In this video I discuss:

1. Summer Weight Order
2. MD Newsletter
3. Modernizing MGA - Mandatory Growth Management Board
4. Cyclists
5. OHV's 
6. Dog Control

Links to more information on the above items can be found below.  Thanks for watching and let me know in the comments below if there is anything else you'd like me to cover in the future.

You can find links for further information below on the items discussed in the video:

• Summer Weight Order/Road Bans - http://www.mdfoothills.com/services/public-works--engineering.html
• MD of Foothills Newsletter - latest is not uploaded yet but will be found here -  http://www.mdfoothills.com/news/newsletter.html
• Dog Control Information and Bylaw - http://www.mdfoothills.com/services/protective-services/municipal-enforcement/municipal-enforcement.html

If there is anything else you would like me to cover in these updates, please feel free to let me know in the comments below or on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/JasonParkerMD31.

Have a great day!

Jason

May 17 - Update on Heartland Filming, Millarville Reservoir Embankment Erosion Protection and Water Pipeline

May 9 - Update - CIRA Broadband Speed test

May 9 - Update - CIRA Broadband Speed test 

Do you know what your TRUE internet speed is?

The CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) has put out an "Internet Speed Test" to give them and the Federal Government a better idea of what the average internet speeds are across the country.  If you have used SpeedTest.net or other speed tests in the past, they don't give you a true indication of what your actual internet speed is.

Watch the video below for more detail and go to https://performance.cira.ca/calgaryregion to find out your actual speed.

May 2 - Update - Millarville Wins $50,000 Grant from Calgary Hitmen!

CONGRATULATIONS MILLARVILLE!!!

So proud of how our little #Millarville community came together to make what seemed almost like the impossible, possible! You have no idea how far the ripples from this achievement might reach for the future of sport in the area. A big thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone that voted and helped to make this happen!

A very special thanks to Millarville Sports Association President, Bryan Pederson for heading this all up and being the constant cheerleader reminding everyone to get their votes in! You deserve this my friend for all the effort! Here's to the next stage of the project!

Apr 19 - Update Broadband for Millarville and Millarville Hockey Rink

April 13 - Update - Snow plows and Sheep River Health Trust Radiothon

April 10 - SWCRR Traffic Update

SWCRR Update 22x and Macleod Trail

Here are two more updates that might affect your commute:

1. Southbound Macleod Trail at 22x -Closure of left southbound lane for construction access starting April 10th 9am completing April 12 3pm.  See details below or click here:
   

Northbound Macleod Trail at 22x - There will be an installation of barriers starting April 10 at 10pm completing hopefully by 6am on April 11.  See info below or click here:

April 5 - Update on Ring Road, Cyclists, Road Bans, Street Sweeping

Apr 5 - South West Calgary Ring Road Update

SWCRR PARKING UPDATE

The parking at the intersection 22x and 96th St (37th St SW Calgary) between the east and west bound lanes of 22x has been closed for the development of the South West Calgary Ring Road.

April 4 Update - Highway 22x Traffic Disruption Advisory

Construction of the #SouthwestCalgaryRingRoad is starting so be aware of the traffic interruptions. 

March 21 - Update on #Broadband #CarbonLevy #Cyclists from the #AAMDC (Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties) Spring Convention.

Mar 15 - ROCKET ENGINE TESTING in the MD?

ROCKET ENGINE TESTING in the MD?  That's right, but it's probably not what you think.  Watch below for more details.



If you cannot read the details from the image below, click here.

West Foothills Water Meeting Reminder

Mar 16 Meeting Reminder - West Foothills Water project meeting

March 16 Meeting Reminder - West Foothills Water project meeting
Thursday night, March 16 at 7pm at the Priddis Community Hall. See details below or www.WestFoothillsWater.ca

Mar 9 - Updates - Septic Sense Workshop & West Foothills Water Meeting

The Septic Sense Workshop scheduled for Mar 23 at the Priddis Community Hall is now full.  However, I suggest you still call the MD Office and sign-up for the waiting list as there may be people that are unable to attend.  We are hoping to be able to run more of these workshops, but it won't be until fall if they are available at all.

West Foothills Water

There will be a meeting on Thursday, March 16 at 7pm at the Priddis Community Hall to present the preliminary engineering of the West Foothills Water project.  If you live in the Highway 762 area, I suggest attending.

Feb 8 - Snow Removal Update