Sept 25th Update - Rural Crime Tour, Howdy Neighbor BBQ, ♻️ Roundup, Property Taxes & Parkins Rd Construction Update

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Rural Crime Tour with Minister of Justice Oct. 1st

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer is once again coming to town to discuss rural crime.  This is his second time this month he has been in the area to discuss this topic with locals.  On September 5, Banff-Kananaskis MLA, Miranda Rosin organized an opportunity for me to meet with him with a handful of other Councillors from the Foothills and Rockyview County prior to a Town Hall he hosted in Springbank.  (Click here for details on the September 5th event).

He expressed his commitment to help deal with the issue and was open to feedback as to what was working and what wasn't.  The fact that he is coming back to the area demonstrates this commitment.  

If you have experienced Rural Crime and would like to provide feedback to the Minister on the topic, be sure to join us on October 1st at the Centennial Centre in Okotoks from 6-8pm.  A special thanks to RJ Sigurdson, MLA for Highwood for organizing this event.

Details for the event can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/1113568042182622/

Rothney Observatory "Howdy Neighbor BBQ" Sept 26th (@1:42)

If you have never been to the Rothney Observatory here is the perfect opportunity as on Thursday, Sept 26th from 5-8pm they are hosting their annual "Howdy Neighbor" BBQ.  This is a chance to come see the observatory and learn about all the amazing things they are doing there.  AND there is free food!

It is a great event for ALL AGES so bring the family, have some good food, visit with neighbors from the area and learn about this great resource we have in the Foothills!

September 28 is the Recycling Roundup! (@2:35)

Bring your items to the Black Diamond or Turner Valley Transfer stations between 10-4.  This is an event that only takes place once per year!  So take advantage of it and get your garage cleaned up before winter comes.

Property Tax Reminder - Due September 30th (@3:05)

Parkins Road Construction Update (@3:31)

For those of you out on Parkins Road, I know it has been a challenging last few weeks.  Public works has obviously had some challenges with weather during the repair of the road, with more inclement weather coming.

I have been assured by the Deputy Director of Operations that they will do their best to get the road done this fall.  If they are unable to fully complete it to the standard they want, they will make it the best they can to get through the winter and will make sure it is fully repaired next summer.

I know this has been an inconvenience to residents out that way and we very much appreciate your patience on this.  They are doing the best they can and if only we could control the weather...

Sept 11 Update - Road Construction, Square Butte Community Association Potluck, Recycle Roundup ♻️ and Landfill Extended Hours

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Road Construction Update (@ 0:46)

• 322 St W south from 549 W.  Repairs being done.  They were there previous but had weather turn and had to go back and do some further repairs.
• Home Oil Road repairs to the Maintainable Road Oil (MRO) surface.
• Parkins Road resurfacing.  This is a bigger project so might take a while and is weather dependent.

Square Butte Community Potluck Sept 15th 4-8pm (@ 2:44)

Always a great family event.  Takes place at the Square Butte Hall on highway 762.  Starts a 4pm.

Come out for some fun and festivities.  Great chance to catch up with the neighbors and enjoy some fantastic food! 

Recycle Roundup Sept 28th 10-4 at Black Diamond & Priddis Transfer Stations (@3:43)

Landfill Extended Hours (@4:24)

WARNING! TAX EMAIL SCAM and Rural Crime Survey from Minister of Justice, Doug Schweitzer

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TAX EMAIL SCAM

From mdfoothills.com:

Tax Email Scam
It has come to our attention that a scam email impersonating Foothills County is demanding immediate tax payment via e-transfer.

Foothills County does not request or accept e-transfers as a form of payment for taxes and will never demand payment.

ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES are due on September 30, 2019

Taxes received after October 1, 2019 are late and will be subject to a penalty of 6%. 

Taxes received after December 31, 2019 will be subject to a penalty of 12%. 

PAY YOUR TAXES THROUGH: • Online /Telephone banking • Your financial institution • Mail (enclose remittance slip with cheque) • In person at the County Administration office 

For more information, please contact: Foothills County 403-652-2341 taxes@foothillscountyab.ca

Let's Talk Rural Crime Questionnaire

You have the opportunity to meet Minister Schweitzer on October 1st from 6-8pm at the Foothills Centennial Centre.

One of the items Minister of Justice, Doug Schweitzer has shared to ensure they receive feedback from residents about rural crime is a questionnaire.  Click Here to download the questionnaire.

Once you have filled out the questionnaire, please copy and scan your questionnaire to Jonah.mozeson@gov.ab.ca or fax it to (780) 422-6621. 

Meeting with Minister of Justice, Doug Schweitzer and MLA, Miranda Rosin

Meeting with Minister of Justice Doug Schweitzer 

On September 5th, I had the opportunity to meet with Minister of Justice & Solicitor General, Doug Schweitzer.  Thanks to Banff-Kanaskis MLA, Miranda Rosin, she was able to arranged a small meeting with myself, and a handful of other municipal Councillors from Foothills County and Rockyview County.

The meeting started with us having the opportunity to share what has been happening in our areas with regards to rural crime along with what we have been doing about it.  It was nice having two full hours to discuss these issues so that we could make him aware of what was happening in our area.

A few of the items I discussed with him included:

• Foothills County's Enhanced Policing Program
• Rural crime issues
• Call delays for those reporting crimes
• The importance of streamlining the process for reporting crimes
• Of the announced $10 million from the previous government for increased crime initiatives and prosecutors, none came to our area.
• Possibility of expanding jurisdiction of Sheriffs 
• Rural Crime Watch programs
• and others

The Minister stressed his commitment to fulfill their campaign promises with regards to Rural crime as outlined in the report, "A Safer Alberta" - UCP Strategy to Tackle the Rural Crime Crisis from July 2018 (click here to download the report).

In the evening, Minister Schweitzer and MLA Rosin hosted a Town Hall event in Springbank and invited me to attend.  

At the event, I was able to provide some valuable feedback on what was working in the Foothills along with specifics of what we have learned directly from members of the local RCMP detachments.  It was a spirited evening with a number of passionate people in attendance.

I was glad I was able to provide some insight and respond to questions about a very real issue in Alberta.