Alan Alger

Hello, Division 5.

I am way behind on my upkeep of this webpage!

As we fade from fall to winter, a small skiff of snow on the ground brings hope of much needed moisture. Our Council declared an agricultural disaster in late June based on extreme conditions at that time. Hay crops were depleting, and cereals were off to a poor start. It was amazing to see the difference in other areas of the County. In the west country, moisture levels were much better than east and south. In my case, it seemed little micro systems would pass through and drop a couple tenths of rain every other day. My buddy R.D. McHugh wasn't getting anything over east at Gladys Ridge, nor down south in Division 1 and 2. I believe these drought conditions are cyclical, and I hope we are at the end of that cycle. A larger than normal snowpack and spring rains will help all agricultural producers.

If you have been by Aldersyde on Hwy 2 you may have noticed our new reservoir is almost complete. Construction will begin soon to build the pipeline from the Highwood River and eventually a water treatment plant on the south end of our maintenance yard. Servicing to our Industrial corridor will be crucial to growth in the area. The County/Okotoks water project continues to proceed with our leg of the water also coming to the new reservoir.

With the prospect of servicing, Foothills County has struck up a new Economic Development committee to entice business to the area. Rob Siewert, who is the Councillor for the area and Deputy Reeve, Division 6 Councillor Don Waldorf head up the committee. A number of local businesspeople and area residents will round out the group. I am looking forward to exciting updates from them.

At our Organizational meeting in October, Reeve Miller was acclaimed for another year, and as mentioned, Don Waldorf was nominated and won as Deputy Reeve. Don is the newest member of Council and continues to impress with a vast knowledge of business and energy.

My committees remain pretty much the same with exception of a new position on the Ag Service Board. Westwinds Communities remains one of my favorites as we handle the challenges of affordable housing and the welfare of our seniors. This year WW has competed a 10 unit near market building in Drake Landing in Okotoks and are well under way to begin a larger project in D'Arcy Ranch. A great group of people on this board led by CEO Lauren Ingalls. We will be sad to see the retirement of Chairman Ted Mills at the end of the year. Ted has been with WW for 19 years, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors. Please check out Westwinds new website.

My Cemeteries committee continues to improve the 5 County owned cemeteries throughout the area. Our Ag Services and Parks and Recreation folks have done a great job of upkeep and improvement within these facilities. Pine Creek Cemetery is a challenge as its boundaries are within the City of Calgary lands and surrounded by development on all sides. Again, our staff have done a tremendous job of dealing with the city and developers to ensure this final resting place for our loved ones is undisturbed.

Recreation boards are an important part of community growth. Dunbow Rec Board, Priddis/Red Deer Lake Rec Board are two that help fund projects in our area. De Winton, Heritage Point, Davisburg and others have all benefitted from grant funding available from these boards.

Solar project applications are coming in despite the province's moratorium. We have numerous issues with solar including the obvious degradation of agricultural lands. Recycling and end of life of these panels has not been dealt with and I for one am extremely concerned that we will have an "Orphan Solar Panel Society" in the future, paid for by taxpayers much like our existing Orphan Well Society.

Closer to home, CP Rail is replacing the crossings at the De Winton grader shed and on 274 Ave in the coulee. I continually ask Alberta Transportation to repair the crossing on Hwy 552. This is a major project, and they don't seem very eager to do it. I will stay on their case! We also continue to push for an overpass at 338 Ave and Hwy 2, as well as lights at 306 Ave and Hwy 2A.

De Winton Community Association has approved renovations to the hall deck. It is a two-tiered system and numerous people have taken a stumble over the years. This project will replace the existing wood with composite material and raise part of the deck so it all one level. Again, a great group of volunteers who do much for the community. If you can spare a few hours a month, we are always on the lookout for new people to join us. Red Deer Lake Hall also has had a few nice renovations over the last year, mainly having all the old florescent lights changed to beautiful LED efficient bulbs. Both of venues are great and welcoming for whatever social event is needed.

The upcoming months will be busy for our Council, and I urge you check the County's website for all things Foothills.

All the best.