COUNTY CONNECTIONS SPRING 2016 Reeve’s Message Division 8 By-Election Dates, Locations Last month, the County of Grande Prairie was an and Candidates organizing partner for Growing the North, an annual economic development conference held at Evergreen Do you live in Division 8 of the County Park’s Entrec Centre. We were very pleased to be part and are eligible to vote? The By-Election of this successful conference, now in its seventh year, for Division 8 will be taking place on the that brings such a range of expertise and innovative following dates and at the locations below: thinking to our region. By-Election Advanced Voting To the County, “growing the north” doesn’t just mean 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23 growth through bricks and mortar, jobs and economic at the La Glace Arena possibilities. Just as important are people, and By-Election Voting matching quality of life with quality of opportunity. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 2 The County believes that the key to our success lies at the County Administration Building, La in ongoing communication, cooperation and collaboration with our neighbouring Glace Arena and the Valhalla Viking Centre municipalities. We do not and cannot exist in isolation of our neighbours. There is The two candidates running are: tremendous value in working together, and we do this while still respecting the strengths • Karen Rosvold • Andre Harpe and identities unique to each of us. This is the model our residents tell us they prefer. For more information, visit www.countygp. One of the ways we are positioning our region for a strong and successful future is ab.ca/bylelection through cooperative agreements between the County and other local municipalities. The County has a long and successful history of cooperation and fair costing sharing in the delivery of services and in capital projects with other municipalities in the region. These agreements create operational efficiencies, support the sharing of knowledge What’s Inside and ideas, and bring services to areas where they otherwise may not be accessible. We do this while keeping the autonomy and individual interests of each municipality at the > Councillors’ Corner 2-4 forefront. > Business Visitation Program 4 The County will continue to build on these collaborations and build capacity in our > 2016 Farm Family 5 region by supporting a model where all municipalities – rural and urban – are equal > Grants and Sponsorships 6-7 partners in decision-making. This models recognizes the special characteristics of rural > Dust Control Program 7 areas, and the contributions they make to our economy and our communities. > 2016 Road Construction Projects 8-9 We invite you to talk to any County Councillor about the County’s plans for building our > County Annual Open Houses 10 region, and our vision for the County and the people who live and work here. > Fire Permits 10-11 Til the next issue, > Regional Enforcement Services 12-15 > Off Highway Vehicle Bylaw 16 > Recycling Programs 17-18 > County Campgrounds & Parks 19-21 > Dino Museum Calendar of Events 21 Reeve Leanne Beaupre > Photo Contest 22 > Crosslink County Sportsplex 23 > Contact Information 24 countygp.ab.ca 1 Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Get to know a few of the County’s Councillors; the areas of the County they represent; their priorities; and some of the initiatives, programs and projects underway in our community. Teepee Creek e r i v R y k o m S top of the hill on Highway 43 efficient. We’ve been working before crossing the Smoky with Public Works on a plan to Clairmont River where the messaging connect more gravel roads to changes according to weather main paved roads. Bezanson conditions. I will continue to work hard r e v i R y k o m S Another initiative I am representing the best interests i R p i t i v a e r r e of the community and the W i v involved on your behalf in S R m o k y is the Transportation Master residents within my division. M.D. OF i v e r i R W a p i t GREENVIEW Plan which aims to make If you have any questions or NO. 16 our roadway system more suggestions, feel free to contact accessible, connected and me anytime. Division 1 Councillor – Plans are underway to make the Harold Bulford growing hamlet of Bezanson a more sustainable community. 35059A Township Road 724 The County has approved a Grande Prairie, AB T8X 4H6 contribution of $1.8 million for Hm: 780-567-4119 the first phase of a community Fax: 780-567-3620 Beaverlodge B ea ve r lo centre for Bezanson. Expect d g e R i v e Cell: 780-876-9009 r updates on this project in Email: [email protected] Huallen Wembley B e a the near future. The new v e r l o d g e R i v e Bezanson Community Rink, Halcourt r I’m Harold Bulford the Councillor a year round facility, recently R r e ve for Division 1. I’ve been d Willow R i W a opened. This project relied on Re p i t i R d iv e W r Elmworth ill o w R i v e representing the eastern portion the contributions from the r M.D. OF of the County which includes GREENVIEW community, local businesses, NO. 16 areas surrounding Clairmont, the Bezanson Volunteer Fire Division 5 Councillor – (PAZA). Our purpose is to Teepee Creek and mainly Department Society and the Bob Marshall monitor the air quality in the Bezanson for nearly four years. County. It is facilities like this Box 344 Peace Region and provide My goal of making a positive that bring everyone together Wembley, AB unbiased data about our difference in our community, and make our community T0H 3S0 air quality. I am also the division and the County and stronger. Hm: 780-766-2161 chairperson for the Water having a strong voice for North Coalition (WNC) which We’ll be bringing on another Cell: 780-933-2053 ratepayers remains strong since I Email: [email protected] works with northern Alberta first got elected in May 2012. Enhanced RCMP member to municipalities and First Nations our forces in the fall. I look My focus continues to be on Hi, I’m Bob Marshall. I’ve been and Metis settlements to deal forward to the continued with water and wastewater driving economic development, collaboration between our serving as the Councillor for expanding recreational Division 5 for over two years. issues; training and recruiting Regional Enforcement Services water/wastewater system opportunities, increasing safety, department, other policing The area I represent covers and improving and increasing communities in the west County operators; as well as educating agencies, crime prevention the public about the cost of the infrastructure and services groups and the community including Huallen as well as in our small communities the surrounding areas around safely operating municipal to curb crime and keep our water and wastewater systems. and hamlets so they are communities as safe as possible. Beaverlodge and Wembley. stronger, more sustainable and I am also part of a group I enjoy representing the independent. Safe and drivable roads are called the Wapiti Area Synergy another priority. Our primary Council and the residents in Partnership that helps address We’ve been working with the and secondary highways my area. I have been keeping issues from oil activity in the community to develop an area and bridges are deteriorating busy serving on a number of area, and works to educate and structure plan for Bezanson to due to increased traffic, so I local committees, a few that inform landowners about oil help prepare the land for future will continue lobbying the share the goal of ensuring activity occurring in the area. If development opportunities. provincial government for communities and businesses in you have any concerns about The first draft of the plan will be improvements specifically to the Peace Region are practicing air, land and water quality, unveiled this year and we’ll be the intersection on Highway environmental stewardship. please feel free to contact me seeking feedback from residents 43 and 733; the installation I am the chairperson for the and I will bring forward your and businesses in the area. of LED warning signs at the Peace Airshed Zone Association concerns to the committees I am on. 2 countygp.ab.ca Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Councillors’ Corner Having access to exceptional will be receiving face lifts this Council and administration level in comparison to other health care services and facilities summer, so be sure to watch for have completed a Service municipalities in the province. in our communities and region construction crews, slow down Capacity Review of all County The County Open House for the is of primary importance. I will and obey all signs posted. departments to ensure that west end of the County will be continue to lobby the provincial departments are operating held this year at the Rio Grande We are hosting our Annual efficiently to provide the government to stress the Open Houses June 21-23. Hall on Thursday, June 23 from importance of replacing the services that the residents of the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. I look forward to On day one it will be held at County expect from their tax Beaverlodge Hospital with a the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur seeing you there. new facility. dollars. The findings concluded Museum, at the Webster that services are being delivered If you have any issues or Our Public Works department Community Hall on day two, and efficiently and at a premium concerns, please contact me.