8 JANUARY Red Deer County News 8 JANUARY 2010 2010 Red Deer County Fire gets a New Home WHAT’S INSIDE: GOOD NEWS BUDGET ...................................................2 YEAR IN REVIEW .....................................................10-11 FIRE HALL 23 GRAND OPENING....................................12 Proud to be located in Red Deer County Gasoline Alley, Red Deer County 403-343-3736 www.reddeertoyota.com 1-800-662-7166 72120A8 Red Deer County News 8 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 2 Mayor’s Message: Rude phone calls unnecessary and embarrassing During the snow storm of early December, roads get cleared as quickly and efficiently as you look into the tips it provides. the County office (the Operations Services possible. This is detailed in another article in As indicated in this edition of County News, department in particular) received a number this edition of County News. Red Deer County is projecting a zero increase of phone calls from ratepayers who wanted to When our staff receive badgering or even in taxation for the year 2010. Unless ratepayers know when their road would be cleared. threatening phone calls, they are very are willing to spend three to four million on Some of these calls were downright rude professional in their responses. Even when plowing trucks and graders that may be – with profane language and verbal threats they are being called derogatory names, they needed once every three or four years, we will being made to our staff. Here is an example reply patiently with whatever information they not be increasing our road clearing personnel of such a call. can supply at the time. Calling them ‘idiots’ in the near future. In fact, we are very pleased “How many graders do you morons have out will not get your road cleared faster. In fact, with the job our current road crews are doing there… 1 or 2?” the staff on the other end of the phone usually given their overall budget – and the majority have very little to do with what happens out in of residents we hear from are also happy with These types of calls are not only uncalled for, the field. They are essentially being abused for the work of our road crews. they are embarrassing to me as Mayor of Red something they have no control over Deer County. In closing I would like to leave you with one As residents of a rural area, we should all more thought. Red Deer County is one of Clear roads are one of the most important become educated in how to deal with severe the few businesses left that has live people aspects to daily life in the County. However, weather and have the appropriate supplies answering the phones. I know that everyone we must all remember that there are 3,285 on hand to go a few days without leaving our appreciates hearing from a ‘real person’ rather kilometers of roads in the County to clear homes. Much of this information is available than reaching an automated system, and so I with 14 graders and 2 plow trucks. A snowfall on our website – www.reddeercounty.ab.ca. ask you to give the appropriate respect just MAYOR EARL KINSELLA as large as the one we received takes a great If you are new to the area or unfamiliar with as we commit to continuing to provide high deal of time and effort to clear. The County how to cope in winter storms, I recommend quality service to our residents. follows a road clearing plan that ensures all Red Deer County Produces “Good News Budget” December is an excellent time to look back on supply in the region. They will all be available the year. It is also a great time to look ahead. at reduced cost as compared to retail as well. The 2010 fiscal budget has allowed Red Deer A new abandoned water well program will be County staff an opportunity to do a little of introduced in 2010. Abandoned wells can both. allow contaminants into the ground water, if 2009 was a challenging year. The economic they have not been plugged off correctly. The turmoil was felt all around the World and County’s program will work with landowners the Red Deer region was not spared from to identify the location of abandoned wells. this. With that in mind, County ratepayers County staff will provide information and can look forward to a projected municipal support to those wishing to protect our most tax increase of ZERO. While there will be no valuable resource by correctly plugging their expected increase, Red Deer County will be abandoned or unused wells. able to offer the same level of service it has Weeds will continue to be high on the always given its residents and businesses. radar of the County’s Agricultural Services The Federal and Provincial governments department. Staff will be working with provided a number of grants to Red Deer landowners to control weeds in fencelines County in 2009 to assist with increasing between County roads and adjacent property. capital spending to $38.4 million. This, This new initiative will add value to the combined with lower costs for materials and existing efforts of the County and landowners labour, allowed the County to accomplish in controlling invasive plants in Red Deer a large amount of infrastructure work – County. especially on roads. In 2010, capital projects In 2010, both Community and Protective will be scaled back to a much more typical Services will carry out new programs aimed sum of $9.6 million dollars. at improving life in Red Deer County. A On the operating budget side, the County will contribution to the Penhold Mulitplex will see its lowest budget in four years. The $31.6 allow for further recreation opportunities to million 2010 budget will allow the County to County residents. Likewise, an affordable 7KH2O\PSLF carry on its day to day activities. housing study will be conducted to assess the )ODPHLVFRPLQJWR Several activities in 2010 will take on a ‘green’ needs and options within the County. shade. The major project in this category is Red Deer County is always busy recruiting 5HG'HHU the reclamation of the old Kevisville Waste volunteer fire fighters. By creating a Fire Cadet Transfer station. Other environmentally program, the County hopes to attract youth -DQXDU\SP significant projects include upgrading the ages 15 to 17 to this rewarding and possibly :HVWHUQHU3DUNSDUNLQJORW water and waste water infrastructure at several life-changing volunteer opportunity. ,W·VDQH[FLWLQJ¶IUHH·RXWGRRUHYHQWZLWKORWVRI county sites in order to meet the Alberta All in all, it looks to be a very busy year for DFWLYLWLHVDQGHQWHUWDLQPHQWLQFOXGLQJ&RUE/XQG Environment Waste System Compliance. Red Deer County. Council and staff are happy $OORI5HG'HHU&RXQW\LVLQYLWHG'RQ·WPLVV\RXU Another project will be the rebate on rain to bring forward a budget that provides FKDQFHWREHDSDUWRI&DQDGLDQ2O\PSLFKLVWRU\ barrels, composters, and low flow toilets high levels of service while keeping ratepayer through Red Deer County. All of these items expenses under control. )25025(,1)250$7,21:::5(''((5&$ will help to reduce our impact on the water Red Deer County News 8 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 3 Forget New Year’s Resolutions! Become a SPCA Volunteer! Another year is about to come to an end, with a new one just waiting help you meet your goals in the New Year. to begin. New Year’s Eve has always been a time for reflecting on the A variety of volunteer opportunities are available for you to choose year gone by, and more importantly, looking forward to the coming from, including helping us move into our new facility, cat cuddling, year. Many people will be thinking about how to make next year dog walking, special events, coin rolling, office support and better and will probably even make a new year’s resolution or two. fundraising, just to name a few. Unfortunately, most New Year’s resolutions are short-lived, all but forgotten come February. All animal-related positions require volunteers be 16 years or older. These positions are set up on a regular weekly schedule with a Rather than making resolutions that may not be kept, volunteering is minimum of 1 hour of service once per week. New volunteers are the perfect way to start the New Year! asked to make a minimum initial commitment of 3 months. The Red Deer and District SPCA is always looking for new volunteers Not able to make a weekly commitment? The Red Deer and District but the need for volunteers will drastically increase in 2010. The SPCA always need help with our annual fundraising events such as Red Deer and District SPCA will be moving into their new Animal pet gift baskets, pictures with Santa, dog beauty contest, garage sale, Welfare and Humane Education Center, which slated to opening in bark at the bend (dog walk), and regular bingos. These volunteer February 2010. With the increase in capacity of the new center, the opportunities are very flexible and allow you to choose when you need for volunteer also increases. able to help and to what extent for each event. Were you considering a resolution to get into better shape? Consider To become a volunteer, drop by the shelter or email volunteer@ volunteering to walk dogs instead! Do you want to reduce stress in reddeerspca.com to pick up a volunteer application. Completed the New Year? Use your time cuddling cats at the SPCA to relax and application should be return to the shelter receptionist. unwind. Do you long to spend meaningful time with your family? Volunteer as a family at one of the SPCA annual fundraising events For more information about volunteer opportunities, any of our to spend quality time together while making a difference in the annual fundraising events or for other ways to get involved, please community.