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NOTE: This article is now archived.
New Years Message from the Mayor
January 1, 2019
2018 New Year Message from Mayor Anderberg
At this time of year, we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future year.
2018 has been a busy year for Pincher Creek Town Council, administration and staff.
In early February, council and senior administration conducted a strategic planning session to identify and prioritize projects and programs for the next four years. Top of list are housing, childcare and transportation. I am extremely pleased to be associated with a dynamic group of individuals on council and in administration whose focus is working in the best interests of our community.
Our Canada 150 project is complete with the spray park opening on July 1st and the waterslide in October. The spray park society worked extremely hard to raise funds towards this project. I am pleased to report this project is within budget and has no debt.
The new Crestview lodge is complete and is fully occupied. This is a great addition to our community. In partnership with the Federal Government, the Province, the MD of Pincher Creek, Village of Cowley and the Town of Pincher Creek the new lodge is paid for in full.
The installation of a high-speed fibre internet network was completed by Axia in 2018 and is available to every address in Pincher Creek.
As part of the overall transportation strategy, the Town supported the Pincher Creek Handi-bus society in the acquisition of a new van to meet the needs of our community.
Federal Green Trip funding enabled the Town to purchase a bus and set up a transportation system. The bus is on the road and we are monitoring routes and ridership.
The Habitat for Humanity project is scheduled to be built in 2019. Thanks to the hard work of a group of Pincher Creek service clubs and organizations the fundraising goal of $100 000.00 towards the project is very close to being met. Interested parties are invited and encouraged to submit an application to Habitat for this affordable housing opportunity.
The housing committee working with the Alberta Rural Development Network, our local housing authority and municipal partners developed a plan and a new application for federal and provincial funding for an affordable housing project for Pincher Creek. The application met the October 15, 2018 deadline and the Town has budgeted funds for our portion of the cost. We are looking forward to a positive announcement on this project in the near future.
The Town has created a not for profit municipal corporation, the Pincher Creek Community Early Learning Centre, to operate and develop daycare opportunities for our community. We are working with Holy Spirit and Livingstone Range School Divisions to create new, onsite daycare facilities at St. Michaels
and Canyon schools. Land and site locations have been identified and agreed upon. The daycare board
will host an information event for all interested parties in the new year.
Some other projects are Castle River water intake upgrades ($1.5m, 100 % grant funded) , wayfinding
signage program, Thistle Crescent street upgrades, sewer and water upgrades on Morden Avenue,
storm sewer replacement, water plant valves and sidewalk repairs.
A new four-year union agreement has been negotiated and signed with our unionized employees.
A four-year operating budget has been approved by council with a projected 2% increase in municipal
taxes. A major factor driving this increase is the carbon tax levy.
The 50th annual Southern Alberta Summer Games will be hosted by our community in early July. This will
be a very special event as the first games were held in Pincher Creek in 1970. The summer games
committee has been actively working to organize this event and will be looking for volunteers.
The exceptional community support from volunteers and groups continues to make Pincher Creek a
great place to live, work and play. Town council will continue to focus on supporting community groups
and events in a proactive way.
I would like to thank the Councillors, administration and Town staff for their direction, dedication and
hard work in 2018. Working together, we will continue in a positive, progressive and sustainable
direction for our community.
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support and contributions to Pincher Creek.
We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous new year.
