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NOTE: This article is now archived.
Mayors Message
January 1, 2020PDF of the Message (click here)
2019 NEW YEARS MESSAGE
At this time of year, we reflect on the past year and look forward to the future year.
As in previous years, 2019 has proven to be another busy year for Pincher Creek Town Council, administration and staff.
Pincher Creek hosted the 50th annual Southern Alberta Summer Games in July. Approximately 2500 people participated in numerous events and we had over 400 volunteers helping to make the games a great success. Thank you to the organizing committee and our Town staff for many hours of planning and work required for such a large event.
November 2 saw the dedication of the Habitat for Humanity project, where the keys to the two new homes were turned over to the families. Thank you to the community groups who worked extremely hard to raise funds towards this project and to the local businesses and citizens who made donations. Through your generous support, you have given the opportunity of home ownership to the two families.
The early childhood learning centers situated at St Michael’s and Canyon schools are well under construction, with completion dates for May or June of 2020. Both existing child care facilities are currently running at capacity with waiting lists. The board membership has been revised to include three community members at large, one member each from Holy Spirit and Livingstone Range school divisions, one member from the MD of Pincher Creek and three members of Town council.
The Town has been engaged in the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework process over this past year. We feel a lot has been accomplished in identifying opportunities to work together with our neighbours from the MD of Pincher Creek. The discussion will continue into 2020. The deadline for agreement is April of 2020.
2020 will see a number of projects moving forward. The economic development strategy is well under way and is being funded by a grant. A fairly large storm water project is approved for the east side of town. The wayfinding signage program is moving along with completion in 2020. The FCSS committee is expecting to see the results of a social needs assessment early in the new year which should identify gaps and high priority needs for Pincher Creek and District.
Town Council recently passed the 2020 operating and capital budgets. It has been a year of changes many of which have been driven by the new provincial government. Announcements have been made about reductions in grant allocations and new costs for police services. It has been a very challenging budget process but Town Council has authorized a 2 % increase, holding the line at what was announced in the four year operating plan last year.
Our senior management team won a prestigious Alberta Urban Municipalities Association award in 2019, the dedicated senior team award. Council congratulates you for the award and thanks all of you for your hard work and dedication to our community.
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 2019. Working together, we will continue in a positive, progressive and sustainable direction for the community.
Thanks to everyone for your ongoing support and contributions to Pincher Creek.
We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Mayor Don Anderberg
