Crowsnest Pass RCMP summary for April 16 - April 23

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Pass RCMP Detachment received for the period of April 16 - April 23 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 30
Assaults - 1
Thefts - 1
Impaired driving - 2
Drugs - 1
Other criminal code - 1
Driving complaints - 5
Motor vehicle collisions - 3
Suspicious occurrences - 5
Assistance to the general public - 5

Last print newsletter for Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

According to the April 2015 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass newsletter (received via email):

LAST PRINT NEWSLETTER

This will be the last edition of the Municipal newsletter available in print delivered to residential mailboxes. We will continue to produce the electronic version of this newsletter with Municipal news and community events. If you would like to sign up to receive the digital newsletter, please visitwww.crowsnestpass.com and subscribe at the bottom of the homepage.

The Municipality will be producing a newsletter to be distributed with the utility bills that will contain Municipal news only.

We will continue to provide information regarding community events on our website and on Facebook and Twitter.

For more information, please phone Kim at 403-563-2215 or emailkim.uhersky@crowsnestpass.com.

Crowsnest Pass RCMP complaints summary for April 9-16, 2015

Crowsnest Pass RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Detachment received from April 9-16, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 38
Mischief (vandalism) -1
Thefts - 3
Other criminal code -1
Driving complaints - 5
Motor vehicle collisions - 5
Suspicious occurrences - 5
Assistance to general public - 5

Crowsnest Pass council approves hold-the-line budget

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

The Crowsnest Pass yearly budget has been finished and a new mill rate has been struck.  Taxes will bring in 6.9 million dollars.  It's a hold-the-line budget with an $8000 surplus.  The municipality must collect $2.6 million from residents for the School Requisition.  The number is down by $143,000 from last year.  The Senior Housing Tax Levy, which residents also pay, went from $270,000 to $297,000.

Taxes will be due the end of June.

Crowsnest Pass council opposes transmission line

C. Davis file photo

Chris Davis

In a correspondence dated March 16, 2015, Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter expressed Crowsnest Pass Council's opposition to the Alta link  Castle Rock Ridge to Chapel  Rock Transmission  Project.

Crowsnest Pass RCMP report for April 2-8, 2015

Crowsnest Pass RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Detachment received from April 2-8, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 37

Assaults - 3

Mischief (vandalism) - 2

Thefts - 2
Impaired Driving -1

Driving Suspension - 1

Driving Complaints - 6

Motor Vehicle Collisions - 7

Suspicious Occurrences - 2
Assistance to General Public - 4

(corrected dates)

New tax bylaw passes first reading, deficit projected

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

Crowsnest Pass council has given first reading to a new tax bylaw. Council had wanted a surplus budget but after many meetings could not come up with one. The budget proposed is a deficit which falls short by $117 thousand dollars. Councillor Dean Ward says residents will not see much of a difference in taxes from last year. A deficit budget must be reported to Municipal Affairs. Talks will then be held on how the municipality will recapture the loss. It will be given one year. Council will likely give further debate to the budget next week when it is scheduled to pass the bylaw.

Free oral health programs for young children in southern Alberta

• Pediatric dental care offered in southern Alberta through Oral Health Action Plan

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services (AHS) encourages parents of young children to take part in free oral health programs offered in southern Alberta.

AHS’ provincewide Oral Health Action Plan — a partnership with AHS’ Population Health Promotion branch, dental health professionals, community organizations and schools — offers preschool and school-based programs to screen children for signs of dental disease and to assess the need for dental varnish and sealants.

Rum Runner Days planning halted

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

The Crowsnest Pass Events Committee has decided not to continue planning Rum Runner Days this year. Dave Filipuzzi, who sits on the 4-member committee, says the time frame was simply too short to plan the event. Bill Kovach wanted the committee to begin planning for next summer. Dean Ward says Crowsnest Pass Council should put out a press release looking for more members and take a survey on events at this weekend's Chamber Life-Style Show. Council decided to hold off on further discussion until the result of the survey are in.

Editor's note: Rum Runner Days was also cancelled last year, with council at that time citing a lack of volunteers, funding issues, and  time constraints.  

Budget decision delayed

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

Pass councillors will gather a few more times before voting on this year's budget.  Council was to meet April 21st to discuss the budget but the next meeting will likely be the 2nd.  Councillor Dean Ward wanted the meetings spread out because he won't support giving the bylaw three readings in one sitting.  He says this will also give the public a chance to speak to the proposed budget.

Crosswalks planned for Highway 3 in Crowsnest Pass

The intersection of Highway 3 (20 Ave) and Highway 40 in Coleman is one of three slated to get a crosswalk.  This intersection is southwest of the Crowsnest Sports Complex and west of Crowsnest Consolidated High School.

Google Streetview image

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio

Alberta Transportation is preparing to install pedestrian crosswalks on Highway 3 in Coleman. This follows meetings held earlier with Crowsnest Pass council. The flashing crosswalks would be at 79th street, 85th street, and Highway 40. In talks with Transportation planners, only one crosswalk would warrant flashing lights, so the cost of two more would have to be picked up by the municipality. Not so, says the Mayor. Blair Painter says we were promised by higher up officials that the province would pay for the flashing lights. Council passed a motion approving three crosswalks, as per discussions.

Limber pine or transmission line?

David McIntyre

Dear Premier Prentice,

The pictured view looks northwest toward the eastern slopes of Alberta's Livingstone Range.

Yesterday afternoon, without really knowing where I was headed, I arrived at an ancient limber pine that, growing from a thrust-faulted alter of sandstone, lies within a spectacular natural sandstone amphitheater.

Grassy Mountain Coal Project: Public Comments Invited

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government's Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed Grassy Mountain Coal Project, located in Alberta (approximately 7 kilometres north of Blairmore).

Crowsnest Pass RCMP complaints summary for March 5 - 12, 2015

Crowsnest Pass RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Pass Detachment received for the period of March 5-12, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Another coal mine in the works for Elk Valley

CRM Coal core run end
photo from www.jamesonresources.com

Randy Spencer, Mountain Radio 

Another coal mine is in the works.  The Crown Mountain Coal Mine is proposed by M.W.P. Coal Canada, a subsidiary of Jameson Resources of Australia.  It would be located east of the Elkview Mine.  The feasibility study is done and the environmental assessment is underway.  There's believed to be 56 million metric tonnes of coal at the site.  M.W.P. CEO Art Palm says the company is planning to spend $339 million developing the mine with 200 million of that for construction.  He says the mine would have a life span of 17 to 25 years and employ from 250 to 300 people.

Construction is expected to start the middle of 2016.

Related link: Crown Mountain Project (Jameson Resources)

AltaLink responds to recent letter to the editor

Pam Kean, Director, Consultation, AltaLink

Recently an editorial* (Accuracy lacking in minutes from AltaLink meetings, February 25, 2015) appeared in your publication and I would like to take the opportunity to respond and clarify AltaLink’s role in Alberta’s electric system and how homeowners’ and landowners’ input is critical to the decisions we make in identifying locations for new transmission lines.

Many people believe that AltaLink decides which transmission projects are needed. This is incorrect.

Air Cadets go for a winter hike

859 Squadron Air Cadets pose with the Air Cadet Ensign during their winter hike 

Danny VandenBroek photo 

Captain Daniel A. Desrosiers
Commanding Officer, 859 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron
Canadian Cadet Organizations / Government of Canada

Air Cadets from Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass went for a winter hike on Saturday, March 7th. The weather was cooperative along the Crowsnest Community Trail and the expected rain managed to stay away. The cadets received plenty of supportive comments (and honks!) from the public when the trail brought them near roadways while their Air Cadet Ensign flew alongside them in the breeze.

Accuracy of AltaLink public consultation minutes questioned

David McIntyre

The attached letter - it might be entitled Assessing AltaLink - presented here in shortened form to remove the name of a third party individual, was sent to AltaLink following the company’s presentation of meeting minutes that, in the opinion of participants, fell far short in presenting a meaningful rendering of actual outcomes. The meetings addressed a proposed $750-million overhead transmission line from Pincher Creek to Crowsnest Pass.

Crowsnest Pass RCMP complaints summary for Feb. 12-19, 2015

Crowsnest Pass RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Pass Detachment received for the period of February 12-19, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 38
Assaults - 1
Break and Enter (Business) - 1
Fraud/Forgery - 1
Mischief (Vandalism) - 2
Driving complaints - 10
Motor Vehicle Collisions - 10
Suspicious Occurrences - 5
Assistance to General Public - 6

Crowsnest Pass RCMP complaint summary for Feb. 5-12, 2015

Crowsnest Pass RCMP

The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Crowsnest Pass Detachment received for the period of February 5-12, 2015. Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 32
Break and Enter (Residential) - 1
Threats/Harrassment - 1
Theft of Motor Vehicle - 1
Thefts - 4
Impaired Driving - 2
Liquor Offence - 1
Driving Complaints - 6
Motor Vehicle Collisions - 4
Suspicious Occurences -3
Assistance to the General Public - 3