|
Falher council restricted to two regional partnerships
Rick Froese
Smoky River Express
Town of Falher council has withdrawn from the Peace Region Regional Partnership under Peace Region Economic Development Alliance.
“We were told at the last Smoky River regional council meeting that we cannot participate in more than two regional partnerships,” says Town Administrator Gerard Nicolet, reporting to council at its regular meeting Dec. 1. “We’re still a member of PREDA.”
During the regional meeting, the policy was explained in a telephone interview by Jackie Christie of Alberta Municipal Affairs regional partnership program.
Town of Falher currently is part of the Smoky River Regional Partnership and the Mackenzie Municipal Partnership which was initiated by Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency.
Although council accepted the new policy, Mayor Margaret Tardif was somewhat disappointed about having to withdraw.
“It’s unfortunate,” says Mayor Tardif.
“Before went entered the Smoky River Regional Partnership, we wanted to be assured that that we could enter all these partnerships,” she says.
“Now we find out we can’t be a part of more than two regional partnerships and we don’t want to put the Smoky River regional Partnership in jeopardy,” says Mayor Tardif.
Earlier this year, PREDA received a $75,000 grant from Alberta Municipal Affairs to explore shared municipal services in the Peace.
Tire recycling depot
Council endorsed a proposal to establish a marshalling area at the Falher landfill site under the Tire Recycling Management Association of Alberta (TRMAA).
Council recommended the program to the Smoky River Regional Waste Management Commission which will soon operate the facilities, although the Falher site is still under Falher jurisdiction.
“This is better for fire control and provides access to residents of the whole region,” says Ernie Marchildon, director of public works.
A start-up grant of $30,000 is available from the association.
Association director Ken Albrecht met with Nicolet in early November to discuss the proposal.
“The association will be covering the cost of the signs which will be placed at a mutually- agreed- upon location,” Albrecht states in a letter to town council.
While the Falher landfill site is still owned and operated by the municipality, the commission has applied for funding from Alberta Environment for developing a regional landfill system.
This proposal for the tire-marshalling area will be discussed at the regional commission’s meeting this week.
Merchant re-appointed
Council re-appointed Virginia Merchant to the board of the Peace Library System.
President of the Falher Library Bibliotheque Dentinger committee, Merchant has represented the local library for many years, but now represents the Town of Falher with full voting privileges.
Copyright © 2002 Smoky River Express. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.
View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster
|
