The issue of speeding was brought up at the Nov. 5, Crossfield council meeting when resident Brandy Gassner presented her concerns to council.
Gassner explained that during her eight years in Crossfield her family has noticed numerous incidents of speeding.
She said she and her husband Ryan have contacted the Town administration, peace officers and the RCMP and although fines and tickets have been issued, the problem persists.
“Our kids are at risk, kids in the neighbourhood are at risk and it’s right in front of the school,” she said of the problem area located on the corner of Saskatchewan Street and Whitfield Avenue, near Crossfield Elementary School.
Gassner asked council to consider adding deterrents such as a speed bump or stop sign in addition to enforcement by peace officers.
“We would like something permanent in place to help with speeding and reckless driving on that road,” she said.
Crossfield Peace Officer Scott Maurice told council he has been monitoring the area and noticed some drivers are speeding.
“I’ve registered (speeding) at 56 km/h, which is high coming around that corner,” he said.
The posted speed limit for the area is 30 km/h.
“I do think we need not only to have concentrated enforcement but we should also look at some deterrents,” Councillor Jason Harvey said.
Mayor Nathan Anderson echoed this viewpoint.
“I think we need to crack down in a real way with not just enforcing but with speed reducing deterrents,” he said.
Anderson said though the issue could not be resolved that evening, it would be brought to an organizational meeting next week and council would hopefully bring the issue back for a decision in December.
“This is really important to us,” he said of the speeding issue.
Job well done
Council recognized the 22-year contribution resident Peter Pecksen has made to the Town as part of the Crossfield Volunteer Fire Department with a gift and wishes of safe travels for him and his family’s journey to Belize.
Pecksen and his family are leaving Crossfield for an adventure, travelling in South America and Australia, starting with a five-and-a-half-month stay in Belize.
Anderson thanked Pecksen and presented him and his wife with Town jackets and a gift.
Pecksen has had many roles in the department including trainer and deputy chief.
“Thank you very much. It’s been a good career,” Pecksen said.
Business license bylaw
The third and final reading of amendments to the Business License Bylaw was unanimously carried and enacted.
As reported in the Sept. 30, edition of the Rocky View Weekly the amended bylaw will result in business license fees for both in and out of town businesses being $75. Previously, the out-of-town business license was $135 and the license of businesses in town was $40.
“I think it’s an outdated concept to hammer people from outside of town,” said Mayor Nathan Anderson at the Sept. 24 meeting.
The new fees will include a membership to the Crossfield Chamber of Commerce at the discretion of the licensee.
