Bruce Rowe will retain his seat as mayor of Beiseker because he was acclaimed for the 2011-2012 term of council. Councillor Ray Courtman will remain as deputy mayor.
PC candidate for the Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency Darcy Davis introduced himself, gave a brief overview of his experience and answered questions from council. He cited long-term continuing care beds and education as priorities, but also noted that the Aqua 7 Water Commission is a huge and complex issue in the area and said he would support spending provincial money to resolve the debt the Commission is carrying.
Although there are a few deficiencies that need to be repaired, the main street improvement project is nearly complete and councillors have received several calls from residents commenting on the project. Penalty and hold-back funds are in place to ensure the project is completed.
It is anticipated that asphalt or concrete at the Chinook Crescent project will be installed before the snow flies.
The campground has been shut down for the season.
Councillor Fred Walters reported on a recycling meeting in Banff. It appears there is now a market for recycled glass in Calgary.
Cheadle Lions are collecting white agricultural plastic for recycling.
Canadian Badlands Tourism Association has hired a new director and councillor Walters received council’s permission to attend an upcoming tourism seminar in Medicine Hat.
Councillor Al Henuset reported that he attended a Beiseker and District Agricultural Society meeting on Oct. 14 where it was noted that there will be no ice available for tournaments as the recreation board wants it to be used for public skating only.
The arena has been and will be renting ice to teams from Airdrie at $115 per hour when available. Ice rentals were down last year by 15 per cent, so the Agricultural Society picked up the deficit at around $38,000. A new treasurer is needed. If you are interested, call Don Schissel at 403-947-2553. Concern was expressed about the arena drain being left unscreened so debris could fall and plug it up. The Agricultural Society annual general meeting will be held Nov. 29.
Henuset informed council that the Beiseker Chamber of Commerce donated $5,000 to Community Links, $1,000 to the Medical Co-op and $1,000 to the Beiseker Food Bank. The new Beiseker phone directory will be available in December and a new flyer advertising Beiseker businesses will be handed out shortly after.
Deputy Mayor Ray Courtman told council that Stage East Theatre Society has experienced damage to props that are stored at the old AGT building and in the hall and asked council to consider allowing a storage container to be placed somewhere on Town property to store the group’s props. Council said that space could be found.
Council gave permission for Rowe to sign a proclamation designating November as “Family Violence Prevention Month.”
The next meeting of Beiseker council will be Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
