We’re pleased at the precedent Rocky View County council continues to set.
It seems promises - made during last fall’s election campaign - to listen and make decisions based on public sentiment were heart-felt.
During the last few months, councillors have made some surprising decisions, some of which have gone against staff recommendations, in favour of what the majority of residents want.
Last week’s decision to reject a proposed Calgary Police Service training facility, located near Chestermere, must have been a tough one for council.
By choosing to listen to residents’ overwhelming opposition, stated by letter, petition and in person at the public hearing, Feb. 8, council rejected a high-quality practice centre in the region.
The facility would have included a shooting range, a drivers’ training track, stables and a bomb defusing area.
The decision has the potential to further offend the City of Calgary, the municipality that controls all the water in the region, which the County likely incensed when it chose to leave the CRP last year. But council heard the voice of residents who were concerned about traffic, noise, safety and decreasing land values.
Keeping these political pressures in mind, the decision was impressive and slightly surprising.
We hope residents are encouraged, as we are, with the effect their protestations had on the hearing and ultimate decision.
Democracy was well served.
Kudos to Rocky View County council, which took into consideration those most impacted by the proposed facility, being true to what many of its members campaigned on.
How refreshing in the current Alberta environment.
