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Turner Valley time travel
These medieval onlookers enjoy some ancient afternoon activities during the Medieval Fair which was held in Turner Valley on May 12. Numerous people attended the fair and evening feast at the Flare ‘n’ Derrick dressed in medieval garb. To catch a glimpse of the afternoon highlights, check out the full story...
photo by Gillian Beckett
RCMP say reports of Jessica Koopman's suspect unconfirmed
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
Police are saying very little in regards to an alleged apprehension of a suspect who may be connected with the disappearance of five-year-old Jessica Koopman.
Recent reports have surfaced that a suspect was apprehended in High River at the Rio Vista Golf Course on May 12, however, investigating RCMP from Lethbridge said that those reports are unverified.
'As a result, we are unable to respond to any such reports,' said Lethbridge RCMP Staff Sgt. Eugene Wehlage.
Wehlage added in an official statement that, 'No one has been arrested or charged in the Jessica Koopmans case.'
The disturbing case of the young girl’s disappearance began on May 4 when she vanished from her Lethbridge neighborhood.
RCMP then conducted a massive and exhaustive search for Koopmans until a woman, while walking along a rural area in Fort Macleod on May 11, discovered the body of a young girl .
Police have yet to confirm as to whether or not the body is that of Koopmans. An autopsy on the body has since been conducted by the medical examiner.
A spokesperson from Alberta Justice communications stated that the medical examiner’s office cannot issue a statement regarding the autopsy due to criminal investigation.
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In this issue... |
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Opinion  Columnist celebrates 90th birthday See News |
 Down under show gets down home treatment See Entertainment  Girls tackle the sport of rugby at FCHS See Sports |
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MD of Foothills council able to decrease mill rate despite several budget surprises
The Foothills MD council was able to lower its residential mill rate despite higher market values and substantially smaller than expected provincial aid.
At its regular meeting last Thursday council gave third and final reading to the mill rate bylaw which included an 8.3-per-cent decrease in the residential mill rate.
Municipal treasurer Bill Robinson said council is satisfied that it was able to overcome the unexpected bumps in the budget process.
'We are pleased we can have a decrease in the mill rate,' said Robinson. 'We hope that the majority of our taxpayers see a decline in their taxes this year.'
Thursday’s mill rate announcement is a pleasant surprise considering the provincial government gave the MD a curveball on the eve of finalizing the 2001 budget.
Several months ago the municipality was told by the province to expect as much as a 10 per cent decrease in the school requisition.
As a result, council prepared its 2001 budget on that assumption.
However, in April the province announced a reduction in the requisition of just 2.5 per cent.
As a result, what was an anticipated school requisition (public and separate) of $9,695,143, turned out to be $10,104,500.
Last year’s requisition was $10,772,381.
The MD’s budget was dealt a further blow in April when Alberta Infrastructure announced the municipality would receive a total of $311,218 from the provincial and federal governments for the Infrastructure Canada-Alberta Program.
It is a joint program through the three levels of government and with the MD’s contribution the total grant is $466,827.
However, the MD was expecting closer to $700,000 from the infrastructure program which was to be used for the upgrading of Dunbow Road.
In spite of the unforeseen changes, the MD announced a reduced mill rate across the board except for the machinery and equipment mill rate which was unchanged at 5.8874.
The farm mill rate dipped by 1.3 per cent to 11.5666 and the non-residential mill rate fell 5.8 per cent to 14.296.
Although there is a slight decrease in the mill rate, it does not mean each landowner will have a reduction in taxes.
The tax rate will depend on each individual market value assessment.
Robinson said he does not have the specific numbers, but anticipates those landowners who had a tax increase last year will likely see a decrease and vice-versa.
'The same areas are not going up every year,' said Robinson.
'For example Heritage Pointe went up last year, but they went down this year.'
In addition, council was able to absorb the impact of the funding shortfalls without having to sacrifice any programs.
During the upcoming construction season the MD will spend approximately $1.2 million on road surfacing, $1.3 million in gravelling and $1.4 million on new construction projects.
Once again the largest expenditure by far for the municipality is dust control which is budgeted for $2.4 million or 12 per cent of the MD’s total budget
Budget notes
The market value assessment in the municipality increased 10.4 per cent to $203,455,000 and an estimated $65,000,000 or 3.3 per cent of that was new construction.
Last year as a result of $182,271 in fines handed out, MD’s special constable division saw a net profit of $30,237. However, council budgeted a net loss in 2001 of $1,218 mainly as a result of a conservative estimate of $160,000 in fines in 2001.
With increased development and subdivision within the MD, the municipality’s planning department is earning its keep. In 2000 the planning department had a net revenue of $670,477 and the 2001 budget is for $638,402 in revenue.
