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Smokey looking for bandit
Connor Stewart cruises down Crystalridge Drive in his patrol car at the annual Okotoks Rotary Club’s soap box derby on Saturday in Okotoks. Stewart won best dressed driver for his RCMP costume. For more photos check out the full story...
photo by John Barlow
Chlorine exposure sends two to hospital
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
Two employees at the water treatment plant in Okotoks were taken to the Foothills Hospital in Calgary last Wednesday with non-critical injuries after being exposed to chlorine.
At approximately 8:30 am, one employee opened what was thought to be a container of fluoride only to discover it was a container of chlorine.
According to public information officer Nancy Weigel, the employee called for his supervisor to investigate who was also subsequently exposed to the chlorine fumes.
At that time, both employee and supervisor were taken to the local health unit where they were immediately transported to the Foothills Hospital as precautionary measures.
'Chlorine vapors can cause breathing difficulty, so they (the employees) were taken to the hospital for observation,' explained Weigel.
After the town was notified of the chlorine exposure at the water treatment plant, the Okotoks fire department, RCMP, Foothills EMS and bylaw enforcement were dispatched to the Sheep River Park and Lions Campground where they cordoned off a 600-foot perimeter surrounding the plant in order to keep passersby from entering the area.
Throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, the area continued to be monitored while Hazmat crews worked to remove the chlorine from the water treatment plant.
Weigel said that it is important to note that no chlorine entered into the water supply.
'Containers of chlorine are not normally kept at the water treatment plant,' said Weigel.
Municipal manager Will Pearce, who was called to the site, commended the actions of the employees at the water treatment plant to seek assistance in a quick manner as well as the response time of emergency personnel.
'This is an excellent example of our disaster services plan at work,' said Pearce. 'Seriously, this is a very dangerous situation, but everyone is working well to keep the area secure.'
An investigation will be conducted on why the container of chlorine was being stored at the water treatment plant.
Watering guidelines
Residents have been asked to reduce their outdoor water use by following the odd/even numbering system. If the last number on your address is even, residents can water on Wednesday and Saturday, if it is odd they can water on Thursday and Sunday. Residents can only water between the hours of 6 am and 9 am and 8 pm and midnight.
Watering during the day is not effective use of water as it evaporates quickly and doesn’t penetrate into the soil. As well, residents only need to water two to three centimetres every seven to 10 days. Two to three centimetres represents about one hour of watering.
Other wise water tips are available through the WaterSmart hotline at 938-8905. Penalties have also been implemented should residents choose not to obey the watering restriction. Fines range from $100 to $2,500.
The watering restriction will remain in effect until Oct. 1 unless there is substancial rain to increase river flows.
Current Weather in Okotoks
School boards get capital funding gifts
By Gillian BeckettStaff Reporter
The Foothills and Christ the Redeemer School Divisions recently received much-needed gifts from the provincial government.
On June 5, it was announced by the offices of Highwood MLA Don Tannas, Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Learning that both school divisions have received a substantial amount of funding support under the New Century Schools plan.
As such, the Foothills School Division (FSD) will receive $1,615,441 for a 200-student addition to the Highwood High School in High River and $2,290,629 has been allocated towards a 100-student addition and partial CTS modernization at Oilfields High School in Black Diamond. Foothills will also receive $619,605 under the Building Quality Restoration Program (BQRP) and $322,417 in block funding for modernization.
Christ the Redeemer School Division will be receiving a new elementary school in High River at a projected cost of $4,332,954 with a capacity of 350 students. The school division will also receive $267,424 for BQRP funding and $152,916 in block funding for modernization.
'This is fantastic news,' said Len Miller, CRSD trustee for High River. 'This announcement meets one of the most pressing facility needs for our school division and shows the commitment of the (provincial government) to providing the facilities necessary for the education of our children.'
James Peloso, CRSD director of planning and facilities, indicated that the new school will be built on 21st Street SE in High River and the design phase will begin very shortly.
'If all goes to plan, the design of the new school will begin in the fall of 2001,' said Peloso. 'We will then tender the project in early 2002, construction should start by early summer of 2002 and the school should be ready for the 2003/2004 school year.'
The FSD board echoed the positive response made by the CRSD and noted that they are eager to get started.
'This is a great day,' said FSD chairperson Jerry Muelaner during a press conference held on June 6. 'It is phenomenal news— we’re floating on air.'
At Oilfields High School, the addition and modernization is likely to result in an additional four classrooms including a fine arts facility. According to a press release, these classrooms will be constructed in conjunction with the modernization of CTS facilities at the school.
The area approved for the modernization and addition is approximately 960 square metres and will result in demolition of the older area of the school.
In addition to funding for construction costs, the grant will also allow for the purchase of additional CTS equipment.
At Highwood High School, the addition will include the permanent construction of eight classrooms, one of which will be used for severely disabled students. For the project, a total of 890 square metres has been approved.
As for meeting the current enrolment crunch experienced at both high schools, Highwood principal Terry Storch and Oilfields principal Bob Zerebecki explained that it depends on projected enrolment numbers and community growth.
However, with the additions to both schools, there was some concern on whether this will enable the high schools to grow too large.
Storch explained that 800 students is the borderline where it is possible that staff can lose touch with the students.
'I agree,' said Muelaner. 'But there are minimum thresholds as well.'
Enrolment at Highwood is expected to exceed 760 students in the new school year while Oilfields can expect to see in excess of 450 students.
While the FSD board said they are very happy to receive the funding, superintendent Jim McLellan noted that no funding was given for other top priority projects, such as modernization at Red Deer Lake School.
'What is equally interesting is what we didn’t get,' said McLellan. 'While (Highwood and Oilfields) are the top two priorities, no announcement was made for Red Deer Lake School or the two new schools we’ve applied for (in Davisburg and Okotoks). . . we anticipate hearing from (the government) on this.'
As for the process involved in receiving the funds, the FSD board credited the school communities and particularly the parent councils who continuously lobbied support for funding.
'We chose not to participate in head-bashing the government,' said McLellan. 'This is reaffirmation of that process without resorting to pressure tactics.'
In the meantime, plans will now go ahead in both school divisions to tender construction of the projects.
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Opinion  Okotoks cadet earns highest rank See News |
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