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Banzai!
Three onlookers watch as one brave kid
takes the plunge off the banks of the Sheep River in Okotoks on July 28 in an attempt
to cool down from scorching temperatures.
photo by Gillian Beckett
Residents give thoughts on Sept. 20 plebiscite
By Cindy Ballance, Editor and
Gillian Beckett, Wheel Staff
The Western Wheel staff went out to various public areas last week to gather
random opinions from local residents on the upcoming plebiscite.
The plebiscite will be held Sept. 20 to ask local residents if they are willing to
allow the Town of Okotoks to increase municipal taxes by six per cent or $50 to $70
per year for 10 years to help pay for the completion of the Foothills Community Centre.
The centre's construction has already commenced, however, the Foothills Community
Centre Foundation requires $1.4 million to complete the centre to a rentable state.
One option for the foundation is to take the building to a lock-up state where
the only useable space will be the seniors' centre. This idea gives the centre no
income to continue completion or to heat the empty centre without even a poured floor.
The second scenario is to borrow approximately $1 million and get the centre
to a rentable state with no landscaping, parking lot dividers, etc. This idea would
allow for some rentable space, but not desirable space.
The third option is to borrow the $1.4 million to complete the centre.
Voice your opinion below:
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Okotoks' health study commences
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
Whether or not a new health services facility is needed in Okotoks will soon
be determined through a health services study.
Headwaters Health Authority has engaged Resources Management Consultants out of Edmonton
to conduct a full scale study on the current health services provided in Okotoks
and make recommendations on what is needed in the area.
A steering committee made up of members of the Headwaters Health Authority, the Healthy
Okotoks Coalition and the Calgary Regional Health Authority as well as key stakeholders
has been initiated. The committee began working on the study last week.
The study was initiated due to the increasing population of the Town of Okotoks.
'Okotoks is still the community with the largest population in the region and the
most underserviced,' said Fergie Johnston, executive leader of support services for
Headwaters Health Authority.
'If we are going to plan for health services in the region and with the population
(increases) we need to start doing that now,' he added.
The study, Johnston explained, will look at the population now and expected increases
in the future; an inventory of existing services and programs currently provided
by Headwaters and other organizations (such as chiropractic services, physicians,
etc.); statistical and demographical data such as age of the community, etc.; and
the current utilization of services such as where residents are getting the health
services needed and where those services are located (Calgary, High River, etc.).
Public consultation will also be an important aspect of the study.
With that information the committee will then determine what is needed and where
those services should be located.
'The important outcome of the study is once we know what health services are needed
in the future, to plan where we will house them,' said Johnston.
'The regional health authority is mandated to provide health services in the region
and how to best provide those (services),' he added.
The study is expected to identify the need for a capital project which would provide
some type of facility for Okotoks, however, Johnston expects it will not be as large
as a hospital due to Okotoks' proximity to High River and Calgary.
Although it is a little early to tell, one outcome may be some sort of community
care facility that will provide a number of services available on one site.
It is expected that the study will be completed by the end of October.
The study, which will cost approximately $25,000, is funded through Alberta Infrastructure.
Johnston added that if a facility is required for Okotoks the committee is hoping
to look to Alberta Infrastructure for funding.
'We (Headwaters) recognize for at least two years the need to do more planning for
health services in Okotoks and how to provide (those services),' Johnston added.
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'Yes'
'I would be more than willing to pitch in $50 to $70 as long as when it is paid for
(taxes) go back to the original amount. I wouldn't have a problem at all.'
--Brad Glaicar
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'Mixed feelings'
'I have mixed feelings. I certainly don't want to see Okotoks with an uncompleted
centre. But I have a problem with them starting a big project and running out of
cash.'
--Tami Thompson
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'No'
'I've contributed a fair bit to the (centre) through my business. I definitely don't
want to see a tax increase.'
-- Jim Percival
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'Not in favor'
'I just returned from holidays so I don't have all the details, but from what I've
heard, I don't think I'm in favor -- our taxes are high enough.'
-- Betsy McQuade
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'Taxed to Max'
'I'm new here, but I'm against it. I feel it should be paid by the people who use
(the community centre). Maybe they should have borrowed the money they needed. .
. from a bank or something first before building it -- we're taxed to the max.'
-- Rose Easton |
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'No'
'I don't think they should bump up the taxes to fund the community centre. We are
stretched enough. This (the recreation centre) is where I spend my time and money.'
-- Marg Dashko |