Bag 9, Okotoks, Alberta T01 1T0
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Priestess of Polyester
Comedienne Shirley Best entertains the
crowd at The Station's Comedy Night on Friday. Best, the self proclaimed Priestess
of Polyester, touched on everything from panty hose to personal hygiene.
photo by John Barlow
Okotoks hears resounding 'no' to borrow funds to
complete centre
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
The voice of the Okotoks residents was heard loud and clear on Monday night -- and the answer was 'no'.
In an overwhelming display of voter turnout, the ballots were cast at the plebiscite which was held to determine if the residents of Okotoks agreed or disagreed to borrow up to $1.4 million to complete the Foothills Community Centre.
And the result -- 1,841 votes were opposed and 598 were for.
Obviously disappointed in the results, Sheila McKinlay, president of the Foothills Community Centre Foundation, was still optimistic about the centre's future.
'I think they (the people) got scared when they heard the word taxes,' she said Monday night after hearing the results. 'It is unfortunate so many people felt they couldn't support it (the centre).'
McKinlay added that despite the negative vote, the foundation is determined to complete the centre.
'We are not going to give up,' she said. 'It will just take a little longer to finish.'
McKinlay said now that the results are in, she is hoping that the community can work together to come up with a better solution to finish the centre.
'Let's see them work towards the positive. If there is a better solution than let's work together and find it,' she said of the community residents she would like to see come together to help raise funds to complete the project. 'Let's do this the right way then.'
As for the foundation itself, McKinlay said they will have to regroup and come up with a new plan to complete the centre.
Until that time, McKinlay said, 'It will have to be put on hold for now because we have run out of money, but it is not over.'
The foundation will continue to raise funds in order to complete the centre and is hoping to have the support of the community to that end.
'We are convinced this is a viable venture and we will not let it die,' said the foundation president.
Reaction from the Mayor of Okotoks was similar.
After hearing the results of the vote, McAlpine said he was disappointed, however, the decision of the public will be honored.
'They don't want that on their taxes so we will honor their decision for sure,' said McAlpine from Radium.
Town administration will be holding a meeting today (Wednesday) in order to make a recommendation to Okotoks Town Council on the future viability of the centre.
'We have to secure the asset and make sure it is protected and probably have security (on-site),' said McAlpine of the possible plans for the centre.
Council will determine its plan at the Sept. 27 regular meeting of council.
Personally, McAlpine said he was disappointed in the results. 'I was in favor of finishing the community centre. I think it would be a real asset to the community,' he said.
McAlpine added that he is optimistic that the centre's foundation will be able to finish the centre, despite the vote.
'It (the vote) will definitely slow it down, but the fund-raising will continue,' he said.
In order to garner more support to complete the centre, McKinlay said, 'It is up to the citizens.'
'The current that determines our dreams flows from the attitudes we nuture every day,' she added.
Headwaters free of debt says annual report
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
Headwaters Health Authority (HHA) has had a booming year. They have paid off their debt, established strong health services in the region and have made plans for the future.
In one of its biggest accomplishments of the year, Headwaters announced that it has paid off all its remaining debt with a five-per-cent increase in revenue to $55 million.
In a press release regarding Headwaters' 1998/99 annual report, it was stated
that the financial position of the organization has strengthened and an accumulated
operating surplus of $32,000 was realized.
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'It is a big accomplishment. Our board was pleased to know that we are completely free from debt,' said Johnston.
In addition to Headwaters' strong financial status, the organization has also realized some viable achievements in regards to service.
Major accomplishments over the year included continuing to develop the strategic direction for the organization and a major review of how health services are managed and delivered.
'A greater focus on our core business -- providing health service -- is driving a new approach which emphasized integrated, community-based services,' said Dwight Nelson, chief executive officer for HHA.
'Delivering high quality health services is our paramount objective and many indicators demonstrate that Headwaters is unsurpassed in Alberta in this regard,' added Nelson in a press release.
In 1998/99 a strong emphasis was placed on enhancing health services in the region.
Key accomplishments include:
- establishing a community cancer centre in High River;
- working towards developing a regional cardiac rehabilitation and wellness program;
- emergency room and surgical services were expanded at the Canmore and High River
hospitals;
- improving systems for response throughout the region;
- establishing farm and playground safety programs to assist is addressing the issue of injury prevention.
'Overall it was a year of a lot of accomplishment for Headwaters,' said Johnston.
Headwaters is now planning for the future with a variety of directions.
According to the annual report, the organization will continue to address key issues
such as heart health, cancer, injury reduction, healthy aging and transportation
to health services.
It was announced that Headwaters will also continue to focus on accountability and
objective decision making. They will also focus on receiving community input on the
desired direction for health care in the HHA.
'The ongoing relationship with our residents and public continues to evolve and provides
invaluable guidance for us as an organization,' said Nelson.
The annual report will be available for review in a couple of weeks.
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Municipal Tax Plebiscite |
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Our Poll was: [93 votes total]
66% No [61 votes] |
