Parents are demanding answers from the Foothills School Division over a proposed new report card they say is too vague.
A group of almost 20 parents came to the division’s board meeting to deliver a presentation on the division’s Learner Profile, which would replace existing report cards at the elementary and junior high school levels. Most of the parents came from Red Deer Lake School, which had a number of meetings about the Learner Profile, both with the division and with parents. There were also concerned parents with children who attend …

An Okotoks woman has admitted to stealing from the coffers of the Okotoks Figure Skating Club.
Wendy Robinson, the former treasurer of the not-for-profit society, pleaded guilty last week to theft over $5,000.
According to Okotoks RCMP approximately $13,000 went missing from the club’s accounts over three years. Discrepancies were noticed in November 2008 and the police were called. An investigation revealed problems in the club’s bookkeeping.
Robinson was in charge of accepting payments and recording them.
In a press release Okotoks Figure Skating Club president Bernadine Kosiorek said the club has changed its …

The Foothills School Division (FSD) signed on the dotted line in an agreement with the Province for a P3 school in Okotoks’ Westmount subdivision and construction on the school could start as soon as April.
The public school division signed a 15-page document in February outlining its responsibilities for the school, which will be Okotoks’ first public-private school.
FSD secretary-treasurer Drew Chipman said one main difference with this school is the company building it will be responsible for maintenance for 30 years.
The school division will hire and pay for the school’s custodians, …

By Don Patterson
Staff Reporter
A plan to review the gender neutrality of the Canadian anthem has fallen flat.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has backed off on a proposed study of the English language lyrics in O Canada announced in the throne speech on March 3.
At the centre of the issue is the line: “In all thy sons command.”
The prime minister’s idea  in one that has struck the wrong tune with Okotoks residents.
Okotoks resident Nora Mulder said it’s a case of political correctness run amuck.
“Everybody wants to be politically correct and it needs …

Tents, food and baby formula are atop the list of items an Okotoks resident is helping collect to fill shipping containers bound for Haiti.
Representatives of God’s Littlest Angels Canada, a charity based in Okotoks which helps operate an orphanage in Haiti, are filling 40-foot shipping containers in locations across Canada to take to the earthquake-ravaged country.
Sharon Busch, Okotoks volunteer coordinator for the group, said they are looking for the basic essentials.
“We want it to be very basic: food, shelter, clothing,” she said. “Let’s try to give them a hand up.”
Some …

After six years with the yellow flag, the Rocky Mountain Raceway Park is hoping to get a green light from MD Foothills councillors this week.
Council will hold a public hearing to renew the racetrack’s development permit tomorrow (March 11) at 2:10 p.m.
Officials with the racetrack are hoping councillors will make their status permanent this year.
“We’ve been asking for this for the last seven years,” said Sharon McCaughan, racetrack co-owner. “It’s always the same. It’s always looking for permanent status so we don’t have to apply every year.”
To date, MD council …

MD councillors want to hear from their counterparts in Okotoks and High River before deciding on a proposed mixed-use development in the Aldersyde area.
MD council left the public hearing into a proposed residential and commercial development open last week to get input from the Towns of Okotoks and High River before making a decision. The development is located in an area where the three municipalities have partnered on industrial development and MD councillors wanted the towns to have an opportunity to see the plan before council decides.
MD manager Harry Riva …

A list of changes proposed for two intersections near Dr. Morris Gibson School is a good step to improve safety in the area, said the school’s principal.
“I think it’s worth looking into and having some discussion over,” said Tony Hampshire. “Anything that moves traffic better will be an improvement.”
He said the most important thing is safety of children crossing roads on their way to and from school.
“We’re almost 700 kids here now and the roadways were never designed for that many vehicles and school buses,” Hampshire said.
As well, he said …

A list of changes proposed for two intersections near Dr. Morris Gibson School is a good step to improve safety in the area, said the school’s principal.
“I think it’s worth looking into and having some discussion over,” said Tony Hampshire. “Anything that moves traffic better will be an improvement.”
He said the most important thing is safety of children crossing roads on their way to and from school.
“We’re almost 700 kids here now and the roadways were never designed for that many vehicles and school buses,” Hampshire said.
As well, he said …

Jobs, growth and five years of deficits were the main themes in the federal budget announced last week
Federal finance minister Jim Flaherty outlined the Conservative government’s intention to stick to its economic action plan started last year.
“Last year was a two-year roll out of what we thought was necessary to keep some industries going and kick start some job creation,” said Macleod MP Ted Menzies, who is also the parliamentary assistant to minister Flaherty.
Along with its economic plans, the budget revealed it will also take five years to get the …