It was a gentle, moving ceremony Jan. 19 that said goodbye to Allison Jacobs, the 21-year-old who died so tragically Jan. 13.
It’s terribly difficult to bid goodbye to someone so young and so full of life. The compassion, feeling and emotion shown by her family and friends was profound.
One of the eulogies was this poem (below) written and read by her very good friend and cousin, Shanna Vermeeren. The simple poignancy of her words will reach the hearts of everyone. (more…)
A partial list of retail tenants for the Pointe of View complex on the former Carmacks land at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Railway Street has been released.
They include: Block-buster Video, Shoppers Drug Mart, Quizno’s Subs, M&M Meat Shops, Starbucks and Dave’s Liquor. Con-struction is expected to start this spring.
Terry Reynar, an owner of Royal LePage Bow West Realty Ltd., suggests information in a recent Calgary Herald story on Cochrane housing may have left a wrong impression. It said the “average price for a new single-family home in Cochrane” for 2004 was $353,161.
She noted the average price for all multiple listing sales (MLS) in Cochrane for 2004 was $247,465, not including condominiums. Reynar also said the average of all MLS sales in Calgary for 2004 was $244,821, not including condos, while the Herald said the average price for new homes was $285,250.
The yearly building report supplied by the Town of Cochrane:
• 279 permits were issued last year for a value of $36,280,300, as compared to 268 permits in 2003 for a value of $35,264,800.
• Total building, electrical, plumbing and gas permits issued in 2004 was 929 compared to 870 in 2003.
• At the end of December, there were 221 residential serviced lots available compared to 331 at the end of 2003.
• Last year saw 181 new dwelling units added compared to 147 for 2003, a 23.1 per cent increase. The 2004 total is made up of 101 single family residences, one basement suite, six duplexes and 73 multi-family units.
• There are 4,859 residential lots in Cochrane with 4,605 permits issued which leaves 221 lots remaining. A total of 4,461 have been approved for occupancy which is 91.81 per cent.
By Shawn Logan
The Eagle
Cochrane council delayed plans Jan. 24 to implement mandatory third party business case reviews in situations where the town funds projects over $500,000.
Municipal intern Andrew Sears told council the policy would act as a “safeguard” for the town when it commits to investments and partnerships.
Recent town investments that would have qualified for the independent business case review include both phases of the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, the Bow RiversEdge campground and the acquisition of the Cochrane RancheHouse among others.
Sears said the cost for a review would be paid by anyone applying for more than $500,000.
But Coun. Truper McBride noted the policy was aimed at external requests, not internal projects.
The now defunct Wired West project was funded by the town and McBride suggested the same policy should include an independent review to prevent administration from making decisions on a council initiative.
Council followed his suggestion to postpone a decision until a policy regarding internal funding requests is included.
By Shawn Logan
The Eagle
The Stoney First Nation has set its sights on opening a multi-million dollar hotel and casino west of Cochrane by 2006 although band politics appears to have slowed the process.
The estimated $25-million project calls for a 92-room hotel and a casino that will house 300 slot machines and around 15 gaming tables. To be phased in, it will eventually occupy 360 acres on the southeast corner of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 40.
The project is in the fifth step of an eight-step process outlined by the Alberta Liquor and Gaming Commission (ALGC), which will ultimately decide whether to approve the facility.
Poul Mark, an Edmonton-based consultant for the Stoneys, said while a detailed business plan has been submitted to the ALGC, progress has been slowed on the nation’s end as its three bands — Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley — struggle over internal issues on how to share the facility.
“There’s been some internal issues with respect to coming up with a land management process,” Mark said. “Internal politics are slowing things down.”
Trez McCaskill, chief operating officer of the Stoney Nation, acknowledged there are “a few things to work on in-house,” but he is confident the project will move forward as planned.
“We’re just waiting for the decision on our application,” he said. “We would think it’s almost fait accompli.”
Mark said he expects the province will make a decision soon on the application to move into the final steps. Since there are no competing casino bids in the area, the process will move forward to step seven, a review of the primary stakeholders — the three chiefs of the Stoney Nation.
“They have to be investigated by the provincial government to ensure there are no skeletons in the closet,” Mark said. “Any criminal activities, especially in the area of financial matters, and they could deny your licensing.”
He said financial dealings dating back a decade will be examined by the ALGC before the casino is given final approval.
Following an approval, Mark said and environmental assessment would have to be conducted and okayed by the federal government because the location is on a reserve.
“If everything went absolutely perfectly smooth, we could be ready to start building in the spring,” Mark said.
The nine- to 10-month building process could see the hotel and casino open its doors likely in the summer of 2006 under the best case scenario.
“The challenge is going to be getting things organized at the band level and to get something that works for everybody,” Mark said.
McCaskill said the nation believes the casino will be a “destination” facility, drawing customers from all over.
The facility would be built in various stages and in the future include expansion of both the casino and hotel and the inclusion of commercial and retail outlets.
“We’ve got a phased kind of business plan where we’re trying to develop the whole area as an economic business development,” McCaskill said, adding all three bands would have sections to develop on their own. Another area would be set aside for “tribal development.”
The site has already attracted interest from prospective retailers, McCaskill said.
Revenue from a casino is split between the owner and the province.
Both the casino operator and a charity hosting an event receive 15 per cent of revenues. Of the remaining 70 per cent taken by the province, 30 per cent goes to traditional lottery fund areas and 40 per cent is designated for the “First Nations Development Fund”, which allocates funds to various programs in Alberta first nations.
By Sarah Junkin
The Eagle
Members of the Beaupre Community Association and invited guests were treated to an evening’s entertainment by one of Canada’s most successful country music stars at Beaupre Hall Jan. 20.
Juno award nominee Corb Lund performed with one of his band members for several hours, with all proceeds being donated to the Red Cross tsunami relief effort.
The show was organized by Hamish Kerfoot and his friends Darcy and Erin Scott.
“Darcy saw Corb playing in Banff late last year,” said Kerfoot. “And when he was on a break he just went up to him and asked him if he’d come play for us. It was as simple as that, and a very pleasant fellow he was to deal with.”
A total of $450 was raised for the Red Cross, and Kerfoot said he and the Scotts hope to organize more concerts in the future.
“We’re hoping to get (the Celtic band) Cleia,” said Kerfoot adding the lead singer, Karla Mundy, who now lives in British Columbia, was raised in Cochrane.
“We’d also really like to get Ian Tyson. We can’t afford him but maybe he’ll cut us a deal,” he chuckled.
By Sarah Junkin
The Eagle
A Morley woman pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a woman she believed was trying to steal her boyfriend Jan. 24 at Calgary’s Court of Queen’s Bench.
Glenna Elissa (Lisa) Goodstoney, 20, is one of two women accused in the murder of Jordena Baptiste, 22.
Baptiste’s body was found on a gravel road at the east end of the Stoney First Nation in the early hours of Aug. 11, 2003, after a party at the home of Jeanette Wildman.
Goodstoney was reportedly angry because she believed Baptiste had begun seeing her ex-boyfriend Dennis Wildman, Jeanette’s nephew.
Goodstoney gave her plea before a courtroom crowded with family and friends of both the deceased and the accused.
The woman co-accused in the slaying, Roseanne Andrea Turningrobe, has already been tried for her role in the crime. She was found guilty of first-degree murder last October. Court heard Goodstoney told Turningrobe to kill Baptiste.
In her opening statement to the jury, Crown prosecutor Patricia Yelle confirmed Turningrobe would be called to testify as a Crown witness in the case.
Baptiste family member Diane Dixon said the trial is difficult for the community to endure because Goodstoney was a member of the Morley community while Turningrobe had only lived there briefly.
“This is very, very hard on our community,” she said. “If she would plead guilty we could begin to go on, but now we have to go through this again. It’s hard.”
Yelle spent most of Jan. 21 and 22 questioning Cochrane RCMP officers. The trial is expected to last four weeks.
By Shawn Logan
The Eagle
A 46-year-old Morley woman was killed after her vehicle rolled into a ditch in the early morning hours of Jan. 25.
The woman, who RCMP have not named, was travelling alone on Chiniki Trail near the Chief Chiniki Restaurant south of the Trans-Canada Highway when she lost control and crashed at approximately 5:10 a.m.
Cochrane RCMP Cpl. Mel Calahasen said the woman wasn’t wearing a seat-belt, which likely contributed to her death.
The woman was partially ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Had she been wearing a seat-belt, the likelihood of surviving would have been fairly good,” Calahasen said.
Road conditions are not considered to have been a factor and the investigation is continuing.
By Shawn Logan
The Eagle
The town will negotiate with the Calgary Health Region (CHR) to transfer over its Emergency Medical Services (EMS), despite concerns that unanswered questions continue to dog the plan.
Council agreed Jan. 24 to negotiate a nine-month contract with the CHR to oversee EMS prior to relinquishing control over the service.
But with the April 1 deadline for the transition looming, and no firm commitment yet from the province to provide the necessary funding, Coun. Ken Hynes expressed reservations about moving forward with talks.
“I’m very uncomfortable with the signals we’re getting from the provincial government here,” Hynes said. “There is no firm commitment on money for something this significant in terms of public health and on our budget.”
The impact on the town’s budget has already been felt.
Council was scheduled to pass its 2005 budget Jan. 24, but a decision was delayed three weeks due to uncertainty about whether the province will cover the remaining three quarters of the year in EMS funding, or $600,000. That figure represents a tax increase of approximately 7.5 per cent based on the 2005 draft budget.
Health regions have suggested the price tag for the province taking over emergency services will be double the $55 million initially promised.
Alberta Health Minister Iris Evans agreed last week that the funds set aside would have to be significantly increased but Premier Ralph Klein said the matter needs further study.
Council heard a proposed short-term contract would allow time to see how the CHR develops its transition plan from the current integrated fire-EMS service to a stand-alone entity. Other options included immediate divestiture of the EMS or waiting three years before handing over the service.
The CHR has called for a three-year transition that will sustain advanced life support (ALS) at current levels, maintain existing municipal delivery models, maintain current provincial funding levels and cap contracts.
Cochrane EMS Chief Grant Brilz told council talks with the CHR could carry forward, but “it would be prudent for council not to conclude negotiations prior to the provincial government providing a firm commitment on funding as well as a plan for (return on) capital assets.”
Brilz said there would be no impact on how the service is delivered during the transition.
“The intent left with us from the health region is they intend to deliver services as we do today.”
But Hynes said it is dangerous to enter into an agreement with so many questions unanswered.
“It’s unsettling to say the least that we’re still making our way in the dark. We’re getting mixed signals from folks as high up in the government as the premier himself,” he said. “I don’t want to be led down the garden path by the province only to find ourselves behind the eight ball with the budget.”
Council agreed to the nine-month contract providing the level of ALS in the community is maintained; response time is maintained or improved; town staff will be treated with fairness and respect during the transition; and throughout the contract, the integrated fire and EMS service would continue as it does currently. Only Hynes opposed the move.
Following the meeting, Ian Smith, director of community and protective services, said he hopes plans will begin to crystallize in coming weeks.
“Certainly we are hoping some information will come forth in regards to funding in the next three weeks,” he said. “Everybody has concerns.”
Smith said the transition will likely see the fire department lose the equivalent of three staffers (the eight full-time EMS employees are cross-trained as firefighters).
Cochrane’s Shelley Mabbott, an appointed board member of the CHR, declined to comment on the transfer and deferred questions to project director Debbie Goulard, who echoed Smith’s optimism about the transfer.
“I appreciate that we continue to work with collaborative and open dealings and have the ongoing support of towns,” she said Jan. 25. “(Cochrane) has shown true leadership by having a transition team and working with us.”
Goulard acknowledged the CHR had its own concerns over the confusion regarding funding.
“The hardest thing is to go into negotiations without going into the dollar value,” Goulard said. “Basically, it’s almost down to 60 days and counting.”
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