The fire that destroyed the Husky gas station late Jan. 30 left business owners in Bragg Creek shaken and relieved that it wasn’t worse.

Fire departments from Redwood Meadows, Cochrane and Priddis all battled the blaze, which started shortly after 8 p.m. when fumes ignited as a gas tank was being removed from a vehicle in the station’s garage.

“When we got there the heat coming off the (adjacent) Shell station and the building next door was incredible,” said Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) deputy fire chief Rob Evans.

“I think if we were two or three minutes later, one of them would have been burning.”

The station’s owner, who was the only person in the building at the time, suffered minor burns but refused treatment. His name was not available.

Members of RMES were scheduled to conduct an annual emergency training scenario at the Husky station the following night, Jan. 31.

Bragg Creek does not have water service and therefore no fire hydrants. The three responding departments trucked water from the Redwood Meadows water treatment plant and two different hydrants in that townsite five kilometres away.

“Can you imagine if this was in the summer with strong winds and this being a tinder box and there’s no water. It would have been scary,” said Bragg Creek Family Foods owner Lori Gildemeister.

Evans said they were without water on a couple of occasions for “two-or-three minutes”.

What likely saved the Shell station and possibly many more businesses was the fact that the Shell station had a brick wall facing the Husky station. The Shell station also has a metal roof with clay tiles.

“It would have spread through that building easily if it wasn’t built that way,” Evans said.

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services is contracted by Rocky View Fire Services to provide service to Bragg Creek.

“The Redwood Meadows fire department did an amazing job,” offered Barbara Teghtmeyer, who owns the Shell station and Bragg Creek Trading Post.

“They responded very quickly and were very professional.

“We thought ours was going (to burn down) too.

“It is a very unfortunate situation. We feel very bad for the owners (of the Husky station).”

Ron Casey

Canmore’s mayor Ron Casey has been elected to be the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party’s nominee for the next provincial election.

Running against four other candidates — Truper McBride, John Fitzsimmons, Ron Seeley and Jon Bjorgum — Casey knows that voter turnout was a big help to his campaign.

“Anytime there is a good turnout, that is something to be celebrated,” said Casey, noting that nearly 600 Canmore residents cast their ballots.

“That certainly meant anyone outside Canmore would have to work that much harder.”

McBride, the earliest entrant into the conservative’s nomination race and present Cochrane mayor, voiced his support for Casey following the results, saying via Twitter that he would work alongside the newly elected candidate and that “all of (his) supporters need to rally around Ron Casey so we can bring a great PC candidate to Edmonton.”

Notwithstanding a three-year hiatus from 2001-2004, Casey has been mayor of Canmore for a total of 10 years, first elected in 1998 and elected again in 2004.

He has lived in the mountain community for over 37 years, working as a master electrician and operating B & C Electric Ltd. from 1978-1990 when he turned to development, constructing several industrial buildings, houses and small commercial developments.

Casey’s involvement in provincial matters stems from the Alberta Urban Municipalities Associa-tion, as well as several provincial boards and committees, but said his successful nomination will open a new chapter in his political life.

“It is a little frightening because it is a new world and a new constituency for me to get involved in,” he said. “It is very humbling but I look forward to the upcoming election and hopefully being successful.”

Casey admitted that being the nominee for the PC Party puts him far ahead of the pack, but that the challenges he will face from opposing party contenders is all part of the game.

“Anybody who goes into an election thinking they have already won is in dangerous territory,” Casey said. “Debate is what makes government better.”

Casey will continue his duties as Canmore mayor until the next provincial election is called, which is expected to occur anytime between mid-March and the beginning of May.

“Obviously I am doing the mayor’s job right now and will continue to do so until they decide to call an election,” he said, adding any work with the constituency association to prepare for an election will be done on his time off.

Party officials did not release a total vote tally for all the PC candidates. Over 1,000 Banff-Cochrane riding residents submitted a ballot on Jan. 28, with less than 400 estimated to have done so in Cochrane.

Peter Helfrich

Not wanting to be looking in from the sidelines, the Alberta Liberal Party has found a candidate they feel can ruffle some feathers in the upcoming race to be the next MLA for Banff-Cochrane.

Peter Helfrich, a Calgary-based paramedic, is passionate about an array of issues affecting a region he has called home throughout his life, and believes the province’s political canvas needs to be altered.

“It’s what I’m willing to do,” said Helfrich, who grew up in Bragg Creek and feels a special connection to the concerns of the community, including the recent logging issue in the area.

“People aren’t opposed to logging and they’re not opposed to Spray Lake Sawmills, they’re opposed to government…there’s no leadership. People need to have a representative who’s willing to have these kinds of conversations necessary to change.”

The importance of emergency medical services is also near and dear to Helfrich’s heart, particularly considering the shift from being a municipally operated service to a provincial one.

“There is a degradation of service,” said Helfrich, speaking from a position of such experience as being a flight paramedic and a 911 dispatcher.

Helfrich has also worked with the aboriginal community, a venture he attributes to his getting involved in politics in the first place.

An avid traveller, the Calgary resident, who started with the city’s EMS in 1990, has provided his skills and medical expertise to people of the Thailand/Myanmar border on two occasions, first in 2000 and again in 2006.

Not shy about voicing his displeasures and contentment with the current provincial government, Helfrich admits that he is ‘left-leaning liberal,’ who at times is more aligned with the New Democratic Party (NDP) than the one he currently represents.

“Life is somewhere in the middle,” stated Helfrich, adding that he has chosen to identify himself as a liberal because he feels the NDP and Wildrose Party often venture too far to their respective sides of the political spectrum.

As for the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party and the present pool of candidates, Helfrich contends that both Cochrane mayor Truper McBride and Canmore mayor Ron Casey are “more liberal than they would like to admit,” and they are running for the PCs simply because they see it as ‘easy’ in a province and region that continually elects a candidate from conservative-minded party.

“Over the years we’ve seen cracks in the foundation,” said Helfrich, alleging that Alberta premier Alison Redford is perhaps not about all the change she claims to be. “Things are okay, but things could be better…the foundation is wrong.”

Helfrich has also been actively involved in the Calgary community as an organizer for G8 protests, working with the Peace Calgary movement and helping the homeless and those dealing with addictions.

“My life experience,” said Helfrich, “has been the catalyst for where I am today…it’s been incredibly humbling.”

Helfrich is the sole candidate for the Liberal Party.

Town of Cochrane

Living in one of the fastest growing communities in Canada brings with it many advantages, like development, construction and jobs, but with that also comes some drawbacks – noise being one of them.

Appearing before council on Jan. 23, Judy Stewart and Nic David presented on behalf of the east end community, an area in Cochrane where noise pollution has been an ongoing problem.

“There have been noise complaints coming out of the east end for five years or more,” said Stewart. “Nothing has been done except this noise control bylaw.”

Stewart gave several examples of the type of noises that can be heard on a daily basis by those who live in the community, including clunking, buzzing, revving and most prominently, beeping.

The source of these various noises Stewart cites is All Span Building Systems, a wood component manufacturer located adjacent to the distressed residential area.

David, representing the east end Cochrane Settlement Community Association (CSCA), said the beeping noises – a result of necessary safety requirements for heavy machinery when driving in reverse – begin at 5:30 a.m. and ‘lower the quality of life’ for those who are forced to endure the distraction each morning.

As indicated by the town’s senior manager of planning and engineering, Kathy Dietrich, the current bylaw does not restrict the times in which a company can begin work, only the level of the noise – currently maxed at 85 decibels, which is roughly the same audio intensity of a household fire alarm.

“It can be challenging to resolve this kind of issue,” admitted Dietrich, who said the key is finding a balance between different land uses and the communities that surround these development and business areas.

The type of beepers used on the vehicles in question are at this time the only variety the town can allow to be used based on Canada’s safety guidelines, as the audio level must be louder than the machinery they are used on to ensure the safety of potential pedestrians.

Stewart and David are hoping to see more action on the current bylaw, as well as no exemptions given when it comes to noise.

At present, town projects are exempt from the noise bylaw, as are those who pay a $250 fee for a permit.

The town said they would continue to work with all parties involved to come to a mutual understanding and arrangement.

Councillor Tara McFadden, who resides in the east end community, said it is essential to find a solution to the problem.

Revisions to utility trailer bylaw close to completion

Town of Cochrane council members are close to implementing a new definition for utility trailers.

During their regular meeting on Jan. 23, administration brought forward a proposal to amend four aspects of the current bylaw – a new policy for the storage of utility trailers, a revised definition of recreational unit and a new definition for both utility trailer and an ancillary vehicle.

This council-recommended action is to address the sticky issue of the storage of utility trailers in one’s driveway year-round, something prohibited in the present bylaw, which only permits such vehicles to be stored in view from May 1 to Oct. 20.

The revised policy would state, “a person may keep one utility trailer on their property year-round that is not greater than 4500 kg gross vehicle weight and is otherwise compliant with the Town of Cochrane Traffic Bylaw 02/2005, as amended from time to time.”

The definition of a utility trailer would be characterized as “any vehicle designed to be towed behind another vehicle on its own wheels and used for employment, storage, or for the purpose of transporting anything including, but not limited to, construction materials, household goods, livestock, off-highway vehicles and the conveyance of recreational vehicles.”

One vital portion, however, of the utility trailer definition that councillor Ross Watson had previously proposed, and was approved by council but not implemented, was the issue of storage.

“The amendment that I wanted to propose,” Watson said during the Dec. 12 council meeting, “is that for utility trailers it should say ‘for the use of employment or the conveyance of recreation vehicles.’”

Watson’s intention was to address the issue of those who park utility trailers in their driveway using them for garbage, or storage of other unsightly items, as well as to give bylaw officers a clearer definition to better implement the law.

Following administration’s clarification of the bylaw’s definition of utility trailer, the process will move forward to a meeting with local business owners in February, an open house in March and come back to council at the end of April.

RVC decides on by-election day for Division 1 vacancy

Rocky View County (RVC) Division 1 residents will vote for a new council member to fill the presently vacant spot on March 26.

Following the untimely death of the former councillor and deputy reeve, Rick Butler, RVC council members decided on the by-election date during their Jan. 24 meeting.

To be eligible to run for the position, one must meet a variety of prerequisites, including, but not limited to, being at least a six-consecutive-month resident of Alberta, not be indebted to RVC for arrears in excess of $50 and dwell within Division 1, which runs south of Cochrane and Stoney Nakoda, past the Trans Canada Highway and into Bragg Creek, west of the Tsuu T’ina First Nation.

Qualified candidates must then fill out the nomination papers and submit them to the RVC Municipal Complex in Calgary by Feb. 27.

Though election day will fall on March 26, an advance vote will take place on March 23 and 24 at RVC Municipal Complex from 12-8 p.m.; polling stations for the March 26 by-election will be announced in February.

Conservative Blake Richards

Wild Rose MP Blake Richards met with Chief Ernest Wesley at the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino last week to begin talks with the Wesley band to start working with neighbouring communities on economic development in Morley.

“(Chief Wesley) wanted to talk about the economic development (in Morley) and I’m obviously a big supporter of that,” said Richards. “It’s a discussion that will have to continue.”

Richards talked about the importance for all levels of government to work with the three respective bands in Morley (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Wesley), surrounding communities, including Airdrie, Banff, Canmore and Cochrane, as well as the private sector.

“We will have to try to bring everyone together,” said Richards. “(That will also involve) tourism associations and even the private sector.”

Wesley said making Highway 1A a tourist attraction would improve economic self-sustainability for the people of Morley, assisting in job creation and education.

“I’m looking for a way where politically, we can come together — to help Alberta become a more desirable place to live.”

“We’re always looking at Alberta as a hub of economic development . . . the next step is how do we show ourselves to the world?” said Wesley.

On Dec. 13, Wains Motors Ltd. announced that they would be leasing space in the Wesley Trade Centre on Highway 1A for the sale of used cars; Wesley said future plans include opening up a museum, interpretive centre, car garage and a variety of other businesses that would provide employment opportunities for the First Nations people of Morley.

“Ultimately, we want our people to manage these services and not just be foot soldiers,” said Wesley CEO, Hopeton Louden.

Hopeton Louden encourages members of the private business sector who wish to become partners in Morley’s economic development to contact him at 403-881-0009, ext. 30.

Map depicting storm drainage

A prominent environmentalist in Cochrane has developed a report warning of the perils of the current and proposed storm drainage discharge from the Sunset Ridge development.

Guy Woods, who is the director for the Bow Valley Habitat Development, is the author of the report – Impacts of Storm Drain Discharge on the Trout Fishery and Riparian Zone.

He has sent his study to various Town of Cochrane staff, including Zulfqar Knowaja, who is the Town of Cochrane engineer in charge of the Sunset Ridge infrastructure plan.

“I have been involved in projects and issues relating to fish and the environment in which they live in this area,” said Woods, “for the past 25 or so years.”

The study concentrates on Ranch House Spring Creek, a small, local trout-bearing stream that acts as an important annual nursery habitat for juvenile trout, which originate every fall in Bighill Creek.

Woods’ report emphasized the dependence these trout have on clean, clear and cold spring water and the presence of an invertebrate population as a source of food.

The findings of this recent study, however, reveal that the Sunset Ridge development is a threat to this stream and its inhabitants.

The report states, “When the first phase of storm-water infrastructure for the Sun Ridge development was put in place, a storm-water discharge outflow was placed on the slopes of Ranch House Spring Creek.”

This discharge, Woods’ said, which collects all the surface water collected on the Sunset Ridge development, is too much for the trout-bearing creek to handle, and “will eventually destroy the existing stream channel and its immediate riparian habitat.”

Now, with a second phase to the Sunset Ridge development being planned, Woods feels that if the drainage system is tied into Ranch House Spring Creek it could have a detrimental affect.

“The stream cannot withstand the existing discharge from the storm drain,” said Woods, “because the natural stream channel is too small in dimension. Future additional discharge into the same storm drain, from the phase two development, will only worsen this situation.

“I was very surprised that the existing storm drain was positioned to discharge into this small spring creek in the first place.”

Rocky View County

Rocky View County (RVC) council has elected to assist with the purchase of a dehumidification system for Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) Family Sports Centre to the tune of $150,000.

“We are pleased to work with our neighbours,” said RVC reeve, Rolly Ashdown, “the Town of Cochrane and support this facility that benefits residents in both communities.”

SLS Centre manager Robin Mitchell appeared before Cochrane’s town council on Nov. 21 requesting an identical sum of financial support to aid in the facilities’ efforts to alleviate the growing humidity problem.

“Most arenas actually have a de-humidification system in their building,” Mitchell explained to Cochrane council members. “They try to run them between 40 and 50 per cent humidity. Right now we run anywhere from 90 to some days 120 (per cent), and the reason I can say that it’s over the 100 per cent mark is often times you’ll arrive to the Totem (Arena Three) in the summertime or a day that you have a Chinook rolling through and it’ll be raining.”

The monies provided by RVC were offered from the Ranch Lands Recreation Board.

Cochrane council members have yet to make a decision on whether to impart this funding, having postponed their evaluation until after November’s 2012 budget deliberations.

In addition to the $150,000 requested for the de-humidification unit, the SLS Centre also asked the Town of Cochrane for $25,000 to upgrade its outdated bathroom facilities.

Redwood Meadows town council has approved the purchase of a new rescue truck for their emergency services.

Redwood Meadows Emergency Services (RMES) deputy chief Rob Evans said the current truck is beginning to wear out and has stalled while responding to emergencies.

“It’s just getting tired, it’s time to replace it,” he said.

The new truck will be larger and more reliable.

“It’s going to make things a lot quicker,” said Evans.

In addition to increased storage space for equipment, the new truck will have interior space that can be used for patient care.

The RMES officers have had meetings to discuss what they need in the new truck and are waiting on a quote back from the manufacturer.

“A rescue is really specialized to how you do business,” said Evans.

The new truck won’t effect how the department responds to emergencies, but it will ensure that RMES members get to the scene.

The cost of the truck will be between $280,000 and $300,000 and will be delivered 8-9 months from the order date in February.

PC Party candidates

With the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party nomination looming, the five candidates have been trekking their way through the riding, from Cochrane to Canmore, on to Banff and back into Bragg Creek.

Banff-Cochrane constituents will visit the polls on Jan. 28 to cast their ballots for the person they believe will best represent the region.

Here is a breakdown of the quintet, which offers voters a variety to chose from; two mayors and three entrepreneurs.

Truper McBride: Cochrane mayor, chair of the Calgary Regional Partnership, councillor for six years, bachelors degree in economics (pursuing masters in environmental design), resident of Cochrane.

Emphasis on: Infrastructure, healthcare, education, transportation and fiscal responsibility.

“If I am successful getting this nomination then it’s my job to be your voice for Banff-Cochrane. I have my own ideas of how I think we need to be tackling our problems but I think the job first and foremost of an MLA is to represent the voices of the constituents above their own agenda and above the politics in Edmonton.”

“There’s been some great work that has been done and I feel there’s great work that needs to be done. The experience that I’ve had as mayor now puts me in a really good position to advocate for this community, for Bragg Creek and for Canmore, for Exshaw and Banff.”

Key accomplishment: Lead architect of the Cochrane Sustainability Plan, mayor at age 30 with 10 years experience in municipal politics by age 34.

John Fitzsimmons: Founder/owner of Fitz Flooring, vice president of the American National Flooring Alliance, founder of Calgary Business for Kids, Calgary South Rotarian, campaign motto: ‘Renewing the Energy,’ Springbank resident.

Emphasis on: Agriculture, oil and gas, energy, tourism, environment, economic leadership.

“We want to continue to bring a new energy to the party and to the people of this province. We want to enhance our reputation as an energy leader, while remaining good stewards of the environment.”

“I have the time right now to commit to do the job that needs to be done. I think it’s an exciting time for the PC Party.”

Key accomplishment: Successful entrepreneur (Fitz Flooring, six locations) for over 20 years.

Ron Casey: Canmore mayor, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association board member, Alberta Municipal Services board member, Calgary Regional Partnership committee member, master electrician, 38-year Canmore resident.

Emphasis on: Tourism, economic growth, environment, healthcare, education, seniors’ housing.

“When you spend as much time in the municipal government world as I have you realize if you really want to facilitate change, you need to be involved at the provincial level. With Janis (Tarchuk) stepping down it seemed like the timing is right to run.”

“The new premier has brought new life into the party. She (Alison Redford) is engaged and listening to Albertans and has shown that in a variety of ways she is willing to make changes and I think it would be really exciting to be part of that change.”

Key accomplishment: Successfully operated two businesses (B&C Electric and a Chito Ryu Karate training facility), 11 years as Canmore mayor.

Rob Seeley: Founder/owner/operator of The Phone Store in Canmore and Banff, vice president of PC Party for Canmore, director for MLA Janis Tarchuk, founder of Small Business Association of Banff, Canmore resident.

Emphasis on: Education, land ownership rights, healthcare, small business, fiscal responsibility, tourism, infrastructure and environment.

“I have a passion for community service with a proven track record and strive to make a positive, effective difference in this important constituency.”

“I have good insight as to what’s going on…(and) a sense of humour. You need that in politics sometimes.”

Key accomplishment: Successful business owner in Canmore and Banff, nine years experience with PC Party.

Jon Bjorgum: Owner/real estate broker with Rockies Realty, past chair for Canadian Rockies School Division and Bow Valley Continuing Education Council, co-founder of Canmore Schools Parent Council and Canmore Miners Day, Banff resident.

Emphasis on: Education, agriculture, government affairs, oil and gas, poverty.

“I have somewhat of an advantage over the other candidates. Some may call it age, but it is experience. At 35, I didn’t have the capacity. This can be my full commitment.”

“There seems to be a new energy.”

Key accomplishment: Successful owner/real estate broker, property developer and education advocate.

Chiniki chief, Bruce Labelle

The newly elected chief and council for the Chiniki band in Morley was officially inaugurated on Jan. 20 as questions over the December election linger.

Chief Bruce Labelle, who was re-elected for his third term, was welcomed into office by an auditorium filled with more than 150 people.

His councillors include Frank Chiniquay, who was re-elected for his second term and newly-elected Clifford Roderick Powderface, Terrance Gordon (Terry Sr.) Rider and Lional Wildman.

Ongoing controversies such as the allegedly undemocratic disqualification of Aaron Young’s candidacy for chief, the unanswered appeals for a re-counting of votes based on the number of votes received by runner-up councillor, Jordie Mark (who was two votes shy of tying for third place as councillor). Numerous anonymous band members and Wahtejabige (youth advisory council) members have also expressed discontent over the Dec. 8 Chiniki tribal election. Young and his second nominator, McFarland Harrison Powderface, have filed an application for an injunction and judicial review based on Chiniki chief and council going ahead with the inauguration ceremony prior to resolving the appeals; Young asserts in his application that his disqualification was unjust, that a new Band Council Resolution (BCR) needs to be enacted and that the entire Chiniki elections process was in violation of the BCR and several subsections of The Constitution Act of 1982.

The ceremony began with a traditional First Nations pipe ceremony, filling the auditorium with the scent of burning herbs, sweet grass and tobacco as community members began to fill the venue.

Labelle and his incumbents proceeded to the front of the gym, led by respected elder Bill MacLean, who carried an eagle feather staff; Cpl. Mel Calahasen carried the Canadian flag, followed by the 10 members of the Stoney Tribal Cadet Corps, led by Lieut. Whalen Kaquitts; Chief Ernest Wesley of the Wesley band toted the Chiniki flag; Chief Darcy Dixon of the Bearspaw band brought in the Stoney Nakoda flag and Chief Charles Weasel Head of the Blood tribe bore the Alberta flag. Canmore mayor Ron Casey trailed the procession, accompanying Chiniki chief and councillors, their spouses and various chiefs and dignitaries from the other Nations who make up Treaty 7 — the Blood, Peigan and Tsuu T’ina.

“Our spirituality goes hand-in-hand with our governance,” said attending Chiniki band member, Marcella Brooks. “We have to match our cultural aspect with modern times.”

Eya-Hey Nakoda, Morley’s professional drum group, set the tone with rhythmic song and vibration — performing a different song for the chief and each councillor. Emceed by Daniel Wildman, each dignitary and various respected elders were given a chance to welcome the new council. Casey also gave a speech.

“It is always a privilege to be invited to attend and participate in any of the First Nations events,” said Casey.

“They have an incredibly rich and ancient culture that evolved on these lands long before Europeans appeared. Each time I am invited I am able to learn and appreciate a little more their heritage and culture.”

Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride rounded out representation from the surrounding Morley communities.

“It’s always an honour to attend First Nations ceremonies when I’m invited to them,” said McBride. “I’m always happy to represent Cochrane and continue positive relationships with our Morley neighbours.”

Speeches explored such themes as community expectations and fiscal responsibilities, education, economic development and sustainability, family ties and common First Nations considerations such as explosive population growth.

Buddy Wesley and Charles Powderface swore in chief and council.

Anyone with concerns about the election can contact Chief Electoral Officer, Michael Frank of the University of Lethbridge at 403-849-0066 or via email at mike.frank2@gmail.com.