This current fiasco with the Town of Cochrane and the Cochrane & Area Human Society is enough to make a mother dog bite her pups.

Who wants to take credit for this dubiously brilliant but badly thought out administrative brainchild?

How much money was raised last year in taxes (license fees) for dogs? Where now is the money going from the sale of dog licenses? And make no mistake, a license is another term for tax.

When something is working (very well, I might add), why is there a need to do anything? Make change? Is it a strategy to ‘make work’ for an overstaffed administration?

Are Cochrane residents so complacent that town staff believe they can make these kind of changes with no consequences? Are any members of council prepared to make amends?

According to a report in The Eagle “Municipal enforcement was advised to separate out the town services and put, as per legal requirement the kenneling out to bid.”

If that is the case then, all town services should receive the same care and attention. That includes fire, ambulance, garbage and bylaw enforcement.

In animal care circles, Cochrane’s provision of humane care for animals has received high acclaim and has been a model for other municipalities in Canada. Stop the presses. This is no longer the case. Cochrane’s priorities have changed, instead of animal welfare we are now primarily concerned with saving taxpayer’s dollars. For shame, for shame.

If saving taxpayers money is the object of this exercise, then someone should step up and recommend a drastic cut in town administration staff.

Nora Schmidt

Let’s start off by stating our strong bias in support of the Cochrane and Area Humane Society (CAHS).

We know from experience that they do a tremendous job, and are totally responsible to their clients, both of the animal and human kingdoms.

We speak from experience. As residents of northwest Calgary, we find the CAHS more accessible than the Calgary Humane Society, which we had dealt with for many years.

A number of years ago when the Calgary Humane Society relocated, we needed a feline or two. We turned to the CAHS and were totally impressed — you could say blown away — by their professionalism, experience, kindness and deep concern not only their animals, but for the homes they were going to.

Our favourite cat ‘CC’ (Cochrane Cat), who is sitting on the computer as we send this, makes our days joyful.

However, our admiration for the CAHS was tremendously enhanced a couple of years ago when we decided our two American Eskimo dogs — which we had had since puppies — were too much for old folks like us. We were faced with a conscience-twisting dilemma of finding a good new home for one of them.

We talked to the folks at the CAHS and through their earnest endeavours found a top notch new owner, who we are sure to this day enjoys the one she has, as much as we enjoy with the one that remains with us.

To us that was performance well above and beyond the norm.

In closing, we can tell you that we have made charitable contributions to the CAHS and there is little doubt that we would not even consider making donations to a city or town owned facility, supposedly charged with the same responsibilities as a humane society.

We are sure that there are many others in northwest Calgary who deal with the humane facility in Cochrane because of its ease of access. We make this comment as residents of Calgary with the consideration that it is almost a bedroom community in reverse for animals.

Jerry and Jan Joynt,

Calgary

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.

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings

What began as a one-off tribute album to the late, iconic singer/songwriter, Willie P. Bennett, by formidable roots warriors, Stephen Fearing, Colin Linden and Tom Wilson, has erupted into one of the most highly-regarded and well-received roots collectives currently on the market: Blackie & the Rodeo Kings.

The boys are storming into town, making their way to the Cochrane Alliance Church for the first 2012 show for the 12th season of the Cochrane Valley Folk Club (CVFC) on Feb. 5.

“We’re on tour forever, but this leg is seven shows,” said one of the Kings’ three founders, Stephen Fearing, adding that the group is gearing up for a major Massey Hall (Toronto) show on March 21.

“I think of it as the ‘lunatics taking over the asylum show’.”

The trio continues to wield their enormously successful 2011 release, Kings and Queens — a 14-track splendor featuring a different ‘queen’ from blues, country, jazz and roots genres, such as Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Serena Ryder and Cassandra Wilson to name a few; Linden took the production reigns and since its June release, the Canadian guitar gurus have focused on touring the U.S. This year, however, is the year to bring it home.

Canadian fans can anticipate a heavy fall touring schedule for the group, who will likely have a queen or two as guest appearances.

It’s been 17 years since the trio put their heads together to collaborate on a tribute album in honour of their beloved friend Bennett, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 57.

“We gathered around the fire of Willie P. Bennett’s music,” said Fearing. “It meant that there was a template for us.”

Fearing added that the unique platform the three chose to stand on together in their quiet beginnings helped each of them spare their egos — a common problem when three successful frontmen embark on an egalitarian project.

What helps, Fearing added, is that Blackie & the Rodeo Kings operates like a safety net when each member pursues their ongoing solo projects.

“We all get to go out and do our own things and then come back to the house of Blackie & the Rodeo Kings,” said Fearing, who is currently wrapping up a tour with Ireland’s Andy White, in promotion of the duo’s 2011 release, Fearing & White.

The folkster’s counterparts, Linden and Wilson, also remain busy when not working on their trio’s jammed-packed schedule of recording albums and subsequent touring.

Linden’s resume includes multiple accolades as a producer, (Bruce Cockburn and Colin James, for example) — even a Grammy; his songs have been covered by The Band, Keb’ Mo’ and The Blind Boys of Alabama and his work as a hired ‘guit-slinger’ has seen him flanking the sides of Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant.

“I get to play in a band with one of the best guitar players in the world (Colin Linden),” affirm-ed Fearing, who himself, carts around his 1989 Manzer acoustic and 1963 Harmony H-75 electric.

The many successes of veteran rocker Tom Wilson also stand on their own — from his formidable days as the frontman for Junkhouse or his alter-ego, ‘acid-folk’ LeE HARVeY OsMOND project; but his bold presence and rocker appeal often culminates in surprise after surprise.

Wilson’s son, Tompson Wilson, will be opening up for the Kings (who will be accompanied by bassist John Dymond and drummer, Brian Owings) with his four-piece, roots-rock group, Harlan Pepper.

Tickets to all CVFC shows are $25 and are available at Cochrane Coffee Traders or online at cochranefolkclub.com; doors to the Alliance Church open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Rebecca Netzband

The Cochrane Cowboys wrestling team came away with medals at the Paperweight Invitational wrestling tournament in Edmonton over the weekend.

Brendan McKeage, Aidan McKeage, Connor McNeice, Daniel Coles and Christoff Coles all earned gold at the Jan. 28 invitational tourney featuring more than 500 wrestlers.

Cian Hilkewich took silver, and Evan Proudlock and Rebecca Netzband won bronze.

Katie-Mae Stockley and Vernon Pointen placed fourth and Jordon Pease took fifth.

The Cowboys are sending eight wrestlers, plus alternates, to the Alberta Winter Games being held later this month in Spruce Grove/Stony Plain/Parkland County.

Connor McNeice, Callum McNeice, Proudlock, Pease, Kristoff Coles, Aidan McKeage, Aidan Smith and Stockley will all wrestle at the Games. Daniel Coles, Luke Clubb, Kayden Roberts, and Netzband are going as alternates.

High school tournament

Bow Valley and Cochrane high schools are combining their athletes to send a competitive team to the Forest Lawn High School wrestling tournament in Calgary this weekend.

The schools have combined to send 24 athletes to the Forest Lawn meet.

“They are a fun group to work with and they are like sponges,” said Bow Valley wrestling coach Matt Baugh. “They’re learning a lot, which is great.”

Wrestlers attending the Feb. 3-4 tourney in Calgary include: Grant Bauer, Liam Billard, Cameron Birch, Julia Cameron, Connor Denison, Bailey Gordon, Alexandra Grant, John Greenan, Chris Johnson, Zach Kibzey, Luke Klassen, Teran Lyons, Tristan Massey, Kenzie McCrady, Patrick McElroy, Landon McNeil, Black Mowbry, Cole Morrison, Emma Perry, Russ Pilling, Daniel Smith, Cody Snoxell, Trevor Teece and Josh Thomas. “Our ultimate goal is the rural provincial championships Feb. 24 in Bonnyville,” said Baugh.

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.”