It is my pleasure to give you a year-end review as Reeve. As you know council appointed me at the October re-organizational meeting.
I want to thank council for their confidence in me and to the residents of our county. I intend to work hard on their behalf.
Council and I believe in the values of fiscal responsibility and the accountability of Council.
A big thank you to Bill Lee for his service as Reeve, I really appreciate his leadership and his commitment to the County of Barrhead.
As most of you know the Aquatic Centre is proceeding very well. Council is looking forward to continued collaboration with our neighbours in 2017.
A couple of big projects were completed this year. Range Road 40 gives a high quality driving surface to the dozens of residents living along it and numerous others who use it as a connector road.
Another major project was the reconstruction of a route primarily used by the aggregate producers at Holmes Crossing. This project, a partnership between industry and the county, has resulted in a much safer road that benefits all residents.
This year there were a record number of calls in the County to Barrhead Fire Services.
2015 saw a total of 226 calls, and to Nov. 30, 2016 they were already at 349 calls.
This was due to the hot dry spring and other operational factors.
Council is continually looking at improvements in the service.
The County of Barrhead engaged TEC Edmonton to conduct a feasibility study on the industrial lands known as the Kiel Development.
We now have a solid grasp of industries that will complement the agricultural sector while diversifying it to create new opportunities.
In 2017, the county hopes to identify the best business models so we might engage industry and local entrepreneurs to create new high value jobs and growth.
On Nov. 23 council voted to declare an agricultural disaster. This is not something we take lightly, but as the season dragged on with little progress harvesting and a multitude of hardships for livestock producers it turned out to be the right call.
Producers recently informed members of the Ag Service Board, that for them the declaration was extremely beneficial.
A big change at the office is the retirement of Mark Oberg. Mark is a dedicated manager and Council is impressed with his work ethic and his steady demeanor.
Personally I will miss his witty remarks. All the best in your future endovours Mark.
With that change comes an exciting opportunity. I am pleased to welcome Ms. Debbie Oyarzun in the position of C.A.O. of the County of Barrhead effective 1 Jan.1 I look forward to working with her and I am sure the county will benefit from her many abilities.
In closing I just want to say that it’s an honour to serve the residents of the county and the community at large. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my fellow councillors or myself, we truly value your input. Thank you.
