Continued power line struggles
Published April 29, 2011
Wow! I cannot believe that winter hung on for as long as it did. Susan and I always take a winter vacation later in the season so that when we return the corner has been turned and spring is on its way. Not this year, but hopefully this better weather we are beginning to experience is the start of something good and the warm weather is truly on its way.
We in Strathcona County have also been experiencing some amazing challenges and opportunities since the municipal election last October. The biggest challenge of course is the proposal by AESO along with EPCOR and ALTALINK to build twenty (20) storey high transmission lines along the west side of our community.
There are numerous concerns about this proposal, the least of which is why they are being built in the first place and the need for this type of transmission. I have always been a “think outside of the box” person so why are we not looking to other methods of generating the power we need other than building big plants and transporting the generated power. I am convinced there are other more green ways to obtain the power we need such as co-generation since a number of our industries today produce more power than they can use for their own needs.
Our Council is on the record as advocating the burial of these lines if they are near densely populated areas, schools or playgrounds. We are in the midst of hearings by the AUC Board to determine not need but where and how these lines should be built.
We as a Council have also experienced some good opportunities to show our residents that we are elected to do their will as a body and listen to their concerns, needs and wants. The vision of our residents as to what this municipality will look like should be uppermost in our minds when we determine our strategic plan. To this end we have finalized a number of initiatives over the past six months. Council passed our 2011 budget unanimously without “stealing” from past or future years. Council reviewed and changed our sign bylaw when we were informed by a number of our corporate residents that business was not being treated fairly and we were losing a vital part of this community due to this unfairness. Council also, through the perseverance of the Mayor, re-instituted our Economic Development Committee made up mostly of our citizens to advise Council on future plans to ensure we remain a leader in the Region with regard to economic opportunities.
We have also initiated a number of projects throughout our community through our Recreation, Parks and Culture Department to help our residents (men, women and children) to continue to enjoy the best possible amenities we can provide. The additions and re- vamping of the ice at Millennium Place plus the restructuring of the clubhouse at the Broadmoor Golf Course are but some of these projects. We have a plan in place to continue these initiatives well into the future.
Council also has put in place a number of policies and procedures to govern their own behavior and responsibilities as was recommended prior to the last election.
Thank you again for your confidence in my ability to work on your behalf and I will continue to communicate with as many of you as possible to understand and formulate your views in my decisions.
Vic Bidzinski
Councillor, Ward 1
780-464-8005
bidzinski@strathcona.ab.ca.
Last updated: Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Page ID: 7643