Strathcona County needs you
Published February 18, 2011
I have in the past indicated the biggest and most important fight we have in this initial and early stage of the life of this new Council is the possible installation of 20+ storey high voltage power lines proposed for the entrance to our community. While there has been a lot of discussion and dialogue about whether we need the power and where it is going, we as a municipality do not need the aesthetics or possible health issues for our residents; and especially our children in the future to just accept the inevitable from our Provincial Government.
We need to show our mettle and let the government know our feelings. We, as a Council are on record that if our Provincial Government feels this power is necessary, and all other scenarios are exhausted, the least that should be done is the burial of said power lines anywhere they are near densely populated areas, schools or environmentally sensitive lands. Further, the cost to bury the power lines should be spread over the entire power benefiting area. We will accept nothing less!
We also are against the need for these lines and cannot understand why the preferred route today is through our municipality. We have after a great deal of research and on the advice of our lawyer, determined that the preferred route should be the one determined as the alternate route and vice versa. Our belief then is “WEST IS BEST”. We also have a petition for the burial of these lines started by our present Mayor, Linda Osinchuk, which needs your signature. Petitions are available for signing at Millennium Place, County Hall, Strathcona County Library, Ardrossan Recreation Complex and Heartland Hall Contact Office. Our Government needs to know that we care about our back yard and what is placed there. We have the right as residents of our community to decide what our future community will look like. We owe it to our children and grandchildren to determine the legacy we will leave them to enjoy.
If you as a resident are not convinced this will affect you, you should understand that the “CORONA” from these proposed lines will extend seven kilometers or all the way to Range Road 221, a long way into the County including all of Sherwood Park. The final decision on this I believe, will determine the future of Strathcona County. Who do you want to make this decision? I believe it should be us, the residents of Strathcona County and we need your help to do this.
On another note, I would at this time like to extend my congratulations to all the staff involved in our recent snow clearing. While it was not possible to alleviate all problems immediately, I believe they did an excellent job overall. Thank you for your efforts and dedication on our behalf.
Vic Bidzinski
Councillor, Ward 1
780-464-8005
bidzinski@strathcona.ab.ca.
Last updated: Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Page ID: 7259