Division 1, Councillor's Update #2 - Liz Breakey

Click here for Liz's latest update about what's going on in Rocky View County, specifically Division 1.  Liz says, "Please note that a Division 1 Town Hall meeting has been scheduled for May 9, 7 p.m. at the Jumping Pound Hall where a number of important issues will be on the agenda. I can be reached at any time at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 403-949-2964 or 403-630-3522."
 

Check out Chamber of Commerce news, including the agenda for our next meeting on April 25th, 2012 (open to members), in the Chamber Updater.  Click here for details.

Next FREE business workshop for Chamber members: Making the Most of your Website Presence, April 24th, 2012, 9:30am to 11:00am, Bragg Creek Centre Youth Room. Click here for details.
 

Division 1, Councillor's Update #1 - Liz Breakey

On Tuesday, April 10, I will officially become your Councillor for Division One.  My pledge was to continue the traditions of communication, consultation and accessiblity pioneered by previous Councillors, in particular Rick Butler, to the best of my ability.  Although I am entering Council half way through the term and hence have a steep learning curve, I plan to work closely with all the Community Groups throughout Division One as well as to schedule open houses and town halls on a regular basis.  Present Councillors and staff have extended a warm welcome and offerred support in learning the job quickly.  I hope to be ready to run again for my Division in 18 months time.

I have attached my Councillor's Update covering the last three months (click here), based on Council minutes and personal attendance.  The big items that will affect Division One residents include:

1.  County Re-organization that has reduced staffing levels from 296 to 247, thereby saving $2 million in 2012 and $3.5 million next year;  Service will be maintained and hopefully improved through redesign of internal processes.

2.  Budget 2012 approved for on a three year budgeting basis.  Municipal taxes will increase by 3% while school taxes, collected by the province, will increase by 6.4%;  the adopted budget is posted on the County website.

3.  A fire-services bylaw was unanimously adopted which specifies levels of services, fees and specific responsiblities.  The County fire service will engage primarily in rescue, basic exterior fire suppression and defensive fire fighting. 

4.  Twinning of Highway 8 planned by the province.

5.  Water and Wastewater infrastructure for the Hamlet of Bragg Creek is itemized under funding adjustments in the attachment.  Further information will be forthcoming through a joint venture between County staff and the Bragg Creek Chamber of Commerce.

I wish you and your families a Happy Easter.  I am looking forward to meeting with you and can be reached at any time at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , by phone at 403-949-2964 or 403-630-3522.  Please let me know if you would like to either be added or removed from this update. 

 Rockyview County Division #1 By-Election: Join us for an All Candidates Forum.  Wednesday, March 21st, 2012, 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Main Hall, Bragg Creek Centre.  Come and learn more about the candidates and their platforms.  Proudly hosted by the Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce.

Next FREE business workshop for Chamber members: Spiritual Economics.  March 27th, 2012, 9:30am to 11:00am, Bragg Creek Centre Youth Room.  Click here for details.  Postponed.

Chamber of Commerce Meeting, Wednesday 29th February 2012, at 9:30am, at the Bragg Creek Centre.  All members welcome.  Details here.

Future meetings of the Chamber for 2012: February 29th, March 28th, April 25th, May 23rd and June 27th.  We do not meet in July or August.  The meeting in September will be on the 26th followed by the AGM in October (date not set).  Unless advertised, all meetings are held at the Bragg Creek Centre at 9:30am.  Mark your calendars and get involved!

Next FREE business workshop for Chamber members: Business Tax Facts: What you need to know!  February 28th, 2012, 9:30am to 11:00am, Bragg Creek Centre Youth Room. 

Details here.

Chamber of Commerce next meeting: 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, 1st February, 2012. Bragg Creek Centre meeting rooms.

The Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce is deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Rick Butler on Boxing Day.

Since being elected Councillor and Deputy Reeve in 2010, Rick worked tirelessly for the residents and business community of Division 1. His upbeat political style, along with his enthusiasm and infectious sense of humour, enabled him to unite and engage many of the residents and community groups in Bragg Creek in a positive and productive manner – not an easy task! Never has one person worked so hard nor achieved so much on our behalf. Not one to “sit around and do nothing”, Rick was always lending a hand, more often than not with his wife Gwyn at his side – whether at Bragg Creek Days helping with various activities, making ginger bread houses with the children at the Community Centre, attending community meetings or simply enjoying a few dances with Gwyn at many of the fund raisers they attended, he was always a presence larger than life! He will be deeply missed by our community.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Gwynneth, his daughters Corrie and Marni and the extended family.
The Bragg & Area Chamber of Commerce Board

Next FREE business workshop for Chamber members: Be Your Own Coach.  January 24th, 2012, 9:30am to 11:00am, Bragg Creek Centre Youth Room.  Details here .

Local residents: read about critical issues in Rick Butler's update for December 2011.

Businesses: book your space in the ever-popular Bragg Creek Chamber Directory now!  Details here.

Find out all about Bragg Creek's SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS events here!

Businesses: Chamber of Commerce meeting dates are:

September 28th, 9:30 Bragg Creek Centre
October 27th, 6:30 p.m. Bragg Creek Centre – this is the Annual General Meeting
November 23rd, 9:30 Bragg Creek Centre

We don’t meet in December. Dates for meetings in 2012 will be posted in November.

Come along and get involved!

Fire Smart

The Bragg Creek Fire Smart committee has a website now: www.rockyview.ca/firesmart. Residents: check it out, including the committee's draft mitigation strategy that is still being discussed. A hot link to that document is available here. (Wait a little bit for the file to download, even though it might say 'done' at the bottom of your browser window).

Bragg Creek wins 2 awards from RidersWest magazine

Gold and Bronze ATVing awards.  Click here.