Whitecourt Town Council briefs

Feb. 13 meeting

Congratulations to Ashleigh Phaneu and Darnell Jendrick for being selected as winners of the 2017 Mayor for a Day initiative. The contest, which is in its second year, required youth to submit an essay on what improvements they would like to see in Whitecourt. The initiative promotes leadership opportunities, and helps to broaden the understanding of local government in our community youth. Ashleigh and Darnell will spend the day with White court Mayor Maryann

Chichak on Monday, March 27.

The Town of Whitecourt is hosting a 2017 Budget Open House on Wednesday, March 8 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre. The event, which is in its second year, will provide information to the public on the interim budget, provide opportunity for ratepayers to comment, and allow for two-way communication between the public and Whitecourt representatives.

In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the Whitecourt

Communities in Bloom Committee proposed that the municipality install flagpoles at Memorial Point. The Committee feels this would be a lasting and patriotic celebration to mark this milestone for our country. The item has been forwarded to 2017 budget deliberations for further discussion.

Whitecourt will be advocating on behalf of the Whitecourt Trailblazers to Alberta Transportation in regards to an enhanced snowmobile crossing of the Athabasca River. Currently, snowmobiles can only

cross the Athabasca River when weather conditions allow. The Club would like to see a more permanent solution to provide safe crossing for those snowmobiling in the area, and suggested that the Athabasca River bridge be extended/modified to allow for snowmobile traffic. Whitecourt will be requesting that Alberta Infrastructure conduct a review of options for providing safe crossing on Highway 43.

The final 2016 Project List was submitted to Council for review. The list outlines projects

and initiatives undertaken during the 2016 budget year. A copy of the list is available on www.whitecourt.ca.

Members of Whitecourt Town Council will be attending the 2017 Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in Ottawa June 1 to 4. The Whitecourt & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting the annual Economic Forum on March 2 at the Westward Community Centre. For tickets, contact the Chamber Office at 780778-5363.