| New T’suu Tina chief
Standford Big Plume is the new chief of the Tsuu T’ina Nation following a byelection held on the reserve last week.
Big Plume was a tribal councillor for several years prior to the election, which was called after the resignation of longtime chief Roy Whitney earlier this year. Big Plume will serve until a general election is held next autumn.
Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier told council on Monday that he has sent his congratulations to Big Plume, and added that he plans to give the new chief some time to adjust to his new job before meeting with him regarding a proposal to build a major Calgary roadway connecting 37th Street S.W. and Sarcee Trail on Tsuu T’ina land west of Calgary.
St. Mary’s School
The destruction of a 92-year-old Calgary landmark was given the green light last week when the Alberta government refused to name the old St. Mary’s Girls’ School a provincial historic resource. The Calgary Catholic School Board plans to tear down the school and build a modern facility that resembles the original on the same site.
There was an effort by a local historic organization to save the school, located at 2nd Street and 19th Avenue S.W., by a local historic organization, but the school board didn’t support it – the board says building a new facility will be less expensive than renovating the existing school, and will better meet its goals.
The origins of the building date back to a wooden facility operated by four Sisters of an order called the Faithful Companions of Jesus, who were given the mission building by Father Albert Lacombe when they arrived in Calgary in 1885. The old St. Mary’s Girls’ School was built in 1909 and served as a school until 1979, and then operated as a pastoral day care until 1995. It has been abandoned since that time.
A $3.8-million school construction project on the site was approved by the Alberta government earlier this year.
No emergency plan
City council has refused a last-minute request to use some of the extra money anticipated in the 2002 budget to upgrade and expand city hall’s emergency response system.
A security check after September 11 revealed the fire alarm and emergency response system at old City Hall and the Calgary Municipal Building was not sufficient to evacuate the building safely, and that the systems at the two sites weren’t communicating properly with each other. Administration told council that the whole system is antiquated and in need of upgrades.
Council stated that the request was put together too quickly, and was inappropriately grasping at money that will be left over if an expected tax increase is approved.
"I don’t like the (budget) surplus to be up for grabs," said Ald. Dale Hodges. "There (can’t be) a feeding frenzy on the surplus."
Ald. Gordon Lowe said a comprehensive review should be completed before money is thrown at such a project.
"I think the cart is way ahead of the horse," Lowe said. "I think it’s time to go back to the basics. Let’s start with a clean sheet of paper."
Council plans to order administration to conduct an upgrade study of the system.
Road salt plan
City council has agreed to take a look at the environmental impact of the use of road salt on Calgary streets, explore alternatives to the use of salt for snow and ice control throughout the winter months, and prepare a comprehensive road salt management plan.
Environment Canada recently reported that road salt is a source of toxic pollution and groundwater contamination, and it has been linked to detrimental impacts on plant and aquatic life. Environmental groups claim road salt can "pickle" rivers and streams.
Ald. Barry Erskine says examining Calgary’s use of road salt is a good idea, although he is confident Calgary is already an industry environmental leader.
"I think at the end of the day... we’ll probably find the city of Calgary has one of the best road management plans," he says.
Power plant
Residents fighting against a proposed power plant near Chestermere are turning to the city for help after losing lost the first round of the battle.
Residents for Accountability in Power Industry Development (RAPID), a group of East Calgary residents who live near the proposed site, has already met with Mayor Dave Bronconnier and Ald. Joe Ceci in a bid to gain their support – council could have an impact on the issue because the city will be asked to provide some infrastructure and services to the plant that are vital to its operation.
The Alberta Energy and Utilities Board (EUB) approved an application by AES Calgary to build a gas-fired power plant near Chestermere. At an appeal hearing earlier this year, dozens of residents expressed opposition to the plant, mainly for environmental and lifestyle reasons. |
