A list of hot topics was discussed in the first meeting between new Banff-Cochrane MLA Cameron Westhead and the Municipal District of Bighorn on Wednesday (July 29).
Westhead, elected in May, said there would be many important issues on the agenda, but the one he’s most “eager to get at” regards flood mitigation and flood recovery in the MD.
“I think I’ve said all along that the flood mitigation and flood recovery are kind of the top priority in my mind that need to get dealt with,” said Westhead in an interview with the Outlook Monday (July 27). “I look forward to seeing what the problems are and what the solutions are and how we can work together to solve those.”
Earlier this month, Westhead met with a group of Exshaw residents who think there’s been a lack of action on the part of the municipality to mitigate overflowing storm water at the east end of the hamlet.
The residents presented a letter to the MD with questions and concerns that was replied to by the municipality earlier this month.
The MD and Westhead touched on a wide array of subjects in the meeting, including the controversial Dead Man’s Flats Area Structure Plan (see story on front page), land swapping with the Province, local highway and road conditions, alternate fuels and Lafarge, and the disputed Spray Lakes Sawmills (SLS) logging trucks road usage application.
The logging trucks on Jamieson and Richards roads discussion will be one of the most important to come out of the meeting, said MD Reeve Dene Cooper in an interview with the Outlook on Monday (July 27), adding it requires “urgent communication.”
SLS and the MD are in discussions for a road use application for the 2014-15 season that would allow logging activities on residential roads.
Extra chairs were needed in MD chambers for its regular council meeting this month, as residents came out to support Jamieson Road resident Maria Dunki’s delegation opposing the road use application in their community. Dunki brought forward concerns about safety, sight lines and road widths and said the road was not built for heavy hauling.
At the June council meeting, three delegations from residents of Jamieson and Richards roads spoke against the application as well, bringing up similar concerns.
Councillor Paul Clark excused himself from the discussions on July 14, as he was biased on the subject, saying he would “never support” the application.
SLS has stated in its application they will investigate all complaints and equip some of their log hauling vehicles with dashboard video cameras. In a report by JCB Engineering Ltd., they said the subject roads are adequate to accommodate log haul traffic with the addition of safety improvements.
The application is expected to be brought before council at the Aug. 11 regular meeting.
