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Blooming Prairies seniors housing remains under Drumheller Seniors Housing Foundation

Copy of Copy of Copy of Morrin3

Official Administrator (OA) Harold Johnsrude for the Village of Morrin followed up on a request from the Drumheller Seniors Housing Foundation (DSHF) regarding the future of the senior’s housing four-plex, Blooming Prairies, during the regular council meeting on Wednesday, February 17.
Mr. Johnsrude was appointed as Official Administrator for the village in December 2020 following council upheaval in September 2020 and is making positive strides for the village.
“This is an item that was provided direction at the (January 20) meeting. Back in July of 2020, (DSHF) requested the village to consider either purchasing the Blooming Prairies seniors four-plex, or manage this facility,” Mr. Johnsrude said during the meeting.
Following the original request of DSHF, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Annette Plachner further investigated the feasibility of the village taking over the seniors complex. Part of this investigation included financial information, which was shared with Mr. Johnsrude.
One promise Mr. Johnsrude has kept since his appointment to the village has been to refrain from making any decisions for the village which will have long-lasting effects. Mr. Johnsrude reiterated this after reviewing the financial information provided by CAO Plachner.
He noted Blooming Prairies currently generates income through rents collected from residents, and receives provincial grant funding.
Mr. Johnsrude voiced his concerns over whether these financial supports would continue to be available should the village take over the complex.
“I also recognize it’s good to have low cost housing available in the community, but as I’ve indicated in previous meetings, I’m not going to make any decisions that will have long-term commitments,” he said.
OA Johnsrude made a motion to decline the request to acquire or manage the Blooming Prairies seniors four-plex, but requested DSHF to inform the village regarding any future decisions for the complex.


Shoppers Drug Mart donation assists Wheatland Crisis Society

Drumheller Shoppers Donation

Wheatland Crisis Society, which operates the Strathmore Overnight Shelter, was presented with a generous donation of $1,046 on Monday, February 22, thanks to the Drumheller Shoppers Drug Mart Growing Women’s Health Campaign.
Although the shelter is located in the Town of Strathmore, it also services Drumheller and surrounding communities as part of their local coverage area.
“Our shelter, outreach and public education programs have been serving Drumheller for many years and we are so grateful to have the support of the community,” said Wheatland Crisis Society team lead Carly Cole. “Without the generous support of the citizens of our local area we would not have been able to touch the lives of thousands of families impacted by abuse.”
The donation will help to provide those seeking shelter from domestic and family violence situations with basic necessities and comforts of home while staying at the shelter.

Munson not affected by COVID measures

 

Copy of Munson Alberta panoramioWhile the province, and indeed the world, has been dealing with the COVID -19 pandemic, for the Village of Munson it has been business as usual.
Munson CAO Lyle Caweizel says it has been a quiet year for the village, and it has to take minimal action to deal with the pandemic.
“COVID per se hasn’t really affected us as a village yet, other than the regular closing of the playgrounds and that kind of thing,” said Caweizel. “We’re like many Alberta rural communities in that regard, we don’t have a seniors lodge or anything like that to look after. Our town staff has been able to keep going.”
Last year there weren’t any major capital projects undertaken by the village.
“We are just trying to keep an even keel, we have been keeping going day-to-day,” he said.
This is par for the course for Munson, making sure the day to day is getting done, and to keep taxes consistent. One pressure they are feeling as the budget is the increase for policing. In previous years, communities with a population under 5,000 were not responsible for the cost of RCMP. Last year the Kenney Government changed this policy. Caweizel said in the first year it looks like it will be about $40 extra per taxpayer.
“Our first year isn’t bad, it is when we get to year five that it is really going to affect the budget,” said Caweizel. “It would make a difference if the detachment in Drumheller sees another police officer. But when we contribute and nothing changes in the detachment, it would almost be better to get a county bylaw (officer) with Morrin and Delia and Starland contributing. That way, it would be local dollars contributing.”


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