News | DrumhellerMail

East Coulee, Lehigh residents decline Drumheller water

    The results of the survey distributed to residents of East Coulee and Lehigh asking whether they want municipal water are in and residents overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.
   The survey asked respondents to reply if they were in favour of the proposal to construct water distribution lines throughout East Coulee and Lehigh for a cost per household of $15,614.34.
   “We tried to facilitate getting water into East Coulee and that was the cost,” said Mayor Terry Yemen. “The reality is that two or three years from now that price won’t be available.”
   Three respondents replied that they were in favour of the proposal as is, 28 supported the need for water, but think the price is too high, and 87 did not support constructing water distribution lines. Of the 170 letters mailed out, 118 were returned.
   The construction of a transmission line from Cambria to the western edge of East Coulee will continue as planned, because of funding provided by the provincial government.
   The Town is pressuring the provincial government to supply additional funding so that the transmission line could be brought to the eastern side of East Coulee. This could reduce the cost of any subsequent local improvements.
   With the transmission line in place, the distribution lines through the communities could built at a later time, but Mayor Yemen cautioned that the cost would be greater than what it is now.
   Town Council will consider the results of the survey and make a decision regarding the distribution lines through the two communities in the new year.

Successful Christmas season for Salvation Army

    While Drumheller residents went to bed on Christmas Eve knowing that Santa was indeed going to visit, they should rest easy, bearing in mind they helped to make sure that 104 families in the area could also enjoy Christmas.
   This year The Salvation Army distributed 104 hampers. These served about 270 people, of those 120 are children.
   “We’re very appreciative of the generosity,” said Lt. Matt Sheils of The Salvation Army. “Drumheller is quite an awesome place.”
     This year’s demand for hampers was about the same as last year, and support for the Christmas campaign appeared to be strong.
   The Kettle Campaign raised in the area of $40,000, exceeding the local Salvation Army’s goal of $33,500. The Drumheller iKettle, hosted by Q91, brought in almost $2,000 and ranked ninth in the country. These funds are used locally to support the church’s community services program.
   This year’s food donations were also strong at the annual food drive. They collected about 16 skids of food, more than last year’s 12, and donations continued to pour in throughout the Christmas season. Sheils says this amount of food should last the Food Bank until about April.

Starland forms Michichi Creek initiative

    Residents along the banks of Michichi Creek are being asked to volunteer in a program to help protect the local watershed.
   The Michichi Creek flows through the farmland northeast of Drumheller and eventually drains into the Red Deer River.
   Starland County is asking for help in monitoring the water quality of the creek.
   “We’d like to have a closer scrutiny on the water quality of Michichi Creek,” said Matthew Kreke of Starland County.
   The program will ask that volunteers test the water quality near their property. From there, steps can be taken to improve water quality should an issue arise.
   “There’s no concern over water quality at this time,” said Kreke. “If there’s a problem, it’s something we’d like to know early on, because it’s a vital creek system in our area. It’s a proactive measure, not reactive.”
   Starland County will be applying for grants this winter to help get the initiative afloat.
   Those interested in participating in the Michichi water quality project are encouraged to contact Matthew Kreke at 403-772-3793.

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