FALL 2023 FireSmart Tips for Fall Pg. 3 Protection from Wildfire Pg. 4 Have Your Say! Pg. 5 County-City Trail Network Pg. 6
Neighbourhood Ice Surfaces Pg. 7 County Snow Clearing Pg. 8 Be a Good Neighbour Pg. 10 Nominate a Farm Family Pg. 12
New Recycling Access Road Pg. 14 Be Green this Halloween Pg. 15 Fall & Winter Activities Pg. 16 Supports for Students Pg. 17
Wellbeing in Wildfire Season Pg. 18 Elmworth Pen Pals Connect Pg. 19 Back-to-School Safety Pg. 21 Sportsplex & Dino Museum Pg. 22-23
Reeve’s Message As we look ahead to the fall season, I want to again express gratitude to everyone who worked in front of and behind the scenes during the Dunes West Wildfire. Your work was truly a team effort in getting residents back into their homes within two weeks. We appreciated the resources from across Alberta, and the support of members of the military and firefighters from other departments, including as far away as Oregon. Also, County staff wore two hats to support our evacuated residents and the wildfire response while keeping the County’s day-to-day business running.
MUNICIPAL CENSUS AND ELECTORAL BOUNDARY REVIEW The County and its needs are constantly evolving. Because of the dissolution of the Village of Hythe in 2021, the County must review its number of councillors and divisions, and division boundaries before the 2025 municipal election. I want to remind you that as a first step, the County will conduct a municipal census in 2024 to determine whether growth or decline has created a population imbalance among divisions. Watch for updates and ways to get involved next year. CITIZEN SATISFACTION SURVEY
Thanks to the crews who completed the initial 30 km pass of the Southeast Grande Prairie Firebreak ahead of schedule at the end of May. Read more about the firebreak and the added protection it will help provide on page 4.
This fall, residents will be asked to share their thoughts in a Citizen Satisfaction Survey on the quality of life and the programs, opportunities, and services available in the County. I encourage you to complete this survey as it will help guide Council’s decisions for the County, now and in the coming years.
FIRESMART YOUR PROPERTY
STAY INFORMED
This fall, I encourage everyone to make FireSmart your focus. See page 3 for tips from County Regional Fire Service to minimize the risk of fire to your property. Also, please reach out to them to book a FireSmart Home Assessment.
We invite County residents to stay informed. Your feedback will be vital as we undertake these important projects. Use the links below to find out more, and as always, feel free to reach out to your Councillor.
PLAN YOUR COUNTY
• Sign in and view our Engage page to give feedback on current projects: www.countygp.ab.ca/engage
In our Spring newsletter, we shared the effort the County is putting into reviewing and updating the plans, bylaws, strategies, and guidelines that shape local development. We’re now halfway through the ‘Plan Your County’ project and have heard from hundreds of you at spring and summer events throughout the County. This fall, watch for a report and next steps. See page 11 for details.
• Subscribe to receive County news and alerts: www.countygp.ab.ca/subscribe • View our calendar and subscribe to receive a weekly digest of meetings, events, and activities: www.countygp.ab.ca/events