County of Lethbridge council briefs from Jan. 18

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Heather Cameron
Sunny South News

The following are selected briefs of the Jan. 18 meeting of County of Lethbridge council.

Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation Request for Letter of Support

Candice Robison, Executive Assistant with the County of Lethbridge, reported to Council that Mr. Weir from the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation sent Council a formal request asking for a letter of support for their grant application of $125,000 from Alberta Lottery’s Community Facility Enhancement Program. Robison says that the Birds of Prey Foundation outlined in their letter that not having high-speed internet access greatly hinders their operations and outreach programs, impairs their ability to effectively engage with their supporters and followers online, prevents them from offering virtual tours and live streams of the center when physical visits are not possible, and makes it impossible to provide adequate onsite security for the birds against theft and vandalism. Administration’s recommendation, Robison said, given that the Birds of Prey Center is a real focal point in the region, was that Council provide a letter of support for the grant application for the $125,000 for high-speed internet. 

Councillor Van Essen requested that Administration explain what the connection to Council is, and Administration explained that the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation accessed by a lot of schools that both the urban and Lethbridge County residents attend. Another thing, Administration said, is that it includes the topic of high-speed internet. With applications like this, Administration said, support from County Council strengthens the application; it’s more of a good partnership and a show of support for a not-for-profit in the region.

Administration also highlighted that in the letter he provided to Council, Mr. Weir stated that the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre had value to both Lethbridge County and region, as every spring, summer, and fall, the Alberta Birds of Prey Center handles numerous calls to help Lethbridge County farmers, ranchers, and acreage owners with their requests to rescue injured and orphan birds. Councillor Hickey pointed out the fact that the Birds of Prey Foundation has helped Lethbridge County with letters of support, so it would be good to support them when they need a little help. Councillor Kuerbis reiterated that the Birds of Prey Foundation offers a very valuable service in the sense of being able to rescue injured birds and rehabilitate them and release them. Kuerbis said that he sees a significant value for preserving these species and helping propagate them and believes that the Foundation offers significant input to the region. 

Ultimately, Councillor Van Essen made the motion that Lethbridge County provide a letter of support to the Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation for their Alberta Lottery/Community Facility Enhancement Program application for the installation of high-speed internet. The motion was carried.

Correspondence Highlights – Deputy Commissioner of the Alberta RCMP retires

Reeve Campbell shared with Council a letter from C. M. (Curtis) Zablocki, Deputy Commissioner of the Alberta RCMP, that states his intent to retire due to the fact that he has accepted the position of Assistant Deputy Minister with the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services for the Government of Alberta where he’s looking forward to the opportunity to continue working to ensure our communities are safe, secure, and confident in their policing services. Reeve Campbell said that he has been fortunate to meet with the Deputy Commissioner throughout his time on Council and has always enjoyed their conversations, as the Deputy Commissioner has always been forthright, honest, and open with Council, and open to hearing what they have to say. As Reeve Campbell offered thanks to the Deputy Commissioner for his service to the RCMP, to the province, and to rural Alberta, Councillor Vanderveen asked if it would be appropriate to send a thank you letter to the Deputy Commissioner and Reeve Campbell said that it would be a really nice thing to do.