Once again, I’m very happy to be able to bring you updates with this end-of-the-year Mayor’s Message. We will be posting the Mayor’s Message on our website, in the Anchor and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/townofchestermere) monthly, starting in January, so you can be informed of what Council has been working on in the previous weeks. I will also tweet reminders and I invite you to follow me on Twitter at @MayorMatthews.
The last year has been busy at the Town and there’s just enough space here for the highlights. Should anyone ever want to discuss the details I’m happy to take time and sit down with you.
In 2012:
Chief Administrative Officer- In January, Terry Hurlbut retired as the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer. Council began an exhaustive search that ended in July when we hired Dr. Randy Patrick, strategist and M.B.A. Randy immediately began working with us to plan for a population of 25,000.
Fire Department- In February the Town took another move toward sustainability and autonomy by starting our own Fire Services department instead of contracting through Rocky View County.
Utilities- In March of this year Chestermere Utilities Inc. opened its doors with a mandate to provide safe and efficient water, wastewater, storm, solid waste and recycling services to Chestermere residents.
Roads- April through September saw the completion of East Chestermere Dr. and the first phase of completion of West Chestermere Dr., the oldest roads in town. In October, Paradise Rd. was closed going westbound and the first phase of paving on Rainbow Rd. North was done. In the summer of 2014 Rainbow Rd. will be paved both in the north and the south. It will not, however, connect directly to Highway 1 as the Province is set to do an interchange on that road in the future.
New experiences-In May the World’s Longest Hockey Game was held in Chestermere – great job guys! In July we had our first full-day Canada Day event with hundreds of people attending. In September we launched the “Have Your Say” community survey (results are on our website and YouTube) and in October the Black Library Event was held in Chestermere, the first of its kind held outside of the U.K., with visitors from all over the world! Finally in November the sod turning took place for the new K-9 school located in the Kinniburgh neighbourhood.
Everyone has continued to work hard this year to keep up with growth pressures (Chestermere was the fastest growing Town in Alberta and fifth fastest in Canada!) and to make sure Chestermere is still the best place to call home. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody!
