Mayor’s Message May 2013

Did you know that the Chestermere Food Bank has seen an increase over Christmas this year that’s well over twice what was asked for last Christmas and that the usage at the Food Bank has increased over 800% since its inception? While everyone would like to think that we don’t have any residents who need this kind of service in Chestermere, the sad truth is that we do. The need exists all year but the Food Bank feels the pinch the most during summer when the kids are out of school. Without the donations from those Food Bank bins things run a little short and that’s why I’m so excited to be part of the initiative taking place on June 15.
The first ever Mayor’s Food Drive will be in the Safeway parking lot on June 15, from 10 to 4, to build up the inventory on the shelves over the summer. Donations of food and cash for a future food bank site are being collected by volunteers. If you have some time to help out please contact the Food Bank crfb@shaw.ca. Help us fill the bus and the tummies of those who need it in our community.
Another way to help and have some fun at the same time is to attend the Fundraising event at the Rich Man’s/Poor Man’s dinner. You may have your dinner served to you by well dressed, well known individuals while you relax, enjoy the live band and a little pampering! I hope you can join me for this wonderful event. Tickets are only $20 and you can buy them at M &M Meat Shops, the General Store or Mo’s Liquor Store. Thank you so much for your support.
Did you know that Chestermere is participating in the Communities in Bloom program this year? White and blue are the theme colours for the competition (and for the Town) and there are many ways to participate, from planting plants these colours in your yard to signing up for the yard competition in August. All the details you need and contact information are on the website at www.chestermere.ca.
This Town has grown so much in the last two decades that it’s hard to believe we’ve only been a town for 20 years! That’s right Chestermere- we’re babies compared to our neighbours in Airdrie and Strathmore. They’ve celebrated centennial birthdays (100 years) in the last couple of years and Calgary, well, we can’t even compare our time in existence to theirs. If Chestermere was a person it wouldn’t even be old enough to enter a bar in the United States! Still, we should celebrate all of our accomplishments over the past two decades and we’ll continue to bring you new ones now and into the future. Come out to Canada Day for some cake to celebrate Canada’s birthday and ours!
The annual Relay for Life Event is scheduled for June 21st this year so if you’re wondering what the big party is about over at the Rec. Centre on this date, you should come by. Every year, dedicated volunteers put on this event to raise money to irradiate cancer. Every year the participants walk around an identified track for 12 full hours after having raised huge amounts of money to battle this disease. A disease that touches all of us and isn’t fussy about the damage it does to families. The coordinators arrange great live performances, wonderful MC’s and great inspirational speakers to keep the participants going and awake. Let’s hope that the weather holds out for this great group and if you’d like more information on participating or donating please check out the website at http://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?fr_id=12347&pg=entry. I hope to see you there.
Questions about the town? It’s my honour to be the Mayor of Chestermere and I strive to be accessible to all residents. If you have a question or concern always feel free to contact me directly at pmatthews@chestermere.ca or 403-207-7073. I answer my own e-mail, usually within one business day and I answer my own phone- that’s my direct line. I also invite you to join me, various Councillors, the Town CAO Randy Patrick, and other key staff for Mocha Monday with Mayor Matthews on the first Monday of every month. The location changes (see the town website or The Anchor for details) but the format is the same- an open community discussion on topics that interest you or answers to your specific concern in an informal setting.