Council hears public concerns on March 24
Crowsnest Pass council’s March 24 public input period brought a wide range of con-cerns to the table, from healthcare recruitment efforts to criticism over council conduct and an explanation from a landowner involved in logging near a local heron rookery.
Snowpack strong, but drought risk persists
The Oldman Watershed Council told Crowsnest Pass council on March 24 that water quality in the mountain headwaters remains strong, but drought on the land could still become a major concern in 2026.
Looking Back: A Mini-World of Troglobites
Ever since I was a youngster I have had a fascination with caves. It has never left me and I find myself inevitably drawn to any dark shadow or interesting feature of any depth in a rock face. I guess that is why I didn’t “bat” an eye when I went to work 2 1/2 miles underground in the Vicary Mine while in college. Spelunking is probably a in-bred after effect of my coal mining family history.
You cannot rebuild representation overnight
There is a map on the table in Edmonton that could soon change the political shape of southern Alberta.
If adopted, the Electoral Boundaries Commission’s final report will not eliminate Livingstone Macleod, but it will significantly redraw it. And this is not a minor adjustment. It is a real shift in which communities belong together and how this region is represented moving forward.
Council rejects recruitment funding
Crowsnest Pass council, in a tie vote, defeated a motion that would have allowed administration to use up to $100,000 from the mill rate stabilization reserve to support hiring a municipal recruitment firm as the municipality continues efforts to fill two senior vacancies that have remained open, one for four months and one for up to six months.
NCC updates Pass on conservation work
The Nature Conservancy of Canada returned to Crowsnest Pass council on March 24 with an update on its local work, ranging from invasive species control to fire mitigation and wildlife connectivity monitoring along Highway 3.
Looking Back: Some Accordian Reflections
Recently I posted an image on social media from a marvelous history book entitled “Michel Memories” that resonated really well within facebook land. That is to say; it drew out memories which people readily shared. I have discovered that this is a wonderful way to connect us all , on just about any subject. A facebook post done on the old Crowsnest Lake dance hall (now gone) some time back drew almost a hundred responses and some lovely personal memories that I got to share in a column.
Sparwood awards paving contract, town hall debated
Sparwood council has awarded its 2026 paving program contract to Terrace Construction while also signalling it may skip a planned town hall later this spring as the current council nears the end of its term.
Farm animals approved for Michel Creek Road
Sparwood council has adopted a zoning amendment that will formally allow farm animals on Michel Creek Road properties where that type of use has existed for years.
Sparwood staff flag illegal suites, permit gaps
Sparwood’s planning and development department used a March 17 presentation to give council a closer look at the daily pressures facing the building department and the growing importance of geographic information systems, or GIS, across the municipality.
Recycling bylaws approved in Sparwood
Sparwood council has approved the bylaw changes needed to launch its new district wide curbside recycling program and move ahead with a food waste diversion pilot this spring.
Who carries the cost of the change?
The decision by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) to eliminate seasonal time changes may look minor on paper. No more switching clocks twice a year. Problem solved.