By CHARLES TWEED
The Ministers’ Tour, which is sweeping the province, paid a visit to Ponoka on Feb. 9.
Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ray Prins, along with Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden and Minster of Education Dave Hancock, made two stops in town to listen to concerns from the public.
Their first stop was at the Ponoka Composite High School (PCHS) to hear from four students concerned with the lack of commitment from the government regarding stage 3 of the school renovations. The students — Kiara Kjenner, Landon Schultz, Isatu Fofanah, and Miranda Brookwell — made compelling arguments for why phase 3 of the renovations must be budgeted for and completed, sooner than later.
They certainly had the education minister’s attention.
Hancock was careful not to guarantee any funding but did thank the students for taking the time to address such a critical issue.
“Phase 3 is in our top priority of projects, and Ray (Prins) has made sure I don’t forget about it,” said Hancock.
From the school, the dignitaries made their way over to the Wolf Creek Public School Division office, where some of the same concerns were raised.
Monica Harvey, school council chair at Mecca Glen, didn’t want to see the province delay the third phase of renovations at the high school.
“It’s been put off several times before and having it postponed again, when we have all the resources here to finish it, would be a real shame — I went to that high school and it doesn’t look any different than when I went there,” said Harvey.
The response from Hancock echoed the same sentiment the students heard — it’s a priority but no promises would be made.
Will Dillen, owner of Will’s Welding and a former PCHS instructor, was concerned about Career and Technology Studies (CTS).
Dillen was worried about safety concerns from having mechanics and welders work in such a confined space.
“I’m afraid of losing one or both of those trades and I think that would be very sad in a community this size that depends on those trades. If anything there should be an increased area for those kids interested in trades,” said Dillen.
Hancock was quick to point out those decisions were up to the school board but the government was looking at developing skill centres across the province so kids could have access to the latest in equipment and training.
Charlie Cutforth, chief administrative officer for Ponoka County, had some questions for the agricultural minister. Cutforth focused on the issue of confined feeding operations (CFO) being located close to bodies of water.
“Is it unreasonable request to ask the province to create a standard regulation throughout the province that says we don’t want to cite any CFOs within a certain distance of any lakes,” said Cutforth.
Cutforth felt a possible provincial regulation would provide some clarity for both counties and landowners.
Hayden had good news, stating that in the new land use framework the municipal development plan (MDP) takes precedence over the Natural Resources Conservation Board. Essentially the county can write bylaws into the land use section of their MDP prohibiting any new CFOs from being built within a certain distance of bodies of water.
“I have always believed the best decisions for a community are made the closest to that community,” added Hayden