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124 E Chestermere Drive

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2010 Volume 1, Issue 5

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Proposed bypass cause of concern for Chestermere business owners /pg. 3

The possible realignment of High-way 1 around Strathmore is something we in Chestermere

have to keep a close watch on. It would even be prudent for town

council to appoint someone to be its eyes and ears at the Aug. 23 Strathmore chamber of commerce meeting.

There are fears such a rerouting of traf-fi c could hurt businesses in Strathmore and have a fallout effect here in Chester-mere.

Surely there are some here who could sit smug and think we don’t worry about traffi c on Highway 1, and if the highway moves around Strathmore maybe that would be a good thing.

One’s loss is another’s gain, so to speak.

This is too simplistic. Looking down the road, Chestermere

will also grow to attract highway busi-ness if the alignment is not realized.

If plans to move the highway south of Strathmore goes ahead, how long will it be before additional secondary highway upgrades see much of the traffi c that now travels north of Chestermere on the Trans-Canada move south of town to serve the south side of Calgary?

This is a looming reality.A number of developers currently have

real plans to construct close to the town’s borders and within.

This is good for Chestermere. It provides options close to home and

helps diversify our tax base. With about 97 per cent of taxes here

borne through residential levy, it would be nice to realize a more balanced mix with commercial development.

Many large projects are on the drawing board that could help this imbalance, but if developers smell the fear brewing in Strathmore, it could easily spread here.

The fear of the unknown is one of man’s mortal curses and if it takes the shape of a highway realignment, Ches-termere should not be a part of the prob-lem that caused it.

The idiom “forewarned is forearmed” is apt here.

So is another one — towns that work together have a louder voice at the legis-lature.

EDITORIALWhat hap-pens down the road ...

Dear Editor:Re: Mr. Patrick Watson’s

letter concerning the gazebo project. The user groups sur-veyed were ‘performance’ user groups.

Other citizens or groups such as the Lions Club or Knights of Columbus who would like to work with the ACE (Active Creative Engaged Community) to make Chestermere an Active Creative Engaged Community need only give one of our co-chairs of the local ACE commit-tee a call: Deb Myslicki (CRCA) 403-272-7170 or Laura Brankov-ich (Town of Chestermere) 403-207-7050. No energy or ideas will be turned away.

The Chestermere ACE com-mittee will hear from as many people as possible during the coming years while Chester-mere is involved with Alberta Parks and Recreation ACE pro-gram and, in particular, in this combined effort with the Town of Chestermere on the gazebo for John Peake Park.

The $10,000 for new draw-ings is money previously set aside for the gazebo.

Why build a structure, which would not have maximum usefulness and applicability to Chestermere’s needs today?

Much has changed since the original plans were commis-sioned.

On Feb. 24 ACE Facilitator Barb Peterson led 40 Chester-mere citizens through the ACE Community Scanning Tool.

A gathering place for perfor-mances was high on the list.

For this reason the ACE com-mittee approached the Town of Chestermere mayor, council, and Parks Committee to work jointly to ensure this gazebo is a unique feature, which fi ts the needs of our growing town.

Jen PeddlesdenACE Chestermere leader

The Chestermere Laker welcomes letters from its readers.

Letters must be signed and should include a clearly printed name, address and telephone num-ber. Only names will be published.

Send your letter via email to let-ters@chestermerelaker.com or you can drop off or mail your letter to 30 -140 East Chestermere Dr., Chestermere Ab. T1X-1M1.

2 Chestermere Laker Friday, August 13, 2010

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Unsigned editorials are produced by theChestermere Laker’s editorial board.

For advertising rates and information contact:Michelle Woodruff at 984-9009, ext. 2.

Deadline for advertising copy is 5 p.m. Tuesday

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gazebo ideas welcomed by ACE

Mickey DumontChestermere Laker

Nearly a dozen local busi-ness people heard a pro-posed realignment of the

Trans-Canada Highway to bypass Strathmore will have a devastating effect to highway businesses and would also severely affect Chester-mere.

Greg Whiteley owns Asset Insur-ance in Chestermere and a hotel in Strathmore.

He’s lived through the economic pain highway change brings to a community.

“Thirty years ago they tried to bypass Strathmore,” he recalled.

Whitely said business owners fought the government, which ulti-mately twinned the highway.

That “destroyed our economy,” Whitely said.

“For 10 months we never had an access to (the roadway) and I had 70 staff at the time and went down to 28 overnight,” he said.

Whitely said the proposed bypass could be devastating here.

“A lot of that traffic will go on Highway 901 meaning if they don’t go through Strathmore, they won’t go through here.”

Hal Lust, GM of Strathmore Mo-tors and a member of the newly formed Strathmore Town and Country Highway Association, ad-dressed the Chestermere Business Networking Club, a Tuesday meet-ing also attended by Chestermere Mayor Patricia Matthews.

Lust said the government’s ‘pre-liminary and for-discussion-only plan’ is already killing business growth.

“The biggest fear factor facing us now is the uncertainty,” he said.

“I talked to someone I know who

was interested in opening a (car) dealership here and when he asked if that “road thing” was still happening and I had to tell him yes, he had no more inter-est.”

Lust explained 50 per cent of the town’s workforce is em-ployed at the 87 highway busi-nesses. If the road changes, that would mean an impact of approximately $2.8 million per month — “a huge hit to a town like Strathmore,” Lust said.

If approved as now presented, Highway 1 would head south just northeast of Cheadle, pass Secondary Highway 24 and con-nect with Highway 22X south of Eagle Lake.

Lust attended a June 21 open house in Strathmore hosted by the Department of Highway.

“What concerns you here is what is going to happen with High-way 22X,” he said.

“It cuts off a lot of people, like Cheadle, from any highway ac-cess.”

Lust met Tuesday with Strath-more-Brooks MLA Arno Doerksen, and Luke Ouellette, minister of transportation, and said he was shocked by the outcome.

“In one broad sweep the minis-ter said this whole thing is scrap,” he said, referring to preliminary realignment drawings.

“You’ve got to understand this thing cost you and I over a million or $2 million for an engineer in Edmonton to do this.”

With the latest plans tossed in the ditch, Lust said the minister out-lined the most recent plan to him.

The government now proposes from the 13-mile corner east of Strathmore, south into Gleicen, the Standard corner will be rounded

and upgraded to freeway standard. Strathmore will experience a loop about two-km south of the existing Highway 1 and rejoin the Trans-Canada about three-km west of Strathmore.

“Nobody knows what it going on, obviously,” said Lust.

“They can change their minds so quickly.”

The realignment plan may be killed by the Conservatives because of fears the Wildrose Alliance Party has a strong standing in the riding but have yet to choose a representa-tive for the County of Wheatland.

“I think (Premier Ed) Stelmach’s government is scared and this is the time for us to act and get them to make changes,” said Lust.

The Town and Country Highway

Association will continue fighting to block the highway realignment.

During the town’s recent Heritage Days celebration, the group collect-ed approximately 2,500 signatures on a petition to keep the present route and to forever abandon plans to change it.

Matthews told the business group the town is aware of the proposed changes for Strathmore.

The mayor expressed similar con-cerns that when it comes to major road construction, “Until it comes down to the final open house, they can and do change their minds.”

A special public meeting of the Strathmore and District Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for Aug. 23, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Strath-more Civic Centre.

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4 Chestermere Laker Friday, Aug. 13, 2010

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NEWS

NEEDED: Devel-oper champions affordable housing

Mickey DumontChestermere Laker

There is now some hope for lower-wage earners who want to

work — and live — in Ches-termere.Plans for affordable housing or rental property did not rate high with developers in Chestermere until now, the Laker has learned.When Bayfield Chestermere gets under the shovel in about two years, part of its approved land use includes up to 240 rental apartments.“Chestermere does not have affordable housing on its radar,” said David Weinkauf, vice-president development and leasing with Centron Construction. “The town wants to main-tain a certain feel,” he said.“We’re trying to come up

with a more affordable prod-uct by putting together some apartments, condos and townhouses.”And variety will be the key to attracting buyers, he said.“I can’t speak to the rest of the market as to whether it (affordable housing) is sore-ly needed, or not, we knew we didn’t want just one type, we wanted a variety.”Chestermere Mayor Patri-cia Matthews said the town would likely not see many of these kinds of projects in the near future. “Probably in about 30 years from now,” she recently told the Laker.“Chestermere is a unique community,” she continued.“We have large lots and it is an exclusive community in that we don’t offer the same kind of things that you might find in a Cochrane or a High River.” This is bad news for those low-wage earners who work for minimum wage or a little better, and who want to live

in Chestermere. Instead, they commute from Calgary or other outlying areas where rental property or lower cost housing is readily available.But two local Re/Max real-tors, Marjorie and Doug McKay, said Chestermere already features some affordable housing.“Is starting at $240,000 affordable?” said Marjo-rie McKay. “How about a house for $330,000?,” she asked. “Sometimes, and even often, we can find housing here that is less expensive than in Calgary.”The realtors believe Chester-mere has a market niche — albeit not a large one — for first time buyers, downsiz-ers and those looking for so-called affordable housing.“Take a look at the Rainbow Falls project,” Marjorie said. “You can get in there start-ing at $240,000 and you are not going to give up any-thing that Chestermere has to offer.”

Town targets utility plan

In all her furyA bolt of lightning briefly lights up the feedlots at Namaka Farms south of Strathmore recently as an evening storm passed by.Wheatland EMS paramedic, Kevin Link, captured this magnificant shot of Mother Nature. Look for more of Link’s work in upcoming issues of the Chestermere Laker.

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ing French and English Bulldogs in need. Our hope is to provide education about the Bulldog breed to prospective owners.We are non profit organization in Alberta, Canada.

We are funded entirely on donations, these funds are used solely to support the mandate of Alberta Bulldog Rescue. http://albertabulldogrescue.blogspot.com

Friday,Aug.13,2010 ChestermereLaker5

News

Mike D’AmourChestermere Laker

Trade you a Heron for a Simmons, or maybe a corporal for a staff sergeant?

That may be the talk among young Chestermerians who will soon have the opportunity to acquire COP trading cards, featuring the men and women of the local RCMP detachment.

The majority of the Chestermere RCMP detachment members had their picture taken and placed on COP cards, said Chestermere RCMP Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry. “There are 13 in all,” he said.

The cards, designed mainly for youngsters, give the youth a chance to become familiar with the police officers in their town while at the same time having fun trading, said Henry.

“What we want the cards to do is be a way to introduce ourselves in a different form to the community,” he said.

“The target audience is the youth, hopefully within the school sys-tem, because we want the young people to know who our officers are and collect the cards and trade amongst themselves.”

The baker’s dozen of local RCMP will each carry their own personal trading card, which shows a fun photograph of the officer and a short background about him or her, including a message to the kids.

For example, Const. Mitch Simmons’ card contains the simple, but powerful message to stay in school.

Const. James Heron’s message is: “Work hard at everything you do and be respectful to others.”

The Chestermere Policing Committee funded the entire cost of the cards.

“One thing we’re encouraging the kids to do is approach our officers, when they’re not busy, and one of the great ways to approach them is

to ask for a card,” said Henry.However, COP cards are not new and

some jurisdictions have dropped the con-cept entirely.

The Calgary Police Service used to print the cards, but stopped after some per-ceived problems arose.

John Dooks, president of the Calgary Police Association, said there are several reasons for the Calgary Police Service no longer produces the cards.

“A lot of officers start out on the street, but later go into undercover, or covert, ac-tivities, and don’t want their pictures out there,” he said.

“Then you start finding gang houses with COP cards all through them and you realize it’s probably not such a good idea.”

Henry said he’s aware of those fears.“We always have those concerns, but we want the members here to

be first and foremost, approachable and to be known by our commu-nity,” he said, while noting Chestermere doesn’t have special units.

“If the members look like they’re going on into those fields later on, then of course we’ll revisit that at a later time,” said Henry.

“But for now we have a very junior workforce and most of our mem-bers will be in general duties for a fair number of years and the benefits of them being well known in the community outweighs the potential career aspirations down the line.”

Everyone is encouraged to approach the members to collect the cards and get to know their local RCMP.

Collect one, collect them all

Mickey DumontChestermere Laker

Chestermere could be witnessing the sod turning of one of the larg-est and most progressive building

project to date in just two years.“Could be this time in 2012 when off-site and onsite construction of services to the land gets underway,” said David Weinkauf, vice-president development and leasing with Centron Construction, of the Homburg Centron Teamworks, Bayfield and Chestermere Business Park projects.Town council approved the land use des-ignation March 15. The mixed-use project will occupy a total of 775 acres — all within Chestermere’s boundaries — over the next 15 years. “If you could imagine, it is a fairly large development,” said Weinkauf.The land use approval allows construc-tion of up to 1,707 residential units, almost four-million square-ft of industrial and office space and 650,000 square- feet of retail commercial space such as a shopping cen-tre. It’s a given Chestermere needs a more diversified tax base and an opportunity to keep some of its shopping dollars in the community. “We need about two years, starting from now, to put together up to 2,000 engineer-

ing drawings for every little pipe and angle and rise and lift station and sewer, light and everything,” Weinkauf said. “Then all those need to be approved (but) there’s a lot of work we have to do before there will be any construction out there.”The project will be located on the east side of Chestermere on north side of Highway 1; the waterslide is on the very northwest corner of the land. East of the slide is the

town’s public works yard and the proj-ect continues east and south of there along Highway 791 as east boundary and then west from Highway 1 north as it comes around and meets up with Highway 1A. “In that piece there are 991 acres. We have 615 acres (with new annexed lands). Outside of that, further west, we have another 160 acres (within the County of Rocky View) which becomes our storm pond,” Weinkauf said. The mixed-use development will fea-ture a box store concept. Weinkauf said it’s too soon to wager which box stores could be attracted to the new spaces.. “I would have to be guessing today.” Weinkauf said he’d be crystal ball gaz-ing trying to guess what stores would come. Wal-Mart just signed with RioCan for anchor space at the coming retail cen-

tre to be built at 84 Street and 17 Avenue S.E. in Calgary.

“It’s not like they are also going to move here,” Weinkauf said.“This is kind of a not-overly-exciting por-tion of the process,” he said.“Now,” he added, “we have to put our noses to the grindstone and make sure everything is designed to code and proper standards so we can get all those drawings approved for construction.”

Project could be two years away

Planned Bayfield and Chestermere Park

Mike D’AmourChestermere Laker

The Chestermere Chiefs may be down to just a single team this year, but players on the Atom squad are vowing to avenge 2009’s abysmal sea-son.

“We didn’t win a single game last year,” admitted coach Kelsey Johnson.

“But some of our re-turning players said, ‘We’re going to win a game this year,’” said Johnson, who noted about half of last year’s squad are returning players≥

“I like that kind of confi dence.”

This year the Atom squad is carrying the football hopes of Chestermere alone.

“There were only 12 kids who wanted to play Pee Wee,” said Johnson.

“We really put on a push to get more, but just didn’t get the results.”

It’s unknown if a Pee Wee squad will hit the fi eld next year.

“We’re going to look at the situation at the end of the season to see where we’re at,” said Johnson.

The Atoms, howev-

er, are looking strong with 24 eight- to 10-year-old players on the team.

The team also boasts a great coach-ing staff. In addition to Johnson, former Edmonton Eskimo Randy Beck, and Ryan Russell, former tackle for the Huskies and Vanier Cup ring holder, are lending their skills.

“These guys have good pedigrees,” said Johnson.

The Chiefs will hold three practices a week on the north fi eld of the rec centre between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30

p.m. until their fi rst game Sept. 12.

All but one of the eight regular season games are scheduled to be played at Cal-gary’s Shouldice Park.

The big game, of course, will be played at McMahon Stadium, home of the Calgary Stampeders.

All in all, Johnson said he and his young players are looking forward to a great season.

“Sports is such a great building block because of the people you meet and the skills you learn,” he said.

6 Chestermere Laker Friday, Aug. 13, 2010

Atom-ic Chiefs vow to win

SPORTS

— Mike D’Amour/LakerCole Lewis, above, takes a break to show his game face. The Chestermere Chiefs are put through their paces during practice in other photos.

Large Pizza $4.00 off Medium Pizza $3.00 off(Pick Up Only)

RETURNING PLAYERS: Tell head coach they will avenge last year’s winless season

This calls for a Date with pizza and beer

Let’s face it. Any marriage can become safe and boring if you stay together long enough.

Take Phil (Steve Carell) and Claire Foster (Tina Fey) in DATE NIGHT (88 mins. PG-13)

He’s a tax lawyer. She’s a real estate agent. The couple has two bratty youngsters and a

nice home in the suburbs of New Jersey.Once a week they escape to their favourite

restaurant for a date night. They always order the same dishes — potato

skins and salmon — and talk about the kids.Even sex seems like an effort. Phil: “It’s totally cool if we don’t.”CLAIRE: “Are you sure? Because those potato

skins made me feel kind of gassy.”Sure, they love each other. But they are not “in

love” anymore.Where’s the passion? Where’s the spontaneity?The Fosters are not the only couple who feel

that there is something missing in the marital bond.

“We are stuck in these roles together and we can’t break out of them,” Brad (Mark Ruffalo) confi des to Phil while his wife, Haley (Kristen Wiig) tells Claire, “I feel like we know each other too well. It’s always the same conversa-tions, the same schedule.”

What’s the solution? Brad and Haley are get-ting a divorce. Phil decides to take his wife to New York for dinner.

Talk about spontaneity. The Fosters get plenty of it when they are

mistaken for a con artist couple who’ve stolen something valuable from a bad apple gangster (Ray Liotta) and are chased all over Manhattan by a couple of crooked cops (rapper/actor Com-mon, Jimmi Simpson).

Both Fey and Carell demonstrate deft comedy chops in their respective TV hits — she’s the creator/star of 30 Rock; he’s the heart and soul of The Offi ce.

I wish they could have brought the writers

from those shows with them because most of this movie plays like one of those unfunny Sat-urday Night Live skits.

Director Shawn Levy knows how to orches-trate a good car chase, but seems to leave the funny stuff up to the cast.

To be honest I didn’t laugh out loud once dur-ing the fi lm’s mercifully brief running time.

But then I’m a crusty old English major so-berly scribbling down notes while watching the movie alone in a darkened room on a weekday afternoon.

This movie probably plays better if you invite some friends on a Friday night and serve tons of pizza and beer.

Fey and Carell strive mightily to inject some color into Josh Klausner’s paint-by-numbers script and they are so darn likeable in the role

they almost succeed.There is a little romance, a lot of chase scenes

and a great cast, even in the small roles. (Mark Wahlberg plays a shirtless security expert in a sly spoof of his action hero image. James Franco and Mila Kunis have cameos as the real con artist couple.) And I’m betting more than a few housewives will nod in weary recognition when Claire tells her hubby: “Sometimes I just wanna have one day that doesn’t depend on how every-body else’s day goes.”

Y’know, I would probably like the Fosters if I met them in real life.

I might even feel comfortable enough with them to enjoy a movie that is kinda lame, but gets by on enormous personal charm.

PIZZA & BEER RATING: 3 Slices out of fi ve

ENTERTAINMENT Friday, Aug. 13, 2010 Chestermere Laker 7

IN THE MIDST OF THE DATE FROM HELL: Claire (Tina Fey) and Phil (Steve Carell) make a fran-tic call for help.

Lights, camera,action . . .

with Rick Dennis

PERPETUALLY SHIRTLESS: Security expert Holbrooke (Mark Wahlberg) comes to the aid of be-leaguered couple Phil and Claire Foster.

8 Chestermere Laker Friday, August 13, 2010

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