Town provides Barnes with list of current issues

By Jami Rieger
Cypress/Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes attended the Town of Bow Island’s Sept. 28 meeting to gather information regarding local concerns and issues that he could take back to Edmonton.
Mayor Gordon Reynolds had a full list of items that he and Bow Island council would like Barnes to address, including funding for infrastructure.
“What does this government see as infrastructure? It is their roads, their schools, their hospitals. Is that infrastructure or is there money for local infrastructure. That is something we need to find out,” said Reynolds.
Barnes told Reynolds that health care would fall under health budget and that the province is committed to keeping MSI funding where it is supposed to be.
Reynolds also said that keeping the HALO medical helicopter is vital for all of southeast Alberta.
“Support for HALO is a must. Corporate sponsorship has dried up,” said Reynolds.
Other issues Reynolds were support for Highways 61 and 3, as well as Supernet for the communities.
“This has to open up so we can access Supernet. It is key to community development moving forward,” he said.
The emergency protection order on the Greater Sage grouse was also listed as an item of concern.
Reynolds also said that provincial NDP government’s decision to not release a budget until after the Oct. 19 federal election does nothing to benefit the municipalities.