Cypress County expects a busy year ahead

Southern Alberta Newspapers file photo MORE MOVEMENT NEEDED: Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton has requested a copy of the HEMS review after getting very little response from Health MInister Tyler Shandro.

By Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

ypress County’s 2019 year is shaping up to be a “busy and productive” year according to Reeve Dan Hamilton.
The county’s 2019 list includes:
-The Intermunicipal Colloboration Framework (ICF) with their neighbours, the City of Medicine Hat and Town of Redcliff.
An ICF is a plan for neighbouring municipalities to provide integrated and strategic planning and delivery and funding of intermuncipal services.
-The Dunmore intersection at Eagle Butte Road and Charles Street is in the engineering quotes stage.
-A business case will be reviewed by council on the proposed Dunmore ice arena and training facility.
“The county is in a positive state with council, our new CAO and the team we have at Cypress County,” said Hamilton.
“I think everybody is buying into the ‘lets move forward,’ and being aggressive and getting things done.”
Hamilton provided a few 2018 highlights.
The county completed their strategic planning for 2018 to 2021, while an operation plan was also formed.
Amendments were made to bylaws for cannabis use.
A fire agreement was signed with the City of Medicine Hat and the Dunmore Fire Station was opened.
After CAO Doug Henderson resigned in April, interim replacements included Peter Tarnawsky and Jeffrey Dowling filling in before the county hired Tarolyn Aaserud.
“Peter did a fantastic job as CAO,” said Hamilton.
“He really helped or team through the transition, while we did the processes to find our new CAO, Tarolyn and she is fitting in there fantastically. She runs a good ship and council so far is very impressed.”
Hamilton on providing quality service to the ratepayers said “Cypress County is to continue providing efficient, effective services for residence and visitors,” “We’re hopeful that the province and federal government will continue to collaborate to ensure the county remains successful and sustainable.”