In Elk Point

Seniors’ townhouses proposed

Dixie Dahlstedt presented information on Country Garden Villas, a seniors’ housing development designed specifically for Elk Point. Intended to allow seniors to live in their own homes with available support as they age, the development would feature two-bedroom condo units attached to a central social area.  (See Proposed option for seniors’ housing)

Vehicles tagged and towed

By-law enforcement is tough in a small town: friends and neighbours don’t take kindly to being told what to do, but “rules is rules.”  Abandoned vehicles or inappropriately parked RVs in Elk Point were tagged this week and scheduled for towing and impounding at the owners’ cost.   As per town policy, the owners of these vehicles did receive letters in the past few months requesting that the vehicles be removed, then warnings that they would be “tagged and towed.” A town official, accompanied by an RCMP officer, attended the towing. Said Mayor Lorne Young, “We want people to see that we really do enforce our bylaws.”

Physician recruitment

A hot button topic, physician recruitment continues to be a priority for Elk Point. Letters of concern have been sent by residents and town officials to Deborah Whetstone at Alberta Health Services, to Health Minister Sarah Hoffman, and to Premier Rachel Notley. Meetings have been held with MLA Dave Hanson. A doctor from South Africa has been interviewed and is interested in joining the local practice. He is currently going through the immigration process, and will serve a three month professional assessment period before coming to Elk Point.

Funding for Provincials

Requests for funding assistance for PeeWee and Midget Avalanche hockey teams to attend provincials were turned down by council. As per policy, funding is provided for teams only when provincial tournaments are hosted by Elk Point.

Industrial lots

Serviced and unserviced industrial lots in the north subdivision are still available for purchase. Council will offer an agreement and flat rate commission to Property Plus Realty to sell some of the lots. Other real estate firms have been approached in the past few months, but no sales have been made.