Clive council hears creative programming ideas

Clive
Written by Stu Salkeld

Clive village council heard about some creative programming ideas coming from its Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) department. The report was made at the Feb. 26 regular meeting of council.

Councillors heard a report from FCSS coordinator Celeste Boyle, who gave an update on the department’s activities since she joined last fall.

Boyle noted a free vegetable program continues to be popular and has been aided by the efforts of volunteers, a dietician was featured as a guest speaker at a TOPS meeting, an FCSS open house was held that attracted 26 visitors, the 2023 Frost Fest was a warmly received event especially the senior’s tea, an iPad loaning program was introduced at the library with the target audience of seniors.

FCSS staff attended a homelessness info session to aid unhoused people in Clive and FCSS secured funding for a wellness laptop; Boyle explained the program in more depth.

“This program will allow community members to access the laptop in a private and confidential setting to meet with doctors or counsellors for consultations or appointments when they cannot attend in person due to age, mobility or transportation,” stated Boyle’s report to council.

“This program will be called ‘Wellness Windows’ and community members will be able to arrange the meetings through Clive FCSS. This program was made possible through a donation from Madlung Enterprises in Clive.”

During discussion Boyle confirmed the FCSS department ran a tight ship in 2023, with an unaudited deficit of under $2,000.

As councillors discussed Boyle’s presentation several stated they were happy with the FCSS department and heard positive feedback in the community.

Village Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Carla Kenney stated she liked Boyle’s approach of making FCSS welcoming and accessible to the community, including program ideas like yoga.

CAO report
In her regular report to council Kenney discussed a new provincial government idea: regional policing boards. However, Kenney noted the Alberta Municipalities lobby group has voiced some concerns about this program, specifically that municipalities may be forced to pay for the plan yet the input gathered isn’t binding.

Kenney noted, in some ways, the current system of detachments discussing annual priorities with communities seems superior as Clive’s input has some clout.

The CAO also reported on an Alberta Municipalities Small Communities Committee presentation she recently attended regarding nurse practitioners, who are nurses with expanded training, skills and authority who may handle some physician responsibilities; this then frees up physicians to handle other work.

Kenney noted that during discussion at the presentation, it was noted increasing physician pay rates may not necessarily increase the number of physicians in Alberta, whereas recruiting nurse practitioners would alleviate some physician workload.

Lastly, Kenney reported on a provincial drought presentation she attended where it was noted that if rural municipalities this coming summer are under water restrictions, it behooves urban municipalities to also conserve water.

Before and after school
Councillors heard a presentation from community member Diane Krochak who was discussing efforts to examine community childcare, before and after school programs and playschool licensing.

Krochak stated it appears if such programming was available in Clive it likely would be part of FCSS, the Boys & Girls Club or as a separate, stand-alone organization.

She pointed out such programming is needed in Clive, but to exactly what level isn’t known.

Police update
Councillors read the regular Blackfalds RCMP report submitted for their perusal.

It was noted on Feb. 6 a male was arrested by RCMP and charged with theft and misuse of a credit card. The suspect was released on an undertaking with conditions.

Also on Feb. 6, police responded to an altercation where both parties were intoxicated. Police determined the dispute was verbal only, so officers mediated and one of the individuals removed themselves from the situation.

Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review

About the author

Stu Salkeld

Stu Salkeld, who has upwards of 28 years of experience in the Alberta community newspaper industry, is now covering councils and other news in the Stettler region and has experience working in the area as well.

He has joined the ECA Review as a Local Journalism Initiative Journalist.

Stu earned his two-year diploma in print journalism from SAIT in Calgary from 1993 to ’95 and was raised in Oyen, Alta., one of the communities within the ECA Review’s coverage area.