Author: Christopher Northcott

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

The District 20 (Champion) Fire Protection Association met on February 19^th for the first time this year. The Association is hoping to do three community bingos this year so please watch the Champion Chronicle and social media for notices of these events.

Also discussed at this meeting were the governance policies for the association, as well as the memorandum of understanding that sets the association apart from the District 20 fire department of Vulcan County. While the association is established to raise public awareness and fundraise for local emergency services, the regional fire department is the sole service provider.

Finally, the association is working on a path forward for its building project initiative, one that will see the eventual construction of an annex east of the fire hall for additional secure storage of equipment. Last year, the association was unsuccessful in applying for a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant, proposing a facility that would support not only the fire department but other community groups who require secure storage for equipment. Volunteers are now working with Vulcan County personnel on how to best phase and develop this project while pursuing alternative funding opportunities. I am working to facilitate these conversations. The tremendous support of the Champion Community and region for the activities of the fire association is greatly appreciated. As such, I will do my best to provide regular updates on this building project.

Read More about Notes from Council, February 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

January has certainly been a busy month, despite there being only one regular meeting of council. Hopefully 2026 is off to a good start for all of you.

In December of 2025, I was re-elected as the Chair of the Board for the Oldman River Regional Services Commission (ORRSC). This has been a time of significant change for the Commission as our new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Tracy Thomas, officially commenced work on January 12^th. As such, the Executive Committee has set out mutually agreeable goals and objectives for her first year with the Commission. Fortunately, retiring CAO, Lenze Kuiper, has been facilitating a transition for the remainder of January. The two of them have been busy reviewing files and visiting member-municipalities. I joined them in Bassano on January 26^th for a discussion with the Town Council on the budgetary direction that has been implemented, as well as the operating plan that was approved by the Board of Directors in December. Member-municipalities, of which there are 41, are the shareholders of the Commission, having an ownership stake in its future. The Commission is a non-profit corporate entity that reports directly to the Minister of Municipal Affairs, realizing significant cost-savings and the benefits of regional collaboration for members.

Read More about Notes from Council, January 2026

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

The Village of Milo Council has hired a new Chief Administrative Officer. Gillian Williamson has lived in Milo for several years and we are fortunate to have an established member of the community take on this challenging role. Since prior to moving here, Gillian has been in business for herself as a videographer. Her partnership in Studio Lumen has resulted in several local projects receiving her professional touch, whether it be a promotional video for Vulcan County, the Milo Development Co-op’s “Will Family Legacy Project,” the Village of Arrowwood’s “Find Your Way Home,” or the Vulcan County Emergency Partnership’s pandemic response videos. With her experience running a business, managing a variety of projects, as well as writing grant proposals, Gillian’s talents will align well with being a municipal administrator. I look forward to working with Gillian for community growth and economic development, as well as with the Village Council on intermunicipal collaboration.

Read More about Notes from Council, December 2025

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

I want to extend a thank you to the responders who acted with efficiency and professionalism diverting traffic around the train derailment at Champion, all while assessing the seriousness of the situation. The wreckage along the tracks and Highway 23 serves as a reminder of how quickly an emergency event can occur. In this instance, we can be thankful that no hazardous goods were being transported. It is worth noting, however, that County Administration and local first responders, along with our municipal partners, undertake emergency management training for this reason. We have developed the response plans and the communication tools that are needed in these situations. On November 6^th, elected officials from our region participated in the Emergency Management for Elected Officials orientation that is provided by the Alberta Emergency Management Agency.

Read More about Notes from Council, November 2025

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Congratulations to Councillor Laurie Lyckman on her election to County Council from Division 4. This will be Laurie’s third term on Council, and it has been a pleasure working with her these past four years. She is passionate about seniors care and victim services. Her leadership of the Foothills Little Bow Municipal Association, as well as her contribution to the board of the SouthGrow Regional Initiative, are significant examples of how Laurie is working to move our region forward.

Best wishes to the other contender who sought to represent Division 4, Mr. Jack Feenstra. Elections are important opportunities for ratepayers to think about the direction of local government and engage with the candidates. They are a healthy indication that people care enough to stick their neck out, express an opinion, and run for public office.

Read More about Notes from Council, October 2025

Dear Residents & Ratepayers,

Nomination Day for all candidates in the 2025 Alberta Municipal Elections was on September 22^nd. In the County, all divisions but one were elected by acclamation, meaning that there was only one candidate and therefore no contest. While I believe electoral contests are important and I tried to connect with a lot of residents leading up to Nomination Day, I am humbled that the residents of Division 6 were comfortable enough with me to acclaim my re-election. Please reach out if you believe that I can be of service, or if you have questions or concerns. It is an honour to serve as your councillor for the next four years.

Congratulations to Alex Horkhoff as he will soon take over in Division 2 from Shane Cockwill. I want to thank Councillor Cockwill for his many years of dedicated service, both to the residents of Division 2 and our entire County. Your willingness to listen, your perspective, and your humour will be missed.

Read More about Notes from Council, September 2025