By RICHARD FROESE
Contributed
(This is the second installment in our series profiling communities in Stettler area as they face challenges of changing times.)
The future of the Village of Big Valley remains strong with council committed to set to build a strong foundation.
“Our priority is to build a team of council and staff that is efficient, dedicated and with the best interests of the village at heart,” said Mayor Rick Kargaard, who returned to council in municipal elections last fall and previously served on council for eight years, including six as mayor.
“We will end our three-year term with lower taxes, better infrastructure, long-term plans and happier residents.”
Partnerships and participation is vital to make the village viable
“It’s volunteers who make it possible to maintain a vibrant community at far less cost than many larger communities,” said Mayor Kargaard.
Council sees that the village has a bright future as it builds on people, volunteers, partnerships, history and tourism potential as the greatest strengths.
“Big Valley has considerable tourism potential with an interesting history and many historic sites and museums,” Kargaard said.
As more baby boomers relocate to small communities, Big Valley has great potential for growth.
“We have had considerable residential construction activity in recent years and expect this to continue,” said Mayor Kargaard.
Innovation of high speed internet makes business less dependent on central locations and we may see growth in this area if the village can be attractive in other ways as well.”
“We see no reason why Big Valley cannot continue to be a village as long as council and administration practise due diligence.”
As a small municipality, Big Valley also needs to rely on support from other local communities.
“All our futures depend on cooperation between various levels of government and between neighbours,’ said Mayor Kargaard.
“Our well-being is going to be dependent on the well-being of the Town of Stettler, the County of Stettler as well as nearby villages and hamlets.”
To maintain a long term future for the village, the current mayor said it is vital to maintain a low-cost operating environment for business, maintain and develop an attractive safe and healthy residential environment, encourage volunteerism and maintain modern and efficient infrastructure.
However, council faces the greatest challenges to maintain an adequate tax base and maintain affordable operating costs.
“An adequate tax base can only be sustained through growth that has a value higher than the depreciation and deletions of taxable properties,” according to the mayor.
“Every effort must be made to encourage growth and to identify and exploit opportunities unique to this community or that may present themselves in the future”
“Operating costs will be addressed by introducing efficiencies where possible, by modernization and by implementing policies and procedures for the best use of resources.”
Big Valley has the advantage of being in a beautiful location, linked to good highways within easy reach of three major cities, Kargaard believes.
“It has excellent recreational facilities. The air is fresh and our water is pure. The people are friendly and helpful. It is an interesting tourist destination. The petroleum industry is still active.”
“We believe that any disadvantages we may have can be overcome with work and attention. Sustainable? Of course, we just have to be committed to the possible.”