County of Grande Prairie No. 1

Residential crews expect to finish up in Whispering Ridge & Westlake in Clairmont today. They will move to Wedgewood, Maple Ridge & Taylor Estates tomorrow. Parking restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read details at https://bit.ly/3bdxs25 Remember to watch for "No Parking" signs when snow removal is upcoming or underway! Find more info and the parking ban map at www.countygp.ab.ca/snowremoval.

Homeowners in the west end of the County of Grande Prairie and the Town of Sexsmith will soon receive a request to provide information about their property through the mail as part of the County of Grande Prairie’s annual property inspection program. Find more information at: https://bit.ly/3sL23d5

Congratulations to the Beaverlodge Health and Wellness Centre! Residents in the region are so fortunate to have access to such exceptional care!

We have another of our Snowshoe Fundamentals Sessions at Bear Lake Campground this weekend. Learn the basics at your own pace to give this fun activity a try. Cost is only $10 per person for the session and snowshoe rentals are available! Sign up and get all the details at https://bit.ly/2NxM0Ar

Residential crews are finishing up in Clairmont from 100 to 113 Ave early this afternoon. Next, crews will move to Whispering Ridge & Westlake in Clairmont. After that, they will move to Wedgewood, Maple Ridge & Taylor Estates. Parking restrictions are in effect from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read details at https://bit.ly/3bdxs25 Remember to watch for "No Parking" signs when snow removal is upcoming or underway! Find more info and the parking ban map at www.countygp.ab.ca/snowremoval.

Recognize outstanding individuals and local organizations at the 2021 Annual Passionate Heart Awards. It's time to nominate a person or organization who's made significant contributions to social services in our region. The deadline to nominate is January 22 . New this year, nominees and winners will be recognized at a virtual celebration on February 12. Nomination forms and a link to register to attend the virtual event are available at www.countygp.ab.ca/passionateheart.

Council and Board members play a vital role in County operations. You can help make recommendations on their compensation by joining the Council and Board Remuneration Review Committee. The committee will meet over the next eight months to make recommendations on current remuneration policies by October 2021. Visit www.countygp.ab.ca/boards to apply by Jan. 18.

Ready to climb a different kind of ladder for a new kind of opportunity? We’re recruiting Paid Responders at the County’s La Glace and Bezanson fire stations. Compensation for emergency response, station duties and training. Flexible on-call role in a team environment, and FREE professional training! Apply at www.countygp.ab.ca/paidresponders.

Congratulations to our ‘Tis the Season contest winners! They took home gift cards for local holiday shopping this year by visiting our new website and signing up to get County news, info and calendar invites. You can still sign up to stay in the know at : https://bit.ly/3mM7zIU

2020 has been quite a year, and we got through it together . If you have a neighbour who is always there when needed, nominate them for a Kind Heart Award . The award recognizes people for their small acts of kindness that all add up to make a big difference in making our community a great place to live. Nominate a deserving resident online anytime https://bit.ly/3pmLqCC

How do we recognize and deal with mental health in the workplace? Employers, entrepreneurs and members of the business community: join the County of Grande Prairie Business Support Network for a virtual presentation "Tough Enough to Talk About It" from the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention. Register now for the December 8 session: https://bit.ly/3pQrZTR.

Today's County Council Meeting begins at 10 a.m. View the agenda and connect to the meeting live stream at https://bit.ly/37agW0I.

Happy New Year! If you started 2021 by taking your tree down remember you can put it out for curbside collection or drop it off at the Clairmont Centre for Recycling and Waste Management Jan 2-16. Make sure: Trees are in sections no longer than 4 feet or 1.2 metres No more than two trees per household Only include live trees, not artificial trees... Ensure all tinsel and decorations are removed More details at: https://bit.ly/3lDdUpM See more

Our bins are on the move! If you're in the Bezanson area, you'll notice that after Tuesday, November 24 our community recycling bins will be moved from the Fire Station to their new home next to the Bezanson Truck Fill. For more information about recycling in the County, visit www.countygp.ab.ca/recyclingprograms.

Residential snow removal crews will begin clearing in the Hamlet of Clairmont from 100-113 Ave Monday morning. Parking restrictions from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be in effect in the area Monday. Once complete, snow removal crews will move onto the subdivisions of Westlake Estates and Whispering Ridge in Clairmont, followed by Wedgewood, Maple Ridge and Taylor Estates. Watch for the new digital no parking signage installed in some areas. Signs will be lit 24hrs before clearing begins. Visit https://bit.ly/2IzPYUZ for more details.

YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) announced enhanced public health measures. Some of these measures are for our Province and some are specific to Enhanced (purple) Areas, which apply to the County of Grande Prairie. Read below for details.

This week, YourAlberta (Government of Alberta) announced stronger public health measures to slow the spread of COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3kuzR9J. Effective December 13, some facilities will close including The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum & Crosslink County Sportsplex. The La Glace Community Library, Elmworth Community Library & Valhalla Community Library will be closed but remain staffed to provide curbside pick-up and other remote services. Stay up-to-date on County operations by visiting www.countygp.ab.ca/covid19.

Did you know that it’s Home Support Appreciation Week in the County of Grande Prairie? We want to recognize and thank our amazing Family and Community Support Services staff that provide care and companionship to area residents. This is the first of a few fun videos to show we care! Say THANK YOU & send a message to Home Support Workers in the comments below. Watch Home Support team member Crystal tell us a bit about companionship, one of the key benefits of the program. Then, clients Bob, Gerda, Ernie, and Elizabeth share thank you messages.

On December 2, 3 & 4, County Council will hold special meetings to review financial plans for upcoming and future years. The 2021 interim budget deliberations will be available to watch via live stream. Details will be posted to www.countygp.ab.ca/events in advance of the meetings.

It's flu season! It's more important than ever this year to get vaccinated against influenza. Reeve Beaupre was vaccinated this week because she knows low numbers of the flu protect the people at-risk in our communities and our healthcare system during COVID-19. Learn how to get immunized this year at alberta.ca/influenza.

The County of Grande Prairie Regional Fire Service opens doors to opportunity. If you’re an NFPA certified firefighter looking to take the next step in your career, apply to become a member of our team. We are now recruiting to fill part-time positions. Learn more about this exciting and highly flexible career opportunity at www.countygp.ab.ca/firerecruit. Application deadline is November 27, 2020.

Residential snow removal crews will finish clearing in Whispering Ridge and Westlake Village tomorrow morning before heading to Wedgewood, tomorrow afternoon. After clearing is complete in Wedgewood, crews will finish in Taylor Estates and Maple Ridge. Parking bans are in place from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. when snow removal is scheduled. Stay in the know about snow: watch for no parking signage & visit www.countygp.ab.ca/snowremoval for updates on our residential snow removal crews!

The County of Grande Prairie is collecting disposable diapers and cash donations to help families in need this Christmas. A Diaper Drive runs from November 26 to December 10. Residents can drop off disposable diapers of any size and related items such as wipes and baby hygiene products at various locations throughout the County or make donations online. Visit https://bit.ly/3m21ush for more details.

There are tons of fun & safe winter activities to enjoy this holiday season! Take a walk on our paved trail systems, maintained year-round by County crews Snowshoe or winter hike for a great winter workout. Day-use areas at Bear Hill, Bear Lake, Hommy & Kleskun are open weekends this winter season Starting tomorrow night, drive-thru the Peace Draft Horse Club Northern Spirit Light Show at Evergreen Park What is your favourite winter activity? Share in the comments below!

As of this afternoon, the County of Grande Prairie has been placed on Watch status by the Province of Alberta, given 19 active cases of COVID-19 in the County and other municipalities within our boundaries. Reeve Leanne Beaupre is reminding residents to follow health measures in place and help prevent the spread by following AHS guidelines for handwashing, distancing, wearing masks, monitoring symptoms, and testing. Information on COVID-19 is available at www.alberta.ca/covid19. Read the full statement at https://bit.ly/2IzPYUZ. Thank you for your continued effort to keep us healthy and safe.

Your opinion matters! Clairmont residents, businesses and property owners share your feedback by January 15 about a proposed readdressing plan for your community. The plan aims to develop more efficient and consistent addressing, making it easier to locate addresses, and improving safety and service delivery for citizens. If the plan is approved, changes would take place around 2022. View details and take the survey at www.countygp.ab.ca/addressclairmont.

Join the County of Grande Prairie family! Our Regional Fire Service is now accepting applications from NFPA certified firefighters to fill part-time positions. Learn more about this exciting and highly flexible career opportunity at www.countygp.ab.ca/firerecruit. Apply by November 27!

Do you know a local non-profit or charity that could use some support this season? Tell them about our ’Tis the Season contest! We're supporting local by giving away vouchers organizations just need to submit an upcoming community event (virtual or in-person) to be entered to win. Individuals can also enter - just sign-up for our weekly event emails! Read details & enter by visiting www.countygp.ab.ca/contest.

Attention local businesses Apply by Friday, November 6 to take part in a Digital Marketing Training Program. After the first round received rave reviews from the local business community, a second session has opened up for an additional 20 businesses (40 people). Learn more & apply below.

Great news! We've provided even more opportunities to have your say about future plans for northeast Clairmont. A plan outlining future land use, growth and development for the over 3,300 acres of land is underway. Share your feedback: Sign-up to attend a Nov 3 session (in-person or virtually): https://bit.ly/2TqHP8Z Complete the online survey - extended until Nov 17! https://bit.ly/3mkjhLc Read more details below!

Need some help completing your Environmental Farm Plan? Alberta Environmental Farm Plan is hosting virtual workshops in November. Get and answers you need right away from the comfort of your home. Check out their schedule of upcoming workshops in November https://bit.ly/3o7AdWR

ONE WEEK LEFT to apply for the $500 Ron Pfau Memorial Scholarship. If you are in post-secondary in business, commerce or public administration don’t miss out on applying www.countygp.ab.ca/ronpfauscholarship.

Did you know that housing instability & homelessness look different across rural and urban communities? When we think of homelessness, living on the street or in a shelter come to mind. In rural areas, homelessness could look like not being able to pay your bills, living in a car or RV, couch surfing, or living in unsafe housing. The County, in partnership with other local municipalities and support from the Alberta Rural Development Network, is leading a Rural Homelessness Estimation Project to gather information and data to inform solutions to meet local needs. For more information, visit www.countygp.ab.ca/ruralhomelessness.

Did you purchase a SUPERPASS card for the County Connector Transit Service? You have until Friday to receive a refund for unused trips. For questions and to process your refund, contact Family and Community Support Services at [email protected] or 780-532-9727. Town of Sexsmith Town Of Wembley Town of Beaverlodge Village of Hythe City of Grande Prairie

A huge thanks to Wapiti Off-Road Association, who organized a cleanup in the Dunes last weekend! A group of volunteers spent their Saturday hauling garbage out of the area to help keep the area a great place for all users.

Ready for a spooky story? The deadline to pay your property taxes is Oct 30! Pay in full to avoid penalties. Visit www.countygp.ab.ca/taxes to pay online or take advantage of our extended hours to make an in-person payment. No costumes required but disposable masks & sanitizer are available.

Protecting water, air and soil quality is key to the sustainable production of crops and livestock and to leaving a healthy and productive farm for the next generation. If you want to learn more about creating an Environmental Farm Plan, attend the next Alberta Environmental Farm Plan webinar: https://bit.ly/3o7AdWR

The County of Grande Prairie approved its new 2020-2021 Government Advocacy Plan, which will guide all advocacy activity over the next year. The Plan will direct the work in six priority areas including economic development, increased support for critical infrastructure, and extra recognition from other levels of Government. For details, read the full release at https://bit.ly/2IzPYUZ.