Spurring us on . . . this week’s Good Neighbour Story

We have wonderful neighbours with whom we share a back fence. Our kids love greeting their friendly dog who always comes running to say hi to them through the fence. One day there had been a skunk that had found its way into our neighborhood. When we arrived home we found a handwritten note from these neighbors letting us know of the skunk sighting. They wanted to make sure we were aware of it, knowing that our kids often play outside. We are incredibly grateful to have such thoughtful and considerate neighbours!

Our experience with these neighbours reinforces the importance of community and the value of good neighbours. We feel fortunate to have neighbours who care for the well-being of our children and look out for one another.

You might be surprised at the friendships you can build and the positive impact you can make. Let's spur on the spirit of unity within our community.

Share your Good Neighbour story . . .

City of Brooks Annual Organizational Meeting Update:

• Deputy Mayor Joel Goodnough

• Acting Mayor Mohammed Idriss Mayor

Councillor Board Listing 2023/2024

Mayor John Petrie

1. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)

2. Joint Shared Services Committee

3. Newell Foundation

4. Newell Wellness

5. Route 36 Highway Association “Veteran’s Memorial Highway Association”

Councillor Joel Goodnough

1. Audit Committee

2. Brooks Region Tourism

3. Community Futures Entre-Corp

4. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)

5. Joint Shared Services Committee

6. Municipal Planning Commission (MPC)

7. Silver Sage Agricultural Society

8. Sign Committee

Councillor Mohammed Idriss

1. Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ)

2. Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce

3. City of Brooks Library Board

4. Intermunicipal Development Plan Committee (IMDP)

5. Joint Shared Services Committee

6. Safe Communities Committee

7. Shortgrass Library Board

Councillor Ray Juska

1. Airport Commission

2. Bow River Basin Water Council

3. Brooks & District Museum

4. Communities in Bloom

5. Emergency Management Committee

6. Environmental Advisory Committee (EcoBrooks)

7. Oldman River Regional Services Commission Board (ORRSC)

8. Sign Committee

9. Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA)

Councillor Jon Nesbitt

1. Arts, Culture & Heritage Board

2. Audit Committee

3. Emergency Management Committee

4. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC)

5. Recreation and Parks Board

Councillor Bill Prentice

1. Airport Commission

2. Municipal Planning Commission (MPC)

3. Newell Recycling Association

4. Newell Regional Services Corporation (NRSC)

5. Newell Regional Solid Waste Management Authority Ltd.

6. Sign Committee

7. Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association (SAEWA) (Alternate)

Councillor Marissa Wardrop

1. Audit Committee

2. Grasslands Regional FCSS

3. Inter-City Forum on Social Policy (ICFSP)

4. Newell Foundation

5. Newell 9-1-1 Dispatch Association

6. Recreation and Parks Board

Oct 31 Trick-or-Treating at Downtown businesses during business hours.

Brooks Music Festival presents a “Fall into Music “concert. Celebrating local talent! Tuesday, October 24, 7 PM, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brooks.

NewGrow 2023 Fall Intake is set for Friday, December 1, and is currently accepting applications from businesses in the Brooks Newell Region. With $19,000 to be awarded to regional businesses. Application packages are due November 24th. Application form to be considered for the grant.

Embracing new ideas while maintaining respect for established brick-and-mortar businesses is the discussion City Council will be having this week. An expedited permit process got the pop-up cafe on 2 St W. up and running in a timely fashion. However, the temporary business has now requested to continue operating beyond the approved temporary 6 month period. Two potential options are being considered. One is granting permanent approval with a waiver of the water and sewer bylaw, which would mean the business could operate indefinitely without utility services. The other option involves a development agreement where the business would need to connect to utilities after a set period.

Lake Newell Resort Community Association delivered a presentation seeking the County of Newell support for a pathway from the proposed Kinbrook Pathway to the Resort. Council endorsed their project, notices were sent to all property owners providing information about the Lake Newell Pathway project. The notice also included the cost to property owners, funding sources, and the process for petitioning against the project. The petition period has concluded and the project is progressing into the design phase, set to occur during the winter. The tender process should begin in the spring, followed by construction after finalizing project costs.