| Administration Office: 827-3362
| Public Works: 827-3610
| Recreation Centre: 827-2446
| FCSS:
| Receptionist & Utilities Clerk, Judith Coughlin ext. 21 EDI T I O N 1 | Accounts Receivable & Tax Clerk, Louise McMann ext. 23 VOLUM E 1 | Accounts Payable & Payroll Clerk, Diane Fournier ext. 24 | Chief Administrative Officer, Darren Ottaway ext. 31 F AL L 2 00 7 | Executive Secretary, Lisa Brown ext. 31 | Chief Financial Officer, Carolyn Ferraby ext. 25 | Development Officer, Debbie McCann ext. 30 | Manager of Economic Development & Tourism, Tara Wignes ext. 27 | Marketing Officer, Sean Kinney ext. 28 | Mayor, Louise Krewusik ext. 33
827-2296
| Tourism Centre: 827-3300
Community www.grandecache.ca Printed on Recycled Paper
focus
Community Focus is a quarterly publication created by the Town of Grande Cache and distributed to the residents of our community.
Message from your Mayor It is with pride and pleasure that the Town of Grande Cache embarks on this new initiative designed to improve and enhance communication on a regular, ongoing basis. This quarterly newsletter will provide information and updates on projects, activities and initiatives, and will ensure the accuracy and timeliness of information provided to our residents. These are busy and exciting times for our Town and many challenges and decisions will face our new
Council over the coming term. Initially, our focus will be on organizational matters and setting goals and priorities for the next three years. We commit to encouraging public engagement and participation and recognize that input and feedback is critical to the success of our work. It is my hope that you will enjoy and appreciate the contents of our newsletter and look forward to your comments and reaction.
local sights Grande Cache is looking for photos of the area. Everything from landscapes, wildlife, people, places, activities and your favorite beautification projects. To do this we will be hosting a photo contest. In addition to having your photos showcased on our website and in the Community Focus newsletter, you will also receive a prize for you efforts. More details can be found soon on www.grandecache.ca
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Your new Town Council
Back Row (left to right): Terry Coray, Gordon Frentz, Vic Beland, James Scott, Front Row (left to right): Yvonne Rempel, Mayor Louise Krewusik, Tony McCormick
Affordable Housing Task Force The Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing was created to address the current shortage of affordable accommodations in the Town of Grande Cache. With representation from a diverse range of community businesses, agencies and industry, the mandate of the Task Force is to provide advice to Mayor and Council regarding housing needs, options and opportunities. Specifically, responsibilities include: • • • • • •
provide broad strategic advice to Council draft and recommend policies and programs facilitate an organized and productive lobbying effort, including grant applications engage the community and seek input and suggestions seek funding from Council for specific projects or initiatives utilize the recommendations of the 20/20 Vision Strategic Plan and the Grande Cache Housing Study
Under the leadership of Chairperson, Mr. John Bladen, the Committee meets monthly and has shared valuable information and insight regarding the issues, challenges and needs related to the shortage of housing options. The important work of this Committee is highly valued by Council, and is definitely a priority area over the coming term. We thank the members of the Task Force for their involvement and commitment!
Our 20/20 Vision “Grande Cache will be a vibrant and progressive mountain community that achieves excellence by embracing cultural diversity, safe & healthy neighborhoods, leading edge environmental stewardship, and a sustainable diversified economy.” We are committed to achieving a level of excellence by embracing and celebrating our cultural diversity. We understand the importance of culture and recognize the significant contribution that
different cultures have made to build our community. We embrace our history and heritage and use it as a guide as we move toward our 20/20 Vision. We will create safe and healthy neighborhoods where residents can live, invest, play, and retire. We understand that healthy & safe neighborhoods include recreational opportunities, green-spaces,
crime free streets, respect for individual rights as long as they do not conflict with the rights of the collective and places where public spaces encourage personal interaction. We will also work to build world-class recreational facilities that thrive in all seasons and are accessible to all residents. We encourage and promote healthy lifestyles and value the benefits that they produce. Through this, we will attract enthusiastic and community-orientated people. We will become environmental leaders by employing leading edge environmental practices to preserve and enhance our pristine mountain community. We understand that current
practices are having a devastating effect on our environment and threaten our very aspirations to protect what we value. We will protect our environment by using a policy of reduce, reuse, recycle. We will continue to achieve a healthy economy and build a community that balances resource based businesses and tourism. We understand the need to meet the needs of industry but want
to learn from our past as a boom to bust economy. By ensuring sustainability and diversification, we can overcome any economic condition and provide and environment of economic stability.
A Fond Farewell and a BIG Thank You! … to Paul Bailey and Jackie Dube!
Council and Administration said “Good-bye” to former Councillors Jackie Dube and Paul Bailey. Both have served two terms and their dedication and service to the community has been greatly appreciated. We wish them both well in all future endeavors!
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Beautification & Revitalization ‌ a stronger balance between tourism and industry... The Town of Grande Cache has created a long-term Community Beautification & Revitalization Plan to increase and support economic growth & community capacity, quality of life, and infrastructure in our community. With the Town’s goals of diversifying our economy to a stronger balance between tourism and industry, community beautification is crucial. Revitalizing our community will not only assist in retaining our current businesses, but will also assist in attracting and developing new businesses and investors into the community. This project will look at beautifying our highway approach and revitalizing our downtown core, creating an environment for businesses to flourish. This beautification and revitalization project will also focus on additional green-spaces, parks, trails, and walkways throughout the community. Grande Cache is striving to become an environmentally friendly community, by creating more trails and walkways, and planting more trees in the community. It is important to the Town that we become environmental leaders, and we encourage local businesses and corporations to participate in our journey.
Grande Square
Redesigned Community Benches
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Current Revitalization Projects … the inconvenience caused by the projects will be worth it in the long run. As many of you have witnessed there has been a fair bit of activity within our community. Although things may seem “ugly” right now, the end result will be worth it. Tara Wignes, Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, wants everyone to know that “...the inconvenience caused by the projects will be worth it in the long run.”
Some Projects of note this fall include:
1) Central Park Phase I • • • •
Road pullout construction Construction and paving of trails Amphitheater construction Tree planting
The Central Park project was kicked off with a $200,000 sponsorship from EnCana. As this is one of the largest projects being undertaken by the Town, it will be completed in three phases. The addition of the EnCana Water Park and other features are tentatively scheduled for construction next year. Further feature additions will require approval from Council before any work is done.
2) Downtown Beautification Phase I • • • •
Expansion of sidewalk from Home Hardware to the old medical clinic Tree planting Tree grates Concrete planters with cultured stone
3) Highway Beautification Phase I • • • •
New entry feature signs New way finding signs Removal of old blue log signage Tree planting on the boulevard will be deferred until next spring due to weather conditions and supplier problems
4) Mt. Hammel Park • • • •
Removal of all old equipment (not one piece met current safety standards) Installation of new playground equipment Construction of gazebo Construction of park pathways
Projects For Next Year The Central Park project will remain a key focus for the Town as it is something that has the potential to be a great showpiece for our community. The Town Square will also tentatively receive a new addition in the form of a park village revitalization. (see overview on previous pages)
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Accomplishments this year! ‌ a big step in the right direction!
Mt. Hammel park
*A new gazebo and exciting new playground equipment will be a welcome addition to this Grande Cache neighborhood for years to come!
Downtown Beautification The Town of Grande Cache would like to encourage local businesses to participate in this Beautification process by revitalizing their storefronts. By working with natural materials (as encouraged in the plan’s Theme & Identity), local businesses can upgrade their facades to complement our overall beautification goals. EDS Group, the firm the Town has been working with to develop beautification plans, has offered to assist local businesses with design ideas for their property if required. Their contact information can be obtained from the Manager of Economic Development & Tourism at the Town Office. Community Futures West Yellowhead has worked with the Town of Grande Cache to develop an interest free Community Beautification Loan for local businesses. This loan can be accessed in order to help with beautifying their store frontage to complement the Town’s Beautification Plans. This may include repairs, painting, or entire new facades. *residents can look forward to a blooming boulevard in the spring!
Central Park
*new parking area pull through adjoining the revitalized Central Park
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Strategic Planning & Development ‌ attract investors and developers into the community. Grant money was received from the Community Investment Support Program for the Town of Grande Cache to proceed with a Strategic Planning & Development project. This includes a Business Retention and Expansion strategy, development of a Community Profile, and the creation of a Business Plan. This plan will assist the Town to retain and assist local investors and developers to help expand our economy as well as attract new investors and developers into the community .
Website Development The Town is super excited to be working on redesigning and the redevelopment of our web site. Marketing dollars were received from the Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation, and Culture to help promote the community, and it was a unanimous decision to use these funds to re-do our outdated site. We are working hard with web designers to create an outstanding new
Stantec Consulting was hired in October to work on this project. A number of local businesses will be approached by Stantec as they move forward with their efforts to gather research and information from the community. If you have any questions regarding this project or would like to learn more, you can contact: Tara Wignes Manager of Economic Development & Tourism 827-3362 ext. 27 e-mail tara.wignes@grandecache.ca
www.grandecache.ca site for our community. This new site will be launched this winter! If you have any questions regarding this project or would like to learn more, you can contact: Sean Kinney Marketing Officer 827-3362 ext. 28 e-mail sean.kinney@grandecache.ca
Campground This summer, close to 6,500 campers stayed at the Municipal Campground. The majority of this year’s visitors were Canadian (specifically from Alberta). 5% were from the United States (with California, Texas, and Michigan being the top 3 states), and 2% from other countries (with Germany, Netherlands, and Switzerland being the top 3 countries).
Business Appreciation BBQ The Town of Grande Cache hosted a Business Appreciation BBQ on September 27, 2007 to honour and recognize our local businesses. Community Futures West Yellowhead approached the Town to sponsor a small business award in the community. Since an annual business awards program does not exist in Grande Cache, the Town thought it would be best to thank all our businesses for their support to our local economy. Community Futures agreed, and helped sponsor the event.
Despite the cool weather, a number of people joined us at Fireman’s Pit for burgers and a corn roast. We look forward to doing this again next year!
Tourism & Interpretive Centre The Tourism & Interpretive Centre saw just shy of 16,000 visitors this season from the months of April to September. The Tourism Centre is open during the winter Monday to Friday from 9:00am until 5:00pm as well as on Saturday and Sundays from 1:00pm until 5:00pm. *The Centre is closed on statutory holidays.
Dinosaur Tracks Development Earlier this year, the Town of Grande Cache, with assistance from Community Futures West Yellowhead, received $50,000 to initiate the development of the dinosaur tracks into a tourism product. Canadian Ecotourism Services has been hired to work with the Town on this project to create a product that we can add to our tourism services. Extensive planning will be required with Grande Cache Coal to ensure the feasibility of this project and to concentrate on potential safety regulations in order to proceed. It is hoped that we may be able to start initial guided tours in the summer of 2008. If you have any questions regarding this project or would like to learn more, you can contact: Andy Klimach Coordinator of Economic Development & Tourism 827-3300 or e-mail andy.klimach@grandecache.ca
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Recreation Culture & Heritage Upcoming Holiday Events: • •
December 1st/2007: Christmas Tree Lighting in Rocky the Ram Park December 15th/2007: A Whoville Holiday
Drop-In Child Care: •
The Akasaka Child Care Centre has a free drop-in babysitting service for parents involved in Recreation, Culture and Heritage activities located at the Akasaka Recreation Centre. We provide a safe and caring environment for your children while you have some leisure time to participate in a healthy lifestyle activity. If you would like more information on the program, contact: Sheri Budd, Programming & Events Supervisor 827-2446 e-mail sheri.budd@grandecache.ca
New Trail Development Griffith Trail: The Recreation Department has restructured and rerouted the Griffith Trail. Approximately 5 kilometers of new trail was constructed this year and new trail and way-finding signage will be ongoing throughout the next few months. Named after Betty Griffith, an active volunteer of the Town of Grande Cache in the 1970’s, the Griffith Trail is in intermediate hike that is easily enjoyed by those looking for a true taste of wilderness close to the Town of Grande Cache. The trail begins at the south end of Hoppe Avenue and circles the perimeter of Grande Cache at an elevation of 1280m (4,200ft). As a result of the towns’ elevation, this trail will provide you with a challenging route and scenic views. Near the beginning of the hike, the trail splits into the Upper Griffith and Lower Griffith Trails. It is here where the trail begins to gain elevation and provide excellent opportunities for site seeing. The forests surrounding Grande Cache are a great place to see many exciting species of wildlife so keep your camera close at hand! Sulphur Rim Trail: The Sulphur Rim Trail begins at the very south end of Hoppe Avenue opposite the start of the Griffith Trail. A more moderate trail, this loop explores the southern regions of Grande Cache and provides numerous opportunities for viewing wildlife and the scenic canyons of the Sulphur River. For those seeking a more adventurous and difficult hike, the Sulphur Rim Trail links to the Sulphur Gates Trail which skirts the boundary of the Willmore Wilderness Park. This challenging trail dives down to the Smoky River and to the site of the magnificent Sulphur Gates; Grande Cache’s signature landmark! Here, at the confluence of the Sulphur and Smoky rivers, you can look back through time and enjoy the awe inspiring views into the Willmore Wilderness.
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Recreation Centre Winter Programs Absolute Beginners Step Class Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members Session Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays starting November 6 –15 Child Care Available: Yes Class Minimum: 5 Class Maximum: 8 Duration: 2 weeks (2 days per week) – to be scheduled before any regular class – class length 1 hour • If you are terribly uncoordinated, or have never tried Step Aerobics before, this is for you. In this class we will slowly cover the fundamentals while flat on the floor, and slowly progress onto the step.
Step Aerobics - Beginners to Intermediates Cost: $20 for members, $40 for non-members Session Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays starting November 20 – December 13 Child Care Available: Yes Class Minimum: 5 Class Maximum: 8 Duration: 4 weeks, 2 days per week; class length 1 hour • This class is appropriate for all levels of Steppers. More advanced Steppers will be given alternate moves to increase the intensity. Step height can be modified to suit each participant’s needs. • All step classes are low impact, but do put some pressure on knees. Anyone with knee problems should speak to me before participating. • Step classes are an hour in length, and include a warm-up, 35 – 45 minutes of cardio, a cool-down that may incorporate strength training exercises, and a stretch routine. • Participants should bring water, hand-weights if they have them, a yoga mat or a towel, and appropriate running shoes. Anyone without acceptable footwear will not be allowed to participate.
Fat Burner Class Cost: $15 for members, $30 for non-members Session Dates: November 10 – December 1 Child Care Available: No Class Minimum: 5 Class Maximum: 8 Duration: 1 ½ hour (depending on scheduling) 1 X week for 4 weeks • This class will combine step with strength training. Participants will get a cardio workout as well as exercises to target the entire body. • Beginners should begin without hand-weights. Intermediates can bring 1 – 3 lb hand weights. 5 lb weights may be used for some exercises by experienced individuals. • Some of our time will be spent on the floor, so yoga mats or towels are needed. • Again, water, and appropriate footwear are mandatory
Water Running Cost: Adult: $40.00, Youth/Senior: $37.00 Session Dates: Tuesday & Thursday Set #2 November 6th - December 13th Child Care Available: Yes Duration: 8:00pm - 9:00pm *You must pre-register for this class.
Aquafit Class Cost: Free for members, drop-in fee of $3.75/adult and $2.75/senior & youth non-members Session Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, Ongoing to December 20th Child Care Available: no Duration: 9:00am - 9:45am
Circuit Training Class #1 Cost: Free for members, drop-in fee of $3.75/adult and $2.75/senior & youth non-members Session Dates: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: September 1st - December 19th Child Care Available: No Duration: 1:00pm - 2:00pm *No Classes on November 12th
Circuit Training Class #2 Cost: Free for members, drop-in fee of $3.75/adult and $2.75/senior & youth non-members Session Dates: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: September 24th - December 19th Child Care Available: Yes Duration: 6:45pm - 7:45pm *No Classes on November 12th
Circuit Training Class #3 Cost: Free for members, drop-in fee of $3.75/adult and $2.75/senior & youth non-members Session Dates: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: September 1st - December 19th Child Care Available: No Duration: 1:00pm - 2:00pm *No Classes on November 12th
Spin Class #1 (indoor cycling) Cost: Free for members, $45.00 for non-members Session Dates: Monday & Wednesdays, November 14th - December 12th Child Care Available: Yes Class Maximum: 6 Duration: 8:00pm - 9:00pm
Spin Class #2 (indoor cycling) Cost: Free for members, $40.00 for non-members Session Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 20th - December 13th Child Care Available: No Class Maximum: 6 Duration: 6:00am - 7:00am
Spin Class #3 (indoor cycling) Cost: Free for members, $30.00 for non-members Session Dates: Tuesday & Thursdays, November 13th - December 20th Child Care Available: No Class Maximum: 6 Duration: 12:15pm - 12:45pm
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Family and Community Support Services … people helping people. Who we are: F.C.S.S. provides community based programs and services with the focus being on prevention, early intervention and social initiatives that enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. Examples of F.C.S.S Programs and/or supported initiatives in Grande Cache include: • Community Coordinator *provides information on community programs and services • Grief & Loss Support • Voices Through Circles Anti-Bullying Program Kelly Smith, Director • Family Relief Respite Program 827-2296 e-mail kelly.smith@grandecache.ca Funding Support: * Please note, F.C.S.S. does not provide direct financial assistance to sustain an individual or family (i.e. provision of food, clothing, financial aid or shelter) These are ineligible for FCSS funding. Funding for the following programs has been provided by: • Child and Family Services Authority Region 8, Family Relief program • Office for the prevention of Family Violence and Bullying, Voices Through Circles Anti-Bullying program • AADAC *youth directory will be available in November 2007 Services provided by Grande Cache F.C.S.S. • Information and Referral • Community Assets Registry *Overview of Human Services in Grande Cache and Federal and Provincial Government Contact Numbers • Community Organizations Resource Directory • Community Resource Library *Materials on subjects such as abuse issues, families, parenting, self-development, grief, health, marriage & relationships, etc… can be signed out free of charge) • Newcomers Information Packages • Meals on Wheels Referral • Taxi Ticket Disbursement (Oct-Apr) *For seniors (60+) and community members with a physical or mental disability. • Form Assistance *i.e..for clients who are unable to fill out Federal/Provincial Government forms • A Community Liaison to facilitate the process of identifying community needs and issues. The liaison works in conjunction with service providers and the community to determine strategies to fill the identified gap areas.
F.C.S.S. News & Updates Youth Coordinator – Travis Dukelow Travis has moved from the F.C.S.S. Department and now will be working under the Recreation Department. We hope to work with Travis on future preventative programming initiatives concerning children and youth. F.C.S.S. wishes him well with his move to Recreation; “We will miss you Trav’, but we look forward to working with you through Recreation/F.C.S.S. partnerships” . Your hard work brought popular youth programs to the community and your idea to bring the big screen to Grande Cache was awesome. Thanks so much! STEP Summer Student – Linnea Saltel F.C.S.S. would like to thank Linnea for her hard work as Youth Worker Assistant this summer. She did a great job and F.C.S.S. looks forward to working with Linnea with future programming. Community Coordinator – Joan Evans The Community Directory outlining community groups and services is now available at the F.C.S.S. office. Joan is in the final stages of the draft for the Youth Information Directory. Due to the amount of work involved with this project, we anticipate it will be ready for printing by the middle of November. Joan has issued 87 Newcomer Packages since January of this year. Family Relief Program – Donna Kennedy Donna Kennedy has a few openings left for this program. Please contact Donna for more information if you know of anyone who might benefit from this program. Diana Blaszczyk - Voices Through Circles and Youth Justice Coordinator Diana Blaszczyk is now the Voices Through Circles and Youth Justice Coordinator. Formerly the Positive Relationships program, Voices Through Circles assists children and youth who are victims of bullying, as well as working with those who bully. F.C.S.S. is grateful to have Diana back and wish her well. If you have any concerns or questions regarding bullying issues, please contact Diana at the F.C.S.S. office at 827-2828. FCSS Office F.C.S.S. is currently working on the implementation of A Family Support Worker and hopes to have this Position available to the community by 2008.
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From the Development Officer
‌ we are growing!
Commercial/Industrial Land: The Town of Grande Cache has recently sold two large parcels of commercial/industrial land to two separate developers. It is anticipated that there will be development on these two separate subdivisions as early as spring of 2008. The parcel north of Town was sold to Grande Mountain Basin Development Corp. For more information on land sales in this development contact their office at 827-5652. The Tower Industrial Park, which encompasses land east of the current commercial/industrial area, was sold to 11341103 Alberta Ltd. For information on land sales in this development contact Farnell Properties and Development Ltd. at 827-5400. Development Permits: Development permits are required from the Town of Grande Cache for any new development; i.e. garage, accessory building, new home, decks, fences, as well as development to existing structures such as renovations and additions. A development permit is required prior to the commencement of the development. This is to ensure that the proposed development is compliant with the Town of Grande Cache Land Use By-Law. 2007 Development Statistics: The Town of Grande Cache has seen $7,325,000 in new development thus far in 2007. Of this, 4,298,500 was residential development with 13 new housing starts, $1,729,500 in commercial/industrial development and $1,297,000 in institutional development.
Residential Land For Sale:
Debbie McCann, Development Officer 827-3362 ext. 30 e-mail debbie.mccann@grandecache.ca
*Sample highway billboard.
The Town of Grande Cache has numerous fully serviced mountain view lots available for sale. Shallow services are in, the street is now paved, elegant new light standards have been installed, and new homes are under construction. To encourage outside investment, our mountain property will be the focus of our new billboard outside of Edson for the 2007/08 winter ski season.
Public Works Department
… an integral role
The Public Works team is responsible for maintaining Grande Cache’s roads, Water & sewer lines, snow removal, sanding, garbage collection and the animal pound. Public Works plays an integral role, as it is not only the Town’s largest department, it is essential to implement our environmental strategy. As we move toward our vision Public Works will remain at the forefront of a waste reduction policy, ensuring the integrity and quality of our drinking water and utilizing leading edge technology to streamline the operation and to provide superior service to residents.
Public Works also remains integral in the development of our beautification strategy and by maintaining parks and green-space development within the community. More than just snow removal and heavy equipment operation Public Works will lead the charge on several key strategies of our 20/20 Vision. Public Works will also become integrated into planning and development providing expertise to new subdivisions, commercial and industrial construction.
As we move into the future, it will become the role of Public Works to implement and maintain policies of conservation (including water, power, waste, etc.) and innovative ways of using waste as a resource. Also, by phasing out the use of chemicals, Public Works will provide leadership to other industrial sectors in protecting our pristine wilderness.
Public Works will also work to develop our municipal transportation systems and ensure that roads, streets, and alley-ways are maintained to the highest standards. Our municipal airport will be further developed and utilized as an economic opportunity to provide direct aviation services to the community in support of business and our tourism sector.
There has been recent changes at the landfill and public works is hoping that the public responds positively to the changes that were made. In response to the new “tipping fees” some people are dumping their garbage outside the fence & up in the upper pad at the landfill. Please be aware that there are fines for this behavior.
For detailed information on Garbage Collection, Landfill Information, Recycling, Grande Cache Airport, and the Animal Pound please visit www.grandecache.ca
Public Works Office Phone: 827-3610 e-mail: publicworks@grandecache.ca
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Are you an active member, The kind that would be missed? Or are you just contented That your name is on the list? Do you attend meetings? And mingle with the flock. Or do you meet in private, And criticize and knock? Do you take an active part, To help the work along, Or are you just satisfied to be The kind who just belongs? Do you work on the committees? To this there is no trick. Or leave the work to just a few, And talk about the clique? So come to meetings often, And help with hand and heart, Don't be just a member, But take an active part. Think this over community members, You know what's right and wrong. Are you an active member? Or do you just belong?
- Author unknown For information, inquiries, and suggestions please contact the Town below. Â
Town of Grande Cache A Natural High! P.O. Box 300 | Grande Cache, Alberta, Canada | T0E 0Y0 P: 780.827.3362 | F: 780.827.2406| admin@grandecache.ca *Community Focus is available online at www.grandecache.ca
3 please consider the environment, recycle this publication.