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| MLA Legislature Report Alana DeLong, MLA
I am pleased to announce that W.O. Mitchell Elementary School received a $10,547.00 Community Initiatives Grant for technology in July 2008. With this money they were able to purchase seven permanently mounted SMART boards for classrooms in the school. The past Chairperson of the W.O. Mitchell School Enhancement Society, Gord Wytsma, applied for the grant in March 2008. "We would like to express our sincere thanks to Ms. DeLong and her office for their continued support of our school and our student's development," expressed Michelle Parkkari, School Council Chairperson. Congratulations Michelle and Gord for a job well done. As well, Silver Springs Community Association received a grant for $5,699.00 from the Alberta Lottery Fund for outdoor rink upgrades. Duncan Badger and Derwyn Hughes put a proprosal together for the Silver Springs Community to increase the number of rink surfaces, install more benches and to replace the kick plates around the hockey rink. The Community has a dedicated group of 34 enthusiastic volunteers led by Duncan and Derwyn that take turns coming out every evening to flood and clean the rinks through the winter months to give residents a place to gather and enjoy a free public skate or an impromptu game of hockey. Volunteers maintain a pleasure skating rink, a full size hockey rink and a pond hockey rink to give skaters of all different abilities the opportunity to have fun and enjoy one the best outdoor ice surfaces in the city. Congratulations Duncan, Derwyn and a host of volunteers. Bowness High School recently received a Community Initiatives Program for $75,000.00 from the Alberta Government that will allow the school to expand and update their multimedia, design and communication technology programs. The computers and software for the lab will be upgraded as well the 'Client Service Component' including the multimedia production studio, the publishing services area and the construction design lab. The enhancements will include digital & video cameras; portrait lighting capacity; digital sound, editing and media output equipment; printing and format technology; and design capabilities. Mobile projection units will be provided to deliver the media to classrooms and auditorium throughout the school and community. Bowness High School strives to bridge all local communities to be an outstanding facility providing high quality experiences for our students by offering them a variety of multimedia learning opportunities using industry standard equipment and software. The school 'Client Service' program provides VHS, CD, & DVD's to a vast array of community groups as well as supporting learning throughout the community. They have developed personal, promotional and educational materials for the Calgary Board of Education (Career Pathways), as well as for the extended community, including individual citizens, Calaway Park, Innovative Learning Services (ILS), Chinook Collage, Calgary Drama Festival, Specialized Tech and our business partners Imperial Oil and Stepper Homes. Over the past 10 years they have created print (advertisements, banners, brochures, flyers, programs, invitation cards, menu's, letterheads, postcards, & construction designs, etc) and video products (DVD & VHS formats) for a variety of clients. Individual citizens have requested projects that include: slide shows for grandpa's 90th birthday party; a PowerPoint presentation for a funeral; a wedding video; and printed material for a partner's retirement party. Bowness High School is very appreciative and grateful for the continued support from MLA Alana Delong. "We are also appreciative of the CIP grant program that enables us to continually grow and expand the multimedia, design and communication technology programs. Congratulations to the staff and students at Bowness High School," expressed by Bowness High School. Tough new legislation targets properties used for illegal activities Albertans now have a new tool to combat illegal activities associated with gangs, drugs and prostitution in their neighbourhoods. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act, which responds to a recommendation from the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force Report to adopt the act and make communities safer, came into effect October 1st. The act creates a new sheriffs' unit to investigate public complaints about properties used for illegal activities and, if necessary, close those properties for up to 90 days. Modeled after similar civil legislation in Saskatchewan, the act enables the SCAN investigative unit to mediate, investigate or apply to the courts for a Community Safety Order that requires individuals to vacate and/or close the property. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties will be turned over to the police to investigate. For the first year, two SCAN teams will serve the province with a northern team based in Edmonton and a southern one based in Calgary. In subsequent years regional offices may be set up in smaller centres throughout the province. Landlords or neighbours who are concerned tenants or residents may be using property for illegal activities that negatively affect the health, safety and security of a neighbourhood or community can report a problem property by phoning the SCAN unit's toll-free number at 1-866-960-SCAN (1-866-960-7226). For your information, an online complaint can also be filed at www.scan.alberta.ca. Community Spirit Program donation grant deadline extended to December 31 The deadline for donation grant applications for the Community Spirit Program has been extended to December 31, 2008 to allow more time for organizations to apply for donation grants. Launched in April 2008, the Community Spirit Program was created to help increase private charitable donations to eligible charitable and non-profit organizations. The program is made up of two components: the enhanced charitable tax credit and a donation grant. The program is donor-driven, which means Albertans decide where they want their donations to go. The donation grant allows eligible Alberta non-profit and charitable organizations to apply for a provincial grant based on the amount of money they have received from individuals over a 12-month period. Through the enhanced charitable tax credit, when the provincial and federal charitable tax credits are combined, Albertans now receive a 50 cent tax credit for every dollar donated over the $200 threshold. For more information on the Community Spirit Program, please call 780-644-8207 (dial 310-0000 for toll-free access within Alberta) or visit www.communityspiritprogram.ca A special thanks all my constituents who have taken the time to call, write and meet with me over the past several years. Your many well thought out comments and advice has been of immeasurable value to our Government and to all the people of Alberta. As always , my staff and I are available to answer any questions and/or concerns that you may have. Public Consultations Please visit http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/Index.cfm?Page=625
and provide your input to matters that affect Albertans.
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