Year in Review: Mayor of Blackfalds emphasizes communication and connectedness

“Unfortunately, there’s more likelihood of that online reality being negative. It’s not because the world is more negative; it’s just presented that way.”

While events such as the CP Holiday Train, Snacks with Santa and Halloween Monster Bash returned in-person, he said he has seen less attendance in comparison to previous years.

However, the mayor stated that his goal for 2023 will be to reach out to residents and continue to build strong community relationships face-to-face with events and new sites like the outdoor plaza, estimated to be complete in the spring.

READ: Blackfalds Border Paving Plaza now underway with new completion date

“Some of the programs and culture series and concerts that we had last year that were back after COVID are going to come back again and hopefully they’ll be participated in more and people will be more comfortable to do that. We’re having to get back into the swing of things,” he said.

The mayor added the town has gone through some significant growth over the year, including the completion of the Eagle Builders Centre in early 2022, the opening of the new public library and the adjacent road realignment project.

Servus Credit Union Public Library in Blackfalds officially open

Hoover explained that the Town needed to see a large population increase to justify the projects; one example of this was student population growth which led to the construction of the town’s first high school, expected to be complete in 2024.

READ: First high school in Blackfalds to be named “Iron Ridge Secondary Campus”

Although the town has experienced many positives, Hoover says Blackfalds has seen similar economic obstacles as most communities across the nation.

With rising policing costs and inflation, he says the Town runs a fairly lean operation compared to other municipalities with its minimal staff.

He states they have been focused on responding to resident concerns with helpful alternatives by completing a Social Needs Assessment and participating in a Youth Action Coalition to determine youth struggles and opportunities.

The Blackfalds Food Bank and Community Hub (5014 Waghorn St) also moved to a larger location in 2022, with Hoover adding that he is excited to see future programing at the kitchen educating residents with cooking classes, how to fully utilize ingredients and on multicultural cuisine.

READ: Blackfalds Beyond Food Community Hub seeing high demand for assistance

“We may be increasing a little bit here and there with our property taxes but people can more than recover that by taking advantage of some of the services that are out there that can help. I’m talking not just Blackfalds but in our region,” said the mayor, adding he himself utilizes a local food rescue program based out of Lacombe.

“These are ways that we retrain ourselves and learn to adapt. I know in terms of the things that we do environmentally, that save energy, saving water, all these things help shift a whole community and our culture into doing things better.”

While the town has seen some changes in government with the dual-retirement of Director of Community Services Sean Barnes, moving to a management role, and Chief Administrative Officer Myron Thompson, Hoover says his team has built confidence over the year and are excited to enter into their second.

READ: Town of Blackfalds Chief Administrative Officer to retire in 2023

by Alessia Proietti

Year in Review: Mayor of Blackfalds emphasizes communication and connectedness

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