Dear Editor,
In the Dec. 22 edition of the Rimbey Review there was a letter published with the headline ‘Reader wants explanation of quote.’
This was a request made following a statement in the Nov. 3 Review by a Rimoka board member when he said the board and management were going in two different directions.
I have not seen an explanation for the quote. Being a taxpayer in the town of Rimbey I have a few questions myself for our town council and the Rimoka Board.
Being involved in the land development in the Town of Rimbey for approximately 22 years I have a fair idea of what is required by a developer before he can put up a ‘for sale’ sign.
Now I ask my question: have rules been changed? If so, when were they changed and by whom?
It appears the proper criteria was bypassed when SJC sold property to the County of Ponoka who, in turn, passed it over to the Town of Rimbey and Rimoka Housing Foundation for the proposed seniors’ lodge.
Now to get back to the property. Strange as it may seem, part of the 8.9 acres was a retention pond built by SJC Developments to take off parking lot runoff from Best Western Motel.
This also served as municipal reserve which all developers forfeit.
Now, my next question is that if the developer and town council had everything in proper order, then the town already owned the retention pond, so why did the county pay $40,000 per acre for property the town already owned?
I understand the present pond is going to be filled in and a new one made further to the east of the present one on a lower part of the property.
Why is the street known as Rimstone Drive approximately two to three feet higher than the adjoining property?
According to drawings, the lodge will be started next to the adjoining property west of the present walkway.
From Rimstone Drive to the adjoining property to the south and west of the present walkway is approximately two and a half to three acres.
Part of this land will be turned into parking and part will be a paved area to the front of the lodge. If this is the lower part of the properties, how will the runoff get to the new detention pond to the east?
As I see it, the only way is to build up this portion to meet the level of Rimstone Drive.
Does this make any logical sense?
Furthermore was any thought ever given to what sort of complications the present plan has created for any future development?
There are many more questions that need to be asked.
Reuben E. Giebelhaus