We’ve had many requests for the link to the video we showed, made by a neighbour some years ago. No measure of eloquence can match its message, here it is: After the Flood – Our Journey by David Allen.

 

Brenda, as always, covered for my lapse of not thanking the most important people in the room — YOU, our members!

 

None of what’s been accomplished these last five years, and nothing of what will need to be done, can happen without the full-throated support of the entire community.

 

You continue to show up and make your commitment known at these important events, you gently (or not so much) twist the arms of your neighbours who are not engaged in the way they should be, you quickly and thoughtfully respond to our “calls to action”, and on and on.

Everything you do absolutely helps to put our collective thumb on the scale!

 

This work is longer and more challenging than any of us realized when we started. But make no doubt, together we are a force and we do achieve results. While it moves far too slowly at times, the train is squarely on the rails.

 
I appreciate your gracious thanks at the end of last night’s meeting but, make no mistake, without the collective energy and intelligence of the entire CRCAG Team, this doesn’t happen.

 

No individual has the skill or energy to soldier this forward alone.

 

There is so much more that goes on behind what we post — in meetings, phone calls, letters and initiatives — and it is sincerely appreciated.

 

So, many thanks to the Board and to our Bow River and Regulatory committees.

 
More personally, my profound thanks to my Co-President, Brenda Leeds Binder. She is a force of nature and I’m so glad she’s on our side. She is our team’s sober second thought (and more often its first) with limitless passion. She amazes me.

 

Emma May got this movement started and she set the tone for all that’s followed. Smart, creative and media savvy, her efforts that first year got this whole endeavour going. And as a fundraiser, she is absolutely the right person to lead the charge.

 
Greg Clark was at the boardroom table in my office when we decided we needed the CRCAG platform and white-boarded our mission statement. Though he immediately stepped back to run as MLA (knowing our need to be politically agnostic), he’s continued to be a strong ally for our cause. In his role as MLA, he’s been thoughtful, articulate and dogged. He exemplifies the service in “public service” and has represented his constituents well.
 
We’ve gotten to know Minister Brian Mason and his team, and we’re very pleased to see the dedication of resources (welcome Crystal Damer and David Skeen) needed to move this file forward. He’s listened to us and responded, and we have no doubt of this government’s commitment to protecting the lives, livelihoods and property of this city.

 

We all depend upon, and greatly appreciate, the ongoing work of the GoA administration behind the elected officials, too numerous to individually name.

 
Paul Battistella has taken it upon himself to pull together the Flood Free Calgaryinitiative. What has been accomplished to engage Calgary’s business community in this past year has been really impressive. It’s hard work and we fully support it. Paul and team, thank you!

 
Frank Frigo, Carolyn Bowen and Sandy Davis of the city’s Water Services have intelligently informed administration throughout this process, and they’ve always been available to us on all manner of issues. Their love of this city is clear, and they and their team work very hard to keep us safe.

 

Mayor Nenshi and City Council fully support the upstream mitigation work that has to happen, and have voiced clear intent on seeing it through.

 

With MP Kent Hehr’s support and that of our federal government, we have all three levels of our elected representatives fully aligned. While for many this might seem like an obvious outcome, we’ve come to learn that it doesn’t always happen. Such definitive commitment is foundational.

 
A special thanks to our Communications Director, Erin Fahey. Just wow! She has upped our profile and lightened our load immeasurably. She’s just that good.

 
On behalf of the whole CRCAG team, thanks to our spouses, partners and families. We ask much of you, and your support is invaluable.

 
I know I’ve missed deserved acknowledgements, and for that, apologies. There are so many people who’ve stepped forward in so many ways, we can’t keep track. To all of you who help us along this path, you are why this continues. Thank you.

Stay tuned for a summary of our AGM, to be sent very shortly. And as always, onward…!

 
Regards,

 

Tony Morris, CRCAG Co-President