Ponoka County, Alberta

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Ponoka County
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settlement_type = County
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dot_mapsize = 250px
dot_map_caption = Location of Ponoka County in Alberta
dot_x = 131 |dot_y = 203
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = CAN
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = AB
subdivision_type2 = Region
subdivision_name2 = Central Alberta
subdivision_type3 = Census division
subdivision_name3 = No. 8
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government_footnotes =Cite web| url= http://www.ponokacounty.com/Default.aspx?tabid=272| title= Council| author= Ponoka County|accessdate= 2007-07-09]
government_type =
leader_title = Governing body
leader_name = Ponoka County Council
leader_title1 = County seat
leader_name1 = Ponoka
leader_title2 = Reeve
leader_name2 = Charlie Cutforth
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established_title = Established
established_date = 1944
established_title2 = Incorporated
established_date2 = 1952
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area_total_km2 = 2808
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population_as_of = 2006
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population_total = 8640
population_density_km2 = 3.1
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population_blank1_title = Dwellings
population_blank1 = 3330
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timezone = MST
utc_offset = -7
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latd= 52|latm= 40|lats= 32|latNS=N
longd= 113|longm= 34|longs= 49|longEW=W
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website = [http://www.ponokacounty.com/ Ponoka County]
footnotes = Ponoka County is a relatively new county (municipal district) formed in Alberta, Canada. It covers convert|721396|acre|km2|0 and it claims to "embody the essence of rural Alberta" [http://www.ponokacounty.com Ponoka County officia site] ] .

The county prides itself in its commitment to financial responsibility as well as maintaining an independent spirit. Ponoka County is one of the counties which manages to balance the needs of the people as well as needs of the mills inside its borders.

Demographics

In 2001, the population of Ponoka County was 8,806 residents [ [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4808038&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=ponoka&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= Ponoka County Community Profile] - Statistics Canada. 2002. 2001 Community Profiles. Released June 27, 2002. Last modified: 2005-11-30. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 93F0053XIE]

In 2006, Ponoka County had a population of 8,640 living in 3,330 dwellings, a 1.7% decrease from 2001. The countyhas a land area of km2 to mi2|2807.94|abbr=yes|wiki=yes and a population density of Pop density km2 to mi2|3.1| spell=UK | abbr=yes.Cite web| url= http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4808038&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=Ponoka%20County&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=4808038 | title= Ponoka County - Community Profile | author= Statistics Canada| authorlink= Statistics Canada| year= Census 2006 | accessdate= 2007-06-11]

The county plans to double its population by 2008 and improve its roads to accommodate the expansion. In order to do this, the county spends a significant portion of its budget to build and maintain roads. Transportation is such a pressing problem for the county that it employs "16 regular" road workers year round.

Government leaders

The CAO of the county is currently Charlie Cutforth. The other members of the Council are Keith Beebe, George Verheire, Paul McLauchlin, Gordon Svenningsen, and Gawney Hinkley.

History

Ponoka County, Alberta was founded on Jan 1, 1952 [ [http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/cfml/profiles/data/0255_1.htm Municipal Profile] - Alberta Municipal Affairs] . The county's first public officials were Mr. Bruce Ramsey, who directed municipal affairs, Mr. Peter McDonald as secretary-treasurer, and Mr. L.G. Saunders was head of the school system. The town gets its name from the Blackfoot word for Elk.

Communities

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