Other finalists congratulate Macleod

CHRIS BROWN MACLEOD GAZETTE WRITER

While Fort Macleod is still basking in the glory of last week's announcement the Alberta Police and Peace Officer Training Centre will be coming here, there were three other communities that will have their dream of hosting the college unrealized.    Camrose, Red Deer County and Lac La Biche joined Fort Macleod on the short list.    "Of course we're disappointed," Mayor Tom Lett of Lac La Biche said last week. "We thought we had a very good proposal and we thought it was the best."    Reeve Earl Kinsella of Red Deer County echoed those sentiments.    "Well of course we're disappointed but we have to say congratulations to the Town of Fort Macleod for their winning bid," he said.    Camrose mayor Clarence Mastel also wished Fort Macleod well with the college.    "Congratulations to Fort Macleod as a community and a town," he said. "It's obviously an exciting time and no question it will be a big boost for the economy there."    Lett continued.    "They will do a heck of a job hosting the college and it will do great things for the community and economy," he said. "If Fort Macleod beat our presentation it must have been great."    All three officials were happy with how their communities came together.    "We worked hard and together but the decision didn't come our way and we'll have to move on to the next issue," Lett said.    "We're happy and proud to have been a part of the short list and know all the bids were top quality," Mastel added.    Neither community has been told by the solicitor general's office why their bids came up short.    "I expect we will have an opportunity to have that discussion later on," Mastel said.