City of Camrose

CITY

PAGE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Are you passionate about your community? Consider volunteering for a Council appointed Board or Committee! The City of Camrose is seeking adult residents to serve as Members at Large on the following Committees and Boards.

Camrose Arts Council (2 Members)

The Camrose Arts Council Board advises City Council on matters pertaining to arts and culture activities in the City of Camrose and act as a governing body to disseminate grants as delegated under the current “Arts Council Grant Funding Bylaw” for arts and culture initiatives while championing a cohesive and collaborative arts and culture community. The Camrose Arts Council meets on a monthly basis unless otherwise determined.

Camrose Green Action Committee (3 Members)

The Camrose Green Action Committee is a committee to serve as a “think tank” to generate proposals aimed at improving Camrose as a “green community”, to research “environmental best practices”, to act as an educational function by informing citizens of Camrose of prudent environmental practices and to provide Council with recommendations for green action. Camrose Youth are eligible to apply. The Camrose Green Action Committee meets the third Tuesday of every month at 12:00 noon.

Community Transit Advisory Committee (2 Members)

The Community Transit Advisory Committee is an advisory body to Council that acts as a Steering Committee for transit assessments and needs. The Community Transit Advisory Committee continues to be involved with the City’s Taxi Subsidy Program, and other related transit activities. The Committee will assist in monitoring the performance of the City’s community bus. The Community Transit Advisory Committee meets on a bi-monthly basis unless otherwise determined.

Heritage Advisory Committee (2 Members)

The Heritage Advisory Committee provides input and guidance to the City of Camrose Administration and Council on matters relating to historic resources, and municipal heritage policies and programs. The Committee encourages and advocates for the preservation and safeguarding of historical structures and sites. It also educates and engages community stakeholders regarding the value of remembering and celebrating history, historic structures, places and events, and heritage in general. The Heritage Advisory Committee meets as required.

Social Development Committee (1 Member)

The Social Development Committee is responsible to act as a Steering Committee for future Social Needs Assessment. The Committee is to identify current social development issues, needs and trends in the community, and provide recommendations for action to Council. The Committee is to liaise with other groups or individuals charged with social development. The Social Development Committee meets the first Monday in January, March, May, September, and November at 9:30 a.m.

Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (1 Member)

The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board hears and makes decisions on subdivision and development appeals in accordance with the Municipal Government Act and other applicable legislation including the City’s Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw. All Subdivision and

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Proposed Bylaw 3123-20

Pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Section 606 of the Revised Statutes of Alberta and amendments thereto, PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that Council of the City of Camrose gave first reading to Bylaw 3123-20 on August 17, 2020.

The purpose of Bylaw 3123-20 is amend Land Use Bylaw 2929-17 as follows:

That Land Use Bylaw 2929-17, be amended by redistricting Lot 1, Block 1, Plan 102 6346 from R1 – Low Density Residential District to MH – Mobile Home and Transition Neighbourhood District.

A Public Hearing is scheduled to be held as follows: Date: September 21, 2020 Time: 5:00 p.m. Place: Camrose City Hall, 5204-50 Avenue, Camrose, AB

Any person(s) who have an interest regarding the passing of Bylaw 3123-20 are encouraged to attend the Public Hearing in person to state their support or objections, and must register by emailing Kim Isaak no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 18, 2020. Any written submissions to be considered by City Council are required to be submitted no later than September 10, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. to: Kim Isaak, Deputy City Manager, City of Camrose 5204-50 Avenue, Camrose, AB, T4V 0S8 or by email to: kisaak@camrose.ca Notice is hereby given that Council may thereafter, without further notice, proceed with final approval of Bylaw 3123-20 at the regular Council Meeting on September 21, 2020. For additional information, contact Francisca Fredericks, Long Range Planner, phone 780-672-4428 or email to ffredericks@camrose.ca.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Development Permit #4683 – Discretionary Use

The City of Camrose Development Authority has received a Development Permit application to be considered for new construction, use as a single detached dwelling within the SRD-Special (Historical) Residential District at the following location:

Lot 4, Block 22, Plan 179BE; 5314-49 Avenue, Camrose, AB

Within this land use district, new construction is considered a Discretionary Use. Any person(s) who objects to, or supports the proposed use, or for additional information contact Planning and Development Services, 5204-50 Ave., Camrose, AB T4V 0S8. Phone 780-672-4428, email to: planning@camrose.ca, fax 780-672-4428, or in person, by Sept. 8, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Written submissions shall include full name and address and reasons for support or objection. 54 Street

Subject Property 5314- 49 Ave.

49 Avenue

Development Appeal Board Members are required to complete a one-day training session provided by Alberta Municipal Affairs. The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board meets as required.

Make a Difference!

For more information on the appointment process and to obtain an application form, visit “Volunteer Opportunities” at www.camrose.ca or contact City Hall at 780-672-4426.

Please submit applications via fax to 780-672-2469 OR email legservices@camrose.ca OR in person at City Hall, 5204-50 Avenue. Any inquiries may also be directed to legservices@camrose.ca.

High debt a wake-up call for Alberta By Murray Green economic challenge of our charges on the taxpayer

The Canadian Taxpaygeneration. To deal with credit card. It’s time for ers Federation is calling on this challenge, our governAlberta politicians to stop the Alberta government to ment is developing a path procrastinating and tacktackle its high debt problem. forward, a path of economic le the government’s over

The province has a debt recovery that will see job spending problem,” said of $99.6 billion, or $22,400 creation, diversification Franco Terrazzano, the per Albertan. At the same and stability restored to CTF’s Alberta director. time, Albertans have expeAlberta’s finances,” said The 2020 first quarter rienced losses of more than Travis Toews, president of fiscal update forecasts a 170,000 jobs and a 13 per Treasury Board and min$24.2 billion deficit. The cent unemployment rate. ister of finance, on Aug. 27. interest costs on the debt

“These numbers are “Today’s fiscal update are expected to be $2.5 incredibly sobering to all and the $100-billion debt billion this year, which of us. If left unchecked, tab is a loud wake-up call is more than $500 per they predict a grim realfor the politicians and Albertan. ity for Albertans. We are interest groups who think The Alberta governfacing the most significant we can keep racking up ment has the highest per person spending in Canada, according to the Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s finances. The panel also found that Alberta would spend $10.4 billion less every year if its per person spending was in line with British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

“Alberta’s in fiscal quicksand and we’ll need quick action to get out before we are up to our necks in debt,” said Terrazzano. “Struggling Alberta families and businesses can’t afford to keep paying for a high-cost provincial government, so Premier Jason Kenney

needs to cut spending and grow the economy.”

An updated economic forecast shows the pandemic has negatively affected business investment, oil production and consumer spending. Although 2020 began with a strong investment market, the fallout of COVID-19 has sidelined that expected growth. Alberta’s economy is expected to contract by 8.8 per cent in 2020, the largest decline in modern-day history and a decrease of 11.3 percentage points from the budget forecast, according to the government.

By Lori Larsen

A diagnosis of cancer is accompanied by a myriad of emotion that turns the person’s world upside down and catapults them into a frenzy of information, decisions and uncertainty.

For 13-year-old Our Lady of Mount Pleasant (OLMP) student Victoria Kovac, after being diagnosed in the latter part of last year with osteosarcoma, deep bone cancer, (the same cancer Terry Fox battled), her life has been a whirlwind. But this incredible young girl is proof that a positive attitude, a mountain of support and a strong faith can get you through anything life throws your way.

“My journey first started about six months before my 13th birthday,” said Victoria. “My friend and I were playing around and she accidently kicked me in the right knee and the pain started.”

While it is very likely the health concern existed long before that incident, that was the trigger that identified something very sinister laying beneath.

“The pain never went away so we (Victoria and her mother Myja Trinh) went to the doctor who gave me a prescription, which helped a bit a first but it just kept getting worse until one day when my mom and (step)dad (Hugh Connell) were going out, I fell down the stairs in my front yard.”

Another visit to the doctor and an x-ray determined the cause may be a tendon injury resulting in possible surgery, but the pain just kept getting more unbearable and Victoria’s mobility was becoming affected.

“I went for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan then the doctor phoned and said we needed to come in right away.” It was at that point that Victoria was told she likely had cancer.

“When I heard that everything kind of just stopped for a minute and I kept thinking ‘what just happened’?”

Just after that news, Victoria remembers visiting with her brothers 31-year-old Michael, 29-year-old Damion and 25-year-old Justin (Trinh) and just laughing it off because she didn’t want to be sad.

A visit to the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton for a biopsy resulted in an 80 per cent likelihood that the diagnosis was cancer. “I was just hoping I would be that 20 per cent,” smiled Victoria.

Unfortunately the next call confirmed 100 per cent that Victoria had cancer.

Not sure what to expect with her first chemothera

py treatment, Victoria went So this brave 13-yeardistressing, as would be and I was able to enjoy into it thinking it couldn’t old made the difficult deciexpected for anyone. Prior my time with them and be that bad. “The day after sion to have the amputato surgery Victoria’s youngI ate a lot of food. I just my first chemo I couldn’t tion and subsequent rotaest brother Justin, had givfelt so much better. I got wake up. I was so nautionplasty surgery. A decien her his favourite arrow caught up. And I wanted seous. I slept eight days, sion no person, let alone a necklace for her to keep the lights to be on because I couldn’t eat. It was so young child, should ever until she was done her jourbefore (surgery and sufferney–to help her through. ing from horrific pain) I “I remember sitting on just wanted it to be dark.” the table just before surSince surgery Victoria gery crying. I was so scared has undergone more cheof them cutting into me. My motherapy and treatments mom stayed with me until and on Aug. 12 was offiit was time for my surgery. cially declared cancer-free. “After my surgery I “I got my results (at the remember waking up with Stollery) and rang the bell. the necklace on my chest We (Victoria, mother and hosand asking where it was pital staff) had a great time. and my mom told me it was I got a gift card and brought on my chest. I remember the bell home and rang it for feeling a weird sensation Hughy and my dad. with my foot and asking the “I met a lot of good nurse, ‘What am I touching friends along the way,” said with my foot?’ and she said Victoria, a bit more melannothing, but I could feel it,” cholic. Friends that includsmiled Victoria. ed the incredible staff at Victoria marveled. the Stollery, specifically “After the surgery there some wonderful nurses, was a little pain, soreness, other patients and roombut it was nothing commates in her hospital room. pared to the pain I had “The little ones caught my before. It felt like a healing heart. There was this little pain, and when they took baby (battling leukemia) me to my room I had the who was a roommate. She best sleep I had in so long.” sat on my lap. She was Victoria pointed out happy and content. That exactly where her leg was baby brightened my day.” reattached and smiling Lessons for us all Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster from ear to ear said. “My Through this part of Victoria Kovac rang the bell again that she rang on Aug. 12 ankle is now my knee joint Victoria’s journey she has signifying her final results of being cancer-free. when I get my prosthetic I remained resilient and will be able to walk normalstrong, which she attests to awful because people were have to make. “It was hard ly.” For now the tenacious her strong faith, her family so nice they would visit and because I didn’t want to 13-year-old demonstrated and friends, including her bring me food but I couldn’t lose my leg but the risks how she can put full presOLMP family and a speeat at all. Any smell just were a lot higher with the sure on her right foot, now cial angel in heaven, her made me so sick.” other one and it was a more facing behind her located grandmother, who Victoria

After her second treatpainful process and a lot where her right knee once vows left earth so she could ment (methotrexate) she harder.” was, and stood out of her speak directly to God. felt a bit better with just Rotationplasty surgery wheelchair. “Right after I found out a little nausea. “But I had involves the bottom of the During the time in about my cancer my grandto go the bathroom every femur, the knee, and the the hospital, Victoria was ma passed away. She was two or three times an hour. upper tibia being surgically blessed with emails, letolder and had a bunch of It was so hard I felt gross. All I wanted to do was take a shower but I couldn’t because I couldn’t use my leg.” Prior to her elected surgery she had to keep her leg at a certain angle in order to keep the pain at bay. During her treatments Victoria was faced with another challenge, having to decide which surgery best suited her. removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees (which is why it’s called rotationplasty) and then attached to the femur. The process is an incredible feat for modern medicine and the will of the human body to adapt. Despite knowing she would be virtually free of pain after the surgery the thought of losing a good portion of her leg was very ters, including many from students at OLMP and St. Patrick Catholic School (Camrose), well wishes and gifts from parents and visits from teachers, friends and family. “My auntie came and brought me some stuff, my uncle brought me a DVD player so I could watch the Vampire Diaries. It’s my favourite,” laughed Victoria. “I had lots of visitors health issues but I believe she decided that was her time because she needed to be able to talk to God for me in heaven, to help me be okay.” As Victoria prepared to come home she was so excited to think she would be able to take part in Jaywalkers, Canada Day celebrations and sleep-overs with her friends. Continued on page 18

Two basic options in almost all cases of osteosarcomas are: limb-salvage, which would involve removing the cancer and some surrounding normal tissue and leaving most of the limb intact and, in Victoria’s case, also a knee replacement; or amputation, removing the cancer and all or part of the leg and in Victoria’s case a rotationplasty.

“With the knee replacement I would have to continue having surgeries to have the knee replaced (to accommodate her continued growth),” recalled Victoria. “I was just so sick of the pain in my knee. It was so horrible nothing would help that pain. It got to the Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster point where I didn’t even Myja Trinh (mother) left, Victoria Kovac and step-father Hugh Connell hold up signs want to live anymore the thanking a generous community for all the support Victoria and family received during pain was so unbearable.” Victoria’s journey.