May 7, 2024 County Booster

Nine-year-old Rowyn Stefanishion works with her one-year-old steer Meeko, getting him prepared for the Camrose District 4-H Show and Sale. Considering the difference in size, Rowyn did an amazing job of handling the 1,330-pound market steer. Some of the members of the Rosalind 4-H Club came out to the Camrose Regional Exhibition on April 20, to get a little extra practice in the show ring in preparation for the Camrose District Show and Sale to be held on June 3 and 4 at the Bashaw Ag grounds. For more details, see inside story on page 2.

by Lori

Photo

Larsen

Rosalind 4-H Club shaping a bright future

By Lori Larsen

With a mantra to “Learn To Do By Doing”, the young members of 4-H Clubs around the world, including Rosalind, are being prepared to reach their fullest potential while using their heads, hearts, hands and health to serve their clubs, country and the world.

All one needs to do to develop a richer understanding of what that motto means, is to attend a 4-H event, and witness first hand the dedication, hard work and excitement of these young members.

On April 20, members of the Rosalind 4-H Beef Club arrived at the Camrose Regional Exhibition, Barn B, trailer in tow carrying some very precious cargo, the members’ show and market livestock.

The young members cautiously led the beautiful animals, most of which were quite a bit larger than their handlers, out of the trailers and off to a stall to be primped and prompted for the Rosalind Club Show.

The Rosalind 4-H Beef Club was established in 1954 and began with 22 members and by 1971 it had grown to 35 members at which time it split into two clubs, remaining two clubs for a number of years.

“Today the Rosalind 4-H Club is a multi club with three projects: beef, poultry and foods, explained Rosalind 4-H Club general leader Alison Stang. “We also have a strong Cleaver Program for children ages six to nine. We currently have 23 members ages nine to 17 in the regular Club and 10 Cleavers.”

Adhering to the motto of “Learn to Do by Doing” is not always an easy task for the young members, many of whom began 4-H at the tender age of six, however, no matter what project the members undertake they do so with guidance from volunteers and parents.

“There are so many project options in 4-H now for rural and urban youth–you don’t have to be a farm kid to be in 4-H,” explained Stang. “The skills members learn in 4-H; leadership, public speaking, responsibility, cooperation and being part of a community, are lifelong and transferable to school, jobs,and even sports teams.”

Weaving in and out between these youth and their animals afforded me the opportunity to speak with members ranging from sixyears-old, grooming and caring for their charges, to 16-years-old walking around mentoring and pro-

viding leadership to the younger members.

On all accounts, the members were respectful, well-spoken, professional, and extremely proud to be part of, not only the Rosa-

lind Club, but the 4-H organization as a whole.

The April 20th show was one of a few events where these young “entrepreneurs” are given an opportunity to demonstrate their hard

work, in particular this day, the Beef Project show ring.

“Our club achievement day is on May 20th in the Rosalind Arena,” noted Stang. “This is a chance for all our members to showcase their projects and personal accomplishments over the year.”

On June 3 and 4, the Beef Project members will once again be taking to the ring during the Camrose District Show and Sale to be held at the Bashaw Ag Grounds.

This event is held with the other Beef Clubs in the district including: Camrose, Bashaw, New Norway, and Armena. The female cattle show will take place June 3rd and the steer show on June 4th, culminating with the sale on June 4 at 6 p.m.

This Show and Sale is a great opportunity for the 4-H Beef Club members to experience first hand the payoff of hard work, with the presentation of various awards and the ultimate sale of their animals.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Rosalind 4-H Club member eight-year-old Emilie Bratrud works with two of this year’s steers, Silas, left, and Cocopuff, getting them used to being handled prior to being shown.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Rosalind 4-H Club member six-year-old Jax Szott offers this year’s heifer calf Scarlet some munchies while they wait to present in the show ring during a Club Show held on April 20 at the Camrose Regional Exhibition.

Corn Planting

coverage to the communities of Camrose (RRs and Boxes only), Ohaton, Edberg, Meeting Creek, Donalda, Bawlf, Kelsey, Rosalind, Daysland, Heisler, Strome, Forestburg, Galahad, Castor (farms), Killam, Sedgewick, Lougheed, Coronation/Brownfield, Alliance, Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, Czar Metiskow, Cadogan, Provost (farms), Armena, Hay Lakes, New Sarepta, Round Hill, Kingman, Tofield, Ryley, Holden, Bruce, Viking, Kinsella, Irma, Wainwright (farms and lock boxes), New Norway Ferintosh, Bashaw Bittern Lake, Gwynne, Stettler (farms). Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Band-aid solutions fall a little short

By Murray Green

The Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has conducted a member survey identifying that, as of December 31, 2023, at least $251.8 million of municipal property taxes have gone unpaid by oil and gas companies.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that the RMA conducted the survey and unfortunately, the 2023 results indicate that a small number of oil and gas companies operating in Alberta continue to ignore their legal obligation to pay municipal property taxes.

“Year after year, rural municipalities provide clear, documented and verifiable evidence that a select group of property owners are simply choosing not to pay their property taxes, and year after year, the problem drags on due to a lack of industry regulation and accountability. While all other property owners in the province face strict penalties for non-payment of property taxes, oil and gas companies continue to exploit legislative and policy loopholes and hide behind an industry regulator that has, for many years, refused to hold some companies accountable for poor business decisions, high liability risks, and a lack of concern for the public interest,” said Paul McLauchlin of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.

While the Government of Alberta has taken some steps to close loopholes and empower municipalities to enforce payment of taxes, the survey results indicate that their impact has been minimal.

For the 2023 property tax year, rural municipalities are facing roughly $43 million in unpaid taxes. In last year’s survey, that amount was approximately $50 million. While a 14 per cent reduction in new tax arrears is a step in the right direction, it by no means indicates that the problem is anywhere near solved.

“While government and industry supporters typically question the RMA’s survey results by arguing that the total unpaid tax amount includes legacy tax arrears that will likely never be collected, an additional $43 million in new unpaid taxes in 2023 indicate quite clearly that this is an active, ongoing issue that continues to make it more difficult for rural municipalities to provide the infrastructure and services that oil and gas companies, as well as other industries and rural residents, rely on,” McLauchlin further explained.

“This issue is not settled; companies continue

to profit from Alberta’s resources while ignoring their community obligations and funnelling profits to executives and shareholders.”

In recent years, the government has taken two notable steps in an attempt to curb unpaid taxes. The first was to amend the Municipal Government Act to clarify that municipalities have a secured status (a special lien) to recover unpaid taxes during bankruptcy or insolvency hearings.

The second was to order the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) to no longer approve licence transfers or new licences for companies with outstanding property tax arrears above $20,000. While both changes were steps in the right direction, neither target the companies that have the resources to remain operational and profitable, but are not in a position to expand their holdings.

“In recent years, the government has made two legislative and policy changes intended to deal with property tax nonpayment by some oil and gas companies. While these have led to modest improvements in the situation, they are far from a solution,” McLauchlin said.

“One change focuses on helping municipalities recover taxes from bankrupt or insolvent companies, and the other restricts the ability of companies to grow their asset base if they have taxes in arrears. While both help on the margins, neither target the companies at the root of the problem: the zombies that continue to operate, but have no interest in growing. These companies often cut costs anywhere they can: in tax payments, in surface leases, in safety initiatives, in reclamation preparation. These are the companies that are a risk to rural municipalities and all Albertans, but are allowed to continue to pull Albertans’ resources from the ground and funnel profits out of the province.”

While the simple solution would be to revoke a company’s licence if it has property taxes in arrears, the AER’s hands-off approach to regulation has led to a situation where dozens of companies are operating with virtually no assets and very high liabilities.

“I’ll be blunt. Rural municipalities and all other companies and individuals paying property taxes are being used. We are being used by a small number of zombie oil and gas companies to not only subsidize the taxes they don’t want to pay, but to prop up their very existence,” said McLauchlin.

County appoints weed inspectors

By Murray Green

Camrose County council appointed five weed inspectors for the 2024 season at its regular meeting on April 23.

“I move that Camrose County appoint Wyatt Brown, Tessa Morrison, Tim Sand, Rick Uglem and Troy Hellekson as inspectors pursuant to the Weed Control Act and the Agricultural Pests Act,” said councillor Jordon Banack.

Weed inspectors typically work in agriculture or landscaping sectors. Their main responsibility is to identify and manage invasive plant species that can negatively impact crops, gardens, or natural habitats.

Weed inspectors are trained to recognize various types of weeds and distinguish them from desirable plants.

They conduct surveys of fields, gardens, parks and other areas to assess the prevalence and distribution of weeds.

They evaluate the potential impact of weeds on agriculture, ecology and the

environment.

Based on their assessments, weed inspectors may provide recommendations for weed control and management strategies. This could include mechanical methods, chemical treatments, or cultural practices.

They often provide educational outreach to farmers, gardeners and landowners about the importance of weed management and techniques for prevention and control.

In some cases, weed inspectors enforce regulations related to noxious weeds or invasive species, ensuring that landowners comply with laws and ordinances regarding weed control.

Overall, weed inspectors play a crucial role in protecting agricultural productivity, preserving natural ecosystems and maintaining aesthetically pleasing landscapes by managing invasive plants effectively.

RCMP offer crime prevention tips

By Lori Larsen

Summers are a busy time for people, trying to fit in as much vacation time as possible in the short months of warmer weather. With vacations, comes time away from homes and properties, an opportune time for the criminally inclined to get active.

In an effort to assist residents in securing and protecting their property from break and enters while away this summer, Camrose RCMP are offering the following tips.

• Avoid mentioning your travel plans on social media until you return.

• Store valuables in a safe or safety deposit box.

• Arrange for yard maintenance if you will be away for an extended time.

• Install timers on interior and exterior lights.

• Pause mail and deliveries, or ask a

trusted friend or relative to collect them for you while away.

• Lock all windows and doors, including garages, out-buildings, and basement windows.

• Ask a trusted neighbour, friend, or relative to check on your home while you are away, and do not leave spare keys hidden under your planters, door mats, or large rocks.

• If your property does not have a monitored security system, consider having one installed by a professional. This can assist in deterring break-ins, and aid the police response if your home is targeted. “Your summer leisure time is valuable and should be enjoyed,” noted Wetaskiwin/ Camrose RCMP Community Policing officer Constable Cory Schultz. “Following these seven steps can help reduce stress and give you some peace of mind when it comes to the security of your property.”

NEW RESIDENTS

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Cinnamon, the centurion cat, gets a birds-eye view of the goings on of all the newborn lambs at the Rondeau farm.

Kroetsch Custom Farming

Canada is a debtonation Challenge Coin honours history

By Damien C. Kurek, MP, Battle River-Crowfoot

Debt and deficits are sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary subjects to talk about. This is especially important in the context of the recent federal Liberal government’s budget, and some of the markers showing Canada could be headed to a crisis.

Recently, Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre released the second in a series of indepth documentaries that unpack some of Canada’s fiscal and monetary challenges. Coined “Debtonation,” it speaks to the challenges Canada could face. It builds a case confirmed by the release of the Liberals’ Budget and Justin Trudeau’s fiscal management over the last decade.

Over the last decade, Prime Minister Trudeau has led the country and we have seen four concerning trends in Canada’s fiscal and monetary health. These trends, which history has shown, lead to a debt crisis… asset price inflation, large account deficits, sustained debt buildups, and falling output. While Conservatives have been sounding the alarm on sustained debt and deficits for years, Canada may be reaching the crisis point sooner than we think.

Let’s look at the facts. As of today, Canada’s total debt is estimated to be around $10.2 trillion, which is roughly 3.5 times our $2.6 trillion economy. This debt increased by 28.5 per cent in the last nine years, while our GDP only grew by 14.1 per cent. This debt is growing at almost twice the rate of economic growth and is split between government, corporate, and consumers; it is 347 per cent of our GDP. Not only do we have the lowest GDP in the G7, but out of the 48 most significant financial crises in history, Canada is currently in the fourth worst position out of jurisdictions that saw a debt crisis.

The Liberal 2024 budget is almost universally panned, but the critics are, in some cases, surprising… including the former Liberal-appointed Governor of the Bank of Canada, who shared he thought it is the worst budget since 1982. With a $40 plus billion deficit this year, we will spend more on servicing the debt than we are expected to collect in GST and more than we spend on healthcare or the military. Additionally, the budget lacks focus on promoting private sector investment and job creation, which are essential for a thriving economy. It clearly shows an “Ottawa knows best” attitude. Overall, the Liberal budget puts Canada on a dangerous path toward economic instability and dangerously close to a debt crisis.

Conservatives have criticized the Liberal government’s handling of the economy and public finances, shedding some light on their overspending and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars. Prime examples are the ArriveSCAM, WE Charity and the out-of-control costs on consultants…but we must be very concerned about the overall fiscal management. Poilievre has argued that the government’s monetary management has brought Canada to the edge of a precipice.

The consequences do not affect the Liberals, the wealthy, or the connected. They are fine and even prospering with asset inflation and well-connected government contracts, but those who face the brunt of the pain are regular Canadians who are facing skyrocketing costs, can’t afford food and necessities, and are paying more because of rising interest rates on the debt they have.

Canadians need better. Conservatives will balance the budget, keep spending in check, and focus on delivering for the people to ensure that Canadians once again have control of their lives.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this column, you are encouraged to write Damien at 4945-50th Street, Camrose, Alberta, T4V 1P9, call 780-608-4600, text 403-575-5625, or e-mail damien.kurek@parl.gc.ca. You can also stay up to date with Damien by following him on social media @dckurek. If you are in need of assistance regarding a federal government program, or need assistance and don’t know where to turn, feel free to reach out to MP Kurek’s office.

By Lori Larsen Bashaw RCMP

recently devised a way to not only recognize citizens for their support of the RCMP and members of the detachment for their exemplary services, but honour the rich history that surrounds Bashaw.

RCMP Sergeant Trent Cleveland, along with Public Service employee Krista Dubitz, spawned the idea of designing and creating a Challenge Coin that would encompass the history of the Bashaw jurisdiction.

Challenge Coins date back as early as the Roman Empire where the coins were originally used to prove one’s loyalty to the emperor. The coins served to remind those possessing them of their allegiance to the emperor and as a record of their accomplishments.

As history progressed, challenge coins became a popular way for military units to promote esprit de corps (pride and loyalty to a group) given as gifts to military commanders and other high-ranking officials. The coins would be distributed throughout the members of the unit, who would keep the coins with them at all times and, in the event of capture, would present the coin as proof of their identity and allegiance.

Today, challenge coins have become a popular initiative for law enforcement organizations, often traded or gifted to members of other law enforcement agencies or members of the public befitting a supportive and collaborative relationship with the agency.

“I did this same initiative when I was in Killam, and it was a huge success with recognizing members and citizens,” said Cleveland. “It allowed the detachment to have its own identity when sharing Challenge Coins. We even had them auctioned off at not-for-profit events to help generate revenue for the non-profit organizations.”

The Bashaw Challenge Coin was specifically designed to honour the histo-

ry of the area it represents.

The seven feathers represent the story of the seven Indigenous hunters at Haunting Lake, along with Treaty 6 and Treaty 7.

“We had six feathers coloured white to show Treaty 6 and the total 7 feathers for Treaty 7 and the 7 Hunters,” explained Cleveland, sharing the story on which the Seven Feathers was based.

“One winter, seven Indigenous hunters camped there for the night. In the morning, they looked out across the lake and spied the magnificent head and antlers of a deer caught in the ice. The seven hunters headed off and upon reaching the creature, they started to chip away at the ice. The mighty animal, which was very much alive, gave a great heave and smashed through the ice. It swam for shore, breaking a path before it. The deer made it to shore and the safety of the woods, but the men were not so lucky. They plunged through the ice and all seven drowned. It is said the seven hunters have haunted the lake ever since, giving the spot its name. Locals also claim that every winter a mysterious phenomenon can be observed when a huge fissure appears in the ice along the path the deer traveled to the shore.”

The hills that the feathers stand upon represent the area around Bashaw all the way to Stettler. “This area has a lot of hills which are from the glacier movement thousands/millions of years ago, which caused the beautiful landscape.”

The train/railroad has origins in Mirror, which was known as the railway town, employing a large number of railway employees.

“The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway became a part of the Canadian National Railway in 1920. Since then

the line running through Mirror has been operated by CN,” explained Cleveland.

The grain elevators represent the large farming community surrounding Bashaw that utilize the railway for grain transportation.

“The Land Title (hearts, spades, diamonds and clubs) is a well known story in Bashaw,” noted Cleveland who went on to describe the story.

“According to the history book, Joe Louis, Frank Allan, Alec Salmon and Art Robinson were involved in a serious poker game. Joe Louis ran out of money and put the title to his land in as security for the pot. On the turn of a card, Joe Louis lost his land. Andy Allan, the winner of the game, later sold the quarter section to Mr. Bashaw for five hundred dollars.”

Accordingly, this is how the community came to be known as Bashaw. They even have a statue out front of the community centre of the two playing cards.

In speaking of the important role, initiatives such as the Challenge Coin play in maintaining positive partnerships, Cleveland said, “It is a great way to recognize our dedicated members that work in our detachment and a way to recognize external RCMP members, units and external partners that have assisted the detachment. We have even handed the Challenge Coin out to citizens who have assisted the detachment, such as when a citizen helped locate a property crime offender allowing the RCMP to utilize a snowmobile to track the offender and arrest.”

The Bashaw Challenge Coin will serve as a tangible symbol of the connectivity members of the Bashaw RCMP detachment have with members of the community they serve.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster Bashaw RCMP Sergeant Trent Cleveland explains the origin behind the design of the Bashaw Challenge Coin to Becky Bolding.

Environmental design can reduce crime

By Lori Larsen

In an effort to assist rural residents with reducing the risk of becoming victims of property crime, the Bashaw RCMP suggest paying close attention to property’s environmental design and provide the following tips.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a set of design principles aimed at reducing opportunities for crime to take place. Adjustments to your property can effectively deter criminals by making it more difficult or less desirable to commit crime.

By following the three ‘Ds’ of CPTED, property owners can lower the risk of being victims of crime.

Delay

Securing your home, business and its contents will offer the best advantage for delaying criminals. The more time it takes a criminal to overcome a security function, the more likely they will be detected and caught.

Detect

Ways to increase your ability to detect unwanted guests can include installing adequate night-time lighting and using a security system. Good lighting, a clear line of sight from your main building and decreasing hiding spots around your property will make detection easier.

Deter

The design of your property has the most significant impact on security. Simple adjustments like installing lights and concealing valuables can have a major impact in deterring criminals.

Examples include:

• Keep the windows and doors of your home and outbuildings locked.

• Install security lights or turn on exterior lights in the evening.

• Install a security camera system.

• Store ATVs and vehicles in a garage, remove the keys, and lock everything.

• Do not hide keys on your property, including under doormats, vehicle sun visors, or in fuel caps.

• Trim trees and shrubs to avoid landscaping that may conceal offenders.

• Develop a security routine in which you ensure that your valuables are stored and your property is secured, every night.

For more information on RCMP’s CPTED, please visit https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Wh51Iwqln4I

d likke e to acknowledge Troy Shackel (p he e completion of his Funeral Director’s liicens has worked tirelessly over the past 2 years towards th ming a licensed funeral director and embalmer at the Cana ege of Funeral Services. The amount of dedication it takes to w time while undergoing a full course load as well as raising a fammil o small feat. The level of commitment and dedication he has shown n a t testament to the attributes that he possesses. These attributes will be evident to all the families he serves as he helps guide them through the process of caring for their loved ones e who have passed away Bart and the Burgar Fuunneral Home staaff commend his efforts and congratulate Troy on his acccomplishment. We are proud to stand beside him as we continue to o serve the familiies in our community.

him as we continue to serve the families in our community

y

Armena 4-H Beef Club news

By Sophia Feitsma

The Armena 4-H beef club has been busy! We finished off public speaking and presentations.

We have had our monthly meetings and are making arrangements for both our achievement and our district show and sale. We had a mini show with weigh in and grooming/ clipping demo led by Jor-

dan Anderson and Mark Lyseng on March 16th, we all learned how to clip heads, tails and back lines. We also got some pointers on showmanship.

We had our achievement day on April 27th at the Hay Lakes Agriplex, where we showed our animals with our newly learned skills and some of us displaying our mechan-

ics projects. There was a small silent auction.

We are also on our way with collecting bottles for our bottle drive, if you have bottles to donate drop them off at the Hay Lakes or Camrose bottle depots or contact John Pouliot 780-691-8430. Once again, thank you for supporting our club.

BRCF grants Killam United Church

By Murray Green

The Battle River Community Foundation awarded a $500 grant to the Killam Knox United Church. “We offer free community suppers twice a month and other family friendly events throughout the year. Our building is also an accessible rental space for medium sized gatherings. Thanks to the BRCF for the $500 grant money which will help us pay for the updates to our fire alarm system keeping our building safe and available to meet these needs,” explained Reverend Deanna Cox.

The grant is from the Foundation’s Community Funds, which are a group of named endowed Funds that permit the Foundation Board to select grant recipients from applications received annually. These funds allow the Foundation flexibility to respond to changing needs in our communities.

The Battle River Community Foundation exists to support organizations in east central Alberta, which benefit the local communities and have a positive impact on the future.

Grants from the Battle River Community Foundation are primarily made possible through the generosity of individual donors and organizations that have created endowment funds. The principal of these endowment funds is kept intact and the income is made available annually to support local projects and organizations.

Since it was founded in 1995, the Battle River Community Foundation has granted over $9,045,300 to support charitable activities in the Battle River region.

Burglars strike without notice...

f arm, The farm appearing in this photograph is located in the Camrose trading area. If you recognize it as yours, come to the Camrose Booster, 4925-48 Street, Camrose. You will be presented with a free 8” x 10” colour enlargement of the photo.

May 14, 2024.