Bruderheim CAO Phyllis Forsyth was the subject of a six page letter documenting concerns and allegations from town resident Andy Styles. Styles handed the letter to each member of council prior to the April 3 council meeting. Attempts by two councillors to bring the letter into a closed session were denied.
By Jana SemeniukBorrowing bylaw is passed - 6
Emerance gets a SO at worlds - 9
Next eclipse in 2044 - 19
OPINION: Left is more Trump-like - 4
Bruderheim resident Andy Styles took time just prior to the April 3 Bruderheim town council meeting, to deliver a handout to each council member as they sat down at the council table, and gave one copy to the Lamont Leader.
The six-page document contained items Styles said he is concerned about regarding Bruderheim’s Chief Administrative Officer, Phyllis Forsyth, in addition to research he said he has collected from residents and former employees of the Town of Redcliff, where Forsyth was employed for three years.
Styles included the names and emails of Redcliff’s six current council members for information clarification.
According to approved meeting minutes for Redcliff, Forsyth was terminated without cause on April 4, 2023 due to a ‘change in leadership being required’. She was hired by the Town of Bruderheim on May 1.
Mayor Karl Hauch began the April 3 meeting as usual after receiving the letter, when councillor George Campbell tried to make a motion to go into closed session to discuss the document.
“In regards to the handout we just got, I think it’s pertinent that we go into in-camera and have this discussion without our CAO,” Campbell said, but Mayor Karl Hauch would not consider it.
“We're going to take that as information and we will look at it at the next meeting Councillor George,” said Hauch.
Councillor Campbell asked Hauch if
he intended to hide the letter ‘under the table’.
“Nobody’s hiding anything under the table,” said Hauch. “This information just came into our hands and we haven’t even had a chance to read it so we’re not going to entertain it into the agenda for today.”
Councillor Arlie Young stated that he would also like to move into a closed session to discuss the letter.
“I agree with Councillor George on this. We should take a couple of minutes and look this over, (because) (this is) pretty bad,” he said.
“We will,” said Mayor Hauch. “But not right now. It doesn’t have to be done tonight thank you.”
Councillor Campbell asked Forsyth to make sure the item was included on the agenda for the next meeting.
Bruderheim’s next council meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7 p.m. online or in person at the town fire hall.
Visitors to Lamont’s Hillside Park might notice two new wooden perches near the creek in the coming weeks.
The perches are a part of Lamont’s new all-natural answer to the gopher over-population problem; attracting birds of prey.
According to the Western Producer, gophers mate immediately after hibernation in early spring, with only a short window for attaining a pregnancy. Twenty-three days later, they give
birth with up to eight new babies in a litter.
Adult males go back into hibernation in June and females in July with the new generation spotted wreaking havoc by tunnelling through parks and pastures, destroying crops and damaging building foundations.
Lamont Interim Chief Administrative Officer Tyler Edworthy said they decided to up their gopher control game this year with the use of predatory birds.
He said it was an idea suggested by staff member Leslie Jans and after a bit of research, Edworthy said they were ready to put the idea into action.
“This will be on top of our regular process with the gopher bombs to help control the population,” said Edworthy.
“But (with) the hawk perches, hopefully we can attract some predatory birds to assist with that.”
Edworthy said the process is as simple as building perches and erecting them in an attractive place.
Continued on Page 12
The Lamont County Reeve Golf Tournament has been scheduled again for this August. At the regular council meeting March 26, Lamont County Council agreed to host the tournament.
Economic Development Officer Shane Olson said the tournament had been very successful in the previous year raising $15,000 for the County of Lamont Food Bank, $6,000 for meals programs at Mundare, Bruderheim and Lamont Elementary Schools, as well as Lamont High School, and $2,000 for the “LC Cares” mental health initiative.
“The tournament is traditionally held at the Whitetail Crossing Golf course in Mundare,” he added. “You can see I’ve provided a selection of dates for council to choose from and the golf course is available to be booked on any of those.” He said the preferred date would be August 22.
Olson said it was selected as staff felt the major vacation season would be over by then but harvest wouldn’t be fully underway. Alternative dates could be August 15 and 29.
He told council it was estimated to cost $25,000 to host.
Olson said once a date was decided on economic development would commence working on obtaining sponsorship for the tournament and fleshing out other details.
“I believe historically we held it on the third week,” said Reeve David Diduck.
Olson said Thursday usually worked well for hosting a golf tournament. He added a Friday tournament could impact people's weekend plans.
“We’ve always had it on a Thursday,” stated Councillor Daniel Warawa, and Olson agreed.
Council then passed a
motion to have the tournament held on August 22.
Council will consider various charities to support from the 2024 tournament and bring that back to council for discussion at a later date.
Diduck added he would like to see more public participation in the tournament if possible and Olson said the registration will be advertised.
have helped
build
business up to what it is today; and let it be known that the quality care and great vehicle service you have received from us will continue to be provided under the new ownership ~ to whom we wish continuous success!
In Canada the right isn’t like Trump - it’s really
I haven’t waded into the swamp that doubles as the American political scene in this, the year that one way or another, an old almost if not already 80-year-old will be in charge of what was once the world’s greatest superpower.
Now I do read a considerable amount about American politics via various websites including the New York Times, Washington Post and others.
On television my viewpoint is skewed by viewing the politics through the rose coloured glasses of CNN presenters who are essentially a PR department for the Joe Biden Democrats.
Which is fine, Fox I understand, does similar reporting on Donald Trump.
I think neither of the two candidates is fit to lead a little league baseball club, but tho and behold come November one of them will be the so-called leader of the free world.
Now many in the left wing camp in our finely run country love to compare Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP with Donald Trump. Others love to add Pierre Poilievre to that equation.
And that is because all three are Conservatives. In other words their politics tend to be skewed toward the right.
Well, there any similarities end.
Donald Trump squeaked to the U.S. presidency in 2016 by narrowly defeating a generally regarded as corrupt Hillary Clinton.
But during his hectic four-year-term, Trump was castigated by the left as they explored every inch of his life, business interests and sought any way they could to discredit him.
And they did an excellent job, although to his credit Trump and his magic fingering of Twitter did much to help them.
Trump was a bull in a China shop.
He is a bully with a total lack of diplomatic skill.
In some ways his straight speaking is refreshing in a political world which has shrouded itself in political correctness, wokism and secrecy at the expense of common sense and honesty.
CONTINUED
But while he did oversee a fairly successful economy which saw more jobs created in the U.S. and the U.S. economy grow, he also destroyed the Grand Old Party. The Republican Party is totally dominated by Trumpsters, who tolerate no breaking with his directives.
When he was defeated in his bid for a second term by the less than ideal Biden, he argued, whined and conspired to claim a fix was in and did whatever he could to try and overturn the results of the election.
This led to several charges against him, mostly brought in by democratic lawmakers, and a riot at the U.S Capital, which while many want to pin it on Trump I can't see all the blame laying with him.
But now Trump is leading to win another term as president over Biden in the fall. And many long term more moderate Republicans in Congress and the House of Representatives are throwing in the towel and not running again.
Trump steamrolled his way to the party nomination this spring, trouncing a couple of very credible opponents.
I don’t know, or even confess to try to know, what is driving the American populace to admire either of the candidates for presidency. But then again, we have Trudeau and there’s no explaining his remaining at the top of Canada’s political status after eight years either.
But the left in Canada comparing Trump with either Smith, Poilievre, or any other right wing politician in this country is dead wrong.
Trump has fractured the traditionally staid Republican Party.
This fracturing began with some small cracks when the tea party emerged on the far right wing of the party at the end of the last century and resulted in former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin becoming a running mate of John McCain in the 2008 presidential race.
Trump merely exploited those fractures and shattered them during the past six years.
But in Alberta, Smith doesn’t lead a fractured party. Many predicted she would, when she won the leadership, but it failed to materialize.
In fact she has guided the province with a steady hand, listening to her ministers, letting them run their departments, and also listening to all Albertans including special interest groups.
On the other hand we have the NDP.
They have a leadership race going on and the man many feel will win is Naheed Nenshi, former Calgary mayor and about as far removed from the ideal left wing NDP politics as you can get. On the other side of the leadership race are committed socialist Sarah Hoffman and Alberta labour leader and general rabble rouser Gil McGown.
Talk of a fractured party. If Nenshi wins, will rank and file NDP supporters want his oh so close to the centre ideas? Will super leftists like Hoffman and McGowan be able to work with him?
That is the question. In many ways maybe Nenshi is more Trump like than Smith.
And what about Poilievre? The Federal Conservative Party is as unified as can be.
But the NDP and Liberals have MPs announcing their retirements much like lemmings heading to a cliff for a fatal drop.
The writing is on the wall. It’s not the right that’s fractured in this country ... it’s the left.
The ordinary Canadians are fed up with the special interest groups getting all the attention of the current lefty leaders.
Regular Canadians are fed up with being called systematic racists and out of touch by an elite Prime Minister who hasn’t ever had to scrape by for his next meal.
No, the election of Conservative governments in this country for the next few years will bring about financial stability and common sense leadership for the next decade.
Not so in either the U.S., the Alberta NDP (if they really exist), or the Federal Liberals and NDP.
BY HAZEL ANAKA
On Saturday I went to the Wild Rose Antique Collectors Show in Edmonton. I’d had some success when I attended it last year so back, I went. It used to be held at the old Exhibition Grounds I think but like all events suffered through Covid closures and rising venue costs. I got there about an hour and a half after it opened and had trouble finding a parking spot. The show runs two days at the Edmonton Inn. The admission was ten dollars a day or both days for fifteen. If I lived closer, I may have considered returning Sunday. Conventional wisdom says dealers would be more willing to drop prices than have to reload the merchandise and take it back home. However, I was able to negotiate lower prices with all but one vendor I bought from. He was a wily old former auctioneer, knew the value of his
items, and wasn’t going to budge. I, in turn, thwarted his attempts to upsell me. I’d much rather play with people who can give and take and have fun in the process. Rather than keep running to my car with purchases, I just asked vendors to hold them for me. I really hope I got them all….
The show is spread over two ballrooms and was really crowded with shoppers when I arrived. It’s almost impossible to see over and around people so I made my way to the less crowded corners to start with. In hindsight, I should have gone to the bigger room with wider aisles first. I’d also noticed many people taking their purchases to their vehicles as I circled the parking lot for an empty spot. I can only guess at what I missed before I got there!
I didn’t have any specific things on my personal want list because I believe in serendipity to some degree---being in the right place at the right time; going with a hunch; taking a chance; having a budget in mind. I also kept my eyes peeled for pieces others are collecting.
Even if I hadn’t bought
a single item, it would have been worth the admission just for the trip down memory lane. A show like this or any visit to an antique mall is ripe with visual reminders of our past.
We see toys we played with, household objects families used, and décor pieces that are enjoying a revival now. Whether you call it mid-century modern or granny chic, items from this era are in high demand. One of those spoke-y wood and brass wall clocks everyone had in the 50-60s was priced at $175. Metal vehicles whether Dinky toys or much larger scale transport trucks are having a day. Comic books always reign supreme. There was some vintage clothing, a few furniture pieces, old wooden hand tools, some exquisite Bakelite radios. And jewelry, oh my word. So many, many people selling jewelry. I have no problem walking right on by because I can’t wear costume jewelry and have no intention of buying gold in a place like that. One guy’s booth was all oil cans. Someday those things will be priceless and as rare as dinosaurs when we all convert to
green energy. I bought one gift, a novelty item, some books and paper ephemera for my business. Back in the 1930s, player pianos were a thing. Don’t ask me the mechanics of how they worked. The buffcoloured paper rolls with lyrics printed along the side (usually in blue) feature holes and/or slots also running the length of the roll which may be 30 feet. The start of the roll is triangular with a reinforced tab with a hole in it. I imagine that hole slipped over some protuberance in the piano that slowly pulled the paper and made the music. Often, the boxes are beat up or mildewy and the paper roll creased or extremely fragile. It was one song per roll, per box. These things are highly desirable among paper crafters and prices run the gamut from ‘ouch’ to ‘are you nuts?’ For the second year in a row, I was able to buy someone’s entire stock at a very good price. Why, you may wonder do I need 60 boxes of player piano rolls? Using textural elements and purple cabbage dye I hand colour the papers and
sell them in my Etsy shop. It’s labour-intensive and the house stinks to high heaven when I’m boiling the cabbage but the results are beautiful.
Many of the boxes (only) from the large batch I bought last year had to be chucked out because of mildew. The twenty-four I bought on Saturday have never been used. The boxes are
beautifully decorative, the start of each roll ornately decorated, the paper rolls pristine. I also scored a tiny little carrying case for the old 45 records, complete with nearly 40 records in it. I imagine a cool young teen taking her record collection to a slumber party with the girls. I bought several hankies and some vintage books. All in all, it was a very satisfying few hours from where I sit.
June 3, 2014 issue of The Lamont Leader: Students at Andrew School had fun petting and watching Ray Cromie’s owl “The Colonel” which the former teacher and owl expert brought for the kids to enjoy.
In a five to two vote, Bruderheim town council passed third reading on April 3 for a borrowing bylaw allowing the Town to borrow a little more than $1.8 million over 30 years to help fund an expansion to the water reservoir currently under construction.
Only councillors George Campbell and Arlie Young were opposed.
The bylaw was first brought to the council in Dec. as a backup plan in case additional grant funding didn’t come through for the project.
While an early pretender project estimate came in at $4.3 million, allowing for grant funding based on this amount, later more solid numbers during the tender process came in at $4.9 million, well above the pre-tender amount.
Chief Administrative Officer Phyllis Forsyth applied for additional grant funding based on the new tender amounts to make up the short fall, and so far, has not yet heard a response.
First reading of the borrowing bylaw was passed on Jan. 10 and second reading passed Feb. 7 with no public hearing.
Instead, Forsyth, who said a public hearing was not necessary, printed notices in the Lamont Leader over four weeks. The notices detailed the bylaw and gave petition requirements for residents if they wished to petition against the bylaw with a Mar. 5 deadline.
Meanwhile, as discussions ensued prior to the vote, Councillor Len Falardeau said that although he was previously against the bylaw, he would now support it.
“You're all well aware that I've been opposed to this from the get go. But at this point, now, we're in a very big pickle here. We already got the project started, it’s going ahead, we've got all the financing, the grants
from the government in place, and all those things are in place,” he said.
“I personally don’t want to pay the taxes. And I personally didn't want it from the start. But now it's there. The council made a decision.”
Councillor George Campbell, who has also been an opponent of the bylaw, stuck to his perspective.
“I'm going to go back to when we awarded the contract for this project. That was last October or something like that. Before when we voted on this we were led to believe it would be covered by grants that we received plus our MSI (Municipal Sustainability Initiative Grant) now all of a sudden we are borrowing $1.8 million,” he said.
“When I voted for this project, I voted for it on the conditions that we will not have to borrow money. But we haven't got the grants, we haven't got the other money and we're going to have to borrow anyway. I'm not for this at all. But like Len says we're in a pickle. How far do we go before we finish this?”
Mayor Karl Hauch said that if the project were stopped, the Town would have to give back grant funding already received, in the amount of $3.1 million from the
Province.
“My understanding, and correct me if I’m wrong CAO Phyllis, is that the money that has been spent on this project, the Town would be on the hook for and we'd have to give the province back their grant funding,” he said.
“I believe Dennis would be able to give us a ballpark figure on what we’ve spent so far.”
Chief Operating Officer Dennis Tomuschat confirmed the Town has so far spent $1.7 million.
In previous council meetings, Tomuschat said the Town needed the reservoir expansion for two reasons; one for town growth and two for firewater protection. He said the standard firewater protection for a town this size is 230 liters per second and currently the Town can only provide 90.
Additionally, Tomuschat said the expansion will double the size of the current reservoir adding an extra 2,000 cubic meters bringing the total to over 4,000. Tomuschat said the new reservoir could easily support a town of 3,000 people. According to the Province of Alberta, Bruderheim currently has a population of 1,384 as of 2022.
Meanwhile, CAO Forsyth has stated that the amount residents would be on the hook for
in their property taxes would be $180 per year on a $300,000 home if the Town borrowed the maximum at $1.8 million.
A council highlights page added to the Town’s social media has now stated that the property taxes would increase by $202.18 per year on a $250,000 home if the borrowing were maxed out. Forsyth said by email the reason for the discrepancy is the interest rate.
“That would be a change in interest charged by Provincial Financing from original estimates,” she said by email.
“However, the interest charges may again change right up until time of borrowing.”
Forsyth stated during the April 3 meeting that borrowing $1.8 million is the worst-case scenario with the best case being the Town only has to borrow $855,000.
Monday, April 29, 2024 @
Female Show @ 10:00 am
Steer Show @ 1:00 pm
Concession Open for Lunch
* Sheep project demonstration during intermission
Market Eggs show @ 4:30 pm
Supper @ 5:30 pm
Sale starts @ 7:00 pm
Prices for supper:
Adults (13+) - $20
Youth - $15 (6-12 & registered 4-H members) 5 years & under FREE. *Cash only
Contact: Matthew Spruyt 780-878-8460 for more information.
EIPS keeps younger pupils inside school during solar eclipse
Safety precautions for elementary students
BY JANA SEMENIUKOut of an abundance of caution, Elk Island Public Schools emailed a notice to families that elementary school students would be kept inside between the hours of 11:54 a.m. and 1:39 p.m. during the partial solar eclipse on April 8.
“The timing of the
Alberta’s government is creating two new organizations to support the development of the mental health and addiction system of care.
For the past five years, our province has been building the Alberta Recovery Model to support those facing addiction or mental health challenges in their pursuit of recovery.
To continue this work while refocusing our province’s healthcare system, our government will establish two new mental health and addiction organizations, Recovery Alberta and the Canadian Centre of Recovery Excellence (CoRE).
CoRE will support Alberta’s government in improving the mental health and addiction system by researching best practices for recovery from around the world, analyzing data, and making evidence-based recommendations.
The development of these two organizations will move our province further ahead as a leader in supporting people in their pursuit of recovery.
To encourage Albertans who are interested in a future of construction, Alberta’s government supports Trade Pathways, an Alberta Construction Association employment program.
Trade Pathways helps grow Alberta’s skilled workforce by helping young, unemployed, underemployed, and under-represented communities overcome barriers to begin a career in construction.
For more information, please visit www.tradepathways.ca.
On April 1, our government proudly celebrated 100 years of bravery and courage in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
For a century, the men and women of the RCAF have been defending our
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
Estate of:
Solange (Sally) Marie Monique Bourget who died on August 15, 2023.
If you have a claim against this Estate, you must file your claim by May 11, 2024 with:
Raymond Bourget
PO Box 33
Rycroft, AB T0H 3A0
Phone: (780) 380-0326
If you do not file by the date above, the Estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
peace and freedom, both at home and abroad.
For this, we can never thank them enough.
Please contact my constituency office at fortsaskatchewan.vegreville@assembly.ab.ca if you have any questions or concerns.
upcoming eclipse—over the lunch hour—means students would be playing outside for recess and may not take the necessary safety precautions to protect themselves,” said the email.
“Students are being encouraged to not look directly at the sun as this can lead to solar
retinopathy, permanently damaging the retina's light-sensitive cells.”
Junior and Senior high students were allowed to follow their regular schedule including leaving the school over the lunch hour.
Lamont Fish & Game Association
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
APRIL 29, 2024
7:00 pm at the Lamont Lions Den.
SUMMER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
2 Positions
The Village of Chipman is seeking candidates for a Public Works Student Labourer through the end of August.
Under the supervision of Chipman Public works, the participant will be required to carry out a variety of maintenance and general labour–related duties. This is a hands on position involving a variety of tasks including:
- grass cutting and grounds maintenance
- painting curbs, public works buildings and facilities
- general clean-up
- light servicing of grounds maintenance equipment
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
Please submit resume no later than April 24, 2024 to:
The Village of Chipman Administration Office 4816-50th Street
Chipman, AB T0B 0W0
Fax: (780) 363-2386
We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
$199
A full house in Bruderheim’s community hall April 5 learned the ins and outs of line
dancing. Communications and Community Services Clerk Natalie Quijano Acosta said a suggestion
from a pickle ball player led to the Town putting together a four-week class for people to line up and dance.
“We had couple of the ladies who took our Pickleball drop-in program (who) mentioned it. (They said) line dancing would be a good thing to do,” she said.
“So I was tasked with finding an instructor and putting together the program.”
Quijano Acosta said it was not easy finding an instructor, and it took a month to find one. Tracy Walters, from Edmonton, took on the task and is leading Bruderheim’s classes.
“There's a lot of dance instructors, but very few line dance instructors,” she said.
Quijano Acosta said
once the program was advertised, it was full within two weeks.
“We said 30 was going to be our max just because their ages range from about 40 to 76,” she said.
“We wanted (to give) people a little bit more room. We don't want to chance somebody getting hurt.”
She said the populari-
ty of the program will spawn future registered and drop-in programs, including other dances.
“We're hoping that is going to be lots of fun,” she said.
It was an exciting game but in the end the Canadian Women’s Hockey team finished their round robin pool at the World Women’s Hockey Championships in second place.
That was due to the outcome of a thrilling 1-0 overtime loss to the Americanas April 8, at Utica, New York.
Canadian goalie AnnRenee Desbiens took the loss for the Canadians after playing a brilliant game.
Kirsten Simm scored to give the United States the win and first place overall in Pool Q at 3:38 of overtime.
At the other end of the ice U.S goalie Aerin Frankel played a very strong game in goal. Both goalies were named their team’s Player of the Game.
In the game won by Maschmeyer, Emma Maltais scored the winner at 1:10 of the first frame.
Maschmeyer stopped 17 shots in the winning effort.
In their first game, Canada came out strong with a 4-1 win over Finland, April 4. Canada jumped out to an early lead in game one when Brianne Jenner scored at 9:15 of the first. Emmas Maltais potted her first of the tournament at the 1:58 mark of the second period.
Finland’s Petra Nieminen closed the gap to within one, but Julia Gosling gave Canada back the two goal lead with just 30 seconds left in the second frame.
Ella Shelton scored Canada’s final goal to ice the win with two minutes left in the game.
In previous round robin games, Bruderheim’s Emerance Maschmeyer picked up a win for the Canadian squad with a 3-0 shut over Switzerland in Canada’s second outing in the World Championships.
Sara Nurse scored six minutes later. To give Canada a 2-0 lead.
Sarah Fillier rounded out the scoring at the 59:41 minute potting an empty netter.
Canada blasted Czechia with a 5-0 win in their third game. Kristen O’Neill led the Canadians with a pair of goals while singles were scored by Danielle Serdachny, Renate Fast, and Laura Stacy.
Desbiens got the shut out for Canada facing and turning away 33 Czechia shots.
That set up the final round robin game between Canada and the U.S.
Canada will now go into the quarter finals which begin April 11 (tomorrow).
The Bruderheim Lions Club will host an open house at Walker School April 13 from 2-4 seeking new members.
“We don’t want to see this club disappear,” said president Don Dreichel.
“ Right now we're down to about five active members and we need more to continue doing good work for the community.”
He said the club has served the Bruderheim area for more than 50 years.
“We’re hoping for people to come in and have a coffee and a donut with us,” he said of the open house.
“We’ll sit down and tell them what we’re all about. We’ll tell them about Lions and have some flyers and our monthly Lions
International magazine for them to see what we do beyond our own community.”
He said they really need some new blood to help out with running the bingos and operating the concession at the community arena.
“They don’t have to join the club,” added Dreichel. “But we do really need some additional volunteers.”
He said the club helps out in the community by providing some funding for school lunch programs, helping with bussing to swimming, they helped provide funding to upgrade Queen’s Park, and helped fund the building of the outdoor rink.
“We also give out scholarships to students,” he said. “We help out quite a bit around
town.”
He said he would ideally like to see about 10 to 12 new people come out to the open house and offer to help out.
Dreichel said there used to be a young Leos Club, an offshoot of the main Lions Club, for youth 16 to 18 years old.
“They were going fairly well but then COVID hit and it never came back,” said Dreichel. “I’d like to see a youth club start again.”
It would then be able to feed graduating youth into the main Lions Club.
The Lions is open to both men and women. Years ago there were separate Lions and Lioness Clubs but the Lioness Club was dissolved when the Lions opened regular membership to both men and women.
Currently the Lions run a monthly bingo as a fundraiser in Bruderheim and they also operate the arena concession from October to mid-March.
At its March 27 regular council meeting, Lamont County Council said they would write a letter to the Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Development to have the speed reduced on Highway 38 in Division five.
Councillor Neil Woitas, the Division Five councillor, said they would like to see the speed reduced from 100 kph to 80 kph around the turnoff for Range Road 204.
“The turnoff to Sil Minerals sees a lot of trucks turning left and right either from Highway 38 or on the range road and it’s becoming a dangerous corner,” he said. “There are a lot of trucks going straight through the intersection and they’re moving at full speed.”
He said if a tandem truck stops and then proceeds to turn left on the range road it poses a significant hazard.
He added fuel trucks also turn from the highway on the Range Road heading south to a fuel depot located there.
“It would be a good thing if we could get a speed reduction for about a half a mile in each direction of the intersection.”
He said while the County will send a letter to Transportation he doesn’t expect to see any action in the area any time soon.
Woitas said there wouldn’t need to be any upgrades to the road as turning lanes were improved at the intersection a few years ago.
“It’s not safe,” he said.
“There’s a lot of gravel trucks and grain trucks on that road.”
He added for trucks heading east it’s also slightly downhill compounding the problem.
He said he didn’t push for the reduction at council, but he had had a close call for himself at the corner.
“I know the corner now, so I slow down for it, but others not familiar with it might not realize how dangerous it can be.”
He said he had no idea what the traffic count is in the area but felt the province when they moved on the letter would probably do that.
“I imagine it will take at least a year for the government to move on this,” he said.
He said there was unanimous consent among councillors to ask for the speed change.
The position would perform a variety of road maintenance duties including gravelling, paving and asphalt, crack sealing, spray patch, sign maintenance and other related work. Working with hand and power tools and some machinery. These are seasonal union (AUPE) positions.
Students’ welcome, training provided. Must pass a pre-employment drug screening.
Qualified applicants are invited to submit resumes, along with photocopy of drivers licence and up-to-date driver’s abstract:
Email: wmears@emconservices.ca
Continued from front
“We're just basically putting up the hawk perches, giving them a place to actually reside. And then hopefully, with the gopher population that we currently have, it will be at an attractive place for them,” he said,
adding the Town’s public works employees built the perches themselves.
“We’re hoping to attract some predatory birds. Either hawks or owls will be quite effective as well.”
Edworthy said one bird can take care of 500 gophers per year.
“That's probably more than we ever get with
measures that we've taken in the past,” he said.
“So if we can get some of those out here, they'll certainly have an impact. Gophers can cause a lot of damage in a hurry.”
In terms of the gopher bombs, Edworthy said the bombs are dropped into the gopher holes and produce a smoke that’s toxic to the
With great sadness in our hearts, the family of Bradley Strauss announce his sudden passing on March 28th, 2024 at the age of 56.
Left to cherish their dear memories with him are his beloved brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Gloria Strauss, his beloved sister Carole Schinkinger, his devoted partner Dianne Mouncey. His precious nieces and nephews: Lisa
and Gordy Noon, Leon Strauss, Tracy Schinkinger, Trevor and Katie Schinkinger, Travis and Heidi Schinkinger, Terralyn and Brent Matiaszow, Troy and Angela Schinkinger. His adored great nieces and nephews: Kaitlyn and Kyler Fleming; Kyra and Kassidy Noon; Taylor, Tyson & Madison, and Trent Heidinger; Marley MacKinnon; Avery, Brooklyn and Sarah Schinkinger; Merle and Mabel
Matiaszow and Henry Schinkinger. His many cherished cousins in Alberta and B.C. His longtime friends
Gabriela Sladkova, Robert Crichton, Brandon Robinson, Al and Deb Smith, Vince and Samantha Peters and a street full of kind neighbours. Brad was greeted in heaven by
gophers.
“We put the bomb down the hole, and bury it, then when smoke starts coming up from another hole, we bury that one too. The (bombs) are approved by the government,” he said.
“We’re hoping with
the two measures that (we’ll have a significant impact).”
Edworthy estimated the Town of Lamont spends approximately $5,000 on gopher control each year.
“We're hoping with the added measures that we will see a reduction in
the gopher population within the community, and we're going to monitor it throughout this year,” he said.
“If we started attracting the predatory birds, then we'll be able to see if there was a significant impact to the overall population.”
his loving parents Elmer and Doris Strauss and his beloved brother-inlaw, Conrad Schinkinger.
Brad will be greatly missed in the Fort Saskatchewan, AB community as he was a long-time business owner (Associated Telecom) and a member of the Fort Saskatchewan Fire Department. He retired to Armstrong, B.C. to spend his days fishing - his most loved hobby with his best friend, his dog Mocha.
The family will be holding a private memorial service at a later date.
In lieu of floral tributes, donations can be made to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or a charity of one’s choice.
12 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Casual basis Guard positions with the Commissionaires at the RCMP Detachment in Two Hills.
Guards/Matrons are responsible for the monitoring and wellbeing of prisoners while in the care of the Police.
Applicants must pass an RCMP clearance, be capable of working independently, do shift work, must be available for shifts on a casual basis and able to legally work in Canada
First Aid and CPR is an asset.
Please email resume to: rcmphr@commissionaires.ab.ca
The VGC board would like to invite you to our Annual General Meeting of the Viking and Area Gymkhana Club on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 pm at the Viking Rodeo Grounds.
We are in desperate need of volunteers for the board this year. Without volunteers, the club could possibly not go this year.
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Ph. 780-895-2780
The family of the late Lloyd Erickson wish to sincerely thank everyone who sent cards, flowers, food, gave hugs, and made donations in memory of Lloyd. A special thank you to Alvin Sorenson who acted as Celebrant and Food With Flair for the lovely lunch. Thank you to Viking Funeral Services for their compassion and professionalism, and to the Paramedics and Cpl. Jeremy Houle of the Killam RCMP Detachment. We would also like to thank everyone who helped set up for the service and put things away after. We are so grateful to have such caring people in our lives. God Bless you all.
Alvina Erickson
Mark, Becky, Emily, and Faith Erickson
Leanne and Cory Dickinson
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Thank you so very much to TERRY LEVICKI for preparing a final resting place for our beloved dog Lucy, who passed. We wanted to bury her on our property, which she loved and Terry made this possible; He thawed the ground, came daily to dig, and made a custom box for her. Terry, you made our wishes come true.
Paige & Teresa.
Tofield Golden Club 5004 - 54 Ave, Tofield. Popovich's 50's, 60's, 70's Rock 'n Roll Comedy Show April 11 at 1 p.m.
Cost $20 per person. Tickets available at the door or phone Jim 780.863.4353
All ages welcome!
TM14C
90th Birthday! Some friends and family are like gold... Some birthdays are, too! We want to celebrate both blessings with you.
Please join us in celebrating Fred Johnston's 90th Birthday, Sunday, April 14 between 1-4 p.m. at the Viking Seniors Centre. It's an open house with a light luncheon and beverages, and lots of laughs!
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The Viking Historical Society will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Viking Legion Hall. New members are always needed, and everyone is welcome to attend!
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FIREARMS WANTED
FOR Our 2024 Auction Program: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609, Email Us at salees@switzersauction.com o r Visit Us @ switzersauction.com. LAND
80 acres - 50 cultivated, 30 in bush. Andrew Area. NE 1/2 of 10-57-17-W4
780.991.0820
ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888483-8789.
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WE BUY Damaged GrainHeated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed... Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed &Grain 877-250-5252.
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FORAGE SEED For Sale:
Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.
________________________ BARLEY – *NEW-AB
Standswell* Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN Use Efficient Cereal In Canada. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Esma, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01
Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Pea Forage Peas. ALSO Avail.: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-5562609.
FOR RENT
For Rent in Viking: Four bedroom home. $1100/month. Detached garage also available. Ph/Text: (403) 461-4350
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For Rent in Viking: 3 bedroom house; 2 bathrooms; washer/dryer. Available immediately. Call 403-4614350
Townhouse for Rent in Viking 3 bedroom 1.5 bath. Call for more info 780-385-5287
HEALTH
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1844-453-5372.
Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, Trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-2323097
Town & Country Guardian Drugs - Killam We have:
•a Kodak picture maker.
•a colour/b&w photocopier.
•cold pop and fresh snacks.
•a great selection of candles, giftware, and fragrances. toys, games,and plush animals.
•a huge selection of Hallmark cards. •plastic gift cards
•vitamins, minerals, and herbals.
•free gift wrapping.
•prescription service Open 6 days a week.
________________________ Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting
Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
Drywall Taping/ Ceiling Texturing 40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small.
Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself?Give me a call! Willing to travel anywhere in the county. I also do ceiling textures.
Flagstaff Taping & Texturing
Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251
SERVICES
LS Construction Specializing in Small Home & Office Renovations
Inter-Provincial Carpenter "No job too smallwe'll do what the big companies won't!"
780-385-4455
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PRIVATE MORTGAGE
LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
RJM Electrical. Ron Malowany, Mundare. ronmalowany@yahoo.com.
At the March 27 Lamont County council meeting the closure of Range Rad 191 was discussed.
Council agreed and entered into a lease in 2020 to allow the road to be closed in the summer seasons, to be used as a partial runway for an aerial spraying company, Western Canadian Aerial.
But some concerns have apparently surfaced about whether the road is closed year around. Several area residents had asked about this and the subject was put on to the council agenda.
Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky, in introducing the item, told council the road was closed by bylaw and through ministerial order from the province so it could be used as an airstrip.
Public Works Director Darby Dietz said the company used the closed section of the road south of Highway 29 as an airstrip during the spring praying season.
“We’ve done a full review of the documents involved and in looking at the bylaw it stated ‘the Council of Lamont County, in the Province of Alberta does hereby close to public travel, for the purpose of leasing of the following described Roadway, subject to rights of access granted by other legislation …’,” stated Dietz.
In the roadside development permit, it reads under section four, “Range Road 191 will be closed to public travel under the approval of Lamont County and gates or barricades erected must keep out the general public while still allowing access to adjacent landowners and any affected utility companies.”
He said under the wording in the lease agreement the road was closed by the Road Closure Bylaw 815.20 on November 6, 2020. The lease agreement was for
a term from April 1 to October 31, starting on April 1st, 2021 and ending October 31, 2026.
Dietz explained further that while the road was closed under term of the spraying company, lease access must be maintained so farmers could get onto their fields.
Dietz then said that after discussion in administration it appeared the County had closed the road to public access permanently.
“Should council wish to open the road to the public outside the terms of the lease agreement we’ve identified two options,” he said.
One would be to rescind the existing bylaw and enact a new one leaving the closure in effect just during the dates in the lease agreement, or they could enact a temporary road closure agreement.
He said any other alternatives would require legal interpretations.
Tarnawsky added council could do nothing and wait until the lease agreement expires in 2026 and address it then.
Councillor Neil Woitas said when the agreement was first discussed concerns had been raised about hunters going down the road to an area where there is a large valley which they use for hunting. He added beaver trappers also used the road.
He said it was his understanding the spraying company would install removable gates at the start of the road closure and remove them at the end of the season but the farmer who owns the adjacent land was leaving the gates closed all the time.
“Somehow they were to put up removable gates and that’s not in the final paperwork,” he said. “Somehow it was missed.”
Tarnawsky said council still could rescind the bylaw and pursue the closure on a temporary
basis or allow the lease agreement to come to term and deal with it.
“Right from the start the paperwork said there were to be removable gates,” stated Woitas. “And that’s not the case.”
Reeve David Diduck said council had thought the bylaw closed the road to public travel and that rendered gates irrelevant.
“So that was with support of the provincial government,” he said. “It’s our bylaw that needs to be adjusted and it really has nothing to do with either the aerial company or the landowner.”
Tarnawsky said if council was to amend the bylaw they would again have to apply to the province for approval.
But if they issued a temporary road closure this then wouldn’t be necessary.
“The most practical thing we can do is rescind the bylaw and then pursue road closure under our authority on a temporary basis,” he said.
Diduck asked how council wanted to proceed?
Dietz explained that under the Municipal Government Act council did have the power to issue a temporary road closure for up to two years without ministerial approval.
“If council wanted to permanently close a road allowance it would need ministerial approval and under the existing bylaw this is what happened,” said Dietz.
Council asked how many flights used the road as a runway and no one had an answer.
Council was told the lease agreement which allowed the road to be closed for aerial spraying from April 1 to October 31 could stand as it is, but the bylaw would have to be rescinded and the road closure made temporary between the same dates.
Dietz said staff could work on this throughout the summer since the lease became effective right away and revisit it with proposed changes in the fall.
Council then passed a motion to have staff review, bring back the bylaw, and issue a temporary bylaw from April 1 to October 31 later in the year and that was
Wheat:
Canada for 5 years
CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB
-Wheat Midge tolerant
- Very good lodging resistance
CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option
-In demand by milling and ethanol industries
Yellow Peas:
CDC Canary - Improved standability
-Early maturity
-Higher Yielding
Faba Beans:
CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin
- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop
6-Row Feed Barley:
AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight - Smooth awned -High grain and forage yield 2-Row Malt Barley:
CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies
Saskatchewan
RCMP have issued a report asking for information regarding a missing woman in Lamont County.
Janine Ellen Bott has been missing since March 31 and police issued a call for assistance from the public
April 5.
Bott, 37, is described as 5 feet 1.5 inches in height, 130 pounds, with straight brown hair, brown eyes, and a flower tattoo on her left wrist and healing symbol tattoos on her left wrist.
She is known to have lived in Mundare and frequented the Vegreville
area, but she was reported missing from a residence in Lamont County, said Const. Lauren Mowbray from the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachment.
She said both the Fort and Vegreville RCMP detachments are actively seeking the woman.
If anyone has any
information regarding the whereabouts of Janine, please contact the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment at 780-997-7900. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS) or online at www. P3Tips.com
Accepting delivery of consignments from Friday, April 12 to Friday, April 19 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
ALREADY
Due to the angle of the sun and moon on Monday, the solar eclipse was full-on in some parts of Eastern Canada while only 23 percent in the Lamont County area. Some areas of Canada made preparations only to have the clouds roll in and ruin the day. Preparing for the
event, oldtimers told of eclipses from youth where they would stare at the sun through photo negatives. However, modern technology now warns that this is not a safe way to view an eclipse. Eclipse glasses were sold out in some areas, many others unaware such a thing existed.
Photographers watched through special lenses and filters, and some people and children built pinhole viewers that reflected the eclipse safely onto another surface. In any case, there is lots of time to prepare for the next eclipse which is to be on Aug. 22, 2044.
• 5119 - 48 Ave, 4712 - 51 St, 5121 - 48 Ave, & 5116 - 47 Ave Lamont AB. 5,800 sq ft shop on with additional 3 fenced lots across the back alley from the shop property. Shop was used for agricultural machinery repair. All properties must be bought together. Price $650,000
• W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use. Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price $2,990,000
• W4-18-53-24-SW Plan 0826481 Block 2 Lot 1 a mile North of HWY 16 on RR 181. 5.02 acres yard site in Lamont County. Utilities at the property line. Price $40,000
Doors open 5pm. Bull riding 7pm Dance with live music to follow with The Prairie Dogs live advance tickets $25 sold at select retailers, $30 at the door. 12&Under free with adult ticket Saturday,
• SW Part of NW –23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property. Price $7,200,000
• Parts of SW and SE -7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price $5,100,000
Lamont County – Off-Site Levy Bylaw Open House
For information as it relates to Heartland Infrastructure, attend the Lamont County Open House for the Off-site Levy Bylaw on April 30 via drop in style, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lamont Arena Meeting Room (4844 48 Avenue, Lamont). lamontcounty.ca/news
Kalyna Family Resource Network Lamont County Region (KFRN) presents “A Kinder Welcome” for families attending kindergarten for the first time in 2024-25. Contact erin.b@lamontcounty.ca for more information. Open Houses are held at Mundare Elementary (Apr. 18), Bruderheim Elementary (May 29) and Lamont Elementary (May 30).
KFRN presents Connecting Generations event for spring on Friday, April 26. Register using the following https://signup.com/go/YPPrBFZ
Cooking With Your Littles – April 11 (Bruderheim) and April 15 (Andrew)
Register for Cooking With Your Littles before April 9 at https://signup.com/go/oaPZftZ for Andrew and Bruderheim events. Because, who doesn’t like a “little” adventure!
The next Canadian Firearms Safety Course (non-restricted) in partnership with Community Adult Learning Council (CALC), is on May 25. Cost $140. Location: Bruderheim Fire Hall (9 a.m.). Available to all ages 12 years’ and older. Call or text Dan at 825-429-5209 to register.
The University of Alberta is presenting a Pelvic Floor Health Survey. If you are interested (voluntary participation and privacy is rigorously protected), please complete. This study is: Enhancing Equitable Access and Appropriateness of Pelvic Floor Telerehabilitation for Women in Remote and Rural Communities
Lamont County Council has directed Administration to conduct a closed bid auction for Lot 425R 2 1 NW-5-54-17-4 in the Hamlet of Hilliard. Sale is conditional of Council approval, and the successful bid will waive any claims against the municipality for the environmental condition of the land—land is sold “as is”. Bids can be submitted confidentially to Lamont County Admin. by May 1. More details at: lamontcounty.ca/public-tenders
Happy #WeedAwarenessWednesday Lamont County Each week, from April through September, we feature prohibited noxious weeds for awareness. If you find it, report it! See our social media accounts or the QR code to the right for weed posters.
FCSS Volunteer Tax Program
Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) is able to assist those who may need assistance with their taxes (e.g., low income, seniors/older adults, single parents, etc.). Or if you have any tax questions. Contact FCSS at 780-895-2233 Ext. 226 for more info.
(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming or call 780-895-2233 for info. or registration). Some of the current CALC, FCSS & KFRN include:
1. 2024 Summer Employment Opportunity
2. Parents and Tots (Andrew: Thurs. & Lamont: Wed.).
3. Cooking With Your Littles (Bruderheim and Andrew).
4. CALC: Digital Skills Workshops (Andrew and Mundare); Creating Family Connections; Kitchens; and English-Language Learner programs, contact Cheryl B. at 780-895-233 x233 or Cheryl.B@lamontcounty.ca for more info.
5. Easing the Burden of Loss and Grief (St. Michael Seniors Centre) – April 30
6. CALC: Firearms Safety Course (non-restricted) – May 25 in Bruderheim.
7. Connecting Generations (April 26).
8. Family Activity Night – Andrew (April 24).
10. FLEX for Boys and True2U for Girls (weekly).
For questions and additional information, contact osuji@ ualberta.ca
The survey is anticipated to take 10-12 minutes.
9. A Kinder Welcome (at the three EIPS elementary schools across Lamont County)
11. Youth Centre: Bruderheim, Chipman and Mundare (weekly).
12. Grief Support Group (weekly).
13.
15. Talent Show: (Postponed) for more info contact Dayna.J@lamontcounty.ca
16. Meals in Motion: April Menu. Call Chrissy to order at 780-975-9592.
17. Benefits and Supports for Older Adults contact michelle.a@lamontcounty.ca
18. FCSS Volunteer Income Tax Program – Contact FCSS at 780-895-2233 x226.
19. Volunteer Appreciation Week 2024 (April 15-18)
Access current monthly services & programs information scan the QR code or for FCSS, CALC and KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages: | FCSS: FCSSlamontcountyregion | KFRN: groups/1922602184662497 | CALC: LamontCountyAdultLearns |
The next Regular Council Meeting is planned for Tuesday, April 23, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link). A link to meetings, agendas and minutes can be found at: lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes. Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman
Easing the Burden of Loss & Grief – April 30 r c Noon to 3 p.m. (lunch provided) at St. Michael Sr. Centre. Register by calling 780-895-2233 x223 or michelle.a@lamontcounty.ca
For more information, scan the QR codeor visit lamontcounty.ca/community-programming
| Contact CALC/FCSS/KFRN: 1-877-895-2233 | 5303-50 Ave. Lamont, AB T0B 2R0 |
Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting
The next scheduled ASB meeting is (Wednesday) April 10, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link): lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb.
Next Lamont County Council (Regular Council) – Apr. 23
Please Note – inFocus is also available for viewing online at: www.lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as fullsized PDF and to access hyperlinks).
