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Vol. 14, No. 23, Wednesday, April 24, 2019 www.LamontLeader.com
Lamont communities optimistic with MLA change Former MLA Littlewood proud of progress made, thanked by Lamont County for commitment BY JOHN MATHER With a new member of the legislative assembly ready to take her seat next week for the Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville Constituency, most municipalities in Lamont County seem to be happy with the change. Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk representing the United Conservative Party
won the constituency toppling oneterm MLA Jessica Littlewood. “We’ve had a lot of work to get to this point,” said Armstrong Homeniuk hours after victory was declared Apr. 16. “I’ve got to thank my volunteers and also those people who opened their doors to us as we went campaigning.”
Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk celebrates her election victory in Vegreville, Apr. 16 with her husband, Joe, son, Joey and daughter Jacqueline. The United Conservative candidate easily won the Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville Constituency over NDP incumbent Jessica Littlewood.
“We all deserve some time off right now,” she said. “We all had a long campaign and I thank my competition for fighting a clean fight.” Now we’ve got to work towards doings some great things for Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville and Alberta,” she added. “We’ve got to work on getting jobs back, getting our economy back on track and, of course, getting that pipeline built.” In a prepared statement following her loss, Littlewood said, “It has been an honour to be the representative here for the past four years.” “I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who helped knock on doors, made phone calls, and put up signs across the constituency,” she added. “Although the results didn’t go our way tonight, in my time as the MLA here I have been so proud of the progress we have seen in Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville.” Mike Saric, the mayor of Mundare, said he has met Armstrong Homeniuk on several occasions and felt it was time for a change in the area. He said it would probably have been difficult if the constituency had stayed the same, while the rest of the province, excluding Edmonton, went so heavily
in favour of the UCP. “I expect we’ll continue to push for the same things,” he said. “We’ll be looking at funding for infrastructure and long-term funding for municipalities.” He did admit he isn’t holding his breath for any extra infrastructure funding. “The provincial pool may dry up for a bit, because it’s going to be a priority of the UCP to get the budget under control,” he said. “We may not see as much money as we’ve seen in the past and I can appreciate that.” He said to that end he has discussed this with his council in Mundare that they will have to become more selfreliant. “We can’t be counting on the types of money we used to see, because times, they are a changin’,” he said. At Lamont County Council, Apr. 18, the council passed motions to congratulate Armstrong Homeniuk on her victory and request a meeting with her as quickly as possible in the next little while. They also passed a motion thanking Littlewood for her term in office and letting her know the County was pleased with the commitment she made during her four years as the MLA.
Andrew School likely loses senior high school MAUREEN SULLIVAN After many consultations and reviews, the Elk Island Public School board has decided to “consider closure” of the high school program at Andrew School as of June 30. Grades 10 to 12 will be affected by the board decision made Apr. 18. The senior high program at Andrew School had been reviewed by the Elk Island Board of Trustees (EIPS) throughout the 2018-2019 school year. A recommendation report submitted by Mark Liguori, superintendent of the district, was given to the Board of
Trustees for consideration. Included in the report was the possible closure of grades seven to 12 at Andrew School, at the end of this school year. The consultations confirmed the school’s low enrolment numbers limiting the access students had to enhanced educational opportunities in comparison to other schools within the division. The report further said the board was considering making Andrew School a K-9 school feeding into Lamont High or Vegreville Composite High School senior high programming. The recom-
mendation report can be found in full on the EIPS website. After reviewing and analyzing the report, the Board of Trustees amended the recommendation and approved the motion "to consider the closures of grades 10-12 at Andrew School, effective June 30, 2019." A public meeting will be held on May 9, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Andrew School to share information about the possible grade reconfiguration. "Families, students and community members are encouraged to attend and
learn what's being considered, ask questions and provide feedback," said Laura McNabb, director of communications services for EIPS. EIPS representatives will be on hand to answer questions and offer feedback. According to the EIPS website, the Board will carefully review and consider all related reports, documents and feedback received before making a final decision, which is expected to take place at the Board meeting on June 6, 2019.