April 25 Leader

Page 1

Your news this week: Babas & Borshch Zabava Line Up Officially Announced - Page 7 Mundare Fire Celebrates 100th -Page e e9 PCN Get Out, Get Active - Page 10

FREE

Vol. 12, No. 26, Tuesday, April 25, 2017 www.LamontLeader.com

Mundare Fire Department celebrates 100 years of service Michelle Pinon Editor

While there was plenty of pomp and pageantry, there was also lots of funny and impromptu speeches from dignitaries and attendees during the Mundare Fire Department’s 100th anniversary gala on Saturday, April 22. A real honour for present and past members as well as guests on hand for the celebration was to have Lt. Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell in attendance. “It’s my great pleasure to be here,” stated Mitchell, who dispensed with the usual protocol, and thanks former Premier Ed Stelmach and his wife Marie for their service to the community and people of Alberta. “I want to tell you all I have heroes in my life,” which includes people in the fire department as well as peole who run for public office. On her way down to Mundare Mitchell said she was thinking about the trip she made to Japan when they were in cabinet together. “I am honoured to join you in celebrating 100 years,” noted Mitchell, as she thanked past and present members for their bravery, self sacrifice, and commitment to service which has left a true legacy in the Mundare area. “It takes a very special person to be a firefighter whether it be fulltime or on a volunteer basis.” She com-

mended the past and present members for being there for people during their worst hour of need and for keeping the town and rural areas safe places to live. Mundare Fire Chief Glenda Dales thanked the Lt. Governor of Alberta, and presented her with her own special pink fire hat on behalf of the department. Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs also thanked the firefighters for their self sacrifice. She call firefighters a “different breed” and set apart as they help sustain their community. She also thanked the firefighters families before presenting Dales with a certificate. Fort SaskatchewanVegreville MLA Jessica Littlewood said 100 years of service is a real testiment to the longstanding families and communities in the district who also helped build the province. “As a grandchild of Ukrainian immigrants my heart goes out to those who couldn’t be with us, and to the brothers and sisters who serve. Mundare Mayor Charlie Gargus said the support of town council is critical to the fire department’s success, and said they really are quite fortunate because many of the members on the department have served more than 20 years. Lamont County Reeve Wayne Woldanski touched on the county’s

association with the Town of Mundare back in 1967 when John Batiuk was the Reeve of Lamont County and Peter Polischuk was the Mayor of Mundare. “That was the start of rural firefighting. We’ve had a strong partnership for the last 50 years,” and cited the resigning of regional fire agreement with Mundare and fellow members as testament to that. Reeve Woldanski also acknowledged past and present members of the department, and Glenda Dales and her crew for making it one of the best fire departments in the county. In recent years, Lamont County has invested over $3.5 million in the regional fire service, and is currently in the process of finishing the regional fire centre in Chipman that will offer training to local firefighters as well as other municipalities and industry in the near future. Former Mundare Mayor Peter Polischuk regaled the audience with a few stories, while the crowd waited for the banquet to begin. His candour and comedic flair won the audience over as they stood to their feet following his off the cuff remarks and heartfelt thanks to members. Vegreville, Lamont, and Chipman Fire Chiefs also offered congratulations to the Mundare Fire Department. Alberta’s Fire Commissioner Ross

MICHELLE PINON PHOTOS

.Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Lois Mitchell presents Mundare Fire Department Safety Officer Dale McCarty his certificate for 40 years of exemplary service during the 100th anniversary gala ceremony on Saturday, April 22. McCarty also received an exemplary service medal to go along with the certificate. Bennett told the crowd about the exemplary service medal that was created to honour firefighters with 20 or more years of service. “I’m sure we can all agree firefighting is a young men’s sport,” said Bennett, who called it rare and almost unheard of the have veterans of a fire department between 30 and 40 years, and personally congratulated Dale McCarty on his achievement. Soon after the Lt. Gov. presented McCarty with his medal and certificate for his 40 years of exemplary service. Fire Chief Glenda Dales also received a standing ovation for her dedication and organization of the historic event.

Mike Spinner, Guard Commander of the Leduc Fire Services Guard of Honour cuts the 100th anniversary cake with Mundare Fire Dept. Chief Glenda Dales.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.