Bruderheim transformed into a winter wonderland at the Starlight Wonderfest
BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG
As the holiday season approaches, Bruderheim embraced the spirit of Christmas by transforming itself into a magical winter wonderland this past weekend.
The Starlight Wonderfest took place on Saturday, Nov. 30 starting with the AG Society’s Christmas Craft Market at 10 am and ending with a family dance at 7 pm.
At the heart of the festivities was a bustling Christmas market. Vendors offered an array of handcrafted goods, including ornaments, baked goods and cozy knitted scarves, making it the perfect place to find unique gifts for loved ones.
Visitors were also able to enjoy a truly magical experience, with a horsedrawn sleigh ride through the snowcovered streets of the town.
The festivities featured a craft table where children created their own holiday treasures, ornament painting, and wrote their letters to Santa.
Families participated in Santa Bingo, and topped the day off with a free meal and ice cream sundae bar.
Of course, no Christmas celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus. Children shared their holiday wishes and had photos taken with the jolly, old gent.
Sleigh rides through the snowy streets of Bruderheim during the Starlight Wonderfest celebrations, Saturday. Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.
Two-year-old, Henry Bartz and his mom, Ashley Bartz have a visit with Santa. Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.
Metis Crossing the site of renewed agreement with EPCOR
BY JOHN MATHER
The Otipemisiwak Métis Government signed an agreement renewal with EPCOR at Metis Crossing near Lamont County Nov. 21.
The new agreement underscores the importance of respect, transparency, and mutual learning. It reflects a shared vision of expanding Métis access to stable and purposeful employment, a critical component in driving economic self-sufficiency for Métis
communities.
“Reconciliation is not just a concept, it’s something we live every day.
This partnership is about results – real opportunities that will make a difference for Métis citizens and contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Alberta,” said Andrea Sandmaier, President of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.
As part of the agreement, EPCOR has committed to increasing awareness and under-
standing of Métis culture within the company, ensuring that Métis heritage is respected and acknowledged at every level.
This commitment to cultural education and mutual respect is vital in fostering an inclusive workplace that values Indigenous identity and governance.
The partnership also supports the Otipemisiwak Métis Government’s ongoing efforts to assert its rights
to self-determination and self-government, aligning with its new governance structure.
The signing reaffirms both parties’ dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for Métis citizens, ensuring equitable access to jobs, and fostering an environment of collaboration and respect.
This relationship ensures that Métis citizens will have a voice in shaping their future.
Emerance 2nd star in Ottawa PWHL loss
BY JOHN MATHER Bruderheim’s
Emerance Maschmeyer was the second star as she faced 42 shots in the Ottawa Charge’s 4-3 overtime loss in the season opener in the Professional Women’s Hockey League.
Maschmeyer faced 45 shots in the game for a personal high and also had a personal best stopping 42 saves during regulation and an additional four in the shootout.
Ottawa opened the scoring in the first period when Emily Clark scored at 7:49.
The Charge made it 2-0 in the second when
WICK
Logan Michael
March 19,2000November 26,2024
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our son Logan.
Logan was raised a farm boy in the County of Lamont, Alberta, where he discovered his passion for
Danielle Serdachny scored from Ronja Savolainen and Gabbie Hughes at 2:20.
Montreal scored the next two to tie the score with Abby Boreen scoring unassisted at 5:35 and then Laura Stacy putting her shot past Maschmeyer from Erin Ambrose and Kristin O’Neill at 11:28 during a power play.
when Tereza Vanisova put the puck past Montreal goalie AnnRenee Desbiens with Aneta Tejralovia picking up an assist.
Ottawa Charge goalie Emerance Maschmeyer from Bruderheim.
Ottawa retook the lead at 17:28 on a power play
animals and love of nature and the great outdoors. He was an adventurous guy that loved to try anything new. His hobbies included hiking, fishing, hunting, biking and really anything that kept him active and moving. Logan lived his short life his own way on his terms.
Logan will be missed dearly by his parents Lindsay and Aaron; sisters Ady and Echo; brothers Evan and Levi; grandparents Bill and Bonnie Burn, and Darwin Wick; Uncles
In the third period Jennifer Gardiner tied the score for Montreal with Cayla Barnes and Boreen getting assists. After a scoreless overtime period, Poulin scored the winner after five attempts.
Trevor, Justin, and Chad (Brandee); Auntie Nicole (Darryl), along with cousins, extended family and friends. Logan was predeceased by his grandma Donna Wick.
Logan, you will be forever in our hearts and we will cherish every single memory. Spread your wings my boy, we love you. Please join us for his Celebration of Life on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1 to 4 pm at Brookville Hall. (53203 RR 212, Hwy 16, Ardrossan, Alberta)
The attendance in Montreal was 10,033.
Ottawa played Toronto last night (Dec. 3) in Toronto and then open at home on Friday against Montreal.
Ottawa will also play an exhibition game in Edmonton at Rogers Place on Feb 16. The Charge will take on the Toronto Sceptres.
Christmas Hampers
The County of Lamont Food Bank is accepting CHRISTMAS HAMPER REQUESTS from Nov 12th to Dec 12th, 2024
Please call (780) 619-6955 and leave a message to request a hamper. Hamper Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Lamont County Emergency Services held an emergency services table top exercise at the Community Centre in Chipman, Nov. 21. Trudy Smith photo.
Bethany
Nativities
BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG
Bethany Lutheran church was listed as a stop
“Christmas in the
map this past
The beautiful, country church was adorned
with over 600 nativities from all over the world.
The nativities varied in style, size, colours, and various materials including ice!
Pastor Jeff Dul said, “the majority of them belong to parishioners.”
“Some passed down through generations, others were donated to the annual display.” They will remain on display for about a week then be returned to their owners until next year.
Display organizers - Cindy Gabert, Julie Ginther and Pastor Jeff Dul stand beside one of the many nativities on display. Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.
Opinion
Trudeau’s vote buying schemes won’t change my vote
BY JOHN MATHER
So how much does your vote cost?
That’s what Justin Trudeau seemed to ask this week as he rolled out a two-month GST reprieve to help you buy more toys, beer and wine over the Christmas period.
He had also wanted to give working Canadians a $250 cheque to help tide them over to the next election, but his good pal Jagmeet Singh had the NDP caucus quashed that.
One of the best memes I’ve seen in a while has a photo of the erstwhile leader of the Federal NDP looking oh so solemn with the words “My Pension, Before Canada” on it.
The meme is oh so true.
But Jagmeet wants everyone to get the $250 cash payout before he’ll support it.
Well, speaking from experience not only mine but many of my friends, many seniors are still working because they can’t make ends-meet in the Trudeau economy.
Now the Conservatives led by Pierre Poilievre voted against the “Tax Break for All Canadians Act.”
Poilievre stated he felt the Act was not a tax cut but rather an “irresponsible, inflationist … temporary twomonth tax trick.”
Can’t really argue with that.
But he stopped short of saying it’s a gimmick to get Canadians to forget the corrupt antics of the Liberal government in favour of some positive votes in the populated GTA and Montreal areas.
The Bloc Quebecois voted against the Act with leader Yves-Francois Blanchet stating it was a vote-buying move by the Liberals.
The Liberal House leader Karina Gould proudly announced “it was a good day for Canadians.”
Yup, she knows the value of saving five per cent on the cost of a pack of wieners.
Now the Liberals state they will follow through with the $250 cheques in April.
Well that’s enough time for Jagmeet to claim his lucrative MPs pension at the end of February.
Really, does he have any other reason for propping up the Liberals and not forcing an election?
His seat, because of his antics, surely has to be in danger in the Greater Vancouver area.
Canadians are seeing through the Liberals and the NDP and their claims of how great Canada is doing.
Struggling Canadians’ bank accounts, food bills and daily living expenses all reflect this.
Recently the Oxford University Press came out with its 2024 word of the year. It is “brain rot.”
It’s defined as “(n.) Supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration.”
Well, I can safely say our Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland qualifies for this description.
Anyone, who with a straight face when describing the state of the Canadian economy, can say ‘Canada is locked in a “vibecession.” ’ The country is suffering from any number of materially bad economic indicators, from falling per-capita GDP to rising unemployment, but Freeland
offered that this is all a case of bad “vibes”: Canadians feel bad, which is curbing their spending, which is prompting an artificial recession.
Now this statement is a true case of “brain rot.”
Statistics Canada reported in October that persistently high interest rates have pushed household inequality to historic levels, with the middle 60 per cent of Canadian households getting squeezed the worst by ballooning mortgage and car payments.
The Statistics Canada report found that Canadian households in this income range lost ground in the second quarter of 2024, versus one year earlier.
“Middle-income households’ investment gains did not keep pace with growth in interest paid on mortgages and consumer credit,” it said.
So while Trudeau flies down to Mar-ALago for a bun toss with U.S president elect Donald Trump, knowing those two get along like oil and vinegar mix, Canadians are going broke.
So Trudeau wants to smooth things over and make us all feel better with a twomonth GST break and possibly a $250 cheque for working Canadians.
Where is this money coming from for these exotic vote buying schemes?
Well, us, the taxpayer of course! Don’t be fooled. Get rid of this government.
Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Moren
BY HAZEL ANAKA
When I was about three and my sister was about one, we had a studio photo taken of us. If you were to see it, your first reaction would be, “Aww, what a couple of cute little kids.” Your second reaction would be, where are Hazel’s eyebrows? My eyebrows were so light-coloured and sparse as to be almost non-existent. And obviously, what wasn’t ‘planted’ cannot grow. So, despite whatever eyebrow trends gripped the female species at any given time, I’ve always had to fill in, shape, and darken what nature failed to give me. I remember the bushiness of the Brooke Shield’s era. I also remember when tweezing to within an inch of your life was the thing to do. Some women have never fully recovered from that silliness. And what about tattooing?
FROM WHERE I SIT: Fit In
Yikes. Or microblading?
Yikes. The great relief is that eventually one gets to the age when she no longer follows, agonizes over, or is even aware of the trends du jour. The shallowness vanishes. Priorities change. The inferiority complexes, fault finding, and selfloathing are replaced with a more insightful, balanced wisdom that places more value on what’s inside us than the superficiality of our
looks. We find grace and acceptance. We strive to be better people rather than attempt to imitate perfect ones. So, let me ask you this. If I didn’t get my rightful allotment of eyebrow hairs, why in tarnation am I having to pluck rogue ones growing above, below, beside, miles away from a normal brow line? This annoys me something fierce. It’s also adding insult to injury.
Old or long-time residents of Andrew may remember a man (who shall remain nameless) who had a set of eyebrows that defied explanation. They were big, bushy, unruly and the very first thing you noticed about him. They were animated and expressive. They punctuated his stern, probing look. You may still be able to find such eyebrows in portraits of very important hirsute
old men in the 1800s. Right along with shoulder-length locks, mutton chop sideburns, and mustaches that astound.
This man, long since deceased, certainly didn’t do any plucking, shaping, manscaping.
Had manscaping existed back then, it would have been considered absurd by most manly, salt-ofthe-earth men. And this points to yet another difference between the sexes. Some women will
From the files of the Lamont Leader
Nov. 8, 2005 edition of the Lamont Leader: Amid protests, vandalism and misinformation, the Hazco sulphur plant proposed for Lamont continued to stir up controversy as both sides try to discuss and compromise to make the project viable. Speakers explaining the sulphur plant to locals are to be followed by public concerns and outrage at an upcoming meeting advertised in the Lamont Leader leading up to the meeting.
Lamont and Area
Thursdays at 8:00 pm
spare no expense or pain in pursuit of ‘the look’ as defined by TV, social media, star culture, and the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry, apparently not noticing that ‘the look’ changes from season to season, year to year. Most men feel no such compulsion; they think they’re damn fine just as they are.
As always, the sweet spot is somewhere in the middle. Ladies, we can take a page out of the old ‘self-acceptance’ manual and men, maybe you could trim your nose hairs.
In this piece I’ve focused on the teensyweensy matter of eyebrows. If you watch the Netflix documentary, Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy you’ll be horrified at how deliberate and diabolical the plan to make us buy more is. It is equally horrifying to admit our consumptive behaviour and how we’ve collectively bought into the scam. We can’t unsee this; we can’t unhear the ex-employees of Amazon, Adidas, and others telling us insider stories. What we can do is be more aware, more cynical, more shrewd and less willing to pay and suffer anything to just once, fit in, from where I sit.
Resident raises concerns about fire response and billing
BY JOHN MATHER
Tammy and Don Evans appeared before Lamont County council Nov. 26 with concerns over a fire at their residence and some additional concerns about the billing.
The fire on their property happened on June 15. Tammy Evans read from a report she had prepared.
“The fire consumed a shop on the property,” she said. At the time the couple were away from the property but her elderly mother was still on the property.
When they arrived home they found their shop destroyed along with property and water damage.
She said apparatus used by the fire department had left marks in the grass and “quite a bit of devastation.”
She was breaking up as she read her report recalling the day.
She described losing the shop and an antique vehicle as “an irreplaceable loss.”
She said they lost many possessions in the shop and in the aftermath “we were questioned by fire personnel which left us feeling uncomfortable particularly when they were asking about the dollar value of our shop’s contents.”
She felt those questions should have been directed to the Evans’ insurer and wished the fire personnel had been mindful of the emotional state the family was in when questioned.
“The questioning felt more like an interrogation rather than any sort of support.”
She said they were also surprised when a fire investigator arrived on their property unannounced.
“We expected to be informed of when they were coming out,” she said.
She thought the unannounced visit raised safety issues and wondered who would have been accountable had an
accident occurred during their visit.
“A simple call informing us of their visit would have eased some of our stress and shown a measure of compassion,” she added.
She said later an insurance adjuster from the Evans insurance company visited the site but much of the evidence had been compromised due to public works having come out to extinguish hot spots.
She said her investigator was frustrated because he was unable to determine a cause of the fire.
She said later they received a substantial bill from the county that they were unable to pay because they didn’t have comprehensive insurance on the building and currently is $22,907 plus interest.
She added they did have content coverage but it was split between her and her husband and her in-laws on different policies.
“In light of these circumstances, I believe it is important to express the concerns shared by many county taxpayers and seek clarity on the following issues,” she said.
She said the fire call was received at 5:35 a.m. and was out by 6:16 so wondered why it was deemed a five-alarm fire if it was out in 45-minutes.
Additionally Evans wondered why there were two command vehicles at the fire, and also why a skid steer was needed to put out the hots spots?
She added the building had been destroyed so there was no possibility of the fire spreading.
She said there were no people near the building when it caught fire and wondered why 20 firefighters were needed when the building could have burned itself out.
She stressed it wasn’t her intention to assign any blame on the fire department but felt there were genuine concerns
which County officials need to address.
“We aim to learn from this situation, and I would like to know how we can collaborate as a community to bring improvements to all.
“For example, would it be beneficial if the county could provide regular updates to taxpayers on fires so we the taxpayers can check our (insurance) policies? To be sure it is updated with fire regulations. Could this be done yearly and sent with our tax bills?”
She asked if the County would consider reducing their bill by $15,000 without interest charges and implement significant changes for the betterment of future generations in Lamont.
Reeve David Diduck said she had several items pointed out in her presentation.
“Were you seeking answers to all those questions,” he asked.
Evans replied she was feeling it was a duty to the taxpayers to have the questions answered.
She said she had submitted those questions to the County prior to the council meeting but hadn’t had a response from the County.
“It’s been six months since the fire and I feel lots of mistakes were made. To get a whopping bill of that amount is outrageous,” she said.
Division four
Councillor Roy Anaka said the fire policy had been changed in 2022, and administration at the time said rates for billing couldn’t be in the policy but rather in a fees and charges bylaw.
“We passed that bylaw and then rescinded the old fire policy,” he said.
“When the $10,000 maximum fee has been questioned we have been told that policy was rescinded, so and the ratepayer was responsible for 100 per cent of fire costs and the public was informed."
Anaka said stories were forwarded to media but it was never picked up.
It’s unfortunate that wasn’t picked on a front page story,” he said. He added it would be good to put it in with a tax notice also.
He wasn’t sure the $10,000 policy had been rescinded until told.
Division five Councillor Neil Woitas agreed he wasn’t aware of that until earlier this year.
Diduck said over the past year similar concerns had been raised about situations similar to the Evans.
Evans said everyone makes mistakes but what can be done to make the situation better?
Diduck asked for a copy of her presentation so council could get her questions answered.
Evans said she didn’t want to wait too long.
“We want to move forward with our lives,” she said tearfully. “We just want to move on and this should be a priority for all taxpayers.”
She said she had just
received a breakdown of the billing and council agreed they had also just received it. Prior to that the Evans had just received a blanket fire bill with the total to be paid.
“It would have been nice to get this document with the fire bill,” she said.
Diduck said the fire chief would provide a response to her questions and council would take her requests under consideration.
When asked if she had any closing comments, Evans replied, “Just make it better.”
Following her presentation, Division two Councillor Aaron Wick
wondered if council could host a public meeting to discuss the upcoming fire bylaw.
“We have industry, towns, and agriculture … there’s a bunch of people who don’t know how we attend to fires,” he said. “We have to talk to our ratepayers about how to get permits and other things.”
Council moved two motions; one to accept her presentation as information, and then to forward her questions to the fire chief to get some answers and bring forward a report to a future council meeting and provide a direct response to Evans.
Last year, we raised $1,885! With your help, we can get to that number again!
Lamont Leader; Kerry, Michelle, Brennan & Garrett
Add your name with a Minimum $5 cash or food donation office in Lamont or mail donation to: Box 1079, Lamont, AB T0B 2R0. Cheque payable to ‘County of Lamont Food Bank’
Anonymous; The Little Things - Deanna Ruether; Zennia Trollope; In Loving Memory of Louise Moren; Dave Fedun; Oscar OS Pederson; Oscar BJ Pederson; Tom & Mae Adamyk; Jim Antoniuk; Nickie Antoniuk; Wayne Antoniuk; Gale Antoniuk; Adeline Antoniuk; Wayne & Lorraine Field; David & Mary Boyko; Peter & Emily Kostiuk; Lamont River Rats Snowmobile Club; Mary-ann & Milton Holowach; Ron & Debbie Tresham; Delores Cossey & Family; Wayne & Darlene Schoepp; Gloria & Harvey Downie; Richard, Linda & Stefanyk Family; The Painting Fireman; Nora Gauthier; Mark & Alison Courtnage;
Anderson; Crystal & Hunter; Sylvia & Family; Aileen; John Mather; Jana Semeniuk & Family; Al Harvey & Family; Chuck & Andrea Varga; Albert & Florence Stelmach; Julian, Joannie & Kaitlyn Lopushinksy; Ray Letawsky; Patrica & Lawrence Hryniw; Chipman Hotel Staff; Tyson, Tristan & Tatum Jonker; Lincoln, Aspen & Cohen Jonker; Christmas Angel; Pat & Terry Oleksyn; Erich & Rosena Frobel; Ed & Donna Kucheraway & Family; Jack Kucherawy; Gerry & Carol Palichuk; Johnny & Wendie; Grant & Hazel Hackett; Anonymous; Richard & Sharon Johnston; John & Doreen Homeniuk; In Memory of Daniel, John & Jonathan Patan & Thomas Kowal; Steve & Stella Stodola; Bob & Brenda Melnyk; Barb Tessier, Robert & Debbie Tessier; Laurie & Julian Woldanski; Marshal & Zenia Maydanski; $7000!! COME ON LAMONT COUNTY we have a few weeks left
Lamont Christmas Light Up
Members of Lamont Emergency Services offered rides around Lamont during the Christmas Light Up Nov. 30. They also transported Santa Claus to throw the switch at the Lamont Town Office for the official lighting of the Winter Wonder Lights.
A community choir entertained guests at the Lamont Christmas Light Up celebration at the Community Hall Nov. 30. There was judging of the “Lamont Style” Festival of Christmas trees at the hall and guest were offered hot chocolate and treats as several choirs and bands entertained.
Though it was a very cold day a large crowd turned out to eat kubie burgers around fire pits and then watch from the Lamont Town Office as Santa Claus threw the switch to turn on the Winter Wonder Lights for another year Nov. 30. While Santa raise his arms in joy, smiles radiate from the hooded coats of the young people watching the Light Up.
Members of the brass section of the Fort Saskatchewan Community Band play their parts in a Christmas carol during the Afternoon of Music at the
Nov. 30. Guests were invited to come in from the
be entertained and enjoy some hot chocolate served by
John Mather photos
Lamont Hall,
cold, warm up,
Lamont Councillors.
Sleigh rides around Lamont were very popular during the Christmas Light Up in Lamont Nov. 30. Despite it being bitterly cold, each sleigh ride around the town was crowded with people bundled up enjoying the horse drawn wagon ride.
Chris Mintenko, treasurer of the County of Lamont Food Bank, prepares to put another bag of donated food onto the bus during the Fill a Bus campaign, part of the Lamont Christmas Light Up Nov. 30. The food bank took in more than 250 lbs. of material mostly of items that were needed for hampers.
Huge overhaul for photo radar - Strathcona makes almost $6 million
BY JANA SEMENIUK
On Dec. 2 the provincial government announced big changes to photo radar in the coming months.
Effective Apr. 1, 2025 the devices will be restricted to use at school, playground and construction zones only.
Intersections will also be limited to only red light enforcement.
Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors
Devin Dreeshen said it’s good news.
“This is great news for Alberta drivers. These changes will once and for all kill the photo radar cash cow in Alberta,” he was quoted on the provincial website. “Albertans can be confident that photo radar will only be used to improve traffic and roadside worker safety and not to make money.”
“We can’t cover school zones and construction zones all the time, which are needed,” he said. “If people know that’s where they are, they’re going to slow down for that whole area. I think they’re making a good choice.”
Alberta first introduced photo radar in 1987. As of 2024, approximately 2,387 units were
Others having positive feelings around the new changes are Two Hills RCMP Sgt. David Henry, who thinks removing the photo radar units from highways and city streets will increase safety.
located across the province. Last Dec, the provincial government removed all radar sites from ring roads in Calgary and Edmonton in addition to pausing new photo radar locations in 2019.
Last year, according to statistics provided by the provincial government, Strathcona County was named as one of the top five revenue-generating sites. They issued a total of 52,558 tickets, 144 per day, equaling $5,956,573 in fines collected in one year.
Barb Marcinkoski, a member of the Sculptors Association of Alberta, works on an ice sculpture outside the entrance to the Josephburg Christmas Market, Nov. 30. John Mather photo.
Parcel #1 - Consisting of the SE 36-53-18 W4M
Being 160 Acres M/L
Pasture Land Fence with Page Wire, Single Strand Barb Wire & A Dug Out.
Located North of Hwy #16 on Rge Rd 180 for 5 Kms. West Side of the Road
Real Estate Auction for Ducks Unlimited
Parcel #2 - Consisting of the NW 7-55-17 W4M
Being 148.95 Acres M/L
Currently Seeded to Alfalfa, New 4 Strand Barb Wire Fence
Around the Perimeter of the Property. Beautiful Mostly Open Quarter that does have a Subdivision out the NW Corner, a Good Shelter Belt, Ample Wildlife, Does Have a Few Sloughs That Would Work as a Water Sources, on the SE Corner of TWP Rd 552 & Rge Rd 180
Located 8.7 Kms North of Hwy #15, 20 Kms North of Hwy #16, East Side of the Road.
Parcel #3 - Consisting of the SW 25-55-18 W4M Being 160 Acres M/L
Seeded to Alfalfa/Grass, Can be Hay/Pasture Land, Old Yard Site, One Flat Bottom Grainary, New 4 Strand Barb Wire.
Located On the Corner of Rge Rd 181 & Hwy 29 with 1/2 a Mile of Hwy. Frontage
Parcel #4 - Consisting of the SE 35-55-18 W4M Being 160 Acres M/L
A Very Nice Open Quarter with Dugouts, Brand New 4 Strand Barb Wire Fence, Seeded to Alfalfa/Grass, Excellent Hay or Pasture Land.
Located 1.7 Kms North of Hyw #29 on Rge Rd 181
Top 10 reasons to advertise in
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I like the idea of having an independent news agency in our area, because I don’t want to just be fed propaganda from municipalities, police and school boards just to appease me!
For years there was no media in the Lamont County area, just leaching media from other areas covering events here only for advertising dollars and no vested interest.
I don’t just advertise with The Leader to make sales but also to fend off competition from other businesses in the area and from other towns and cities in the area too.
I know if I don’t advertise with The Leader, that my event will not be covered when it happens mostly because they don’t know about it, but also because I didn’t support them so why would I expect them to support me.
The Leader is a local business, employing local people, donating to local charities, and involved with local causes. Tech giants do nothing for my family, my neighbours or my community.
The Leader covers all of Lamont County. These are my friends and neighbours and we support one another.
I try to buy all my printing from The Leader, or at least get a quote. They are honest and good to deal with. When I have a problem they look after it for me from printing to advertising.
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I see other successful businesses advertising in The Leader. Great minds think alike!
Bruderheim approves interim budget in front of a full gallery
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Canada Day fireworks, an increase in funding for Economic Development and scrapping of attendance at the Alberta Municipalities conferences, were some of the highlights at the Nov. 20 Bruderhiem town council meeting where the 2025 Interim Budget was approved.
Chief Administrative Officer Phyllis Forsyth said that although the interim budget has been approved, it can still be adjusted when the final budget comes forward in May.
“Council may revisit parts of it when we receive the final assessments and requisitions,” she clarified by email.
Every gallery seat was taken by the public during the meeting, and attendees were glad they came in person. The
Town’s audio for their online livestreaming wasn’t working well for the entire three-hour meeting.
Among the first items for discussion were attendance at conferences. CAO Forsyth brought forward a number of conferences to consider for 2025 including spring and fall training sessions with Alberta Municipalities incurring costs for registration per attendee plus travel and remuneration, although Forsyth did not include dollar amounts.
She also brought forward the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA) conference in Lake Louise for $999 per person plus travel and remuneration, as well as an in-house councillor training session mandatory after every election.
The next municipal election is Oct. 2025. Forsyth said the cost for the training session would be $10,000.
Councillors voted to forego all Alberta Municipalities conferences for 2025 with only Mayor Karl Hauch opposed.
The Town’s total tax collection for 2024 was $1,526,512 and expected to increase by just over $45,000, (2.9 percent) for 2025. The tax rate for 2025 won’t be passed until the final budget in May.
CAO Forsyth said council members decided against a remuneration increase during a previous session that was closed to the public. One item coming to the Nov. 20 meeting from the closed sessions was the purchase of a Town Tipi for truth and recon-
Unreserved Retirement Auction for BarPek Products Ltd
Sale Starts December 6th & Closes December 11th, 2024
Location: 5317 Ed Stelmach Ave, Andrew, Alberta
Listing - Additional Photos Online
Raymond 4700C60 Electric Forklift
Clark Electric Forklift, Case 680 Construction King Back Hoe
Gehl 5640 Turbo Skid Steer
2009 AWT 52x52 World Trade Inc Big Jim Screen Printing Press
AWT 25x35 Semi-Automatic Screen Printing Press
SPE 14x23 Semi-Automatic Screen Printing Press
Complete Screen Stretching Equipment w/ Approx. 60 Clamps
Exposing Unit for Screen Printing w/ Silk Screens 1953 Heidelberg Windmill Press 1890 Chandler & Price Windmill Press
2 - Colour Pad Printers (New/Unused)
Summa Vinyal D-120 Cutter
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ciliation activities for $5,000.
CAO Forsyth removed the item from the budget when council members objected to it being there.
When asked later why the Tipi had to be discussed in closed session, Forsyth referred to section 29 of the FOIP act (freedom of information and privacy) which states ‘Information that is or will be available to the public in 60 days’. Continued on Page 18
PUBLIC AT BUDGET MEETING
Unreserved Real Estate Sale for Garth & Darlene Fleming
Sale Starts December 6th & Closes on December 9th, 2024 Holden, Alberta
Directions: From Hwy 14 Go 3 1/2 Miles South On Rg Rd 163, West 1/2 Miles to Corner of Twp Rd 490 & Rg Rd 164
Selling A Beautiful Half Section Of Mixed Farm Land Located Just South of Holden Parcel #1 - Consisting Of the NW-33-48-16-W4M - Being 160 Acres
M/L - Beautiful, Mostly Open Land Currently Having 63 Acres Cultivated, 97 Acres being Pasture Land & Few Trees with a Creek Running Through The North East Corner. Surface Lease Road & Lease Site That Currently Has A Yearly Revenue of $3600.00/Year. With Some Work There Is An Opportunity For Many Of the Pasture Acres To Become Cultivated.
Parcel # 2 - Consisting Of The SW-33-48-16-W4M - Being 160 Acres M/L - Beautiful, Mostly Open land, Currently Having 50 Acres Cultivated, 110 Acres Being Pasture Land & A Few Trees, Dug Out, Also A Former Yard Site. Quarter Is Fenced & Cross Fenced, With Some Work There Is An Opportunity For Many Of The Pasture Acres to Become Cultivated.
Please Contact Garth @ 780-868-4181 For
At least 12 Bruderheim residents attended the Nov. 20 council meeting to hear the Interim Budget being presented and approved. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
The Liberal emissions cap is yet another attack on Canadian workers and could cost Canada $1 trillion - says MP Stubbs
BY LAKELAND MP SHANNON STUBBS
The Liberals have launched yet another attack on Canadian workers. This time, with their job-killing oil and gas emissions cap. This radicalism will not only hurt the Canadian economy, but also weaken paycheques and threaten the nearly one million jobs tied to the sector.
The proposed cap, currently in the form of draft regulations announced earlier this month, would limit emissions in the sector to 35 per cent beneath 2019 levels and impose a capand-trade system upon the industry. The only explanation is that Justin Trudeau and his activist environment minister’s extreme agenda is to destroy Canada’s energy sector once and for all.
Firstly, it’s clear that an emissions cap amounts to a production cap, which could cut up to $1 trillion from Canada’s GDP, kill over 150,000 Canadian jobs and slow economic growth.
Cutting production would be a critical hit to Canada’s economy. Oil and gas accounted for $209 billion of Canada’s GDP in 2023 and a quarter of the country’s exports. In 2022 alone, the industry provided more than $45 billion in revenue to Canadian governments, funding schools, hospitals, roads and public services. The impact of a production cap would be significant: cutting emissions by 40 per cent
below 2021 levels by 2030 would amount to a $247 billion reduction in GDP, according to S&P Global. Canada can’t afford this.
As Canadians face the worst decline in living standards in 40 years and the worst economic growth in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Liberals picked the worst possible time to further cripple our economy. The Business Council of Canada says the cap “will only make Canadians poorer,” and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce says the cap “would only exacerbate the financial burden on Canadians.”
After nine years of Trudeau’s economic vandalism, the gap between American and Canadian incomes is the worst in a century and Canada has more invest-
ed in the United States than the United States does in Canada. Under this prime minister, over $460 billion in investment dollars have fled Canada for the United States.
Just 10 years ago, American news was enviously reporting that Canada had the richest middle class in the world, with a median income higher than the United States. What happened in 2015? The Liberals came to power and, with the support of the NDP, began their attacks on the economy.
After nine years of disastrous Liberal government policies, confidence in getting big things built is broken, and we are losing to our competitors.
The proposed production cap is the first of its kind among major oil and gas-producing countries. Not Canada’s biggest competitor, the United States, nor Russia, Mexico, China, India or a single state in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) selfimposes this stranglehold on their economy and people.
So why is the Liberal Government killing paycheques and kicking our economy when it is
down?
By now, the longstanding hate-on for our energy sector within the Liberal government is evident. In 2020, common-sense Conservatives were ringing the alarm over the government’s anti-energy policies when there was $20 billion worth of shovelready projects that ended up being blocked by the Liberals. Today, we could only dream of projects that could create thousands of jobs with powerful paycheques long into the future without costing taxpayers a cent.
Yet since 2015, nearly $670 billion worth of investment in resource projects has been lost. And in just the last two years, seven allied countries practically begged us to sell them Canadian liquefied natural gas — but Trudeau sent them packing empty-handed, claiming there was no
business case for LNG exports. He should tell that to the Germans, who just opened an LNG terminal from concept to creation in record time.
This is the latest step in the Liberal government’s “phase it out” agenda and follows other radical policies that attack our workers, our competitiveness and our economy. These policies include their costly carbon tax, their oil and gas export ban (Bill C-48), their unconstitutional never-build-anythinganywhere law (Bill C-69) and their job-killing “Sustainable Jobs Act” (Bill C-50).
As jobs, businesses, investment, technology and talent flee Trudeau’s policies, Canada’s competitors and hostile regimes will benefit most. This won’t lower global emissions but will instead line the pockets of competitors who do
not share our high environmental and ethical production standards, which will make Canadians poorer. Instead of killing jobs and raising the cost of traditional energy for Canadians, commonsense Conservatives will scrap the cap and replace Trudeau’s anti-resource bureaucracy with an approval process that gets projects built. We will tackle emissions through technology, not taxes, and greenlight green projects to make zero-emissions energy more affordable.
A Pierre Poilievre government will axe the tax and end Trudeau’s economic vandalism to bring home powerful paycheques for our people rather than send our jobs and investments overseas and put dollars in the pockets of dictators.
Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
WIN 1 OF 12 $2500 DREAM VACATIONS. 48 draws of $120 plus many early bird prizes. Tickets at airdriedreamvacation.ca. Only 600 tickets printed.
AUCTIONS
MEIER GUN AUCTION, Saturday, December 21 - 10 am, WetaskiwinSelling over 200 Rifles, Shot Guns, Antique Firearms, Ammunition, Scopes. Consign now. Free Pick-up. Call 780-440-1860; www.meierauction.com.
49p
COMING EVENTS
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING
Open til 9 p.m.
Thursday, Dec 5
HALF PRICE SALE continues on Jackets, Pants, One-piece suits, Boots, Gloves, Helmets, Goggles Join us for relaxed shopping for everyone on your Christmas list
See you then Cross-Country Sales & Service 11562 Twp Rd 442 4 miles East of Sedgewick Golf Course on 442.
LUTEFISK SUPPER
Golden Valley Lutheran Church Friday, Jan 10th , 2025, at 6:30pm Tickets are $35.00 each ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY Contact Muriel at 336-2444
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 sales@switzersauction.com or Visit Us @ www.switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.
Round Hill Christmas Market. Monday, December 9th from 5-7 pm. For a free table, text or call Terry 780678-6131
TM48-49C
Celebrate the New Year at the Alliance Community Hall. Dec 31 . Fun, Food and Favors for the 3whole family. $40 each, $75 couple, $100 family (one household)
Music by The River Jacks, Call 780 385-1483 or 780 879 2158 for tickets.
49p
COMING EVENTS
Sedgewick Farmers Bonspiel Dec 10-13th.
Late afternoon/evening draws with meals provided. Mens/Ladies/Mixed welcome! Call (780)385-4501
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas A Christmas Pagent & Concert at the Sedgewick SDA Church December 7 at 6 p.m. Luncheon to Follow Everyone Welcome!
Killam/Forestburg Baptist Church Christmas Banquet
Sunday, December 8 at the Killam Community Hall
Doors open at 5 p.m. Supper at 5:30 p.m Concert at 6:30 p.m. with Daddy-Daughter roots duo Ben and Jessica Crane For tickets please call 780-385-3607
Adults $25, ages 12-17 years $20, under 12 years FREE
VIKING
HEALTH CENTRE AUXILIARY CHRISTMAS MARKET
Thursday, December 5 11 am to 5 pm Viking Community Hall Lunch available for purchase Great Christmas ideas, Crafts, Baking, Gifts, Décor & more To reserve table, call Kim 780-385-0902
FOR RENT
2 Bedroom House For Rent Near Hardisty. Small older home 2 kms out of town. Includes fridge, stove, microwave, washer & dryer. Recent reno’s. Very reasonable rate for the right person or couple. Call or text (780) 699-3449 for details
48/49p
Large, non-smoking 2 Bedroom Apartment in Killam. Call Chuck 780-263-7290
HARDISTY: 2 BR furnished house for rent available now. $1200 plus electricity. Call or text 780-717-6783
FOR SALE
Portable, maintenance-free 12’x12’ deck with attached ramp and two steps. (Buyers responsibility to move - must be gone by the spring). Call Brian at 780-678-0053
If anybody is looking for Pepper Seeds in different varieties (mostly sweet), Brian has some. As well, if you are looking for Flower Pots, Hanging Baskets, or Window Boxes, Brian has many different sizes available. All Washed and Disinfected. 780-6780053
BUILDINGS FOR SALE
INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt.com.
SEED FOR SALE
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.
SERVICES
Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097
Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
Medical Taxi Service
Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175
•Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5
•Absolutely NO Hidden Fees
•Escort to Reception/Waiting Room
•Pick up and Drop off at your door
•Top Notch Service!
•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait
•Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?
Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.
SERVICES
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
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!
Flagstaff Taping & Texturing
Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251
Need to re-order: •Company Forms?
•Invoices? •Envelopes? •Business Cards? •Posters? •Bookmarks? •Magnets? •Score Cards? •Stamps? •Certificates? •Menus? •Receipts? •Letterheads? •Invitations? •Calendars? •And more!
LAMONT LEADER 780-895-2780 lmtleader@gmail.com
THE COMMUNITY PRESS 780-385-6693 production.cp@gmail.com
WEEKLY REVIEW 780-336-3422 vikingreview@gmail.com TOFIELD
780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com
BETWEEN THE BOARDS Elk Island Wild U18 win two over the weekend
BY MELISSA
MACINTOSH-YOUNG
There was lots of minor hockey action this past weekend.
U18 Wild played in Lamont on Friday night to a full barn. They beat Wainwright 5-1. Goals were netted by Rowan Young with 2 goals, Will Furey 1g and 2a, Avery Klassen 3a, Gage Brenton 1g, Chasen McLelland 1g, Logan Jesso 1a and Kayden Winslow with 1a.
Their second game was a rough, 8-5 win over the Edgerton/Chauvin Avalanche. Will Furey had a hat trick and 1a, Nicklas Melenbacher 1g and 2a, Matthew Iverson 2g, Kayden Winslow 2a, Logan Jesso 1g, Bronson Trenaman 1g, Shay Gushue 1a, Avery Klassen 1a and Gage Brenton 1a.
MLA checks in on Ukrainian refugees
By MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk
This last month has been a busy one as I just completed the first leg of my provincial tour for my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees.
On this tour, I met with charities, schools, libraries, and all types of organizations that work to help settle the more than 65,000 Ukrainian Evacuees in Alberta.
I got to see what challenges they face and how they are overcoming these challenges in innovative ways.
I hope to spread information about what approaches are working across the province so that we can all support this vulnerable population better.
If you know of an organization that would deserve to be included in future tours, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office.
U13 Wild came up tied, 5-5, with the Thorhild Titans on Saturday. A hat trick was scored by Jonas Wytrykush, Sawyer Hanson 1g and 2a, and Clark Wilson had 1g and 1a.
U11 played two games this weekend resulting in two losses. Their first game, an away game, was a 11-3 loss to
Barrhead. Wild goals were earned by Alex Holt with 2g and Wyatt Klita with 1g. Their second game was a 9-4 loss, played in Bruderheim against Slave Lake Thunder. Wild goals were scored by Easton Yarosh 2g, Jake Holt 1g and 1a, and Dylan Strumlak with 1g and 1a.
This week’s “Player of
the Week Shout Out” goes out to U13 Forward, Desiree (Desi) Storr. This is her third year playing hockey. Desi always shows up ready to play and works hard for her team. Keep up the great work Desi!
Check out next weeks, Between the Boards, for more minor hockey action.
CHRISTMAS CRUISE AT BRUDERHEIM
Bruderheim budget explained
Continued from page 12
Deputy Mayor George Campbell objected to allotting $3,500 to Indigenous relations (down from $3,850 the year before) when only $2,000 was slated for Canada Day.
Councillor Arlie Young suggested moving $5,000 from the now-removed Tipi cost over to Canada Day to help pay for fireworks and the council agreed to the allocation while also removing $5,000 from the $15,000 budget for the Fall Festival/Oktoberfest.
An increase of over $13,000 was added to the economic development portion of the budget, including $28,648 in wages, an increase of nearly $9,000 from 2024, plus a 66 percent increase in the benefits.
Promotions were also increased from $3,500 to $5,000. CAO Forsyth said she has plans to help boost Bruderheim’s economic development.
“One of the projects that we have currently is identifying vacant lands in the town, putting together a book and then having legal meetings with realtors, developers and other folks that may be interested,” she explained.
“We'll be spending more time meeting with folks and trying to market some of the opportu-
nities that are within Bruderheim by marrying people that are looking for land with people that are looking to sell land.”
A bar graph chart showing a provincial comparison between Town of Bruderheim wages as compared to other municipalities, under 5,000 in population, was also included in the budget package as well as shared to social media by Mayor Karl Hauch.
The salary amounts shown for CAO Forsyth on the chart put her at below other towns under 5,000, but did not include her benefits of $16,654, which would have put her above.
According to the 2023 audited financial statements, Forsyth’s salary was listed at $143,896 for 2023, including benefits.
In 2022 the audited financial statements show the CAO wage at $125,000. Forsyth said her salary for 2024 will be reported, as required by law, through the audited financial statements presented to council in May.
Bylaw expenses have been reduced by $5,000, as well as disaster services which saw a $3,500 reduction. The Mayor’s Dinner event has been listed on the budget, but no funds were allotted to it.
Bruderheim’s last council meeting of the year is on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the firehall or online through the Town’s social media.
Killam Chamber of Commerce Presents
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6
CHRISTMAS Crossroads at the MainStreetKillam
FREE KIDS MOVIE LIVING ROOM THEATRE 2 PM PICTURES WITH SANTA LIVING ROOM THEATRE 4-6:30 PM festival OF trees/gingerbread display
LIVING ROOM THEATRE 4-7PM, Vote for your favourite - proceeds to Food Bank PARADE OF LIGHTS 7PM COOKIE DECORATING FCAL 4-7 PM
LETTERS TO SANTA & FOOD BANK DROP-OFF ATB 5-7PM family christmas crafts KILLAM LIBRARY 4:30-6:30PM BONFIRE HOSTED BY A2Z SAFETY BESIDE GUARDIAN DRUGS 5-8PM faCE PAINTING
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING AT SELECT BUSINESSES ‘TIL 7PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7
craft fair COMMUNITY HALL 10AM - 3PM festival OF trees/gingerbread display
LIVING ROOM THEATRE 10-3, Vote for your favourite - proceeds to Food Bank NAZARENE YOUTH CHRISTMAS CONCERT 6PM LIVING ROOM THEATRE - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - ADMISSION BY DONATION
Friends, Ashton Strickland, Shay Gushue, Rowan Young and Andrew Svitich feeling festive after decorating their vehicles and lighting them up for a Christmas season cruise of Bruderheim recently.
Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.
Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman
1. (VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for full posters & locations, or call 780-895-2233 for info./registration). Current CALC, FCSS & KFRN and seniors activities:
2. KFRN: Grace In Progress: self-care program. Registration required by Dec. 5 at noon via signup.com/go/SSbUorV
3. KFRN: Cooking With Your Littles: Join us to make a holiday treat! Registration is required by Dec. 5 at noon via signup.com/go/TXqevpz. Space is limited.
4. KFRN: Family Activity Night : Free program for ALL FAMILIES! No registration required.
5. KFRN: Connecting Generations: Join us for crafts, singing Christmas carols and a snack snack with our friends at Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge in Lamont. Registration is required by Dec. 16 at noon via signup.com/go/EmayFTL
Access current monthly services & programs information scan the QR code (below) or for FCSS, CALC and KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages: | FCSS: FCSSlamontcountyregion | KFRN: groups/1922602184662497 | CALC: LamontCountyAdultLearns | For more info, scan the QR code or lamontcounty.ca/community-programming | Contact CALC/FCSS/KFRN: 1-877-895-2233 |
6. 55+ Crafternoon: December 17 from 13 p.m. Space is limited, $10 per person. Register with Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca or 780-895-2233 x223.
th Michelle A@lamontcountyca or780 895 2233 x223 Mihll A@ltt 780
7. Youth Centres in Bruderheim (Tuesdays), Chipman (Mondays), and Mundare – contact Dayna.J@lamontcounty.ca for more info.
8. Parents and Tots: Bruderheim (Thursdays from 10-11 a.m. at Karol Maschmeyer Arena) and Mundare (Tuesdays from 9:15-10:15 a.m. at the Mundare Admin. Building) - contact Melissa.S@lamontcounty.ca for more info. (Note: programs follow the school calendar.)
9. Fitness Fun for Older Adults: $10 per session. At Mundare Seniors Centre. Contact Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca for information.
10. Yoga for Older Adults: $12 per session. At Lamont Arena Mtg. Room. Contact Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca for information.
11. CALC: My Journey…Who Am I? (register at 780-895-2233 x233/241 or Cheryl.B@lamontcounty.ca | Cody.O@lamontcounty.ca)
12. CALC: English Language Learning (register with Cheryl/Cody). 13. CALC: Kitchens Program (register with Cheryl/Cody).
14. CALC: Digital Skills for Seniors: Thurs. fr. 10-11 a.m. (Mundare & Andrew).
15. Snow Angels Program (volunteers needed): contact Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca or 780-895-2233 x223, (honorarium for volunteers).
16. Seniors’ Coffee: (Wed.) 10-11 a.m. at Andrew Lions Club, & (Thurs.) 10-11 a.m. at Mundare Sr. Centre. Join FCSS for coffee, conversation, snacks, & assistance with senior-related forms/programming. FCSS also offers Seniors Supports from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mundare (Thurs.) – for more information contact Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca
17. Seniors Bus trips: $15 per person per round trip – Dec. 12. Call Helen at 780-895-7539 to reserve a spot (departs from Lamont Rec. Centre).
Other Items of Interest
Sign up for regional (emergency) notifications by email/text/phone: lamontcounty.ca/alerts (Everbridge alerts/not the AB Emergency Alert system that interrupts your phone; rather, it is updates for significant local events/activities such as major traffic/water/fire incidents, etc.). Managing fusarium in cereals: Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a fungal disease of wheat (including durum), barley, oats, other small cereals grains and corn. When FHB infects cereal crops, it can produce mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol (DON), commonly known as vomitoxin. as most importing countries have strict maximum limits of DON in grain, the presence of DON restricts the grain's end uses and marketing potential. To help keep marketing options open for your harvested grain Keep it Clean recommends the following practices to manage FHB. Best practices: (keepitclean.ca/5-tips/disease/fusarium-cereals).
Coffee Talks – see lamontcounty.ca/coffeetalks
Engineering studies, expression of interest tender, and content related to the proposed process water and intake can be accessed at lamontcounty.ca/public-tenders & lamontcountynow.ca/about-us/areaprofile/planning. Updates are published when/as applicable.
Business License Renewals Reminder: Reminder: business licenses issued in 2024 expire Dec. 31 can be renewed for 2025. Be part of the Business Directory. Private Snow Removal: See lamontcounty.ca/departments/publicworks/roads/private-snow-removal NOTE: All flag purchases or signup for Medically Fragile or Seniors service (for private snow removal), must be completed at the Public Works/Ag Services Building - 553004A Hwy 831 (and not at the Administration Building). Fees and Charges Bylaw – lamontcounty.ca/ financial-services), the costs related to private snow removal are: Regular Flags – $125/each flag (per snowfall); Medical Flags – $100/year (a doctor’s letter is Required); Senior (65+) Flags –$200/year.
Unpaid Taxes - A friendly reminder that an additional 10 per cent penalty is applied to any 2024 unpaid Lamont County taxes on Jan. 1, 2025. If your taxes are overdue, submit your balance by Dec. 31 to avoid penalty.
Industrial Heartland Career Forum – Discover a career in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland explore new career opportunities in the industrial/ trades sectors. Learn more at: industrialheartlandcareersforum.ca
Please Note – inFocus is also accessible online at: lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as full-sized PDF &to access hyperlinks).
DECMEBER MENU NOW AVAILABLE
20 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Registration Renewal Reminder
See a monthly reminder list at: alberta.ca/vehicle-registration-expiry-date-chart.aspx
This message is brought to you by the Elk Island Traffic Safety Partners.
Community Programming
Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting (December 11)
The next ASB meeting is scheduled for Dec. 11, at 9:00 a.m.
If your last name or company begins with the letters Me, O or W; remember to get your registration renewed before the end of December!
The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through meeting link, accessible at: lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb. To present or speak at a meeting, please contact Agricultural Services. Minutes and agendas are also available using the link above.
Residents are reminded when plowing snow out of your driveway, please do not push the snow onto the public road or across the road into the ditch. Pushing snow across the road creates packed areas and slippery patches that are difficult to remove and can be dangerous to road traffic. Push snow to the right side of your driveway to ensure it does not get pushed back when the local road is plowed. It may also result in larger windrows or cause other clearing challenges. You can be fined for this dangerous and unsafe practice. Also, as a reminder, please keep kids off snow piles near roadways for additional safety. Report road conditions through a service request at lamontcounty.ca/service-requests. And please continue to be respectful of farmers’ fields (recreation vehicles/snowmobiles).
Winter Preparedness
Power outages (alberta.ca/power-outages) can happen at any time, but during blizzards or extreme cold (alberta.ca/blizzards-freezing-rain-ice-storms-andextreme-cold), these can be extremely dangerous. #BePrepared for an outage with these tips, including having an emergency kit (alberta.ca/build-an-emergency-kit):
Maintain an emergency kit and vehicle kit, and update it with seasonal supplies such as extra warm layers, heat packs, blankets, etc.
Keep your vehicle gas tank full or fully charged in case fuel stations lose power or close down (or if you are stranded on a highway or ditch).
Coming soon – the Reeve’s Annual Holiday Video Message. See Lamontcounty.ca in mid-December for this annual update.
– Monthly Payments of Lamont County and Government Taxes (option)
Volunteer to assist those who may be less able to clear their driveway or sidewalk through the Snow Angels Program: Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca or 780-895-2233 x223, (honorarium for volunteers).
HAPPYNEWYEAR
HAPPY NEW YEAR & A JOYOUS UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS!
Visit lamontcounty.ca/tipp to learn about monthly payment of property tax payments. This is an easy and convenient way to budget because it breaks the annual tax payment into 12 monthly payments; no rushing to get to the office on due date or penalties on balances, provided payments are not missed. Automatic pre-authorized withdrawal; if you aren’t previously signed up, sign up today for 2025 (before December 31)!
CAUTION: Roadside Mulching
Ag. Services will be working on roadside mulching starting in November; this goes to the end of March (2025). Signs are posted to enforce temporary road closures while work is completed and there are fines related to road closure. Watch for flying debris & obey all signs. If you enter a closed area, Lamont County will NOT be at fault for any damage to vehicles.
– December 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mundare
The next Regular Council Meeting is on Tuesday, December 10, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through the meeting link, accessible at: lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes.
The County of Lamont Food Bank will be accepting application for Christmas Hampers from Nov. 12 through Dec. 12. Please call 780-619-6955 to register or for more information. Christmas Hamper pick up/ delivery date is Sunday, Dec. 22.
Next Lamont County Council Meeting (December 10) amontCountyCouncilMeeting (Decem
Roadside Mulching
Reminder: Don’t Push Snow Piles Across Roads or Entranceways
Chipman
Upcoming Christmas Markets in the Region
County of Lamont Food Bank - Hampers
TIPP
Snow Angels Program