Former principal partially vindicated
SexualassaultchargesdroppedinoneoftwocasesagainstformerLamontprincipal
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Former Lamont High School principal Amit Mali, 42, is no longer facing charges of sexual assault and criminal harassment in one of two cases.
According to reports, the charges in one case were permanently dropped by the prosecutor at the Sherwood Park Court of Justice on July 17 after text messages between Mali and the complainant were provided by Mali’s lawyer, Eamon O’Keefe. Mali did not attend that proceeding.
O’Keefe was quoted saying the messages absolved Mali of the charges.
“In these messages Mr. Mali and the complainant talked about the sexual encounters. What the complainant said in those text messages completely con-
tradicted the story she later told the police that caused the charges to be laid,” he said.
“Mr. Mali said he was innocent when the RCMP interviewed him about these allegations in February and he told the police the true story at that time. He has maintained his innocence ever since. With the withdrawal of the charges, he has now been vindicated.”
‘there was no reasonable likelihood of conviction’.
The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service was quoted in reports as saying
A publication ban is protecting the complainant’s name. Mali was first arrested and charged on May 3 before being released with conditions and scheduled to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Sherwood Park on May 29. A second adult female victim came forward to police, after charges were publicized on May 14, and said that she was also a victim of
sexual assault by Mali.
The Strathcona County RCMP GIS investigated the report and Mali was again arrested and charged with one more count of sexual assault. Mali was ordered, on July 24, to stand trial in that case according to reports, which is scheduled for Sept. 13.
According to reports, Mali was principal of Lamont High School from at least 2018 to 2021 before he moved on to the principal position at Sherwood Heights Junior High School in Sherwood Park.
EIPS Communication Director Laura McNabb said in an earlier email that Mali was placed on leave after a complaint was received in Feb. and is no longer employed by EIPS.
Coffee with Lamont County Reeve
David Diduck answers some tough questions from ratepayers at personal meeting
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Lamont County Reeve David Diduck fielded some tough questions during his July 25 Coffee with a Councillor event in St. Michael.
At least 25 ratepayers showed up for
a cup of coffee and the chance to ask the Reeve some questions.
In attendance were Reeve Diduck, Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky, Community Peace Officer Derek Wright, and Communications Coordinator Jay Zaal.
Reeve Diduck held a notebook and pen, taking notes and listening carefully as ratepayers questioned him on topics such as “extravagant” truck purchases, dealing with squatters, who is responsible for the weeds growing on train tracks, and rural crime.
“Why are all of these new pick-ups bought?” asked one ratepayer.
“Everybody out there is driving a new pick up. You’ve got crew trucks out there with one person and a crew truck is for a crew like your culvert crew.
Continued on Page 2
At least 25 ratepayers came out to hear Lamont County Reeve David Diduck and ask questions during Coffee with a Councillor on July 25 in St. Michael.
Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Lamont County Reeve David Diduck
Former Lamont Principal Amit Mali
“I don't understand why all the taxpayers’ money is going out to these things.”
Diduck said the county’s equipment fleet has been around since the 90s and was in need of replacement. He said last year the county introduced a 15-year replacement policy on equipment.
“What's happening here, and why it may appear as though there's a bunch of new equipment is, you got to start the cycle somewhere where you start replacing some of the older stuff,” he said.
Ratepayers were additionally upset with a scenario where more than one family have parked trailers and are living on the same property while another built their own driveway. Diduck said if a land owner allows a squatter to live on their land the county can’t do anything about it. He also said he wants the extra driveway scenario looked into.
“If it’s built in our right of way, Derek (Wright)
will take a look at it and will address,” said Diduck.
In terms of the railroad tracks, ratepayers were frustrated that weeds were allowed to grow there while several of them were served with letters warning them to take care of the issue on their own properties.
“So my question is, if I didn't take care of my weed problem you see on my land, and you spray it, I get a bill. Is there a reason the county doesn't just go ahead and spray the railroad track and give the landowner a bill?,” asked the ratepayer.
While no one seemed certain who owned and was responsible for the rail property, Diduck shared the ratepayers’ frustration and said it might be time to write a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, Devin Dreeshen.
Another ratepayer asked if the county could clarify in the newspaper who the owner of the land was so the responsibility could be directed to the appropriate owner.
Tarnawsky said yes. Meanwhile, towards
the end of the session, Diduck brought up the subject of rural crime and said the catch and release way of dealing with criminals has been devastating to rural residents.
One resident questioned a situation where items, such as a coloured golf ball or a disposable coffee cup with writing on it, were left at rural driveways as a marking system for criminals. Wright said to still call it in.
“It’s not proof of criminal activity exactly, however it is out of the ordinary,” he said, adding that an officer’s response time will correspond with other higher priority activity in the area. “If you see any type of coding call them. That's what the RCMP do. They respond to calls. Again, they may not come out today to pick it up because again, it's not an emergency.”
Lamont County communication coordinator Jay Zaal said the Lamont County Coffee Talks program was approved last fall with the goal of providing residents with an informal setting for people to ask questions of their councillor, Reeve or
administration as part of engagement and transparency.
He said they are held in each division monthly
with the goal of two per year per division, one in midday and one in the evening. The last coffee talk was held in June
with councillor Wick in Chipman and the next is scheduled for Aug. with details still to come.
VIKING, ALBERTA VIKING, ALBERTA
Opinion
Jasper burns and social media idiots come out
BY JOHN MATHER
Let’s shed a quiet tear for the residents of Jasper.
Not only have many of them lost their homes or business, but all in the tightly knit community have been affected by the wildfire that swept through heir community last week. Tears shed.
Now, let’s look at the disaster that was social media after the fire struck and the reaction of people who should know better.
Start with the absolute fact that Alberta Wildfire has absolutely no jurisdiction in a national park until they are asked to step in.
Parks Canada handles firefighting in the national park, exactly the same as what happens in Elk Island National Park, which abuts Lamont, Beaver and Strathcona Counties.
Those county emergency services have no jurisdiction in Elk Island until they are asked.
Now there is lots of cooperation between these agencies. Elk Island officials do controlled burns periodically to mitigate uncontrolled fires and when that happens the local emergency services departments are routinely provided with information of what is happening.
So when Thomas Lukaszuk, a former PC MLA and Deputy Premier, posts on X “Last time I checked, residents of Jasper vote in Alberta provincial elections, pay Alberta taxes and Jasper falls under Alberta Municipal Affairs,” he’s right. “Their schools/hospitals are managed by the Alberta government. Their fire department is part of AFFA,” he’s right again.
But the townsite is in Alberta, but located within Federal jurisdiction.
Lukaszuk has made a career recently out of gaslighting for the NDP and is doing so again.
Or he was the poorest excuse for a Deputy Premier this province has ever had if he doesn’t know where provincial jurisdiction ends, which is namely at the Jasper Park gates. Another X user posted the province should have raced in to save the day.
This poster from Medicine Hat sent me a post stating that CUPE had complained to the province about frontline workers having their jobs cut as the emergency departments were downsized.
That could possibly be true but doesn’t alter the FACT, Alberta can’t intrude into federal territory unless their help is requested.
CONTINUED
Maybe the left just doesn’t grasp this simple concept in their haste to trash the provincial government.
Another falsehood that came across social media early as the fire was raging. Marmot Basin, the famous ski resort in the Jasper area was destroyed.
As it turns out, no such thing occurred.
Marmot was affected by the fire coming near it, but officials say they are planning to be fully open this winter with all lifts operating.
Yet keyboard warriors, who knew nothing, had to post calamitous statements about the area's demise.
Wonder how staff felt about that? After all, they could possibly lose their jobs if the area was destroyed and shut down.
But keyboard warriors don’t care who they hurt. They just want to look smart, when they aren’t, and try to be part of the social commentary action.
Now I don’t know anyone who has never visited Jasper.
It is the less commercial of the world famous national parks straddling the Alberta/B.C. border with Banff being the top dog.
But Jasper offers skiing in the winter and hiking, boating and beauty in the summer.
Beauty is offered in all seasons.
So, yes, I have memories of Jasper. Both from summer and winter visits. And I can sympathize with those including our Premier who was near tears describing the devastation of the townsite.
I’ve attended conferences at the Jasper Park Lodge which was singed in the wildfire.
A beautiful location and always a pleasant stay.
I have stayed in downtown hotels while on ski trips. I have ridden the Jasper Tramway to the top of the Whistlers to see the spectacular views.
Not being a sheep-like person who wants to be corralled and herded, when I go skiing I stay away from the organized ski weekends.
One of those was enough. Being told to assemble earlier in the morning that I like, then being told to reassemble several hours later to board buses stacked like sardines in the Marmot parking lots wasn’t for me.
So, I have lots of memories and photo-
graphs to go with them of enjoyable trips to Jasper.
But when the wildfire swept through, never once did I have personal feelings of loss.
No, I didn’t feel I had to visit a psychologist to discuss my distress at a community being devastated by wildfire.
I didn’t when Slave Lake burned, not when Fort McMurray burned, and I didn’t when Jasper burned.
What sort of society do we live in when mainstream media is posting numbers for people to call if you were stressed because of a wildfire striking a community where you may have visited, but is not where you live?
Those who were directly affected I can see having stress … no doubt I would too.
But others, I just don’t understand.
Now, most mainstream media, one announcer has started referring to it as lamestream media, is attributing the cause to climate change.
The climate may have had something to do with it. It had been very hot and dry for the past few weeks.
But Parks Canada has also done nothing in forest mitigation such as allowing the public to come in and clean up dead trees from the pine beetle attacks of the previous decade.
Let the public come in, haul out the deadfall for their own personal use.
Allow limited forestry to clean up the deadfall. Those companies which could use the substandard materials to create finished products whether it be pulp, paper or whatever.
But no … Federal green policies encourage leaving the forest as it sits, dry, cluttered just waiting for a spark from a passing train or a bolt of lightning to strike and start a conflagration of fire.
No doubt governments will spend millions seeking causes of the wildfire, in every attempt to get to an outcome of “climate change caused it.”
I won’t say that didn’t play a part, but it has already emerged that the municipal Jasper government had been asking Parks Canada to clean up the deadfall and create firebreaks around the townsite for some time, but that had fallen on deaf ears.
Maybe now the Laurentian elites in Ottawa will listen to the cries from the colonies.
Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Moren
BY HAZEL ANAKA
Many years ago, I regularly attended personal development seminars and invested in books and audio programs. Eventually I discovered that different experts held several concepts and beliefs in common. One of those was the necessity for and benefit of setting goals. Over the years, I’ve often written about that topic. Today, however I want to talk about another idea.
Many experts believe that watching or reading the news is a practice destructive to our mental wellbeing. I always balked at the idea. As someone who read the Edmonton Journal daily for decades, I couldn’t accept that notion. As someone who watched breakfast TV, noon news, supper, and late-night news broadcasts all in one day, every day, I wasn’t buying it. I also watch a couple Canadian political shows six days a
FROM WHERE I SIT: Does the theory hold?
week. I reasoned that avoiding the news was the physical and emotional equivalent of burying one’s head in the sand. How could I be an informed, well-rounded individual? How could I carry the conversational ball with anyone of any age or station in life if I didn’t know what in the world was going on?
And then somehow, without a conscious plan to do so, I stopped tuning in or searching for a daily newspaper. It didn’t happen cold turkey but gradually as I and media and life itself has changed. I haven’t read the Edmonton Journal since there hasn’t been a pickup location in Andrew. The product itself has changed, deteriorated as readership and profits dropped and massive layoffs occurred. News 24-7 at one’s fingertips through our smart phones---whether it was real or not, credible or not, researched or not---has been squeezing print media to death. My preferred TV station for news was always CTV (originally CFRN). How the parent company Bell Media treated national anchor Lisa Laflamme and the Edmonton
Morning Live personalities and others was disappointing. Money and profit talk. If ad revenue drops because companies have diverted their marketing budgets to online platforms, companies can hardly be blamed for trying to stay solvent and keep their shareholders happy.
But it does evoke questions of which came first, the chicken or the egg? Did viewer and readership drop off because the product was no longer what we needed and wanted OR did traditional media go on life support because revenue through subscriptions and ad buys dropped off? Or a sad confluence of both factors?
At 400 words in, that’s not what I intended to write about. I intended to say that for the longest time I didn’t feel I was missing anything by skipping the news. I dare say I felt peaceful and content----oblivious perhaps, but peaceful and content. I should also clarify that I never use my phone as a news source. Never.
Then out of the blue, Hilary sent a text referencing the fire at Jasper. I knew nothing. I found out about the attempted
Lamont and Area
LAMONT UNITED CHURCH
5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145
Rev. Deborah Brill NOSERVICES
JUNE 30 ~ AUGUST 5 SERVICESRESUME
AUGUST 11
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assassination of Trump because I was walking through the living room and Roy has CNN and MSNBC on virtually all the time.
So, this Sunday evening I tuned into Global at 6 pm. I saw the devastating pictures from Jasper, the feelgood stories of those collecting supplies and making things better for evacuees, and interviews with mayors who’ve lived through similar disasters. I found out that K-days was ending today and that the summer Olympics in Paris were going on. I saw pic-
tures of the hundreds of thousands of Swifties scattered on hillsides listening to her concert from an open-air venue miles away. I found out that Kevin McConnell, the weekend weatherman was retiring after 30 years at Global. I heard that some gunmen fired shots at the crowd attending the Africville event in Halifax; injuring five. I learned that Kamala Harris is the presumptive Democratic Party presidential candidate and has smashed fundraising records.
Other than the weather forecast, do any one of
those news items materially change my life? I’d have to honestly say no. Am I glad I tuned in? I think so. I feel marginally more well-informed. If I bump into you tomorrow, I’d have a conversation starter or two. But I think the takeaway insight for me is this: engaging in extremes of any sort---a total news ban or round-the-clock news consumption---is lop-sided and unhealthy. If you want to test my premise, substitute any extreme behaviour you may be engaging in, and see if the theory holds, from where I sit.
SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 AM
From the files of The Lamont Leader
April 29, 2014: Hunter Inverarity and Adyson Wick sell popcorn for the Lamont Ag. Society Youth Club.
Letter to the editor
Canadian Taxpayers Federation off-target with its attack of the newspaper industry
Dear Editor:
Typically I love the work Canadian Taxpayer Federation (CTF) does and have even donated in the past. But like I said in my previous letter to Mr. Terrazzano (the CAO, which he didn’t even acknowledge), all media are not alike and all government payments are not created equal.
National media as mentioned in Ryan Thorpe's article (Winter 23/24) I presume means the larger newspapers and companies like CBC or Winnipeg Free Press. That's who he vindictively tossed under the bus including his former employer which kind of ruins his credibility here, despite the chest thumping in the right hand corner beside the article.
Meanwhile there are hundreds and hundreds of community newspapers that cover municipal councils, local hockey, hobbies and achievements of its citizens, etc. which is a huge part of small town living. Thorpe didn’t mention that in his generalized spewing of print media hate.
Canada Post used to give a massive discount to the newspaper media as each were spending thousands of dollars per week as a customer. That is called a quantity discount and it applies to all forms of business. So it would not be a bailout for a newspaper that spends tons of money with the government through Can. Post, to accept this discount.
Unfortunately as a way of falsely increasing Can. Post revenue they began charging the newspapers more and more, and then actually started cutting flier prices and directly competing with newspapers for flier business. So here you have the government involved in the free market, hurting the businesses of taxpayers. (I thought that was the type of thing the CTF fought against?). As a way of giving
soon after these price increases occurred, basically evening things out on the balance sheet. This would be the 1990s Thorpe mentions, without the background information.
Another thing Ryan Thorpe failed to mention in his article is how the newspaper business has always received money from the government. Going back decades or even more than a century, both the Provincial and Federal Governments advertised with newspapers. That revenue didn't mean the print media was influenced by the government yet were appreciative of the revenue. Media were happy to accept the work the same way as contractors were happy with government work to build roads or buildings.
Today the Canadian Federal Government spends more money on Communist China-owned Tik Tok than it does with its own print media. Every single print newspaper would prefer the government paying for its services like it always had in the past rather than handing out what "Thorpe" considers "bail out" money.
CTF’s attack on the newspaper industry with the sensationalized photo on the front of their print publication is the type of schlock we don’t need in the print media.
I agree with Thorpe, that fire can be purifying. I suggest articles such as this be burned to the ground (safely and in a fire pit with a mesh lid when restrictions aren’t on).
Meanwhile I await my next print media copy of the Canadian Taxpayer if Thorpe and the CTF haven’t burned its own print publication to the ground.
Kerry Anderson
Caribou Publishing (Lamont Leader, Tofield Mercury Flagstaff County Community Press, Viking Weekly Review)
In a Canadian Taxpayer article claiming all newspapers need to burn to the ground, the normally business-friendly organization ignores the long history the print media has with small town community news while being a municipal watchdog. The print media would rather the government spend money advertising with it, rather than have grant money. Presently it spends more advertising with Communist China-owned Tik Tok than its own nespaper industry in Canada.
• Enercaptia
The Beaver District 4-H Council would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to the following businesses, companies, and individuals who supported our second annual fundraiser through monetary donations, silent auction items, and ticket sales.
• Home-Time Realty
• Holden Legion
• Viking Lions Club
• Viking 4-H Beef Club
• Bar H Leather Work
• Janelle Evenson
• Gloria & Ken Bourke
• Carla Lehman Photography
• Copper Arrow Designs
• Beaver County
• Wild Rose Co-op - Tofield
• Parrish & Heimbecker Ltd
• Cameron Farms
• Tofield Packers
• TCG
• Rose City Professional Organizing
• Arber Greenhouse
• Cloverview Farms
• Kelly Kristensen
• Nanninga Construction
• Tofield Golden Club
• The Sour Moose
• Golden Drop Honey
• Dan’s Equipment Rentals
• Bumper to Bumper - Viking
• Bruce Stampede
• BASF
• Young Farts RV Parts
• Holco Construction
• Friends of 4-H
• Beaver District Multi ClubBart
• Brooke Family Farm
• Lazuli Farms
• Tofield Golf Course
• Laurie’s Vintage Creations
• Twig & Velvet
• Food with Flair
We could not have had the success of the event without Brian Dumont (DJ), Wendy Brown (line dancing instructor), Party King (mechanical bull), Holden Ag Society (space & preparing supper), and our four 4-H clubs and astounding volunteers. Thank you for supporting 4-H in Beaver County.
Lamont breast cancer survivor encourages women to use mobile mammography service coming in August
“The earlier you detect breast cancer the more manageable it is” - Palahniuk
BY LANDON ZABEL
Alberta Health Services announced on July 19, that a mobile mammography service is scheduled to visit Lamont County on August 20 & 21.
The mammography trailer will be located at the Lamont Health Care Centre, and provide the service for free to eligible individuals aged 45-74.
There will be mandatory booking of appointments if one wishes to receive care, and these can be made currently through contacting the service team at 1-800667-0604.
Women aged 40-49, or younger, who have not undergone a mammogram prior are required to receive a referral from their family doctor.
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast, and the procedure is performed with the intention of detecting breast cancer. Early detection of cancer is always a priority.
Carmen Palahniuk, a Lamont resident and two-time survivor of breast cancer, encourages the community to take advantage of the mobile clinic “I have always thought that it’s important to go for regular mammograms.”
She continued, “The earlier you detect breast cancer the more manageable it is.”
Mammograms can detect cancer years before the individual displays any symptoms of breast cancer. This makes treatment easier and increases success rates.
“Both times that I have been diagnosed it has been through mammography. The first time I found a lump and immediately arranged for a mammogram, which confirmed I had breast cancer. The second time I was diagnosed the cancer was too small to detect through a selfexamination, but my annual mammogram was able to detect it.”
Carmen’s family has no history of breast cancer, meaning she should not be at an elevated risk for the disease; however, after her second diagnosis, doctors decided to undergo genetic testing for mutations to the BRCA gene which is involved in tumor suppression. But results came back normal, a testament to how the disease can affect anyone–even men.
Carmen herself no longer books an annual
mammogram, as her second bout with the disease resulted in a bilateral mastectomy, but she continues to encourage others to partake in the annual testing.
“Definitely book an appointment if you ever think something is odd, even the slightest difference – you know your body better than anyone else.”
After her experience with the disease Carmen has turned into a local advocate, and someone
community members can turn to if, heaven forbid, they receive the diagnosis.
“I have never been afraid to talk about it, and I’ve had ladies come to me after they are diagnosed looking for support and guidance.”
Carmen emphasizes the importance of support for those diagnosed with any form of cancer,
“Support during your experience is so important to how you deal with the physical, men-
tal, and emotional weight of the diagnosis” Currently cancer-free, Carmen reflects on life after her battle “It has changed everything about how I live, everything has become so precious even the smallest of details have become important. I would like to thank my family, friends, and coworkers for their support – for these people, I am forever grateful.”
Top-of-the-line
Women enter a mobile clinic to receive a potentially life-saving mammogram. The unit will be at the Lamont Health Care Centre August 20 and 21.
Lamont
(Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Lamont County authorizes purchase of new cab and chassis truck
BY JOHN MATHER
Lamont County directed administration to tender for a cab and chassis tandem truck.
“We’ve had a good run for this truck,” said Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky in introducing the subject. “But all good things must come to an end. We’ve had a good run with this truck for 15 years.”
The rationale, as reported by Public Works Director Darby Dietz was the County’s existing 2009 Peterbilt tandem gravel truck currently has about 750,000 kms on it and 19,000 on its engine.
He said the truck was primarily used by the drainage department during the construction season.
“During the 2023 budget discussions we put forth a business case for the replacement of the unit because it has an ongoing history of engine problems.,” said Dietz.
He said the dumpbox had sustained significant damage. Council approved replacement of the dump box which had occurred.
Dietz said that the unit was scheduled for replacement in 2029.
But when the operator started to use the unit for work this year, he discovered there was a lack of power and it was blowing smoke under load.
Dietz said the truck was brought in for service and it was discovered it had a dead engine cylinder and it was taken to a third party vendor for additional inspection where a “litany of
issues” were discovered including broken rocker shafts, damaged rockers, damage Jake head, damaged camshafts and various hold down bolt bores damaged in the cylinder head.
He told council estimated repairs to correct the damaged components were at $51,000 or an in-frame engine overhaul cost of $72,000.
He told council the unit, in operating condition, would be about $40,000 to $50,000.
He estimated the purchase of a new cab and chassis would be about $300,000 and asked council to approve administration tender for a replacement vehicle.
He said they just wanted a cab and chassis and would reinstall the newer dump box from the existing truck onto the new cab and chassis.
Tarnawsky said the resale unit didn’t make it worthwhile to repair so he had asked Dietz to seek a tender to replace the cab and chassis.
Division Five Councillor Neil Woitas suggested they seek two tenders; one for a cab and chassis and one for a complete new truck with a new dump box included.
“By the time you move the box over…” he felt it might not be worth it, so he thought two separate tenders would be a good idea.
Woitas also suggested putting the old unit up for tender and letting an auto wrecker buy it.
The money wasn’t budgeted for but instead it would come from reserves.
Dietz emphasized they only wanted to tender and not proceed with a purchase until tenders were considered.
He said a truck from road operation had been moved over to assist drainage operations. Additionally a new truck was on order which would ease any problems when it arrived.
On July 17, council held a special council
meeting which was quickly moved into closed sessions including discussion of the cab and chassis truck purchase.
Coming out of closed session council passed a motion to rescind the first motion passed July 9 which was to seek prices on both a cab and chassis and a complete cab and chassis with box. In a recorded vote Woitas opposed the motion which was carried 4-1.
Division Four Councillor Roy Anaka then moved a motion to spend $256,431 to purchase the cab and chassis with no box plus uplifting charges to put the former dump box on the truck funded from reserves as discussed in closed session.
Woitas opposed the motion but it was carried 4-1.
The tender has been awarded to Edmonton Kenworth.
Proposed Internet Tower in Lamont County
Please take notice that MCSnet is proposing a construct a 100 ft free-standing Internet tower in Lamont County LOCATION
● SE-19-55-19-W4
● Lot 2, Blk 1 Plan 2220930
The purpose of this tower is to provide enhanced Broadband Wireless Internet Services in the area along with VOIP (Voice over IP) telephone services.
All equipment complies with Health Canada's Safety Code 6, including combined effects within the local radio environment at all times. The installation will respect good engineering practices, including structural adequacy. The tower will be constructed in compliance with Transport Canada's aeronautical obstruction marking requirements.
Any person(s) wishing further information, having questions, comments or concerns are asked to contact MCSnet on or before the close of August 22, 2024.
Projet de tour Internet proposé dans la Lamont County
Veuillez prendre note que MCSnet propose de construire une 100 peids dans la Lamont, Alberta EMPLACEMENT
● SE-19-55-19-W4
● Lot 2 Bloc 1 Plan 2220930
Le but de cette tour est de fournir des services améliorés d'Internet sans fil à large bande dans la région, ainsi que des services de téléphonie VOIP (Voix sur IP).
Tout l'équipement est conforme au Code de sécurité 6 de Santé Canada, y compris les effets combinés dans l'environnement radio local en tout temps. L'installation respectera les bonnes pratiques d'ingénierie, y compris l'adéquation structurelle. La tour sera construite en conformité avec les exigences de marquage des obstacles aéronautiques de Transports Canada.
Toute personne souhaitant obtenir de plus amples informations, poser des questions, faire des commentaires ou exprimer des préoccupations est priée de contacter MCSnet au plus tard le août 22, 2024.
MCSnet
Attn: Project Department P.O. Box 98, St.Paul, Alberta T0A 3A0
Ph: (866) 390-3928 Ext: 797
Email: toweradmin@mcsnet.ca
Please take notice that MCSnet is proposing to construct a 100 ft free-standing Internet Tower in Lamont County
Thank you to our RCMP members!
BY TRUDY SMITH
Thank you to our RCMP for stepping up in all kinds of different events to help out. Some of the extra curricular activities members get involved in:
• Coaching all types of sports, if working, they may show up in uniform, • Parades, being the Leader of the Pack, • Food drives for local Food banks, by stuffing a cruiser. • Biking and running for Charity. • School attendance for the safety of our children, • teaching Internet safety, • Bike and Drug awareness.
Many of our Officers have children of their own, therefore safety is their main concern.
In case of an Emergency, they are out the door like a speeding bullet. The things they see and deal with, can be mind-boggling, seeing images that stay with them in their mind for a long time. Some forever.
Called out on short notice to help out with missing person searches, and security in different detachment areas. The present wild fire situation is a perfect example.
Wishing the RCMP members a safe rest of the summer.
We appreciate you and your service.
Inspector Barry Larocque, commander of Fort Sask. Detachment RCMP teaching children safety with a bike rodeo.
Sgt. David Henry, Two Hills Detachment
Sgt. Terry Hyggen,
Dogs at large a bone of contention in Lamont this year
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The Town of Lamont has been battling a big problem this year with dogs at large.
Interim Chief Administrative Officer
Tyler Edworthy said the Town has spent a significant part of their budget in animal control as compared to this time last year.
“We've been struggling this year with an exceptionally high dogs at large issue. I think it's become a bone of contention with the community,” he said.
“We are exercising everything we can possibly do to alleviate this to the extent where we're halfway through the year and we've already probably expensed as much as we did all of last year.”
Edworthy said the Town has logged 23 complaints of dogs at large up to June this year, while their total number of complaints for all of last year were 30.
Assistant CAO Dawn Neilson said animal control has visited the Town of Lamont 11 times so far this year to catch stray dogs at a cost of nearly $300 each time with no
guarantee of capturing the animal.
She said issues with a recent group of three dogs, including one who has repeatedly chased residents and attacked another dog over the past few months, is finally getting resolved after notices have been attached to the owner’s property and the time for them to respond has run out.
She said that the owners were given until July 17 to prove one of the dogs, who garnered the complaints of being aggressive, was not vicious and is now deemed vicious under the Town’s Animal Control bylaw. Under this bylaw, a vicious dog is one who meets criteria including being a continuing threat of serious harm to humans or other animals and will attack or injure without being provoked.
Conditions for owning a vicious dog include tattooing the dog to identify it as vicious and providing proof of insurance liability with a minimum coverage of $1 million.
Fines for offenses of a dog deemed vicious also increase. Failure to
Lamont fire station
water truck involved in roll-over
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A water truck from the Lamont fire station, responding to a fire on July 29, rolled over on highway 15.
Lamont County communications coordinator Jay Zaal confirmed the incident by email and said there were no injuries.
“While responding to an emergency incident, a Lamont County Emergency Services (LCES) fire apparatus was involved in an incident,” he said.
obtain a dog license is $500 for a vicious dog, permitting a vicious dog to be at large will be fined $750, and if a vicious dog attacks a person or animal the fine is $1,500.
Neilson said the vicious dog of the three, a black one, has not been seen by bylaw enforcement for quite a while and she is not sure if the dog is still with their family or has been rehomed. She said enforcement regularly checks the whereabouts of the
two remaining dogs, but added that they have been unable to make direct contact with the owners outside of posting notices on their property.
Edworthy said if residents spot a dog at large they need to contact the Town Office.
“If we can get pictures, and a statement from the person complaining, that's key. We don't need to catch the dog to issue a ticket, we need to have a picture of it,” he said.
“And we need a state-
ment of occurrence from the resident that's complaining (with date, time and location).”
Meanwhile, other dogs at large have been captured by animal control and taken to the local Lamont Boarding Kennels where the Town has an agreement.
Edworthy said residents may not know that the agreement exists and that the Town cares for abandoned animals.
“We had dogs that were actually left here, they were dumped in
town and left, so those have all been re-homed,” he said.
“That's the whole compassionate side that wouldn't be possible without the kennels stepping up and helping us out. We've had a lot of unique situations this year that we've had to deal with in relation to dogs. So it's definitely been a community effort.”
Neilson said the last time the Town of Lamont has deemed a dog vicious was in 2016.
Zaal added that the RCMP have concluded their investigation and no further action will be taken. He said that Lamont County is conducting an internal incident investigation into the accident.
Zaal later confirmed that the water truck was not one of the new units purchased by the county and was brought in as an additional unit to assist.
He said he is unsure if the truck will be usable in the future and said those details are being confirmed with the insurance company.
“The apparatus left the roadway and rolled in the ditch. Emergency services responded and the lone occupant was not injured.”
Lougheed FAIR
money pit, bingo, gift shop, ice creem, ice coffee bench exhibits on display until 4pm entertainment for children - kids corner including games beer gardens market vendors cattle show & judging hoRse show & judging meals & snack booths all day roast beef supper 5-7 pm lougheed community hall
LANDON ZABEL
Lamont County has been issued a fire restric-
tion that came into effect on July 23 – two days before our province
experienced the devastating loss of a portion of the town of Jasper and
The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, July 31, 2024 -13
No Lamont County firefighters to Jasper at this time Lamont County areas under fire restrictions and/or bans
BY JANA SEMENIUK
As wildfires in Jasper National Park rage out of control, and help is pouring into the historic town from across the province and the country, Lamont County Emergency Services (LCES) Regional Fire Chief Bo Moore said local firefighters will stay put.
Moore said, through Lamont County Communications coordinator Jay Zaal, that the county needs to look after their own fire fighting needs at this time.
“Even though our ideal would be to help other communities, the protection of citizens and visitors to Lamont
County will always come first,” he said, with Zaal adding that the entire county has only 66 paidon-call fire fighters right now. “We have had a couple of senior member retirements and look forward to bolstering the ranks comes the fall.”
Zaal said that LCES recently moved to multistation dispatching and an ideal number of total fire fighters hasn’t been determined yet. LCES currently has five stations located in Bruderheim, Andrew, Chipman, Mundare and the town of Lamont.
Zaal added that the idea of sending fire fighters to help with the
Jasper situation can be re-evaluated in the future, but ‘focus is on safety within Lamont County as priority’.
Meanwhile, Jasper fires took hold on July 22 when Parks Canada responded to multiple wild fire starts according to the Parks Canada website. According to reports 25,000 visitors and residents were ordered to evacuate and by July 25, one third of the town was in ashes.
An estimated 32,000 hectares have so far been consumed by the fire making it the largest wildfire the park has seen in over 100 years.
Online Real Estate Auction for David & Chris Wolfe
Selling in Conjunction with the 2024 East Central Pre-Harvest Consignment Sale Machinery Ring Sale Starts August 2nd to Starts Ending on August 6th, 2024
Selling a 38 +/- Acres with 1/2 Mile of Hi-Way #16 Frontage Boarding the West Bond Truck Stop. Located in 1 Mile East of the East Central Office Right on Hwy #16, North Side of the Road
Lot #2999 - Legal: Plan 3674TR, Block 1, Lot H
Sells with Power, Propane Tank, Trailer, Shed, 50 Amp Service with a 100 Amp Transformer
The Rest Stop it Boards is due for Slated Future Commercial Development Viewing by Appointment Only, Please Contact David at (587) 340-1012
Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Morrison Realty Kim Hughes (403) 704-3141 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556
Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before October 6th, 2024. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by October 6th, 2024 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. Subject Vendors Approval Only to $200,000.00 Reserve Bid. All measurements are approximate and need to be verified by the purchaser.
Allen
B. Olson Auction Service Ltd.
843-2747
License No. 165690 E-mail: abolson@telusplanet.net - Homepage: allenolsonauction.com
parts of our beloved Jasper National Park; which Richard Ireland, mayor of Jasper, describes as “almost beyond comprehension.”
Elk Island has also been placed under fire restriction, while the town of Mundare is under a fire ban, and Bruderheim has been placed under a fire advisory.
The fire restriction means that all current fire permits obtained by residents of the county are nullified and no further permits will be granted till the restrictions are lifted.
Fireworks are strictly prohibited unless one obtains written permission from a forest officer.
Residents of Lamont County are still able to hold campfires on their property and use ULC (a safety organization) approved propanefueled fire pits on their property, while an out-
right ban on fires is in effect on public property.
Charcoal and propane barbecues can still be used during this restriction, as well as burn barrels.
Albertans under a fire ban, such as residents of Mundare, are prohibited from obtaining fire permits, holding safe fires on public property or private land, cooking on charcoal barbecues, and using fireworks. While under a fire ban Albertans can continue to use propane or natural gas appliances and have an indoor wood fire.
Residents of Bruderheim, who are under a fire advisory, are still permitted to have safe fires on their property, campgrounds, and public lands. The fire advisory restricts the use of fireworks without written permission from a forest officer.
The fire restriction may easily evolve into a fire ban in the near
future. Beyond a fire ban the Albertan government may evoke an off-highway vehicle restriction. Meaning, quads, sideby-sides, dirt bikes, jeeps, and pickup trucks will be prohibited from driving trails that enter forests.
The final restriction that may be placed on Albertans is a forest closure. In the event that a forest closure is enforced, portions of forests will be ‘shutdown’ and no individual will be allowed to enter a forested area without permit.
Failure to comply with these standards will result in a minimum fine of $1,500 and those who accidentally start a wildfire despite being aware of the fire restriction can be subject to covering the cost of extinguishing the fire or face imprisonment of up to two years. Check with your municipality for updates.
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
AUTOS
Selling 3 collector vehicles. 1999 Pontiac GTP Nascar Pace Car. Rare model with sunroof. 1998 Cadillac Eldorado. Last series of the Eldorado. 1928 International Truck. All run and drive great. All Car Show ready. 403-944-2609
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kalf's Berry Farm Saskatoon You Pick open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm daily. Located 15217 Twp 492. 780-893-5490
Raspberries are Ready! **No Saskatoons** Beans, Beets, Carrots, and Potatoes ready! Taking orders for Pickling Cucumbers. Off Highway 13 Turn North on RR 122 go North 3 Miles
Helen Tanton 780-888-6800
Bruderheim Community Thrift Store. Opening Soon, 5 Days a Week! Located in the Moravian Church Community Hall, Bruderheim, Alberta. For donations & inquiries, contact 780-707-0810
BIBLE STUDY
I would like to Bible study with other Christians based on the Doctrine of Christ's atonement rather than on the present day deceitful denominational teaching of theological dispensationalism. Call Wilbur 780-245-1316
COMING EVENTS
Please join us for a bridal shower for Courtney Larson August 4th, 2:00 p.m. at Kinsella Senior Centre. Bring your favourite recipe.
AGM - Flagstaff Kids Connection Daycare Monday, August 12, 2024 @ 7pm At the daycare, 5006 47 ave, Killam Looking for a few directors for the board. Public welcome!
FOR RENT
For Rent in Viking. 3 bedroom townhouse. Comes with fridge, stove, washer, dryer. Includes all utilities except internet. Available August 1. Call 780-336- 6089 or 780-336-6088
Looking for Someone to Rent/Share their home in the Killam area for 6-8 weeks in September. Call 780-385-3320
Pasture for rent. 16 acres, 6 miles north of Strome. Dugout and good fence. Call 780263-9125
Clean, non-smoking 2 bedroom house for rent. Partially finished basement. Detached garage. Close to Main Street Sedgewick. Reasonable rate. Available September 1, 2024. Call Liz at 780-385-1600.
FOR SALE
Firman Generator For Sale 4550 watt gas in excellent condition. $850. If interested, text Paul 780-218-9029.
Electric push lawn mower with bag and 300 feet of cord, 20" deck. Asking $150 OBO, reason for selling: moving. Very good condition. 780-662-0231 or 780-4462612
GIVE AWAY
3, 8 week old indoor kittens, in Lamont. Extra toes. Eating well. After 3 pm please call 780-579-2523
SEED FOR SALE
WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252.
ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.
PUPPIES FOR SALE
Standard Cockapoo puppies ready for furever homes. Excellent family and Companion dogs! Hypoallergenic/ Nonshedding Expected to be 35-45lbs fully mature. Veterinarian checked with first shots. 1200$ OBO. Call or Text 780-9828411
SELLING MY RETIREMENT HOUSE with river and mountain views on 3.93 acres along the Red Deer River and adjoining 200+ acres of environmental reserve. Buy 4 acres and enjoy the use of 204 acres. For more information and pictures, see MLS listing #A2148481.
Belvedere Gardens #7 in Tofield. 891 Sq. Ft. end unit, front & back door (patio), infloor heating & garage, 2 bedroom, full bathroom. Condo fee includes yard maintenance/water/gas. All appliances included (laundry room), one floor, no stairs, backs onto arena across the road. Asking $190,000. No renters. Pictures available through email. Contact Darlene Martin 780-910-3587, darmkjos@yahoo.ca.
HELP WANTED
The Friends of the Sedgewick Recreation Centre Board are seeking resumes for a Janitor for the Sedgewick Recreation Centre, this will be a seasonal position beginning October 1st, 2024, and ending April 15th, 2025. For more information and a detailed job description please visit The Town of Sedgewick website at Sedgewick.ca. Please submit your resume along with references to Friends of the Sedgewick Rec Centre, Box 11, Sedgewick, AB, T0B 4C0, or email sedgewickrec@gmail.com.
Sedgewick Early Childhood Centre is looking for a part-time Kindergarten Teacher to start our students on their educational journey for the 2024/2025 school year. The Sedgewick ECC is a private Kindergarten in rural Alberta that serves the surrounding area for Kindergarten-aged students. The hired teacher would be contracted for 80 instructional days from September to May, with prep days included. Duties include preparing and presenting lessons that facilitate students' development, evaluating students across many avenues, introducing students to the core curriculum set by Alberta Education, creating a safe and nurturing learning environment, and supervising children during mealtimes, lessons, and on the playground. A valid Alberta Teaching Certificate is Mandatory. The closing date for resumes is July 19, 2024. Please send resumes to sedgewickecspresident@gmail.com.
The Friends of the Sedgewick Recreation Centre Board are seeking resumes for an Arena Technician for the 2024/2025 winter season. Employment will begin September 1st, 2024, and continue to March/April 2025. For more information and a detailed job description please visit The Town of Sedgewick website at Sedgewick.ca. Please submit your resume along with references to Friends of the Sedgewick Rec Centre, Box 11, Sedgewick, AB, T0B 4C0, or email sedgewickrec@gmail.com.
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. 1-844-453-5372.
SERVICES
Hawkeye Ag Inc. Custom Corral Cleaning. Excavator, Bulldozer, Grader, Skid Steer, Compactor, Manure Spreader. Serving Lamont County and Areas, custom corral cleaning, earth works, aggregate and excavation. Call Clayton @ 780.718.7479, or email at hawkeyeagservices@outlook.com.
RJM Electrical. Ron Malowany, Mundare. ronmalowany@yahoo.com. 780-888-1130
SERVICES
Specializing in Hail Damage Metal Roofing, Vinyl Siding, All Farm Structures, Metal and Building Restructuring. Call Clint at 780-226-9693. AA Affordable Contracting. Serving local area for 30 years. CWB Covered and Fully Insured.
Mike & Dave Rv Inc. Service, Storage, Parts. Call us today! 780-415-5015 or visit our website: www.mdrv.ca **Located just 11 kms North of Tofield on Highway 834**
Clay-Con Construction
Clayton Rauser38+ year Journeyman Carpenter 780-385-5448
All Types of Renovations •Additions •Decks •Roofing •Concrete •Windows •Framing •5” Continuous Eavestroughs •Siding •and More!
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.
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.
Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
TRAVEL
VISIT OSOYOOS, BCA haven for snowbirds looking for milder winter weather and an abundance of activities! Hotel suites starting from just $750/month. Learn more at www.osoyoossnowbirds.com; call the Osoyoos Visitor Centre at 1-888-676-9667 or email: visit@destinationosoyoos.com to request digital information on wintering in Osoyoos. WANTED
Bruderheim entrepreneur recycling batteries for local charities
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Local business owner and Bruderheim resident, Jesse Fifoot, is collecting old used vehicle batteries in the hopes of supporting local causes.
Fifoot opened his storage business, J and P Storage, in Dec and said his customers asked him several times how they could get rid of their old batteries, which he said sparked an idea.
“I assisted with a program about two years ago for the Boys and Girls Club in Fort Saskatchewan and we ended up collecting over 300 batteries. At that time, I didn't know anything about it, but there's a very big recycling program for batteries,” he said, adding that batteries can net anywhere from five to eight dollars each when turned in for recycling.
“It definitely adds up quickly. We raised well over $1,000.”
Since Fifoot started his campaign two weeks ago, he said he has already collected nearly 14 batteries. He said he wants to keep collecting and turn the money over to local organizations and causes.
“I have some colleagues in some good positions from around the industry that they are more than willing to help donate their batteries. If (anyone’s) batteries are bad, and just leave them
here, I'll collect them, we'll get rid of them,” he said. “My goal is (to donate) every three months.”
Fifoot said organizations he is considering a donation to include the County of Lamont Food Bank and Xpressions Dance Studio.
“All (they) have to do is reach out to me. I’ll try to help out whoever I can, whenever I can,” he said.
Fifoot said he grew up in Sydney Mines, a small town in Nova Scotia, and feels the residents are the most important part of any small town.
“The way I see it is I grew up in a small town. Bruderheim is a small town. The biggest backbone for any town is its residents, and the future of any town is the children. So anything we can do to help them out in a
Council sets date for road inspection tour for late August
BY JOHN MATHER
Lamont County council during their regular July 9 council meeting decided to establish a date for their annual road tour and a special governance refresher program.
CAO Peter Tarnawsky told council the governance refresher had been on the council agenda for the best part of a year.
“We’ve identified two good dates for the governance refresher which are the 26 and 28 of August,” he said. “And for the annual road tour we have Aug 15, 19, 20, 21 and 29 as possible dates,” he said adding either 26 or 28 could also be added depending on the date they took the governance refresher program.
Circus cancelled at Bruderheim
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A circus scheduled for a show at Bruderheim’s Karol Maschmeyer Arena for July 29 was cancelled six days before the event.
News of Cirque Luiz
Dalia’s cancellation came on social media and the circus’ website which stated that shows scheduled for Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Saint Paul, Calmar, Drayton Valley and Bruderheim were cancelled due to ‘logis-
tics out of our control’.
According to the circus’ website, the show was slotted to last approximately 90 minutes and contain acts such as a high-flying aerialist, comedians, jugglers and agile acrobats.
Their social media page states that tickets purchased for upcoming dates have been refunded.
By July 29 the website was no longer available.
Most councillors said they could be available on Aug. 28 for the governance refresher.
After further discussion, council decided to take the annual roads tour on the 29 of August.
Council then passed two motions to lock those dates in.
positive atmosphere, I’m more than willing to,” he said.
Fifoot, 35, said he has
lived with his wife, Monique, and two children, Jace and Peyton, for the past eight years in
Bruderheim. He said he named the family storage business after his kids.
August 30 - Sept 1 FORESTBURG
CONTROL, SHOOTING, AGILITY TRAINING, POSITIONING, CHECKING (U15 / U18)
2 X OFF-ICE SESSIONS
HOCKEY JERSEY WITH NAME & NUMBER WEEKEND EXPERIENCE - $210
OUR 2024 COACHING TEAM AGE
Players must Register by August 12 (Max 25 players/ age group) TO REGISTER: Email gaugeyoga@gmail.com and you will receive a registration form to fill out and payment details. If you have any questions please contact Mat
In Loving Memory of Don
Serink
June 30, 1948 ~ July 12, 2024
Thanks for thirty years. Love you always, Marilyn
Jesse Fifoot
Food Bank to get $30,000 from Reeve’s Golf Tournament
BY JOHN MATHER
The proceeds from this year’s Reeve’s Golf Tournament in Lamont County will be donated to the Lamont County Food Bank for “the purposes of their building funds and food hamper program.”
Council discussed the issue during their regular July 9 council meeting.
The Reeve’s Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 22 at Mundare’s Whitetail Crossing Golf Course.
In introducing the topic Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky said last year $15,000 was given to the Food Bank, with another $8,000 given to Elk Island School Division for use with the school meals program with the County, and another $2,000 to the Lamont Cares project.
He told council after consulting with staff, they felt the best use for the proceeds, estimated at $30,000 from this year’s tournament, be given to the food Bank.
He said with their capital campaign to construct a building which would house the food bank and also be used by other community groups.
He added staff hadn’t suggested any specific amounts that could be donated to the campaign.
Sandra Rindero added to the discussion.
Neil Woitas said the food bank was “working hard” on getting financing through their capital campaign, but he had no idea where they were actually at with their fundraising.
Rindero said the Food Bank had started their campaign last year.
“They have a building committee which we sit on,” she said. “They have well outgrown their space at the Alliance Church and operate out of portables.”
She said they definitely needed more space.
“They have opened a building account administered by their treasurer, but I don’t know how much money they have in it right now,” Rindero
added.
“I do know they are at the beginning stages,” she added.
She said the Food Bank had held meetings with other food banks that had built buildings to find out how they fared and any obstacles they could expect.
She said the food bank hadn’t set any goals for fundraising yet because the Food Bank board hadn’t determined whether they would build from new or renovate an existing building. In addition they hadn’t yet selected a location.
Reeve David Diduck suggested somewhere down the road, the County could provide a regular donation to the Food Bank similar to the donation they do with the STARS ambulance program.
Council then passed a motion to donate the proceeds from the tournament for the building fund and food hamper program which was carried unanimously.
Bottle drive cancelled as donations for young Lamont diabetic blow past target
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A donation drive for local eight-year-old diabetic Olivia Able has blown past the target of $12,000, hitting nearly $15,000 prompting the cancellation of an upcoming bottle drive.
Mom Haley Able said she is grateful for the community’s support.
“We thank everyone who stood up and let everyone know what we were going through and collected on our behalf,” she said. “We are (cancelling) the bottle drive. Save those for our local clubs.”
Michael AG Society, St. Michael Church, Lamont Fire Department plus several anonymous donations added thousands of dollars to the fund, pushing past the $12,000 goal.
to severe changes in Able’s blood sugar levels.
One option, a diabetic service dog, could be trained for $12,000 in addition to a two-year commitment from the family of travelling to Edmonton and area once a week for the next two years. The training sessions take place in busy areas of the city and surrounding sections, such as the airport, West Edmonton Mall, and transit stations.
A recent donation effort by local dog groomer Chelsea Stolz netted $3,220 when she offered up one day of earnings plus a weeklong silent auction.
Other recent donations by LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) the St.
The Able family reached out in June for help when their daughter could no longer rely on her glucose monitor. She developed a severe allergy to the adhesive, used by the monitor, resulting in skin infections and several rounds of antibiotics. Additionally, the monitor is sometimes unreliable, failing to alert them
The family attained a threemonth-old german shepherd cross puppy they affectionately named ‘Nanny’ and began training once the $5,000 deposit was raised. Haley said the overage of funds will be used for Nanny’s medical care, and gas as the family travel nearly 200 kilometers per week for Nanny’s training sessions.
Accepting delivery of consignments from Friday, Aug 2 to Friday, Aug 9 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. ALREADY LISTED: 3 LARGE LATE MODEL FARM DISPERSALS! CONSIGN TODAY TO BE
Olivia Able and service dog
The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Please note: Lamont County is currently under a Fire Restriction. Learn more at: lamontcounty.ca/news/post/fire-restriction-in-effect-july-23 & see tips for emergency preparedness including reducing your fire risk in the field: lamontcounty.ca/departments/emergency-services/be-prepared Additional tips and safety around rural crime: lamontcounty.ca/departments/enforcement-services/fraud-prevention Fire Restriction and Rural Crime Tips for Safety/Prevention
Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman
(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for full posters and locations, or call 780-895-2233 for info./registration). Some of the current CALC, FCSS & KFRN include:
1. Summer Fun Programs – Messy Art, Science Fun, Nature Nuts – for families with children ages 0-6. (Andrew, Bruderheim, Chipman, Lamont, & Mundare) For more info. Contact: erin.b@lamontcounty.ca or use the QR code below.
2. Mindful Meet Ups (crafts and activities for families of all ages). For info. contact erin.b@lamontcounty.ca or 780-895-2233 x244.
3. Youth Coalition: for more info contact Erin.B@lamontcounty.ca
4. Meals in Motion: AUGUST Menu. Call Chrissy to order at 780-975-9592.
5. SUMMER CAMPS – Specific information is available (posters) at lamontcounty.ca/community-programming and the registration form is also available to download there – limited spaces remain.
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 | For more info, scan the QR code or lamontcounty.ca/community-programming | Contact
See: lamontcounty.ca/ public-tenders
View a larger menu at lamontcounty.ca/ community-programming August 12 at 10 a.m. Lamont County Administration Building
Thank you to all registered & our sponsors—we still have a few hole sponsorships available. Contact us ASAP: economicdevelopment@lamontcounty.ca. Proceeds go to Lamont County’s Food Bank for the purposes of its building fund and food hamper program.
Happy #WeedAwarenessWednesday Lamont County. Each week, from April - September we feature prohibited noxious weeds for awareness and recognition.
If you find it, report it! See our social media accounts or the QR Code.
Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting
Next Lamont County Council (Regular Council)
The next Regular Council Meeting is planned for Tuesday, August 13, 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.
For a list of noxious weeds visit: lamontcounty.ca/ weeds
The next scheduled ASB meeting is (Wednesday) August 14, 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.
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).
Reeve’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament – Golf spaces sold out!
This Week’s Featured Noxious Weed: Yellow Clematis