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Vol. 14, No. 18, Wednesday, March 20, 2019 www.LamontLeader.com
ELECTION CALL - APRIL 16 - FINALLY Jayden Lesmeister Staff Reporter On Tuesday, March 19, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley called the next provincial election to be held Tuesday, April 16. She will be running for re-election
against the leaders of the United Conservative Party’s (UCP) Jason Kenney, the Alberta Party’s Stephen Mandel, the Liberal Party’s David Khan, and the Freedom Conservatives’ Derek Fildebrandt. Change could be on the horizon and it is the voters’ responsibility to under-
stand who they are choosing as the governing party for Alberta. For residents of Lamont County in the Fort-Saskatchewan-Vegreville riding, the NDP incumbent is MLA Jessica Littlewood. Running against her will be Alberta Party candidate Marvin Olsen; UCP candidate Jackie
Armstrong-Homeniuk; and independent candidate Shane Ladouceur. More candidates could be added in the coming weeks, and candidate forums are expected to be announced as well.
Lamont Fire chief travels to Ukraine BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County’s David Zayonce recently travelled to the Ukraine as part of a mission to assess fire-fighting capabilities in the country. Zayonce went with the Firefighter Aid Ukraine Organization and the Canadian Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce. “What was really unique about the trip was that these firefighters were more interested in how we did things here in North America,” he told council, Mar. 13. “They are really looking to learn our techniques and then apply them over there.” Zayonce arrived in Kyiv, the country’s capital in late January and then spent two weeks travelling the country. “We crisscrossed the country twice,” he said. “They have needs. If I tried to outfit my firefighters in some of the equipment they use, I’d be put in jail because it’s so obsolete and unsafe.” He said he spent most of his time in the northern communities of Nedobyivtsi and Lisovgrynivetska. With Ukraine going through a process of decentralization, many communi-
ties are in the process of establishing fire brigades and volunteer fire departments. Many areas have evolved into amalgamated communities called Hromada’s, he said. “These amalgamated communities share many similarities to Lamont, “he added. “They are generally rural with a very strong agricultural base.” He noted that during his visit each amalgamated community seemed to have about four firefighters. While some new equipment is available many of the firetrucks still seemed to be from the old Soviet era, he said. But, he pointed out, they have many ingenious ways to fund their fire departments. “For example,” he said. “In Nedoboyivtsi, a local businessman became the sponsor of the newly formed fire department. With some donated equipment, and protective clothing and some new equipment, the fire department came into being, primarily staffed by the sponsor’s employees.” Training then started and, Zayonce
said, the department began making a big difference in the community. At the end of his presentation to council, Zayonce asked council to approve a motion that the county enter into a cooperation agreement with both Nedobyivtsi and Lisovgrynivetska to share knowledge and expertise. With no financial impact, council agreed and passed the resolution.
Above: Lamont County fire chief David Zayonce examines some Ukrainian firefighting equipment during a recent trip to the Ukraine. In a report to Lamont council, he said if he tried to use some of the equipment in the Lamont department he would be put in jail because much of it was obsolete or unsafe. Side: A Ukrainian fire truck doubles as a snowplow during the harsh Ukrainian winter. David Zayonce photos.
Tractor trailor driver fails trying to beat train - no injuries, charges MAUREEN SULLIVAN A collision between a tractor trailer and a train on Sunday March 17, slowed down traffic on Hwy 15 just west of Lamont. The accident that occurred in front of the Pioneer Grain Elevator happened just about noon with RCMP and Lamont Fire Department responding to
Hwy 15 and Range Road 195. According to Constable Burgess of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP there were no injuries and the driver of the tractor trailer is being charged with failure to stop, as he proceeded through the railway crossing to beat the train. The truck was removed from the site
of the accident at about 2 p.m. by Titan Towing. On March 1, another train and grain
truck collided in Lamont County near Hilliard at Range Road 173 and Township Road 540.