May 10 Lamont Leader

Eventual winner Beau Gartner (below) hits the dirt after this first ride. Although it looks like he is about to be injured he went on to win Bullarama Supreme.

Your news this week:

EIPS votes to close Andrew School - 3

Firefighters help with wild fires - 4

Sisters share same diagnosis - 16

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Record-setting night at Bullarama Supreme

BY JOHN MATHER

It was a record setting night at the Bullarama Supreme on May 6 at the Lamont Rodeo Grounds.

While there was a little rain right at the end of the event, Bullarama chairman Rebecca Green said it held off long enough to allow patrons to get under cover of the barns for the adult dance with entertainer Drew Gregory, which started at 9 p.m.

“We had 1,200 people come out for the main event,” she said. “Last year was record breaking because we were the first event after the Covid lockdowns were eased.

“Last year we had 1,100 so we topped it this year.”

She added there was nothing but positive reactions from those in attendance.

“There were a couple of comments about maybe having some more seating,” Green said. “But that would be a major expense and there’s only so much we can do.”

Front photos

Crystal Moren

Andrew School CLOSING

BY JANA SEMENIUK

During a special Elk Island Public Schools board meeting on May 4, trustees voted to permanently close Andrew School on June 30.

The vote ended nearly four years of speculation over the school’s fate since the school first lost its high school program in 2019, then its junior high the following year due to declining enrolment.

Andrew Mayor Merwin Haight and Deputy Mayor Tammy Pickett attended the board meeting, speaking as delegates with Pickett pleading for the board to allow the village to keep their playground and other donated pieces of equipment.

“Please don't throw any more salt in our wounds and pull our library and pull our playground and any of the other pieces of fitness equipment that can be utilized throughout the community,” she said.

Andrew School, first built in 1957 and lastly renovated in 1991, not only houses the school but also the Village municipal offices, fitness room, bowling alley, multi-purpose room and library. Haight said no plans have been made yet to relocate those services.

In his allotted fiveminute speaking time at the meeting, Haight requested a copy of the original agreement

between Lamont County School Board (which became part of EIPS in 1994) and the Village in sharing the school facility, citing concerns with the financial responsibility of disposing of the building.

“The Village will be potentially on for one third of the demolition costs. And we're assuming this would also include asbestos remediation and GST costs. For us to move forward, we need to see a copy of that original agreement,” he said.

“We have a lot of people that are concerned how this will affect their taxes. A $2 million loan for our Village would result in a $500 levy per year for 20 years on each piece of property above and beyond property taxes.”

Andrew School has faced structural issues since the early 2000s when a faulty sprinkler system caused a severe flood in 2003. Since then, regular leaking from the roof has been maintained by EIPS but not completely repaired. As a result, the damage accumulated and today the cost to completely repair the roof and sprinkler system is more than $3 million. Liguori said there aren’t many viable options now.

“The building is at the end of its functional life, and without a significant investment of approximately $3.92 million by

both EIPS and the Village of Andrew, the building will not be occupiable in the immediate future,” he said.

In addition to structural issues, the school has also faced declining enrollments. Liguori said the village has a population of 366 as of a 2021 census, a decline of over 13 percent from 2016.

In addition, the school’s enrollment numbers were 62 for this year and just over 40 for next year. Some grades were slated with only three students, which would have resulted in combined classes with three or more grades. The school has a capacity for 385.

In terms of where Andrew students will go to school next year, trustees voted to make Mundare the designated school for k-6 students living within the village, and students living outside the village but within the Andrew attendance area will follow the Lamont and Vegreville junior and senior attendance boundaries. Students will face bus ride times of up to 80 minutes in the mornings and up to 120 minutes in the afternoons.

The only trustee to oppose the closure was representing Lamont County, Colleen Holowaychuk; Board Vice-Chair.

EIPS board votes to permanently close beloved school, Village may have to pay part of demolition

Beaver and Lamont counties reach out to assist in battling Strathcona wildfires

BY JANA SEMENIUK AND JOHN MATHER

Beaver County

Emergency Services took the unusual step of reaching out to Strathcona County last week to offer their support while two grass fires were raging out of control, prompting evacuation orders near Fort Saskatchewan.

“We reached out to Strathcona County about when that second evacuation came out, around 8 p.m. on Friday (May 5),” said Beaver County Fire Chief Kevin Moos. “We offered to bring one engine, one brush unit and our tanker.”

Moos said a crew of eight from station one

went to Highway 21 and Highway 14, where they got instructions from Strathcona.

“We were on the backside; the leading edge of the fire had crossed highway 21 and was burning West,” said Moos.

“We were tasked with doing some mop up around some residential areas and subdivisions to try and put out whatever fire was remaining so that it didn’t spread any further than it had. There were very high winds and it was a very patchy burn, so the fire must have come through really fast.”

Moos said fire crews were also battling another large fire that was rag-

ing north of Highway 16.

“They were stretched very thin,” he said, adding the Beaver County fire crew got back to Tofield at 2 a.m., May 6.

Moos said emergency services are typically dispatched to emergencies, but in this situation, he wanted to reach out beforehand.

“We knew that they had two major fires going and they were evacuating residents and subdivisions, so we thought at the very least we could assist with evacuation, but they put us on fire attack because they had that handled,” he said.

“I think the police and

bylaw people were doing a lot of the evacuations. It was a pretty chaotic scene there in

Strathcona.”

Lamont County also reached out to help their neighbours in Strathcona

County battle the raging wildfires, but information is sparse.

Continued on Page 23

BY HAZEL ANAKA

Normally I wouldn’t put two columns on a variety of topics back-toback. However, there seems to be so much coming at us all at once that maybe this is the easiest way to tackle it. Here goes.

We all know the writ has been dropped for the provincial election. If you’ve always had a burning desire to see election day up close and personal and make a few bucks in the process, consider applying for one of the jobs. But don’t dilly dally. Some of us have already been hired and training days are scheduled. I’ve worked federal, provincial, and municipal elections and the processes are both just similar and just different enough to confuse. Based on what I’ve read and heard, there are going to be a myriad of changes in this election including position titles and descriptions. Both online and in-person training are required in addition to impartiality and reliability just to name a couple desirable personality traits. If you

FROM WHERE I SIT: Five Cents Worth

are grateful to be living in a democracy, working an election is a great way to see a good chunk of the process. If you are a political creature, working on someone’s campaign is a whole other life experience.

Last night, the Edmonton Oilers steamrolled over the Las Vegas Golden Knights splitting the first two games. The boys will be back on home ice. Tighter new rules for the watch parties near the arena should eliminate or at least reduce the number of bone-headed behaviours that endanger everyone. Go Oilers Go!

If you’re a farmer trying to get your crop seeded, you’re probably listening to rather than watching any hockey games. You also have one eye on the sky and wonder if and when it’ll ever rain. The sprinkle we had over night was better than a kick in the head but clearly, much more is needed for proper seed germination. Not to mention fire suppression.

The wind has turned to the point that today for the first time I smell a tinge of smoke from all of the out-of-control wild fires. This is very scary stuff. As land-locked prairie people, we don’t have much to fear from extreme rain or flooding events. Only those who

have built in low-lying areas or too close to vulnerable river banks have to worry about flooded basements or buildings sliding down the bank and into the river with a slo-mo splash. Natural weather disasters (fire, flood, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis) don’t discriminate. They don’t care if your rich or poor, prepared or not… they go where they go, destroy what they destroy. Climate change deniers should be waking up to the reality that the ‘normal’ weather patterns we grew up with are long gone. We have never had to run our air conditioner in May. If it can be over 30 Celsius in early May, what’s in store for June, July, and August? Maybe those who don’t earn their living farming the land are relishing the heat, but farmers understand the potential dire and long-term implications.

Yesterday, I only had a bit of time to spend at the Mundare town-wide garage sales before heading into the city for a Citadel performance. I got a couple screamin’ hot deals but I also just drove by many places. There were a surprisingly high number of ‘kid’ oriented sales; if all I could see from the street was Barbie pink and brightly coloured plastic,

WATCHFORHIGHWAYCLEANUPVOLUNTEERS

Members of the Lamont Alliance Church, Darren and Zoe Anderson, work on May 6 as part of a group of 10 people cleaning the ditches of winter debris along Highway 15 east of Lamont to Chipman. The pair said they collected bottles, cans and baby diapers along with car parts, but the strangest find they had was a set of weights along the side of the road. The roadside clean up is an annual event which is province wide.

I kept on going. If the offering was so small as to fit onto a single table, I kept on going. If everything looked shabby, broken or dirty, I kept on going. If the sale started at 9 and you were dragging out your things at 10, I drove on by. Merchandising and presentation is the name of the game, people even if the items are used. Having clearly marked pricing helps too. How about a sign at your

property line? Do you have a sale in progress or are you just puttering in your yard? Do you have enough air to blow up a few balloons? All these things matter. Don’t make your customers guess or work so damn hard to part with their money. Not everyone is willing to sacrifice a whole day playing treasure hunter; we want to get in, get out, get going.

Let me end with some urgings. Consider work-

Church Calendar

ROMANCATHOLICCHURCH SERVICES

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Skaro 1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays @ 9:00 am St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael 2nd, and 4th Sundays @ 9:00 am

Administrative Office: Our Lady of the Angels Parish 10004 ~ 101 St., Fort Sask. 780.998.3288

Email: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca www.olafortsask.caedm.ca

LAMONT UNITED CHURCH 5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145

Rev. Deborah Brill S UNDAY S ERVICES 11:15 A . M .

CHECKOUTOURNEW FACEBOOKPAGE!!

Everyone Welcome!

AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm

Josephburg

Community Church 21380 Township Road 550 Josephburg, Alberta 780-998-9331 josephburgchurch@albertacom.com

Sunday Worship 10:30am

All are Welcome!

Fellowship & coffee following service

Pastor Brad Diprose

Worship Leader Debra Morris

Check us out on Facebook

ing the election. If not, at least be sure to vote May 29th. If you’re a farmer, work safe and smart and pray those rain clouds open up for a three-day soaker. If you had thirty minutes to evacuate because of fire, what would you grab? Might not hurt to make a list. Wear your Oilers colours proudly and enjoy the run for the cup. If you’re planning a garage sale, make it easy for me to spend my money with you. That my five cents worth from where I sit.

Lamont Alliance Church

5007 44 st., Lamont 780-895-2879

Sunday Service 10 am

J OINUSFOR SERVICES

SUNDAYMORNINGS @ 10 AM

Pastor Darren Anderson

Check out: www.lamontalliance.com

Bethany

Lutheran Church

20577 TWP 550 Fort. Sask. (7km East of Josephburg) 780-998-1874

Pastor Rev. Jeff Dul

Worship Service 9:30 am

Sunday School (during service)

Coffee after Service

Bruderheim

Community Church

4904 Queen Street 780-796-3775

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

All are Welcome!

Pastor Wayne Larson

Check us out on Facebook

U KRAINIAN C ATHOLIC C HURCH S ERVICES in Lamont County For Church locations visit www.lamontcounty.ca/visitors/church-tour

- Mundare Cemetery “A” Sat. May 13 2pm**

- Mundare Cemetery “A” Sun. May 14 2pm**

- Chipman Sun. May 14 8:30am**

- Limestone Sun. May 14 11:00am **

- Skaro Thurs. May 18 9:30am

- Mundare Cemetery “B” Sun. May 20 2pm**

- Krakow Sun. May 21 8:30am

- Lamont Sun. May 21 10:30am

- Mundare: every Sunday 10 am

** indicates graveyard blessing will follow mass

For info call the Basilian Fathers at 780-764-3860

Church Directory Ad $40 per month

Call us at 780.895.2780

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 5

Why are Americans so intent on killing one another?

BY JOHN MATHER

There’s so many topics I could go off on a rant about this week.

There’s a provincial election, which appears to be a battle between two women both trying to maintain their respective political careers. But rather than the tossing of mud, neither seems to be striking a chord with the public yet.

I could go on about media relations people and the quest for transparency but that seems to be evolving, or maybe it’s dissolving on a weekly basis.

So instead …

What is going on with our neighbours to the south?

In our current state of doom and gloom media coverage where everything can be blamed on wokism, climate change, Republican, Democrats, or just the age of U.S. legislators at several levels of the federal government, Black Lives Matter, Proud Boys, white supremacists, racism, immigration or well almost any buzzword… why are they so intent on killing one another?

The FBI has not set a minimum number of casualties to qualify an event as a mass shooting, but U.S. statute (the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012) defines a “mass killing” as “three or more killings in a single incident.”

To date as of May 8, there have been 201 mass shootings in the U.S, since the beginning of 2023.

In each of the last three years there have been more than 600 mass shootings, an average of almost two a day.

In the latest numbers, from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, 48,830 people died from gun related injuries. That represented an increase from 2020 which itself was a record breaking year.

Of those 48,830 deaths, 26,328 were suicides, 20,958 were homicides, 549 were unintentional, 537 were legal interventions and 458 were undetermined cause.

A chart showing gun-related-killings as a percentage of all homicides in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the UK in 2020 shows the U.S, not surprisingly, leading the way at 79 per cent. Canada was second at 37 per cent, followed by Australia at 13 per cent and the UK at four per cent.

Of course the U.S. is also the leader in gun ownership in the world with a total of 120.5 firearms per 100 residents. Second place in this category goes to Yemen with 52.8 guns per 100 residents.

Canada clocks in at 34.7 guns per 100 residents.

CONTINUED

In the U.S, each mass killing, especially where children are indiscriminately killed, leads to renewed calls for stricter gun controls both on ownership and on just the purchase of a gun.

With 50 states having their own rules for gun purchase and ownership it is literally the wild west in the U.S,

But no matter how many people argue for stricter controls the powerful gun lobby in the U.S, prevails and generally nothing changes.

In some states you can go and see the weapons of choice on display at a local gun show. If you can’t legally buy one due to a past criminal record, mental issues or any other reason, step out into the parking lot where Jim-Bob can quickly sell you one out of the trunk of his car no questions asked as long as the cash is green.

In Canada, the Trudeau Liberals really want to put all the blame on law abiding gun owners and they want to confiscate all handguns, automatic weapons almost to the basic single shot .22 rifle to keep them out of the

hands of criminals.

In Canada, you have to take a gun safety course before you can apply to own a gun. Then you have to undergo a background check. And the ownership of a handgun in Canada is extremely difficult.

The Liberals, however, are pandering to Canada’s large cities at the expense of the rest of the country.

Somewhere in between lies part of the answer. You can’t have a totally loose, open carry system such as is allowed in much of the U.S, but you still should be able to own a weapon in Canada, especially if you use it for hunting for food, and if you live in a rural area where you may need to protect your livestock from predators.

I agree there has to be mental background testing before gun ownership is allowed and there should be strict age limits to gun ownership.

I do remember when a youngster under 10 years old killed a shooting range official when she lost control of the Uzi she was using for tar-

get practice in Arizona a few years ago.

When you read or hear about this sort of story you just shake your head asking how it could happen.

But I think there’s one more culprit.

Hollywood and video game manufacturers.

In the movies we see people shot and getting up all the time. In video games the gun is put in the hands of children to shoot evil aliens or zombies.

At what point do people get immune to this and start confusing role playing and movie watching with reality?

The television shows are more violent than the nightly news of violence around the world.

Ease of access, lack of controls, the lack of ability to separate fantasy from reality and a world of doom and gloom are all contributing to the problems in the U.S, Wonder if anyone will ever have the wherewithal to actually step up, muster the U.S. legislators, and say enough is enough.

Not likely in my lifetime … they’d be shot for trying!

BY JOHN MATHER

The lobbying by the Northeast Mayors, Reeves, and Indigenous Leaders’ Caucus appear to have paid off as Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors Minister Devin Dreeshen announced $5 million in funding for engineering and design work for the highway.

The initial work will include twinning from

Bonnyville to Cold Lake, passing lanes from Smoky Lake to Cold Lake, intersection upgrades, grade widening, curve reconstruction and safety rest areas.

Dreeshen made the announcement of the funding April 24 at the Town of Bonnyville offices.

“I know some in this room might say, it’s about darn time, it

should have been a long time ago. But all I can say is it’s happening now,” said Dreeshen during the press conference, where elected officials from across Lakeland were present. In the past, continuing efforts to draw attention to Highway 28 have been replied to by saying that traffic counts on the highway have not yet met the requirements for twinning.

But that opinion changed, Dreeshen said, after looking at the type of traffic present on the road. That includes not just commuters, but heavy oil tankers and agriculture with limited times to safely pass, as well as the degrading quality of the highway over time.

“That’s why when we looked at highway 28, this way around, we saw that yes, the traffic counts are high. But also as the type of traffic that’s in this region. And we ultimately wanted to make sure that we can address it, we can make sure that we plan for safe travel,” he said.

Dreeshen said typically it takes a year or two to roll out the engineering work of this scale before physical work can begin.

And those who drive the road the most — the Lakeland residents — will have a say at open

houses in our area to review the plans and provide their input and what portions of the highway should be looked at the most.

The accumulation of voices from the municipalities was highlighted as a contributing factor in this funding announcement as well.

Penned following a Nov. 8 meeting the Northeast caucus wrote to Premier Danielle Smith and Dreeshen stating they were concerned about the deterioration of the corridor as one of the most significant issues facing the region.

Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch, Lamont Mayor Kirk Perrin, Mundare Mayor Cheryl Caliniou, and Mayor Maurice Langevin from Chipman were among 34 of the leaders from the region signing the letter.

“On Highway 28, one can travel almost 300 kilometres in significant

traffic with only a few opportunities to safely pass using a second lane,” the caucus stated in its letter.

“This highway is an important commercial an d social link for our residents, businesses, and industry. Everyday, the highway is used by many people from Northeast Alberta to access life-saving healthcare services in Edmonton that are unavailable in our local hospitals.

At the same time, goods and services travel this highway, farmers make use of it to access fields and, with a significant increase in our area's tourism sector, more campers and trailers can be seen travelling Highway 28’s single lane of traffic on their way to the beautiful lakes and parks that Northeast Alberta has to offer."

Holden Holden

Jayden Chomik -Crop Management Logistics

Taylor Chomik - Allan Olson Auction

Baylee Chomik - LMG Mechanical

Carter Chomik - D2 Electric/R&C Yuha Farms Ltd

Gavin Oslund - Lutz Land & Cattle

Taylor Roulston - Black Dog Outfitter

Kate Albrecht - Jackie Brugleman

Quinten Albrecht - JCR Farms

Keely Chomik - DJ Plumbing Cohen Buttner - OK Tire

Zane Gunderson - Tofield Guardian Drugs

Rhea Gunderson - K3 Corn Maze/Danny Hooper Edibles

Aiden Ezio - Country Bottle Depot

Austin Ezio - Central Agencies

Tuf Bratrud - K Cow Ranch

Viking Viking

Luke Brooke - Loves Custom Meats

Ashley KleinViking Auction Market

Alex Klein - Vision Credit Union

Logan Brooke - K-Cow Ranch

Lincoln Hollar - Halco Construction with Parrish

- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

NDP candidate Rudyk brings municipal experience to Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville race

BY JOHN MATHER

Fort Saskatchewan

Vegreville NDP candidate Taneen Rudyk brings a lot of municipal experience to the game as she seeks to unseat incumbent Jackie Armstrong Homeniuk in the provincial election May 29.

Rudyk lives in Vegreville and has served as a Vegreville councillor for more than 10 years. She also recently completed a term as the president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Rudyk opened her campaign office in Fort Saskatchewan on May 5. Rudyk spent her Saturday campaigning in the Vegreville area.

I've been a councillor since 2010 so I have had the opportunity to meet not only a lot of the residents in the Vegreville area, but also councillors and municipal officials from throughout the constituency,” she said.

“That’s been a great benefit for me.”

“But I was also born and raised in the constituency, at Two Hills, and I know a lot of people just through my family connections.”

Rudyk said the Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville constituency is like the province as a whole.

“There is a lot of diversity in this constituency,” she said. “In terms of agriculture and small yet booming cities. Fort Saskatchewan is one of the fastest growing cities in the province.”

She said her role with the FCM has allowed her to listen to people and meet them where they are at and mediate their concerns.”

She said the local Fort Saskatchewan office opening was”great.”

“We had some existing volunteers and some new volunteers. It was nice. We met some people who have voted conservative their entire lives but aren't comfortable under the current conservative leadership and have decided they’d be more comfortable with the trusted leadership that I’ll be able to provide with the NDP.”

She said it was the right finish to a busy week of door knocking.

Rudyk added she had attended a lot of community events listening to the concerns of people

sion we’ve seen since the election was called has resulted in teachers being let go from both school boards because it doesn't keep pace with the rising costs.”

She said the system is a couple of thousand teachers short and the NDP would hire 4,000 teachers and 3,500 educational assistants over four years.

“In the smaller rural communities that would have a huge impact,” she stated.

hearing what was keeping them up at night.

Some of those concerns, she hears, no matter where in the riding she is, are affordability, healthcare, and education.

“People are concerned the Alberta Advantage of the past few years has melted away.”

In education people feel children have to be supported by an adequate number of teachers and EAs.”

“People want to know their MLA is listening to them and representing their concerns and as the MLA for the NDP I’ll be able to do that.”

When asked about whether the local Elk Island School Board could be more transparent with their trustees being allowed to talk to their  constituents and whether the rural schools are being fairly represented, Rudyk didn't answer directly.

“I can’t comment on any policy about who the trustees talk to,” she said, stating she was unaware of it.

“I’ve built my career on championing smaller communities. I try to make sure it doesn’t matter what your postal code is to determine a fair outcome.”

But she added, as a councillor, she knows it is a challenge trying to meet everyone’s needs and having the assets and resources to meet those challenges.

“What I can say is the type of investment needed to be stable and secure we haven't seen over the past four years,” she said. “Even the infu-

Rudyk said she’s been incredibly excited to showcase Alberta’s Industrial Heartland in her role with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

“The innovation and ingenuity that’s happening there is a credit to both the industrial partners and the elected officials working alongside each other trying to find the best path forward for economic security in the area.”

She said some of the NDP announcements such as investing in the Highway 15/Scotford interchange are incredibly important and investing in Alberta’s energy in all its forms is important.

Continued on Page 23

Taneen Rudyk

Independent candidate running for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA seat

BY JANA SEMENIUK

A former member of the Wildrose Independence Party, Kathy Flett, 49, is running as an independent for the Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA seat in the upcoming election May 29.

Flett held an informal meet and greet session in Lamont on May 8 where a small group of people came out to hear what she had to say. Flett said she feels connected to the area after living in Strathcona County for the past 15 years and wants to protect the ‘small-town’ feel of the constituency.

“I think it's important that we protect that. The more I got involved in politics, the more I realized that the way to protect that is to get involved,” she said. “(Being an independent) is just the only way I'm going to be able to be a

voice for people. I don't know any other way I can be.”

Flett said after door knocking and speaking to constituents, she believes the most important issues in the area are people not feeling heard, education, seniors being left behind and land use bylaws.

In terms of education, Flett said she believes parents should have the choice on where to send their children for school, adding the curriculum needs to be free of social ideologies.

“Public schools need to get back to just teaching the basics. Special interest groups in there are not (acceptable),” she said. “Teachers (should not) decide that they're going to share what their values and their political leanings are with students. That should be a fireable offense.”

Flett said large school

boards representing both urban and rural schools should be split with each side being represented by their own respective board, citing the recently closed rural school in Andrew as case in point.

“(Between urban and rural) there's two very different needs. They try and lump them together, and then the one who has the most votes win. Well, that's always the urban because generally, more people live there,” she said.

“This is the last year for Andrew School because it’s closing. We've got to fight (closing rural schools) not only at the municipal level, but at the provincial level as well.”

Flett said currently there are six independent candidates running across Alberta for the election but there could be more.

“There's six in total, that are running in different constituencies across the province and there could be more because we have until May 11,” she said.

Flett added she will be participating in an upcoming all-candidates forum in Fort Saskatchewan but the date has not yet been confirmed.

With the understanding that rural students have diverse learning styles, we operate on a 4 day school week and partner with work placements around the community to provide out-ofclassroom education in addition to the regular curriculum. We are so proud of, and can't wait to tell you about our new public charter school serving grades 7 to 12!

Kathy Flett, independent candidate for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Lamont Veselka Dancers finish off year with performance and banquet

Dance group in a growth spurt keeping traditions alive

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Lamont Veselka Ukrainian Dancers held their year end performance at the St. Michael Hall, May 6, capping off another year of children’s Ukrainian dancing in the county.

The evening, complete with roast beef dinner prepared by Iron Wood Catering, silent auction and 50/50 draw, saw four groups of children, ages three to 15, performing several traditional dances.

Vice President Kim Leitch said this is her second year with the club which

has grown substantially from last year.

“We had 16 kids last year and this year we had 22,” she said. Leitch added that she feels the group is important in keeping Ukrainian traditions alive in the county.

“We're in a hugely Ukrainian populated (area) where a lot of people are descendants of Ukrainian settlers. Keeping that cultural identity right through (with) the dancing is huge,” she said. “The amount of support the club gets (with) people signing up for (dancing and) even our year end, I

think, shows the importance of continuing it.”

At least 150 family and friends were at St. Michael Hall cheering on their dancers during the banquet. Level two dancers, ages seven to nine, received an additional surprise of a certificate and $20 each for winning the Show Stopper Award from the Kalyna Dance Festival in March.

Leitch said families do not need to belong to a Ukrainian background to join the dance group. She added that those interested in enrolling their chil-

dren in the upcoming season, which starts in the fall, should watch for advertising in early Sept. that will direct parents on where and when to sign up.

She also said joining the group had other benefits for her own daughter besides learning how to perform Ukrainian dancing.

“Making new friends,” she said. “What makes it is when you have a good group of parents and a good group of kids.”

Photos by Jana Semeniuk

Lamont Curling Club Lamont Curling Club

Thank you from the Lamont Curling Club for the generous support of all of our incredible sponsors who help make our Farmers’ and Ladies Bonspiels a success for everyone to enjoy.

MAJOR SPONSORS

Bayer Crop Science

BASF

Beaver Creek Co-op

Best Farming

Brett Young Seeds

Crop Management Services

Corteva

Deerland

Elk Island Mechanical

Galloway Seeds

General Auto

Lamont Leader

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ATB Financial

ATP Nutrition

BM Services

Bob and Cindy Starko and Family Bunge Fort Sask

CT Skid Steer Attachments (Cory Cholak)

Elk Island Catering

EMAX Plastics

Fort Saskatchewan Correctional

Center – Wood Working Program

KG Enterprises

Lamont Liquor Store

Lamont River Rats

Lilly’s Pizza

Mel and Kathy Starko and Family

Mid-Tri Farms Ltd. (Gary and Doris Koenig)

NuEarth Soil Solutions

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Richardson Pioneer Servus Credit Union

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Old Country Sausage

Pitchfork Gardens

SeCan – Trent Whiting

Sobkow Family Farms (Mark and Nellie Sobkow)

Theune Financial Corp.

Tim and Cynthia Bartz

Town of Lamont

UFA

Peter Chrapko

Tom’s Catering

Lynn and Greg Huxley

Lamont Hair Boutique

Lamont Value Drug Mart

Titan Auto Repair

Elk Island Mechanical

Elk Island Catering

Flaman’s Fitness – Nisku

Beaver Creek Co-op

Webb’s Machinery

Imagination Engraving

Smith Insurance Syngenta

The Fort Distillery

Tom’s Catering UPL

Viterra Webbs

Western Asphalt Products

Woitas Family Farms

Lamont Ag Society

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers

Lamont County Pharmacy

Perks Dental Hygiene

Advanced Therapeutic Massage

Janine Whiting - Epicure

Town of Lamont

Morag Dziwenko-Tupperware

Lindsay Sikora – Scentsy

Lamont Health Care Centre

Delina-Rae Christoffersen – Arbonne

Lindsay Atchison- Thirty One

McEwen’s Fuel and Fertilizer

AAA Natural Foods

Cynthia Bartz

Linda Sieker Paragon

Colleen Holowaychuk and Mike Mullany

Perry Koroluk

Whitetail Crossing Golf Course

Stephanie Shaw

CLUBSPONSORSTHROUGHSIGNSATTHERINK

ATB Financial

Heartland Ford

Deerland

ML Ventures

Lamont Fish and Game

Bruce Phos Inc

McEwens

Servus Credit Union

Lamont Lions Club

Lamont Catering Club

Beaver Creek Co-op

Providence Grain

Smith Insurance

Lamont Health Care Centre

Lamont Value Drug Mart

Webb’s Machinery Ltd

Nutrien Ag Solutions

Town of Lamont

Hrehorets Bus Service

Lamont Liquor Store

Back Alley Pub

Lamont Ag Society

Lamont Curling Rink

Men's League Winner; Kenton Maschmeyer Team

Women's League Winners ; Aileen Reilly, Melinda Kliezel, Lesley Reynolds, (missingColleen Holowaychuk)

Lamont Curling Club is thankful to our sponsors that helped make our Club, Leagues and Farmers’ and Ladies Bonspiel possible. Please support our sponsors and give them extra thanks when you see them. Lamont Curling Club had a successful full season with our famous bonspiels, our Men's and Rec leagues and our returning new Women's League! We continued on with our Junior League with 21 kids from ages 8-15 years participating. The Club also hosted an Alberta Curling Club Coach Clinic that had fabulous results that will lead into new developments coming next curling season Stay tuned! Lamont Curling Club is also proud to have participated in community events such as the Town of Lamont Parade and the Lamont Light UP! If you would like to sponsor a sign in the rink or a bonspiel, give us a shout we would love to hear from you! Thanks for all your support! Our next curling season will prove to be just as exciting!

Ladies Bonspiel A Event Winner; Tami Warawa Team

Junior League Group Photo

Rec League Winner; Troy Kietzel Team

Farmers Bonspiel A Event Winner; Jason Starko Team

Bullarama Supreme

“It’s definitely on our wish list,” said Green.

The 50/50 tickets were sold by the Ardrossan Minor Football team and the lucky winner walked away with $877.

When the dust settled in the bullriding event, the big winner was Arrowhead, AB high school student

UPREME UPREME ULLARAMA B ULLARAMA S S B

Lamont

Agricultural Society puts on exciting show through windy weather conditions

Beau Gartner who garnered 169.5 points and walked away with $8,000 in prize money. The win for the double entered Gardner allowed him to have 800 first place points on the season.

Gardner also took the second place prize of $600 for rides totalling 82.5 points.

He was allowed the double entry, explained Green, because some entrants had to cancel after the previous night’s bullriding event in Elk Point.

Third place was won by Fabian

Dueck, while Eric O’Flynn took home fourth place and $200.

Fifth place was won by Wyatt Smith and sixth place was won by Elijah Gordon.

One of the popular features at the event was the Meet & Greet contest for children under 12. Ten children were selected in a random draw of all entries and they got to join in the ring before the event to chat with the bullriders and bullfighters who also signed autographs for the winners.

“It was really cool meeting the cow-

boys,” said nine-year-old Davin Wilcox-Palash from Tofield. “It was my third time meeting the cowboys.”

He said he had met cowboys in a similar meet and greet at the Tofield Rodeo.

For two-and-a-half year old Frankie Porter from Bruderheim it was exciting.

“It was fun,”  he said with a little coaching from his mom, Jana. “I’m looking forward to the show.”

When asked he said he might like to be a cowboy when he got older.

Continued from front page

Frankie Porter, two and a half, along with mom Jana, from Bruderheim were excited to meet with bullrider Eric O’Flynn from Quesnel, B.C.  during the Lamont Bullarama Supreme meet and greet the bullriders May 6 at the Lamont Rodeo Grounds. The event was a contest where 10 kids under 11 were able to enter to meet the cowboys who signed autographs for the kids. The winners were then given some special treats.

A bullrider starts to leave the bull during the Lamont Bullarama Supreme May 6 while a bullfighter prepares to distract the bull if it looks like there’s risk of injury.

The stands were full for the 2023 edition of Bullarama Supreme at the Lamont Rodeo Grounds, May 6. A total of 1,200 people filled the stands, topping last year’s record of 1,100.

Mom Julie Maillet, from Fort Saskatchewan, reacts with surprise when her young son Denver jumps back into her arms after a bull charged the pen fence, holding it in, startling the group.

A bullrider hangs on for dear life as he goes for a wild ride during the May 6 Bullarama Supreme at the Lamont Rodeo Grounds

Kid's Meet & Greet Behind the Chutes experience - 10 lucky kids won their way into the arena for a meet & greet with the Bull Riders & Bull Fighters; then the whole group posed for photo.

All Bullarama Supreme photos by: John Mather or Crystal Moren

Sisters share devastating diagnosis

One receives organ transplant while the other waits and hopes

BY JANA SEMENIUK Bruderheim resident

Norrie Campbell, 64, celebrated a special anniversary on May 7. It was one year ago on that day she received a double lung transplant at the University of Alberta Hospital, saving her from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a fatal lung disease that severely limits breathing ability.

Today, Campbell’s sister Tammy Stewart, 60, who was also diagnosed with COPD in addition to emphysema, is hoping for the same outcome. Both diseases make breathing difficult and lead to eventual death.

People with COPD can live five to 20 years and Campbell found herself relying on oxygen shortly after her diagnosis.

“I was 54 in 2013 when I was first had problems.

I knew there was a problem because I was helping George (my husband) with the horses and I couldn’t breathe,” she said.

Although Campbell was a smoker, she said she never experienced anything like it before. After over a year of seeing several different doctors, she finally had a diagnosis of COPD in 2016.

“The doctor said I needed a double lung transplant,” she said.

“I cried.”

Campbell said her husband George was a big support for her, using a special binder given to them by the transplant team to carefully track lab testing numbers in addition to medication doses in preparation of being placed on the transplant list.

Campbell also quit

smoking.

“(I quit smoking because) I wanted my lungs,” said Campbell, who was finally placed on the list in 2021. She said her health continued to decline while waiting, which meant trips to the emergency

room for low oxygen levels, blood transfusions for bleeding intestinal polyps, heart problems and a severe crisis in 2020 where Campbell was admitted to the ICU. She said she worried that she would die before receiving a transplant.

“(I worried I wouldn’t make it). People I was going to physio with were getting their lungs. It was frustrating,” she said. Campbell finally got the call she was waiting for while shopping in 2022.

“Maryann (my coordinator) called while I was in Coop and said ‘We have lungs for you’. I started to cry,” she said. Campbell immediately called her husband, and her sister, Tammy Stewart, who by this time was also diagnosed with COPD in addition to emphysema.

“We had to get to the hospital right away. I was slated for surgery the next day,” she said, becoming emotional at the memory.

Her donor was being kept alive on life support in anticipation of the organ donation.

“I thought of the life I was going to have, but also of the family who donated the lungs. How were they feeling?”

Campbell did not know anything about her donor until she received a letter from the donor’s family after the successful transplant. In the hand-written letter, the donor’s family shared that she was a young woman who was a twin. She graduated high school with honours and recently graduated university before being hired in her chosen field which was not specified. Her cause of death or how many other recipients received her organs was also not disclosed.

“As time passes, she is always with us and we find some comfort in the fact her last gift was selfless,” said the letter.

Continued on Page 23

Sisters Tammy Stewart (L) from Ardrossen and Norrie Campbell (R) from Bruderheim May 3. Campbell celebrated one year since her double lung transplant for COPD while Stewart is waiting for a suitable donor for her COPD and emphysema.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Affordable Advertising with with L

Classifieds

COMING EVENTS

CLASSIFIED AD RATES

$14 minimum for first 25 words, 45¢ per word thereafter (G.S.T. not included)

PICTURE BOLD $10 $5 ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PREPAID BEFORE INSERTION unless customer has an account in good standing.

LAMONT LEADER

Ph. 780-895-2780

ANNUAL CHURCH AND CEMETERY CLEAN-UP

ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE

CHURCH - PRAGUE

Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.

Beverages and snack to follow

ANNUAL MASSBLESSING OF THE GRAVES

ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE

CHURCH- PRAGUE

Saturday, May 27 Mass at 11 a.m.

Potluck lunch and fellowship to follow at Prague Hall

Round Hill Spring Market, Tuesday May 23 from 5 pm - 7 pm.

FOR RENT

House for Sale or Rent - 5316 - 57 Ave in Viking. 4 bedroom 2 bath. Large backyard with detached garage, across from playground. Available Oct. 31, 2023. No smokers, no pets, damage deposit required. References required. $1,000/month rent. Call Dennis Bird at 780-336-2369 (house) 780385-5689 (cell) or Laura at 780385-2043 for more info!

For Rent in Viking. 3 bedroom townhouse. Comes with fridge, stove, washer, dryer. Includes all utilities except internet. Available April 1. Call 780-336-6089 or 780336-6088

____________________________

3 papers for the price of 1!

SERVICES

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. 1-888-483-8789.

CERTIFIED SEED. - WHEAT –AAC Goodwin, Go Early, Pintail. OATS - AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC SO1 Super Oat. BARLEY – AB. Standswell, Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. Very Early Yellow Pea, Forage Peas. Polish Canola, Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403556-2609.

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.

____________________________ GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.

announcements

Peter Kotyk

Happy 90th Birthday May 15, 2023

For a table call or text Terry @ 780-678-6131.

____________________________

Tofield Golden Club, Mother's Day Sweet Saturday. Homemade cinnamon buns and muffins.

Saturday, May 13, 10 am - noon. $5 at the door.

Everyone welcome!

5004 54th Ave, Tofield.

____________________________

Mother's Day

Pancake Breakfast at Spilstead Hall, 20502 Twp Rd 502, Sunday May 14 9 am - noon.

Large, quiet, non-smoking 2 bedroom apartment in Killam. For viewing, call Chuck at 780-2637290.

FOR SALE

Equipment For Sale

-255 Massey Ferguson with ease on Loader

-10 Ft Land Leveler

-12 Ft Ease on Loader

-6 Ft Rotary Mower with 3 point Hitch

- Buhler 740 Snow Blower

- Arctic Cat Quad

- 1952 Farmall MD restored

- 1934 10-20 McCormick-Deering

-1960 Fordson Dexta

-350 International Diesel

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAINHeated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252.

FORAGE SEED FOR SALE:

Organic & conventional: Sweet

Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

HELP WANTED

____________________________ 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.

____________________________ Grandpa Ken’s Photo StudioLocation Irma Business Centre. In Studion/On Location. Portraits, Family, Weddings, Teams, and Individuals. No sitting fee. By appointments only. 780-754-3081. Email grandpakenps@gmail.com.

Congratulations, Dad/ Geedo on this significant Milestone in your Life!

We hope you are Blessed with Good Health & Happiness!

Love, Sylvia, Gordon; Terrylynn & Mervin; Crystal & Gene, Kyle & Skye, Karissa & Matthew; Bonnie, Eric AUCTIONS

Email: lmtleader @gmail.com AUCTIONS

ROMA MIA MASONRY BUSINESS DISPERSAL AUCTION May 11-16, 2023 - 2017 CAT 262D Skid Steer, Flat Deck Trailer, Masonry Equip., Masonry, Stone, Tools, etc. www.montgomeryauctions.com; Call 403-885-5149.

____________________________

CANINE SOCIAL HOUSE INVENTORY & EQUIP., DISPERSAL AUCTION May 8-11, Temp. Fence Panels, Wash Stations, Grooming Tables, Kennels, Freezers, Pallet Racking, Dog Food, New Inventory & More. www.montgomeryauctions.com; Call 403-885-5149.

Having an Event?

Advertise in the Classifieds!

Adults $8, Youth (7-18) $5, under 6 are free. MOMS ARE FREE.

Pop up Greenhouse - Lougheed Curling Rink - south entranceMay 12-27open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

All proceeds will go towards the restoration of the Son’s of Norway Log Hall located in the Iron Creek Museum. Large selection of flowers, hanging baskets, succulents, vegetables, tomatoes and herbs.

90th Birthday Party for Ruth Zelinski.

Sunday, May 21, 1 to 4 p.m.

Lunch & visiting.

Cake at 3 p.m.

Viking Seniors Centre

No gifts, cards okay.

Everyone welcome!

Viking Historical Society Annual Museum Clean-Up

Saturday, May 13

Starting at 9 a.m.

Lunch will be provided

FOR RENT

3 bedroom house with garage in Viking. Ph (403) 461-4350

-John Deere 60 High Wheel

Tricycle

-Antique Lister Engine

-Shop Equipment & Tools Call 780-385-8814 or 780-3858805 for offers.

____________________________

Truck for Sale. 1989 Ford F150 Lariat. Long box with canopy. Like new tires. New battery. Very little rust. In good working order. 293,625 kms. Asking $3,500. 780336-2247 or 780-632-0284 (cell)

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

Registered Red & Black Angus bulls for sale. Call 780-986-9088

Registered Polled Hereford Bulls, Yearlings, & Two Year Olds.

Guaranteed Breeder. PMD Polled Herefords. Paul 780-336-2675

SEED FOR SAL

Certified Seed For Sale. Oats: ORE3542M - newer milling oats variety. Available for pick up in Camrose or Tofield. Brett Young: Forage varieties are available. Haralie Seed Farms. Harold & Errol Warkentin, Tofield, Alberta. PH 780-662-2617, Cell 780-4058089

VAUXHALL LIONS CLUB 30site campground on Hwy. 36 is looking for an on-site host until Oct. 15. Duties: registrations, collecting fees, facility cleaning, grounds maintenance. E-mail resume bschnarr@xplornet.ca.

MOVING SALE

MOVING SALE #5 Rge Rd 204, Hastings Lake East. Friday, May 12, 4 pm - 8 pm, Saturday, May 13, 10 am - 5 pm.

Exercise Equipment, household items, tools and yard equipment, miscellaneous. For info, 780-662-4941.

MEMORIAL

Celebration of Life for Robert John Maxwell Saturday, May 13 at the Viking Legion Hall 12 to 2 p.m.

SERVICES

Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting Betty Tkaczyk

780-632-8749

Carpet and Upholstery cleaningresidential and commercial. Truck mount unit, sewer backup, and flood cleaning. Auto and RV Cleaning. Call John and Sheri at Fancy Shine Auto and Carpet Care at 780-384-3087

____________________________

Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, Trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097

____________________________ 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!

Willing to travel anywhere in the county. I also do ceiling textures. Flagstaff Taping & Texturing Murray Cholowsky

Call or text at 780-385-1251

WANTED

Wanted - inoperable Massey Ferguson tractor models 2805 or 2775. Please call 780-945-7678

BUYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF COINS & COIN COLLECTIONS!

Purchasing ENTIRE COLLECTIONS & accumulations. Also buying bullion, jewelry, scrap, nuggets, sterling, gold, silver, platinum, estate collections +++ TODD 250-864-3521.

Lamont County Councillor Neil Woitas stripped of deputy reeve role

BY JANA SEMENIUK

A special Lamont County council meeting was held May 3 resulting in division five Councillor Neil Woitas being stripped of his deputy reeve status in a four to one vote.

Lamont County Reeve David Diduck called on division two Councillor Aaron Wick to make the motion rescinding Woitas’ deputy reeve appointment after council came out of a closed session with Woitas attending.

Immediately following the vote, with Woitas the only opposing, Diduck shifted the conversation to the appointment of a new deputy reeve, guided by Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky who said the new deputy reeve can be appointed and then sworn in at the next council meeting on May 9.

Division four councillor Roy Anaka made the motion to appoint division one councillor Daniel Warawa as

deputy reeve until the next organizational meeting in Oct.

Among no other nominations, the motion was carried.

While both Woitas and Diduck were unavailable for comment, communications director Jay Zaal said all information related to the motions were protected under FOIP (freedom of information and privacy) section 19 (confidential evaluations) and 23 (local public body confidences).

Zaal would not com-

ment on what led up to the demotion or what Woitas did to prompt the action.

“The Reeve called for a meeting with the agenda being code of conduct –and all discussions and reasons related to that were in closed session and not available to the public,” he said, adding all councillors were notified of the upcoming special meeting on May 1.

CERTIFIED SEED FOR SALE

Wheat:

CWRS - AAC Brandon - Improved Rated MR4 FHB resistance

- Most widely grown CWRS variety in Western Canada for 5 years

CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB

-Wheat Midge tolerant

- Very good lodging resistance

CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option

-In demand by milling and ethanol industries

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.

I budget a portion of my revenue to advertising with The Leader. It’s smart business to re-invest in promoting my business.

I see other successful businesses advertising in The Leader. Great minds think alike!

Yellow Peas:

CDC Canary - Improved standability

-Early maturity

-Higher Yielding

Faba Beans:

CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin

- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop

6-Row Feed Barley:

AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight

- Smooth awned

-High grain and forage yield

2-Row Malt Barley:

CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies

Division five councilor Neil Woitas during a March county council meeting. Woitas was stripped of his deputy reeve status in a special closed meeting of council May 3.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

This is my last weekly newsletter before the 2023 Provincial Election, coming up in May!

I would first like to thank all of you for your tremendous support, ideas, concerns, suggestions, and involvement in our community.

Serving as the MLA for Fort SaskatchewanVegreville has been a great honour, and I hope to be able to continue serving each of you after the election in May.

Thank you for the past four years.

With this being the last newsletter for a while, I’d like to share with you all a select few of the many achievements we’ve accomplished together over the course of this mandate:

•Successfully advocated for $3.3 million in provincial funding for Prosperity Industrial Park in Vegreville

•Successfully advocated for provincial funding for water projects in Vegreville, Mundare, Bruderheim, Myrnam, and Two Hills

•With my advocacy, our government has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the past four years to ensure rural Albertans have reliable, high-speed internet connectivity.

•Personally advocated for the Vegreville Food Bank to receive over $60,000 in provin-

cial funds, ensuring their ability to continue serving Vegreville residents.

•In addition to serving as the Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Settlement in Alberta, have also worked with Vegreville Stands with Ukraine, and have even been sanctioned and banned by name from entering Russia by Vladimir Putin

•Personally advocated for the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank and the Food Gatherers Society to receive over $600,000 in provincial funding for their facility. Also secured over $90,000 in additional grant funding for these organizations

•Been a strong voice in our United Conservative government supporting the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital.

•Have been frontand-centre in working collaboratively to find solutions when obstetrician shortages have occurred

•Successfully advocated for the $60 million Vinca Bridge replacement

•Led the successful push for new overpasses at the intersections of Highway 830 with Highways 15 and 16

•Successfully advocated for improving and updating the TWP 560 and Highway 830 inter-

section, and multiple other paving upgrades and safety improvements being conducted on Highway 16

•Awarded more than $32 million in funding support from the Alberta Petrochemical Incentive Program (APIP) for Dow Canada’s expansion of its Fort Saskatchewan ethylene production facility and other local

petrochemical projects

Once again, thank you all for the past four years! If you have any questions, please contact my office at FortSaskatchewan.Veg reville@assembly.ab.ca. Thank you!

Jackie ArmstrongHomeniuk, MLA Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville Parliamentary Secretary for Ukrainian Refugee Settlement in Alberta

MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk

ATV riding peace officers rile up Bruderheim residents

BY JANA SEMENIUK

A pair of peace officers riding throughout Bruderheim on ATVs last week prompted social media outrage with residents upset at the disparity in local rules for ATV use.

“How is it that you’re not allowed to ride an ATV in town but they are. They even went down the walking path. If we do that it’s $250,” commented one social media poster.

“Bruderheim is so very close to the dunes. Allowing quads in and around town would bring much needed business to the gas stations,

restaurants, grocery store etc. It would also help promote and encourage people to move to the area. Council is very short sighted with their restrictions,” wrote another. “It would also fill up the campground with riders coming for weekends. It’s a no brainer.”

The current OffHighway Vehicle Bylaw, passed in 2011 and on the Town website, states that snowmobiles are allowed to use the most direct route in and out of the town limits while also allowed to park adjacent to Queen’s Park in order to access the

Summer seasonal Laborers

Emcon Services is currently seeking Laborers and Flaggers

For the Vegreville, Two Hills, and Lamont areas for the upcoming summer season. Job duties may include but are not limited to:

Flagging, Crack sealing, Rest area maintenance, Highway Inspections, sign and guardrail repairs, bridge washing, pot hole filling, grass trimming.

Ability to work extended hours and weekends as required.

Applicants must have a valid Class 5 drivers license.

Emcon Services Inc. offers competitive wages and maintains a substance abuse policy.

Please email or fax applications to: Emcon Services Inc. Attn. Jim Mears

Email: wmears@emconservices.ca

businesses on Queen Street. Off-Highway vehicles (ATVs), however, are not permitted to operate on any Town owned property. The only exception to the offhighway vehicles rule are peace officers and Town staff, or agents of the Town, who are exempt from this bylaw when performing special duties.

The fine for a first offence breaking the bylaw is $250 with second and subsequent fines set at $500.

Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch said the bylaw is currently under review.

“Our current ATV bylaw is under review by administration as part of a much larger bylaw,” said Hauch by text. “Bylaw enforcement are doing their job to the best of their ability. Bylaw enforcement only enforce what the rules are, of the bylaws currently in place. When town residents have

complaints that folks are contravening any bylaw, bylaw enforcement comes to town and per-

Fort Saskatchewan - Vegreville

Kathy Flett

Community over Conformity People over Politics

forms their duty, as part of their due diligence.”

Bruderheim’s next council meeting is May

10 at 7 p.m where residents can attend in person at the fire station or watch online.

www.independentsforalberta.ca/kathy-flett K.Flett@independentsforalberta.ca

Approved by the Official Agent for the Kathy Flett Campaign

Two peace officers rode their ATVs throughout the town of Bruderheim on Apr. 30 sparking outrage online from residents who felt the allowance for their ATV use in town was unfair.

Photo: Liza Dmyterko

NDP Rudyk

Continued from Page 9

“When the Industrial Heartland does well Alberta does well,” she stated.

“It’s an important piece of the puzzle in Alberta’s financial future.”

Rudyk was appointed to the constituency as the candidate eliminating

Awaiting transplant

Continued from Page 16

The family also stated they would be open to meeting Campbell, who wrote them back expressing the same hope.

Campbell said she thanks God for her second chance at life.

“I thank God for my new life to look after George,” she said. “I (also) thank the family, and hopefully their family has peace.”

Meanwhile, Campbell’s sister Tammy Stewart got her phone call in late April that lungs were available. She called her family and made her way to the U of A Hospital, in the same way her sister did nearly a year before, to get prepped for her own life-saving surgery. Her joy was shortlived, however, after her donor’s heart continued to beat for longer than the allotted timeframe after their life support was withdrawn which rendered their organs too damaged for transplant.

Canada has a ‘dead donor rule’ which stipulates that donors must

Fire: Lamont fire divisions muted from media contact

Continue from Page 4

The County fire divisions are no longer allowed to speak to media directly, rather all answers must be directed through the County Communications Officer, Jay Zaal.

Although Zaal provided few details, he did say the County responded to a request for support

the need for a nomination meeting, but she doesn’t see herself as a so-called star candidate.

“I don’t know about that.”she said. “I think I am a positive candidate for the constituency. I was born in Two Hills and raised in Hairy hill. “Most of my life has been spent here and I moved back with my family in 2000.

“My role in local government has allowed me

not be killed for organ procurement and doctors must wait a full five minutes after the heart stops beating to declare death before organs can be harvested.

At least three other people, in addition to Stewart, were turned away from organ donation that day, but Stewart she said she accepted the devastating news as fate.

“I looked at it from a different perspective, I looked at it from it wasn't meant to be,” she said. “Unfortunately, someone has to die (and) it's a blessing that (people can live because of) donors.”

Stewart has had several brushes with death since her COPD diagnosis in 2019. In Aug 2021 she became unconscious in the parking lot of COSTCO in Sherwood Park but was saved by an anonymous passerby who administered CPR until paramedics arrived. She spent nearly three weeks recovering in the hospital with seven broken ribs and a broken sternum from the life saving CPR.

In Feb. she contracted COVID. Today she is using oxygen and hoping for the best while

from Strathcona Emergency Services.

“Four Lamont County Emergency Services (LCES) apparatus (responded) along with staff to assist. That fire is now under control (LCES is no longer supporting this event.)” he said by email.

“Fire activity within Lamont County was subdued over the weekend

No new wildland/grassfire incidents. Lamont County’s Duty Crew (staffed apparatus) continues between 10:30 and 18:30 for expedited response. A reminder the fire ban remains in effect

to be an Albertan who’s proud of who we are and how best we can move to the future.”

Rudyk also spent some time on the board of Alberta Municipalities as a director for towns east.

She added she loves to talk about the Innotech Centre in Vegreville, because it shows that it is world class research being done “right here in a rural community.”

waiting for the phone call that will change her life.

“(I’m) struggling each and every day. And it feels like it's getting worse,” she said. “I could walk from here to the door and be totally out of breath.”

Stewart said she looks forward to being able to travel and spend more time with her young grandson once she receives her new lungs.

“I want to take my grandson to the beach in Mexico and make sandcastles with him,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “He always talks about Mexico.”

According to a 2023 article by Alberta Health Services, in 2022, 491 organ transplants were performed in Alberta, exceeding the previous record of 462 set in 2017. This overall record includes 107 liver transplants and 254 kidney transplants, both records.

Alberta’s deceased donation rate of 21 donors per million population in 2022 was the highest ever in the province, and among the highest in Canada. Lung transplants in Alberta totalled 67 in 2018.

(now province-wide). Conditions continue to be monitored daily and updated as required.”

Zaal also confirmed that emergency services crews from all across Lamont County (Bruderheim, Lamont, Mundare and Chipman) responded to several fires that occured in the county during the first week of May. Meanwhile, according to reports a province wide state of emergency was declared on May 6 as 108 active fires drove the number of evacuees up to 29,000.

“That’s what I love about small communities … you see these gems everywhere.”

“People are doing amazing things all the time and ensuring that outcome is one of things I see as my job as an MLA,” she states.

“Investing through education, healthcare and infrastructure allows

people to come from larger centres to work in the smaller ones or lets people stay in their home towns and it’s important to me that people are able to choose that.”

The public has a chance to meet with Rudyk when the Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont Chamber of Commerce host an all

candidates meeting May 17 at the Dow Centennial Centre beginning at 6:30 p.m.

To date three candidates Rudyk, Armstrong Homeniuk from the UCP, and independent candidate Kathy Flett have announced they are seeking to win the constituency. Nominations close on May 11.

LAMONT COUNTY

• 15,000 sq ft Industrial shop built on 42.8 acres in Lamont County adjacent to the town of Lamont. There is an approximately 15 acres of gravelled yard with partial chain link fencing. located at 195043 HWY 29 Lamont County Price $3,175,000 or call for lease price.

• W4-18-53-24-SW Plan 0826481 Block 2 Lot 1 5.02 acres yard site in Lamont County. Utilities at the property line. Price $49,000

• W4-18-53-26-SE N ½ Lamont County 80 acres property with a 60 ‘ by 40’ shop and the remainder of the land currently in hay. Price $235,000

• W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use. Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price $4,400,000

• W4-18-54-18-NW 2 parcel farm 158.48 acres 130 ± acres of grain cultivation 3 bedroom house. Property has gas, power, well, septic with aerial discharge, Dug out and a shop Price: $795,000

TWO HILLS COUNTY RECREATION LAND

• W4-12-55-27 NW 146 acres with 1/2-mile frontage on the North Saskatchewan River. HWY 29 and RR 123 50± acres of cultivation power at property Nicely treed lot for a building site. Price $350,000

STRATHCONA COUNTY

• SW Part of NW –23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property Price $7,200,000

• Parts of SW and SE -7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price $6,000,000

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, May 10, 2023 - 23

Lauren Hill Steven Hill Norman Hill

LUB/MDP: Extended Public Feedback Period –Submission Deadline May 15

See lamontcounty.ca/ news for more info on the Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Development Plan process and to ensure you are reviewing all updates and proposed changes. Provide your written feedback before May 15

Proclamations

We appreciate all first responders across Lamont County and the amazing work they do in our regional facilities, as we highlight the hard work of nurses during this week.

#OurNursesOurFuture

Economic Development is extremely important to Lamont County and Alberta. We highlight the importance of #EconDevWeek (May 8-12).

May 7-13 is Emergency Preparedness Week - are you prepared? alberta.ca/emergencypreparedness.aspx

#BuildPreparednessHabits

There is a FIRE BAN in Lamont County. NO BURNING ALLOWED See

With snow melted and fields thawing, please take a moment to be cautious when traveling County roadways and highways. In preparation for another growing season, large pieces of farm machinery are waking from the winter slumber and will be on the roads leading to farming fields.

County Range Roads and Township Roads are gravel surfaced—with that, shoulders may still be soft. It is recommended other vehicles pull over, remain stopped, and wait for farm equipment to pass safely. If you attempt to continue driving past farm equipment narrowing your road access, you may steer your vehicle over the shoulder, and the road may give away (crumble).

When passing farm equipment, be cautious of the width of the equipment, as it may take a portion of your lane. When approaching farm equipment on a highway traveling at highway speeds (80-100km/h), depth perception may make this equipment appear further away than it really is. Farm equipment is traveling at ~40km/h, and that closes the distance between very quickly.

Domestic Animals on the Road – Safety and Liability

If you come across (domestic and livestock) animals on Lamont County roads and highways—such as a dog on the road, it is best to contact the SPCA (only when the animal is in distress) or Lamont County’s Community Peace Officer to assist with this. The Humane Society for animals is within Edmonton only.

If you are concerned for the animal’s wellbeing/safety (i.e., if the animal is on a highway or at risk for collision, or during extreme weather), ushering the animal to a safe location should only be done under extreme caution – as you should not put yourself at risk for collision or injury from traffic or the animal – especially if the animal is scared and may become aggressive. Any actions would be at your own risk, and you should not transport the animal. SPCA and the Community Peace Officer are trained to assist with displaced animals.

When you pick up an animal (e.g., take it in your vehicle), you are taking liability for that animal. This means if you have transported the animal to another location, you are responsible for it until return (e.g., animal control will not travel to your location to pick up). In most cases an animal has got outside of a fenced in area or building and is local to the area and should not be removed, and moving them from the area may cause more harm than good intentions.

Taxes – Verify Your Address with Lamont County

It is important you have the correct address on file with Lamont County to receive your 2023 tax notices and other correspondence, and to avoid potential late payment penalties related to mail delivery. New & current landowners should contact us to ensure your correct MAILING ADDRESS is on file (especially if you moved in the past year).

PLEASE

Tax notices are typically sent to ratepayers by mail before the May long weekend. If you have not received your notice before June, contact Lamont County’s Tax Clerk at 780-855-2233.

Please note: Lamont County Administration and Public Works/ASB Buildings are closed for the Victoria Day statutory holiday on Monday, May 22.

Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman

Access current monthly services & programs information for FCSS, CALC and KFRN:

For more information, scan the QR code or visit lamontcounty.ca/community-programming Contact CALC, FCSS or KFRN at: 1-877-895-2233 | 5303-50 Ave. Lamont, AB T0B 2R0

The next scheduled ASB meeting is (tentatively) on June 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.

Next Council Meeting

The next Regular Council Meeting is on Tuesday, May 23, 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/governance/agendas-minutes.

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).

LAMONT COUNTY LIBRARY BOARD

Farming Season Road Safety ty

Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting

Lamontcounty.ca/news for further details.

and Important Recognition Weeks ks