September 20 Lamont Leader

Bruderheim thanks local MLA for numerous grants during successful Fall Festival

$403,314 secured in 2023

BY JOHN MATHER

The Town of Bruderheim took the opportunity on Sept. 16, to publicly thank Fort Saskatchewan Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk for her assistance in the Town obtaining many grants this year.

“We have received quite a few grants and then the election was held so this is the first chance we had to say thank you to her,” said Mayor Karl Hauch.

Following the lunch at the community’s Fall Festival, Hauch joined with Deputy Mayor Wayne Olechow and Armstrong-Homeniuk with a giant cheque totalling $403,314.

“Our MLA Jackie works tirelessly on behalf of our community,” said Hauch during the presentation.

He read aloud a list of the various grants obtained through Municipal Sustainability Funding and through the Canadian Community Building Fund which he credited ArmstrongHomeniuk with helping to obtain.

Grants included $103,000 for community hall upgrades, $12,000 to replace a lawn mower, $25,750 for upgrades to the administrative building parking lot, $51,500 for the new town truck, $19,778 for the library rehabilitation, $26,523 for the bulk fill station upgrades, $113,240 for heating and vent upgrades at the arena, $25,000 for the arena ice plant upgrade, $15,914 for the fire pump upgrade and $10,609 to upgrade 1.1 km of community trails.

“To top this off we’ve been trying to get money for our Town’s water system upgrades,” said Hauch. “Our Town’s budget is just over $3-million annually. She helped us get funding to the tune of $3.3 million for the reservoir

expansion which will go a long way to sustaining our community’s future.”

He said while $3-million didn’t sound like a lot of money putting it in context Strathcona’s annual budget was in the neighbourhood of $400-million and if their mayor got a cheque for that amount from the provincial government he would “be over the moon.”

“So you can imagine how over the moon our council is after getting this funding approval for $3.3-million,” he said. “So thank you very much Jackie.”

For her part Armstrong-Homeniuk said she was proud to represent the community, and added the community was very easy to work with.

“I want to thank all the volunteers who have made this festival today possible,” she said. “Each of the grants are designed to help the community and I’m proud to be part of a government that does care about our rural communities.”

She thanked everyone for coming out and supporting the community.

The Fall Festival was well attended and featured a pancake breakfast followed by a parade along the town’s main street. Following the parade strawberry shortcake was served at the seniors centre, while a two-day ball tournament took place at the agriculture grounds.

Other activities during the two-day festival included face painting; disc golf demonstrations; games for the kids; scooter, skateboard and BMX competitions; a market at Walker School and museum tours.

The Saturday events concluded with a fireworks display and a live band at the agriculture grounds.

Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch, Deputy Mayor Wayne Olechow and Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk hoist a large presentation cheque for more than $400,000 representing grants the MLA has helped the town secure since the start of the year. Hauch and the community publicly thanked Armstrong Homeniuk for her hard work on behalf of the community during the Sept. 16 Fall Festival.

A full five minutes of dazzling fireworks delighted a crowd of people who gathered at the Bruderheim Agricultural Grounds on Sept. 16 to take in the 80s rock band 'Crazy Dave's Renegades' as part of the Bruderheim Fall Festival weekend. More Page 9. Jana Semeniuk photo

Holden charter school attracts Mundare students this year

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Holden Rural Academy, a public charter school in Holden AB, opened their doors Sept. 5 to a nearly doubled enrollment for their second year in operation, including six new students from Mundare.

Principal Brian Dewar said the school, whose mandate is place-basededucation, is growing significantly and continues to attract more students.

“We’ve (nearly) doubled in size. Last year we had 60 kids and (we were expecting) 23 new kids (this year) and we ended up with 46 new kids,” he said. “We’ve added teaching staff, we’ve added aides and it’s a great problem to have. It’s fantastic. You can’t describe a better feeling in the world than watching all these guys get off that bus in the

morning.”

Dewar said HRA is a grade 7-12 publicly funded charter school that follows the Alberta curriculum. They have no tuition fees, no bus fees and operate on a fourday week. Dewar said the largest class increase so far this year is in grades 9-11, and that students are attending HRA from communities such as Daysland, Lindbrook, Vegreville and Mundare.

“We’ve got six students from Mundare and 15 from Vegreville (so far this year),” he said, adding that he attributes this year’s increase to their place-based-education program in addition to simple word of mouth.

“My students from last year (are) going out and telling everybody how good it was for them (and) they're bringing their friends here. It's

word of mouth.”

Dewar said that although the absence of any school fees is a welcome aspect for some families, others want to pay anyway and give back however they can.

“We can make it work without any bus fees and

we bring kids in from Vegreville. People are coming here because there are no fees (and) we've (also) got people coming down and trying to pay fees because they want to give back,” he said.

“(We have one) parent

from Mundare (who) came down and (said), we have an art studio. Here's a bunch of art supplies for your art room. They're not paying fees so they came and brought stuff for us to help out. That’s the kind of parents we have.”

Meanwhile, as the enrolment increases so does the list of businesses who participate in the school’s place-basededucation program where students get first hand experience working closely with local businesses and organizations. Dewar said students will work in various small businesses and agricultural environments as part of the program.

“We get the kids out working in the communities. Some are going back to the farm, some are going to work at Home Hardware, some

are going to Tim Hortons and other places. They're everywhere. It's not just pigeon-holed for any kid,” he said.

“They get that first semester and then (in the) second semester, they switch into something else. I think the kids are excited about getting out and getting their hands dirty. Most of these kids are hard workers. They don't come to school and slack off. They come and they work their butts off here.”

In June 2020, Battle River School Division closed the Holden School due to declining enrollments. The HRA society was created by local parents and eventually took it over as a public charter school offering ‘placebased’ education for grades 7-12, opening their doors in Sept. 2022 to 60 students.

Students step off a school bus at Holden Rural Academy this month, some carrying work boots to start their day. HRA's program includes place-based education where students pair up with participating organizations and businesses to gain first-hand experience with several different career possibilities. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Reeve Diduck addresses AIHA stakeholder event as Heartland chairman

BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County Reeve

David Diduck made his maiden speech as chair of the Alberta Industrial Heartland on Sept. 14, addressing a crowd of roughly 1,400 people at the annual stakeholders conference in Edmonton.

“That was the largest crowd I’ve ever had to speak before,” he said afterward. “We did have a chance to rehearse a little the day before. But I was surprised when I got on stage and saw that 40foot long screen behind me broadcasting me in a very large format. After seeing that I relaxed.”

After extending a welcome to the delegates at the meeting, he gave a brief overview of the association.

“This year,” he said the Alberta Industrial Heartland Association is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“Work on the Heartland started in 1993 when municipal leaders from Strathcona County, City of Fort Saskatchewan, Sturgeon and Lamont counties met together with the shared vision that co-operation between the municipalities would be more effective in the industrial development of the region rather than trying to do it by each one in isolation.

“There were two prominent former politicians who really helped kick-start this process and they were former Strathcona Mayor Vernon Hartwell and former Premier of Alberta Ed Stelmach.”

He said for the next five years municipal leaders met with the public and industrial leaders and the province to create a region that could practice sustained development and support all the municipalities involved.

“The initial hard work came to fruition in 1998 when then Premier Ralph Klein announced the articles of incorporation for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association.”

Diduck added

Edmonton joined the association in 2010, and three communities Bruderheim, Redwater and Gibbons became associate members in 2011.

“This municipal partnership model is a shining example of excellence in collaboration to promote economic development in the area.”

Diduck reported there are currently more than 40 businesses in the Association which invested more than $45million in the Heartland.

He then thanked Premier Danielle Smith and her colleagues for

their support in working with the association to improve the business case for investing in the region.

“The province has classified the Industrial Heartland as a designated industrial zone which stimulates investments and job creation.”

He added the province had also removed its restriction on pulling water from the North Saskatchewan River which will allow four new outtakes to be constructed.

“Hopefully the first approval for a pipeline to allow processed water will be approved later

this year or early next year,” added Diduck.

“The Vinca Bridge heavy haul upgrades and the new interchanges at Highway 15 and 830 will relieve a couple of bottlenecks for traffic in the heartland.”

He added the association has a positive working relationship with the province and intends to see this continue moving forward.

“We do face stiff competition from the gulf coast and the middle east

but we have some advantages in our region including low cost feedstocks, incentives, carbon capture technologies, and a streamlined regulatory approval processes.”

Continued on Page 15

Jann… you doth protest too much!

BY JOHN MATHER

Aw, poor Jann Arden.

Who knew your popularity had tanked so low you had to go to X to voice your displeasure with Pierre Poilievre issuing a few words to the faithful on a flight from Quebec to Calgary.

The flight was added to Westjet’s schedule to ferry western Canadian delegates from the national Conservative Party convention, held in Quebec, back home to western Canada.

Poilievre got his hands on the in flight PA and said a few cheery words to the passengers on the flight. A speech lasting all of 45-seconds.

Well that triggered Arden, who wasn’t anywhere near the flight.

The speech was posted to Twitter and shows the dangers of social media.

It forced Arden out from under her rock to bleat in the ethernet, “Westjet … You and I will not be doing business ever again. This is so ridiculously disappointing.”

Later, sensing some promotion possibilities, the CUPE Alberta president, which represents the Westjet flight crew, Alia Hussain said the cabin crew had no input into the decision to allow Poilievre to use the P.A. system and demanded an apology from the Conservative leader.

Would he had demanded an apology if his master of the universe Jagmeet Singh had said a few words? How about Justin Trudeau?

However the Westjet CEO Alexis von Hoenbroech said, “The leader of the party was given the opportunity to greet delegates onboard (which is not unusual), but this was not a political endorsement nor should it be interpreted as such. We are non-partisan by nature and will revisit our policy on this.”

Now Arden and Hussain should know, I’ve flown on Westjet flights where the cabin crew sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to a passenger celebrating their special day.

Westjet flight crews have been known to tell jokes during a flight and have fun with their passengers. Not having flown for a few years, I can’t say whether this is still the case but it certainly used to be part of Westjet appeal as a commercial airline.

CONTINUED

On an inaugural flight to Chicago from Edmonton many years ago, then Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith said a few words to the passengers about the benefits of the new route.

People have used the PA systems on planes for many years.

Ask permission from the cabin crew and if it's an innocuous message or something bringing good cheer, they generally have no problem with this.

Poilievre actually stated he would like an apology from Hussain for trying to silence free speech.

He added people on the plane were delighted with his remarks.

So Jann, go back to making your music and getting on the talk show circuit.

That’s what you are known for, stick with it.

You aren’t an influencer, at least certainly not in my books.

And again I actually hate the term social media influencer. What qualifies someone for this ridiculous moniker?

And Mr. Union boss … Pierre isn’t going to apologize to you for having some fun with his supporters.

Remember Westjet added this flight to their schedule for one day.

No, it wasn’t a charter, but it was a special flight.

And CTV Calgary is going as far as to find out

if there were non-delegates on the flight who may have been offended by the idea of Pierre saying a few words.

Remember it was 45seconds.

Has Elizabeth May, the queen of green, or Jagmeet Singh, the wannabe prime minister with no hope in hell, ever said anything in a short 45-seconds?

This incident was one of the best non-stories of a week ago.

And sadly, it just points out how stupid the mixture of politics, social media and the inability to converse in a normal way have deteriorated in our country under the leadership of Justin Trudeau.

BY HAZEL ANAKA

Recently Roy was in Vegreville doing some running around. Not sure of the exact places he visited but somehow, somewhere he lost the Presidents Choice Optimum fob he keeps in his wallet.

How do we know this?

The first clue was 3 emails I received from PC Optimum congratulating me on the recent points redemption and asking, almost as an aside, “If you’re not aware of this transaction, please contact us.” Of course, I was unaware because we hadn’t redeemed any points.

As is the case with fraud, some lowlife thief did a small ($10) “test” redemption at No Frills, Vegreville. Many years ago, the same thing happened when my debit card was skimmed and fell into the wrong hands. The withdrawals

FROM WHERE I SIT

A Crummy Couple Weeks

in Quebec grew progressively larger until the bank grew suspicious and froze the account. This time the creep drove to Sherwood Park to continue the theft at two more locations.

In case you’re unaware, qualifying purchases at No Frills, Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh are awarded points which accumulate and are redeemable for future purchases at these places. Perhaps a year ago, we applied for a PC Financial credit card to speed up the points acquisition and avoid the annual fee our previous card charged. So, we had a healthy points balance and had occasionally redeemed points for groceries. Not like the Airmiles program we belonged to for twenty plus years that eventually resulted in a therapeutic massager. Whoop-dedoo.

I could not believe my eyes that this louse spent $150 of our points at Superstore and $130 at the Real Canadian Liquor Store. There is never a good excuse to steal…. but to steal to buy booze is doubly

offensive.

Naturally, I replied to the emails to say the redemptions were not done by us. Not yet twigging onto the fact that Roy had lost his fob. President’s Choice had had a security breach a few years prior so I assumed it was another one of those. They write back to say that the fob was actually scanned so voila, no fraud.

This time I call the number in the reply email and encounter the most sympathetic guy ever. But sympathy only goes so far. “Oh, because of the amount of money ($290) this would have to be dealt with by another department. Expect a decision in 2 to 10 business days.” In the meantime, the points are frozen for redemption but collecting can go on.

If you knew how ticked off, but still clinging to a glimmer of hope, I was having to deal with this at all, never mind during harvest. If you’ve already guessed that they still think it was a valid redemption and we’re shit out of luck, you’d be right.

In my two emails, I

make some valid points that they’ve clearly chosen to ignore. How is it that anyone can redeem points without some validating second step? A show of ID, a PIN, a signature, something. Did they not learn anything from prior security breaches and tighten up their processes? Do they not carry liability insurance for just such fraud cases? Since they track customer behaviour and purchases in order to ‘personalize’ bonus offers, in all these years, have they ever seen us buy liquor? Why would we travel an additional hour to go to another store on the same day to buy groceries and booze?

I told them my good name and excellent credit rating are worth more than $290 and I wouldn’t be pulling such a stunt. Since we’re unable to prove we didn’t do it, how about if they prove we did do it. I suggested they check store surveillance to see if either of us was ever even in those stores. I await the latest bullshit answer.

I know enough about the world to know that it costs less to retain a loyal

customer than to attract a new one. I know the damaging effects of a bad customer service story told and retold to anyone who’ll listen. This column could just as easily have been a good news story of a large corporation doing the fair thing to make things right. As individuals, all of us have felt the power imbalance when confronting the corporate, government

or bureaucratic giant who has mistreated us through stupid or unfair policies. If this story ends up with restitution, I’ll be the first to shout it from the rooftops. In the meantime, though, it’s hard not to lose even more faith in the basic honesty of people (there would be no issue if the fob had been turned in as lost instead of used to steal). And as for believing in fair treatment by corporations, we know how that goes. It’s been a crummy couple of weeks, from where I sit.

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Lamont County holds off passing LUB after public meeting

BY JOHN MATHER

Lamont County has held off passing its municipal development plan (MDP) and land use bylaw (LUB) until further clarifications on some amendments are provided, and will set up a workshop in the new year to further discuss them..

Council is still grappling with amendments to the LUB following a raucous public meeting on Aug. 15, where a large number of residents expressed their displeasure with the bylaw in its current format.

Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky said council could discuss changes and then have administration

bring them back in an amended bylaw.

Tarnawsky pointed out the themes that had emerged from the public meeting which Reeve

David Diduck had summarized at the conclusion of the meeting.

Most of the comments were regarding right of entry, second residences, livestock, sea-cans limits, noise guidelines for industry, lack of industrial development, planting trees, moving fences, calendar days coming into compliance and fees schedules, government overreach, simple language, restrictions on lands in the Heartland area, and minimum size of residences.

“We should note there

were few comments during the public meeting or in the 60-day commenting period that referenced the Municipal Development Plan,” he said. “Council could pass the MDP and then work on amendments to the LUB.”

Tina Cosby, Senior Planning and Development Officer, told council she would be the first to admit that legislation isn’t an easy read, let alone to try to comprehend.

“It should be used as a reference to relevant areas, rather than reading cover to cover.”

In 2017 the province amended the Municipal Government Act requiring municipalities to

enter into inter-municipal agreements.

Those, she said, were incorporated into the new land use bylaw.

She added the new proposed land use bylaw did encourage growth within the county.

Division Five councillor Neil Woitas said council hadn’t had a chance to go through the comments to the bylaw yet and was surprised it was at council.

“There’s a lot of changes suggested following the meeting and we haven’t had a chance to review them.”

Reeve David Diduck agreed with Woitas.

Division Two councillor Aaron Wick said he too had concerns

Best, Catherine “Babe” Mary

because there were a lot of suggested changes.

“It’s not clear to read and we need to clear that up,” he said. “I would prefer we table this until we’ve had a chance to review it. I know my phones have been busy with people making comments.”

Division One councillor Daniel Warawa was also concerned that the bylaw was hard to understand and would like time to further study the issues.

“Let’s not just push it through,” he said.

“Leave it until we have more time to review it,” added Division Four councillor Roy Anaka. “This is going to take several days to go

her loving daughter Tiffany (Mark) Possberg and adored granddaughters

through the priority items. I’d leave it to January or February when we have more time to discuss it.”

Tarnawsky agreed, suggesting a workshop be held for council to discuss it.

“We’ve been discussing this for five years so what does another three or four months matter,” said Diduck. “We want to make sure we get it right.”

“I like the idea of a workshop,” he added.

Council then passed a motion to have administration set up a workshop in January to follow up on the bylaws which were carried.

October 8, 1958 –September 11, 2023

With profound sadness, the family of Catherine Mary Best, better known as Babe, announce her passing on September 11, 2023 at the age of 64. Babe leaves behind

Avery and Julia. Babe was a beloved aunt to her niece Elizabeth (Scott) Tonsi, and her nephews Steven (Brandi) Chinn, Jonathan (Daniella) Mallet, and Shawn (Bethany) Mallet. She will be deeply missed by her sisters Ida (Skip) Chinn and Margie (Scott) Norman.

Babe was an excellent baker and loved spending time with her family making yummy cakes and treats. She also had a

deep love of the water and enjoyed swimming any chance she got. She will be missed by many great nieces and nephews along with many other extended family and friends.

As per her wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Babe's life will be held on Sunday, September 24th at the Bruderheim Community Hall from 1-3pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverviewfuneral.com for the Best family.

Friends of the Lamont Firefighters Society

Would like to thank everyone for their generous support of the “Heroes in the Sky” event held on Sept 9th, 2023

SPECIALTHANKYOUTOTHEFOLLOWINGDONORS:

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Capers Creations –Linda Burns

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The Lamont Leader

Lamont County

Tyrel Kaluza

Special Thank you to Webbs Machinery Lamont for sponsoring the kids zone and lending the skid steer

Thanks to all the community members and families that came out and showed their support as well. A great big Thank You to the Lamont Fire Department families for their continued support of our members.

Beaver Creek bridge another year away from replacement

BY JANA SEMENIUK

The Beaver Creek bridge, on range road 185 north of Chipman, has been partially barricaded since last summer due to deteriorating supports, and Chipman Chief Administrative Officer Pat Tomkow said it could be another year before it’s completely replaced.

“It’s over a year already, but a major project like this takes a long time,” she said. “And they are not going to do any construction in the winter.”

Tomkow said the issues with the Beaver Creek bridge were first noticed in July 2022 when a grader operator reported that he saw a gap in between the girders. When notified by the operator, Tomkow contacted the Village’s engineering company, AECOM to do an assessment for repair. They noted that the timber piles on the east and west edges were deteriorated and no longer supporting the bridge underneath the girder making a repair impossible.

“After they did their initial assessment, they (said) the bridge cannot be repaired and (we) would have to apply for grant funding to get it replaced,” said Tomkow.

“It was built in 1963 and it’s at the end of its life.”

In the meantime, AECOM recommended placing barricades at the edges of the bridge to restrict traffic to the centre where it was more stable.

Tomkow was now ready to apply for grant funding to assist with the $1.8 million project, but first she was required to have the bridge inspected once again, only this time by an Alberta Transporta-tion approved inspector,

which was arranged by AECOM. Once that inspection was complete, AECOM prepared the application for the grant funding.

engineering proposal to oversee the project was approved by Chipman council in June for the amount of $217,989 based on 50 days of construction. This also includes environmental/geotechnical work, preliminary detail design, contract tendering, construction supervision, post construction work and required inspections.

The

Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - 7

adding that construction may not begin until spring.

“(It will be) somewhere in the spring, and then the road will have to be

closed. They’re going to have cranes out there (to replace the bridge),” she said. “They’re thinking (construction will take) 50 days because there’s

inspections at each stage of the work.”

Tomkow said a completion date has been set for Sept. 2024.

“The grant application was submitted in Nov. 2022 and we were approved for the STIP (Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program) grant relatively quickly,” said Tomkow. “In April we were notified that we were approved for $1,350,000.”

As there was still $450,000 to fund, Tomkow said she appeared as a delegate, along with her engineer April Kliachik, at the April 11 County of Lamont council meeting to make a funding request.

“If we had closed the road, it would have been a major upheaval for Lamont County,” said Tomkow. “Lamont County residents are the major users (of this road) and the county verified it by their traffic count.”

In late May, County of Lamont council agreed to foot $360,000 of the bridge cost, leaving the Village of Chipman responsible for $90,000. By this time, 10 months had passed since deterioration of the bridge was first reported.

Meanwhile, Tomkow said tender packages are presently being prepared by AECOM, but they require even more assessments. AECOM’s

“(AECOM are preparing the tender packages) but it (deals with) a waterway, so they (have to) work with Alberta Environment and Canada Environment to get permissions and then go in and do the assessments. Then how long until we see the results?

The engineers are also working on other bridge projects (as well as ours) and then they have to analyze all the samples (because) that will be the basis for the bridge foundation,” she said. “And they need all of this in order to prepare the tender package. This is a major undertaking.”

Tomkow said that during a soil depth analysis, shallow bedrock was found which meant that additional drilling at the original boreholes would have to be done to meet Alberta Transportation requirements. This also added another $21,779 to the project cost.

“It’s Transportations’ rule, it’s not new. They were concerned because of the bedrock,” said Tomkow. “We have to deal with various regulatory bodies like Alberta Transportation, Alberta Environment and we have to comply with their requirements and those have to be incorporated into the tender package.”

Tomkow said she anticipates a complete report at the end of Sept. for review before the tender package is complete,

Lamont

The Beaver Creek bridge near Chipman has been partially barricaded for a year and residents are looking at another year before the replacement is complete. The bridge, built in 1963, has deteriorated and is at the end of its life.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Chipman Chief Administrative Officer Pat Tomkow holds a large portion of the files that have accumulated relating to the Beaver Creek bridge replacement project.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Community awareness event pairs with Bruderheim meet the teacher night

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Lamont County

Family and Community Support Services (FCSS)

teamed up with Bruderheim School on Sept. 12 to share an audience for the Bruderheim Community Awareness event, while also drawing in parents to the school for meet the teacher night.

Families milled about the school’s gymnasium, where they could enjoy a hotdog and check out at least 12 different community organizations at their own separate tables ready to engage people with their messages and goals.

Among the organizations were; the local Lions Club, Bruderheim AG Society, Chipman 4H and Multi-Club, Bruderheim Daycare, Bruderheim Community Church, Lamont County Peace Officer Derek

Wright, and new Lamont County Regional Fire Chief Bo Moore.

Moore said participating in the Community Awareness event is a good way for Lamont County emergency services to connect with residents in addition to promoting their recruitment.

“We're doing a community meet and greet and it's a good opportunity for us to meet everybody in the community, interact with the kids in a safe environment, talk to them, let them know about some fire safety, and use it as a recruitment drive as well,” said Moore who added that the fire fighter numbers are down slightly at the moment.

“We are always looking for recruits and we're hoping to do a big drive in the fall so (we can) have a full complement (of fire fighters) for the

spring.”

Meanwhile, Bruderheim School principal Dave Armbruster took an opportunity to address the crowd and introduce the entire teaching staff of 11 at the school this year, including the newest teacher in the grade 4/5 split class Mr. Brian Christie.

The crowd broke up soon after for parents to visit their child’s classrooms and meet the teachers individually.

FCSS program assistant Darlene Onushko said it was an easy fit to pair up the two events and the turnout was better than she expected.

“We try to partner with meet the teacher so that parents are out and they can see what’s available in their community and within their county,” she said. “Today was really good. It was a great turnout and (better than

I expected).”

Other community awareness events happened throughout last week in Andrew, Mundare and Lamont.

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Trucks, Trailers, Boat, & Rec. Related:*2003 Duramax Diesel S.L.E. 2500 H.D. w/Auto, Lift, H.A. Rack, 202,250 km, Pro Country, Riesse 5th Wheel Hitch, & 4 extra Tires & Rims, Green Color SN#1GTHK291X3E252799 *Ford F. 150 w/Ext. Cab, 4x4 for parts *2015 15 Long Cargo Victory T. Axle Trailer w/12 Enclosed Unit, 2 & 5/16 B. Hitch, Ramp, ST. 20575R15 Rubber,Ideal for Contractor, V. Nice SN#4RACS1225FC042700 *Older Fair Cond. 19 Long, T. Axle Trailer w/Jack, B. Hitch, Wooden Topper, 15 Deck, Fender Skirts, Needs Work, No Vin *Older Double Skidoo Trailer, No Vin *12 Alum. Spring Job Boat/ 4 H.P. Johnson Motor 12 Volt 5 Spd. Sigma 20 Bota Motor Yard: (V. Good Items):*Approx. 4 Cord Shedded & Split Wood Mainly Birch *Port Rigid M. SUV Mitre Saw w/12 Blade, 4000 R.P.M TM 120 Volt, V. Nice *10 Ryobi T. Saw *Sears A. Compressor, small one *Older Century Welder *V.G. Selection of Power & Hand Tools *Like New Mastercraft Router *(4) Chain Saws, Makita & Poulin & Stihl *10 Stihl Rototiller *Stihl Grass Whip *12 Ton P.Fist Hyd. Press *Motor Cycle Jack *Spare 5th Wheel Hitch *Solar Battery Charger *(2) Stainless Steel Tables 6 & 8 w/Vise *Simiz s2900 6.5 H.P. Pressure Washer *12 drawer 60 High Snap On Tool Chest w/Side ext. 6 Drawer *Lots Of Snap On Tools *(2) 18.4X34 6 ply Tractor Tires & Rims *Suzuki 100 M. Cycle Parts *Brown Poly Bale Feeder *Quant. of Wheat screening for Chickens *Honda E.U. 2000 GenSet * (2)Brand New Gen Sets in Boxes (*Champion 12000-9500 Watt *Fermen 4550 Watt) *12.5 H.P. Turf Power Mower, Parts *10 Alum. Tobaggan *Approx. 200 Gal. T. Tank w/H. Pump *Plus Numerous other items

Antiques: *Old License Plates *Genuine Lane Cedar Chest; 46 Wide, 22 High, Nice *(2) Stainless Gun Cabinets & Slot Machines:*Green Stickon 4 Rifle Gun Safe 14X17X53 *Digital Or Key Protector First Alert 21X16X60 Gun Safe *(2) Slot Machines; Haywire & Triple Diamond Deluxe (Not used 8 years)

Households & Commercial Items:*36 Wide White Danby Freezer *32 Wide White Kenmore Freezer *65 High White Upright Frigidaire Deep Freeze *(3) V. Nice Stainless Steel 17X72 Shelves w/5

Sections *Warnock Hersey 1994 Wood Heater *Traeger Barbeque w/95 Watt, Model TFB57GZEC, V. Nice *Various Sealors; New & Used *Canners *Pots *2 L.G. Portable Air Conditioners 11X28

*Commercial 3 Section Sandwich Fridge, Works *Elect. Procut Meat Slicer Model KDS-12 w/1/3 H.P.

*Plus Other Goods

Sale terms: Terms are cash or cheque w/Bank Reference only. No Credit

Eleven members of the teaching staff at Bruderheim school were introduced to the crowd during the Community Awareness event which was coupled with Meet the Teacher Night on Sept. 12. L-R: Mrs. Dibben, school counselor, Mrs. Hoekman, grade 2, Mrs. Barmentloo, Kindergarten, Mrs. Neilsen, Kindergarten, Mrs. Desabrais, 2/3 split in the p.m., Mrs. Taylor, grade 3 and 2/3 split in the p.m., Mrs. Watson, music teacher, Mrs. Seacrest, grade 1 and 1/2 split in the p.m., Mrs. Atchison, grade 5/6 split, and Mr. Christie, 4/5 split.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Lamont County Regional Fire Chief Bo Moore engages with children during the Community Awareness event and Meet the Teacher night at Bruderheim School Sept. 12.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Bruderheim Fall Festival

Bruderheim AG Society’s annual ball tournament gaining ground

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Bruderheim’s second annual slo-pitch tournament was spread out over two days with 11 teams participating during the town’s annual Fall Festival Sept. 16-17.

Although the weather was a chilly 10 C at 8 a.m. when the first games started, teams still gave it their all with music playing, laughter and uniforms sometimes as colourful as their team names which included Baba’s Ballers, Dirty Ball Bags, Seductive Seahorses and Silent Swingers.

By the end of the first day, teams were whittled into pools A, B or C for Sunday’s finals. Three teams made up the top Pool A; Big Stick Swinging, For Fox Sakes and The Royals.

Although the Royals won the final game by five runs against For Fox Sakes, the big winner was Big Stick Swinging due to a run differential rule where the winner is chosen according to the number of runs accumulated throughout the tournament.

Scott Kaehn, who assisted town councillor and AG society member Dayna Jacobs in planning the tournament,

explained that the run differential rule is used when teams have an even number of wins to losses.

“What happened here, (in Pool A) is every team was 1 and 1. There were three teams and (they all had the same number of wins and losses),” he said. “So the only way to (decide the tournament winner) is runs for and against.”

In Pool A, the top prize was $900 cash awarded to the team Big Stick Swinging, second prize was $600 and went to The Royals and third place, For Fox Sakes, received long-sleeved shirts.

In Pool B, first prize was $800 awarded to team XYZ, second place was Baba’s Ballers who received $500, third place went to Kronik who took home $400 and fourth place was Seductive Seahorses who were awarded t-shirts.

In Pool C, first place, Silent Swingers, received $300, second place was the team Dirty Ball Bags who received t-shirts and third place of $60 went to the Lamont Rookies. There was no prize for the last place team.

Meanwhile, organizer

Dayna Jacobs said the tournament is gaining ground with more than double the number of teams signed up this year.

“We only had five teams last year and this year we had 11,” she said. “So, it’s growing. We changed the weekend too so we are not competing against the bigger out of town tournaments.”

Jacobs said each team paid a $500 entry fee which went towards prizes, umpire fees, balls and insurance liability.

“The AG society doesn't make money off of the ball tournaments,” she said, adding that they included a beer garden this year to try and make a profit. She said she has gathered useful advice from players and attendees on how to improve the tournament next year.

“One of the best tips (for the beer garden) was to make it a little more open so people can see out and could watch the games,” she said. Jacobs said that sometimes things didn’t go according to plan while organizing the tournament and they had to improvise.

Continued on Page 15

Photos by John Mather and Jana Semeniuk

Mundare Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu smiles at parade watchers as she dips her hand in a pail to gather more candy to toss to the kids who lined the Bruderheim Fall Festival parade route Sept. 16.

Lamont Mayor Kirk Perrin and friend, wave to parade watchers during the Bruderheim Fall Festival parade.

Above, CN Rail brought their Obies train to the fall festival parade and provided rides at the grounds. Below, Al Shamal Shriners from Edmonton took part in the Bruderheim Fall Festival parade driving their min tractor trailers.

Slo-Pitch team The Silent Swingers had fun on the field wearing brightly coloured uniforms and tutus.

Above: The winning team, Big Stick Swinging, was awarded $900 for Bruderheim's second annual slo-pitch tournament. L-R (top): Mitchell Snow, Wayne Stengrim, Brad Patzer, Adil Imtiaz, Alex Byrtus and Riley Ray. (middle) Sara Chubey, Louise Marie and Rhianna Osachie (bottom) Martin Noel and Marina Byrtus. Photo: Dayna Jacobs. Below: Allison Diaz, owner/operator of Bruderheim's Allison's Oasis, delivered a hit for her team the Lamont Rookies during the Slo-Pitch tournament.

10 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, September 20, 2023

No slowing down for 73-year-old Slo-Pitch player

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Fort Saskatchewan resident Ralph Kaehn, 73, has been playing ball for 65 years and said he does not see himself slowing down anytime soon.

“I can still move,” he said. “I’m usually pitcher and second baseman, (but) we’ll see when next year comes.”

Kaehn’s most recent games were during Bruderheim’s second annual Slo-Pitch tournament where his team, For Fox Sakes, took third place overall and won long-sleeved shirts.

“We ended up with

shirts, which is great, because you can always use an extra shirt,” he said. “It was a good tournament. We were here last year and that was a lot of fun. We (also) had a lot of fun this year.”

Kaehn said his team has been playing together for 30 years, first connecting while his sons were in high school.

“My sons met these people in high school and we got a ball team and we’ve done well over the years,” he said.

Kaehn said the team began in fastball but made the switch to slo-

pitch 20 years ago when he was 50.

Lisa Cassivi, who has been playing on Kaehn’s team for the past 30 years, said the switch over to slo-pitch was an easy decision.

“Our bodies told us to make the switch,” she said with a laugh. “It’s also harder and harder to find mixed fastball tournaments. Pitchers are a huge thing. That takes a lot on the body. Where we can do the defense, and the hitting we don't have the pitching.”

Meanwhile, Kaehn said he played during

the first day of the Bruderheim tournament but took the position of first base coach for the last day.

“I got in a rundown (on the first day) but they didn’t get me so that’s good,” he said. “(But for the second day) I was coaching. I played enough ball and it’s time for these guys (to play).”

According to reports, Alberta’s most senior slo-pitch player is Earl Millman who played for the St. Albert Men’s SloPitch Association at 90years-old in 2021.

New board chair for Lamont County Housing Foundation

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Shana McIntyre, councillor for the Village of Chipman, has been acclaimed in the role of Board Chair for the Lamont County Housing Foundation at their July board meeting.

The Board Chair position became vacant after the resignation earlier this year of former Bruderheim Deputy Mayor Judy Schueler.

McIntyre said the board is hoping to continue in the direction Schueler was leading with a focus primarily on quality senior care.

“I think we've become more aware of the history of the board, and just what the future needs to look like, and how we can ensure success. (We need to) make sure that our seniors are taken care of, in whatever capacity that means,” she said.

McIntyre said she feels she was nominated because of how she feels around the work the board does.

“The board knows that I'm very passionate

about our seniors’ care,” she said. “We're the Housing Foundation, but it's not just about housing for the seniors in a lodge. It’s more encompassing than that. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that the seniors are taken care of, and they have a dignified living situation and that they're well cared for.”

McIntyre said the board holds an organizational meeting every Oct. where a new chair is elected, but said they may forego an election this year as Oct. is only

weeks away.

Meanwhile, according to their website, the LCHF, formerly known as the County of Lamont Foundation, was formed on Feb. 18, 1961 and established as a management body on Oct. 1, 1996. They are responsible for the overall provision of affordable housing and/or accommodation to functionally independent seniors, additionally operating two seniors’ lodges and six senior apartment complexes.

The board has seven representatives from the

county including one each from Bruderheim, Lamont, Chipman, Andrew and Mundare plus two from Lamont County.

Ralph Kaehn, 73, walks off the field in between innings during the last game of Bruderheim's annual Slo-Pitch tournament during the Fall Festival Sept. 16-17. Kaehn's team, For Fox Sakes, took third place overall.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Village of Chipman Councillor Shana McIntyre is the new board chair for the Lamont County Housing Foundation.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

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Sunshine Villa Autumn Pie Social, Saturday, September 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. 5834 51st Street, Tofield. Admission $5. Pie, coffee, tea, etc!

Silent Auction at the Social. All proceeds to the Residents Association Fund.

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Viking 4-H Beef Club is turning "80"!

We would like to invite any youth age 6-21 who are interested in learning about raising and marketing beef cattle, learning valuable life skills, and having fun, to our information and planning meeting September 26, 2023 at 7:30 pm at the Viking Station Gallery. Please contact Karen at 780 385-1708 if you would like to attend or have any questions.

You can also learn more at 4hab.com Come see all that 4-H has to offer!

Brian’s U-Pick Fruits and Berries and Vegetables has tons of Tomatoes available for sale! All sizes! Many different Varieties! Contact Brian at 780-678-0053

Tuesday - Thursday 10 - 5, Friday & Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday 10 - 5. Closed Mondays. For Pick-Upby appointment only.

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HELP WANTED

Tofield Skating Club is in need of a Star Skate Coach for the 2023/24 Skating Season. Volunteer Executive members are also needed. Call 780-918-6760, or email tofieldskatingclub@gmail.com

MEAT PROCESSING

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Carpet and Upholstery cleaning - residential 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

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Urban hen pilot project possible for Lamont

BY JANA SEMENIUK

The Town of Lamont council were presented with an idea at their Sept. 12 council meeting for creating an Urban Hen bylaw that would allow residents to keep a determined number of laying hens in their backyards for personal use.

Resident Corey Cholak appeared as a delegate and made the presentation to the council.

Cholak said he is a homeowner in Lamont and would like to see a program allowing town residents to build an enclosed chicken coop in their backyards and raise their own laying hens with strict guidelines set out by the Town.

Cholak said there are several benefits to allowing residents to raise their own laying hens.

“Obviously you get fresh, healthy eggs daily. You can (also) reduce your environmental footprint, (by) decreasing the distance that your food travels (and) you reduce food scrap waste,” he said.

“Chickens, I call (them) little garburators, eat any vegetables or stuff from the garden. It's hard to make (kids) eat their broccoli, you can give it to the chickens and they'll gobble it up. So that's always nice rather than (it) going in the landfill.”

Cholak cited the City of Edmonton’s urban hen program that began with only 19 sites in 2014, increased to 50 in 2016, and the cap was removed altogether in 2019.

“It’s been growing ever since. (There’s) a lot of success in Edmonton,” he said.

When Cholak’s presentation was complete, the council had the opportunity to ask questions.

Councillor Al Harvey wanted to know if Cholak was thinking of a year-round hen project, and Cholak said yes,

acknowledging more work to create an enclosed coop that would need ventilation, fans and more cleaning.

The idea was discussed during a later closed session of council prompting a motion brought forward by councillor Dave Taylor in open session.

“I make the motion to council that council direct administration to investigate the development of a pilot project for 2024 regarding urban hens in Lamont including Bylaw Amendment and bylaw enforcement permitting and related policy with initial information to be provided by the end of November 2023,” he said.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Lamont County wants proper transcriptions of recorded public hearings

BY JOHN MATHER

Lamont County council has sent its procure bylaw back to administration to clarify the transcribing of minutes and recordings from public hearings.

In discussing the pro-

cedural bylaw Chief Administrative Officer

Peter Tarnawsky said there was a gap in the existing bylaw dealing with providing clarity on how to deal with public hearings.

“There was a motion to

bring the bylaw to the next council meeting with adjustments,” he said. “The intent is to seek second and third readings but following discussion regarding the minutes of the Aug. 15 public hearing minutes we feel maybe a further amendment is necessary.”

He said it would incorporate council’s expectations on how all public hearings would be recorded.

“I understand the minutes from the public hearing didn’t meet your expectations so I need some direction on how you would like to proceed,” he said.

Division five councillor Neil Woitas suggested they move the procedural bylaw to the next meeting, but Tarnawsky wanted some direction before doing that.

“If it’s your desire that all public meetings be transcribed then that’s fine,” he explained.

Woitas felt all public meetings should be transcribed.

“It’s important we put it in the way it's said and the way it is presented to us,” he said.

Reeve David Diduck said council had identified areas how a public hearing was to be conducted, but they needed to address how the minutes were recorded and how they were presented to council.

“When we transcribe the meeting then that transcription becomes the minutes of the meeting. If we record it and transcribe it we have the record on paper and it won’t get lost.”

Council passed a motion to refer the procedures bylaw back to administration to incorporate exceptions, and the expectations of council on the recording of minutes of a public hearing as required by the MGA Section 216.4 -6.

Wedding bells were ringing in Andrew on the weekend as mayor Merwin Haight married his long time girlfriend Peggy White at the village gazebo Sept. 16.

Photo courtesy Merwin Haight

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Bruderheim held a grand opening Sept. 17 for their new Astro Park which is phase three of the town’s community park project and so far includes the Cosmic Skatepark and the Community Gardens.

On hand to assist with the ribbon cutting ceremony were town councilor Ashley Carter, deputy mayor Wayne Olechow, mayor Karl Hauch, Bruderheim AG society members John Jacobs, with Bob and Sherry Cote, Shelley McRae Community Park committee volunteer, and two members of Park Works, who were hired to construct the park; Brad Todd, regional sales manager, and Ajid Williams, project manager.

Williams said one of the special features of the new park is its turf which is ‘pour in place rubber surfacing’; a solid spongy surface with a beautifully coloured design.

“It’s about four or five

Continued from page 3

“One tool that would increase development in the Heartland exponentially is economic corridors to tidewater in order to get our products to global markets,” Diduck stated. “The Alberta Industrial Heartland Association is prepared to work with Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen to get these corridors to tidewater developed.”

He stated the Heartland was Canada’s largest hydrocarbon region. making significant contributions to the economies of the province and Canada.

inches thick and protects kids really well from falling,” said Williams.

“It’s no maintenance and handles water really well. (The water) just sinks in and goes out to drainage. It also allows kids with disabilities in wheelchairs to have full access to the whole playground as opposed to sand.”

Although the surface is superior to rubber chips or sand, it doesn’t come cheap. Regional Sales Manager Brad Todd said the cost is approximately seven times that of traditional playground turf.

Meanwhile, others who gathered to support the ribbon cutting ceremony were, Inspector Barry Larocque from the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachment who parked his police cruiser nearby and allowed kids to crawl inside and check out the sirens and lights. Larocque said it’s important to build relationships with communities, especially their younger residents.

“(The reason) why

we're out here today is to be around the kids and let them know that not every time they see a police officer something bad is happening,” he said. “It gives them a little more sense of comfort around us.”

Larocque also gifted the kids with stickers, sunglasses and candy.

To continue the park grand opening celebration, a petting zoo was set up nearby in addition to the Scoopz Ice cream truck where all attendees were treated to free ice cream in a cone or a bowl. Bruderheim AG Society treasurer and town director of legislative services, Sherry Cote estimated between two and three hundred people took in the free ice cream, which was sponsored by Park Works.

Meanwhile, Bruderheim Mayor Karl Hauch said he is very proud of the town’s community accomplishments.

“I think it's just amazing that our community can make this kind of a

park happen and it speaks volumes to our community and volunteers and the partnerships that our community has formed with other organizations to be able to make this happen,” he said.

In earlier reports, the park was estimated to cost $350,000 and was paid for through fundraising and private donations. The entire community park project has been in the works for the past 10 years. An

actual cost total for the new Astro Park was not available by press time.

Phase four of the com-

munity park, the splash pad, is currently still being fundraised for.

Continued from Page 9

“We couldn’t find chalk for our chalker (to mark the diamonds) so

we used flour,” she said. “It was recommended by one of our teammates and it worked. (I’m thankful) for my friends

Scott Kaehn and Lisa Cassivi, and The Royals team that gave some pointers (because) one

person can't run a tournament. It wasn't just all me. It was a lot of people that helped (and) it is appreciated that they helped out.”

Jacobs said a date for next years’ tournament has not yet been set.

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, September 20, 2023 - 15

Astro Park grand opening

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Inspector Barry Larocque, from the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachment, came to Bruderheim Sept. 17 to help support the grand opening of the new Astro Park. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, September 20, 2023

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

Access current monthly services & programs information for FCSS, CALC and KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages: FCSSlamontcountyregion | LamontCountyAdultLearns |groups/1922602184662497, or scan the QR code:

For more information, scan the QR code or visit lamontcounty.ca/community-programming

AB T0B 2R0 |

Details of the 23rd annual Andrew Garlic Festival on October 14 at facebook.com/ profile.php?id=1000664 97147115 (Andrew Ag Society).

Win a harvest safety prize pack: lamontcounty.ca/harvest-contest

Hannah: 780-699-8176

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT ISSUED DISCRETIONARY USE - Appeal by October 6, 2023 (DP 030/23)

Take notice that the following permit for proposed development as described below has been issued in accordance with the Lamont County Land Use Bylaw No. 675/07:

Legal Description: SE 19-55-19-W4

Land Use: Heartland Agricultural Industrial (HAI)

Permit No.: DP030/23 Proposal: Placement of an 8 ft. x 8 ft. sign for the Seven Days Hotel. See https://www.lamontcounty.ca/public-tenders for more information.

FCSS and KFRN Events – Autumn Crafternoon, Babysitters Course and Family Activity Night, Park, Play & Parenting, Connecting Generations

Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting

The next scheduled ASB meeting is (tentatively) on October 11, 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 Lamont County Council Meeting

The next Regular Council Meeting is on Tuesday, September 26, 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 alsoavailable for viewing online at: www.lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as fullsized PDF and to access hyperlinks).