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Crowsnest Pass
Herald
Vol. 94 No. 4
January 31, 2024 $1.25
Serving our communities since 1930
Northback hosts Australia Day fundraiser
Devin Brady photos
Northback hosted its annual Australia Day on Saturday, January 27. The night included dinner, dancing, and silent auction. Funds were being raised and donated for two charities this year, CNP Quad Squad and the Southwest Alberta Skatepark Society. There was $34,200 being donated to each charity. See full story on page 7 and photos on page 8.
2 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
New Search and Rescue group up and hiking SARSAR attended the Tuesday council meeting to update the municipality on the newly formed organization and their vision to help the community DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter During the January 23 council meeting vice president of Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue (SARSAR) Andrew Fairhurst and Director at Large Ryan Legroulx attended to give a presentation to inform council on the organization. SARSAR is a relatively new search and rescue organization that is a combination of the former Crowsnest Pass Rescue and Pincher Creek Search and Rescue, which was formed in 1995. As a result of the amalgamation, SARSAR is now attempting to reach out to the community and its leaders in an attempt to give a better understanding of what they do. Working under the broad umbrella of Search and Rescue Alberta, SARSAR is
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a group of volunteers who train and who’s creed is “looking for missing persons and getting them home”. Over the last year the membership base for SARSAR has grown from 21 to 40 members with “over half of them being residents of the Crowsnest Pass” said Fairhurst. Members apply during recruitment drives and the board of directors will assess applications and give offers to those who they believe will have the greatest benefit to the team and overall, the community. With the expansion of memberships, SARSAR has been able to create a dedicated specialized mountain rescue team (MRT). In the past, members were primarily ground resources which made for limited access. With the MRT, the team is capable of utilizing programs such as, Human External Cargo (HEC) to be able to rescue patients in locations that are nearly unaccesible to ground resources. As well, it will cut down on response time. HEC involves the use of a long line that is attached to the belly of a helicopter and at the end of the line a rescuer or multiple will be connected. The helicopter can then sling the rescuer to the patient where first aid can be administered if needed. The HEC program allows rescuers to be dropped off in locations that the helicopter cannot land. Duties the MRT will perform include helicopter sling operations, rope rescue, access and extrication, avalanche and avalanche terrain SAR as well as ground SAR. In the past SARSAR would use helicopters from Kananaskis country and were faced with long wait times. They now have contracts with three companies that are local or in nearby communities, within a ten-minute flight. Fairhurst said “HEC makes us an efficient rescue team”. He also stated that because they are a volunteer organization that has “no direct or budgeted costs” and all expenses are delivered back to the RCMP and not the municipality. Members with SARSAR spend “over 2500 hours of volunteer time per year” said Fairhurst. In both training exercises and rescue operations members have been utilizing much of their own personal equipment such as ski-touring equipment. All members are active users of the land base and recreate in various forms, from off-highway vehicles to mountaineering, giving the organization a broad experience pool to choose from. Recently SARSAR was donated a side by side from farmers in the Taber region who recreate frequently in the region. Fairhurst wants to “see SARSAR recognized as the best search and rescue group in western Canada”. As the recreational growth has been exponential in our region with trails such as the Great Divide through trail being complete and an expanse of mountain biking activity it is necessary to have volunteer organizations such as Southwest Alberta Regional Search and Rescue here to assist the public during times of crisis.
Crown Mountain moves forward towards approval DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter
The Crowsnest Museum and the Pass Herald are thrilled to give you a weekly historic update from the archives of the Crowsnest Museum. Crowsnest Museum is located in downtown Coleman - 7701 18 Ave, Coleman, AB T0K 0M0 It is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am - 5 pm.
On January 12, 2024 the Crown Mountain Coking Coal Project passed the conformity review moving forward to application review. The NWP project is projected to produce thirty million tonnes of high quality coking coal over a fifteen year operation. It is estimated that each year, 3.7 million tonnes of coal will enter the plant. The project, located between Sparwood, Elkview and Line Creek mine estimates to provide five hundred construction jobs and three hundred thirty operations careers. Dave Baines, Director of Project Management stated that the “price of coal is going up and looks to go up long-term”. The project is set to begin the technical review on January 29, 2024 with a series of open houses. NWP has the Crowsnest Pass Golf Club booked on February 20, 2024 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM to host an open house to the public. At the open house will be posters, a 3D model of the site, videos and experts to answer any questions. Snacks and appetizers will be provided. During the Tuesday council meeting, Councillor Lisa Sygutek motioned to provide NWP with a letter of support. The motion was carried unanimously.
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Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 3 Frank Slide Template.qxp_Layout 1 2023-01-30 11:44 AM Page 1
POLICE BRIEFS Between January 23 and 29 the Crowsnest Pass Police Detachment responded to 21 calls for service. There was one speeding violation, three other moving traffic violations, one failure to stop or remain at an accident scene and one dangerous driving offense. There was one call on information regarding to a fatality, one mental health call and one miscellaneous 911 call. There was one disturbing the peace causing a disturbance and one failure to comply with probationary order. There was one arrest with a prisoner held and one offer for victim services being denied. There was one violation of controlled substances. Police dealt with one theft under $5000. There was one call for mischief. There were two reports of suspicious persons/vehicles and one false alarm. Police had one public assist call and one well-being check. On January 23 at 5:32 PM, RCMP were dispatched to an alarm at the Bellevue veterinary clinic. Nothing was found and the building was secure. On January 24 at 4:12 PM, RCMP received reports of dangerous driving in Frank. The complainant stated that the driver was swerving from the shoulder to the centre of the road. No vehicle description was given or licence plate information. Police currently have no suspects. On January 25 at 1:24 PM, RCMP assisted the Calgary Police Department with a warrant execution and
the male was held for a bail hearing and released on conditions. On January 25 at 8:19 PM, RCMP received a call about an unidentified female walking along the highway. Police were unable to locate the female at the time. At 11:36 PM RCMP received another call regarding the female and that a sexual assault occurred. A male was taken into custody and charged with assault. On January 26 at 2:47 PM, a call was received in regards to harassment. An unidentified person was in breach of probation orders. The complainant did not press charges. On January 26 at 4:29 PM, RCMP received a dispatch notifying of a missing person. A well-being check was established and the individual was located safely. On January 28 at 2:15 AM, RCMP responded to a suicidal male. Officers located and spoke with the individual. He was deemed not a risk to himself or others. Officers made an appointment for follow-up. On January 29 at 9:00 AM, RCMP received reports of a suspicious male, no facial hair and white hair, driving an older green Jeep TJ driving around the Bellevue Arena Memorial Park. Police currently have no suspects and are looking to identify the male. On January 29 at 1:34 PM, RCMP received multiple complaints of an intoxicated female causing a disturbance in an apartment building. Officer attempted an arrest when the female picked up a nearby screwdriver to use as a weapon. The female was put under arrest and officers while conducting a search found cocaine and psilocybin. On January 29 at 2:41 PM, RCMP received an online crime report stating that one trail camera had been stolen from the Nature Conservatory of Canada. The camera serial number is HLPXGN03060211. On January 29 at 3:21 PM, RCMP were dispatched to a hit and run. A suspect has been identified but as the case is still under investigation no names have been released.
The Simple Raven’s Post BY AVNER PERL
We are living in the most interesting time in human history Did we choose it? Did God make a mistake by allowing “Original Sin?” Can God make mistakes? Would perfect eternal life that never ends have been better for us humans, considering what we have now? My favorite question about the entire problem is, did the woman cause our eternal problem by listening to the serpent instead of to God? When I read the bible in Hebrew, I feel women are blamed for things perhaps more than they should be, considering all the stories. We forget they are the mothers, mates, life-giving humans doing what God tells them to do. They take a tiny bit of material, light in this case, and convert it to a human who obeys or ignores the will of the creator. The most important person in my life is a woman and I remain alive because of her love. Yet I never have found a satisfactory explanation for the question of what is love. To understand “Love” we need a story. A human mind creates stories. The story becomes reality. Go ahead. Think about it. Thinking makes you and me human. A rock or a tree may think also, but at a different speed. We only deal with what we can compare to in our environment. Figure that out. Why do I think we exist in the most interesting time ever? I was comfortable in the time of the Cold War. The Soviet Empire and the Capitalist nations were close to equal on the world stage and no one had the upper hand. People started weaponizing money and hurting each other’s economies. War and military industries took over and resources went to killing instead of improving life. Russia lost Afghanistan, the Berlin Wall collapsed and Putin took over Crimea. Everywhere poor mi-grants attempted to find a better life, and many died. The Soviet block was starving and well-equipped armies faced off, like Iran against Iraq. The world became more dangerous. Even family units fought to get on sinking boats and human smuggling flourished. Many people realized
DID YOU KNOW Albert Einstein never knew how to drive a car.
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that there was no safe place for them to go to. Can it get more interesting? It did. Human extinction loomed around. A beautiful world that has all we need is being wasted while not just humans but also animals are suffering pains worse than death for so many, who mostly have done nothing to deserve it. Some are fighting often just to get on the top of the pile. Most of them don’t need to do so. They want to win or be ahead, enjoying their addictions and not even trying to break bad habits. They lost their moral compass. I am watching a world in danger of destroying itself. I call it “Interesting.” I am a human and I fear living in such interesting times. We, the people that after the great wars wanted to give everything to our children. The children didn’t appreciate the gift and simply wanted more. We gave to other people, to people who selfishly took what they could without considering how or when to pay back. They lost the honour that we tried to instill in them. Some attempted to copy us and make sacrifices, while many considered cheating to be good business. The leaders gave a bad example. Not a world to envy. My fear for the world increased. Russian armies attacked Ukraine, while Israeli armies demolished terrorist camps mercilessly. The innocent, easily led by religious fervour, died in the thou-sands. They still do. They can’t defend themselves, so resort to lies and deception, which weakens their ability to hold the moral grounds. My world is unpredictable and interesting, but there is not much holding it together. We humans set some of it up against the rest and the peaceful valley that I hide in is in danger of breaking. People use Social Media to attack each other. Some level of evil filtered through my perch, causing my ability to use the power of God to diminish, but I desperately need it while the world is in turmoil. My body is facing extinction from the inside. Doctors, technology, and God himself seem to fight for me, but something inside me is not lined up. I need perfect harmony with the universe which I can’t get. The world is moving on its own, motivated by a force that I do not understand but fully trust to do the right thing. Will there be a world for me after this life is over? I believe so. Others will bury or cremate me and say the right words. The “I am” with my name will not know what has changed. If you are dead, you don’t see yourself from the outside. At least that is what I think. Here is a link to my blog: https://thesimpleravenspost.blogspot.ca/ Feel free to check other articles and comment.
4 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Council Deliberates on Bellevue Revitalization The bids are in for the Bellevue downtown revitalization project raising concerns on budget increases DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter The Bellevue downtown revitalization project hit a snag during the Tuesday council meeting. The project was released for tender from November 22, 2023 – December 20, 2023. There were five bids with the lowest at 4.7 million dollars. There was a twenty five percent difference from the lowest to the highest bid, the company, East Butte Contracting, stated they are looking to make it their focus
Soo Sushi reopening scheduled next Satruday DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter Jackson Joo is the new proprietor of Soo Sushi in Blairmore. The chef who is originally from Seoul, South Korea has achieved his dream of opening his own restaurant. After being shut-down for a month and a half to redesign both the interior and the menu, Joo is about ready to re-open. He has a health inspection as well as the fire inspection scheduled and once he passes those the restaurant will be ready to open. Joo has been a chef for sixteen years. He began his studies in 2002 where he worked in kitchens in the United States. Ever since he has dreamed of opening his own foreign restaurant. The thought of this experience finally happening is both “scary and happy”. Some of the changes consisted of interior decorating. For the last five years, Joo, has been collecting items which he wanted to have on display in his restaurant. You will see a variety of vinyl records on the North wall, and album covers along the bar and next to the washrooms will be an operational turntable. Across from there will be a cabinet filled with antique collectibles and a wall of photos which Joo himself took over his lifetime. When it comes to menu changes there will be some new additions. These include sushi burgers, snow fries – french
SHED GRACE PERIOD DO YOU NEED A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR YOUR ACCESSORY BUILDING OR STRUCTURE? Grace Period Jan 1-June 30 • One accessory building under 10m2 (108 sq. ft.) does not require a development permit if it meets certain criteria (see sample site plan). • Additional accessory buildings may require a development permit, regardless of size or foundation type. • Whether your accessory building/structure is on a permanent foundation or is movable, it may still require a development permit under certain conditions. • If you are unsure, please contact the Development Office for more information.
and want a project such as this on their resume. The original forecasted cost of the project was amended to four million dollars in the 2024 budget, but with the bids in and choosing the lowest bid, the project is slated to run 1.1 million over budget, this includes engineering and utilities work. This estimate is similar to the budget for downtown Coleman which was 5.6 million and completed roughly 7 blocks. The difference between the two is the parking and washroom facilities. When the topic of budget was announced there was visible disdain amongst councillors. The Chief Administrative Officer, Patrick Thomas mentioned that they searched for areas to trim but could not find a logical break in the infrastructure. The project is listed as “one of the priorities within the strategic plan, to have clean vibrant beautiful downtowns”. In order to find ways to reduce cost, Crowsnest Pass administration and Stantec, deliberated on ways to reduce the cost and that shortening the overall project length was not possible. The only areas to reduce cost would be found in the add-ons or ‘nice to haves’. These add-ons include washroom facilities, the West parking lot, tree lighting, removal of landscaping and removal of the plaza near the washroom facility. Councillor Dean Ward said, “we should not be cutting the nice to haves”. Councillors debated the increased budget with some unsure of the increase and others unwilling to raise the budget. No public members from Bellevue were present at the meeting to discuss the project. A motion was put forward by councillor Dave Filipuzzi to increase the revitalization project budget by 1.1 million. With a vote of four to three in favour of the budget increase, the Bellevue Downtown Revitalization project continues to move forward.
fries with a dusting of icing sugar and sprinkled with parmesan cheese, a cheese rock steak and some Korean additions such as bulgogi. Joo is anticipating an opening for Saturday February 3, 2024. The restaurant will be open from 4:00 - 9:00 pm where they are promoting a 20% discount for opening day. Joo is “very excited” to re-open and show the community the fresh perspective on the restaurant. After moving to the Crowsnest Pass, Joo worked around the area for two years before coming to Blairmore and working at Soo for a short time before taking it over from his friend. Joo has been happy to join the community that is “very kind”
Devin Brady photo
Jackson Joo, new proprietor of Soo Sushi.
and where he finds it “quiet and peaceful”. When he is not preparing to open a restaurant, Joo, can be found recreating in the mountains where he has gained a passion for snowboarding and mountain biking. He is an avid sports fan and overall enjoyer of the outdoors. He highly recommends the snow fries, which are his own adaptation inspired by Korean chicken, and the red sun chicken.
SHED GRACE PERIOD SAMPLE SITE PLAN FOR SHED ON AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL R-1 LOT
SHED GRACE PERIOD While permits may or may not be required for certain structures, this is not an enforcement campaign. During the grace period, no fines or development permit fees will be charged if you submit an application to bring your previously existing accessory buildings or structures into compliance with the bylaw. *Permit fees still apply for new construction. The grace period serves as a window for residents to bring their structures into compliance. Acting now means avoiding potential fines after June 30, 2024, should a compliance certificate request or other development application be submitted. We encourage you to seize this opportunity and contribute to a well-regulated community. For all other zoning, please contact the Development Office.
8502 - 19 Avenue, Coleman Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, AB, T0K 0E0 ph: 403-562-8833 e: reception@crowsnestpass.com www.crowsnestpass.com After Hours Public Works Emergencies: 403-562-2021
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 5
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1174, 2023
lands legally described as a portion of Lot 14, Block 19, Plan 101 1620, within NE¼ 20-7-3-W5M, containing ±0.04 ha (0.09 acres), as shown on Schedule ‘A’, from “Retail Commercial – C-1” to “Residential – R-1”. The subject lands are known municipally as 2513 214th Street and are located in Bellevue.
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide for the opportunity to use and develop the lands in accordance with the provisions of the “Non-Urban Commercial Recreation – NUCR-1” land use district.
7:00pm , February 6 , 2024 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers 8502 – 19 Avenue, Coleman PURSUANT to sections 216.4, 606, and 692 of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1174, 2023, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 1165, 2023, being the municipal land use bylaw. The purpose of Bylaw No. 1174, 2023 is to redesignate the lands legally described as Lot 4, Block 1, Plan 991 0341 and Lot 1, Block 4, Plan 071 4095, within NW¼ 12-8-5-W5M, containing ±23.3 ha (57.7 acres), as shown on Schedule ‘A’, from “Comprehensive Resort Village – CRV” and “Direct Control – DC-1”, respectively, to “Non-Urban Commercial Recreation – NUCR-1”. The subject lands are located in the Sentinel area and are known municipally as 100 Wolfstone Drive. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide for the opportunity to use and develop the lands in accordance with the provisions of the “Non-Urban Commercial Recreation – NUCR-1” land use district. THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider the proposed Bylaw No. 1174, 2023 will be held in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00pm on February 6 , 2024. Each person shall be allotted 5 minutes to present their position. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide slide decks, maps, videos, or a written submission regarding the proposed bylaw should email: Bonnie Kawasaki, Executive Assistant to the CAO at bonnie. kawasaki@crowsnestpass.com with the bylaw number and public hearing date clearly marked in the subject line no later than 12:00pm on __ January 30 , 2024. Verbal presentations (limited to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendment please contact the Development Officer by calling 403562-8833 or emailing development@crowsnestpass.com. A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the municipal office during normal business hours. DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta this 17th day of January 2024.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1175, 2023 7:00 pm, February 13, 2024 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers 8502 - 19AVENUE COLEMAN PURSUANT to sections 216.4, 606, and 692 of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1175, 2023, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 1165, 2023, being the municipal land use bylaw. The purpose of Bylaw No. 1175, 2023 is to rezone the
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to provide for the opportunity to use and develop the lands in accordance with the provisions of the “Residential – R-1” land use district. THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider the proposed Bylaw No. 1175, 2023 will be held in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 1:00pm on February 13 , 2024. Each person shall be allotted 5 minutes to present their position. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide slide decks, maps, videos or a written submission regarding the proposed bylaw should email: reception@ crowsnestpass.com with the bylaw number and public hearing date clearly marked in the subject line no later than 12:00pm on February 6, 2024. Verbal presentations (limited to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendment please contact the Development Officer by calling 403562-8833 or emailing development@crowsnestpass.com. A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the municipal office during normal business hours. DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta this 24th day of January, 2024.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1176, 2023 7:00 PM, February 06, 2024 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers 8502 – 19 Avenue, Coleman PURSUANT to sections 216.4, 606, and 692 of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1176, 2023, being a bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 1165, 2023, being the municipal land use bylaw. The purpose of Bylaw No. 1176, 2023 is to redesignate the lands legally described as Lot 1, Block 1, Plan 991 0376, within NE¼ 9-7-3-W5M, containing ±2.7 ha (6.7 acres), as shown on Schedule ‘A’, from “Non-Urban Area – NUA-1” to “Non-Urban Commercial Recreation – NUCR1”. The subject lands are known municipally as 1719 East Hillcrest Drive.
THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider the proposed Bylaw No. 1176, 2023 will be held in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00pm on February 6 , 2024. Each person shall be allotted 5 minutes to present their position. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide slide decks, maps, videos or a written submission regarding the proposed bylaw should email: Bonnie Kawasaki, Executive Assistant to the CAO at bonnie. kawasaki@crowsnestpass.com with the bylaw number and public hearing date clearly marked in the subject line no later than 12:00pm on January 30 , 2024. Verbal presentations (limited to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendment please contact the Development Officer by calling 403562-8833 or emailing development@crowsnestpass.com. A copy of the proposed bylaw may be inspected at the municipal office during normal business hours. DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta this 17th day of January, 2024.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED BYLAW NO. 1178, 2024 & BYLAW NO. 1179, 2024 7:00 PM, February 06, 2024 Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers 8502 – 19 Avenue, Coleman PURSUANT to sections 8, 216.4 and 606 of the Municipal Government Act, Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000, Chapter M-26, as amended, the Council of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta hereby gives notice of its intention to consider proposed Bylaw No. 1178, 2024 and Bylaw No. 1179, 2024, respectively being bylaws to amend Bylaw No. 1140, 2023, being the municipal Fees Rates and Charges Bylaw, and Bylaw No. 946, 2016, being the municipal Safety Codes Permit Bylaw. The purpose of Bylaw No. 1178, 2024 is to establish a fee in connection with an application for an occupancy and completion certificate, and the purpose of Bylaw No. 1179, 2024 is to provide for a process whereby the owner or contractor of a new construction project must be made aware of their responsibility to apply to the Municipality for an occupancy and completion certificate prior to occupying the new building. THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT a public hearing to consider the proposed Bylaw No. 1178, 2024 and Bylaw No. 1179, 2024 will be held in the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Council Chambers at 7:00 PM on February 06, 2024. Persons wishing to speak to the bylaw shall be allotted 5 minutes to present their position. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that anyone wishing to provide slide decks, maps, videos or a written submission regarding the proposed bylaw should email: Bonnie Kawasaki, Executive Assistant to the CAO at bonnie. kawasaki@crowsnestpass.com no later than 12:00PM on January 30, 2024. Verbal presentations (limited to 5 minutes) will be accepted at the public hearing. For questions regarding the proposed Bylaw Amendments please contact the Development Officer by calling 403-562-8833 or emailing development@ crowsnestpass.com. The proposed bylaws may be inspected at the municipal office during normal business hours. DATED at the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass in the Province of Alberta, January 17, 2024.
8502 - 19 Avenue, Coleman Box 600, Crowsnest Pass, AB, T0K 0E0 ph: 403-562-8833 e: reception@crowsnestpass.com www.crowsnestpass.com After Hours Public Works Emergencies: 403-562-2021
6 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Herald Editorial LISA SYGUTEK
In this week’s Pass Herald, and in future issues, we will have stories by George Lee who is a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter hired by the Fort Macleod Gazette. The LJI supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada. Launched by the Government of Canada in 2019, the LJI provides eligible Canadian news organizations with funding to hire journalists or pay freelance journalists to produce civic journalism for underserved communities. The content produced will be made available to media organizations through a creative commons license so that Canadians can be better informed. The Pass Herald has never had an LJI reporter. We did apply last year and were not successful in the bid. Shooting the Breeze in Pincher Creek does run an LJI reporter. The Fort Macleod Gazette also applied and received funding for a journalist. Instead of having the reporter work out of Fort Macleod, he is working directly out of the Edmonton Legislature. This allows rural communities to be on top of what is happening in Alberta relative to small town issues and perspectives. In his LinkedIn page Lee stated, “If you’d told me in early November, I’d be covering the Alberta Legislature in 2024, I’d have responded, “Right. I don’t think so. And yet here I am embarking on an adventure in journalism I seriously did not see coming. This position aligns so perfectly with the cliché ‘I’ve come full circle’ that there’s no better way to characterize it. “Through my proprietorship Features West Studios, I’ve landed a part-time contract (with plenty of fulltime peaks and plateaus) under the Local Journalism Initiative. I’m working for The MacLeod Gazette in southern Alberta, but I’ll continue living in Edmonton.” “My mandate as I understand it: cover the Alberta Legislative Assembly with an emphasis on under reported stories and angles, especially those of importance to rural audiences. With the assembly’s current session set to reconvene on February 28, I am on one of those full-time plateaus.” Lee started his career at the Lacombe Globe and later worked for several Victoria-area newspapers. Returning to Alberta in 1993, he became the editor and a part owner of the Ponoka News. He has also been a humour columnist off and on, including a stint of self-syndicating that lasted about a decade. Freelance writing and photography have also been a big part of his career. We at the Pass Herald thank Frank and Emily McTighe for applying and being awarded an LJI reporter, who will keep an eye out for the issues related to rural Alberta and by default small town newspapers. We have two columns from Lee in the paper this week and we hope you enjoy them and look forward to a Legislative update. To the right you will see a photo of Dennis Merrell, Executive Director of Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, seated right and George Lee, left, reading the latest edition of the Pass Herald and the Macleod Gazette at the Alberta Legislature where it is read and archived. Yes, Government officials do read what’s going on in the Crowsnest Pass, as newspapers are the voice of our communities. You will also see an information sharing partnership between the Pass Herald and the Crowsnest Museum in which we will weekly post a snapshot photo of the history of the Crowsnest Pass. I will also, once a month, copy an old edition page of the Pass Herald so you can read what happened in the Crowsnest Pass in the past. Let’s celebrate the newspaper and its role in the past and future of our community. 94 years is a long time being your source for local news!
Herald “Letters to the Editor” Policy
Policy: The Pass Herald welcomes Letters to the Editor that examine issues, but reserves the right to edit for length, libel and syntax. Writers must sign letters and include first and last names, address and telephone number. Address and telephone numbers will not be published. Only in exceptional cases will the Pass Herald withhold the name of the writer and in those cases the writer must disclose his/her name, address and telephone number to the Editor. Electronic email will be considered an electronic signature. Letters to the Editor do not reflect the opinion of the Pass Herald. Letters cannot exceed 600 words. We have limited space, but we do enjoy printing every article. So please, to allow everyone to express their opinion, keep the letters short and to the point. We do have the right to refuse any letter that in our judgement may contain libel or libelous opinions. Should a litigation result from your letter, you as the writer are responsible but so is this newspaper as the publisher. The Pass Herald is a family owned community newspaper and therefore reserves the right to refuse any advertisement that in our opinion does not follow our mandate. We cannot accept advertisements or letters criticizing or disparaging other advertisers, companies or individuals or any advertisements directed to a religion or race. Deadline for submission is the Friday prior to publication.
Contributor photo
Executive Director of Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, Dennis Merrel, left, and George Lee, Local Journalism Initiative reporter reading the Pass Herald and Macleod Gazette at the Legislature in Edmonton. “Because this is a sparkly new position, Frank McTighe and I, along with Lisa Sygutek, Dennis Merrell and lots of other good folks tied to the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association are defining it and putting the pieces together on the fly”, George Lee.
Bricks and Bouquets This is your column, THE READERS, use it but please don’t abuse it. All Bricks & Bouquets are expressions from OUR READERS and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of THIS newspaper. If you wish to expressly thank someone, please use our CARD OF THANKS section of this newspaper. We appreciate you making this column a success, and keep sending us your Bricks and Bouquets. All Bricks and Bouquets are kept on file at the Pass Herald.
BOUQUETS To Northback for giving the Crowsnest Cruisers $10,000 to retro fit their transportation van so that it can be used by people with mobility issues. Well done being a great corporate sponsor in our community!
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Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 7
Australia Day in Crowsnest Pass DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter It was difficult to differentiate from the Crowsnest Pass and Bondi Beach at the MDM on Saturday in celebration of Australia Day. Australia day was officially celebrated ‘down under’ on Friday January 26. It was a full house with a variety of clothing options ranging from beach wear to formal dinner attire. The annual event is hosted by Northback, the company focused on developing the Grassy Mountain coal project. The event was attended by locals, Northback employees, MLA Chelsae Petrovic and Northback CEO Mike Young. The festivities consisted of both a silent and live auction, a raffle, a lavish meal and live music. Many were drawn to the tables in the back as you entered the hall which were covered in items donated for the silent auction. In these items were liquor baskets, golf packages, paintings and even a couple of chainsaws. After everyone had arrived and the hall filled up, the MC herded the crowds to their tables and began the evening. It was announced that funds were being raised and donated for two charities this year, CNP Quad Squad and the Southwest Alberta Skatepark Society. There was $34,200 being donated to each charity. Both organizations were grateful to Northback with the Sothwest Alberta Skatepark Society presenting Daina Lazarotto, community relations advisor for Northback with a pickaxe as a gesture of goodwill. Young took to the stage to give thanks to the community for attending and provide an update on the Grassy Mountain coal project. When speaking to the transition of energy Young stated, “coal is critical to the energy transition more than we know”. Young is charismatic and well spoken, he displayed his sense of humour through his choice of wardrobe, tuxedo top and beach shorts bottom. Young mentioned how he has been making strides to have open communication with the public. In his speech he said “I really want to reach out to those who are worried and have concerns”. Young stated that the Grassy Mountain project was starting the planning process fresh and is aiming to be the “newest, smartest mine in Canada. All while protecting the environment and waterways.”. The project still requires a lot of work in the approvals process but Northback is optimistic that they are on the right track. The dinner was catered by Country Encounters and consisted of a variety of salads, dinner rolls, scalloped potatoes, chicken thighs in what tasted like a creamy sun dried tomato sauce, roast beef and a lamb roast. For dessert there were options of cheesecake, sticky pudding and pavlova. With thirty-four tables it took some time to rotate everyone through the dinner line but they eventually got it done and ensured everyone was well fed. After dinner and speeches brought the live auction. As you would expect, the auctioneer spoke at what sounded like 500 words per minute and amongst the tables were marshals to assist in the bidding wars. The live auction ended with season passes to the Crowsnest Crush 2024/2025 season and a jersey, the MC then announced that the tables needed to be moved in front of the stage to create a dance floor. The Chevelles, a rock band from Lethbridge, shook the stage and covered a variety of classic rock songs. Lead vocalist/ lead guitar, Buck Chevelle rocked the stage alongside bandmates Woody Chevelle on keyboards, Seamus Chevelle on bass and on the drums was T.T Chevelle, the founder of the band. It didn’t take too long for people to take to the dancefloor and toss beach balls around. The band was appreciative to be returning to Australia Day once again and stated that “it is becoming a tradition”. Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 to commemorate the arrival of the British fleet in the Sydney Harbour in 1778.
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8 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Celebrating Australia Day
Devin Brady photos
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Wednesday, January 31, 2023 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 9
CNP Thunder Hockey Update THUNDER U7 Lindsey Michalsky U7 Thunder played an away game against Fernie B Sunday January 28th. The game was action packed with our players skating hard, showcasing great defence and hustling to get the puck. Goals were scored by Parker Pow, Austin Bley, Colter Michalsky, Rory MacDonald, Bowden Williams, Lawson Williams, Nixon Lafreniere and Gus Trotz. Van Pawlowski and Jay Senkow showcased their skills in net, taking a few turns as goal tenders and making some excellent saves. Come cheer on U7 at their next home game February 3rd 2:45 PM against Elk Valley.
THUNDER U11
THUNDER U13
Rhonda M
Lauren Kirkman
The CNP U11 Thunder team had just one game last weekend in Cardston. The 1st period ended with a 3-0 lead for the CNP Thunder, with two goals scored by Nash Lafreniere (#19) and one by Griffin Luini (#11). Cardston scored a goal in the 2nd, but the CNP answered with a goal scored by Jax Fulkerth (#8), resulting in a 4-1 lead headed into the 3rd. Cardston scored 2 goals in the first two minutes of the 3rd and their 4th goal five minutes later, tying the game. It was an intense last half of the third as both teams were trying to score their fifth goal, and with less than 2 ½ minutes to go, the CNP Thunder got the game-winning goal, scored by Abbot Graham (#16)! This is the first time the CNP Thunder has won a game against Cardston so far this season; most of these games have been tied. Way to go CNP U11 Thunder on this HUGE win! This weekend the CNP Thunder host the Foremost Flyers for a game Saturday Feb 3 (puck drops at 10:00am) and again on Sunday Feb 4 (puck drops at 12:45pm) at the Coleman Sports Complex. Come out and cheer on the U11’s as they fight for first place standings in the Tier 4 Blue U11 division by the end of the regular season, which is less than a couple weeks away!
Crowsnest Pass Thunder U13 hockey team were on the road to Vulcan over the past weekend. Saturday they travelled to Vulcan to take on the Hawks who are currently in the top of the tiering league. Usually a tough team to beat, Thunder started strong by scoring three goals in the first period and was in the lead with a 3-1 advantage. The Hawks came back during the second scoring two goals to make it a tie game. A tight third period with both teams keep-ing it tied but Vulcan ended up scoring the final goal in the last eight minutes of play. Final score being 4-3. Goals for our green team made by Nico Gillespie, Branson Gillard, and Aidan Bishop. Two assists coming from Jack Bish-op. Goaltender Owen Kirkman made many incredible saves with a total of 52 shots on net. With Thunder over halfway through the hockey season, Coach Ron Gillespie adds, “ As a season, we’ve been competitive with all our opponents. Players have really improved both individually and as a team. Sitting in the middle of the pack in the standings. Looking forward to the remaining games in our schedule to ramp it up before playoffs.” Thunder U13 will have a busy weekend with three games in total coming up. Thunder will be in Coaldale Friday evening, Diamond Valley on Saturday, then on home ice Sunday at 3:00pm to host the Taber Oil Kings.
Be sure to keep up to date on all minor hockey action on Facebook: CNP Thunder - Crowsnest Pass Minor Hockey Association, and on their website:
Contributor photo
First win of the season for the U11 team against Cardston.
www.crowsnestpassminorhockey.com
Contributor photo
Thunder U7 team celebrating a goal against the Fernie B team.
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10 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31. 2024
Federal environmental policies threaten otherwise strong economic news GEORGE LEE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - Fort Macleod Gazette A pretty Alberta employment picture bodes well for 2024 - rose-coloured glasses not necessary. That’s the scene painted late last year by UCP MLA Myles McDougall for his legislature colleagues. One of those colleagues, however, produced a less optimistic scene: middle-class families in Canada pushed out of their homes by federal environmental policies. Chantelle de Jonge, UCP MLA for Chestermere-Strathmore, said the federal government shifted “yet another set of their climate goalposts” with the announcement after COP 28 of a stringent methane reduction target. The announcement hits hard, she said, because Alberta had just nailed an earlier target—three years ahead of schedule. McDougall, a first-time MLA elected last May to represent Calgary-Fish Creek, made his case by pointing to November job creation and labour force numbers. A surge that month saw nearly 8,900 primarily full-time jobs created and 14,400 workers added to the labour force. Employment increased by 4.1 per cent in one year, “far outstripping the national average of 2.5 per cent.” The results stem from “our government’s unwavering commitment to fostering an investment-friendly economy,” he said in a Dec. 4 member statement to the legislature. McDougall continued: “The economic trajectory of our province is nothing short of exciting and promising. Alberta continues to generate a multitude of high-quality jobs while attracting substantial investments, solidifying its position as a hub of
When a pause is not a pause on the pension plan GEORGE LEE Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - Fort Macleod Gazette A deadline approaches for Albertans to again have their say on leaving the Canada Pension Plan, this time by completing and submitting the Your Pension, Your Choice workbook. A public engagement panel struck by the government is accepting submissions of the 18-page workbook until Feb. 28, the same day the legislature resumes after breaking for Christmas. The NDP opposition, meanwhile, continues to hold in-person town halls, something the engagement panel has so far not done. Your Pension is Yours town halls are slated for eight communities. The panel announced in early December that it was putting consultations on hold, pending the receipt of financial information from the Office of the Chief Actuary of Canada. The actuary is arriving at its own calculation of what an Alberta withdrawal amount would be. Earlier, a provincial government-commissioned report from the firm LifeWorks estimated Alberta would be entitled to $334 billion or 53 per cent of base Canada Pension Plan assets. The calculation is disputed as too high by the Alberta opposition, by elected officials from outside Alberta and by the CPP Investment Board. The investment board estimated that CPP would owe Alberta about 16 per cent of the fund. Despite the public engagement pause, press secretary Savannah Johannsen of Alberta Treasury Board and Finance confirmed that the panel is still collecting comments and opinions from Albertans, via the workbook. Those who complete the workbook can submit theirs electronically by using a fillable online form or emailing them, by posting them, or by dropping then off at any MLA office. Find the workbook and submission details at www.albertapensionplan.ca. Federal Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party of Canada entered the Alberta pension plan fray late last year. In a statement urging Albertans to stay in the national plan, he said that as prime minister he would “protect and secure the CPP for Albertans and all Canadians.”
economic growth and opportunity.” A former executive assistant to the provincial treasurer, McDougall identified the recent Dow Chemical launch of its Path2Zero project as a “shining example” of good economic news. The $11.6-billion project—with $400-million in federal support under two tax credit programs and a 12 per cent, $1.8-billion provincial grant—expands ethylene and polyethylene capacity at the company’s Fort Saskatchewan site while retrofitting existing assets for net-zero carbon emissions. McDougall concluded: “Let us remain resolute in our commitment to nurture and expand this prosperity, ensuring that Alberta remains a beacon of opportunity and growth to all.” But remarks made by de Jong were less enthusiastic about the economy, in the wake of the COP 28 climate summit in Dubai, federal government actions and energy industry layoffs. The methane target announcement from the feds came “just weeks after painful layoffs at major energy companies,” she said in a Dec. 4 member statement. “While Canadians have grown used to attacks against productive, job-creating industries from the NDP-Liberal alliance in Ottawa, their pocketbooks have not,” she said. “As all the ideological and environmental targets and programs do out of Ottawa, this will fall back on Canadians, who are already in the midst of an affordability crisis.” de Jonge pointed to the federal carbon tax, the “unconstitutional clean electricity regulation” and the greening of building codes as further examples of federal actions she says punish Canadians. “All of these things are threatening to pile up and put middle-class families on the street.” The federal government wants to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75 per cent of 2012 levels by 2030. Alberta claims it reduced emissions by 45 per cent from 2014 levels in 2022, even though the target year was 2025. Earlier media reports quote a Carleton University study that casts doubt on Alberta’s measurements. The study said Alberta may have underestimated methane emissions by nearly 50 per cent. But the Alberta Energy Regulator said Alberta used the best available data. Methane makes up about a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions but has a disproportionate effect on climate. It is about 28 times as effective as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. The current session of the 31st Alberta Legislature reconvenes Feb. 28.
No province or territory has withdrawn from the CPP since the federal government established it in 1965. Quebec operates its own plan and never opted in. The opposition house leader characterized consultations by the engagement panel as a meandering and crewless ghost ship. Christina Gray, NDP MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods, said the panel’s consultation has been “drifting, aimless and seemingly abandoned by this government.” In a member statement to the legislature, she called on the provincial government to “leave the CPP alone.” The engagement panel has held no in-person town halls so far. Telephone town halls heard from 150 pre-screened Albertans, said Gray, “and now silence.” But supporters of continuing to investigate a provincial plan called it a way to keep money in the province at no cost to Albertans. Jason Stephan, the UCP MLA for Red Deer-South, said workers could save $1,000 or more each year under an Alberta pension plan. “That can be a very big deal for Albertans,” said Stephan, who like Gray sits on the legislature’s standing committee on Alberta’s economic future. The legislature rejected an NDP motion to compel the government to abide by results of a pension referendum on the idea. But the legislature passed the Alberta Pension Protection Act without the amendment, and it came into force before Christmas. The government’s online overview of the act says it does what the opposition asked for: “The Alberta Pension Protection Act guarantees the government won’t launch an Alberta Pension Plan unless Albertans vote in favour of it in a referendum.” But the act itself doesn’t say that. A lieutenant governor’s order calling for the referendum would detail whether results are binding, the act says. The online overview continues: “The act also guarantees that Albertans would pay the same or lower contribution rates and receive the same or better benefits as the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). It also ensures the assets transferred to Alberta from the CPP would only be used to set up a pension plan and operate it in the best interests of Albertans.” Consultations so far through the engagement panel comprise an online survey, telephone town halls and the workbook. More than 760,000 Albertans participated telephone town halls, says the province’s website. About 94,000 Albertans completed an online survey, but critics said it lacked objectivity and failed to ask whether respondents favour an Alberta pension plan. In the workbook, an option exists for respondents to select one of a range of answers from “definitely not” to “definitely” when asked whether they support moving to an Alberta pension plan. Cont’d on back page
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 11
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12 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Looking Back BY JOHN KINNEAR
A Miners Story Roy Lazzarotto For a few years I sat on the Bellevue Underground Mine board, working with a wonderful team to volunteers to promote and enhance the mine tour experience there. The Executive Director back then was the indefatigable Diane Peterson, captain of that ship and the one who kept it sailing in tip top shape. Often Diane would reference her acquired knowledge and understanding of a coal mine and its interpretation to a man that she spoke so highly of that he appeared almost mythical to us. And when she mentioned his name a huge smile would sweep across her face and she would say unabashedly, in her inimitable way, “I just love that guy”. That guy was Roy Lazzarotto, whom I mentioned in my comments at the end of last week’s column about mine safety and knowing what is right. We lost Roy in 2015 at the age of 84 but the stories that come with his many decades of working in the underground coal mines here at the Bellevue Mine and Vicary Mine, north of Coleman, and also in the Michel Creek mines in BC, are legendary. I am going to draw on several sources about Roy to tell this amazing history, including one that I found recently is a 1991 local newspaper article that goes back to when the Ecomuseum Trust was working hard to make a mine tour part of their overall programs. The article states the following, “In 1990, after years of neglect, seven months and $500,000 of expenditures, a section of the Bellevue Mine was reopened for tours. Retired miner, Roy Lazzarotto, goes to the mine to do safety checks (every day!) to ensure a healthy environment for daily visitors. “In fact,” he states with pride, “the air in the mine is cleaner than outside, where there’s pollution from traffic”. The reopening of the Bellevue Mineas an interpretive site was achieved through a federal job creation program and the volunteers that worked tirelessly on this effort were overseen by Roy. Thousands of hours of rebuild and stabilization were needed. It was his dream and he was a master of his trade. One of those volunteers, prior to its reopening, was himself a wonderful mining character that we lost recently. His name was David (Choppy) Cole. So I want to acknowledge that Choppy, an experienced coal miner, was part of the group that worked tirelessly, in rugged conditions, to bring the underground tour opportunity to fruition. Roy was interviewed several times, once by a heritage planning consultant in Sparwood in the year 2000 and again in 2005 here in Coleman, by representatives of the Alberta Labour History Institute. Those ALHI inter-views are available online, in video and in transcript, and include the likes Clara Marconi, Bill Skura, Betty Walmsley, John Yeliga, Remo Quarin, Clarence Morrow and a whole host of people connected to mining. These are important captures of commentaries by people who were allowed to share, amongst other things, their take on unions and safety in mining. But I digress. To go back to the beginnings of Roy’s life story I will quote from that amazing ALHI interview with him. Be forewarned, the transcript is an exact translation of what Roy had to say in his wonderfully enig-matic broken English accent. This pure unedited content helps connect one better to this charismatic man, one who was a storyteller’s storyteller. You will find yourself reading the lines with the same fractured accent. Let’s start from its beginning. Roy started out in the interview by saying, “Born in Italy, around the border of old Austria”. He was in fact born in the town of Valstagna, in the province of Vicenza, Veneto. He goes on to say, “But when I come in Canada, you wanna know why I come in Canada? When I come in Canada, it wasn’t to come for working. My father was here in 1921. He was four years in Lethbridge, all them
mines in there. Then he had a sister in California, and he went there. When he was here he had lots of friends. In 1949 I decide I gonna come and visit the people that my father was here in Lethbridge. So I come over. I got to Lethbridge 8 o’clock in the morning Christmas Day. You go from one family to the other. You don’t want to be a cheapskate, you buy and pay. I spent all my money. I never thought to get a ticket to go home. So first thing I know I tried to go home, and I had no money. I worked one month and no break. That was a good mine. At that time the mines were still working, in 1950. (Lethbridge). But they find out I wasn’t 18, so they kicked me out. So March 22nd I come on this mine. (Belle-vue). I guess they know I wasn’t 18, but they give me the job. I work in 1952, ‘53, make money like I was say-ing. I have enough money to go home. But you know what happened? I meet this girl, I got married, and I de-cide to stay in Canada” Later on in the interview he mentions that, “we have a couple of tobacco farm (back in Italy). I smoked since I was this big. But I hate the tobacco farm. That’s the one thing that make me stay in Canada.” Valstagna had tobacco plants imported to the area in the 17th century by the monks of Campese. This required some modification of the steep topography there into smooth layers of narrow flat fields. The monks also in-stalled water mills and a sawmill to facilitate the tobacco plantation. The view on Google earth reveals spec-tacular stacked stone terraces several layers high. That girl that Roy met was Eda Besenhofer, who was born in Wayne, Alberta in 1931. Roy was also born the same year to Antonio and Savena Lazzarotto. He grew up in the middle of World War II in Italy and at the age of 13 eventually enlisted into the Italian Army. The war in Italy was absolutely brutal and must have been a terrible time there. In the early 1950’s there was a huge movement from parts of Italy to Canada to escape the poverty there or to seek a better opportunity. But for Roy, given his statement in the ALHI interview that they were not poor with those tobacco farms, it seems it was more about opportunity and family. So it was that Roy came from Lethbridge to Bellevue with already some important mining safety training in hand from seasoned miners. At Bellevue he was, for a time, part of a five man crew (bull gang) that did various jobs like track laying, pipe fitting and cable splicing, something he was good at. He seemed to be well liked and so even with reduced workdays and the mines moving inexorably towards shut down, he was alternated between the mine and the tipple (coal processing plant) and had mostly steady work. It appears that, in my research as to wherever Roy’s journey took him, it all seemed to always work out. He often spoke about how things unfolded and claimed to have no regrets. He always reasserted that the decisions he took always were the right ones at the right time and kept him safe. With Bellevue’s closing imminent in 1956, Roy moved on to coal mines in the Elk Valley where he was to spend the next 13 or so years. I was astounded to learn that he was sent from Bellevue to Coal Creek #3 Mine in 1956 for a month’s training before he went to Michel. Coal Creek is just south of Fernie and operated from 1898 to 1958. While many improvements had been made at # 3 Mine, it was there, in 1902, that 130 men died in one single catastrophic disaster on May 22nd. Roy’s career at Michel spanned from 1957 to 1970 and he was involved in many transitions into modern mining techniques and equipment. Roy ran the first Joy continuous (mechanical) miner to operate in Michel, in 1960 and operated newer versions of mechanical miners including the Lee Norse. In his Year 2000 interview he de-scribed accurately all manner of auxiliary equipment that was used to assist these miners. His knowledge base by the time of the interview was huge and extremely important to the consultant’s documentation of how it all worked. There were a dozen different coal mines that operated back in the valley back then, each with its own unique approach. Roy also started the driveage (entry ways) for what would ultimately be the hydraulic mine, a system that used a high pressure water nozzle (monitor) to cut coal. Having researched every one of the 181 names that are on the Miner’s Memorial in Sparwood, I deduced that, during Roy’s time at Michel, 42 men died in underground mine accidents. It went through my mind then that he was in the middle of all this and therein lays more profound stories that I share next week about rescues and decisions taken by Roy in light of all that he saw that was wrong. Roy and Eda with children Roy Jr. and Carol; The man and his message - both photos courtesy of Colt Lazzarotto; A charismatic character - photo by John Kinnear
Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 13
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RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL EXCAVATING Residential & Commercial Excavating WATER & SEWER - TRUCKING & GRAVEL SALES
jfilipuzzi@shaw.ca
Landscaping • Snow Removal
403-563-7285
lannie@westerraearthworks.com lannie@westerraearthworks.com
Strictly Roofing and Exteriors All types of roofing siding soffit, fascia
Dog Boarding • Dog Grooming •Dog Training
Master Trainer Jody Clark
403-563-5295 • 1405-61 St. Coleman, AB
$/2>24: >2.�08 4 A Division of Neu-Lite Electric Inc.
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PRESTIGE CLEANERS RENT A CARPET CLEANER Clothing Alterations, Zippers, Coverall Rentals, Etc.
562-2112 Blairmore 425-7272 Sparwood
“We’re on top” over 30 years of experience Ten year workmanship warranty FREE ESTIMATES
Chad Fergusson 778.363.3484 strictlyroofing73@gmail.com
CROWSNEST
TAXI 403.583.4000
CLASSIFIEDS
THE
14 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Small ads. Big deals.
FOR RENT To inquire about the availability of an apartment for rent in Blairmore call 403-562-8144.
SERVICES The Crowsnest Pass AA group has moved effective January 2, 2022. We now meet once a week. SUNDAY NIGHTS ONLY at 7:00 pm. Compass Fellowship Church. 2029 - 130th St., Blairmore, AB. Looking forward to seeing you.
AWNA CLASSIFIEDS AUCTIONS Ward’s & Bud Haynes FIREARMS AUCTION, Edmonton. Rifles, shotguns, handguns, antiques, ammo, accessories. Call Brad Ward 780-940-8378 to consign your items or collection. FirearmsAuction.ca. CAREER TRAINING BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach almost 80 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com. COMING EVENTS GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $799 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SPRUCE POINT PARK Association now accepting applications for the position of: PARK MANAGER, 2024 season, May 1st to September 15th (end date flexible). Spruce Point Park Campground and Marina is located on Lesser Slave Lake approximately 285 kms northwest of Edmonton, AB near Hamlet of Kinuso. Manager must live on site in own RV unit. Full-service lot provided. For complete
OBITUARIES LESLIE “LES” ROBERT BILLINGSLEY April 4, 1951 ~ January 18, 2024
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Les Billingsley, formerly of Lethbridge, AB, on January 18, 2024 at the Crowsnest Pass Health Care Centre, Blairmore, AB. He was 72 years of age. Les was born on April 4, 1951 in Cardston, AB to parents, Dewenna and Devere Billingsley. As a young man, he met and fell in love with Mary Jane Meyers. The happy couple wed on July 6, 1974 and went on to be blessed with almost fifty years of marriage. As a long-time business owner in Lethbridge, AB, Les was well-known in the community and made many lasting relationships over the years. He considered everyone he met a friend and treated them as such. When he wasn’t hard at work, and after retirement, Les enjoyed travelling and going fishing. He was also an avid Toronto Blue Jays and Raptors fan. Les’ was a life welllived and he will be forever remembered with love and respect. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life is his wife, Mary Jane Billingsley of Crowsnest Pass, AB; his brother, Bernie; and his sisters, Shirley and Sherri. He was predeceased by his parents, Dewenna and Devere Billingsley, and his sisters, Darlene and Cassy. With respect for Les’ wishes, no funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca. Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555
NOTICE
job description package please call 780-775-3805 or email sprucepointpark@gmail.com. Closing date: Until suitable candidate is found. FEED AND SEED 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. WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. “On Farm Pickup”. Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877250-5252. HEALTH HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372. SERVICES 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. WANTED CASH PAID FOR GOLD, SILVER & PLATINUM! Buying coins, collections, 999 bullion, bars, ingots, jewelry, nuggets, sterling, old money. PURCHASING ENTIRE COIN COLLECTIONS! Call Todd 1-250-864-3521.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS Estate of LESLIE ROBERT BILLINGSLEY, who died on January 18, 2024. If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by March 11, 2024. and provide details of your claim with
The Estate of Leslie Robert Billingsley PO Box 25 Coleman, AB T0K 0M0
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS Estate of ELVIS WAYNE MCDONALD, who died on September 29, 2023. If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by March 8, 2024. and provide details of your claim with
North & Company LLP – Attention: Luke Ratzlaff at: 741 Kettles Street/PO Box 818 Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
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Mayor Painter drives to $ Advertise 799 EdmontonProvince-wide to meet ministers
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On Wednesday January 24, 2024 Mayor Painter went to Edmonton to meet with the Minister of Forestry and Parks, Todd Loewen and the Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen. Mayor Painter heading north to discuss the future of recreation in the Pass with Minister Loewen and the upgrades to Crowsnest Lake campground as well as others that were completed recently. With these improvements there were no additional camping units and with a recreational population increase it is beginning to pose a problem in the community, as to where visitors will stay. On Thursday Mayor Painter is to meet with Andre Tremblay, Deputy Minister for Transportation. Mayor Painter discussed the loss of businesses in Frank due to the upcoming Highway 3 project. He is hoping that the Provincial Government will begin to work alongside the Municipality so that we don’t lose access to our attractions or end our towns. Mayor Painter stated that the Crowsnest Pass is the “only community that has something to lose” in regards to the project.
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Wednesday, January 31, 2024 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - 15
Burn pits cause issues with some residents DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter Smoke has become a common sight during Alberta summers the last ten or so years, but it is not something we expect much during the cold months and certainly not in the municipality. Last week the municipality attained a burn permit from the fire department to burn the Frank woody debris pile. As many residents recall, the smell from the pile was horrendous and the smoke laid as a thick blanket over the community. During Tuesday’s council meeting the topic of the burn piles along with the air quality was raised. From November 1 to February 28 (29 on a leap year) a burn per-
Warms temperatures stop outdoor rink opening
mit is not required in the forest protection area but ever since the municipal boundaries changed, permits are now required in the Crowsnest Pass. Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue Chief, Jesse Fox, said that the burn permit system “used to mimic what Calgary Forest Protection Area (FPA) had, up until a year and half ago residents didn’t need a permit in the winter”. Although the weather cannot be controlled, Chief Fox did state that piles are not to be lit when wind speeds are greater than 30 km/h, a difference from the FPA’s 20 km/h. This is done to prevent embers from spreading and creating new fires where it would put residents at risk. Although wind would help with smoke, the risk is too great when the wind speeds are high. During the municipal burn, the valley experienced an inversion which is when the air temperature increases at height and holds the cool air down low. This will generally hold any smoke or industrial exhaust down low, such as the pulp mill in Hinton. Luckily these inversions do not last for more than a few days. The permitting process in the Crowsnest Pass follows a similar method that is used by Alberta Wildfire within the FPA. Chief Fox will inspect the pile that is being requested to burn to ensure the size, residential piles are to be smaller, that it has no prohibited materials, containing only natural wood. If it falls within the parameters, a permit is issued. The winter is the best time of year to burn although Chief Fox states there is “no good time to burn” but “if fires are not permitted to occur it increases the fire risk”.
though there were optimal freezing temperatures, the weather did a 180 degree turn and the ice tarp is now under water once more. The group, Smith said “gave it it’s best shot”. It is not uncommon, in years past both Hillcrest and Bellevue had issues forming ice and recently Sparwood, BC shortly after opening their rink had to close it due to warm temperatures. The group collected information over the last three months and will now give it to the recreation board who will present it to council to decide on how to continue the program.
DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter “It has not been a great year for ice” said Trent Smith, Manager of Community Services. During the most recent cold snap there was the fourth attempt to freeze up the outdoor rink, located out front of the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex. Al-
Rain causes closure of Highway 3
OBITUARIES ROSEMARIE COCCIOLONE 1934 ~ 2024
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Rosemarie Cocciolone of Coleman, AB on January 17, 2024 at Peaks To Pines Senior Lodge. She was 89 years of age. Rosemarie Cocciolone “Tootsie” was born in Coleman on December 25, 1934 to parents Joseph and Rosie Cocciolone. She was the youngest of a long list of siblings: Esther, Nata, Josie, Frena, Danny, Harry, Frank, Tony and Joey.
DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter On Tuesday, January 23 the portion of Highway 3 from Coleman to Sparwood was closed due to multiple vehicle collisions. At approximately 1:00 am the highway was closed on the BC portion due to freezing rain and a number of vehicles that were sliding into the ditches and one rolling on the highway and spanning the roadway. Volker Stevin on the Alberta section closed the gate in Coleman just outside of their warehouse. Volker Stevin continued to do highway maintenance and manage the ice as best they could while Crowsnest Pass Fire Rescue monitored the gate and relayed to those attempting to get to work that the “road is closed with no timeline on reopening”. The highway re-opened at approximately 10:30 am after the accidents were cleared.
Rosemarie lived a simple quiet life and took joy in a few notable things. She liked cleaning and painting the home that she was born and lived in until she moved into York Creek Lodge a few years ago. She loved dogs and when owning a dog wasn’t practical, she had a menagerie of stuffed animals, most of them dogs, in her house. An additional precious thing in her life was her friendship with Helen Juhlin, her best and most wonderful friend of over 65 years. Helen was always there to guide and take her out for groceries and appoint-ments. Rosemarie was a colourful character and was loved for it. Her hair in pin curls and a hairnet was how she started her day. Her love of rouge and creative use of eyebrow pencil was also something that endeared her to us all. Rosemarie was a lady who took the utmost pride in cleaning, not just her own home but for others. She worked her heart out to do the best job she could wherever she worked. Woe to anyone who messed up a shiny floor or muddied up a rug! She got the nickname Tootsie back in the day as many women were called “Toots” by the guys. She didn’t care for it but it stuck for many years though she made a point of being called Rosemarie, Rose or even Rosie. Her brothers especially loved to tease her and she took it as good-heartedly as she could. She lived the longest of the siblings who all predeceased her. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.
Herald staff photo
Truckers lined up at Tim Horton’s parking lot during the Highway 3 road closure on Tuesday, January 23.
A Graveside Service will be held in the spring: 11am on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Cole-man Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Crowsnest Pass SPCA (PO Box 725 Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0), or the Peaks To Pines Residents’ Association (PO Box 580 Coleman, AB T0K 0M0). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca). Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555
16 - CROWSNEST PASS HERALD - Wednesday, January 31, 2023
Local brothers find passion for Community Service Brothers, Austin and Ethan Oullette, cleaned up a mess around the Coleman recycling bin over the holidays DEVIN BRADY Pass Herald Community Reporter Two local boys spent time during their holiday break to help better the community. On January 2 while enjoying time off school, Austin and Ethan saw a pile of cardboard sitting in front of the empty recycling bin. The two residents of Coleman like to spend their time playing sports, hockey for both Austin and Ethan though Austin prefers playing basketball and soccer. When the two aren’t on the ice, court or pitch they spend time creating videos for their YouTube channel, Fun With Mario Bros. Austin was a very well spoken and exuberant young man who was happy to explain how he and his brother committed an act of selflessness. During an interview Austin was asked what compelled him and his brother to clean up the mess, he responded “There was a lot of cardboard. Since we aren’t doing anything spectacular, let’s clean it up”. It took them only a half hour to clean up the mess but it was “difficult to break down the boxes” said Ethan. The community service made the brothers feel “awesome” and would “like to do something like it again”. Although new to community service, they already have plans to help in another way. They are hoping to clean the ice off the public sidewalk with nothing but some sidewalk salt, an ice scraper and determination. Aside from school, sports and a new found passion for community service the brothers enjoy creating videos on YouTube. Their channel, currently at 225 subscribers, is based around videos they create using plush Mario toys. In the future
Pension pause cont’d from page 9 NDP Town Halls - The NDP is accepting registrations now for eight more town halls. They are: Central Edmonton, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. - Lethbridge, Jan. 30, 6 p.m. - Medicine Hat, Jan. 31, 6 p.m. - High River, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. - Edmonton South, Feb. 6, 6:30 p.m. Drumheller, Feb. 9, 6 p.m. - Calgary South, Feb. 11, 2 p.m. - Calgary North Central, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. Interested Albertans can register for any of the NDP town halls at www.albertasfuture.ca. Also on the site is a survey that asks: “Should Alberta leave the Canada Pension Plan?” Options are yes, no and unsure. Those who select yes or no are given space to expand. Opposition Leader Rachel Notley told the legislature before Christmas that two NDP-organized town halls had 85 and 90 per cent of attendees against Alberta withdrawing from the CPP, based on shows of hands. At the Red Deer-South event, UCP MLA Jason Stephan attended—“I’ll give credit where credit is due,” said
The family of Dana Hungar wish to express our most sincere thanks for all the love and support we have received since the passing of our beloved daughter and sister on November 23, 2023. Thank you to everyone who posed condolences and tributes on Fantin’s Funeral Chapel Tribute Wall. Thank you to those who honoured Dana by planting trees or donating to various charities. Thank you, Dr. Shahrabadi and Dr. Maritz for your support during this difficult time. To Darrell Sydora and staff, your guidance, patience and extra measures of assistance were greatly appreciated and will not be forgotten. A special thanks to Mel Pavlus. Thank you all, for the cards, flowers, food, gifts, phone calls and visits. We are so grateful for the generosity and kindness shown in so many ways from friends and family near and far. Ken, Carol & Derek Hungar
Contributor photo
Austin and Ethan Oullette cleaned up the recycling bins in Coleman after it was left in disarray after the holidays.
Austin wishes to get into “broadcasting in radio and TV”. He finds it “cool to work with video and editing”. The two are hoping to reach 250 YouTube subscribers by Feb 21, 2024. “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Notley. But she noted during Question Period that Finance Minister Nate Horner has not attended NDP town halls and that she finds it unusual that he gets second-hand information about them. Horner said: “There is no endgame here other than having a conversation with Albertans about something that the federal government has made clear to me. . .is totally the right of a province to consider. Knowing that, we’ll continue with our engagement. “The first round is complete. I look forward to meeting with the panel to talk about next steps. This is a complicated idea, admittedly, brought to us by the Fair Deal Panel. It has great potential and promise for Albertans. We look forward to having the conversation.” The Fair Deal Panel made its final report to the province in May 2020, recommending ways to strengthen Alberta’s voice in Confederation. One idea was the exploration of an Alberta pension plan. Your Pension, Your Choice Workbook As its name suggests, the Your Pension, Your Choice workbook encourages Albertans to do some homework, primarily by reviewing the LifeWorks report and the workbook’s discussion notes. It’s also made up of nine questions or requests for comments, plus three demographic questions. Included in the workbook are explanations of how CPP works and the advantages and risks if Alberta leaves it. It describes the mechanics, costs and potential savings of leaving and instituting a replacement plan, Alberta’s place in CPP, and how government oversight of public pension plans works. Most of the questions are open-ended and require written responses, like: “Does the size of Alberta’s asset share matter to you and, if so, why?” and “If Alberta exited the CPP and started an APP, how would you want the pensions assets managed?”