Opposition to proposed Rogers tower

NICK ALLEN Pass Herald Reporter

There has been various opposition to the proposed cell tower being built by Rogers Communications, including landowners and the municipal council.

On June 6, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass voted in favour of writing a letter of non-concurrence for Rogers proposed tower location as they were unhappy with the consultation process.

“They don’t have our best interests in mind,” said Mayor Blair Painter.

Terry Kenney, owner of Crowsnest River RV Park, also voiced concerns about the consultation process after sharing how the tower’s height and width are going to block the view of all his guests at the RV park.

“The company that was doing the work for Rogers had indicated that there was a great possibility that Rogers would be willing to move the tower to a different location on the same property,” said Kenney, “They actually sent me a drawing showing me where they would like to relocate it to and I suggested a little further away, so it would be partially hidden by some trees.”

He said the consultation company claimed they were willing to look at changing the tower’s location but after the 21-day period ended, they told him they were no longer interested in talking about it.

“Rogers was going to leave it in the same place because I was the only person that objected to it. Very unfortunate, very disappointing,” said Kenney.

Councillor Vicki Kubik shared how she felt nervous going against a major business like Rogers but felt it is council’s duty to the residents to protect their interests.

“I have a problem with the fact that the consultative process sounds to me like it was just something they do on paper, they don’t really take [the concerns] into consideration and that rubbed me the wrong way,” said Kubik.

James Blair Stuart

September 24, 1952 - April 10, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of James Blair Stuart on April 10, 2023, surrounded by family and friends at the Regional Hospital, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He was 70 years of age.

Blair was born on September 24, 1952, in Moose Jaw, SK to Harold and Jeanne Stuart. In 1972, he moved to the Crowsnest Pass, AB. While he was there, he worked at the mine and joined the Lost Riders Motorcycle Club.

Blair enjoyed watching his nephew, Troy Gaudry play hockey, going golfing, fishing, and watching sports on tv. When he was younger, he played hockey and baseball, which he was pretty good at. Blair moved back to Moose Jaw, SK in 1983, with his most recent residence being Regina Beach, SK. While he was in Moose Jaw SK, Blair joined the Army Navy Vets. During his time with them, he joined the darts league. He was a skilled player of darts and won the Provincials. Blair was a welder with United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry Local 179 and retired from there August 1, 2013. In 2010 he made his first trip to Puerto Vallarta. He loved going there and made it his second home spending most of his last three years there. Blair will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him.

Left to mourn his passing and to celebrate his life are his daughters, Marie (Rob) Meckelborg of Pincher Creek, AB, Nichole (Joe) Boissoneault of Pincher Creek, AB and Michelle (Doug Sokoloski) Stuart, of Coleman, AB; his son, Blake Stuart of Moose Jaw, SK; his sisters, Susan Gaudry of Coleman, AB and Donna (Bill) Van Buskirk of Coleman, AB and their families; his grandchildren, Rayanne, Veronica, Happy, Haley and Brooke; numerous nieces, nephews; as well as his extended family and many friends both in Canada and Mexico.

He was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Jeanne Stuart; his grandparents, Jack and Kathleen Scott, and Stan and Daisy Stuart; and his nephew, Peter Halladay.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at the Coleman Legion (783117 Ave. Coleman, AB T0K 0M0) on July 15, 2023 from 1:00pm until 4:00pm. A Graveside Service will be held at the Rosedale Cemetery (Caribou St. W., Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7S9) on September 24, 2023 at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Kidney Foundation of Canada, or to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403)

Council eventually decided to write a letter of non-concurrence to voice concerns over how the consultation process was held. Kenney hopes they move the tower, but recognized it is unlikely to happen.

“In a perfect world, I’d like them to relocat the tower to a totally different spot that doesn’t impair the view of the valley. Everybody that travels through the Crowsnest Pass is now going to see that tower,” said Kenney.

He said he is upset more people were potentially unaware of the proposed tower and thinks there might have been a lot more pushback on the development. He called the way Rogers went through the consultation process as “disappointing and disheartening” when they refused to reconsider the location.

“I think everybody throughout the Crowsnest Pass would be a lot happier,” said Kenney

Cypress Land Services, the company running the consultation process for Rogers Communications, responded only after multiple attempts to contact and passed on the request for an interview to Rogers. Rogers failed to respond before press time.

Michael Stacheruk

March 18, 1936 - May 30, 2023

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michael “Mike” Stacheruk of Coleman, Alberta on May 30, 2023 at the Crowsnest Pass Health Care Centre, Blairmore, Alberta. He was 87 years of age.

Mike was born March 18, 1936, on the family farm near Invermay, Saskatchewan. He left the farm at 16 to work in the construction industry. Mike was passionate about his job, and loved discussing heavy duty equipment, moving dirt, coal seams etcetera. The majority of his career was spent working for the Mannix group of companies, retiring in 1999 from Manalta Coal.

He met his wife, Leone while working on the Gardner Dam near Elbow, Saskatchewan where they wed in 1962. The family moved several times following various construction projects in Alberta and B.C, settling in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta in 1976.

Mike loved his Labrador Retrievers and has rarely been without one in the past 40 years. His latest companion, Tucker went most places with him and was wonderful company.

May Mike’s family and friends gain comfort in knowing that his life’s work was well done, and that he will live on in precious memories.

Left to cherish his memory are his three daughters, Michel (Gary) Collings, Terry (Ray) Mahieux and Susan (Craig Samuel) Stacheruk; his grandchildren, Michael Poxton, Meaghan (Mat) Pounder, Shawn Flannery, Terence (Aubrey) Flannery, Olivia Collings, Summer and Ryder Stacheruk-Fomradas, Stacy (Jason) Benson, Chad (Nicole) Mahieux; his two sisters, Irene Honstein and Alice Simundson; his sisters-in-law, Margaret Mazerolle, Marilyn (Herb) Schmunk and Janice (Joanne) Baker; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Leone Stacheruk; his parents, Polly and George Stacheruk; his sisters, Anne Chretien and Mary Schrader; his brothers, John Stacheruk and Sydney Stacheruk; and his grandchildren, Candace Collings and Travis Flannery.

Mike’s family would like to thank Crowsnest Pass EMS and the nursing staff at the Crowsnest Pass Health Care Centre for the kind and compassionate care given to him.

A private family service will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Crowsnest Pass Health Foundation “Greatest Need” (PO Box 455 Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

562-8555

Fantin’s Funeral chapel entrusted with the arrangements. (403) 562-8555