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7, No. 23 November Tuesday, April 10, 2012 Vol. 7, No.Vol. 2, Tuesday, 8, 2011
Fire strikes farm south of Chipman PHOTO BY TRACY H A R D I N G A passing motorist dialled 911 to report a fire two miles south of Highway 15 on Secondary Highway 834 at 3:35 p.m. Monday afternoon. Chipman was the primary responder, and called in resources and equipment from Lamont, Mundare, and two water trucks from Bruderheim and St.Michael to deal with the blaze that started as a grass fire. Chipman Fire Chief Steve Rasmussen said that due to the fact a tractor and hoe had to be used to extinguish the blaze the cause of fire was not able to be determined. Firefighters were able to save a quonset, pole shed, and the primary residence; but could not save a barn, garage and several outbuildings. Later in the evening the fire was fully brought under control. The Chipman crew left the scene at 2:15 a.m.
Lamont County opts out of interim funding for local economic development initiative BY MICHELLE PINON Editor Despite the fact that Lamont County will not be providing interm funding for its own regional economic initiative, its remaining partners have decided to put in their fair share. Mike Saric, chairman of the Lamont County Regional Economic Development Initiatives (LCREDI), says the remaining five partners have all agreed to provide interm funding for its executive director Murray Wade until new funding can be secured. Saric says the initiative that was developed late last fall is intended to bring economic benefits for the entire region, and the remaining municipal partners which include the Villages of Chipman and Andrew, and the Towns of Mundare, Lamont, and Bruderheim are committed to moving forward together. “It’s the very first time members have made a concerted effort to market the region,” adds Saric, who has already seen and felt the effects of the initiative that has brought a couple of developers to Mundare. Two lots were recently purchased on main street, and a daycare operator will temporarily be operating out of the Ukrainian National Hall while a
new facility is being constructed in the community. “We expect to see development plans any day now.” Saric recognizes the fact that towns and villages have far less resources than the county, and the county is not in the same boat as they are, yet he hopes the county will continue to be a partner in LCREDI, “But regardless, we will move forward.” Both Saric, and the remaining partners feel the same, have the same goal, and that now is the time to keep going to continue to make inroads to help grow and develop their communities. That is why they have all decided to chip in additional funding to support the initiative over the next few months. “I don’t see the county as the bad guys in all of this. They have to look after their needs, and they have to make individual decisions as to what’s best for them.” LCREDI initially received a start up grant of $50,000; and application for another grant has already been completed for additional funding. Back on March 21st, Bruderheim town council unanimously approved $3,900 in funding for a three month total. Mayor Karl Hauch pointed out, “This funding will be recovered if the next phase of the LCREDI grant application is approved through the provincial Regional Collaboration Program.
“The funds will be used to provide the program with continuity during the period of when the previous grant funding runs out and the new funding is approved. We expect this to be roughly a 10 week period, at which time we will get our money back if the grant is approved.” Hauch added that: “We are extremely optimistic that the LCREDI program will benefit Bruderheim residents by helping to develop a program that promotes economic development in the region which is a priority for our council at this time.” The Town of Bruderheim joined the LCREDI program, adds Hauch, “Because we want to put more of a focus on economic development within Bruderheim and surrounding region. We feel that there is a benefit to working with our five partner municipalities on this because economic development doesn’t happen in small isolated pods. It is more effective when it is addressed as a region because the development in one municipality has the potential to provide benefits to all surrounding neighbours. Continued on Page 3