October 11, 2017 Year 7, Issue 5
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Engaged in the arts ... and drafts
Yvan Lebel strums guitar while friends, neighbours and colleagues taste craft beer from five local vendors, including Lundbreck’s Oldman River Brewing, during Arts & Drafts at the Lebel Mansion in Pincher Creek. The event last Friday attracted young and old to the historical house to celebrate locally made art, soup and music — all while raising funds to support the Lebel. New Zealand-born, Alberta-raised artist Rosanna Marmot showcased her art in an Artist Talk. Her controversial landscape paintings of the Prairies challenge audiences as she includes realities that many artists do not. A stunning five-foot-plus piece displays a sunset with a bird perched on a powerline, but at the base of the painting stands a trailer park. Rosanna said many viewers say they would purchase the painting if it weren’t for the trailer park, but she said it’s the reality that artists tend to crop out and hide. Read the full story in next week’s Shootin’ the Breeze. Photo by Caitlin Clow
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Page 2
Shootin’ the Breeze
October 11, 2017
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
Bruce Mackintosh honoured for dedication to trapping association By Shannon Robison At the South Country Trappers Association fall banquet, Bruce Mackintosh was named member of the year. “Bruce is someone who gets tremendous self-satisfaction in watching people excel. He’s a great teacher and a great mentor,” says SCTA president Brent Sinclair. “He takes great pride in his work and expects nothing in return. He’s not out for recognition.” Bruce humbly accepted the honour at the Sept. 30 fundraising event. He has been a member of the Alberta Trappers’ Association
for 25 years and helped start the local chapter six years ago. Bruce says he’s been trapping all his life and has maintained a professional registered trapline for 30 years in the area between Waterton and Beaver Mines Lake. Hi trapline covers two townships and over 30 miles. During the trapping season, Nov. 1 to Feb. 28, he spends about three days a week on this trapline. He covers ground on foot, by quad or on snowshoes. He says harvesting furs is highly regulated and helps to keep the balance of nature. For him it is a way of life. The animals he deals with are primarily martens, coyotes,
lynxes, bobcats, wolves, beavers and muskrats. Bruce was a director for SCTA’s first five years and looks forward to new blood and new ideas coming from other members. He is concerned with the viability of the trapping lifestyle with changes to the area in the designation of the Castle park. He hopes to see the tradition carry on through youth education that will keep the heritage alive. Highlights of his career include trapping his first wolf after years of trying and catching a wolverine with rare coloration.
Photo by Shannon Robison
Bruce Mackintosh, left, is named member of the year by South Country Trappers Association president Brent Sinclair.
In left photo, Nicholas Mackintosh (deceased) holds a wolverine trapped by his father, Bruce. The animal had rare coloration and Bruce considers it a highlight of his trapping career. It was mounted and is displayed at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek. In right photo, Bruce poses with a portion of a season’s catch. The furs are shipped to an Alberta auction depot and then shipped en masse to North American fur auctions. Photos courtesy of Judy Mackintosh
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VOTE DON ANDERBERG
THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR MAYOR
SEE A DEMO AT WWW.PROPERTYWIZARD.CA
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My name is Don Anderberg. I have put my name forward for re-election to the position of mayor for the Town of Pincher Creek. I moved to Pincher Creek, my wife’s hometown, in 1985. We have two married sons and three grandchildren. I have previously served as your mayor and councillor. I have owned and operated a business in Pincher Creek since 1994. I am a member in good standing with several community organizations including the Elks Club, Royal Canadian Legion, Golf Club, Curling Club and Pincher Creek Ducks Unlimited. I have worked with council and administration to complete a large number of projects in the community. Every project has been 100 per cent paid for and NO NEW DEBT has been taken on. As your mayor, I will advocate to council to continue work on critical infrastructure, housing, daycare, community transportation and recreational facilities. Our community partnerships in Pincher Creek are extremely valuable. I am proud to not only have positive results but to have outstanding working relationships with many local organizations. Most notably, I have been working with volunteers from the Elks, Legion, Lions, Masons, Rotary and Angels Within Us to bring Habitat for Humanity to our community. As mayor, my council and I have supported and recognized the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, Handibus Society, McMann Agency and Food Bank, Livingstone Range and Holy Spirit School Divisions, Children’s World Daycare, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Museum, Community Hall, Ag Society and recreation facility users.
I will: • Advocate an open-door policy • Respond in a fair and respectful manner • Continue to consider the welfare and interests of the community as a whole • Continue to put Pincher Creek first • Continue to promote supportive relationships with town administration and MD council, being respectful of the functions and duties assigned to each respective team I am proud of the role I have had on council. We have worked effectively to make Pincher Creek a great place to live, work and play. It is an honour to call Pincher Creek my home and the people of Pincher Creek my friends.
A vote for me is a vote for thoughtful, positive leadership
Your vote matters
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Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
South Country Trappers auction raises funds for Kenow fire victims By Shannon Robison The fall banquet and fundraiser for the South Country Trappers Association saw trappers, ranchers and interested community members come together Sept. 30 at Pincher Creek’s Community Hall. Shortly after the Kenow wildfire devastated several ranches in the Twin Butte area last month, association members decided to donate half of event proceeds to help those affected. With 120 tickets sold, Twin Butte Country General Store’s prime rib on the menu, Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange auctioneers taking bids, and Boots and the Hoots on stage for entertainment, a successful evening was inevitable. About $15,000 was raised through silent and live auctions and SCTA intends to donate 50 per cent of this to the Wildfire Relief Fund. SCTA is a local branch of the Alberta Trappers’ Association and Pincher Creek has been a hub of the organization’s events since the group was formed six years ago. Brent Sinclair, SCTA president, says the group has 115 active members who have put Pincher Creek on the map through efforts like hosting the Alberta Trappers’ Association Rendezvous in 2016. As host community, Pincher Creek drew a huge crowd, which Brent says topped other years by an incredible amount.
“It was unbelievable,” he adds. “People came out to the event to see hands-on demonstrations and saw what a trapper does through events and seminars.” Brent says SCTA would definitely bid to host the event again. Attendance showed there is a local interest in learning more about trapping. Brent says an event like the Rendezvous piques curiosity and that when people ask questions there is an opportunity to dispel false and negative information. Brent says trappers are responsible stewards of the land. They work closely with the provincial government by providing samples and data, and with ranchers in efforts to reduce loss of livestock to predation by wolves. “The trapper is a scout in the field and can be a tremendous asset to ranchers,” he says. Trappers work within set quotas and registered trappers run lines on Crown land. A major role of the association is to educate the public and to get youth interested in seeing trapping as a way of life. Because ranchers and trappers have a mutually beneficial relationship, Brent wasn’t surprised by the great turnout for the banquet and the tremendous support for the fundraising auction.
October 11, 2017
Shootin’ the Breeze
Page 3
NOTICE OF ELECTION LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT Sections (12, 35, 46, 53)
LIVINGSTONE RANGE SCHOOL DIVISION NO. 68, PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
Notice is hereby given that an election will be held for the following offices:
School Trustee
School Trustee
Ward No. 2
Ward No. 3
Two (2) Vacancies
Three (3) Vacancies
Voting will take place on the 16th day of October, 2017, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. School trustee elections are run by the municipal authorities within the boundaries of Livingstone Range School Division No. 68. Electors may only vote at a voting station set up for the ward in which that elector resides. If you are unsure which ward you reside in, you can receive clarification by contacting the returning officer at 403-625-3356. Electors for school trustee are to vote at the same polling station where they vote for their respective municipal candidates. If there is not a municipal election in the area that the elector resides, they may then vote for their school trustee at another polling station within their ward. For electors within Ward No. 2, voting stations run by the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass or the M.D. of Pincher Creek will be at: Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex, 8702 – 22nd Avenue in Coleman Elks Hall, 2025 – 129 Street in Blairmore MDM Community Centre, 2802 – 222 Street in Bellevue Lundbreck Community Hall, 304 First Street in Lundbreck For electors within Ward No. 3, voting stations run by the Town of Fort Macleod, M.D. of Willow Creek, Town of Pincher Creek or the M.D. of Pincher Creek will be at: Fort Macleod & District Community Hall, 307 – 25th Street in Fort Macleod (Town and MD of WC) Ardenville Hall, NE 4-7-26 W4 (MD of WC) Pincher Creek Town Hall Gymnasium, 962 St. John Avenue in Pincher Creek MD of Pincher Creek Administration Office, 1037 Herron Avenue Coalfield School – 2127 Highway 507 near Beaver Mines ADVANCE POLLS for electors of Livingstone Range School Division No. 68 will be held as described and advertised by the Municipal Authorities within the boundaries of Livingstone Range School Division No. 68. Again, electors voting at an advance poll may only vote at a voting station set up for the ward in which that elector resides. Dated at the Town of Claresholm in the Province of Alberta this 21st day of September 2017. Jeff Perry, Returning Officer
Make Education a Priority! On October 16,
RE-ELECT CLARA YAGOS For School Trustee, Ward 2
Experience, Commitment, Understanding, Compassion, Belief in Consultation, Collaboration
Experience: Trustee with Ward 2 for two terms Retired teacher and administrator Guard with Corp. of Commissionaires at Pincher Creek RCMP detachment Served as chair of policy committee, labour relations committee and trustee representative to Alberta Southwest Regional Economic Alliance Currently involved with Friends of the Crowsnest Community Library Society and Patton Park Society Formerly on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Crowsnest Pass, Pincher Creek Women's Emergency Shelter and FCSS in Pincher Creek. Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself — John Dewey
Meet Me
at the Movies
The Glass Castle (Rated 14+)
TERRY YAGOS On October 16th
Re-Elect TERRY YAGOS As Municipal Councillor Division #5
Questions?
Youth engagement is one of the goals of the South Country Trappers Association. There was no shortage of enthusiasm from Russell Graham, left, Keely Semenoff, front right, and Ally Graham at the annual fundraiser held Sept. 30 in Pincher Creek. Photo by Shannon Robison
Phone 403-628-2350 or 403-627-8294 Email ty@leelake.com
Monday, Oct. 16
Showtime is 7 p.m. Fox Theatre Pincher Creek Tickets $10 at the door www.pinchercreekarts.com
Join Us at
VISTA VILLAGE for our
T EA and BAZAAR Wednesday, Oct. 18 2 to 3:30 p.m.
1200 Ken Thornton Blvd Pincher Creek
Page 4
Shootin’ the Breeze
October 11, 2017
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
Municipal District of Pincher Creek Election 2017 Meet the candidates By Caitlin Clow Coun. Quentin Stevick will keep his seat at the council table with the Municipal District of Pincher Creek, representing Division 1, after being re-elected by acclamation. Reeve Brian Hammond will also continue representing Division 4. But, divisions 5, 3 and 2 have some new faces to be considered before voting on Oct. 16. Residents of the MD had the opportunity to meet the candidates at the Heritage Inn on Oct. 5 during a forum hosted by the chamber of commerce.
Tom Judd
Newcomer Tom Judd, a lifelong Beaver Mines resident, put his name in the running for Division 3 and promotes co-operation and clear communication between citizens, councillors and neighbouring communities. His top three priorities for the near future, if elected, are examining the best possibilities for handling sewage for the hamlet of Beaver Mines, bridging the gap between the Town of Pincher Creek and MD councils and looking at ways to address the increased volume of municipal waste being directed to the Crowsnest-Pincher Creek Landfill. The businessman’s resume highlights experience installing sewer and water, working with organizations such as SASCI and community partners to establish emergency response plans, and dealing with municipal waste through his experience operating equipment at the landfill. “I have a fairly deep vested interest in our community,” Tom said. “We now have three children and nine grandchildren and my hope is someday they will be able to share and live in this community the way we have.” “At the core of my life has always been our family ranch,” he said. “I am fortunate enough to live on a piece of property that was my grandfather’s. He was here in 1897 and I’m lucky to still live on the
same piece of property.” Although a role in council would be a new experience, he said he is committed. “I decided for good reasons to stay for the long run and if you view me as the right person that you hire me on election day to do the job.”
Ernie Olsen
Ernie Olsen is certainly a familiar face around Pincher Creek. He served three years on town council and another three years as mayor. With 30 years in business, both as employee and employer, Ernie said he understands the importance of stronger working relationships between the Town of Pincher Creek and the MD. Therefore, one of his top priorities, if elected, is to strengthen this. The Lundbreck resident is active in the community and volunteers his time for Citizens on Patrol. His main goal if elected to represent Division 5 is to encourage population growth within the MD while ensuring taxes are kept low. “We have the potential to lose large revenue with Shell leaving, and I would like to work with my fellow councillors to come up with ideas to offset this,” he said. “I don’t think we as citizens should be paying for it.” His platform promotes efficiency and clear communication. Most importantly, Ernie said, he wants to represent his constituents well. “I am a team player, I am a good listener and an even better doer,” he said. “So feel free to come talk to me anytime you want.” Taking the voice of the people to the table is this candidate’s top priority if elected to represent residents of Division 3. “Communication and local values must be brought into the conversation, leading to
Local Authorities Election Act Sections 12, 35, 46, 53
LOCAL JURISDICTION: TOWN OF PINCHER CREEK, Province of Alberta Notice is hereby given that an election will be held for the filling of the following office: Number of Vacancies 1 (one) 6 (six)
Voting will take place on the 16th day of October, 2017, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Voting stations will be located at TOWN HALL GYM 962 St. John Avenue, Pincher Creek, Alberta In order to vote, you must produce identification for inspection. The identification must be one or more of identification issued by a Canadian Government that contains a photograph of the elector and his or her name and current address or one piece of identification that establishes the elector’s name and current address as required by section 53 of the Local Authorities Election Act. Dated at the Town of Pincher Creek, in the Province of Alberta, this 20 day of September, 2017. Lou Burnham Returning Officer
Rick Lemire
Born and raised in Fort Macleod, Rick Lemire has called the MD of Pincher Creek his home since 1983, when he accepted a job as a plow operator with Alberta Transportation. With his education and experience obtained through work and as a volunteer with the former St. Michael’s Roman Catholic School Board as a trustee, Rick decided to throw his name in the running for Division 2. “I feel I can contribute my knowledge of road maintenance, good collaboration and decisionmaking skills, just to name a few,” he said. “Currently we have many issues forced on our MD council,” he said, highlighting designation of the Castle parks, twinning of Highway 3, the Beaver Mines wastewater project, potential closure of Shell and downsizing of the wind sector. “We all have to work together,” he said. “We need a good, solid governance for our community and our needs have to be met for now and in the future.” Collaboration with other jurisdictions — including the Town of Pincher Creek, government agencies and the Village of Cowley — is a priority, Rick said. See MEET THE CANDIDATES,
continued on page 5
Howard Brown
Construction & Roofing Ltd.
Bev Everts
Notice of Election and Requirements for Voter Identification
Office(s) Mayor Councillor
decisions by the community for the community,” she said. “We’re a community with very serious issues and questions at our doorstep.” Economic development in relation to the newly established Castle Provincial Park and Wildland Park, the Beaver Mines water and wastewater project, a thorough review of the Kenow wildfire and establishing a plan to move forward after Shell Waterton closes its doors are a few of this potential councillor’s main concerns. “Roots and diversity run deep in this MD, both in people and in economies. We have indigenous roots, agricultural roots and community in all forms,” Bev said. “All must be nurtured with tender care.” “Our roots are also about adaptability,” she said. “We don’t need to fear change and opportunity.” If elected, Bev said the Kenow fire inquiry and review, including an effective follow-up, is on the top of her priority list. An environmental impact assessment of the Beaver Mines wastewater project and its proposed location at the Mill Creek site, and the proposed incinerator project at the landfill are also “priorities that need to be dealt with immediately.” “Election cycles are short but we would do well to remember that the kind of decisions we make today impact where we end up in 10 and 20 years,” said the former Livingstone Range School Division trustee of nine years.
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RE-ELECT
KRISTY STEVENS For School Board Trustee Livingstone Range School Division
Working in Pincher Creek and the Pass for over 35 years. Tried, Tested and True
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Gregory Alan Long
School Board Trustee – Ward 2 October 16, 2017 • 30 years teaching in Crowsnest Pass • Coach, advisor to student council, actively involved in extracurricular activities • Chairman of A.T.A. Regional Policy Committee • Chairman of A.T.A. Negotiating Committee (finance and budget)
The students will be my priority
The Fort Macleod Gazette is now available from the Shootin’ the Breeze office in Pincher Creek. You can also pick up your weekly copy of Shootin’ the Breeze at the Gazette office in Fort Macleod!
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
Choi tees up to take provincial gold By Caitlin Clow Ethan Choi of Pincher Creek was named champion after beating students from across the province during the Alberta Schools’ Athletic Association’s golf provincials. Ethan scored 139 — his total strokes on Sept. 25 and 26 — placing him eight strokes ahead of his closest competitor, Paul Kane of Edmonton. “It feels awesome,” says Ethan, a Grade 10 student at St. Michael’s School. “Playing for the school and Pincher Creek, it’s a huge honour. And to bring gold for my school — it’s a pretty good feeling.” Ethan was the only competitor from Pincher Creek at the provincials. “Our team played in the zone championships before provincials and we were third in that,” he says. That meant the Dragons just missed qualifying. Ethan says he took a unique approach to preparing for the provincial tournament. Relaxation was key. “I played a lot with my school buddies before the tournament just to relax,” he says. “I’ve been grinding a lot in the summer, but I took a few days off in September and just hung out with friends.” Concentrating on school, volleyball and badminton allowed Ethan to clear his head and mentally prepare for the tournament, held in Spruce Grove. “I didn’t really have high expectations coming into the tournament, but I guess the relaxed mindset helped me a little,” he says. Scoring 70 the first day, only two strokes ahead of the competition, Ethan says he wasn’t too worried. “I knew if I just played my own game I would have a good shot at winning. I just kept my
Photo courtesy of Ethan Choi
Ethan Choi, a Grade 10 student at St. Michael’s School, continues to make a name for himself in the world of golf. Last month Ethan was the only competitor from Pincher Creek at ASAA’s provincial championship, and he brought home the gold.
head in the game and focused on each and every shot the next day, and that helped a lot.” Competitive sports and that mindset are what drive the young prodigy, who has played golf since the age of three. “I love competing against the best players in the province, in the country and in the world,” he says. “My mindset is going out there and winning every tournament I play in.” Ethan practises his swing at both the Pincher Creek Golf Club and the Lethbridge Country Club. Or, sometimes, he’ll simply play to clear his head and de-stress. “They’ve been really helpful creating really good environments for me to practise in,” he says about his local
MEET THE CANDIDATES, continued from page 4 “I have my own ideas on these issues, but I feel what is more important is what the people that live in this community [think].” Clear communication between council and citizens is another priority, he said. “The number 1 thing I think is missing right now is good communication,” he said. “And I do agree at times that ‘No’ might be the answer.… It’s hard, but sometimes that’s the way it’s going to be.”
Fred Schoening
The Schoening family has been residing in the Pincher Creek area for 134 years, said the incumbent councillor of Division 2. Fred Schoening has served as councillor for four years after being elected through acclamation, and he said the values he felt were important upon his election haven’t changed. Accessibility and communication with citizens, common-sense decision making, basic infrastructure and preventing the spread of invasive species are among Fred’s continued concerns for
the MD. “Municipal government should concentrate, in my opinion, on basic infrastructure,” he said. “Our residents and visitors — both young and old — need wellmaintained roads to drive on, safe bridges to cross, clean water to drink, effective waste management, good health and emergency services and up-todate seniors housing.” Fred touched on many of current council’s accomplishments, including hosting Coffee With Council to allow for candid discussion with representatives, construction of the new Crestview Lodge, completion of renovations in the ER, the paving of key roads and council’s success in obtaining provincial grant funding for a number of projects. “More often than not, municipal government and the councillors and of course their staff don’t do things that are billboard newsworthy,” he said. “What they do is just enable their citizens to go about their daily business.” “That’s been my goal for the last four years, and I would like to make it my goal for the next four years.”
Garry Marchuk
“I believe the MD council
greens. “I am really thankful for them.” His dedication to the game shows as he builds a strong reputation for himself in the golf community. In August 2016, at age 14, Ethan shot an extraordinary 59 at the Alberta bantam championships in Okotoks — a very impressive feat that attracted a lot of attention. Participating in school sports with like-minded peers is also beneficial, Ethan says. “It’s a really good environment to be in and just hang out in,” he says, referring to his mates on the Dragons volleyball and badminton teams. “Our coaches are awesome too. They’re super competitive and they know a lot. They keep me in that competitive environment throughout the whole year.” Ethan says he won’t be returning to basketball or track and field this year, but he intends to maintain his dryland training, which concentrates on increasing flexibility and building core strength, and includes a lot of cardio training. He is also working towards securing a scholarship for college, which he would like to attend in the United States. While Ethan was the only student from Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass had several representatives at the ASAA’s golf provincials. Justice Stella from Crowsnest Consolidated High School scored 83 and 76 over the course of the weekend for a total of 161. Jarrett Kress totalled 176 with an 89 and an 87. Connor Gunn scored 102 on the Saturday and a much better 85 on the Sunday for a total of 187. CCHS’s Matt Merritt totalled 202 over the weekend.
must plan for the future,” said incumbent Division 3 councillor Garry Marchuk. “We must be sustainable and grow with full-time jobs, economic opportunities and environmental conscience.” With five years’ experience serving as councillor, Garry said his to-do list for the rest of the calendar year focuses on completing the engineering study of the Beaver Mines water and wastewater project, completing the area structure plan for Castle Mountain and finding answers regarding the Kenow fire. “This is our home and our future relies on the continued improvement of solid infrastructure for agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, stable businesses and keeping our young population innovative and employed in quality, high-paying jobs,” Garry said. Clear communication is important, he said, and the opinions of his constituents are even more so. Questionnaires sent to residents regarding the See MEET THE CANDIDATES,
continued on page 6
October 11, 2017
Shootin’ the Breeze
Page 5
FALL INTO THE LIBRARY!
LUNCH N’ LEARN Drop in every Tuesday from Oct. 3 to Nov. 28, from 12 to 1 p.m. for digital learning on a variety of topics ranging from photo management to taming your smart phone, to using online resources. If you have questions, we have answers! AUTHOR VISIT Saturday, Oct. 14 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join us in welcoming local author Anita Dolman as she promotes her new book. AFRICAN BOGALOO DRUMMING Make some noise in the library! Tuesdays, Oct. 17 and 24, and Nov. 7 and 14 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Please bring something to use as a drum (coffee tin, shoe box, etc.)
STORY TIME Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m. A free literacy and craft program for preschool children and their caregivers. In partnership with Brighter Futures. WHAT LIES BENEATH HALLOWEEN AT THE LIBRARY
Friday, Oct. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. Please note the date change. Exploration Dig, Scat and Footprint Identification, Tinker Shop and Underneath Your Skin stations BEGINNER FIDDLE JAM Tuesdays, Nov. 21 and 28, and Dec. 5 and 12, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meet local fiddle players and play a tune or two in a slow speed. This program is best suited for adult learners or those who are returning to their instrument after many years away. Please bring your own instrument.
CHRISTMAS AT THE LIBRARY
Watch our website and Facebook for more details!
403-627-3813 899 MAIN STREET PINCHER CREEK
WWW.PINCHERCREEKLIBRARY.CA
Thank You Thank You To Shell Waterton Complex
For the FUNDING to control invasive weeds in the Drywood Yarrow Watershed
Thank You To Shane Poulsen with the MD of Pincher Creek
and his weed crew for all the advice and manual labour. Any landowner along the Drywood Creek interested in controlling their invasive weeds (especially knapweed), please call 403-627-2270. It is the productivity of your grasslands that are at stake.
Drywood Yarrow Conservation Partnership
Page 6
Shootin’ the Breeze
October 11, 2017
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
MEET THE CANDIDATES, continued from page 5 future of wind power and recreational and community services, he said, are one way he and current council ensure they make better decisions on behalf of the citizens in the MD. “As your MD representative, I listen to the concerns of my residents. I believe in wise long-term planning and even wiser allocation of our limited financial resources,” he continued. “I will always appreciate your input. This is how I will represent you.” “With your support in this election, we will continue to work together to face the changes coming to our community in a way that best serves the needs of all residents of the MD of Pincher Creek,” he concluded.
Terry Yagos
Terry Yagos has served as Division 2 councillor and deputy reeve for the past seven years, and wants to serve his constituents for another term. The former Livingstone School teacher and lifelong Lundbreck resident encourages population growth; enhanced services such as snow removal, dust control and road maintenance; collaboration with neighbouring jurisdictions, including Crowsnest Pass, the Town of Pincher Creek and the Village of Cowley; and
improving the MD’s linear assessment after a six per cent loss. The proposed incinerator at the Crowsnest-Pincher Creek Landfill is another priority for the incumbent councillor, who also sits on the landfill committee as an MD representative. “One topic I want to cover is the fourletter word ‘incinerator,’ ” he told the audience. He explained that with about 4,000 “road kills,” farm and other animals being received by the landfill annually, the landfill association determined a biomass incinerator would be the best way to mitigate the unhealthy and unpleasant working space for its employees. After much research and analysis, the association decided to apply for licensing. “There has not been a plan yet to built it,” he said. “That will come after we get permission from CFIA, we get some grant funding organized, then we’ll have a meeting and decide if we’re actually going to go ahead and build it.” In his conclusion, Terry said the best thing for the future of the community is to build responsibly while sustaining the natural beauty and wildlife of the area. “I now have grandchildren who are living at Lee Lake and attending Livingstone School, and their future along with the greater community is very important to me,” he said.
Big wins in tourism
The Breeze
MAILBOX
Notes from our readers, letters to the editor and government news
Ducks Unlimited takes carnival theme Plan on joining us at the Pincher Creek Ducks Unlimited banquet this Saturday, Oct. 14, at Pincher Creek Community Hall. We’re sure you’ll love our selection of great Ducks Unlimited merchandise, which includes limited-edition framed artwork, home accents and collectibles. You’ll be entertained with a live auction, a silent auction and other fun games. The Pincher Creek chapter is pleased to announce that Karla Guyn, PhD, chief executive officer for Ducks Unlimited Canada, will be attending the banquet. Karla has connections to the Pincher Creek area. Her mother, Lorraine Guyn (Zoratti), grew up on the Zoratti ranch presently operated by Bernie. This will be the 35th annual banquet held in Pincher Creek, and this year it is dedicated in memory of Bob Lounsbury, one of the founding members. The Pincher Creek chapter is running a duck carnival at the banquet this year due to Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission regulations. There will be a number of skill-testing games and Duck
Top photo by Brenda Shenton, bottom photo courtesy of Pincher Creek Chamber
Top, from left: CAO Laurie Wilgosh, Mayor Don Anderberg, economic development officer Marie Everts and community services director Diane Burt Stuckey proudly display the tourism award won by the Town of Pincher Creek. Bottom: award recipients Chris Matthews (for Martha Anderson) of Crowsnest Museum, Nicole Dyrkacz of Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, Marie Everts of the Town of Pincher Creek, and Tracey Hoffman and Kaitlin Speight of Harvest Coffeehouse.
Bucks will be given to winners. Attendees will be able to use their Duck Bucks to win a number of great DU prizes and locally donated items. Under current AGLC regulations, Ducks Unlimited Canada and other conservation charities are not being issued raffle licences for existing fundraising banquets. A raffle license is required if a gaming event contains the following three elements: consideration (payment), random chance (opportunity to win a prize), prize (cash, merchandise or other awards). This is pending an amendment to current legislation and as a result the committee is proceeding with the duck carnival theme. We hope you enjoy the changes and come out and support Pincher Creek Ducks Unlimited’s 35th anniversary. For tickets, phone Lorna MacKinnon at 403-627-9118 or Charles Price at 403-627-4030 (home) or 403-339-1400 (cell). Charles Price, Ducks Unlimited
By Caitlin Clow The Town of Pincher Creek was named the municipality of the year at the Southwest Service and Tourism Awards in Lethbridge last Wednesday. The award is presented to a municipality that works to promote, develop and build tourism in the southwestern corner of the province. Pincher Creek was up against Lethbridge, Fort Macleod, Claresholm and Coaldale for the win. The cherry? The award was presented by the town’s neighbour: Community Futures Crowsnest Pass. Tracey Hoffman and her team at Harvest Coffeehouse in Pincher Creek won for outstanding business — an award celebrating a business that demonstrates a commitment to customer service excellence. Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village museum’s Nicole Dyrkacz was honoured for her efforts to enhance the experience of travellers through exceptional customer service as the recipient of the award for
outstanding visitor information services. Martha Anderson was recognized for her hard work and dedication with the Crowsnest Museum when she was named volunteer of the year. Waterton Outdoor Adventures’ Jonathan Koegler won the award for outstanding sports and recreation for his work to enhance awareness of the region and his commitment to excellent service in the tourism industry through recreation opportunities. A number of other businesses and community members from across the Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass areas were recognized with nominations. Nominees included Farley Wuth of Kootenai Brown, Sam Schofield with Mountain Drift Photography, Castle Mountain Resort, Cenotaph Park in Pincher Creek, Holy Ghost Cafe & Music Hall, Crowsnest Outdoors, Rootstock 2017, Heritage Inn and Stardust Motel.
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A Salute to Our Local Firefighters Fire Prevention Week October 8 to 14
Community engagement is an important role for firefighters. Crowsnest Pass and Alberta Wildfire members were actively involved at Bellecrest Days this summer. Photo by Shannon Robison
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October 11, 2017
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Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out The fire service in North America has, since 1911, chosen to provide additional emphasis on fire safety, fire prevention and public education during the week that contains Oct. 9. This marks the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, which resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and destroyed much of the city, leaving 100,000 Chicago residents without a home. Our sincere hope is that this annual Fire Prevention Week campaign will not only encourage families to take the time to review their fire safety practices, test their smoke alarms and practise their fire escape plan at the time of the campaign, but that these messages will result in establishing more ingrained fire-safe behaviours and regular practices throughout the year. In 2017, we chose the Fire Prevention Week theme of Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out to reinforce that, when families react to a fire event based on plans and practice, they are more likely to get out of their home safely. Knowing what to do and where to go — especially when your primary escape route is blocked by fire, heat or smoke — can save lives and prevent serious injury. Real-world experience, backed up by laboratory testing,
has consistently confirmed that residents may have less than three minutes from the activation of their smoke alarm to exit a burning residence and emphasizes the benefits of having a secondary escape route planned. As such, the Government of Alberta has advocated the use of the threeminute drill for residents since 2007. I strongly encourage all Albertans, in conjunction with their partners, children, family members, tenants and neighbours, to ensure they have drafted, discussed and practised their fire escape plans. These plans need to be specific to your residence and take into account its type and location, as well as the usability of the identified escape routes. Your local fire department and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are always ready and willing to answer any fire safety questions and provide additional guidance upon request. Our goal is the same as yours: to ensure you are prepared in the event of a fire and to help everyone get out safely. Yours in safety, Kevan D. Jess, Acting Fire Commissioner Alberta Municipal Affairs
Having a home safety plan and sharing it with your family is the best way to stay safe in emergency situations
MAKE A PLAN INCLUDING: Choosing meeting points in and outside of your home in case of emergency Assembling a disaster supply kit with essentials Determining escape routes from your house and yard Testing the function of your smoke detectors and replacing if required
Photo by D. Taylor Images
Shootin’ the Breeze gets nod from Fire Commissioner’s Office Each year the Office of the Fire Commissioner encourages Alberta newspapers to run special sections for Fire Prevention Week. At the annual convention of members of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association, awards are presented for the best Fire Prevention Week sections produced in three circulation categories. With great pride, Shootin’ the Breeze publisher Shannon Robison accepted the 2016 award in the under-2,500 circulation category from Ross Bennett at the awards ceremony held in Calgary last May. Fire Prevention Week is held every October to make the public aware of the importance of fire prevention and emergency planning.
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Page 9
Ranch home still stands, thanks to preventive action By Shannon Robison Significant preventive measures taken at Epona Pastures meant the Muza family still had a home to spend Thanksgiving weekend at this year. The 160-acre ranch, located on Township Road 30 near Waterton Lakes National Park, sustained considerable damage when the Kenow wildfire burst out of the park boundary on Sept. 11. While damage is significant, the family home still stands, thanks to advance efforts by the Muza family. Gerry and Leslie Muza moved to the ranch in 1997 from the Waterton townsite, where they owned and operated the Kilmorey Lodge and the Aspen Village Inn.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Muza-Stone
Gerry Muza soaks the cedar shakes on his home.
Their daughter Jennifer, her husband, Greg Stone, and their children Grace and Spencer travel from Calgary to spend time there just about every other weekend and the quarter section is a sanctuary for their family. They took the threat of the Kenow fire seriously, following its progress from a lightning strike in British Columbia as it moved toward Waterton. Jennifer says the physical evidence in the yard made them nervous — burned spruce and pine needles were landing on the deck, the air was filled with smoke and the skyline had a spooky glow. She and Greg were at Waterton on Sept. 8, willing to provide extra hands for the anticipated mandatory evacuation of the park’s townsite, which was ordered that afternoon. Seeing the situation there, they knew it was time to consider what needed to happen at the ranch. Understanding the potential impact of the wind, Greg says, they knew that if the fire did manage to leave the park, it would move north very quickly toward Epona Pastures. Their earliest actions were both physical and strategic — mowing grass as short as possible, particularly around the house and outbuildings, clearing underbrush, moving outdoor planters and furniture, cutting tree branches, blowing leaves from the yard, relocating flammable items into the shops and target hardening key ranch infrastructure. They gathered generators, water pumps and hoses, checked to ensure the equipment was in working order and made sure the areas they were placed in were as fireproof as possible. Hoses were laid out and access points for securing water determined, and a 6,000-gallon drum of water was set up at the west side of the yard.
Photo by Shannon Robison
Jennifer Muza-Stone stands on the deck of her family’s home at Epona Pastures. Thanks to significant defensive actions taken prior to their evacuation, the Kenow fire burned to within feet of the house, but the structure was spared.
Everything was organized and ready to go. Greg recognized that if an emergency situation arose, they would likely be working in the dark, hampered by smoke, afraid and worried about other things. His goal was to make it as easy as possible to respond if the need arose. Gerry had several fire hoses and his past experience as a volunteer firefighter at Waterton proved beneficial. Greg used to head up emergency preparedness and response for an oil and gas company, so their combined knowledge made them a strong team. Jennifer says they were fortunate because they didn’t have a large number of livestock to move — the focus was solely on infrastructure and on saving Gerry and Leslie’s home. Branches of coniferous trees
around the house were cut high in an effort to prevent candling, and the cedar shakes on the roof were hosed down. On Monday, the 11th, Gerry, Leslie, Greg and Spencer remained at the ranch while Jennifer and Grace returned to Calgary. Work continued all day in preparation for potential evacuation. They gathered flashlights and alternative light sources, realizing their power source was in Waterton and that if the townsite lost power they would be in the dark as well. They loaded an RV with supplies and irreplaceable items like photo albums. At times Greg and Gerry questioned the considerable effort. See HOME STILL STANDS,
continued on page 11
You saved our Home THANK YOU
Pincher Creek EMS and Firefighters!
Andy and Beth Towe
NCC
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THANK YOU
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My Little
HOME STILL STANDS,
continued from page 9
“We wondered if we were wasting our time,” Greg says. “It added an interesting psychological dimension. What if all the fuss was for nothing?” All of the bases were covered — they had done all possible by way of prevention and had a plan to fight the fire if it came their way. If fighting it wasn’t an option, their critical possessions had been gathered and a plan was in place to get out safely. Greg says an important aspect of preparation was knowing the fire they would be fighting. He and Gerry had mapped their battle lines based on the wind and their topography, and focused their resources on the western and southern approaches to the property. That evening, their worst fear came true when Kenow rampaged out of the park and into the MD of Pincher Creek and County of Cardston. “We knew that as soon as it hit Blakiston Parkway it was coming straight for us, with nothing to stop it,” Jennifer says. “The unfortunate part is that we didn’t know it was there until it was out of the parkway and almost in our yard.” “It surprised us,” Greg adds. “It skipped around the eastern side and actually got north of us at one point, but we were right in terms of knowing where the real risk was coming from.” “Thank goodness for a couple of Parks Canada employees who live in the area and knew we were all out here,” Jennifer says. “They called or sent people to come get us out.” A Parks Canada employee showed up at the house before the evacuation alert came out via the Alberta Emergency Alert system. “He was so terrified that, psychologically, it almost threw us off our game,” Greg says. “We started to hit the panic button but got it back together pretty quick.” Even though Jennifer was in Calgary, the stress of the situation came through loud and clear as the evacuation began. “It was all very disorganized, and I’m so thankful that my parents and Greg kept their heads and knew what they had to do to protect our house,” she says. “My mom knew what to do to get my three-year-old son out of there, and I knew what I had to do back in Calgary watching everything that was going on and watching various media and communicating everything that I
CORNER An editorial column by Shannon Robison
Greg Stone, left, and Gerry Muza prepare the ranch for the possibility of a grass fire. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Muza-Stone
could.” Leslie and Spencer left immediately, while Gerry and Greg committed to the RCMP that they would leave as soon as some final defences were put in place. They set up hoses and sprinklers, unlocked the doors and hooked up the RV. “It was black and dark, the sky was turning red, and you could hear sirens and see flashing lights from the highway,” Greg says. “We forgot some stuff, for sure. But by that point, when you’re in the mess of it, you just have to hope you remember most of the important things.” They left around 12:45 a.m., at the end of a long line of retreating fire trucks heading north. The following day, Jennifer joined the rest of the family to see what Kenow had left behind. They were allowed past the first barricade, but had a long wait at the Twin Butte barricade. By mid afternoon they arrived at the ranch, where neighbours were actively fighting fire on their site and others. Once in, they got to work on live fire and hot spots. They are grateful for those who were watching over their property. “Under no circumstances do I want it thought that Gerry and I saved the world,” Greg says. “It wasn’t the case. It was a community that watched this property that day when we couldn’t get in.” While the corrals, several outbuildings, a flatbed trailer of lumber, the garden wall, some equipment and infrastructure, miles of irrigation pumps and 90 per cent of their fencing were victims of the Kenow flames, the ranch home — the heart of their sanctuary — was untouched. The fire burned within feet of the house, but the preventive measures were worth the effort. From the deck, the view in all directions is black. A giant Inuksuk remains standing in the field and shoots of green grass are pushing their way through the charred ground at its base. In hindsight, Jennifer wishes she had put clues together sooner — intermittent power brownouts that evening at the ranch and media being moved back from the park gates in the early evening — rather than relying on receiving an official alert. “Hopes and prayers weren’t going to do as much as actually trying to prepare,” Greg says. “It wasn’t just us, we have fantastic neighbours and we were lucky too. It didn’t work out for so many other people.” The house is full of ash and smoke, but for the first time in weeks the sky is clear. Jennifer and Greg are grateful for the outpouring of support not only for themselves but for all who have been impacted by the fire. The stones are burned, but a 15-foot Inuksuk still stands sentinel over the “We’re here on Thanksgiving weekend and Muza home at Epona Pastures. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Muza-Stone we’re very lucky,” Greg says.
Fire Prevention Week gives us a yearly opportunity to extend our thanks to the men and women who dedicate themselves to protecting our communities. With the Kenow fire still burning quietly in the background, this year it is more important than ever to be grateful for the firefighters who put their own lives on the line for us. Firefighters from our local departments, Parks Canada, Alberta Wildfire, Cardston County, Calgary, Lethbridge, Coaldale and Taber squared off with a fire that blew their minds with its behaviour. In Kenow’s wake there is considerable damage, but the work done in preparation for the fire’s imminent crossing into Alberta and the efforts to contain it resulted in an outcome much better than it could have been. Waterton Lakes National Park has one entry road. Image how frightening it must have been for those battling the fire in the park who knew it had blazed through their exit point. One month ago today, people on the front line who were fighting the fire, ranchers who were forced to evacuate their homes and move their livestock and those who returned home to nothing, experienced a night they will never forget. That no lives were lost is an incredible thing. Our local firefighters deal with a variety of calls — house fires, wildlife issues, motor vehicle accidents and medical emergencies are pretty typical. To face a wildfire the likes of Kenow in drought conditions and extreme winds is something I’m sure no one would choose to do again. Our firefighters are primarily volunteers who make a conscious choice to serve us. For that, we should all offer heartfelt thanks.
What happens if you have to use a second way out? The worst time to come up with a plan to evacuate your home is when you actually have to evacuate your home. By thinking about your home fire safety plan ahead of time, you can carefully consider the practical reality of using the plan. The more thought you give it, the easier it becomes to spot flaws or wrinkles and determine whether your plan is easy enough for you and your family to follow. The first way to evacuate a room, suite or building is the most obvious one: through the door you came in. But what if you need to pick a second way out? How would you practically approach leaving via a second route? If the only second route out is a window, how would that work? “If you’re going to use the window, you’ve got to have a more complete plan for how you’re going to actually use it,” says acting fire commissioner Kevan Jess.
“If the window is on the third floor and is a straight drop down to concrete below, you may not want to leave through the window without some assistance. That could be a rope ladder that you anchor on a window sill, or that could mean waiting for the fire department to arrive.” While not every room in your home may have a second exit — such as inside washrooms without windows — the goal of this year’s Plan Two Ways Out message is to get you thinking about finding a second way out of rooms where you sleep or alternative exits from your home or apartment. In bedrooms, consider what
you may have to do to evacuate through a window. Look for windows that lead onto a garage roof or open in a way that a person can easily fit through. Look for ledges that can support a rope ladder and then make sure you have a rope ladder on hand near the windows. Also make sure you have tried using the rope ladder while practising your evacuation plan. For homes, think about the most practical routes out from the second level if there’s a fire blocking the stairs. Again, look at windows from a practical escape standpoint. The window should open
widely enough to allow someone to get out. Would you have to break the window? Are there any hazards below the window? In an apartment building, familiarize yourself with the building layout so you know if there are alternate stairs and where the fire alarm pull stations are. What does the building’s fire escape plan call for? “Having a plan means clearly thinking about the alternatives and knowing when parts of the plan will work and when they won’t,” says Mr. Jess. “An escape plan shouldn’t remove you from one danger, only to place you in a different kind of danger.” If you’re not sure what the best approach is to get out of a room, especially if it’s well above ground level, contact your local fire department and ask for their advice.
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October 11, 2017
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Castle Mountain Resort preps for ski season after Kenow wildfire By Caitlin Clow “We literally went from wildfire season to 40 centimetres of snow within about two to three days,” says Castle Mountain Resort’s marketing manager, Jason Crawford. The Kenow wildfire burned at Castle’s doorstep and, in the early hours of Sept. 12, staff and residents were forced out under a mandatory evacuation. But, through preparation and firefighting efforts, they have returned home safely and are now preparing for the upcoming ski season. Resort staff learned of a fire burning in British Columbia earlier in the summer, which encouraged them to re-examine their fire procedures and policies, Jason says. “It kind of refreshed us and we said, oh yeah, this is a reality, this could happen.” Staff discussed what would be done to mitigate potential business losses in terms of weddings, catering and events. But, more importantly, they discussed better ways to prepare the facilities and the community. Luckily, that fire never turned into anything substantial, Jason says. But, later in the summer, the Kenow fire became a greater threat. “We started moving valuable pieces of equipment, snowmaking equipment, tracks and tillers for snowcats — we moved those into our parking lot,” he says. “We made an area in our parking lot where we moved all of our external propane bottles and fuel sources that were movable.” Expensive vehicles such as the snowcats were transported into the metal maintenance garage and FireSmart preparations were completed around the infrastructure at Castle Mountain Resort. “Pincher Creek Emergency Services was assigned to protect our resort, which was fantastic,” Jason says. “They set up water
lines around the perimeter of the community and had sprinklers going on to wet down the woods.” Residents were also hard at work on preventive measures at their homes. Decks were watered, firewood was cleared away from houses and properties were tidied — after they obtained their permits to re-enter the vicinity. Permits became mandatory after the province closed the forestry protection area zones in the southwestern corner on Sept. 4. Permits had to match vehicle registrations and driver’s licences, which threw a wrench in Castle Mountain Resort’s day-to-day business. “From a business point of view, there were definitely some challenges there, like getting food deliveries and things like that,” Jason says. “We had to arrange for permits for contractors, and not knowing which vehicles they’d be in made for some challenging things.” Delivery trucks were met in Beaver Mines and resort staff would load food and goods into permitted vehicles before heading back to Castle Mountain. The mandatory evacuation order was put into effect one week later. “The timing was a challenge,” Jason says. “A lot of our employees hadn’t made it into work yet that day, so there were very few employees that were actually here to grab things that we needed to continue to operate. It was a bit of a trying time.” “But, again, it was done for safety purposes and safety reasons, so we’re not saying that was a bad thing. It just made for a challenge for us,” he says. The Kenow fire was maintained by Alberta Wildfire and unified command for many days with little to no growth. The fire, about 221 See CASTLE MOUNTAIN RESORT,
continued on page 14
WATERTON LAKES OPERA HOUSE
We thank our first responders for their commitment and care!
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Thank You
to the brave men and women who fought the Kenow Wildfire and who are on call to protect us every day!
Phone: 403-553-3093 Fax: 403-603-3669 408 12th Street Fort Macleod JOHN.BARLOW.C1@PARL.GC.CA JOHNBARLOWMP.CA
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KENOW throughout the winter. Waterton Lakes National Park was reopened to the public on Sept. 21, but Parks Canada staff say to stick to the areas that are deemed safe. Frontcountry and backcountry areas remain closed as they are still being assessed for hazards such as loosened rocks, hazard trees and ash pits that may still be hot. Neighbours from Montana’s Glacier National Park assisted Parks crews in identifying hazard trees and other potential dangers, and over the course of a few days they had cleared many of the sites that are now open to the public. “We have to look at other ways that we can make sure we can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for people here,” Mr. Stoesser said. Currently, camping is not permitted anywhere within the park, but visitors can access a number of
Shootin’ the Breeze
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Beaver Mines Community Association
A fire like no other
By Caitlin Clow The 38,100-hectare fire that changed the landscape and lives of many residents in the Municipal District of Pincher Creek last month was officially classified as under control by Parks Canada on Oct. 3. “Right now, we can say the fire will not grow anymore and it’s on its way to being extinguished,” said Parks Canada communications officer John Stoesser. “A lot of this due was in part to the snowfall.” Waterton Lakes National Park was blanketed with over 20 centimetres of snow on Oct. 2. Mr. Stoesser said that certainly helped. The incident command structure has been demobilized, Mr. Stoesser said, and Parks Canada fire crews continue patrolling the fire area utilizing thermal imaging to find and extinguish hot spots that may still be burning. Officials say some hot spots may burn
October 11, 2017
favourite spots including the Cameron Lake day-use area. A comprehensive list of what is open to the public can be found on Parks Canada’s Kenow fire web page. The Kenow wildfire ignited in British Columbia when lightning struck near Kenow Mountain on Aug. 30. Due to the dry conditions and intense heat experienced across Western Canada throughout the summer months, the fire rapidly spread and threatened Waterton Lakes National Park. “There were significant efforts leading up to this to prepare Waterton Lakes National Park for when the fire reached the park,” Mr. Stoesser said. “We saw this coming from a long way away, so we had significant protection around the townsite and other facilities throughout the park.”
salutes the brave work of our firefighters for ensuring our safety in the past, the present and the future. Thank you!
See KENOW, continued on page 14
THANK YOU
to our firefighters for their continued efforts to keep our communities safe
Photo courtesy of Parks Canada
Members of one of the unified command teams stand before the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, which was left untouched by the Kenow fire.
THANK YOU
to the brave men and women of our community fire departments and emergency services!
Pincher Creek Food Store
Pincher Creek Home & Agro
Pincher Creek Gas Bar
Cowley Home & Agro
Pincher Creek Card Lock
Ranchland Mall
1225 Main St.
Ranchland Mall
420 Railway Ave.
1106 Main St.
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October 11, 2017
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CASTLE MOUNTAIN RESORT, continued from page 12
hectares in size, was kept about 23 kilometres from Castle Mountain Resort and about 30 kilometres from the hamlet of Beaver Mines. By Sept. 15, the evacuation order was lifted and residents and resort employees could return to the site. The Kenow fire was classified as held four days later. “We were fortunate that the fire didn’t end up coming in our direction, where some of our neighbours weren’t as lucky as we were,” Jason says. “Our hearts go out to those folks in the MD that lost residences and businesses.” A light dusting of snow began to fall on the popular ski resort on Sept. 21, and by Oct. 2 the storm cam showed a build-up of about 40 centimetres. “Now it’s a challenge to get around the mountain because it’s not winter enough that we can drive snowmobiles and snowcats around, but it’s winter enough that it’s hard to drive rubbertire vehicles around,” Jason says. “It’s pretty bizarre — we kind of missed fall.” The staff and crews are working quickly to prepare the mountain, lifts and equipment for opening day, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 15. The T-Bar will open Dec. 8 for the third annual Snow Gods party. “It’s our big kickoff
with live music,” Jason says, noting that Lethbridge’s Dirti Speshuls will be taking the stage to celebrate. Shred Kelly is slotted to perform opening weekend. “We get around a bonfire, we do a toast and our general manager says kind of a prayer to the snow gods,” Jason explains. “We’ve done that now for the past two years and both years have been decent snow years.” “It’s great to get everyone out and have a great time,” he says. “It’s all good fun.” With the calm that winter brings, Jason hopes to reconvene discussions with government agencies regarding fire safety and potential means of mitigating business issues while better protecting the community in case of another fire emergency. “Fire is always something that makes us nervous,” he says. “We are in a dead-end valley and that forest hasn’t burned in many years.” Castle Mountain Resort’s ski hill was built as a result of a forest fire in the 1950s, Jason says. Flames burned through the forested mountainside, creating a viable ski area. “We are very aware of what fire can do and we have a lot of respect for it,” he says.
Myths and facts about house fires Do you really know fire? Test your house fire knowledge with this list adapted from Kidde Canada and be aware of fire facts, myths and realities to protect the ones you love. Myth: Pets can sense danger and they usually escape a fire. Reality: Household pets are actually very vulnerable to and often victims of fires. Smoke can damage the lungs of a dog or cat in minutes, and sparks can cause painful burns that can remain undetected under the fur. Your escape plan should, when practical, include ways to get your pets out as well. Myth: Fire spreads slowly and takes a long time to get out of control. Reality: A small flame can turn into a major fire in less than 30 seconds, and it can take as few as three to five minutes for an entire house to fill with dense, dark smoke and become engulfed in flames. Practise your three-minute drill. Myth: Small, decorative candles do not pose a real fire risk. Reality: House fires started by candles have nearly tripled from a decade ago. Even a small candle can start a major fire, and
KENOW FIRE, continued from page 13 After the fire burned through the national park and into the MD of Pincher Creek and Cardston County on Sept. 11, thousands of acres of grasslands, fences, many power poles and some back houses were lost. Unfortunately, five residences were also claimed in the blaze. Within the park, the visitors centre, Alpine Stables and the east gate warden station were claimed by the fire. The townsite, for the most part, was left unscathed thanks to the efforts of the unified command and neighbouring fire departments from Calgary, Taber, Coaldale and beyond and their work to protect the structures, including the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel. “There was incredible co-operation between Parks Canada and our other unified
command partners, Alberta Wildfire and also the contractors and municipal fire departments that came in to help protect the townsite,” Mr. Stoesser said. In total, over 500 people were evacuated from the park and adjacent communities, but no one was injured and no lives were lost, due in large part to the quick movement of fire departments and the unified command. Now, in the wake of the Kenow wildfire, some green grass sprouts are visible within some of the burn zones, Mr. Stoesser said. “That’s fairly normal for some of those parts after a fire goes through and we’ll continue to see that regeneration happen in the spring as well,” he said. “But, it’s important to remember that this was a very intense fire that burned really hot and deep in some areas,
all fires start small. Never leave candles unattended and always ensure they are solidly mounted in a non-combustible base. Myth: In a fire, the flames are the greatest threat. Reality: Unlike the fires commonly shown on TV or in films, real fires produce large amounts of thick, black smoke that obscures vision, causes nausea and may lead to unconsciousness and death. Smoke is full of toxic by-products, including carbon monoxide. These poisonous gases are responsible for most deaths and injuries in fires, not the actual flames. Myth: Most fires happen in industrial buildings and wooded areas. Reality: Seven out of 10 fires in Canada start at home. Most fire fatalities occur in the home as well. More fires begin in the kitchen than in any other room in the home. Myth: Leaving the kitchen briefly while food is cooking is safe. Reality: Most kitchen fires occur because people get distracted and leave their cooking unattended. It takes
so it will take quite a bit of time for the park to rejuvenate to what it once was.” But that isn’t stopping people from visiting. Many businesses have opened their doors once again and Mr. Stoesser said there was a high volume of visitation over the Thanksgiving weekend. “Even though a lot of the backcountry trails are still closed and there is no camping here, people still want to come visit the park and it is a very special place,” he said. The public’s outpouring of support and messages of concern for the beloved park didn’t go unheard, Mr. Stoesser said. “I think it meant a lot to everyone who was involved in this incident,” he said. “It was very heartwarming to see these messages of support and it really helped to bolster spirits here and keep people going. It means a lot
Alberta Wildfire and Parks Canada teams were welcomed to Mountain View School with warm applause and gratitude. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada
seconds for a pot or pan to spatter grease or overheat, creating a fire that can quickly spread. Cooking fires are the number 1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Myth: Most children know not to play with matches and lighters. Reality: Children are naturally curious, and this can be dangerous. Hundreds of children die or are seriously injured in fires each year in North America. Children are much more likely to be injured in a fire than adults and are often victims of their own curiosity. Myth: Kids will instinctively run from fire and escape a burning house. Reality: When children see smoke or fire, they often try to hide instead of flee. Smoke can overcome a child very quickly. Parents need to teach children fire safety and escape plans and practise with them regularly. Also test the smoke alarm with your children present so they can recognize the sound, as studies show this can help them wake up in a real emergency.
to see how people care about the park.” In the weeks and months ahead, Parks Canada will continue its assessing the fire’s impact on the park’s ecology, wildlife, water quality, infrastructure and more. “Every incident like this involves a follow-up and an afteraction review,” Mr. Stoesser said. “There are always lessons to be learned from incidents like this, so we’ll be sure to do a significant assessment of the incident with a review, making sure that the next time something like this happens, or a similar situation within Parks Canada’s purview, we will have the best response we possibly can.” In light of the Kenow fire, Parks Canada is pursuing some interesting archeological work, Mr. Stoesser said. “Now that so much vegetation is removed, we can see all kinds of cultural features that might have appeared on the landscape. We have a focus now from an archeological point of view as well to check out some sites like the first oil well — a national historic site.” The fire activity that took place on the evening of Sept. 11 and the days that followed was incomparable. But, in time, the blistered and burnt lands throughout the park and adjacent communities will heal and rejuvenate. Mr. Stoesser said Parks Canada intends “to move forward in order to provide a great and enjoyable experience for visitors in the coming days, weeks, years — we’ll keep doing what we do.”
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‘Busier than usual’ season for P.C. firefighters By Caitlin Clow Consistent hot and dry conditions over the summer months had the Pincher Creek fire department working more than usual, says the deputy fire chief, Pat Neumann. Agricultural fires, grass fires and most notably the Kenow fire that affected the MD of Pincher Creek, both in Division 1 and in the Castle area, kept this volunteer fire department of about 18 members busy. “It’s been a very busy year for us,” Pat says. “For the members of the fire department, it has been a tough year for them. They put a lot of hours in fighting grass fires. They put a tremendous amount of hours working on the Kenow fire.” “The thing we have to remember is a lot of these people are casual members,” he says. “They have regular jobs and families and they’re able to put forward those hours. I am very appreciative of our volunteers for being able to do that.” Before the events that took place on Sept. 11, the fire department had already doused a great number of big grass and agricultural fires. Pat says the fires themselves weren’t as memorable as the community coming together to work. “The things I find memorable is watching people come together, whether it be the Pincher Creek Hutterite Colony or some of the other farmers and ranchers around — they work together to take care of it.”
He recalls a fire that took place northwest of Cowley earlier this summer. He says members of the community jumped at the opportunity to assist in the firefighting efforts to help their neighbours. “It was a lot of different people working together and we were able to get it under control,” Pat says. “And that was a big fire.” The community has always been very good at supporting the local department, he says. “We’re very appreciative of that and that’s been really good.
Out fighting fires or just phoning to say thank you.” But the fire season isn’t over yet. “Fire season picks up at the end of August, beginning of September,” Pat says. “The chinook winds and warm temperatures leave cured grasses exposed to the environment.” He says the fire season usually slows down after Christmas, or sometimes by the end of January. FireSmarting your home is just one of the ways homeowners can reduce their fire risk, Pat says.
And it’s something that should be remembered this Fire Prevention Week. He suggests mowing the lawn, moving potential fuel sources such as dry plant matter and propane tanks away from the home, cleaning the eavestroughs and tidying up around the home. Next spring before planting gardens, skip the creeping cedars and pine trees and consider plants that are more fire-resistant. See PCES, continued on page 16
2016 members of Pincher Creek Emergency Services are: front row, from left, Lucas Gurba, Nichole Boissoneault, Melissa Singerland, Lynn Brasnett, Shelby Stokke and Amanda Valin-Campbell; back row, from left, Ricard Claude, Thornton Root, Greg Hallet, Pat Neumann, Michael Whittington, Ian Campbell, Sheri Monk and Alyssa Monk. Missing from photo are Dave Cox, Joey MacLeod, Matthew Philips, Shawn Watmough, Nellie Maund Stephens and James Raffin. Faces may have changed over the course of the year! Photo by Shannon Robison
Thank you to our local fire department! We appreciate all you do to keep our community safe.
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PCES, continued from page 15 “There are plants that do well in fire and there are plants that help the fire grow.” Pat says his “fire department family” has shrunk a bit this year. But, new people are joining up. “We’re always looking for fresh faces,” he says. “What I look for is someone who has got some time and wants to give back to the community. By no means are we looking for a specific gender or age group. The only thing we ask is you have to be older than 18.”
First-aid training is a plus, but the department will provide training for those who may be interested in volunteering.
Castle Ford thanks all those who volunteer their time to keep our community safe!
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The boots fit this firefighter By Caitlin Clow Nichole Boissoneault is not only the mother of two young girls, a wife, a daughter and a sister, she is also one of Pincher Creek Emergency Services’ volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians. An interest to protect and serve her community was sparked when her sister Michelle introduced her to the captain of the Lundbreck fire department in 2007. “I thought, that’s something I’d like to try,” she says. Soon after that introduction, Nichole began her fire journey as a member of the Lundbreck fire department — a branch of PCES. It didn’t take long before she was hooked. A decade later, she is an invaluable member of the Pincher Creek department, and also an EMT for PCES and Peigan. “It’s been very exciting,” she says. “It’s rewarding, it’s a great feeling. I love helping people out.” Without the support of her husband, Joe, and her extended family, the fire lieutenant wouldn’t have been able to pursue her career. “I definitely couldn’t do it without the support of the family, because if I’m out on a call then Joe or Grandma are watching the girls.” Her two sweet and energetic daughters, Haley and Brooke, also offer their mom a lot of support, Nichole explains. “I don’t know if they think of me as a hero,” she says with a laugh. “But, there are a lot of times they’ll say, ‘Mommy, are you going to work?’ or ‘Mommy, your radio is going off. Time
for you to go.’ ” “At one point, Haley wanted to be like me,” Nichole says. “She wanted to be an ambulance or fire personnel.” However, it can be tough for emergency responders, she says. Calls can come in at anytime and it can be hours before she returns home. “One time I was late for my daughter’s birthday party,” she says. “Or, those days where you sit down to have Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas supper and, the next thing you know, the tones are going off and you’re out the door.” “Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime to anyone,” she says. Despite missing some family moments, Nichole says she understands that the people behind the calls she’s responding to may be experiencing the worst day of their lives. It’s that and her calling to help others, combined with the ongoing support of her loved ones, that keeps her going. “I like helping people in any way I can,” Nichole says. “The job is definitely challenging and I am constantly learning.” Nichole and many of her colleagues have undergone an abundance of additional training to better prepare themselves for the job. Nichole received her Level I 10-01 training along with 20 firefighters from the Pincher Creek, Beaver Mines and Lundbreck departments in 2016. She has since gone on to complete her Level II. She also participated in a number of seminars and weekend courses, including the CARE Course, which
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aims to improve rural emergency care; critical incident stress management; grief follow-up workshops; the emergency services instructor course; and Road to Mental Readiness — a course she has since become an instructor of. The support from her colleagues within the department, or her “fire family,” as she refers to them, is always encouraging. “They are always supportive,” she says. “If you need help covering a shift, or help studying, they’ve got your back. They also support you as a person, not just as a teammate.” Deputy Chief Pat Neumann considers Nichole an invaluable member of the team. “She is probably one of our most dedicated casual firefighters,” he says. “She does fire, she’s an EMT, she is one of our officers and she works diligently to make sure things are covered off. She does lots of little extra stuff around the department. Nichole is a very hardworking lady.” Nichole says there are things we
as citizens can do to help emergency responders, such as FireSmarting homes, ensuring batteries are changed in fire detectors, establishing emergency plans, putting on winter tires and adjusting driving to suit weather conditions. “Pulling over and stopping for emergency response vehicles with lights and sirens” is another one, she says. Slowing down while passing emergency personnel while they are responding to a scene is another that keeps personnel safe. Transportation Alberta says that while passing an emergency vehicle with flashing lights, motorists must reduce their speed to 60 kilometres per hour or the posted speed limit — whichever is lower. The boots must fit, because Nichole doesn’t see herself going anywhere anytime soon. “In five or more years I still see myself with Pincher Creek Emergency Services and Peigan ambulance,” she says, smiling.
We are proud of our EMS members! Thank you for your service Being fire safe can save lives – make a plan and regularly replace your fire extinguisher and check fire alarms
• Have Smoke Detectors Outside Every Bedroom • Never Leave Cooking Unattended
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Photo courtesy of Nichole Boissoneault
Firefighters from PCES do more than just fight fires, they also spend a lot of time volunteering. Nichole, husband Joe and daughters Brooke and Haley walked the track at Relay for Life in 2016, raising funds and awareness for cancer
Pincher Creek
403-627-4431 750 Kettles Street Pincher Creek
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October 11, 2017
Allen Tapay
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Beaver Mines captain takes pride in fire crew By Erin Fairhurst Allen Tapay is no stranger to fire — after all, he’s been captain of the Beaver Mines volunteer fire department for the last nine years. This year, however, proved to be different than most. “We had a very active season,” he says with a wry chuckle. “We put our lives on hold.” Allen works on a team of five volunteer firefighters, and says that his brigade — along with the entire Pincher Creek Emergency Services group — is like family. “They’re my brothers and sisters,” he says simply. Allen and his fellow firefighters enjoyed a fairly quiet spring, but as dry conditions increased and the hope for rain became more desperate, the calls started to come in. “We fought some big grass fires, a combine fire and a house fire,” he says. “And then came Waterton. It was a terribly busy summer.” In September, as the Kenow wildfire picked up speed in Waterton Lakes National Park, Allen and his team were deployed to Castle Mountain Resort, where they worked around the clock on fire-suppression measures. “I put in around 150 hours over two weeks,” he says, adding that his team members were among those who worked the night shift during the Waterton and area evacuations. “We were driving through the smoke, and making sure we didn’t miss anyone.”
As the fire blazed out of control, and encroached into populated areas, the direness of the situation weighed on his whole unit. “We’d see smoke roll through,” he says, “and would all wonder if this would be the day that the fire would open up and get away.” The Beaver Mines firefighters utilized equipment such as bladders, pumps, hoses and sprinklers during their firesuppression stint, and Allen says he’s extremely proud of his crew. “We laid about 2.5 kilometres of two-inch hose up at Castle Mountain Resort,” he says. “That’s not an exaggeration.” During the height of the Kenow fire, Allen and his team worked a total of 29 hours in a 36-hour window. “It does interfere with life, but we feel great rewards from doing what we do,” he says. “I can’t say enough about my crew, and the whole Pincher Creek team.” Allen does admit that he’s looking forward to catching his breath now that Mother Nature has put a damper on fire season. “It’ll be nice to see life get back to normal,” he says with a laugh. “I’m looking forward to enjoying all of the little things that come with that.” With Fire Prevention Week now underway, the message Allen most wants to relay is the importance of being FireSmart. “In our area, there are a terrific amount of homes in the forest,” he says. “A lot of people
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live in areas surrounded by trees and brush. Being FireSmart is so important — and not just for yourself, but for your neighbours too.” “Smaller fires and brush fires might not seem like a big threat,” Allen says. “But if a fire gets off the ground and into the canopy? Oh boy.” FireSmart practices include
pruning all tree branches within two metres of the ground, and spacing trees at least three metres apart and at least 10 metres from your home. For a complete homeowner’s guide for being FireSmart, and other tips, please visit www.wildfire.alberta.ca/ firesmart.
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E S CAP E
QUIZ TIME !
1.
PL A N
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested every ?
A. week
B. month
2. If I see smoke in my bedroom, I should ?
PLAN FOR TWO WAYS OUT. 3.
A DOOR, A WINDOW OR THE STAIRS.
If my clothes catch on fire, I should ?
C. year
A. roast marshmallows B. stop, drop and roll C. run around
5.
Each room of our house should have how many ways out ?
A. one B. two C. three
4.
If I am in a tall building and hear the fire alarm, I should?
Bedroom
Bathroom
Shootin’ the Breeze
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Bedroom
A. hide in my closet B. go back to sleep C. get low and go
Hall A. hide in a closet B. take the elevator
AND DON‛T stairs FORGET TO PRACTISE. 6.
We should practice our Home Fire Escape Plan ?
Bedroom
October 11, 2017
C. take the
Living Room
Kitchen
A. when we feel like it
B. once and forget about it
THERE IS DANGER AT THE FRONT DOOR. YOU‛LL NEED TO FIND ANOTHER WAY OUT.
C. twice a year 1. B 2. C 3. B 4. C 5. B 6. C
MEETING PLACE
If the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people or pets.
Dudley wants you to draw two ways out of each room to escape the fire and get to your Meeting Place. Be careful! Sometimes fire blocks the way you would normally escape.
How to draw an escape plan Program Supporters: What is an ideal safe meeting place? Knowing when and how to get out of a home when the alarm sounds is important, but once you’re out, where should everyone meet? Having a safe meeting place means you’ll quickly be able to tell if any members of your household are missing and if you need to alert firefighters that there may still be someone inside. Identifying a safe meeting place should be part of your household emergency plan. Consider the following points when deciding on a safe, effective place for everyone in your home to gather in case you have to evacuate. Is it far enough away to be safe? Remember that when you’re leaving a building because of a fire, smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, you’re leaving it because the building is potentially no longer safe to be in. Make sure your meeting place isn’t immediately next to the building, such as on the front steps or the back deck. Keep a safe distance while you wait for emergency responders to arrive. Is it easily accessible for all members of your household? A meeting place should be accessible to everyone in your home with different mobility needs, including children and the elderly. There shouldn’t be any tripping hazards or other barriers to the spot, as anyone who has left a building in a hurry may be distracted by the scene they just left. The meeting place should also be well lit so that it is clearly visible at night, and out of the way enough that there is no risk of injury when emergency responders drive to the scene. Also ensure that it’s easily accessible from both of your escape routes out of the home, no matter which you use. Can you easily describe the meeting place to a babysitter or guest? As part of your emergency plan, remember that there may be times when you’re not home and the nanny or babysitter will be responsible for evacuation. You’ll need to describe your meeting place to any caregivers, in addition to your family, so make sure it’s something that can be easily identified at a glance, day or night — a big tree, a mailbox in front of the neighbour’s house, or something else distinctive. Think in terms of landmarks that you’d use to describe your or your neighbour’s property to someone looking for directions. Does it work in winter? During much of the year, the big elm tree in your front yard may be a great place to meet — easy to recognize and describe, and far enough away that you should be safe until the fire department arrives. But how are you going to reach it in winter? If there’s a giant windrow of snow on the street and a foot of snow on the lawn all around it, your meeting place becomes impractical. Remember that fires happen in all seasons and that your meeting place should be accessible throughout the year.
No matter how prepared you are, home fires can occur. While a home fire is a frightening experience, preparing and practising an escape plan can help you and your family to get out safely. What should be in my home escape plan? An effective plan will be a map of your home that shows all the doors and windows. You should be able to identify two ways out of each room. You should have a map for every floor of your home with bedrooms.
Identify and plan the route to your outside meeting place — mailbox, tree, light pole or something else easily identifiable to all household members both in daytime and at night. The meeting place should be a safe distance, at least 10 metres, away from your home. Having a home escape plan is only the first step. Everyone in your home should practise the plan at least twice a year. As you practise, close the doors behind you as you leave. In a real emergency, this may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
— Know the two ways out of every room, make sure all doors and windows open easily and, if one is necessary to evacuate, ensure that an escape ladder is near the window, unboxed and ready to use. — Teach your children how to escape on their own. You may not be able to help them or you may have a temporary caregiver in the home. Teach your babysitter the plan. — Don’t practise your evacuation just in the daylight. Things look different in the dark, so practise at night too. Remember: If the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out!
Create a family emergency plan When disaster strikes, families need to work together to ensure all members make it through unscathed. An emergency plan puts protocols in place that all family members can become acquainted with and then use should circumstances warrant. When creating your emergency plan, first determine the types of disasters that could potentially befall your community and adjust your strategy accordingly. Decide how you’ll get in touch —During an emergency situation, making local calls from your cellphone may prove to be challenging or outright impossible. So how do you get in touch with your spouse and children? Texting, messaging via social media,
emailing and calling from a landline are all possible means. Meeting places — Designate a gathering point in your neighbourhood and another farther away in your region. In the event that family members aren’t together or get separated, everyone will have been informed in advance on where to go. Phone numbers — Each family member should know who to reach and how during an emergency. Print out a list of contact details — phone numbers, addresses and online info — for each individual to keep on their person, and store an additional copy in a common area in your home. Some contacts to include are local police, poison control, family
doctors, pharmacies, children’s schools, workplaces, family cell numbers, out-of-town emergency contacts. Additional considerations — Any member of your household who is old enough to be left alone at home should know how to turn off utilities, including water, natural gas and electricity. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and being aware of routes to evacuate the premises are also musts. Finally, remember to carefully consider pets as well as disabled and elderly members of your family in your plan. For more information on creating an emergency plan, visit www.getprepared.gc.ca.
Escape plans and disabilities When making an escape plan, focus on the abilities you and any caregivers have to escape a fire. What can you do to ensure that you will get out or be protected if there is a fire? If you require any special assistance or devices, identify these as part of your plan and prearrange them. This could be assistance from your caregiver, a neighbour, a roommate or a family member. In making your plan, it’s important to consider these four elements: — Notification: How will I learn of what and where the emergency (fire) is? This could come from a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, another occupant or a passerby. — Route: What are the safest escape paths out of the home? Do I have two or more options? — Escape: Can I escape by myself or do I need assistance? If I require assistance, what type do I need? — Timeliness: If I need
assistance, will that allow me to escape my dwelling within three minutes? If not, do I need to re-evaluate my plan or the life safety provisions of the dwelling? Should I be living in a dwelling that has built-in fire protection? Remember that when it comes to understanding your needs, you are the expert. Be sure to communicate any special assistance you might require to caregivers, firefighters or other first responders at the time you make your plan. Discussing your potential emergency needs with the fire department in advance can ensure everyone knows what to do when an emergency arises. Have an escape plan and make sure that everyone knows their role in the plan. While it is recommended to have two ways out, sometimes that is not possible or practical due to the building type and design or the residents’ abilities. If you are unable to escape through a secondary route, your
plan needs to include what you or your caregiver can do to protect yourself in your dwelling. The plan should include: — Where to go: bedroom, bathroom or a balcony? — How to seal the room from smoke. — How to call for help to let the first responders know where you are, that you are safe and that you require assistance. If special equipment is required by the fire department or others to help with your escape, note it in the plan and then communicate it to the responders at the time of the emergency to ensure it is collected and brought to your dwelling. Practise the plan to make sure everyone who has a role knows what is expected of them. In instances where caregivers are present, they should practise the plan to ensure that they, and you, are familiar with the plan and what is expected.
w
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October 11, 2017
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Photo courtesy of Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue
Crowsnest Pass firefighters at a recent practice are, from left, Chief Jesse Fox, Craig Marshall, Raymond Bastien, Ashley Lema, Jacob Gerrie, Brydon Hnatiuk, Lt. Curtis Stevens, Megan Hall, Darryl Ferguson, Dawson Morency, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Calvert and Lt. Meagan Muff.
Fire Prevention Week activities in the Pass By Erin Fairhurst It’s October, and along with Thanksgiving turkeys and Halloween pumpkins comes Fire Prevention Week! This year, Fire Prevention Week takes place from Oct. 8 to 14, and the theme is Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out. As with years past, Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue is using Fire Prevention Week to further engage with, and educate, the community. Fire Chief Jesse Fox says the
department will host an open house and barbecue at the Elks Hall in Blairmore on Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. The meal is by donation, and Jesse says there will be a multitude of activities for kids, including face painting, as well as draw prizes and more. Members of Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue will also be visiting all the local schools to provide information and education about fire prevention. “Children are our biggest
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ambassadors for fire prevention,” Jesse says. “They go home and teach mom and dad everything they’ve just learned.” Jesse and the team with Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue are also encouraging people to examine their smoke detectors. If you snap a pic of yourself checking that your smoke alarm is in working order, then post it to the Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue Facebook page during Fire Prevention Week, you can be eligible for a prize.
“We’re always trying to elevate our social media profile,” Jessie explains. “We hope people will find us on Facebook and see what we’re up to and how they can be involved.” There are currently 35 members on the Fire/Rescue team, but if you’d like to get involved, the department is actively recruiting new members. Please call 403-5628600 for more info.
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Crowsnest Pass Property Management thanks all who go above and beyond to keep us safe!
October 11, 2017
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Halloween safety for little ghouls Keep your trick-or-treaters safe while they have fun Halloween is a whirlwind of fun for little ones and parents alike, with elaborate costumes, spooky decorations, and thoughts of fun-sized candy treasure around every corner. It’s not surprising that in the rush to embrace the spirit of Halloween, sometimes safety isn’t on the radar. With that in mind, the Office of the Fire Commissioner has the following quick safety tips to help reduce the risk of an accident spoiling your night of fun. Costumes When choosing a costume, avoid billowing or long trailing fabric. If you’re making your own costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or a flame. If you’re going as a sheet-with-eye-holes ghost, make sure you’re not trailing excess fabric. “Not only is there a fire risk if you brush up against a heat source,” says acting fire commissioner Kevan Jess, “but there’s a good chance you could trip over your own costume, or that someone else near you could step on it, causing you to fall.” If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough to see out of. Kids should be able to see in front of them, but also to the path below them in case of any poorly lit steps or other unexpected obstacles. “Makeup is always better than a mask. Nothing ruins a night of trick-or-treating like a trip to the hospital emergency room,” says Mr. Jess. Decorations Despite the allure of tradition, you’re better off using a flashlight or battery-operated candle in your jack-o’-lantern instead of a candle with an open flame. If you do opt for a real candle, use extreme caution. The floor of the inside of a carved pumpkin is often uneven, so any candle you use should be stable inside, with a wide base and not much height. “Make sure you put lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn, and out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards,” says Mr. Jess. You should also regularly check on the pumpkin to ensure the candle is still safe inside and hasn’t tipped over. As nice as it is to have a well-decorated entryway at your home, make sure the walkway is clear and that there’s nothing to trip over. Kids are thinking about candy and moving quickly from house to house, so they may not be giving their full attention to their surroundings. You may have been up and down your own front steps many times, but most of your visitors may not be familiar with the route to your door. Add dim lighting, excitement and awkward costumes to the mix, and the chances of tripping or getting snagged on something increase considerably. Open flames While it’s hard to deny the spooky factor of decorating with candles, it’s best to keep candles safely confined to tables at adult Halloween parties. With excited, sugar-filled kids bouncing around and hopping from yard to yard in search of chocolate, it’s far too easy for outdoor candles to be knocked over or to come in contact with someone’s costume. There are lots of neat candle alternatives on the market, such as coloured flashlights and battery-operated candles that glow an eerie orange.
In the blink of an eye, life as we know it can go up in smoke. To the dedicated men and women who serve our communities as firefighters ...
THANK YOU!
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October 11, 2017
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Crowsnest Pass fire chief embraces new role By Erin Fairhurst The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week — Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out — is especially pertinent to Jesse Fox, the fire chief in Crowsnest Pass. Jesse and his family moved to the Pass in the fall of 2016 from Fort McMurray, where they had been among the thousands forced to evacuate their homes when the Horse River wildfire, a.k.a. the Beast, threatened to burn the entire city to the ground. “My family went through an evacuation,” he recalls. “It was actually my daughter’s birthday the day the entire city was evacuated. That experience absolutely impacts how I see where we now live.” Since taking on the role of fire chief last November, Jesse has been engaged in FireSmart activities in conjunction with the municipality. “It’s important that we reduce the vulnerability we face with the threat of wildfire,” he says. “Educating people about the role they can play in prevention and avoiding new ignition starts is a big part of that.” With the tinder-dry conditions the community faced this summer, Jesse says he and the entire Crowsnest Pass Fire/Rescue
team were on “heightened alert.” As smoke and ash from the British Columbia and Waterton fires wafted into the community, and memories of the 2003 Lost Creek fire lingered, the relationship between his unit and the local Alberta Forestry office
Photo by Erin Fairhurst
Chief Jesse Fox is tackling the topic of the role we play in fire prevention.
In case of fire ...
every second counts!
proved paramount in how fire suppression and community education was dealt with. “We were really involved with Forestry and just focused on maintaining and building that partnership with them,” he says. In addition to facing the hot, dry conditions that came with summer, Jesse and his team dealt with challenging backcountry rescue calls — one of which was a rescue on top of Crowsnest Mountain. “We had team members hike to the top of the mountain in the dead of night,” he says. “They spent the night with an injured hiker, and waited until morning, until it was light enough for a helicopter assist.” As his one-year anniversary in his new position approaches, Jesse says he has enjoyed the new challenge of working as fire chief in a community as diverse as Crowsnest Pass, and having the opportunity to be part of such a strong team. Personally, Jesse says he and his family are enjoying living in Crowsnest Pass. “It’s a really engaged community, and strong team,” he says, adding that the scenery and recreational opportunities were also factors in relocating here. “It’s just a really great spot.”
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October 11, 2017
Cowley Fire: small, mighty and prepared By Caitlin Clow This summer challenged fire after. and August are a testament to Nine volunteer firefighters, two departments across the region, “It’s good to still have a crew in this. But, he says the Cowley fire fire trucks, a water tender and one but the Cowley fire department town if something goes south.” department tends to get more rescue van are ready to protect was assisting Beaver Mines and Jim says this season was calls during the winter months. the village of Cowley and its Lundbreck, ensuring that while the dryest he has seen in a long “We usually get a lot of calls residents the second the tones go they were battling the Kenow fire, time. The handful of large grass when the highways are bad.” off, says fire Chief Jim Cisar. their jurisdiction would be looked fires north of Cowley in July Jim says it’s important to “Oh yes, we work well check the batteries in together,” Jim says about your smoke and carbon his teammates. “They’ve monoxide detectors at least all been with me for a once a year. minimum of six years and “Make sure your some of them are up to 14 detectors are working,” years.” he says. “And know where Whether it’s dousing your fire extinguishers grass fires, responding are.” to vehicle collisions or In honour of Fire medical emergencies, the Prevention Week, Jim small but dedicated crew is and his crew members prepared. are hosting a hot dog and “Our members are real hot chocolate event for good members,” Jim says.. the village. The public is “We have a minimum of welcome to join. The events four that respond to a fire at the fire hall start this scene. But we try to keep Wednesday around 6 p.m. some people back at home “We’ll get the kids out The nine volunteer firefighters who serve Cowley mix and mingle with community members. too, just in case there is and they can ride around Photo courtesy of Jim Cisar another call in the village.” in the fire truck,” he says.
On behalf of the aspens, poplars, fir and spruce trees On behalf of the deer, bears, cougars, squirrels and chipmunks On behalf of all of us who love the outdoors
Thank you for saving our forests!
Appreciation goes out to all members of our fire departments. Thank you for your invaluable service! Blairmore Legion Branch #7 Reminds you that when fire safety is on Accidents are gone! Tuesday & Wednesday – Open 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday – Open 4 to 11 p.m. – Join us for poker Friday – Open 2 to 11 p.m. – Supper and meat draw from 5 to 8 Saturday – Open 2 to 9 p.m. – Enjoy our Pub Food
403-562-2182 13609 20 Avenue Blairmore
THANKS TO CNP FIRE AND EMS FOR KEEPING US SAFE!
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October 11, 2017
Shootin’ the Breeze
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Lundbreck Fire is a close-knit department By Shannon Robison The community of Lundbreck is served by a fire department of five men and four women. The small group is very closeknit, according to co-captain Anne Molnar. She has been with the department for 16 years and co-captain Dawn Heerschap has served for seven. Anne says Lundbreck has always had two captains and that she and Dawn feed off each other. Members meet for in-house practices twice a month and are allowed and encouraged to attend other meetings in the area. Anne likes the community involvement — locals are often involved in practising different types of scenarios. The department has one truck that is used for both fire and medical responses, with the crew generally ready to go within five to 10 minutes of receiving a call. With drought conditions lasting all summer, Lundbreck firefighters were particularly busy responding to grass fires and did some work in the Castle area when the Kenow wildfire was an active threat. Responding to questions about fire bans and helping to enforce them has also kept the team busy. Lundbreck Fire Department members act as medical first responders as well as firefighters and Anne says they are fortunate
to have Val Jasmine, a registered nurse, as a volunteer. They are trained to administer oxygen, use EpiPens, take vital signs and administer basic first aid. When they are first on the scene, their assessment gives paramedics an idea of what they are coming into. This is helpful because calls aren’t always what is expected from a dispatch message — one time a call to respond to a sore finger turned out to be a semi rollover. An interesting call received last month was to report a plane crash. Anne says it turned out to be nothing after the team drove to the Pincher Creek airport. Two-thirds of the department are professionally qualified at the 1001 standard through the National Fire Protection Association, which requires significant practice runs and hands-on skill building. Volunteer firefighters typically learn on the job — getting in and out of gear isn’t something that can be learned from a textbook. They are expected to be physically fit and must have a clean criminal record check and driver’s abstract. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to attend a few practices. Anne says a buddy system is used and newcomers are also assessed as to their fit with the group. Firefighting is a job that
Lundbreck Fire Department members, from left, are Capt. Dawn Heerschap, Behn Nystrom, Duncan Gano, Aaron Layton, Sandra Gano, Kerry Smyke, Val Jasman, Ken Olson and Capt. Anne Molnar. Photo courtesy of Lundbreck Fire Department
comes with both personal reward and heartache and Anne says it can be a difficult job in a small community. It can be challenging to deal with accidents involving children or death, and all firefighters have access to critical incident stress management
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Side Trax reminds us that knowing your escape plan is the best way to thank our firefighters! 403-562-8228 11366 20th Avenue — Main Street Blairmore Ken and the IGA Team would like to express our gratitude to all Crowsnest Pass Firefighters and EMS workers! Come by and see us ...
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Every second counts, plan 2 ways out! Thank you to Pincher Creek Emergency Services for all you do!
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$12,600 has been contributed to the Wildfire Relief Fund! Proceeds from the Angels Within Us gala on Nov. 18 will support fire victims Financial contributions can be made to Wildfire Relief Fund at any ATB branch, at North & Company LLP, by etransfer to twinbuttehall@gmail.com or by mail to Box 861, Twin Butte, AB T0K 2J0 For the most up-to-date information and details on fundraising efforts and needs, visit Twin Butte Community Hall on Facebook
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October 11, 2017
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Mondays – Destination Exploration: 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. – Babes and Bumps: 1 to 3 p.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. Tuesdays – Monkey Moves: 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Monster Fitness. – Lunch ’n’ Learn: noon to 1 p.m. at Pincher Creek Library. – African bogaloo drumming: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Pincher Creek Library. Wednesdays – Little Sprouts: 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. – Story time: 10 to 11 a.m. at Pincher Creek Library. Thursdays – Gymtastics: 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. – Poker at Blairmore Legion.
3 p.m. to ?? at Hillcrest Miners Club starting Sept. 9. Join in the fun — everyone welcome! 403-564-4646. – Who Let the Dudes Out?: 10 a.m to noon at Pincher Creek Family Centre. First and third Saturdays. October 8 to 14 – Fire Prevention Week. See pull-out section, pages 7 to 26. Wednesday, October 11 – Town of Pincher Creek advance poll: 10 a.m to 4 p.m. at town hall gymnasium. – Municipality of Crowsnest Pass advance poll: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Elks Hall in Blairmore. – Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 advance poll: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1037 Herron Ave.
Fridays – Messy and sensory play: 10 to 11:15 a.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. – Supper and meat draw: 5 to 8 p.m. at Blairmore Legion.
Thursday, October 12 – Pincher Creek Adult Learning Council annual general meeting: noon at 732 Kettles St. – Triple P seminar: 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. Please preregister.
Saturdays – Country and old-time jam sessions:
Friday, October 13 – Harvest Gala: 5:30 p.m. at Heritage
Acres Farm Museum near Pincher Creek. – Fire Prevention Week family barbecue: 2 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Hall in Blairmore Saturday, October 14 – Author Anita Dolman: 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Pincher Creek library. Sunday, October 15 – Renae Hochstein’s baby shower: 1 p.m. at Pincher Creek town hall gym. Monday, October 16 – Municipal election day: exercise your right to vote. – Meet Me at the Movies: The Glass Castle (14+) - 7 p.m. at Fox Theatre in Pincher Creek. – Evening with Connie Kaldor: 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. concert at Frank Side Interpretive Centre. For info call 403-563-7388. Wednesday, October 18 – Vista Village tea and bazaar: 2 to 3:30 p.m., 1200 Ken Thornton Blvd. in Pincher Creek. – Wag Your Tale fun family dinner theatre: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. Please preregister.
– Triple P seminar: 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Pincher Creek Family Centre. Please preregister. Saturday, October 21 – Russell Decarle concert: 7:30 p.m. at Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod. For info call 1-800-540-9229. Saturday, October 21 and Sunday, October 22 – Rangeland Antique Show and Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Rocky Mountain Turf Club, 3401 S. Parkside Dr., Lethbridge. Vendors from B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. Admission $3. – Free Mental Health First Aid course. For info, call or text 403-707-8574. Sunday, October 22 – Twin Butte Community Society annual general meeting (postponed from Sept. 24): 1 p.m. at Twin Butte hall. Potluck barbecue. Monday, October 23 – Alberta Beef Producers Zone 2 meeting: 6 p.m. free supper, 7 p.m. meeting at Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange in Fort Macleod.
Thursday, October 26 – FUSE Ladies’ Night Out: 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bamboo Bistro in Blairmore (buy a half-price appy to share), 7 to 9 p.m. at A Nest of Needles. Creative projects to choose from for all levels, $20 to $30. All women welcome for an evening of Friendship Unity Support Empowerment. Memberships available or non-members $5. For more information and to RSVP, contact mj@womenofcanadaeh.ca. Friday, October 27 – What Lies Beneath: 2 to 4 p.m. at Pincher Creek library. Exploration dig, scat and footprint identification. Saturday, October 28 – Memorial service for Max Winkler: 2 p.m. at Pincher Creek United Church. Monday, October 30 – Alberta Beef Producers Zone 2 meeting: 6 p.m. free supper, 7 p.m. meeting at Community Seniors Centre in Picture Butte. Saturday, November 18 – Eighth annual Angels Within Us gala at Community Hall in Pincher Creek.
Listings cost $10 (per week) and include up to 25 words. Additional words are 15 cents each. Consecutive weeks, without changes, are half price. Listings are complimentary for events also promoted with display ads. Email your event to office@shootinthebreeze.ca or call 403-904-2227 Deadline is Thursday prior to publication at noon
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October 11, 2017
Municipality of Crowsnest Pass Election 2017 Meet the candidates
By Caitlin Clow Seven candidates are running for six positions in the council chambers in Crowsnest Pass. The incumbent mayor, Blair Painter, was re-elected by acclamation in September, but a few new faces are seeking to fill some seats. The incumbent councillors and new candidates met with residents of Crowsnest Pass during a public forum at the MDM Community Centre in Bellevue on Oct. 4. Gord Lundy Gord Lundy’s background includes over 30 years in municipal government and administration, starting with work for municipal councils in High Level. He slowly made his way south to Crowsnest Pass, where he retired in 2010. “I have worked with 11 different councils in four different municipalities to deal with the wants and needs of each of those municipalities,” he told the audience. “I believe that my experience in doing that lends itself to assisting the new council to carry out their duties for you.” His top priorities concentrate on developing Highway 3 in an objective manner, growth and economic development in Crowsnest Pass and the development of a fire protection strategy to better serve the community. Dean Ward Incumbent councillor Dean Ward has been a resident of the Pass for the last 34 years and has served 10 years on the municipality’s council.
“During that time, I gained a tremendous amount of experience,” he said. “I have established a reputation as a councillor that will ask the tough questions and make tough decisions.” Dean pointed to accomplishments of current council to illustrate how working together can lead to many positive changes. “In the last four years we reinstated the Hillcrest fire hall and the pool society, we rebuilt our administration team, we upgraded our facilities, infrastructure and equipment fleet, we built a swimming pool, we’re moving forward with the new seniors lodge and a major upgrade to our sewer plant,” he said. “At the same time, we held tax increases to an average of 1.5 per cent.” Dean said he wants to be re-elected to continue moving the community in the right direction while further expanding economic development through the Grassy Mountain project, tourism and other industries. Leslie McCallum Leslie McCallum moved to Crowsnest Pass after she fell for the community during holidays and work conferences here. She decided the Pass is the perfect place to retire. Since her semi-retirement from a career in government, Leslie has given back through coaching, teaching, working with agencies and sitting as a board member for the Crowsnest Pass Senior Housing Committee. “I am very proud of our accomplishments of getting a senior lodge on the go for both lodging and dementia,” she said. But, she believes there are areas the
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Marlene Anctil Marlene Anctil was born and raised in the community and her family history is rooted in coal mining in the area. She served on council for the past term and seeks to be re-elected to continue serving her community. “I feel we’ve made tremendous strides moving this community forward,” Marlene reflected on council’s last four years. “A large part of our success was the rejuvenation of our volunteer base and our volunteer committees.” Marlene currently sits on a number of committees as a council representative, including the subdivision development appeal board, senior housing board, parks and recreation authority, protective services advisory committee and Crowsnest Pass Pool Society. In her time on these community-driven committees, a new swimming pool was built, the seniors lodge is ready to break ground, upgrades were completed on the sports complex and soon more will be done with the curling club and arena. “I am the council’s representative on the protective services advisory committee,” she added. “We started with two and now we have 10 reps from our protective agencies which are dedicated to your safety in this community.” “We still have a long way to go to keep our community going forward and that’s why I’m running for another term.” Dave Filipuzzi Dave is a Crownest Pass native who decided to run for council four years ago. “I gave myself a promise that if you elected me as your councillor and I did not contribute in a positive way, or we as a council did not move the community in a positive direction, then I would not seek re-election,” Dave said. Upon reflection of current council’s successes, Dave said he believes he and his colleagues have followed through and fulfilled this promise. “We worked together to bring our community to a place where we’re moving forward,” he said. “We put together a strategic plan to invest in our facilities and in our community.” Improved equipment, high levels of service to residents, strong relationships with neighbouring jurisdictions and governments and open communication are a few of Dave’s priorities. “I need your thoughts, your input and your ideas to bring forward for discussion,” he said.
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community can improve. Creating jobs is Leslie’s main focus, she said. “We don’t have enough jobs for skilled people,” she said. “I think if we can support small business, look for opportunities with larger organizations like Riversdale, we will be able to move forward together.”
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See MEET THE CANDIDATES,
continued on page 29
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Page 29
MEET THE CANDIDATES, continued from page 28 Doreen Glavin Incumbent councillor Doreen Glavin has lived in the Pass all her life. She is rooted and invested in the area and hopes to be re-elected to council to continue serving the members of her community. “My last four years as councillor have been challenging but a rewarding experience,” she said. “It was good serving our community and being part of a team that worked well together making our community safer, healthier and happier.” She pointed to a list of the current council’s accomplishments, which included the future development of the state-of-the-art senior centre, increased services and low taxes. Lisa Sygutek Lisa Sygutek, editor, owner and publisher of the Crowsnest Pass Herald, threw her name into the ring for councillor and, if elected, wants to make the community a more desirable place to live through new industry and improved recreational options.
“We’re not going to do any of this if we’re not going to figure out where the heck the highway is going to go,” she said. “If we put pressure on the government right now to tell us where the highway is going to go, we can open this place and make a strong industrial base.” Lisa, a fifth-generation resident of Crowsnest Pass, said she returned home to start a family after completing six years of university. Her number 1 priority is getting industry to the area. “We are a dying community, by standards, with 90 per cent of our tax base being residential,” she said. “In order to get development, we need to have industry and the industry that we have is Riversdale.” “We hope that works out and we should be proud of our coal mining history in this community.” Residents will vote in six of these seven candidates on Oct. 16.
Photo by Brenda Shenton
Book bargains Don Brestler from Twin Butte was book browsing last week at the Friends of the Library used book sale in Pincher Creek. Perhaps he was searching for inspiration, as he is well known in cowboy circles as a published musician, artist and author.
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Book your directory ad today! Contact Maureen Bevan at 403-563-9192 or 403-904-2227 ads@shootinthebreeze.ca
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BOBCAT SERVICE LTD. • Certified Septic Design & Installation • Rubber Track Mini Hoe • Track Hoe & Dozer • Demolition • Chain-Link Fencing
• • • • • •
Acreage Development Civil Work & Site Prep Laser-Guided Equipment General Excavation Weeping Tile & Drainage Top Soil & Gravel
Formerly Glacier Mechanical
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PINC HER CREEK 403-627-5991 403-627-9188 CELL
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• General Contracting • Project Management • Commercial and Residential • ICF SUPERform • Concrete Work “Our Reputation is Building!” • Renovations
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Contract Pricing or Hourly Work Free Estimates Current C.S.T.S. and First Aid
Toll Free: 1-855-627-2242 | Fax: 403-627-5652
David Froese 403-432-0344 Visit our website: grayrockcontracting.com
info@avalanchecontracting.com 1130 Macleod Street, Pincher Creek www.avalanchecontracting.com
1375 Hunter St.
“Your junk is our treasure”
Pincher Creek
40, 23, 12 yard roll-off bins 6, 4, 3, 2 yard dumpsters Bear-proof dumpsters Porta-potty rentals Security fencing rentals Septic services Hotshot/picker crane service
CALL NOW FOR ALL YOUR SEPTIC NEEDS • Commercial • Residential • Industrial • Farm
Office: 403-627-2242
info@southwestwaste.ca
Cell: 403-627-3585
www.southwestwaste.ca
Shootin’ the Breeze
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Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
October 11, 2017
CLASSIFIEDS ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES
FREE Hearing Aid Trial
“ Why do I hear but not understand? ”
Take the FREE hearing aid trial
Hear the difference hearing aids can make. Try the latest digital hearing aids for 21 days, risk-free. Our hearing experts will perform a FREE hearing assessment and fit you with hearing aids suited to your loss. There’s no cost or obligation to participate.
Leishman’s
New look, same values:
Where:
Blairmore | Liscombe Chiropractic Clinic at the post office building – 12525-20th Avenue
When:
Tuesday, October 17th – 9:00am-12:00pm
Call:
Tracey at 1-888-887-2906
TRUSTED PARTNER OF
LEISH
Hearing tests are provided free of charge for adults ages 18 and older. Some conditions may apply. Please see clinic for details. Offer not valid in Quebec. 1CampaignForBetterHearing.org/Research. Offer expires October 31 2017.
Promo Code: SAT-TBYB-SHTB
AUCTIONS is currently accepting applications for
COOKS, SERVERS & FRONT DESK Must be 18 years of age, dependable, self-motivated with a strong work ethic Must have own transportation Must be able to work nights and weekends, part time / full time
UNRESERVED ESTATE AUCTION & Guest Consignors. Saturday, October 14, Lougheed, Alberta, 11 a.m. Antique tractor collection, auger, shelters, surplus, equipment & more! Scribner Auction 780-842-5666; www.scribnernet.com.
MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available. Get online training you need from an employer-trusted program. Visit: CareerStep.ca/ MT or 1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!
DONATIONS DONATE YOUR VEHICLE! For an individual it will benefit you with a tax credit from 29% to 48%. For a corporation it will give you a tax deduction for the market value of your vehicle. Participate in reaching Lethbridge, Alberta, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Israel with the Gospel of Jesus. Receive an official tax receipt from our registered charity #882775452RR001. For more information, send an email to donatecarsforevangelism@gmail.com.
FEED AND SEED BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269 (based on 25 words or less). Reach over 110 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details 1-800-282-6903 ext 228; www.awna.com.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
INTERESTED IN the Community Newspaper business? Alberta’s weekly newspapers are looking for people like you. Post your resume online. FREE. Visit: awna.com/forjob-seekers.
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Value Ad Network Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andrea@awna.com or visit this community newspaper
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RURAL 3.75” wide version WATER TREATMENT Iron Filters • Softeners • Reverse Osmosis
squeeze Tell them Danny Hooper sent you
UNDEVELOPED COMMERCIAL LOTS - Lacombe, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. Wildrose Commercial Park, 5.26 +/- and 3.04 +/- Title Acres. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd.; rbauction.com/realestate.
FOR RENT
26 RECREATIONAL LAKE LOTS - Kingfisher Estates - Lake Newell, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. 12 lake front and 14 lake view lots. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd..; rbauction.com/realestate.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR RENT in Bellevue. $1,000 per month, utilities extra. Phone 403-564-4179.
BEAUTIFUL SPRUCE TREES 4-6 feet, $35 each. Machine planting: $10/tree (includes bark mulch and fertilizer). 20 tree minimum order. Delivery fee $75-$125/ order. Quality guaranteed. 403-820-0961. SAWMILLS from only $4,397 - Make money & save money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & DVD: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/400OT. 1-800-566-6899 ext: 400OT. METAL ROOFING & SIDING. 37+ colours available at over 55 Distributors. 40 year warranty. 48 hour Express Service available at select supporting Distributors. Call 1-888-263-8254.
WE ARE “Your Total Rural Housing Solution” - It’s time to let go & clear out our Inventory. Save on your Modular/Manufactured Home. Visit: www.Grandviewmodular.com or www. Unitedhomescanada.com. NEW 2017 MANUFACTURED HOMES starting under $90,000 delivered! Best Buy Homes Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton - WWW.BESTBUYHOUSING.COM - Canada’s largest in-stock home selection, quick delivery, custom factory orders! Text/Call 403-917-1005. REAL ESTATE UNDEVELOPED INDUSTRIAL LOTS - Bonnyville, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved
COUNTRY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY - Pigeon Lake, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. 1200 +/- sq ft home & shop. 78.52 +/- Title Acres. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd.; rbauction.com/realestate. LAKE PROPERTY - Buffalo Lake, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. 1670 +/- sq. ft. home. 1.2 +/- title acres located in Rochon Sands Estates. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652. Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd.; rbauction.com/realestate. 6000 +/- SQ FT COMMERCIAL BUILDING - Hardisty, Alberta. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Unreserved Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. WMJ Metals Ltd. 0.73 +/- title acres. Ritchie Bros. Real Estate - Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd; rbauction.com/realestate. 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. GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need money? We lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.
Send resume, stating department of interest to gm.pinchercreek@heritageinn.net or drop off at front desk, 919 Waterton Avenue, Pincher Creek
HIP OR KNEE Replacement? Restrictions in walking/dressing? $2,500 yearly tax credit. $20,000 lump sum cheque. Disability Tax Credit. Expert Help. Lowest service fee nationwide. 1-844-453-5372.
OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR REQUIRED. This leadership position requires a minimum of 5 years experience with significant natural gas distribution knowledge including maintenance and operational requirements. West Parkland Gas Coop Ltd., Stony Plain, Alberta. Fax 780-963-3332. Website: www.westparklandgas.com. Email: admin@westparklandgas.com.
DEALERS WANTED. Hannas Seeds, A long time leader in Forage, Pasture, Native & Reclamation grasses are seeking Alberta Dealers. Excellent compensation. Contact Lance Walker 1-800661-1529. Email: lance.walker@hannasseeds. com.
We offer competitive wages, on-duty meal allowances plus many more benefits
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
ROADEX SERVICES requires O/O 1 tons & 3 tons for our RV division to haul RV’s throughout North America & semi O/O to haul RV’s & general freight. Border crossing required with valid passport & clean criminal record. 1-800-867-6233; www.roadexservices.com.
Auction, October 25 in Edmonton. Gateway Industrial Park Ltd. 2.03 +/-, 2.42 +/- and 2.4 +/- Title Acres. Jerry Hodge: 780-706-6652; Brokerage: All West Realty Ltd.; rbauction.com/ realestate.
MANUFACTURED HOMES
CFappreciation ca
ANTIQUE AND COLLECTIBLE Auction Sale. Sunday, Oct. 29, 10:30 a.m., Breton Community Hall. Sale listing in Breton Booster Oct. 11 and 18 at www.bretonbooster.com. Andresen Auctions.
HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.
FOR SALE
If you struggle to understand, you’re not alone, in fact 47% of Canadians over the age of 60 have hearing loss. Your hearing difficulties could be caused by damaged hearing hair cells inside your inner ear (cochlea). When damage occurs in the high-frequency areas of the cochlea (where consonants are heard), speech may sound garbled and comprehension may become difficult. The right hearing aid could help you improve your comprehension.
Local classifieds appear in bold text, ahead of the blanket classified ads. Weekly local ad rate is $10 for up to 25 words, additional words 15 cents each. Ads are charged at half price for consecutive weeks running without changes. To place your ad call 403-9042227 or send an email to office@shootinthebreeze.ca.
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Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andrea@awna.com or visit this community newspaper
WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER REQUIRED Shootin’ the Breeze requires a full-time reporter to cover community stories and events in Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass and area. The ideal candidate will have an inquiring attitude and keen interest in the community. Position requires a flexible schedule, personal vehicle, laptop computer and camera equipment. Requirements: • Journalism experience or training preferred • High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite programs, Google Drive and social media platforms • Strong command of English language, understanding of grammar and Canadian Press style • Proven interpersonal skills dealing with public • Ability to work independently and as a team member • High regard for deadlines • Flexibility to cover a wide range of topics To apply: • Send cover letter and resume with references to: Shannon Robison, Publisher Shootin’ the Breeze Box 811, Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0 Or email shannon@shootinthebreeze.ca Or drop off at 697A Main Street, Pincher Creek
• Include three writing samples covering diverse topics and a portfolio with a minimum of five photos suitable for publication. A hand-written cover letter is preferred.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS THURSDAY, OCT. 19, 2017 We thank all who apply. Only those selected for interview will be contacted.
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
2017 FALL PRODUCER MEETINGS & ELECTIONS ZONE 2 OCT 23
(MEETINGS 7 p.m. START, FREE SUPPER 6 p.m.)
FORT MACLEOD, SOUTHERN ALBERTA LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE VIRGIL LOWE, VBP+
OCT 30
PICTURE BUTTE, 17102AA2 COMMUNITY SENIORS CENTRE VIRGIL LOWE, VBP+
Attend a meeting in your area to meet local delegates, hear what ABP has done this year, and engage with your industry association. ZONE 2 INCLUDES:
Warner County No. 5, Lethbridge County, Cardston County, Pincher Creek No. 9, Willow Creek No. 26, Ranchlands No. 66, Crowsnest Pass, Kananaskis. 403.275.4400
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October 11, 2017
Shootin’ the Breeze
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LRSD Election 2017 Meet the candidates By Caitlin Clow Three candidates put their names forward to fill two spots on the board of trustees for the Livingstone Range School Division. Greg Long, Kristy Stevens and Clara Yagos had the opportunity to introduce themselves to a wide audience at the MDM Community Centre in Bellevue on Oct. 4, during the Crowsnest Pass municipal candidate forum. Greg Long Greg is a retired teacher who worked in Crowsnest Pass for 30 years, at Isabelle Sellon and Crowsnest Consolidated High School. His resume also reflects time spent as a member and chairman of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and on the policy and negotiating committees. “To me, a school is a community within itself,” he said. “We have hundreds of students and they all have different goals.” “For school systems, you’re catering to a lot of different people. The goal of the school system, whether it be parents, staff, or school trustees, is to create an environment for those students where they feel very comfortable, where they feel safe, where they can grow into the adults they should be.” The primary goal for trustees and the school system as a whole is to show all of the students that they are cared for, he said. “I hope I’ll get the opportunity to work with the school system again.” Kristy Stevens Kristy has lived and worked in the Lundbreck area for the past six years. She has been involved with Livingstone School in a variety of ways and her only daughter is set to graduate there this year. “Volunteering at the school and working with groups in the community has been a very big
part of my life,” the incumbent trustee said. She has served as a trustee since April 2016 and said she’s learned a great deal in that time. “It has been a privilege to work with the board and I look forward to continuing contributing to the success of all of our students.” Clara Yagos Clara, a retired teacher and administrator with years of experience has served as a trustee for two terms with the division. In that time she has seen a great deal of change and sees much more on the horizon. “We have seen an increase in enrolment in this ward,” she said, excitedly. Additional access to technology, course flexibility and course options are also a few of the things she pointed to. “The high school redesign gives students more flexibility in course choices and we introduced programs within our schools such as cosmetology, the ski academy and expanded CTS options and outreach education,” she said. Trustees have a lot of big decisions in the near future, she said, including the appointment of a new superintendent and ensuring the minister of education meets the needs of the district. “Our students are important, and remember they are impacted by decisions that are made now,” she said. “My experience, knowledge and commitment will help as a trustee.”
John Comin 1952 – 2017
17102DD0
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of John Ernest Comin on Oct. 3, 2017, at the Crowsnest Pass continuing care centre, at the age of 65. John was born on April 28, 1952, to proud parents John and Ernestine Comin in Blairmore. He was raised to be a kind, caring, hard-working individual; lessons he never forgot. Over the years John enjoyed the outdoors, where he spent time hunting and fishing. John was a gifted storyteller, who always had a story to tell. Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his son, Adam (Amber) McIntyre of Edmonton; his daughter, Shannon (Lynn) Harker of North Burmis; and his cherished grandchildren, Caleb Harker, Seth McIntyre, Alaina McIntyre and Asher McIntyre. He was predeceased by his parents, Ernestine and John Comin. With respect for John’s wishes, no funeral services will be held. Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca. Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by STARS, 1441 Aviation Park N.E., PO Box 570, Calgary, AB, T2E 8M7. Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements 403-562-8555
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Shootin’ the Breeze
October 11, 2017
Distributed weekly to Town and MD of Pincher Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Brocket, Hill Spring and Glenwood
Tying laces for Terry Fox Schools from the Pincher Creek area and Crowsnest Pass laced their shoes tight over the past few weeks and walked or ran for hope. Students from Isabelle Sellon, Horace Allen, Crowsnest Consolidated, Canyon, St. Michael’s, Matthew Halton and Livingstone schools learned — some for the first time — about a true Canadian hero: Terry Fox. And, they raised money to
support cancer research. Students from the Pass joined forces and walked together, raising $1,395. Students from Canyon School in Pincher Creek raised over $3,600. Over the years, Canyon has raised almost over $58,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Livingstone School raised over $700 during its students’ run on Sept. 29. Photos by Caitlin Clow and courtesy ISS and CCHS
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