VOL. 73 NO. 4
73 YEARS OF SERVING THE COMMUNIT Y WEDNESDAY, January 22, 2020 The Only Locally Owned News & Adver tising Media in Vegreville .
Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers Host Malanka
The Chudovyi Beginners get ready to parade through the crowd and up onto the stage to perform for the sold out crowd. (Michelle Pinon Photos).
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser The Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers of Innisfree hosted Malanka celebrations on Jan. 18. An estimated 325 people attended the annual event at Innisfree Recreation Center. As people filtered through the lobby they were treated to the upbeat sounds of Millenia who per-
formed several selections. Hostesses Amberlyn Myshaniuk and Tiffany Tomlinson greeted guests and toasted to a happy New Year with them before they took seats. Marilyn Newton, President of the Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers of Innisfree, said Malanka is the “biggest highlight” of the year for the club as they have to hire a live band, offer a catered meal and
ensure the decorations are stunning for guests. The event is also the biggest fundraiser for the club. “We`re hoping to raise $8,000. That will cover nearly all the instructor fees for the year. “We sold out with 20 on the waiting list, so we`re going to have to up our tickets next year.”
Chudovyi - CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
Vegreville Museum Facing Uncertain Future
Mannville Ag. Society Receives Funding
See page 5 for story
See page 13 for story
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Willingdon 4-H Multi Club Page 13
Angry Themed Drop-In at PLC Page 14
RCMP files from January 13 - 19 Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser January 13 08:31 – Found cell phone. Samsung phone was found down town Vegreville. It will be retained for 60 days before being destroyed. 08:36 – Report of a suspicious white dodge pickup truck that entered a rural property in Lamont county first at 6:30 am and then again 8:00 am. Both times the truck came into the yard, turned around and left. 11:01 – Report of a vehicle that was sitting on the street for 3 weeks in Mundare. The caller did not recognise the vehicle. It was determined that the vehicle was stolen out of Wetaskiwin. The vehicle was recovered, and the owner notified. 13:49 – Vegreville Members executed a PCHAD (Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act) and collected a minor youth and took them into a care facility. 14:49 – Complaint received of attempted fraud via Facebook. The complainant stated they received messages from 2 different friends that they had won $100,000. They requested a copy of a drivers license. The complainant DID send a photo of their driver’s license before realizing it was a scam. The complainant was directed to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. 20:12 – Report of a domestic assault in Lavoy. Members attended and arrested the 39 year old intoxicated female who has assaulted her husband. She was lodged in cells until sober and later released with documents for court and conditions of no contact with the victim. January 14 15:48 – Local Vegreville business called to report that they had a client in the store attempting to buy $700 in Google Play cards. She was instructed to do so being told that the cards were needed due to a banking error. Members attended and spoke to the senior, explaining to her how the scam worked. The attempted fraud was not successful due to the good people working at the business. 18:52 – 911 report of a missing relative who had gone to meet someone about a furniture ad on Kijiji. The potential buyer had texted the reporting party and seemed to be in distress. Members located the parties and it was determined that the potential buyer became nervous when he noticed the vehicle was started with a screwdriver and they were headed to Lavoy when he was told the furniture was in Mundare.
The individuals were stuck in the ditch and very cold. Nothing criminal occurred.
January 15
11:18 – Vegreville Fire Dept. reported a vehicle parked in Vegreville that appeared to have a hole drilled in the fuel tank. Members attended and investigated.
January 16
11:13 – Attempted fraud. Complainant from the Mundare area received a call stating that they owed the complainant a refund of $200. The complainant allowed access to their computer and then their bank account. The transfer scheme was complicated but ultimately not successful. The caller indicated they were from the IRS and an investigation department. Later the complainant also provided their social insurance number to the caller. Trans Union, Equifax, the Canadian AntiFraud Centre as well as Service Canada have all been notified. **** DO NOT give access to your computer unless you initiated the request. Take your computer to a trusted professional. 15:06 – Report of theft or fraud. The complainant indicated that their bank called to tell them that large sums of money had been transferred from their account and the activity was suspicious. The complainant indicated that they had never given anyone access nor permission. Under investigation.
January 17
02:40 – Complaint of a tire on fire on a tractor trailer on Hwy 16. Members attended and located the truck that had stopped. No requirement for fire department response. 09:50 – Report of a vehicle stolen the day before from a Vegreville business. The vehicle stolen was a grey 2007 GMC Sierra. CCTV has been reviewed and the investigation is ongoing. 12:40 – Traffic stop conducted in downtown Vegreville. It was determined that the driver was suspended and had been drinking. He was also on recognisance and conditions. The driver attempted to leave during the traffic stop but was detained for investigation. Members determined he was in care and control of the vehicle and blew a warn on a roadside screening device. The driver was then arrested and the vehicle was towed and seized for 30 days. The driver was charged with 5 different offences for breaching courtimposed conditions. The driver was later released with additional court documents. 21:08 – While on patrol, members stopped a vehicle for a document check.
When approaching the members observed the driver smoking and tossing a cigarette out the window. There were 2 youth’s in the vehicle and the driver was charged with smoking in a vehicle with a minor present and provided a Voluntary penalty of $287.
January 18
14:49 – While doing renovations at a rural property, workers found a firearm located in a heating duct. The owner does not want the firearm. Investigation revealed that the firearm relates back to a non-RCMP service weapon from 1986. The police agency has been notified of the recovery. The previous owner of the property is known to be deceased. 15:35 - Vegreville and Two Hills members responded to a stolen vehicle complaint near Mundare. Members located the stolen F150 and trailer with tractor attached. Members observed the suspect on foot near the truck who proceeded to run and enter the truck. Members caught up to the suspect and attempted to remove the suspect from the truck. The suspect resisted and put the vehicle in gear and started to drive away while struggling with the member. The truck proceeded to hit a tree, injuring the member who was then able to remove the keys and remove the driver with the assistance of other members. The 25 year old driver was arrested and remanded into custody on 8 criminal charges including aggravated assault on a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of stolen property.
January 19
20:13 – Vegreville Members received a call from Vermilion on a stolen F150 being tracked into the Vegreville area. With the assistance of Two Hills members, the truck was located in Vegreville but would not stop for RCMP. Members were able to stop the vehicle by deploying a spike belt outside of town limits. With the vehicle stopped, the driver then brandished and discharged a firearm. Members were able to negotiate with the suspect and after approximately 30 minutes convinced him to put the firearm down. The suspect was arrested. It was confirmed that the driver was impaired. The 21 year old male from Sturgeon Lake, SK. has been remanded into custody on 19 charges related to this incident.
During the week there were 66 calls for service made in total including: 2 false alarms, 0 false 911s, 0 animal strikes and 9 tickets from traffic enforcement.
JANUARY 22, 2020
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Fire Guts Chipman Home Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Members of the Chipman Fire Department, Lamont County Emergency Services, responded to a mobile home fire at 4831-49 Avenue around 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 16. Regional Fire Chief Dave Zayonce said the fire destroyed the home and sheds on the
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property. No one was home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is not suspicious in nature, but is still under investigation. With a temperature of -30 celsius and strong winds, additional firefighters were called in to rotate crews throughout the day. Crews left the scene around 7 p.m.
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Transitioning to 100% Renewable Energy by 2050 Would Pay for Itself Arthur Beaudette News Advertiser - Opinion Deep thinkers have been a critical part of our world from the wheel to penicillin to space travel. Without those who think and imagine what is possible it would be hard to have a picture of what our world would look like today. At the same time, equal importance must be awarded to the doers. They are not always exclusive of each other, but we often see examples of this in our everyday lives. You can come up with your own examples. All you need, is to recall the last time you said to yourself “what were they thinking?” Recently the same group, led by Mark Jacobson from Stanford University, that designed the “green new deal” for the US expanded their work. In December of 2019 they released information for 143 countries with detailed roadmaps to reach 100% renewable energy by 2050. Those that know me are likely aware that I am a big fan of renewable energy. At the same time I am not blind to the fact that I currently need fossil fuels for so many aspects in my life, not the least of which is not freezing in our Alberta winters. I like to think that I am an equitable mix between a thinker and a doer. With that comes a healthy disdain for
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misinformation and FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that solar doesn’t work in the winter, we would need to cover the entire planet in solar panels or that wind turbines are going to kill all the birds. I’m not planning on getting into that nonsense in this article. Instead I want to focus on what seems to be an out of touch analysis by the group of deep thinkers who authored this global green new deal piece. The group did an amazing job of looking at the practical parts of needing to upgrade the electrical grid, analyzing energy needs, energy costs and social costs. As they pointed out, many studies have looked at this challenge on strictly an energy basis. 1 watt of energy from fossil fuels compared to 1 watt of energy from a WWS (wind-water-solar) system. This comparison is not fair because as they rightly stated, it does not take into account the cost of health and climate. It is hard to argue the benefits of a WWS energy system from strictly an energy standpoint. A mostly electric world has been calculated to be more than 50% more efficient than a fossil fuel world. Much of this is accounted for because of the energy lost in combustion (there’s a reason your car blows warm air in the winter). Other efficiencies are found in mining, transport and refining of fossil fuels as well as end-use energy efficiency (think high efficiency appliances and LED lighting.) Another area touched on by the study was employment. There is no hiding that in Alberta, we feel the impact of what happens when our petroleum industry is stagnant. The research team suggests that globally, a WWS energy system would create 28 million more long-term, full-time jobs than the current energy system. One of the biggest differences may be that the CEO of BP energy wouldn’t be getting his $14 million per year. The final (main) point of the study was the overall social costs. They defined this as private, health and climate. They see a reduction from $76 trillion/year globally to less than $7 trillion/year. This all looks great on paper. More jobs, less costs, a cleaner planet. What could go wrong? This is where the problem starts when there only academics in the room. Unfortunately, a certain percentage of smart people doing studies are a little disconnected from the real world. They fly in the global Green New Deal. A very big fly. Human nature. Canada and the USA are prime candidates for a switch. We have some political will and lots of social will for the transition. We also have the geography and a good start. However, there are other powers at play. The petroleum industry will not go quietly. Lots of money gets donated and lots spent on lobbyists to convince politicians to keep things as they are. Finding politicians with the guts to make a change will prove difficult. Step outside of democracies and things look a little different. Energy is somewhat of an equalizer. There are “energy poor” nations. Many of those nations also happen to be dictatorships. If your citizens have no electricity, that is one
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Vegreville Regional Museum Facing Uncertain Future Michelle Pinon News Advertiser
The Town of Vegreville’s recent decision to cut $70,000 worth of funding to the Vegreville Regional Museum has created uncertainty around its current operation and its future in the community. Also contributing to the uncertainty
is the fact that the museum’s 10 year lease with the town is set to expire in May. The town owns the land and the buildings which currently house nearly 10,000 artifacts and 100 pieces of machinery. Ted Wilson, President of the Vegreville Regional Museum Society, said the town’s
decision came as a total shock. “We were totally blindsided.” Wilson, along with fellow board members were personally notified by Mayor Tim MacPhee of the decision during a Nov. 20 board meeting. Wilson said Councillor Dave Berry, council’s representative for the museum, phoned him and said the mayor wanted to meet with the board, but no reason for
the meeting was divulged at that time. “We had no warning whatsoever.” He called the message “blunt” and “harsh” in its delivery, and up until that point, the museum had always received “great support” from the town. “It’s a horrible way to treat volunteers,” added Wilson as they, (long-standing
board members) have contributed hundreds of volunteer hours as well as financial contributions to the museum. In a letter dated Dec. 2, that was written on behalf of board members, and addressed to the mayor and council, it stated: “His blunt tone and harsh message delivered to our board of longserving, dedicated volunteers and curator, was a shock. It indicates a stunning lack of comprehension and regard for the significant investments of time, work and donations of community people who have given in good faith to preserve the history of our community. Since 1968, when the idea of a community museum was first formally presented, the town has shown strong support. The sudden drastic measures, though, show a lack of comprehension of the serious public trust responsibilities which a museum has with the public and the government, and the time required to shift a museum’s operations, if necessary, in congruence with public trust responsibilities.” That letter also included: a request for grant funding of $35,000 for 2020, to have the museum site lease to be extended to December 31, 2020, and to have collaborative short-term and long-term planning in respect to operations and holdings, and if the town has other plans for the site to consider alternative locations including the former RCMP station and the library gymnasium. Wilson said he, along with the board
members, were told the decision for the town’s discontinuation of funding was due to cutbacks by the provincial government. Wilson does not believe that is the real reason for the town’s decision which he thinks is politically driven, and is because of the town’s desire to facilitate and house a cannabis operation. Mayor MacPhee flatly denied the accusation, and said the town had no intention of using the land or the buildings for that purpose. Wilson said the town wants to discuss “occupancy options” with the society dur-
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JANUARY 22, 2020
from the pages of the vegreville observer
Compiled by Dan Beaudette
90 Years Ago – January 22, 1930
At the court of revision of the Municipality of Beaver Lake, held in Ryley on January 13th, a general reduction of 20% was made on the new assessment, exclusive of hamlets. William Glusko, chef, and Tony Coffuo, waiter, formerly with the Prince Edward Café, are taking over the dining room in Mundare Hotel on February 1st. Miss M.R. Black, public health nurse, gave an address on the public health service in Minburn. This included the work of the nurses in various districts throughout the province, public clinics held at Edmonton, Calgary and Medicine Hat, as well as the travelling clinic. Miss Black urges the parents the need of co-operation in the service our public health officials are rendering and that greater attention be given the children of pre-school age regarding proper feeding and care of the teeth to develop strong, healthy bodies. A town bylaw giving Messrs. Church and Whiston of Edmonton a franchise for the supply of natural gas to the town of Vegreville, was passed. The franchise strikes a tentative price for the gas to the consumer at 45c for each cubic foot, the final established of the price of course rests with a board of Public Utility Commissioners.
75 Years Ago – January 24, 1945
Cpl. Peter Joseph Stewart of Vegreville has been killed in action on the Western Front, according to the wire received from the Department of National Defence by his father Joseph Stewart. The Alberta Department of Agriculture has reserved considerable quantities of forage crop seed to be available to farmers at cost and freight prepaid. This supply is limited, however, and the farmers would be well advised to place their orders for same by March 1. New motor license plates for the year which opens on April 1, will be available early in March, according to information given the Alberta Motor Association. A single steel plate will be issued with the license. This plate is to be displayed on the rear end of the vehicle. Lavoy’s one-man army, Pte. Charles G. Rattray, M.M., was among those returning to Canada recently. Pte. Rattray won the Military medal for Gallantry in Italy. Another man in the same group is Pte. A. Towpitch of Vegreville. More than 1,500 shipyard employees at the J.A. Jones Construction Co., Brundswick, Ga. voluntarily gave up their Christmas holiday to work without pay on a cargo carrying vessel as a gift to the men on the fighting fronts. An additional 500 volunteered for the night shift.
50 Years Ago – January 22, 1970
Vegreville’s first baby of the New Year arrived somewhat later than usual but nevertheless is just as welcome now as if he had come earlier. The young fellow, second child of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Ruptash of Vegreville arrived on the scene at 11:02 Thursday, January 15th. Building permits issued in Vegreville during 1969 did not set a record but it is recorded as the best year this town has seen since 1965. A total of 79 permits were issued amounting to $1,303,750.00. Of this figure 39 dwellings were erected with the balance made up of commercial construction, garages, etc. The Willingdon Hospital Ladies Auxiliary presented a Silver Cup to the New Year’s baby born in the Mary Immaculate Hospital on January 13th, 1970. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Samchuk of Edmonton are the proud parents of the baby boy, Jeffrey Lyle, brother to Shelly.
25 Years Ago – January 24, 1995
St. Mary’s High School hopes to form a non-profit society to help expand its programming. But the idea is in very preliminary stages and will take considerable time before it becomes reality, cautions St. Mary’s principal Peter Varga. “Right now we are checking out the legalities and going through some of the initial paperwork,” he explained. “It’s still at the long dream stage.” The Vegreville Chamber of Commerce will expand its meeting schedule in hopes of getting more members involved. The new schedule calls for regular business meetings at noon the second Thursday of the month while a supper meeting with guest speakers would be held the third Thursday. Executive meetings would be held by call of the president. The Chamber of Commerce swore in its new executive and board of directors at Thursday’s annual meeting. Joining Stollings and Chudyk on the executive are first Vice-President Wendy Hopper and second vice-president Kay McKenzie. Directors include Barry McDonald, Dan Beaudette, Peter Dobbie, Bob Generoux, Alistair Loughlin, Inge Moore, Mel Wilson and Reid DeForest. A local player has been selected for Alberta’s under 17 hockey squad to compete in the Canada Winter Games in February. Zenith Komarniski, who plays major junior hockey for the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League, made the final 20 player roster.
Letters Welcomed
One role of the Vegreville News Advertiser is to promote dialogue on various issues of concern to area residents. We accomplish this by welcoming Letters to the Editor and allowing various issues to be debated through our pages. All letters must contain the writer’s name, address and phone number. Anonymous letters will not be printed, however the writer’s name may be withheld from publication in special circumstances deemed appropriate by the Publisher. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, spelling and grammar, taste or for reasons of potential libel. The Vegreville News Advertiser reserves the right to withhold letters from publication.
Canadian Public Policy Requires a 21st-Century Upgrade By Constantine Passaris Professor University of New Brunswick The first month of a new year was named January after the Roman god Janus, who was always depicted as having two faces: one looking backward and the other looking forward. This suggests the first month is a good time to take stock of the year just ended and to look to the future. I believe 2020 is a good time to take stock of the Canadian public policy framework and, with the benefit of hindsight, embrace a 20-20 vision in charting a new course for the future. The third decade of the 21st century will require a reorientation in the scope and substance of our public policy. This is a response to the profound structural changes in the recent past and the likelihood of a major economic recession in the near future. Our focus on redefining the constructs and operational efficiency of public policy should always be good governance. Good governance is the contemporary gold standard for governments and their citizens. The definitive tool for achieving good governance is public policy. Good governance also requires an effective and efficient machinery that allows the implementation of government policy. It has become abundantly clear that the public policy template that worked well for the 20th century is inadequate and ineffective for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. A new model for Canada’s public policy must embrace three dynamic and interactive elements: synthesis, transparency and accountability. Canadian public policy must become adept, nimble, proactive and capable of multitasking. It should recognize the complementary relationship between the many arms of public policy, such as economic policy, social policy, environmental policy, cultural policy and demographic policy. The formulation of public policies in isolation is inappropriate. Developing separate economic, social, cultural and population growth policies is not effective. A new template for contemporary public policy must build bridges between these different areas, add an element of checks and balances, ensure they are complementary and create synergies.
The overarching objective should be to create an integrated, synthesized and complementary public policy ecosystem. A modern public policy ecosystem must be inclusive of economic, social, cultural, environmental and demographic goals. It requires a holistic approach that avoids not seeing the forest for the trees. Contemporary civil society has raised the bar with respect to government transparency. Indeed, intense public scrutiny of government actions has become the new normal. Digital outreach and electronic connectivity has facilitated this process. Canada must embrace the democratization of its public policy process. This requires engaging civil society as a partner in the development of public policy. This means public policy can no longer be developed in secrecy. The formulation of public policy must emphasize public consultations, town halls and citizen forums. The 21st century also requires government to engage the cyber citizen through various electronic platforms. For government, this may seem tedious, laborious and cumbersome. But if you believe as I do that a cacophony of ideas makes for better public policy, this is the right thing to do. The third axiom for a new model of public policy speaks to desired outcomes and public accountability. Public policy must discard its traditional rhetorical and aspirational contents. It must acknowledge that policy is a journey with a starting point and an intended destination. So public policy must embrace performance indicators, clearly designated mileposts, quantitative benchmarks, unambiguous targets and specific metrics. Only then can we evaluate the success or failure of a specific initiative and permit corrective action and fine-tuning to ensure the desired outcomes. On the cusp of a new decade, a redesigned public policy model must embrace synthesis, transparency and accountability. This will empower Canada to confront the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities ahead. At the end of the day, the litmus test of an effective public policy is its ability to initiate remedial action before a crisis develops and becomes insurmountable. Dr. Constantine Passaris is a professor of economics at the University of New Brunswick.
JANUARY 22, 2020
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Alberta Agriculture Seeking Input on Farmer Led Research Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Alberta Agriculture wants to know what farmer-led research means to Albertans and is currently hosting public engagement sessions throughout the province. In addition to that, Alberta Agriculture is asking for feedback through an online survey, which will stay open until the end of January. The overriding goal is for farmers and stakeholders to help the government department determine research priorities and the best way to meet their needs. Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, stated: “We are working with farmers to determine their research priorities. This an opportunity to transform how we do research and attract investment from the private sector. I see world-leading agricultural research happening here, either by leveraging work happening in existing facilities or building brand new ones.” Besides identifying research priorities, Alberta Agriculture is looking to find opportunities for industry participation and to attract investment from bio-
tech companies. The department will also be meeting with key stakeholders, including marketing board and commission representatives, applied research associations and post-secondary institutions. According to Alberta Agriculture, it has the dual role of being a research funder and conductors. It is also focusing on supporting a vibrant and competitive industry which has historically been supported by industry funding to complete research benefiting farmers and ranchers. “Over the summer Minister Dreeshen consulted with Albertans during his Farm Freedom and Safety Act tour. Farmers and ranchers gave their opinions on farmer-led research priorities. Many of them supported the idea especially compared to the NDP’s previous “governmentled research priorities” focus” stated Adrienne South, Agriculture & Forestry Press Secretary. She went on to say, “We are consulting with farmers and ranchers to determine their research priorities and determine whether government should deliver research directly, or strategically fund it. We hope to leverage
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research that is already happening in existing facilities and attract private sector investment to build new ones. On Jan. 13, a total of 52 people attended the session in Lethbridge. “We have added three additional sessions in Barrhead, Oyen and Strathmore because of increased interest.” The information gathered at the sessions and from the on-line survey will be analyzed and recommendations will be developed this spring.
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School Resource Officer Program Axed Michelle Pinon News Advertiser The School Resource Officer (SRO) program has been officially axed. That decision came during Vegreville town council’s Jan. 13 meeting where the motion to discontinuation of the SRO program was passed unanimously. Councillor Taneen Rudyk was not present for the meeting. The position will be eliminated on Dec. 31, 2020. In terms of financial implications, the town will save $99,000
annually. Under the SRO guidelines, the town was required to give one year’s notice of cancellation of the program to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness The program began five years ago, and while there were many benefits, the town said it could no longer afford to fund it. The schools affected by the decision include: A.L. Horton Elementary School, Vegreville Composite High School, St. Martin’s Catholic School, St. Mary’s Catholic
School; all of which are located in Vegreville, and Mundare School. According to a financial break down supplied by the town, the reduction of one RCMP member is $120,000. Elk Island Public Schools funded $15,000 and Elk Island Separate Schools funded $4,000 and the Town of Mundare chipped in $2,000 which left $99,000 for the Town of Vegreville’s portion. “Council and I recognize the importance of the School Resource Officer Program, and it wasn’t an easy decision
to make. But, with recent changes to provincial funding, we need to be very mindful of where we spend our dollars,” stated Mayor Tim MacPhee. Staff Sergeant Terry Hyggen stated: “I am aware that the program has been extremely well received by parents, elected officials, teachers and most importantly by students. An impact will be felt in the schools and with detachment operations, however I understand that current economics have created financial challenges. I do believe Vegreville Mayor & Council carefully considered their options, and this decision was not made lightly.” Hyggen added that: “The Vegreville Detachment will continue to staff the SRO position with a full time liaison through to the end of 2020, and part time liaison members will be assigned to each school at the beginning of 2021. Although there will no longer be a full time liaison, Vegreville Detachment
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Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers - CONTINUED from FRONT PAGE
Newton said the club was very fortunate to get the Ukrainian band Millenia as they are usually booked up two years in advance. “So it was fortunate they could perform in Innisfree.” The Malanka committee was also appreciative of all of the parents and volunteers who pitch in to make the event such a success. Kudos also went out to caterer Nadia Melnyk. “Everyone knows Nadia,” added Newton. Nadia is like a grandma to everyone, along with her own grandchildren, some of who dance in the club. The dancers, 20 in total, range between three and 45 years of age. Newton said the dancers had been practicing hundreds of hours since September to prepare for the gala. Newton’s daughter Madison, who has been dancing for 13 years, was sidelined by an injury but decided to perform a number with the group. The 16-year-old said she hopes to become a dance teacher
in the future. The dancers will also be spending many more hours in the months ahead practicing for festivals and community performances. There were several generations of families in attendance to enjoy the festivities. Kevin Kassian, Co-Master of Ceremonies said Malanka is a nice way to get together after New Years. For Ranfurly area farmer Teresa Makowecki it was her first Malanka.”It’s always been on our bucket list,”said`Makowecki, whose daughter`s wedding reception will be held in the recreation center this summer. She was also excited to see Millenia perform. “It is a rarity to see Millenia in a small town.” Millenia is what Bon Jovi is to rock music, and the band’s popularity was evident as the dance floor was full with partygoers. “It’s an amazing community event. It brings everyone together,”stated Darcy Morris, who was in attendance with his wife Dalyce. The couple have two children, Gracy and Kashlyn, who both dance in the group. Michael Hiltz came to support his step daughter Sydnee Bouchier. The same was for Marwayne area resident Laureena Kipps who came to support her friend whose daughter Makinlee Holman dances in the club. The Chudovyi Ukrainian Dancers were definite crowd pleasers, from the beginners to the juniors, intermediates, seniors and adults. The grace, elegance and beauty of the female dancers was offset by the power, strength and flexibility of the male dancers which made for great performances.
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The story of Malanka was presented by the Chudovyi Players who rang in the Ukrainian New Year in style. As the old year is swept away, the New Year was ushered in. The nurse made sure the path was clear for the baby. Accompanying the New Year is Malanka, the epitome of grace and beauty. The horse brought a gift for the farmers of Innisfree to have a bountiful harvest, the goat brought good fortune, and the Bear had a sweet offering of honey. The Devil brought in a bit of mischief, but was kept in line by the Cop. Of course, folks from the crowd were pulled out on the dance floor to participate in all the fun. It was definitely a night to remember.
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Ask the Guys Dear Classified Guys, I've worked the same job for years. At first it was okay, but as time has passed I've found it very monotonous. I dread commuting to work and sitting at my desk. Then one day I woke up. I'd like to say I had some stroke of genius, but it was more that I couldn't take the boredom any longer. After calling a few ads and going on a few interviews, I was offered a sales job I'm very excited about. The company is solid and the people are all upbeat. The odd part for me is the salary structure. Instead of a weekly paycheck that's always the same amount so I can budget, this job is a small base salary plus commissions. The idea of a fresh start is exciting, but I'm scared of a paycheck that fluctuates based on my sales. Seems like a lot of pressure. Do you think this is a good move or should I keep my mundane desk job for safety?
• • • Cash: It sounds like your desk job may be a great place to take a nap, but not the best place to find motivation. The short answer to your question is if you're not happy, try something different. Carry: Changing jobs, regard-
Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze 01/18/15 01/19/20 ©The Classified Guys®
less of it’s salary structure, can be a stressful event. Studies show that it can cause anxiety levels equivalent to experiencing a divorce or losing a loved one. So you can see that it's perfectly normal to worry about your new job offer. Cash: Fortunately, changing careers to a position you enjoy has the benefit of improving your motivation, your health and your happiness. However without being bored, you'll have to start sleeping at night instead of napping at your current job! Carry: The variation in salary structure is something to consider. Many people feel safe knowing they have a paycheck of a speci-
fied amount every week or month. Cash: However, commissionbased salaries have their advantages as well. For the right person, it can allow for an unlimited income based on the effort they put forth. That can be a great motivator to excel at your new job. And surrounding yourself with people who are upbeat can help fuel your success. Carry: Adjusting to the fluctuation in your paycheck is simply a matter of saving. Since some months can be good and some can be slow, follow a budget that allows for that variation. As a result, this new job may not only improve your boredom, but also your finances!
Fast Facts Filthy Work
Reader Humor Taxed to Death
Many people may not love their job, but at least they stay clean. The same can't be said for Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel's former series, Dirty Jobs. The reality show followed Mike as he traveled across the country each week working as an apprentice for some of the dirtiest jobs that most of us would rather avoid. From maggot farming to road kill collector, during the course of the show Mike performed more than 200 of the dirtiest jobs that just needed to be done.
I knew when I graduated that I wanted to be an accountant with my own practice. During college, I worked as an intern at a tax firm to get some experience. I took any opportunity I had to ask the partners questions whenever possible. One day while sitting down with one who specialized in estate taxes, I asked for his advice on starting a practice. "My father taught me to always treat the customer with respect," he said proudly. Turning a plaque on his desk toward me, he continued, "And he offered me this credo for succeeding in estate taxes." I laughed as I read, "Where there's a will, there's an inheritance!" (Thanks to Barry J.)
Ho-Hum According to a recent survey of over one million employees, those who were bored at their job were significantly more disgruntled than employees who were overworked. Bored employees were typically those who had skills mismatched to their job. Overall, they were less proud of their employer, showed less innovation and felt less valuable than overworked employees. It appears that many people would rather be overworked than bored. •
•
Laughs For Sale
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Do you have a question or funny story about the classifieds? Want to just give us your opinion? Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.
This job requires you to have some stories.
y. t Opportunit Employmen r talesmen. Door-to-doo rsonable, Must be pe harming. dc reliable, an
www.ClassifiedGuys.com For Sale: 159 Acres N of Beauvallon SE
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ACCOMODATIONS Roommate Wanted. $600/mo. (negotiable) Non-tobacco smoker preferred. Must be good with dogs. Neil 780-632-6781
27-54-10 W4th. Ph: 1-780-366-3867
north and 1.5 miles east of Andrew,
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ACREAGE Acreage for Sale with 2016 mobile home west of Beauvallon. PH: 780366-2222
APARTMENTS Arlington Place (5333 – 49 Avenue) is a very clean and quiet building with respectful tenants. We have a (1) bedroom and (2) bedroom suite available. Rents are $725.00 to $775.00 and this includes heat and water. NS/NP. Contact Linda at 587-280-1727 or Murray at 780-603-7772 to view.
5125 - 52Ave. Vegreville. PH: 780-
AB. No. 1 soil yields excellent crops. 2 bedroom house. Built in 1961.
House is currently rented. Excellent water, power, natural gas. 150 acres cultivated. For more information call Ken. 604-454-7884
632-1049
COMPUTERS VM SYSTEMS Looking for a new computer? VM SYSTEMS has all you’ll ever need in computers! Installation – Sales – Service – Internet. One call will get you in touch. Phone 780-632-2859 9am – 5pm.
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Large Round Hay Bales. 780-632-1349
Near Aquatic Center in Vegreville.
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Round brome hay bales for sale. $60 each. Chipman. Ph: 587-990-1003
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2008 Dodge Calibar. Automatic. Loaded. 150,000 Kms. Clean. $5200. 780-994-3005
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2010 damaged Dodge Caliber 125,000kms. Drives excellent. For parts. $1500. Phone 780-994-3005 2005 Mercedes Smart Car diesel, automatic, black, 192,000kms, $3900. 780-994-3005. 2001 Buick Lesabre Custom Sedan; 4 door; 191,193km, Silver. Excellent Condition. Offers. PH: 780-632-3722
$99.00 FREE Shipping! 100% guaranteed. 24/7 CALL NOW! 888-889-5515
Land for Sale NE 11-55-16, 161 total acres, 155 cultivated. Old yard site with active power at site; Ph: 780-7642407
HELP WANTED Visit us at jobs.newsadvertiser.com
RV
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Vegreville - 3 bdrm, 5 appliances, 2 baths, garage. Rent $1150, DD same. To view text or call 780-632-9835
LOTS 50’ x 150’ lot w/back alley, zoned R2, one block from St. Martin’s School, $45,000 PH: 780-632-1049.
Maintenance 888-686-1704 2000 Windstar. Ex. engine & transmission. Body damage. For parts $750. 780-922-5999
The News Advertiser can help you with your personal and commercial print work needs: business cards, invoices, envelopes, posters and much more. Phone: 780-632-2861 or email jobsubmit@newsadvertiser.com
Approx 450 Sq Ft., 1 bedroom, fully
Large round green feed bales for
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Wanting to buy a Boler, Trillium, Scamp or Burro trailer a maximum of 13 ft. Can be a fixer upper if pest free. Phone 780-632-3453.
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TRUCKS
1993 Chev 4x4 Ext Cab. For parts. $650. 780-922-5999 2006 Ford 4x4 Crew Cab. New tires. $4600. 780-994-3005 2004 Dodge Dakota 4x4 loaded, superb condition. Low km. $6,500. 780-632-3527.
2000 Dodge Dakota V8, 4x4, farm truck. $1600. 780-922-5999 2002 GMC 4x4 HD ¾ ton Service Truck 340k $3500 780-922-5999 1997 Ford 7.3 Diesel, 4 x 4, missing transmission. Nice deck, $2800. 780922-5999 2004 Chev 4 x 4, new t/case, canopy, $3200. PH: 780-994-3005 2002 F250 Crew cab, 7.3 diesel. Loaded. 410,000kms. $6500 PH: 780994-3005
WANTED Wants to purchase minerals and other oil and gas interests. Send details to P.O. Box 13557 Denver, Co. 80201 Wild Fur Wanted. Coyote, fox, etc. Will be at Musidora Rock Store 5
miles east of Two Hills, January 4 and February 15, 2020 at 11:00am. PH: 780-755-3860 or 780-842-7153
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JANUARY 22, 2020
News Advertiser PAGE 11
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School Resource Officer Program Axed - CONTINUED from PAGE 8 will ensure our students and teachers will see members in their schools as often as regular duties allow.” The SRO provided the detachment the opportunity to build relationship with student and faculty alike, noted Hyggen. “During the past five years, the Vegreville SRO has had regular and meaningful contact with students which has been key to building trust and open communication. This relationship has enabled students to speak openly with our SRO
about issues he or she may have in school, at home or in the community, and the SRO has been able the provide guidance and support. The open communication has also enhanced our ability to carry out policing duties within the schools and our communities. A significant part of the SRO mandate is education in the areas of criminal, provincial and municipal law, as well as the school act. The SRO teaches students about substance abuse, bullying prevention,
crime prevention and personal safety issues. The SRO conducts regular traffic enforcement in our school zones, helping to keep students safe as they come and go from school each day.” Mundare Mayor Mike Saric responded to the news by stating: “Although we are disappointed to hear that Vegreville has had to make the difficult decision to cut this program we fully understand the reason for the decision. In these
difficult financial times we find ourselves facing the same hard choices.” Laura McNabb, Director of Communication Services for Elk Island Public Schools, (EIPS) said it would not be appropriate for EIPS to comment on the town’s decision. A request for a comment from Elk Island Catholic Schools (EIPS) was not given before press time.
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News Advertiser
Tributes MEMORIAM
JANUARY 22, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
MEMORIAM
Public Transportation a Driving Force for Vegreville Resident Michelle Pinon
In Loving Memory of our Dear Dad and Gedo KASSIAN, Tom March 19, 1930 - January 24, 2013 You will never be forgotten We’re reminded of you every day, With the love and strength you gave to us Before you went away. You did so many things for us Your heart was kind and true, And whenever support was needed, We could always count on you. The hands of time will not turn back To when we were together, But in the memories we cherish You’ll be with us forever. With Love, Cindy, Randy, Kayla, Kevin, Colin, Hayley, Colten & Kim
MATVIW, Michael In loving memory of my dear husband, Michael, (father, grandfather and great-grandfather) who passed away January 25, 2000. Twenty years ago today, It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn’t go alone. A part of us went with you, The day God took you home. A million times we’ve missed you, A million times we’ve cried. Our lives go on without you, And nothing is the same. Sad are the hearts that love you, Silent the tears that fall, Living our lives without you, Is the hardest part of all. You did so many things for us. Your heart always kind and true. And when we needed someone most, We could always count on you. The special years will not return When we were all together. But with the love within our hearts You walk with us forever. Until we meet again. Always remembered by your loving wife, Elsie; your children Mildred, David (Georgie), and Barbara; grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
CARD OF THANKS
DUBUC The Family of the Late Eileen Dubuc would like to thank everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers. Thank you to everyone who sent flowers, cards, messages, made phone calls, visited and brought food. A special thank you to the Vegreville Ambulance EMT’s, the staff and doctors and nurses of St. Joseph’s and University of Alberta Hospitals for the kind, courteous, professional care. Also, a thank you to Father Vu for the lovely service, to Autumn Rose for the compassionate, professional facilitating of the funeral and to RMD catering for the delicious meal. Finally, thank you to everyone whom attended the service and made donations in memory of Eileen. In lieu of thank you cards a donation will be made to “Haying in the 30’s”. Daniel Dubuc and Family
MISKIW, Richard July 13, 1947 - January 24, 2018 In memory of a loving Husband, Father and Gido who passed away two years ago. A golden heart stopped beating, Hard working hands at rest, It broke our hearts to see you go, God only takes the best. They say that memories are golden, Well maybe that is true, But we never wanted memories, We only wanted you, Your life was love and labour, Your love for your family true, You did your best for all of us, We will always remember you. We sat beside your bedside, Our hearts were crushed and sore, We did our duty to the end, ‘Til we could do no more. In tears we watched you sinking, We watched you fade away, And though our hearts were breaking, We knew you could not stay. Our lips cannot speak how we loved you, Our hearts cannot tell what to say, But God only knows how we miss you, In our home that is lonely today. Loving you and missing you, Olga Miskiw, Shauna, Terry, Caylib, Joshua and Zachary Micklich and Greg, Jessica, Trystan, Taryn and Trayson Miskiw
OBITUARY McVIG, Nathan Nathan McVig of Camrose, AB, passed away on January 10, 2020 at the age of 26 years. He is survived by his common-law wife Amber; mother Sharen; brother James; sister Ruth as well as numerous family and friends. Nathan was predeceased by his father Floyd. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Solid Rock Church (4501 52 Ave) Camrose, AB Memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S. or to the charity of one’s choice. Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959 www.weberfuneralhome.ca
MACKNEY, Mark Christopher January 7, 1956 – January 20, 2020 On Monday, January 20, 2020, Mark Christopher Mackney of Wetaskiwin, Alberta passed away surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the age of 64 years. Mark is survived by his loving family, daughter Marla (Darwin) Krankowsky along with their children Nathan, Makayla and Aliya: son Michael Mackney along with his children Avery and Owen: and son Christopher (Stephanie) Mackney; siblings Albert (Sylvia), Dave (Linda), Bob (Doris), Jerry, Iris Warawa and Pat (Gerald) Bohaychuk; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Mark was predeceased by his parents Mike and Jennie Mackney; brother-in-law Ken Warawa. A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Autumn Rose Funeral Home (5036-51 Ave.) in Vegreville, Alberta with Yvonne Racine as the celebrant. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “Alberta Cancer Foundation c/o Cross Cancer Institute.” AUTUMN ROSE FUNERAL HOME LTD. VEGREVILLE,780-603-5800
News Advertiser Alain Perez is on a mission. The Vegreville resident wants a public transportation service to become available to residents in Vegreville and Mundare. Perez went before members of Vegreville town council on Jan. 13 to discuss his proposal. During his power point presentation he stated that public transportation would benefit the work force, youth, adults and seniors. He said the service would also attract new residents to the community as well as create economic benefits for the town. “Vegreville and its surrounding region is a place that thousands of us call home. I especially love the family community that is here. Unfortunately, I regret to say that we live in an isolated region with a great number of houses for sale and no major projects at the moment. I deeply believe that public transit will provide the bridge that we need with the big city, that it will bring in new residents, increase business and investments, and finally, we will see major economic growth for our region.” Perez said he’s knocked on many doors since he started collecting information on the subject towards the end of October 2019. To date, he has received 20 letters of support and has had 400 people sign his petition. There is no end date regarding the petition. “Yes, the initial investment is great, but the return in investment is greater. There are grants, programs and partnerships that are available to make this program affordable.” One of the letters of support came from the Town of Mundare dated Dec. 18, 2019. It stated: “As a rural municipality, the Town of Mundare has long recognized the need for some sort of public transportation for our residents. Many of our residents do not have personal transportation and rely on the kindness of family or friends to travel outside of our community to shop, attend medical appointments or get to work. Given we are a small community with limited resources we recognize the value of partnering with other communities and organizations in a collaborative approach to providing this much needed service.” Perez also made council aware of several public transportation pilot projects that were conducted in various communities throughout the province in 2018, and those which have continued on. One of those communities is Camrose which has a 20 seat shuttle bus that brings service to several locations in Edmonton, Camrose and Hay Lakes. There various passes available, with the local unlimited $90 monthly pass. Ridership has reportedly increased from 300 to
between 500 and 600 monthly. The City of Camrose also provides several options for further connections through its partner Red Arrow which also serves Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge and further north through to Fort McMurray. He said the City of Leduc has a bus service for students who attend the University of Alberta, but reside at home. According to the information supplied, each student can save nearly $17,000 over the course of eight months because they don’t have to pay for accommodation or meals at the university. That did not include the cost of gas if they drove there. In Perez’s case, he has four children and given those figures, he would save over $100,000 if there was public transportation from Vegreville to the University of Alberta. Perez also cited results of the Town of Vegreville’s FCSS community survey that was completed in June of 2019. Under community social issues, financial stress ranked first at 54.55 per cent, followed by transportation at 36.05 per cent. “So, ladies and gentlemen, it is a great concern for the community.” Mayor Tim MacPhee asked if provincial and municipal dollars would be required for this type of service? Perez replied yes. MacPhee also said they appreciated his presentation and the town would look into the idea. “There is some merit for the idea and we will talk to the people in Camrose… If it caters to students and working people we’d be willing to take a look at it.” Judy Schueler, Chair of the Lamont County Rural Transportation Coalition, said the group was formed in July of 2016. Since that time the coalition has conducted a needs assessment survey that was completed in 2018. In the six areas of Lamont County there are 3,815 occupied homes, of which, 10 per cent responded to the survey. As a result of the work that has been done to date, the coalition has asked municipalities take a leadership role in meeting the needs of their rural residents and has requested those municipalities to provide letters of support for the coalition to take to the province. “We are looking at an aging population that needs our help to stay in their homes and our communities. They need assistance with their transportation whether it be medical, shopping or social. Some don’t have vehicles, and others are not capable of driving due to medical restrictions.” The coalition is currently looking for a non-profit group to put a volunteer model together and Schueler said she plans to meet with the MLA to get further clarification and some assistance in that regard.
JANUARY 22, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
Willingdon 4-H Multi Club December Report
News Advertiser PAGE 13
Mannville Ag. Society Receives Funding Submitted Tim Konieczny, President of the Mannville & District Agricultural Society accepted a $40,299 grant from Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA
Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk on Jan. 10. The funds will be used for upgrades at the Mannville Recreation Center. Funding was under the Community Facility Enhancement Program.
Members of the Willingdon 4-H Multi Club enjoyed a variety of festivities during its annual Santa Day celebration on Dec.7.
Submitted On Dec.7 the Willingdon 4-H Multi Club held its annual Santa Day for everyone to enjoy at the Willingdon arena. The kids had lots of fun making crafts, decorating cookies, visiting with Santa and going for rides in the county fire
truck. A hot dog lunch was enjoyed by all. The members are very appreciative of local sponsors of the event which included: the Willingdon Fish and Game Association, Willingdon Agricultural Society, Hairy Hill Elks, County of Two Hills Fire Department and Ricky Ruptash.
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JANUARY 22, 2020
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Angry Themed Drop-In at PLC Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent The Vegreville and Area Parent Link Centre (PLC) knew that children have to learn to accept, deal with, and express all their emotions in an appropriate manner. So, PLC offered an Angry Themed Drop-In program on January 17. Litania Holyk, Community Programmer for PLC said they are trying to teach kids about emotions and that it is okay to feel angry and there are ways to calm down and deal with it. “For a craft today, we made a sensory bottle. I also read the children a story about how to calm themselves down when they get angry and then the children had a snack.” Judy with her daughter, Romina. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
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JANUARY 22, 2020
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Transitioning to 100% Renewable Energy - CONTINUED from PAGE 4 more tool that can be used to oppress them. These dictatorships also keep tremendous power and wealth at the top. If you think that leaders in Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan or the like are going to transition to a system that could decentralize that power, you are kidding yourself... and I may have some ocean front property in Arizona for you to buy. Finally, on paper the math works. As I stated, it has been proven that the
move is feasible on all fronts. However, someone still has to pay the bill to get there. Taxing us to death will not pay for this and I doubt governments will reduce spending to invest in WWS. That leaves private investment, and I’m willing to bet that ocean front property in Arizona that there won’t be enough of it by 2050 to be 100% renewable. Tell me what you think. Email me at abletters@newsadvertiser.com
Town of Vegreville to Launch Mobile App Michelle Pinon News Advertiser The Town of Vegreville moved one step closer to the launch of its mobile app by passing an official policy during council’s Jan. 13 meeting. The Mobil App, set to launch early this year, aims to provide relevant and accurate content to the residents of Vegreville by promoting the timely communication of pertinent information. Communications Co-ordinator Kaleb Brink said, “The mobile app is a way for us to communicate with residents in a new way, where we can optimize the information available to them based on what’s most popularly requested and accessed through our website.” For those who are not familiar, a mobile app is a type of software designed to run on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet computer. Brink explained that the mobile app is just another way to communicate and is more relevant in today’s world. The mobile app will supply direct and instant communication, which appeals to a large demographic. “The company we’ve contracted to develop our app are leaders in municipal communication tools, especially apps. They’ve developed several for other Albertan municipalities, and we feel confident that the product they’re providing will be of great value to residents.”
According to Brink there were over 60,000 users who visited the town’s website. The policy establishes foundational guidelines for the mobile app and the type of content and notifications that will be of value to residents, written in plain language, and timely. According to the policy, all content will be posted to Vegreville.com before the town’s mobile application. There is also a provision stating that processes will be in place for the town’s ‘Connect System’ in the event of an emergency.
News Advertiser PAGE 15
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News Advertiser
JANUARY 22, 2020
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VEGREVILLE REGIONAL MUSEUM - CONTINUED from PAGE 5 ing this “transition period” with the museum. During the Jan. 13 meeting of town council, a motion was passed to establish an ad-hoc Vegreville Museum Transition Committee that would include both town and board represen-
tatives. The intent of the ad-hoc committee would be to work together during the transition phase and to map out a plan going forward. Wilson said he’s only interested in meeting with the town if it’s regarding the museum occupying the site. “We have a legal right to occupy the site.” As far as the artifacts, Wilson said all of the artifacts are owned by the people of Alberta and governed by provincial regulations. “The museum is the caretaker of the artifacts. They were entrusted to us.” Wilson has also met with Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk to
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION The County of Minburn is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated leader to manage its Finance and Administration department. As a key member of the senior management team, the Director of Finance and Administration will be involved with organizational planning and will have the following duties: • Overseeing the County’s overall financial operations; • Preparing the annual operating and capital budgets; • Managing the assessment and taxation functions; • Managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll; • Managing short and long-term investments; • Managing grants and grant reporting; and • Managing the risk management and audit functions. The ideal candidate will have: • Undergraduate degree in business or public administration; • Experience with strategic & business planning processes, budget process, financial reporting and forecasting; • A minimum of five years senior level experience in a related field and a solid understanding of PSAB standards; • Municipal government experience would be considered a strong asset. • A professional accounting designation (CPA) would be considered an asset. • Proven leadership, supervisory and team building strength required along with superior verbal/written communication; • A strong team player who can identify, and add value, across all departments; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills along with the ability to build strong relations with Council, stakeholders, and staff. The County of Minburn offers a competitive salary and compensation package. More information pertaining to the position is available by contacting the County at info@minburncounty.ab.ca. Letters of application, including a detailed resume will be accepted until Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 or until a suitable candidate is found. Please email applications to info@minburncounty.ab.ca.
discuss the current situation and has asked her if she would be willing to attend a meeting with the board and the town in the near future. “She’s extremely concerned about this as well,” added Wilson. MLA Armstrong-Homeniuk said she would be willing to meet with the two parties. She did point out, “It’s a municipal issue.” A date for that meeting has not been set. MacPhee said he is willing to sit down with Wilson and the MLA, and he’s hoping the ad-hoc committee could also have a meeting by the end of January. MacPhee did make it clear that he, and the town are willing to work with the board, but that concessions would have to be made. MacPhee said throwing money at the problem would not provide a solution. He said the town can’t afford to continue funding the museum at the provincial level which it’s currently at. “It’s $200 per visitor which is subsidized by the taxpayer.” He said the town pays for all of the bills and maintenance associated with the facility. As the
museum operates now, MacPhee said it does not create economic spin-offs in the community. “We need to make changes,” said MacPhee. “We need to make it more active.” There are several ideas in regards to that, some of which might possibly include: more demonstrations, events, children’s programs, camping, corn maze, long table dinners, etc. He would also like to invite stakeholders to discuss things with them as well. As far as funding on the museum’s side of things, Wilson said like many other rural museums in Alberta, they run on a shoestring budget. The museum receives a yearly grant of $5,000 from the County of Minburn. The town’s funding dropped from $70,000 a year to zero dollars in 2020. In terms of provincial grants, Wilson said they have received a few of them, but not on a yearly basis. MacPhee said the town does respect the board and its member’s years of service; but times have changed, and they need to change with the times. “There has to be some sort of consensus.” MacPhee still is hopeful they can resolve the situation.
