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Acoustic Acres Fundraiser Benefits Hairy Hill Volunteer Fire Department
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Backdraft BBQ and Movie Night at Acoustic Acres was not only an evening of great entertainment, but a great way to support the Hairy Hill Fire Department during Fire Prevention Week.
Drew and Trinity of Acoustic Acres said the fundraiser came together in three weeks with the help of co-organizer Bob Ross with the Two Hills Run to the Hills Memorial Rally. Around 70 people attended the Oct. 7 fundraiser.
The couple say it was nice to see neighbours meeting neighbours, socializing and supporting a local community event that raised $630 for the fire department. Of that amount, $230 was raised through the quilt raffle that was donated by the Run to the Hills Rally volunteer organization.
Fire Chief Don de Beaudrap attended the fundraiser and said everyone was welcoming and people enjoyed watching the movie, and the bonfire added a nice ambience to the gathering under the night skies. “People were warm and supportive and we always appreciate community support wherever we can find it.”
In addition to several firefighters from Hairy Hill in attendance, there were a couple of members from the Willingdon Fire Department and a member from the Vegreville Fire Department in attendance. Proceeds from the event will go into the fire department’s general revenue fund to support the purchase of equipment and supplies.
Credit Union Day In Vegreville
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
Vision Credit Union Vegreville Branch offered their members free Beef on a Bun and a draw to win door prizes, as well as, a free calendar with a donation to Vegreville Food Bank when they celebrated International Credit Union Day on October 19.
When asked about the benefits of working with a Credit Union, Branch Manager Trainee Val Kuzmic replied, “One of the main benefits to being a member is when you phone our credit union, you actually get to speak to one of the staff over here. You are not having to go through any electronic banking or through the main office. We are locally owned and are very member focused where we always provide good customer service.”
After this, Senior Member Service Representative Jennifer Young said another benefit is profit sharing. “We are a cooperative. We are locally owned so the members pay a really small fee to get a share in their credit union. Then the more they invest or the more they take loans, their profit share will grow. Also, once a year, we pay a portion of their profit share in cash.”
The Vision Credit Union pamphlet wrote there is a 100% government backed guarantee on all deposits and, local decision-making for loan and deposits rates.
Irene Talaga Sworn in as Deputy Mayor for Town of Mundare
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Long-time Town of Mundare Councillor Irene Talaga took the Oath of Office to become Deputy Mayor during the annual organizational meeting which was held on Oct. 17.
Talaga will serve in this position until next October. After that, Councillor Danika Brison will serve as Deputy Mayor until October 2025.
During the organizational meeting, appointments to 16 boards, committees and commissions were made with one Councillor serving as a designate and another Councillor serving as an alternate.
Council also named its assessor, lawyer, engineer, and auditor. Colin Zyla and Diane Burtnick will serve as Development Officer. Subdivision Authority is Jane Dauphinee. Members of the Assessment Review Board were also approved.
Council meetings be held on the first and third Tuesday of each month except for July and August which will have one meeting on the first Tuesday and November and December which will only have one meeting on the second Tuesday.
Council remuneration:
Monthly Honorarium
Mayor $302.00
Councillors $227.00
Regular Meeting $196.00
Special Meeting $118.00
Convention/Conference fees
Per Diem full day $190.00
Per Diem ½ Day $132.00
Meals per Day $ 67.00
Meals per ½ day $41.00 or actual cost with receipt
Mileage 0.61 /KM
Registration and Accommodation paid by the Town.
Following the organizational meeting, the regular meeting of council was held. At that time, Chief Administrative Officer Colin Zyla updated council on the drainage issue at Whitetail Cove. It was originally thought the project would cost around $17,000. The tender bids came in at substantially higher rates, ranging from $53,100 to $84,320. Zyla did, however, recommend council accept the lowest tender for the back lot ditch rehabilitation project.
Council unanimously passed the motion to accept the lowest of four tender bids of $53,100 from Land Tec Landscape Contractors Ltd. The project will be funded through Municipal Sustainability Funds which are allocated by the Government of Alberta to municipalities throughout the province.
VCHS Welcomes New Principal Brandon Salyzyn
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
New Principal Brandon Salyzyn started working for a couple of weeks at the end of the 2023 school team by covering a leave at Vegreville Composite High. “I liked doing this because it gave me a bit of a taste of what the school was all about and I was able to meet the people, the students, and the staff. It gave me a chance to see how great a community it is.
This is my first year working as a principal where I took on the position at the beginning of the 2023/2024 school term.”
When asked, Salyzyn said he grew up in, took all his schooling, and currently lives in Fort Saskatchewan. “I have been working to get an agreement with a friend who has a house in Vegreville that I will possibly be staying at.
I had a bunch of really influential teachers who got me into teaching and coaching which is why I became an educator. They helped me to see the impact you can have in your role as an educator.
From a personal standpoint, I have two sisters. Also, I have two nieces and two nephews that keep me occupied and busy. They are at the age where they are just starting school themselves. So, just watching those aha moments and all the fun they have about learning is really neat.
My journey as an educator started with being a substitute teacher. Once I was done my sub time, I did land up landing a job as a teacher for a one year contact and then I had an ongoing contact at another school. I started teaching back in 2007.
I am a physical education major, that is my training but I had the wonderful joy as many teachers do, to get my first job in an area that was outside of my specialty. So, I was teaching automotive which I absolutely loved because it pushed my thinking in an area that I wasn’t used to. You know as teachers, we always talk about always being willing to learn and using that drive to be a lifelong learner. That is what that job forced me to do for about eight or nine years. I just fell in love with the content and hands on learning that Career and Technology Studies (CTS) offers.
This is my ninth year as an administrator.
My goal is to get to know the community at VCHS. All the staff has been wonderful and very welcoming and the kids have been great. My vision is to just continue the great work that has already been started here and to see how I can help to bring my skills to the table to continue that vision, moving forward.”
GIANT Beet
