SEPTEMBER 9, 2020
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Peter Skoreyko’s Drive-By 70th Birthday Celebration Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent Vegreville celebrated a well-known citizen, Peter Skoreyko’s 70th Birthday with a Drive-By or Walk-By Celebration where Peter was seated in the gazebo at the Rotary Rendevous Park in Vegreville on August 29. Then if people wished to come up and speak to Peter, they had to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer. According to the people who have known Peter, they all admitted that he is a well-known person in Vegreville. Karen Streets, Program Coordinator for VALID said Peter has been involved with VALID for almost 40 years. “Peter has done some volunteer work for VALID, he has done some work for us, and he has obtained services from us. Peter is also the Equipment Manager for the Jr. B. Rangers which he volunteers for, he also volunteered for Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) for different functions and groups around Vegreville at events like the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and other community luncheons. As well, he volunteers and works for Pot O Gold. When Streets was asked what was special about Peter, she replied, “Peter is very community-minded, very active in the community, and has been involved in pretty much every form of Special Olympics which has been offered in Vegreville; swimming, bowling, golf, floor hockey, and track and
field. When there were triathlons in Vegreville as part of Special Olympics. Also, he has an excellent sense of humour. He is very caring and outgoing. He is just an all-around good community member.”
Peter Skoreyko at his 70th Birthday Party. (Rosanne Fortier/photo)
Dana Swedgan, Organizer of Peter’s birthday celebration said Peter didn’t want any gifts for his birthday. Instead, people were welcomed to give towards a silver collection for a Bursary Program in Peter’s name called, “Pull Up Your Socks”. “This program is meant for in the future when Peter’s passes away, Peter has created a bursary fund to give to one
Proposed Changes to Dog Bylaw Introduced Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Proposed changes to the Town of Vegreville’s animal (dog) control bylaw were introduced to members of town council at its Aug. 18 legislative committee meeting.
concern for the community. The breeders generally are not a concern. They want to get those puppies sold and out to owners. MacPhee asked if an owner has a lifetime tag would they get a refund if they moved or the dog were to die?
Community Services Director Phil Rowe said the idea is to update and replace the existing bylaw. He said the proposed changes are based on concerns by residents in the community. One of the proposed changes would be to replace the annual permit fee of $35 per dog to a lifetime fee of $325. Rowe said the lifetime fee is based on the average lifespan of a dog which is 10 years. Rowe said the lifetime fee would be a huge saving administratively and more people would use the one-time fee. Mayor Tim MacPhee said two dogs are the norm and if you want more dogs a special permit would have to be approved. The only exception would apply to dog breeders who would be allowed 10 dogs if they are under six months of age. “What we are really trying to limit is the number of people who five or six dogs in their yard that are becoming a
Rowe responded by saying, “We’re not giving a refund say if the dog only lives seven or eight years. We’re not giving a refund because there are some dogs who live until their 12 or 13 years.” Looking at other municipalities dog bylaws, Rowe said 10 years is the average lifespan. The larger breeds live seven to 10 years and 10 to 14 years for smaller breeds. “I can see some pushback from the community on this,” stated MacPhee. “Maybe we won’t get anyone registering their dog? I understand too, there are challenges for the administration about following that every year for the people who didn’t renew their dog license,” he noted. MacPhee said council would need time to digest and review the bylaw. “I can see it will be a contentious issue.” The proposed bylaw is expected to be discussed in more detail at the next legislative committee meeting on Sept. 8 where it will be formally presented to council.
of the hockey players, it doesn’t matter what team they are on between Junior B Rangers or Vegreville Wranglers. The bursary can be used towards the hockey player’s hockey fees in Vegreville. Peter wants to have a yearly bursary towards the most valuable player which will be chosen either between him and the coach or a family member and the coach. We haven’t put it in place when he wants to start giving that bursary out,” Dana said. While the star of the celebration, Peter Skoreyko, said he likes to help out the Junior B Rangers because it makes him feel good and useful. As well, he participated in the Wendy Brook Festival where he earned certificates for performances with Vegreville Readers’ Theatre as well as solo vocal performances and a duet vocal performance with Faith Swedgan. He also earned a bursary for a few of these performances. Peter added he likes to go for walks, swimming, and mingling with people. He also enjoys watching hockey, playing floor hockey, bowling, going fishing, playing golf, watching wrestling, and comedies on television.
