september 16, 2020
www.NewsAdvertiser.com
News Advertiser PAGE 15
Mundare Fire & Rescue Hosts Harvest Dinner
Volunteers Brody Thurston and Rhonda McCarty peel potatoes for the take-out turkey dinner on September 4. (Mundare Fire & Rescue/Submitted Photo)
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Volunteers with Mundare Fire & Rescue hosted its Harvest Dinner on September 4. The $10 take out meal with turkey and all the trimmings was an overwhelming success. Fire Chief Glenda Dales said they dished up 134 meals. “We thought we would reach 100 orders, but orders kept coming in, and we stretched to 134, but finally ran out of everything but potatoes and gravy.” It was the first time the fire department has held a take-out dinner with curbside pick-up, and Dales says they will be better prepared the next time around. In October they plan on serving pork tenderloin. Proceeds from the event are going towards the purchase of an air handling system for the department.
Mental Health at the Forefront of Discussion
Michelle Pinon News Advertiser Mental Health was one of the main issues discussed during the Vegreville RCMP’s community policing report that was presented to town council on Aug. 18. Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee stated that mental health calls are putting a strain on resources with no clear direction, but he is hoping a strategy is brought forward by RCMP and mental health workers. Vegreville RCMP S/Sgt. Terry Hyggen said the division and courts are aware of the need and are looking into how to deliver services and deal with the situation. “There are many things police are dealing with that quite simply aren’t police matters. People who are having a mental health crisis are not creating any criminal offenses for the most part, and we get called to deal with that situation.” Hyggen said they are equipped in one sense if they (people) become violent, but quite often that isn’t the case. Quite often they are struggling with mental health issues and may need counselling, they may need medical assistance, they may need an ear to listen to. And we’re happy to do that, however, we’re not counsellors, we’re not mental health professionals and we’ve been picked to deal with criminal and provincial sets of regulations. “The mental health act is something we have a basic understanding and knowledge of. We are able to make arrests under the mental act if necessary, however, there’s certain stipulations; they have to be a danger to themselves or someone else before we can act. Quite often we have to ask ourselves what is the best course of action for that person. I’ve heard a number of people say we should call a social worker, call probations, call another medical professional. The fact is at two or three in
the morning who in Vegreville is equipped to deal with that person or at two or three in the afternoon for that matter.” MacPhee said they would not want them to respond without some assistance because you never know how bad the situation could get or might be. “I had a family member who was a social worker and I wouldn’t want them dealing with some of the situations on their own even though I realize their expertise would be of great benefit. Some police forces are trying to mandate having combined teams going out and dealing with these situations.” There would be a social worker, police officer, and some medical professionals of some sort, and in the best- case scenario would be a wonderful resource, but it’s going to take resources.” MacPhee sympathized by stating, “I can understand your challenges with it. Hopefully, there’ll be a strategy that comes forward pretty soon from RCMP and health care workers about how this is going to play out because to blame you for something you are always involved in without a lot of training doesn’t make sense to me.” Hyggen responded by saying, “The last thing we want to do is to have to take someone’s freedom away when there is an alternative that’s been brought forward. With that being said, the political will has to be there on a provincial and federal level to try to bring professionals in that are able to circumvent these situations. We will continue to do the best we can. We always have and we will continue to, but sometimes people’s need is more than an officer can provide, and unfortunately, in most of our communities that’s what they get, police officers, right.”
chambers reno - CONTINUED from PAGE 8 Rowe said there would be potential revenue for use of the community meeting room. Mayor Tim MacPhee said they will have to have some time to mull it over before giving any feedback. He said they could use town employees to do the demolition. “I think we can work with this and do the community room first.” He added, “I think we need to look at our financial situation come the end of September and see where we’re at. But we know we will be building a meeting room in that building.”
