April 24 Lamont Leader

Webinar featuring Lamont County Reeve, CAO, discusses impacts of recall petitions

David Diduck says he was embarrassed after getting recall notice from a petitioner he’d never met and for no reason - but reputation put on the line

BY JOHN MATHER

There were a couple of surprise revelations that came out during a webinar:  Recall Act: Impacts of Legislation hosted by Alberta Counsel and featuring Lamont County Reeve David Diduck, and Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky.

At the start of the presentation April 24, Dr. Moin Yahya with Alberta Counsel discussed the technicalities of the legislation and then Diduck and Tarnawsky were brought in for their insights.

The webinar was attended by 75 interested persons, CAOs, and others from around the province

Diduck was the subject of a recall petition to remove him as the County Division 3 Councillor recently. The petition was unsuccessful and did not proceed.

“It has a significant impact on the organization,” said Tarnawsky of the recall legislation. “I had people leave during that period because they didn’t want to be part of what was going on in this community.

“They decided they didn’t appreciate the tone of what was going on with dedicated administrators working hard and the potential of someone to derail the process. Obviously the Reeve was strongly supported.”

He said it was important to communicate with his staff that people have to realize the legislation is a legal process and staff shouldn’t interfere in the process and only participate if they are residents in the division.

Diduck suggested, as written, he felt the legislation should be scrapped. He said people didn’t have to give any reason for a recall and a single person could start the process.

“I have to get at least five signatures to begin my campaigns for council, so I can’t see why a recall petition shouldn’t have a minimum number of signatures to get started as well.”

When he started speaking on the webinar, he said he was very shocked when he was told a petition was under way.

“Basically I was doing what I normally do and I received an email from our CAO telling me a recall petition had been filed against myself.” stated Diduck. “It was filed against me as the Division 3 councillor and not the Reeve. Quite honestly, what runs through your mind is why me and what did I do wrong and who is the petitioner?’

He said when they found out who the petitioner was “quite frankly I had no idea who this individual is.”

“I had never met him and had never received any communications from

him, but suddenly out of the blue he decided he had cause for me to be recalled.”

Diduck said with the way the legislation is written the petitioner didn’t have to give a reason for the recall.

“So essentially I received notice I was being recalled and no reason was given for the recall and you couldn’t even make any assumptions because I had never met the individual.”

He said after he thought about it it was embarrassing to him.

“I’ve lived in Lamont County for 63 years and probably know about 75 per cent of the residents of the County,” he said. “I’ve been on council for six years and all of a sudden your reputation is put on the line.”

“You still have to function on your council, function in your community, but you’re placed on the front page of the newspaper.

“You have to continue to function yet the reputational harm was fairly far reaching.”

He added he was chair of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and you have to deal with it on an ongoing basis.

He said he read up on the legislation as outlined in the Municipal Government Act and he acknowledged the petition was legitimate.

But still, he said, you had to do damage control.

“You talk to people on your staff, people you work with and community residents. You try to indicate you’re not aware of anything you did wrong.”

He said he still didn’t know what he might have done wrong to have the petition levelled against him and he feels that is a flaw with the legislation as it is currently written.

“If someone is going to be recalled, and I do feel there is merit for recall, but I think a reason for the recall should have to be provided.”

He added that for the 60 days that the petition was circulating it weighs very heavily on you.

“You’re thinking, I ran for council to represent the people not only of my division, but as Reeve of the entire County,” he said. “You still go about your job but you’re wondering why this is happening.”

He said he didn’t know how many signatures were received but “to this day, I haven’t talked to anyone who signed it.”

Tarnawsky said he found the process interesting.

“I had no basis to inform the Reeve until seven days later,” he said when it was determined the petition was valid.

The Reeve, he said, was the second email after the Minister of Municipal Affairs, when he received notice of the petition. Continued on Page 15

Lamont County Reeve David Diduck said there is a flaw in the recall legislation when one person can cause so much reputational damage and the accused has no idea what they may have done wrong.

Volunteers get high praise by FCSS

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Four events, taking place in Bruderheim, Lamont, Andrew and Mundare, Apr. 15-18, were held by the Lamont County FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) and Kalyna Family Resource Network (KFRN) to give thanks and praise to the many volunteers who help out their communities each year.

Each event encompassed a dinner as well as a ‘mind magic’ show with Canadian Mentalist Louis Pezzani.

Lamont County Community Services Manager/FCSS Director Sara Rindero said Volunteer Appreciation is a national event that is important to celebrate in small communities.

“Volunteer Appreciation is a national event,

and we love bringing it to all the communities within Lamont County; volunteers are the heart of communities,” said Rindero. “I loved this year - to see the youth attending. It is important for the younger generations to become volunteers and keep the cycle if giving back to the community. We are also extremely grateful to our sponsors including

Cenovus Energy, Enbridge, Volunteer Alberta and Servus Credit Union for the continued support.” Chipman also helped with support.

Lamont County Reeve David Diduck echoed Rindero’s statement, and also had praise for FCSS.

“FCSS, Lamont County Region, is to be commended for hosting four very successful Volunteer Appreciation Nights in the Village of Andrew, Town of Bruderheim, Town of Lamont, and Town of Mundare,” he said.

“The appreciation nights were well attended in each community by county and urban volunteers. To all volunteers, a sincere ‘Thank you’; You make our communities strong and vibrant.”

Guests fill their plates and find their way back to their seats during the Volunteer Appreciation event in Mundare Apr. 18. Photo: Darlene Onushko.

Attendees share a good laugh during the 'Mindful Magic' show in Lamont during their Volunteer Appreciation event Apr. 17. Photo: Darlene Onushko.

Magician Louis Pezzani dazzles a group of ladies with his magic skills in Andrew on Apr. 15.

Photo: Darlene Onushko

Opinion

NDP leadership about to get serious… and interesting

BY JOHN MATHER

This is the week the serious rubber hits the road in the race to the provincial NDP leadership.

Firstly membership sales have been put to bed. Now it’s time to count them up. If rumours and speculation are to be believed, Naheed Nenshi, the former Calgary mayor has sold enough to essentially clinch the nomination on the first ballot in June.

Party insider Keith McNaughton feels the number of memberships that will fill the party wheelbarrow range anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000.

That’s a far cry from the 16,224 they had at the end of 2023.

What isn’t known is how many of these members are serious socialists. Some may have been infiltrated by that rascally Take Back Alberta group everyone on the left fears so much.

So party brass are now going to take some time to vet the new membership to ensure as best they can there are no disruptors possibly joining the orange wave.

We can expect the final numbers of eligible voters in the leadership by mid-May.

Also this week the first debate amongst the leadership candidates takes place in Lethbridge tomorrow (April 25).

Lethbridge is an area that is home to an NDP MLA and also a UCP MLA.

So it makes sense to kick off the campaign battles in this area where there could be minds to be swayed.

It’s become increasingly obvious from the past few elections Alberta has become a two-party political system with the UCP and NDP in an ongoing battle for public support and thereby MLA seats in the Legislature.

A few years ago there was a Liberal Party and Alberta Party provincially along with a hand basket of fringe parties depending on what year it was and how strong discontent was with Ottawa.

The benefit of this was for people who didn’t want to veer extreme left or extreme right could park their vote with one of the centralist small parties.

CONTINUED

Sometimes both the Liberals and Alberta Party elected MLAs.

While never enough to provide a total balance of power, it did provide some balance when it came to discussing policy in the Legislature without getting totally bogged down in outright partisan ship.

Recently the Alberta Party chose a new leader, not surprisingly out of Calgary, but the party has a lot of work to do to become relevant again.

On the West of Centre podcast last week, NDP strategists Cheryl Oates, Keith McNaughton, and Toronto Star Calgary correspondent Alex Boyd discussed the campaign and one described Alberta politics as “a three-legged stool.”

That she said was Calgary, Edmonton and rest of Alberta forming the legs.

There’s something to that and the NDP knows they must work to get support in that third leg… the rest of Alberta.

We know they have Edmonton locked up under Notley, and have made inroads into Calgary. Whether that will remain the same under a new leader is yet to be seen.

So the NDP is cleverly hosting its first debate in a split “rest of Alberta” riding.

“I think it's interesting that they're going to rural areas because making a pitch out-

side of the cities is going to be such a critical part of this campaign if this is a party that wants to be successful outside of a leadership campaign,” said Oates.

Two other debates will be held in Calgary (May 11) and Edmonton (June 2).

Candidate Kathleen Ganley is pushing to have three additional debates, in rural area, in Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and Grande Prairie

Now in the said podcast it was remarked that possibly one or two candidates in the current five-person race will drop out after the first debate.

McNaughton feels that one candidate, whom he refused to name, would throw their support behind one of the other candidates.

He further added that if the party foresees a Nenshi coronation through the leadership, an anybody but Nenshi movement could start to be built.

In this scenario it would be Nenshi versus Sarah Hoffman because those two candidates are polar opposites with Nenshi being perceived as closer to the centre, while Hoffman is a true lefty.

So will Gil McGown, head of the Alberta Federation of Labour, be the one to throw his backers to Hoffman.

If so, that could make for a very interesting leadership race.

BY HAZEL ANAKA

I don’t know about you but I think if it’s going to be overcast and dreary, we should have something to show for it--like rain, perhaps. I’m sure that at one time you’ve uttered those immortal words, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” And whoever you directed the comment at probably joined you in a knowing chuckle. Would it surprise you to know that everyone says that about everywhere? Through my YouTube channel, I’ve gotten to know people across the United States and Canada, and even some beyond that. The weather is, without question, the common thing on people’s minds. On Thursday evening I was part of an online chat. During it, some had to take cover because a tornado was in the vicinity. The consensus was that

FROM WHERE I SIT: Forever thus

they usually never start this early in the year.

Over the last several months, I’ve heard fellow YouTubers and chat people complain about snow, cold, rain without ceasing, temps already in the high 80s suddenly dropping 20 degrees from one day to the next. Nothing like running the A/C during the day and furnace at night. It seems to me that you don’t have to be a farmer or someone dependent on the vagaries of the weather to have it materially impact your mood

and sense of well-being. People who suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) brought on by the short days in winter need light therapy to feel and function better. You and I are either buoyed or dragged down by what is happening around us.

We see sunlight and feel good… unless it’s day 7 of a heat wave and we haven’t had a good night’s sleep in ages. We see the sky darken and pray for rain for crops and gardens…. unless we had an outdoor event

planned… then could it possibly hold off until tomorrow, please? Most of us tend to curse the wind especially in spring but love it during harvest when it keeps the dew off the swaths. I have a friend in California who’s adding a pair of goats to the menagerie already on their small property. In the pictures she sent I asked what that tall, luscious green stuff was under the baby’s stroller and in the goat’s pen? She laughed and said it would be golden by mid-

May. California has become synonymous with pervasive drought conditions and wildfires tearing through the state.

I was thinking about CTV’s senior meteorologist Josh Classen the other day. How much do you have to love weather forecasting to do it day in and day out for more than twenty years? I met him years ago at a charity fundraiser and based on that short encounter, I’d say he’s as pleasant and easy-going as he appears on TV. He visits grade five classes in

From the files of The Lamont Leader

May 27, 2014 Lamont Leader: Shell’s Community Clean-up Crew were on hand with Lamont Health Care Centre representatives as the group cleaned up the courtyard at the LHCC on Friday, May 23 as part of the company’s Day of Caring Program. Hospital representatives (front) CEO Harold James, board members Mae Adamyk and Linda Mills pose with greenthumb Blanche Thomson for the event.

Edmonton schools to quiz them on weather conditions and invariably declare them weather geniuses. I’m no science geek but I truly can’t imagine looking at radar, charts, predictions, historic averages, and everything else that goes into forecasting weather. It’s important work, no doubt because we all have a weather app on our phones. It helps us decide clothing choices for the day or whether we should stay home to ride out the blizzard. We’ve come a long way from that old guy on Global (ITV) who used a cane - or was it an umbrella - to point to the hand-drawn diagrams of highs, lows, vortexes. One of the features I like most is the comparative data to previous years, record highs and lows, and the length of particular stretches of hot or cold. It helps me keep things in perspective.

Know this. No matter who we are or where on the planet we live, everyone else is just as discontented with their current state of weather affairs. They wish it was hotter, colder, drier, wetter, calmer, less humid. And, it will be forever thus, from where I sit.

Relief for mayor and council as additional provincial funding for Bruderheim reservoir expansion approved

Council refuses to examine letter submitted by resident with concerns around CAO

JANA SEMENIUK

Bruderheim town councillors were breathing a sigh of relief during their Apr. 17 council meeting after Chief Administrative Officer Phyllis Forsyth announced the approval of provincial funding to support the Town’s recent nearly $5 million reservoir expansion project.

The project broke ground in Oct. and is expected to be complete this year.

The reservoir expansion was the subject of several council debates as the cost to the Town was more than anticipated. Original estimates to expand the reservoir came in at $4.4 million last year and this amount was used to apply for provincial funding.

A grant for 68 percent of the cost was approved at just over $3 million last Apr. to support the project and left the Town with a bill for $1.4 million.

This amount changed to $1.8 million a few months later, when tenders for the project came in at $4.9 million.

To offset the shortfall, a borrowing bylaw of $1.8 million was proposed in Dec. and passed third reading in Apr. The bylaw would, in the worst-case scenario if no other funding were approved, have increased property taxes for each home, valued at $250,000, by at least $200 per year for the next 30 years. With the recent grant increase approval, the Town is on the hook for less.

“Our required borrowing today, looks like $1.181 million. So, the annual payment would be $80,000 for the Town,” said Forsyth.

“Over the 30 years for houses valued at $250,000 it would be $128 per year. And we do have some more meetings coming up and we are looking still, at other

ways of getting funding.”

Mayor Karl Hauch said: “Thank you very much for that update. That’s welcome news.”

Meanwhile, a letter submitted at the Apr. 3 council meeting to town council members containing concerns and allegations against Bruderheim’s CAO by resident Andy Styles was not on the agenda for the Apr. 17 meeting as promised.

Councillors Arlie Young and George Campbell requested an in-camera session to discuss the letter as soon as it was received Apr. 3., however Mayor Karl Hauch refused to consider the idea and said the council needed time to look it over.

“We're going to take that as information and we will look at it at the next meeting,” said Hauch, without taking a vote to do so.

Councillor Campbell requested that CAO Forsyth include the letter as an item on the next agenda.

“I’d like to make sure that my request is in the minutes for our next meeting that we re-visit this letter,” he said.

While the letter was not on the agenda, a closed session near the end of the Apr. 17 meeting was. One motion was made after the in-camera session by councillor Dayna Jacobs.

“I motion that administration apply for grants to pay for a facilitator that might be able to bring council back to a diverse group of individuals with a desire to serve the residents of Bruderheim,” she said.

Mayor Hauch added: “I just want to say I look forward to our council being able to move forward and get past the divisiveness that we’ve had in the past little while,” he said. The motion was carried.

In a later interview,

Styles said he was disappointed the letter was not dealt with. He said he was motivated to look

into Forsyth’s previous employment after allegations recently surfaced.

Forsyth was a CAO in

Redcliff, where she was terminated without cause three weeks before being hired in Bruderheim last May.

“I decided to google who she was,” he said.

Continued on Page 11

Office of municipal affairs begins preliminary review of Lamont County

BY JANA SEMENIUK Lamont County Chief Administrative Officer

Peter Tarnawsky provided an update during the Apr. 9 council meeting, on the status of a municipal inspection petition that was handed into the office of municipal affairs on Feb. 12.

A group of Lamont County ratepayers, who said they are upset with the governance of the county because of items including inflated staffing costs, changes to the land use bylaw and dishonesty, collected signatures from 20 percent of the county’s population of 3,754 hoping to spur a municipal inspection on the county.

Once the petition was determined valid, with 844 signatures confirmed of the 903 collected, the

minister’s office said a preliminary review into the petitioners’ concerns would be launched before a decision on proceeding with a full municipal inspection would be made.

“He (Minister Ric McIver) has asked ministry staff to conduct a preliminary review into the concerns expressed by the petitioner to provide context for the minister’s decision,” said Tarnawsky.

“Interviews will be held with the petitioner representatives, councillors and administration staff.”

Tarnawsky said a response was sent to the minister’s office indicating that they received the minister’s letter and that Lamont County Council and administration will

New Alberta RCMP app for crime information

BY JOHN MATHER

Two Hills RCMP are hoping that residents within their area wanting to share and receive crime information will download a new RCMP app.

“Reporting crime, providing updates and stats are what we do as a community to stop criminals in their tracks,” said Sgt. David Henry. The Alberta RCMP mobile app ensures our community can access accurate information quickly and in a way that is convenient and accessible.

The Alberta RCMP App, he added, can be used to easily report non-emergency crimes. By reporting non-emergency crimes through the app you help keep the RCMP informed about crime in your com-

munity, while also ensuring that frontline members can focus on emergencies.

The platform also provides the public with access to: detachment locations, crime stats, project lock up mapping, crime mapping, crime stoppers, Alberta RCMP news, Alberta RCMP social media accounts, mental health support in Alberta, and partner law enforcement services in Alberta.

To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the free Alberta RCMP app.

Local residents can also report non-emergency crimes directly at the Two Hills detachment or by calling the non-emergency line at 780-657-2820.

‘fully cooperate with ministry staff as required to enable this preliminary review’.

Reeve David Diduck further confirmed that each interviewee was afforded a 45 min time slot to speak with municipal affairs.

“And from my understanding, there's no writ-

ten submissions or documentary that can go with it, it’s just a verbal interview,” he said.

Tarnawsky said the last day for interviews was Apr. 19 but did not indicate when municipal affairs may have a decision on whether a full-on municipal inspection will proceed.

Mundare resident up for first year teaching award at Tofield

BY JOHN MATHER

Tofield School teacher, Kaden Doerksen from Mundare, is the Battle River School District nominee for the prestigious Edwin Parr Teacher Award described as an award that “recognizes exceptional Kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers who positively influence students.”

The award was established in 1964 after Parr’s passing to honour the significance of exceptional first year teachers within his own school division.

From Zone four, in which RSD is located, six nominees are selected.

“I felt extremely honoured and it almost came as a shock to me,” said Doerksen. “It was sort of out of the blue and I felt I was doing good in my first year of teaching.”

Doerksen grew up in the Mundare area on an acreage just south on Highway 855 south of Highway 16.

“It takes me about 25 minutes to get to Tofield in the morning, but a lot of my colleagues travel from Edmonton which takes them 40 minutes, so I say I’m beating them.”

Doerksen graduated from Grade 8 at Mundare School and then attended high school in Vegreville.

Having attended school in a rural setting makes him much more attuned to the Tofield setting in which he finds himself teaching.

“I would say it makes a big difference,” he said. “Just being a part of a small community makes you really understand being part of that community.

“It gives you a bit of an edge with the students because you know what they are going through, growing up with their peers their entire lives.

“If you’re in a larger

city you don’t really know everybody so you just kind of go through your day and you can’t make as many relationships as you can in a smaller community.”

Doerksen was nominated for the award by Tofield School principal Zenovia Lazaruik.

“Mr. Doerksen is a student-centred teacher who has been a welcome addition to Tofield School and to the division,” said Lazaruik. “He is passionate about everything he teaches, especially math, and he shows perpetual dedication and commitment to the teaching profession and to his students.”

Doerksen has totally immersed himself in the school activities including outside the classroom.

“When I was in high school I also attended a baseball academy and then I attended a year of college in the U.S. on a

baseball scholarship.

“I have experience in athletics so I'm passionate about sports and math.”

“I coached volleyball, and then coached the senior high basketball team and I just finished up coaching bad-

Lukawesky, Oleatha Lillian Emma

minton.”

He is also a coach with the Under 15 age group playing Tofield Minor Baseball.

He has 14 students on his team and he teaches about nine of them.

“It’s a good way for me to make new relation-

Oleatha was raised on the family farm in the community of Bruderheim, Alberta. She married Peter Lukawesky on February 23, 1956.

ships with the students in the community, some whom I may teach down the road,” he said.

While primarily a math teacher, he also teaches a high school phys-ed course this year.

Continued on Page 10

Born September 13, 1932 to George and Emma Maschmeyer,

Christina Edward Lukawesky, Parker Tansley, and Crew Tansley.

Funeral will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Bruderheim on April 27, 2024 at 2 P.M.

9914 - 103 St. Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Phone: 780-998-1422

Oleatha was predeceased by her husband Peter, as well as her brothers Douglas and Dennis Maschmeyer. She was the loving mother to her son Gary (Linda) Lukawesky of Devon and daughter Debra (Peter) Tansley of Sherwood Park. Oleatha is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Mark Lukawesky of Edmonton, Devyn (Daniel) Oliver of Candler, North Carolina, Jason Tansley (Tess York) of Victoria, BC, and Mikenna Tansley of Sherwood Park. She was proud of her great grandchildren

BY JOHN MATHER

Emerance Maschmeyer had a 35-save shutout and Brianne Jenner had her first hat trick of the season to lead Ottawa to a 4-0 victory over Minnesota on April 20 in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

It was Maschmeyer’s first start for Ottawa since her Canadian National squad won gold medals at the World Women’s Hockey Championships in Utica, New York a week earlier.

It also marked her second shut out in her last three starts for Ottawa.

Jenner opened the scoring for Ottawa late in the first period and then added a second early in the second frame.

Ashton Bell gave Ottawa a 3-0 lead midway through period two. Jenner netted her hat trick late in the third period.

During a five on three power play for Minnesota in the third period, players blitzed Maschmeyer who stood tall making six saves during that power play alone.

In all, Maschmeyer turned away 35 shots in getting the win and was named the game’s first star.

Ottawa plays Boston at home tonight April 24 and then will host

Montreal April 27, and then will travel to New York for a game on April 30.

Holden, Viking and Tofield 4-H Clubs invite you to the BEAVER DISTRICT 4-H Show & Sale

Monday, April 29, 2024 @ the Holden Complex

Female Show @ 10:00 am

Steer Show @ 1:00 pm

Concession Open for Lunch

* Sheep project demonstration during intermission

Market Eggs show @ 4:30 pm

Supper @ 5:30 pm

Sale starts @ 7:00 pm

Prices for supper:

Adults (13+) - $20

Youth - $15 (6-12 & registered 4-H members)

5 years & under FREE. *Cash only

Contact: Matthew Spruyt 780-878-8460 for more information.

Wheat:

CWRS

CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option -In demand by milling and ethanol industries

Yellow Peas:

CDC Canary - Improved standability

-Early maturity

-Higher Yielding

Faba Beans:

CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin

- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop

6-Row Feed Barley:

AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight

- Smooth awned

-High grain and forage yield

2-Row Malt Barley:

CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies

Bruderheim professional hockey star

Emerance Maschmeyer

Bruderheim Lions hand out nearly $10,000 at volunteer event

BY JANA SEMENIUK

While volunteers were being praised with dinner and a magic show during the Lamont County FCSS (Family and Community Support Services) volunteer appreciation events last week, one local group took the opportunity to present several large monetary donations.

Bruderheim Lions Club President Don Dreichel told the Lamont Leader that they handed out at least 10 donations

Teacher award

Continued from Page 8

“I’m open to anything that keeps me working with the students.”

For Doerksen the joy of teaching is when he sees “the aha moment” when a concept clicks with a student and when that happens, “I feel I’ve done something corrective and that feels really good to me.

“I don’t know what it

during the Apr. 16 volunteer appreciation event in Bruderheim, amounting to nearly $10,000.

“We gave close to $10,000. We did amazing at the concession and bingos (this year). A lot of hard work. We need more volunteers and then we can raise more money,” said Dreichel.

“It’s been a good year for us. We are going to do the concession at the arena next year. Everybody enjoys the

is, but it brings me joy,” he said. “If I can do my best to help them then I feel I’ve done a good job.

“After all, those students are our future.”

He said he likes the school schedule and environment. He gives credit to his colleagues for giving him support throughout the school year.

“The first year can be a wild card and you just don’t know what’s going to happen on a day-to-

Lions there.”

Recipients included; STARS Air Ambulance

$1,000, Bruderheim School Hot Lunch program/Bus to swim

$2,500, Lions Club Dog Guides $500, Alberta/BC Dog Training guides

$500, Bruderheim AG

Society $500, Bruderheim Communities in Bloom $750, Bruderheim Youth Council $500, Lamont Community Health

Centre $1,000, Shiloh Youth Ranch $500, and

day basis and thanks to them being so supportive has made my year so successful.”

On May 27, he will have a dinner with his principal and the other nominees from Zone 4. From that event a winner from the Zone is selected and then the final winner from across five provincial zones is presented at the Alberta School Board Association’s fall meeting.

County of Lamont Food Bank $1,500.

Dreichel said local Bruderheim resident Brent Ratzloff who suffers with PTSD, recently received got a guide dog after waiting a year.

Dreichel said Ratzloff is now in training with his new guide dog.

Meanwhile, Dreichel said the Lions will be hosting an open house for potential new members but a date has not yet been decided.

Bruderheim

Continued from Page 6

“When it came to this current town council meeting, the letter was not even tabled for discussion from what I could see. I was looking for our elected town council to do due dili-

gence to either prove or disprove what I wrote and act upon it accordingly.”

Styles added that he received a letter from Forsyth’s lawyer in Calgary ‘asking me to cease and desist or face the possibility of a defamation lawsuit’.

Mayor Karl Hauch would not comment on why the letter was not included in the Apr. 17 agenda or if it would be revisited at a later time.

Bruderheim’s next town meeting is scheduled for May 8 at 7 p.m. online or in person at the town fire hall.

to schedule your free quote!

SNOW GOOSE STOPOVER

The Snow Goose Festival might be in Tofield this coming weekend, however thousands of the birds were visiting the area between Mundare and Hilliard on Sunday. According to reports, the Snow Geese thought Lamont County was a gorgeous area of Alberta and they make it a yearly stop-over as some continued their flights to northern Alberta.

Photo: Sylvia McDonald

COMING EVENT

Grand Opening Centex, Tofield Wednesday, May 1st, 2024 from 10 am - 2 pm 5102 - 50 St.

Purchase $20 in-store to enter to win a TV! Spin to win prizes. Hot food deal in-store!

Draw for TV @ 2 pm.

________________________ Spring Clean Up at the Viking Museum. Volunteers appreciated. Lunch will be provided. Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 (if needed). Please bring rakes, gloves, shears, and anything else needed for outdoor clean-ups, plus pails, brooms, etc., for indoors.

________________________

FIREARMS WANTED

COMING EVENTS

The VGC board would like to invite you to our Annual General Meeting of the Viking and Area Gymkhana Club on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 pm at the Viking Rodeo Grounds. We are in desperate need of volunteers for the board this year. Without volunteers, the club could possibly not go this year.

________________________ Viking Historical Society will be having a Spaghetti Supper on Thursday, April 25 at the Viking Legion Hall from 5 - 7 pm. Please join us for spaghetti and all the fixin's, including beverages and dessert. Adults $15. Children 12 & Under $10. Everyone welcome.

________________________ Soup, Sandwich & Sweets Friday, April 26th, 2024 11 am - 1 pm

Everyone welcome! $10 at the door, take out & gluten free options available.

Tofield Golden Club, 5004-54 Ave, Tofield, AB.

For Our 2024 Auction Program: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609, Email Us sales@switzersauction.com www.switzersauction.com.

FOR RENT

For Rent in Viking: Four bedroom home. $1100/month. Detached garage also available. Ph/Text: (403) 461-4350

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Townhouse for Rent in Viking 3 bedroom 1.5 bath. Call for more info 780-385-5287

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For Rent in Viking: 3 bedroom house; 2 bathrooms; washer/dryer. Available immediately. Call 403-4614350

FOR SALE

Tractors For Sale

-1951 International Farmall

MD - Restored

-1936 International W30Restored

-1961 Minneapolis Moline 5 Star - Restored with new rubber -1981 Massey Ferguson 255Good shape with ezee-on loader -Buler Snow Blower 78” with hydraulic shoot (used once) Call Norman at 780-385-8814

FOR SALE

Swath Grazing, Green Feed, Silage, Oats, Barley & Triticale variety seed available. Call Bill at 780-7643966

WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 25. One-time fuel charge: $150 - 200. Crystal Springs. 403-820-0961. Quality guaranteed.

LAND FOR SALE

80 acres - 50 cultivated, 30 in bush. Andrew Area. NE 1/2 of 10-57-17-W4. 780.991.0820

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

Registered Red & Black Angus bulls for sale. Call 780-986-9088

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Registered Polled Hereford bulls, yearlings, and two-year olds.

Moderate birth weights, docility, calving ease, good milking dams, guaranteed breeders. Reasonably priced.

PMD Polled Herefords Paul Dinisyk 780-336-2675

Cell 780-336-5157.

SEED FOR SAL

BARLEY – * NEW-AB Standswell* Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Esma, Sundre. WHEAT –Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS –Very Early Yellow Pea Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-556-2609.

SEED FOR SALE

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888483-8789.

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WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252.

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FORAGE SEED FOR SALE:

Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

HEALTH

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1844-453-5372.

SERVICE

RJM Electrical. Ron Malowany, Mundare. ronmalowany@yahoo.com. 780-888-1130

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LS Construction Specializing in Small Home & Office Renovations Inter-Provincial Carpenter "No job too smallwe'll do what the big companies won't!" 780-385-4455

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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.

____________________ SERVICES

Recall unfair

Continued from front

“I had a lot of sympathy for the Reeve because he found himself in the position of being guilty without having a chance to prove himself innocent,” said Tarnawsky.

“I think he found himself in a situation where anything he said to defend himself added to the interest in the petition, so it’s a little bit unnerving.”

He felt a flaw in the legislation was that there was no provision to determine if the recall was warranted, adding the Minister had asked for their feedback and this was something they could address.

He said perhaps there could be a “broker” in Municipal Affairs who could determine

whether a petition was legitimate, adding he had no problems with the recall legislation being used if warranted.

He added it put a lot of pressure on the CAO because he suddenly was working for the Minister, yet he’s the sole employee of council.

“It can be a little uncomfortable,” he said.

“CAOs should seek advice or third party support early because it’s certainly unnerving.”

He said nothing was ever submitted to administration on the petition.

He added his staff had a spreadsheet developed, tax rolls and assessment rolls ready to compare the validity of the signatures, “but we didn’t have to go there.”

When asked if his relationship with council was impacted by the petition, Diduck said

he’d worked with three members for six years and one for the past two years and all were supportive of him.

“I think they were as baffled as I was when they were notified of the recall against me,” he said.

He said he had written the minister stating if a recall was to go forward the petitioner must be able to state a sound reason for it.

“You should have evidence of any wrongdoing and possibly a documentation trial that can be followed,” he said. “And then someone in the Minister’s office should review it for validity.

“I don’t think the legislation was put in place to meet the agenda of a single petitioner and allow the recall of a councillor for no reason at all.”

APRIL 27-28, 2024

FEATURED PROPERTIES FOR SALE LAMONT COUNTY

• 5119 - 48 Ave, 4712 - 51 St, 5121 - 48 Ave, & 5116 - 47 Ave Lamont AB. 5,800 sq ft shop on with additional 3 fenced lots across the back alley from the shop property. Shop was used for agricultural machinery repair. All properties must be bought together. Price $650,000

• W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use. Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price $2,990,000

A celebration of spring migration at Beaverhill Lake!

Tofield & Beaver County Headquarters in Tofield Arena. Concession on-site.

Guided Tours: $25/adults, $10/youth, $60/family of 4

2- and 3-hour bus tours to see the snow geese, or 3-hour hikes into BBO ( Beaverhill Bird Observatory)

Trade Show – Free admission to public! Participating displays and vendors:

Meika’s Birdhouse Ellis Bird Farm Goat & Gopher Cards’n Stu

The Sour Moose Inc. Royal Alberta Museum Beaverhill Bird Observatory

Tranont (with Glitter Tatoos) Beaver Hills Biosphere Claystone Waste Ltd. Sierra Club Canada Fnd. Ducks Unlimited Canada

Alberta NAWMP Partnership

WILDNorth Wildlife Rescue & Rehab Nature Alberta – FREE Kids Activities

Ab Fish & Wildlife (Dr. Margo Pybus)

J. Janelle/W. Olson (Bison Books)

Backyard Birds Nature Shop – Owl Pellet Dissection Activity and Nesting Wreath Activity

Free Speaker Sessions: Sat. and Sun in Tofield Arena Meeting Room Sat. Noon: Impact of Avian Flu on Waterfowl Dr. Margo Pybus, Wildlife Disease Specialist, Ab Fish and Wildlife. Sat. 1:30 pm Snow Goose Management issues Mark Boyce, Prof of Ecology, Univ of Alberta Sun. Noon: 40 years of monitoring at the Beaverhill Bird Observatory Jon Von Arragon, Assistant Biologist, Beaverhill Bird Observatory Sun. 1:30 pm Remarkable Recovery of the Trumpeter Swan Nick Carter, Professional Writer, Photographer and Naturalist

Saturday Banquet, Speaker & Silent Auction: $50/person at Tofield Community Hall Guest Speaker: Geoff Holroyd (Chair, Beaverhill Bird Observatory) “Swallows – the 21st Century’s Canaries in the Coal Mine: Case Study of Tree Swallows in central Alberta” *Catered Meal by A-1 Catering. *Casual entertainment: Jenn Guiton (local singer and musician) *Silent Auction with proceeds to the Snow Goose Festival. ** Purchase tickets by April 26

For event details, and to purchase tour ckets, visit: www.snowgoosefes val.ca

Contact Town of Tofield: 780-662-3269

• W4-18-53-24-SW Plan 0826481 Block 2 Lot 1 a mile North of HWY 16 on RR 181. 5.02 acres yard site in Lamont County. Utilities at the property line. Price $40,000

STRATHCONA COUNTY

• SW Part of NW –23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property. Price $7,200,000

• Parts of SW and SE -7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price $5,100,000

Lauren Hill Steven Hill Norman Hill

Lamont County –Off-Site Levy Bylaw Open House

MAY –Meals in Motion MENU

For information as it relates to Heartland Infrastructure, attend the Lamont County Open House for the Off-site Levy Bylaw on April 30 via drop in style, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Lamont Arena Meeting Room (4844 48 Avenue, Lamont). For more information, see: lamontcounty.ca/news. First reading of the bylaw was introduced to Council at the April 9 meeting.

Bruderheim Community Pancake Breakfast

May 4 and May 11 from 8-11 a.m. ($10 a plate. Kids under 6 free!) Sponsored by Bruderheim Senior Centre.

RFP - Lamont County Fire Service Master Plan

Lamont County Emergency Services is seeking a Request for Proposal for the Fire Service Master Plan. See: https://www.lamontcounty.ca/public-tenders

Easing the Burden of Loss & Grief –April 30

ii i

To order, call Crissy at 780-975-9592 or FCSS at 780-895-2233 Ext 223. $7.00 per meal. Meal options are posted on the Lamont County website (https://lamontcounty.ca/community-programming) and includes four meal options each week (pickup/delivery is every two weeks. Please order the Thursday before: Week 1 by April 25, Week 2 by May 9, and Week 3 by May 23

This Week’s Featured Noxious Weed: White Cockle

Happy #WeedAwarenessWednesday Lamont County Each week, from from April - September we feature prohibited noxious weeds for awareness. If you find it, report it! See our social media accounts or the QR Code

CALC - Firearms Course (non-restricted)

The next Canadian Firearms Safety Course (non-restricted) in partnership with Community Adult Learning Council (CALC), is May 25 ($140 at Bruderheim Fire Hall, 9 a.m.). Available for ages 12 years’ & older. Call or text Dan at 825-429-5209 to register.

The annual Year in Review is now published on the Lamont County website. Access this at lamontcounty.ca/ departments/communications or lamontcounty.civicweb.net/ filepro/documents/?preview=33916

Bullarama Supreme!

Lamont and District Agricultural Society Bullarama Supreme: May 4, Gates open at 4 p.m. Advance tickets online at lamontagsociety.com

It

Lamont Elementary School – Community Blanket Exercise

Free Bannock and Babysitting at an evening honouring First Nations, Métis and Inuit history to learn more about Indigenous history and perspective. May 2 from 6-8 p.m. at Lamont Elementary School. Register at forms.gle/RfnLQ8N2sbsCZiTG6

Information session on the benefits of end-of-life planning and a quick overview of what to expect and how to support someone who is grieving: April 30 from Noon to 3 p.m. (lunch provided) at the St. Michael’s Senior Centre. Sessions include: “Your Life, Your Legacy” and the “ABC’s of Grief”. For more information see the poster at lamontcounty.ca/communityprogramming. Call 780-895-2233 Ext. 223 or Michelle.A@lamontcounty.ca to register. –

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Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman

(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming or call 780-895-2233 for info. or registration). Some of the current CALC, FCSS & KFRN include:

1. Parents and Tots (Andrew: Thurs. & Lamont: Wed.).

2. Benefits and Supports for Older Adults contact michelle.a@lamontcounty.ca

3. CALC: Firearms Safety Course (non-restricted) – May 25 in Bruderheim.

Lamont County Year in Review – Annual Update pyppy

4. CALC: Digital Skills Workshops (Andrew and Mundare); Creating Family Connections; Kitchens; and English-Language Learner programs, contact Cheryl B. at 780-895-233 x233 or Cheryl.B@lamontcounty.ca for more info.

5. FCSS Volunteer Income Tax Program – Contact FCSS at 780-895-2233 x226.

6. FLEX for Boys and True2U for Girls (weekly).

7. Youth Centre: Bruderheim, Chipman and Mundare (weekly).

8. Easing the Burden of Loss & Grief – April 30. To register and more information, contact michelle.a@lamontcounty.ca

9. Grief Support Group (weekly).

10. Yoga for Older Adults (Lamont, 8 wk. program: Mar. 19 to May 7) contact michelle.a@lamontcounty.ca or 780-895-2233 x223 for info.

11. Youth Coalition for more info contact Erin.B@lamontcounty.ca

12. Meals in Motion: MAY Menu. Call Chrissy to order at 780-975-9592.

13. Connecting Generations (April 26).

14. Family Activity Night – Andrew (April 24).

15. 2024 Summer Employment Opportunity

address on file with Lamont County to receive your 2023 tax notices & other correspondence, and to avoid potential late payment penalties related to mail delivery. New & current landowners should contact us to ensure your correct MAILING ADDRESS is on file (especially if you moved in the past year). Ensure your address is correct.

Road Closures for Spring and Summer Activities

Access current monthly services & programs information scan the QR code or for FCSS, CALC and KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages: | FCSS: FCSSlamontcountyregion | KFRN: groups/1922602184662497 | CALC: LamontCountyAdultLearns |

Note: Lamont County currently has a Fire Restriction in effect. See: lamontcounty.ca/ news (Apr. 11) for more information.

For more information, scan the QR code or visit lamontcounty.ca/community-programming

To complete annual maintenance activities, Public Works and Agricultural Services update any road closures at lamontcounty.ca/news and lamontcounty.ca/roads - Current Closures (Road and Bridge) for all road closures and openings. Updates are also posted on Lamont County social media accounts (Facebook and X/Twitter).

| CALC/FCSS/KFRN: 1-877-895-2233 | 5303-50 Ave. Lamont, AB T0B 2R0 |

2024 Weed Inspections

Agriculture Services starts its annual weed inspection and pest control shortly. Watch for Lamont County branded vehicles doing their mandated inspections (related to the Alberta Agricultural Pests and Weed Control Acts). If you have any concerns, contact Ag. Services.

Spring Vehicle Safety - Farm Vehicles on Roads and Highways

Watch for larger (and slow-moving) vehicles/equipment that may be on roadways during your travels. Also be aware of wildlife crossing roads in dusk & as daylight changes. Some of these vehicles are wider than normal and need more space on the road. As farmers get into their fields to start seeding, everyone is encouraged to drive patiently and share the road during seeding season!

Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting

NextAgriculturalServiceBoard(ASB)Meeting

The next scheduled ASB meeting is (Wednesday) May 15, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link): lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb.

Next Lamont County Council (Regular Council) Meeting

The next Regular Council Meeting is planned for Tuesday, May 14, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link). A link to meetings, agendas and minutes can be found at: lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes.

Please Note – inFocus is also available for viewing online at: www.lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as fullsized PDF and to access hyperlinks).