Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 105 years
VOLUME ONE HUNDRED SIX
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER THIRTY-NINE
STETTLER, ALBERTA
September 26, 2012
PRICE – $1.09 Plus GST
Halkirk history blowin’ in the wind RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Energy was in the air and community spirit was high last Wednesday afternoon as hundreds of people welcomed the Halkirk wind project. At the same time, residents signed a blade last Wednesday for one of the 83 turbines in Alberta’s largest wind farm. Capital Power Corporation and a crowd estimated at more than 1,200 packed the Halkirk rodeo grounds on a warm day to leave their mark on the historic project. “We believe the County of Paintearth is the energy capital of east-central Alberta and the county is blessed to have strong wind, coal and oil and gas resources,” said Walter Weber, deputy reeve for the County of Paintearth. Weber said the project is an asset to both the County of Paintearth and the Village of Halkirk, with environmentally friendly green energy and employment to help sustain the future of the region. Although he wasn’t present for the formal speeches, Halkirk Mayor Mayor Dale Kent lauded the new business in town as Capital Power bases it facilities headquarters in Halkirk. “It will bring a little more tax base to the community,” Kent said. Expected to be fully operational this winter, the Halkirk wind farm has projected a staff of 16 to 18 permanent employees in operations, maintenance and administration. Provincial government officials joined the party last week. “When we talk about Alberta becoming an energy leader, that means all types of energies,” said Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk. “This is part of a larger Alberta story, and it’s a great day for the county.” Capital Power echoed words of welcome. “You are all part of building Alberta’s largest wind farm, which will generate clean, green power in our province for many years to come,” said Brian Vaasjo, president and chief executive officer of Capital Power Corporation. “At Capital Power, we are dedicated to being an active member of the communities where we have facilities — we recognize the community is important to the long-term success of this wind farm.” Work continues on the 150-megawatt project, with 40 turbines already erected between Halkirk and Castor on both sides of Highway 12. Crews strive to erect one or two turbines a day, with night shifts included. When completed, the Halkirk wind project hopes to generate clean renewable energy for Alberta, and enough electricity to meet the average annual power need of 50,000 Alberta homes. Vaasjo said the project was viable only with energy credits from the U.S. Energy produced as part of the Halkirk project will be sold into the Alberta spot market, as Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) are being sold to Pacific Gas and Pacific Electric under a 20-year fixed-price agreement.
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
More than 1,200 people, including Leona Storch of Garden Plain, signed a commemorative blade as part of Halkirk wind project celebrations last Wednesday in Halkirk. Storch was raised in Castor, where her parents operated the theatre.
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Among dignitaries signing a Halkirk wind project blade last Wednesday were (from left) County of Paintearth Deputy Reeve Walter Weber, Capital Power CEO Brian Vaasjo, Castor Mayor Garry DeVloo and Deputy Premier Thomas Lukaszuk.
Stettler man to receive award for courageous comeback LES STULBERG Independent reporter Much has happened in the life of a Stettler man since he became a quadriplegic in a July 2011 dirtbiking accident. Most recently, Landon Catt has learned he will be the recipient of the Glen Rose Award of Courage in October. It is an award presented annually by the Glen Rose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton to those demonstrating extraordinary courage during the rehabilitation process. The 35-year-old has bravely dealt with the lifealtering incident with a positive attitude and much determination, and he has helped others in the process, said hospital staff. “Some patients were pretty hard on the nurses,” Catt said. “This is the worst thing that ever happened to me
— but they didn’t cause it.” Catt said that after he accepted the implications of his injury, he was determined to make the best of it. His sense of humour helped him become a model patient. Initially, he had limited use of his arms, but with hard work and dedication to the rehabilitation program, much progress has been made. Catt surprised doctors by being one of the first patients with his level of injury to be able to return home directly from the Glen Rose rehab centre. Most require a transition period in a hospital. “Things are going the right way,” Catt said from his Stettler home, which he shares with his fiancée, Allison Ryan. Catt and Ryan became engaged during his hospitalization at Glen Rose from July to November of last year. Before the accident, Catt was a salesman at Aspen Ford in Stettler. He has lived in the community for 17 years.
Catt is overwhelmed with the support he has received from the Stettler community. “Aspen Ford put on a benefit and the support was huge from the businesses and people of the community,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the benefit, I wouldn’t have been able to come home.” Catt said the wheelchair ramp and other modifications to the home were completed with funds from the benefit. “Allison had it all ready when I came home — she has been amazing.” He said the Town of Stettler’s actions were “quick and helpful,” in lowering a curb outside his property to make it wheelchair accessible. “I am lucky to be a part of this community.” Since arriving home, Catt has taken physio and occupational therapy twice a week at the Stettler hospital. He has a care worker stay with him during the day at his home. See ‘Catt’ on Page A2
LES STULBERG/Independent reporter
Landon Catt, 35, has battled back from a July 2011 dirt-biking accident that left him as a quadriplegic. His courage afterward has earned him the Glen Rose Award.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com