Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year 2008 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013
Vol. 65, No. 8
403-783-3311
editorial@ponokanews.com
www.ponokanews.com
DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION OF PONOKA
Ag event centre Funday on Family Day manager fired By Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
PAECS vice-president Sherry Gummow
Former manager Chas Lambert
Ag event centre manager Chas Lambert has been fired. Just two and a half weeks after its annual general meeting, the Ponoka Ag Event Centre Society (PAECS) fired Lambert on Feb. 13 without notice or reason. Board president Terry Jones was out of the country so vice-president Sherry Gummow spoke on behalf of PAECS. She did not provide a reason for firing Lambert only to confirm he was let go. “We wish him well in his endeavours and we look forward to upcoming years of operation at the ag event centre.” “We respect Mr. Lambert and we’re not prepared to say anything of a confidential matter,” she added. It is believed only six of the nine directors were in the session to fire Lambert; Cec Dykstra, Greg Bowie, Sherry Gummow, George Verheire, Doug Gill and Terry Jones. The decision was unanimous. Ex-manager Lambert was disappointed as his goal was to ensure the ag event centre had national recognition. “And make it the most successful ag event centre there is in Western Canada.” He feels better direction from the board could have made his job easier. “I encourage them to get that in place before they hire the next manager.” Policies need to be in place to allow the manager to have a structure to follow instead of working at the whim of decisions made on the fly. This would clarify how management should operate the building, explained Lambert. It allows management to answer specific questions related to PAECS policies so “it’s not held up by one person’s decision or nine different people throwing different ideas at you.” Lambert tried to use experiences that worked for him at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Man. to solve the issues to move the ag event centre forward. “It could be used for national shows and that’s where I was headed next,” he said. Hosting smaller events lets national shows know the ag event centre can handle the big shows. Continued on page 31
Curler in training: Keira Fenton gets first hand experience at curling from Bill Crawford during Family Day festivities at the curling rink Feb. 18. More photos on page 16 and 17.
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only 70,500 kms Was: $32,995 Now: $31,800* *Plus fees and Tax
Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
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STEVE WOLBECK Sales Mgr.
BOB MASS Sales
JOHN COURSER Sales