Municipal politicians receptive to changes to Crowfoot’s wings RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Known for many years as Crowfoot, the federal riding is slated to become Battle River-Crowfoot and expanded to northern areas under electoral boundary changes. Local municipalities support the new boundaries, which would take effect in the next federal election on Oct. 19, 2015, and encompass the County of Stettler, County of Paintearth, Camrose County and stretching northeast to Wainwright in a plan to increase Alberta’s ridings to 34 from 28. Currently served by MP Kevin Sorenson of the governing Progressive Conservative party, the revised riding places the MP more central in his home just east of Camrose. “I think the biggest challenge is when larger centres grow in population and we have to ensure that rural Canada has proper representation,” said Stettler Mayor Dick Richards. He said the sitting MP, Sorenson, has provided that
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
HORSIN’ AROUND — Two-year-old Maycie Rairdan caresses her great-great uncle Dale Chapman’s horse during Family Day weekend celebrations Sunday at the Stettler and District Agricultural Society grounds.
kind of representation. “We’re very fortunate to have someone like Kevin to bring our message forward to the House of Commons,” Richards said of Sorenson. “He is a huge proponent of rural Alberta and fights hard for what’s important to us.” County of Stettler council agrees that the minor changes won’t hurt the local area. “I can’t see it will make a whole lot of difference for us,” Reeve Wayne Nixon said. “I talked to Kevin last week and he told me it won’t make that much difference.” Bashaw council also hopes its small town doesn’t get ignored. “I hope it will work for us and I hope we don’t get lost in the shuffle,” Mayor Penny Shantz said. She also complimented Sorenson for his work in the area. “Kevin is a wonderful representative for Bashaw and rural communities, and I am confident he will continue to be,” Shantz said.
In the Castor area, at least one municipal leader is pleased with the new boundaries, which basically locate Sorenson’s hometown of Killam in the centre. “I think it will be better for our current representative,” said County of Paintearth Reeve George Glazier, who farms about six miles north of Coronation. “For our current MP, this puts him in the middle of the riding and should bring communities more access to him.” Population shifts and the creation of six new electoral districts have resulted in a revamped electoral landscape for Alberta, said Carole Conrad, who chairs the federal three-member commission for Alberta. “As one electoral boundary was drawn, an adjacent electoral district was inevitably impacted.” Boundaries were realigned to represent a quotient of 111,166 people, though Battle River-Crowfood would have a population of 105,680.
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School board ready to gather feedback from public meetings LES STULBERG Independent reporter The Clearview School Division is prepared for a lesson. At its regular board meeting last Thursday, the trustees approved the schedule for the community consultation meetings that might chart the future and determine the viability of small schools in the district. The trustees and administration plan to visit all communities in the division that are home to public schools, with the exception of the schools on Hutterite colonies. The board has stipulated in recent months the need for Clearview to cut $1 million in spending to balance its budget. It prompted consideration last fall to review potential closings of small schools in Byemoor, Brownfield and Donalda, but that motion was later defeated in favour of the 2013 study of all schools in the division. Clearview now wants direction from the stakehonders for ways to achieve that goal. The alternative is to cut 10 to 15 teaching positions, the board reports. Meeting dates: March 12 — Byemoor March 20 — Donalda April 3 — Castor April 4 — Coronation April 8 — Botha April 15 — Brownfield April 30 — Big Valley May 1 — Stettler May 2 — Erskine May 13 — Stettler
Minister to visit Education Minister Jeff Johnson plans to visit Stettler on Monday for a closed one-hour meeting with the Clearview board. Trustees say they have plenty of questions for the minister regarding the future of education delivered in small schools in sparsely populated communities. Big Valley cleanup The Clearview board moved to contribute $3,750 to the Village of Big Valley for half of the cost of the cleanup of a fuel-storage site where Clearview buses filled up. The contribution comes with a release-ofliability condition. Courses added The board approved the addition of three locally developed courses with credits for Clearview high schools. Included are forensic science and philosophy from the Edmonton School District and advanced acting and touring from the Calgary School District. Pool site purchased By a unanimous vote last Thursday, the board voted to instruct administration to finalize the purchase of the former swimming-pool property from the Town of Stettler for a total purchase price of $106,501. The cost is pegged to be paid over eight school years. Information received The board received data on operating smaller school buses on rural routes and on setting up a fuel storage site in Donalda, as part of costsaving measures. Board chairman Ken Checkel said more information is needed on setting up a fuel site in Donalda, and the costs associated with that “would have to be weighed against any savings.”
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
County of Stettler Reeve Wayne Nixon receives a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal last week from county chief administrative officer Tim Fox. Nixon has served on council since October 2007.
County reeve fit for a medal Nixon earns Queen Elizabeth II diamond jubilee distinction RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Another local municipal leader has received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal. County of Stettler Reeve Wayne Nixon received a medal last Wednesday before the regular council meeting, and just one week after Town Stettler Mayor Dick Richards was similarly honoured. “Getting this recognition is something I appreciate, “ said Nixon, who was presented the medal in front of office staff. “I know there are other people who have served longer on council that deserve it more than I do.” Reeve since October 2010, Nixon has served on council since October 2007. A longtime resident of the Donalda area, he has been active for many years with the Donalda and District Agricultural Society, serving a stint as president, and with Central Alberta Dairy Pool. “I thank you for your dedicated service to your peers, to your community and to Canada,” said congratulations
from Governor General David Johnston. “The contributions you have made to our nation are most commendable and deserve our praise and admiration. County staff lauded Nixon for his dedication. “Reeve Wayne Nixon, in my opinion, is so deserving of the Diamond Jubilee medal,” said Tim Fox, the county’s chief administrative officer. “Wayne is highly respected and in his role as councillor and personally by his peers.” Fox said Nixon has always displayed a high degree of integrity and responsibility when it comes to decisions and decorum. “He has proven his leadership ability on various boards and committees associated with the County of Stettler and in the community.” Nixon joins a list that includes three Stettler-area residents who received medals last fall among 60,000 Canadians honoured to recognize their significant contributions and achievements to their community — and country. Medals were presented last fall to Heartland Youth Centre executive-director Winnie Bissett, Bob Byers of Stettler and Metis church pastor Rev. David Lilly of Big Valley.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com