Red Deer 1913 — 2013 Create Celebrate Commemorate
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Red Deer Advocate THURSDAY, OCT. 3, 2013
www.reddeeradvocate.com
Your trusted local news authority CIVIC ELECTION
Mayoral candidates square off at forum
Gettin’ down and dirty CENTRAL ALBERTA RACEWAYS WAS THE PERFECT SETTING TO SHOOT THE VIDEO FOR THE ROAD HAMMERS’ UPCOMING SINGLE, MUD
BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF The five contenders for the mayor’s job shared part of their vision for Red Deer at a short forum hosted at the Golden Circle on Wednesday. Mayor hopefuls — William Horn, Cindy Jefferies, Chad Mason, Dennis COUNCIL Trepanier and Tara Veer — followed CANDIDATES’ the crowded field of council can- FORUM A3 didates answering one question either about the arts, recreation fees, a 50-metre pool, transportation, crime or poverty. Veer said she has a solid track record with three terms on council and has consistently demonstrated herself as an industrious worker who is passionate about Red Deer. Veer said there are some steps to take to move forward or to resolve the question of the need for a 50-metre pool in Red Deer. She suggested exploring the existing Michener Centre site, reviewing the aquatic centre vision and proposed a scaled back version of the project. “As mayor, I would not be willing to fully debt finance the entire project but would work with our community for federal and provincial corporate sponsorship and community fundraising,” said Veer. “We could, of course, take on a municipal portion of the $50 million, but I fully believe we could establish a capital projects reserve.” Jefferies shared some of her platform including improving transit, working with private sector investors to re-develop Riverlands and Railyards areas, and improving city amenities. She told the roughly 200 people that she is a leader with the courage to move this city forward. Jefferies drew the question –– should user fees be set so that recreation facilities pay their way? Jefferies said recreation facilities serve a greater good and everyone benefits when people pursue recreation. “I feel equitable access is critical,” Jefferies. “Access fees are prohibitive for some people at every level. It’s important to have programs that make access to recreation possible for all.” Trepanier, a project manager, used his opening statements to highlight the “wanton wasteful spending of the last nine years” giving the bike lanes as an example. In answering his question about the city’s role in supporting the arts, Trepanier said he would demand from anything, including the arts, a proper business analysis. “No more tax increases,” promised Trepanier. “Trend down. That’s what I stand for. No more debt.”
Please see FORUM on Page A3
Photo by ROB STRATTON/R-BAC Photography
The Road Hammers were at Rimbey’s Central Alberta Raceway this week to film the video for the second single from their upcoming album. BY MYLES FISH ADVOCATE STAFF The Road Hammers are back, and they’re not afraid to get a little messy. The popular country band returned from a threeyear hiatus in a big way at Rimbey’s Central Alberta Raceways this week. A big, muddy way. The 2006 Juno-award winning trio was at the track to film the video for the second single from their upcoming album. With the rain falling on Monday and 40 trucks throwing up mud as they made their way down two drag pits, the track made for the perfect setting as the band gave their song Mud the video treatment. “I’ve probably showered half a dozen times in the last two days, and I’m still pulling mud out of my ears,” laughed Clayton Bellamy, who is in the band with Jason McCoy and Chris Byrne. Bellamy had a friend who was involved with the Rimbey track’s mud bogs, and the idea for staging the video at the site came together quickly. On Monday, drivers from as much as six hours away came out to tear up the track and appear in the video, despite the “crummy weather” on the day.
‘I’VE PROBABLY SHOWERED HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE LAST TWO DAYS, AND I’M STILL PULLING MUD OUT OF MY EARS.’ CLAYTON BELLAMY THE ROAD HAMMERS
“Mud is kind of focused on everything that has to do with four-by-fouring and being a kid and just getting in the dirt and getting messy and having fun,” said Bellamy of the song. He said Rimbey and the driving community rallied around the video shoot to make it possible, with fans of the band across North America responding with excitement towards the prospect of a new record. Central Alberta Raceways president Cory Kincaid said he is expecting the music video will provide great exposure for the rural track. “It’s going to be a real good promotion for our racetrack and facility, that’s for sure. We’re hoping to get them back here next summer to do a show,” said Kincaid.
Please see ALBUM on Page A2
Bountiful crops have farmers scrambling for storage BY HARLEY RICHARDS ADVOCATE BUSINESS EDITOR
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
With recent wet weather, the harvest that is not already in the bin has been delayed. This field southeast of Red Deer will have to dry out before machinery can once again work on the harvest.
WEATHER 60% showers. High 6. Low -2.
FORECAST ON A2
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We all have regrets. For Rick Hoogewoonink, it’s that he didn’t order more grain bags this year. His Clyde-based Amity Welding and Fabricating Inc. and Amity Ag-Enterprises Inc., which supply the big plastic storage bags to customers from Red Deer north, have sold some 2,000 units this year. That’s a 200 per cent increase over 2012, and the most Hoogewoonink has moved during his 21 years in the business. The number could have been higher. “We are right out of stock,” said Hoogewoonink, who grew up in Red Deer. Keith Jones, manager of market strategy for grains and oilseeds with UFA Co-op Ltd., said UFA’s farm supply stores have also experienced a run on grain bags, as well as grain baggers, bins and bin rings. “It’s the biggest grain storage year for quite a few years, for sure,” said Jones. “There’s no question.” What’s got farmers scrambling to find places to keep their grain and oilseeds is one of the biggest crops in years.
Last week, Agriculture Financial Services Corp. (AFSC) reported that yields in Central Alberta were 20 to 30 per cent above the five-year average. And farmers across the province were enjoying similar results. “Most guys that we talk to, when you ask them about yields they’re usually pretty happy to tell you about them,” said Mark Cutts, a crop specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Ag Info Centre in Stettler. “So that tells you that they’re good.” The bountiful results appear to apply to all crops, added Cutts, who has also been hearing from producers who have maxed out their bin space. “Quite a few guys have moved to the grain bags for storage.” Hoogewoonink said 80 per cent of the bags his companies sell hold between 12,000 and 15,000 bushels each. He noted that some farmers are turning to other alternatives. “A lot of guys are putting bales in a circular fashion and then filling that with grain and covering it with a silage cover.”
Please see HARVEST on Page A2
Weapon inspectors begin mission Deadly clashes raged on as international chemical weapons inspectors began to secure the sites where they will work. Story on PAGE A7
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