Ponoka News, March 19, 2014

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Against Bill C-18 Jan Slomp, president of the National Farmers Union, stands in front of Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins office with like-minded farmers.

CONNECTING

THE

Page 17

COMMUNITY

Vol. 66, No. 12 | WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2014 | 403-783-3311 | EDITORIAL@PONOKANEWS.COM

Broncs bring home Zone 4 Championship Page 38

Reflections of Ponoka The traditions and tools of early agriculture Story on page 5

Stars of the future – Joe Ducan MacGregor (left) and Dawn DeLeeuw, who is already known for her passion for basketball, enjoy the opportunity to get a feel of the big ball during the halftime break of the Broncs’ championship game against Wetaskiwin on Saturday, March 15.

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2 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Minor hockey seeks input in behaviour bylaw

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Representatives of Ponoka Minor Hockey Association have said they would like to see some additions to town council’s proposed behaviour bylaw.

Chad Cissell, Ponoka Minor Hockey Association president and Tim Rowland, treasurer, exercised their right to speak with councillors for two minutes during a meeting March 11.

“Our board is trying to be more proactive with behaviour in the arena,” said Rowland.

He referred to a recent letter to the editor in Ponoka News where Calvin David wrote about a disrespectful hockey fan. Rowland said he received some advice from Ponoka RCMP

Staff Sgt. Cameron Chisholm that some communities include verbal abuse in town facilities in their conduct bylaws.

Rowland feels this will empower coaches, referees and individuals to use the bylaw as a tool to curb verbal abuse.

“We’d like basically to deal with that type of behaviour,” added Rowland.

He offered assistance should the town request it. No decisions were made by council.

Town buildings open for corporate sponsorship Town of Ponoka buildings are open for business; not just to offer services but to gain corporate sponsorship for naming rights.

Buildings such as the Ponoka Cul-

We’re building Alberta

by taking care of what matters most.

ture and Recreation Complex have potential to be named after a company, said Wes Amendt, community services director. He said many municipalities are looking into this as a form of income.

“Every conference I go to now, that’s a hot topic,” offered Amendt.

Some towns hire companies to find sponsorship, he explained.

The policy is called the Ponoka Facility Sponsorship/Naming Policy and is a copy of the Town of Stettler’s, said Amendt.

The policy recommends a five-year minimum for naming rights with these prices: • The Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex, $50,000 per year • Ponoka Aquaplex, $25,000 per year • River Valley Sports Fields, $10,000 per year • Complex Ball Diamonds, $5,000 per year • Lucas Heights Sports Fields, $5,000 per year The large ice surface of the arena is $20,000 per year and the small ice surface is $10,000. Full details can be found by contacting Amendt at the town office.

Kohlmann takes two minutes with council Mayor Rick Bonnett and Coun. Loanna Gulka recused themselves from the March 11 meeting while Ponoka County resident Nick Kohlman and 38 Street resident Bill Kuncio made a request on 38 Street issues. Coun. Carla Prediger chaired while Bonnett was out of the meeting.

Kohlman said he believed the town was going

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to seek some information from experts regarding 38 Street and requested the meetings be made public.

“Given our involvement in this, we would appreciate the opportunity to sit in and listen to the information that you are being provided. It will assist us,” said Kohlman.

No decisions were made but Prediger said council will take his request under advisement.

Land-use bylaw approved A request to rezone a property in town to highdensity residential district, from multi-family residential, was approved by councillors.

Owner David Clark plans to develop a vacant suite on 3915 46A Street Close, but was unable to under the previous zoning. Betty Jurykoski, planning and development officer for the Town of Ponoka, did not see any issues with the request.

“Certainly it’s consistent with the neighbourhood.”

No one raised any concerns during the public hearing except Coun. Prediger. She asks if renters paid with subsidized housing. Clark replied he knew that one tenant was. Council approved the request 6-1 with Prediger voting against it saying, “From my perspective, it’s the management of the suite.”

Councillors receive annual water tests Water and wastewater tests must be provided to council once a year and this year was the first time in many years that councillors received one.

Dave McPhee, director or operations and property services, said the report provides analysis of water consumption and sewage discharge as well as chemical tests. Chemical results showed no issues.

McPhee said there was some disparity between water consumption and sewage discharge volumes; the former showed 698,535 cubic metres and the latter showed 976,509 cubic metres.

The issue is partly due to five water/sewer crossed connections the town has since fixed.

New member of economic development board Council appointed Bruce Ordze, of Phase 3 Electric, to the Economic Development Board for a period of one year commencing March, 2014 to February, 2015.

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PONOKA NEWS 3

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Police investigating spate of GET YOUR BUSINESS OUT THERE CALL vandalism in Riverside area

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Homes, vehicles and sheds received their fair share of spray paint overnight on March 14.

It appears culprits spray painted slang and swearwords in different areas from 45 Street to 38 Street in the Riverside area of Ponoka. Police are asking residents to call in if they have more information.

Impaired drivers stopped Police charged three motorists with impaired driving last week.

The first person was stopped north of Ponoka on Baker Road driving a 2011 white Ford F150. The driver was a 28-year-old Maskwacis man who provided two blood-alcohol samples of .11.

The second impaired driver was a 20-year-old man from Ponoka. He was stopped on Range Road 255 and Highway 2A. He was driving a 2002 grey Chevy Silverado and provided two blood-alcohol samples of .11 and .10.

A third impaired driver was stopped in the Southwest Industrial Park driving a 1998 orange Dodge Ram. A 25-year-old Blackfalds woman provided two samples of .14 and .13.

Speeder clocked at 199 km/h Last week the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit pulled over four different motorists travelling at high rates of speed.

The fastest was 199 km/h; the driver had a suspended licence and was driving a rental vehicle. He faces mandatory court time and the rental vehicle has been seized for 30 days. He will be responsible for the fines and fees associated with impounding the vehicle.

RCMP support the behavioral bylaw under discussion

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Next up were two motorists who travelled at 193 km/h. One was stopped near Blackfalds in a black Ford Mustang after the driver raced past an officer.

Another was stopped northbound near Ponoka.

One other motorist was stopped after travelling at 178 km/h.

Ponoka News window smashed Sometime over the weekend, culprits smashed the front window of the Ponoka News office on Chipman Avenue. It was reported to police March 16.

Ponoka RCMP handled 62 calls from March 11 to March 17 in the morning. Issues ranged from dealing with individuals under the Mental Health Act, public intoxication and threats of suicide.

If you have information on any crime call Ponoka RCMP at 403-783-4472 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

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Police in Ponoka are in favour of council’s proposed behavioral bylaw.

Commenting on a recent letter to the editor published 5101 - 49th Ave • 403-783-3771 in Ponoka News with concerns over town council’s PHONE: 403-783-4911 CELEBRATING OVER PHONE: 403-783-4911 proposed bylaw on conduct, EXPERIENCE 50 YEARS TRAVEL FAX: 403-783-5222 THATOF TAKES FAX: 403-783-5222 Ponoka RCMP Staff Sgt. YOU PLACES EXCELLENCE! Cameron Chisholm says the dirtvl@telusplanet.net EST.1961 1961 dirtvl@telusplanet.net EST. bylaw is another way to deal www.direct-travel.ca www.direct-travel.ca & C R U I S E C E N T R E with offenders.

A PROUD COMMUNITY SUPPORTER The bylaw has already had its first reading in the town council’s regular meeting on Feb. 25.

Chisholm says he has received complaints from residents who feel unsafe when people loiter in the streets.

He feels this gives officers a way to respond to those complaints quickly.

“It’s a quality of life issue,” explained Chisholm.

“There are issues that impact the quality of life in this town,” he added.

This bylaw gives officers a more efficient way to deal with offenders on certain issues, explained the staff sergeant. He suggests issuing a ticket may be more effective than with the Criminal Code of Canada and has an immediate impact on individuals breaking the rules.

“It fills a gap.”

“It’s another tool in the tool belt,” he concluded.

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4 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Your Guide To Local Houses of Worship CHURCH DIRECTORY Associated Gospel Churches of Canada

CHURCH OF THE OPEN BIBLE Pastor Jerry Preheim • Pastor Matt Sealy 3704 - 42 St. Ponoka 403-783-6500 Worship Service 11:00 a.m. • churchoftheopenbible@telus.net

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PONOKA

Sr. Pastor Paul Spate Erin Dirsten - Fac. Youth & Family Min. 5109 - 57 Ave. Ponoka www.fbcponoka.org 403-783-5533 Bible Discovery Hour 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

NEW COVENANT BAPTIST REFORMED CHURCH Currently meeting at Ponoka Christian School 6300-50 St. Worship Service Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Everyone Welcome! phone: 403-783-6962 • www.baptistreformedponoka.org

PARKLAND REFORMED CHURCH South on 2A, West on Spruce Road 403-783-1888 Rev. Mitch Ramkissoon Worship Service 10:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. www.parklandurc.org

PONOKA ALLIANCE CHURCH 4215 - 46 St. Pastor Norm Dibben 403-783-3958 Sunday Service 11:00 a.m.

The Christian & Missionary Alliance

PONOKA WORD OF LIFE CHURCH Pastor Rob McArthur

403-783-5659

Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.

Corner of Hwy 53 & Hwy 2A (former Crossroads Restaurant)

www.wordoflife.ca

PONOKA UNITED CHURCH Minister: Beatrix Schirner

ponokaunited@shaw.ca

Sunday Service 10:00 am.

5020-52 Ave. Ponoka

Phone: 403-783-4087

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PASTOR DAVE BEAUDOIN 6230-57 Ave. Ph. 403-783-6404 Saturdays 9:30 - 12 Noon dsjjb@xplornet.com ponokaadventist.ca

SONRISE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor W. Delleman Worship Service 10:30 a.m. ½ mile south of Centennial Centre for Mental Health & Brain Injury

403-783-6012 • www.sonriseponoka.com

ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH Fr. Chris Gnanaprakasam, S.A.C. Mass Times: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:00 a.m. Sunday

5113 - 52 Ave., Ponoka, T4J 1H6 403-783-4048 stachurch@shaw.ca

ST. MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Rev.Donna Willer Rev. Jessie Pei, Rev. Doreen Scott 5120 - 49 Ave. Ponoka

403-783-4329

Sunday Service: Holy Eucharist 10 a.m. www.stmarysanglicanponoka.com

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 5501 - 54 Ave. Ponoka 403-783-4141 Sunday Service: 10:30am Sunday School: 10:30am Pastor Tim Graff • trinityponoka.ca

ZION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Pastor Fred Knip 9 miles east on Hwy 53 (403) 782-9877 Jr. Church during service for children Sunday Service 9:30 am

What’s in a name?

Ponoka, Maskwacis, Trinity and Timothy are all names. At one level they represent places, groups and people, at another level, they speak of something far deeper.

Sometimes our names are rather funny. How would you like to be part of the very real “Beaver Lick Christian Church” or “Flippin Church of God” or “House of God Inc.?”

At other times, I wonder why a name was ever chosen. “First English Lutheran Church” was the name of one of the predecessor churches to Trinity. Now why would they call themselves “First?” Did they think themselves the best? They certainly weren’t the first English church even for a bunch of Germans. And why is it that you see so few churches willing to call themselves second or eighth or even humbly, “Last Lutheran Church?”

Sometimes we don’t like the names people have chosen for us. I certainly didn’t like it when my aunt called me “Timmy.” But would you change your name if it was Bertha, Gertrude or Hen-

rietta?

In the Bible, names were far deeper in meaning than simply place markers, labels or identifiers. In the ancient world, a name expressed the essence of who or what something was. If Pastor Tim Graff you knew the Trinity Evangelical name, you Lutheran Church knew something of the character and nature of the person or place.

My father-in-law valued his names: “Paul Constance Ebenezer.” Their combined meaning revealed God’s calling on his life and led him to see himself as a “small and unyielding stone of help” for

people he often counseled.

Isaiah 43:1 records God as saying: “I have called you by name, you are mine.”

We all have names we may like or not, but one thing is for certain, God knows our name and has claimed us.

Even though we may be broken in so many different ways God is willing to take us as we are, forgive us through Jesus’ death on the cross and through his resurrection restore us to the person he created us to be.

God has called you by name and you are his. Is it perhaps time that you let God form you into the person you were meant to be?

Each of the churches in our community can help you with that in slightly different ways.

Whether you’re part of one of those churches or not, I’d like to invite you to come alongside the people of God as we together seek to go deeper into the One who knows our name and has given us his in the waters of baptism.

A call to parents to get engaged in transforming education Dear Editor, There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about K-12 education. While it is always a good thing that parents and others are engaged and interested in the topic and sharing ideas, the Alberta School Council Association (ASCA) promotes a clear understanding of all the aspects of any issue affecting education.

Let’s start with math. Each curriculum has a set of outcomes that students are expected to achieve and, as with any curriculum, teachers have a certain degree of latitude and flexibility in their approach to delivering this curriculum to students so the outcomes are achieved.

This includes whether or not to have students memorize multiplication tables,

use different and varied methods to teach multiplication, or use a combination of methods. Teachers today have a variety of learning styles in their classrooms, and meet these varying needs in different ways across subject areas.

Now let’s contemplate the future.

Recognizing how quickly the world around us is changing, Albertans, including parents, said (through the public consultation called Inspiring Education) that in order to prepare students for a future where technology is changing the way we access knowledge, where economic power is shifting and competition is on the rise, where brain research is informing how children learn, and where the pervasive use of social media is dominating our lives, learning should be grounded in literacy and Coming prophetic events numeracy skills providing our cast their shadows before them youth with a solid foundation.

Albertans said students should be prepared through a curriculum that is relevant, in-

FOCUS ON PROPHECY

Ponoka Alliance Church 4215-46 Street Sunday March 23, 2014 Speaker: Dr. William R. Goetz 11:00 AM - Israel, God’s Amazing Endtime Timepiece 2:00 PM - Ten Indicators of Prophetic Ful¿llment (Matthew 24 - The Signs that Precede Christ’s Return)

Dr. William R. Goetz, a pastor, administrator and conference speaker for over 60 years, is a life-long student of the prophetic Scriptures and an author of four books on biblical prophecy.

Dr. Goetz avoids speculation and sensationalism, choosing rather to focus on discerning what the Scriptures reveal about Christ’s Second Coming and comparing the signs of His impending return with current events. He seeks to be intensely practical in his messages.

stills a curiosity to learn more, engages students and builds their critical thinking and problem solving skills, motivating them to strive for success. Albertans recognized that the current way of teaching and learning needs to evolve so our kids are prepared for a world we can only imagine a few years from now.

Right now in Alberta schools, students are being provided opportunities to be engaged in learning that we could not have dreamed of twenty years ago.

Learning from Chris Hadfield while he floats in space, connecting with engineering or physics experts at MIT or the U of T, speaking with an Inuit elder and learning how global climate change is impacting the Canadian arctic – these are only some of the opportunities that exist for our students today and tomorrow.

Inspiring Education is building on today’s achievements, re-thinking and redesigning all aspects of teaching and learning, including curriculum, assessment and a variety of other elements, so Alberta’s students will be the engaged thinkers, ethical citizens PONOKA RISING with an entrepreneurial spirit needed for tomorSUN CLUBHOUSE row’s world.

ASCA encourages parents and school councils to “get the facts” on what’s happening in your school.

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PONOKA NEWS 5

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Reflections of Ponoka

The traditions and tools of early agriculture

BY MIKE RAINONE FOR THE NEWS

As we proudly celebrate Agriculture Week one must appreciate that all aspects of our massive agricultural industry, whether big or small, from yesterday or today have always been the vital lifeblood and heart of our rural and urban communities for countless centuries. A very early definition explained farming as ‘the tilling of the land and the rearing of cattle as the chief employment around the world since the beginning of time.’

Of course, an overwhelming wave of change and progress has been made in the agricultural revolution along the way, and going into the 19th century, farming or husbandry was boldly taken for granted and depended upon as the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi, and other life forms for the purpose of food, fibre, biofuel, medicinal, and other products that were vitally required to enhance and maintain human life in our rapidly growing population. The agriculture industry was and will always be the key development in the rapid, success and survival of human civilization.

The humble beginnings of agriculture in this area occurred in the 1870 to 1890’s, with large scale ranching operations that roamed across thousands of acres throughout the prairies where there was an abundance of grasses and a climate moderated by occasional Chinook winds in the winter, which made year round grazing possible. That amazingly colorful history featured massive cattle drives under the direction of hardened ranch hands who drove their precious herds to market to assure food, stock, and revenues for a steady influx of immigrants and new settlements.

It was not until the Canadian Pacific Railway reached this area in 1883 that the settlement of any consequence really began. By the 1890’s a tide of immigration coming into the wild west was underway, eventually peaking just prior to the outbreak of the First World War, where between 1901 and 1905 some 40,000 homesteads were granted in what in 1905 would become the new Province of Alberta. Homesteaders were given freehold title to their land in exchange for paying $10.00 and agreeing to stay on the land

Remember When...

Photo courtesy of Fort Ostell Museum

This classic 1920’s photo shows the ominous ‘elevator row” along Railway (50th) street Ponoka, where area farmers brought their precious grain for storage and shipment for many decades. Over a period of 60 years more than 10 massive wooden elevators served the district, while on the south end of the street the livestock pens accepted pigs and cattle for shipment in the freight cars.

Photo courtesy of Fort Ostell Museum

This unique display at the Fort Ostell Museum features some of the artifacts, tools, and toys of our Agriculture industry over the exciting and colorful story of our heritage. Shown from left to right are: the winter sleigh complete with bells-harness-feed sack and nose cover, an ice auger and tongs, fish fork, scythe, grain scoop, hay knife, potato planter, spreaders, curry comb, cow bell, the Theodore Toft sign and tools from his district blacksmith shop, wagon wheels, hurricane barn lantern, blow torch, mail cart, and a sturdy wooden settler’s trunk complete with saws and early carpenter tools.

for at least three years, during which they were required to break a certain amount of land each year as well as build a house. Thousands of new families invaded this fertile land of opportunity, basically coming from Europe, and British Isles, the eastern Provinces of Canada, and the United States.

These early pioneers faced relentless hardships and challenges, breaking their land, planting and harvesting their crops with simple tools like the scythe, plow, and machinery that was worked by hand or pulled by horse and oxen. In the beginning they relied on wheat as the main crop, and in 1907 a new breed of early maturing wheat called Marquis was developed to replace the later-maturing Red Fife. Even so, drought, floods, hail, fire, frosts, diseases, and pests would frequently cause crop failures. These hardy and large farm families quickly discovered that they would be far better off diversifying in order to survive, and added mixed farming to the dayto-day operation, where they could raise dairy cows, hogs, poultry and field crops, as well as planting large gardens and utilizing everything that nature had to offer them from the land, forests, rivers, and lakes. The grain prices often fluctuated, but the animal populations grew, and despite the ‘depression prices’ of 1913 would help to supplement the dinner table as well to provide trade items and the funds that were always required to provide their vital year round supplies and livelihoods.

By the time the 1920’s had arrived general optimism about ag-

riculture reigned, bolstered by the introduction of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration as well as the formation of a number of wheat pools. The first irrigation projects in southern Alberta were completed and really caught on, and it was at this exciting time that the mechanization of farming was taking hold everywhere. That era will never be forgotten with the noisy arrival of the steam and gas tractors, gang plow, threshing machine, and on and on, which eventually contributed to huge production surpluses, and the unprecedented boom and promotion of cultivation across this province. It is an amazing fact that between 1901 and 1931 that land under field crop in Alberta went from 1.5 to 16.4 hectares.

But then, with great fury came what is still known on the Prairies as the ‘Dirty Thirties’, where the western economy was hit by a general depression, the stock market crashed, commodity prices fell, drifting soil and severe droughts caused crop failures. Summer fallowing came into practise to preserve moisture, but grasshopper plagues were common, and many farmers were forced off their land to join the thousands of other destitute people across the province. As the horrific 1930s drew to a close, the drought ended and the Second World War broke out, finally restoring prosperity to Alberta farms, with products in great demand, especially livestock and bacon, which dramatically expanded the swine industry. The process of mechanization resumed full-tilt with the labour

shortage, strong demand and vastly increased industrial capacity that accompanied the war. The tractor replaced the horse forever and the threshing crew gave away to the swather and combine, which could reduce and streamline harvesting to a two-person operation. Telephones were installed in rural homes along a vast network of electrical power lines, one room school houses were slowly replaced with modern centralized schools to which children were bused, and an exciting new generation was upon us. Farm families were no longer isolated, and the automobile, telephone, radio, television, satellites, the computer, and on and on have ensured that farmers have complete access to education, health care, communications, and the consumer goods and services that they need to run their rapidly growing farm and ranching operations.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our past and present generation of farm and ranch families, as well as to all those who work in and provide the supplies and services to all aspects of our lucrative agriculture industry in the Town and County of Ponoka. Your sheer determination and dedication will always be the mark of your skills and successes, and your ongoing effort to combine work and play as good neighbours and citizens is a true benefit to your community.

6 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Opinion

Civility, Bill C-18 and future of agriculture Elections are indispensable ele- result of the dismantling of the marketments of democracy and so are the ing authority of the Canadian Wheat respect and recognition for the man- Board (CWB). (There is much more in date of elected officials. this week’s agriculture supplement on But last week, we witnessed an how the farmers forewarned the govincident in which one ernment of what was to elected official refused come way back in 2011 to respect and recognize before the CWB’s sinanother elected official: gle desk marketing was Wetaskiwin MP Blaine abolished.)

Calkins declined perOne can clearly see mission to Jan Slomp, that the brazenly ideoPresident of the Nalogical approach taken tional Farmers Union by successive Harper of Canada, to enter his governments regarding constituency office in the management of the Ponoka on grounds that economy has started to Slomp was “not welMustafa Eric hurt farmers while bencome because he abused Editor efiting corporations. the privileges of coming Yet, it looks like there to (my) office.” is more to come.

Mr. Calkins did not The issue that has specify how Mr. Slomp had abused prompted Mr. Calkins to react and which privileges. On the other hand, write a letter to the Ponoka News the Mr. Slomp told me that he had received week before last is the controversy a personal congratulatory message surrounding the omnibus bill, Agriculfrom Mr. Calkins in December 2013 tural Growth Act, better known as Bill after his election to his position, but C-18 and the proposed allegiance of after that, every one of his attempts Canada to a new international convento set an appointment to meet Mr. tion on the plant breeders’ rights under Calkins in person was rebuffed due to the very same bill. the “too busy schedule” of the WetaskPonoka News has already reported iwin MP. on the subject and will continue to folNo matter what Mr. Calkins may low the debate and make its best effort be thinking of Mr. Slomp personally, to reflect both sides of the argument. his refusal to meet and speak to the While we promise to report the elected president of a national organidiscussion in a balanced fashion, I zation does not look compatible with cannot help stating my own opinthe understanding of democratic civilion that this new legislation has the ity in our country, known for holding up the values and traditions of demo- potential to transform at least some Canadian farmers to labourers on their cratic governance.

There are probably other justifi- own farmland within a decade or so.

With the agricultural multinaable, harsher adjectives to describe tionals like Monsanto dictating what this kind of attitude, but I will just has to be grown and how, even the say that I find it very “unhealthy” for officials of national stature failing to farmers in the United States, who find at least a common platform to ex- generally put yield before quality, have had it. (http://www.usatoday. change opinions on any given issue.

In the week that Mr. Calkins refused com/story/news/nation/2014/03/13/ to talk to Mr. Slomp, the price of wheat monsanto-dow-agrosciences-herbiper bushel was $4.69 in the Prairies and cides-save-our-crops/6015519/) And the kind of corporate domi$11.38 at the port of Vancouver, both nance mentioned in that story coming for the same class of wheat.

And who is pocketing that differ- to Canadian farmland is not too far ence in price is not difficult to guess: away, if Bill C-18 is adopted by the Grain traders and all the other third parliament.

One really wonders if Mr. Harper parties, making fat profits out of the sweat, labour, time and investment of and his government are really aware of what they are doing to Canadian the farmer.

The current picture is a direct agriculture.

5019A Chipman Ave., Box 4217, Ponoka, AB. T4J 1R6 Phone: 403.783.3311 Fax: 403.783.6300 Email: editorial@ponokanews.com Published every Wednesday by PNG Prairie Newspaper Group in community with: Regional Publisher, Fred Gorman

Council’s New Direction Dear Editor, Over the past five months, we have heard a great deal of the new direction of council. Many citizens are not quite sure that the direction is all that evident. Coffee shops talk is peppered with questions regarding where council is headed.

Previous councils have been criticized for lack of direction, for not knowing which way is up or down. Fortunately or unfortunately for citizens of Ponoka, the same cannot be said for our newly elected council. They certainly do know which way is up.

In five months of decision making, UP has definitely been the direction. Our taxes are going up 5.5 per cent. The credit card limits are up.

The staffing numbers are up. The water rates have been increased even though the water commission has not indicated an increase is necessary. Recreation fees are up. The frustration of citizens is certainly up. If this is not concerning you as a citizen of Ponoka you can stop reading here, otherwise continue.

After a few short months in office, the new council decided to terminate the CAO because they wanted to move in a new direction. This would seem like a reasonable course of action if the direction council was embarking on was

clearly defined. Considering that five of the seven council members had never worked with the CAO prior to being elected and then to arrive at that decision after 3 months shows remarkable perception. Terminating a chief administrative officer with over 33 years of experience in municipal government, for no reason other than wanting to move in a new direction sends up red flags. Municipalities throughout Alberta are asking, “What is going on in Ponoka, how can a council with virtually no experience dismiss a CAO that often served as a sounding board for others”? Not only is the direction unclear, now no one is steering the vessel.

Tax payers will be faced with severance costs, advertising/interviewing costs and increased salary costs. Is this why the tax increase is necessary?

Definitely another upward trend that should be of concern to all. Will we as tax payers be able to sustain this upward trend for years to come? How much will our taxes have to increase to cover UP? As a former councillor and concerned citizen, I believe the tax payers of Ponoka need to express their concerns. I express my concerns because I stated after the election that “my disappointment in not being successful as mayor was overshadowed only by my concern for the community of Ponoka”.

Doug Gill

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PONOKA NEWS 7

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Kinsmen determined to build toboggan hill

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Ponoka Kinsmen Club has been given the land and the go ahead by Ponoka County councillors to begin planning for the construction of a toboggan hill.

The Kinsmen previously talked to town council about the project, but there wasn’t much land available to them.

“We’ve been in the process of building a toboggan hill for the town of Ponoka,” said project chairperson Ken Groot.

Co-chair Tom Hamilton says they’re hoping to build a four to six sided hill with different slopes and angles for a range of age groups.

Phase one is the hill, and potentially included could be an off-road quad track. “And if it could work out, we could do this off-road quad track the same year. It’s just going to be a simple track, it’s not going to be a major expanse on that part,” said Groot.

Along with the hill, where construction is hopefully to begin construction this summer, the Kinsmen are also envisioning BMX and motocross tracks on the same land, as future projects.

The land is located just south of the county’s waste transfer site, west of Highway 2A on the south end of

town.

“We do have money set aside in the club for this, we think it’s a sufficient amount,” said Hamilton.

“I think, at this point, council is in agreement this is a suitable use for the land,” said county CAO Charlie Cutforth.

Although there was an instant agreement to the hill, council needed more discussion for the BMX and motocross tracks. Once built, the Kinsmen don’t want to or have the resources to maintain the track. If the Kinsmen were to lease the land, the liability would come back to the club.

“Typically, in the past the Kinsmen kind of build it then give it away,” said Hamilton.

“Obviously, liability is first and foremost of everyone’s concern, but we don’t really have a way to maintain that as the club,” said Hamilton.

The county would hold the insurance policy, but they don’t want to be responsible for the upkeep either.

“We’re not in the BMX track maintenance business and I don’t think we have any desire to be,” said Cutforth.

Instead, Cutforth mentioned a separate group of interested individuals coming together to form a committee or organization to look after the tracks.

Town Times

Come visit us: 5102 -48 Avenue; Ponoka, AB T4J 1P7 Phone: 403-783-4431 Fax: 403-783-6745 Email: town@ponoka.org Or Check us out Online: www.ponoka.ca

NOTICES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Summer Laborer Positions Parks & Recreation, Public Works and Summer Facility Attendants (Visitor Information Centre).

Visit www.ponoka.ca for more information on these positions. Submit your resume to: Town of Ponoka; 5102-48 Avenue; Ponoka, AB. T4J 1P7 or email to HR@ponoka.org.

Small Business Opportunity – Mini Golf Operations The Town of Ponoka invites expressions of interest for the operation of the Ponoka MiniGolf Facility. For more information contact Wes Amendt, Director of Community Services.

Phone: 403-783-0118 or Email: wes.amendt@ponoka.org

Earth Hour 2014

Join Millions of people across the world who switch lights off for an hour – to raise awareness for the planet. Saturday, March 29, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Waste Transfer Station Hours Tuesday through Saturday – 10 am to 4 pm There is a minimum tipping fee of $8.00 per visit.

There is no charge for compostable materials (grass clippings, garden waste, leaves, branches) or tires.

Call 403-783-8328 for more information. Summer hours start April 1.

EVENTS AND RECREATION PONOKA VICTIM SERVICES 7TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA: Will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at the Stagecoach Saloon. Wine Tasting compliments of The Liquor Store, Hors’d oeuvres catered by Cilantro & Chive, Photo Booth provided by Susan Chantal Photography, and Entertainment & Dance to follow provided by Aussie Rules Dueling Pianos! Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets $40 person - tickets are limited, and available at: The Liquor Store, or Ponoka Professional Pharmacy. Call for donation inquires, becoming an advocate, or event info (403) 304-2508.

Library Activities

HIGHWAY #2 CORRIDOR STUDY

BOARD GAMES & PIZZA: On Saturday March 22nd, from 1:00-4:00, Ponoka Jubilee Library invites ‘tweens & teens (9-14) to come down to the Library for some fun! Board games will be played, and pizza & pop will be served. All board games will be provided by the Library, pizza & pop will be $2.00/child.

Children must be signed up by Friday March 21st. If there are any questions or dietary concerns, please contact the Library at 403-783-3843.

FAMILY LEGO CLUB: Ponoka Jubilee Library invites children & adults to take part in our Family Lego Club. Come build whatever your imagination can come up with! All Lego will be provided by the library, and the masterpieces will be put on display for all to see. Regular meetings are every second week, alternating between Thursday & Friday from 3:30-5:00. The next meeting will be on March 28th.

Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on all our events!

Ponoka County has drafted a set of policies to guide future commercial and industrial development adjacent to Highway 2, the Queen Elizabeth Highway. The draft identifies five possible locations for this sort of development. They are at the intersections of Highway 2 with

The next 12 week spring session runs from March 18 – June 20. Offering classes Tuesday – Friday for Kinder Gym Beginner, Recreational and advanced. Now offering birthday parties!! For more information contact Annette 403-783-9981, Temple 403-963-2844, Like us on Facebook!

• • • • •

Gymnastics Club Registration

Aquaplex Update

Highway 604 near Morningside Matejka Road Highway 53 Menaik Road, and Highway 611.

Tim Horton’s Free Swim March 24th – 28th, 1 – 3 pm, call the pool for more info 403-783-0131.

Public Skating: Proudly sponsored by Ponoka Lions

At each intersection, at least two quarters have been identified as having development potential.

This policy sets out what may happen, not what must happen. It gives landowners the option of developing their land for commercial and industrial use, but they may refuse that option and continue to farm their land for as long as they wish. The County will protect that right if it conflicts with other land uses.

Land will retain its Agricultural zoning until the owners decide otherwise.

This gives them the right to apply for a yard site or agricultural subdivision.

The County will host an Open House between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2014 in the Council Chambers. All interested people are invited to come and see the full report and maps, discuss it, and make their views known to Councillors and staff.

People whose land is directly affected have been mailed copies of the full report. Other interested people can pick up a copy at the County office, or download it as a pdf file from the County website.

Charlie B. Cutforth Chief Administrative Officer

Monday - Thursday: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm **Shinny Hockey on Weekdays only**

Upcoming Courses/Clinics • Racquetball Clinic March 25, 2014, 6 – 9 pm. To register check out www.r2sports.com or call Barbara May 780-918-5332 albertaracquetball@shaw.ca • Red Cross Baby Sitting Course, March 21, 9 am – 4 pm. Register at the Pool.

Ice Arena Complex Closure The winter operations of the Ice Arena and Curling Rink facilities at the Ponoka Culture & Recreation Complex will shut down for the season on Sunday, March 23rd. The management and staff would like to thank all ice user groups for your patronage, and we look forward to serving you again next season.

COUNCIL UPDATES & BYLAW INFO Next Town Council Meetings March 25, 2014 @ 7 pm Visit our website www.ponoka.ca for copy of the agenda.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day. ~W. Earl Hall

8 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Report shows little life left in North Bridge

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS Spring CAR CARE

The North Bridge is nearing the end of its life and replacing the bridge and realigning the road is estimated at $2.6 million.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

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Volunteer Week is held annually to thank all the people who donate time to make life better for others.

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There is only two years of life left in the North Bridge.

That’s what Dave McPhee, Town of Ponoka director of operations and property services told council March 11.

Results of a “This has been 2012 dated, 450going on for page bridge coring years and I report provided by Lex3 Engineering, hate to say it, through Tagish Ennothing’s been gineering, shows done.” the bridge, which Dave McPhee was originally constructed in 1908 is in dire straits.

Background to the bridge shows the substructure was reconstructed in 1937 and 1972, however McPhee says some components are more than 100 years old. The age of the bridge is becoming an issue.

“The bridge has dropped 20 mm overall,” said McPhee.

In 2003, council commissioned a report on the bridge, the results of which showed a lifespan until 2012. Tagish Engineering was asked to provide a new coring report two years ago, the same year the bridge was determined to be at the end of its life.

“This has been going on for years and I hate to say it, nothing’s been done,” said McPhee.

Report recommendations • Replace the substructure and rehabilitate the superstructure: $1.35 million • Replace the bridge on the existing roadway: $1.3 million He did not recommend either option as Lex3 states the bridge is below the town’s flood plan.

Construction may not be approved by Alberta Environment and the town would not be eligible for federal or provincial grants.

Council could close the bridge and close the road to traffic; but McPhee says he believes 1,000 vehicles use the bridge every day.

Mayor Rick Bonnett suggested closing the road altogether would increase traffic on 46 Street and 38 Street, which would reduce the life of those roads.

McPhee provided a fourth option, which provides plans to replace the bridge and realign the road to meet 100-year-flood emergencies at a cost of $2.6 million. Coun. Marc Yaworski asked what the time frame for completion should be. “Should something be done immediately?”

McPhee suggested the bridge substructure will be monitored for public safety and if need be, he will close it to traffic.

Some planning has already been done in the area for realigning the road. Town planners have a proposed layout for a new bridge and road realignment. One property still needs to be purchased to ensure the realignment plans will work.

Acting CAO Betty Quinlan said $100,000 has been saved for this project and she suggested they could begin the planning process with those funds.

McPhee says grant funding may be possible as this is a “shovel ready” project, but the town needs to start putting in grant applications now.

“We’ll look at funding options,” said Quinlan.

Council made no decisions except to direct McPhee to continue with realignment plans.

PONOKA NEWS 9

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Legacy Ford and anonymous Good Samaritans help accident stricken family

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

In a heartwarming act of generosity, a few members of the Ponoka community and the Legacy Ford dealership in Ponoka joined forces to support the Cote family, who lost their father in the massive pileup on Highway 2 on March 6, by donating them a 2013 Ford Escape SUV. Michel Cote, the brother of deceased Eric Cote, who received the vehicle together with Ghislane Moreault, Eric’s wife, said words would not be enough to express their gratitude for “the very, very big heart of the people of Alberta.”

“You can understand, it is a big, big thing for them, the family has to drive their young daughters to treatment every two weeks. She can’t believe how generous people are, she just can’t believe it and nor do I.” The family of Eric Cote and Ghislane Moreault, with their two daughters Patricia and Marilou had been struggling to set their life on a steady course for more than a decade with Eric being struck by unfortunate labor accidents and other adversities resulting from them. The two daughters of the family have medical conditions that require continuous treatment. (A more detailed story

on the trials and tribulations of the family was published in Red Deer Advocate on Saturday, March 15. http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ news/Community_rallies_around_ Red_Deer_family_devastated_by_ tragedy_250430431.html) Ross North of Legacy Ford said he would not want to take all the credit for the donation and praised the community members who came up with the idea and approached him and other individuals who raised a part of the $23,000 cost of the vehicle.

“I must add that it is through the generosity of a couple of members of our community that brought this to my attention. I don’t want to take away any credit from them,” Ross said.

“They want to remain anonymous. But they came to me to ask for my help, and they gathered up a fairly large sum of money to help with this act and it is due to them that we are moving forward to help this family.”

“It is a really great act on their part,” Ross said of the community members who came up with the idea.

“This is one of the things we can do to help, it is a really great example, it is awesome to be a part of.”

Trevor Feragen (far left) and Ross North (far right) of Legacy Ford in Ponoka deliver the keys to a Ford Escape SUV to Michel Cote (centre) and Ghislane Moreault on Saturday, March 15.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

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10 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PSC highlighted provincially for strong innovation

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Word of advancements in education at Ponoka Secondary Campus (PSC) is starting to spread.

The School Technology branch of Alberta Education highlighted some of the school’s education models in a feature video produced at the school March 11. The video is expected to premier in the summer.

Greg Esteves, technology integration director for Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS), says PSC operations interested Alberta Education.

The organization is rolling out a Learning and Technology Policy Framework with five key areas: • Student centred learning • Research and Innovation • Professional learning • Leadership • Access to digital infrastructure and learning environments Esteves says a piece of this framework includes inspiring education, with a focus on what education in 2030 will look like and how graduates, only now entering the system, will perceive the world. “What are the characteristics they will display as an educated Albertan?”

There are three major goals for graduates under this framework: • Ethical citizens • Engaged thinkers • Entrepreneurial spirit For the third goal, Esteves says the idea is to provide students with tools to never give up in the face of adversity. “It keeps you coming up with new ideas.”

With ethical citizens, the goal is to give students a strong understanding of global and digital citizenship — infusing technology is a large part of this idea.

Esteves says the second goal of engaged thinkers is to change how students are taught.

“It used to be a lot of stand and deliver type of education…At this school in particular, that’s not the norm,” explained Esteves.

Many of the learning spaces at PSC are open concept rather than a closed classroom.

The School Technology Branch of Alberta Education produced a video highlighting advancements in education at Ponoka Secondary Campus March 11. Here students are being part of the video production.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

NOTICE

“It’s an exciting direction that education is taking,” he added.

While there is much innovation at the school, there are also challenges in making adjustments and working with parents and stakeholders who are used to an older teaching model.

Despite challenges, PSC leading the way for Alberta schools Esteves feels PSC teaching and WCPS planning is aligning well with Alberta Education’s goals; indeed, planners in the technology branch of Alberta Educa-

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“What we’re trying to help them (parents) understand is how the system we’re building, facilitates the building of those skills,” explained Esteves.

Teachers and students at the school were interviewed most of the day.

Parents not as interested While the teaching practices at the PSC attract a lot of interest from outside the town, parents of the PSC students showed little interest in a day of “Exhibition of Student Learning” announced by the school administration last week.

The announcement invited parents along with their children to visit the new open education facilities at the campus and get a glimpse of the project-based education on Thursday afternoon, March 13.

There were only a few parents, however, who were really interested in where and how their children were receiving their education.

PSC teachers put a brave face on it saying that it was probably the nice weather that kept most of the parents away from their exhibition day.

One parent’s views Preparation & Electronic Filing “It is pretty cool, I like the colors and I like the open spaces, they didn’t have that in my schools,” said Brent Wilson, who has two children at the PSC. “I came down tonight to learn more through the interviews with teachers and to keep up with the kids.”

Sunrise Village “It is nice to see the new space of their learn4004 - 40 St. Cl. ing. All the teachers were 403.783.2664 very nice and they were very informative. “

tion have sought advice from WCPS on guides to digital citizenship and how to make a policy on bringing personal digital devices to schools.

“Every time I come into this building, there’s a part of me says, ‘I would like to be a student again and also, I would like to go back into my role as a teacher,’” said Esteves.

He suggests there are still challenges facing administrators; stakeholders have the right to question those changes.

Esteves feels education 30 years ago worked but administrators must also challenge people on their perspective of “where the world is today.”

“You have to have the courage to face both groups or all groups, and explain your vision,” he said.

He says researchers and employers are looking for a different type of person, one who can be creative and who can work in teams. Understanding technology is a key part of the requirement.

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PONOKA NEWS 11

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

This town boy loved it down on the farm All the time that I was trying hard to grow up in and around Ponoka I was considered as one of the ‘town boys.’, but once I hit my teens and started roving around the local countryside, I really enjoyed some great adventures down on the farm. When we were finally allowed to venture out with our rustic sets of wheels Mike Rainone into the rural districts, Hammertime the main reasons for going down those bumpy gravel roads was to play ball, go to a curling bonspiel, join in on those great country dances, or in search of girls.

Knowing absolutely nothing about farming, most us of were at first quite shy about going through the big front gate, but were always made to feel quite welcome, at least upon first impression by our congenial hosts. Following are some of our favourite memories of those exciting ‘rural ramblings’, most of which we will never forget. *As a little duffer living up at the Provincial Mental Hospital grounds we used to hike up the long road to the farm, play in the hay loft, and make a general nuisance of ourselves, but I was never very impressed with the noise and smells of hundreds of chickens, geese, pigs, and other animals. *When we started heading out into the country we found out the hard way that the proper footwear out there on the farm was high boots, and not fancy white bucks or sandals. Phoning out into the country was a real challenge as everyone was on the party line, we had to be careful what we said, and if we stayed on to long the Hutterite Colony would tell us to hang up our horn. Just getting out to all those farms and acreages was a real challenge and we found ourselves lost or stuck many times. There were no cell phones then so we had to find a neighbour, who was usually happy to pull us out and give us instructions as long as we were polite and respectful. *The parents of our wanna-be girl friends were always very busy out there on the farm, and to make a good impression we offered to help with the dishes and the chores out and around the yard. We offered to shovel just about anything, but not to get in the way and ask silly questions. If you got to the farm real early you might even be invited to join in on a hardy breakfast of bacon and eggs, which sure beat the boring old porridge that we usually got back home. *Yours truly was not very good around animals, recalling that I tried only once to milk a cow, but when she turned and gave me a dirty look I fell off the stool and spilled the pail. I did finally but not very bravely agree to ride the slowest and oldest horse in the barn, but most of the time this over-zealous little chicken spent long hours riding the fence or back in the house sampling her mother’s fresh cookies. *I was way too small (or weak) to toss bails or cut wood, but I loved to ride on the tractor, wearing an old straw hat and trying to look important. While helping to carefully gather eggs one day I was chased by a great big old goose, who managed to take a nip at my backside before I crawled under the fence. Never mind the goose, we also learned really fast that farm girls are tough, and you don’t want to twist wrists, wrestle, or make them mad. Their big brothers are also nice too, but you always had to remember to be good to their sisters. *If you became friends with the boys on the farm you might get asked to stay overnight, but no matter how long we stayed out the night before we had to be prepared to roll out early and help with the chores.

How great it was to sit around the big kitchen table or in the living room and play games and make friendly chatter with those large farm families, who loved to talk sports, politics, work, and just about any other subject, but no arguments or one-sided opinions were allowed.

*One other rule that us guys had to remember was never bring those girls home late, because if you did, the yard lights were on, the dog was on the porch, and we may just have dropped out of the district popularity pecking order. Out there you need to always make time for coffee, as well as playing a family and friends game of pick up ball out in the north pasture, where the cow-pies

were bases and you needed to watch for gopher holes when shagging fly balls. Community picnics were also a real treat, because there was always lots of food and friendly people as well as so many giggly girls. *Along the way throughout those wonder lust years of our lives we got to know so many super and friendly people out there on the farm. As we became adults we would meet

them all again at the traditional Town and Country Curling Bonspiel, ball games, bonspiels, dances, or special events. We happily realized so many times that the fun bunches from the country are always the first to arrive and the last to leave the party, but will also be the early birds the next morning. Get out and enjoy the Salute to Agriculture celebration, and have a great week, all of you..

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12 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Big plans for Ponoka Minor Baseball this season

SEE NEWS HAPPENING? Send us your photos

Email us at editorial@ponokanews.com 403-783-3311

Preschool and Kindergarten Open House Developing language, motor and social skills in a welcoming and secure environment.

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403.704.1155 Principal: curt.baron@starcatholic.ab.ca

Now accepting registrations for Preschool-Grade 12.

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Organizers with the Ponoka Minor Baseball Association have big plans for this season.

President Mandy Hansen said the group has planned a boys and girls baseball tournament and a clinic with a former professional pitcher; Geoff Freeborn is going to host a pitching camp for Ponoka’s young baseball athletes.

While a date has not been set, Hansen says there are enough kids signed up to make it worthwhile to bring Freeborn to Ponoka. She says kids will learn tips on pitching, hitting and infield and outfield plays.

Young baseball athletes new to the sport will also learn some techniques under a program called Learn to Play, which starts with kids as young as three years old.

“It’s a more structured way of teaching them,” she explained.

“It’s still the cheapest sport in Ponoka to play.”

Mandy Hansen, Ponoka Minor Baseball Association president

Hansen feels baseball is an ideal sport for kids who are unsure what they are interested in. Most equipment such as caps, uniforms and other gear are supplied. “It’s still the cheapest sport in Ponoka to play.”

Other plans for the year include being a part of the Stampede parade again this year. Also a fundraising project is planned to ensure kids receive awards for their efforts this year.

Spots are still open for kids and parents who want to sign their kids up with baseball can get a form at the Aquaplex. The cut-off date is March 31.

St. Thomas Aquinas Roman (STAR) Catholic School Division proudly serves the Catholic communities of Beaumont, Drayton Valley, Lacombe, Leduc, Ponoka and Wetaskiwin. www.staug.starcatholic.ab.ca

Don’t miss out on your chance to get involved with the

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PONOKA TRADE FAIR Friday, April 25 & Saturday, April 26

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ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN 2014 works by controlling spending and putting Canada on the road to balanced budgets in 2015.

Balancing the budget protects our economy and keeps it strong. Economic Action Plan 2014* includes proposed investments in things that matter to Canadians like: • Enhanced broadband internet service for rural and Northern Canadians 14033CF1 • A new Search and Rescue Volunteers Tax Credit • The New Horizons for Seniors Program • New measures to support apprentices in the trades • Improved and expanded snowmobile and recreational trails across the country • Measures to support the timely review of pipeline projects *Subject to Parliamentary approval

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PONOKA NEWS 13

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Council debates future of liquor sales in Ponoka

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYER

With the fate of the business hours bylaw restricting liquor sales in Ponoka at stake, residents are speaking out in favour of it.

Mayor Rick Bonnett said they have received three letters opposed to repealing the bylaw, although he did not read them to the gallery during a meeting March 11. Councillors received a request to repeal the business hours bylaw and not everyone agreed on how to proceed.

Coun. Tim Falkiner was clear that he is against restricting liquor sales from the moment he became a councillor. He did not feel reading a letter from a person claiming to be the medieval character Robin Hood. “If you don’t have the wherewithal to put your name, your own contact information on there, then I don’t think that we should give it the time of day.”

Falkiner wanted to repeal the bylaw that night but Coun. Carla Prediger disagreed and suggested a public meeting be set to allow feedback from residents. Falkiner challenged that suggestion.

“I think there’s been ample discussion…I think we’re just delaying the inevitable,” said Falkiner.

On the other side of the discussion was Prediger, who feels council should hear what residents have to say.

“I think we owe it to the public to at least go to a public hearing,” she said.

From the gallery, Inger Laing, vice-president of the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce, asked to speak in favour of the repeal. She took advantage of the new council proceedings bylaw, which allows residents to speak for two minutes.

Laing referred to the chamber’s recent survey to business owners asking their thoughts on it.

“They came back in favour of rescinding this bylaw,” she offered.

The chamber received 45 votes with 35 people speaking against restricting liquor sales.

Sherry Gummow, a business owner in Ponoka, also spoke in favour of repealing the bylaw.

“AGLC (Alberta Gaming and Liquopr Commission) highly regulates this business. If it’s good enough for the rest of the province, I feel it’s good enough for Ponoka,” said Gummow.

She suggests there are social issues the bylaw is not addressing and questioned the impaired driving statistics provided by Ponoka RCMP. “Anybody can skew them one way or another.”

“We don’t just represent the chamber, we represent the community.”

Coun. Carla Prediger

Prediger still spoke in favour of a public meeting.

“We don’t just represent the chamber, we represent the community,” she said.

Council voted 5-1 to plan a public meeting to allow residents to speak up. Coun. Mark Yaworski recused himself from the discussion and Falkiner voted against the public meeting. A date has not been set.

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14 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Green beer day: Rich Evans and Ian McPherson enjoy a green beer together at the Ponoka Legion. Folks enjoyed a hearty meal and green beers at the Legion most of the day March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

VJV MARKET REPORT MARKET REPORT MARCH 12, 2014

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014- 4798 head of cattle went through our rings & 132 head on the Canadian Satellite Sale - TOTAL 4930

SLAUGHTER CATTLE D1 - D2 cows D3 - D4 cows Holstein cows Heiferettes Bologna Bulls Feeder bulls

95.00-110.00 80.00-92.00 75.00-97.00 80.00-105.00 85.00-118.00 90.00-120.00

Young Bred Cows 1400.00-1650.00 Older Bred Cows 1250.00-1400.00 Good Bred Heifers: NONE Cow/calf pairs (younger) 1600.00-1800.00 Cow/Calf pairs (older) N/A

STOCKERS AND FEEDERS Good Feeder Steers 1000 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 900 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 800 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 700 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 600 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 500 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 400 lbs Plus: Good Feeder Steers 300 lbs Plus:

140.00-155.00 155.00-165.00 170.00-182.00 180.00-191.00 190.00-205.00 200.00-222.00 200.00-225.00 200.00-220.00

Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers Heifers

Dairy Steers Baby Calves Dairy Type: Baby Calves Beef Type: Hay: Sq Bales Straw: Sq. Bales Greenfeed: Sq. Bales.

95.00-105.00 70.00-140.00 230.00-380.00 1.25-10.25 2.002.00-3.75

Rd Bales Rd Bales Rd Bales

120.00-144.00 135.00-148.00 148.00-163.00 160.00-174.00 178.00-192.00 185.00-200.00 185.00-200.00 185.00-200.00

65.00-82.00 27.00 NONE

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PONOKA NEWS 15

Wednesday 19, 2014

On To The Next One On Monday, March 10th, the U.S.D.A. released the monthly installment of their world agricultural supply and demand estimates and the market sold-off on the report not meeting trader’s expectations. Ending stocks for US corn were lowered by 25M bushels due to an increase in exports by the same amount, leaving the year-end number 1.456B bushels. US soybean inventories were dropped by 5M bushels (premarket expectations were for 9M) to 145M bushels, the 2nd lowest number since 1976. Wheat ending stocks for the US were unchanged while world inventories rose slightly. Ultimately, the market was in bull mode for a few days leading up to the report but profit-taking started to take over before the release and when expectations weren’t met, the sell-off continued. In reality, the report told us much of what we already knew so it’s now onto the next report, the 2014/15 acreage estimates on Monday, March 31st.

On Friday, March 7th, Federal Ag Minister Gerry Ritz and Transportation Minister Lisa Raitt announced that, through a federal cabinet order, C.N. and C.P. railways will have to

move a combined one million tonnes a week or be fined $100,000 per day.

Interestingly enough, the revenue difference between one train of oil and one train of grain would pay for three days-worth of fines. Further, as our friend at the Western Producer, Ed White, mentions, some grain companies are paying one million dollars a week in demurrage costs so $100,000-a-day isn’t too significant. Ultimately, this is a short-term political play – when there’s enough shouting from the public, a publicly-elected politician has to respond somehow. Further, because this is only a temporary mandate from the government, while I don’t doubt that the rail companies will work hard to meet the weekly requirement, I do discount the notion that they’ll maintain the government’s gameplan if they don’t have to. When you compare things to Australia, a lack of investment is limiting the ability for farmers in the Land of Oz to get their own grain to port. Grain railcars in Australia (or as they are called, “wagons”) usually carry only half of what our Canadian 90-tonne railcars can. With the Australian Wheat Board deregulation still fresh in the

the pleasure of meeting a few at last minds of many (legislation went through in 2008), open market Ausmonth’s Sask Ag Trade Summit) as sie grain trade is still in its infancy. they continue to expand the CanadiYet journalist Chris Cook says the an trade network. Food for thought: current state of logistics is a “sort of when Prime Minister Harper came challenge that comes along once in into office eight years ago, there a generation and can determine the were five free trade agreements and future for generations to come.“ I now, there are 43, begging the questhink we should be able to learn a tion, what and/or who’s next? little from our Commonwealth comTo growth, panions in the Land Down Undaa.

Brennan Turner Canadian Prime Minister Harper President, FarmLead.com Brennan Turner announced overnight that Canada Farm Lead Brennan Turner is originally and South Korea successfully confrom Foam Lake, SK, where his famcluded negotiations for a free trade agreement. This is big for a few ily started farming the land in the reasons: South Korea is a large po1920s. After completing his degree in economics tential market for Canadian livestock while the from Yale University and then playing some pro number one consumed vegetable oil in the Asian hockey, Mr. Turner spent some time working in fination is our favourite to grow, canola. The tar- nance before starting FarmLead.com, a risk-free, iffs that existed on pork, beef, and seafood will be transparent online and now mobile grain marketphased out over the next decade or so while Canaplace (app available for iOS and Android). His dian automakers were upset the 6.1 per cent import tariff on Korean cars will be phased out in just two weekly column is a summary of his free, daily maryears. Kudos to the Prime Minister’s office though ket note, the FarmLead Breakfast Brief. He can be and his team of foreign trade negotiators (I had reached via email (b.turner@farmlead.com) or phone (1-855-332-7653).

DONATION MASKWACIS JOB FAIR Vern Dick (center) and members representing the Legion 55 Club in Ponoka present a cheque for $500 to Lion member Donna Hopper (left) and driver Frank Thomaser of the Ponoka LIons Club for use in maintaining the Ponoka Lions Club Community Bus.

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16 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Johnson Estates angry with Town of Rimbey over poor ethics

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Failed development agreement negotiations with the Town of Rimbey have left a bitter taste in the mouth of Johnson Estates. Despite that, however, the company remains hopeful for future joint endeavors with Ponoka County.

Stacey Johnson and her father Alvin of Johnson Estates feel they were recently failed by the Town of Rimbey as negotiations fell through on the matter of building a new seniors’ lodge planned by the town on land owned by the company.

Stacey says she isn’t angry the negotiations ultimately didn’t conclude positively; she feels the town acted in poor conduct throughout the procedure. Especially since the Johnson’s land wasn’t for sale at the time, and they were approached by the Rimoka Housing Foundation board.

During the negotiation process, the Johnsons put out $26,000 of their own money to improve the land further to be appropriate for the purpose of a seniors’ lodge — design and engineering costs. That money was

repaid to them by Ponoka County.

“And then we’re just kind of left by the Town of Rimbey saying well, they had expenses too,” said Stacey.

“I think throughout this deal (Reeve) Paul (McLauchlin) and (CAO) Charlie (Cutforth) handled themselves very ethically,” said Stacey.

During the Johnson’s negotiations with the Town of Rimbey another offer of land was put forth approximately two weeks after Ponoka County signed the land agreement. Stacey says not only did the town consider the offer — which is now in negotiations for the same lodge — but they also didn’t disclose the offer to Johnson Estates. “That probably shouldn’t have been entertained because it takes your ability to negotiate in good faith.”

In the beginning, negotiations stated Ponoka County would pay for the land, which they did, as well as perform a little dirt work, Rimoka would apply for grants and funding, and Rimbey was meant to the lot.

“It wasn’t really until we started to put them into legal documents where you start dotting the I’s and

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“It became very clear that there wasn’t a clear servicing plan from the Town of Rimbey of what they were going to service.”

Stacey Johnson

crossing the T’s, it became very clear that there wasn’t a clear servicing plan from the Town of Rimbey of what they were going to service,” said Stacey.

“Then it became clear the Town of Rimbey was not necessarily servicing the lot, they were going to provide a water line and a sanitary line,” she added.

Stacey says in the last proposal given to Johnson Estates by the town indicated they weren’t even providing that much; they were funding a sanitary line and a portion of the water line. “They priced out themselves the cost of doing the water line . . . And it was about $130,000. In their last proposal to us, they were only willing to pay $86,000. So I’m not sure why they’d think that’s acceptable when they made a motion, they’ve made it very clear they were willing to put in a water line and a septic line.”

The water line was set to come from the north due to water pressure problems. The town’s main, 10-inch water line is an incomplete loop between two reservoirs. The section between the two has NEED A

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a balanced pressure but on the south end of the incomplete portion pressure drops. Alvin and Stacey were also upset that this new land that is now under negotiations is also situated along the same part of the line, and they don’t understand why the pressure doesn’t seem to be an issue now, as it was for them.

Johnson Estates countered the town’s offer on the water line and received a letter and a motion that the Town of Rimbey would no longer talk to them. “On January 13 that was it, we were cut off.”

Stacey also told council Johnson Estates also owns two other plots of land she feels would be more appropriate for a seniors’ lodge instead of the newest offer to council. However, she never brought them forward because she was led to believe the land Rimoka approached them for was what was desired by the town.

Now she feels it wasn’t the disagreements in money matters that ended negotiations between Johnson Estates and the Town of Rimbey, it was the amount of details, such as water, sewage and pavement, that needed attending with the Johnson’s land and the intrusion of a second offer.

Johnson Estates owns land on the north end of town where there would be no water pressure issues, but a short road would need to be constructed. Another plot is located more south and it already has pavement and a service line.

Stacey feels these would be better than the offer made to town during Johnson’s agreements.

Both locations, as well as the one originally up for negotiation, is within close proximity to the hospital, Peter Lougheed Community Centre, Pas Ka Poo Park, the drop in centre. The three locations are also on the same side of Highway 53 as these amenities.

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PONOKA NEWS 17

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Agriculture 2014 Jan Slomp, president of the National Farmers Union, stands in front of Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins office with like-minded farmers. His request to meet the MP was denied while some farmers protested the proposed arrangements under Bill C-18.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

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18 PONOKA NEWS

AGRICULTURE 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Calkins faces angry farmers over omnibus Bill C-18

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

The omnibus Bill C-18, which, among other things, seeks to modify farmers’ right to access to their own seed, is becoming a hot issue positioning area farmers and the federal government in a state of serious conflict.

The bill, which has already had its first reading in the parliament, has attracted strong opposition from the National Farmers Union (NFU) and its president Jan Slomp. He, and approximately 15 people, including producers and farm advocates converged March 12 on Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins’ Ponoka constituency office to present a petition signed by 110 farmers and individuals against the bill.

Among them was Doug Hart, NDP candidate from the last provincial election.

Slomp was not allowed in the closed meeting as Calkins claimed the NFU president had abused his privileges of coming to his constituency office.

For Slomp, the main issue with this bill is farmers lose the right to reuse seed from their own harvested crop.

The petition requests that farmers be allowed to reuse seed on an ongoing basis without worry they would have to pay further royalties, explained Slomp. He suggests this would produce a greater genetic diversity in food crops.

Calkins countered that farmers will only

need pay for the cost of the seed and for royalties once. “What is happening is new varieties are being bred and claimed as property by plant breeders,” Slomp explained.

Slomp said he does not object to paying royalties but disagrees with having to pay royalties a second year after harvesting the first order of seed.

Calkins said he has heard concerns only from Slomp. “The only organization that’s opposing this is the NFU.” Depending on the seller, royalties may be paid at the time of purchase or at the time of harvest. Those royalties depend on the seed, said Calkins.

“Not every seed has intellectual property,” he added.

Canola is engineered from rapeseed, and while the former does have intellectual property, the latter does not. Calkins disagrees with Slomp’s assessment of the bill and he suggests it will benefit farmers.

Seed costs continue to rise Despite this, Slomp says farmers are the ones having to pay greater royalties in the last 15 years for seed such as canola. “These costs have exponentially risen from intellectual property protection and varieties owned exclusively by these corporations.”

He suggests this bill allows a company to collect royalties every time a cow grazes or when a farmer cuts the plant.

Advanced payment for farmers a benefit Slomp says there are some benefits in parts of the Bill C-18; and among them is the provision that farmers may be eligible for advanced payment.

“Well, farmers are experiencing very low prices and grain is not moving, so a lot of them are backed up into a corner,” he said.

The NFU president is in favour of this idea but suggests it should not be part of an omnibus bill. “Let’s not tie it all in with a bunch of legislative changes.”

Concerns presented to Calkins Former NDP candidate Hart, who met with Calkins, said his concern is this bill gives too many rights to large corporations, including Monsanto, regarding the use, reuse and the sale of seed.

“My fear is that it would create an oligopoly for companies in food production,” said Hart.

He feels the bill, while stating farmers still have privileges to reuse, save and sell seed, may be beholden to the patent holder of those seeds.

Calkins rebuttal was that there is currently no legislation for farmers to reuse, save and sell seed. Hart’s concern with this legislation is farmers will end up paying more rather than less in the long run.

Slomp challenged another component of

Bill C-18 by which Canada will automatically approve the use of a drug in agricultural products if another country, with which Canada has trade agreements, approves its use. Slomp said the term is “incorporation by reference.”

“It bypasses the role of Health Canada,” he added.

The dangers are there, says Slomp. A growth hormone for cows banned in Canada, called bovine somatotropin, is approved for use in the United States. He says incorporation by reference would make banning this drug impossible in Canada.

“The regulatory review that they have in the States would be automatically applied here,” explained Slomp.

Protecting new varieties of plants Canada is a signatory to the 1978 International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV). Bill C-18 proposes that Canada adopt the 1991 UPOV agreement. Calkins said the former agreement is antiquated and creates an uncertain marketplace for seed companies to invest in.

Calkins and Slomp appear to disagree on the long term benefits of this bill. The MP says farmers will have a greater variety of seed and Slomp suggests the gene pool will be reduced.

Calkins says he intends to bring the petition to parliament and table it for a response but could not say when that would occur.

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Ponoka County Ponoka County Council / Agricultural Service Board Division 1 Bryce Liddle

Division 2 Mark Matejka

Division 3 Doug Weir

Division 4 Paul McLauchlin

Division 5 Nancy Hartford

On behalf of the Ponoka County Agriculture Service Board we would like to offer our continued support and encouragement to the vibrant local Ponoka County agriculture industry. As a board we strive to meet the needs of our local residents and landowners and look to our involvement as a true partnership whose goal is to provide for your success. We wish our farmers and ranchers of all types and sizes in the agriculture industry continued success in 2014.

– Paul McLauchlin, Reeve

4205 Highway #2A, Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1V9 Phone: 403-783-3333 Fax: 403-783-6965 Email: PonokaCounty@PonokaCounty.com

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AGRICULTURE 2014

PONOKA NEWS 19

War on noxious weeds continues

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

The number of noxious weeds invading Ponoka County continues to grow.

Last year, the county classified Absinthe Wormwood as its newest noxious weed after the species had spent the last five years creeping westward from the eastern portion of the county.

The county is home to most of the weeds classified as noxious by the Alberta Government and to a few prohibited noxious weeds as well.

With noxious weeds, the county and its noxious weed inspectors have a little more leeway to work with landowners and find the proper solution to cutback the problem. “If we do find weeds on their property and they do have it, they need to control it,� said Shayne Steffen, manager of agricultural services.

Prohibited noxious weeds pose more of a concern. “They aren’t as many in the province or they’re extremely invasive,� explained Steffen.

Steffen likened the issues brought with prohibited noxious weeds to that of rats; a lot of hard work goes into stopping those species at the provincial border so their numbers don’t fester. “We have very few in the province and we don’t want them to get established.�

Prohibited noxious weeds that can be found in the county are Meadow Hawkweed, Orange Hawkweed, Bighead Knapweed, Spotted Knapweed, and purple Loosestrife.

Once a weed is established, it can choke out irrigation infrastructure, choke waterways, many are toxic to humans and livestock, and they can cause a loss of farmable croplands. “They’ll impact crop production, you’ll lose yield to them,� said Steffen. “We’ll lose biodiversity in our environmentally sensitive areas,� he added.

Absinthe Wormwood takes over pastureland and is toxic. Steffen says, with the amount of dairy operations in the area, there’s a danger of the weed getting into hay land and causing tainted milk. “Probably the best long-term control would be to spray

that weed,� said Steffen. It could also be mowed but because it’s a perennial, it will come back from the roots.

Absinthe Wormwood isn’t as big an issue in cropland because tillage and herbicides make it difficult to get established.

In order to combat the weeds, the county has a number of resources and procedures to follow. The county has a database containing approximately 1,300 files pertaining to the history of each weed in the county, and inspectors work closely with landowners.

Options to rid the land of the weed include cutting, mowing, spraying and grazing, but the method is chosen on an individual basis depending on the species and its proximity to water.

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20 PONOKA NEWS

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Bill C-18 generates fear and fury

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

The push of omnibus agricultural Bill C-18 into reality will dissolve Canada’s current state of the industry as it stands into one where farmers, the backbone and producers of the industry, have less rights and control over the aspects of their own livelihood, according to National Farmers Union President Jan Slomp, who recently met with a group of farmers from Ponoka County to explain to them how the bill would affect their operations.

First, from the bill will stem a fast track approval for foreign organizations to import fertilizers, chemicals or seeds without Canadian entities issuing the present level of resources to ensure its safety, the NFU president says.

Secondly, the bill will also allow advance payment given to farmers for crops in bin. Slomp fears this payment system will lead to land grabbing on Canadian soil by foreign entities seeking the same advance payments.

Thirdly, Bill C-18 will restrict famer’s abilities to save seeds and deliver the rights to the seeds to the private sector and the Plant Breeders Rights (PBR), which is an act, a form of intellectual property rights, designed to provide legal protection to plant breeders and their varieties.

The amendments the bill is proposing to PBR would mean farmers would no longer be allowed to produce, reproduce or condition the seeds to be used on their

own holdings.

Historically, farmers have always had the right to reseed but Bill C-18 would downgrade that right to a privilege, which could be revoked by Parliament at any time. “Now we have to rely on the holder of the Plant Breeders Rights to give us that privilege,” said Slomp.

“It’s completely useless,” he added.

Slomp says for the last 14,000 years it’s been farmers who have been developing seed varieties and under the Principle of Farmers Seed Act, they were given unrestricted right to save, clean, condition, store and sell their seed.

He also fears Bill C-18 will hamper the sustainability of the seed industry’s future because it limits the scope of variety as well as hardiness and health of the seed exposed to Canada’s climates, weather and growing season. More importance will be placed on seeds developed and owned by the private sector, as well as those imported, which are feared to have a lower yield rate as there’s more of a chance they won’t be acclimatized.

This new system would also introduce point end royalty collection in Canada for the first time, meaning when farmers are ready to sell, they would have to make a payment to the PBR owners.

These royalties would have to be continually paid on an annual basis, which is what concerns Slomp. In the case farmers couldn’t afford the royalties, it’s ruled that the PBR owners can claim machinery and immovable assets.

Bill C-18 could cause seed costs to further rise and will extend royalties up to 20 years on a variety. “As soon as farmers pay end point royalties, farmers will no longer save seed. When that is a reality we’ll see costs go up,” said Slomp.

“We are really getting nothing for giving up a lot,” said Slomp.

The rights being taken away from the public sector and given to the private sector will remain to be funded by the public and allow what Slomp is calling “double dipping” into the pockets of farmers.

Along with the end point royalties, farmers already pay a levy to the public sector, which wouldn’t be dropped because the public sector will still be wanted to carry variety seed development for the first 6 years of the seed before being scooped by the private sector to claim as their own, says Slomp.

“No politician has grasped all of these different aspects in one vote. It’s insane. It should be considered undemocratic,” said Slomp.

“This is not a democracy. It’s very sad that we have so little room for intelligence and we have our whole future hanging up on these false ideologies,” added former NDP candidate Doug Hart.

When asked about potential benefits of the bill, Slomp said the minister will claim it will open up Canada’s access to foreign varieties. However, he feels if public breeding was properly funded, foreign varieties wouldn’t be needed.

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AGRICULTURE 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Farmers frustrated with slow grain transport

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

While farmers were experiencing bumper crops last season, railway companies were reducing the number of railcars being used, allocating more and more of them to crude oil transportation.

Farmers are now sitting on a payload that is losing them much needed cash.

While the decision by the federal government to instruct Canadian Pacific (CP) and Canadian National (CN) railways to increase their allocation of railcars for grain transportation may be of some help, it doesn’t change the fact that the marketplace has taken a hit.

Transport has been slow enough to keep more than half — 45 million tons — of the 76 million tons of grain produced in Canada still in storage.

Advocating to increase grain loads is Wade Subkowich, executive director, Western Grain Elevators Association.

“The railways assume the grain is going to move eventually, so they’re not concerned with the negative effects that untimely movement may have on the operations of grain companies and farmers,” stated Subkowich.

But storage in the prairies is almost at its maximum capacity while at the port, sellers are desperate to sell grain. Companies are offering low prices in the prairies for grain they cannot store. “The prices are artificially low because the railways are creating a false supply and demand situation because of the lack of capacity.”

This also affects grain sellers who are facing daily demurrage charges for failing to load grain in time; approximately $12,000 to $25,000 a day per vessel, says Subkowich. Contract extension penalties are being paid to oversees customers as well.

Farmers are sitting on grain at risk of degradation and a shortage of cash to invest in product for the next season.

Railway representatives claim cold weather and the large quantity of grain was unexpected, says Subkowich, but he questions some of that reasoning after his as-

sociation and others informed railways of the bumper crop.

As for cold weather, Subkowich feels CN and CP did not account for a cold winter season.

Wheat board separate issue from transportation Subkowich says he does not feel the recent dismantling of the Canadian Wheat Board affected farmers this year. The board was involved in logistics for wheat and barley and groups such as the grain elevators association was involved in the logistics of all non-board grains, he explained.

“The two logistics sometimes tripped over each other and now what we have is the companies manage the pipeline…So we believe if we had two logistics that the problem would be amplified,” said Subkowich.

He feels railway transportation of grains was an issue for the wheat board in recent years.

Subkowich has heard some

concerns from producers over the railways and grain elevator associations conspiring together but “that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“We need to move this grain and we’ve been at this for years…

We’ve been on the public record over and over again that we need legislative back stops so that we don’t end up in these same situations,” he explained.

Order in council from the federal government The issue has caused the federal government to step in and pass legislation for the two railway companies to increase shipping or pay fines. CP and CN each must provide 500,000 — approximately 5,500 rail cars — tons of capacity, per week, and if they don’t comply, a penalty of $100,000 per day will be applied.

This may be too little, too late.

Subkowich expects large amounts of grain being stored for some

PONOKA NEWS 21

time. “We’re still going to have about 25 million tons left.”

With only two railway companies handling grain transport, Subkowich does not feel grain producers have many options. “A lot of people refer to the rails as a duopoly.”

Farmers have the choice of dealing with either Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) or Canadian National Railway (CN). In some cases only one company will stop at a grain elevator, explained Subkowich. “You don’t have a choice.

You’re beholden to a monopoly.”

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AGRICULTURE 2014

22 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

NFU President says government warned of what was to come

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It has been more than two years since the Harper government dismantled the Canadian Wheat Board’s single desk marketing operation and the country now has a bumper crop, so big that it was dubbed “100-year record grain crop”, at about 76 million tonnes, about 50 per cent above average.

Wetaskiwin MP Blaine Calkins said in a letter to the editor of Ponoka News “At a time when our farmers, unleashed from the shackles of a single desk monopoly, have seen record yields.”

While there is no scientific evidence that the dismantling of the CWB’s marketing authority helped achieve that bumper crop, it is interesting that many farmers have been realizing that the lack

of coordination in moving their crop is hurting them.

The problem of the huge backlog in transporting the grain to the ports that has been affecting the prairie farmers may be just the beginning of a decline in the farmers’ ability to maintain their operations profitably as Canada’s status as a global exporter of high quality grains, especially wheat, may be threatened within just a few years.

Jan Slomp, President of National Farmers Union (NFU), says the recent decision by federal ministers to get the grain moving to ports solves only one part of the problem and there will need to be more sustained efforts to ensure that grain exporting process reaches a satisfactory conclusion.

More bottlenecks on the way “As soon as railroad starts moving more grain, we will have the next bottleneck and that is the port of Vancouver, where most grain goes. We have five private terminals in Vancouver. Canadian Wheat Board had good relations with those independent businesses and they would typically say ‘We can get your grain delivered on such and such date.’”

Another problem is that there is only one terminal that could allow the loading of up to 70,000 tonnes of grain at one go and the

others are too small to handle big shipments.

Slomp stresses that in addition to shipment, there are other important factors that need to be taken into account in the process of wheat exports: “We are talking about various kinds of grain and even various classes of grain all of which have to be kept separate before being loaded onto ships.”

The storage facilities are inadequate for expedient shipment if you don’t organize it all from one coordinating desk, Slomp says.

The Union of Grain Services Employees spoke out two weeks ago saying that the problem is not necessarily that grain is not coming fast enough.

The problem is that due to the lack of coordination, the ships have to shuttle up to four times between the harbor and their point of anchor outside the port just to be able to take their full load, each time having only part of their load being ready for shipment.

“This is illustrative of the lack of capacity and coordination,” Slomp said.

“So Ritz is fixing just one part of the problem but the other part will be the next bottleneck and he created all this by himself by ending the single desk (operation) of the Canadian Wheat Board.”

Slomp said the opposition of the conservative politicians to CWB was entirely ideological.

Continued on page 25

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PONOKA NEWS 23

Calving season well under way calf, the lining of its bowels. This results in large amounts of bodily fluids collecting in the stomach and the calf quickly becomes dehydrated, as the fluids are lost through diarrhea.

Although there are several varieties of scours, and it can occur in colder weather, the main cause is exposing the animals to dirty water and other unhygienic factors. “But that’s a management issue,” said Matejka.

Calving season procedures change from operation to operation but the Matejkas switch the animals’ feeding schedule. “The theory is, and it seems to work, the cows eat later in the evening and the cows are more likely to calve during the day,” said Matejka.

“It seems to make sense that they’re digesting through the night and then they start thinking about calving,” he added.

Potential problems during the labor Once a cow goes into labour, and all goes well, the calf should be born within two to four hours.

“As long as they mother up after that, they’re basically on there own.”

Other operations consistently check their animals on a schedule, even throughout the night, and other use a series of cameras to keep an eye on the cattle.

Continued on page 28

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

For many cattle producers across central Alberta, calving season is in full swing. Those who began within the first eight weeks of the new year are already done and still more won’t even begin until April.

Calving season can begin at any time during the year based on the personal preference of the producers, although most plan for late January to the end of April.

As breeders of purebred Black Angus, Red Angus and Herefords, Mark Matejka of Matejka Farms, which sits southwest of Ponoka, runs his season from the end of February through March.

Matejka and his wife Kathy sell breeding bulls and need their animals to be mature enough, 12 to 15 months old, by the time they wish to sell; which is why they choose an earlier time to calve.

“He needs to be physically big enough,” said Matejka referring to a breeding bull’s purpose.

A later season would leave the bulls 200 to 300 pounds lighter than other bulls for sale and not sexually mature.

There are pros and cons that come with each calving season timeframe. Those who choose earlier times are left to deal with cold and snowy conditions, which leads to more work on the part of the producers.

Weather an important factor in choosing calving time With the cold comes the need for more bedcubcadet.ca ding and a few more check-ins, making sure mother and baby are NEW INTUITIVE Mowers t safe. “We just make Starting a * sure we can get them $ acclimatized with each TECHNOLOGY other,” said Matejka.

“If it’s a nice day you don’t have to worry about them as much,” he added.

The amount of feed A MOWER THAT CUTS needed is another poAT YOUR SPEED tentially problematic factor associated with FINANCING Riders t cold weather; the conStarting a * cern that there’s enough $ feed to go around among the hundreds of operations across the province as well as the increasing prices.

“When it’s cold, their (cattle) consumption goes up,” said Matejka.

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Power steering on select models A later spring calving season means slugging through the mud and wet conditions that appear every spring in Alberta. “That’s one of the advantages of calving early, there’s less chance of getting scours,” said Matejka.

Scours is caused by a variety of bacteria or viruses — salmonella and www.townandcountrysupplies.ca E.coli included — infecting a calf’s stomach and attacking the weakest point of a young

249

1969

One of the Matejka’s Hereford calves is checked on by its mother.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

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AGRICULTURE 2014

24 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AGRICULTURE 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Government was warned...

ments, racking up huge debts. In a study, Farmers’ Suicides in India: Magnitudes, Trends and Spatial Patterns, it’s suggested that an average of 16,000 farmers within the country have committed suicide every year for the last decade, many to escape these debts.

Other issues causing indebtedness for India’s farmers include a lack of reliable credit, changes in government policies, cropping patterns, plant and insect resistance to pesticides, and shifts in the crops planted on the farm.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the suicide rate of farmers is almost triple the national average.

Like in India, where those involved in agriculture is steadily declining, urbanization is an issue across the globe when it comes to the agricultural industry. “Within 20 years we’re going to see 80 per cent of the world’s population living in an urban setting,” said Schoepp. This will lead to a lack of work force and a breakdown of the current system of moving agricultural products through the country.

Local 4-H’ers take global view of agvocating

PONOKA NEWS 25

Continued from page 22

Warnings were given Canadian Wheat Board had a strict mandate, it could not own assets other than an office building, and it did not sell any input, any fertilizers or seeds but it was just in charge of

BY AMELIA NAISMITH coordinating and organizing the marketing Brenda Schoepp, who lives at the far important because Canada is one of a hand“It’s important to “They (the Harper government) never wanted to listen west end of the county, is a Nuffield Scholar ful of countries where farmers can actually As the population living on agricultural and agricultural agvocate on an internationcontinue agriculture own land, in many places it’s leased. when we sat down time and time again before they dismanindustry becomes more unstable here in al level. “One of the most important reasons This, as well as other rights taken from tled it (CWB) what the consequences would be, we warned throughout our society.”

Alberta and around the world, agvocating to agvocate is to connect with out consumfarmers on an international basis, leads them exactly about the things that are playing out now, they Matthew Klimec becomes more and more important. ers.” numerous issues on top of those that are were too ideologically driven to create freedom, a complete For three of Ponoka’s 4-H youth, they Like Harvey, she feels a bridge must be regularly associated with the industry. fallacy and now they have created that freedom and now know just their involvement in the organiza- created between the industry and consum- another opportunity to agvocate and led the India, for example, is an agrarian counthey are blaming the problems back on CWB.” Concerns for future of agriculture tion helps to make a difference. ers so they may appreciate where their food group through discussions on the commit- ty where 60 per cent of the population is The president of the NFU said in the long term, the situSchoepp says two concerns will continue to grow if this Agvocating is a term deriving from ad- comes from. ment of those in agriculture, the economic directly or indirectly dependent on the ination would get worse because of both lack of coordination urbanization pattern continues.

Rural areas could become vocating specifically referring to actions Taking a global approach benefits of a stable food source in Canada, dustry for their livelihood. However, the impoverished because too much produce will be stripped to and the loss of data and institutional memory kept by the promoting agriculture in a positive light.

Schoepp has traveled the world on an as well as societal benefits of allowing a country sits on agricultural crises. support urban populations and, because most will already CWB. “It’s our job, both as 4-Hers and 4-H lead- agricultural pretense and mentors within the diverse number of operations to prosper. “I Cotton farming is a huge industry in Inbe in the cities, it will become even harder to get the prodUnique classes of wheat lost ers, that we show that those in agriculture field in eight different countries. look at food as the most important product dia and an agricultural multinational called ucts where they need to go, leaving farmers with piles of “Since we lost the single desk, we lost five unique, preare taking care of their animals and taking While recently travelling through Cuba from and for society.”

Monsanto controls 95 per cent of the counproduce, no way to transport it to market, and empty pockcare of the land,” said Monica Harvey, East with a group of young Canadians, Schoepp mium classes of wheat produced only in Canada. We lost Schoepp is also a huge advocate of try’s cotton seed. By owning the patents to ets.

Ponoka 4-H Beef Club leader. the markets for those classes of wheat,” Slomp stressed. got a first hand taste of how removed con- women’s rights in the field of agriculture. the seeds, Monsanto is able to collect royalSchoepp is also an advocate of financial literacy, as she She feels, as 4-H members, it’s their sumers are from agriculture. She says the In Canada, 30 per cent of agricultural op- ties from the Indian famers. The company “Japan bought wheat in January in the United States for says it plays a huge part in agriculture. On an international responsibility to market to consumers the group saw agriculture as a negative industry erations are owned by women, 40 per cent isn’t just present in India; they also have ties the first time instead of Canada, the reason being that since level it goes back to allowing women and girls a proper edprocesses behind the agriculture industry and tied it directly to corporate America. across North America and an even higher to Brazil and Canada among others. the abolishment of the CWB, we have no way of knowing ucation so they’re able to read and sign contracts and lines to educate them on where their food comes “Their understanding was agriculture was number across the world.

As crops in India fail—many due to cliall the qualities of grain out there.” of credit, leading to land ownership and equality. “If we from and help give them piece of mind some corporate monster.”

“The first thing to advocate is equal ac- mate change in the country—farmers fall According to the NFU president, the previous practice Brenda Schoepp don’t have financial literacy, we can’t do anything.” that the industry isn’t destroying the enviSchoepp saw their misunderstanding as cess to land,” said Schoepp. To her, this is further and further behind in royalty payFile photo was that the farmers would, after harvest, ronment. “To allow them to buy take samples to the Canadian Grain Comtheir food with a guilt-free conmission and they would inform the wheat science.” board about how many tonnes of what “It’s important to continue agquality of grain they had. Then CWB riculture throughout our society,” would assess the qualities and then select said Matthew Klimec, 16, of the the premium quality knowing which farmEast Ponoka 4-H Beef Club.

As agriculture is a base iners had them and then coordinate the grain dustry in Alberta and country’s cars to move the same quality of wheat to agricultural products are considbe shipped from Vancouver or Thunder ± ered some of the best in the world, Bay. fellow club member Simon “So the transparency of the process ¥ Stalder, 17, says it’s important to has been lost, individual farmers deal with actively keep agriculture alive. individual grain companies now and the Stalder, Klimec and Harcompanies will buy the premium wheat vey’s daughter Virginia, 16, also ≤ but may not pay the premium price for it,” a member of the East Ponoka Slomp said.

4-H Beef Club, are playing their Who profits from the bottleneck part in maintaining the indusSlomp also reminded that there had try’s health by mentoring the next opened a huge gap in the price of grains generation of agvocates. “We, since the harvest season. According to an as senior members, have to get PURCHASE PU P U PRICE INCLUDES $8,500 CONSUMER CASH , $1,500 announcement by the current Canadian young people interested in it,” BONUS CASH AND FREIGHT. LLOYALTY/CONQUEST LOY LO OY O Y said Virginia.

Wheat Board two weeks ago, the price of FINANCE Klimec added that agriculwheat per bushel was $4.69 in the Prairies FOR ture is key in Alberta and if 4-H while the same class of wheat was worth % 14033UC0 $ doesn’t play its part, the impor$11.38 cents at the Vancouver Port. tance of the industry could start NFU president said while the world BI-WEEKLY‡ FOR 96 MONTHS to fall.

WITH $0 DOWN market was quite convenient with a good “Alberta’s prime farm land is deal of demand, most prairie farmers were right along the Highway II corbeing subjected to suppressed prices at the ridor, which is being covered by GET AN ADDITIONAL hand of private elevator companies.

PULL-AHEAD businesses,” said Harvey. “We BONUS CASH “They have kept the supply on the praineed passionate people to protect ries where it is stuck and very low priced that land.” , and they managed to sell it to the world Even while still in their teens, RATE REDUCTION ENDS MARCH 31 market at a way higher price. They have a IF YOU ARE A LICENSED TRADESMAN the three 4-Hers are focusing on OR IF YOU CURRENTLY OWN ANY vested interest in keeping that surplus on PICKUP TRUCK how their actions now can help lessen the impact of the many the prairies to depress these prices.” issues and concerns in today’s In conclusion, Slomp said the dismanindustry. “If we do not continue, tling of the CWB’s single desk marketing Starting from price for 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie Limited shown: $48,735. there will be no big picture,” said RAMTRUCKOFFERS.CA operation could prove to be an irreparable Klimec. damage to farming in Canada.

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AGRICULTURE 2014

26 PONOKA NEWS

SALUTING ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY One of Alberta’s great strengths is the agriculture industry and the values it still portrays in today’s lifestyle.

It is my honour to work for the Agriculture Industry in the Lacombe/ Ponoka Constituency.

Rod R d Fox, F MLA Lacombe - Ponoka

#101, 4892 - 46 St. Lacombe, AB T4L 2B4 403-782-7725 or Email: lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Equine sports a growing passion in Alberta

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

A good horse can mean the difference between a win and a loss by a couple hundredths of a second in barrel racing.

That’s one reason why more people are looking at ways to increase the performance of their loved animals.

As the Calnash Ag Event Centre continues to host more equine events each year, the demand of equine specialists appears to be growing.

Kathy Butkovic of EquiSports Therapy has been dealing with performance horses using non-invasive soft tissue release.

Butkovic said in an email interview that in any sport, athletes are looking for an “edge.”

“With horses, we are looking to ensure that they are balanced, comfortable and ‘happy’, if you will, before a competition in hopes they give their rider the best performance possible,” she said.

Many of her customers come from ranch and farm backgrounds in Alberta and Butkovic says she enjoys living close to Ponoka and the ag event centre. She also works closely with equine veterinarians.

“The work I do is not a replacement for qualified veterinary care but rather intended to be complementary to. An open line of communication between myself, the owner and veterinarian is important in my line of work,” explained Butkovic.

In 2007, the equine therapist graduated from the British Columbia College of Equine Therapy, since then she has been travelling the globe to attend different conferences and horse shows to hone her skills.

“I was recently in a successful thoroughbred racing stable on the Caribbean island of Barbados and I just returned in January from the southwest of France, where I was able to follow along one of that country’s most successful flat racing trainers and an English-speaking veterinarian,” she said.

Butkovic says she enjoys working closely with performance and lameness veterinarians. She feels Alberta is well known for producing strong horses and hosting quality horse shows.

For more information on equine health, check out the EquiSports Therapy website at www.equisportstherapy.com.

Kathy Butkovic, of EquiSports Therapy, north of Ponoka, specializes in working with performance horses. She uses non-invasive soft tissue release work.

Photo by Amanda Ubell

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AGRICULTURE 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PONOKA NEWS 27

Animal care is key to farmers’ success

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

“The consumer is so far away from the production aspect,” said Hehli.

Part of this endeavour is to find a balance between animal activists and the industry. While he does not agree with extreme scare tactics by some activist groups, Hehli does feel there have been improvements in animal welfare with farmers. “You always need two extremes to come to the middle ground.”

A hot topic right now is over the use of antibiotics in animals. In order to keep animals from illness, farmers will administer low-dose antibiotics to ensure they live.

“It’s actually for animal welfare,” said Hehli.

He says strict testing is done on every load of milk that is picked up from dairy producers. If there are traces of antibiotics, the milk is destroyed.

AFAC conference and animal care For people concerned with the welfare of farm animals, Hehli says a call to the association’s Livestock Care can be made and consumers are encouraged to call 1-800-506-2273 with their concerns.

Hehli says most cases are unfounded but when animals don’t receive proper care, it is usually because of a harsh winter, financial concerns or mental health issues. “Depression is a problem, you know. When you

operate a business like this and things haven’t gone well for quite a while. It always impacts your finances.”

“Animal welfare just makes sense,” he added.

Most people have no clue how their farm-fresh eggs or milk get to the grocery store.

As long as it’s on the shelf, people are happy, but there has been an increasing demand for safe environments for farm animals.

While most farmers want to keep their animals healthy to ensure a better return on investment, people are only now starting to learn about farming practices.

“It’s the norm on 99 per cent of all the farms,” said Ponoka County dairy farmer Heini Hehli. “It increases production. It decreases illness.”

The importance of farm animal care cannot be minimized, explained Hehli. He suggests producers need a way to show the public their processes are safe.

Hehli says some buyers such as grocery store chains and restaurants now have dedicated animal welfare experts to ensure the product they sell is safe. The biggest issue he finds is Ponoka area farmer Heini Hehli, also president of when the public is generally unaware Alberta Farm Animal Care, advocates for an animal of current processes. care model. This model can be used by farmers Creating a standard when dealing with buyers. animal care process Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye In an effort to create a standard animal care system for producers — and to educate the public — Hehli works with Alberta Farm Animal Care (AFAC). He is chairperson of the association, which advocates for livestock commodities and welfare.

“We want to have one voice for an industry, also in the government.

We want one voice when activists attack certain businesses,” said Hehli.

Each animal must be cared for differently so AFAC provides care manuals specific for each commodity, he explained, and those manuals have recently been updated.

While there are no on-site farm assessments currently, if farmers follow a code of practices outlined in AFAC’s manuals, this will help them when dealing with buyers.

Keeping the public informed “The good thing about the code of practices is The Honda TRX420FM they have been established by the farmers,” said is a combination that’s pretty tough to Hehli. beat with its get-up-and-go performance “It’s a national code of practice,” he added.

Buyers want assurance the commodity they are buying meets public standards. The association is looking at implementing assessment models but planners are cognizant of ½ mile east of Ponoka on Hwy 53, 2 mi. south on farmers’ privacy concerns MacDonald Rd. & ½ mile east as well.

He says AFAC is OPEN: Tuesday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. working on educating Saturday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m Sunday & Monday - Closed consumers on animal welPonoka: 403-783-5185 Sales Desk: 1-800-662-7135 fare practices.

AFAC is hosting a livestock care conference March 26 and 27. For more information check: http://www.afac. ab.ca/.

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Saluting the Agriculture Community during Ag Week

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AGRICULTURE 2014

28 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Tips from knowledgeable farmers promise profitable future in bison farming Kitscoty shared their knowledge and vision of bison farming during a seminar before A few farmers who knew exactly what the start of the Wildrose Bison Convention they were talking about made an impecca- at the Royal Canadian Legion premises. ble case last Friday, March 14 on why bison Kolesar, who spoke on the management farming is something that should be seri- aspects of the bison farming drew an opously looked at as an option to make good timistic picture regarding the investment/ money on investment. revenue ratio in the business, maintaining Paul Kolesar of Athabasca region, Dick that a properly structured bison farm could Staudinger of Alix and Frank McAllister of bring as high as $600 in profits per head per year due to the low cost of maintaining a bison herd.

He gave a history of several North American bison farming companies Water Well Service having to close down their operations due to the lack of an established biSubmersible pumps: son meat market and the high prices Goulds • Berkley commodities.

But he said the tide had turned Grundfos and the price of bison meat had alHome: 403-783-3712 most tripled from its lows in 2003 Cell: 403-704-3413 and that the demand for bison meat Fax: 403-783-3702 was on the rise.

A more interesting and informative presentation by

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

ECKLUND

Dick Staudinger, who has a bison farming operation himself, included relevant details as to why bison farming could be more profitable as compared to beef farming.

Staudinger said there were both operational and practical aspects of bison farming that compared favorably to raising beef.

Among them is the need for less protein in the feed for bison.

“Being a wild animal, bison has a slower digestive process and therefore can extract more protein from lower grade feed and that allows a lower feed cost in the operation,” he said.

Being not a protein animal, Staudinger says, bison reacts negatively to excessive protein. Not only does the cost of the additional protein added to the feed go to waste, but also the animal’s winter hair-coat will get thinner and may create complications in cold weather.

“You have to work them only once through the mating season,” Staudinger said.

Bison is a social animal “Because they are smarter than cattle, they learn their way around the farm and you don’t have to run after the bison as you have to with cattle.”

The tougher build of bison also has a

lot of advantages for farmers, according to Staudinger.

“Because bison faces the wind and does not turn its back, there is no danger of a bison bull freezing his testicles and losing its ability to breed.”

But for a good bison farming operation, fences have to be built a lot stronger than on cattle farms.

Staudinger suggested using minimum six-feet high steel fencing to ensure that the animals are kept under control.

Some interesting information on the social structure of a bison herd was also included in the Alix farmer’s presentation.

Staudinger said a bison herd would be preferably composed of a minimum of 10 animals.

“Because they like to be in a group, if they are left isolated, they want to approach the cattle, if it is a joint operation,” he said.

A bison herd is a matriarchal group and despite a larger size of the bison bull, a bison cow in the group will have the lead position and also have her calf have a special position as compared to the other calves, this continues until the calf reaches mating maturity, according to Staudinger.

PROUD TO BE IN AGRICULTURE We salute the dedicated farmers across our country.

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Continued on page 28

Calving...

Continued from page 23 Calves are normally born head and front feet first, a ‘diving’ position, and birthing complications can include a turned head, backwards turned legs or a breech position, which is when a calf comes completely backwards. Matejka feels breech could be born without assistance and it’s when a calf is breech with its legs tucked up—coming tail first—that assistance is mandatory. Sometimes these situations result in the mother getting a C-section.

Larger than average calves or twins are other situations when a C-section may be needed. Although twins result in a higher quantity, Matejka says the majority of cattle producers would prefer just one healthy calf.

“They like twins as long as it doesn’t present too much of a management problem.”

Twins increase the chance of an abnormal birth, double the number of legs and heads to tangle up, and they’re harder on the mother as more nutrients are needed from her. With twins, there’s also the possibility the mother will bond with one baby and forget the other.

When twins are born, especially in the case of male and female, the male calf will be able to mature sexually but the female will be barren.

However, sometimes a twin can take the place of a lost calf and will be fostered to another mother.

“Sometimes twins are a blessing,” said Matejka.

“They’re a necessary evil.”

AGRICULTURE 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Bison...

PONOKA NEWS 29

farming.

While there is virtually no bison farming business other than in North America, there is increased demand for bison meat both in Europe and Asia.

With regard to the reproductive characteristics of bison cows, McAllister said weight control was a key function of ensuring the healthy growth of a herd.

He said it was important to allow a bison cow to lose weight after calving because that would allow the cow to rebuild its strength before the next mating season by being able to put on more pounds.

He added that continuing to give high quality feed to the animal after calving would produce negative results.

Continued from page 28 Nutrition for healthy bison Frank McAllister, the third presenter of the session focused on the nutritional aspects of a bison farming operation.

“Bison is the best return on the grass,” said McAllister, “but you can’t finish a bison on grass only.”

In order to prepare the bison for the market, McAllister suggested a welldesigned feeding regime that would contain the necessary minerals that would ultimately allow the animal to reach its optimal weight.

Touching upon the healthcare for the bison, Up for sale - Brian Newton of Trochu brought two of his bison bulls for the Wildrose auction in Ponoka which McAllister said the most important weakness of the took place on Saturday, March 15 following the annual convention of the Canada Bison Association a day earlier.

Photo by Mustafa Eric bison was its inability to handle parasites and that it meant the parasite control in the nutrition regime was Equine Spine Therapy important for the health of the whole herd.

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30 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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Successful farming formula with 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles.

Dr. Thomas L. Jensen IPNI NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS DIRECTOR

We salute the hardworking men and women of our local agriculture community for their dedication to the industry.

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The 4R principles are described as applying the right source of nutrient, at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place. This applies to all nutrients that are required above what the soil can supply, and for all crops, cropping situations, and nutrient sources.

Having an adequate and balanced supply of plant nutrients is essential for well yielding crops, especially as cropping practices have improved using higher yielding varieties, moisture conserving conservation tillage, and more effective pest control options. As crop yields increase, there is greater demand on our soils to supply both a sufficient and balanced supply of nutrients.

In fact, effective use of 4R usually exceeds minimum

guidelines for most nutrient regulations. A useful example is a farm where I helped develop a nutrient management plan. This 3,680 acre corporate mixed farm located north of Calgary, Alberta consisted of a 500 farrow-to-finish hog operation and a 100 cow dairy.

Crops included barley, wheat, canola, as well as 40 acres of pasture. All manure from the hog and dairy operation was handled using a liquid manure system with an above ground steel storage lagoon that was emptied twice a year and land applied, in early spring and mid-fall. I was asked to help the farm manager develop a nutrient management plan compliant with recent changes with the provincial Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA). This act contains regulations for manure applied to farmland in Alberta. The Act applies to any confined livestock operations greater than

500 animal units. The farm was having a challenge meeting previous county bylaws that had restricted land application of the liquid manure to only 960 acres of the total 3,680-acre farm. Application of the manure to about only one-quarter of the cropped acres was resulting in excess applications of manure. Plant available soil test N (nitrogen) and especially P (phosphorus) were greater than crop requirements, and soil residual levels of N were greater than that allowed under the provincial manure regulations. By following the 4R principles, a nutrient management plan for all of the cropped acres utilizing all the manure along with additional purchased fertilizers was possible. This nutrient management plan complied easily with the provincial manure legislation, and made much better use of the manure by integrating use of mineral fertilizer.

This resulted in higher yielding crops, and less potential for environmental harm. Additionally, it was shown that the provincial legislation took precedence

over the county bylaws. Fields where previously the county thought manure should not be applied, could receive manure applications as long as setback distances from residences, permanent water bodies, and drinking water wells were complied with. I have yet to see a farm where use of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles has not been able to exceed nutrient or manure management legislation guidelines. This means that 4R nutrient management plans can help farmers achieve high yielding crops, effectively utilize manure if the farm has livestock, and manage adverse environmental effects. It is important to note that this can be done as long as sufficient land is available to effectively utilize available manure.

An important aspect of utilizing 4R Nutrient Management on a farm is that there is consideration for economic, social and environmental goals. In the farm example used above, these goals would have been achieved whether or not there had been environmental regulations in place.

This shows that achieving economic, social and environmental goals are often mutually compatible.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AGRICULTURE 2014

PONOKA NEWS 31

Bison meat market bound to grow, finance needed

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

The annual Wildrose Convention of Bison Producers of Alberta (BPA), which took place in Ponoka last week, heard some promising information regarding the growing demand for bison meat, and not only in North America.

Participants to the two-day convention/conference on March 14 and 15, which also included the annual general meeting of the ABP, were told that the worst was behind and future was bright.

Thomas Ackermann, the chairperson of the BPA expressed his feelings of confidence in the future of bison farming underlining a series of highlights in the industry.

“The problems are behind us, there is a growing market, including the EU and we now have a network of marketers (of bison meat),” he told a packed hall at the Royal Canadian Legion building.

Stressing that bison farming was still a small industry, Ackermann said it should be seen as an advantage rather than disadvantage as there was room to grow.

He warned, however, about trying to run too fast too early in terms of generating profits.

“As a small industry, we should be mindful of the (price) ceiling,” Ackermann said.

Having recovered from the lows of a

little over $1 per pound in 2003, the price per cent. of bison meat is currently hovering just Farmers need financing below $4 per pound and Ackermann said One participant at the convention, producers should refrain from asking farmer Brian Newton of Trochu, who higher prices before the market becomes brought two of his bison bulls for the stronger. auction, said one of the most important “Money will only come to the indus- issues that bison farmers had to deal with try if people eat bison meat,” he said. was finding finance.

“This is now a legitimate meat marHuge growth in numbers Terry Kremeniuk, Executive Direc- ket, financial institutions should take note tor of the Canadian Bison Association of it,” he said, adding that funding was echoed the optimism expressed by Ack- proving to be an important impediment in ermann saying that the potential for the growth of the industry.

Other than financing, Newton said he growth was waiting to be tapped.

He said they were waiting for the lift- was happy with his operation given that ing of the 20 per cent tariff by EU within bison is an animal that requires little care about a year’s time for the exports to the and low cost feed.

“They even calve themselves, the other side of the Atlantic to rise.

He added that while the market was only thing you need to do is go there next growing, slaughter numbers had declined morning to count how many new animals significantly, falling from 30 thousand in you have,” he said.

2005 to less than 15 thousand in 2013, another bullish indicator for the bison meat market future.

BASHAW CROP SERVICES He also said that after the 5115  46 ST. peak in 2008 of over 30 thousand BASHAW, AB T0B 0H0 heads, live bison exports had also come down and currently were stable at about 15 thousand heads per year in 2012 and 2013.

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We salute the men and women of our agriculture industry.

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32 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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PONOKA NEWS 33

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Afghanistan: Mission Not Accomplished not pulling the plug on it – and 1,685 of the 2,315 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan died on Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron his watch. Could do better. rambled a bit on his visit to Afghanistan last DeNow there’s another “election” coming up in cember, but ended up sounding just as deluded as Afghanistan (on 5 April), and at least three-quarUS President George W Bush had been when he ters of the remaining foreign troops (perhaps all of proclaimed “Mission accomplished” six weeks af- them) will be gone from the country by the end of ter the invasion of Iraq. British troops were sent to this year, and the whole thing is getting ready to Afghanistan, Cameron said, “so it doesn’t become fall apart. This will pose no threat to the rest of the a haven for terror. That is the mission...and I think world, but it’s going to be deeply embarrassing for we will have accomplished that mission.” the Western leaders who nailed their flags to this Prime Minister Stephen Harper was equally particular mast. upbeat when addressing Canadian troops just beThe election is to replace President Hamid fore they pulled out in 2011. Afghanistan no longer Karzai, who has served two full terms and cannot represents a “geostrategic risk to the world (and) run again. It will be at least as crooked as the last is no longer a source of global terrorism,” he said.

Both men are technically correct, since Afghani- one in 2009: 20.7 million voters cards have already stan never was a “geostrategic risk to the world” or been distributed in a country where there are only “a haven for terror,” but they must both know that 13.5 million people over the age of 18. Karzai is so the whole war was really a pointless waste of lives. confident of remaining the power behind the throne Obviously, neither man can afford to say that that he is building his “retirement” residence next the soldiers who died in obedience to the orders of to the presidential palace, but he’s probably wrong.

His confidence is based on his skill as a maniptheir government (448 British troops, 158 Canadians) died in vain, but Barack Obama has found a ulator of tribal politics. Indeed, his insistence that better way to address the dilemma: he just doesn’t the US hand over control of Bagram jail, and his offer any assessment of the campaign’s success. subsequent release of 72 hard-core Taliban prison“I never doubted Obama’s support for the troops, ers, was designed to rebuild ties with the prisoners’ only his support for their mission,” wrote former families and clans before the election. But it is that Defence Secretary Robert Gates, and he was right. same Taliban organisation that will probably make So was Obama, in the sense that he realised the all Karzai’s plans and plots irrelevant.

It’s not that the Taliban will sweep back to powmission, whatever its purpose (the definitions kept changing), was neither doable nor worth doing. er all over Afghanistan once Western troops leave.

But in fact he did support it, at least to the extent of They really only controlled the Pashtun-majority arBY GWYNNE DYER

What’s on your MedList?

eas of the east and south and the area around the capital even when they were “in power” in 1996-2001, while the Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras of the “Northern Alliance” ruled the rest.

That pattern is likely to reappear, with the Taliban and the northern warlords pushing politicians like Karzai aside – probably not at once, when most or all of the Western troops go home at the end of this year, but a while later, when the flow of aid (which accounts for 97 percent of Afghan government spending) finally stops.

The US-backed government of South Vietnam did not collapse when American troops went home in 1973, but two years later, when Congress cut the aid to Saigon. The Sovietbacked government of Afghanistan did not collapse when Soviet troops withdrew in 1989, but three years later, after the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia cut the aid. It will happen that way again.

The new part-Taliban Afghanistan that emerges will be no more a source of international terrorism than the old part-Taliban Afghanistan

was. It was Osama bin Laden and his merry men, mostly Arabs and a few Pakistanis, who plotted and carried out the 9/11 attacks, not the Taliban.

True, bin Laden et al. were guests on Afghan soil at the time, but it is highly unlikely that they told the Taliban about the attacks in advance.

After all, they were probably going to get their hosts’ country invaded by the United States; best not to bring it up. And there have been no international terrorist attacks coming out of Afghanistan in the past eight years, although the Taliban already control a fair chunk of the country.

The election will unfold as Karzai wishes, and his preferred candidate (exactly who is still not clear) will probably emerge as the new president, but this truly is a case of rearranging the deck-chairs on the Titanic. The second long foreign occupation of Afghanistan in half a century is drawing to a close, and Afghanistan’s own politics and history are about to resume.

Gwynne Dyer is an independent journalist whose articles are published in 45 countries.

CENTRAL VETERINARY CLINIC WELCOMES BACK

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We can help: albertahealthservices.ca/medlist

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon. to Sat. Open late Thursday 24-hour Emergency Call

34 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

How to spin a $3.9 deficit as a $2.6 billion surplus DEREK FILDEBRANDT

Alberta Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

George Orwell defined “doublethink” as the act of people simultaneously accepting two mutually contradictory beliefs as correct.

“Doublethink” would therefore be an apt description of how Finance Minister Doug Horner can declare Alberta is running a $2.6 billion “surplus” when the government is in fact spending $3.9 billion more than it is bringing in.

If you told your financial manager that you are earning $60,000 a year, but are spending $80,000, he would probably tell you that you have a problem. A deficit, in truth.

But, you say, you’re spending $20,000 on your mortgage, car loan and line of credit for home renos. Your $60,000 income covers slightly more than all of your day-to-day spending on things like groceries, gasoline and entertainment. You have a small “operating surplus.”

This is the logic behind Mr. Horner’s claim that Alberta’s latest budget will run a $2.6 billion “operating surplus.”

Alberta is paying for the day-to-day spending of the government, but not all of its spending.

And that $20,000 you’re spending on your mortgage, car loan and line of credit for home renos? Well that $20,000 gap between your income and expenses might be borrowed, but it’s going towards assets, and those assets are theoretically worth $20,000. In the end, it all balances out, right?

This is the logic behind Mr. Horner’s claim that the budget also presents a $1.1 billion “consolidated surplus,” or technically, an “increase in balance sheet assets.” By this logic, government is allowed to borrow, and just record the value of assets built against the money owed.

It’s as if the money was never spent.

Unless your financial advisor works for MoneyMart or CashMoney, he’d tell you that you cannot go on borrowing and increasing your debt load in perpetuity. You have only two options in the long term: make more money or spend less of it.

Mr. Horner decided in this budget to do precisely the opposite: increase

non-flood related spending by a whopping 6.9 per cent. And unlike mortgages that families work to bring down every year, Alberta’s debt will explode from $8.3 billion right now, to $13.4 billion in 2014-15, $18.1 billion in 2015-16 and $21 billion in 2016-17.

Governments can get away with this because in the end, financial mismanagement is somebody else’s problem. In four years, the worst that can happen is that they are voted out and reincarnated as a lobbyist. But when families let their debt loads get out of control, they have to live with real consequences. Politicians can let the problem pass to their replacement to fix it, and future generations to pay for it.

So what really is Alberta’s deficit or surplus? The Wildrose Opposition calculates that it is a $2.7 billion deficit, Dr. Jack Mintz projects a $1.8 billion deficit.

The government says both a $2.6 billion and $1.1 billion surplus. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and the Liberal Party put the number a $3.9 billion deficit this year.

Thanks to strong natural resource revenues and an

BSE

extra $1 billion in federal health transfers, total cash revenues for the province will likely reach $42.9 billion, barring any major economic changes.

On the spending side of the leger, the government will spend $39.4 billion for its regular operations, endowments and disasters and $781 million to pay interest on the debt.

But here’s the kicker. The government will borrow $5 billion towards $6.6 billion in spending for capital projects. Since that $6.6 billion is purchasing assets, the borrowing to support it, doesn’t really count in the government’s mind.

All told, the province is on track to spend a grand total $46.8 billion in Budget 2014-15.

In the real world, revenue of $42.9 billion and expenditures of $46.8 billion equals a deficit of $3.9 billion.

The government spending $3.9 billion more than it collects, but calling it a “surplus” is not only fantastical spin, it’s “doublethink.” That is, if they even believe their own numbers.

SURVEILLANCE

Maintaining confidence in Canadian beef

Doubling Down on Debt: Budget 2014 ROD FOX

The numbers are in and they’re not pretty.

The PCs have tabled their seventh straight deficit budget with Budget 2014. What’s worse, they’re taking on debt at levels Albertans haven’t seen since the 1990s. By 2016, Alberta taxpayers will be on the hook for $22 billion. Servicing that debt will cost $820 a year. That’s $820 million that won’t be spent on building new schools, reducing health care wait times, or policing our cities and neighbourhoods.

We all remember the dark days of the early 1990s. Crushing debt severely hampered our ability to deliver services, and it took years of painful cuts to eliminate the debt and get back on our feet. The PCs seem intent on taking us back down this path.

The fact is, the PCs have long since abandoned the goal of a balanced budget. Rather than prioritize their spending on core services by eliminating waste, they continue to let the spending taps run without regard for future generations.

The PCs also think Albertans can be tricked. They have craftily broken the budget into separate components to conceal the debt and try to sell their budgets to Albertans as balanced. Even the brightest minds have had trouble deciphering the real numbers. But they all agree on one thing: Budget 2014 means more debt, more burdensome interest payments and less funding for schools, hospitals, long-term care centres and roads in the long run. And without a sound fiscal plan for balancing the books, it also means the threat of more cuts to front line services like education and health care.

Despite revenues of $44.4 billion, the PCs plan to take on an additional $5.1 billion in debt this year. That’s $14 million per day, $585,000 every hour, and a staggering $160 each minute.

In contrast, before Budget 2014

came down, Wildrose proposed 16 common sense solutions that would have put Alberta on the path to a real balanced budget, paid down debt, saved for the future and protected front line services.

For instance, Wildrose would save $450 million by ending corporate welfare and $900 million within four years by finding efficiencies in the bureaucracy. We would limit bonuses for senior public sector executives and managers to save $35 million each year and all future severance packages for government executives and politically appointed staff to save $5 million annually. We could also save $6 million annually by eliminating the 10 underperforming associate ministers and by reducing the number of ministers to 16.

We would never seek savings by gutting front line services like education, health care or supports for persons with developmental disabilities. By contrast, the PCs have only sought savings by gouging our front line workers and cutting the services our most vulnerable rely on.

There are clearly savings to be found. If the PCs haven’t found any savings yet, it’s because they refuse to look.

Albertans need new schools, hospitals and upgraded roads. Building needs to be a priority for the long-term prosperity of the province. This will be harder and harder to do as interest payments become more and more burdensome under the PC plan of more and more debt.

We hope you will take the time to review the Wildrose 2014 Budget recommendations at wildrose.ca/feature/ wildrose-releases-2014-budget-recommendations.

Please feel free to contact me at the Lacombe Ponoka Constituency Office at #101 4892 46 Street,Lacombe,AB T4L 2B4 .

Email : Lacombe.ponoka@assembly.ab.ca or phone 403 782 7725

BSE Surveillance Still Matters Test Your Animals – Protect Your Industry – Help Maintain Confidence In Canadian Beef You can support the Canadian beef and cattle industry by participating in the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance program. The program helps to maintain consumer confidence in Canadian beef.

The BSE surveillance program 14033CC1 targets animals that are most at risk for having BSE. This includes cattle over the age of 30 months that are dead, dying, diseased, down or cattle showing signs of BSE such as nervous or aggressive behavior.

You can participate in the program by contacting your veterinarian, your local CFIA district office or by calling 1-866-400-4244. Your veterinarian or a CFIA inspector will come to your farm to assess the animal and, if appropriate, collect a brain tissue sample from the animal for testing.

You will receive $75 to help cover carcass disposal costs and $100 for veterinary services.

For more information call

1-866-400-4244.

PONOKA NEWS 35

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER Parson’s Holiday Tours 403.782.6341 or 403.318.5700

IMAX Theatre Edmonton Space and Science Centre movies available for viewing

National Geographic’s

JERUSALEM THURSDAY, April 10

$70/PP* *includes 2 featured movies

Pick up Locations:

First hand experience

– A group of 10 air cadets visited Ponoka Fire Hall on Tuesday, March 11 to receive first hand knowledge of how a fire and rescue team operates in emergency situations. The group was told by firefighter Donna Noble that the first fire engine takes only three and a half minutes to set out to reach the venue of the emergency after receiving the service call. Cadets also received detailed information on how the fire engines operate.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Ponoka Drop-In Activities 5015 – 46 Avenue

Coming soon! Kayla Hotte & her rodeo pals Friday April 4th at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets - $20.00, call Mel or Judy: 403-783-5405 Jam session every Saturday at 1 p.m. $2 per person.

Everyone welcome!

Monday Billiards 9:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday 50 cents per game. Honor system.

Monday Bridge 1:15 p.m.

Monday 1:30 p.m. Whist Tuesday and Thursday Exercise class 9:30 a.m. Stimulating, invigorating Tuesday Shuffleboard 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Sewing Guild 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday Cribbage 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday Floor Curling 7:00 p.m.

Thursday Weaving 1:00 p.m. Phone Betty @ 783-3029 Thursday Partner Bridge 1:15 p.m.

Thursday Art Club – Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday Pickle Ball 7:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.

Friday “500” 1:00 p.m.

Memberships still available. $10.00 person. Really inexpensive.

To rent our facility contact Dorothy @ 403-783-3027 or George @ 403-783- 3514 or leave a message @ 403-783-5012. Rentals are increasing and we would like to invite our town administration, business groups, and general public (Wedding, funeral, and Birthday groups), to inquire about rentals services and prices early in their planning. We may fit your bill!

The Ponoka & District ce merrce mme Chamber of Com entt inmen is in need of entertainm for the upcoming

TRADE FAIR April 25 & 26

If you can: - sing - dance - play a musical instrument - or have any other type of talent please contact: Judy Dick, Ponoka News 403-783-3311 Email: manager@ponokanews.com or Les Jaster, Ponoka & District Chamber of Commerce Email: chamber@ponoka.org 403-783-3888

Red Deer at Denny’s 9:00 am Lacombe Greenway Inn 9:30 am Ponoka Tim Horton’s 10:00 am

For detailed information on these trips please call

Ponoka Capitol Theatre 4904 - 50th St. Ph. 403-783-3639

PLAYING Mar. 21st-27th SCREEN #1

Divergent

139 min 2:00 PM Sat-Sun 7:00 PM Daily Rated PG

SCREEN #2

300: Rise Of An Empire

103 min 2:00 PM Sat-Sun 8:00 PM Daily Rated 18A

36 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Student nurses gain experience at Rising Sun

BY AMELIA NAISMITH

Two third-year nursing students of Red Deer College are dipping their feet in the world of mental health care at Ponoka’s Rising Sun Clubhouse.

Chelsey Kool and Nichelle Palfi both requested to take their community placement clinical rotation in Ponoka because of the Centennial Centre. “Just because Ponoka is centered around mental health,” Kool explained.

Palfi added the girls wanted to experience what care is available out of the centre for the community.

This is Kool and Palfi’s fourth and last clinical rotation of the year. Each year includes four rotations and this is the only one relating to the mental health field.

A rotation lasts six weeks but the girls will only spend four in Ponoka and will finish their time in the Red Deer Regional Hospital.

“Basically in our mental health rotation, we have a community aspect . . . Basically we’re just assessing clients,” said Palfi.

“We’re seeing how they’re integrated in the community,” Kool added.

Along with building relationships, the girls involve the clubhouse members in health pro-

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motion activities such as stretch groups, but with a mental health perspective based on mental health psychology.

“We’re trying to apply nursing models while we’re here as well,” said Palfi.

Palfi comes from a family of psychiatric nurses and says she sees herself carrying on into the field of mental health, professionally.

“I’m just very interested in the brain.”

She added it’s the ability to build therapeutic relationships with those with mental illness, as well as talking about coping strategies and integration, that draws her. “There’s a stigma, again with mental illness . . . They’re just like

everybody else.”

While Kool is also enjoying her rotation, her heart has been in a different area of health care for a few years, emergency or labour and delivery. “I’ve kind of had my heart set on labour and delivery since year one.”

While both girls are in their third year at Red Deer College, they’ll graduate in December of this year rather than 2015 as both girls are fast trackers. Year three ends at the end of April and the girls will start up their education again at the beginning of May, schooling through the summer. The competitive and limited-spaced program is Grade Point Average (GPA) based.

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Nichelle Palfi and Chelsey Kool are two nursing students experiencing the mental health care industry at the Rising Sun Clubhouse.

Photo by Amelia Naismith

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- over 1200 sq ft fully developed on 2 levels - 3 bdrms & 2 baths b - Large landscaped landsca backyard w/a great enter deck for entertaining - New Price Belo Below Appraised Value!!

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TO VIEW A COMPLETE LIST OF OUR PROPERTIES AND VIRTUAL TOURS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

www.ponokaproperties.com

PONOKA NEWS 37

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

How do you deal with noise next door?

“The Orphan Choir” by Sophie they needed a second home in an exclusive enclave where privacy, Hannah c.2014, Picador $25.00 / higher neatness, and silence were valued above all. It would be a lovely weekin Canada 277 pages Your neighbor loves heavy rock end retreat for their family, a perfect spot to bring Joseph when he was & roll.

He has all the CDs of all the on holiday. It would be quiet.

But then, Louise started hearmajor metal bands. It’s impressive, really, the determination he used to ing the choir again. She began to find them, starting with the earliest think that maybe the singing was all and the heaviest. He listens to them in her head. It got louder when she every weekend. Over and over, thought about Joseph’s choir director, whom she hated. loudly.

Which would be nice, except you hate heavy metal.

So, aside from buying a boxful of earplugs, what can you do about a noisy neighbor? You could move, of course, but as you’ll see in “The Orphan Choir” by Sophie Hannah, sometimes that doesn’t even help…

It didn’t happen every night – or every weekend, for that matter. But it happened often enough for Louise Beeston to become a bit unhinged over the loud music that her neighbor, Justin Clay, spewed from his stereo.

In the several times that Louise had complained, Clay was polite, but she could

see that he was as anDeb Stevens Associate Broker noyed at her as she real estate central alberta 403-704-3152 6000 - 48 Ave., Ponoka was at him. Stuart, Louise’s husband, didn’t seem to be bothNEW ON THE MARKET ered by the din, so he was no help at all.

NEXT TO NEW! And though it pained Louise that he was - 2 beds/1 bath gone, she considered - 856 Square Feet it a minor blessing - Kitchen Open to Living & Dining Area that her seven-year-old - Extensive Upgrades make son Joseph was away this “Like New” at Saviour College - Double Detached Garage on choir scholarship.

He’d never have to en$ dure the noise.

No, the cacophony Call Deb! irritated Louise the most and it only got worse. Not only did Clay start blasting muPRIDE OF OWNERSHIP! sic more frequently, but he upped the bat- Great Location tle by playing choir - 3 beds/1 bath music: the kind that - 1040 Square Feet - Many Upgrades Joseph sang at Saviour - Oversized Single College! Clay must’ve Garage known how Louise was suffering over Joseph’s absence. It was surely some sort of $ torture.

To escape this awCall Deb! ful neighbor, Louise convinced Stuart that

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It started following her when she was outside, in the nearby forest.

It got terrifying when she began to see faces…

Every now and then, having a little scare is good but you don’t want it to keep you up all night. That’s when you want “The Terri Orphan Choir” at your Schlichenmeyer bedside.

The Bookworm Is Louise insane?

That’s what author Sophie Hannah spurs her readers to ask, and it’s a valid question. Through pages and pages of fussiness, we’re shown that Louise is fretful and difficult, prone to excitability and bordering on hysterical (in a bad way).

She’s not someone you’d want to know; in fact, eventually, you’ll want to roll your eyes at cranky Louise – which is about when Hannah cranks up the suspense.

Though I thought this book was overlywordy at times, its gentle shivers make it worth a peek if you want something Scary Lite. Read “The Orphan Train,” and the only sound you’ll hear is “Eeeeeeeeek.”

Photo by Roderick Field

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WAYNE McGARVEY

BRIAN HATALA

ANNETTE DODDS

SHAWNA LOW Broker

PROFESSIONAL REALTORS OF JOHN W. LOW AGENCIES INC.

38 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Sports

Narrow gold medal win for Ponoka’s Bantam team was proud of his team.

Cheers from fans were almost As hockey provincials are deafening March 16 at Rimbey’s played around Alberta, one Ponoka Peter Lougheed Community Centeam is returning tre during the gold victorious with a “It’s what a medal game. Both gold medal win.

Zone 4 teams, the Ponoka’s championship Moose Bantam C Moose game should be.” Ponoka had a strong and Rimbey RenCoach Dwayne Rausch weekend in Rimegades faced bey, winning off for gold in a almost all their games, including rivalry that has captured the imagi-the championship match against Rimbey Renegades. It was one of nations of hockey fans this season..

Ponoka’s toughest matches but they “It’s what a championship gamee won 2-1 and earned themselves the should be,” said coach Rausch.

Zone 4 Bantam C provincials banner. Coach Dwayne Rausch said he Continued on page 477

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Jayden Hagemann scores against Castor last weekend during the Bantam C provincials in Rimbey last weekend.

Ponoka won gold in a nailbiter 2-1 win over Rimbey.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Broncs bring home Zone 4 Championship

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

Tavis Lee rises for a left-hand lay-up in the first half of the championship game at St A gym on Saturday, March 15.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Despite all the odds, including being without a gym they could practice regularly for the whole season, senior Broncs boys have completed the task they set out to achieve and brought home the Zone 4 Championship in varsity basketball after winning their best-of-three series against Wetaskwin Sabres 2-1.

In the first game of the series at the St. A gym on Wednesday, March 12, the PSC boys started somewhat hesitantly with the visiting Sabres trying to impose their game plan early in the first period. The Broncs initially failed to stop the quick ball movement by the Sabres and fell back for most of the first half of the game. Just four minutes left to the end of the first half, however, a timeout called by the Broncs coach Blaine Haines helped the PSC boys to get on a 11-0 run with three 3-pointers and a fast break basket to take the lead from the visitors and finish the first half with a razor thin edge, 29-28.

In the third period the Broncs succeeded to penetrate further into the Sabres defences, forcing the opponent to commit fouls. While the Ponoka boys continued to produce score, they could not put a stop to turnovers, which allowed the Sabres take advantage and score through fast breaks. On the defensive end, solid performance on the part of the local side made ball movement difficult for Wetaskiwin, who were forced to commit shot-clock violations more than once. Despite the turnover problem, Broncs still managed to open the lead to 43-36 by the end of the third period.

What was left for Broncs to do in the last quarter of the game was only to protect that 7-point cushion, but they did even better by opening the lead to 13 points by the fifth minute of the last period 53-40.

Ponoka Office: 403-783-3315 Bashaw Office (Tues): 403-372-3627 Wetaskiwin Office (Thurs): 780-352-6488

Winning the game despite losing the advantage But the Sabres were not in a mood to let the hosts win an easy game. They managed to catch a 7-0 series against the Ponoka boys bringing the lead down to only six points. As the teams entered the last two minutes of the game, the Sabres started to commit fouls in an effort to stop the game clock as frequently as they can in order to take possession of the ball after free throws by the Broncs. This game plan did work as intended for the Sabres and with two three pointers, they brought the difference down to one point with seven seconds to go before the end of regulation:63-62. But the last possession of the game stayed with the Broncs and when the final buzzer went off, the Ponoka boys declared their first win of the series.

In the second game in Wetaskwin on Friday, March 14, the hosts apparently used the home court advantage effeiciently and scored a 63-48 win against the Broncs.

On Saturday, March 15, the PSC boys had clearly put the loss in the away game behind them and were prepared to go for the title despite the absence of one of the offensive powerhouses of the team, Ethan Minde, who could not dress for the game due to family obligations.

Almost like the first game After the initial tip of the game, it looked very much like the first game was being repeated: The Broncs fell back again failing to stop good ball movement by the Sabres and failing themselves to set a rhythm for their own game. The pressure of the title game clearly weighed heavily on both teams and production of scores proved problematic. By the 6th minute of the first period, the Sabres were leading the Broncs 13-9, when the Ponoka boys apparently realized that they needed to pull themselves together.

Justin and Clinton Braithwaite both stepped up to the challenge of Ethan’s absence to catch an 8-2 run to complete the first period with a 17-15 lead for the home side.

Continued on page 47

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PONOKA NEWS 39

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Ponoka U14 Indoor soccer team: Back row Bench Parent Eva Wiebe, Melanie Kebel, Billie Menssa, Tatianna Landsman, Ariana Ahtila, Emma Bendera, Leah Jensen, Samantha Wiebe, Jaynie Williamson, Floor Oosterink, Assistant Coach Emily Blanchette, Front row Saffron Lewis, Savanah Wirchenko, Zoe Pitre, Zhanna Williams, Coach Greg Bendera

Photo by Amanda Pitre

Ponoka Storm U14 girls place 12th at indoor soccer provincials SUBMITTED GREG BENDERA

Coach

On March 15 and 16, the Ponoka U14 girls represented Central Alberta Soccer Association in Edmonton at the provincial indoor soccer championship. Their first game was a 10-2 loss vs Sherwood Park (Edgar). Tatianna Landsman surrendered 5 goals before Leah Jensen scored in the first half, tapping in a pass from Saffron Lewis.

Emma Bendera scored in the second half assisted

by Savanah Wirchenko. Game 2 on the first day was against Calgary SWU Saints, the eventual bronze medalist. Calgary had a meager 2-0 lead at half time after spectacular goalkeeping by Emma Bendera. Floor Oosterink started in goal in the second half. Emma Bendera scored Ponoka’s lone goal on an amazing individual effort. The final score was 6-1.

On the second day, Ponoka played Calgary CWSC Thunder, the first place club from Calgary’s Tier 4 division. Ariana Ahtila received a yellow card midway through the first half resulting in a 4 minute shorthanded situation. A strong defensive effort by Billie Menssa, Melanie Kebel, Jaynie Williamson and Tatianna Landsman along with strong goaltending by Bendera killed off the penalty. Calgary eventually scored late in the first half, resulting in a 1-0 half-time lead. Calgary scored two more by the midway point in the second half and Floor Oosterink relieved Emma in goal. Floor put in an amazing goalkeeping effort, allowing only one goal on a shot just inside the right post. Forwards Zoe Pitre and Haylee Wiebe had their best efforts of the season but couldn’t quite score. The final was 4-0.

The Storm’s amazing result cannot be overstated. This club is comprised of five 11 year old

players, six under 14-aged players from Ponoka, Zhanna Williams from Lacombe and Jaynie Williamson from Rimbey. Their three opponents all entered the tournament with the advantage of regular league play, and constant use of a regulation size indoor soccer pitch. The Storm picked up a mere seven games, four in a November tournament in Spruce Grove, two friendly matches vs Leduc in January and one vs Ardrossan Tier 3 in February. The gym at Centennial Centre has been the practice location for the majority of Ponoka Storm’s indoor soccer program.

PONOKA FISH AND GAME ASSOCIATION presents

CANADIAN FIRE ARMS SAFETY COURSE Sunday, March 23 at 8:30 AM

Price: $100 For long guns (Rifles & Shotguns) Full Course or Challenge (Your Choice)

To Register Call Beth at 403-783-4608 Red at 403-783-2256

Your local Tim Hortons is happy to bring you Tim Hortons Free Swim – complimentary swimming time at your local pool. For a schedule of times and locations, drop by your local Tim Hortons restaurant in Ponoka.

© Tim Hortons, 2010

40 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Peewee A to play for provincial championship this weekend

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

Peewee A Stampeders captain Noah Hackett opens the scoring against Blackfalds in the first of their two games on Friday, March 14 at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Ponoka’s Zone 4 champions Peewee A team won the Tier 1 consolation title in a best-of-three series against Blackfalds over the weekend and they are now headed to provincials in Red Deer on March 2122 & 23.

Peewee A Stampeders won their first game of the series 6-4 on Friday, March 14 at home with captain Noah Hackett scoring five of the six goals for the team with Hunter Busat completing the tally.

In the away game on Saturday, the Peewee Stampeders were in an even more confident mood scoring a 7-4 win in the Blackfalds arena. It was again Noah Hackett opening the scoring but the top scorer in that game was Ryan Lefebvre with three points as opposed to Hackett’s two. Jared Bussiere and Reagan Rabbit added one each to the scoreboard.

At this weekend’s provincials, Peewee A Stampeders will compete in the B pool which includes Lloydminster, Rimbey and Stettler and they will play the opening game of the tournament on Friday morning 7:45 a.m. against Rimbey Renegades.

They will take on Lloydminster on the same day at 4 p.m. and on Saturday at 11:15 a.m. they will play against Stettler, completing the elimination round.

Provincial semifinals and the championship games will be played on Sunday.

Midget B team wins first game in finals series

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR WORK. The Government of Alberta invites your input on the Employment Standards Code, the basic rules for employers and employees.

Hard work by the Ponoka Midget B hockey team is paying off as the group is facing off against the West Country Midget Chiefs in the league finals series.

Ponoka won their first game 7-6 but they almost lost, says assistant coach Chad Cissell.

Coming out of first period Ponoka had a 4-2 lead against the Chiefs and they increased that lead

in the second period 7-3. But the Chiefs did not give up control of the game.

“It was a good game, fast,” said Cissell.

At the end of the second period Ponoka held on to the lead with a score of 7-6. There were no goals in the third period, securing Ponoka’s win.

Ponoka plays the Chiefs in the second game of the finals series March 19 at home at 7:15 p.m.

We are looking at things like: · · · · ·

14031DG1 14033DG1

Employment of youth Hours of work General holidays and vacation pay Special leaves And more

Please tell us what you think: · Use our online Discussion Guide and Survey at work.alberta.ca/esreview · Email your comments to jstl.review@gov.ab.ca · Or call 1-877-427-3731 to order a paper copy of the Discussion Guide and Survey

Deadline for feedback is April 11, 2014.

Dylan Jones of Big Country attacks the net of Leduc’s Roughneck’s in the season’s last game for the Novice team on Saturday, March 14.

Big Country defeated Roughneck 11-8 and the game was followed by a fun shoot-out.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

PONOKA NEWS 41

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

County REACH OVER 217,000 READERS With one of these great deals!

6 PACK 8 PACK

Announcements

What’s Happening

50-70

CLASSIFIEDS CALL TOLL FREE:

ADPACK ALL IN 1

Employment

Services Directory

700-920

1010-1430

5019A Chipman Ave. Box 4217 Ponoka, AB T4J 1R6

Items Buy/Sell

Agriculture

150-194

2010-2210

FAX: 403-783-6300

Gail A. Holben Peacefully on March 11, 2014 Gail Holben passed away at the age of 69 years. Gail is lovingly remembered by her husband Fred; son Ross (Elaine) of Grande Prairie and his children Robert, Jessica and Kaitlyn; daughter Brenda (John) of Whistler, BC and son Jordan; daughter Sandra (Greg) of Ponoka and her children Brandi and Kyle; 11 great-grandchildren; her brother Leonard Lea (Mabel) of Wetaskiwin and sister-in-law Shirley Lea of Edmonton. She was predeceased by her mother Winnifred, father Leonard, sister Shirley and brothers Bud, Keith and Bruce. A Celebration of Gail’s Life and Memorial Reception was held on Monday, March 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Ponoka Drop In Centre. If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to S.T.A.R.S., The Canadian Celiac Association or any charity of your choice.

To express condolences to Gail’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements Entrusted to PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~

In Memoriam

In memory of ART WALCHESKE 1934 - 2004 Another year has come and gone and you’re still so far away Time can hide the sadness, no smile can hide the tears I cry a tear a day wishing you were here I know you had to go but it was hard to say goodbye Life is so different without you here by my side I know you walk beside me everyday, despite the passing years

I love you and miss you each and everyday Never forgotten and never will Love always, Phyllis Walcheske & family

What’s Happening #50 - # 70

The family of the late Rita Stewart would like to thank Dr. Greyling and staff at the long term Aux. Care, Ponoka Care Centre for the loving care they gave our mother.

Ernie, Shirley and family Diana Stewart and family

Celebrations

Arts & Crafts Shows ..................50 Class Registrations....................51 Coming Events ..........................52 Lost ............................................54 Found ........................................56 Companions ..............................58 Personals...................................60 Bingos........................................64 Fitness & Sports ........................66 Happy Ads .................................70

52

Coming Events

BIG BROTHERS AND BIG SISTERS

Rental & Real Estate

52

LEARN THE LATEST about Celiac Disease and a Gluten-Free diet at the Canadian Celiac Association National Conference, May 30 - June 1, 2014, Calgary.

Visit the gluten-free market. Everyone welcome. Register at www.calgaryceliac.ca; 403-237-0304

Annual General Meeting For the

Ponoka

Wheelchair Van Society Senior Drop-In Centre

Everyone Welcome!

Mentors make a

difference 403-783-3112

Caregivers/ Aides

710

5010-5240

59

Meetings

Public Notice

6010

AL-ANON WEEKLY MEETING FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ALCOHOLICS. Tuesdays 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5115 - 49 Ave., Ponoka For more info 403-783-4557 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Monday night meetings at the Anglican Church Ponoka 8:30 p.m. Phone 403-783-0719 for info.

Oilfield

800

LOOKING FOR

ALATEEN

Weekly meetings Tuesdays @ 8 p.m.

Neighborhood Place 5115 49 Ave. Ponoka For more info.

403-783-4557 or 403-783-8371

59

Meetings

Monday March, 24 - 7:00 pm

Help Jim (95) & Terry (85) Golley celebrate their birthdays.

Coffee party March 30th 1-5 p.m. at Sunrise Village, Ponoka.

Your visit is their gift.

Vehicles

3000-4310

EMAIL: classifieds@ponokanews.com Coming Events

Card Of Thanks

Obituaries

1-877-223-3311

Oilfield Maintenance Labourer /Swamper Must have safety tickets.

No experience necessary.

Will train. Fax resume to 403-746-5131 or email smittysoilfield@gmail.com LOOKING FOR

OPERATOR

for Stiff Boom Picker/Crane valid drivers licence w/clean abstract required. possibility of owing percentage of truck.

Email resume to pickerservices@gmail.com

Employment #700 - #920

Farm Work

755

F/T FEED TRUCK OPERATOR for large expanding feed lot in Sundre.

Fax resume to 403-638-3908 or call 403-556-9588 or email: feedlot@hotmail.ca

Medical

PRODUCTION TESTING EXPERIENCED SUPERVISORS and TESTERS Day & Night Must have tickets.

Top paid wages.

Based out of Devon, AB. Email resume to: kathy@dragonsbreathpt.ca Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

790 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

RN / RPN

FULL TIME POSITION To work days & evenings.

Salary commensurate with training and experience. Excellent benefit package. Must have valid registration for RN/RPN. Position to start immediately.

Apply in writing to: Donna Lantz Care Manager Northcott Care Centre 4209 48 Ave., Ponoka, AB T4J 1P4 dlantz@northcottcarecentre.com Ph. 403-783-4764

WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM

42 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

AG EQUIPMENT

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

Restaurant/ Hotel

Ponoka Subway is looking for you!

WE ARE SEEKING TWO FULL-TIME INDIVIDUALS WITH FLEXIBLE SCHEDULES. You will get a friendly atmosphere, numerous opportunities to advance and a chance to hone your customer service skills.

Rimbey Implements Ltd.

If you are up to the challenge then please apply either in person #5 4800 Hwy 2A or online careers@rdsubway.com Don’t wait – jump start you career with us!

Sales & Distributors

Al York

General Manager Cell: (403) 783-0593 Bus: (403) 843-3700

Rimbey, AB

830

Fax: (403) 843-3430

ANIMAL SERVICES

SALES CONSULTANTS WANTED! Due to increases in business, we are looking for individuals that would enjoy assisting our customers in the selection of new GMC vehicles.

No experience needed; paid training.

We offer leading edge, flexible pay plans, as well as group benefits and a savings plan program.

820

Trades

CAMERON BAY HOLDINGS INC. O/A MCDONALD’S in Ponoka is now hiring F/T & P/T Food Service Supervisors.

Wages are 11.50 to 13.50 p/h, depending on experience and availability.

Restaurant is 24 hours so candidates must be able to work a variety of shifts and have 3 to 5 yrs. previous experience in fast food and supervisor exp.

Part time applications will be accepted from Canadians and Permanent Residents currently living in Canada.

Apply in person at 4419 Hwy 2A, Ponoka, T4J 1J8 or email resume to cbay22@telus.net or fax to 403-783-4251.

TOO MUCH STUFF? Let Classifieds help you sell it.

Teachers/ Tutors

Samson Management Ltd. is a for profit organization that is currently comprised of various divisions and businesses. Our division of Maskepetoon Automotive Service Center is currently looking for a

Journeyman Technician

• Offer competitive wages, benefits and pension plan.

• Full time position available.

• Hours of operation are Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm.

• Has a five (5) technician bays, oil change bay, tire bay, and parts inventory section • Great relationship with local businesses, and surrounding communities (vendors) • Position Requirements: • Journeyman Automotive Technician Certification • Valid Driver’s License • Commercial Inspection and Out of Province Inspection certification an asset • Ability to work on all makes and models • We are an independent automotive repair shop meeting the needs of people in our First Nations Community of Maskwacis and surrounding areas.

• Consideration will also be given to 3rd or 4th year apprentice with excellent work history and verifiable skills and references.

840

GPRC, Fairview Campus, Alberta needs Power Engineering Instructors.

No teaching experience, no problem. Please contact Brian Carreau at 780-835-6631 and/or visit our website at www.gprc.ab.ca.

Trades

Interested persons are requested to submit a resume by mail, email, personally, or fax to the attention of

850

Stephen Wagner at: Samson Management Ltd. Box 539, Maskwacis, Alberta T0C 1N0 swagner@smlcorp.com Telephone: (780) 585-2468 Fax: (780) 585-2393

If you are interested in joining our dynamic dealership family, please send resume to hr@adamsgm.com or stop by in person and ask for Steve Wolbeck

SKIDSTEER SERVICES

Join Our Team

SHERBA SKIDSTEER SERVICES • Snow Removal • Commercial & Residential • General Bobcat Service Reliable | Efficient | Great Service

587-729-0299

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

A & J AUTOMOTIVE A & J AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 6701 - 46 Ave. 6701 46 Ave. Ponoka, AB - T4J 1J8 Ponoka, T4J 1J8 (403)AB783-8755 (403) 783-8755 Al Dickhaut Owner/Operator Al Dickhaut Owner/Operator

requires

Mature, reliable, friendly sales clerk to work part-time 2 Saturdays or Sundays/month To apply for this position, submit your resume to

Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear 4209 Hwy 2A Ponoka T4J 1J8 For more information call Trevor Jones at

403-350-9639 Truckers/ Drivers

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

IN Ponoka, has immediate openings for SWAMPERS Please submit resumes to 6526 - 44 Ave., Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8 Fax: 403-783-3011 or Email: hr@calnashtrucking.com

860

DELIVERY DRIVER

WANTED

Must have own vehicle Up to $15/hr • Cash paid nightly

• Drop off resume to #7, 4000 Hwy 2A •

850

Misc.

Help

880

ALLOWANCE NOT CUTTING IT? Join the PONOKA NEWS

Carrier Team!

PETROFIELD Industries, the Leader in manufacturing Hydrovac trucks, is accepting resumes for the following positions: * General Labourers * Industrial Painters * Sandblasters * Material Handler * Automotive Electrical Technician * Journeyman Welder / Apprentice * 2nd Yr Welder with Aluminum experience Visit our website at: www.tornadotrucks.com for more details. Our Company has an enthusiastic fast paced working environment, with advancement possibilities for the motivated person, and offers an excellent benefit package. fax 403-742-5544 e-mail: hr@petrofield.com

Truckers/ Drivers

860

ATTENTION SEMI OPERATORS! Are you looking to downsize? Haul RVs from USA to Western Canada! Looking for 1 ton and 3 ton O/O. 1-800-867-6233; www.roadexservices.com.

BUSY LIVESTOCK Hauling Company requires Class 1 Drivers. Alberta wide work. Competitive wages, includes some shop duties. Call Michael at 780-656-0053.

EXERCISE, EARN MONEY, AND WIN PRIZES! Reliable carriers are automatically entered into a monthly draw.

Win an additional $50 Keep up the good work and your name will be entered to win a

$400 Gift Certificate Each week the Ponoka News reaches residents where they live, work and farm. In town our papers are delivered door to door by reliable carriers and we could use more help.

If you are interested in a local route please contact Susan Whitecotton at 403-783-3311

PONOKA NEWS 43

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Truckers/ Drivers

860

880

Misc.

Help

Class 1 truck driver Must have clean abstract and experience driving with super-B trailers. Call 403550-3525 e-mail abstract and resume to kkin2010@ live .ca SIGNING BONUS! Hiring long haul semi owner operators to haul RVs and general freight. Paid 85% of invoiced amount with open invoice policy.

Benefits, co fuel cards and subsidized insurance. Must have ability to cross border. Call 1-800-867-6233; www.roadexservices.com.

Business Opportunities

870

FOR SALE Beautiful Floral Shop. 47 years in business. Central Alberta.

Small business of the year twice. Excellent reputation.

Owner will help during transition. 1-800-397-8843.

Owner retiring.

GET FREE vending machines. Can earn $100,000. + per year. All cash-retire in just 3 years.

Protected territories. Full details call now 1-866-668-6629. Website: www.tcvend.com.

HOME BASED OILPATCH service business for sale.

Make money even through spring break-up! Well established, complete.

Training provided. Serious inquiries only please.

780-518-7237 for details.

Misc.

Help

880

P/T OR F/T STABLE HELP WANTED

SHOP/PARTS PERSON

Please submit applications to: Calnash Trucking 6526 44 Avenue, Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1J8 Fax: 403-783-3011 E-mail: hr@calnashtrucking.com (Attn: Shop/Parts Person) Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

No Phone calls please.

Generations Daycare Bashaw, Alberta is accepting applications for immediate staff positions! • Child Development Supervisor (former Level 3) • Child Development Worker (former Level 2) • Child Development Assistant (former Level 1) or equivalency workers.

Returning to the ďŹ eld?

Staff Attraction Incentive worth $5000 in your pocket!

•

Community Support Worker Program

•

Women in the Trades Program

•

Math and Science for the Trades Program

•

GED Preparation Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available.

403-340-1930 www.academicexpress.ca

General Labourer with forklift experience, Full time starting in April in Halkirk Area Send resumes to: fparr@cdnhumaliteintl.com or fax to (403)883-2251 or (780)488-4814 INTERESTED IN the Community Newspaper business? Alberta’s weekly newspapers are looking for people like you. Post your resume online.

FREE. Visit: awna.com/for-job-seekers.

LANDSCAPING SALES & Service opportunities!

Up to $400 cash daily!

Full-time & part-time outdoors. Spring/summer work. Seeking honest, hardworking staff; www.PropertyStarsJobs.com PUT YOUR EXPERIENCE to work - The job service for people aged 45 and over across Canada.

Free for candidates.

Register now at: www.thirdquarter.ca or call toll free 1-855-286-0306.

BOBCAT SERVICE • Snow Removal • Driveways & Parking Lots • Post-Hole Augering - 6, 9, 12, 15 • Corral Cleaning • Grading & Construction

Seasonal Full-Time Temporary Positions

SUMMER LABORERS The Parks & Recreation and Public Works Departments of the Town of Ponoka are looking for summer laborers to work from early May until late August. The successful candidates will be involved in such programs as: spring cleanup, line painting, crack ďŹ lling, grass mowing, owerbed maintenance, and operating summer facilities such as the Visitor Information Centre.

Call 403-783-2764 403-588-0599 CallJim JimAshbough Ashbough 783-2764ororCell: Cell: 588-0599 Jack Surbey 403-783-5283 Cell: 403-588-0597 Jack Surbey 783-5283orCell: 588-0597

OVERHEAD DOORS

Applicants for these positions must be physically ďŹ t, have a class 5 driver’s license, be able to work with their hands, and be comfortable working outdoors. Previous experience or an aptitude in construction equipment operation and working with the public would be an asset.

This is a fun summer job opportunity that will provide valuable experience to anyone that enjoys a challenge and completing a task.

Applicants are asked to submit their resumes to; Town of Ponoka 5102 - 48 Avenue; PONOKA, AB. T4J 1P7 Fax: 403-783-6745: Phone 403-783-4431 Email: HR@ponoka.org

This space could be yours for $

30

The Town of Ponoka thanks all applicants in advance, however, only those being considered will be contacted.

PER WEEK

Willing to train for a career in child care?

Relief positions available.

Interested candidates are invited to submit applications to: Lisa LaFleur or Marci Albers Box 568 Bashaw, AB T0B 0H0 Fax: (780) 372-3951 or Email: bdssdc@gmail.com Call 780-372-2053 for more information or to discuss your opportunity to join our team.

ACADEMIC Express

SPRING START

Sur-B Enterprises Ltd.

TOWN OF PONOKA Employment Opportunity

IN PONOKA requires an immediate The responsibilities will include ordering and organizing parts, data entry, record keeping and general shop duties. Reporting directly to the operations manager, the individual will have excellent communication skills, organized and general computer knowledge. Some training will be provided, but must have some general trucking and parts background.

Excellent wages and company benefits

BOBCAT SERVICES

880

CALNASH TRUCKING LTD

for show horse barn Call 403-392-5040 ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Misc.

Help

E S T. 1 9 3 6

Ponoka Community Golf Club

Now accepting applications for the upcoming season for: LINE COOKS WAIT STAFF DISHWASHERS Full & part time available

Drop resume off at the Ponoka Community Golf Club Attn: Loanna Gulka Or Email rob@ponokagolf.com Or fax 403-783-5144

TIRE REPAIR PERSON Required for maintenance and repair of truck and trailer fleet. Experience is an asset, but will train right candidate.

Excellent wages and company benefits.

Please submit applications to: Calnash Trucking 6526 44 Avenue, Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8 Fax: 403-783-3011 Email: hr@calnashtrucking.com (Re: Tire Person) Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No Phone calls please.

Misc.

Help

Call 403-783-3311

880

BOTTLE DEPOT

PONOKA BOTTLE DEPOT

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Email: brad@manluk.com

Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Closed Sundays & Holidays We Now Recycle Milk Cartons for Deposit

3, 5520 Hwy 2A (Across from Husky)

403-783-6875 SALES & SERVICE

Motorcycles & ATV’s Tues - Fri: 8:30 am-5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am-3 pm

403-783-5185 1-800-662-7135 Fax: 403-783-4635

Reaching 6000 households weekly for just

30

$

PER WEEK

This space could be yours!

403-783-3311

44 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

DENTISTRY

Misc.

Help

880

Misc.

Help

880

RIMBEYDENTALCARE

REQUIRED Production Welder Painter Shop Laborer Polisher Full or Part Time Crestomere area BANDIT INDUSTRIES 403-783-4284

DR. STEVE CALDER BS C DDS

Family Friendly Dentistry Box 1100 4905 50 St. Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0

PARTS POSITION AVAILABLE Bobcat Operators.

DENTAL CARE BIRCHLAND DENTAL CLINIC PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY

4037835225 • 4037835235 5118 - 51 Ave., Ponoka, AB T4J 1R5

DR. HUGH PORTER • DR. RICK BARR DR. JEFF BARR • DR. GREG EDWARDS - General Dentistry - Orthodontics - Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding - Veneers - Bleaching - White or Gold Fillings - Crown and Bridge - Implant Restorations “WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOME NEW PATIENTS”

EYE CARE

Offering High Paced Work with Competitive Wages and Local Job Sites.

Applicant Must Have a Valid Class 3 License with Air. Experience in Fine Grading and Finishing is a Must.

Knowledge of the Area Would Be an Asset. A Positive Attitude is a Must.

Please submit Resume with Driver’s Abstract in person to: 5013 Len Thompson Drive Lacombe, AB Email: db-front@telus.net or by Fax: 403-782-7786 No Phone calls please

Drs. Heimdahl, ZoBell & Kallal 403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168 WWW.4YOUREYESONLY.CA

•

5120-51ST AVE, PONOKA

- ADVANCED EYE HEALTH & VISION EXAMS - CONSULTATION & REFERRAL SERVICES - DESIGNER EYE WEAR & CONTACT LENSES - INSURED MEDICAL EYECARE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday 8AM - 12:30PM • 1PM - 5PM

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

Misc.

Help

“Committed to your comfort”

Robin Esau

Ph: 403-782-7722 Fax: 403-782-7499

robin@KlesAir.com www.KlesMechanical.com

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

Please forward your resume to: Email: jwynnychuk@ponokachrysler.com or by Fax: 403-783-8140 or drop off in person at Ponoka Chrysler 6510 - 39 Avenue (Hwy 2A)

WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM Misc.

Help

880 WOLF CREEK GOLF RESORT ANNUAL JOB FAIR

For the 2014 Golf Season

Saturday, March 29 • 10:00am - 3:00pm The following positions are available:

GOLF SHOP • Golf Shop Sales Associate • Outside Services - Landing, Carts & Range • Player Assistants & Starters GROUNDS CREW • General Laborers

HEATING

- Experience preferred - Willing to train or apprentice the right person - Computer experience necessary - ADP experience an asset - Benefit package included - Wage based on experience

Full & Part-Time Seasonal Staff Great job for semi retired/retired physically fit individuals

• Turf Equipment operators BEVERAGE STAFF • Banquet Staff • Breakfast Servers • Lounge Servers & Bartenders • Snack Den Attendants & Beverage Carts CULINARY STAFF • Apprentice Chef • Breakfast Cook • Line Cooks • Dishwashers OFFICE ADMINISTRATION • Office Assistant Please attend in person to the Main Clubhouse with resume

You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

W. CHARLOT GRAINS (Stratford, ON) is hiring an Assistant Operations Manager to manage and maintain its farm’s resources (equipment and labour). Apply by email hr@ppghr.com or online at www.ppghr.com.

Employment Training

900

INTERIOR HEAVY EQUIPMENT Operator School. No Simulators . In-the-seat training. Real world tasks. Weekly start dates. Job board! Funding options. Sign up online! iheschool.com.

1-866-399-3853.

Tired of Standing?

Find something to sit on in Classifieds

Business Services #1000 - #1430

Legal Services

1260

CRIMINAL RECORD? Think: Canadian pardon.

U.S. travel waiver.

(24 hour record check).

Divorce? Simple. Fast.

Inexpensive. Debt recovery?

Alberta collection to $25,000. Calgary 403-228-1300 or 1-800-347-2540; www. accesslegalresearch.com.

Misc.

Services

1290

Being a new parent isn’t easy . . .

920

Launches March 31

albertacareers.net 12345

Extend your reach from print to online

Call for more details 1-800-282-6903 ext 235 Misc.

Services

START NOW! Complete Ministry approved diplomas in months!

Business, health care and more! Contact Academy of Learning College 1-855-354-JOBS (5627) or www.academyoflearning.com. We change lives

880

Ensign is looking for Assistant Drillers, Drillers, Night Tour SO008549 Pushes, and Rig Managers for our Australian Division.

Recruiter’s will be in Nisku March 31- April 9th to conduct interviews. If you want to hear more about our International opportunities please contact our Global group and apply online at ensignjobs.com.

Call 1-888-367-4460.

Career Planning

920

Career Planning

UP TO $400 cash daily full-time & part-time outdoors. Spring/summer work. Seeking honest, hardworking staff; PropertyStarsJobs.com.

Is Currently Looking to hire

Ph. (403) 843-2173 Fax: (403) 843-2607

880

Misc.

Help

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

Squeezthee MOST out of your advertising dollars Place your ad in this newspaper and12345 province wide $ with a combined circulation of over 800,000 for only...

995 plus GST/HST

Value Ad Network

Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email andrea@awna.com or visit this community newspaper

Heather Goodwin 403-704-3647 heathermccg@shaw.ca ATTENTION HOME BUILDERS! No Warranty = No Building Permit.

Contact Blanket Home Warranty for details.

1-888-925-2653; www.blanketltd.ca.

DISCONNECTED PHONE? Phone Factory Home Phone Service. No one refused! Low monthly rate! Calling features and unlimited long distance available. Call Phone Factory today!

1-877-336-2274; www.phonefactory.ca.

FUNDING AVAILABLE for Alberta Culture Days events. Shine a spotlight on your community’s vibrant local culture this September. Deadline to apply is April 28; www.AlbertaCultureDays.ca.

NEED TO ADVERTISE? Province wide classifieds.

Reach over 1 million readers weekly. Only $269. + GST (based on 25 words or less). Call this newspaper NOW for details or call 1-800-282-6903 ext. 228.

PONOKA NEWS 45

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Personal Services

1315

Pet Services

1318

Unplanned pregnancy may be difďŹ cult to face.

We care. For conďŹ dential help call 403-343-1611 (24 hrs.)

CLINKERS KENNELS

DATING SERVICE. Long-term/short-term relationships. Free to try!

1-877-297-9883. Live intimate conversation, Call #7878 or 1-888-534-6984.

Live adult 1on1 Call 1-866-311-9640 or #5015.

Meet local single ladies.

1-877-804-5381. (18+).

HOURS: Mon - Thurs 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 6 pm; Fri. 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 7 pm; Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 noon; Sun. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. & 4 - 7 p.m.

RECYCLE

YOUR PAPER!

TOP REAL PSYCHICS Live. Accurate readings 24/7. Call now 1-877-342-3036; Mobile dial: # 4486; www.truepsychics.ca

Misc.

Services

* Quality Boarding for your dogs & cats *Proof of vaccinations and advance bookings required

403-783-6272

www.clinkerskennels.ca Start your career!

See Help Wanted

Rental Misc

1350

Need RV or Self Storage?

8’ X 10’ mini storage units available for rent.

Also RV storage.

Secure compound.

Call Keith at

First Call Towing

783-3636

1290

Misc.

Services

1290

OUR SPECIALITY

Repair of any cooling or refrigeration system as well as large household appliances.

Auctions

Buy & Sell #1500 - #1990 Aircraft ..............................1510 Antiques & Art ..................1520 Auctions ............................1530 Bicycles ............................1540 Building Supplies ..............1550 Business Machines ..........1560 Cameras & Accessories ..1570 Children’s Items ................1580 Clothing ............................1590 Computers ........................1600 Concert & Event Tickets ..1610 Equipment - Misc. ............1620 Equipment - Heavy ..........1630 Tools ................................1640 Farmers’ Market & Food Basket......................1650 Firewood ..........................1660 Lumber ............................1670 Garden Supplies ..............1680 Lawn Tractors ..................1690 Health, Dietary, Beauty ....1700 Household Appliances......1710 Household Furnishings ....1720 TV’s, Stereos, VCR’s ........1730 Hot Tubs & Accessories ..1740 Jewellery ..........................1750 Kid’s Deals........................1755 Misc. For Sale ..................1760 Musical Instruments..........1770 Music Lessons..................1780 Piano & Organs ................1790 Office Supplies ................1800 Pets & Supplies ................1810 Pet Services ....................1820 Cats ..................................1830 Dogs ................................1840 Sports Cards ....................1850 Sporting Goods ................1860 Collectors’ Items ..............1870 Swap, Barter & Trade ......1880 Travel Packages ..............1900 Wedding Supplies ............1910 Recycled Products............1920 Wanted to Buy ..................1930 Items to Give Away ..........1940

Auctions

1530

Refrigeration and Appliance Service

403-783-4880 Welding

1410

Welding

1410

BIG STRAPPER AUCTIONS SALES EVERY WED. @ 6 pm.

Moose Hall 2 miles south of Ponoka on 2A

WE BUY FOR CASH.

• B-PRESSURE • PIPELINE • OILFIELD • ASME Section VIII Division I VESSEL FABRICATION & PIPING • SHOP/PORTABLE • CNC PLASMA CUTTING • ALUMINUM • SHEARING & FORMING

MAIN: (403) 783-7591 FAX: (403) 783-8178 Website: www.harbinwelding.com E-mail: bharbin@telus.net

UNRESERVED AUCTION. Complete Dispersal of Ye Old Bank Antiques, furniture, advertising, tins, artwork, store display items, collectibles. 10 a.m., Saturday, March 22, Kitscoty, Alberta.

780-842-5666; www.scribnernet.com.

Building Supplies

1550

LOOKING FOR a shop?

Post Frame Buildings.

AFAB Industries has experience, expertise, reliability and great construction practices. For a free quote, contact Ryan Smith 403-818-0797 or email: ryan.afab@gmail.com.

METAL ROOFING & SIDING. Very competitive prices!

Largest colour selection in Western Canada.

Available at over 25 Alberta Distribution Locations. 40 Year Warranty.

Call 1-888-263-8254.

Firewood

1660

LOGS

403-304-4791 Check website for full listing www.bigstrapperauctions.net

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION! 7th Annual Calgary Collector Car Auction, May 9 - 10, Indoors Convention Center Grey Eagle Casino.

Over 100 pieces of memorabilia selling No Reserve. All makes & models welcome. Consign today 1-888-296-0528 ext.

102; EGauctions.com.

COLLECTOR CAR AUCTION. 4th Annual Edmonton Motor Show Classic Car Auction. April 11 - 13. Edmonton Expo Centre. 35 estate collector car collection selling no reserve to the highest bidder! Over 75,000 spectators. Consign today.

1-888-296-0528 ext. 102; EGauctions.com..

Well Drilling

FOOD EQUIPMENT DISPERSAL. Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m., MAS Sales Centre, Blackfalds.

5000 sq. ft. of new & refurbished commercial refrigeration, meat/deli, pizza, bakery & coffee equipment, SS tables & sinks, mixers, small appliances, tables, shelving, large quantity of small wares & much more.

See www.montgomeryauctions.com.

1-800-371-6963.

STEEL BUILDINGS/METAL BUILDINGS 60% off! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100, sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206; www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

NEXT ANTIQUE SALE Sun. MARCH 2, 1 pm

Berni's

1530

1400

Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar.

Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346 Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

Garden Supplies

1680

COLORADO BLUE SPRUCE: $1.49/each for a box of 270 ($402.30).

Also full range of trees, shrubs, cherries & berries.

Free shipping.

Replacement guarantee.

1-866-873-3846 or treetime.ca.

Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Sale in Classifieds

Well Drilling

1400

Misc. for Sale

1760

EVERY WATER WELL on earth should have the patented “Kontinuous Shok� Chlorinator from Big Iron Drilling! Why? Save thousands of lives every year. www.1-800bigiron.com.

Phone 1-800-BIG-IRON. SAWMILLS from only $4,897. Make money & save money with your own bandmill. Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship. Free info & dvd: www.NorwoodSawmills.com/ 400OT. 1-800-566-6899 ext.

400OT.

Travel Packages

1900

GRIZZLY BEAR TOUR. Experience a one day fly and cruise adventure to Khutzeymateen, BC this summer. Calgary and Edmonton departures.

1-866-460-1415; www.classiccanadiantours.com

Wanted To Buy

1930

FIREARMS. All types wanted, estates, collections, single items, military. We handle all paperwork & transportation.

Licensed dealer.

1-866-960-0045; www.dollars4guns.com.

Agricultural #2000 - #2290 Farm Equipment ..............2010 Haying Equipment ............2020 Tractors ............................2030 Combines & Headers ......2040 Fertilizer Equipment..........2050 Misc. Farm Machinery ......2060 Equipment Wanted ..........2070 Farm Custom Work ..........2080 Farm Auctions ..................2090 Livestock ..........................2100 Livestock - Exotic..............2110 Sheep ..............................2120 Poultry ..............................2130 Horses ..............................2140 Horse Boarding ................2150 Riding Supplies ................2160 Horse/Stock Trailers ........2170 Pasture Wanted ................2180 Grain, Feed, Hay ..............2190 Seed Grain ......................2200 Seeding & Tillage ............2210

Tractors

2030

JOHN DEERE 9400 Tractor with or w/o 16’ 6 way blade. 403-502-1091

Livestock

2100

FLATLAND RANCH has on offer yearling and 2 year old Gelbvieh Bulls.

We have been selling reputable bulls for 15 years Chuck 403-854-6270

Well Drilling

1400

RURAL WATER TREATMENT (Province Wide) Tell them Danny Hooper sent you

)RON &ILTERS s 3OFTENERS s $ISTILLERS s 2EVERSE /SMOSIS h+ONTINUOUS 3HOKv #HLORINATOR 0ATENTED 7HOLE (OUSE 2EVERSE /SMOSIS 3YSTEM

12345 7ITHIN MILES OF %DMONTON

7ATER 7ELL $RILLING 2ED $EER #ALGARY .EW 'OVERNMENT WATER WELL GRANT STARTS !PRIL 4IME 0AYMENT 0LAN / ! # FOR WATER WELLS AND WATER TREATMENT

")' )2/.

View our 29 patented and patent pending inventions online at

www.1800bigiron.com

Livestock

2100

HEATING & EAVESTROUGHING

40 Bulls For Sale

Registered Yearlings

Black Angus

Commercial - Residential Installations - Repair

&5 2 year olds

Plus

3912 - 66 St, Ponoka www.wcmltd.ca

403.783.3501 wcmltd@telus.net

125 Cows Reg. Black Angus

Call Jim (780)

387-6050

4 TWO YEAR OLD RED ANGUS SIMMENTAL CROSS BULLS. Can deliver. 780-682-2644 BAR-DALE LIMOUSIN, ERSKINE, AB. 40, two year old virgin bulls for sale at the farm.

Fully guaranteed.

Call Carole Barclay at 403-742-4825, Terry 403-740-5037 Ricky 403-740-5711. email bardale@xplornet.com FOR SALE. Simmeron Simmentals, fullblood full Fleckvieh yearling bulls, polled and horned, A.I. bloodlines, very quiet, muscled. Website: simmeronranch.ca.

Martin 780-913-7963.

LIMOUSIN Bulls Polled Red and black two year olds and yearlings. Semen tested. Combest Limousin Farm. (403)742-5211 Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

PUREBRED red and black Angus bulls. 1 and 2 year olds. Semen tested and delivered.

Vicwin farms 403-784-3517, 403-318-7363.

Grain, Feed Hay

2190

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola. Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup� Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

LACOMBE COUNTRY FEED STORE, Come see us at: 4836 45A St. Lacombe, Ab Pet Food, Horse, Poultry ALL THE FEED YOUR ANIMALS NEED! 403-782-3333

For Rent #3000 - #3200 Houses/ Duplexes

3020

RIMBEY 4 bdrm. house w/ att. garage, 4 appls, no pets, n/s, 403-704-3634

Condos/ Townhouses

3030

2 bdrm condo in quiet 4-plex Close to schools, recreation & shopping 6 appliances plus water, N/S $950/mnth

TED

REN

403-963-0783

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 VETERINARY SERVICES

Bovine Veterinary Services On-Farm Mobile Veterinary Services Ultrasound-aided ReproducĆ&#x;ve Programs CETA CerĆ&#x;ÄŽed Dairy and Beef Embryo Transfer Herd Health

Phone 403-391-1684 Dr. Bruce Wine

Í´Íś Š‘—” Â?‡”‰‡Â?…› ƒŽŽ

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311 VETERINARY SERVICES

Southwest Industrial Park 4102-64 St., Ponoka 403-783-5200 8 a.m. - 5 p.m Mon. to Sat. • Open late Thursday 24-hour Emergency Call Dr. Bill Frischke • Dr. Kelly Loree • Dr. Leighton Coma Dr. Trevor Hook • Dr. Patricia Kelly

Reaching 6000 households weekly

For just

$30 per week this space could be yours!

403-783-3311

46 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PLUMBING SHANDALL PLUMBING LTD. JAMES AVERY “Reasonable rates on all your plumbing needs” Gas Fitting - Home Renovations - Drain Cleaning -24 HOUR SERVICE5306 - 60 ST, PONOKA, AB T4J 1K7 PH: (403) 783-6372 • FAX (403) 783-6345

PLUMBING

PONOKA PLUMBING & HEATING We now carry a complete line of Ritchie Stockwater parts Hours of Business: Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 5 pm

5110 -50 Street Box 4414 Ponoka, Alberta T4J 1R7

JESSE ZINTER Office - 403-783-5489

This space could be yours for $

30

PER WEEK

Call 403-783-3311

Manufactured Homes

3040

4090

PONOKA MOOSE LODGE IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Real Estate For the rental #4000 - #4190 of a modular home site.

Realtors & Services..........4010 Please contact Lynn at 403-358-6580 for details. Houses for Sale................4020 Celebrate your life with a Classified ANNOUNCEMENT Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

3060

Suites

1 bdrm suite close to downtown N/P, N/S 403-357-0654 1 AND 2 BEDROOM SUITES AVAILABLE APR 1 Close to downtown Ponoka, quiet bldg, N/S Includes patio, stove, fridge, parking stall plus heat & water Washer & dryer available

403-963-0937 * RIVERSIDE APTS. * Newly renovated 1 & 2 bedroom units in Ponoka: 3724-45 Street.

403-357-0287

CELEBRATIONS HAPPEN EVERY DAY IN CLASSIFIEDS

Houses Wanted ................4030 Condos/Townhouses ........4040 Acreages ..........................4050 Acreages Wanted ............4060 Farms/Land ......................4070 Farms/Land Wanted ........4080 Manufactured/ Mobile Homes ..................4090 Income Property ..............4100 Commercial Property ......4110 Industrial Property ............4120 Cottages/Resort Property ..4130 Businesses for Sale..........4140 Buildings for Sale ............4150 Lots for Sale ....................4160 Out of Town Property ......4170 Investment Opportunities ..4180 Mortgages Bought/Sold....4190

Condos/ Townhouses

4090

403.783.8322

www.littlejons.ca

Reaching 6000 households weekly for just

30

$

PER WEEK

This space could be yours!

403-783-3311 TREE SERVICE

BEST PRICE TREE SERVICE OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

SPECIALIZING IN DANGEROUS TREES COMPLETE REMOVAL & CLEANUP

• Topping • Dropping • Slashing • Stump Grinding & Tree Disposal • Tree Chipping FREE Estimates | Fully Insured

403.396.7623

UNITED HOMES CANADA has a selection of pre-owned homes available now!

1-800-461-7632; www.unitedhomescanada.com 1991 Triple E 16 X 76, $39,000.; 1997 SRI 16 X 76, $42,000.; 2002 SRI 20 X 76, $120,000. Call today Transportation to arrange viewing. #5000-5300 Classifieds...costs so little Automotive Services ........5010 Saves you so much!

Antique & Classic Autos ....5020

Financial #4400 - #4430 Investments ......................4410 Money Wanted ................4420 Money to Loan ................4430

4430

CROSS COUNTRY HOMES Spring Clearance.

All show homes priced to move and ready for quick possession. 20 X 76 homes starting at $113,000., double wides from $88 sq. ft.! Visit us in Acheson or call 780-470-8000; www.crosscountryhomes.com

DO YOU NEED to borrow money - Now? If you own a home or real estate, Alpine Credits will lend you money - It’s that simple.

1-877-486-2161.

DROWNING IN DEBT? Cut debts more than 60% & debt free in half the time!

Avoid bankruptcy!

Free consultation; www.mydebtsolution.com or toll free 1-877-556-3500.

BBB rated A+.

Houses For Sale

LittleJONS’ Serving Central Today!

Alberta Book On-Line

GET BACK on track!

Bad credit? Bills?

Unemployed? Need money?

We lend! If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp.

Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420; www.pioneerwest.com.

Money To Loan

PORTABLE TOILET RENTALS

Hand Wash Stations Handicap Units Trailer Units New Solar Powered Units with Running Water

NEW MODULAR Housing Dealership! Advertising lowest prices in the prairies for Shelter Home Systems (SRI). Grand opening special now on.

Call 1-855-358-0808; www. westerncanadianmodular.com

Manufactured Homes

3060

Suites

Money To Loan

4040

EXCLUSIVE LUXURY RIVERFRONT CONDOS FOR SALE in Downtown Red Deer.

Call Renee at 403-314-1687 for Inquiries.

4430

Manufactured Homes

4020

Cars ..................................5030 SUV’s................................5040 Trucks ..............................5050 Heavy Trucks....................5060 Vans/Buses ......................5070 Motorcycles ......................5080 Campers ..........................5090 Motorhomes......................5100 5th Wheels........................5110 Holiday Trailers ................5120 Tent Trailers ......................5130 Utility Trailers ....................5140 ATV’s ................................5150 Boats & Marine ................5160 Snowmobiles ....................5170 Tires, Parts & Accessories ......................5180 Auto Wreckers ..................5190 Vehicles Wanted ..............5200 Car/Truck Rental ..............5210 Recreational Vehicle Rental ..............................5220 Trailer Rental ....................5230 Misc. Automotive ..............5240 RV’s ..................................5300

Antique & Classic Autos

5020

1962 FORD GALAXY, 40,000 original miles, original cond. 403-502-1091

VETERINARY SERVICES

Ponoka Veterinary Clinic Dr. Murray Jacobson Dr. Clayton West Dr. Ashley Shannon

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm Sat. 9 am - 4:30 pm

24 Hr. Emergency 403-783-4348

5502 - Hwy 2A Ponoka, AB

T4J 1M1

THIS SPACE COULD BE YOURS FOR

$30

PER WEEK.

CALL 4037833311 ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE FOR JUST

$

30

PER WEEK.

REACHING 6000 HOUSEHOLDS PER WEEK. WATER WELL DRILLING SERVICES

Darcy’s Drilling Services

DELUXE 2 BR SUITES FOR RENT 4205 - 64 St., Ponoka, AB Includes: Fridge, Stove, Fireplace, Air Conditioning, Window Coverings, Oak Cabinetry with Corian Countertops, Balcony, High Security Card Locks, All Utilities except Telephone.

Quiet Adult Complex, Age 40+, No Pets, Special Spring Rental Rates!

Call ERNIE at 780-335-6767

Garage Space

3150

COMMERCIAL

BAYS

FOR RENT 4205 - 64 St., Ponoka, AB

34’Lx16’W with 16’ high ceiling. Suitable for Truckers, Farmers, Boaters, Contractors, or Anyone needing Secure, Heated Storage.

SPECIAL SPRING RATES! Call ERNIE at 780-335-6767

• water wells drilled & serviced • new pump & pressure system installations • all types of pump repairs • well shocking Darcy Schmidt Ph: (403) 783-2220 Fax: (403) 783-8828 Email: darcysdrillingservices@hotmail.com

WATER WELL SERVICE

ECKLUND Water Well Service • Install & Service Pumps • Shock Wells • Pressure Systems Serviced & Installed Home: (403) 783-3712 Cell: (403) 704-3413

Advertise your business in the Business Directory!

PONOKA NEWS 47

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Fifth Wheels

5110

2007 SPORTSMAN

LX, 3254, 3 slides,thermo windows, fireplace, lots of extras. MINT $27,900. trades cons. 403-598-0682

Tires, Parts Acces.

5180

The Perfect Family Companion – Local Activities & Festivals – – Calendar of Events – – Restaurants – – Current Events – – Church Directory – – Concerts, Sales & More! –

WRECKING AUTO-TRUCKS. Parts to fit over 500 trucks. Lots of Dodge, GMC, Ford, imports. We ship anywhere. Lots of Dodge, diesel, 4x4 stuff. Trucks up to 3 tons. North-East Recyclers 780-875-0270 (Lloydminster).

WANTED MOTOR ONLY. International 446, 4 barrel gas truck motor only. In running order or rebuildable. Phone 1-800-244-4766, 24 hours.

Public Notice #6000

Public Notices ..................6010 Special Features ..............6050

403.783.3311

You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

Misc.

Automotive

Gold medal for Ponoka’s Bantam team Continued from page 38 Rimbey was the favourite to win gold after being undefeated in the series and playing on home ice. However, Ponoka fans also took to the stands to show their support for the Moose players.

This was no ordinary hockey game; Ponoka lost the banner series in provincial playdowns recently at the hands of the Renegades and players were eager to return the favour, except the stakes were higher. Likewise, the Rimbey Renegades were eager to win gold after a silver medal win at provincials last year.

“We got it going in the first period. We had a little bit of a lapse in the second…But we got back those little things and managed to get Justin Hyink makes a daring save in the face of strong opposition from Rimbey during the finals Bantam C provincials that last big goal there and managed to hold game March 16.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye them off for the last little bit,” explained team captain Lewis McDowell.

With minutes left in the first period and played a strong game against the Renegades. Determination only four men on the ice, Ponoka’s Cooper Jones scored. The Renegades were hungry to tie up the game in the second pe- was strong on both sides and players took hard hits but neither team could capitalize and score. riod.

The game appeared to be headed for overtime until Jones Their determination paid off and halfway through the second period they tied the game 1-1. Rimbey controlled the scored his second goal with a minute and a half left in the puck this period. Gasps and cries from parents could be heard period. Ponoka Moose fans erupted in cheers while Renegade throughout the arena. At the end of the second period, the fans hoped for a goal to tie the game, forcing Ponoka into score remained tied. overtime.

In the locker room, coach Rausch brought back Ponoka’s Despite Rimbey’s best efforts, the goal never came and focus and told them not to give up.

Ponoka won the Bantam C provincial championships. CapPeople could be heard saying the game was a real “nail biter” and “barn burner.” This seemed to be a true hockey tain McDowell praised Rimbey players. “Probably the most game with the best Bantam C hockey teams in the province competition we’ve had all year.”

Some 12 players from the Bantam team will be moving vying for the coveted banner.

In the third period, Ponoka appeared rejuvenated and they up to the midget level next season.

Broncs Zone 4 Champs

5240

12345

Public Notices

6010

PUBLIC MEETING BYLAW NO. 332-14 to repeal BUSINESS HOURS BYLAW NO. 313-12 March 26, 2014 @ 7:00 p.m.

Ponoka Kinsmen Centre Ponoka Town Council is holding a public meeting on March 26, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. to receive comments and input from the public regarding the proposed Bylaw No. 332-14 to repeal Business Hours Bylaw No. 313-12.

This is your opportunity to let Council know your thoughts on repealing the Business Hours Bylaw.

Justin Braithwaite attempts to block the Sabres attacker from behind during the first game of the championship series with the Wetaskiwin Sabres on Wednesday, March 12.

Photo by Mustafa Eric

Continued from page 38 In the second period Tavis Lee performed spectacularly under the rim on both ends of the court, capturing offensive and defensive rebounds and scoring within the paint. With the help of good perimeter 3-point shooting

by Brandt Seibel and Jared Nicolls, the Broncs opened up the lead to 23-17 at the end of third minute of the second period. But the Sabres once again quickly caught up and brought the lead down to a single point 25-24 by the middle point of the period. Then it was the turn of the Broncs to step up both the defense and scoring.

In the last three minutes of the second period Broncs did not allow the visitors a single point, closing the first half with 35-27 lead.

In the third period, just like in the first game, Broncs again stepped up their scoring and increased their lead to 11 points 53-42.

When the fourth and last period started however, the Sabres started a desperate campaign to catch up with the hosts and almost managed it within the first three minutes of the period after an 11-1 run: 54-53. At that moment, a threepoint play by Travis Lee allowed a sigh of relief for the Broncs and they made good use of the four-point cushion to take the game to the final two minutes of play, when the most powerful offensive player of the Sabres was ejected from the game after arguing with officials. The resulting technical foul was converted to two points

by Brandt Seibel and the free throws by Davis Labrie helped the PSC boys secure the win with a final score of 67-62.

Head coach Blaine Haines said after the game that he was proud of his team.

“It was a very tough game but we could still win,” he said.

In reference to the win without Ethan Minde’s participation, Haines said it had just showed that they could play their game without even an important player and that the team was bigger than any of the individual players.

The Broncs are now headed to the provincials in Lethbridge this weekend.

48 PONOKA NEWS

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

y r a s r e v i n 1 An st

SALE

PAY ONLY

179

$

WITH

WITH

BW(3)

1

$

DOWN

24,950

$

NOW :

PAY ONLY

244

$

‘14 FORD ESCAPE

WITH

‘14 FORD F-150

1

$

WITH

BW(3)

357

$

C/C XTR 5.0L $

NOW:

DOWN

PAY ONLY

33,900

WITH

WITH

T0338C

2004 DODGE DURANGO SLT

6995 BW

7950 OR 125 BW

$

$

11 FORD FIESTA S

$

8995 OR 89 BW

BW(3)

10995 OR $99 BW

L0263

L0279

35995

$

OR $259 BW

L0277

28995 OR 239 BW

23995 OR $199 BW

2013 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED

$

$

2010 FORD EDGE SPORT AWD

2010 HYUNDAI SANTA FE AWD SE

$

$

2012 FORD F150 FX4 T0554A LOADED

43995 OR 319BW

$

$

7995 OR 89 BW

7995 OR 89 BW

$

2007 FORD RANGER FX4 4X4

10995 or 125 BW

$

L0204 $

$

21995 OR 179 BW $

27995 OR $229 BW

2012 DODGE RAM 3500 LARAMIE DIESEL T0366A

49950 OR $364 BW

$

NOW

DOWN

2005 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

7995 OR 89 BW

2008 GMC CANYON

$

21995 OR 162 BW $

2013 DODGE CHALLENGER T0395A 20K

32995 OR 269 BW

$

$

T0471A $

$

L0290

L0269

49,900

*payments based on 84 mths, 4.99% OAC, $1 down

$

L0237 $

15995

OR

189 BW

2010 FORD EDGE SEL AWD

2013 FORD ESCAPE S

2013 FORD ESCAPE SE AWD

$

C/C XTR 5.0L $

13995 OR 167BW

L0230

L0251

1

T0210A $

2007 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE GT

2010 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

L0248

18995 OR 185 BW

$

2006 FORD FUSION SE

L0287 $

$

2008 DODGE RAM 1500 QUAD CAB

L0294

2006 FORD FREESTAR SPORT $

L0238

$

18995 OR $185 BW

$

$

2011 KIA SOUL SPORT

L0041 $

2008 FORD F150 S/CREW

$

T0077C

‘14 FORD F-350

$

used auto outlet - over 200 to choose from

2003 FORD MUSTANG COUPE

A Buck for a truck

LEGACY FORD IS DRIVING TO BE THE #1 DEALER IN CENTRAL ALBERTA, # JOIN IN ON THE SAVINGS!

L0274A

23995 OR $199 BW

$

2012 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLT L0171

34995 OR $289 BW

$

2013 DODGE RAM 3500 DUALLY DIESEL $

L0272 ONLY 8K

49995 OR $364BW

Payments based on 36 – 84 months depending on year, 5.9% OAC, 0% down.

“Let your Legacy start here.”

YOUR LEGACY TEAM

Pat Boardman Trevor Feragen Sales Consultant Sales Manager

Bob Mass Sales Consultant

Jerry Strand Sales Consultant