Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 105 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED EIGHT
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER TWENTY-SIX
STETTLER, ALBERTA
June 25, 2014
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ROBIN TARNOWETZKII/Independent reporter
Students get ready to play with the parachute in the K-1 track meet at Stettler Elementary School on Tuesday, June 17. Please see our story on page B3.
Portable signs survey results released ROBIN TARNOWETZKI Independent reporter Council looked at the results of the portable sign survey at the Stettler town council meeting on Tuesday, June 17. A survey was conducted in 2010 with 67 respondents, and the number of respondents increased to 340 in this year’s survey. Both in 2010 and this year, those asked were overwhelmingly in favour of portable signs, with 86 per cent in 2010 and 81 per cent this year. An overwhelming majority also favours portable signs on town property such as road allowances and rights of way. The numbers were close when respondents were asked whether the $40 application fee for a commercial portable sign permit was reasonable, with 57 percent saying yes in the 2010 study as compared 50 per cent in this year’s research. Three quarters of respondents in 2010 and this year’s questionnaire say that signs advertising non-profit, sporting, agricultural, cultural and political events should be exempt from the fee. The numbers remained fairly comparable in both studies with regard to the question on whether a time limit should be imposed on the use of portable signs, with the
number of positive responses increasing from 50 per cent in 2010 to 57 per cent this year. Around 70 per cent of respondents in the latest survey said two 60- day periods per calendar year on the same parcel of land wasn’t a reasonable time limit, and 61 per cent of respondents said there should be no limit. About 50 per cent of respondents in both studies said it was best to allow only one portable sign per parcel of land, and the number of people who are in favour of third party advertising went down slightly from 64 per cent in 2010 to 57 per cent in 2014. This year, 64 per cent of respondents believe that sign permits being treated separately from development permits is a reasonable process, which is up from 55 per cent in 2010. Overall, this year there were 44 comments in favour of portable signs, 67 comments against portable signs, and 75 comments in favour of portable signs with increased or additional regulations. Council said that while most businesses followed the rules, some did not, which made the portable sign survey a necessity. “It’s happening right now in a sort of lawless scenario,” said CAO Greg Switenky. “If everyone followed the rules, there would be no problem,” Mayor Dick Richards added.
The town has a policy in place that mowing boulevards is the responsibility of the adjacent property-owner. Marlene Hanson made a request to council that since the boulevard by her property is much larger than the average boulevard, the town take responsibility for mowing it. She went to Lee Penner, director of parks and leisure services, and Leann Graham, director of planning and development. Both agreed that the mowing was Hanson’s responsibility, but that she could go to council with the problem. Coun. Malcolm Fischer looked at the property and agreed that it was not fair to make her mow the area. While the boulevard is large, there are boulevards similar in size and larger to the one in question. “It is on the large side, but we’ve always been insistent that adjacent property maintains the boulevard,” Switenky said. Council made a motion to uphold the current policy, which was passed with Fischer opposed. Grace Fix of the Heartland Beautification Committee was nominated as an Earth Day Hometown Heroes award recipient, and was named one of two national finalists. “I am very honoured and humbled by the nomination,” she said in a letter to council. “The best part is that the community I live in believes that environmental stewardship is important work.”
Stettler Minor Hockey Association is Association of the Year ROBIN TARNOWETZKI Independent reporter The Stettler Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) was named Association of the Year by Hockey Alberta at an event in Edmonton, and president Jason Hegberg was on hand to accept the award. Hegberg said that he was “ecstatic” when he found out. “To be recognized as a leading minor hockey association in a hockeymad province is a huge accomplishment,” Hegberg said. “Everyone involved, past and present, deserves a pat on the back. It takes a lot of commitment from a lot of people to make our program what it is.” The award is presented to an association that has
shown an outstanding contribution to its community. The association must demonstrate good organization and follow by-laws and constitutions, participate in zone and annual general meetings, offer to host provincials on a regular basis, and host, participate in, or promote mentorship and various clinics. SMHA has won five provincial championships and multiple league and zone championships, but Hegberg says that’s not the focus of the association. “These accomplishments are simply by-products of a program that we have focused around the importance of skill development,” he said. “What I like the most about SMHA is that we have a great group of people who are working for the
betterment of every athlete. We have a citizens-first attitude, trying our best to teach proper life skills along with the fundamentals of the game.” Hegberg also stated the importance of everyone involved in minor hockey. “It starts with great volunteers who put in countless hours to make sure we have a strong program that continues to grow in the right direction,” he said. “It is fostered by great coaches that are dedicated to making our players better by helping them learn the skills they need to be successful and ultimately have fun. Finally, and most importantly, it is about the players that come to the rink excited to be there with their teammates and coaches representing the Stettler Storm.”
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Contributed photo
Stettler Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) president Jason Hegberg accepted the Association of the Year Award at the Hockey Alberta gala in Edmonton on Saturday, June 7. L-R: Terry Engen, chairman of the board for Hockey Alberta; Don Gatto, Hockey Alberta Life Member and Awards Committee Chair; and Hegberg.
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