BEAUTIFUL BACH RDSO SHOWCASES COMPOSER IN BRANDENBURG PROJECT
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FLAMES MUST FIND WAY TO WIN IN ANAHEIM
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Red Deer Advocate MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2015
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Chiefs take silver at Esso Cup BY JOSH ALDRICH ADVOCATE STAFF The Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs made Esso Cup history on Saturday, but in the immediate aftermath it felt hollow. The Chiefs fell 2-1 to the Sudbury Lady Wolves in the midget AAA female hockey national championship, becoming the first home team to win at least a silver medal at the tournament, and just the second to reach the podium. But to know they came within a bounce or two of winning gold is something they will CHIEFS EDGED IN ESSO CUP not soon forget. FINAL B1 “Right now we’re still a little upset over the loss, tomorrow and the day after that we’re still going to think about it and it’s always going to be in the back of our minds starting next year,” said Chiefs assistant captain Abagael Thiessen. Regardless, the tournament was an overwhelming success for the Chiefs and Red Deer Minor Hockey Association. “Losing is not fun, but it will make us stronger and build a little more character in us,” said Chiefs head coach Tom Bast. “Overall it was a wonderful week for Red Deer, the Sutter Fund Chiefs and also for Red Deer Minor Hockey. I’m very pleased to be associated with an association like Red Deer Minor Hockey.” The Esso Cup set a new attendance record with more than 6,000 people heading to the Red Deer Arena over the course of the week, including an estimated 1,100 for the gold medal game on Saturday afternoon.
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Photo by ASHLI BARRETT/Advocate staff
Red Deer Sutter Fund Chiefs forward Skylar Colonna is tripped up by Sudbury Lady Wolves Taylor McGaughey during the final period of the Gold Medal Game at the Esso Cup on Saturday at the Red Deer Arena. The Chiefs fell 2-1 to the Wolves.
Notley makes campaign stop in Red Deer NPD LEADER NOT FAZED BY PAST RESULTS IN REGION BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF NDP provincial candidates have been perennial cellar dwellers in Red Deer but party Leader Rachel Notley isn’t fazed. Every day on the campaign trail she is hearing from disenchanted past-conservative voters who are willing to make the switch to NDP. Notley said their strategy is to continue to talk about the issues that matter to Albertans “And be open and honest and committed and passionate about the fact we will follow through on our platform and give people an alternative that is balanced but also reflects their needs and their views. “By doing that we’re hearing form people that they are prepared to give us a second look,” she said during a campaign stop in Red Deer’s West Park neighbourhood on Saturday afternoon. During her speech, Notley took issue with Progressive Conservative Leader Jim Prentice’s dismissal on Friday of the left-leaning party’s prospects, saying “Alberta is not an NDP province.” Prentice’s comments are just another example of Tory arrogance and entitlement, she told dozens
‘AFTER MORE THAN 44 YEARS, I THINK THIS GOVERNMENT HAS HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH SECOND CHANCES.’ — RACHEL NOTLEY ALBERTA NDP LEADER
of cheering supporters braving the cold at the West Park Community Centre. “Albertans need to choose who they want to be their government, who reflects their interests. And they should not be told who they are and what they are.” Notley said many voters are coming to the conclusion that the choice is between two conservative parties willing to under-fund education and health to maintain “corporate tax give-aways,” and her party, which wants to protect health care and education while asking those who can afford it to contribute a little more. “That is the balanced approach to ensure that we are representing the interests of regular Albertans and their families …,” she added. In an interview with local media, Notley wouldn’t
bite on a question asking her to predict how many seats she expects to win. “We’re very optimistic. As I say I’m running for premier, so we’re going to push to get as many seats as we can that gets us to that point. “After more than 44 years I think this government has had more than enough second chances,” she said. “I think it’s time for a government that will listen to the people of Alberta and put those people at forefront and make those people their priority.” Notley was asked how to make her promised royalty review palatable to the oil and gas industry, which pulled out all the stops in battling former premier Ed Stelmach’s review. “It’s really a question of making it palatable to Albertans,” countered Notley. “I think it’s a question of talking about it openly, looking at the best practices and looking at the best opinions and listening to industry very carefully and ensuring that one of the principles that guides our decision is ensuring the sustainability of the industry and the protection of jobs. “So we’re going to do that, but we’re also going to do that in the context of ensuring that we get the best value that we can for Albertans.” pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
Alberta Downs owner still fighting for races BUT HAS PLAN B IF HORSE RACING ALBERTA DOESN’T CHANGE ITS MIND BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF
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Alberta Downs racetrack owner Bob Allen is not one to shy away from a challenge. Notified last November that Horse Racing Alberta was cutting his facility from its 2015 racing schedule, Allen has fought hard to get the organization to change its mind and send some races his way. He’s expecting to hear soon if his efforts have paid off. Allen sent a letter to the racing body on Thursday through his lawyer to push them to make a decision on his race days soon. He earlier threatened to sue Horse Racing Alberta for $8 million, arguing it was reneging on an agreement to support his track which was given a 10-year operating licence in 2012. That’s not the route he’d like to go though.
Legal fights are expensive with no guarantee of victory. If Horse Racing Alberta doesn’t come through with some racing days, Allen already has a Plan B in mind. “Here’s what I’m going to do. If they don’t give me race days I’m running anyways. I’m going to run 33 days of thoroughbred racing.” Under the rules, he can’t have betting in Canada but he’s got U.S. tracks interested in the betting end. He says he also has betting contracts with tracks in Jamaica, Bahamas and South America. That means punters there can bet on races run at his track next to Hwy 2 just west of Lacombe. If he goes ahead with the plan, racing would start at the end of May.
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Allen sees this as a “last resort” option. What he still wants to see Horse Racing Alberta relent and give him the racing days he needs to make a go of it. “They started out at 26 days. Now they’re trying to cut me down to 10 days and they’ve got all kinds of other little conditions,” he said. He’s invested about $200,000 more in meeting conditions, including providing engineering and safety documentation and letters of support, without any guarantee of landing race days. What’s on the table — but hasn’t been officially approved yet — are 10 harness racing days and five thoroughbred days, he said. Meanwhile, in Calgary the new Century Downs track held its first racing on Saturday. Horse Racing Alberta could not be reached for comment on Friday. pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com
Nepal reeling from massive earthquake More than 2,500 people were killed as an earthquake rocked the region this weekend. Story on PAGE D5
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