The CAMROSE BOOSTER July 16, 2013
Chartered Accountants Directory
3
UMMER LOWEST PRICES ELLDOWN
4602-49 Avenue Camrose, Alberta T4V 0M6
UP TO
(780) 672-2600 FAX LINE: (780)672-0057 Toll free: 1-866-772-2600 e-mail: hnw@hnw-ca.com
OF THE SEASON
$10,000
IN COMBINED CASH CREDITS ON SELECT MODELS
L. A. DUFRESNE Chartered Accountant
4876-50 Street, Camrose T4V 1P7
780-672-8500 Fax 780-672-9521
3831B-44 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4V 3T1 Phone (780)679-2515, Fax (780)679-2507 Toll Free: 1-877-679-2515
2014 Impala $
Brandon Kroeger, CA, CFA Greg Joyce, CA Larry Lewsaw, CA D. M. Scarisbrick, CGA, CA D. K. Currie, ACIA
From…
29,850
PLUS 0% FINANCING OAC
Formerly TIEN ROSTAD
#201, 4870-51 St., Camrose, AB T4V 1S1 Tel. (780)672-9217 Fax (780)672-9216
Plus $1000 Truck Bucks
2014 Silverado and a an n Sierra Lowest payments of the year!
NOW IN STOCK! N
www.grantthornton.ca
• Douglas A. Tien, FCA • Shirley G. Rostad, CA
Beth P. Kushnerick, CA Dean R. Inman, CGA Clark T. MacKay, CA Michael Wetsch, CGA Jaime Aicken, CGA Landon Miciak, CA Annette McTavish, ACIA
• Denotes a partnership of Professional Corporations
Members of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Alberta
2013 2 013 Extended Extended and and Crew Crew Cab Cab Silverados and Sierras
2013 Equinox 2013 Equin nox and and Terrain Terra ain 0% over 84 months PLUS $1,000!
Over $10,000 off PLUS 0% over 72 months OAC!
Camrose and Rural Areas
HIGH SPEED INTERNET
4995
$
mo.
1-800-679-0345
W MC
Managing Partner
Dennis Polei Sales Manager
Trevor Stetar Sales Manager
Levi May
Finance Manager
Graeme Davidson Sales
Pete Pastuck Sales
Joe Cameron Sales
John Marshall Sales
Adam Siebold Sales
Jarren Schultz Sales
*Finance and Smart Purchase Payments based on fixed APR, OAC. See dealer for details.
Licensed by AMVIC
mwchevrolet.com • 3850-48 Avenue, Camrose • Phone 780.672.2355 • Toll Free 1.866.332.2355
Battle River Railway exploring the possibilities Continued from page 2
The Town of Forestburg donated the old youth centre building to the society to become an office, museum, gallery, a conference facility and a train station. "We have unique storefront ideas for each of our six towns along the line. We are hoping that the residents of each of the areas pester us to build beautiful and touchable facilities in each of their towns to create this tourism story," continued Ken. "We would not be here to celebrate a new chapter if the community had not purchased this fabulous piece of rail infrastructure three years ago." This is no ordinary short line rail. "This is 132-pound mainline steel and it is continuously welded. I have to apologize to those who want to experience the clickety clack of the rails because it is a smooth ride," laughed Ken.
The BRR story is a great story for reviving the rural communities. "In the fall of 2008, farmers along the line learned that CN was no longer providing rail service. The line was scheduled for discontinuance. It didn't take the 185 producers long to decide that they would buy the line," he explained. "We formed a new generation co-op and started selling shares." A group of 151 grain producers, 120 citizens, four towns or villages, three counties, several agricultural societies, seed plants and small businesses formed the BBR Co-op. The group raised $3.5 million and borrowed another $1.5 million to save the rail line from becoming recycled. They also saved engine 5353 from being scrapped. "On Dec. 14, 2010, we loaded 50 hopper cars with grain and sent it to Camrose. That is not even three years
ago. Most of the reason for our success has been the spirit that people here show each and every day," he added. "Had it not been for the spirit of cooperation, we would have not survived." The BRR not only ships about 800 cars of grain each year, it has also added oil tankers, fertilizer cars and now passengers to its growing list of services. The train uses the CN tracks from Kelsey to Camrose to transport the goods. The BBR has four reasons for success. "We have preserved a valuable part of history, it has created more commercial activity including more jobs, it has helped people in the catchment area to work together and because of the commercial success of the railway, we have been able to delve into projects like this one we are celebrating today," Ken said.
Alliance mayor and society chair Muriel Fankhanel grew up in Heisler. "After several months of casual talk, about seven of us met in the Forestburg elevator about forming an organization, whose major goal would be to buy a passenger car and to organize trips for local tourists to visit the communities along the line," she explained. "It was on March 29, 2012. I put the date in because it has been just over a year to make this happen." A fund-raising event was held to generate money to purchase the passenger car. "After a few days of the event we had enough money to purchase a car, but it would take several months for it to arrive," shared Muriel. "The car arrived in Camrose, but it went to Mirror before it returned to Camrose. It took the scenic route." Flagstaff County Reeve
Gerald Kuefler was also excited about the tourism possibilities. "We congratulate the BBR for getting this up and running. The reason this line works so well is because there are no boundaries. There are no boundaries in this project. Communities and municipalities all worked together." Forestburg deputy mayor Peter Miller echoed those comments. "I understand the excitement of our pioneers when they first received rail service. One hundred years later, we share those same feelings as a new chapter in our history unfolds," said Peter. "We need to thank the BBR for its vision and perseverance to bring a dream to life. The future does look bright. We need to continue to work together to ensure our rural way of life remains vibrant and sustainable."