Issuu

New Canadian citizens voting for the first time

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Although Bruderheim residents Rolf and Andrea Hinken have lived in the area for over 30 years, after first immigrating from Germany in 1994, they just became official Canadian citizens in January.

And this month, they will cast their votes in a Canadian election for the very first time.

Andrea said the couple waited until they were sure they would never need their German citizenship again before becoming official Canadians.

“We wanted to keep it (citizenship) for the kids, in case they wanted to go back because the rest of the family is still in Germany,” she said.

“We decided we’re not going back. We’re in this country for the long haul.”

Rolf said the last federal election was the deciding factor for him.

“I said, now we have to become Canadian,” he said, hoping to make his vote count.

The Hinkens raised two children while operating Bruderheim’s Old Country Sausage since 2005, where Rolf uses his skills as a butcher and sausage maker. Andrea helps to run the shop taking orders and making deliveries.

The local meat shop has become a popular place where farmers and game hunters have their meat aged, cut and wrapped, while Rolf also focuses on making traditional German sausage, custom sausage orders, and meat products which are sold in the store.

In all, Andrea said living in Canada

has provided the life her and Rolf dreamed of.

“We don't have the desire to go back to Germany. Our kids are here. Our kids built their lives here which we wanted. They're independent and everything a parent can dream of,” she said.

“We just want to find a way of working and then still enjoy what comes

after, trying to find recreational values for us. And fortunately, you can go somewhere, within an hour and be somewhere where there's absolutely nobody. You don't have that in Europe, you just can't find that.”

After the Hinkens participated in the swearing in ceremony, they received a letter from Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs congratulating them on their

new citizenship. In part it read;

“As you share fully in the rights and privileges enjoyed by all Canadians you have also agreed to assume the special responsibility of protecting and preserving the principals of democracy and human freedom that are the cornerstones of our nation. Welcome to Canada!”

Andrea and Rolf Hinken proudly hold up their voter cards outside their home in Bruderheim. The Hinkens will be voting for the first time in a Canadian election after recently becoming Canadian citizens. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Candidates finalized for Lakeland constituency

BY JOHN MATHER

The final date for becoming a candidate for the April 28 federal election was April 14 and candidates had an additional two days to drop out before they were put on the final ballot.

In Lakeland, once the dust had settled, six candidates had their names on the list.

Des Bissonnette will represent the New Democratic Party, Bridget Burn represents the Green Party of Canada, Michael Manchen represents the People’s Party of Canada, Barry Milaney

represents the Liberal Party of Canada, Michael Speirs represents the Christian Heritage Party of Canada, and incumbent Shannon Stubbs represents the Conservative Party of Canada.

Advance polls will open April 18 and run until April 21. In Lamont County the advance poll will be at the Lamont Recreation Centre.

On voting day, April 28, polls in Lamont County will be located: Andrew at the Rainbow Club, 5120 52 Ave.; Bruderheim at the

Community Hall, 50116 Queen St.; Chipman at the Golden Seniors Club, 4913 50 St.; Lamont, at the Recreation Centre, 4848 49 St; and Mundare at the Recreation Centre, 5116 50 Ave.

Polls on election day at all locations will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Elections Canada also stated they still have openings for poll workers at all locations across Lamont.

People willing to work on election day can apply online at Elections Canada.ca

BULLARAMA

Andrew Rural Academy hires superintendent

Mini Mallards daycare provider approved by village council

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Andrew Rural Academy has met a major hurdle in their journey towards opening their K-12 charter school this fall.

On April 14, ARA project manager Stan Zabrick announced through media release the hiring of the school’s new superintendent, Dr. Natalie Rose, effective May 1.

Dr. Rose has a Doctor of Education, Master of Education and a Bachelor of Business degree from the University of Toronto.

Zabrick said Dr. Rose is a practitioner with a “strong track record of stakeholder engagement” and has worked in several roles in education and business across Canada, the US and Europe.

Zabrick added that Dr.

Rose currently lives in Northern Alberta and will be working with the Foundation Board on their plans for opening this coming school year.

Meanwhile, the Village of Andrew council members held a special meeting on April 7 where they made a decision on the two daycare

providers who each gave presentations during the Mar. 26 council meeting.

Cassandre Winterburn has been offered the space for the Mini Mallards Childcare and Out of School care.

Winterburn currently works as an alternate director at an established daycare and carries a level two certification.

She plans to have her Andrew daycare open and ready for kids by mid-August.

Andrew Chief Administrative Officer Kylie Rude said the addition of the daycare is a positive step forward for the school.

“(It’s) positive, and it assists with the success of the school as well, because then you have siblings all in the same building, (and) you have future students being started there,” she said.

Dr. Natalie Rose has been hired by the Andrew Rural Academy as their new superintendent. Photo: supplied

Wick disputes gravel haul numbers from Coffee with a Councillor

BY JOHN MATHER

Following a discussion from resident Brian Scraba during Reeve David Diduck’s coffee talks on March 20, Diduck followed up on that discussion at the April 1 council meeting.

Diduck wondered if administration could review the figures and make suggestions whether the County did the right thing in stockpiling its gravel supplies during the winter months and then have County trucks distribute along roads when needed or haul it in the summer and deal with possible road damage then.

“There are eight items I would like administration to look at if council supports it,” explained Diduck. “First is the number of tonnes stockpiled at each satellite shop; the amount paid to contract haulers for stockpiling; number of days contract haulers brought material to the stockpiles, total tonnes hauled by County trucks to the stockpiles, cost of County trucks hauling to the stockpiles at 50 per cent of the contract haulers’ rates.

He mentioned at coffee talks, Scraba, a gravel hauler, said contract haulers were paid $636,000 yet Diduck had only signed cheques for $258,469 including cheques not yet mailed.

“Then I’d like to know what the cost would be for our own trucks to take the gravel from the stockpiles and distribute it on our 236 miles approved in our gravel program.

Councillor Aaron Wick was unimpressed with the information Scraba had provided, at the coffee talks and Diduck distributed to council.

“So this is handed out and really I’ll call him out on it because I think it’s false information,” stated Wick.

“On this he says ‘fact” and he’s going to tell me his costs are exactly ‘fact’ for the cost of gravel, for the cost of loaders. We go by the road builders’ rate,” added Wick.

“So the fact isn’t even right,” he said. “You can’t write ‘facts’ and not fol-

low them up correctly. If you’re going to write ‘fact’ make them the right ‘facts’.”

Wick claimed he thought Scraba just wrote down what his opinion was. Yet he was getting paid to haul for the County.

Diduck said that’s why he felt they had to have administration investigate to “get the facts.”

Wick added the paper from Scraba wasn’t fact.

“We’ll get the right facts,” he said. “But this is just his own estimations.”

Wick wondered who was running the County stockpiling program – the drivers under contract hauling on behalf of the County or County officials?

“They pay the same taxes as everyone else, but who tells us how to run the program.”

Wick said if that upset people and he suddenly wasn’t elected it didn’t bother him.

“I’m doing what’s right for everyone, not for the gravel haulers,” he stat-

ed.

“We go back to this every year because of the gravel haulers,” exclaimed Wick. “And I’m not saying it’s all of them. But use exact facts. Our finances are on the computer. It’s public knowledge. Use those facts.”

Diduck said he totally agreed with Wick.

“But from my own perspective I think it would a good idea to know what the cost of stockpiling gravel versus putting it directly on the roads

would be,” he said.

Division five Councillor Neil Woitas said some neighbouring counties put gravel directly on the road, while others had similar stockpiling programs.

Diduck then asked if council wanted administration to pursue what some of the costs were?

Several councillors agreed this was a good idea.

Public Works director Darby Dietz told council his staff could probably compile some information by the end of the month.

Diduck said the discussion would again come up at the next coffee talks later this month.

Chief Administrative Officer Tarnawsky said council could present a side by side comparison offering County numbers against those presented by the resident.

Diduck said his motion would be to direct administration to respond to questions raised regarding the gravel stockpiling costs. When the motion was presented it was carried by a unanimous vote.

BY HAZEL ANAKA

I can very comfortably stay in the house for days on end regardless of the season or the weather. It’s probably not the best for my health but it allows me to accomplish a lot each day doing my own thing. Having a dog, even just a visiting grand dog, changes all that.

Because the weather has been pretty good lately Gertie wants to stay outside a lot longer than during any day in winter. Despite her small size, she digs in and asserts her wishes to stay when I want her to move along. Prior to her back surgery, she’d flip onto her back and wait for us to drag her wherever we wanted to go. It probably scratched some itch she couldn’t otherwise reach. Since the surgery, that is a strict no-no.

But my real point in

FROM WHERE I SIT: All Takes Time

bringing this up is what I see as we meander around the yard. I see deferred maintenance, unfinished projects, and literally years of work yet to be done. Much like every other farm yard around, I suspect. As we get older, I think the winding down of the farming operation should begin sooner rather than later. Neither of us will get out of here alive. There is no kid waiting in the wings to assume the operation and keep the farming dream alive. I think it’s time to interview potential auctioneers; to determine which machinery can be sold; to plan a dispersal with tax consequences in mind. Occasionally, I remind Roy the helluva mess I’d

be in if he died first. Where in the world would I begin? Most farmers acquire a lot of stuff from multiple socket sets to multiple combines and millions of items in between. It does not take much imagination or many conversations with families who’ve been through this process to know it’s brutal. It’s back breaking, time-consuming, gutbusting work. And that doesn’t factor in the mental fatigue. Or one’s emotional state if there’s been a death. As someone who’s prepped for a few measly 2-day garage sales, I can extrapolate to the sustained energy that would be required and the ensuing exhaustion that would result.

Recently, he sold two

commemorative rifles through a firearms consignment auction sale. He’s also agreed to part with some of his unopened farm toys and car model kits during an upcoming doll and toy show I’ll be attending. So, there is some reason for optimism.

One saving grace since Covid is that most auctions are now solely online. Though, of course people expect to view the big-ticket items ahead of time. Why do you think we did a road trip to Sedgewick a few weeks ago…to kick the tires on a cultivator? Like me, you may be wondering why he continues to buy stuff if we both know we need to sell stuff. I’ve never gotten a satisfactory answer to

that. I could accept that new purchases (of old equipment) are an upgrade to what we already have…. if I saw him sell the equipment being replaced. Sadly, that doesn’t happen. What about the two motorcycles that haven’t been driven in the past five or more years? The surplus headache rack/tool box for a highway tractor? The extra fuel tank for the Volvo? And so on and so on.

Why didn’t we sell our calf shelters, round bale feeders, metal corral panels, squeeze chute, and more when we got out of cattle a hundred years ago? Good bloody question…not for a lack of me suggesting it, I assure you.

So, there will continue

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to be hard conversations around this monumental decision. I’ll remind him that he’s now the same age as some ‘old guys’ who farmed too long. I’ll remind him of women widowed and left to pick up the shattered pieces. If all of these material objects were worth the money to buy them and the space to store them, surely, they are worth the deliberate and planned disposal of them. I’ll point out that I can’t possibly know what every tool or part is nor should I be expected to. Where would I find the service manuals and spare parts on hand for the bigger ticket items?

As I sit here wondering what the next sentence should be, it occurs to me that I could get him to make a list. He is a consummate list maker. If I forced him to make a list it could serve two purposes. It would be a guide for me and the basis for getting quotes from auctioneers. The standing joke about farm auctions is how things never looked or ran better. Finally, the items get new batteries and belts, a bit of spit and polish just in time for the new owner. And every step of what I’ve outlined here all takes time, from where I sit.

March 1, 2011 edition of the Lamont Leader: Chipman’s National Hall was filled with country music fans Feb. 25 as Alberta’s Legends came calling with a variety of old and new country songs and plenty of laughs.

Opinion

Province right to abolish codes of conduct

BY JOHN MATHER

The Alberta government is looking to eliminate municipal codes of conduct rules as part of a series of changes proposed for the Municipal Government Act introduced April 8 by Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver.

The proposed Bill 50 legislation received first reading, but still has two additional readings before becoming law.

Yet with a majority government the Bill should pass.

The legislation sets to eliminate municipal codes of conduct for councillors, with the Province citing how such rules have become “weaponized.”

Currently, such codes are mandatory but McIver noted how they had become problematic in some municipalities, most notably in Medicine Hat last year.

“It’s been used as a weapon to try to silence and diminish and hurt their fellow council members,” McIver said. He added ongoing conduct complaints that are not before the courts will cease, and that his department will consult with municipalities later this year on developing a new, universal code of conduct.

This is something that has been witnessed by Lamont Leader writers for several years.

In Lamont County, Division five councillor Neil Woitas has been brought before a trial of his peers under the code of conduct rules several times.

What was Woitas infraction? We’ll never know!

You see because of FOIP (Freedom of Information and Protection) its codes of conduct issues are in camera, meaning the public isn’t made aware of what the infraction actually was.

If FOIP is used, a section of the law is mentioned by section and number, but the specific infraction pertaining to the councillor is not addressed in open council.

When a councillor is brought up under the code of conduct rules - and in fairness Woitas isn’t the only Lamont councillor to be so charged - as soon as the agenda item dealing with the Code of Conduct is brought up in public session, council moves to go in camera or closed session.

Upon emerging from this session, the council rises to report its actions in the closed session only to “report” the discussion as information and the whole issue is effectively swept under the carpet.

CONTINUED

Bruderheim has also sanctioned councillors under its codes of conduct sometimes relieving the offending councillors from their committee appointments.

Woitas lost his position as Deputy Reeve under a code of conduct hearing, but the actual reason for relieving him of his duties was never disclosed.

“It’s easy to see why McIvor has said this code of conduct can be used as a weapon.

Woitas on one occasion stymied the County for a while when he hired legal counsel and when his lawyer refused to allow the council to move the issue into committee of the whole, it was paused for a few weeks while the County administration tried to figure out what to do.

In the end they hired legal counsel and “in camera” the whole matter was thrashed out and later received as information.

What was wrong with this situation was Woitas was left on the hook for his legal costs, yet the Lamont taxpayer covered the cost of the County lawyer.

When I served as a councillor a number of years ago, we had a code of conduct issue where a newly elected councillor wrote a letter to the editor of a local paper in support of something council had opposed.

Now part of the rules of code of conduct is that once a vote on council is taken, if it is a split vote and not a recorded vote, it is considered the will of the entire council.

In this case, I felt that because the councillor was newly elected he may not have been fully aware of this and I thought sanctioning him was somewhat extreme.

It was a close decision of the council but he was forced to apologize and retract his letter.

I still feel this was demeaning, but the council majority ruled.

There are times when councillors feel strongly about issues presented and may find themselves at odds against the administration.

The administration takes the approach

they are the branch that creates the rules and bylaws, determines the finances and best knows how to run the municipality.

But the council is elected by the residents of the community to rule in the best interests of the community.

So there are points of conflict. There are areas of land, legal and labour where codes of conduct must be abided by.

And this makes sense.

If a land deal is pending in an area, it isn’t right for a councillor or anyone else privy to the negotiations to share it in such a way that land speculation could result, impacting taxpayers through property costs and possible zoning changes.

Likewise labour negotiations shouldn’t be discussed outside the room where this negotiation takes place.

But if a councillor is outspoken in his defence of his or her constituents and there is open hostility between the councillor, the administration, and possibly even fellow councillors... should that councillor be stripped of their duties or, in some situations I’ve read of, have their pay suspended by bringing down the code of conduct issues much like a wrecking ball.

That is the weaponization McIvor talks about and he’s heard it as he travels the province.

There will always be disagreements on councils between administrations, councillors and residents.

But those disagreements should be discussed in public so everyone involved have a clear understanding of what the violations causing the issue were and why the sanctions, if any, were imposed.

We’re in a society where governments love to harp on about how transparent to the community they are, but more and more many items seem to be hidden in the cones of silence called in-camera sessions.

And this allows vindication to be directed at councillors under the code of conduct rules.

And that councillor so accused may only be trying to do what he or she sees as the best for the community that elected them.

Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter Crystal Moren

Drone policy downed at Lamont County meeting

BY JOHN MATHER

When Lamont County’s drone policy came before council on March 11, it appeared to be close to being accepted, but with Reeve David Diduck absent the final decision on the policy was delayed until April 1.

Diduck had supported some aspects of the policy but opposed other areas and council wanted him in the final decision.

Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky agreed council wanted the full council to vote on the policy.

“The package has not changed,” he told council. “This policy only use of drones is dealt with via Transport Canada and this policy provides information on what notification will be provided to residents prior to flying a drone over their property.”

He said after a discussion during Committee of the Whole a phrase had been added to state certain County permits may require the use of drones being flown over residential properties as part of the approval process.

“The request for this policy came about because we did fly a drone over a residential property without notice or authorization of the landowner,” stated Diduck.

“The more I’ve thought about this policy and with the feedback I’ve received from ratepayers, I’m not sure the policy is necessary.

“I haven’t read the Canadian Aviation Act but if somebody flies a drone over private property it’s airspace and nobody owns the airspace, so is that an issue?

“We seem to be getting away from the personal people contact,” he added. “Where if we make this policy and say we can fly over the property, that gives Lamont County the right to fly over the property.

“I’m not sure if we do fly a drone over some-

one’s property, what’s wrong with knocking on the door and asking permission and getting consent and having the ratepayer present when the drone flies over?,” he asked.

He felt if a development permit was issued then the ratepayer could be asked for permission to fly a drone over the property rather than have it mandated and hidden away in the fine print of the permit application.

“Be upfront with the ratepayers and let them know what you’re doing,” he said. He added the land-use bylaw let the county send an inspector out to properties which had been issued a development permit.

“I’ve had several conversations with ratepayers about the policy and I would vote against it,” he said.

Division Five Councillor Neil Woitas agreed.

Woitas had always opposed the policy.

“I can see using it to track drainage courses or for inspecting brush piles for fires but nothing more,” he said.

“If we’re using it for other reasons then get a hold of everyone and make sure everyone including the residents are aware of what’s going on,” he added.

“I agree you can fly a drone wherever you

want but you can’t take pictures of whatever you want,” he said.

Tarnawsky said by having the administration get permission, he felt it would be a step backwards from what was available to administration currently.

“We’ve got to the point where we would give notification and even getting that could be difficult,” he said. “At some point someone may be doing something contrary to a permit and we had gotten to the point where we talked about notification but now we seem to be moving back from that,” he said.

Woitas said they had conducted inspections the same way for a “hundred years.”

Diduck said maybe the word permission was too strong but entry to properties should be done on a “case by case” situation.

“I look back to us passing a gravel policy and it will always be open to interpretation and discussion.”

Tarnawsky pointed to a section of the Municipal Government Act (542) which could allow an inspector to enter a property without prior notification to the property owner.

“We really don’t need a policy to fly drones,” said Diduck. “We can just follow the MGA.”

Woitas asked if someone checked they didn’t

want a drone flying over their property when they applied for a permit would be refused.

Tarnawsky agreed that wouldn’t be the case but an inspector could still

enter the property under the provisions of the MGA.

Woitas said he had no problem with fire permits having a drone check the area.

Council then voted on whether to accept the drone policy using drones for municipal purposes and it was defeated by a unanimous vote.

The Village of Chipman is seeking candidates for a Public Works Student Labourer through the end of August.

Under the supervision of Chipman Public works, the participant will be required

carry out a variety of maintenance and general labour–related duties. This is a hands on position involving a variety of tasks including:

- grass cutting and grounds maintenance

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- general clean-up

- light servicing of grounds maintenance equipment

Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

Please submit resume no later than May 2, 2025 to:

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4816-50th Street, Chipman, AB T0B 0W0

Fax: (780) 363-2386

We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

UNRESERVED FARM AUCTION SALE

LOCATION: 232057 Township Rd. 460, Wetaskiwin County DIRECTIONS: Being from the Wetaskiwin Co-op, go 4 miles east on Secondary 613 to Secondary 822, then 2

Tractors: 2000 NH TM135 F.W.A. Tractor, CAH, 3pth, dual PTO, Dual Hyd., 18-sp trans, c/w Quicke ALO Q980 F.E.L. c/w Quick Attach Bucket & Bale Fork, Joy Stick controll, 1701 hrs., like new, S/N 82006827; JD 4430 Tractor, CAH, Quad Range Trans, dual PTO, dual hyd, 20.8x38 duals, 9500 hrs. showing, 500 hrs, on new eng, S/N 4430H 039558R Harvest Equipment: JD Turbo 8820 SP Hydro Combine, CAH, chopper & pick-up, 3700 hrs, S/N HO8820X565064; JD 22222-ft Straight Cut Header c/w pick-up reels & transport; Case International 4000 19-ft SP Hydro Swather c/w rubberized canvases, pick-up reels, C.A., S/N 191C0830009776; Brandt 842 Super Charger Grain Auger c/w hyd transport, hyd lift, 27-hp ES motor; Westfield W80-41 PTO Grain Auger; Kongskilde Cushion Air 500 Grain Vac c/w hoses, 540 PTO; Westfield Endgate Mount Hyd. Drill Fill Truck: 1981 International Tandem Truck, 446 V-8 eng, 5x4 trans, c/w 18-ft. x 7ft. x 57-inch wooden box, roll tarp, drill fill plumbed, Nordeg Hoist, 90,021 km, S/N

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Equipment: JD 9350 - 20 ft Hoe Drill Press c/w fert. attach; JD 530 Round Baler c/w hyd., pick-up, 540 PTO, S/N E00530X699124; JD 220-20-ft. Tandem Disc. c/w single wing; Morris Challenger L320-30-ft. VS Cult c/w mounted harrows & new shovels; Flexi-Coil 60-ft. Auto Fold Harrow Drawbar c/w tine harrows; 45-ft. Coil Packers c/w hyd fold; Hyd Trailer VDitcher; Leon 10-ft Undermount Hyd Lift Blade

Van: 2005 Chev Montana Van, 6-cyl, power window, A., seats 6, 227,000 km, S/N 1GMDVD3E75D111859

Miscellaneous: 3pth 1-bottom Plow; 100gal. Tidy Tank c/w 12V pump; 3pth Hyd. Wood Splitter; Caldwell 1-hp Aeration Fan; Auger Hoppers; IHC Antique Pump Engine; Quad Mount Grass Seeder; Hay Tester; Grain Tester; Assort. Wrenches; Crescent Wrenches; 30-ft. Alum. Ext. Ladder; Assort. Chains; 16 Crop Lifters; Older Cattle Squeeze; (2) 16ft. Gates

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Bruderheim resident fed up with stray cats takes matters into his own hands

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Bruderheim resident Karl Andrew raked up a small pile of cat feces from his front yard flower bed on April 14.

“See this?” he said to the Lamont Leader reporter, pointing to the pile. “This has been going on since I moved here a year ago.”

Andrew recently warned his neighbours, on social media, that he intends to use cat traps in order to keep his yard free from roaming felines and the damage they have done to his property.

He said he has so far lost thousands of dollars in property due to the damage done by the cats.

“We’re going through (lawn) chairs like crazy. You can’t leave nothing out or it will get sprayed,” he said.

I’d say it’s in the thousands now between the garden and replacing chairs and trying to clean the spray off the steps with cleaning materials.”

Andrew said he has brought the issue up with Town officials who told him there was nothing they could do.

“We brought it up once with the Town, and they said there was nothing they could do,” he said. “They have bylaws for dogs, but nothing for cats.”

Currently, the Town of Bruderheim has an animal control bylaw which states that harbouring livestock, poultry, fowl, or ‘other animals’ that constitutes a nuisance is guilty of an offense which carries a fine of $150.

It’s unclear if cats would fall into the ‘other animals’ category. The bylaw defines ‘Animal’ as any live creature including fowl, fish and reptiles but does not include humans or dogs.

There is also a separate Dog Control Bylaw covering all aspects of owning dogs in town. There are currently no bylaws governing the ownership of cats.

According to the Alberta SPCA website, it is legal for property

owners to catch cats which are on their property, but the property owner then becomes responsible for the cat’s well being.

“The moment the cat is trapped, the person who set up the trap has the legal responsibility to ensure the health and welfare of that animal. If the cat becomes distressed, the property owner can be charged under the Animal Protection Act,” said the website.

It further stated that the property owner should have a plan for the trapped cat.

Andrew said he will first try to find the cat’s owner before taking the cat to the SPCA.

“I don’t want to hurt cats, I just want to make sure they have a good home and they’re not destroying people’s

property,” said Andrew.

“We pay a lot of money for nice things and it’s pretty sad that someone’s animal comes

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around and ruins it. (It would be nice) to be able to sit outside and enjoy the sun without smelling urine or having your furniture full of urine.”

Andrew said many of his neighbours agree with him and are also battle the roaming cats.

“They’re glad I said something about it because they (wanted) to

say something about it for a long time. I was like, you’re not the only one,” he said.

"The Town of Bruderheim, like most other towns, does not have a bylaw to control cats," said Bruderheim CAO Phyllis Forsyth. "I do not have any comment on the use of cat traps."

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Bruderheim resident Karl Andrew holds one of two live cat traps he intends to use to rid his yard of roaming cats. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Andrew had its Easter ham bingo on April 13 at the community hall with door prizes, Easter basket raffles, 50/50s and a bouncy castle for the children to enjoy. There were 16 rounds of bingo with a lot of ham and sausage rings handed out.

Former Fort Chamber exec named new Heartland Communications Director

BY JOHN MATHER

Conal MacMillan has been named the new Director of Communications for Alberta’s Industrial Heartland.

He replaced Karlee Conway who left the organization last month to take up similar duties with Alberta’s Covenant Health.

McMillan is no stranger to the Fort Saskatchewan area.

He served in a communications role with Shell Scotford, was the executive director of the Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and served as the editor of the Fort Saskatchewan Record when the paper had an office in the community.

Most recently

McMillan served with Edmonton’s Women Building Futures organization.

“I’m beyond excited for what’s ahead,” MacMillan said in a Facebook post. “My new role with AIHA brings together so many threads of my career so far, and stepping into it already feels familiar – like slipping into your favourite hoodie.”

He will be responsible for AIHA’s communications objectives including brand management, media relations, event planning and advertising.

“Conal’s nearly 20 years of experience in strategic communications, media relations,

social media and event planning will help advance AIHA’s objectives and continue to strengthen our brand regionally and internationally,” said Mark Plamondon, AIHA executive director.

“I’m excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to continuing to attract investment to Canada’s largest hydrocarbon processing region and most extensive carbon sequestration hub.”

He made his debut for the Heartland Association during the Life in the Heartland open house in Fort Saskatchewan April 9.

LAND FOR LEASE VILLAGE OF ANDREW

The Village of Andrew hereby invites offers to lease the land owned by the Village for a 2-year lease term. The land available for lease is approximately 19.15 acres.

Legal Plan No.: 1582NY, LOT A / 4;16;56;30;NE

Proposals shall be prepared and considered in accordance with the following conditions:

• Proposals will contain the name and address of the proposed tenant(s) and the gross rent offered.

• The Village may, in its complete and unfettered discretion, consider any proposals on the basis of criteria other than price and reserves the right to select a proposal and negotiate a binding agreement on the basis of being in the best interest of the Village.

• Any lease of lands noted above shall be evidences by and completed on, the basis of the Village’s standard lease agreement.

• This is not an invitation for tenders; proposals are not required to be irrevocable, and any proposal submitted shall not bind the parties unless or until the parties negotiate and execute a contract.

• Proposals shall be accepted until 12 noon on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 and may be submitted: In person @ Village Office, 5021 50 Street Or via email to: cao@liveinandrew.com

Olechow, Carolyne

It is with great sadness and much love that we say goodbye to our beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Carolyne Olechow, who passed away April 11, 2025, at the age of 69 years.

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Phil Olechow; her children Shannon (Michael) Andruchow, Wayne (Stephanie) Olechow, and Jessica (Dave) McNair; her sister Marlene (Bill) Plumley; her brother Ken Demers, and her dog Bear. She also leaves behind six grandchildren: Madison and Nickolas Andruchow, Claire and Cameron Olechow, and Brinley and Beckett McNair; and a host of nieces, nephews and treasured friends. She was predeceased by her parents Aurther and

Laurance Demers, her brothers Brian and Wayne Demers.

A Catholic funeral mass will be held on April 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Angels Parish, 10004 101 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, officiated by Father Carlos Nunez. Cremation has taken place.

Our family thanks the doctors and staff at Lamont Hospital, Fort Saskatchewan Hospital, and Heartland Community Hospice at Rivercrest, for their kindness and care during Carolyne’s battle with cancer. We also appreciate her friends and extended family who visited regularly and supported us through this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers and cards, donations in Carolyne’s honor may be made directly to Heartland Community Hospice Society, PO Box 3317, Fort Saskatchewan, AB., T8L 2T3

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.” Anonymous 9914 103 Street Fort Saskatchewan, AB Phone: (780) 998-1422

Fax: (780) 998-1423

Website: www.serenity.ca

Chelsea Tobias photo.

Terry Willisko, co-chair of the Ride for Dad motorcycle ride against cancer, appeared before Mundare council April 1, to present the Town and, in particular Councillor Glen Ruzumniak, with a plaque acknowledging the support the Town has given the organization over the years. With the work of Rozumniak, who is an active participant, the ride has always managed a stop in Mundare, but this year the route will bypass the community. Willisko did promise to be back next year.

Chipman CAO celebrates 40 years on the job

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Chipman Chief Administrative Officer

Pat Tomkow walked into a big surprise on her desk the morning of April 9.

Chocolates, flowers and a cake to commemorated her 40th year of work.

Chipman post master Mo Thompson and former Chipman Mayor Toni Nygren were there with smiles and hugs for Tomkow, who was surprised at the reception.

“I never thought (in a million years) I’d be here this long,” she said, adding that she doesn’t see a retirement date in the near future. “I’ll just play it by ear. I have to be busy.”

As Tomkow sat down to share cake with friends and colleagues, she reflected on what brought her to work at the Chipman Village in the first place, where, at first, she thought she had been passed over for the office job.

“I had put in an application and I didn't get hired. But they had (my application) on file,” she said, adding she finally got her chance when the council had a meeting on Apr. 9, 1985 but had no one to take minutes.

“(They called me and) I came in to take minutes that evening.”

Today, Tomkow lives on a farm in Star where she lived with husband Frank and raised their two children Shirley and Peter. Frank passed away in 2002 at the age of 63, while Tomkow’s daughter Shirley also passed away from cancer in 2019.

Over the years, Tomkow said she has seen a lot of changes to the village including the dedication of council members in 2000 when it came to moving the village office from a room at the local fire hall to its own building in the centre of town. The building, a mobile building owned by CN, was acquired for free but the Village was tasked with having it moved from CN Scotford to

Chipman.

“That was big,” remembered Tomkow.

“Some people were happy about it, some said ‘you don't need a Taj Mahal’.”

town Alberta. Sometimes, responsibility is thrown on the shoulders of elected officials because there's nobody else. Sometimes they’ve got to be the fire

Tomkow said a large table, with a wooden top, currently sitting in the council chambers, is the only artifact taken from the former council room still in use today.

“John (Stribling former mayor and councilman) and Jim (Palmerformer mayor and councilman) refinished the wood and made it look good,” she said. “It’s meaningful.”

Tomkow said the table wasn’t the only work council members often did around the new village office. She said that Stribling was a house builder and Palmer had building and renovation experience. Together, they prepared a foundation for the new village office as well as did finishing work on the inside to bring the new building to life.

“They volunteered their time for two years, and Municipal Affairs was not happy about it” said Tomkow. “They (Municipal Affairs) do not understand small

cess and stability of CAOs collectively is an important indicator of the health of the municipal public service in Alberta and local government generally.”

Chipman Mayor Morris Langevin said he is amazed at Tomkow’s sharpness and her memory after all of these years.

chief. Sometimes it’s because there is not enough skilled people in your local community to help. You're stranded. Either it gets done or the people suffer.”

Tomkow’s longevity as CAO in the same place for 40 years is a rarity in Alberta. According to a 2023 publication on Alberta Municipalities by the University of Calgary, “The average tenure of a CAO in Alberta is now well under the length of one term of council. CAO tenure is generally shorter in smaller municipalities. More concerningly, the average length of tenure has been in a steady state of decline for the past two decades.”

Councils are voted in to serve a four-year term. Additionally, Chipman’s population has held steady at approximately between 166 and 283 people for the past several decades.

The publication further added that “the suc-

“She has a steel trap for a memory. She can tell you the date (that) the first water lines or sewage lines were installed and even the colour of the line,” he said.

“She is a walking encyclopedia and she cares as much or more about the villages’ best interests, and isn’t even a resident.”

Chipman CAO Pat Tomkow was surprised with decorations and cake in her office when she came to work on April 9, her 40th anniversary with the Village.

Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Stubbs hearing about 10 years of concerns still while door knocking

BY JOHN MATHER

“I haven’t been able to solve this one problem in 10 years,” admits Lakeland Conservative incumbent Shannon Stubbs during a stop in Lamont, April 11.

“I still want to be in several places at the same time and I just can’t do it.”

Despite this minor set back Stubbs has been making good inroads into her short election campaign having already made door knocking stops at Two Hills, Chipman, Ranfurly, Minburn, Innisfree, St. Paul, Mundare, Lamont, Vermilion, Athabasca and several other smaller communities across the sprawling riding.

“This is the shortest election possible by law,” she added.

While there were some minor changes to the riding made during boundary changes following the last election, the Lakeland riding remains essentially the same.

Still it does run from the Athabasca area in the west to Lloydminster in the east.

She states while she talks to local constituents they are talking about the same things they have talked about for the past 10 years that she has represented the riding.

“It’s many of those same things that I hope I have adequately advocated on,” she laughs. “Still it’s cost of living and crime everywhere.

“Still the message I'm getting loud and clear from the people of Lakeland is this is most consequential election in Canada's history, for our province in particular.

“There are concerns about Trump and his tariffs, but while people are worried about it in this area they are still aware the reason we’re vulnerable to these threats is because of the last 10 years of Liberal policies.”

She said Albertans’ resources have been kept in the ground and pipelines have been blocked by the government to the detriment of the province.

“It’s a bit affirming,” states Stubbs. “We, as Canadians, have to concentrate on what we can control and things going on within our own country.

“Usually people at the doors are aware of what’s going on with the U.S, but they’re more focussed on voting for change within Canada.”

“This is why I like coming home to Lakeland,”adds Stubbs who grew up in the Chipman area. “When I’m stuck in Ottawa, sometimes just due to lack of flights, it’s like the whole world has lost its common sense. Here at home people are talking about it, but they’re cleared eyed that we have to tackle all external threats to our country.”

Stubbs said she hadn’t heard of any all-candidates meetings in the riding scheduled for the short campaign prior to the April 28 vote.

“I sometimes have people ask me who’s running in the riding and I have to say, ‘hey I’m just concentrating on my campaign right now. If they haven’t reached out to you yet what does that

Lakeland Conservative incumbent Shannon Stubbs campaigns in Lamont April 11 with Anne Honeyman from Thorhild County and Honeyman’s granddaughter, Riley Paradis, who lives in Lamont. The federal election will b held April 28.

tell you?’ ”

She said on the doorsteps and in local coffee shops she was hearing lots of conversation regarding canola tariffs put on Canadian canola farmers by the Chinese government in response to the Canadian tariffs blocking the importation of Chinese electric cars.

“As soon as those were announced our agricultural critic put out a statement asking the government to respond to the tariffs and work to get them removed.

“That’s our job right now as official opposition,” she said.

A second instalment of our conversation with Shannon Stubbs will run in next week’s Leader. If other candidates reach out to the Leader office and leave contact information our writers will gladly reach out to you for an interview.

Vote Jody Foulds

For Mayor, Town of Lamont

It has been my honour and privilege to serve as your Mayor of Lamont since June 2024 and as Councilor since 2017.

In this fall’s municipal election, I ask for your continued support: Vote for Foulds so I can continue to lead our community into the future. I am on my second term of council, and I want to continue to focus on maintaining and developing infrastructure and amenities while improving services for our residents.

Please remember to vote on October 20, 2025.

Newspapers by the Numbers

Each week, more than 28 million newspapers are distributed across Canada.1

Daily newspapers account for 15 million copies distributed weekly (the majority are paid).

Community newspapers account for more than 13 million copies weekly (the majority are free).

different ways2:

read newspaper content weekly on any platform.2

all FOUR platforms measured: print, website, tablet, phone.2 Almost all readers access news digitally (96%). More than half of all readers (58%) are reading the printed product, including e-papers.

Canadians trust newspaper content2:

Six out of ten Canadians trust editorial content in newspapers (print/digital). Half of Canadians trust the printed advertisements in newspapers.

Chipman looking to negotiate fire bill

JANA SEMENIUK

Lamont County Regional Fire Chief Bo Moore will be invited to meet with the Village of Chipman council members to negotiate a $9,000 fire bill received for a fire in Feb.

The fire, started by a wood stove, began on Feb. 25 inside a shed on

range road 185 according to an RCMP report. There were no injuries and it was not considered suspicious.

Chipman Chief Admin. Officer Pat Tomkow said, during the council’s April 14 meeting, that the response from fire departments was excessive.

“(One) issue with this was the number of vehicles that were brought on site and equipment that wasn't used. We have been charged for every piece of equipment. The fire was eight and a half hours, and we have been charged for every piece of equipment,” said Tomkow.

Councillor Trudy Smith said the invoice showed a charge of $185 for Deputy Fire Chief Scott Calder’s truck being on the scene.

“I went through that invoice. Scott (Calder) was there as the mentor, the incident commander, and we were charged $185 for his truck being

there. He wasn't even in turnout gear. He just had his jacket on and his helmet,” said Smith.

“The truck that came out from Bruderheim was only there for 18 minutes, so we've been charged for that. There was no need for them to be there because the fire was basically out. The

two units from Bruderheim were just sitting on the side of the road doing nothing. So were the members of the truck.”

Council members approved a meeting request with Regional Fire Chief Bo Moore to try and bring down the total of the fire bill.

Thirty teams came out to an impromptu keg curling event at Lamont Curling Club April 4. A 48-team year-end bonspiel had been planned but that was cancelled after the ice plant went down. So a fun keg curling event was instead played until the ice was completely melted.

Now you can ﬁ nally have all of the soothing beneﬁts of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!

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A cribbage player gives his partner a gaze during action in the Bruderheim Seniors cribbage tournament March 29. A total of 24 teams came out to participate which according to organizers was a very good turnout.

CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS

COMING EVENTS

Radiant Harmony presents "A little bit of Country

A little bit of Rock 'n Roll"

Sunday, April 27 at 2pm

Daysland Palace Theatre

Lunch to follow at Sunbeam Drop-in Centre

PRAGUE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL HALL MEETING

Sunday, May 4, 2025 at 2 PM at the Prague Hall Beverages and snack served

The Walter Jahns Singers will present their 39th Annual Spring Choral Concert on Sunday, April 27 at 7:30 pm.at the Forestburg Community Centre.

Extendicare Viking Spring Tea!

Saturday, May 3, 2025

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Serving cake, coffee & tea for $8.00 at the door.

Door Prize, Raffles, and Crafts & Baking for sale! All proceeds go to Resident Council

Flagstaff Family Day Homes

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025 6:30 pm At the FFCS Building 4809-49th Avenue Killam, Alberta

Battle River Art Club Show and Sale

Saturday, April 26

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sedgewick Community Hall

Lunch and snacks available

For more information

Call Chris McMullan 780-384-2167

Killam Health Care Hospital Reunion for all Past and Present Employees Saturday, May 24 From 2 to 5 p.m. at the Killam Catholic Church Basement Hall 5214-50 ave

Not ready to let go of your freedom (but needing support)? I can help with that. Enjoy your home. Light cleaning/meals. Emotional/mental companionship. Games/Cards. Phone Jackie (780) 385-1019.

FUNDRAISER

Chemo Care Hydration Packages. $55 buys one and Sonya donates one. Includes: Night Cream, Lip Balm and Foot Lotion. The goal is 300 pkgs by June 30. See Sonya Martens at the Tofield Market, Fridays April 11th & 25th. www.MaryKay.ca/smartens 780-2404506

FOR SALE

Western Rawhide 15" Saddle - use little, new bridle, saddle carry bag, the package for $750. Squire solid body electric guitar, strap, case, small Marshall amp $325. Tandy leather hand press, still in box $325 firm. Phone 780-662-3431, Tofield. TM14-15P

WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 25. One-time fuel charge: $150 - 225. Crystal Springs. 403-820-0961. Quality guaranteed

BUILDINGS FOR SALE

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com.

SEED FOR SALE

BARLEY – *NEW-AB Standswell* Smooth AWN, High Yielding, Grain and Forage Great Lodging Resistance. 1st NITROGEN USE EFFICIENT CEREAL IN CANADA. Attracting Japanese Interest. OTHER BARLEY: Cerveza, CDC Austenson, CDC Maverick, Sundre. WHEAT – Pintail, Forage or Grain. OATS – AC Juniper, AC Morgan, AC Mustang, Derby, CDC S01 Super Oat. PEAS – Very Early Yellow Peas, Forage Peas. ALSO AVAILABLE: Polish Canola & Spring Triticale. mastinseeds.com; 403-5562609. 14p

All Classified Ads booked in our paper will also be posted online at the new online Classifieds Section at no additional cost. THOUSANDS of page views online every month in addition to our THOUSANDS of weekly readers. Plus our site is Google SEO optimized. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE WITH US!

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

Registered Red & Black Angus bulls for sale. Call 780-986-9088

FARMLAND FOR RENT

West ½ of SW Qtr Sec-27-Twp-56Rge-21-W4. Strathcona County. South Bank of North Saskatchewan River. 72 Acres. 60 cultivated for grain/hay. Phone landline: 780-434-0388

FOR RENT

If anybody who likes country living and is looking for a place to rent, Brian has a basement available with two bedrooms. Would like a non-smoker. The rent would be $800 per month, plus a damage deposit equal to one month's rent. Located 4 miles east of Bawlf, off Highway 13 on Range Road 172, the second place on the east side of the road. No pets allowed. If interested, call Brian at 780-6780053 for appointment to view. Available May 1.

MEMORIAL

In memory of Glen Cottrell November 29, 1943 - April 17, 2022

"We thought of you today But that is nothing new. We thought about you yesterday And days before that too. We think of you in silence, We often speak your name. All we have are memories And your picture in a frame. Your memory is a keepsake from which we'll never part. God has you in His arms, We have you in our hearts."

Lovingly remembered by his wife and family.

HELP WANTED

The Viking Historical Society is looking for summer staff at the Viking Museum. Duties include yard maintenance, cleaning, directing tours, and cataloguing artifacts. Students and mature applications alike may apply with resume and cover letter to Box 106, Viking, AB T0B 4N0

HEALTH

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-4535372.

SERVICES

General Contractor Red Seal Journeyman Plumber and Gasfitter. Bathroom Renos & Tile New to the Area 30 plus Years of Experience Dave 403-999-8464

PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

Medical Taxi Service

Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175

•Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5

•Absolutely NO Hidden Fees

•Escort to Reception/Waiting Room •Pick up and Drop off at your door •Top Notch Service!

•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait •Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810

Painting

Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749

Town & Country

Guardian Drugs - Killam We have:

•a Kodak picture maker.•a colour/b&w photocopier.•cold pop and fresh snacks. •a great selection of candles, giftware, and fragrances. toys, games,and plush animals. •a huge selection of Hallmark cards. •plastic gift cards •vitamins, minerals, and herbals. •free gift wrapping. •prescription service Open 6 days a week.

BY JOHN MATHER

An error in how a motion was presented at Bruderheim council in late March led to an animated discussion again on April 2 on whether the Town should fund a school lunch support program up to a total of $10,000.

That motion had been passed.

Chief Administrative Officer Phylis Forsyth said Councillor George Campbell felt the motion had not been properly presented and should then be reconsidered.

Mayor Karl Hauch quickly apologized and admitted he hadn’t followed the council’s procedural bylaw in presenting the issues at the prior council meeting.

“I haven’t any excuse and to correct the error I’d like to amend and present another motion at this time.”

After reading his motion, Councillor Dayna Jacobs had stepped aside stating she had children in the class and she would indirectly receive monetary benefits (a saving of money) if the motion passed.

Councillor Len Falardeau stated again he couldn’t support the motion.

“Looking further down in our package we are getting hit extremely hard by our educational portion of the budget this year,” he said.

“This is the first time they’ve given us such a

large increase. It’s going to be about 10 per cent and we’ll talk about this later.

“It’s going to be a hit on our taxpayers and I don’t feel they can afford another $10,000.

“It’s time the Province put on their big pants and paid some money which they keep downloading on the municipalities.

“This is bad, bad, bad.” He said he felt the teachers could supervise the lunch room without being paid.

“Every time they ask for money we give it to them and it’s time we said no.”

Councillor Ashley Carter, who sits on the school’s parents committee as a council rep, said she had spoken to some parents and they were so excited the council was going to do this for them.

“It’s unfortunate it wasn’t brought up properly at the last council meeting,” she said. “But these parents are feeling it and this is a good way for our Town to support our school.”

“Our Town also supports seniors, and I don’t benefit from that. There is a range of people in our community and we have to support all people within our community and I feel the school is part of that support.”

Deputy Mayor George Campbell asked when Hauch had received information that there was a surplus because

that was something he didn’t know was public information.

Hauch said there generally was a surplus and Campbell pounced on the word ‘generally.’

That prompted Carter to state, “Let him finish” referring to Hauch.

Hauch thanked her for intervening and said, “I just was generally thinking we usually have a surplus.”

He admitted he hadn’t been feeling well and admitted making an error and apologized.

Campbell said, “I feel your motion was heartfelt and you’re a very caring person.

“But we have more students than just Grades one to six. We must think about our whole community when we make these decisions and we can’t just single out one group.”

He said he’d like to see the motion go into council’s final budget debate.

“We have to look at how we distribute this money and look at the overall picture, not just at one small group.”

Hauch agreed with Carter that the Town supported seniors even though not all the seniors in the community used the Lamont County Senior’s Housing Foundation.

“We pay for the betterment of society for our region,” he said. “It could be argued that if we lost the arena, people might not move here. We provide grants to community groups that don’t necessarily support everyone.”

He said if the Town started nickel and diming every organization because they didn’t benefit everyone pretty soon they wouldn’t give any organization any money.”

Councillor Arlie Young supported the motion.

“I’ve spoken to many

people since the last meeting and they love it,” he said. “Even people who hate everything this council does, they like this motion.”

Campbell said he wasn’t opposed to the motion, but it didn’t go through the proper methods.

“If we don’t go through the budget we could start spending all sorts of money we don’t have.”

“This isn’t a town council issue,” he stated. “I don’t like the direction it’s coming down to us. The boards keep picking our pockets and I just don’t like that.”

Campbell said no matter which way the vote went he still felt it hadn’t followed the correct procedure.

“It’s hasn’t done that,” he stated.

The motion to fund the school supervision program for up to $10,000 was carried.

Falardeau said he wasn’t opposed to the motion, but he was opposed to the school boards and the Province who he felt should be taking care of the issue.

CWRS - AAC Brandon - Improved Rated MR for FHB resistance

- Most widely grown CWRS variety in Western Canada for 5 years

CWRS - AAC Wheatland VB

-Wheat Midge tolerant

- Very good lodging resistance

CWSWS - AC Andrew - Great silage option

-In demand by milling and ethanol industries

Yellow Peas:

CDC Canary - Improved standability

-Early maturity

-Higher Yielding

Faba Beans:

CDC 219-16 - Zero Tannin

- Seed is smaller than Snowbird, larger than CDC Snowdrop

6-Row Feed Barley:

AB Advantage - Improved plump and bushel weight - Smooth awned

-High grain and forage yield

2-Row Malt Barley:

CDC Copeland - Strong demand by malting companies

Andrew CAO coffee talk attracts county and local residents

BY JANA SEMENIUK

Andrew Chief Administrative Officer

Kylie Rude was busy serving coffee and fielding concerns on April 11 during her most recent of four scheduled Coffee with the CAO events for the month.

Rude said it’s a new idea she had, hoping to keep residents engaged in the village and garner new ideas.

“The County does Coffee with the Council (events) and I feel like it's just an extra opportunity to communicate. I like chatting with the residents, and sometimes life gets busy for everyone, so I thought I'd put it out there and see if they'd come chat,” she said.

“I think it's a good window to hear concerns or ideas and see what we can do to make the quality of life better in the community.”

Rude said six people came out for coffee on

Apr. 11, and discussed issues and ideas such as creating a pickleball court at the current tennis courts, street sweeping and whether people on vacation can cancel their utilities.

“(Cancelling utilities, such as the garbage removal flat fee) is currently not provided for in the utility bylaw, but it's absolutely something Council can consider and weigh the pros and cons of that,” she said.

Rude said the participants were a mix of

Andrew and County residents as well as Andrew Mayor Barry Goertz.

“I think the county benefits from the services the Village offers, and they are just as much members of the community, even if they don't pay taxes,” she said.

Rude said there is one more Coffee with the CAO scheduled for Apr. 25 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. She added that more might be scheduled on a monthly basis but it hasn’t been determined.

Be prepared before the next power outage.

Chipman 4-H Milti celebrated its 80th anniversary recently with 80+ people in attendance. MP Shannon Stubbs (centre) was a surprise attendee.

Bruderheim Elementary School Council hosted a free family movie night recently at the school gymnasium. Guests enjoyed snacks from the canteen and the movie viewing. Melissa MacIntosh-Young photo.

Village of Andrew Chief Administrative Officer, Kylie Rude, hosted her second Coffee with the CAO on Apr. 11. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Between the Boards Easton Tkachuk chosen to play in Alberta Cup

BY MELISSA

MACINTOSH-YOUNG

Hockey Alberta has named 120 athletes to represent their regions at the 2025 Alberta Cup in Red Deer.

One of Alberta’s most promising young hockey players is gearing up for a major opportunity to impress scouts just ahead of the WHL Draft.

Easton Tkachuk, a standout defenseman, who’s been sharpening his skills since the age of four, will hit the ice in Red Deer from April 23 to 28 for a prestigious tournament featuring the province’s top 2010-born talent.

Tkachuk, who has played programs in Vegreville, Mundare, and the elite Bolts Hockey Academy, spent his most recent season with the Fort Saskatchewan U15 AAA Enhance It Rangers.

The Red Deer event is regarded as the final showcase for Alberta’s

elite 2010-born players before the WHL Draft, making it a pivotal moment in the young careers of all participants.

With top-tier talent from across the province competing, the weeklong tournament promises to be a display of speed, skill, and highstakes hockey.

For Tkachuk, it’s the culmination of years of hard work and a chance to prove he’s ready for the next level. As the countdown to the WHL Draft continues, all eyes will be on Red Deer — and on Easton Tkachuk — as Alberta’s next generation of hockey stars takes centre stage.

Safety the key for battery disposal

Did you know: When you safely and properly dispose of batteries, you help to keep the public and our waste collection staff safe!

When batteries are improperly disposed of in waste carts, they can cause fires and/or explosions in the carts, waste collection trucks, or at the Waste Management Facility (landfill). These pose a risk to all of you and our staff who perform the waste collection service. If punctured, batteries can also release

harmful chemicals that may harm wildlife as well.

Lithium-ion batteries, which are used in cell phones, are one of the main culprits. These batteries are easily broken which puts people at risk with the chance of explosions and fires.

Here are some tips to help you safely dispose of your batteries:

• Place tape over the positive and negative terminals

• Place batteries back in their original packag-

ing

• Store the same types of batteries together in a clear bag – alkaline with alkaline, rechargeable with rechargeable – with the positive ends pointing in the same direction

• Safely store used batteries in a cool, dry place until you have enough to drop off for recycling Bring used batteries to the St Michael Landfill for safe disposal or another safe registered disposal site.

Lamont County’s Easton Tkachuk, will be playing in the Alberta Cup in Red Deer from April 23-28.

Bruderheim Comets returned home recently with silver after an impressive performance at the Over Fifty hockey tournamnet in Lethbridge.

MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG PHOTO

Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman (scan the QR code)

(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for full posters, dates, contact information, registration info & locations; or call 780-895-2233 for info./registration). Current CALC, FCSS & KFRN and seniors’ activities include:

1. Volunteer Appreciation Week and Dinners – April 14-17 (County-wide). Contact Community Services for last minute availability – 780-895-2233.

2. FCSS: Volunteer Income Tax Program – Contact FCSS at 780-895-2233 x226 (assistance for low income, single parent, seniors and tax troubles/questions).

3. FCSS: Youth Centres in Bruderheim (Tuesdays), Chipman (Mondays), and Mundare 4. FCSS: Parents and Tots: Andrew, Lamont and Mundare.

5. CALC: My Journey…Who Am I? | English Language Learning | Kitchens Programs | Digital Skills for Seniors

6. CALC/FCSS: Parents and Tots – Featuring Ready, Set, GROW!. Monday mornings in Andrew. For more info. contact cheryl.b@lamontcounty.ca

7. FCSS (after school) – FLEX for Boys – sessions in Bruderheim on Thurs. 9. FCSS (after school) – True2You (for Girls) – sessions in Lamont on Tues.

8. KFRN: Family Activity Night: Free drop-in program filled with fun spring-themed activities. No registration required @ Lamont Public Library, 5-7 p.m., April 23.

9. KFRN: Welcome to Kindergarten: For children registered with EIPS and attending a kindergarten program in the Lamont County Region - Mundare: April 24, Bruderheim: May 28, and Lamont: TBA.

10. Meals In Motion: contract Chrissy at 780-975-9592 to order for APRIL (see full menu at lamontcounty.ca/community-programming).

11. Seniors’ Coffee: (Wed.) 10-11 a.m. in Andrew, & (Thurs.) 10-11 a.m. in Mundare. Join FCSS for coffee, conversation, snacks, & assistance with senior-related forms/programming. FCSS offers Seniors Supports fr. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mundare (Thurs.). Seniors Coffee is also in St. Michael (Thur.) from 10 a.m. to noon.

12. Seniors Bus Trips: Day trips to local malls; $15/trip. Departs: 9 a.m. @ Lamont Rec. Centre on Apr. 21, May 18 & June 23. Reserve with Helen at 780-895-7539. Also check out Lamont County Events Calendar for local community events, public meetings and other important dates (lamontcounty.ca/eventscalendar).

To access current COMMUNITY SERVICES programs and information, scan the QR code or for FCSS, CALC & KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages.

Weed Wednesday – REMINDERS of noxious weeds and control. See Lamont County Facebook and X for posters each week. Visit: lamontcounty.ca/weeds for a full list of weeds that are commonly identified across Lamont County This week’s featured prohibited weed is: abinvasives.ca/fact-sheet/white-cockle/ Register NOW for the Annual Reeve’s Charity Golf Tournament – lamontcounty.ca/golf. Registration opened April 14!

Lamont County Agricultural Service Board BBQ and Open House: June 5 (more details will be updated in early May – special presentation by the Farmers’ Advocate related to Surface Rights and Recovery of Compensation Processes).

Assessor Re-inspections planned in March, continue into mid-April: The Assessment Group will have clearly marked vehicles and identification. National Volunteer Week is April 27-May 3. Lamont County appreciates all volunteers across the region for all that you do!

TAX NOTICES SENT EARLY – due to the potential of another postal strike (Canada Post negotiations), Lamont County is sending tax notices early this year. These should be sent to addresses (and received) in early May –two weeks early. Payment is (still) due June 30.