The Community
Press HAPPY LABOUR DAY
Volume 115, Issue 9
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
$1 Including GST
Flagstaff Fresh Market offers fun experience for makers and visitors
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
The Flagstaff Fresh Market held in Sedgewick last Thursday, Aug. 25, could definitely be heard before it was seen, thanks to the incredibly talented Brasstactics who entertained the shoppers and vendors alike. Definitely not a static performance in a designated spot, these talented individuals walked the length of Main Street to engage the crowd. Above: Matt Laird on the Sousaphone, Blair Wilkie on percussion, Nicholas Froman on Trombone, Zach Semanuik on Trumpet, Peter Filice on Trombone, and Johnny McCormack on Saxophone. See more Fresh Market photos P23.
Hardisty families with students attending Irma School won’t shoulder entire bussing expense this year Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Hardisty parents whose children attend Irma School since the Battle River School Division shut down the Allan Johnstone School for the 2020-21 school year have been privately funding their own transportation for the past two years. Through fundraising and donations, as well as fees, families covered the costs, which were close to $50,000 every year. This spring, however, the families, through the former Allan Johnstone School Council, now just the Hardisty Parents
Group, declared that funding private transportation was not a sustainable solution. The parent group has appealed to the Battle River School Division and Buffalo Trails Public Schools Division as well as the Ministry of Education constantly over the past two years, hoping for some public funding for the private bus, or a compromise between divisions. Brittany MacMillan, one of the committee members as well as an affected parent says, “MidJuly we finally got confirmation that the School Division (Buffalo
Trail Public Schools) will be paying for the bus from Irma School to the boundary line that is six miles from Hardisty, with money they have received from the Minister of Education. “The parents group will be responsible for the rest of the funds, from the boundary line to Hardisty.” She says that takes the fundraising necessary from $50,000 per year to closer to $5,000. She adds, “The school division also agreed to help us further by lowering the maintenance fees. And the bus contractor generously donated
$1,000 towards the remaining amount we would owe.” MacMillan called it “a huge win” for the families. She says a pancake breakfast this summer has already helped to raise part of the funds for this year, and the group is planning to hold a raffle to raise the rest. She says there are 37 students from Hardisty registered to attend Irma School for the 2022-23 school year. MacMillan says the Hardisty and District Development Group has been a huge advocate of the parents and students trying to find a solution to
the unsustainable private bus situation. “We definitely have them to thank for contributing and to advocate for us!” MacMillan says there are around 75 children in all attending school from the Hardisty catchment
area, either going to Sedgewick, Amisk /Hughenden, or Irma. At the time of closure, BRSD said Allan Johnstone School had 44 students enrolled, citing low enrollment as one of the reasons for closure.
Page 2 - The Community Press, Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Over 40 Appliances in Stock!
Flagstaff Fitness Challenge week three winner
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Frigidaire ActiFry Range Sale $1,099.99 Reg. $1,299.99
Special Orders Available!
Josie Storbakken is the Week 3 winner in the Flagstaff County Fitness Challenge. She dropped by the Flagstaff County Administration building last week to pick up her prize.
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HUGE Inventory of Farm & Ag Parts DEALER as well as an Equipment Rental Outlet
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The Community Press, Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - Page 3
Sedgewick on the search for new Chief Administrative Officer Fall brings strange ‘stuffed’ visitors back to gathering International Literacy Day of the Killam Open House Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Editor
It’s that time of year when oddly dressed stuffed visitors start appearing randomly in yards, in front of businesses, and in Scarecrow Park. 2022 marks the 10th year since Killam’s first scarecrow festival. This year, residents and businesses are being urged to make scarecrows that represent their businesses or their interests. The first scarecrow festival followed up on the success of the ‘Wild Pink Yonder’ tour of Flagstaff County, and was the brainchild of Town of Killam Director of Community Services Charlene Sutter. The Killam Chamber of Commerce took over the event, and has experimented with different formats over the years. The last few years, the vacant lot north of Guardian Drugs on Main Street has become Scarecrow Park, and the festival is held right in the park. There are plenty of amazing scarecrow displays to admire, family games planned, free hot dogs, and some live local entertainment. This year all proceeds will go to the Flagstaff Food Bank, who will also be on site to accept food and cash donations. All residents and businesses are encouraged to enter a scarecrow, either at their home, business, or at Scarecrow Park. There is also an outdoor market planned, vendors can register at Guardian Drugs.
and policy review, with the following criteria: policies are to be reviewed every three years; bylaws are to be reviewed every five years, with land use and planning policies receiving constant scrutiny. Bylaws not affected by the new
review policy would be those that are in effect permanently, like land acquisitions or road closures.
clans
Thursday, Sept. 8
Highland Festival
Free Lunch 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
THANK YOU! On behalf of the Flagstaff Scottish Club and Battle River Pipes & Drums, thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy our 4th Annual Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival! Despite the raging heat, we welcomed over 800 people from near & far to our event who all were able to enjoy music from 4 pipe bands, alcohol samples from 10 local distilleries, hand made products from 30 artisan vendors, food from 8 food vendors & trucks, education from multiple demonstrators, as well as various animals and forms of Scottish entertainment throughout the day. We hope to see you next year for our 5th Annual Gathering of the Clans Highland Festival (GOTCHF) on Saturday August 19, 2023 in Sedgewick AB!
Council also approved an amended Capital Budget for 2022 that included pipe and valve See SEDGEWICK P12
Come on out and pick up one of our new course brochures! What do you want to learn? We are open Tuesday- Friday 9-5 5023 50 (Main) Street, Killam
780-385-3712 fcal.net Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Long Scarecrow Festival Weekend Saturday, September 10th! SPECIALS! The Killam Chamber of Commerce
in SCARECROW PARK!
Men’s Shirts
Coke or Pepsi
$899
6 x 710 ml bottles
Women’s Leggings
Main Street Killam beside Guardian Drugs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. FREE Hotdogs & Beverages Scarecrow Displays & Games Live Entertainment! Outdoor Market!* SCARECROW CONTEST! Open to all Businesses and Residents! Show off your creativity! Entries must be registered at Guardian Drugs, Killam by Friday, Sept. 9 and on display at your business, residence, or in Scarecrow Park no later than 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10
*Vendor Tables $10 Interested vendors register at Guardian Drugs
$1199 Womens Socks 10pk
$399 +dep +tax
Lays Chips 185g - 235g
$4 99
2 $7 50 Flyer Prices in effect Friday, Sept 2 to Thursday, September 8 FOR
Leslie Cholowsky
The Town of Sedgewick is currently embarking on a search for a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) with the resignation of former CAO Jim Fedyk Council held a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 3, to hire HumanEdge Executive Search to recruit a new CAO. Debra Moffat will act as Interim CAO until a permanent replacement is found and hired by Council. Council approved a new Property Damage or Injury Compensation Policy during its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 18. The background information provided to Council states that the purpose of the new pol-
icy is to formally establish that any payment with respect to property damage or bodily injury made by the Town is contingent on the town being determined to be legally liable. Council also approved a new policy for bylaw
Back to School Sales still on! 180 pg Subject OPEN Sat., Sept. 3 Book, Dividers, Highlighters 4pk, 9am-4pm Scissors
Holiday Hours
CLOSED Sunday & Monday
$129 ea.
Pick up your colouring page for the Scarecrow Festival Colouring Contest! . All proceeds to go to the FLAGSTAFF FOOD BANK! The Food Bank will be on location to accept food or cash donations!
780-385-3598 Serving Town & Country since 1962 Open Hours: 9-6 Mon thru Fri, 9-4 Saturday & Closed Sunday.
Killam, Alberta
Page 12 - The Community Press, Wednesday, August 31, 2022
Sedgewick Council Continued from Page 3
replacement, as well as an increase in the Raw Water Pipe Replacement project. Funding for the additional expenses will come from the water infrastructure reserve and an amended Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant
funding. Council reviewed a Notice of Motion from July’s meeting to consider initiating a special recreation tax to offset operating - primarily heating - costs of the arena. Council reviewed monthly natural gas bills in 2021 for the Wild Rose Co-op Recreation Centre, which totalled $29,875 in 2021, with December alone at $7,245.
September 2022 Meetings
Council Meetings Flagstaff County Co ouncil M Meetings eetings aare re conducted the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month commencing at 9 a.m. unless u otherwise planned. Council and Committ ommittee meeting agendas aare re aavvailable at the County’’ss websit ebsiite te at: flagstafff fff...ab.ca/c .ca/council/mee .ca/ council/meeetings-ande minuutes tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: Stay Connected with Us: s
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: e
12435 To Township w Road 4442 PP..O. Box 35 358 Seedgew wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
Administration reported to Council that the Rec Centre does not presently get charged for water, sewer, or internet, which is absorbed by the municipality at a value of approximately $6,500 per year. With the present number of taxes land parcels at 485, any proposed flat tax per parcel made for this purposes would, based on 2021’s costs,
be $61.60 per parcel. Council reviewed a sample bylaw, for the 2023 tax year, but took no action for the present year. Also in the July meeting, Council considered the possibility of creating a third public works position for 2023. Administration would be tasked with bringing back the total new expense and a job description, to be included in
the preparation of the town’s 2023 operating budget, and a decision made at that time. In July, Council also approved an expense of $27,281 for the installation of Supernet service to the Sedgewick and District Municipal Library’s new Main Street location, to be funded from unrestricted reserves.
The Community Press, Wednesday, August 31, 2022 - Page 13
Public Works Updates
Please refer to our website at www.flagstaff.ab.ca for up-to-date road work throughout the County. Road Recovery
Public Works Services
Crews will be working on the following road recovery Please visit the Flagstaff County website at project this week: flagstaff.ab.ca for information regarding Gravel • East of Daysland on Range Road 155 from Sales, Residential Laneway Maintenance, Road Township Road 454 to Highway 13 for 4.5 miles.. Maintenance, Hamlet Services, and more. Please keep in mind that our seasonal crews will be out working on our roadways and to use extreme caution while travelling on these roads while they are being maintained in any way. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this season.
For Sale by Public Auction Notice is hereby given that under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, Flagstaff County will offer for sale, by public auction, in the Flagstaff County Office, at 12435 Twp Rd 442, Sedgewick, Alberta on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. the following lands:
RN67;35;3 in the Hamlet of Strome. Each parcel will be offered for sale subject to a reserve bid, and to the reservations and conditions contained in the existing certificate of title. Terms: Cash, certified cheque, or bank draft. Flagstaff County may, after the public auction, become owner of any parcel of land that is not sold at the public auction. Redemption may be affected by certified payment of all arrears of taxes, penalties and costs at any time prior to the sale.
Applications are now being accepted. Please visit: bit.ly/FlagstaffPollinatorProgram for more details