The Community
Press Telling your story
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Volume 112, Issue 32
Elderly woman’s car shot at, RCMP seeking info Leslie Cholowsky with files from Cpl. Trent Cleveland Killam RCMP
Killam RCMP Detachment members responded to 81 occurrences from Thursday, Jan. 23, to Wednesday, Feb. 5. Members attended three 911 calls, in Forestburg, Flagstaff County, and Hardisty. New regulations require RCMP to attend all 911 calls, even if they turn out to be false calls. RCMP were called regarding a dangerous dog, and are working on the file with vets, SPCA, and Alberta Health Services. No charges are presently being pursued. Assault charges were laid against a 40-year-old male for an alleged assault on a 35-year-old female. Other charges included fail to comply with conditions and assault causing bodily harm. A second assault complaint is presently under investigation. Blackfalds RCMP contacted Killam members to notify family of a person seriously injured in a motor vehicle collision. Killam members assisted Calgary Police Service by serving
subpoenas locally, and assisted County Peace Officers with a driver who had multiple warrants outstanding from Fort McMurray. The Killam Detachment assisted Tofield RCMP with serving court documents. Killam RCMP had a 1800’s-era firearm turned in by a resident whose firearms licence was expiring, and who didn’t wish to renew it. Cpl. Cleveland advises that the RCMP now have a division where these pieces can be sent versus having them destroyed. Police received a complaint of someone being in a dwelling unlawfully when a resident returned home to find that things in the home had been moved around. Nothing appeared to have been stolen; the residence had been left unlocked. RCMP were asked to attend a residence to help avoid having an individual retrieving personal belongings charged with breach of peace. Members are investigating three break and enters to local businesses. Near Hardisty, in the MD of Provost, copper wire was reported stolen; in Sedgewick, on
two separate occasions, theft of catalytic converters from vehicles left outside of a business was reported. More copper wire was reported stolen from a rural oilfield site. A complaint of a break and enter to a residence in Forestburg turned out to be unfounded, with mental health issues involved in the complaint. Killam RCMP members assisted with a call complaining of a possible impaired driver in the southwest portion of the region between 4 and 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 22. A disoriented elderly female driver suspected of having dementia was travelling through the area, ending up near secondary highway 55, lost and disoriented. She was eventually located unharmed at a residence unknown to her on Range Road 180 near Township Road 395 by Stettler RCMP. When the woman was located, an investigation of the vehicle revealed that the car she was driving was shot once, through the front windshield. The bullet missed hitting her See RCMP P29
Blue Moon Marquee impresses Forestburg audience
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
Blue Moon Marquee performed in Forestburg on Saturday, Feb. 8, transforming the Community Hall to a New Orleans juke joint with their unique gypsy blues. See story P29.
$1 Including GST
Emergency meeting held in Hardisty to discuss options to avoid school closure Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Over 150 people attended an emergency public meeting regarding the potential closure of Allan Johnstone School by the Battle River School Division (BRSD) on Thursday, Feb. 6. The meeting was hosted by the Hardisty and District Development Group, who advised the crowd of parents and concerned residents that the group had already started to take some action towards keeping the school viable when the BRSD trustee motion to consider closure came through. Blake Moser, who chaired the meeting, said that the Development Group became aware of the urgency of the school’s drop in registered students back in November, when BRSD, in trying to balance the budget in the wake of declining funding and increased expenses, made it clear that the board would consider everything to be on the table. The Hardisty and District Development Group met with BRSD Board Chair Norm Erickson, Flagstaff East Trustee Lori Skori, and Assistant Superintendent Imogene Walsh in mid December, to, as Moser put it, “Gauge the seriousness of the situation.”
He says his group became concerned when they heard the message that the division’s focus has shifted from keeping rural schools open to keeping the division running. “That’s not what we wanted to hear.” The group then wrote to Premier Jason Kenney, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, Energy Minister Sonya Savage; Minister of Municipal Affairs Kaycee Madu, and Camrose MLA Jackie Lovely. “Jackie was the only one who responded at all,” Moser says. On Jan. 22, MLA Lovely joined a meeting of the Development Group via telephone where she said she had brought the issues to the Minister, who advised that if the Division has budget issues, the ministry will not be stepping in. Moser said, “Then the day after our meeting, BRSD announced that the board would be considering closure due to a $4 Million deficit.” Moser said the Development Group sped up the timeline for public engagement to that evening, with less than a week before BRSD would meet with concerned parents and residents in Hardisty. He discussed the strict for See HARDISTY P10
Page 4 - The Community Press, Wednesday, February 12, 2020
n o s End
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The Community Press, Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - Page 5
Buying or Selling?
Jeff Golka
www.jeffgolka.ca Dedicated to you and your family’s full Real Estate needs! ** ACREAGES / CABINS / LOTS FOR SALE *** HARDISTY LAKE CABINS Majestic 4-season Cabin on Hardisty Lake! Years of summertime enjoyment at the lake for the entire family activities like boating/seadooing, swimming, kayaking in clean fresh water at Hardisty Lake. Well built fully insulated A-Frame cabin, natural gas furnace for year-round living and wood burning fireplace. Home features 2/bdrms on main level ideal for retirement living, 1 bedroom up and 2 full baths, 1100sqft spacious living area, nice covered deck, lower patio, cute shower-off area and plenty of storage. The lot is good size room for boat parking or RV for friends. Don’t miss your chance at this majestic property on the lake.
Hardisty Lake Lot, Summer Cabin with Power! Cute summer cabin with power, very large treed lot for privacy, and just a short walk to the beach for watersports. Hard to find these large Lake Lots, this is 14208sqft, plenty of room for large RV’s or for family camping and winter road access. Some renovations needed for Cabin or build a nice 4 season Lake Home on this huge Lot! Price $145,000 E4141322. View on jeffgolka.ca
Rivercity HARDISTY
Big Home, Beautiful curb appeal, Large lot in Hardisty! Space you have dreamed of, fully finished 5Bedrm/3Bath home perfect for entertaining, huge Kitchen/Dining room opens to outside wrap around covered deck. Kitchen has new appliances, upstairs office, gorgeous living room. Downstairs is full finished basement with full kitchen for renting, family member, separate parking and entry. Outside has gorgeous curb appeal with no maintenance Stone/Stucco and landscaping stone, stone driveway to give the home a great look with stone driveway and double garage parking. Price $335,000. View on jeffgolka.ca
Call: 780-888-4030 Email:
jeffgolka@remax.net
KILLAM 2 Killam Lots in Prime Location! Moving to Killam from the Country and looking for that acreage feeling on the edge of town ooking out at the countryside. These double 130x120 lots are ideal for you for you to build nice home and plenty of garage space. Nicely located heading south of Killam past Ball Diamonds and Heritage Park to very last lots, level and ready to build on with full services at the lot line. Private sale so no building timeline requirements, and with beautiful corner lot for privacy. Owner may sell lots separately, call Jeff Golka for more details. Price $65,000
LOUGHEED
SEDGEWICK SEDGEWICK ACREAGES
FURTHER REDUCED
Premier Acreage in Flagstaff County! Great 18acre setting and terrific view, close to Sedgewick and just cart it to the Golf Course! Take the Hardtop road off Hwy 13, no gravel, to this beautiful 12yr old Modern Executive Home. Features granite counters, Walkout basement, triplepane windows, underfloor heat, three car heated garage, professionally landscaped/irrigated yard, plus large 50x60 heated shop and power generated backup. Stop the aggravation of building new and view this turnkey move-in ready family home, with mature landscaped yard! Price $815,000. View at www.jeffgolka.ca ADDITIONAL ADJACENT 68 acres NOW AVAILABLE, EXCELLENT SMALL FARM!
68 acres Pasture at Sedgewick! Looking for nice pasture with dugout and plenty of water. Ideal pasture for recreational or straight beef cattle farming. Completely fenced and only 1 mile from Sedgewick just west of the golf course. Purchase the pasture outright or also available with 18acres Home and Shop (E4146738) adjacent to this nice pasture. Asking Price: $199,000. Approximately $2900/acre. View at www.jeffgolka.ca
HARDISTY ACREAGES Quiet, Private 4.82 Acreage at Hardisty! Well maintained 4 bedrooms/2bath Home with big kitchen/dining, beautiful enclosed deck, large living room with great view of yard. Comes with all appliances, water softener, air conditioned and full completed basement. Asphalt driveway entry, exceptional yard, children’s play area/swings, large workshop/ storage, double car garage, horse shelter, tack room, fenced and cross fenced land for horses and pets for acreage enjoyment. Price $289,000. www.jeffgolka.ca
1,346 acres Agriculture land at Hardisty! Great investment in this active farm mixed farming operation. Two packages each 673 acres Agriculture Land ready for future development and located within the Rosyth Land Development Industrial expansion area at Hardisty Terminal. Approximately 800 acres broke balance is pasture, oil revenue approx. $14,000 per year, ready for Industrial use within MD of Provost approvals. Excellent access to the land just down the road from USD Rail Terminals and near the Primary Hwy 13. A great buy with huge development investment upside. View at www.jeffgolka.ca 14.63 acre Acreage between Amisk and Hardisty! Excellent acreage just south off Hwy 13, follow the pavement past Hardisty Oil storage terminal. Large acreage has 3 RV sites for year-round revenue, 1460sqft Double wide home on full undeveloped basement needs interior work. Nice exterior redone, good windows, new eaves, soffit and facia. 2 water wells, all fenced and plenty of room for more RV sites for cash revenue while living in main home. Horse outdoor riding arena with special loam brought in for its purpose, great horseback area also. Asking Price $279,000. Terrific Acreage Property West of Hardisty! Looking for a terrific acreage property ready for animals, pets and parking all the toys. Close to the pavement Hwy 13 and close to Hardisty. Included are corrals, 2 water wells and plenty of sheds and heated garage. The 1998 modular home, 3 bedrooms, nice kitchen and dining room and walk out patio doors wood burning fireplace. The master bedroom has a great Ensuite with Jacuzzi tub and the home is air conditioned. All this with some neighboring pasture possible upon request. Asking Price $239,500.
3.43 acre Acreage next to Golf Course and Hardisty Lake! What a premium property to own! Its just a short walk to the driving range and Golf course or Hardisty Lake Park. Level and ready to build on: Asking $99,000. Make your offer today and build! View on jeffgolka.ca
Luxurious Home, Triple Garage, nice Walkout Basement in Sedgewick! Luxurious fully finished up/down, modern home design w/3200 sqft living space, 4 beds/3 baths. The ultimate in comfort, design, open plan, wonderful Kitchen/island, morning Sun Room and Deck, large master bedroom w/ensuite. Downstairs has nice open TV family room, Office, and walk out doors to patio. Energy efficient, forced air upper level with A/C, and underfloor heating in basement and on-demand hot water. Gorgeous Curb appeal and large Lot. Price: $465,000. View on www.jeffgolka.ca
9 Lots, 14 Water Sewer RV Hookups, in Sedgewick! Currently an operating multiple site RV park with all water and sewer utilities installed. A developer dream these are 9 excellent Multi-Family construction Lots ready to build Townhouses, Duplex or Triplexes, short walk to downtown for groceries, mail, pharmacy and all necessities. Close to two construction building centers for supplies near the property. Price $149,000. View on jeffgolka.ca
Nicely Updated Home with heated Garage in Sedgewick! Beautifully done, 2 Bedroom/4pc bath home ready to move into in Sedgewick. Ideal Seniors residence with bedroom on the main level, easy grade level entry into home, nice garage with covered area for working outside and short walk downtown. Nice Appliances and upgrades like bathroom, flooring, siding and zero maintenance metal roof. $99,000. View at www. jeffgolka.ca “my listings”!
REDUCED
Classic Gorgeous Character Home in Lougheed! Love and care by its owner for 60 years this beautiful home has its original staircase, railings, banisters, original doors/ frames/ mouldings, original wood flooring underneath and large wood pillar colonnades in the living room. Well-maintained 5-bdrm home, new shingles, a mix of originality with a classy modern 2002 gorgeous Kitchen w/island, Dining room, main floor laundry, all under Vaulted ceilings w/skylights and beautiful bright arch windows to admire its quiet, relaxing back yard. French doors lead to large patio, yard is amazing plenty of fruit trees and 6ft privacy fence for pets and kids. Perfect for retiree with main level bdrms or big family home, all this with a taste of history and the comforts of today. Asking $135,000. View on www.jeffgolka.ca
HUGHENDEN / AMISK
Wonderful Home, 4Bdrms, Heated Garage in Amisk! Make this your home with all the work done on it and in great location in Amisk! Landscaped huge yard, nice deck, and with large heated garage. Inside the 4bdrm/2bath home is well maintained with big bright windows, nice kitchen and eating area and big living room. Basement is fully finished, large Laundry, great storage, very energy efficient and lots of outside parking and back lane, just a terrific property. Asking $199,000. View on jeffgolka.ca
LOUGHEED
8,000 sq. ft. Steel Constructed Shop Heated, 20 ft Doors! Terrific 8000 sq ft steel heated shop, 1600 sq ft enclosed mezzanine, offices, washroom, parts room, work benches and wash bay all on hi-strength reinforced concrete. 3 large doors/back and front driveway for access in and out of the shop for the equipment, and all this sitting on 3 large lots, steel security fenced and storage shed. Ideal for heavy equipment company, heavy trucks or large farming operation. Price $599,000. View on jeffgolka.ca
KILLAM
Legacy Estate Acreage, Fully Serviced Lots for Sale! Great spot with surrounding trees, private and quiet area of Hughenden at Legacy Estates. This development is ideal for those looking to have a new home and room for large garage or workshop. These beautiful acreages vary in size from half acre to over 3 acres, a choice of 5 Lots from $34,000 - $79,000. Ideal for families, retired couples that want country life or to remain in the area close to the farm. Only 30 minutes to Wainwright for more services, local groceries and K-12 school, rec centre and community spirit! www.jeffgolka.ca
STROME
VIKING ACREAGE Amazing Viking Home and Acreage, built to Stand test of Time! Modern gorgeous Brick and Cedar home built to last, rare 2x8 R40walls, 1590sqft of fine craftsmanship, stone wood burning fireplace with underfloor heating both basement/double garage w/floor drain. Cool in the summer, warm in winter 4 bedrooms/3baths, gorgeous country kitchen, open design, walkout deck to amazing 4.84acre yard with creek, firepit and woodshed. Two entries are all gravelled for truck or trailer access and heated insulated workshop, with many newer additional buildings included with full mature and manicured yard and only 4 miles to Viking. Price $488,500. www.jeffgolka.ca
Nice Home, Garage, Sheds in good area! Well maintained 3 bed/2bath home in a quiet area in Lougheed and full finished basement, newly painted, lots of storage and nice covered porch area. Inside home has good layout open concept with nice bedroom sizes. Beautifully landscaped 60x120 lot, great fire pit area, wood shed, storage shed and good 14x26 garage with plenty of rear parking. Price $129,000 View on jeffgolka.ca
Nice Home and Big Lot in Killam! Good size 4 bed/3 bath home, gorgeous finished basement with nice open layout. Some upgrades include flooring, newer appliances and shingles, upgraded windows, newer furnace and water softener. Outside is beautiful backyard, huge 90x120 lot ready for large garage, covered breezeway with single car garage. Take advantage of this great property in Killam and enjoy one of the nicest backyards you will find!
Solid home, Large Addition, double Lots in Strome! Spacious 2 level home features, 2 bedrooms/2 bath with big living room addition, stone fireplace and glass sliders to the backyard patio, vinyl siding and metal roofing. Comes with all appliances, basement area has utilities and laundry, basic kitchen area and rear porch entrance. Yard is double lots plenty of room for parking large rigs, or building dream shop, taxes are only $578/year. Asking Price $89,900. www.jeffgolka.ca
Page 18 - The Community Press, Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Family Resource Centre celebrates a decade of learning & fun Leslie Cholowsky Editor
It was Feb. 15, 2010, when the Family Resource Centre opened its doors for the first time at the Killam Agriplex. The facility is operated by Parents for Fun in Flagstaff, a regional committee that had a vision and a dream, and went for it. The Family Resource Centre has, since its start, offered not just an amazing play experience with a unique indoor play structure and area, but has always connected with its users through varied and valuable programming. Program Coordinator Jessica Docksteader says there have not been a lot of changes in the facility, except for the expansion in 2015. They did have to replace some flooring due to a leaky roof. Docksteader says when they first opened, much of the furniture, toys, and books were donated. Now they’ve built up a collection that includes their latest purchase, a $700 sensory table. She says that even the table is an example of what she feels is the key to their success. “We partner with local trades or agencies wherever possible. “Our collaboration and partnerships have been huge in our continued success.” The Family Resource Centre’s original play structure cost $39,000. The money was raised in 2008, and the doors opened in 2010. The centre receives around 40 per cent of its funding through grants and donations, including Flagstaff County’s contributions. Another 40 per cent is through community fundraising
events, the most well known of which is the Movie in the Park, celebrating the end of summer with a special night of games and a movie, an event that rotates through the county. Docksteader says that she continuously applies for grants, especially when planning to bring new programming to the centre. She’s proud that in the first 10 years of operations, memberships have only gone up by $35, from $50 to $85. The model that Parents for Fun in Flagstaff has created of a play structure/centre with programming is unique. Elsewhere there are government funding Parent Link Centres with similar programming, but without the play structure. In other places the play structures exist without
any fixed programming. Docksteader says the programming has changed a lot over the years, due to a number of factors. “We started out with a lot of third-party programming providers, like Parent-Link, but over the years we’ve branched out into so many things. “Sometimes we are lucky enough to have an instructor in the region bringing programming to us, sometimes it’s at our users requests, often it’s something we’ve seen or heard about happening elsewhere.” No man is an island, and Docksteader attributes collaboration as being the key to the group’s success. Parents for Fun in Flagstaff was an early member of the See FAMILY RESOURCE P31
How to maximize value before retirement FLAGSTAFF REGION SUCCESSION SERIES For many family business owners, retirement may seem like a pipedream. Even if you ideally want to hang your hat within the next five to ten years, it’s often difficult to identify a clear path toward that end goal. There are likely a few different reasons for this. Maybe your presence is still critical to your business’s success - either because of your well-developed client relationships, a unique understanding of proprietary processes or the absence of a strong management team. Or perhaps you haven’t yet taken the time to thoroughly plan out your exit. Whatever the case, all is not lost. With a bit of planning and foresight, you still have time to boost the value of your business and enjoy your retirement years.
Maximize your business value While there are a few ways to ensure your business will continue after you retire, most family business owners must decide between two options: keep the business in the family or sell to an outside party. Regardless, your ultimate goal is the same: to maximize your business’s value and give the next owner the best start possible. There are a few ways to do this in the years leading up to your retirement: 1) Update your business plans. A future buyer will value your business based on expected future cash flows and any risks that could impede those future cash flows. With this in mind, they’ll be looking for a business plan that clearly articulates this information.
2) Clean up your corporate records. Depending on how long you’ve been in business, or how thorough you were in your bookkeeping efforts, your corporate records could probably use some tender loving care. A new buyer will want to make sure all tax filings are up-to-date and readily accessible, and that any contingent liabilities or litigious matters are taken care of (a process that can take a while).
the more options will become available to you. Whether you choose to pass your business down to a family member or sell it to an outside buyer, the key is to make the process as seamless as possible.
For more information on how to start your transition, contact Jordyn Prior, Economic Development Coordinator by phone: 780-384-4151 or email: jprior@flagstaff.ab.ca, about the Flagstaff 3) Implement an appropriate management Succession Program and how you can become instructure. Your ultimate purchaser wants to make volved. sure the business won’t fall apart when you leave. You can alleviate those concerns by taking the time to build a capable management team that will be able to run the show when you’re gone. 4) (Tax) plan ahead. Depending on your end goals, tax planning can help reduce potential future taxes, without relinquishing control of your company. If this is something that would fit into your ideal succession or estate plan, it’s worth consulting an advisor well in advance.
5) Optimize financing and operating assets. When a company is under-leveraged, a purchaser must raise more capital than would otherwise be needed. Similarly, too many non-operating assets (such as excess securities and real estate) have a negative impact on business value. Finding the right balance is essential.
Michael Wetsch Senior Manager, Grant Thornton
Success is in the planning While it’s never too late to plan for retirement, the more time you have to prepare your business,
The Community Press, Wednesday, February 12, 2020 - Page 19
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