Family Day Brrrr in Lamont County
BY JOHN MATHER & JANA SEMENIUK
It was a cold blustery day across Alberta resulting in many Family Day activities in the Lamont County area either being cancelled outright or moved indoors.
Bruderheim was first off the mark on Sunday posting all their Family Day activities would be cancelled.
Because all events were to take place outdoors on Feb. 16, that led to the cancellation of the scheduled log pull race, maple syrup snow candy, a tug of war, outdoor skating, shakaball, snow painting, horseshoes and a snowman/
Seniors pancake
ice building contest.
In Mundare, Councillor Irene Talaga reported temperatures were hovering around the -31 Celsius mark with wind chills exceeding -40 Celsius.
“I’ve spoken with (Chief Administrative Officer) Colin and all our outdoor activities including the snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Victory Park are cancelled,” she said.
The town still managed to have a good size turnout for the Senior’s Pancake Breakfast.
The annual try curling event at the Mundare Curling Rink attracted about 23 youngsters, while more than
breakfast and youth curling endured in Mundare despite terrible weather
BY MARK COURTNAGE
“What better way to start the day off with than to have a full pancake breakfast,” said Marrien Chudyk, the head Chef and President of the Mundare Seniors Drop in Centre.
Although a very cold day (-26) the amount of people that ventured into the Centre was incredible. The sound of friendly chatter from friends and families gathered around the tables sang throughout the room.
“We must have served well over a hundred people,” Chudyk said.
From 11 am - 1 pm saw many young families hit the curling rink. Maverick Baerends sat on the side getting ready to do some serious curling, hopefully in training to become the next Kevin Martin or maybe Glenn Howard. His Mom and Dad were there encouraging him all the way.
From 2-4 pm the Mundare Arena had free skating. This was also attended well with the bonus of hotdogs and hot chocolate being available. Sadly because the weather was miserably cold the Snow Shoeing in Victory Park was cancelled.
Pancake
In Andrew, the Andrew Community Centre Association, had about 60 people out for their annual pancake breakfast.
“We normally have more than 100, but with the extreme cold we had we were very pleased with 60 people who showed up and grin and beared the weather,” said Councillor Tammy Pickett, who is also president of the ACCA.
She added the town, which normal-
Vintage
ly puts on some outdoor family day events, decided not to this year and “with the weather that turned out to be a good decision.”
In Chipman, Mayor Morris Langevin said given the weather they didn’t get the turnout as in past years, but still managed to have about 20 kids and 10 adults come out to indoor activities.
“We’re having a fire and outside family day next Sunday with skating and tobogganing on the snow hill,” he said. “We feel the kids were shortchanged by not being able to have any outside fun.”
snowmobilers embrace cold Family Day weather
BY JOHN MATHER
While bitterly cold weather cancelled most of the outdoor family Day activities around the Lamont County area, one group came out in larger numbers than normal to embrace the severe chill.
For the past 17 years, there has been a vintage snowmobile show put on by the Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society at the city’s museum site.
“This year we have had 24 snowmobiles come out, brought by a dozen owners,” said organizer Stuart McGowan. “That’s more than we had last year.”
One of those exhibitors was John Jacobs of Bruderheim. Decked out in a heavy fur hat and thick snowmobile gear, Jacobs wasn’t going to let the severe cold hold him back from showing off two of his collection of 22 snowmobiles.
“My friend Quentin, and myself, brought three machines to the Fort today,” he said among the roar of twocycle engines purring in the frigid cold prior to having a quick lap or two around the city facility.
“I brought a John Deere Sprint Fire 340 from 1984 and a 1973 El Tigre 400
by Arctic Cat.”
He said he obtained the Arctic Cat as a gift “By a gentleman who thought I would appreciate it more than by selling it to someone else.
“He actually gave it to me this spring with a 1973 riding suit and everything,” Jacobs explained.
“He bought it brand new and he had heard I was a collector and I had a large collection of Kawasaki’s. Those are the machines I’d normally show, but none of them would start this weekend.”
He said he lives right in Bruderheim so most of his machines are stored in trailers on an acreage.
Jacobs said he got the snowmobiling bug when his kids were small and they lived on an acreage.
“We needed something to do in the wintertime,” he said. “So we bought a little Moto Ski Spirit first.”
He said he got it from his brother-inlaw for $160.
”We had so much fun on it, I bought myself a Kawasaki Invader and I liked it so much I started collecting them.”
He said he has insured a 1970 Mercury and a 1997 MXZ for “when I want to go and ride with the big boys.” Continued on Page 15
50 skaters came out in the afternoon to the Mundare Arena to take part in free skating and have some free hot dogs and hot chocolate.
breakfast above, below youth curling in Mundare.
Reeve orders review of public works for efficiency
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Lamont County Reeve
David Diduck is taking seriously concerns brought forward by ratepayers during the Jan. 30 coffee with a councillor event in Bruderheim.
In particular issues raised around the number of staff currently employed in the county’s Public Works department.
“At some point we have to be able to pro-
vide an answer to the rate payers as to yes, we are adequately staffed, and we're doing things well or no, we're not adequately staffed and not doing all the things we should,” said Diduck.
“I really don't get that many complaints about the people in the Admin Building. I do get a lot of complaints about the people of Public Works and the processes that are being utilized in public works. So to me, that's
where I want to start this thing.”
During the Jan. 30 coffee event, ratepayers shared concerns that the number of employees in public works, 40 in the winter and 60 in the summer, are too many compared to several years ago when they said fewer employees got the same amount of work done.
Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky said the review could
displace items on an already approved “aggressive business plan for 2025 to 2027”.
He said it would significantly impact the public works director, Darby Deitz, and his staff as far as providing information even though the analysis would be done by a third party.
Regardless, Councillor Neil Woitas, who joined the meeting online, pressed for its approval.
“It’ll (hopefully) get
Man arrested for B & E at the scene in Lamont County
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A report of break and enter in progress on an oil lease site north of Highway 16 resulted in the arrest of one man on Feb. 6.
Vegreville and Fort Saskatchewan RCMP were dispatched at 2:00 a.m. after a property rep saw a vehicle on video surveillance parked at the gate entrance of an oil lease site on range road 181 north of highway 16 in Lamont County.
The rep saw an unknown person walking around the site and provided continuous updates to police until they arrived at the scene.
Once arrested, the man’s vehicle was searched and officers found copper wire from the oil lease site.
“The timely reporting to police by the property rep allowed us to respond immediately
and arrest the male before they were able to flee the area or commit further offences.” says Cpl. Jolee Marianicz, Public Information Officer, Fort Saskatchewan RCMP.
A 52-year-old man, a resident of Yellowhead County, is facing charges
pending for break and enter, mischief and possession of stolen property.
The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP would like to remind area residents to report suspicious persons, vehicles or activity to their local police.
If you want to remain
anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.c a for instructions).
done by election day,” he said. “If we don’t get on this right away and start getting a grip on it we’ll all be in trouble.”
Diduck made the motion to direct administration to conduct an external review of the Public Works depart-
ment to ensure the department is operating effectively and efficiently. The motion was passed unanimously.
Municipal election day is Oct. 20, 2025 and the deadline for councillor and mayor nominations is noon Sept. 22.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2025 12:00pm (noon)
Lamont County Reeve David Diduck at the Feb. 11 county council meeting. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
Lamont Fish & Game Association Thank You!
The Lamont Fish & Game Association would like to thank ALL their MEMBERS who volunteered their time, contributed donations or sponsored trophies as well as attended our Annual Wild Game Dinner and Trophy Night that was held on February 8, 2025!!
We would also like to thank the following, for their support:
The Fishing Hole
Jay & Christine Gordon
Kandies Canning
Lamont Value Drug Mart
Lamont Esso
Lawrence Solarz
Westland Insurance
Polaris Kreations
River Valley Chrysler
Original Joe’s
Dairy Queen
Ruby Restaurant
Deerland
Norwex (Jamie Marouelli)
HKO Games
(Jesse Hlushko)
Centuries Ago (Jen Stenske)
Lorraine Schreiber
Epicure (Shobna Singh)
Merry Moo Moo (Julie Gerow)
Dear Dog Treats
Gondola’s
Joanne Longarm Quilting Cutco
Butcher’s and Packers
Stawnichy’s
Old Country Sausage
Days Inn
The Retreat Salon and Spa
Alberta Conservation Association
County of Strathcona Councillors
Town of Lamont
Lamont Vision Centre
Robertson’s Plumbing
Rig-A-Jig
Cake Styles (Michelle Styles)
Edmonton Soaring Club
C K Taxidermy (Tofield)
Widynowskis
Hillview Acres (Gerald Maschmeyer)
Home Depot
Pembina Pipeline Co.
LCG Grain Farms (Gaberts)
Town of Redwater
Tanmar Consulting Inc. (Mike Krimm)
Tru Fishing Tackle
Lafrance family
Petro Canada
Octo Mechanical
UFA
CTR Refrigeration
Sportscene Publications
Webbs Machinery
Trevor and Rianne
Cameron
Sarah Iverson - Servus
Credit Union
Rita Poirier
Richardson Pioneer
Parkview Restaurant
Hydro Scotford
Lamco Gas
Lamont County
Gibbons Motor Toys
Home Hardware (Ft. Sask)
Noyen Construction
Dave Booth Taxidermy
Dow Centennial Centre
Shell Theatre
Crop Management
Burger Baron
Amre Supply
Realty Advisors group
P & D Enterprises
Spartan Controls
Home Hardware (Lamont)
Elk Island Catering
JD’s Sweet Treats
B M Services (Ben Moth)
Halford Hides
Blitz Electric
Fort Sask – Vegreville Constituency
Willy’s Euro Mounts
E-Max Plastic
Lamont Hair Boutique
Canada Custom Auto Works
Sunbelt Rentals
Schinkinger Trucking
AAA Natural Foods
Images by Stan
Lamont Curling Club
Sunshine Liquor store
Canada Safeway
Co-Op Insurance
Irene Kowal
Painting Fireman
Tucker & Taitem Hanes
Waxette
Best Farming Systems
Linda Sieker
No Frills (Veg)
Bumper to Bumper (Veg)
KG Enterprises
Agritera (Veg)
Xtreme Equipment
Kubota (Veg)
NAPA (Veg)
Lamont Foods
Willingdon F&G
Al & Jenn Engman
Lamont Leader
Urban Escape Massage
Therapy
Evergreen Funeral Home
Torsion Screw Piles
Elk Island Thrift Store
Perks Dental
Advance Therapy Massage
Oleksyn Drywall
Oleksyn Homes
Can-Do-It Electric
Dr El Hajj
Lamont Agriculture Society
Lamont Lions
Mondo Mechanical
Reel Inn Resort
General Auto
Antler Creek Farms (Craig Ward)
Experience Alberta (Jacquie Fenske)
Tracy Childs
Thank you also to the Lamont Catering Club for preparing our bountiful meal, and thank you to Top Hat Entertainment for providing the wonderful music!
Our club has monthly meetings at the Lions Den every last Monday at 7pm. All are welcome to attend ! Our AGM is on April 28th ! To purchase or renew your membership, or for more info about our club, please call Robyn Butler at 780-895-7799.
*If for any reason, your business or personal name was missed, please accept our apologies, and know that your contribution was very appreciated!
Opinion
Can we please have an election to get our country back on track
BY JOHN MATHER
Feeling nervous yet? We all should be.
Moves by the U.S, to ruin our economy, and the lack of action on the part of our Federal government are moving to come into a major detonation point within the next few weeks.
And further moves by U.S. President Donald Trump are pushing the world to either brink of a world war like none we’ve seen before, or total economic chaos.
Don’t think the European elites - better known as the World Economic Forum - have no blame in this mess.
We’ve entered a world where all forms of government and economic organizations claim to be more open and transparent than ever before, but it’s readily apparent they are intent upon building walls around each of their own individual empires.
We’ve entered a zone where everything is done instantaneously and if you don’t catch the flitting message it’s gone before you can actually decipher whether it can benefit you or not.
And for the most part it seems it will not benefit you. You know the person who works for a living, gets an average wage, tories hard along with his or her partner to put ever more expensive and hard to earn food on the table, live in more and more pricey accommodations, and have to buck under the swishing belt of their employers who demand more work in less time - with no increases in wages.
This scenario is creating more and more mental health issues across this fair country and those in charge of the governments just don’t seem to care.
Look at our Federal government. A morass of ineptness. The Liberal government of Justin Trudeau has prorogued Parliament in the time when a strong Federal government is most needed.
While he gallivanted last week around Europe as a lame duck Prime Minister accomplishing nothing, the premiers are busy trying to prevent Trump from bankrupting both our and his own economy and cause massive jobs loss with 25 per tariffs on all Canadian experts excluding oil and gas which will be tariffed at 10 per cent, and steel and aluminum which will be tariffed at 50 per cent within a month.
Letter: How about spending Canadian tax dollars with Canadian taxpaying companies?
As a proud second-generation Canadian community newspaper publisher, who is the lead plaintiff on a class-action lawsuit to make sure U.S.-based tech giants don’t rip off publishers like me, I was gobsmacked to see that the Government of Canada is using my hardearned taxpayer dollars to resume advertising with Meta Platforms.
Anyone who watched the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump will know that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seems more interested in checking out Lauren Sanchez than he does about fact-checking the content on his platforms, which spew misinformation and disinformation faster and more broadly than anything in human history. In fact, he fired his fact-checkers, seemingly to curry favour with President Trump.
Here are the facts my fellow Canadians should know about federal ad spending. Last year, according to the government’s annual
CONTINUED
But Trudeau is busy attending a conference on Artificial Intelligence - something he batting 50-50 in.
He gets high marks on the artificial side, but a low score on the intelligence scale.
To paraphrase a great line from a writer with the Western Standard, Trudeau is “a lame duck, shored up by an NDP buzzard that is just waiting for the duck to fail.”
Meanwhile the 13 premiers in Washington are pitching to Donald Trump while Trudeau is in Europe, something Trudeau himself has yet to do.
The last time, Trudeau broke bread with Trump, the then president-elect made a joke about Canada becoming the 51 state, something he hasn’t let up on since.
He knows he has a weak leader in charge of a country he has economically wrecked with his harmful policies.
Even in the messed up United States with only two government parties, they may castigate and blame each other for every possible problem that can be envisioned, but they haven’t tossed the viability of any individual states to the wind for the benefit of only one or two. As a country, they remain
report on its advertising activities, the feds spent more than $75 million on advertising. I don’t have an issue with spending this kind of money to inform Canadians about what their government is doing. But I have a problem with how the government is trying to reach Canadians.
Of that $75 million or so, the feds spent nearly $40 million on digital ads, including over $8.5 million on search engine marketing and more than $6.5 million on social media. In comparison, radio got just $2.5 million and print publications received less than $1.4 million. That’s about two per cent of all federal ad spending on every English, French and ethnic newspaper and magazine throughout the entire country. Yet 86 per cent of Canadians read a newspaper weekly. Newspapers, and ads in newspapers, are trusted.
Continued on Page 15
united.
Which, of course, is what Trudeau has done with Alberta and its economy in an attempt to hold onto power in Ontario and Quebec.
It’s time to have a national election.
This week we’ll find out if the Supreme Court will side with Trudeau’s decision to prorogue Parliament purely for political gain, or will it rule much like the British supreme court did in the Boris Johnson case, where when he prorogued the British Parliament to stop anyone in opposition challenging his decision to withdraw from the European Union also know as Brexit.
The court ruled he didn’t have that right and the Westminster system of Parliament used in Britain is what our system is modelled on.
Hopefully the court finds in favour of the plaintiffs and orders Parliament back in session
And then let’s see if Jagmeet Singh would stick by his comments to vote in favour of a non-confidence vote.
The country needs this election.
Our economy will surely depend on the outcome of such a future election.
Kerry Anderson Publisher John Mather Reporter Jana Semeniuk Reporter
BY HAZEL ANAKA
Have you ever met anyone with an overblown sense of their own importance, impact, and influence? If it was you… please tell me it was a one off. An inflated sense of ego has happened to all of us at some point or other and it’s unfortunate but not lifethreatening if caught early. It’s when the belief or mindset is so entrenched it becomes habit and part of one’s persona, that one risks losing all their friends and colleagues and getting smothered in their sleep. It’s not a pretty or pleasant sight. But, with a slight attitude adjustment, it is easy enough to avoid this sort of misguided and delusional thinking.
Living an entirely egofree life is difficult or impossible. It’s not even desirable. We need to have some sense that we have value and are mak-
FROM WHERE I SIT: Small Potatoes
ing a contribution in order to have the will to wake up each day and face the world. In extreme cases of physical and psychological abuse, one’s feeling of selfworth has been beaten out of them or eroded through unrelenting ridicule and criticism. That is not a healthy situation and requires corrective action.
In a ‘normal’ situation, we want to have enough bedrock confidence in our self and our value. If we do, we can face the world bravely; not be a victim or a pushover. But
neither are we belligerent, obnoxious, aggressive, or an annoying pain in the butt. We can calmly and clearly speak our truth, offer our opinion, and withstand any pushback or differing truth and opinion. We don’t lash out, hurl insults, incite violence. We carry ourselves with quiet calm and are always open to learning more and walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.
If, after reading the forgoing, the word on the tip of your tongue is humility, congratulations, you’ve got it. In the
Christian belief system humility is considered a virtue. Let’s look at some Google results to get an idea of the qualities we want to aim for: freedom from pride or arrogance; the quality or state of being humble; having a low, down-to-earth view of your own importance or significance. Author CS Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”
A person practicing humility can admit their mistakes, listens to understand, has an open
mind, embraces differences, allows ideas to emerge, demonstrates patience, and takes ownership. The humble person is aware of her own shortcomings, strengths, and limitations. He can recognize and acknowledge the strengths of others and express gratitude for them. She is open to learning from others; is a good listener who ensures others are heard. He can own his mistakes and is open to constructive criticism and feedback.
The opposite of humility is hubris (extreme
From the files of the Lamont
Leader
Funds raised in Mundare just swimmingly
April 26, 2011 edition of the Lamont Leader: Mundare Mayor Mike
Principal
and
La France, Doris Bradley, Tanyss Rogers, Sarah Pieterse and Sian Vadnais dive into the frigid waters behind Mundare Elementary School to raise money for the Grades 7 and 8 Outdoor Education Class field trip. Children were dared to raise $1,000 which would get all the participants to swim across the newly formed lake of melted winter snow.
Lamont and Area
LAMONT UNITED CHURCH 5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB 780-895-2145
AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm
pride or self-confidence, dangerous overconfidence, often combined with arrogance.) Hubris may also be the first cousin of narcissism and sometimes both flaws are seen in the same person. Narcissists have an inflated self-image and crave approval (think Donald Trump). If that’s not a cautionary threat I don’t know what is. So, what now? I’ve thrown out a lot of definitions and personality traits for your consideration. If you recognize yourself in any of that and want to turn away from hubris and aim for humility what attitude adjustment is necessary? If I ever start feeling a little too cocky, I’m reminded of a message I read years ago and have never forgotten. To paraphrase--if you begin to think you’re irreplaceable, plunge your hand into a pail of water. When you remove your hand, the hole that remains is the true indication of how hard it will be to replace you. In other words, not at all. While we may be important and have influence and impact on those nearest us, in the big picture we’re pretty small potatoes. That is a sobering thought, from where I sit.
Saric,
Greg Porbert,
teachers Jason
Rogers Place packed to see PWHL and local star
BY JOHN MATHER
When the Ottawa Charge and Toronto Sceptres squared off at Rogers Place before 17,518 excited fans Feb. 16, to some degree it was a bright, warm homecoming for Ottawa’s starting goalie Emerance Maschmeyer.
Maschmeyer hails from Bruderheim and a large number of family and friends were on hand to watch her perform before the huge local audience.
overtime Toronto’s Watts took the puck and skated behind the Ottawa net. Rather than passing the puck she jammed it in on the shortside past Maschmeyer.
Maschmeyer stopped 31 of the 34 shots she faced during the game.
Earlier in the week, Ottawa scored an impressive 8-3 win over the visiting Minnesota Frost.
Tereza Vanisova led the Ottawa scoring barrage with a hat trick scoring two back-to-back goals in the second and another midway through the third period.
singles went to Mannon McMahon, Victoria Bach, and Brianne Jenner.
Maschmeyer stopped 23 of the 26 shots she faced.
A crowd of 5,854 watched the game at Ottawa’s TD Place.
Ottawa will host Boston Feb. 20 and then Montreal on Feb. 22.
Next Wednesday, Feb. 26 they will host New York.
Ottawa is currently fifth in the six team league. Montreal sits in first place with 34 points while the Charge have 21. The team has 13 games remaining in the regular season. 6 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, February 19, 2025
In addition young girls hockey teams from across the province were in attendance to support the quickly growing Professional Women’s Hockey League in it second year of operation.
There are ongoing talks of the league expanding and the hope is at least one new franchise could be placed in either Edmonton or Calgary.
During the Sunday afternoon tilt, Maschmeyer had the start but end up on the losing end of a 3-2 overtime loss.
Ottawa’s Gabbie Hughes put the Charge on the scoreboard first scoring during a power play from Jincy Roese and Jocelyne Larocque with Toronto’s Jesse Compher sitting in the sin bin for slashing.
Toronto scored twice on the power play in the second frame with Daryl Watts notching her fifth goals from Hannah Miller and Renate Fast with Larocque serving two minutes for hooking.
And with Aneta Terralova in the box for hooking late in the second, Julia Gosling found a way to get the puck past Maschmeyer from Compher and Miller.
Tereza Vanisova scored to tie the score from Emile Clark and Hughes at the 4:10 mark of the third.
Both teams had chances but the game was tied at the end of 60 minutes.
Very quickly in the
Gabbie Hughes had a pair for the Charge and
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BABY WINNER
The Babies of 2024 Photo Contest winner, Beckett Jameson Preece, visited The Lamont Leader office last week to collect his prizes! Along for the visit was big brother Kooper, and mom - Morgan. Lamont Value Drug Mart donated a gift basket loaded with baby supplies and toys, and The Lamont Leader gave a laminated keepsake and gift bag. The contest is hosted annually by the two businessses, where residents are welcome to submit their favourite photo of their baby born in the past year. The winner is chosen by random draw.
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Flagstaff Waste is currently seeking a motivated individual to lead staff and oversee all company activities including waste bin rentals/collections operations, curbside waste collection, multi-stream recycle collection, processing, sorting and marketing, transfer site operations and all activities related to operating a Class II landfill for 10 municipalities within Flagstaff County.
Duties:
•Business planning, budgeting and financial controls with a view to long-term strategic goals.
•Develop, maintain and ensure compliance with internal Human Resources, Audit & Finance, and Health & Safety Policies with focus on staff retention in a safe workplace culture.
•Coordinate direct reporting and feedback with a Board of Directors representing 10 partner municipalities making up this not-for-profit Society.
•Ensure legislative compliance for all regulated matters related to environment, WCB, Solid Waste Association regulated requirements, maintain registrations and Code of practices related to Landfill operations, trucking, OH&S and Alberta Employment standards.
•Lead a multi-disciplinary team employing HR goal setting and performance review processes that ensure high productivity and safety with end goal of optimized efficiency. Negotiate high-value health benefits, pension plans and insurance products for staff and the company.
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•Organized, computer literate and ability to make highly productive use of time.
•Applicants with work history within the waste industry and/or previous landfill operations experience are preferred. Applicants willing to relocate to Flagstaff County preferred.
•Manager of Landfill Operations (MOLO) certification required within 1 year of hire.
Flagstaff Waste offers a dynamic workplace with a culture of strong customer service. We provide a competitive salary and a full benefit package including enrollment in a ‘defined benefits’ pension plan. If you wish to join our exciting team, submit resume to Murray Hampshire at murray@flagwaste.ca or mail to Box 309, Sedgewick, AB, T0B 4C0.
Spirited discussions during Coffee with a Councillor CAO wage tops other comparable counties
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Lamont County
Councillor Neil Woitas was joined by Reeve Dave Diduck, Deputy Reeve Danny Warawa, Councillor Roy Anaka, Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky and Director of Public Works Darby Dietz for his Division Five coffee with a councillor event in Bruderheim on Jan. 30. Woitas spoke very little as most concerns were responded to by Reeve Diduck and CAO Tarnawsky. Councillor Aaron Wick was on his way but ultimately couldn't attend the event after being caught behind a highway accident.
Peace Officer Derek Wright was also present and helped pull out additional chairs as more and more people walked through the door. In all, at least 40 people came out to voice their concerns around a large number of staff working at the county office, the employment contract for the CAO, and the tax payer funds spent on legal services to work through a code of conduct complaint against councillor Neil Woitas among several others.
Although the meeting was slated for two hours, it did not wrap up until three hours later.
One resident, Sylvia Holowach, asked if CAO Tarnawsky’s employment contract had been renewed at the Jan. 28 council meeting. Reeve Diduck said he could not discuss the matter as it stemmed from a closed session. That session, from the Jan. 28 meeting, ended with three councillors, Roy Anaka, Danny Warawa and Reeve Diduck voting to include changes made to the employment contract while councillors Aaron Wick and Woitas voted against.
Details of the changes, discussed in a closed session, cannot be disclosed to the public, however Diduck said the CAO’s wage is public informa-
tion shown in the county’s public annual financial statements which are due out later this year. Despite this, he still refused to disclose the CAO’s current wage at the coffee with a councillor meeting.
According to the county’s 2023 financial statements, CAO Tarnawsky received $271,164 (including $29,682 in benefits) and in 2022 was paid $256,838 (including $30,378 in benefits). The 2024 financial statements will be presented at council later this year.
Lamont County has a population reportedly of 3,890.
By comparison, Wainwright, with a population greater than Lamont County by approximately 500, paid their CAO $196,998 (including $32,594 in benefits) in 2023, and Flagstaff County, with a population of 3,614 paid their CAO $236,891 (including $12,634 in benefits) in 2023.
Additionally, Vulcan County, whose population is over 4,000, paid their CAO $224,036 (including $34,233 in benefits) also in 2023.
The Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith’s salary is reported to be just over $186,000 per year.
Meanwhile, resident Tim Nimchuk asked why the county needs so many employees in both the county office and the public works department.
Earlier in the meeting, the Director of Public Works, Darby Dietz, said the county currently has a total of 60 employees, in both areas, and 80 during the summer months.
Nimchuk said the county operated with fewer employees and had more responsibilities prior to Elk Island Public Schools taking over the school system for Lamont County in 1995.
Councillor Woitas agreed with Nimchuk.
“I brought it up,” he said. “Look at the managers in public works.
How many do we have now?”
The conversation veered to another topic with the number of staff not being addressed again.
In a letter to the Minister of Municipal affairs from the county last year, it was acknowledged that staffing costs rose by 26 percent
approved budgets (the annual budget for all legal expenses across Lamont County in 2023 was $175,800).”
When asked for a specific number pertaining to the code of conduct issue, the Lamont Leader was advised to submit a FOIP (freedom of information and privacy) request.
between 2020 and 2023 which was attributed to eight new positions created, increased salary adjustments and cost of living increases.
Meanwhile, Holowach questioned the council on how much it cost the county in legal fees to work through a code of conduct complaint they initiated against councillor Woitas in 2023. The basis for the code of conduct complaint was never made public but Woitas said, at the time, he felt it was because he spoke out against things he didn’t agree with.
Woitas said the complaint cost him $6,000 for his lawyer, and Reeve Diduck said he didn’t know what the cost was to the taxpayers for the county to have their own lawyer.
A follow up email to Jay Zaal, the county communications coordinator, also did not produce the dollar amount.
“This was a matter initiated in 2023 when it was advised for Council to have legal support and interpretation of the matter addressed in Closed Session,” said Zaal by email.
“Legal support was funded through
Lipkewich, Peter
Peter Lipkewich of Lamont, AB passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at the age of 79 years. He was born on June 16, 1945, to Jim and Eva Lipkewich of Lamont.
Peter is remembered by his wife, Diane; daughter, Arlene of Edmonton; son, Mike (Mandy) Lipkewich; granddaughters, Mikayla and Mya of Lamont; and brother, Mike Lipkewich of Kamloops, BC. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Walter, Ray and John.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and nursing staff at the University of Alberta Hospital for their compassionate care.
A private celebration with immediate family will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the University Hospital Foundation, https://givetouhf.ca. Photos, memories, and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com.
Park Memorial Lamont 780-895-2157
Family-Owned Funeral Home And Crematorium
SPRING AUCTION?
Realignment
6th
May 9th to 12th
Larry & Leanne Walton Real Estate & Farm May 9th to 13th
Lamont County Councillor Neil Woitas ponders while Reeve David Diduck talks to him during the Coffee with a Councillor event in Bruderheim on Jan. 30.
8 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Between the Boards U18 wraps up regular season
BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG
Wild had another busy weekend. Teams were wrapping up regular season and beginning to prepare for the playoffs.
U18 Wild played backto-back games against Edson Sabers over the weekend. Their first game ended in an 8-4 loss. Goals were scored by Will Furey had 2g and 1a, Gage Brenton 1g, Kayden Winslow 1g, Matthew Iverson 1a, Xavier Storr 1a, and Kyran Belcourt with 1a. Wild’s second game against the Sabers was a 4-4 tie. Points were netted by Kayden Winslow 2g and 1a, Will Furey 2g, Ashton Strickland 1a and Gage Brenton 1a.
U13 Wild
played back-to-back games against Slave Lake. First game ended in a 7-0 loss to Slave Lake. The second, early morning game was a 2-1 win. Goals were netted by Mary Sobkow 1g, Sawyer Hanson 1g and Desiree Storr 1a.
U11 Wild does not play again until February 22nd.
This week’s player
“Shout Out” goes out to a trio of local brothers from Bruderheim; Emerson Hauch, Austyne Morgan and Declan Morgan. All three brothers are skilled players and have played hockey in Bruderheim, Lamont and Fort Saskatchewan. Emerson has played on numerous local teams over the years. He is currently with the Fort Saskatchewan Hawks. Austyne is a first year with the Fort Saskatchewan
L-R Bruderheim brothers, Austyne, Declan and Emerson, all share a deep love of hockey.
U15 AAA Rangers. Declan is team captain with the U13 AA Rangers. Tune in next week for more exciting minor hockey action and the beginning of playoffs!
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Anke Schroeder, market manager for the Lamont Farmer’s Market, spoke to the Town of Lamont council members at their Feb. 11 council meeting asking for more support for the market from the Town.
Schroeder, who has been managing the market since 2023, said she would like the Town council to provide signage in the way of a large permanent road sign as well as sandwich boards that the Town would put out every week.
Schroeder said she has an assistant manager now, who has gone through the Farmer’s Market training, but she still needs help.
“I love to do this. It's not a problem. But just to do it with being a one person fighting for this, is very frustrating sometimes. So I really would like to see more people
doing something for it,” she said.
“It would be nice for me to get some appreciation once in a while (too).”
Schroeder also asked for more tables to be made available for vendors as well as councillors to attend markets.
“I also think that the officials, whoever one of them, someone from Council, should be there at these markets, especially in the beginning (of the season) or at some special markets,” she said.
Councillor Linda Sieker said Shroeder is
appreciated.
“The Town of Lamont does appreciate your efforts. It’s great to have a farmer’s market in town,” she said.
Lamont Chief Administrative Officer Tyler Edworthy said he would work with Schroeder on the items she brought forward and bring back any cost implications to the council.
Lamont Farmer’s Market runs once monthly until May when it will run weekly until Sept. in the Lamont meeting room at the arena.
25023TG1
Landowner looking for reduction on $83,000 fire bill
BY JANA SEMENIUK
A Lamont County landowner is asking Lamont County Council for a reduction on a $83,000 fire bill received when his brush piles reignited in 2023 after being extinguished twice.
Ben Friesen spoke at the Feb. 11 County council meeting and said he was burning four small brush piles without a permit in mid March 2023 when a month later, on April 13, they reignited.
Friesen’s property is a quarter and a half on range road 161 and township 560.
“I had no experience,” admitted Friesen. “I never thought that there would be anything like that a month after.”
Friesen said he was confused as to why the LCES official did not check the brush piles for hot spots to prevent another fire when he was there April 13. Lamont
Friesen said a Lamont County Emergency Services (LCES) official came out at that time, but the fire burned itself out. He said he was advised to get a permit, but was told the deadline is March 31 when he tried to get one at the county office. Then two weeks later, on April 28, the brush piles again reignited, but this time raged out of control, requiring both a helicopter and assistance from the County of Two Hills in addition to LCES.
County Reeve David Diduck said it was a question he couldn’t answer.
“The fire was somewhat complicated in that there was no fire permit taken out. I know that we do have a policy that if a fire permit is taken out, that the fires are monitored to ensure that the fire is out. So why there wasn't a follow up? I don't have an answer for you,” said Diduck.
Friesen said he also didn’t understand why the bill for the fire was sent to him a year later.
Date stamps on invoices for the County of Two Hills show they were received by Lamont County Finance Department on Aug. 25, 2023 though the invoice for the helicopter was not date stamped.
Councillor Roy Anaka clarified for council an additional charge of 10 percent for third party costs.
“If you look on the bill for the helicopters, you'll see plus 10 percent. I didn't know what that was, so I talked to our emergency services chief, and it's right in our fees and charges schedule any third-party costs, we add on 10 percent,” he said. According to the invoice, this charge added $884 to Friesen’s bill.
Freisen wants the $83,000 bill reduced to $10,000 plus third-party bills (total of $26,000) and wants the 10 percent third party charge removed.
Councillor Aaron Wick said he had questions about the way the “events unfolded (and) things we weren’t told about”.
Friesen’s request was accepted as information with direction to administration to prepare a request for decision to bring back to council so a decision can be made.
Larocque to leave Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment
BY JOHN MATHER Detachment
Commander Barry Larocque will be leaving the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment at the end of the month to assume new duties as the head of the Strathcona RCMP Detachment in Sherwood Park.
This announcement was made in a letter received by Bruderheim Council during their regular Feb. 5 meeting.
“On Wednesday, it was formally announced that I will be promoted to the rank of Superintendent and will become the Officer in Charge of Strathcona Detachment,”
Larocque wrote. He added he would be in the Fort for a month and all town hall meetings scheduled would be completed before he left for his new duties.
He added he had not been informed of who might replace him as the head of the Fort Saskatchewan Detachment, which covers a good portion of Lamont County, including Bruderheim, Lamont and Chipman.
Councillor Ashley Carter made a motion to accept the letter as information.
Both she and Councillor Dayna Jacobs
said Larocque would be missed.
“He really worked hard and built a strong presence in our commu-
nity,” said Jacobs. “And whoever replaces him will have big shoes to fill.”
County of Lamont Food Bank AGM
The AGM will be held WEDNESDAY MARCH 19, 2025 Lamont Lions Den @ 6:00 p.m. Followed by regular board meeting. Everyone welcome to attend AGM.
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
Ben Friesen
Lamont County Reeve David Diduck brings greetings to participants prior to the start of the annual Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival at the Ukrainian Heritage Village, Feb. 8. Lamont County assisted festival organizers by supplying grades to plow the parking areas prior to the start of the festival.
Road namings in store for Chipman and Lamont County
BY JANA SEMENIUK
The County of Lamont and the Village of Chipman will both see a section of their roads renamed after local families whose histories date back more than 100 years.
In the case of Chipman, Chief Administrative Officer Pat Tomkow will be putting a Village policy to use for the first time since its inception 10 years ago.
The matter was discussed at the Village’s Feb. 10 council meeting.
“We have a policy I found on our books. If a Chipman resident celebrates a 100th birthday, they get a street named
after them,” she said. “(It was passed) two council terms back, around 2015 (and) this is the first time (it’s been used).”
On Jan. 12, lifetime Chipman resident Nancy Letawsky celebrated her 100th birthday with cake at an open house, albeit at the long-term care cen-
tre in Lamont. Letawsky is recovering from a broken hip after a recent fall at her home in the village.
Tomkow said details on a possible ceremony to commemorate the event have not yet been decided.
Meanwhile, the County of Lamont approved an application at their Feb. 11 County council meeting to rename range road 200, from highway 29 to highway 45, as Lopushinsky Road.
According to a letter submitted with the application, the Lopushinsky family first planted roots in the
county in 1898 when Matthew and Katherina Lopushinsky immigrated from Poland and purchased their plot of land for $10.
The application to rename the road was submitted by the couple’s great-great grand children Emily Tysiakiewicz and Ainsley Lopushinsky.
Additionally, the family was awarded the “Alberta Century Farm and Ranch Award for 100 years” in 2005 and their homestead featured in a 2015 Japan docu-series.
In spring of 2024, ownership of the land was passed on to Dean Lopushinsky, great
Lamont County to hold public meeting for fire billing
BY JANA SEMENIUK
Lamont County will hold a public meeting on Mar. 4 to address the issue of fire billing in the county and explain the new Regional Fire Services Bylaw.
The bylaw has gone through two readings so far and needs a third reading before it’s passed.
During the Jan. 28 county council meeting, Lamont County regional fire chief Bo Moore explained that changes to the new fire services
bylaw include that the county will have the ability to bill the landowner for fire services. He also said that, depending on where the landowner lives, there may be a cap on that bill of $10,000.
“The discussion is that we wanted to put a cap on fire charges. If Lamont County has extinguished a fire within Lamont County for preserving life, property, or the environment, (then) the fire chief (will charge) costs incurred by the fire department up to
a maximum of $10,000,” he said, adding that if the fire chief determines any of several conditions, including that the fire started without a permit being issued or there was a failure to comply with the condition of any permit issued, then the land owner will be liable for all costs.
Moore said that four of the five municipalities within Lamont County have signed onto the bylaw, with the Village of Chipman the only one who hasn’t. Chipman
Deputy mayor Shana McIntyre said the council wanted to wait until the county made a decision on the $10,000 cap before they signed anything.
Several county residents have been billed exorbitant amounts for fire billing over the past few years, including one fire bill for $83,000.
The non-statuatory public meeting will be held from 6 p.m to 8 p.m at the Lamont Recreation Centre on March 4.
Lamont Elementary Second Annual cereal push a big win for food bank
BY JANA SEMENIUK
For the second year in a row Lamont Elementary has collected dozens of full boxes of cereal for one big send off on Feb. 5 before donating them to the County of Lamont Food Bank; the ultimate domino push.
It took nearly half an hour for teachers and students to set them up; perfectly lining 501 full boxes of cereal in a row, snaking through the school hallways before ending with a large formation in the gymnasium.
Principal Marlis Marler, who is new to Lamont Elementary this year, said she’s amazed at the partnership between the school and the food bank.
“It’s a unique type of fundraiser. The families
are so supportive of the community and the events. The food bank has been a monthly (recipient), for early dismissal days, (toonies for Lamont where) students bring in a donation to wear their hat, and all of that money goes towards the food bank,” she said.
“Then at Christmas, we did a big toy drive for the food bank as well and now we've got the cereal drive. it's really exciting.”
Approximately 300 students gathered in the gymnasium to watch the big event, which began with the initial push, in the hallway, announced by a staff member.
Kids cheered and clapped while the boxes pushed over one another until the line made its way into the gym for the big finale formation at
the end.
County of Lamont Food Bank Board Chair
Jody Zachoda was very pleased with the event and said they collected the same number of boxes this year as they did last year.
“I feel that things went swimmingly. It’s very exciting,” she said. “All the kids are really into it and there’s a little bit of competition so the winning class will get ice cream floats next week.”
Zachoda said there will be prizes for second and third classes who collected the most cereal as well. Additionally, Zachoda said the food bank will benefit from the cereal drive for a long time.
“There’s probably about five months worth of cereal for the food bank, so we won't have to shop for cereal for at least five months, which is wonderful,” she said.
grandson of Matthew.
Lamonty County Reeve David Diduck praised Tysiakiewicz and Lopushinsky’s efforts in their application.
“I do want to commend Emily and Ainsley. I think this is an excellent
presentation that they put together here in support of having this road renamed after the Lopushinsky’s,” he said. The motion to approve the renaming was passed unanimously.
Nancy Letawsky turned 100 on Jan. 12
Matthew and Katherine Lopushinsky immigrated from Poland in 1898.
Grade six students at Lamont Elementary pose at the end of a long line of 501 cereal boxes for the school's second annual Cereal Push on Feb. 5. L-R: Mary Sobkow, Christian McLeod, Zavier Amos, Axel Pullishy, Zoe Kilsdonk,Quinn Dickinson, and in the middle front is Kayden King. Photo: Jana Semeniuk
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
COMING EVENTS
Book Reading by Author Colette Howery Runing With The Angels Friday, February 21 1 to 4 p.m. at the Viking Seniors Centre 5024-53 Ave
Please Join us for a Book Reading Hosted by the Centre Book Club Books will be Available for Purchase and Signing
Followed by Coffee and Snacks
Round Hill District Ag Society is hosting a hall expansion fundraiser Saturday, February 22 @ the Round Hill Community Centre. Supper @ 6:00 pm, followed by live entertainment as well as live and silent auctions. Limited tickets at the door. For advanced tickets call Dianna 780-6080215
FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2025 AUCTION PROGRAM: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609, Email Us at sales@switzersauction.com or Visit Us @ www.switzersauction.com for Auction Dates & Details.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Viking United Church March 4 from 5-7 pm $ donation Everyone Welcome
The Viking Senior Center Open Mic Music Jam Sunday, February 23 at 1:00 pm. Everyone Welcome!
FOR SALE
Two-Horse Drawn Cutter. 2 Seater. phone 780-914-7861
Here are the prices for Strawberry Plants at Brian’s Greenhouse for 2025. All are Everlasting and are chemical free. $2 for 1 gallon pots. $1.75 for 2 inch pots. Bare roots $1 each. Contact 780-678-0053
BUILDINGS FOR SALE
INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and more, sales@integritybuilt.com 1-866-9747678 www.integritybuilt.com. 07p
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.
MEMORIAL
Joe Walisser
November 15, 1959February 20, 2024
In Loving Memory of a Wondeful Husband, Father, and Grandpa Love, Connie and Ashley
HELP WANTED
Sedgewick Lake Park is seeking applications for Park Manager for the 2025 season. May 1 to Sept. 30. Duties include guest registration, weekly deposits, maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, buildings and equipment, as well as supervision of summer students. Salary based on $6,000 per month. Resume to be submitted to sedgewicklakepark@gmail.com, or mailed to PO Box 536 Sedgewick, AB T0B 4C0. Deadline for applications is March 15, 2025. For further information, please email sedgewicklakepark@gmail.com 06/09c
JP’s Country Daycare in Daysland is hiring for part time, ECE workers. We are a busy and growing daycare with a positive work environment. Email resume's to jpcountrydaycare@gmail.com
06/09
Part time support/ respite worker for adult male in wheelchair. Home is in the Round Hill area. Valid drivers license, will train, wages to be discussed. Send resume to: broblin.br@gmail.com or text 604-7933756.
SOUTHERN ALBERTA NEWSPAPER GROUP is looking for Mailroom evening staff. Lots of room for advancement within the company. Email rturner@abnewsgroup.com for more information.
SERVICES
Metal Installations
Siding, roofing, soffit & fascia. Booking Now, Par-alta 780-485-7175
Painting
Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting. Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749
Did you know: cleaning your dryer vent regularly improves efficiency, prevents clogs and reduces the risk of fire. Call 587-874-7265 to book your flat rate vent cleaning today.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
Drywall Taping/Ceiling Texturing
40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small. Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself?Give me a call!
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Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251
Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097
06p
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.
Sleds
Continued from front
Jacobs added he insures all his machines and he loves to ride them around Bruderheim where it is legal to ride snowmobiles in town.
Jacobs said he doesn’t go and ride in the mountains but prefers to take his machines to vintage shows around the area.
And apparently there are quite a few.
“Vermillion has one, Vegreville has one …” he said. “Myrnam has one and Lac La Biche has one coming up at the end of the month.
“And this weekend alone there was a show in Alberta Beach on Saturday, Myrnam on Sunday and here is Fort Saskatchewan on Family ∂ay.”
He said he didn’t go to Alberta Beach this year. “They do it right on the lake and if it suddenly warms up they shut it all down because the lake gets flooded.
“But I do the Myrnam one because it’s not too far away.”
Feds ad spending with US companies embarrassing
Continued from Page 4
Here’s a case in point: Recently, Totum Research conducted an online survey on behalf of News Media Canada, which found that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of Canadians trust advertising in newspapers and news websites, while just 28 per cent trust ads they see on Facebook and Instagram. When it comes to their preferred medium to receive information about federal programs, more than half (58 per cent) of respondents cited newspapers or news websites, while only 17 per cent chose Facebook or Instagram. The feds need to instruct their agencies to get their advertising acts together. For inspiration, they should look to Ontario Premier Doug
Jacobs has been showing his machines at vintage meets for the past 15 years.
He said his kids have grown up but show no interest in going with dad to show off his collection.
“Only my one sons is interested but he’s not that interested,” he said. “And my wife is not a winter person. She hibernates.”
Jacobs
Jacobs said he does his own maintenance, but said parts are fairly easily obtained even for some of the oldest machines.
He is part of the Alberta Relic Riders and said they have a network that collects old sleds and help each other out when it comes to getting rare parts.
“Someone also seems to have the part you need or they know where you can get it,” he said.
“It’s easy to get parts.”
He said he is going to start downsizing his collection soon, but will continue going to the vintage snowmobile shows, “because I love it so much.”
Ford, who came up with a simple, common-sense solution that doesn’t cost Ontario taxpayers one extra cent. His government and its Crown corporations — like the LCBO, OLG, the Ontario Cannabis Store and Metrolinx — are now spending 25 per cent of their ad budgets on local publications. This supports a local Canadian industry that is losing ad dollars to American tech giants.
Local community newspaper publishers like me want the federal government to adopt Ford’s common-sense approach. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, along with Liberal leadership hopefuls Mark Carney, Karina Gould and Chrystia Freeland should pledge to resume the federal ban on advertising with Meta. If their campaigns want to use Meta, that’s their business, but no Canadian taxpayer dollars should be flowing to
FEATURED PROPERTIES
TOWN OF LAMONT
He did add that some of the older machines have wheel packages which allow them to be run year around. But newer 70s and 80s machines need snow to lubricate the bogie packages which drive the sleds.
“The real early ones with bogie wheels could be ridden all summer with the wheel package on the front. Hunters often used them when they went hunting in the fall.”
He said the newer technology in snowmobiles makes winter use only and “you need a lot of snow for the newer machines.”
He said with longer paddles the machines need the deeper snow to move.
the company.
Donald Trump’s tariff threats and his rants about annexing Canada are probably the biggest contributors to Canadian pride since the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup way back in 1993. Like most patriotic folks I know, when I’m at the grocery store, I’m now double-checking labels to make sure my beef is from Alberta and my apples are from British Columbia. And I’m buying Ontario and B.C. wine, too.
Likewise, our federal government has to get in sync with Canadians when it comes to its advertising spend. Come on, Canada: let’s support the home team — and would an all-Canadian Stanley Cup final between Toronto and Edmonton or Winnipeg be too much to ask for?
Postmedia Network
Lisa Sygutek is the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Assoc. President and is owner and publisher of the Crowsnest Pass Herald.
• 4712 51 St Lamont 5,800 sq ft shop with office and sales space. Shop was used for agricultural machinery repair. Price: $450,000
LAMONT COUNTY
• W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use. Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price: $2,990,00
• HWY 834 between HWY 16 and TWP RD 530 Lamont County 19.48 acres with power and a holding tank. Nice building site. Price: $215,000.00
VILLAGE OF ANDREW
• 5317-50 Ave Andrew. An 18,000 sq. ft. manufacturing shop with office and storage space on 2.3 acres of land Price: $1,700,000
VILLAGE OF CHIPMAN
• W4-18-54-29-NE N 54466 A RR184 Village of Chipman 38.75 acres 25± acres in hay. Double car garage, power, septic, and well nice building site. Price: $289,900
STRATHCONA COUNTY
• SW Part of NW–23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property. Price: $7,200,000
• Parts of SW and SE-7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price: $5,100,000
THORHILD COUNTY
• NW 1/4 -14-58-22-W4 and NE ¼ -14-58-22-W4 Plan 172-0793 Block
3 Lot 222 acres game farm with page wire 100 acres could be cultivated. 4 mile North of Redwater. Good HWY 28 access. Price: $690,000
John
- The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman
(VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming for full posters, dates, contact information & locations; or call 780-895-2233 for info./registration). Current CALC, FCSS & KFRN and seniors’ activities include:
1. FCSS: Youth Centres in Bruderheim (Tuesdays), Chipman (Mondays), and Mundare
2. FCSS: Parents and Tots: Andrew, Bruderheim (temporarily closed until further notice), Lamont and Mundare.
3. FCSS: Family Activity Night - in Andrew on Feb. 22 No registration required. 4. FCSS: Healthy Nutrition Seminar - Seniors - Feb. 27 (Mundare).
5. FCSS: Matinee Movie (with Town of Mundare) – March 2. 6. FCSS: Fitness Fun for Older Adults (Mundare Sr. Citizens Club).
7. FCSS: Volunteer Income Tax Program – Contact FCSS at 780-895-2233 x226 (assistance for low income, single parent, seniors and tax troubles/questions).
8. CALC: My Journey…Who Am I? | English Language Learning | Kitchens Programs | Digital Skills for Seniors
9. Meals In Motion: contract Chrissy at 780-975-9592 to order for FEBRUARY (see full menu at lamontcounty.ca/community-programming).
10. Seniors’ Coffee: (Wed.) 10-11 a.m. at Andrew Lions Club, & (Thurs.) 10-11 a.m. at Mundare Sr. Centre. Join FCSS for coffee, conversation, snacks, & assistance with senior-related forms/programming. FCSS also offers Seniors Supports from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Mundare (Thurs.). Seniors Coffee is also held in St. Michael at the Community Centre (Thurs.) from 10 a.m. to noon.
11. Seniors Bus Trips: Monthly day trips to local malls; $15 per trip. Departs at 9 a.m. from Lamont Rec. Centre on Mar. 17, Apil 21, May 18 & June 23.
spot with Helen at 780-895-7539.
Also check out the Lamont County Events Calendar for local community events, public meetings and other important dates (lamontcounty.ca/eventscalendar).
To access current monthly services & programs information, scan the QR code or for FCSS, CALC & KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages.
Other Items of Interest
Zhoda Community Centre – Annual General Meeting – Wed. Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. (Zhoda Hall - 155045 TWP 552) – everyone is welcome! Edmonton & Area Land Trust – Get Involved in Conservation. Online volunteer info. session Feb. 26 at 12 p.m. Conservation land in Lamont County inc. the Smith Blackburn Homestead (close to Elk Island Nat. Park): tinyurl.com/26n3ffcz
NOTICE of Public Meeting – on the Fire Billing Charges as stated in Bylaw 880.24 (Regional Fire Services Bylaw): March 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Lamont Rec. Centre (more details at: tinyurl.com/277osp6r).
WE’RE HIRING: Seasonal positions, Planning & Development Officer and Agricultural Operator – visit lamontcounty.ca/careers for more details and to apply.
SOUNDBYTES: The FALL 2024 Community Newsletter is now in the mail (after delays due to the Canada Post strike). If you have not received your copy, access it online. Sign up for future editions on that page as well: lamontcounty.ca/newsletter
PROCESSED WATER UPDATE: Request for Proposal for Engineering Services (Owner's Responsibility)-River Intake (Phase 1) And Water Supply Pipeline (Phase 2) | (lamontcounty.ca/news). This is part of the preparatory work related to application for processed water intake. Updates related to processed water are posted at lamontcountynow.ca/about-us/area-profile/ planning. Of note: we are still in the planning phases as Lamont County seeks its water license. A conceptual report was completed by Alberta’s Industrial Heartland; however, Lamont County will complete a full engineering assessment and public consultation once the preliminary license certificate is received. All approvals and funding are subject to committed industry and require approval by Council.
Did You KNOW? ...
Have you ever wondered why staff refer to Proponent A, B or C when recommending purchase of capital equipment or other bids?
The aim of Lamont County Council’s Procurement Policy 7000.24 is for consistent and fair purchasing practices to make sure Lamont County gets the most efficient and best product for the best price. This requires that Administration pursue a competitive quotation process, and this process is protected to not disclose competitive bids from different bidders/providers. This is why it is done in closed session – to protect the bidder and ensure confidentiality.
The content of the bid is transparent to the community as presented in Council meetings. Learn more at lamontcounty.ca/faqs
Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting – Mar. 12 | Next Regular Council Meeting – Feb. 25
The public is welcome to attend any scheduled meeting in person (Lamont County Admin. Bldg. or virtually).
The next scheduled ASB meeting is Wednesday, March 12, starting at 9:00 a.m. Minutes/Agendas/ Meeting Link: lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb.
The next Regular Council Meeting is planned for Tuesday, February 25, starting at 9:00 a.m. Meeting Link/ Minutes/Agendas: lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes.
Please Note – inFocus is also available for viewing online at: lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weekly submission as full-sized PDF and to access hyperlinks). availableforviewingonlineat:
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