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Vol. 19, No. 6, Thursday, January 4, 2024 www.LamontLeader.com

Senior evicted from Beaverhill Lodge before Christmas CAO Bharmal denies rationing, budget problems that resident claimed on social media BY JANA SEMENIUK Chief Administrative Officer for the Lamont County Housing Foundation, Shahad Bharmal, defended his decision to evict former Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge resident Sue Robinson, on Dec. 7 because ‘she did not want to apologize for the incorrect information that she put on social media,’ he said by email. Robinson, 65, posted a scathing review Dec. 5 of the lodge on the Lamont County Housing Foundation social media page critical of the management, food rationing, and what she claims was dishonest advertising around in-house food preparation and fresh baking. Robinson moved into Beaverhill Lodge in May. “Have to get rid of the manager and the dietary supervisor. Only 95% of the food is not homemade. They buy premade food that is full of salt and preservatives. The food has been rationed. Some days the kitchen runs out of food ’cause the dietary supervisor doesn’t order enough food,” said the social media post. “We are just about full of residents. The lodge is broke (money). In the picture below it says that it is tasteful and prepared in house and fresh baking. None of that is true.” Robinson included a screen shot of the lodge’s website containing details around the Beaverhill lodge’s meal descriptions. Robinson said she was called into a meeting two days later with her daughter-in-law Jennifer, CAO Bharmal and lodge manager Kim Desouza. Jennifer said her mother-inlaw was accused of slander and defamation of character. Robinson was asked to make a public apology on social media. She refused, attained a lawyer is now in the process of legal action. Robinson moved out of Beaverhill Lodge Dec. 18.

also get a Robinson banana as a said the dessert, and d r a m a on Sundays began in we are early Oct. allowed with a two strips change in of bacon lodge manwith breakagement fast. If there and the is any left addition of over at the a dietary end, we can supervisor. h a v e Robinson more.” noticed a Robinson decline in said she her own approached health with managean increase ment in in painful gout symp- Sue Robinson, 65, sits in her daughter-in-law's addition to toms. She kitchen in Warburg, Dec. 29, holding her eviction four differnotice from Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge in Lamont. ent board asked to see Robinson posted a negative review of the lodge on members the labels their social media page on Dec. 5 and was given verthe on the food bal notice of her eviction on Dec. 7. Photo: Jana Semeniuk with issue and in the was igkitchen and nored. She said she was told by the was surprised by what she saw. “It’s all pre-packaged food. Pre- dietary supervisor the budget was made full of sodium and preserva- tight and they couldn’t afford certain tives,” she said, adding her original foods. A photo shared with the Lamont application outlined her dietary needs Leader showed a printed sign posted in the lodge that read, ‘Chocolate milk in detail with a limit on sodium. Robinson said she was taking two and buttermilk will be served on gout pills a day to cope with her Fridays only, as it’s considered a spepainful symptoms and could only eat cialty item/treat. Due to changes in the boiled eggs, or toast with peanut butter budget we were able to keep this treat.’ As a result of Robinson’s eviction, and jam. Robinson said she was also becoming concerned with the rationing other residents at the lodge said they are afraid to raise concerns because of food at the Lodge. “When (the dietary supervisor) they have nowhere to go if they are came in, she took away naval oranges, also evicted. Another resident, who grapefruit, and the butter,” said would only speak anonymously, said Robinson, adding that dinners often that she agreed with Robinson. “We seem to be getting a lot of preinclude hotdogs, or soup and sandmade stuff. In their brochure, they wiches. “A lot of people complained about advertise three meals a day, two treats the butter so she brought it back. We and home baking. There is no home

baking here at all,” said the resident, adding that the kitchen runs out of food sometimes. “(They make more) but what I don’t understand is why are you running out in the first place? You know how many people you are feeding.” The resident said a meeting was called in Oct. with the dietary supervisor and a few of the residents to talk about the food concerns. “All we got told is that they're broke. They're running out of money. The kitchen is already running into next year's budget, because they don't have any money left and they have to cut corners somewhere,” said the resident. “I understand food costs have gone up but we pay pretty good money to be here. And I think we should get better food. We don't get enough fruits and vegetables.” CAO Bharmal disagreed: “Food is not rationed. We are trying to curb wastage and monitor food usage,” he said by email. “The new kitchen supervisor, Mrs. Laurie Golish, monitored food wastage and started making changes. Laurie has more than 20 years of experience in kitchen management and is a great advocate of good food and healthy eating for seniors. We have more than 50 residents and we need to provide everyone the first round of food in a timely manner before they can come for the seconds. No one is denied a second helping of food. We also have an alternate meal if a resident does not want to eat the meal prepared for all.” Bharmal added that the lodge is not experiencing any problems with their budget. “Lamont County Housing Foundation is not broke. Continued on Page 14

2 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

Recall petition for County Reeve’s dismissal fails BY JOHN MATHER In the end it was much ado about nothing. A petition initiated by a Lamont County resident to have Division 3 councillor and County Reeve David Diduck removed from office was dismissed officially. At their regular Dec. 12 council meeting, councillors received a letter written by Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky to Municipal Affairs Minister Rick McIvor stating he had not received a petition with any names on it following the 60-day recall petition signature period. “As such, in accordance with Section 240.9,

(of the Municipal Government Act) I hereby make a declaration of insufficiency related to the subject Notice of Recall Petition. My declaration of insufficiency will also be published on the County’s website.” Tarnawsky wrote in his letter. A copy of his letter was also sent to the originator of the petition, Theo Wallace, and the Reeve. When he originally filed his petition in early October, Wallace told the Leader he had teamed up with several people to gather the approximately 274 required signatures. He said resentment had been building for him since he first moved to

Two Hills Sgt. Henry delays retirement plans BY JANA SEMENIUK Retirement plans announced in Nov. for Two Hills detachment Sgt. David Henry have been put on hold. Henry said he will delay his retirement in light of the recent death of new Two Hills corporal Amy Lahoda on Dec. 9. “It has very much to do with gathering the troops and providing leadership to the team due to the recent loss,”

he said in a Dec. 30 interview. “I will be putting my retirement on hold until further notice.” Henry, 53, came to the detachment in July and announced his retirement in Nov. with his last day of work scheduled for Dec. 31. The late Corporal Amy Lahoda, 38, joined the Two Hills detachment Oct. 22 and took her own life on Dec. 9. Lahoda joined the RCMP in 2009.

Council asked for support for Mundare preschool BY JOHN MATHER A pair of Mundare residents wrote to council Dec. 12 to seek support to open a preschool in town. “We are looking to obtain support form the Town of Mundare to start a preschool in our community,” wrote Joni and Anna Fejzo in a letter to council. “We are looking to obtain funding from the Town of Mundare to open the preschool in the hub at Victory Park.” While they praised the Mundare School they pointed out it didn’t have a preschool available for children aged two to six.

“We can appreciate the frustration amongst parents in our community who cannot find any available spaces for child care and rely on this essential service,” they said. “We would like to take steps to address both immediate and long term needs of our community.” The pair added they have recently moved to Mundare but have experience in owning a dayhome and are Early Childhood Educators. Council received the letter as information and will discuss it further at a future date.

the county 14 years ago beginning prior to Diduck’s election, when unmaintained roads caused just under $2,000 in damage to his vehicle. He said his complaints to the county went unheard and pushed aside for more than two years. “They pushed us off for two years. The runaround took two years (then) the claim (expired),” he said. “It was just unacceptable. When you bring in a company that’s supposed to maintain the roads they should look after what damages were done.” Wallace said he had joined the Chipman Fire

department where he ran into more problems with the county ranging from headbutting over attempted forced COVID vaccination to issues with fire trucks that reduced their ability to effectively fight fires. “They (the county) dismantled a Fast Attack (fire truck) that was designed for going out and doing grassfires and bushfires. Now it can go (faster) on the road but can no longer go into the bush,” he said. “They say that we’ve got to fight fires from the road. So, they’re charging ratepayers for them to sit on the road for the fire to come to them. Now, how often

does the fire decide to tact him. Several councillors and come to where the firefighters are? You have to administration defended the job Reeve Diduck has go to the fire to fight it.” Wallace said he was been doing and felt from eventually forced out of the beginning that the claims were unfounded. the fire department. Wallace added he had also witnessed bullying by the c o u n t y administration and finally ‘had enough’. Following the insufficiency letter, Wallace has been unavailable after Reeve David Diduck retains his position, as a recall petition requiring attempts ratepayer support was not submitted by the and an attempt to have him disLeader to con- missed has failed.

Dear Residents of Lamont, In response to the recent anonymous insert ƌĞŐĂƌĚŝŶŐ ƵƟůŝƚǇ ƌĂƚĞƐ͕ ƚŚĞ dŽǁŶ ŽĨ >ĂŵŽŶƚ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ĂƐƐƵƌĞ ŽƵƌ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ƚŚĂƚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ŝƐ ĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚ ƚŽ ƌĞǀŝĞǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ ǁĂƚĞƌ ĨĞĞ ƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ƚŽ ďĞƩĞƌ ĐĂƉƚƵƌĞ ƚŚĞ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂůͬĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ĐŽŶƐƵŵƉƟŽŶ͘ tĞ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŶĐĞƌŶƐ ƌĂŝƐĞĚ ĂďŽƵƚ ŽƵƌ ǁĂƚĞƌ ƌĂƚĞƐ ďĞŝŶŐ ŚŝŐŚĞƌ ǁŚĞŶ ĐŽŵƉĂƌĞĚ ƚŽ ŽƚŚĞƌ ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ͘ ,ŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ǁĞ ǁŽƵůĚ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ƐŽŵĞ ŵĂƚŚĞŵĂƟĐĂů ĞƌƌŽƌƐ ŝĚĞŶƟĮĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŶƐĞƌƚ ĂŶĚ ŚĂǀĞ ĐŽƌƌĞĐƚĞĚ ƚŚĞŵ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĂĐƚƵĂů ƌĂƚĞƐ͘ Ɛ ǁĞůů͕ ƚŽ ĨĂĐŝůŝƚĂƚĞ Ă ĨĂŝƌ ĐŽŵƉĂƌŝƐŽŶ ĂŵŽŶŐ ŵƵŶŝĐŝƉĂůŝƟĞƐ͕ ǁĞ ŚĂǀĞ ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚŝǌĞĚ ƚŚĞ >ĂŵŽŶƚ ƌĂƚĞ ƵƐŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŵŝŶŝŵƵŵ ĐŽŶƐƵŵƉƟŽŶ ŽĨ ϲ͘ϴ ĐƵďŝĐ ŵĞƚĞƌƐ ƉĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚ ŽĨ ǁĂƚĞƌ ŝŶ Ă ƐĞĐŽŶĚ ĐŽŵƉĂƌŝƐŽŶ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĮŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĂĚũƵƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŽƵƚůŝŶĞĚ ďĞůŽǁ͘ From Anonymous Insert Town Lamont Bruderheim

House Size 1 BDRM 3 BDRM

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tĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ŽƉĞŶ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ǁĞ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ƚŽ ƐŚĂƌĞ ƚŚĞŝƌ ƚŚŽƵŐŚƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĨĞĞĚďĂĐŬ ŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ ŵĂƩĞƌ ďǇ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ dŽǁŶ KĸĐĞ Ăƚ ϳϴϬ-ϴϵϱ-ϮϬϭϬ Žƌ ĞŵĂŝůŝŶŐ ŐĞŶĞƌĂůΛůĂŵŽŶƚ͘ĐĂ͘ zŽƵƌ ŝŶƉƵƚ ŝƐ ĞƐƐĞŶƟĂů ĂƐ ǁĞ ŝŶǀĞƐƟŐĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ Ă ǁĂƚĞƌ ĨĞĞ ƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ďĞƩĞƌ ƌĞŇĞĐƚƐ ƚŚĞ ĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟĂůͬĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂů ĐŽŶƐƵŵƉƟŽŶ͘ dŚĂŶŬ ǇŽƵ ĨŽ Žƌ ǇŽƵƌ ƵŶĚĞƌƐƚĂŶĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶ͘ ^ŝŶĐĞƌĞůǇ͕ <ŝƌŬ WĞƌƌŝŶ Mayor, dŽǁŶ ŽĨ >ĂŵŽŶƚ

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 3

County agrees to truck purchases but wants to review all capital purchases BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County Council, after debate, approved the purchase of two new Ford F550 trucks including one equipped with a snowplow for $231,514.50 at its Dec. 12 council meeting. Darby Dietz, director of Public Works told council four bids had been received for the purchase. One offered to supply gasoline powered vehicles only, while a second bid offered diesel only models. Prior to making the decision, at the end of the budget discussions, Councillor Neil Woitas had suggested a motion that all equipment purchases for 2024 be brought back to council for review. He said there was equipment that the County now had which wasn’t useful. “We have to be more involved in how we spend the ratepayers

money,” stated Woitas. He said there was a trailer that wasn’t safe enough to drive a track hoe on to it. “We’re stuck with this for $42,000 and it’s only a single cylinder trailer and it's too steep to load a track hoe. It’s dangerous.” He said the County was getting stuck with some bad purchases. Reeve David Diduck said when it comes to equipment he didn’t have the knowledge to determine what was good, bad or other. “I think that’s why we have people in public works to look at those things,” he said. “A lot of the tenders come back to us anyways.” Woitas stated he felt most of council had a pretty good understanding for equipment and since it was ratepayers money council should be involved in purchase discussions. “I think we have time for the capital equipment

purchases to come back to council,” added Woitas. Councillor Daniel Warawa and Roy Anaka both felt purchases could come back to council for review. Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky told council they could make a motion to this effect if they liked. Public Works Director Darby Dietz said a committee of his staff worked together in preparing tender packages for equipment purchases. Woitas added he had owned and purchased a lot of equipment in his life and had a good understanding of it and

he didn’t want to see the County getting stuck with unsuitable equipment. He made a motion that all 2024 capital equipment purchases be brought before council prior to being purchased. Anaka asked if the County had had success with a certain manufacturer's equipment, but a tender for their equipment came in higher, how did the County assess the difference in values and weight them. Tarnawsky said the truck tender package illustrated this showing the criteria used for evaluating the tenders bids. “It’s also not unusual to use previous experi-

ence with certain manufacturers also,” he added. Dietz added prior maintenance history and availability of parts factored into the decision making process. Woitas’ motion was then carried. Diduck also asked administration to bring back the procurement policy to council so it could be amended to reflect Wiotas’ motion. When they moved on the tender for the two two-ton trucks Dietz said administration had ranked the bids on four criteria including cost of the vehicles as specified, warranty and guarantee services, transportation

user group feedback and delivery timelines. He said since they would haul trailers in the summer months public works preferred the diesel option opposed to a gasoline model. He added following delivery some work such as installing radios would have to be done in-house. Woitas asked if both units would have flat decks and Dietz said they would. He added the two trucks were replacing tow trucks that had exhausted their lifespans. Woitas moved the motion to purchase the new trucks.

Two youngsters dressed for fun, take notice of an incoming weather system on the horizon of Astotin Lake. Crystal Moren photo.

Ebenezer Dlugosz has 5-point pre-Christmas hockey game KERRY ANDERSON These are some of the results from Minor Hockey League games held recently. (Please note that scores and scoring is taken from the websites, and some game scores and scoring is dependent on proper league entries). Elk Island U11 Wild (58-1) won a 10-2 home game on Dec. 23 against Vermilion at Lamont Arena. Wild were led by Ebenezer Dlugosz’s hat trick and five point game. Other scorers were; Sawyer Wytrykush (2g 1a),

Zenon Cossey (2g 1a), Ellie Poirier (1g 2a), Jaxon Calder (1g 1a), Christian McLeod (2a), Kayden King (2a), Magnolia Moonen (2a), Hunter Kobylka (2a), William Purdy (1g), Clara Holt (1a), Quinn Dickinson (1a). Clark Wilson got the win in goal. Elk Island U13 Wild (5-13-0) dropped an 8-0 road game at Tofield Arena on Dec. 30. Many leagues and teams shut down over the holiday season but resume soon.

FARMER FOOD BANK CHALLENGE 1$/ ACRE

Grand Total Donated $10,201.00

TO ALL OF THE FARMERS WHO MADE DONATIONS! COUNTY OF LAMONT FOOD BANK

4 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024

Opinion Guilbeault may be plugged in; but not to reality BY JOHN MATHER Well wasn’t that a nice Christmas present from our Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault. “You will have to drive a zero emissions vehicle by 2035.” No ifs, ands, or buts. Nope old Gibby has decreed it so and his silly boss Justin hasn’t done anything to reel this minister in. It’s pretty obvious to anyone who delves into this issue ever so slightly, that it won’t work anyway. Well, we may be sure there will be plenty of batteries for those electric vehicles because the Trudeau Liberals have casually tossed billions into battery production facilities in Southern Ontario. They will likely be up and running by 2035 so there had better be a market for the product. So let’s make everyone drive an electric car. Guilbeault overlooks the slight fact that electric cars cost $10,000 to $20,000 more than your average gas or diesel powered steed. But hey, the Liberals will throw some subsidies to those buying electric cars. The fact that those subsidies will come from the taxes paid by the very same people who can’t afford the EVs in the first place won’t worry him or his bureaucrats. Will there be enough power generated by 20235 to allow for charging all these vehicles? I haven’t seen any experts saying there will be. Nope, the fact there won’t be proper infrastructure in place doesn’t matter to Guilbeault. More than a year ago, Petro Canada was proudly proclaiming it had charging outlets at its stations across Canada. Right … but what the Petro Can PR hacks didn’t say was that there were charging stations in “all” their stations. There aren’t at the local Petro Canada stations in both Fort Saskatchewan and Lamont. But then they are off the beaten path, so it doesn’t matter. This is much the same as Guilbeault’s thinking. There are charging stations littering the southern Ontario and southern Quebec landscape. Everywhere else in Canada is off the beaten path so who cares. Certainly not the Liberals! Just look at the City of Edmonton. “What a good day for Edmonton,” said Ryan Birch, Director of Transit Operations for Edmonton Transit Service when they announced the acquisition of 40 electric buses in 2020. “It’s a good day for ETS, for ETS customers, and for all Edmontonions who are excited to be part of making the place we live, and move, a more climate friendly place.”

CONTINUED Everywhere else in Canada is off the beaten path so who cares. In a press release city officials said the buses were quieter, and cheaper to run than conventional diesel buses. The release went on to state they could cover up to 350 km on a charge letting them cover just about all of the ETS routes. Fast forward to December 2023. Three-quarters of the city’s now 60-bus electric fleet are in the garage with poor immediate prospects for parts to fix them. Proterra, the American company the city purchased the electric buses from between 2019-2022, is in Chapter 11 filing for bankruptcy protection. Edmonton’s on a list of creditors, seeking $1.3 million and fulfillment of service and warranties. Some electric bikes can go farther on a charge than an ETS electric bus. While the city stated mileage up to 340 km on a charge, on Edmonton streets the stylish bus is closer to a range of up to 117 km, which

gets it on the streets from 5 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before it has to hit the charger, and then gets back out from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. And further, the driver’s cab is not suited for drivers either larger or smaller in size. While parts may in future become available thereby preventing the electric buses from being called a complete failure, the electric buses can hardly be called a success story. They may have better luck with hydrogen buses A hydrogen alternative doesn’t even work its way into any of Guilbeault’s speeches. As long as motorists with electric vehicles can drive around Greater Toronto or Greater Montreal, with occasional side trips out into the nearby countryside, Guilbeault will be happy. And now according experts at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Edinburgh, humans account for as much 0.1% of the country’s overall greenhouse gas emissions and as much as 1% of its methane and nitrous oxide Saving the planet may be

as simple as saving your breath. Literally. And that’s just from breathing, excluding secondary flatus emissions from burping and farting. That’s on top of the carbon dioxide all humans exhale naturally. “We report only emissions in breath in this study and flatus emissions are likely to increase these values significantly, though no literature characterizes these emissions for people in the UK,” as per the research team. The conclusion? In the paper Dr. Nicholas Cowan said the evidence of planetkilling breathing is pretty clear and shouldn't be taken lightly. "We would urge caution in the assumption that emissions from humans are negligible," he said. So probably soon in the new year we can expect Guilbeault to find a way to impose a carbon tax on the air we breathe out. He’ll probably do this while Justin is busy solving the country’s major problems such as installing menstrual product machines in all Federal office men’s washrooms. What a great country we live in.

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The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 5

Andrew hires new CAO

BY JANA SEMENIUK The Village of Andrew has announced the hiring of a new permanent Chief Administrative Officer after a special meeting of council on Dec. 28. Kylie Rude will begin her CAO contract with the Village on Feb. 22. In a recent press release, Andrew Mayor Barry Goertz reflected on the recruitment process to hire Rude. “We have experienced considerable transition over the last 9 months in the Village of Andrew, and we recognized the importance to engage (in) a professional recruitment process to secure a CAO who could effectively help move Council’s vision forward,” he said. “We were elated with the quality of candidates that we had to select from. Every candidate possessed strong personalities and complimentary skills, but Kylie’s history with the community combined with her progressive municipal career and related education became the deciding factors. We very much look forward to working with her.” Ken Glover, of Human

Edge Consulting, was hired by the Village in Aug., first on a fourweek contract assisting in various roles related to administration, and most recently to facilitate the hiring process for a new CAO. Glover did not respond by press Incoming Andrew CAO time to questions Kylie Rude around how many applicants were ed several courses releconsidered for the posi- vant to municipal mantion. agement. She spent 8 Rude, a resident in the years with the Town of Andrew area, said she is Redwater working in excited to begin work for economic development, a community she cares communications, legislaabout. tive services and as an “Accepting the posi- executive assistant to the tion of CAO in a commu- CAO. Most recently nity I care about, and my Rude worked with family is a part of, is very Alberta Municipal exciting,” she said in the Affairs as an accountabilpress release. “This role ity advisor. is a wonderful opportuRude has also been an nity to use the skills and active member of the education I have been community, most recentbuilding throughout my ly serving as Vice Board career. I look forward to Chair for the Andrew working with council Rural Academy – a charand the community.” ter school working to Rude earned a become an education Business Administration option for the village. Diploma from NAIT in Rude will be the fourth addition to her Certified CAO for Andrew since Local Government the election of their Manager (CLGM) desig- mostly new council in nation and has complet- 2021.

Lamont and Area

Church Directory LAMONT UNITED CHURCH 5306 - 51 Ave., Lamont, AB

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICES

780-895-2145

Our Lady of Good Counsel, Skaro

Rev. Deborah Brill

1st, 3rd, 5th Sundays @ 9:00 am

S UNDAY S ERVICES

11:15 A . M . CHECK OUT OUR NEW FACEBOOK PAGE!!

Everyone Welcome! AA Meetings Thursdays at 8:00 pm

St. Michael the Archangel, St. Michael

2nd, and 4th Sundays @ 9:00 am Administrative Office: Our Lady of the Angels Parish 10004 ~ 101 St., Fort Sask. 780.998.3288 Email: olangels.ftsask@caedm.ca www.olafortsask.caedm.ca

ÆƢƔƢǷ̄ƢΈĭΈǑʋƢƢΈ͉З̋ƢĭʋΈ̅ĭʋʋĭɅʯ̋Έ̅ǷʯǨΈ ʉʿĭȦǷǑ̋ǷɅǓΈʆʿʋƔǨĭʣƢ΢ΈΨΈ̄ĭȦʿƢƛΈĭʯΈϮ͇͋͆Β

ĭȦȦΈ͉͉͊З͋̈́̓З͉͇̓̓ to schedule your free quote!

Bruderheim Community Church 4904 Queen Street

780-796-3775

Sunday Worship 10:30 am All are Welcome!

Check us out on Facebook

Lamont Alliance Church 5007 44 st., Lamont

780-895-2879

Sunday Service 10 am

J OIN US FOR SERVICES SUNDAY MORNINGS @ 10 AM Pastor Darren Anderson Check out: www.lamontalliance.com

Bethany Lutheran Church 20577 TWP 550 Fort. Sask. (7km East of Josephburg)

780-998-1874

Pastor Rev. Jeff Dul

Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School (during service) Coffee after Service

Church Director y $40 per month Call 780.895.2780

6 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

St. Michael Malanka

Ukrainian New Year’s Eve Supper & Dance Saturday, January 13, 2024 U Y OCentre St. Michael T H A N KRec O R T6: FREE ADULTS:$45 7 -O14UYRS R :S$15U PUPNDER Y R O F Cocktails: 5 p.m.

WE ARE

Supper 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Entertainment: Veselka Dancers Dance: 9 p.m. Malanka Cast: 11 p.m. Music By Starlites Late Lunch featuring Lisa & Rachel Tickets Mae - 780.896.2102. on the Fiddles

SOLD OUT

Best Finds Vintage & Collectibles Your One Stop Shop ForTrinkets & Treasures Lamont County resident Sylvia Holowach (right) holds up a copy of the MGA (Municipal Government Act) at a meeting in Lamont Dec. 15. Holowach, along with resident Sada Gagnon (next to Holowach) organized the meeting, which attracted at least 40 residents, to launch the petition for a municipal inspection on Lamont Photo: Jana Semeniuk County.

WE BUY AND SELL ESTATE CONTENTS

Lamont County residents launch petition for municipal inspection

Located in downtown Lamont 5036 - 50 Ave

BY JANA SEMENIUK A group of disgruntled residents have started a petition calling for a municipal inspection into the governance of Lamont County. Approximately 40 people attended a meeting in Lamont Dec. 15 to discuss allegations against the county’s administration and council, including inflated staffing costs, dishonesty and unwelcome proposed changes to the Land Use Bylaw. The meeting was organized by residents Sylvia Holowach and Sada Gagnon, who have been outspoken on several issues. One resident at the meeting shared concern with the recent code of conduct charges against Lamont County councillor Neil Woitas which resulted in Woitas paying for his own lawyer and the remaining councillors deciding to also attain a lawyer at ratepayer expense. Councillor Aaron Wick was the only opposing vote. “We as ratepayers shouldn't be paying for these a**holes on the council for them to get a lawyer,” said the resident. Woitas was not in attendance at the meeting. Holowach brought out

a copy of the council’s current budget showing inflated staffing costs with a nearly five percent increase since last year totalling over $10 million. Holowach alleged that the council was also guilty of giving an unsecured loan to Midland Rail in 2019 with taxpayer money. Gagnon agreed. “That’s taxpayers’ money. That’s our money and they are not allowed to do it,” said Gagnon. “Nobody holds them accountable.” Additionally, Holowach said she and Gagnon were assisting resident Theo Wallace, who launched a failed recall petition against Reeve David Diduck in Oct., to collect the required 274 signatures (40 percent of the population in Diduck’s division three) by Dec. 3. She said the petition was doomed from the start due to no census numbers for division population, and the deciding voice on that number being the Lamont County Chief Administrative Officer, Peter Tarnawsky. “How can you have a guy say how many people are in a division when you’ve got a municipality that hasn't had an audit in almost 20

years? No census was done (per division). We haven't had one in more than 20 years here,” she said. “So how are you supposed to know how many are in Division Three, Division Two, Division Five?” At the time the recall petition was initiated, CAO Tarnawsky said he used a formula to determine that the population of Division Three in light of no census numbers per division. He said the population of Division Three is 684 which meant the petition had to contain 274 signatures. Holwach alleged that the CAO inflated the population numbers, making it impossible to attain the required signatures. Meanwhile, Gagnon said she is confident the petition for municipal inspection will be successful because it goes directly through to municipal affairs bypassing the CAO. “I figure the only reason a lot of those people would not sign for recalling Dave was they knew that it would go to the CAO (who would see their signatures) and they were too afraid of the repercussions,” she said. Gagnon said they must collect at least 20 percent of the County popula-

tion’s signatures, 777, by Feb. 12 to force the municipal inspection.

Tues- Sat 10 - 5

Store Hours Closed all holidays

780-895 -2850

Mid-Winter Machinery & Attachment Consignment Auction Hwy #16 East, Alberta - Online Auctions Selling equipment to all four Western provinces and the Northern USA. Listings are now being accepted for our Mid-Winter Machinery & Attach. Consignment Auctions at our Hwy #16 East Location

H #16 E S Y F

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Location: Hwy #16 & Rge Rd 185 (1 Mile East of Hwy 834) South Side of the Road

Phone: (780) 208-2508 Office Aaron Olson - (403) 913-9644 Justin Janke - (780) 515-0888 We are now accepting Listings for this Sale. Any items prelisted by January 11th will be included in our Sales Posters, Newspaper & Radio Advertising, Web Page, Social Media and extensive mailing lists. Whether you have one piece or a complete line of Machinery give Aaron a call at (403) 913-9644 or Allen at (403) 783-0556 to discuss the best option for you to realize top dollars.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. Rimbey Office - 403-843-2747 - Toll Free - 1-855-783-0556 Hwy #16 East Office - 780-208-2508 Rimbey & Hwy #16 East, Alberta - License No. 165690 Email: abolson@telusplanet.net - Website: www.allenolsonauction.com

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 7

In a recent survey y of adults 18+ living in communities of less than 100,000 population on the prairies, the majority of the responde ents across all measured sectors said

AGRIICUL LTURE AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICES ADS S IN PRINT PRINTED TED NITY NEWS COMMUN SP PAPERS arre MORE LIKEL LY to t

INSPIRE AC CTION than ads in other platfo orms

Actions included d seeking more inform mation, visiting a on or online or making store in perso g a purchase. How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020 Totum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019 9/J /Jan. 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te Telephone Intterview (CA AT TI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% conﬁdence levell with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

8 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

The scene at the Lamont Esso on the morning of Dec. 30 after thieves smashed a vehicle through the side wall. No suspects have been arrested. Photo: Jana Semeniuk

Thieves smash though walls at Lamont Esso and in Mundare BY JANA SEMENIUK Thieves swept through Lamont County in the early hours of Dec. 30, stealing a vehicle and smashing through walls at both a Mundare Liquor Store and the Lamont Esso. Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Corporal Matthew Pepper said police were first dispatched to the Lamont Esso at 5:15 a.m. for a break and enter involving a vehicle smashing through the side wall; and just over an hour later a similar incident occurred in Mundare involving a liquor store. “I can't say whether or not we have any suspects as of right now. I can’t say for sure if the (incidents) are linked,” he said, adding that there is security footage available from Mundare but not from Lamont. Additionally, Cpl. Pepper said a GMC Envoy Denali was reported stolen from Lamont at 7:30 a.m while the attempted theft of a

red 350 in Bruderheim was also reported at 11:30 a.m. He said the theft and attempted theft could be related to the break and enters. “They could be related for sure,” he said. “The Denali that was stolen was most likely involved in this smash and grab.” Cpl. Pepper said the Denali was later found burned out at a range

road in the Two Hills detachment area. He said it is unknown if the thieves took an ATM from either business. Cpl. Pepper said if anyone has any information on these crimes please call the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP at (780) 997-7900. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact

Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers www.crimestoppers.ab.c a for instructions). To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

11213 88 Ave. Fort Saskatchewan 780-992-1449

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For the Myshaniuk Estate. Andrew, AB. Bids Close Wed. Jan 17th PREVIEW: Jan 16th, 1-4pm For Info Ph. Kevin (780) 632-9245. Before Jan 6th or After Jan 15th Brief Listing . SELLING: JD 4630 Tractor, 9467 hrs, 8 spd P.S., Trans. does not engage, 20x38 Duals, Running • 1989 Ford F800, 429-5 spd c/w Like New 16’ Steel Courney Berg, B&H • 1976 Ford F600 c/w B&H • Late 60’s Ford Cabover c/w B& H • 14’ Tandem disc. • Friggstad 24’ D. Tillage • Leon Rock Picker • JD 24T Baler • 17-Section D. Harrows • White 6400- 20’ Swather c/w UII Reels • 10’ D. Tillage • JD LX176 Riding Mower • 16’ x 31’ Garage • Garden Shed • 5- Granary’s • 2-GAZEBOS • 2- Bolt Bins • Oils • Tires • Scaffolding • Airco Welder • Garden Tools • Households • SCRAP IRON • Heavy Tarps • 2- New Hands Winches • Ladders • FIREWOOD • Solid Bricks & Blocks • Collectibles • 4- Porcelain Dolls • BOWES Service Kit • Pulley • Hesston 92” Double Sided Sign • & MORE • The Above Items Have Not Been Used for a Number of Years. Timed Online LAND AUCTION Bids Close Feb 28th , 7pm. SELLING: +/- 138 Acres. Of Farm Land Canola was Seeded in 2023, Minimum Opening Bid $400,000, North of Mundare- 545076 RR 163. NE-33-54-16-4. Real Estate Handled By ANTONIUK REAL ESTATE . PH (780) 363-2147

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 9

How Geoography Impacts Media Access, A , Usage and EEngagement

How Geography Impacts I Media Access,, Ussage and Engagemment Smaall TToowns/Villages - Populationn <10,000

Sm mall TToowns/Villages - Populatioon <10,000

Importancee of Supporting Newspaper Addvertisers

Reeceipt of and Reeadership of thee Community NNewspaper

How important H i t t is i it to t bbuy from f compaanies i th thatt advertise d ti in the local newspaper?

This response of value and trust was shared equally beetween Men & Womenn and all three polled agee groups

32.5%

66.9%

33.1%

788%

Receives Local Paper

(Under 45, 4545- 64 and 65 & older)

25.8% %

17 2% via Subscription | 114.3% 17.2% 14 3% via Newsstand 23.9% via Free Delivery | 11.5% 1 via Free Pickup

Small towns/villages respondents v value their local newspaper and itss advertisers. They intend to turn that value and trust intto patronage For more information on the 2021 Totum Research Media Study To contact AdCanada Media Inc. info@adcanadamedia.ca

Enggage with their loccal paper in som me format ev week every

Community Newspapers aree well received and remain the preferred platfoorm for local topics of interest

Will you be more likely to buy from coompanies that advertise in your local newspapeer?

Yes 46.5%

w Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and This study How Engagement E was made d possible ibl thr h oughh the h gener g ous support off the Albertaa Civil Society Fund.

Prefeerred Media to Receive Information

66%

of respondentss in small towns saaid each edition haad multiple readers in the household

How Geography Impaacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: July/Augusst 2021 Totum Research: h Interview i timing i i July/A l ugust 20021. Random d sample l adults d l 18+ using i Computer Assis istedd Telephone l h Interview (CATI) method with a margin of error off +/- 3.1% at 95 FRQͤGHQFH OHYHO ZLWK 1005 interviews

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10 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

Councillor wants say in setting County speed limits BY JOHN MATHER Lamont County council had several concerns as a proposed Traffic Bylaw was brought forward for passage Dec. 12. Council was asked to pass three readings of the bylaw but instead with enough concerns coming from council only one reading was passed with amendments to be brought back for further discussion in the New Year. In introducing the bylaw, Chief Administrative Officer Peter Tarnawsky reported while in committee of the whole, council indicated they would like to see the bylaw read that speed limits on County roads should not exceed 80 kph in the county and 30 kph in the hamlets. He added other suggestions had also been addressed in the amendment Traffic bylaw. When Reeve David Diduck opened it up for discussion Councillor Neil Woitas stated other municipalities always had speed limit changes brought back to council before any final decision was made. In the proposed Lamont bylaw this was to be determined by the CAO alone. “Councillors know their division and know where speeds should and shouldn’t be

changed,” he said. Tarnawsky said councillors would be part of the decision along with input from the public works director, on any engineering standard that could affect speed. Woitas stated Section 8.1 of the bylaw didn’t state that and Tarnawsky said Woitas could suggest an amendment. Diduck then asked how section four of the bylaw played into this and Tarnawsky explained that section four established the speed limits while section eight stated who would set those speed limits. Woitas reiterated he felt council should have a say in what the speed limits were. Diduck asked if Woitas had an amendment and he replied he would like to delay passage of the bylaw until January when he could come up with a suitable amendment. Diduck asked if Woitas would agree to first reading which would still allow amendments and Woitas agreed. Tarnawsky added first reading could be given and then it could be sent back to administration to make any suggested changes. Diduck then asked what the gross vehicle weight for tandem trailers was and Woitas said

it was 63,500kg. Diduck then asked why the bylaw said it was 53,500kg. He suggested that weight limits then be changed also when making amendments. Councillor Roy Anaka wondered about the definition of a truck trailer and Tarnawsky said it was adapted from previous documents describing trailers. Diduck agreed it should be redefined to clarify the definition better. Councillor Aaron Wick then pointed out he couldn’t find any section detailing the use of offroad vehicles on County right of ways. He said the bylaw said it didn’t allow people to be pulled while on a sled. Toboggan, skis, bicycle, skateboard, trailer of other convenience but didn’t specifically included off road vehicles. Tarnawsky thought the issue was dealt with in a separate bylaw but promised to look into it and report back to council. Councillor Daniel Warawa then moved first reading which was carried by council. Council then sent it back to administration to put in the appropriate amendments.

The hiking trails throughout EINP were scattered with hikers taking in the sights and good weather before New Years Eve. Crystal Moren photo.

In a recent survey of adults 18+ living in communities of less than 100,000 population on the prairies, the majority of the respondents said

ADS IN PRINTED COMMUNITY NEWSP PA APERS are MORE LIKELLY to generate an

IN-PERSON OR ONLINE STORE VISIT than ads on Social Media or Online

44% 40

26%

From the files of the Lamont Leader

20%

13% 10

Visited a store in person or online Ads in Printed Community Newspaper

How Geography Impacts Media Access, Usage and Engagement: January 2020

Sept. 23/2014: Bruderheim School held its annual Terry Fox Run on Friday, Sept. 19. The school now has a record number of K - Grade 6 students with a total of 143. The school has raised over $1,400 with more donation uncounted.

Totum Research: Interview timing Dec. 2019/J /Jan. 2020. Random Sample Adults 18+ Using Computer Assisted Te Telephone Interview (CA ATTI) Method with a margin of error of +/- 3.3% at 95% conﬁdence level with 900 interviews AB/SK/MB

Bought a product or a service Ads on Social Media/Online

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 11

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

BOBCAT SERVICES

AFFORDABLE BOBCAT SERVICES BRUSH CUTTING UP TO 8” DIA. SNOW REMOVAL ACREAGE DEVELOPMENT DIRT & GRAVEL WORK AUGER (10”, 12”, 16”)

1” AD ~ $45/ MONTH 2” AD ~ $90/ MONTH ADVERTISE TODAY. CALL 780.895.2780 OR EMAIL lmtleader@gmail.com

Pete 780.614.8060

Trevor

BOOKKEEPING

Mikolajczyk

WE HAVE THE PERSON FOR THE JOB ~ 24/7

Tax and Bookkeeping Services ~ Farms & Businesses

~ Excellent rates & bundled discounts 4703, 51 Street Lamont, AB T0B 2R0

~ SNOW REMOVAL ~ FENCING & FENCE REPAIRS

~ LANDSCAPING & YARD MAINTENANCE ~ CUSTOM BALING ~ TRENCHING ~ B O B CAT ~ D U M P T R U C K ~ C U S T O M M E TA L R E N O ’ S mk98ltd@gmail.com ~ H A N DY M A N J O B S 780-975-8343 ~ BRUSH CUTTING ~ MOWING

Phone:(780) 579-3883 Fax: (780) 579-3884 LmTaxServicesLamont@yahoo.com

DAY CARE

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Call Us: 7 8 0 - 3 6 3 - 3 8 2 2

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Roofing, Windows & Capping

(780) 226-4772 jjsyardservices@gmail.com

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Serving Lamont Area

NOW BOOKING S N O W R E M O VA L ~ P ER S NOWFALL OR M ONTHLY ~ B OBCAT S ERVICES A DDITIONAL S ERVICES

~ D UMP R UNS ~ S CRAP M ETAL C LEAN U P ~ O LD V EHICLE R EMOVAL SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE

780.918.7406

~ T REE T RIMMING & R EMOVAL ~ S TUMP GRINDING

~ Laser Engraving ~ Awards ~ Customized Gifts 780.719.0597

FULLY INSURED ~ BASED IN LAMONT

GENERAL CONTRACTING

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imaginationengraving@yahoo.ca

CONCRETE

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local eggs for sale

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Schwab Farms

Tom Hrehorets

CHIPMAN

BAR

I&M

Maria Stamati

HOTELS

CUSTOM WORK

780-385-8652

Main Street, Lamont

ROAD BUILDING RECLAMATION LEASE BUILDING GGRADING RADING LLANDSCAPING ANDSCAPING SSNOW NOW RREMOVAL EMOVAL PIPELINE CLEANUP DRAINAGE SITE PREPARATION SCHUURMANSEARTHWORKS@ SCHUURMANSEARTHWORKS@GMAIL.COM

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4805 Queen Street, Bruderheim, AB For pricing & appointments We are offering: Custom Cutting Custom Sausage Making Game Cutting & Processing Game Sausage Making

please call:

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12 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

MECHANICAL

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Titan Repair Shop

1” AD ~ $45/ MONTH 2” AD ~ $90/ MONTH

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780-579-4400 CVIP Licensed 4715 51 St. Lamont, AB. TitanRepairShop@yahoo.com Mon–Fri 8am–5pm

ADVERTISE TODAY. CALL 780.895.2780 OR EMAIL lmtleader@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL

SAND & GRAVEL

LEGAL ISSUES? Dean Bosvik Javan Vandelannoite

FOR ALL YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS 5003 - 50 Street, Mundare, AB 780-764-3936

Ronald W. Poitras Barrister & Solicitor Serving Lamont and Area Since 1977 Wednesday 1:30 – 5:00 pm by Appointment

MONUMENTS Tom

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Area Sales Rep Lamont, AB.

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780.918.7406

Serving Lamont & Area

780-895-2055 REAL ESTATE

SEPTIC

Shannon Kowal 780.920.3076

Elk Island Septic Cleaning.com

Melissa Hausser 587.873.7243 5004 50 Street, www.kowalrealty.ca Mundare, AB. Oﬃce 780.764.4007

PLUMBING JMP Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Furnace & Hot Water Tank Replacement Plumbing - New Home Construction Air Conditioning - Gas Fitting - Gas Fire Places Garage Heaters - Service & Repair - Sheet Metal

John Panek 780-999-2065 jmpplumbing@live.ca Box 84, Lamont, AB T0B 2R0

PROFESSIONAL Motor Vehicle Accidents, Fatal Accidents, Wills, & More Elizabeth J. Tatchyn, B.A., LL.B BARRISTER & SOLICITOR By appointment only

at Smith Insurance Service, Main Street Lamont etatchyn@biamonte.com Edmonton: 780-425-5800 * Speaks Ukrainian *

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THE LAMONT LEADER SELLS OFFICE SUPPLIES! WE CARRY : P R I N T E R PA P E R , E N V E LO P E S , D I V I D E R S , W H I T E O U T, C L I P B O A R D S A N D R O L LS E N D S A N D M O R E !

ONE CALL AND YOUR BUSINESS IS LISTED IN OUR DIRECTORY. 780.895.2780 OR EMAIL lmtleader@gmail.com

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 13

The

$14 minimum for first 25 words, 45¢ per word thereafter (G.S.T. not included) PICTURE $10

BOLD $5

ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PREPAID BEFORE INSERTION unless customer has an account in good standing. LAMONT LEADER Ph. 780-895-2780 Email: lmtleader @gmail.com BUILDINGS BUILDINGS FOR SALE SALE FOR INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and m o r e , sales@integritybuilt.com 1866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com. COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS Caregiver’s Drop-In Group Viking Seniors Centre (5024 53 Ave Viking) Fall Dates: Jan. 9, 16, 23, 30 Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 10 a.m. to Noon Free of Charge! •If you are, were, or will soon be a caregiver for a loved one, please join us for a morning of information, discussion, support, and activities •Care recipients welcome to attend with their caregiver •For more information, please contact VBFCSS at 780-3364024 Brought to you in partnership by Viking/Beaver FCSS, Government of Canada, and The Town of Viking

Classified Ads are 3 for 1

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COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS

SEED FOR FOR SALE SEED SALE

SERVICES SERVICES

Viking & District Agricultural Society Annual General Meeting Wednesday January 10 at 7 p.m. Viking Community Hall New Members Welcome ________________________ LUTEFISK SUPPER Golden Valley Lutheran Church Friday, January 5 @ 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY Contact Muriel at 780-336-2444

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN - Heated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley, Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. "On Farm Pickup". Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252. ____________________ ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888483-8789.

Carpet and Upholstery cleaning - residential and commercial.

Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, Trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-2323097 ________________________ Need to re-order: •Company Forms? •Invoices? •Envelopes? •Business Cards? •Bookmarks? •Magnets? •Stamps? •Score Cards? •Certificates? •Invitations? •Menus? •Receipts? •Posters? •Calendars?•Letterheads? Call your local paper with your print order today!

FOR RENT RENT FOR

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For Rent in Viking: 3 bedroom house; 2 bathrooms; washer/dryer. Available immediately. Call 403-4614350. ________________________ For rent in Viking: 4 bedroom house with garage. Available immediately Call 403-4614350

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. 1844-453-5372.

FOR SALE FOR SALE

SERVICES SERVICES

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Truck mount unit, sewer backup, and flood cleaning. Auto and RV Cleaning. Call John and Sheri at Fancy Shine Auto and Carpet Care at 780-384-3087 ________________________ Computer and phone basics. Tutoring by Tanya Lee. Enhance your skills from home. Patient and tailored lessons. Call 825-966-7713 for personalized assistance. Limited slots available. ________________________ Come see our beautiful, well maintained country Cemetery located at 21338 Twp. Rd 550 in Josephburg. We offer burial and cremation plots as well as columbarium niches for sale. Please contact the Josephburg Community Church @ 780998-9331 for more information. ________________________ CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com. tfnp

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Having an Event? Advertise in the Classifieds!

14 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

Emergency pull cords broken since Sept. at Beaverhill Lodge - new system expected by March

have a big 59 resident fixed,” she said. “There happy to answer their Evicted capacity building with was no need for her to be questions and deal with her complaint. Putting more staff in that depart- evicted.” from Lodge "We have a complaint wrong information on ment,” he said. BY JANA SEMENIUK needed to be pulled if Former Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge resident Sue Robinson, 65, submitted an official complaint on Nov. 10, to Alberta Health, addressing broken emergency pull cords throughout the Beaverhill Lodge facility. Robinson said she was concerned after three residents fell and were left unattended when their emergency pull cords did not work this past Sept-Oct. A staff member, who asked to remain anonymous, said one of the residents, who was wearing an emergency wristband, became confused when they fell and repeatedly tried pulling the emergency cord to no avail. The staff member said the resident was eventually found by homecare staff and transported to hospital before being moved to another facility. The staff member added that the emergency pendants and wristbands have issues with their batteries and won't work in the shower. Robinson said she spoke to Lamont County Housing Foundation Chief Administrative Officer Shahad Bharmal about the broken emergency cords. “I asked Shahad in Nov. when the pull cords would be fixed. He told me not to tell him how to do his job,” said Robinson. Bharmal has denied this exchange took place. Robinson submitted her complaint to Alberta Health on Nov. 10 which sparked an unannounced investigation on Nov. 17. According to Alberta Health’s online information the lodge was found non-compliant for Standard 18.3 Resident Safety and Security. In a follow-up letter to Robinson, Alberta Health said that the lodge ‘was found to be non-compliant because the investigator observed that the pull cords were hanging down the wall which looked like they just

help was required. According to the Manager, the pull cords were not working. An action plan has been developed with the operator and follow up will occur to ensure that the operator comes into compliance with the standard.’ Robinson said soon after the investigation, signs were posted indicating the pull cords were not working, and for residents to wear their required emergency pendants at all times. CAO Bharmal said the emergency pull cords cannot be fixed because the current system is no longer supported by the supplier. “The call system we have is no longer supported by the supplier, who is from Quebec,” he said by email. “The new system costs anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000 (plus). Government of Alberta just approved a replacement before Christmas. The new system will take six to eight weeks to be installed due to supply issues.” Bharmal said he notified LCHF board members of the broken emergency pull cords in Sept. when he became aware of the issue. He acknowledged that residents have fallen as a result of the broken pull cords. “Yes, a few residents had a fall and thanks to our dedicated and wonderful staff who were able to get to them and took care of them in an appropriate manner,” he said. “The pull cords don’t work. Wrist bands are working as normal. We have asked all the residents to have those wrist bands on at all times.” Bharmal said it took time to get approval from the Government for the new system and he has two companies’ quotes to examine before a final decision is made. He said a new system should be put in place by the end of Feb. 2024. The Beaverhill Pioneer Lodge was built in Dec. 2017.

Continued from front

“Like any other business we have to be fiscally responsible and have to manage costs and expenses (while) at the same time provide the best service we can,” he said. “Everyone knows the cost of food has gone up by more than 10 percent, utilities, supplies, and staffing cost are up as well.” While Bharmal admits staffing costs have increased, he said it was still necessary to add a dietary supervisor to their staff. “(A) food service supervisor was hired because before 2017, we only had 34 residents and a small lodge. There was not a need. We now

“After the new lodge opened in Dec 2017, the management realized that that lodge manager’s workload has increased and so a supervisor for the kitchen would be a great help.” Meanwhile, Robinson said she is not interested in returning to the Beaverhill Lodge as it is right now, but she doesn’t want to see anyone else suffer. “They were so upset that I wrote the truth,” she said, adding that she made several friends at Beaverhill. “I have good friends there. Very good friends there.” Jennifer, who has now taken in her mother-inlaw, said Robinson’s eviction should never have happened. “This could have been

process in place," said Bharmal. "I would have been happy if she would have gone to the board, ministry or Seniors’ advocate group. I would have been more than

social media is not fair or a right thing to do especially when it’s not true. “It takes a long time to build a reputation and a second to lose it all."

A photo from the Beaverhill Lodge showing a sign letting residents know that there will be cutbacks to certain grocery items.

Top 10 reasons to advertise in

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Because if I want The Leader to cover my event or provide space for my event, I know they need revenue to pay for it! One hand washes the other. I never take without giving back.

I like the idea of having an independent news agency in our area, because I don’t want to just be fed propaganda from municipalities, police and school boards just to appease me!

Number 8

For years there was no media in the Lamont County area, just leaching media from other areas covering events here only for advertising dollars and no vested interest.

Number 7

I don’t just advertise with The Leader to make sales but also to fend off competition from other businesses in the area and from other towns and cities in the area too.

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I know if I don’t advertise with The Leader, that my event will not be covered when it happens mostly because they don’t know about it, but also because I didn’t support them so why would I expect them to support me.

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The Leader is a local business, employing local people, donating to local charities, and involved with local causes. Tech giants do nothing for my family, my neighbours or my community.

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The Leader covers all of Lamont County. These are my friends and neighbours and we support one another.

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I try to buy all my printing from The Leader, or at least get a quote. They are honest and good to deal with. When I have a problem they look after it for me from printing to advertising.

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I see other successful businesses advertising in The Leader. Great minds think alike!

The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2024 - 15

View a larger menu at lamontcounty.ca/ community-programming.

The Reeve’s Holiday Message MERRY CHRISTMAS, the Reeves 2023 holiday message HAPPY NEW YEAR & See at: lamontcounty.ca/news. The Reeve, A JOYOUS UKRAINIAN Council and staff also wish you and yours a merry Ukrainian Christmas and CHRISTMAS! Happy New Year in 2024! Whist at Moscow Hall Moscow Hall (RR 163 and Twp 520) is hosting whist card parties starting in January (every two weeks until March 22). The dates are January 12 and 26; February 9 and 23; March 8 and the final on March 22. Start time is 7:00 p.m., with a light meal to follow. Admission is $15.00 per week. (VISIT: lamontcounty.ca/community-programming or call 780-895-2233 for info. or Darlene.o@lamontcounty.ca / registration). Some of the current CALC, FCSS and KFRN PROGRAMS include:

780-895-2233 x226 for more info. 1. Parents and Tots (Andrew, Lamont & Bruderheim weekly). 2. CALC: Digital Skills Workshops (Andrew and Mundare); for more information contact Cheryl B. 3. CALC: Creating Family Connections; for more information contact Cheryl B. at 780-895-233 x233. 4. CALC Kitchens; for more information contact Cheryl B. at 780-895-233 x233. 4. Youth Centre (Chipman and Bruderheim, weekly). 5. Connecting Generations: (monthly). *Updated Lamont County KFRN/FCSS January and February events will be posted later this month.

See Lamont County Community Adult Learning Council programs at: lamontcountyadultlearns.com.

Community Services: Serving Lamont County, Lamont, Bruderheim, Mundare, Andrew & Chipman Access current monthly services & programs information for FCSS, CALC and KFRN on each of the services’ Facebook pages: FCSSlamontcountyregion|LamontCountyAdultLearns |groups/1922602184662497, or scan the QR code:

For more information, scan the QR code or visit lamontcounty.ca/community-programming. | Contact CALC, FCSS or KFRN at: 1-877-895-2233 | 5303-50 Ave. Lamont, AB T0B 2R0 |

Registration Renewal Reminder If your last name or company begins with the letters A, I, J, Ke, U, and X; and Company names with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 0; remember d h to get your registration renewed before the end of January! alberta.ca/vehicle-registration-expiry-date-chart.aspx This message is brought to you by the Elk Island Traffic Safety Partners. Please Note – inFocus is also available for viewing online n at: www.lamontcounty.ca/communications (for those wanting to view the weeklyy submission o as full-sized PDF and to access hyperlinks). yp )

16 - The Lamont Leader (Lamont, Alberta), Thursday, January 4, 2023

Community Programming

Next Agricultural Service Board (ASB) Meeting

The next ASB meeting is scheduled for February 14, at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link): lamontcounty.ca/departments/agricultural-services/agendas-minutes-asb. To present or speak at a meeting, please contact Agricultural Services.

Winter (snow), will be coming soon. Be prepared with the following reminders: Residents are also reminded when plowing snow out of your driveway, please do not push the snow Feed Quality, Testing and Analysis onto the public – Alternative Feed Supplies road or across When the road into looking at all alternatives for feed supplies, the ditch. Push feed testing is always a good snow tooption the to explore to ensure animal health and welfare. A visual assessment right side ofnot be accurate enough to assess may your driveway. quality & may lead to costly alternatives

No Trespassing on Farmers’ Fields.

Roadside Mulching – continues into March

to maintain health. Visit Feed Quality, Testing & Analysis for Beef Cattle for details Grain- BeefResearch.ca Producer Survey on testing & tools.

CAUTION: Roadside Mulching. Agricultural Services is working on roadside mulching to the end of March. Signs are posted to enforce temporary road closures while they work. Watch for flying debris and obey signs. If you enter a closed area, the County will NOT be at fault for any damage to vehicles.

The University of Alberta is asking grain producers across the Prairies to assist with a survey on the adoption of winter wheat and ultra-early seeding of spring wheat. Learn more and participate at: https://forms.gle.LkN0QwSBMjehAWezx8, or see lamontcounty.ca/agservices for more details about the study. Assessment Inspections Lamont County’s assessor (Accurate Assessment Group Ltd.) is starting inspections during September in Range 18 and TWP58 in Range 19. PrivateCounty Snow Removal He (Kris) will be driving a white GMC truck with Lamont branding. As a reminder, per Bylaw 867.23 (Fees and Charges Bylaw – lamontcounty.ca/ financial-services) the costs related to private snow removal are: Regular Flags – $125/each flag (per snowfall) Medical Flags – $100/year (a doctor’s letter is required) Senior (65+) Flags – $200/year Flags can be purchased at the Lamont County Public Works /ASB Building If you have any questions call 780-895-2233.

Next Lamont County Council Meeting (Jan. 9) Next CouncilatMeetings (September 12) to attend at the Lamont County Administration The next Regular Council Meeting is on Tuesday, January 9, starting 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome Building virtually through Microsoft (link): lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes. The next or Regular Council Meeting is onTeams Tuesday, September 12, starting at 9:00 a.m. The public is welcome to attend at the Lamont County Administration Building or virtually through Microsoft Teams (link): lamontcounty.ca/governance/agendas-minutes (accessible via the Lamont County website—or sign up for meeting notifications and to receive the meeting agendas). If you would like to present or speak at a meeting, please contact Legislative Services.