The Community
Press Telling your story
Volume 112, Issue 44
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
$1 Including GST
e r a C m r e T g n o L m o r f s g n i t e e Gr
g from residents meant to be a greetin It’s y. pla dis ow nd wi ir new window display, care.” Along with the rm Care described the ur Te yo ng d Lo an , m its lla Ki vis at ow ff w sta your calls, your wind community.” That’s ho all right. Thank you for ing “A hand wave to the do e unity. e’r “W g, yin sa of Caring messages to the comm ir the d an nts ide res of the Killam Campus ture on a video that will fea staff are also working
Flagstaff County Council eliminates May tax penalty Leslie Cholowsky Editor
During their regular meeting held Wednesday, April 22, via teleconference, Flagstaff County Council discussed cancellation of the May 2020 property tax penalty. Flagstaff County’s present bylaw applies late payment penalties Oct. 16 and May 1 of each year, where the May penalty on unpaid taxes would be six per cent. “Currently the tax arrears are $4,462,375 of which $4,237,488 is outstanding oil and gas companies which we are currently having difficulty collecting the 2019 tax levy,” Council heard. In order to cancel the May 2020 penalty, Council repealed the former bylaw with a new Bylaw 06.20, which passed third reading during the meeting. Flagstaff CAO Shelly Armstrong said, “We are following what other municipalities are doing amid COVID-19, and considering the collection rate on nonresidential, this will have minimum impact. We are doing our part for relief.” Councillor Melvin Thompson asked about future changes, if Council consid-
ered a further change in October. Armstrong advised that a new bylaw would be required then if Council decided to provide further relief at that time. Council rescinded a motion made during their April 6 meeting regarding a tax repayment agreement, passing a new motion with a corrected tax roll number noted. Council discussed a revision to their public input policy due to having to cancel an open house that was to have taken place April 8, with a recommendation from Administration to move forward this year with more of an inform-basis, potentially moving to a public information session in September or October if the situation allows. Thompson said, “I think it’s the only way we can do it and keep the public informed, with the current methods and avenues available to us.” Councillor Erik Skoberg asked, “Can we publish this information, and give the public a time frame to review it and provide feedback?” Armstrong said, “If we had something to put in front of them and then give their input. This differs from our previous input prior to the plan, and allows us to get a budget done within our time-
line.” Skoberg asked, “So this is a change from ‘consult’ to ‘inform’?” Armstrong said, “In our normal timeline, Council reviews department activities with public participation and consultation then a budget is prepared; we’re switching to a September or October consultation, at that time we’ll talk further.” County Reeve Don Kroetch said, “There will still be an avenue for public participation.” Armstrong said, “Yes, with a method to be determined by the pandemic situation in the fall, whether it is done by survey, or by feedback of the first draft budget.” Skoberg said, “So this is a change from consulting to informing?” Armstrong said, “In a way, to inform then consult.” Skoberg said, “As long as we are not eliminating the consultation.” Council moved to committee reports, with Thompson reporting on the Battle River Research Group, with some positives to report. “We have been using internet meetings, and they’re holding a webinar series that has had good participation.”
Kroetch asked if the group had heard any more about research funding, Thompson said that no definite plan had been made for smaller research groups, with funding to continue at a reduced rate. “They are making as good of progress as they can right now.” Councillor Jeff Eckstrand reported on a Flagstaff Regional Housing Group meeting, giving some highlights, including improved vacancy rates, and Bethany Group’s management changes that will save the group in management costs. Council remarked on there being no COVID-19 in the facilities, and Eckstrand added, “I asked about the mental wellbeing of residents. They claimed that most residents are appreciative of the measures being taken, that they understand their vulnerability.” Eckstrand said that staff had taken over some of the roles that visitors and volunteers generally did for residents. He added, “Big Knife Villa is on a list of facilities to move people to if necessary due to COVID-19 outbreaks at other facilities. “We don’t want to bring any risk here, but are willing to take in vulnerable peo See COUNCIL P9
Page 2 - The Community Press, Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Hardisty development group makes presentation to Buffalo Trail School Division about Allan Johnstone School Leslie Cholowsky Editor
In following with their drive to keep Hardisty’s Allan Johnstone School open, the Hardisty and District Development Group made a presentation to the Buffalo Trail Public School (BTPS) Division board of trustees on Wednesday, April 22. Blake Moser made the presentation on the group’s behalf via an online conference with a formal request for BTPS to assume operations of the school, and work with the group to move the school division boundary so Hardisty falls within BTPS control. Moser said, “The goal of the presentation is to create an open dialogue between the two divisions.” Moser went through the history of the school, up to the Battle River School Division (BRSD) vote for closure on March 19. “Hardisty, Amisk, Hughenden, and Irma have always had more in common with each other than communities within the BRSD,” Moser said in his presentation. “There’s more of a natural synergy between these communities,” he said later. Moser was impressed with the BTPS trustees reaction to the presentation, “The board was very engaged during the presentation, and asked a lot of questions afterwards,” he said, adding that the group was very happy with BTPS’s openness to explore the idea. The BTPS trustees did have some concerns about the timeline, worried that if the process took a year, students and families might not be willing to make a change after starting to attend school in Sedgewick, and about potential bussing times. Moser took an opportunity during the presentation to talk to the board about the nature of the Hardisty Terminal operations, saying afterwards, “There are billions of dollars of infrastructure there, it’s not going anywhere.” He noted that while other projects in the province in the oil and gas industry were currently on hold, construction on Hardisty projects has continued through the current downturn in oil pricing. In the presentation, it was noted that after June 30 there might be an option for the community to purchase the building and lease it to BTPS. “Our community is willing to raise money to pay for additional maintenance, as necessary,” he said during his pres-
OPENING MAY 1ST
Starting May 1st, Open 10am to 8pm Set up appointments to come in earlier Call 780-879-2240
Place order ahead Nick & Donna Kozak of time 11067 - 602 Secondary Rd curb side pick up 22km east of Alliance or 3km west of Junction Sec Rd # 872 &602 Email:
780-879-2240
ndkozak72@gmail.com
entation. The presentation included information on the substantial list of programs and supports provided through AJS Parent Council, information on enrollment numbers gained through surveys of Hardisty parents, and future enrollment numbers based on children presently under five years of age in the area. “We wanted to demonstrate the great community support for the school,” he said. Moser also touched on some of the programming ideas and opportunities that had been presented to the BRSD board of trustees. Moser said that a 398-signature petition asking BRSD to engage with BTPS was rejected by BRSD as it did not meet the requirements of a petition to the letter, but was accepted as information. “The information was used to open the door to speaking to BTPS, and as such, we consider it a success. The idea of it was to indicate to the BRSD board that this matters to the community.” Moser is very positive about the path forward, reiterating that the Hughenden, Amisk, Hardisty region is a close-knit area, with shared sports teams, and is one that is used to working together for the benefit of all communities. He is hoping that the two boards will meet, “sooner rather than later” to discuss the proposal. The group has also contacted MLAs Jackie Lovely and Nate Horner, providing them with copies of the
presentation and keeping them apprised of the community’s goals for joining BTPS. Later in their meeting BTPS trustees discussed forming a committee to meet with BRSD as the first step forward.
South Bend Colony Greenhouse
NOW OPEN!! Large Selection of 10”x12” Hanging Baskets Directions: from Alliance, 5 miles East on Hwy 602 and 5 miles South on Rg. g Rd. 123
780-628-1886 ext. 101 or 102 780-385-6276
The Community Press, Wednesday, May 6, 2020 - Page 3
Flagstaff looking for the positives during the COVID-19 pandemic Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County launched a new initiative this week called “Nominate a frontline hero.” This is a five-week event where Flagstaff residents can nominate a person who works in any essential service for going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project launched on Friday, May 1, and the county has already received 12 nominations. Kerri Lefsrud from the Flagstaff County Economic Development team is ecstatic over the initial response. “I hope it just keeps growing!” she says. She will be drawing a name every Thursday
evening over the next five weeks to determine a winner from all those nominated that week. The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate from a local business of their choice as a token of appreciation for their great work. Nominations can be made online at the Flagstaff County website, or taken by phone, at 780678-6384. The county will publish a list of the winners and all the nominees each week in The Community Press and on social media. “We want to acknowledge all the people who are nominated,” says Lefsrud. “We want to give them some recognition for their good work.”
The County has also been collecting stories of random acts of kindness, too, as part of their page of positivity amid COVID-19. They are asking people to share their uplifting stories so they can share them with others and help brighten spirits through this time of physical distancing and social isolation. When we finally come to the end of the pandemic, the plan is to put all the people who are named in random acts to be entered for a prize, a $250 prize basket with items from Flagstaff Crafted vendors. Random Acts of Kindness stories can be sent directly to Cary Castagna, with photos and video, at
Lots of gift ideas for
We’ve still been putting new spring/summer stock out! • Great Garden Ideas! • New Fashions, Purses, Sandals • Gourmet Village has new drink mixes out! If you know what you want, we can have it wrapped and ready for you and we can even have it delivered in town. Shopping the safe and easy way. 780-385-3598
Killam, Alberta 780-385-3598 Serving Town & Country since 1962
Temporary Hours: 9-5 Mon thru Fri, 9-4 Saturday & Closed Sunday. Closed Noon - 1pm EVERY DAY!
ccastagna@flagstaff.ab.ca. Lefsrud says, “It’s such a good feeling to celebrate the people who are going above and beyond during these difficult times. “We hope that when people see their names it will give them that extra boost they need to keep going during difficult times. “People don’t ask for recognition, but it’s nice for them to know they really are making a difference!”
main st. Viking, AB
We’re here to help you spoil Mom this
on Sunday, May 10. CALL IN to place your order and make her day special! 780-336-4037
KILLAM 780-385-3060
Change of Ownership We would like to thank the people of the Town for welcoming and supporting us ever since we moved Killam eight years ago. I am truly grateful. After sleeping on it for a while, we have finally decided to move to Vancouver to reunite with our Son and the rest of our family. It is quite unfortunate to leave behind past friends and memories shared throughout our time in Killam but these memories will not be forgotten. The new owners are experienced, steadfast, and sincere people who are close friends with us. Please support them for their successful business as you did to us in their new hometown. They will be starting on 13th of May, 2020. Thank you again for your kindness and appreciation. – Sally & Steve Song