Wednesday, November 10, 2021 Vol. 44, No. 45
$1 includes GST
Lest We Forget
County joins call raising alarm on emergency response time Patricia Harcourt Editor
Beaver County has joined other municipalities raising concerns about unacceptable emergency medical response times in the province. Interim CAO Margaret Jones explained at council’s November 3 regular meeting that a letter from the County of Vermilion River has raised alarm bells. Council reviewed the letter at the organizational meeting the previous week. The letter was “expressing a concern that firefighters are waiting too long for emergency medical personnel to arrive on scene,” said Jones. “This jeopardizes the quality of care that rural residents receive.” A motion to write the Minister of Health expressing council’s concerns was made by Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3), followed by discussion in which Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) spoke about conditions at the eastern end of the county. Pederson said the ambulance takes a patient to the city and end up “sitting in Edmonton.” Then his division has to rely on surrounding municipalities if an emergency happens during the time their own ambulance is otherwise occupied. Division 2 Councillor Lionel Williams believed that COVID-19 “plays a part” in this scenario and hoped the situation would improve once the pandemic is down. He noted that firefighters trained in medical emergencies are not allowed to use their medical skills but must wait for the emergency medical responders to be on scene. Jones confirmed this by reporting on a request by council on October 6 to contact Beaver Emergency Medical Services (BEMS) and Beaver Emergency Services Commission (BESC) “to determine if a similar situation occurs in the Beaver region.” However, there were two different responses to this question. Jones said: “The executive director of BEMS indicated that the ambulance service has seen sustained increases in call volumes of 25 per cent to 40 per cent due to COVID-19, but he does not believe that these increases have had a negative impact on See RESPONSE TIME P15
Local Remembrance Day ceremonies The number of war dead honoured on Remembrance Day, November 11, are legion and the Royal Canadian Legion is a testament to that fact in name alone. These men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, serving in two World Wars and in other war zones over many decades. At the Viking Branch No. 81 of the Royal Canadian Legion, the members of the Honour Roll for those who died serving in World War l and ll are: Robert Ashwell, Ted Brian, George Brumley, William Carpenter, David Cary, Karl Kristenson, Alex Crawford, Thomas Crawford, Richard Cottrell, Andrew Dobbie, Louis Dobry, Ulric Drobena, Gordon Elliot, James Farmer, Max Hays, William Kelcey, Lloyd Kennett, Reginald Long, Ronald Martin, Jack McAthey, Carl Noren, Howard Saunders, Alvin Seibles, Arthur Whitford, and Alex Wilby. Their names are inscribed on a Cenotaph and in the hearts of many who remember them, along with the many thousands upon thousands of others who were lost defending the homeland on a foreign shore. Every year, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, people gather in community halls, memorial spaces, workplaces, schools and homes and stand in
honour of all those who have fallen. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the poppy becoming the nation’s symbol of Remembrance. The pandemic has meant that locally the Remembrance Day service in Viking is being held virtually again this year at the Golden Valley Lutheran Church. The Holden Legion is once again having an outdoor service only at the Cenotaph on main street, with no wreath laying. The service in Irma will once again take place at the Irma School on November 11. The Royal Canadian Legion is encouraging all Canadians to observe a moment of silence on November 11 to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of their country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. The Act of Remembrance “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. We Will Remember Them.”
2 - Beaver County Chronicle, November 10, 2021
County agrees to tax payment agreement for company Patricia Harcourt Axiom Oil and Gas Inc., a Calgary based company, has been granted a tax payment agreement with Beaver County for payment of the 2021 property taxes over four months. The agreement would also waive the late payment penalties usually levied in November and the following January for unpaid taxes. In her report to the November 3 regular council meeting, Interim CAO Margaret Jones provided background for Axiom, which had purchased the oil and gas assets of Tidewater earlier this year. “They wish to pay the property taxes, but do not have the cash flow to pay the entire amount ($350,751.43) by the 2021 due date,” said Jones. Council agreed to a proposal for the company to pay $100,000 before the November 2 penalty date, then pay three more installments by the end of February next year. Jones said that a turnaround scheduled for December at the plant is too expensive for a payment to be made that month. Axiom, which has never asked for a such an agreement before, is proposing “an aggressive agreement.” Jones asked that each request from a company be considered “on its own merits” but acknowledged there are “extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration” of Axiom’s request. The economic slowdown has not lifted as hoped leaving some companies struggling that have never done so before, and Jones said they “need some relief.” Also, Jones said that “Axiom is a large taxpayer and is not asking for its taxes to be reduced or forgiven.” Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec asked how proposed amendments to the Municipal Government Act to help municipalities collect overdue taxes from oil and gas properties might help the county. “I think it is good news,” said Jones, in that the county will be able to charge a lien on linear and machinery and equipment taxes that go unpaid. But Jones recognized that “this
might not translate into cash…It’s good news but not necessarily an immediate solution,” she concluded. She said that, based on Axiom’s “aggressive payment schedule, I recommend approving it.” A motion by Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) to approve the recommendation was carried. Under the name of “restoring tax accountability,” the province said the proposed changes to the MGA “would provide municipalities with a restored and clarified tool to help them collect overdue taxes from oil and gas properties.” Jones had been referring to a special lien that municipalities could use, if passed, to require oil and gas companies to pay overdue property taxes. “This means if a company becomes bankrupt or decides not to pay their property taxes, municipalities will have a tool to convince them to pay or else property may be seized to cover outstanding debts,” stated a provincial government press release. “As a result municipalities will be more likely to recoup the revenue they are owed,” stated the release. In response to the proposal, President of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta PERC program Paul McLauchlin, said: “Rural municipalities across the province have struggled to collect property taxes assessed from a small minority of oil and gas companies in recent years, leading to impacts on municipal service delivery and infrastructure investment. He added: “These legislative changes are an important step towards ensuring that municipalities have the tools to hold oil and gas facility and related infrastructure owners accountable for property tax payments at the same level of responsibility as all other property owners. “RMA appreciates the Government of Alberta recognizing the importance of this issue and looks forward to working with provincial decision makers to ensure that the changes announced today make a meaningful difference for municipalities and all taxpayers across the province.”
DID YOU KNOW? The universal symbol symbo ol for recycling is actually c called a Mobius Loop. Loop It consists of three arrows that loop back on themselves in a clockwise direction. When you find this symbol on a product, it typically means it can be recycled. However,, just because it can be recycled, does not mean that all municip palities collect these materials for recycling. a a manufacturing In April of 1970, the first Earth Day was held and company in Chicago sponsored a contestt for their local art students. They were asked to design something to represent paper recycling, as this company was a lead user of o recycled paper at the time. The first prize design, chosen from ov ver 500 submissions, was of these three-chasing-arrows, also kn nown as the Mobius Loop. Over the years, this symbol has becom me widely used as a recycling symbol. It typically means that the product or object is capable of being recycled, not necessarily tha at it will be accepted in all recycling collection systems. But what, if anything, do those three arrows stand for? Many believe each arrow stands for one of the three RsϞReduce, Reuse and Recycle. They are however mistaken. Each arrow in the Mobius Loop represents one part of a three-step process that completes the recycling loop. The first step is collection, wherein people take their recyclables to a drop off centre or recycling depot. If the process stopped at the depot, it is not recycling, just collection. The other two parts of the loop must also be completed for the collected material to truly be considered recycled. From the collection point, these materials are then shipped to a manufacturing facility. The remanufacturing of the collected material, represents the second arrow in the Mobius Loop. The collected recyclable material is converted into new products and shipped to stores where they can be purchased by consumers. This third and final piece of the Mobius Loop completes p
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purchase products made with recycled content, thereby creating a market for more recyclable materials. All three together complete the recycling loop. If consumers do not choose products with recycled content, there may not be a market for potentially recyclable material. Manufacturers may charge, or possibly not even accept, the collected material. When we are asked by residents to add more, no-cost, material streams to our current recycling program,
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˧˛˘˥˘ ˜˦ˡϠ˧ ˔ ˠ˔˥˞˘˧ ˪˛˘˥˘ ˧˛˘ ˖ˢ˟˟˘˖˧˘˗ ˠ˔˧˘˥˜˔˟ ˖˔ˡ ˕˘ remanufactured and made into new items, we would only be technically collecting and storing materials, not truly recycling. We will however, continue to pursue opportunities for new material streams as markets open up. If we all buy recycled products, it will help create new markets!
Toll Free: 1.855.221.2038 Ph: 780.663.2038 50117 Range g Road 173 (Secondary y Highway g y 854) Box 322, Ryley, y y AB T0B 4A0
Ryley Landfill Hours: Weekd kdays ys 9:00am- 4:30pm;Saturd rday ays /ST STATS 9:00am- 3:00pm; m; Closed ed Sunday ays NOTE:customers must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing; Administration Offices closed from 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lindbrook Transfer Station Hours: Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Thurs 11:30 am - 6:30 pm; Sat 10:30 - 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station Hours: Wed, Fri and Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm
Viking Transfer Station Hours: Tues es 10:30am- 5:30pm; m; Sat10:30am-5:30pm
Kinsella Transfer Station Hours: Wed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Fri 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Beaver County Chronicle, November 10, 2021 - 3
County grants community support funding to Cloverlodge, Viking Library Patricia Harcourt Two Viking organizations received capital grants from Beaver County after county council agreed to community support requests from the Viking Municipal Library and Cloverlodge Stampede. Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) wanted to know if the organizations had also asked for funding from “the adjacent town,” referring to the Town of Viking. Community Development Officer Susan Lungal responded that “the criteria is not in the policy and this requirement has never been resolved.” However, she added that neither organization has asked for matching funding from the town. Councillor Dale Pederson, who represents the area in Division 5, quickly jumped in to explain that as the county’s representative on the library board, it was his idea for the library to ask for a community support grant. The library is requesting the funding in order to purchase a multi-purpose printer. “They rent so why not get (a printer) if they can get the funding from a support grant,” he said. The library has never applied for funding before. A motion by Pederson to provide a $2,325 capital grant to the Viking library was passed. Council was given the option of providing the Cloverlodge Stampede Association with either
$2,500 or $13,181.84 towards the building of a spectator shelter. The shelter would be in the form of a permanent metal pole shed with a metal roof, to be used as a spectator shelter during events. For the funding, Beaver County would be provided signage recognizing the contribution. Reeve Kevin Smook (Division 1) made the motion to give a capital grant of $13,181.84 to Cloverlodge. “We have the money in the budget, we’re an agricultural community, we will get some splash with the sign that shows we support the community,” said Smook, in support of his motion. Hrabec agreed, reasoning that the county has supported the Bruce Stampede in the past. Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) agreed, saying that with the labour and equipment done by Cloverlodge, “I think they’re doing their share.” Councillor Dale Pederson said the Cloverlodge is in his Division 5, and “I fully support it,” and Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce felt the same as the others. The Community Supports program provided $38,000 in grants last spring out of a budget $75,000. “The budget is also used to fund routine sponsorship requests,” said Lungal, such as rodeos, sports days, Christmas Hamper drive, etc. “When these are taken into account, the budget remaining for grants is $28,050,” she said.
Family Violence Prevention Month
New council holds first regular council meeting Patricia Harcourt At the first regular meeting of the new Beaver County Council, members were given an overview of Health and Safety protocols and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act rules by the county’s Executive Assistant Cindy Cox. At the county’s organizational meeting October 27, a request was made for more information on the Battle River Watershed Alliance (BRWA) to determine if the county should have representation on its board. Council heard that funding for watershed organizations is included in the county’s agriculture budget. “The county provides annual funding to the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance which includes the Vermilion River Watershed Association and the BRWA,” stated Ag Fieldperson Aimee Boese in her report to council. Since a motion was passed in 2010, the county has funded watershed organizations to a maximum of $0.50/per capita to be shared on a per capita basis between the NSWA ($2,500) and the BRWA ($500). After hearing the report, a motion by Councillor Barry Bruce (Division 4) to authorize Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) to submit a membership application on behalf of Beaver County to the BRWA was carried. Council agreed to appoint Matt Micklich to another term as Producer at Large (PAL) member on the Agricultural Services Board. Two PAL members were asked if they wanted to continue in their position, with Micklich the only one to agree. The other PAL position will be advertised.
Iterim Chief Administrative Officer TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INTERIM CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Due to the recent departure of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), County Council is seeking the services of an INTERIM CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER while it works with a recruitment consultant to fill the position permanently. The CAO is responsible for the overall leadership of all municipal operations and staff, as well as being Council’s key advisor and strategist. The successful applicant can look forward to a variety of leadership responsibilities in a proactive and diverse municipality, in addition to an exciting opportunity to implement the recommendations of a recent Corporate Governance Review. Refer to www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/careers for additional information. Beaver County offers a comprehensive benefits package. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Qualified individuals are invited to submit a resume, stating relevant education and experience, to: Reeve Kevin Smook c/o Beaver County Box 140, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0
ksmook@beaver.ab.ca Phone: (780) 995-9339
This career opportunity will remain open until a suitable candidate is found, although resumes submitted by 4:30 pm, Thursday, November 25, 2021, will be given first consideration. We thank all applicants for their interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted