November 20 Tofield Mercury (subscriber edition)

$1 including gst

Tofield

Winterfest Schedule inside!

Your LOCAL Media since 1918!

VOLUME 107: ISSUE 13

www.tofieldmerc.com

Also check out the shop local pages with special deals!

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Canada’s mail at a standstill Canada Post’s largest union went on strike Friday as sides remain ‘far apart’ Canada Post CUPW employees in Tofield were out picketing on Monday.

Pictured here (L-R): Tammy Nelson, Angela Fuller, Nicole Brindza.

KARI JANZEN PHOTO

Last Tuesday, November 12, Canada Post’s largest union CUPW delivered 72 hours notice of job action. On early morning Friday, November 15, it went ahead with its warned strike action, shutting down mail delivery and unionized post offices country wide.

There had been some hope that strikes may be rotating as they have in the past, but that was ultimately not the case Unexpectedly, Canada Post countered Friday morning announcing that no mail would be processed at all during the strike, even rurally in non-CUPW post offices.

This was a departure from what Caribou Publishing had been told in the weeks leading up to the strike by regional post office officials, most of whom are non-CUPW employees and were expecting to be able to process local mail only.

Continued on Page 3

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 23

Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Pu ll

Ou t

Tofield

Winterfest 2024 Schedule of Events

Friday, November 29th • 4-H TURKEY BINGO – 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

– Tofield Community Hall • U13 Hockey Tournament – Friday - Sunday – Tofield Arena

Saturday, November 30th • BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

– Tofield Legion • STUFF THE BUS – 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. – IGA Parking lot • WESTERN MAKERS MARKET – 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

– Tofield Community Hall • FESTIVAL OF TREES – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

– Tofield Nature Centre

• BAKE SALE – 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. – Tofield Legion • CHILI LUNCH – 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Golden Club • DOWNTOWN PARADE – 5:30 p.m. – Main Street • LIGHTING OF THE TREE – Immediately following Parade – Town Administration Office • FAMILY DANCE – 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. – Tofield Community Hall • FIREWORKS – 8:30 p.m. – Ball Diamond #4 – Sports Grounds

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 3

Mail disruption an opportunity to support local businesses Canada Post Union on Strike Continued from Front

Through their own internal discussions, and from experience with past strikes, it was expected that much local mail as well as newspapers would still be put in local boxes, as long as the mail was dropped off at the specific post office of delivery.

The federal government has appointed a mediator between the two sides, but it was reported by Global News on Monday that the two parties were still "far apart" on several issues.

"We're trying our best to get back to the bargaining table to negotiate contracts so we can continue to service you and expand your services in your rural and remote communities,” said Jan Simpson, national president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

A Canada Post representative said the corporation plans to resume operations if the union pivots to rotating strikes.

As for the local newspaper, this means drop-off locations have been established while mail delivery is interrupted.

In addition to the stores that regularly sell the

Tofield Mercury, subscription papers can be picked up at the following locations: The Tofield Mercury office; Tofield Library (open until 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday); Beaver County office in Ryley; Village of Holden office in Holden; and Spilstead Community Hall.

For any week impacted, e-editions of our newspaper will be available free of charge for viewing on Patreon and Issuu. Those will be embedded at the Mercury website starting Wednesday.

“We remain hopeful that only the November 20 edition will be interrupted,” said Eric Anderson, Associate Publisher of the Mercury.

“However, we feel the plans in place will ensure most local readers can grab their newspaper easily at many different locations, and if they are unable, will be able to read it easily online for free.

“We expect the free online editions will attract even curious lapsed readers during the strike, and fully expect to actually have more readers than usual during the November 20 edition and beyond. Advertisers can rest assured we’re doing everything we can to ensure as many readers as possible during this incredibly inconvenient mail interruption.”

With parcel and mail deliveries in question as the Christmas season approaches, shopping inperson locally may provide an easy solution.

780-918-9300 www.lorenzteam.com 5118 50 St., Tofield, AB

“Local stores, many of whom are appearing in this week’s Mercury, offer the same great products and services that we find online,” Anderson said.

“Instead of searching for conveniences just a click away, and not knowing if they’ll ever even show up, I encourage our readers to reacquaint themselves with all the amazing local shops and businesses in our region. Turn a negative into a major positive this holiday season.”

Hastings Lights A drive-thru Christmas Light experience

November 29th & 30th 6~9 pm each night Hastings Lake Bible Camp #135 51268 Rge Rd 204

! a t n a S t e e m Come and

Take a Year Off Cash Raffle presented by Tofield Agricultural Society

Tickets: 1 for $100 or 3 for $250

Plus 7 additional prizes: 2nd draw: $5,000 3rd Draw: $3,000 4th Draw: $2,000 5th Draw: $1,000 6th Draw: $1,000 7th Draw: $500 8th Draw: $500

Raffle License #683749

Saturday, Nov. 30th @ the Tofield Legion

Breakfast 8 am - 11 am $8 per person; kids 5 and under eat for free.

DRAW DATE: Nov. 30, 2024

780-662-3269 Proceeds support Phase 2: Tofield Arena Renovation Project.

Purchase tickets: www.tofieldagsociety.ca

Greg Litwin, Real Estate Associate greg@lorenzteam.com

Cookie decorating by donation & tattoos by Harvest Moon Proceeds go to the Christmas Hamper

Sponsored by: Tofield IGA, Tofield Legion, Tofield Fire Department, and Home-Time Realty.

Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Santa Clause is Coming to Tofield at the Winterfest Weekend Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter

The 11th annual Winterfest Weekend is on its way!

Tofield’s 4-H Beef and Multi Club will be hosting the family friendly Bingo on Friday, November 29, at the Tofield Community Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the event is cash only with admission being $10, raffle tickets and a concession will also be available.

This is a major fundraising event for the club, it raises funds to allow for 4-H members to attend events, purchase attire, and organize events.

Saturday, November 30, will be packed full of festive fun. The day starts off at the Tofield Legion, breakfast with

Santa and the bake sale happening from 8 a.m.11 a.m. The annual

Western Makers Market will be taking place at the Tofield Commu-

nity Hall from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., with over 35 vendors to shop from.

The Festival of Trees is back and scheduled to take place at Beaverhill Nature Centre and Museum from 11 a.m. 4 p.m. Organizations

wishing to enter a decorated tree can call FCSS to obtain a registration form. A $20 entry free applies. All proceeds will be donated to the Tofield/Ryley and area food bank. A parade

and home/business decorating contest will also be taking place.

Holiday crafts, ornament making, treats and hot chocolate will also be offered at the Festival of Trees.

Continued on Page 26

for the Christmas Hamper Program!

Saturday, Nov. 30th 10 am – 6 pm at Hare Foods-IGA Matching component from IGA & Sobeys for hamper purchases on this day!!

24114DG0

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 5

Tofield Christmas hamper program and other events underway Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter Tofield Christmas hamper program provides a holiday meal for around 100 local families every year. With the Tofield/Ryley food bank reporting higher than normal usage, they are preparing to assist even more families this holiday season.

Requests for food hampers are made by c o n t a c t i n g Tofield/Beaver County West Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

Over the next month local community members and businesses will collaborate to ensure families receive what they need for the holidays.

Starting this week on November 18 and running until November 24 Tim Hortons is running it’s Smile

Cookie Campaign with all proceeds supporting the program. On the 30th the Tofield IGA, a consistent supporter of the initiative, will host the Stuff a Bus event.

From 10am to 6pm customers can purchase $10 and $15 hampers, which will go directly to the Christmas hamper program. There will also be a bin for people to drop off donations throughout the month of December. You can donate anytime this season and receive a charitable receipt, by visiting the Tofield/Ryley food bank.

At the post office a tree has been decorated with paper angels containing the age, gender and gift suggestions for children supported by the Christmas Hamper program.

Those wishing to provide a more personalized item can select an angel, purchase a gift

and return it unwrapped with the angel attached

by December 6.

On December 18 volunteers will help assemble the hampers at the Tofield Community Hall and on December 19, delivery drivers will be needed. All volunteers must pre register by contacting FCSS. Older children are welcome to assist with packing the hampers, but to protect the privacy of recipients, it is requested that they are not present during delivery day.

Greg Litwin has been assisting with the hamper program since 2007 and expressed immense gratitude for the communities support. With so much community support there are many ways for individuals to contribute. Any surplus is given to the Tofield/Ryley food bank to continue to support local families.

Unreserved Real Estate Sale for Garth & Darlene Fleming

2024 COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS HAMPER PROGRAM The Community Christmas Hamper program aims to assist families in need in the Tofield, Ryley and Beaver County (west) area.

1. Hamper Requests To request a Christmas Hamper, visit the FCSS Office in Tofield (5407-50 St.) (upstairs) or Call: 780-662-7067.

Presentation of photo ID, and proof of physical address (eg. utility bill) will be requested to confirm that you are within our service area.

Referrals are confidential. Hamper request deadline is Friday, December 6th.

2. Angel Tree Angel trees are set at both Tofield and Ryley Post Office locations.

1. Pick an angel from the tree. A child’s age, and their interests will help you select a gift.

2. Purchase a gift(s) for that child - suggested spending limit of $60.

3. Attach the angel to the unwrapped gift, and return it to the collection box at the Angel Tree.

Angel gifts returned to the tree by Friday, December 13th.

3. Stuff the Bus Saturday, November 30th from 10 am – 6 pm at Tofield IGA. Support the program by purchasing $10 or $15 paper ornaments that represent a food hamper. IGA Supports the Christmas Hamper Program as well.

Sale Starts December 6th & Closes on December 9th, 2024 Holden, Alberta Directions: From Hwy 14 Go 3 1/2 Miles South On Rg Rd 163, West 1/2 Miles to Corner of Twp Rd 490 & Rg Rd 164 Selling A Beautiful Half Section Of Mixed Farm Land Located Just South of Holden

Parcel #1 - Consisting Of the NW-33-48-16-W4M - Being 160 Acres M/L - Beautiful, Mostly Open Land Currently Having 63 Acres Cultivated, 97 Acres being Pasture Land & Few Trees with a Creek Running Through The North East Corner. Surface Lease Road & Lease Site That Currently Has A Yearly Revenue of $3600.00/Year. With Some Work There Is An Opportunity For Many Of the Pasture Acres To Become Cultivated.

Parcel # 2 - Consisting Of The SW-33-48-16-W4M - Being 160 Acres M/L - Beautiful, Mostly Open land, Currently Having 50 Acres Cultivated, 110 Acres Being Pasture Land & A Few Trees, Dug Out, Also A Former Yard Site. Quarter Is Fenced & Cross Fenced, With Some Work There Is An Opportunity For Many Of The Pasture Acres to Become Cultivated.

Please Contact Garth @ 780-868-4181 For More Information Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Maxwell Polaris Victor Lillo (780) 708-2000 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556 Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Possession on or before January 15th, 2025. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED by January 15th, 2025 the Deposit will be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. All measurements are approximate and need to be verified by the purchaser.

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

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

OPINION

Want to have your say?

Write a Letter: news.tofield@gmail.com (all opinions must be signed to be published)

JOHN’S RANT

Smith fights for Alberta as Liberals fight against it As the Trudeau Liberals continue to do whatever they can to stifle Alberta’s oil and gas industry, Premier Danielle Smith is fighting back for her province.

The Feds under the hyper-foolish eco terrorist Stephen Guilbeault, announced its draft oil and gas emissions cap.

Guilbeault announced draft regulations for capping greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas sectors – which is to say Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan and Newfoundland.

The regulations would require a 35 per cent reduction in emissions from oil and gas below 2019 levels by 2030.

“It is not an emissions cap, it is a production cap,” Smith said in a press conference, where she threatened to launch a constitutional challenge to the proposed caps.

She boldly stated she “was pissed off” by Guilbeault’s draft regulations.

While the Feds proudly stated the draft

would cap pollution, drive innovation and create jobs, many analysts refuse to drink that kool aid.

But in reality, while it may well cap pollution and drive some innovation, according to several recent analyses it won’t create jobs in the oil and gas industry and will, in fact, kill many jobs.

The Conference Board of Canada think-tank estimates that the cap would reduce Canada’s GDP by up to $1 trillion between 2030 and 2040, kill up to 151,300 jobs across Canada by 2030, and slow national economic growth from 2023 to 2030 from 15.3 per cent to 14.3 per cent.

Another study by Deloitte estimates that, due to the federal cap, Alberta will see 3.6 per cent less investment, almost 70,000 fewer jobs, and a 4.5 per cent decrease in the province’s economic output (i.e.

GDP) by 2040.

With the election in the U.S. of Donald Trump as the president elect, he has threatened to put huge tariffs on all imports to the U.S, including oil and gas.

To counter this Smith was invited to join the Governors’ Coalition for Energy Security.

Alberta will join 14 States in the coalition whose aim is to highlight the shared interest of all members in ensuring affordable, reliable and cleaner energy for their residents.

The coalition was founded by Louisiana Governors Jeff Landry and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.

“I am honoured to join the Governors’ Coalition for Energy Security and would like to extend my sincere thanks to Governors Landry and Sununu for the invitation,” said Smith “Alberta plays a vital role in North American energy security, serving as the largest supplier of crude oil and natural gas to the United States.

Our contribution is set to grow even further as we look to work with the Trump Administration and other US partners to increase our pipeline capacity to the United States.

“We are proud to collaborate with this coali-

tion of allied States in advancing energy security, reliability, and affordability for Americans and Canadians,” she added.

She has also stated she plans to be in Washington during the same time as the inauguration of Trump as the new president in January.

Meanwhile Guilbeault is in Azerbaijan moaning about climate change at COP29 and pledging more Canadian tax dollars to help those poor third world counties affected by rising sea levels and damaging storms caused by “climate change.”

The Environment Minister said Canada will spend $160 million to launch a new fund called GAIA to finance projects that aim to reduce emissions in lower-income countries.

In fact the Environment Minister has floated the silly idea of the new fund will include direct grants as well as long-term loans with the goal of getting $2 billion from private sources as well as the government.

Among the strategies discussed, Guilbeault suggested creating a carbon tax on shipping emissions.

“We are very supportive of the discussions that are happening at the International Marine Organization to put in place some kind of levy on international marine transportation,” he said last week.

However, news of another carbon levy was met with swift criticism from the Conservative party, which has been adamant that it would remove the existing domestic carbon taxes, if elected.

“Canadians discovered that Justin Trudeau’s radical Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, wants to create a new global carbon tax on international shipping.

This tax money would then be sent abroad to other countries,” read a statement from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s office.

The statement then called for Guilbeault to testify before a House of Commons Committee on the newly proposed carbon tax “that will

make everything more expensive.”

And of course we know the corrupt Liberals really don’t care how expensive things get for everyday Canadians, as long as they can settle in their plush easy chairs at the end of the day and chant “It’s a Wonderful World.”

Canada has already pledged to contribute $5 billion to developing countries trying to fight climate change from 2021 to 2026.

However, G20 countries are now being asked to increase their funding, with estimates claiming that USD $2.4 trillion is needed per year by 2030 for “emerging markets and developing countries” transition to clean energy, according to a G20 climate finance report.

Yet Canada isn’t close to keeping its commitment to fund NATO and that could lead to issues with the Trump government in short order.

The Liberal priorities moving forward are totally messed up.

Time for an election.

JOHN MATHER

SUBSCRIPTION REQUEST FORM Name: ___________________________________ Address: _________________________________ Town: ________________ Prov: _______________ Postal Code: __________ Phone: _____________

Published & Distributed every week at Tofield, Alberta

P.O. Box 150, Tofield, Alberta T0B 4J0 Phone 780-662-4046 E-mail: (Advertising): adsmercury@gmail.com, (News): news.tofield@gmail.com Funded by the Government of Canada

Rates for a one year subscription are:

Within Canada: $40.00

Kerry Anderson

Lisa Kuflay

Crystal Moren

John Mather

Jana Semeniuk

Kari Janzen

Publisher

Manager

Production

Kate Priestley

Office Assistant

(Prices include G.S.T.)

Send payment to:

Box 150, Tofield, AB. T0B 4J0

or pay online anytime at tofieldmerc.com

Reporter

Reporter

Reporter

Michelle Anderson

Payroll Administrator

Disclaimer: Advertisements designed, set, and produced by The Tofield Mercury, as well as pictures, news, editorial content, and other printed material are protected by copyright laws and may not be used or reproduced without the expressed and signed written consent of The Tofield Mercury. In addition, we reserve the right to edit, delay, and/or refuse any and all letters and other material submitted to us without notice.

**Submitted Letters to the Editor and Opinion columns reflect the exclusive thoughts and opinions of the article’s author, and do not necessarily represent the views of this publication or its staff.**

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 7

Jackie Lovely - Province offsets new municipal policing costs Rising costs affect every Albertan, whether it’s the cost of food, electricity, or even policing.

The new RCMP collective agreement will result in a 39 per cent increase in policing costs for rural municipalities.

Those rising costs would be eaten by the local governments themselves, resulting in higher taxes, cut services, and less money in the pocket of our community members. This is a concern, which is why Alberta’s government is temporarily freezing the amount rural municipalities are responsible for paying for front-line policing services.

Twenty-seven million dollars that would have been downloaded on municipalities and members of the community will now be covered by the province.

Municipal engagement

remains paramount to Alberta’s government.

The freeze will allow us time to conduct this review and to seek municipalities’ feedback on the funding model.

We look forward to providing more details on the engagement in the future.

Our goal is to make decisions that reflect fairness, fiscal responsibility, and the unique needs of smaller communities.

The Police Funding Regulation took effect in 2020.

Before these regulations municipalities with populations of 5,000 or less, municipal districts and counties (i.e., those served by the RCMP) weren’t charged for their police services.

The regulation expires in March 2025, and it is standard practice for regulations to include an expiry date.

The funding regulation was designed to be updated in five years to reflect current policing costs instead of 2018 costs.

Rural municipalities should know their provincial government will always stand up for them, making them safer and keeping them from being overwhelmed by increasing costs.

All the while ensuring that effective and safe policing is delivered. The cost freeze also addresses the reality that rural Albertans face high crime rates.

These communities continue to be disproportionately impacted by property crime and organized criminal activity.

United Conservatives will not abandon rural communities to rising crime or unsustainable costs.

By freezing policing costs, we are working to

ensure that all municipalities can retain the level of police protection they have budgeted for. Over the coming year, we will continue collaborating with municipalities to create a sustainable funding model that meets the unique needs of rural Albertans, while keeping safety and stability front and center.

On another note, Alberta’s government has tabled amendments to strengthen prompt payment for construction projects and improve governance in condominium communities.

If passed, the bill would make amendments to the Condominium Property Act to provide the framework for establishing the long-anticipated Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal.

The tribunal will make it easier and more affordable for condominium owners and corporations to resolve common disputes outside the court system.

The bill would also establish that chargebacks to owners for damage they have caused will be treated as contributions (condominium fees),

which will better protect the overall financial health and well-being of the condominium community.

Other amendments include the provision of a simple form of voting for simple matters, such as approving a meeting agenda. Additionally, the bill will establish the basis for technical requirements for newly built condominiums to protect consumers against structural or other defects in the construction of condominiums.

Make sure they know you want your vehicle brought to

TOFIELD AUTOBODY You can choose where your vehicle is taken for repair unless: • Your vehicle is impounded • You’re unable to express your wishes or • You don’t have written emergency instructions

• Complete collision service • Windshield Repair & Replacement • All Insurance Companies • Guaranteed Workmanship

780-662-3432 4908 - 52 Ave. Holden Rural Academy Grade 9 students visited the Alberta Legislature recently, and met with MLA Jackie Lovely.

Real Estate costs around the country keep going up and up. Imagine being able to own a great

commercial lot like this for under $20K!

Main Street Commercial Lot For Sale

GREAT INVESTMENT!

Viking, AB Great Commercial Lot on Main Street in Viking, AB.

ONLY ONE LIKE IT AVAILABLE! Large attractive central location, would be perfect for constructing a new building. Build yourself an office, rent out upstairs apartment.

Build two office spaces, use one/rent one. Pays for itself! Or place a pre-built on the property. The possibilities are endless. Located between bottle depot and busy restaurant, near Food Bank/FCSS, across from bank and financial advisors, near liquor stores & school.

WOW! A HUGE LOT Call Barb FOR JUST $15K?? 7780-385-0631

Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Goalie Jacob Bigney makes 48 saves during weekend 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).

Tofield’s Lane Dehid scored the only goal for his Strathcona U15 Tier 1 team in their 6-1 loss to SN601 on Saturday at Tofield Arena.

Kaylum Roberts got a

goal and an assist in his Strathcona U18 AA Warriors 6-1 win over Wolverines on Saturday at the Strathcona Olympiette. Ethan Turnbull got an assist. Jacob Bigney made 48 saves in the win, for a .980

winning percentage game.

Seth Sideroff has played 14 games with the second place Junior League Mountainview Colts. His team beat Sylvan Lake 4-1 on Saturday at Didsbury.

Landon Van Engelen got a goal in his Red Lake Miners 4-3 win on Saturday over Ironwood in Superior International Junior Hockey League action from Ontario.

Landon was chosen sec-

ond star of the game.

Emmytt Yurkowski scored two goals on Sunday in his Fort Saskatchewan U18 AAA Rangers 6-3 win over Storm at Dow Centennial Centre.

RCMP encourage prioritization OBITUARIES of child seat safety Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter

The Alberta RCMP have released a statement encouraging motorists to prioritize child seat safety.

Some key safety reminders for motorists are: All child car seats and booster seats must be installed in the rear seat.

Ensure the car seat or booster seat has a Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) sticker on it, indicating it meets national safety regulations.

Purchasing used car seats is discouraged, as they may be damaged,

recalled, expired, or not meet current safety standards.

After installing the car seat, perform the “inch test” by trying to move the seat side-to-side and front-to-back at the base. The seat should not move more than an inch in any direction. If it does, the seat may not be installed tightly enough.

Recommendations for birth to two-year-olds or up to 22 pounds (10 kg) are, Infants are safest when placed in a rearfacing car seat from birth until they are at least two years of age or until they reach the maximum weight and

height limit specified by the car seat manufacturer.

Two-years-old to sixyears-old or 22-40 pounds (10-18 kg). Children who have outgrown their rear facing seat and weigh at least 22 pounds (10 kg) can ride facing forward in a secured child car seat, according to the release.

Recommendations for six-year-olds and older or weighing more than 40 pounds (18 kg), Booster seats are intended for children who have outgrown their forward-facing car seats and weigh at least 40 pounds (18 kg). A booster seat should elevate a child and allow

them to sit comfortably with their back against the seat and their knees bent naturally over the edge of the booster or vehicle seat.

“Always opt for a high-back booster seat to provide support for the child’s head and neck," The release said.

“As a driver, it’s your responsibility to ensure all passengers are properly secured,” says Sgt. Turnbull, Alberta RCMP Traffic.

“It’s important that all children are in the appropriate seat type for their size, and that it is correctly installed. This can make a huge difference in reducing the risk of injury during travel.”

Church Directory Bardo Lutheran Church Salem Mennonite Church Worship: Sundays at 10:30 AM 49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services: In Person – 10:00 AM Streaming – 10:00 AM Livestream available at: tofieldalliancechurch.com

We find joy and hope when we are joined to and rooted in Christ!

Pr. Peter Beckman www.bardolutheranchurch.ca 780-662-2762 • 5907 - 49 Street 5609 48th St. - 780-662-3411 TOFIELD COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Worship Service 10:30am

Tofield United Church

www.tofieldchurch.com

4832 - 53 Ave, Tofield

4619 - 57 Ave

(780) 662-3 3166

Lead Pastor:

Jon Stewart Children/Youth Pastor:

Nathan Nichols

Sunday Worship Service @ 10 am in person or via zoom/phone

for more information call 780.662.3471 or email tofieldunited@gmail.com

Pastor Mark Loewen 780-662-2365 Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 am Sunday Worship 10:45 am

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Parish Pastor: Fr. Jim Corrigan Sunday Mass @ 11 A.M. 5523 - 50 st. Tofield, Ab.

Coffee and snacks after Mass, everyone welcome!

Contact Wendy @ 780-232-5300

Dennis Fitzpatrick

Our beloved father, Dennis Michael Fitzpatrick of Tofield, Alberta passed away on November 1, 2024 at the age of 91 years.

He is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Bernie) von Tettenborn; Mona (Ron) Scholes; grandchildren Bernhard (Kalista), Dennis, Clayton (Paige), Robyn (Marc-Andre), and Alison (Anthony); great-grandchildren Bernsy, Avah, Myriam, Josianne, and Ary. He is predeceased by his wife Margaret.

Dennis was born and raised on a farm in Kleskin Hills in the Alberta Peace Country. He chose a career as an autobody technician, excelled, and moved into management in this field for many years. He returned to his farming roots in later years and helped out on the von Tettenborn farm. He thoroughly enjoyed being back on the farm and helping at harvest time. He was a man of faith who participated his entire life in the Catholic Church. He served in various capacities over the years to support this community.

While we lost our most beloved dad, many have lost a friend and a loved one.

His family and many friends will miss him greatly. He was an honourable and caring man who always kept us laughing with his humour and wit. Dad is up in Heaven driving his beloved truck and keeping an eye on the Oilers.

We will miss you always. Thank you for being our dad.

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Lung Association or to the charity of one's choice.

Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959 www.weberfuneralhome.ca

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 9

Battle River School Division Offers Opportunities for High School Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter

The RAP (Registered Apprentice Program), Green Certificate, and Dual Credit Programs are being offered to Battle River School Division (BRSD) high school students to help improve the transition from school to the workplace and gain on-the-job training all while staying in school and earning an income.

RAP has 33 BRSD students enrolled this year, the students will be completing 1,000 hours of practical apprenticeship experience in a variety of trades, such as: Agriculture Equipment Technician, Auto Body Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Electrician.

RAP is designed to support the Alberta economy while addressing the needs on the students and provid-

ing them with future employment opportunities.

This program also helps with assisting in the shortage of skilled trades workers while minimizing the cost of training. The average hourly pay for a student working in the apprenticeship program is $31.11 an hour.

Fourteen BRSD students are enrolled in the Green Certificate pro-

Basket Raffle back again Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter

The annual Christmas Bazaar is online this year and the basket raffle will be drawn on December 6.

Hosted by the Tofield Long Term Care Unit, this event is put together by all residents.

Pickling, canning, and baked goods are some items that can be purchased online.

A basket raffle is available to enter and win an abundance of prices as

well as a new price this year of a community gift card tree.

To purchase raffle tickets email or call the long term care unit or you can purchase in person at the Tofield Community market on November 22.

"All proceeds from our fundraiser go directly towards enhancing the lives of our residents through activities, entertainment, transportation, and special events," said Nicole Kulba CTRS (Certified

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist).

"Last year’s Bazaar raised funds that allowed us to purchase outdoor courtyard tables, garden flowers, a new hearing support device to help during programming and musical enjoyment, a memorial board to honour those we have lost, and new bingo cards," Kulba said.

"The resident council has a say in what the funds are used for yearly.”

gram this year. This is an industry driven training program that teaches agricultural skills.

Students select a specialization and work towards mastering the skills within their training program. Some of the specializations that students can choose are Beekeeping, Greenhouse management, equine, cow calf beef, poultry, swine, and sheep.

Three students from

Vanessa Poitras Staff Reporter

Public skating is offered at the Tofield Arena on Sundays from 1:30-2:45pm.

Helmets are required while skating on the rink.

Parent and Tot skating hours are offered 10-11 a.m. on Wednesdays.

Shinny hockey for 10 years and under is of-

Campbell Campbell McLennan McLennan Chrysler • Dodge • Jeep

Killam ✦JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE Big Town Dealership, CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM Toll Free 1-877-385-2331 Killam, AB

www.campbellmclennan.com

We’re hiring!

We’re looking for an

Automotive Mechanic!

Are you tired of your current environment and looking for a change?

BROAD REACH at an AFFORDABLE PRICE

Advertise Province-wide with a combined circulation of over 650,000 for only...

Ask about the

799

$

Value Ad Network

plus GST

Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association

toll free 1-800-282-6903 x225 email classifieds@awna.com

or visit your community newspaper

the workplace. This allows the students to personalize their high school experience and span their knowledge into professions such as health care, trades, agriculture, and business administration.

One of the BRSD students who completed their Equine Green Certificate last year has now registered for the Dual Credit Veterinary Assistant Certificate Program at Olds College.

Public skating at arena, lottery underway for the phase 2 addition

KILLAM, ALTA.

Town of Tofield public works employees were up and down main street recently, affixing Christmas lights to the trees in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

BRSD’s 2023-24 Green Certificate program received their Alberta Agriculture Technician Green Certificate this year. Two of those students chose to specialize in equine while one in cow calf beef.

The Dual Credit program is career-based high school programing, assisting students in making meaningful transitions to post-secondary education or to

Do you want to work in a tight-knit rural community for an honest, prosperous Company?

If you possess leadership qualities, are full of energy, very well organized, a highly motivated individual, represent excellent communication skills, enthusiasm, and love helping customers and thrive on solving mechanical problems, WE NEED TO TALK!

fered Tuesdays 3:45-5 p.m.

For 11 years and older Thursdays 3:45-5 p.m.

For Shinny hockey both helmets and gloves are required for all participants.

"Take a Year Off Lottery is a lottery to raise funds for Phase 2 Addition to the Tofield Arena.

“The addition will be out the east side of the

existing facility, and will consist of a new Zamboni room, Referee changing room and storage,” said Tofield Chief Administrative Officer Cindy Neufeld.

"The draw will be made on November 30, with the grand prize of $52,000 plus seven additional prizes.

“The lottery is selling out fast and the draw is near."

WE’RE HIRING at The James Insurance Group We are a progressive, dynamic business providing general insurance and other services at 4 locations in East Central Alberta.

We are accepting applications for a

Full Time General Insurance Broker starting immediately. This position includes competitive salary & benefits.

The successful candidate will – U Possess strong organizational & communication skills.

U >Ûi > Ü } iÃÃ Ì i>rn quickly.

U >Ûi the ability to work with various computer applications.

U Þ Ü À } > v>ÃÌ «>Vi`] Ìi> i Û ronment.

U >Ûi the desire to deliver excellence in customer service every day.

Insurance experience is preferred, but not essential.

Candidate must be eligible to be licensed by AB Insurance Council.

Would you like to join our team?

We offer a clean, fun, safe, and warm environment to work in. Competitive pay plan. Benefits package.

Apply by resume Attention Wes, in person at Campbell McLennan Chrysler in Killam or by fax 780-385-3803 or email wcampbell@cmchrysler.ca or Gerry Keyzer Service Manager at service@cmchrysler.ca

Please submit your resume to PO Box 100, Killam, AB T0B 2L0

marcy@tjig.ca or deliver to – S. James Agencies (Killam) Ltd., 5012 – 50 St. Killam.

Sedgewick Land & Insurance Ltd., 4834 – 47 St., Sedgewick. www.tjig.ca Battle River Agencies, x££n q xä -Ì°] >rdisty | 5007 – 50 St., Lougheed

Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Recent huge vessel moves part of carbon capture project John Mather Staff Reporter

Three huge vessels that are being moved along local roads from Dacro Industries in Tofield to Shell Scotford’s plant site in northern Strathcona County are [part of the Polaris carbon capture project.

The first vessel, a CO2 absorber column, was 234 long 25 feet wide and weighed an impressive 358 tonnes. It was moved Oct. 7.

The second vessel moved last Tuesday, Nov. 12.

It was an amine stripper and was 145 feet long, 21 feet wide and weighed 173 tonnes.

The third vessel for the project will be moved Nov 25 and it will be a boiler amine absorber and quench.

The Atlas Carbon Storage Hub from Shell and ATCO EnPower intends to store CO2 emissions generated in the Alberta Industrial Heartland region. The first phase of Atlas will store CO2 emissions captured by Shell’s Polaris carbon capture project. CO2 emissions captured by Polaris will be sent to the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub via an approximately 22-kilometre pipeline to two storage wells located in Strath-

cona County. CO2 will be stored there approximately two kilometres underground in the Basal Cambrian Sands, the same formation used to successfully store CO2 from the Quest CCS facility currently operating at Shell Scotford.

On June 26, 2024, Shell announced the Final Investment Decision (FID) for Polaris, a carbon capture project at the Shell Energy and Chemicals Park, Scotford in Alberta, Canada. Polaris is designed to capture approximately 650,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from the Shell-owned Scotford refinery and chemicals complex.

Polaris will have the potential to reduce Scope 1 CO2 emissions at Shell’s Scotford refinery by capturing and storing up to 40 per cent and by up to 22 per cent at the chemicals complex.

In addition to the Polaris FID, Shell also announced the final investment decision to proceed with the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub in partnership with ATCO EnPower.

Shell is a 50/50 partner with ATCO EnPower in the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub. The first phase of Atlas will provide permanent underground storage for CO2 captured by the Polaris project.

Ryley Legion president pins poppy on mayor

Ryley Legion president Gordon Pope attended the Village of Ryley's committee of the whole meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 5 to officially pin a poppy onto Mayor KARI JANZEN PHOTO Stephanie Dennis.

The second oversized load gets transported from Tofield’s Dacro Industries to the Shell Scotford Complex on Nov. 12. This photo was taken by Crystal Moren as the load moved up Highway 834 north of Highway 14. It was the second oversized load moved to the site in the past month. A third vessel is scheduled to move on Nov. 25.

$3,905.60

Tofield Mercury; Kerry, Michelle, Brennan, & Garrett Anderson; Eric & Ally Anderson; Lisa, Derick, Kylie, Cody, Keifer, & Colton Kuflay; John Mather; Jana Semeniuk & family; Crystal & Hunter Inverarity; Kari Janzen & family; Kate Priestley & family; Mr. & Mrs. Anonymous; Anita Domoslai; Gilbert & Dorothy Suchy; ; D. King; Harold & Barbara Conquest; Lillian Grinde; Gerald Upton; Kelly Phillips; Beaverhill Bird Observatory; Geoff Holroyd; Rose & Joe Yurkowski; Brenda Williams; KC Insurance; Bruce & Bernice Peters;

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 11

Tofield Library Chocolate Fundraiser Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter

The Tofield Library is holding a Purdy’s chocolate fundraiser to help improve their facility and fund their programs.

This is the first year they have run this particular fundraiser and staff says it has been very successful.

Not knowing what to expect they set a modest

goal, expecting to sell approximately $1000 worth of chocolate and as of Monday November 18 they had already sold over $3200 with $850 going to the library.

Patrons can choose from a variety of options, starting around $10 for hot chocolate and ranging up to $175 for the Festive Delights Gift Basket.

Orders can be placed through the Tofield Li-

brary or online at fundraising.purdys.com/joi n.aspx/1974865-119550.

The fundraiser will remain open until November 24, with pickups scheduled between December 5-11.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit the Tofield Library, funding new office chairs, shelves and support for the children’s summer programs.

A Message from the Tofield and District Chamber of Commerce: The Tofield and District Chamber of Commerce extends holiday greetings to everyone in our area. Your local Chamber of Commerce is unique in that we have members from local, home-based and start up business as well as community and non-profit organizations. All groups are welcome to be part of the Chamber of Commerce. To find out more information please visit us at www.tofieldchamber.com Shopping local means, we are nurturing locally owned businesses, which employ local workers, and use local resources. Local shopping leaves your money in the community and we have all seen how local businesses willingly give back to sports groups and not for profit organizations.

We all want to see our local businesses thrive.

Sincere wishes for health and happiness.

Tofield and District Chamber of Commerce Box 967, Tofield AB, T0B 4J0

Shop Local

tofieldchamber@gmail.com

Madi Hillyer Library Assistant talking about the success of their Purdy's Chocolate fundraiser.

This Christmas Season, Consider Consider Shopping

Local

For most businesses, the Christmas Season is so important that it can make or break the kind of year you have.

That's why it's so important to

ADVERTISE! The Tofield Mercury is once again selling special 'Shop Local' advertising pages this year, running from November 20 to December 11.

Priced to be affordable for any size of business, you get 4 weeks of exposure in the top-read paper in our area *PLUS* A FREE FIFTH WEEK December 18!!

What do you have to lose?

780-662-4046 • adsmercury@gmail.com

DAMIEN C. KUREK MP Battlte Rive v r—Cr Crowf wfoot

1.800.665.4358 • @DCKUREK DAMIEN.KUREK@PARL.GC.CA

Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

5101 50th St., Tofield (780) 662-3728 5315 - 50 St. Tofield • 780-662-3212 High-Visibility Extension Cords 25’ length $32.89 50’ length $69.99 100’ length $139.99

$5 OFF when you spend $25 or more for each household!

YOU MUST BRING THIS COUPON! OPEN

• Outdoor use • 12-gauge SJTW weather-resistant wire • Single-outlet, 3 prong grounded plug • 13 A rating

Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

780-243-3206

OFFER VALID UNTIL DEC. 31, 2024

Located 1 km West of Tofield on HWY 14

Tofield Bottle Depot 20422 Twp Rd 502 Beaver County

Phone: 780-800-8031

Located at 5304 - 56 St. Tuesday - Saturday

Mon. Closed Tues. 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

Wed. 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m.

Thurs. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Fri. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sat. 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m.

Sun. 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

We sort your bottles!

780-662-3936

5312 – 50 St. Tofield 500 Sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 Bond Paper

$9.95 + tax 780-662-4046 • adsmercury@gmail.com www.tofieldmerc.com

SELECT FRAMES FREE WITH PURCHASE OF LENSES! EVENING & WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR SMALL TOWN BUSINESS

5213 50th St., Tofield Phone: (825) 977-5394 Movies, Games, Funko Pops!, and More!

FRAME SALE - 40% OFF OAKLEY AND RAYBAN. PLUS OTHER GREAT BANDS WE DIRECT BILL MOST INSURANCES

780-662-0104 BOOK ONLINE @ TOFIELDEYECARE.COM

5024 51ave Tofield, AB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) BBEAVER C OUNTY S EED C LEANING CO O-OP OP EAVER C OUNTY S EED C LEANING C BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO -OP For Sale: Common Seed Oats, 25th November on Monday, p.m.November 7 @ September Held & October Complex Pony and Barley Holden theOats @ by Open appointment only

Serving all the farms, ranches, acreages and towns in Beaver County

Chronicle

Bruce, Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

COFFEE & DONUTS WILL• BEHolden, PROVIDED Phone 780-688-3917 AB Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

The Beaver County

A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County

Hubert & Margaret Graham Parts, & Sales & Service Hubert Margaret Graham Parts, Sales & Service Bus: 780-663-3759 Bus: 780-663-3759 Res: 780-662-2384 Res: 780-662-2384 Fax: 780-663-3799 Fax: 780-663-3799 ryalta@digitalweb.net

5108 - ryalta@digitalweb.net 50th St. Ryley, AB., T0B 4J0 5108 - 50th St. Ryley, AB., T0B 4A0

Wednesday, November20, , 2023, Volume 16, Issue 46 Wednesday, WednesdayNovember February 16 2024, 2022 Volume Volume 17, 15 Issue Issue 47 7

Municipal elections in fall 2025 require decisions now Patricia Harcourt Beaver County is positioning itself almost a year in advance to be prepared for the general municipal elections in 2025.

That includes appointing of returning officers, and possible bylaws requiring candidate criminal record checks and orientation ad training for newly elected officials.

Chief Administrative Officer Kayleena Spiess is recommending that Margaret Jones, general manager of legislative services, and Meagan Walsh, executive assistant for legislative services, take on the roles of returning officer and substitute returning officer respectively.

If nobody else is appointed the CAO

would automatically take over the role of returning officer.

But Spiess stated she preferred others be chosen.

“Administration recommends that staff members be appointed to both positions,” she stated, noting that “Margaret Jones has acted as the returning officer for previous general elections and is knowledgeable of the process.”

“Meagan Walsh has expressed an interest in learning more about legislative services,” said Spiess, adding that “hands-on experience with the municipal elections process is crucial to her professional development.”

Spiess also explained that “a third party returning officer and/or

substitute returning officer may be difficult to find,” due to the fact that the federal election is also slated to tale place on the same day as the municipal elections in Alberta.”

Once appointed, both Jones and Walsh would take an oath of office to begin the preparations for the municipal elections.

Councillors get a fouryear term in office which means the last time they were elected was in October 2021.

Local school boards have historically requested that th county manage their elections as well.

Spiess stated that, “the municipal election is a very important function and staff workloads will be adjusted to accommodate the requirements of

these positions.”

Along those lines, the county will be looking at the hiring of an assistant for legislative services.

Also, the Governance and Priorities Committee met Movember 13 and discussed a proposal to ask that administration draft a bylaw that would require candidates in the 2025 municipal election to obtain a criminal record check.

The Local Authorities Election Act was recently amended to provide council with the option to pass a bylaw to require that a person who is seeking nomination as a candidate for the election produce a criminal record check along with their nomination form.

This bylaw would have to pass by the end of this year to be valid

for the election next year.

GPC was presented with four different types of criminal record checks from which to choose, including basic criminal background checks using names and dates of birth, fingerprints to identify a person’s identity, a police information check and vulnerable sector check.

Fees could be attached to these criminal checks and the check must be presented along with the nomination form for public viewing.

The GPC can forego this requirement in favour of a sworn statement by the candidate or by using the disqualification provisions in the Local Authorities Election Act. GPC is also looking at a policy for Councillor Orientation and Training

to apply to newly elected councillors. A corporate governance review in 2021 recommended a policy regarding councillor orientation be developed.

The GPC followed up August 14 with a review of a draft Councillor Orientation and Training Policy.

The province has passed Bill 20 which changed some election procedures and rules.

“It is Municipal Affairs’ interpretation that the orientation is only applicable to newly elected councillors after a general election or a by-election,” stated Jones in her report to GPC. Administration recommended that the GPC review the proposed bylaw and approved it for council’s upcoming consideration.

Budget preparation time at Alberta government activates contingency mail delivery plan Beaver County Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council has started to prepare for its upcoming budget sessions to pave the way for 2025’s work year.

Chief Administrative Officer Kayleena Spiess and General Manager of Corporate Services Ryan Arndt will provide council with an overview of next year’s budget.

Binders will be presented to the coun-

cillors on the day of council Wednesday, November 20.

“The overview and binders are provided for council’s information only,” stated administration’s report to council.

“Administration requests that council review the information and come prepared to ask questions at the council budget meetings on November 27-29.”

Council’s questions would be answered at these budget meetings or

following them.

Special council meetings on December 4-5 are scheduled so councillors can discuss or debate the 2025 budget. The interim 2025 budget is expected to be approved at the final meeting of council on December 18.

Council is expected to set mill rates for next year’s taxes to provide the finances for the budget following a period of discussion and debate.

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 19, the province says mail can be accepted from Albertans at designated Alberta government offices across the province to ensure it reaches the proper destination.

According to a government release, Albertans who receive mail from the provincial government will receive a notification by email or phone indicating where and when they can pick-up/drop-off their mail.

While there were no

locations announced between Ryley and Irma at press time, nearby pick-up/drop-off locations are listed as follows on the government website. These are subject to change and new locations may be added: In Camrose, at the AFSC building on 52nd street.

In Tofield at the Provincial building (5024 - 51 Ave.).

In Vegreville at the Haverhill building (5121 49 St. E).

In Wainwright at the Provincial building (#4,

810 - 14 Ave.).

In Lamont at the AFSC building (5014 - 50 Ave.).

In Sherwood Park at the Centre Plaza (190 Chippewa Road).

In Fort Saskatchewan at the Correctional Centre (7802 - 101 St.).

Alberta’s government will never ask for personal information over the phone or for anyone to click on a link in an email.

Non-critical mail will be held by the originating department until Canada Post mail service resumes.

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, November 20, 2024

XɎ‫ټ‬ɀ ÁǝƏɎ Áǣȅƺ Ȓǔ ç çƺ ƺƏȸٍ Rƺȸƺٔɀ Ɏǝƺ ³ƬȒȒȵ Ȓȇ ³ȇȒɯ ƏȇƳ XƬƺِ​ِ​ِ ª٥ á áǝ ǝƺȇ Ƴ ƳȒ Ȓƺɀ Ɏǝƺ ! !Ȓ ȒɖȇɎ ȇɎɵ ɵ ɀƺȇƳ ȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺ ɀȇȒɯ ȵǼȒɯ ɯɀ ɀ٬ ‫ ي‬áƺ ɀȵȸǣȇǕ ǣȇɎȒ ƏƬɎǣȒȇ ɯǝƺȇ Ɏǝƺ ɀȇȒɯ ȵǣǼƺɀ ɖȵ ɎȒ ƏƫȒɖɎ ‫ ׎׎׏‬ȅȅ ٢‫ג‬ ǣȇƬǝƺɀ٣ِ ª٥ á áǝ ǝƏɎ ǣǣǔǔ ǣǣɎɎ ǼǼȒ ȒȒǸ Ǹɀ ɀ ǼǣǸ ǼǣǣǸ Ǹƺ Ə ɀȇȒɯ ǕǼǼȒ Ȓƫƺ ƺɴ ɴȵ ȵǼȒƳƺƳ٬ ‫ ي‬áƺ Əǣȅ ɎȒ ƬǼƺƏȸ ƫɖɀ ȸȒɖɎƺɀ ƏȇƳ ȅƏǣȇ ȸȒƏƳɀ ɯǣɎǝǣȇ ‫ זג‬ǝȒɖȸɀ ƏȇƳ ƏǼǼ ǼȒƬƏǼ ȸȒƏƳɀ ɯǣɎǝǣȇ ‫ או‬ǝȒɖȸɀِ ɖɎ ǣǔ xȒɎǝƺȸ zƏɎɖȸƺ ƳƺƬǣƳƺɀ ɎȒ ǕȒ ǔɖǼǼ‫ٮ‬Ȓȇ ɀȇȒɯȵȒƬƏǼɵȵɀƺً ǣɎ ȅǣǕǝɎ ɎƏǸƺ ɖɀ Ə ƫǣɎ ǼȒȇǕƺȸِ ª٥ áǣǼ áǣǣǼǼǼǼ ȅ ȅɵ ɵ ȸȸȒ ȒƏƳ ƫƺ ǔǣȸ ǔǣǣȸȸɀ ɀɎ٬ ‫ ي‬áƺ ɀƺƺ ɵȒɖȸ ƺȅƏǣǼɀً ƬƏǼǼɀً ƏȇƳ ȅƺɀɀƏǕƺɀ ƺɮƺȸȸɵ ɵ ɯǣȇɎƺȸ ٢ɯƺ ƏȵȵȸƺƬǣƏɎƺ ɵȒɖȸ ȵƏɀɀǣȒȇٍ٣ِ ɖɎ ǝƺȸƺٔɀ Ɏǝƺ ƳƺƏǼ‫ ي‬ɯƺ ȵȸǣȒȸǣɎǣɿƺ ƫɖɀ ȸȒɖɎƺɀً ƬȒǼǼƺƬɎȒȸ ȸȒƏƳɀً ƏȇƳ Ɏǝƺȇ ǼȒƬƏǼ ȸȒƏƳɀِ 0ȅƺȸǕƺȇƬɵ ɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ Əȸƺ ƏǼɯƏɵɀ ɎȒȵ Ȓǔ ȅǣȇƳِ (ȸǣɮƺɯƏɵɀّ Áǝƺ ƺɵ ɵٔȸƺ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ ǼǣɀɎً ƫɖɎ Ə ǼǣɎɎǼƺ ǔɖȸɎǝƺȸ ƳȒɯȇِ áǣɎǝ Ȓɮƺȸ ‫ ׎׎הًא‬ǸǣǼȒȅƺɎƺȸɀ Ȓǔ ȸȒƏƳɀ ɎȒ ȅƏȇƏǕƺً Ȓɖȸ Ƭȸƺɯɀ ɯȒȸǸ ǝƏȸƳ ɎȒ ǕƺɎ ƺɮƺȸȸɵ ɵɎǝǣȇǕ ƬǼƺƏȸƺƳ ƏȇƳ ɀƏǔƺ Əɀ ȷɖǣƬǸǼɵ Əɀ ȵȒɀɀǣƫǼƺِ áƺ ǸȇȒɯ ɯƏǣɎǣȇǕ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ǔȸɖɀɎȸƏɎǣȇǕً ƏȇƳ ɯǝǣǼƺ ɯƺ ƬƏȇ‫ټ‬Ɏ ǕȸƏȇɎ ƺɮƺȸȸɵ ɵ ɀȇȒɯ‫ٮ‬ȸƺǼƏɎƺƳ ɯǣɀǝً ȸƺɀɎ ƏɀɀɖȸƺƳ Ȓɖȸ ɎƺƏȅ ǣɀ ȒɖɎ Ɏǝƺȸƺ ƫƏɎɎǼǣȇǕ Ɏǝƺ ƺǼƺȅƺȇɎɀِ áƺ ȅƏɵ ȇȒɎ ƬȒȇɎȸȒǼ Ɏǝƺ ɯƺƏɎǝƺȸ ٢ɀɎǣǼǼ ɯȒȸǸǣȇǕ Ȓȇ ɎǝƏɎٍ٣ً ƫɖɎ ɯƺ‫ټ‬ȸƺ ǕƺƏȸƺƳ ɖȵ ɎȒ Ǹƺƺȵ Ɏǝƺ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ȅȒɮǣȇǕِ ³ɎƏɵ ƬȒɿɵ ƏȇƳ Ƴȸǣɮƺ ɀƏǔƺٍ IȒȸ ȅȒȸƺ ǣȇǔȒ Ȓȇ ɀȇȒɯ ƏȇƳ ǣƬƺ ƬǼƺƏȸǣȇǕ ǝƺƏƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ !ȒɖȇɎɵ «ȒƏƳɀ ȵƏǕƺ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺِ

R à à0 ç È ³RXIÁ0( XzÁ áXzÁ0«ّ áǣɎǝ ɯǣȇɎƺȸ ȇȒɯ ǝƺȸƺً ǣɎ ɯȒȇ‫ټ‬Ɏ ƫƺ ǼȒȇǕ ƫƺǔȒȸƺ ɀȇȒɯ ƏȇƳ ǣƬƺ ƬȒɮƺȸ Ȓɖȸ ȸȒƏƳɯƏɵɀً ƏȇƳ ƳȸǣɮǣȇǕ ƬȒȇƳǣɎǣȒȇɀ ƫƺƬȒȅƺ Ǽƺɀɀ ɎǝƏȇ ǣƳƺƏǼِ ƺ ȵȸƺȵƏȸƺƳ ƫɵ ɯǣȇɎƺȸǣɿǣȇǕ ɵȒɖȸ ɮƺǝǣƬǼƺً ɀɯǣɎƬǝǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɯǣȇɎƺȸ Ɏǣȸƺɀً ƏȇƳ ɎƏǸǣȇǕ ƺɴɎȸƏ ƬƏȸƺ ɯǝǣǼƺ ƳȸǣɮǣȇǕِ !ǝƺƬǸ ‫ ׏׏ד‬ǼƫƺȸɎƏ ƫƺǔȒȸƺ ɎȸƏɮƺǼǼǣȇǕ ɎȒ ɮǣƺɯ ȸȒƏƳ ƬȒȇƳǣɎǣȒȇɀً ƏȇƳ ȵǼƏȇ ɵȒɖȸ Ɏȸǣȵ ƏƬƬȒȸƳǣȇǕǼɵِ ³ƬƏȇ Ɏǝƺ ª« ƬȒƳƺ ɯǣɎǝ ɵȒɖȸ ȵǝȒȇƺ ɎȒ ɮǣƺɯ ȅȒȸƺ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓȇ ǝȒɯ ɵȒɖ ƬƏȇ ǝƺǼȵ Ǹƺƺȵ ȸȒƏƳɀً ƏȇƳ ɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔً ɀƏǔƺ ƳɖȸǣȇǕ Ɏǝƺ ɯǣȇɎƺȸ ȅȒȇɎǝɀِ

ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ! Ȓ ɖ ȇ Ɏ ɵ ۴ ‫ ׎ ד ٮ ׎ א ׏ ד‬Ɏ ǝ ³ Ɏ ȸ ƺ ƺ Ɏ ً Ȓ ɴ ‫ « ً ׎ ג ׏‬ɵ Ǽ ƺ ɵ ً Á ‫ ׎ ג ׎‬۴ ‫ ׎ ב ו ב ٮ ב ה ה ٮ ׎ ז ו‬۴ ƫ ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ِ Ə ƫ ِ Ƭ Ə

Beaver County Chronicle, November 20, 2024 - 3

Xx¨ «Á zÁ ( Á0³ zȒɮƺȅƫƺȸ ‫׎א‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x ‫¨ ׎בيג ٮ‬x ‫« ٮ‬ƺǕɖǼƏȸ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ (ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ז׏‬ ‫ ׎בيח‬x ‫¨ א׏ ٮ‬x ‫ ٮ‬JȒɮƺȸȇƏȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ¨ȸǣȒȸǣɎǣƺɀ !ȒȅȅǣɎɎƺƺ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ ‫¨ ׎בيג ٮ ׏‬x ‫« ٮ‬ƺǕɖǼƏȸ !ȒɖȇƬǣǼ xƺƺɎǣȇǕ (ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ًוא ٮ דא‬ƏȇƳ hƏȇɖƏȸɵ ‫׏‬ ǔǔǣƬƺ !ǼȒɀƺƳ ǔȒȸ !ǝȸǣɀɎȅƏɀً ƏȇƳ zƺɯ çƺƏȸɀ (Əɵ

áR Á Á³ R ¨¨0zXzJ Xz È« ! xxÈzXÁç ȒȒǸ !Ǽɖƫ nȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ‫« ي‬Ȓɀɀ !ȸƺƺǸ !ȒȅȅɖȇǣɎɵ RƏǼǼً ‫« ׏ג׎׏בד‬Ǖƺ «Ƴ ‫׏ח׏‬ «ɖȸƏǼ ƫȒȒǸ ƬǼɖƫ ɎǝƏɎ ȅƺƺɎɀ Ɏǝƺ ǔǣȸɀɎ ÁɖƺɀƳƏɵ Ȓǔ ƺƏƬǝ ȅȒȇɎǝِ xƺƺɎǣȇǕɀ ȸɖȇ ǔȸȒȅ ‫¨ו‬x ‫¨ז ٮ‬xً ƏǼǼ ƏǕƺɀ ɯƺǼƬȒȅƺٍ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳ ‫ ٮ‬ÁǝɖȸɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ח ٮ ז‬x ƏɀƺȅƺȇɎ Ȓǔ ƏȸƳȒ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ וד ובוג‬ɮƺً ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳِ àǣǸǣȇǕ ‫ ٮ‬áƺƳȇƺɀƳƏɵɀً ‫¨ ז‬xً ñȒȒȅ ȒȵɎǣȒȇ ƏǼɀȒ ƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺِ JȒǼƳƺȇ àƏǼǼƺɵ nɖɎǝƺȸƏȇ !ǝɖȸƬǝً ‫ הד ואבד‬ɮƺً àǣǸǣȇǕِ ǝɎɎȵɀ‫ٖ​ٖي‬ ٖ​ٖƏȸƺƏ‫זו‬ƏƏِȒȸǕٖȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀٖ‫׏‬ ٖ‫בٮוג׏‬ ³ɖƫȅǣɎ ɵȒ ɵȒɖȸ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎ‫ٱ‬ Ɏ‫ٱ‬ɀ ‫ٱ‬ɀ٦ ɀ٦ ȅƺƺɎǣȇ ǣȇǕɀ ƏȇƳ‫ٱ‬ Ƴ‫ٱ‬Ȓ ‫ٱ‬Ȓȸ ǕƏɎǝƺȸǣ ȸǣȇǕɀ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎɀ Ɏɀ ƬƏǼƺȇƳƏȸ Ȓȇ Ɏǝƺ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ٨ hɖɀɎ ǝƺƏƳ ɎȒ Ɏǝƺ ɯƺ ɯƺ ɯƺƫɀ ƫɀǣɎ ǣɎƺ٦ ƺ٦ ɖȇƳƺ Ƴƺȸ Ɏǝƺ 0ɴ 0ɴȵ ɴȵǼȒȸƺ ȅƺȇɖ ƬǼǣƬǸ Ȓȇ !Ȓ !ȒɖȇɎɵ Ɏɵ «ƺǕǣȒ ǣȒȇ 0ɮƺ 0ɮ ɮƺȇɎɀ Ɏɀ !Ə !ƏǼƺȇƳƏȸ٫ ȸ٫ á áƺ ƺ ǝƏɮƺ ɮƺ ȵƏȸɎȇƺȸƺ ȸƺƳ ɯǣ ɯǣɎǝ JȒ 0 0Ə ƏɀɎ ɎȒ ɀǝƏȸƺ ȸƺ ǼȒ Ǽ ƬƏǼ ƺɮƺ ɮƺȇɎɀ Ɏɀ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ٨ ɯƺ

(0à0n ¨x0zÁ ¨0«xXÁ³ zȒ Ƴǣɀ ǣɀƬȸƺɎǣȒȇƏȸɵ ȸɵ ȵƺȸȅǣɎɀ Ɏɀ Ɏǝǣɀ ɯƺƺǸ

ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ǣɀ ƬɖȸȸƺȇɎǼɵ ƏƬƬƺȵɎǣȇǕ ɀɖƫȅǣɀɀǣȒȇɀ ǔȒȸ Ɏǝƺ ǔȒǼǼȒɯǣȇǕ‫ي‬

«ƺȷɖƺɀɎ ǔȒ ǔȒȸ ¨ȸȒȵȒɀƏǼ‫ي‬ «I¨‫׏אٮגא׎א‬XzI«‫ ي‬0ȇǕǣȇƺƺȸǣȇǕ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ !ǼȒɀƺɀ‫( ي‬ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ׎׏ ۬ גא׎א ًא‬x nȒƬƏǼ Ɏǣȅƺ

çȒɖ ƬƏȇ ƏǼɀȒ ǔǣȇƳ ȸƺƬƺȇɎ ȵƺȸȅǣɎɎƺƳ ɖɀƺ ƳƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ȵƺȸȅǣɎɀ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ ƫɵ ȇƏɮǣǕƏɎǣȇǕ ɎȒ ³ƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ‫¨ ڽ‬ǼƏȇȇǣȇǕ ۭ (ƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ ‫¨ ڽ‬ƺȸȅǣɎɀِ

«ƺȷɖƺɀɎ ǔȒ ǔȒȸ ªɖȒɎƏɎǣȒȇ‫ي‬ «Iª‫אאٮגא׎א‬XzI‫ ي‬zƺɯ ‫ ف דא׎אٖגא׎א‬ɎȒȇ !ȸƺɯ ÁȸɖƬǸɀ !ǼȒɀƺɀ‫( ي‬ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ ׎׏ ۬ גא׎א ًב‬x nȒƬƏǼ Ɏǣȅƺ ¨ǼƺƏɀƺ ǔǣȇƳ ƬȒȅȵǼƺɎƺ ǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ ǔȒȸ ƏǼǼ ȸƺȷɖƺɀɎɀ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺ ‫ ڽ‬ɖɀǣȇƺɀɀ ‫« ڽ‬ƺȷɖƺɀɎɀ ǔȒȸ ¨ȸȒȵȒɀƏǼɀ ۭ ªɖȒɎƺɀ

Ʋƣơ ơơ ơ ƩƢ ƞƨƭ ƲƝƦƞƧƨơƯƧ ƷƯơƤƚƦ ƿƦƣƜƦƯơ ơƩ Ƣƞƞƨ Áǝƺ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳٖ«ɵǼƺɵٖ ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ áƺɀɎ ƏȇƳ àǣǸǣȇǕٖ ƺƏɮƺȸ I!³³ ȒǔǔǣƬƺɀ Əȸƺ ȇȒɯ ƏƬ ƏƬƬƺȵɎǣȇǕ !ǝȸǣɀɎȅƏɀ RƏȅȵƺȸ ȸƺȷɖƺɀɎɀ ǔȒȸ ǣȇƳǣɮǣƳɖƏǼɀ ƏȇƳ ǔƏȅǣǼǣƺɀ ǣȇ ȇƺƺƳِ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳٖ«ɵǼƺɵٖ ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ áƺɀɎ ³ƺȸɮǣȇǕ Ɏǝƺ ƬȒȅȅɖȇǣɎǣƺɀ Ȓǔ ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳً «ɵǼƺɵً ƏȇƳ ƺƏɮƺȸ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ɯƺɀɎ ɎȒ «« ‫ٖאה׏‬Rɯɵ ‫ דדז‬٢ƺɴƬǼِ RȒǼƳ ǼƳƺȇ٣ nȒƬƏɎǣȒȇ‫ ׎ד ٮ ו׎גד ي‬³ɎȸƺƺɎً ÁȒǔǣƺǼƳً ٢ÈȵɀɎ ɀɎƏ ɎƏǣȸɀ٣ ¨ǝȒȇƺ‫ וה׎וٮאההٮ׎זו ي‬Ȓȸ ‫הה׎וٮאההٮ׎זו‬ RȒɖȸɀ‫ ي‬xȒȇƳƏɵ ‫ ٮ‬IȸǣƳƏɵً ‫׎בيז‬Əȅ ‫׎בيג ٮ‬ȵȅ ٢!ǼȒɀƺƳ ‫׏ٮא׏‬ȵȅ ǔȒȸ ǼɖȇƬǝ٣ (ƺƏƳǼǣȇƺ ɎȒ ȸƺǕǣɀɎƺȸ٥ IȸǣƳƏɵ٦ (ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ׯ‬ ‫ׯ‬٦٦ ‫׭׫ש׫‬ àǣǸǣȇǕٖ ƺƏɮƺȸ I!³³ ³ƺȸɮǣȇǕ kǣȇɀƺǼǼƏً àǣǸǣȇǕً ȸɖƬƺً ƏȇƳ RȒǼƳƺȇِ àǣǸǣȇǕ ǔǔ ǔǔǣƬƺ٥ àǣǸǣȇǕ¨ȸȒǕȸƏȅ۬ɮƫǔƬɀɀِƬƏ ۴ ‫גא׎גٮהבבٮ׎זו‬ RȒɖȸɀ‫ ي‬xȒȇƳƏɵ ‫ ٮ‬IȸǣƳƏɵً ‫׎בيז‬Əȅ ‫׎בيג ٮ‬ȵȅ ٢!ǼȒɀƺƳ ‫׏ٮא׏‬ȵȅ٣ RȒǼƳƺȇ ǔǔ ǔǔǣ ǔǣƬƺ٥ RȒǼƳƺȇ¨ȸȒǕȸƏȅ۬ɮƫǔƬɀɀِƬƏ ۴ ‫זאחבٮזזהٮ׎זו‬ RȒɖȸɀ‫ ي‬xȒȇƳƏɵ ‫ ٮ‬ÁǝɖȸɀƳƏɵً ‫׎׎ي׏‬ȵȅ ‫׎בيג ٮ‬ȵȅ ٢!ǼȒɀƺƳ ‫׏ٮא׏‬ȵȅ٣ (ƺƏƳǼǣȇƺ٥ (ƺƬƺȅƫƺȸ ‫ײ‬٦٦ ‫ٽ ׭׫ש׫‬0ƏȸǼɵ ȸƺǕǣɀɎȸƏɎǣȒȇ ƏȵȵȸƺƬǣƏɎƺƳ٨ Ƴ٨‫پ‬ ٨‫پ‬ ³ɖȵȵȒȸɎ Ɏǝƺ ¨ȸȒǕȸƏȅ‫( ي‬ȒȇƏɎǣȒȇɀ Ȓǔ ǔȒȒƳً ǕǣǔɎɀً Ȓȸ ǔǣȇƏȇƬǣƏǼ ƬȒȇɎȸǣƫɖɎǣȒȇɀ Əȸƺ ɯƺǼƬȒȅƺ ƏɎ Əȇɵ I!³³ ȒǔǔǣƬƺِ

³ɎƏɵ ǣȇ Ɏǝƺ ǼȒȒȵٍ

xƏǣǼǣȇǕ ǼǣɀɎ JƺɎ ȇƺɯɀً ȅƺƺɎǣȇǕ ǝǣǕǝǼǣǕǝɎɀً Ɏǝƺ ȸȒƏƳ ƬȒȇɀɎȸɖƬɎǣȒȇ ɀƬǝƺƳɖǼƺً Ɏǝƺ !ǝȸȒȇǣƬǼƺً ƏȇƳ ȅȒȸƺ ‫ ٮ‬ƳǣȸƺƬɎ ɎȒ ɵȒɖȸ ǣȇƫȒɴٍ

³ȒƬǣƏǼ ȅƺƳǣƏ

áƺƫɀǣɎƺ

IǣȇƳ ɖɀ Ȓȇ IƏƬƺƫȒȒǸً æ ٢ÁɯǣɎɎƺȸ٣ً XȇɀɎƏǕȸƏȅً çȒɖÁɖƫƺً ƏȇƳ nǣȇǸƺƳXȇِ

XȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓȇ !ȒɖȇɎɵ ȵȸȒǕȸƏȅɀ ƏȇƳ ɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀ ƬƏȇ ƫƺ ǔȒɖȇƳ Ȓȇ Ȓɖȸ ɯƺƫɀǣɎƺً ƏǼȒȇǕ ɯǣɎǝ Ɏǝƺ ǼƏɎƺɀɎ ȇƺɯɀِ

ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ! Ȓ ɖ ȇ Ɏ ɵ ۴ ‫ ׎ ד ٮ ׎ א ׏ ד‬Ɏ ǝ ³ Ɏ ȸ ƺ ƺ Ɏ ً Ȓ ɴ ‫ « ً ׎ ג ׏‬ɵ Ǽ ƺ ɵ ً Á ‫ ׎ ג ׎‬۴ ‫ ׎ ב ו ב ٮ ב ה ה ٮ ׎ ז ו‬۴ ƫ ƺ Ə ɮ ƺ ȸ ِ Ə ƫ ِ Ƭ Ə

4 - Beaver County Chronicle,November 20, 2024

Council establishes guidelines for letters of support Patricia Harcourt Beaver County has established a letters of support policy spearheaded by the new economic development officer Bob MacMullen.

The policy will provide guidelines for the county to provide letters to help promote local initiatives, be they of a business, tourist or other type of venture.

“Council often receives requests to provide letters of support for various projects within the county,” says MacMullen.

“The letters of support policy establishes a clear framework and guidelines for issuing such letters, ensures

consistency and fairness in council’s approach to supporting local initiatives.”

The county has established an advisory committee for economic development and its promotion within its boundaries.

The new policy states that council may or will issue a letter of support for projects or initiatives that align with the county’s economic development and strategic vision within the Beaver Region.

This region encapsulates the towns of Tofield and Viking, the villages of Ryley and Holden, and hamlets under the county’s jurisdiction of Kinsella and Bruce.

To be eligible, a

party wanting such a letter must provide a statement indicating how the project or initiative would align with the county’s economic development or strategic goals.

There must also be proof provided of compliance for the applicable municipality’s zoning and land use bylaws.

The applicant also needs to provide a verifiable estimate of property assessment and tax valuation at each defined phase of development or at the project’s completion, depending on the particular circumstances.

The county would also need an outline of the benefits that residents within Beaver

Region would receive from the project or initiative being proposed.

Letters of support can be signed by the county’s Chief Administrative Officer, in this case Kayleena Spiess.

A decision on an application that doesn’t fit the guidelines or considered controversial in nature would go to county council for a decision on whether or not a letter would be issued.

The requests for letters of support will be reviewed by the economic development officer “to determine the nature of the project or initiative, alignment with policy guidelines and to assess the impacts on the Beaver

Region,” states the procedural guidelines in the policy.

The officer will also ask other county departments for feedback .

County council will be also informed “to enable the opportunity to identify potentially controversial situations,” states the policy.

Five days notification or less will be given to give this feedback to the economic development officer in time sensitive situations.

The officer will recommend if a letter should or should not be provided, including any decisions made by council on more controversial applications.

Any applications that are

rejected would be sent a letter outlining the reasons it was rejected.

Council would be notified once any letters of support are issued to qualified candidates.

The motion to pass the policy as per the recommendation was made by Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5).

“This is a good move to show support. There are guidelines with eligibility requirements so it’s not all open season.” he said.

The motion was passed without further comment as the policy had been discussed and honed at previous Governance and Priorities Committee meetings.

Beaver Regional Water Capacity Operating Committee to help with water suppy issues Patricia Harcourt The county and other regional partners are forming the Beaver Regional Water Capacity Operating Committee.

This is one of several ventures the local municipalities are working on together.

The water capacity operating committee is composed of the chief administrative officers (CAOs) of all municipalities in the Beaver Region as well as the Interim CAO of the Highway 14 Regional Water Services Commission and the Regional Manager of the Beaver Emergency Services Commission (BESC).

This new committee has been discussing,

“the issue of long-term water supply needs and regional waterline operational issues,” explained Beaver County CAO Kayleena Spiess.

She continued: “All municipalities have expressed a need for an adequate water supply to enable residential growth and economic development in the region.

“The issue of capacity is a complicated one and the regional CAO group recognizes the benefits of working together.”

She said the committee, “will assess the water supply infrastructure, determine current and future needs, and prepare strategies, business

cases and grant applications to access funding for expansion.”

The CAOs would work together to provide mutual support for operational issues like water restrictions and line breaks as they arise.

However, this committee is strictly an operational one and makes no decisions or binds any council.

Acting on consensus only, the committee can make recommendations to the Beaver Regional Partnership (BRP), BESC or water commission.

County council along with all other councils in the region are being asked to approval the CAO’s signing of the Terms of Reference, which

Spiess said “would signify support and the spirit of cooperation for this initiative.”

At the December 20 meeting of Beaver County Council administration is asking that the council pass first reading of the bylaw called Beaver Regional Partnership (BRP).

On Oct. 10, BRP asked that each council in the partnership pass a bylaw to establish the inter-rmunicipal committee and its terms of reference.

Some of the proposed changes in this bylaw include making decision by resolution instead of consensus based decision making.

And BRP approval would no longer be

required if a minority of municipalities wish to proceed with a project, and do so outside the BRP scope.

Also, “municipal representatives may not be removed or excluded from participation in meetings, and municipal representatives may attend meetings virtually.

This proposed bylaw also states that BRP meetings wpuld be held in closed session.

BRP reps can share what is discussed in these meetings with their municipal councils but it must be done in closed session as well.

Other water related decisions occurred at the October 16 meeting of regular council when a motion by

Councillor Lionel Williams (Division 2) was passed to support the Town of Tofield in its submission of an Alberta Community Partnership grant application.

The project is to develop a storm water management plan with the town being the managing partner and no financial obligation on the part of the county.

A motion by Dale Pederson (Division 5) was also passed for county council to support a grant application to the ACP for a feasibility study on building a fresh water holding pond in Viking and re-locatng the water inlet line at the Viking water tower.

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 13

Come wash the salt off your vehicle at

TOFIELD CAR, RV, & TRUCK WASH

Tilly’s Restaurant offering

Daily Specials

RV Storage available

7am - 9pm (including holidays)

780-913-5318

5114 50 St., Tofield

CHiLL & GRiLL FAMILY RESTAURANT

5210 50 Street, Tofield • 780-662-2819 • Senior & Student Discounts • Offering Daily Specials • Serving Original Gyro (Donair) • 2 for 1 Pizza Deal • Catering Book your staff party with us!

Best Texas fried chicken and best fish and chips in town!

OPEN HOURS: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

7 DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING HOLIDAYS

Winter Tire Sale On Now

Buy One Pizza Get 2nd One at 1/2 Price

Come see us for your tire needs!

Open Mon.-Sun.

780-662-3334 5018 – 52 Ave. Tofield, AB

780-662-3727

Holden Country Bottle Depot

Tofield Spirits Beer & Liquor Store OPEN 364 DAYS A YEAR

780-688-3378 780-632-9313

• Gift Packs • Special Orders • Case Lot • Discounts

Tuesday & Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

5012 48 Ave., Holden

5028 - 53 Avenue

780-662-4400

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED #101 5116 46 Ave., Parkstone Plaza, Tofield

780-662-0307 780-662-4842 • 5020-50 Ave. Tofield

Mon. - Fri. 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sat. 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Sun. 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Custom processing available

Come check out our fresh meat, homemade sausages and other great products for all your Christmas needs!

Gift Certificates also available.

Breakfast menu all day!

Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

We have moved locations!

50% OFF CLEARANCE

780-662-3003 • 5031-53 Ave., Tofield Come to us for your automotive needs!

ITEMS

(877) 774-7541 or 780-662-0551 102 5116 46 Ave., Tofield, AB

Tofield Autobody (1987) Ltd.

Please, when you report your accident or claim, tell them you want to repair it at the LOCAL shop in your community.

Tell them it is going to be fixed at Tofield Autobody.

SOURMOOSE.CA

Ryley Sausage 5006 50 St, Ryley

(780) 663-3990 Get your pepperoni, beef jerky, ham & garlic sausage rings for your Christmas platters!

SHOP LOCAL. SAVE LOCAL

Support the local businesses that support your local newspaper.

4908-52 Ave. 780-662-3432

Buy your family and friends a gift from Beary Berry Honey or Aspen Grove Meadery this holiday season!

BEARY BERRY HONEY Store Hours 9am - 5pm Mon.,Wed., Fri., Sat.

19225 Twp Rd 504 • 780-662-3577 Please call before visiting our farm store.

AINS BUSY B BARtsG @ Busy B North

craf • All tree decorations, & gs), Christmas onesies, • New clothes (with ta B South & ugly sweaters @ Busy decor @ both stores • Decorations, & home family, friends, & fun!

Everything you need for

-4116

North store 780-662

4920 52 Ave., Tofield

-4325

South store 780-662

4903 52 Ave., Tofield

TO JOIN VOLUNTEERS WELCOME

ANYTIME!

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 15

Tofield School Grade 5 class go on Tofield School collects 163 annual trip to Royal Alberta Museum pounds of food for Food Bank

On October 31st, Tofield School collected food for the local food bank while holding a haunted house. Though students did not need to bring items, they collected 163.6 lbs of food which was brought to the bank earlier in November by Ms. M. Korpan. Kate Priestley photo.

Protecting Your Bones for a Healthier Future Kelsey Witham Staff Reporter

November is Osteoporosis month in Canada.

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects over 2.3 million Canadians, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

It causes bones to become brittle and weak, creating a higher chance for a break or fracture to occur.

The disease can go undetected for years, it cannot be cured but can be treated effectively.

“Human bones are constantly being broken down and rebuilding themselves, as we age, we start to lose more bone than we make, in Osteoporosis bone loss occurs more rapidly than normal,” an online source stated.

The disease can be caused by several factors, some of the main factors are age, hormones, diet, use of certain long-term medications.

Limiting caffeine, alcohol, sodium and tobacco use are steps you can take to help prevent against Osteoporosis.

Adults who smoke are 30-40 percent more likely to break a bone.

Consuming a healthy eating pattern and assuring you are getting

enough calcium-rich foods like milk, cheese and yogurt each day.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in our body, and it plays a major role in bone density.

Eating foods high in Vitamin D like eggs and salmon can also have significant effects on your bone health.

Finding safe and

enjoyable exercises can help lessen pain, increase strength and decrease the risk of broken bones.

Some appropriate exercises may include flexibility training such as yoga and stretching, weight-bearing impact and muscle strengthening exercises, walking, swimming, and aerobics.

Friday, November 29 Get 7-9pm 10% OFF

SIP, SNACKS, & SHOP Grab the Gals!

Located in Viking at back entrance of Viking Hotel on Main Street FLOWERS, GIFTS & MORE 780-385-1320 debbiecountrygreenhouse @gmail.com

Kate Priestley Staff Reporter

On Thursday, November 7, the Grade 5 Tofield School students went on their annual trip to visit

the Royal Alberta Museum to learn about Canadian History on the prairies, as well as visit the bug room and gem room.

As the student’s Social

Studies curriculum has a large Canadian History component, the trip to the Museum was perfect as they were able to see artifacts in person, and learn information about them.

GdfYUX U `]gg`Y

@ciY

g\]Ġ 7\f]ĠgaUĠ GdfYUX <c`]XU GdfYU c`]XUl >c >cl gc U GYb]cf Yb]cf ä Ýƥ BËô Ä Ù ĕėä© ƶ Ä Ù Ęä© q¬Ý¬ä Åû r¬¾ VËÝ ËƴËÖ #ËË ZäËÙ Ƥ $ Ý ÙƤ )ËÄ ÅäÙ Ƥ 9¬¾¾ Ä é¾» Ǒ aË£¬ ¾ ¤ÙË ©ËËÝ Å ËÙÅ Ä Åä õ¬ä© Ý Å¬ËÙDŽÝ ©Ù¬ÝäÄ Ý õ¬Ý© SéÙ © Ý ä© ¤¬£ä £ËÙ ǤĖĔƤ Ö¾ ¬ä ¬Å ¤¬£ä ¤ õ¬ä© ä¬ÝÝé Ö Ö ÙƤ Å Ù äéÙÅ ¬ä äË ËƴËÖ £ËÙ ¾¬ô Ùû ÝÄ ¾¾ ¤ ÝäéÙ äË Ä » ¬¤ ¬££ Ù Å ƨ

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Business & Professional Services Directory Affordable Weekly Advertising! Sizes range from $50-160 per month

Automotive

Health & Beauty

Tofield Autobody *COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALISTS *WINDSHIELD REPAIRED & REPLACED

780-662-3432

FREE vehicle removal Cash paid for some Please call ahead for appointment confirmation Vehicle Removal: Weekdays AM Saturdays PM

780-662-2403 662-2403

For your automotive, farm and industrial supplies

780-662-3212 After hours: 780-914-8576

Insurance • Tofield

P RIMARY C ONNECTIONS M ASSAGE T HERAPY Registered Massage Therapy

For your vehicle parts needs

adsmercury@gmail.com 780-662-4046

“Masseuse Caboose” 5024-53 Ave.

780-662-4498 662-4498

Rhona Lawson R.M.T/M.T.A.A.

Heavy Duty Mechanic

KC

780-662-0165

• Mundare 780-764-2238

Commercial • Farm Auto • Home Recreational • Hail

Meat Packers

LICENSED HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC ~ MOBILE & SHOP ~

5020 - 50 Ave., Tofield, AB

• AGRICULTURE • CONSTRUCTION • TRACTOR/TRAILER • SKIDSTEERS

Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

HOURS:

SLAUGHTER DAY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY

780-686-6344

Phone 780-662-4842 for Appt.

Phone 662-4842 for Appt Fresh Meat & Sausage Counter

Construction

Insurance

LICENSED INSURED

Did you know that The Tofield Mercury provides laminating services?

GOLISH CONSTRUCTION LTD. CELL: 780-385-4179 JOHN GOLISH

• Siding, Soffits & Facias • Windows, Doors & Capping • Decks, Railings & Ramps • Shingles & Metal Roofing • Overhead Doors • Concrete Repair • Basement Development

• Bathroom Remodeling • Kitchen upgrades • Foundation Repair • Drywall Board & Tape • Paint & Texturing • Flooring & Tiling • Garages & Additions

Ritchie Agencies Insurance Ltd $YH _ 7RŴHOG

780-662-3833

FRRSHUDWRUV FD ORFDO ULWFKLH DJHQFLHV

No job too small, call to book your project!

Electrical • Farm • Residential • Commercial • 24 hour service

Authorized Provider of

We find insurance that works for you.

Call us for a free quote.

780-467-2122 112-85 Cranford Way, Sherwood Park, AB,T8H 0H9 BrokerLink.ca

• Wallet size $2.50 plus tax • Letter size 8.5”x11” $4.00 plus tax • Poster size 11”x17” $5.00 plus tax WE SELL PRINTER PAPER $8.95 + GST

Stop in today at The Tofield Mercury!

5312 50th Street 780-662-4046 • adsmercury@gmail.com

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 17

REMEMBER WHEN

Preparing for Christmas Holden Schoolʼs grade one class wore their golden halos to show Santa that they were good all year during their Christmas Concert on Dec. 15 at the Beaver Regional Arts Centre. Photo C. Brown This photo appeared in the Tofield Mercury on December 21, 1993.

Business & Professional Services Directory

adsmercury@gmail.com 780-662-4046

Affordable Weekly Advertising! Sizes range from $50-160 per month

Plumbing & Heating

Real Estate Kevin Smook

Roofing John Daoust Shingle Co. Box 576, Tofield

REALTOR ®

RED’S &D C

780-662-4623

Garnet Malin - Tofield, AB

Celebrating 25 years of serving our Community!

P LUMBING & DRAIN CLEANING

ES

•Boilers •New Homes • Renovations • Repairs •Distillers Ph: (780) 662-7237 Cell: (780) 238-7429

www.home-time.net

EE S FR ATE M TI

Cedar shingles & shakes, Asphalt, Repairs, Barns, Churches

John Daoust 780-662-4901 John Daoust 662-4901

Small Engine Repair SMALL ENGINE REPAIRS

Susan Lentz Real Estate Associate

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 FOR YOUR ADVERTISING!

(780) 385-5287

slentz.hometime@gmail.com susanlentz.nowrealestategroup.ca

Journeyman Outdoor Power Equipment Technician N.E. Beaver County General repairs on lawn tractors, lawn mowers, snowblowers, chain saws, water pumps, quads, etc.

Contact: Shawn 780-932-0131

Page 18 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

CLASSIFIEDS

NOW ONLINE AT cariboupublishing.ca

All Classified Ads booked in our paper will also be posted online at the new online Classifieds Section at no additional cost. THOUSANDS of page views online every month in addition to our THOUSANDS of weekly readers. Plus our site is Employment.

Employment. Events.

Events. Thank Thank Yous.

Yous. Memorials.

Memorials. Services Services & & More!

More! Google SEO optimized. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE WITH US!

CARD OF THANKS CARD OF THANKS

CARD OF THANKS CARD OF THANKS

COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS

COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS

On behalf of the Good as New Shop, we want to express our deep appreciation for everyone who makes the store happen. We are so grateful for our volunteers - who sort, sell, fix, clean, recycle, mow, shovel, load and haul, and so much more. And we couldn't serve our community without all the generous donors and of course our customers! Thank you, everyone.

We would like to sincerely thank everyone for attending our 50th Anniversary. A special thanks for all the lowers and squares brought, making it a very memorable afternoon.

Killam/Forestburg Baptist Church Christmas Banquet Sunday, December 8 at the Killam Community Hall Doors open at 5 p.m.

Supper at 5:30 p.m Concert at 6:30 p.m. with Daddy-Daughter roots duo Ben and Jessica Crane For tickets please call 780-385-3607 Adults $25, ages 12-17 years $20, under 12 years FREE

GALAHAD LIONS CLUB TURKEY BINGO Monday Nov 25th Galahad Agriplex 7:00 PM 15 Go-Go Bingos, 1 Bonanza, 1 Door Prize Master Card $5.00

47c The family of Craig Allan would like to thank family, friends and community members for their caring and support following Craig's death. The flowers, food, cards, visits, phone calls, thoughts and prayers were greatly appreciated. Thank you also for the donations in Craig's memory to the Tofield Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Program, and to the Food Bank. Special thanks to Weber Funeral Home and to Kevin and Lynn Langager. We commend the medical staff in Tofield, Camrose, Misericordia Hospital and the Intensive Care Unit at the University Hospital for their expertise, treatment, kindness and caring. We are grateful to all of you.

Jim & Fay Bronson COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS The Lougheed Agricultural Society invites you to supper at 6 pm on December 2 at the Fieldhouse in appreciation for volunteering at our events, may your contribution be large or small it is greatly valued. Without volunteers the board would be unable to hold events. Please let us know if you can attend call 780-385-0752.

Following at 7 pm we will be holding our Annual General Meeting, please stay if you wish to see our plans for 2025 and provide some insight to what you may like to see happen.

FIREARMS WANTED FOR OUR 2024 AUCTION PROGRAM: Rifles, Shotguns, Handguns, Antiques, Militaria, Collections, Estates, Single Items. For Auction, or Possible Purchase: Toll-Free 1-800-694-2609, Email Us at sales@switzersauction.com or Visit Us @ www.switzersauction.com.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas A Christmas Pagent & Concert at the Sedgewick SDA Church December 7 at 6 p.m.

Luncheon to Follow Everyone Welcome!

Order of the Eastern Star Forestburg Chapter is hosting a Soup/Chilli Luncheon Monday, November 25 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the Masonic Hall Basement in Forestburg. $10/Lunch

Jim and Yvonne Allan and Family.

TM47P

SUDOKU

47c

VIKING HEALTH CENTRE AUXILIARY CHRISTMAS MARKET Thursday, December 5 11 am to 5 pm Viking Community Hall Lunch available for purchase Great Christmas ideas, Crafts, Baking, Gifts, Décor & more To reserve table, call Kim 780-385-0902 Viking United Church Candlelight Service December 1, 7:00 pm Donation to Christmas Hamper Program (toys, food, money) Coffee & Dessert following service Everyone Welcome

ANSWERS

Christmas is Coming!!

Viking Grad Class of 2025 is selling Christmas Greenery Red or White 6.5" Poinsettia $13 24" Wreath $38 Outdoor Arrangement $50 Contact your local graduate for more information OR contact Donna at 780-385-4809 or Erin Hollar at 780-336-6377 Pick-up is scheduled for December 5 & 6th at the Viking Carena or discuss possible delivery with your seller Hurry! Selling until November 18!

FOR RENT FOR RENT 55+ adult bungalow in Belvedere Gardens with a single attached garage.

Two bedrooms, in-floor heating, vaulted ceilings, open concept. Available December 1st, 2024. $1400/ month includes utilities, except power. 4527 55 Ave, Tofield, AB. Contact Dan 780970-7908 Large, non-smoking 2 Bedroom Apartment in Killam.

Call Chuck 780-263-7290 2 Bedroom House For Rent Near Hardisty. Small older home 2 kms out of town. Includes fridge, stove, microwave, washer & dryer. Recent reno’s. Very reasonable rate for the right person or couple.

Call or text (780) 699-3449 for details HARDISTY: 2 BR furnished house for rent available now. $1200 plus electricity. Call or text 780-717-6783 SEED FOR FOR SALE SEED SALE 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

Does your club have an event planned?

Advertise in the Classifieds

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 19

CLASSIFIEDS

NOW ONLINE AT cariboupublishing.ca

All Classified Ads booked in our paper will also be posted online at the new online Classifieds Section at no additional cost. THOUSANDS of page views online every month in addition to our THOUSANDS of weekly readers. Plus our site is Employment.

Employment. Events.

Events. Thank Thank Yous.

Yous. Memorials.

Memorials. Services Services & & More!

More! Google SEO optimized. IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE WITH US!

FOR SALE FOR SALE

FOR SALE FOR SALE

Christmas is Coming! Anybody in need of Christmas Lights, Brian has some for sale. They are mixed colours, some are flashing/blinkers. Will sell by length which would be $10 each. There are two strands that need bulb replacements. There is one that has a package with it. If interested, please call Brian at 780-678-0053.

Single electric bed (head and feet adjustable). Like New. For more information call 780-385-2362

Affordable, maintenance-free 12’x12’ deck with attached ramp and two steps. (Buyers responsibility to move must be gone by the spring). Call Brian at 780-678-0053 If anybody is looking for Pepper Seeds in different varieties (mostly sweet), Brian has some. As well, if you are looking for Flower Pots, Hanging Baskets, or Window Boxes, Brian has many different sizes available. All Washed and Disinfected. Call 780678-0053 47/48c

SERVICES SERVICES

SERVICES SERVICES

SERVICES SERVICES Roy's Handyman Services. Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work. Call 780-232-3097 Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Interior Painting.

Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?

Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon.

US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.

47p

Medical Taxi Service Personal Taxi Service to Edmonton and Back -$175 •Office Hours Mon-Fri 9-5 •Absolutely NO Hidden Fees •Escort to Reception/Waiting Room •Pick up and Drop off at your door •Top Notch Service!

•Includes up to 4 Hour Wait •Locally Owned and Operated 587-987-7810 PRIVATE MORTGAGE LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1866-405-1228; www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca.

Drywall Taping/Ceiling Texturing 40 years experience on the job, from commercial buildings to new homes to home renovations. No job too small.

Experienced Killam drywall taper/texturer here to help you with any job, big or small. Don't want to do it yourself? Give me a call!

Flagstaff Taping & Texturing Murray Cholowsky Call or text at 780-385-1251 WANTED WANTED CASH FOR COIN COLLECTIONS & COIN ACCUMULATION'S! Also buying all Gold, Silver, Old Jewelry, Nuggets, Sterling, Bullion, Ingots, Royal Canadian Mint Coins, Rare Coins +, Todd 780-504-7995.

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE IS MONDAYAT 5 P.M.

CLUES ACROSS 33. -frutti 1. __ Spumante (Italian wine) 34. Polish city 5. Highly impressed 38. Astronomy unit of dis11. Pronoun to identify some- tance thing specific 39. Romanian village 12. Uttered in an impassioned 40. Bears first overall pick way Williams 16. Outfits 43. Irritated 17. “Westworld” actor Harris 44. Clothing for sale has them 18. Stewed game casserole 45. One-time world power 19. Indignities inflicted on oth- 49. When you anticipate arrivers ing 24. Blood type 50. Farm building 25. Says beneath one’s 51. Organize thoughtfully breath 53. Detective 26. Taxis 54. One who reduces 27. Transmits genetic infor- 56. Nursemaids mation from DNA to the cyto- 58. Partner to “Pa” plasm 59. World’s longest river 28. NFL great Randy 60. Commemorates 29. Where college students 63. Compound live 64. The Lannisters and Starks 30. Brief Yankees sensation fought for one Kevin 65. Email function 31. Condiment

CLUES DOWN 33. Bar bill 34. Football equipment 1. Open-roofed entrance 2. Japanese religion 35. Dance music 3. Dancer’s garments 36. Russian river 4. Distributes 37. Mary __, cosmetics 5. Yemeni port 38. Gym class 40. Autos 6. Spanish doctors 7. It cools your house 41. Fourth and honorable name in ancient Rome 8. Engine variant 9. Makes more manageable 42. Defeats (abbr.)

10. Days (Spanish) 44. A way to color 13. Milliliter 45. Planet 46. Form of humor 14. Spread out from 15. With two replaceable 47. Taken without permission hydrogen atoms 48. Go over again 20. Respectful title for a man 50. Auto parts manufacturer 21. Equally 51. Detective’s source 52. Home of the Flyers 22. Scarlett’s home 23. Big Blue 54. Short official note 27. Subway dwellers 55. Emit coherent radiation 29. One-tenth of a liter 57. In the year of Our Lord 30. Central European river 61. Atomic #18 31. Distress signal 62. Not from, but…

32. Expression of sympathy

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1. ASTI 5. AMAZED 11. THIS 12. DECLAIMED 16. RIGS 17. ED 18. SALMI 19. INHUMANITIES 24. AB 25.

UTTERS 26. CABS 27. RNA 28. MOSS 29. DORM 30. MAAS 31. SALSA 33. TUTTI 34. KRAKOW 38. PARSEC 39. NAMAS 40.

CALEB 43. EGGY 44. TAGS 45. USSR 49. ETA 50. BARN 51. CURATE 53. PI 54. CONSOLIDATOR 56. AMAHS 58. MA 59. NILE 60.

DEDICATES 63. UREA 64. THRONE 65. SEND ANSWERS DOWN: 1. ATRIUM 2. SHINTO 3. TIGHTS 4. ISSUES 5. ADEN 6.

MEDICOS 7. AC 8. ZL 9. EASES 10. DIAS 13. ML 14. EMANATE 15. DIBASIC 20. MR 21. AS 22. TARA 23. IBM 27. RATS 29. DL 30.

MUR 31. SOS 32. AW 33. TAB 34. KNEEPAD 35. RAGTIME 36. AMGA 37. KAY 38. PE 40. CARS 41. AGNOMEN 42. LS 44. TAN 45.

URANUS 46. SATIRE 47. STOLEN 48. REREAD 50. BOSCH 51. CI 52. UD 54. CHIT 55. LASE 57. AD 61. AR 62. TO

Page 20 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

‘Spread the Love’ trees up at Co-op locations Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter If you walk in to your nearest Wild Rose Co-op location, you’ll likely run into a Christmas tree decorated with some very special ornaments.

For the last few years, Wild Rose Co-op has partnered with local seniors for a project they call “Spread a Little Love.”

Each ornament represents a different senior, whether they are male or female, and also has a gift idea.

For those who want to participate, they can just remove the tag, purchase a gift that matches the information on the tag, and then return it to the same location.

There is a limit of $20 for each gift, and those participating are asked to place the gift in a gift bag rather than a wrapped present so it may be inspected.

The tag actually turns into a sticker that can be affixed to the bag.

Participating locations include Wild Rose Co-op Food Stores, Gas Bars, Home Centre, Killam

Bulk Fuel, and Tofield Agro.

Tags and gifts must be returned by Wednesday, Dec. 4 to be delivered to the seniors.

Wild Rose Co-op

launched the Spread a Little Love campaign originally in 2019, skipped 2020 due to Covid, then resumed in 2021 and forward.

NEWS PRINT ROLL ENDS $19.99 ea f f o % 50 Commonly used as a disposable table cover/cloth for kids arts and crafts activities 5312 50 St., Tofield 780.662.4046

$9.99

Purchase your office supplies at the Mercury Office.

LISA KUFLAY PHOTO

We carry printer paper, cardstock, envelopes, highlighters, paperclips, pens, tape, sticky notes, canned air and more!

SP E

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

1 Selling

#

+ tax ea

CI A

Walk-In Tub Free Shower Package Featuring our

LO

FFE

Now you can finally have all of the soothing benefits of a relaxing warm bath, or enjoy a convenient refreshing shower while Call today and receive a seated or standing with Safe Step Walk-In Tub’s FREE Shower Package!

First walk-in tub available with a customizable shower Fixed rainfall shower head is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option High-quality tub complete with a comprehensive lifetime warranty on the entire tub

FREE SHOWER PACKAGE PLUS $1600 OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Call Toll-Free 1-877-451-2606

Top-of-the-line installation and service, all included at one low, affordable price

Now you can have the best of both worlds–there isn’t a better, more affordable walk-in tub!

With purchase of a new Safe Step Walk-In Tub. Not applicable with any previous walk-in tub purchase.

Offer available while supplies last. No cash value.

Must present offer at time of purchase.

Call Today for Your Free Shower Package FINANCING AVAILABLE WITH APPROVED CREDIT

CSLB 1082165 NSCB 0082999 0083445

1-877-451-2606

R

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024 - Page 21

The world’s first governments arose to keep people safe — so let’s do more of that, rural MLA tells colleagues George Lee Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Countryside crime statistics point to a need for governments to seek guidance from deep within their collective core, the Alberta legislature heard recently from the UCP side of the chamber.

Grant Hunter, the member for TaberWarner in southeastern Alberta, said protecting people and their property is a foundational role of governments everywhere.

“When civilizations first made their collective decisions to forgo a portion of their individualistic tendencies and band together, it was with the intent to add a measure of protection to their families and

societies as a whole,” Hunter said.

“Today, governments across the globe have expanded their scope and practice. Working together for a common goal has on the whole benefited humanity and has enriched a civilized society,” he told the legislature Oct. 31.

“But we should never forget the primary reason why we first formed governments, and that was and still is to protect its people.”

Crime is proportionally higher in rural Canada than it is in urban Canada, statistics show.

In 2021, the most recent year that Statistics Canada crime data is available, police with jurisdictions that were mostly rural served 15 per cent of provincial

populations. Yet they reported 24 per cent of violent crimes, 18 per cent of property crimes, 30 per cent of Criminal Code traffic offences and 23 per cent of other Criminal Code violations.

The rural-urban gap is also pronounced using another StatsCan measure, the Crime Severity Index. The CSI aims to make overall, violent and non-violent crime more widely comparable by meshing seriousness and volume.

The higher the number, the more of a problem crime is, using a baseline of 100 from 2006 data. The overall CSI number in rural areas was 91.9 in 2021, compared with 69.3 in urban areas.

The violent crime CSI

shows an even bigger disparity, widening significantly between 2011 and 2021. The index number for violent crime was 124.1 in rural areas and 85.2 in urban areas in 2021. In 2011, there was virtually no gap — 84.8 rural, 84.9 urban.

So, what’s going on?

Hunter has some theories. He singled out federal bail legislation and liberalized drug policies as empowering factors for criminals in Alberta. But he mentioned his own government’s focus on recovery for drug addicts as a sound health care approach that could help.

“It is not compassionate nor humane to facilitate or prolong another’s drug addiction,” he said.

Hunter continued: “I have lived in rural Alberta for most of my life, Mr. Speaker. It is a peaceful and serene life.

It’s a great place to raise a family, but the criminal element has learned how to operate in rural Alberta, and that is of great concern to me.”

His comments come as crime and policing continue to be hot topics in Alberta, with much of the controversy tied to an expansion of the role of the Alberta Sheriffs.

Earlier this year the legislature passed the Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, enabling the government to create an independent agency. The agency would place the police-like functions of the Alberta Sheriffs under the same kind of legislative framework

and civilian oversight that exists for other police services, the province’s website says.

The opposition NDP says that the province is working to undermine and replace the RCMP, which faces challenges across the country filling positions in the communities it services.

But the UCP says that the legislation is about augmenting and supporting the RCMP, not replacing it.

Hunter, meanwhile, said much remains to be done on the crime-fighting front.

“If we fail to help our people feel safe, to live and work and enjoy their property, then our primary reason for forming governments has been lost. I believe we can and must do better for our people.”

Real Estate Auction for Ducks Unlimited Sale Starts December 6th & Closes on December 9th, 2024 - Lamont County Featuring 4 Quarters of Land for Ducks Unlimited in Lamont County

Parcel #1 - Consisting of the Parcel #2 - Consisting of the Parcel #3 - Consisting of the Parcel #4 - Consisting of the SE 36-53-18 W4M NW 7-55-17 W4M SW 25-55-18 W4M SE 35-55-18 W4M Being 160 Acres M/L Being 148.95 Acres M/L Being 160 Acres M/L Being 160 Acres M/L Pasture Land Fence with Page Wire, Currently Seeded to Alfalfa, Seeded to Alfalfa/Grass, Can be A Very Nice Open Quarter with DugSingle Strand Barb Wire New 4 Strand Barb Wire Fence Hay/Pasture Land, Old Yard Site, outs, Brand New 4 Strand Barb Wire & A Dug Out. Around the Perimeter of the Property.

One Flat Bottom Grainary, Fence, Seeded to Located North of Hwy #16 on Rge Rd Beautiful Mostly Open Quarter that New 4 Strand Barb Wire.

Alfalfa/Grass, Excellent Hay or 180 for 5 Kms. West Side of the Road does have a Located On the Corner of Rge Rd 181 Pasture Land.

Subdivision out the NW Corner, a & Hwy 29 with 1/2 a Mile of Hwy. Located 1.7 Kms North of Hyw #29 Good Shelter Belt, Ample Wildlife, Frontage on Rge Rd 181 Real Estate Terms & Conditions: 10 % Down on Sale Day. Balance & Does Have a Few Sloughs That Possession on or before January 15th, Would Work as a Water Sources, on Real Estate Transactions are being Handled by Maxwell Polaris Victor 2025. If Balance is NOT RECEIVED the SE Corner of TWP Rd 552 Lillo (780) 708-2000 & Allen Olson (403) 783-0556

by January 15th, 2025 the Deposit will & Rge Rd 180 be Forfeited as Liquidation Damages. All measurements are Located 8.7 Kms North of Hwy #15, approximate and need to be verified 20 Kms North of Hwy #16, East Side by the purchaser. of the Road.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd.

Attached is the Ducks Unlimited No Brake No Drain Conservation Easement Agreement that was registered on title. This agreement is intended to protect the habitat on the quarter keeping it in perennial hay or pasture production. Please direct specific questions regarding the easement to Ducks Unlimited (Megan Maier 780-608-5782)

1-855-783-0556 Toll Free - (403) 843-2747 Rimbey Office 780-208-2508 East Central Office Rimbey, Alberta - License No. 165690 Email: abolson@telusplanet.net Homepage: www.allenolsonauction.com

Page 22 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

iGaming and ads led to more FEATURED PROPERTIES TOWN OF LAMONT problem gambling in Ontario.

Should Alberta expect the same?

Brett McKay Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

There is a clear association between the expansion of online gambling, gambling advertising, and the number of people seeking help for problem gambling in Ontario, according to a new study.

As Alberta looks to the Ontario model to create its own legal iGaming markets, should the province expect the same outcome?

For a study now published in the Journal of Gambling Studies, researchers compared the number of calls received by Ontario’s problem gambling helpline in the months before and after the province expanded its online gaming market in April 2022.

Dr. Nigel Turner, a scientist with the Institute for Mental Health Policy Research at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, said that during the pandemic, calls to the helpline initially dropped off when casinos were closed. As more people moved their gaming online, and public health measures were relaxed, the number of people looking for help with gambling addiction rebounded – and then kept rising.

“The primary increase was in people calling

Winterfest Weekend Continued from Page 4

The evening of the 30th starts off with the Winterfest parade, scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m., the parade will make its way down Mainstreet. Immediately following, will be the tree lighting

related to online gambling,” Turner said.

In the ten months before Ontario legalized online gambling, an average of 84 people per month called the problem gambling hotline, compared to 184 in the ten months after legalization.

Along with the rising volume, Turner said there has also been a clear demographic shift in who is reaching out for help.

“There was a shift towards younger players, younger people are more comfortable gambling online, and more males gambling,” he said. Men are more likely to play table games and bet on sports than women.

Prior to the pandemic, online gambling and sports betting were a fairly small niche, Turner said.

Though grey markets existed, “a surprisingly small percentage of people went to bookies.” After legalization, half of the people who called the helpline complained about problems with online gambling.

The amount of people who gamble that develop a problem is small, “but they also do make up disproportionately high percentage of the revenue,” he said.

Turner said there is no jurisdiction that has done a particularly good job of developing legal

iGaming markets, but there are lessons that can be learned from other regions to minimize negative social impacts.

At the same time Ontario was expanding its gaming market, Britain, where online gambling has existed for years, started tightening regulations.

“They have actually put more regulations on iGaming to try to keep it safer. They've banned celebrities (from gambling ads), for example, they've cut back on when the ads for the gaming can be shown, to reduce the impact and reduce the amount of exposure to youth to these gaming ads, and they've banned credit cards from gaming,” Turner said.

Currently, the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) operated website Play Alberta offers the only legal options for online gambling in the province. In May, Alberta's government introduced legislation that allows the province to regulate iGaming.

At the Canadian Gaming Summit in June, Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction Minister Dale Nally said the government is following the Ontario model for an “open and free” market, but gave no indication of when Albertans could expect the open online market to be introduced.

happening outside the Town Office/ Library.

The Family dance will be at the Tofield Community Hall from 6 - 8 p.m. where hotdogs, cake, and hot chocolate with be available.

Ending the evening off with a fireworks display, the fireworks are scheduled for 8:30 p.m. happening at the Tofield Sports

Grounds.

Tofield’s Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Jeff Edwards wanted to acknowledge the hard work that has gone in to organizing this event.

“I want to thank Mayor Dueck, and the organizing committee for their hard work, dedication and desire to give back to the community,” Edwards said.

• 4712 51 St Lamont 5,800 sq ft shop with office and sales space. Shop was used for agricultural machinery repair. Price: $450,000

LAMONT COUNTY • W4-20-55-27-SE Plan 1023701 Block 1 Lot 1A Lamont County. 138.09 acres in the Lamont Heartland for industrial use.

Located North of Highway 15 on Range Road 202. Price: $2,990,00 • HWY 834 between HWY 16 and TWP RD 530 Lamont County 19.48 acres with power and a holding tank. Nice building site.

Price: $215,000.00

VILLAGE OF ANDREW

• 5317-50 Ave Andrew. An 18,000 sq. ft. manufacturing shop with office and storage space on 2.3 acres of land Price: $1,700,000

VILLAGE OF CHIPMAN • PENDING W4-18-54-29-NE N 54466 A RR184 Village of Chipman 38.75 acres 25± acres in hay. Double car garage, power, septic, and well nice building site. Price: $289,900

STRATHCONA COUNTY • SW Part of NW–23 –53 –23 –W4 40.55 acres North of Highway 16 on Range Road 232 in proposed medium industrial zoning with CP rail line at the border of the property. Price: $7,200,000 • Parts of SW and SE-7-53-22-W4 located at Highway 21 and Lakeland drive 63.62 acres of development land with Highway 21 exposure. The property is within the Bremner and local Employment Area ACP with expected future use of industrial. Price: $5,100,000

THORHILD COUNTY

SOLD

SOLD

• NW 1/4 -14-58-22-W4 and NE ¼ -14-58-22-W4 Plan 172-0793 Block 3 Lot 222 acres game farm with page wire 100 acres could be cultivated. 4 mile North of Redwater. Good HWY 28 access. Price:

$690,000

Norman Hill

780-449-5622 | nhill01@telus.net www.hillrealty.ca

Steven Hill

Lauren Hill

Page 24 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Country Quilters donating quilts for charity Cassandra Lundbek Staff Reporter The ladies of The Country Quilters have completed another year of creating beautiful quilts for charitable causes. On Friday, November 15 the club met at the Bardo Lutheran Church, to package the 28 quilts they have created throughout the year, which will be donated to Ronald McDonald House and the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

This popular club has a full membership and community support. As a thank you to the church for allowing them to use space in the building for their regular meetups, they presented Simon, a representative of the church, with a beautiful quilt. This quilt will Quilters shown L-R: Nicole, Cindy, Carol, Natalie, Emily, Liz, Paulette, Yvonne A., Chantal, Judy, Yvonne T., and Deb be sent to Guatemala, where various teams display several of the quilts that will be going to Ronald McDonald House and the Zebra Child and Youth Advocacy Centre.

CASSANDRA LUNDBEK PHOTO from Bardo have served since 2007.

L-R: Cyndi, Nicole, Simon, Yvonne P., Paulette, Emily, Yvonne A., Natalie (President), Judy. Kneeling in front: Chantal. Simon received the donated quilt on behalf of Bardo Lutheran Church.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nicole works on her next project now that the charity quilts are packed.

CASSANDRA LUNDBEK PHOTO

Purchase tickets: www.tofieldagsociety.ca