Fire Prevention Section - Pullout!
YOUR LOCAL PAPER! Hear from local candidates - Inside!
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Vol. 42, No. 42
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Viking School Awards - Inside!
December Bird Count coming to Viking Since 1900, the Christmas Bird Count (CBC) has become an annual tradition for birders around the world. Started in 1900 by Frank Chapman as an alternative to the Christmas "side-hunts" at the turn of the twentieth century, the CBC is the longest running citizen science project of it's kind. Viking's bird count will occur on Dec. 15. This year, residents of Viking and surrounding area will be able to participate and help over 100 agencies to track trending in bird populations. Surveys take place within a 14 mile diametre circle, during a single day. Birders avoid overcounting birds by
recording the greatest number of a species they see at any one time. Rare sightings can be tallied in a separate document for the three days before and after the count date (a week). Counts can be mobile or they can take place by observing your property through the window or focussing on the bird feeder in your yard. Don't believe you have the skills to perform a survey? If you can recognize a Magpie, Raven, BlackCapped Chickadee, Great-Horned Owl, a Blue Jay, and Bohemian Waxwing, you're already on your way. Contact Andy Tait, Leduc Naturalists Society at andytait@shaw.ca for details on how you can assist.
BMS information session to incorporate draws few at Viking Patricia Harcourt Editor
Beaver Municipal Solutions' plans to incorporate went on the road last week with information sessions at four communities, including Viking. The Viking Council Chambers, however, held three BMS officials and Viking councillors/town officials but few others interested in the upcoming transition. BMS is formed out of the member municipalities of Viking, Holden, Ryley, and Tofield, as well as Beaver County.
Elected officials from these five jurisdictions currently form the regional services commission, which oversees the regional landfill just outside Ryley now called BMS. The new corporate structure will be called Claystone Waste Ltd. and its board of directors will still be appointed by the member municipalities, but they will choose from public at large persons rather than elected officials out of their own ranks. BMS officials at the meeting included Public Affairs Consultant Keith McLaughlin, Chief
Financial Officer Juvy Ceniza, and Program and Communication Supervisor Anne Ruzicka. McLaughlin said the new corporate entity would be looking for other income in the form of economic ventures besides the waste which comes in from various sources, including the City of Edmonton as a major contributor. He promised there would be "no layoffs" if the transition occurs, stating BMS is considered one of the top 75 employees in Alberta, and "Claystone will be See BMS P15
Officials from Beaver Municipal Solutions attend the public information session to speak to the impending change over of BMS to Graystone Waste Ltd., a corporation. Attending the session on Thursday, Oct. 10, at Viking Council Chambers were Chief Financial Officer Juvy Ceniza, Program and Communication Supervisor Anne Ruzicka (above left) and Public Affairs Consultant Keith McLaughlin (above right). Other sessions were held in Holden, Ryley, and Tofield.