The Community
th
Press 115 Years of Telling YOUR Story
Volume 116 Issue 16
www.thecommunitypress.com
Wheat Kings continue to find success at home P4
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 s
Flagstaff Celebrates Success Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County hosted its annual Flagstaff Celebrates Success event to kick off Small Business Week last Thursday, Oct. 12, with two dynamic speakers, Amanda Wagner and Jessica Janzen Olstad. With a sold out crowd in attendance, the first order of business was a few words from hosts, with Flagstaff County Communications Coordinator Cary Castagna and Economic Development Officer Jenalee Waring starting things off. Waring said more events ae planned to celebrate small business in the region on their social media accounts. “Small Business Week is time for recognizing and celebrating the hard work and innovation of small business owners like yourselves, and their contributions to their local communities.” A new podcast ‘Rural Unrecognized’ was also unveiled, which highlights small business owners from the Flagstaff Region and beyond.
The duo used a series of small busines-related factoids to call each table to dinner, which was catered by Big Willies from the Heisler Hotel. After dinner, Battle RiverCrowfoot MP Damien Kurek sent greetings and congratulations to all small business in the region, via video, wearing his Flagstaff Region tee, while MLA Jackie Lovely spoke in person, congratulating the region and the business people for their success in building what she called an “A community with amazing ingenuity and camaraderie.” Reeve Don Kroetch spoke next, welcoming all. “Tonight we come together to pay tribute to our invaluable small business community; the beating heart of our local prosperity. However, let’s not forget, it’s not about the businesses themselves, it’s about the extraordinary people who drive them forward.” He called small business people unwavering optimists, embracing innovation and growth. “Our
small businesses are the lifeblood of Flagstaff County, and as your Reeve, I am immensely thankful for your remarkable efforts. Together, we can continue to build a stronger and more vibrant community for future generations.” The celebration was started off with the showing of a feature video by local videographer JCE films’ Josie Storbakken celebrating the small business spirit of Flagstaff County. Amanda Wagner was the first of two guest speakers. Wagner is a self-described, speaker, business strategist, and professional hype woman. “The work that I do has been called business therapy, because as much as we want to grow and scale our businesses, we are humans first. And that takes thinking about who we are as people, what we want to achieve, and sometimes there’s even emotions and feelings.” Her focus is based on a ‘Don’t ask; Don’t get’ message, where she Continued on Page 9
Jessica Janzen Olstad, keynote speaker for Flagstaff Celebrates Success, had a powerful message she calls “Bringing the Joy.”
Helping hands make light work for Galahad Ag Society harvest
CARY CASTAGNA PHOTO
Many hands made for light work when it came to harvesting the Canola planted this year by the Galahad Ag Society, which took place on Monday, Oct. 16. See more photos Page 9
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October 2023 Meetings
Council Meetings Flagstaff County Council o M Meetings eetings aare re conducted the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month commencing at 9 a.m. unless otherwise planned. Council and Committ ommittee meeting agendas aare re aavvailable at the County’’ss websit ebsiite te at: flflaagstaafff ff. fff..a . b.ca/ .ca/council/mee .ca/ccouncil/meeeetings-andminuutes tes
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100 Email: Stay Connected with Us:
Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Closed Noon - 1 p.m.)
Address: e
12435 TToownship Road 4442 PP..O. Box 35 358 Sedgew e wi wic icck, AB T0B 4C00
For more information, please visit the County website www.flagstaff.ab.ca
The Community Press, Wednesday, October 18, 2023 - Page 15
FAITH COLUMN I once went to Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana. It was so neat to go deep into the mountains and see the different formations. At one point of the tour, there is a spot when the guide turns out the lights and there is perfect, complete darkness. No light. Almost impossible to achieve in our everyday surroundings. In a devotion by a popular evangeli-
cal, the point was made that science doesn’t recognize darkness as a thing. Darkness is the absence of light. If you want to get rid of darkness, simply turn on the light. This world feels dark at times. We look around and see so much trouble that surrounds us, but who is to blame? In the Bible we read Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows
me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NIV). Over time we have removed Jesus, the light, from our world. We have pushed him away. When we get rid of the light, darkness will come. If we want to remove the darkness from the world, we need to bring the light of Jesus back. This is a reminder for those of us who
follow Jesus; those who have placed their lives in his hands. Jesus also said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 NIV). Friends, it is time for us to turn on the light! Kirby Schmidt-Teigen Daysland Alliance Church
Council Highlights Regular Council Meeting of October 11, 2023 Council Highlights briefly identify decisions made by Council. Council encourages its residents, businesses and stakeholders to keep in touch with Council news. Forestburg-Flagstaff Industrial Park Area Structure Plan – Bylaw 08-23 Council approved first reading of Bylaw 08-23 – Area Structure Plan for the Forestburg-Flagstaff Industrial Subdivision, and also approved that a Public Hearing for the Forestburg-Flagstaff Industrial Subdivision Area Structure Plan be held at the November 22nd, 2023, Council meeting at 9:00 a.m. Eric Sehn, Planner for Select Engineering Consultants, was in attendance to review the final draft of the Area Structure Plan for the industrial park proposed to be located on the parcel legally described as NE 35-41-15-4. Electrical Distribution Franchise Fee 2024 Council approved the franchise fee percentage as per the electrical distribution system franchise agreements be submitted to the Alberta Utilities Commission for approval as follows: x With FortisAlberta for the Hamlet of Strome – no change, fee to remain at 9%; x With ATCO Electric for the Hamlet of Galahad – no change, fee to remain at 9%. The franchise fees collected on ratepayers’ electric bills by FortisAlberta for the Hamlet of Strome and ATCO Electric for the Hamlet of Galahad were due to be reviewed for the 2024 budget year. Battle River Innovation Centre — Sustainability Council approved to support the Battle River Innovation Centres (BRIC) with partnering municipalities by approving funding to a maximum of $120,000 in 2024, with the following condition: 1. That we enter into a formal agreement, including a Terms of Reference, with all members of the Battle River Economic Opportunities Committee (BREOC), and that it be executed prior to December 31, 2023. Council had reviewed a power-point presentation provided by BREOC regarding the achievements and status of the two BRICs, located in Forestburg and Castor, along with BRIC budget information before making their decision. Once approved, the full Council Meeting minutes can be found at www.flagstaff.ab.ca under the “Council” tab and in the “Meetings and Minutes” section.
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