September 8, 2021 Tofield Mercury

VOTE

JeffGOLKA Battle River Crowfoot

Approved by Official Agent

Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication

Meet Veterans Party Candidate John Irwin SEE PAGE 16

Your Independent Local Newspaper Established in 1918

VOLUME 104: ISSUE 02

www.tofieldmerc.com

$1 INCLUDING GST WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

Ry-Tof Ball Tournament Returns

The Ry-Tof tournament, an annual tradition for the Tofield and area communities, returned for its 25th year. Last year the tournament got cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic. However, this year it was back bigger and stronger with games being hosted in Tofield and Ryley from Saturday, Sept. 4 to Monday, Sept. 7. The final was played between the Tropics and Big Valley Stealers, with the former winning the tournament. Seventy-four teams in all competed. Tofield Ag Society and the Beaver Heritage Ag Society host the event each year, with profits shared between the two groups.

RE

L E -

T C E

DAMIEN

KUREK

with Canada's Conservatives

"It's been an honour to fight for you, Battle River-Crowfoot, and Alberta each day since being elected.

In this election the contrast is clear, Conservatives can get Canada back on track. A vote for Conservatives is a vote to Secure the Future."

Find out more at www.votekurek.ca. Authorized by the Official Agent for Damien Kurek

Page 2 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Indoor mask mandates return Moush John Editor

The province of Alberta has mandated that masking be made mandatory within each jurisdiction, and is required to be followed. Even though it is not a local mandate, it is compulsory to wear face coverings for all indoor activities, such as accessing and attending businesses.

“Now is the time to follow provincial regulations and restrictions,” said Mayor Deb Dueck. “It has been said before, but we must work together now more than ever in order to move forward in a safe, healthy manner.”

Due to increasing COVID-19 transmission and rising hospital admissions, overwhelmingly among unvaccinated Albertans, temporary measures are needed to reduce transmission and prevent the health-care system from being overwhelmed, a Government of Alberta press release stated.

Currently, more than 80 per cent of COVID-19 cases in hospital are unvaccinated, including 91 per cent of patients in intensive care.

“Vaccines are safe, effective, and a game-changer,” said Tyler Shandro, Minister of Health. “This is why the current wave is different than what we’ve experienced before.

“While we do not need to return to the same widespread and dramatic measures we had in place earlier in the pandemic, unvaccinated Albertans in particular are still at risk and are placing a heavy load on our health-care system. This is why we are taking measured steps and introducing a new incentive program to encourage more Albertans to get the jab.”

Now there is a one-time incentive of $100 is available for all Albertans of age 18 or older who receive a first or second dose of vaccine between Sept. 3 and Oct. 14. This incentive is intended to encourage unvaccinated Albertans to get protected as soon as

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

possible. After vaccination, eligible Albertans will be able to register online. Alberta Health will validate registrations against provincial immunization data. This website will be available starting on Sept. 13.

“As I have always done, I use the best currently available evidence from Alberta and around the world to inform my recommendations to protect the health of Albertans,” said Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Chief Medical Officer of Health. “With hospitalization rates rising, it is important that we take additional steps to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. My ultimate goal continues to be to shift from pandemic to endemic and put more focus on the complete health of Albertans – we must learn to live with COVID. Getting vaccinated today is the best possible way for us to get there.”

Although these are temporary measures re-introduced on Friday, Sept. 4, the province will make masks mandatory for all indoor public

Welcome to Tofield!

5012 55 Ave., Tofield

$99,900

$215,000

4826 52 Ave., Tofield

5140 55 Ave., Tofield

• 4 bedrooms, 1 bathroom • 75’ x 140’ lot • Close to downtown

• Substantially upgraded • 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Fenced yard, single detached garage

$325,000

$349,900

5323 53 Ave., Tofield

6, 50106 Rge. Rd. 200

• 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms

• 3.36 acres in Kingsway Estates • 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms • Many upgrades

• 0.58 acre lot • Double detached garage

Greg Litwin, Real Estate Associate greg@lorenzteam.com

spaces and workplaces. Schools are not required to implement masking but school boards will continue to set COVID-19 management policies as they deem appropriate. Restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, nightclubs, and other licensed establishments will be required to end alcohol service at 10 p.m.

In addition, Albertans are encouraged to limit in-person contacts. To support this, the province strongly recommends that unvaccinated Albertans limit their indoor social gatherings to close contacts of only two cohort families up to a maximum of 10 people.

It is also recommended that employers pause their plans to have staff return to work and instead continue with work-from-home measures. If employees are working on location, employees must mask for all indoor settings, except in work stations or where two-metre physical distancing or adequate physical barriers are in place.

2+1 bedroom 884 SQFT bungalow close to shopping, playground/park and library

$239,900

Bright, south facing open style Kitchen/Dining/ Living room. Roof reshingled in 2017.

Lots of room in the yard! There’s a Gazebo, Double garage (24 x 24) with area for off-street parking, garden and RV parking.

780-662-4623 www.home-time.net

Kevin Smook - REALTOR ®

MAKING YOU FEEL AT HOME SINCE 1999!

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 3

Tofield Summer Program comes to a close as fall nears Moush John Editor

Fall is just about here, and with students back to school this week, the Town of Tofield’s summer program came to a successful close.

Participants enjoyed many fun games and crafts throughout summer, according to Kylie Kuflay, who was the summer program coordinator this year.

“We let the kids have a vote so that they could ‘design their day’,” she said. “The leaders and I loved artist day because we got to see how creative all the kids are!”

They set out all the art supplies they could find in their storage on a large table; and once the kids had settled down, they asked the kids to use the art supplies in moderation, and encouraged them to be as creative as possible.

“For example, we had kids build castles out of toilet paper

rolls and paper straws, and we had kids paint some beautiful paintings. It was so lovely to let the kids choose what they wanted to create because it gives us an idea of what art supplies the kids liked the most, such as paint and glitter, and which ones should be left out in the future.”

Participants went to Jurassic Forest and met many of the “cool dinosaurs” that archaeologists have discovered.

“We also went to Fitset Ninja, where the kids and leaders were able to go through ninja training, and then afterward, we enjoyed swimming at Millennium Place,” Kuflay said. “Our final field trip of the year was Allstars Indoor Playground, which the kids loved, and it was an excellent way to wrap up our fantastic summer.

Aside from field trips, we had a guest speaker, Chuck Priestly come in from Strixx Ecological.”

Priestly explained to the kids the importance of protecting birds and how fantastic the various bids of prey are.

“The kids loved the presentation, bird statues, and looking at all the gear that the people at Strixx Ecological use to track many birds, specifically the American Kestrel.

“We received tremendous support and several positive comments from parents and kids.”

There were typically over six kids in the morning, and then around 20 in the afternoon group.

“It was so amazing to see the group grow larger as the summer progressed, it was a unique and rewarding time, and I was so glad that the community loved it as much as the leaders; and I loved running it each day!” Kuflay added.

“My biggest takeaway is that you can learn from kids just as much as they can learn from you. I learned to listen to

their ideas to make the program more engaging, and I listened to their stories to get to know them better each day. It was so amazing, and I will miss all the kids who attended and supported the program!”

According to her, it was rewarding to have parents approach her and say how much they appreciated the program and everything they did for the kids.

“Not only did the kids go home with smiles on their faces, but their parents were also happy to see their kids excited about a game or craft or a funny story about something that happened during the day.

I felt especially rewarded when kids who were more on the shy side began to come out of their shells, make friends, and tell stories; it was so lovely to see that growth in such a short period of time and to know that my team and I were part of that growth.”

Kuflay added that the most

challenging thing for her was learning how to "go with the flow" sometimes; when crafts didn't work out the way they had planned, or the games that they had decided to play didn’t seem as much fun.

“As a coordinator, I had to improvise and find something engaging for the kids to do; sometimes, that was tricky,” Kuflay noted. “However, learning from those experiences will help me in the future when planning.

“I want to thank everyone again for their overwhelming support; it made this job that much more rewarding. I will miss all the kids, their fun stories, jokes and their never-ending energy; they have taught me so much about patience in these last two months, and I’m so excited to go into my next year of university with this experience to look back on and smile about. I hope they all have a fantastic rest of their year!”

The Tofield, Ryley and Beaver County Community Attraction and Retention Committee invites all local community members and health-care providers to participate in ....

Register on-line today today (click here)!

Register on-line at: In person paper registration also available if you don't want to register eventbrite.ca/e/tofieldryleybeaver-county-carconline.

Registration forms can be picked up and returned to either the Town of Tofield Office or Village of Ryley Office. amazing-medical-race-tickets-167527036877 Registration Deadline Sept. 17th.

For more information, please call Charlotte at 780-887-3436 or In person papervia registration also available if you don't want to register email at: cthompson@kalynapcn.ca.

online. Registration forms can be picked up and returned to either the Town of Tofield Office or Village of Ryley Office.

Registration Deadline Sept. 17th.

For more information, please call Charlotte at 780-887-3436 or via email at: cthompson@kalynapcn.ca.

Page 4 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

HSAA reports out-of-service ambulances across province Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

The union group Health Services Association of Alberta (HSAA) has started to report out-of-service ambulances in rural and urban Alberta municipalities on their HSAA EMS social media pages.

HSAA says, “The information provided in these posts comes from HSAA members currently working in EMS within Alberta.

“The information is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted, however may be delayed and therefore not accurate at the exact time of the post.”

Over the past week, the organization has posted downgrades and ambulances dropped from schedule due to short-staffing in a number of communities around the province.

The group also posts instances of ‘Flex’ where one ambulance in a community is sent to another community to provide coverage.

In late 2020, both Flagstaff County and Beaver County Councils heard a presentation from Dusty Myshrall, Flight Paramedic and president of the Alberta Paramedic Association regarding issues around Core-Flex scheduling

for paramedics.

Myshrall said in his presentations that “The Core-Flex model is leaving communities without adequate EMS coverage and is being identified as a significant risk to public safety and our communities.”

Myshrall says that under core-flex, EMS crews are on-shift for 96-hours, but go ‘out of service,’ due to fatigue management policies, anytime they work 14 hours, also putting the ambulance out of service for the next eight hours.”

A recent announcement, made Monday, Aug. 30, by Alberta Health Services stated that EMS services received new funding for 100 paramedic positions, “to help stabilize staffing as high EMS call volume continues,” at a cost of $8.3 million.

HSAA released their own statement, countering the AHS announcement, saying, “The announcement claiming funding has been made available for 100 paramedic positions in Alberta is a mixed news story for HSAA and Albertans.”

The organization went on to explain that, “HSAA is happy 70 casual paramedics will now be getting the benefits that we have been calling for since the beginning of the pandemic,” said

HSAA President and Advanced Care Paramedic, Mike Parker.

“I am also pleased funding has been extended to keep 30 full-time paramedics on our streets and in our communities.

“While this funding is important to bolster and maintain 100 already existing positions, it doesn’t actually add a single paramedic to our overburdened health system,” continues Parker.

“It doesn’t solve the issue of not having enough members hired. Every shift is being run short. Without hiring more new paramedics, the current government continues to put the system, our members, and every Albertan needing urgent medical care, at risk.”

Parker concluded, “We need Alberta Health Services to hire more paramedics immediately. This announcement does nothing to overcome the hiring crisis affecting emergency medical services, or AHS in general.”

Myshrall also talked to media in Calgary early in August, where he said, “More and more people are noticing that there are changes needing to be made to prevent the unacceptable wait times for ambulances.

“The situation was so bad recently (in Calgary,) Calgary Police Services and

firefighters had to take matters into their own hands.

“Paramedics are leaving the industry in large numbers because they’re sustaining physical and moral injuries from an overburdened system that’s being propped up on their backs,” Myshrall said in that interview.

The above post, dated Sept. 6, was one of multiple posts created over the last week by Health Services Association of Alberta (HSAA) EMS on its social media page regarding ambulance services in communities across the province, and reinforces the message delivered by Paramedic Dusty Myshrall to Beaver and Flagstaff County Councils in late 2020. Note that this may not still be in effect.

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT (Section 26) LOCAL JURISDICTION, CAMROSE COUNTY, PROVINCE OF ALBERTA Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is Monday, September 20, 2021 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction office set out below within the period beginning on January 1 and ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day. A deposit of $25.00 in cash, certified cheque or money order must accompany each nomination paper. Nomination packages are available at the Camrose County Administration Office or on the County Website at www.county.camrose.ab.ca Offices

Number of Vacancies Electoral Division No.

Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Division Division Division Division Division Division Division

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Location of Local Jurisdiction Office: Camrose County Administration Office 3755-43 Avenue Camrose, Alberta T4V 3S8 Dated at the City of Camrose, in the Province of Alberta, this 1st day of September, 2021.

Paul King Returning Officer

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 5

Loose Ends:

Carol Livingstone Tofield Mercury Columnist

We recently returned from our annual family camping trip; we go every summer for a

week with our sons. We get adjacent sites, one for the trailer and one for their tent. They spend most of the time on our site (we have the best snacks), except for sleeping and when they go hiking. We aren’t invited on their hikes because we’re too old and slow and they don’t want to have to carry us back.

They go with Hubby on his morning strolls around the campground;

so did I back when I had two good knees. Ah, the good old days.

This year we started out in the rain which got heavier as we travelled, sometimes sheeting down so hard that visibility was nil. Of course, there were the requisite jerks driving hard to outdistance the rain, spraying water from their tires onto our windshield, and one tanker truck pulling two tanks almost

flushed us off the road.

What fun! But we made it through and when Hubby had problems backing into our site - he needs to see where he’s going for some reason and I am useless as an assistant – this nice father and son duo came along and the son had us perfectly parked in seconds, like magic. I wanted to adopt him.

The rain broke long enough so the boys

Full list of candidates for upcoming federal election made official in Battle River-Crowfoot riding Patricia Harcourt Staff Reporter

The candidate list for the 2021 federal election is now complete with the closing of nominations on Aug. 30, and candidates declared as of Sept. 1.

The candidates running in the Sept. 20 federal election for the Battle River-Crowfoot constituency are: Green Party candidate Daniel Brisbin, Maverick Party candidate Jeff Golka, Veterans Coalition Party candidate John Irwin, Conservative Party candidate Damien Kurek (incumbent), Liberal Party candidate Leah

McLeod, New Democratic Party candidate Tonya Ratushniak and People’s Party candidate Dennis Trepanier.

The federal election day is officially held on Monday, September 20, with polls open for 12 hours.

Advance voting at a voter’s assigned polling station is possible over

GREAT NORTHERN GRAIN Terminals Ltd.

STEFAN CLOUTIER MANAGER

P.O Box 35 Killam, AB T0B 2L0

OFFICE: (780) 385-3622 FAX: (780) 385-2247 CELL: (780) 385-0668 E-MAIL: scloutier@syban.net

DON’T HIBERNATE FAIR Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 This is a “one–stop” information/registration night for many of activities for youths, adults and seniors in Tofield throughout the fall/winter months.

Lend us your vote. Bring the balance of power to the West Authorized by: Chief Agent of the Maverick Party

DEAD OR ALIVE

Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area!

Paying Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, Royal Can. Mint Sets.

Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$

mail.

A person can also vote at any Elections Canada Office across Canada before September 14, by 6 p.m. using the special ballot process.

from my quilt guild and have to walk around with a paper bag over my head every time I leave the house.

This was likely our last camping trip. We’ve been toying with the idea of selling our trailer and decided the time is now. Using it one week a year means the rest of the time it’s parked in our back yard, a very large lawn ornament. I’d prefer gnomes.

How will we spend our future quality family time? No idea. Covid has ruined staycations forever. And these old bones aren’t made for tenting. Stay tuned.

6:30 – 8:00 pm at Tofield Community Hall

WANTED

$ $

a four-day period prior to this: Friday, September 10, Saturday, September 11, Sunday, September 12, and Monday, September 13.

Hours on all days are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Citizens have until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 14, to apply online or at any Elections Canada office to vote by

could set up their tent when they arrived but started up again and fell all night and throughout the next day. A soggy start to what we call ‘quality family time’ which translates into Yahtzee marathons played in the trailer where it’s warm and dry.

Strangers overhearing our raucous laughter and colourful language that could make longshoremen blush might question the ‘quality’ part but it’s just the way we roll (the dice). Fortunately outside of family Yahtzee games we’re pretty well-behaved.

Otherwise I’d be evicted

We purchase rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins

There is no charge to participate!

Mark the date on your calendars... and we’ll see you at the Fair!

Smoke From Wildfires and Horse Respiratory Health If your horse is having difficulty breathing such as fast and shallow breathing, coughing, lethargy, elevated heart rate, or nasal discharge, please contact us immediately to ensure your horse has not developed a reactive airway disease or bacterial infection. Horses can suffer from constriction of the airways, just as humans can.

Call 780-662-0112 for booking details.

$ $

$

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES To arrange a free, discrete in-home visit

call Kellie at 1-778-257-8647 Bonded since 1967

If your group/organization would like a table at the Don’t Hibernate Fair, please contact Vanita Eglauer at 780-662-3269 or veglauer@tofieldalberta.ca.

Appointments are Available: Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Equine Emergency 24/7, 365 days.

425-51110 RANGE ROAD 212 Only 20 minutes from Sherwood Park or Tofield

Page 6 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Harvest Celebration fundraiser for Lois Hole Hospital to feature performance by popular group ‘Barenaked Ladies’ to this format due to the pandemic.

Last year’s headliner was Jann Arden.

Over the course of their remarkable career, Barenaked Ladies have sold over 15 million albums, written multiple top 20 hits, garnered two Grammy nominations, won eight Juno Awards, had a Ben &Jerry’s ice cream named after them (“If I Had 1,000,000 Flavours”), participated in the first-ever “space-to-earth musical collaboration” with astronaut Chris Hadfield, and garnered an international fan base whose members number in the millions.

In 2018, the band was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Through the years, the group has endlessly proven their undeniable power as a live act, with each performance propelled by their chemistry as a band.

“It means so much to have the renowned Barenaked Ladies playing our fundraiser.

Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

Harvest Celebration 2021 is a fundraiser for the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation to support the Lois Hole Hospital for Women.

This annual gala helps raise essential funds that help support innovative models of care, ground-breaking research, and specialized programs and services for all women from across northern Alberta and beyond.

This year’s gala will be held via CTV television on Saturday, Sept 18, at 5 p.m. local time and will feature none other than Canadian recording group the Barenaked Ladies.

Building on one of the group’s best-known hits, “If I had a million dollars,” the foundation’s goal this year is to raise $1 million.

This is the second year in a row that the gala will be presented as a free televised concert. It’s normally an in-person black tie gala, moved

Keep the conversation going!

Facebook.com/TofieldMercury Twitter.com/TofieldMercury Website/www.tofieldmerc.com

“So many of us at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation are enormous fans and we can’t wait for our donors and viewers to see the show - and hear a somewhat ‘customized’ set list, no less,” said Sharlene Rutherford, President and CEO of the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation.

“It’s sure to be an entertaining and meaningful evening, celebrating advancements in women’s healthcare, enjoying a few classic Canadian tunes, and garnering more support for the Lois Hole Hospital.”

The Lois Hole Hospital is Alberta’s only hospital dedicated to

women and has been a key centre of excellence for women’s healthcare in the province since its opening 11 years ago.

“Join us for Harvest Celebration 2021 supporting the Lois Hole Hospital for Women. We’ll be playing some songs, having some fun, and hopefully raising a million dollars!” said Ed Robertson, Barenaked Ladies lead vocals and guitar.

Visit the website at: harvestcelebration.ca for more information and other ways to donate to the Lois Hole Women’s Hospital.

Opinion

Email us your letter to the editor: news.tofield@gmail.com, or drop it in at our office

Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: The new addition to the Viking Fire Hall is a project that the Viking Volunteer Firefighter Society brought forward to the BESC board; as a community project primary funded by the Society by fundraising and a large donation by a former community member. This project is supported by BESC as the board has committed to topping up some of the funds that is community driven. The contractor who was picked by the society is a local business that continues to give back to the commu-

Published Wednesday of each week by: The Tofield Mercury 5312 - 50 Street P.O. Box 150, Tofield, AB T0B 4J0 Ph: (780) 662-4046 Fax: (780) 662-3735 news.tofield@gmail.com

nity.

The new medium duty Rescue Unit ordered will be a replacement on a dated unit will greatly improve our response as it has more space and horsepower to haul specialized equipment.

Some of the equipment now available to the firefighters are hydraulic rams, cutters and spreaders used in vehicle extrication as well as high pressure air bags for heavy lifting jobs like tractors, combines and transport trucks. The new vehicle will provide low amperage L.E.D. scene lighting and monitoring equipment for dangerous goods & confined

space incidents like grain bin entrapment.

In addition to rescue capabilities it will assist in other operations such as medical, structure and wildland (grass and brush) fires along with side-by-side ATVs. This allows our fire services to be rapid and efficient with the right tools for a variety of jobs. This is a huge boost to the eastern end of Beaver County and the municipalities. We can address most calls without having outside resources being utilized. From Holden to Kinsella and beyond, BESC will now have the hardware to respond with the training

to match.

BESC will be looking at updating and improving some specialized equipment especially on remote access with some new capital approved projects. BESC is very proud of all of our volunteer firefighters especially during the pandemic as well as the quality of training that they have attained to ensure our community is protected at a high level. I would like to thank the members of the Society for all of the work they have preformed to make this project a reality.

Gene Hrabec, BESC Chair

Funds by the Government of Canada

Print Subscription $33.50 Pick-up Subscription $24.94 Online Subscription $16.75 * Prices do not include GST *

Kerry Anderson

Moush John

Lisa Kuflay

Sarah McLaughlin

Michelle Anderson

Publisher

Managing Editor

Office Manager/ Composition/Sales

Front Office/ Composition/Sales

Administration

*Advertisements designed, set, and produced by The Tofield Mercury, as well as original photographs, articles and columns, editorial content, and other printed materials are protected by copyright 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 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 represent those of this publication, nor its publisher and staff.

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 7

Bardo Lutheran Church celebrates 126 years after COVID delays festivities Moush John Editor

What was meant to be a milestone celebration last year for Bardo Lutheran Church’s 125 years, had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. This year, members of the Parish Planning Council (PPC) are hoping they can have a small gathering celebrating this.

According to PPC, the Bardo community in Canada had its beginnings in 1894 when a number of Norwegian pioneers from Crookston, Minnesota, filed for homesteads and emigrated to the Canadian Northwest. The first men arrived in the spring of 1894. Their families followed in the summer and fall of that same year. In time many more settlers arrived from the Crookston area, and also some directly from Bardu in Norway.

“The first church service was held Nov. 3, 1894, in the log home of Mr. and Mrs. P.B. Anderson, the grandparents of Phillip Anderson, life-long member of the congregation who died in April 2015,” said Leonie Gomez, one of the PPC members and also a part of the Board of Deacons. “Worship services were held in homes throughout the winter. In the spring, on May 23, 1895, the first congregational meeting was held, with 16 families signing as charter members.”

Martin Finseth, grandfather of LeRoy Finseth, Mary’s husband, was the first chairman. Myrna Simonson, is also a descendant of one of the first charter families, the Simon P. Simonson family.

The first name of the congregation was Norden

Lutheran Church. The 73-year-old Reverend Bersvend Anderson, Phillip’s great-grandfather, was called as the first pastor. He continued in this capacity for eight years officially, but continued to serve at various other times when needed, well into his 1980s.

There was a Sunday School, and soon after choir practices began, along with the formation of a Ladies Aid in the new congregation. The first Confirmation service was held on Jan. 26, 1897; and the first Daily Vacation Bible School, or Parochial School, as it was then called, was held in the summer of 1899.

According to members of the PPC, the first Bardo school, built of logs in 1898, was located diagonally across the road from the Bardo Cemetery, on land that later became the Ivan Foshaug Farm.

“Services were held in this school house until the first church was dedicated in 1908, on the creek bank right next to where present members, Barry and Christy Rude, live,” Gomez explained. “At this time, the name of the church was changed from Norden to Bardo. The first altar and baptismal font were built by the Rev. Bersvend Anderson.

“The Ladies Aid helped with the cost of the furnace, other fixtures, as well as with the greater part of the cost of the contractor who was hired to work with the many volunteers. On June 7, 1921, the church was struck by lightning and burned to the ground; and again on Aug. 27, 1965, lightning struck a second time with the same outcome, leaving only the chimney standing.”

After the loss of the second church building, it was

decided on Sept. 14, 1966, a little over a year after the fire, that it would be in Tofield. In the spring of the next year, May 28, 1967, the ground-breaking ceremony was held on the new site, where the present church stands.

Members of PPC said that with many volunteers assisting the contractor and two carpenters, the building See BARDO P15

MEMORIAL TEA PLEASE JOIN THE FAMILY OF GERALDINE LAWRENCE To honour and laud the life of a one-in-a-million woman who passed away December 12, 2020

SEPTEMBER 18 AT 1:30 p.m.

Ardrossan Senior Drop In Centre 21 Queen Street • Ardrossan, Alberta

Tofield and Area Church Directory Bardo Lutheran Church Pastor Calvin Andringa Sunday Worship Services: In Person – 10:00 AM Streaming – 10:00 AM Register for in person or access livestream through our website: tofieldalliancechurch.com

780-662-2762

•

5907 - 49 Street

Sunday Worship @ 10:30 am All are welcome!

Worship services can also be accessed online @

49232 Rge Rd 184 Tofield, AB

Pastor Mark Loewen 780-662-2365

www.bardolutheranchurch.weebly.com Sunday service in-person and drive-in

780-662-3411

Tofield Community Church Holden United Church Lead Pastor: Jon Stewart Tofield United Church Children/Youth Pastor: Nathan Nichols Due to COVID-19 in-person worship services have been suspended.

Live Sunday Worship at Online services will take place and can 10:30am www.tofieldchurch.com 780-662-3166 Services will be live streamed and available on our website/YouTube

Salem Mennonite Church

be listened to on the phone. For login info please call: 780-662-3471 or email: beaverpastoralcharge@gmail.com

Rev. Adam Hall

at 10:00 am. Also available online at: www.salemmennonite.ca

Page 8 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

21092CE0 21092CE1 21092CE2

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

BEAVER COUNTY SEED CLEANING CO-OP September & October Open by appointment only

Chronicle

Bruce, Holden, Kinsella Ryley, Tofield, Viking

Phone 780-688-3917 • Holden, AB

The Beaver County

Hubert & Margaret Graham Parts, Sales & Service Bus: 780-663-3759 Res: 780-662-2384 Fax: 780-663-3799

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

A Free Weekly Publication Serving All of Beaver County Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Volume 14, Issue 36

Surface Drainage Bylaw passed after hearing Patricia Harcourt Beaver County Council passed its Surface Drainage Bylaw by giving second and third readings following an in-person public hearing Sept. 1 at the Ryley Community Centre.

In her discussion paper, Interim CAO Margaret Jones stated that Bylaw 21-1110 “will enable the county to investigate drainage related complaints whenever the county has jurisdiction over drainage and waterbodies. This applies primarily to the registered subdivisions in Divisions 1 and 2.”

She also explained that “the bylaw prohibits the alteration of the surface elevation or grade of any property (public or private) if such work creates a nuisance or danger, adversely affects the stability of a slope, alters an on-site storm water management system, or alters the elevation of an adjacent property.”

Also, natural drainage features or easements cannot be filled in, drained or redirected in the newly enacted bylaw. Inspections by county officers can take place provided the landowner gets “proper notice gives his or her consent (Municipal Government Act regulations).”

The bylaw includes penalties and fines and/or stop work orders as a way of getting the landowner to put the property back to its original drainage pattern.

Council was not obligated to hold a public hearing but did so “to enable the public an opportunity to comment,” said Jones. There was a

virtual hearing August 18 and an in person hearing September 1.

Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson said the feedback received at the hearing Sept. 1 appeared to show that residents were confused about what the bylaw was about,” adding: “I’m fully in favour of it.

Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce agreed that “it became very clear this morning (that this) is a very emotional issue.” People are either being flooded or don’t have enough water, he said, calling it a “difficult” situation.

“My heart goes out to people being flooded,” he said, noting presenters mentions Alberta Environment “a few times,” regarding regulation problems. “Where is Alberta Environment?” he asked, describing how difficult it is to reach someone in that department.

Bruce also wondered, “Who has the real authority?” stating the county “is on the front line” of the issues facing the landowners.

“We have to help these people and we also have to deal with Alberta Environment,” he said, and, in doing so, “we’re chasing our tail…

We need to get them involved.”

“I think there was a nerve struck,” said Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3), noting the bylaw could include more divisions that Divisions 1 and 2.

Jones replied that “It could but you don’t see it very often.”

Hrabec also noted that the confusion over what jurisdictions is in charge of waterways started a year

ago. At that time, it was assumed all drainage of land was Alberta Environment’s jurisdiction but now the county appears to be in charge for registered subdivisions, he said.

Hrabec said he “likes the bylaw and supports it,” but felt the issue regarding subdivision authority “was overlooked. But Jones explained that in terms of water courses or drainage channels, “Alberta Environment does have authority over that no matter where it is…

“It’s not easy to understand,” she said, agreeing that “up to a year ago their jurisdiction seemed to be a lot wider,” referring to Alberta Environment.

But she added: “This bylaw is meant to apply to all areas (of the county).”

Division 1 Councillor Kevin Smook said that several points were brought up at the public hearing of interest.

“We’re there to listen and take their concerns into consideration,” he said, wondering how the Biosphere and wetlands policies figure into such a specific bylaw.

“If it’s in our jurisdiction,” said Jones, the rules on “drainage would apply no matter where it is in the county.”

Part of the UNESCO approved heritage site of Beaver Hills is located in the county.

Smook also said he was “concerned (the bylaw) is a complaint driven system and would pit neighbour against neighbour,” asking:

“So will we respond if there is no complaint?”

“Yes,” said Jones, but added there would be no official hired just to drive around the countryside and “check things out…We’ll do what we can with the resources we have.”

Smook also recognized the concern expressed that the county going onto private land to make inspections was actually trespassing.

But he noted that, “it says in the bylaw the count has the right with proper notice to go onto the land and work with the people,” which he felt responded to the concern.

Despite a previous suggestion from Hrabec to look into the jurisdictional issue, and Reeve Jim Kallal (Division 2) asking if council “should go back and work with it a little more,” Pederson did not want to delay the enacting of the bylaw.

His motion for second reading was passed. After Smook made the motion to pass third and final reading, Hrabec made an unsuccessful bid to delay this to the next meeting.

“I’m not against the bylaw,” he said, but wanted “some additional followup before passing third reading.

Bruce suggested putting information about the bylaw onto the county’s website, newspaper and online.

“I don’t think the public always has (all) the information,” he said, and “want it explained more.”

With that, council voted and passed third reading making the bylaw official.

It’s almost time for another Municipal Election!

Get the upper hand by advertising in the local paper!

Tofield Mercury - adsmercury@gmail.com | Weekly Review - ads@weeklyreview.ca

2 - Beaver County Chronicle, September 8, 2021

Clean energy program idea pursued Patricia Harcourt Beaver County has agreed to participate in the Clean Energy Improvement Program after discussion at the September 1 meeting of county council.

Deputy Reeve Gene Hrabec (Division 3) brought forward the idea as a way of helping residents afford renovations and projects that would make their homes more energy efficient.

Hrabec said the program fits into the county’s vision excerpt under the Strategic Plan for advancing energy and housing needs, as well as the county being a leader in innovative ideas.

Calling it “an opportunity for infrastructure investment,” Hrabec said that as a council “we can’t put our heads in the sand anymore that (clean energy) is coming.”

The Municipal Government Act allows municipalities to have a CEIP, and borrow funds on behalf of participating landowners for projects that increase energy efficiency or the use of renewable energy. The county has to obtain money to finance the program and can either come from the county itself or an external source.

Project costs would be tied to the landowner’s property and collected through property taxes over an extended period of time.

“Anywhere along the process if we

feel it is too costly or overbearing on administration can we pull out,” Hrabec asked, and was told that the county was “just getting in line” at this stage.

Division 1 Councillor Kevin Smook welcomed the initiative, calling it a “good program” that would “probably be welcomed by our citizens…I’m on board.”

Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson wanted to know if any landowners have expressed interest, but was told that the program has yet to be advertised. He was in favour as long as it didn’t add a significant new burden on administration.

Division 4 Councillor Barry Bruce was “glad to see it come,” but wanted to know if the landowners could do their own work instead of having to use contractors.

“I would like to see people be able to employ themselves,” he said, noting that “farmers are builders and do labour.”

But he was told that it didn’t appear that homeowners wold be allowed to do the work themselves.

Hrabec said he “wants to get in line for (the program) and get the costs for it sometimes down the road.

His motion was carried which stated that, “if the county proceeds with the program, that council direct administration to participate in a cohort for assistance from the Alberta Municipal Services Corporation.”

2021 FAL A L LARGE ITEM PIC P K UP Fall Large Item Pick Up will be taking place again this October. The collection and disposal of large items is provided to regional municipal residents at no charge.

The fall schedule is as follows: Hamlet of Bruce ϝ Monday, October 4th Village of Ryley ϝ Thursday, October 7th Town of Tofield ϝ Thursday, October 14th Village of Holden ϝ Tuesday, October 20 Town of Tofield ϝ Tuesday, October 27 Keep an eye out for program specifics in the upcoming weeks.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 780.663.2038.

CARDBOARD AND PAPER RECYCLING

Claystone

10%-20% OFF

ALL STOCK & SPECIAL ORDERS OVER 40 APPLIANCES IN STOCK WASHERS, DRYERS, DISHWASHERS, FREEZERS, RANGES

Waste

offers

cardboard

and

newsprint

collection and recycling to ensure that a we keep easily recyclable material out of landfills. Please ensure all cardboard is flattened and unsoiled,, no greasy pizza boxes, or wet cardboard. Please do not put garbage or incorrect materials in bins. This costs both in employee time and possible charges from our vendors.

A full list of recycling services and locations can be found on the transfer station page under the residential tab on our website at www.claystonewaste.com.

Toll Free: 1.855.221.2038 Ph: 780.663.2038 50117 Range Road 173 (Secondary ( Highway 854)) Box 322, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0

Ryley Landfill Hours: Weekdays 9:00 am - 4:30 pm; Saturdays / STATS 9:00 am - 3:00 pm; Closed Sundays NOTE: customers must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to closing; Administration Offices closed from 12:00 - 1:00 pm

Lindbrook Transfer Station Hours:

SALE ENDS SEPT 11

COUTTS HOME HARDWARE H Forestburg, AB 1-866-582-35566

Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Thurs 11:30 am - 6:30 pm; Sat 10:30 - 5:30 pm

WE DEL IV WE INST ER! ALL! WE TA KE AWAY Y OUR OLD APPLIA NCE!

SERVING FORESTBURG AND AREA REA SINCE 1929 929

Tofield Transfer Station Hours: Wed, Fri and Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm

Viking Transfer Station Hours: Tues 10:30 am - 5:30 pm; Sat 10:30 am - 5:30 pm

Kinsella Transfer Station Hours: Wed 11:00 am - 5:00 pm; Fri 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Beaver County Chronicle, September 8, 2021 - 3

Corporate review consultant hired by County for base fee of $49,500 Patricia Harcourt A consultant for Beaver County Council was hired to conduct a comprehensive corporate review of all aspects of county services and operations.

Interim CAO Margaret Jones reports that the consultant, J.R. McDonald & Associates, is under contract for a base consulting fee of $49,500 plus expenses and GST. These expenses have been described as disbursements for travel, mileage, meals, lodging, and report publishing.

Beaver County received an update of

the progress of the review at council’s regular September 1 meeting. A final report is expected at the end of the month, said Jones.

In the report, McDonald states: “We commenced the corporate governance review for Beaver County formally on July 6, 2021. As we indicated at the outset it usually requires a minimum of 90 days to complete a full assessment of the corporate governance of a municipality.

We are currently working on the draft report in the terms of reference we outlined the review objectives.”

Each council member has been inter-

viewed separately, and each division toured with the councillor for that division.

The report states that “we care working on assessing the current governance/administrative situation,” and that this review “provides key indicators about how the powers and responsibilities of council are currently being exercised and. how well the administration is implementing council direction.”

Interviews have also been done with employees, regional partners, ratepayers and stakeholders.

“We are currently working at identify-

ing strengths of the current delivery model to assess how these are currently being implemented and how they might best be enhanced,” the report states.

The summarized report will be a summarized presentation to be made available by the end of September, said Rick McDonald, CMC, President.

The move to have a corporate review occurred after CAO Bob Beck went on medical leave until the end of September and council had to grapple with how to handle the situation. Assistant CAO Margaret Jones is now acting as Interim CAO.

County councillors decide to perform extra chip seal repairs Patricia Harcourt After completing the roads already scheduled for 2021, Director of Transportation Dan Blackie’s request to get in a few more resurfacing jobs in this fall was granted.

“We finished this year,” he said, adding the results were “a great job…the chipping’s great.

“We have an opportunity to resurface a few more roads (that will) tie into the roads we did this year,” he said. But he noted that any job over $75,000 goes to tender according to county policy.

He said that the work could still be done this year if council waived the need to go to tender and approve an amendment to Ant Construction Ltd’s 2021 Chip Seal contract for $105,000 (plus

GST) to supply and apply chip seal on the following roads: • 0.3 miles of Range Road 201 from Twp. Road 510 to Hwy. 14; • 1.5 miles of Twp. Rd. 510 from S.H. 833 to the west county border; • 1 miles of Twp. Rd. 512 from S.H. 603 to R.R. 195.

In his report to council, Blackie stated that these roads had been cemented and chip sealed in 2018 but the county was not happy with the work.

“These roads are now seeing wear and tear on the top chip seal layer this is outside the normal range expected,” he stated. “The cement base is holding up well; however, without proper protection over top we will soon start to see that deteriorate as well.

“The county has an opportunity now

Notice of Development Permit The following Development Application has been APPROVED (except where otherwise noted) by the Development Officer under the provisions of Land Use Bylaw No. 98-801, subject to the right of appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.

APPEAL DEADLINE: September 22, 2021 Application No. 020020-21-D0057 Applicant: O'Toole, Debbie Location: NE 9-49-12-W4 Development: Seasonal Greenhouse (Operating April - June, Friday-Sun)

Any person wishing to appeal a decision may do so by serving written notice on the prescribed form (stating reasons for the appeal) and submitting the applicable fee of $200.00 to the Secretary of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board at the following address.

The notice of appeal must be submitted before 4:30 pm on the appeal deadline date shown above, or be postmarked by the appeal deadline date. The prescribed form is available at www.beaver.ab.ca or at the County office.

Further information regarding the above decision(s) may be obtained from the County Office, Ryley, Alberta.

SECRETARY Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Beaver County, Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 (780) 663-3730 Due to COVID-19, all appeal hearings will be held electronically until further notice.

to rectify this issue with out 2021 chip seal contractor, Ant Construction,” Blackie said. “Their contract provides for a modification to the scope of services; however, due to the amount of the increased cost, the county’s Purchasing Policy requires that this additional work be tendered.”

In discussion, he said: “If council could waive it we could do the work this year.”

Reasons for approving the waiving of the purchasing policy were given as follows: • Administration is pleased with Ant Construction’s work and the quality of work would extend the life of the roads; • The warranty will be extended to the extra roads; • The price is competitive and could increase if delayed by tendering;

• Ant Construction can do the work in this construction season if approval is granted quickly.

Reeve Jim Kallal (Division 2) deferred to Councillor Kevin Smook for an initial opinion as the work would be in Smook’s Division 1.

“This is fixing a problem that was created (by a previous contractor),” said Smook, declining to name the contractor.

“This is a solution to that problem,” he said, calling it necessary “to protect the longevity of the road so I’m in favour.”

“We don’t really have a problem, do we?” asked Division 5 Councillor Dale Pederson.

Smook’s motion to approve Blackie’s request as per the recommendation was carried.

2021 Construction Schedule

4 - Beaver County Chronicle, September 8, 2021

Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street Box 140 Ryley, Alberta T0B 4A0 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: (780) 663-3730 Fax: (780) 663-3602 Toll Free: 1-866-663-1333 www.beaver.ab.ca Email: administration@beaver.ab.ca

Notice of Nomination Day

Workers Needed!

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY

2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26)

The County is seeking to fill the following positions on Election Day, October 18, 2021: • Stand-by workers (all areas of the County)

Local Jurisdiction: Beaver County, Province of Alberta.

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is September 20, 2021 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction office set out below within the period beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending at 12:00 Noon on Nomination Day. Office(s) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor

No. of Vacancies 1 1 1 1 1

Ward or Electoral Division No. 1 2 3 4 5

For more information and an application form, go to www.beaver.ab.ca

Construction Update Over the summer we have been working to upgrade the following roads: • TWP RD 512 from RGE RD 191 to RGE RD 195 • RGE RD 202 from TWP RD 504 to TWP RD 510 • TWP RD 480 from HWY 36 – RGE RD 132 • RGE RD 132 from TWP RD 480 to Parrish & Heimbecker entrance • TWP RD 482 TerraCem REPAIRS from TWP RD 482 to HWY 36 • RGE RD 132 TerraCem REPAIRS from P&H north to TWP RD 482

Location (Address) of Local Jurisdiction Office: Beaver County Service Centre 5120 - 50 Street, Ryley, AB T0B 4A0

These locations are starting to receive the second layer of chip seal and there may be delays as work crews direct traffic in order to work safely. There will be many loose rocks after the second chip seal layer is applied and speed limits will continue to be reduced on these roads until the final sweep is complete.

Beaver County's goal is to provide a healthy, injury free work environment for all employees, contractors, visitors and general public.

Dated at the Village of Ryley, in the Province of Alberta, this 8th day of September, 2021.

Margaret Jones (Returning Officer)

There are potential hazards to the public and vehicles during the construction process. This can include heavy machinery, dust or mud, road material such as gravel, asphalt coatings and rock chips.

Shoulder Pulls Beaver County will be completing Shoulder Pulls in the following areas over the next few weeks.

• Twp Rd 484 from Hwy 855 to Rge Rd 152 • Twp Rd 492 from Rge Rd 155 to Rge Rd 151 • Twp Rd 500 from Rge Rd 135 to 133 • Twp Rd 490 from Hwy 36 to Rge Rd 122 Road rehabilitation through shoulder pulling will re-establish crown, compact the road surface and allow for grading of the road slope for proper drainage. Although the roads will stay open during construction, please expect delays or use alternate routes.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this road maintenance causes and thank you for your patience and understanding during construction. If you have any questions, please call the Beaver County Service Centre at 780-663-3730.

Invitation to Tender

Invitation to Tender Black Nugget Lake Concession Renovations Will be received by: Beaver County (“County”) PO BOX 140 5120 – 50 St Ryley, AB T0B 4A0 Attn: Darby Dietz, Superintendent of Public Works Time and date for Tender Closing is: 2:00 p.m. local time on Tuesday, September 21st, 2021 (the “Tender Closing”). For more info, please visit: https://www.beaver.ab.ca/residents/proposals-quotes

We apologize for the inconvenience that road maintenance and upgrading causes, but the same roads that receive the most traffic also need the most maintenance. Thank-you for your patience and understanding during construction. If you have any questions, please call the Beaver County Service Centre at 780-663-3730.

World Suicide Prevention

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 9

COOL OFFERS FOR HOT MONTHS! Including

unbeatable savings on rechargeable hearing aids.

Hearing Clinic in 6QƂGNF 5024-51 Ave. / wi `] č 6JWTUFC[ 5GRVGODGT CO RO

Karen Halverson Hearing Aid Practitioner

BO GO

UNBEATABLE PRICING! up to

1(( * %

ON OUR BEST HEARING TECHNOLOGY! 2% $1)1

WITH

0

%

BUY NOW PAY LATER

INTEREST-FREE FINANCING FOR 36 MONTHS**

Call and book a complimentary hearing test today!

780.673.1000

Offering proven hygiene & safety protocols!

www.amplifon.com/ca

2ijHU YDOLG RQ VHOHFW PRGHOV DQG GLVFRXQW LV DSSOLFDEOH WR ELQDXUDO SXUFKDVH WKH VHFRQG DLG RQO\ &DQQRW EH FRPELQHG ZLWK RWKHU GLVFRXQWV 6HH FOLQLF IRU PRUH ıQDQFLQJ GHWDLOV 2ijHUV H[SLUH 3URPR &RGH 3& %2*2 ũ $PSOLIRQ $OO 5LJKWV 5HVHUYHG

Page 10 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Business & Professional Oilfield & Energy Small Ads - $50/month

Automotive

Medium Ads - $80/month

Equine Services

Tofield Autobody *COLLISION REPAIR SPECIALISTS *WINDSHIELD REPAIRED & REPLACED

780-662-3432

For your automotive, farm and industrial supplies

• Boarding • Beginner to advanced lessons • Clinics

Contact the Mercury 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com

Large Ads - $160/month

Insurance

• Colt Starting • Lessons • Mileage/Fine Tuning

• Tofield 780-662-0165

• Equine First Aid

• Mundare

TS Training Services

ROYAL FARMS LTD. & Equine First Aid Tyler Sekulich

Tyler Sekulich

780-868-6634 royalfarmsltd2021 @gmail.com

780-868-6634 tstrainingservices @gmail.com

780-764-2238

Commercial • Farm • Holden Auto • Home Recreational • Hail 780-688-3865

Health & Beauty

780-662-3212 After hours: 780-662-4574 or 780-662-0017

Todd Ritchie Financial Advisor Ritchie Agencies Insurance Ltd 5036 53 Ave | Tofield 780-662-3833 www.cooperators.ca/Ritchie-Agencies

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

Home Auto Life Investments Group Business Farm Travel

780-662-2403 662-2403

Construction LICENSED INSURED

GOLISH CONSTRUCTION LTD.

P RIMARY C ONNECTIONS M ASSAGE T HERAPY Registered Massage Therapy “Masseuse Caboose” 5024-53 Ave.

780-662-4498 662-4498 Rhona Lawson R.M.T/M.T.A.A.

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

No job too small, call to book your project!

Electrical

Heavy Duty Mechanic Heavy Duty Mechanic Services - Mobile & Shop -

780-686-6344 Agriculture~Construction~Tractor/Trailer

Meat Packers 5020 - 50 Ave., Tofield, AB HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

SLAUGHTER DAY IS EVERY WEDNESDAY • Farm • Residential • Commercial • 24 hour service

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 TO BOOK A SPACE.

Phone 662-4842 for Appt Phone 780-662-4842 for Appt.

Fresh Meat & Sausage Counter

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY TO ADVERTISE!

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 11

Business & Professional Oilfield & Energy Small Ads - $50/month

Medium Ads - $80/month

Real Estate

Plumbing & Heating B&M

Contact the Mercury 780-662-4046 adsmercury@gmail.com

Large Ads - $160/month

Veterinary Clinic

Kevin Smook

PLUMBING AND HEATING INC

REALTOR ®

Authorized Armstrong and Coleman dealer Authorized Trane dealer for all your for all your plumbing and heating needs. plumbing and heating needs.

780-662-4623 Making you feel at home since 1999!

CALL: 662-2454Service CALL: 662-2454

24 Hr. Emerg.

www.home-time.net

Roofing John Daoust Shingle Co. Box 576, Tofield

RED’S

P LUMBING & D RAIN C LEANING

•Boilers •New Homes • Renovations • Repairs •Distillers Ph: (780) 662-7237 Cell: (780) 238-7429 Garnet Malin - Tofield, AB

ES

EE ES FR AT TIM

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

John Daoust 662-4901

HOURS: Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri.: 8:30am-5:30pm Wednesdays: 8:30am-7:00pm Saturdays: 8:30am-1:30pm

CALL THE TOFIELD MERCURY 780-662-4046 FOR YOUR ADVERTISING NEEDS! CLUES ACROSS 1. Superhigh frequency 4. Sinatra’s ex-wife 7. Unity 12. Not useful 15. One who mocks 16. Teachers 18. “Pollock” actor Harris 19. Fifth note of a major scale 20. A type of coalition 21. Aircraft transmitters 24. Where golfers begin 27. We all have them 30. Monetary unit 31. Calendar month 33. Pouch-like structure 34. Winter sport tool 35. Minneapolis suburb 37. __ student, learns healing

39. Keyboard key 41. Brief proposal 42. Gasteyer and Ivanovic are two 44. Lunatic 47. Cool!

48. Japanese musician 49. Successor to League of Nations 50. Actor Diesel 52. The Constitution State 53. Go back over 56. One long or stressed syllable followed by unstressed syllable 61. All of it 63. Seriousness 64. Adds color 65. __kosh, near Lake Winnebago

CLUES DOWN 1. Turfs 2. Handle 3. Floating ice 4. Railways 5. Breathe in 6. Neutralizes alkalis 7. Coenzyme A 8. Make a mistake 9. Tin 10. Parts of a machine 11. Midway between northeast and east 12. Prizes for victory 13. Great amount 14. Goodwill (archaic) 17. Suspicion of having committed a crime 22. Signed one’s name 23. Quake 24. Exercise system __-bo 25. Round Dutch cheese

26. Ready to go 28. Khoikhoi peoples 29. Opera scene 32. Husband of Sita (Hindu) 36. A sign of assent 38. Cut a rug 40. An army unit mounted on horseback 43. Satisfies 44. Austrian river 45. In a more positive way 46. Religious creed 51. Brazilian NBA star 54. One and only 55. Street 56. Explosive 57. Gambling town 58. Public crier calls 59. Hard money 60. Time units (abbr.)

62. Exists

INVEST IN YOUR BUSINESS. Advertise in the Tofield Mercury Business Directory!

Dog Grooming Electrical Equine Services Health & Beauty Heavy Duty Mechanic Home Accessories Insurance Law Services Landscaping Meat Packers

• Painting • Plumbing & Heating • Real Estate • Rental Equipment • Roofing • Thermal Imaging • Trucking • Septic Services • Veterinary Clinic • Water Hauling • Welding Services

ANSWERS ACROSS: 1. SHF 4. MIA 7. COALESCENCE 12. GOOD FOR NOTHING 15. ROASTER 16.

GRADERS 18. ED 19. SOL 20. EU 21. ELIS 24. TEE 27. SENSES 30. SENE 31. ADAR 33. SAC 34.

SKI 35. EAGAN 37. MED 39. ESC 41. MEMO 42. ANAS 44. MADMAN 47. RAD 48. SANA 49. UN 50.

VIN 52. CT 53. RETRACE 56. TROCHEE 61. WHOLE NINE YARDS 63. EARNESTNESS 64. DYE 65.

OSH ANSWERS DOWN: 1. SODS 2. HAFT 3. FLOE 4. METROS 5. INHALES 6. ACID 7. COA 8. ERR 9. SN 10. COGS 11. ENE 12. GREES 13. OODLES 14. GREE 17. SUS 22. INKED 23. SEISM 24. TAE 25.

EDAM 26. EAGER 28. NAMAS 29. SCENA 32. RAMA 36. NOD 38. DANCED 40. CALVARY 43. SATES 44. MUR 45. ANEW 46. NICENE 51. NENE 54. THE 55. ROAD 56. TNT 57. RENO 58. OYES 59.

CASH 60. HRS 62. IS

• Accounting & • Taxes • • Acreage Services • • Agriculture • • Automotive • • Bookkeeping • Catering • • Concrete Services • • Construction • • Custom Work • • Dental •

Page 12 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

L

Affordable Advertising with

The

THE LAMONT

Classifieds

CLASSIFIED AD RATES

$10.75 minimum for first 25 words, 39¢ per word thereafter (G.S.T. not included) PICTURE BOLD $10 $5 ALL CLASSIFIED ADS MUST BE PREPAID BEFORE INSERTION unless customer has an account in good standing.

WEEKLY REVIEW 780-336-3422 vikingreview @gmail.com TOFILED MERCURY 780-662-4046 adsmercury @gmail.com LAMONT LEADER 780-895-2780 lmtleader @gmail.com _____________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Viking Historical Society is considering doing a reprint of the History Books - VIking In Profile and Viking In Progress.

They will likely cost $130$150/set. Please call or text Mike at 780-385-0910 if you are interested in ordering a set, so we have an idea of how many to order. _________________________ In a jam? Caribou Publishing (owner of this paper) can do your group's community calendars. With Linmark Publishing no longer in business, don't go out of county for quotes when you have a local connection right here in your local area!

Truth be told, we've always been able to do them. Contact Ally today for quotes. 780-3856693.

_____________________ FOR FOR SALE SALE

Chokecherries and Garden Vegetables are Ready!

•Pickling Cucumbers •Potatoes •Green & Yellow Beans •Corn on the Cob •Beets Off Highway 13, turn North on RR 122 Go North 3 Miles Helen Tanton 44337 RR122 780-888-6800 _____________________ COMING EVENTS COMING EVENTS

Meat Steers – exotic cross and angus Grain and Grass fed for tasty beef! Whole, Half, Quarters available. FOB farm or meat processing plant Email tvquattek@gmail.com Or text/call 587-256-5402

36p _________________________ Notice of Annual General Meeting of Tofield Golden Club, Sept 23, 2021 @ 10:00am. Doors will be open at 9:00am. Election of officers will take place.

TM35/37c _____________________ FOR SALE FOR SALE Farm Fresh Smaller Roasting Chickens. 3 ½ - 5 lbs – available NOW. Some cut in half.

TAKING ORDERS FOR October delivery: Fresh Roasting Chickens 6-7 lbs.

Also 8-12 lb chickens – some available now. Preorders can have them cut in half. Email orders tvquattek@gmail.com Or text/call 587-256-5402 34/37c

34/37c _________________________ Last year's round hay bales, mid grade, $30 each. Approx. 35 bales available. Call 780-6623322. Leave a message.

TM36p _____________________ HELP HELP WANTED WANTED Immediate opening for motivated younger individual interested in learning about the bison business. No experience necessary, but farm background, tractor operation and fencing knowledge would be advantageous. Drivers Licence is required. Respond with CV to info@purebison.com or call 587-888-0267 with questions.

LL36/38p _____________________ MEMORIAL MEMORIAL NOTICE NOTICE A Memorial for Harold and Keith Ray will be held on September 11, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Kingman Community Hall. Friends and family welcome!

TM34/36p _____________________ SERVICES SERVICES Roy's Handyman Services.

Flooring, trim work, basement finishing, decks, fences, kitchen cabinet installs and carpentry work.

Call 780-232-3097 tfnc _________________________ Carpet and upholstery cleaning - residential and commercial.

Truck mount unit, sewer backup, and flood cleaning. Auto and RV cleaning. Call Glenn and Cindi Poyser, Fancy Shine Auto and Carpet Care at (780) 384-3087 tfnp

Drywall Taping/Texturing 35+ Years No Job too small!

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

Based in Killam but willing to travel Hand taper by trade but have experience with boxes, roller/flusher, taping tube. No bazooka exp.

Have own tools (10-12" boxes, pump, angle box, roller, flusher, hand tools, etc.) Also do ceiling texture.

Non-drinker, just want to work.

Willing to work with existing taping crew. Call 780-385-2106 or 780-385-1251. tfnp _________________________ Town & Country Guardian Drugs - Killam We have: •a Kodak picture maker.

•a colour/b&w photocopier.

•cold pop and fresh snacks.

•a great selection of candles, giftware, and fragrances. toys, games,and plush animals.

•a huge selection of Hallmark cards.

•plastic gift cards •vitamins, minerals, and herbals.

•free gift wrapping.

•prescription service Open 6 days a week. _________________________ Painting Quality Residential and Commercial Painting Betty Tkaczyk 780-632-8749 or 780-688-3564 _________________________ Shane’s Stucco & Drywall Service Shane Hollar Stucco (Traditional & Acrylic), Drywall, Stone, Textured Ceilings, Tile and Spray Painting 780-336-4832 shanes.stucco@gmail.com

Deadline for Classifieds is Monday at 5 p.m.

Lamont

county

3 papers for the price of 1!

_____________________ SERVICES SERVICES

_____________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

HELP US PUT A LID ON IT Please support our efforts to fix the roof on the CN train station Tea House and Art Guild in Viking, AB Donations can be made by: -e-transfer to vikingstationgallery@gmail.c om -Cheques payable to Station Gallery and Art Centre Guild, P.O. Box 997, Viking, Alta T0B 4N0 -Donation box at Station Tea House Tax receipts are available for donations exceeding $10. Requests for receipts made to Betty Klein. _________________________ Bruderheim Senior Centre Fundraiser Breakfast September 11th, 8 am - 12 noon. Queen Street, Bruderheim. $9/ plate, 6 & under free. Bring your kids

EADER

Serving

_____________________ SERVICES SERVICES Need to re-order: •Company Forms?

•Invoices?

•Envelopes?

•Business Cards?

•Bookmarks?

•Magnets?

•Score Cards?

•Stamps?

•Certificates?

•Receipts?

•Posters?

•Menus?

•Invitations?

•Calendars?

•Letterheads?

And more!

Call your local paper with your print order today!

WEEKLY REVIEW Ph. 780-336-3422 Email: vikingreview @gmail.com TOFIELD MERCURY Ph. 780-662-4046 Email: adsmercury @gmail.com LAMONT LEADER Ph. 780-895-2780 Email: lmtleader @gmail.com _____________________ REAL REAL ESTATE ESTATE FARM LAND FOR SALE 160 ACRES TOTAL, SE21-5616-4 ANDREW INCLUDES 80 ACRES OF HAY READY TO CUT AND 80 ACRES TO CULTIVATE. FENCED WITH DUGOUT. OFFERS, CALL 780-9070144 LL35/38p _________________________ Great Commercial lot for sale on Main Street in Viking, AB. Only one like it. Asking $19,999 OBO. Serviced. Large attractive location, would be perfect for constructing a new building. Build yourself an office, rent an upstairs apartment. Or vice versa. Pays for itself! Or place a pre-built on the property. Located next to bottle depot and restaurant, near Food Bank/FCSS, across from bank and financial advisors, near liquor stores and school.

Or just buy the lot now and wait for values to go up once COVID is over. Email vikingreview@gmail.com if interested

Does your club have an event planned?

Advertise in the Classifieds

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 13

NOTICE OF NOMINATION DAY Local Authorities Election Act (Section 26) Local Jurisdiction: The Battle River School Division, Province of Alberta.

Notice is hereby given that Nomination Day is Monday, September 20, 2021 and that nominations for the election of candidates for the following offices will be received at the location of the local jurisdiction office set out below within the period beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day.

May 30, 1995

Office(s) #Vacancies Public School Trustee, City of Camrose 2 Public School Trustee, Beaver County 1 Public School Trustee, Camrose County 1 Public School Trustee, Flagstaff County 1

January 24, 1995

Ward Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4

Location (Address) of Local Jurisdiction Office: Battle River School Division 5402 48A Avenue Camrose, Alberta DATED at the Battle River School Division, of Camrose, Alberta, in the Province of Alberta, this first day of September, 2021.

Imogene Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer Returning Officer

Blanket Alberta Ads take approximately 10 days to process

These blanket classified ads are produced through a joint agreement by The Community Press, Viking Weekly Review, Lamont Leader, Tofield Mercury and Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association (AWNA). These ads appear in all AWNA member papers (120 papers) for the cost of $269.00 (+gst) for the first 25 words, $8.00 per word over 25. To place a blanket classified, call a CARIBOU PUBLISHING representative at 780-385-6693 or email ads@thecommunitypress.com.

________________________ BUILDINGS BUILDINGS FOR SALE SALE FOR

________________________ EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

________________________ EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT WANTED WANTED

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008 BUILT WITH CONCRETE POSTS. Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and m o r e , sales@integritybuilt.com 1866-974-7678 www.integritybuilt.com. ________________________ CAREERTRAINING TRAINING CAREER

LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED FRAMERS that can be placed with our subcontractors. This opportunity will connect you with an experienced crew ! Email: mike.reschke@coventry-homes.com with your resume. ________________________ FRAMING CREWS WANTED! Looking for experienced Framer Crews for residential framing in the Edmonton area.

Must have WCB and own tools. Experienced crews please email: mike.reschke @coventry-homes.com. ________________________ FEEDAND AND SEED FEED SEED

BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269 (based on 25 words or less).

Reach almost 90 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com. ________________________ LAND FOR LAND FORSALE SALE

GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out!

Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 7804 3 4 - 8 7 4 6 X225. www.awna.com.

Deadline for Blanket Classifieds is Wednesday at 4 p.m.

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. ________________________ HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Springthrashed Canola.

Buying: oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged or offgrade grain. "On Farm Pickup" Westcan Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

DUCKS UNLIMITED CANADA has for sale 4 project lands in Beaver County.

Land locations are: SW27-5016-W4, SE18-49-14 W4M, S½3-46-11 W4M and NW3247-13 W4M. Call Brent T h y g e s e n , b_thygesen@ducks.ca or 780 678-0150. ________________________ HEALTH HEALTH HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1844-453-5372.

PLEASE RECYCLE

________________________ SERVICES SERVICES CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed?

Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge.

File destruction. Free consultation.

1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com. ________________________ GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed?

Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-8779 8 7 - 1 4 2 0 . www.pioneerwest.com. ________________________ TRAVEL TRAVEL SNOWBIRDS! Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton, BC Canada's warmest climate.

Special long stay rates through April 2022. Studio, 1 & 2 bdrm suites from $33/night! www.roadsidehospitality.com/ snowbirds: 1-800-986-1909.

Put your ad in 120 Alberta newspapers starting at just

$269

SUDOKU

ANSWERS

Page 14 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Tofield resident Brian Heslin among directors of Alberta Statehood Party Moush John Editor

Among other residents of Tofield and area, Brian Heslin is one of the directors and founding members of the new Alberta Statehood Party (ASP), looking to register and formalize themselves before the next provincial election comes around.

Their inaugural meeting was held on Nov. 14, 2020, with their founding members and directors coming from all across Alberta.

Even though, the Wexit Movement didn’t gather enough traction at the time, founder Peter Downing still has hopes of representing Albertans and giving them what they have wanted – “a little more recognition and a lot more credit for what they stand for.”

“Wexit was known primarily for Western Pop-

ulist anger in reaction to Trudeau's 2019 election victory,” Downing said.

“Anger though can be short lived, and we need to focus on what binds Alberta together as postelection anger dissipates into the normal struggles to pay the bills.

“The ASP believes in the fundamental principle that government only derives its authority from ‘The Consent of the Governed’, thereby, ensuring individual liberty, industrial stability, and a valueadded public service!”

Since Alberta was annexed by Ottawa in 1905, the rural residents of Alberta have never had any say in the basis of Canadian Law, according to Downing.

“The Constitution itself was handed down by Great Britain, according to English Law; Section 91 of the Constitution Act

allows the federal government to impose any scheme of taxation it wants upon the people, for reasons unrelated to paying for public service,” he explained.

“The worst of these policies is the Federal Carbon Tax, that drives up fuel, transportation, and personal energy costs. The Canadian Government is also opposed to personal property and firearm rights.

“Through Alberta becoming an American State, the rural residents of Tofield and Ryley, and other smaller communities such as these, would enjoy constitutional protection of their property, strong firearms rights, drastically lowered fuel costs, and the ability to partake in lucrative American agricultural export agreements, ie, $50 billion to China in 2019.”

Downing said that cur-

rent political parties are divided along the lines of personality preferences.

“This means that according to the current system, people will always be divided against one another. ASP recognizes that Alberta still needs a constitution reflecting the combined will and interests of all Albertans. Until then, no political party can effectively say that they represent the will of the people.”

He also explained that their biggest challenge was to overcome misconceptions about what it means for Alberta to become an American State.

“In Canada, the federal government rules the lower levels of government,” Downing stated.

“In essence, the Prime Minister controls the Office of the Queen, and exercises the Powers of Monarchy in her place. We see and feel this in our daily lives.

“In America, it is the states that consent to give limited authority to the federal government. Each of the 50 American States have individual constitutions and Bills of Rights, that in many cases go beyond the protections afforded to them by the US Constitution.

“And no state can block

the trade of another state within America, as Quebec currently does to Alberta; this concept also allows local officials, like an elected sheriff, to refuse enforcement of laws that violate the State Constitution.”

Downing said that as a province Alberta has always wanted autonomy within Canada, but this is impossible within a constitutional monarchy.

“However, Alberta can have the fullest autonomy as a Constitutional Republic within the American political system,” he added, which according to him is one of the reasons ASP was born.

Make Alberta Great Again Learn where Alberta stands within our Constitutional Monarchy Understand our rights and freedoms under our constitution and charter of freedoms

Learn what we can do about it Come ask the hard questions and get straight answers Hosted by: Peter Downing, Interim Leader Hosted by: The Alberta Statehood Party

Saturday, Sept. 18th at 7:30 pm In the Tofield Community Center ~ FREE Admission

Fall East Central Machinery Consignment Auction Starts Opening October 29th, 2021 & Starts Ending on November 2nd, 2021 Lamont County - Online Auction Location: Hwy #16 & Rge Rd 185 (1 Mile East of Hwy 834) - South Side of the Road

STARTING AT 8 A.M. WITH BUTCHER COWS & BULLS, FOLLOWED BY FEEDER CATTLE, BRED CATTLE & PAIRS

UPCOMING FIRST PRESORT CALF SALE MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 BRING YOUR CALVES IN BETWEEN 8 AM & 4 PM SUNDAY. CALL TO BOOK.

NEXT HORSE SALE

*WILL NOT BE ONLINE* SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 TACK AT 9. HORSES AT NOON.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service would like to say Thank-you to All the Consignors & Buyers for Making Our 1st Consignment Sale in the Lamont County a Huge Success.

Our Next Sale will be October 29th to November 2nd.

We are now accepting consignments for this Sale. Any items prelisted by September 29th will be included in our Sales Posters, Newspaper & Radio Advertising, Web Page, Social Media and extensive mailing lists.

Our Sales Yard will be Open Starting September 1st.

Allen B. Olson Auction Service Ltd. Lamont & Rimbey, Alberta Email: abolson@telusplanet.net Website: www.allenolsonauction.com

F A M I L Y O W N E D & O P E R AT E D S I N C E 1 9 5 5

License No. 165690

Sales Representatives:

Allen B. Olson: 403-783-0556 Terry Skiftun: 780-632-1774 Andrew Reeleader: 403-848-1260 Rick Hewson: 780-614-5214

780-208-2508 Lamont 1-855-783-0556 Rimbey

The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021 - Page 15

Bardo Lutheran Church 126th Continued from Page 7

was erected, and then dedicated on Nov. 19, 1967, almost 54 years ago.

“At the 1977 annual meeting, the Kingman parish agreed to construct a house in Tofield to be used as a parsonage,” Gomez noted. “As time went on, the vision of the needs continued to increase in Tofield, and in 1981 the Bardo Lutheran congregation became a one-point parish.

“In 1993, the congregation decided to expand its building. Bill Voigt was hired as contractor, and along with able help from his wife Grethe, and congregational volunteers, the

present ground-floor sanctuary and narthex were added, and then dedicated at the 100th anniversary of the congregation on July 8, 1995.”

According to members of PPC, 22 pastors have served Bardo Lutheran Church to date, including two interim pastors in the years 1982-1983.

“Today we meet in worship and fellowship as recipients of an inspiring heritage of faith and devotion to the Word of God, and

to the mission of the Gospel,” said Zeb Calon, PPC Chair.

“We give thanks for God’s goodness and grace; we give thanks for those who have gone before us, and who have been worthy examples for us.

“And we give thanks for the opportunity we have been given to be God’s servants and witnesses in this community and beyond; in Jesus’ name. We have indeed been blessed to be a blessing.”

AUTOBASE REPAIR SHOP NOW OPEN! Get your auto problems solved for less!

Now selling tires!

Reliable service and prices you’ll like!

3831D-44 Ave., Camrose

780-678-0393 autobase.ltd@outlook.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram

ON YOUR YO YO OUR UR U R NEWSPAPER NEW NE EW WSPA WS SP PAPE PA PER P ER S SUB SU SUBSCRIPTION! UBS BSC SC CRI CR RIP IPT PT TIO TI ION ON! N!!

1 YEAR YEA YEA YE AR AR 2 YEARS YEA YE EAARRS

waaass $3 was w $33.50 $33 333.

3.5 .50 50

Orr double O do ou ub ble the tth he h e savings! ssa avviin a ing ngs n gss!

+ GST

1!

Hurry! Sale ends on October 1!

+ GST

waaass $6 was w $67.00 $67 677.

7.000 00

46 046 404 -40 2-4 62662 66 0--6 80 807 780-662-4046 LL 78 AL CAL CALL OR CA DAY OR DA OD TO E TODAY CE ICE FIC FFI OFF OFFICE OUR OF

BY OUR OP BY O TOP T ST STOP S J0 4J0 0B 4J T0B D, AB T0 LD EL IEL FIE OFI OF TOFIELD, 0, TO 50 150, OX 15 OX BO O: BOX TO: EQUE TO EQ HE CHEQ CH IL A CHEQUE AIL MAIL MAI MA FIIVE M/FI M/F OM/ CO .CO C.COM/FIVE C RC. MER MERC ME LDM EL IEL OFIE TOFI ww.TOF www.TOFIELDMER NE w IN NLINE NL ONLINE O AY ONL PAY P PA

Mercury The Tofield

adsmercury@gmail.com 780-662-4046

• Fall & Agriculture themed 2nd Section • Promote in 4 different papers for the price of 1!

• ADVERTISE: Fall Specials, Vehicles, Equipment, Auctions, Agriculture, Upcoming Events... you name it!

Page 16 - The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Veteran’s Coalition Party candidate wants to ‘bring back accountability’ Patricia Harcourt Staff Reporter

John Irwin, federal candidate for the Veterans Coalition Party of Canada, has been busy knocking on doors to introduce himself to the voters in Battle RiverCrowfoot.

At 48, Irwin and his wife Deanna live in Fabyan located just west of Wainwright. After 20 years in the Army he is now retired and has decided to throw his hat in the political ring representing a party he can get behind in a big way.

Irwin says he is using his own money to campaign, and has been eager to go since before the writ was dropped.

“I’ve been out campaigning,” he said, “pounding the beat” to get his message out that this new party of his has something to offer people who believe in personal freedom and in finding ways to make life easier for society’s vulnerable citizens, such as ex-military, seniors and aboriginal people.

“We don’t have a lot of money in the party,” he said, a party he said believes in raising funds through donations only. But Irwin said he is also using his own funds to finance his campaign.

“It’s worth it to reach people,” he said, describing the party as “a combination of former lefties and righties” who are now aligned in what he calls the ‘political centre’ with a “live and let live” mentality.

The party also stands for protecting personal freedoms “from government over reach, abuses, threats and intimidation,” he said, citing the coronavirus pandemic as one example of this over reach.

“Who is the government to tell you not to travel or where to travel,” he said. And mandatory testing for the virus should not be mandated but be up to the individual to decide.

“Your body, your choice,” he

said. “Common sense should prevail,” such as staying home if you feel sick, which is also a personal choice. Irwin indicated the rules would be different for a “contagious and lethal” virus like Ebola, but compared the COVID-19 virus to any respiratory illness.

Irwin also stated that his choice is not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. And he decried the restrictions used by some provinces in fighting the disease. “This province has had more liberties,” he said, referring to Alberta. But he feels other provinces have had unreasonably tight restrictions, including Ontario where he originally hails from.

But he was quick to add that “we’re not anti-vaxxers, it just should be your choice.”

As for the protests dogging Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, he is against any violence but says he understands why people are angry. “I condemn their throwing stones but a lot of people are angry, fed up.” He referred to a “snitch line” he said is being used to turn in people who aren’t following the COVID-19 health rules as one example.

But the party is also standing up for vulnerable citizens, he says, such as seniors.

“I don’t think any pension should be taxed,” he said, noting that “seniors have paid in for over 40 years to the Canada Pension Plan,” and shouldn’t have to pay taxes on either CPP or Old Age Security.

As for the extra $500 a year promised by the Liberals for seniors’ pensions, Irwin calls this “a slap in the face,” adding: “They should be getting $500 more a month not a year. “The majority of pensioners need it, they’ve worked 40 plus years and few have company pensions.”

Irwin says he gets a military pension but pays over $600 in taxes every month.

His party wants to cut back on funding some sources in order to

give more to people in Canada who need it.

Irwin said his party wants a review of foreign aid spending.

“We’re still giving aid to China,” he said, by way of example of why a review might be needed.

The Veterans Coalition party also wants to see a moratorium on immigration for a couple of years to put more money back into Canada’s economy.

However, the candidate says: “I have been asked on the street about that,” and he has been accused by some of racism.

“We’re not racists,” said Irwin.

“We are very diverse, and we are very LGBTQ friendly.” He explained the reason for a proposed pull back on foreign aid and immigration was necessary to help out Canadians, such as those in the Aboriginal community.

Irwin said many in the Aboriginal community “want to be part of the system. We want to stand side by side with them.” And he called clean water in every community a human right.

As a military man who did two tours of duty in Afghanistan and saw his share of traumatic action, Irwin said he has “witnessed a lot of things.” And he doesn’t think the government adequately handled the recent pull out of Canadians and others from that country.

For that reason, he “has a lot of sympathy” for the separatist stance of the Maverick Party, but remains a staunch and loyal Canadian.

“I love this nation. I fought for this country, I carried a rifle for this country, I did it for 20 years,” he said. But he wants more support for the military. He feels that support has declined over the last six years.

But if he is elected, he promises to take the pay cut for MPs as proposed by his party.

“If elected, I will do it myself,” he said. “That’s a Parliamentarian’s responsibility. I believe in the 30 per cent pay cut.” Instead,

he says the last set of MPs gave themselves pay raises - twice.

“We want people to keep their money and go about their business,” he said. “We don’t want to change the gun laws,” but does want to repeal an order in council passed last year banning semi-automatic weapons.

“We need firearm experts to do a review, people who have used and understand guns,” Irwin stated.

“We’ve seen a lot of our freedoms compromised. I understand we don’t have a Second Amendment in Canada (as there is in the United States). But we can still express ourselves.

“People are angry about the national debt,” he said, and the possibility of a sales tax on house sales, something Trudeau denied would happen during a press conference on Monday.

Irwin espouses “cutting from the top,” and wants to “send some blue collar basics back to Ottawa.”

In the meantime prior to the Sept. 20 federal election, he will continue to campaign and talk about his party’s platform.

“I enjoy reaching out and talking to people,” he said. And if elected, “I want to govern with fairness and bring back accountability.”

‘Parents against Mask Mandate’ advocacy group forms to protest BRSD rules Leslie Cholowsky Staff Reporter

In response to the Battle River School Division’s back to school plan, with regards specifically to the mandatory mask strategy for the upcoming school year, BRSD parents formed a social media advocacy group against a mask mandate from the division.

The division states it is making masks mandatory for all K to 12 students and staff, on school buses, in school hallways and common areas and when in close contact.

“This was a unanimous decision of the BRSD Board of

Trustees, made on Aug. 16, 2021.”

Growing to over 900 members over the first few days of its existence, group members represent parents of students attending schools throughout the entire BRSD Division.

The group’s founders say: “The group has been created to show the number of parents against the mask mandates put in place on our children by BRSD and to help protect our children.

“We want our children/parents to have a choice.

“Masks should be a choice not mandatory.”

Group members are being en-

couraged to contact BRSD board trustees and administration with their reaction to the issue.

A petition has also been created, which has been distributed throughout the division, with members posting daily where the petition can be accessed in person, as they are asking those who sign to do so physically, not virtually. Local businesses in 11 communities have also offered to host the petition at their place of business to increase the accessibility for parents throughout the region, including Flagstaff County, Beaver County, and Camrose County, as well as the City of Camrose.

Members have also reported contacting MLA Jackie Lovely, with one member recently posting Lovely’s response, which says, in part: “As well, while masks are no longer required across the province, it will be mandatory on school buses.

“It is an expectation that schools support those students and staff who choose to continue wearing a mask throughout the school day.

“In addition, school boards have the local autonomy and accountability to implement additional measures, beyond provincial guidance, where they deem it appropriate.

“However, if school authorities make the decision to go beyond provincial guidance, part of their accountability to their communities is to explain why this is necessary in their local contexts.”

Lovely’s final piece of advice to parents is: “If you are concerned or have any questions about any additional health measures that your school division has implemented, I encourage you to contact your local trustee to discuss your concerns.

I am forwarding your concern to the BRSD Chair, Karen Belich, and Superintendent of Schools to answer your questions.”