Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 106 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER THIRTY-TWO
STETTLER, ALBERTA
August 7, 2013
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
Stettler roots soothe High River mayor JOHN MACNEIL Independent editor When he needed a reprieve last month, the mayor of flood-ravaged High River headed to his former hometown, Stettler. Extreme flooding in southern Alberta in late June had washed out Blokland’s monthly visit to Stettler to see his 90-year-old father, Floris. High River was at a standstill and the mayor was in the forefront as the town fought the worst flood in its history. Virtually the entire town of 13,000 was evacuated and residents had to wait at least 10 days to return to their homes. In many respects, the massive cleanup has just begun, as High River homeowners and businesspeople try to rebuild a town that has had a long history of flood strife. “I just admire all the residents of High River,” Blokland said during his mid-July visit to Stettler. “They rolled up their sleeves and they got to work right away. It was an incredibly hard task for a lot of these folks, but we had an army of volunteers descend upon us — mostly from the Calgary area, but I know there’s people also from Stettler that were down there helping. “To each and every one of them, no matter where they came from, a great big thank-you. We still need help. The help continues.” Among the volunteers from Stettler were Blokland’s sister, Winnie Bissett, and her husband Ken, an electrician who remained in High River for a week helping homeowners. “I know that there were
Contributed photo
Rows of garbage lined High River streets in July as the community began the cleanup from the worst flooding in the town’s history. other residents from Stettler that were down, as well,” Blokland said. “Thanks to each and every one of them.” During his Stettler stopover, Blokland attended a Domino benefit concert at West Stettler Park that raised $2,600 for the High River flood victims. “This is my first day away from the town,” said Blokland, 60. “I have to confess that I really needed a day off to re-energize. I’ve obviously had some
different pressures this month that I’ve done my best to deal with. “I’m very proud to be the mayor of High River, and I’m very impressed by the citizens of how they’ve rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The vast majority understands what the situation is and are very understanding, and are there ready to do what it takes to put our community back together again.” While fundraisers for Calgary’s flood-recovery
efforts have garnered greater headlines across the province and throughout Canada, High River is also in dire need of assistance. “I hate to be blunt about it, but the simplest solution is to donate cash,” Blokland said. “We have well over 80 to 90 per cent of our community affected. The insurance companies are all over the board on their level of support. The province has a disaster-recovery program, which will add some assistance, but there’s
going to be many residents that are still going to fall through the cracks, and have needs. “There are two funds that are out there. The Red Cross has a southern Alberta relief fund, but that’s for all of southern Alberta. The Royal Bank of Canada has set up a specific fund for High River, and for all of the folks that are reading this message, that would be an area that I would encourage them to visit. You can do that through any Royal Bank
branch, and I think you can also do it online. “That would probably be the best way to support High River, as we move forward. We’re looking at a long rebuild. It’s not going to be three months or six months. We’re looking at five to six years and beyond, before we get the town of High River back to where it was, hopefully stronger and better than ever.” See ‘Flood’ on Page A2
Mirror man found dead near Nevis Police reported Sunday that they found a missing Mirror man dead in his vehicle near Nevis. Bashaw RCMP said William (Bill) Graham, 66, who went missing July 27 after he left the Alix dump, was found dead in his pickup truck. “A full investigation is being conducted by the RCMP, (but) foul play is not suspected,” RCMP Sgt. Patricia Neely said in a news release. “RCMP would like to thank members of the public for their assistance in this matter.” Graham’s case was the second missing person’s report that Bashaw RCMP issued last week. An 85-year-old Calgary woman who left the Bashaw Valley Lodge on foot last Tuesday was located safely a day later, RCMP reported. “Bashaw RCMP have found Maria Abutal alive and well near Bashaw (on Wednesday),” RCMP Const. Charla Ethier said in a news release Friday. “Police would like to thank the assistance of the general public and all other involved agencies who helped with the search for Abutal,” one of the Calgary seniors residing at the lodge temporarily because of the southern Alberta flooding.
JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
Riding high last Thursday during a community rally, Stan Eichhorn and Evelyn Shursen of the Stettler P&H Elevator Preservation Society paint dollar signs on the side of the historic grain elevator. A community effort is underway to raise money to paint the 93-year-old structure.
Grain elevator brushes with history Preservation society hosts open house in support of painting tower JOHN MACNEIL Independent editor The P&H needs some TLC. Stettler’s historic grain elevator — out of operation for 10 years but still a town landmark — is banking on community support to refurbish the towering structure. Dollars signs were painted on the faded siding last Thursday during a community rally to spur a paint job for the 93-year-old elevator. Music, food, tours and striking
sunshine greeted visitors, who responded with donations to the Paint the Elevator campaign. “I think anybody that I talked to here today, it was certainly positive and encouraging comments,” Stan Eichhorn, the president of the Stettler P&H Elevator Preservation Society, said after hosting guests for three-plus hours. “They feel that it’s worthwhile hanging on to Stettler’s last elevator. “It’s a bit more interesting, maybe, with this complex, because
we do have the feed mill and feed shed, which wasn’t common on most elevators. We also have the coal shed, which is unique, because there’s only three coal sheds left in Alberta on the original site — and we have one of them.” What’s more, Stettler’s grain elevator stands alongside the base for a provincial tourist hotspot, Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions. The former feed shed has been converted into a meeting and dining room that was used
Thursday during the open house. People also mingled outside at the picnic tables, near the entertainment stage and antique vehicles, including three colourful International trucks. “We would like to preserve the feed shed and keep the (wooden) décor as it is,” said Eichhorn, sporting coveralls and sitting on a couch while placing his Zeb Walton-style hat beside him. See ‘Elevator’ on Page A3
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com