Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 106 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER THIRTY-SIX
STETTLER, ALBERTA
September 4, 2013
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
Photos by JOHN MacNEIL/Independent editor
Much like the competition, attendance was up and down during the Stettler Steel Wheel Stampede on Labour Day weekend. See also pages A2, A10, B8, B9 and B10.
Stampede rides Labour Day weekend RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter Staged for the first time on the Labour Day weekend, and accompanied by balmy weather, the fifth annual Stettler Steel Wheel Stampede made its mark. Respectable crowds attended rodeo action and a variety of other events on the final weekend of the summer. “We are pleased with how the weekend went this year,” said Tana Nixon, who chairs the stampede organizing committee. “We haven’t had a chance yet to truly decide if it will or should say on this same weekend, as more discussion and tallying of numbers will determine that.” Despite a good turnout Saturday for the first of three rodeo shows, the event drew fewer competitors because of the time of year, with other rodeos on tap and cowboys returning to studies, Nixon said. After a thunderstorm Friday night, crowds flocked to the grounds Saturday afternoon. “We had record attendance on Saturday night for the rodeo,” Nixon said.
Comparatively, the attendance was down Sunday, while Monday was moderate. “A tiny bit of rain would have been welcome on Monday morning to allow some of the farmers to take a break from the fields, but we’re still happy with Monday’s attendance anyway,” Nixon said. “We knew Monday was going to be a bit of a crapshoot. We weren’t sure how that last day of summer before school started (would be).” Organizers are still monitoring the impact of scheduling a Labour Day rodeo. “The long weekend was a gamble and we had no idea what to expect,” said Al Campbell who represents the Town of Stettler and was instrumental in reviving the stampede five years ago. “Saturday was absolutely marvellous with the packed stands.” Campbell is optimistic about the future of the stampede. “We have to keep adding more activities and we need a midway,” he said. “We have to get the whole community involved.”
An antique tractor pull proved to be a popular new event, along with mounted shooters and a rib cook-off. The parade late Friday afternoon drew hundreds along the route through downtown, though the crowd was smaller than in years past. “The rib cook-off was a success and we thank our contestants for creating the delicious ribs and the huge turnout of voters,” Benjamin said. “Sears won the best rib and the best overall rib experience, with the best sauce made by Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services.” The rodeo hooked up with Alberta Prairie Steam Excursions and the annual Stettler Fly-In Breakfast at Stettler Town and County Airport. “I knew quite a few people, for sure, that went on the steam train’s country dinner run on Sunday afternoon and got back in nice time to follow it up with the rodeo right after,” Nixon said. “We are aware as well of quite a few people from out of province, and even out of country, that attended the stampede this year.”
The annual fly-in breakfast at Stettler Town and County Airport drew more than 800 people and 85 aircrafts from as far away as Churchill, Man. “It gives people something to do, have breakfast in the morning and rodeo in the afternoon,” said Cam Andres, president of Stettler Flying Club. The parade featured almost 50 entries, led by honorary parade marshal Winston Bruce, a local rodeo legend. Crowfoot MP Kevin Sorenson and Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman also participated. “We had incredible support from local businesses and these floats are what make the parade so successful,” Benjamin said. Music was in the air as The Chevelles were “absolutely awesome on Saturday and kept everyone rocking until the wee hours,” Nixon said. The rodeo champions included local representation. Matt Mailer of Botha won the steer wrestling, Rocky Ross of Botha and Marty Lillico of Stettler were team-roping champions, and Shannon Leguerrier of Donalda was tops in the women’s barrel-racing.
Premier, Strankman bicker during Redford’s Stettler visit RICHARD FROESE Independent reporter From inside Stettler’s historic train station at the Stettler Town and County Museum last Friday, Premier Alison Redford announced long-awaited funding for modern rural communications. Residents in the Special Areas rural municipality south and east of the County of Paintearth will have greater access to highspeed Internet through a $111,975 Final Mile Rural Community Program grant. “It will allow us to reach that last mile for people waiting for six years,” said Jay Slemp, chair of the Special Areas board. “This funding will help our farmers and rural residents to be connected to the world. “Being connected to global market information, real-time weather, research on rapidly evolving technology advances, online banking, online repair manuals, and quality-
of-life connections with family and friends, are now possible.” The Special Areas project includes work on three tower sites and installation of broadband network equipment. “We had no idea how it would impact rural Alberta,” Slemp said. He said all communities and regions are equal, with rural and urban working as partners. The Final Mile Rural Community Program is part the Final Mile Rural Connectivity Initiative, a joint-effort between Service Alberta and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, with the goal to ensure at least 98 per cent of Albertans have access to high-speed Internet, regardless of where they live. “Whether it’s a student doing homework, an entrepreneur exploring new opportunities or a family staying connected, the Internet has become a part of everyday life,” said Premier Alison Redford, making her first Stettler visit since taking office in April 2012. “As we continue to build Alberta, it is essential that Albertans in all parts of our
province have access to this powerful tool. We want to encourage young people to come back to rural communities.” The agriculture and rural development minister emphasized the value of the funding and the program. “This will make a big difference,,” Verlyn Olson said. “It’s a partnership between local communities and the government and it is very much a communityled initiative.” Although he didn’t address the issue to the audience of more than 50 people, including local government officials and provincial cabinet ministers, the local MLA lauded the government for the support. “I appreciate the government’s commitment and advocacy and tenacity toward this technology,” said Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman of the Opposition Wildrose. Strankman, however, wasn’t satisfied with the premier’s dismissive response to his question about the urgent need for acute care at the Consort hospital. Continued on Page A3
RICHARD FROESE/Independent reporter
Agricultural and Rural Development Minister Verlyn Olson (left) and Premier Alison Redford ham it up with Special Areas board chair Jay Slemp last Friday at the Stettler Town and Country Museum, after the provincial government announced funding for the Special Areas high-speed Internet.
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