2 - Beaver County Chronicle, July 19, 2023
National Drowning Prevention Week declared Patricia Harcourt Many people love water activities during the summer months, but being safe and exercising caution is an important part of that fun. For that reason, Beaver County has declared July 16-22 National Drowning Prevention Week. At the regular council meeting in June, Councillor Dale Pederson (Division 5) made the motion to accept the proclamation of the resolution. It is to remain in effect for five years to coincide with the National Drowning Prevention Week that will be set every year. The proclamation reads as follows: “Whereas, the mission of Lifesaving Society Canada is to prevent drowning throughout this great country, and even one drowning in Alberta is one too many; and “Whereas, most drownings are preventable in a Water Smart community, and only through Water Smart education and a healthy respect for the potential danger that any body of water may present can we genuinely enjoy the beauty and recreation opportunities offered by these bodies of water; and “Whereas, the Lifesaving Society urges Canadians and residents of Beaver County to supervise children who are in and around the water, to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages while participating in aquatic activities, and to always wear a life jacket when boating; and “Whereas the United Nations General Assembly passed the UN Resolution on Drowning Prevention (A/75/L.76) and named July 25 of each year as World Drowning Prevention Day; and “Whereas, Lifesaving Society Canada has declared July 16th-22, 2023 National Drowning Prevention Week to focus on the drowning problem and the hundreds of lives that could be saved this year.
“Therefore, be it be resolved that, Beaver County Council hereby proclaims July 16 to 22 National Drowning Prevention Week in Beaver County and commends its thoughtful recognition to all citizens of the municipality.” Council heard in its report at the June 21 regular meeting that “Canada faces a major problem and a preventable one.” There are over 450 people dying every year from drowning accidents. The United Nations General Assembly is so concerned over the issue around the world that it passed a resolution on drowning prevention, and named July 25 as World Drowning Prevention Day. The project in Canada is being spearheaded by the Life Saving Society, which is a national charitable organization. Its goal is “to prevent drownings and reduce water related injury through training programs,” states the report to council. This is done through water smart public education, drowning research and aquatic safety standards. The Lifesaving Society certifies Canada’s national lifeguards. Every year during the summer the reports of drownings occur, including the province of Alberta, and the National Drowning Prevention Week is one of the society’s leading public education initiatives, with events taking place across the country to focus media and community attention on the drowning problem and drowning prevention. During this week, the society urges people to always supervise children in and around the water. Also, it is recommended that alcoholic beverages not be consumed while participating in water activities. And always wear a life jacket when boating. The lifejacket in the boat will be of no help to you once you are in the water. “If every Canadian followed these steps,” says the society, “we could greatly reduce Canada’s drowning rate.”
County reports train whistle cessation now complete for Bruce and Lindbrook Patricia Harcourt The seemingly long wait for some county residents living in the vicinity of two railway crossings has now ended. The county has announced that train whistles blowing at all hours of the day and night is now ended for these locations. The county made the announcement on Monday that the train whistle cessation process has now been completed at both these locations, and the whistles will no longer be sounding through these crossings. The announcement began with the following: “Do you live in Bruce or Lindbrook? Have things been a little quieter the last few days?” The reason being that, “The process of ceasing the train whistles in these locations has now been completed.” Residents may not get complete silence from the trains initially, however, as engineers complete their own training
process. “There may be a few exceptions as the train engineers adjust to the change, but from now on there will be significantly less whistling, if any at all,” promised the announcement. However, as many welcome the news there was no doubt a feeling of nostalgia for some as the whistles stop. “I have been hearing the sound of the train for 30 years,” wrote Hilda Erickson, on a county social media page. “I am going to miss it. Just Another part of our local history gone. At least it wasn’t non-stop horns, ambulances, and sirens.” There was an indication that the engineers are still learning not to hit their horns while passing through the Lindbrook crossing: “I believe I just heard two toots from the train,” wrote Erickson. However, feelings are no doubt mixed as there are other residents within the county who will welcome the news that the whistles will stop.
Claystone Waste e is a municipally con ntrolled corporation established in 20 20 by the Town of Viking, Vikin 2020 ng Town of Tofield Tofield, Village of Ryley, y, Village of Holden and Beaver County. Claystone Waste is committed to being a responsive community partner and to operating with the highest standards of environmental and operational excellence in the delivery of waste management services. Claystone Waste operates the following facilities:
Beave ver Regional Landfill 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
780. 0.663. 3.2038
The Beaver Regional Landfill is open six days a week, k, Monday to Saturday. It is an engineered, sanitary class 2 landfill that
accepts municipal solid waste from Beaver County and the surrounding municipalities, as well as significant volumes of class 2 non-hazardous industrial wastes. In addition to the regional landfill, Claystone Waste operates five transfer stations. County residents can bring bagged household garbage, and other dry waste, such as broken chairs, furniture, e, mattresses and scrap wood for disposal. The location and hours for each transfer station is noted below:
Kinsella Transfer Station 46418 18 Ran ange Ro Road 113 13
x x
Wednesdays: Fridays:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
11:00 am to 5:00 pm 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Viking Transfer Station 12503 To Town wnship ip 480
x x
Tuesdays: Saturdays:
780. 0.71 718.79 7956
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Tofield Transfer Station 51032 32 Ran ange Ro Road 191
x x x
Wednesdays: Fridays: Saturdays:
780. 0.662. 2.27 2731
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Lindbrook Transfe fer Station 51008 Ran ange Ro Road 201 x x x
Tuesdays: Thursdays: Saturdays:
780.662. 2.270 704
10:30 am to 5:30 pm 11:30 am to 6:30 pm 10:30 am to 5:30 pm
Ryley Transfe fer Station 50117 17 Ran ange Ro Road 17 173
x x x x x x
Mondays: Tuesdays: Wednesdays: Thursdays: Fridays: Saturdays and STATS*:
780. 0.663. 3.2038
9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 4:30 pm 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
* Pl Please note te th that all tr transfe fer sta tati tions ex excep ept fo for th the Ryl yley Tr Transfe fer Sta tati tion are re clo losed on Sta tatu tuto tory ry holid idays ys.
Administration Offices 50117 17 Ra Range Ro Road 17 173 (S (Secon onda dary Hi Highwa way 854) 4) 780. 0.663. 3.2038
Box ox 32 322 Ry Ryley ey, AB T0 T0B 4A 4A0
Toll Fr Free 1. 1.855. 5.22 221. 1.2038
Administration offices are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and are closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm.
