The Community
Press Your LOCAL Paper!
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
Volume 113, Issue 5
$1 Including GST
Enjoying the
Heat Wave
at the Splash Park!
LESLIE CHOLOWSKY PHOTO
With temperatures closing in on 30º Celsius and a forecast for the high-20’s for the rest of the week into the weekend, the Flagstaff Region is under a heat warning. Patrons at the Battle River Splash Zone spray park at Sedgewick Lake had the right idea on Tuesday, enjoying the refreshing spray. As the heat wave continues, staying cool becomes a priority, and residents under the heat warning are advised to monitor for symptoms of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, especially in infants, children, seniors, and those with pre-existing conditions that make them more susceptible to heat.
Counties concerned by proposed changes to oil and gas assessments Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Counties and municipal districts were informed by the Province of Alberta about proposed changes to reduce the property tax of oil and gas companies through changes to the assessment model for regulated properties of this type that could have serious impacts on taxation revenues. According to information provided by the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, Flagstaff County tax revenue could be affected up to 18 per cent. RMA has outlined potential impacts of that revenue loss, equal to increasing residential tax rates by 191 per cent in one year, or cutting nearly 70 per cent of all staff. Four assessment model review scenarios were provided by the Province, and using information from the MFIS database, the RMA shows that an 18 per cent drop would be worst case, but that the best case out of the four scenarios would still impact county tax revenue by 13 per cent. Camrose County reported earlier this week that they are facing a potential nine per cent overall drop in revenue, with the MD of Provost and the MD of Wainwright facing potential taxation revenue losses that
could be equal to or greater than those in Flagstaff County should these assessment changes go through. The RMA says the overall assessed value of oil and gas property in rural Alberta will be reduced by between $8.9 billion and $26.7 billion, resulting in rural municipalities losing between $108.7 million and $291.2 million in property tax revenue in the first year in which the changes are implemented. Flagstaff County Council met on Wednesday, July 29, to discuss their official reaction to these potential assessment changes, and expects to have an information release ready for county residents this week. Beaver County Councillor Kevin Smook said in a social media post he made on Tuesday, speaking as an individual, rather than for his Council, that if the changes go through, “The assessment of the top 3.6 per cent of the oil and gas companies will go down and your taxes will go up. “Plus, if oil and gas assessments go down, they pay less towards education, which means that in addition to our residential taxes, your education taxes will also go up.” The RMA and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association both participated in the review, as well as the See ASSESSMENT P9
BRSD to use own Operations budget to fund re-opening safety supplies Moush John Staff Reporter
Last week Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and Education Minister Adriana LaGrange announced that Alberta K-12 schools would resume in-person classes in September. Since then parents and educators have been wondering what that might look like. But the more looming question that school divisions – including Battle River School Division (BRSD) – have been grappling with is how to fund the extra costs that will be incurred as COVID-19 measures are put in place. BRSD Communications Director Diane Hutchinson said, “We are in the process of purchasing PPE supplies for our schools and know that it will be a significant cost. As we have minimal reserve funds available, we are using funds from the Operations and Maintenance budget for this purpose.” According to Premier Kenney, schools will receive no new money to tackle the cost of modifying their buildings, following public health guidelines or cleaning the See BRSD P9
Page 2 - The Community Press, Wednesday, July 29, 2020
RCMP attend fatal vehicle collision with moose late Tuesday RCMP are advising ceased will not be reOn July 28, at approximately 10:10 motorists the road leased. No further updates p.m. Killam RCMP has been reopened. The name of the de- are expected. responded to a single vehicle collision involving a moose on Highway 619, approximately 20km East of Viking. The 29 year old Eighth mile racing driver was pronounced deceased at the scene. FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK Traffic on Highway Forestburg’s Area 53 Raceway 619 near Range Road Camrose Cruisers - August 22-23 110 was temporarily Nostalgia Drags returning Sept 5-6 rerouted as the KilWin a BBQ! - Raffle Tickets available! FIND US IN FORESTBURG OFF HIGHWAY 53 lam RCMP com(1 mile west) AT THE FORESTBURG AIRPORT pleted their www.area53raceway.ca investigation.
Westland Insurance purchases Forestburg Agencies Greg and Susan Lemay retiring after nearly 30 years in business in Forestburg Greg Lemay and family purchases Forestburg Agencies The Community Press - October 22, 1991 After recently purchasing Forestburg Agencies, Greg Lemay hopes to earn the
Forestburg
Area 53 Raceway
SUMMER FUN Great selection of Summer Fun Toys, Inflatables, Toe Ropes, Water Guns, Sleeping Bags, Camping, Fishing and much more!
6 Person Tent Reg. $309.99
SALE $199.97
Folding Lounge Reg. $139.99
SALE $89.97
Ragin River Lounge Perfect for cruising the Battle River at The Crossing Resort
SALE $66.99
Hot Dog Towable Reg. $279.99
SALE $179.97
Life Jackets From $19.97
Greg and Susan with Caitlyn & Megan
Nearly 30 years ago, Greg and Susan Lemay took a giant leap of faith and brought their young family to Forestburg, where they had purchased Forestburg Agencies, a move from the city where they’d lived to that point. Greg says, “We knew we would be under the gun to make it work, but we were young and optimistic and not afraid of hard work.” Now, 30 years later, the pair have decided it is time to pass the business on to new owners. Greg says, “The reality is that to be competitive in today’s ever-changing insurance market, we need to have access to more companies, to service a wide-range of insurance needs for our clients.” He chose to sell the brokerage to Westland Insurance Group because they operate more than 130 branches, urban and rural, he says. “They felt like the right fit, both for us and for how we want our clients treated going forward.” He says owning a small brokerage in today’s market is akin to trying to make a living farming a quarter-section of land. “Small operators need to get bigger to make ends meet these days.” Greg and Susan continued to work to the end of July to make the transition as smooth as possible for their clients. “All the staff are staying on, and are excited about what the future holds with new opportunities through Westland,” Greg says. “Westland is big on things remaining and operating as they have always done. Our clients will see the same faces at the counter, and talk to the same people on the phone when they call.” Greg and Susan plan to remain active in the Forestburg community and spend more time with their grandchildren but at the same time are also looking forward to retirement.
60” Kids Pool
SALE $29.99
COUTTS HOME HARDWARE Forestburg, AB Open Late Thursdays 7-9pm YOUR HOME FOR SUMMER FUN!
respect of the people of Forestburg and earn their business. “I’d like to establish a hands-on personal relationship with customers by making sure that the premiums people pay are the best coverage for their dollar that they will find anywhere.” “We’re here for the long-term,” says Greg. “Having taken on new insurance companies, we will make Forestburg Agencies Ltd. rates the best anywhere,” he said. “I think Forestburg and area is a great place to raise a family. Hopefully, everyone will continue to support a young family just starting out, and will give us a chance to earn their business.”
“Over the years we have had the pleasure of working with some great people, and have made some good friends.”
The Community Press, Wednesday, July 29, 2020 - Page 3
Killam gets last minute funding for Summer Fun program Leslie Cholowsky Editor
When the Town of Killam applied for funding through the Canada Summer Jobs Grant at the beginning of the year to run their Summer Fun program, COVID-19 had not yet hit the province. Director of Community Service Charlene
Sutter says, “We apply every year for Summer Fun Jobs and in the past have always been a recipient. “This year there was a delay in decision from the program due to COVID-19 (we typically hear in April). In late June we were notified we were not awarded the Grant. Unfortunately
Summer Fun program relies on this funding to operate.” Sutter says the lack of funding, along with day camp restrictions applied by the province this June, led to the decision not to host Summer Fun this year. Then they got an unexpected surprise when just last week, they were
notified that their funding has been approved after all, due to other, approved, recipients declining funding for positions that no longer existed. “So we have quickly put our wheels into action to offer this program to the community, as we feel there is a need for youth to have organized activity.”
Constable Mariane Marin bittersweet about leaving Killam Detachment after three years Leslie Cholowsky Editor
After spending the last three years and some months in her first posting at the Killam RCMP Detachment, Cst. Mariane Marin is both looking forward to the future, while sad to leave Flagstaff. She says, “It was hard for me at first here, not knowing anyone, and it was a culture shock, too, having grown up in Quebec.” She says Flagstaff residents have been very friendly, and very helpful. “This is really a very welcoming place; if you need help, people give it, it’s really extraordinary.” She says during her time here she’s made some great friends, and will be sad to go, but is also looking forward to her new posting at the Morinville Detachment. Morinville is located north of Edmonton, and has a larger detachment, with 20 members and 24hour police services. “It means I won’t be on call, I’ll be working, then I’ll have days off; it will be a nice change.” She says her new detachment also has a GIS unit, and that’s something she’s looking forward to perhaps working towards going to a specialized unit, which she thinks she would prefer over general policing as she moves through the RCMP. She’s enjoyed working on in-depth cases in the Killam Detachment, and is looking for even greater challenges going forward.
She’s also looking forward to having more people on per shift, making it easier to meet more people early on, but says she’ll really miss the group at the Killam Detachment. “I’m going to miss the team here, we’re very close-knit, and we support one another a lot.” She’s hoping to experience that in Morinville as well.
Marin says she’s looking forward to living a little closer to Edmonton, and having access to more amenities, but says she’ll also miss the smalltown friendliness she’s encountered here. One of the highlights of the last year here at the Killam Detachment were the RCMP birthday greetings, something she really enjoyed participating in.
She says, “It’s funny, now I have friends here, and I know my way around so well and feel like I’ve grown in my job, and now I’m starting over somewhere else again.” Marin says she’s looking forward to the challenge, however. She served her last shift at the Killam Detachment on Tuesday, July 28.
Sutter says provincial guidelines will change how the program runs from previous years, “But I think these will be similar to what a lot of kids and families are already practicing and will become our new normal for a bit.” The program is set to start Aug. 4 and run to
Aug. 28, Monday through Friday, for youth ages five to 11. The program will include crafts, games, swimming, and park visits, and will follow all provincial guidelines presently in place. All participants must pre-register, no drop ins will be accepted.
SUMMER FUN August 4 thru 28 Monday to Friday Youth Ages 5 - 11 8 AM-4 PM $25/day - Killam Agriplex
CRAFTS GAMES SWIMMING PARKS FUN Alberta Guidelines New Requirements in Place
Must PRE-REGISTER Call 780-385-3080 or online killamrecreation.maxgalaxycanada.net
Jamieson Naturals A,B,C,D, or E Select types 40% OFF! Head & Shoulders Hair Care 380-400 ml
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Flyer Prices in effect Friday, July 31 to Thursday, August 6
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish Selected shades
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4846 - 47 Street (Main Street), SEDGEWICK
Holiday Hours We’re CLOSED Sunday, August 2 Monday, August 3
Enjoy your Long Weekend!
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Killam, Alberta
Serving Town & Country since 1962 Temporary Hours: 9-5 Mon thru Fri, 9-4 Saturday & Closed Sunday.
New Owners!
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GRAND OPENING & CUSTOMER APPRECIATION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1ST 10 AM TO 10 PM PRODUCT TASTING FREE DRAWS GIVEAWAYS 10% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE! Retail Liquor Store - Special Event Orders - Delivery
Page 24 - The Community Press, Wednesday, July 29, 2020