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Vol. 21, No. 16, Wednesday, January 21, 2026
No-fire fire-charges has resident questioning Lamont County’s whole fire fighting model Resident argues against $2,348 fire charges for no fire BY JANA SEMENIUK Lamont County resident Allen Antoniuk brought in a slightly charred piece of his electrical panel when he
came to the Jan. 13 County Council meeting to argue against a large fire bill. Antoniuk held up the piece of elec-
Lamont County resident Allen Antoniuk Photo: Jana Semeniuk
trical panel for the council to see, saying it overheated and caused his neighbour to panic and call emergency crews when she saw the smoke. The result was a huge fire bill for Antoniuk when there was no actual fire. “She saw smoke so she phoned,” Antoniuk said of his neighbour. “Why would I be billed for four fire trucks when not a drop of water was used? “We had some smoke and that’s it. Didn’t even need a hand sprayer.” Antoniuk’s bill, dated Nov. 3, 2025, showed charges for four fire engines totalling $2,348. He not only argued A slightly charred piece of Allen Antoniuk's panel he showed to the County Council members. against the bill but also Photo: Jana Semeniuk criticized the way the county is running the body else (in there) who really cares. I regional fire services. don't think that I should have to pay “Normally, I wouldn't come for this for four fire trucks because he doesn't kind of money, but I don't like it. I think know how to coordinate things properthings should change. ly.” “You guys should get out of this. If Antoniuk said when the council you can't do it properly you should get makes their decision on an amount for out. The county should not be in this his bill, he wanted to send it to a charibusiness,” said Antoniuk who also had ty of the council’s choice. harsh words for the Chief The county council accepted Administrative Officer Peter Antoniuk’s presentation as informaTarnawsky. “He's not from this county. tion with no word on when a decision He's not a regular rural guy. Get some- would be made.