Your news this week: Northern Lights seen all over world - 7 People still angry in Mundare - 7/8 Blanket exercises demonstrated - 14 OPINION: NDP leadership update - 4
Proud to be an Independent CANADIAN Publication
FREE
Vol. 19, No. 25, Wednesday, May 15, 2024 www.LamontLeader.com
Bruderheim town councillor facing more battles Pay being withheld until apology letter received by staff and council BY JANA SEMENIUK Bruderheim councillor George Campbell is still struggling with his fellow council members as they voted in favour, during the May 8 council meeting, of reinstating his councillor pay if he submits an apology letter to staff and council. Campbell said his pay was withheld for missing two meetings in Feb. while sick with shingles and COVID equaling over $500. Campbell was first sanctioned in Jan. stemming from three incidents Chief Administrative Officer Phyllis Forsyth later said occurred between Jan. 8 and Jan. 24. The terms of Campbell’s sanction were never voted on in open session as
mandated by the Municipal Governance Act. After Campbell spoke to the Lamont Leader about the terms of his first sanctions, which are normally public information, he was sanctioned a second time at the Feb. 21 meeting and accused of breaching confidentiality when he revealed that he was also being punished due to a rumour that he was ‘bad-mouthing the town administration’. The terms of Campbell’s second sanction, made public by this time, were then increased from a six-month ban on committee appointments to an eight-month ban and he would now not be eligible to return to his committees until Oct.
His requirement of submitting a letter of apology still stood, although Campbell said he would not apologize. It’s unclear what brought Campbell forward a third time during the May 8 council meeting, as the matter was first discussed in closed session. Campbell was asked to leave the building when council returned to open session due to a pecuniary interest for the upcoming council vote. “I address the council that I'm going to distance myself from council because I have a pecuniary interest in the matter that they are going to discuss,” he said. “And I really hope this matter is recorded and acted upon.” Once Councillor Campbell left the building, Councillor Dayna Jacobs
offered to make the motion. She then chose one after reading from a selection on Mayor Karl Hauch’s cell phone. “I motion that council reinstate Councillor Campbell’s full pay upon receipt of a letter of apology required to be presented to staff and council as per motion 2024-50,” she said, referring to the motion she made at Campbell’s second sanction at the Feb. 21 council meeting. When Mayor Hauch asked for any comments or concerns with the motion, Deputy Mayor Wayne Olechow said he wanted more information on Campbell’s two absences. Continued on Page 10
Edmonton rabbit breeders embrace Bruderheim as show site BY JOHN MATHER The Edmonton Area Rabbit Society (EARS) enjoys bringing its Wildrose Classic Rabbit Show to Bruderheim. Over the May 10 to 12 weekend, it was held at the arena for the fourth year. The Society has about 30 members and about 45 exhibitors come to Bruderheim every year. According to Sharin Angler, the treasurer of EARS and the coordinator of the Wildrose Rabbit Show, the organization which started in 1989 just loves coming to Bruderheim. “The hospitality of this town is just amazing,” she said. “They welcome us so warmly. “Everybody loves this town,” she added. “They support us from the banquet to the facility. They help us in any way they can.” She said the show is more about providing general information to the public and if people want to get more information on rabbit breeding then organizers are happy to sit down and explain
This year, the Bruderheim the processes to them. Angler added they had offered mini Agricultural Society has sponsored a courses about rabbit breeding in the large trophy which will be annually past but found the audience was limit- presented to the “Best of Show.” According to Sherry Cote, from the ed. “We have rabbit displays, judging Bruderheim Agricultural Society, they and some rabbits are available for have gone all in on making the rabbit show a success. sale,” she added. “Yes, we provided a large trophy for The society does have a Facebook page at Edmonton Area Rabbit Society the best of the best,” she said. “The and they are in the midst of revamping winner will get a picture of their rabbit sitting with the trophy and then they a website. will also receive Exhibitors a plaque with during the past their name and weekend came the rabbit’s from Alberta, name etched on B . C . it.” Saskatchewan The trophy and Manitoba. will remain in Exhibitors who Bruderheim to have their rabbe presented bits judged as annually. first or second Cote said the place receive ribbons and Savanah Fischer, left, judge Stephen Ag. Society has Holtholm, and Whitney Touesnard from worked very rosettes. Edmonton pose with their winning rabbits.
hard to build the show and promote it for the past four years. “We have bird house building sponsored by the Lamont Fish and Game organization,” she said. “Backyard Birds from Spruce Grove, who do presentations on birds and how beneficial they are for our back yards.” In addition “Butterfly’s, Wings and Wishes”, provides birds and insect displays for young audiences, and Birds of Prey will all be doing presentations during the weekend.” “We will also have a butterfly release and there will be caterpillar kits for sale for the youngsters,” added Cote. She said they have modelled the weekend as a naturalists’ weekend which shows the interaction between humans, animals and birds and the environment. “It’s all about gardening and looking after our environment and we also like to feature it around Mother’s Day so the kids can plant something to take home.”