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Vol. 17, No. 47, Wednesday, October 19, 2022 www.LamontLeader.com
Chipman booming and nobody seems to know why BY JANA SEMENIUK The village of Chipman is experiencing a population explosion this year after 24 properties have so far been purchased equalling at least 26 new residents; also increasing the village’s number of children. Chipman’s population as of 2021 was listed at 246 according to Statistics Canada. Chief Administrative Officer Pat Tomkow expressed astonishment at the growing village during the Oct. 11 council meeting. “We can't believe the volume of tax reports and certificates we have given out this year,” she said. “We are at 38 and it used to be one or two a year.” Administrative Assistant Keiron Willis explained that an issued tax certificate does not always equal a new property sold. “They are basically a document that shows the current taxes and assessment for a property and any outstanding debts. They are requested during refinancing or purchasing, so 38 does
not equal 38 new properties being sold,” she said. “But it has been a phenomenal year. It seems that as soon as a property goes up for sale it sells right away.” While members of the village council were not able to ascertain a reason for the sudden rise in residents, they were all happy to welcome the newcomers including Councillor Shana McIntyre who shared her thoughts by email. “I am very excited about the new families that have moved into Chipman. It has been great to see a significant increase in children playing around the village. It has also been exciting to talk to the new families and see how much they want to be involved in the community, through helping out with community activities, attending our Council meetings and starting their own businesses within the community. It makes me hopeful for the future of Chipman and I can't wait to where the future will lead us.”.
Trustees get a raise Elk Island School Trustees vote for a salary increase BY JANA SEMENIUK Elk Island Public Schools have voted for a raise this year of 1.756 percent for their board of trustees effective Sept. 1. The vote came at their Sept. 15 trustee meeting after the recommendation was presented by EIPS Secretary Treasurer Candace Cole. “We have it in our policy. There it says that trustee compensation shall be adjusted Sept. 1 annually,” she said. Cole went on to explain the method of arriving at the percentage of increase which takes into account the consumer price index and the percentage change in annual average earnings. She added that the increase was not to exceed the increase given to EIPS staff, which was also 1.756 percent, and not less than zero. To date, the board of nine trustees is paid a $36,184 base salary, up from last year’s base salary of $35,560. After executive allowances and travel allowances, the two highest paid board
members are the board chair Trina Boymook, trustee for Strathcona County, at $53,778, up from $52,850, and vice chair Colleen Holowaychuk, trustee for Lamont County, at $51,285 up from $50,400. The entire budget for the board is set at $605,698 up from $580,296. This amount is broken down to $414,920 for salaries, up from $394,447, and $190 778 slated for expenses up from $185 849. The largest expense listed is the amount paid under dues and fees totalling $83,217 this year compared to $81,100 last year. EIPS Communications Director Laura McNabb was not able to confirm which organization received the money. Trustee Jim Seutter made the motion to pass the recommended salary increase which was carried unanimously.
No equipment for you, says Elk Island Public Schools to FCSS BY JANA SEMENIUK Chipman Councillor Shana McIntyre gave her report during the Oct. 11 village council meeting and indicated that Elk Island Public Schools has rescinded permission for user groups, such as Family and Community Support Services, to use the gym equipment when using their school gymnasium facilities. McIntyre said the information was shared during a recent FCSS meeting that the mandate was put in place suddenly with no explanation. “FCSS runs a youth program after school, that’s led usually by a grade 12 student who volunteers their time to do something with the youth that goes to that school. They stayed after (school) for a couple of hours, and they
would play basketball or ball hockey,” she said. “So now they no longer have that option. And because they're high school students that are leading the programs, they can't transport any of this equipment, even if they buy it, they have no way to transport it, because it's high school kids.” McIntyre added that other groups using EIPS schools in Sherwood Park or Fort Saskatchewan had more options available such as other recreational facilities which Lamont County doesn’t have. “Our small communities that we have here in Lamont County, we don’t have that option,” she said. McIntyre said FCSS asked her to contact a trustee to find out what’s
happening. “FCSS, because it's a government organization can't approach the school board themselves,” she said. “The trustee that I spoke to wasn't aware that this was happening. And so, they're reaching out to their sources to just kind of find out what's going on.” McIntyre said she could not remember which trustee she spoke with. A representative for FCSS said they were in negotiations with EIPS and declined to give a statement on the issue. EIPS Communications Director Laura McNabb said the user agreement for use of EIPS schools allows only minimal use of equipment. “External user agreements for all EIPS schools allow very minimal use of
school equipment; it is the use of the facility only and if applicable, the use of nets and posts for volleyball. “Sports equipment is purchased by the school and is for the use of students only,” she said by email. McNabb would not confirm if FCSS was at first allowed to use the equipment and when or why the decision was made to rescind the use of gym equipment from the organization. She stated that EIPS is discussing the issue directly with FCSS. Lamont County FCSS is a non-profit organization which provides community programming for youth and adults.