The Community
Press Telling Your Story
Volume 113, Issue 14
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
$1 Including GST
Missing Galahad couple County to invest mourned by community stimulus funding in Leslie Cholowsky Editor On Monday, Sept. 21, the Killam RCMP issued a public request for assistance in locating Matthew Kozak and Zabrina Ferrier, both from Galahad, who had been missing since Sept. 18. RCMP updated their request two days later advising that Parks Canada Visitor Safety personnel had located two bodies in the Verdant Pass area of Jasper National Park. Jasper RCMP and Parks Canada recovered the bodies of Matthew Kozak and Zabrina Ferrier on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The couple were both active members of the Galahad Fire Department, headed by Fire Chief Kim Cannady, and had been for just over two years. He said that Ferrier joined first, explaining, “Zabrina was interested and keen to learn. Matt Kozak was working that first night at his job with Agro Guys and came to our next training night.” Cannady says the couple attended as many training nights as they were able
to, saying each brought a unique perspective to training; “Zabrina would add something technical from a nursing perspective, explaining the whys but always putting into terms everyone could understand.” He says Ferrier had just completed her RN training and was working in Camrose. “Then, at an Anhydrous Ammonia Response training session, Matt explained the hazards associated, and how to safely deal with the response.” Cannady says the Fire Department and community have received an outpouring of support from the greater Flagstaff community, adding, “Both Matt and Zabrina were the kind of people you could easily like as soon as you met them. “Our fire department members, and the community of Galahad are heartbroken, and we will miss them both at the fire hall.” A Go-Fund-Me account has been set up by a family friend to help both the Ferrier and Kozak families. As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, there had been $7,680 raised through 114 donors.
bridge projects Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Flagstaff County Council decided to apply provincial stimulus funding to capital bridge projects during its regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Council had previously discussed the stimulus funding on Sept. 9, where they considered five potential projects eligible under the Municipal Stimulus Program, where the county’s allocation is $444,333. deferring their decision to the next meeting to determine if there were other shove-ready projects within the county that met the grant objectives that they could potentially support. Administration subsequently clarified that one of the previously proposed projects would not be eligible for funding. It was also determined that a joint project proposed by the Town of Hardisty may be better supported using MSI and other potential grant funding due to some restrictive guidelines in the stimulus funding grant if Council was
interested in partnering on the project. Specifically Bridge files 13353 (Township Road 460 north of Killam), 6665 (Township Road 432 north of Hardisty), 2421 (Range Road 122A south of Alliance), and 1218 (Township Road 452 north of Killam), with an estimated cost of $471,000. Council determined during the Sept. 9 meeting that these projects had been submitted for a Strategic Transportation Infrastructure Program grant for 2020, “but did not rank high enough to receive an approval in 2020.” Council also considered a request from Pine Cliff Energy Ltd to pay the company’s 2020 municipal taxes in a schedule of 12 equal installments, totalling $95,528.08 over the period September 2020 to August 2021. Administration advised Council that the company has no outstanding tax balance from 2019, and that neighbouring municipalities had also received and approved a similar tax relief request from the company. In 2019, Council approved a similar See COUNTY P10
Fresh Market brings out variety of vendors to Sedgewick Main Street Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The second of three planned Flagstaff Fresh Markets occurred on Sedgewick’s Main Street on Thursday, Sept. 24, featuring over 30 vendors, street performers, and live music. Above, Taryn Borth greets a customer to her table.
Sedgewick’s newly refurbished Main Street served as a perfect backdrop for more than 30 vendors who participated in the second Flagstaff Fresh Market on Thursday, Sept. 24. Event organizers reported great numbers and received a lot of positive feedback for the second of threeplanned markets in Sedgewick. Last week’s event also included street performers, a big hit with the kids, with Rockzilla performing live throughout. An appearance by the Battle River Pipes and Drums also rounded out the event. Last week’s vendors included local restaurants, too, to give visitors the opportunity to come out for a bite to eat and then stay to shop and enjoy the entertainment. The market series was created through a group of Sedgewick women and features everything from handcrafted items to locally grown and produced food, all highlighting the diverse local businesses and individuals doing business in and around the Flagstaff region.
Page 14 - The Community Press, Wednesday, September 30, 2020
The Community Press, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - Page 15
October 2020 Meetings
Council Council Meetings Meetings
Notice of Detour Route
F Flagstaff County Council Meetings eetings lagstaff C ounty C ouncil M aare re cconducted onducted the 2nd and 4th Wednesday W ednesday of each month a.m.. unless ccommencing ommencing at 9 a.m otherwise planned.
Regular Council Meeting of September 23, 2020 Council Highlights briefly identify decisions made by Council. Council encourages its residents, businesses and stakeholders to keep in touch with Council news. Municipal Stimulus Program Grant The Municipal Stimulus Grant Funding will be utilized on capital Bridge Projects (Bridge Files 13353, 6665, 2421, 1218) with an estimated project cost of $471,000. Pine Cliff Energy Ltd—Request for Payments on Taxes Council approved to allow Pine Cliff Energy Ltd. to pay the 2020 outstanding taxes by way of twelve (12) equal monthly payments and waive the penalties.
Council C ouncil and Committee Committee meeting agendas are are aavailable vailable at the County’s C ounty ’s website website at: flagstaff.ab.ca/council/meetings-andfl agstafff.a . b.ca/council/meeetings-andminutes minu tes
Town of Hardisty Aerodrome Flagstaff County will not enter into an agreement with the Town of Hardisty to share revenue from taxable assessment at the Hardisty aerodrome/ airport. Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society—Responses Reeve Kroetch, Clr. Skoberg and CAO Armstrong meet with each municipality to discuss fire services and clarify their position regarding the Flagstaff Regional Emergency Services Society (FRESS).
780-384-4100 1-877-387-4100
Notice of Public Hearing Amendment to Land Use Bylaw 09/18 Pursuant to the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, Sections 230, 606 and 692, Chapter M-26, the Council of Flagstaff County hereby gives notice that it has given first reading, and of its intention to adopt Bylaw 10/20. The purpose of this Bylaw is to amend Land Use Bylaw 09/18 to redistrict Pt. SE-30-45-15-W4, Plan 0321422, Block 1, Lot 1 (3.93 acres), which is designated as “Agricultural (A) District”, to “Rural Industrial (RI) District”, for the purpose of accommodating an oilfield support business. The affected area for Bylaw 10/20 is shown on the maps below.
Policy Review The following Flagstaff County policies were approved and will be available on the Flagstaff County Website: CP 001 Fees and Charges, CP 005 Systems and Data Security, HR 004 Health and Safety, LE 004 Board and Remuneration, PS 002 Community Peace Officer Services
Email:
Camrose Association for Community Living—2020 Virtual Charity Auction Due to an anticipated reduction in revenues, no donation will be provided to Camrose Association for Community Living to support their 2020 Virtual Charity Auction.
Stay Stay Connected Connected with Us: Us:
Parkland Regional Library Due to an anticipated reduction in revenues, the proposed 2021 Parkland Regional Library budget not be approved at a requisition of $8.55 per capita. Diplomat Mine Museum—Request for Gravel and grading of parking lot A grader will be supplied to grade the parking lot area at the Diplomat Mine Museum site, but additional gravel will not be supplied due to an anticipated reduction in revenues. Delegation—Request for Refund on Residential Dust Suppressant A refund was not granted to the landowner for the residential dust suppressant, and that administration will investigate a product suitable for residential dust suppressant; and to develop a policy to address the possibility of private companies providing approved residential dust suppressant.
Once approved, the full Council Meeting minutes can be found at www.flagstaff.ab.ca under the “Council” tab and in the “Meetings and Minutes” section.
Monday Monday to to Friday Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. p.m. ((Closed Closed Noon - 1 p.m.) p.m.)
Address: Address:
12435 Township Township Road 442 P.O. P.O. Box Box 358 358 Sedgewick, Sedgewick, AB T0B 4C0
Public Notice Battle River Railway Crossing Closure and Detour Route On October 9th, 2020, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm, Highway 36 between Township Road 410 and Secondary Highway 602 will be closed except to local traffic for replacement of the Battle River Railway crossing located across Highway 36. Please see the below detour route: Battle River Railway Detour Route: Township Road 410 east of Highway 36 for 2.0 miles, Range Road 132 south of Township Road 410/north of Secondary Highway 602 for 4.0 miles, Secondary Highway 602 west of the Village of Alliance for approximately 1.6 miles. Please note, the speed limit on the route is 80 km/h unless otherwise posted.
Tax Penalty Reminder NOTICE: TAXES DUE! A penalty of 12% (twelve per cent) will be applied on all unpaid taxes after the due date of October 15, 2020. To avoid penalties, payments made by mail must be post marked no later than October 15, 2020 and payments made by Internet Banking, Option Pay or TelPay must be received no later than October 15, 2020. Payment options available: • Cheque, Debit or Cash Credit via Option Pay at the County Office, 12435 TWP RD 442, Sedgewick, AB • Mail: Flagstaff County, P.O. Box 358, Sedgewick, AB T0B 4C0 • Online or in person banking accepted at the following local banks; Vision Credit Union, ATB Financial, and BMO Bank of Montreal • TelPay & Option Pay: (go to Flagstaff County’s website www.flagstaff.ab.ca, under ‘Finance’ and click on Telpay or Option Pay) • E-Transfers: accepted at county@flagstaff.ab.ca
THEREFORE, TAKE NOTICE THAT pursuant to Sections 606 and 692 of the Municipal Government Act a Public Hearing to consider the proposed Bylaw will be held: Date: October 14, 2020 Time: 10:00 am Place: Flagstaff County Council Chambers 12435 Township Road 442, Sedgewick, Alberta AND FURTHUR TAKE NOTICE THAT anyone wishing to make a verbal or written representation may do so at the hearing, or by providing the representation to the County’s Chief Administrative Officer before 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Written submissions and those persons who have advised of their wish to speak will be heard first. Other submissions will be heard as time permits. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE THAT a copy of the proposed Bylaw may be inspected at the Flagstaff County office, in Sedgewick, Alberta, during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or on our website at www.flagstaff.ab.ca. SHELLY ARMSTRONG Chief Administrative Officer Flagstaff County Box 358 Sedgewick, Alberta T0B 4C0
Page 16 - The Community Press, Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Vaccinations will not be mandatory in Alberta, says MLA Jackie Lovely
Moush John Staff Reporter
What started as a news headline in another province was soon spun around as a rumour in Alberta, according to MLA Jackie Lovely. “This incorrect information springs from a June 17 article in CBC entitled ‘New Brunswick mandatory vaccination bill ready for final legislature vote’, but that’s not true for our province,” Lovely reiterated. “This article pertains to New Brunswick, not Alberta. The Alberta Legislature is not currently in session as of yet!” Lovely further said, “People inadvertently misread the information and believe this is happening in Alberta, rather than in New Brunswick.” Fielding phone calls from her constituents, Lovely reassured that Dr. Deena Hinshaw’s thoughts would be respected. Hinshaw, the Chief Medical Officer of Alberta appeared before the Select Special Public Health Act Review Committee and answered the question regarding her thoughts on
mandatory vaccinations as early as Aug. 27, 2020. When Hinshaw was asked if she supported government having the power to mandate vaccinations, she responded by saying, “I don’t see an example of where that would be used. So, I think if we have a piece of legislation that we’re unlikely to use; I’m not sure it provides much benefit. “I’d be comfortable with that particular piece of the legislation being removed” The Public Health Act Review Committee is carefully weighing recommendations for amendments to the Public Health Act. The Alberta government has no plans to make it mandatory if or when an approved COVID-19 vaccine becomes available, Premier Jason Kenney said. “There’s been some misinformation that the government recently adopted a law requiring mandatory vaccinations – that is completely untrue” he said. “That is just a total myth. “The truth is that since 1910, the
Public Health Act, or its previous legislation, has had the ability to require mandatory inoculation. That’s, as far as we know, never been used and certainly the government has no intention of making that mandatory.” According to Kenney, if a safe vaccine is developed and approved, his
government would “strongly encourage people to use it as we do in flu season.” He further added that he understands there are some people who for whatever reasons they have – individual reasons – may choose not to participate.
Public Works Updates Please refer to www.flagstaff.ab.ca for up-to-date road work happening throughout the County. Road Recovery
Gravel
Weather permitting, crews will continue to work on the following project: • North of Sedgewick on Range Road 124, south from Township Road 454 for 6.5 miles
Gravel is available for sale to a maximum of 150 tonnes/year per residential/farm/acreage site. Gravel is not available for sale to commercial users. Anyone wishing to purchase gravel must contact the Public Works Department to obtain a “Permission for Purchase of Gravel” form. Gravel will not be loaded out of a pit without this form. Gravel sales will be limited to the following dates in 2020: • October 7th and 21st
2021 Bridge Repair Tender Flagstaff County is tendering for bridge repairs and maintenance Tender: 07718-20, Please refer to the Flagstaff County website for tender information.
Private Laneway Maintenance: Flagstaff County will once again be undertaking snow plowing on private laneways. Please contact the Public Works Department at 780-384-4123 for further details regarding this service. We will begin laneway inspections in November.
Gravel sales are limited to the following gravel pits: Mazure Pit (NE 16-43-09 W4); Skori Pit #2 (N 1/2 09-46-11 W4); Barber Stockpile (NE 17-44-09 W4); and Daysland Stockpile (SE 13-45-17 W4), providing a loader is available at that gravel pit on that particular day. Please contact the Flagstaff County administration office at 780-384-4100 to make arrangements or to obtain information regarding a list of available aggregate products and pricing. Flagstaff County does not haul gravel for ratepayers. Hauling arrangements must be made by the ratepayer.
Please keep in mind that our seasonal crews will be out working on our roadways and to use extreme caution while travelling on these roads while they are being maintained in any way. We thank you in advance for your cooperation during this season.
The Community Press, Wednesday, September 30, 2020 - Page 27
ReVive Wood
From Power Poles to Masterpieces “These poles carry the story of our country, the story of this land, and it is now our responsibility to ReVive them from waste. ReVive Wood is set to honour the legacy of the trees and give the wood new life. We honour the trees and the land through sound business practices and environmentally responsible reclamation.”
• Custom Cut Timber Orders • Furniture • Fireplace Mantels • Garden Pavilions • Gazebos • Pergolas • and much more!
Killam, AB 780-385-5640 revivewood0@gmail.com
ReVive Wood ...from an out of the woods mill....
ReVive Wood
Page 28 - The Community Press, Wednesday, September 30, 2020
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