Kevin Laliberte
Smoky River Express

The Town of McLennan will be featured in the 2008 edition of the Mighty Peace Tourist Association’s Vacation Planner guide. But it won’t come without a price to the municipality of approximately $800. “Town council has formally agreed to participate as a partner with other municipalities by contributing promotional material about our community for next year’s vacation planner guide,” says municipal chief administrative officer Tammy Chavis. The decision was made at council’s most recent meeting Sept. 10 after elected officials met with Nicole Halvorson, executive director of the association. “Our goal as an association is to promote the Peace Country as a destination of choice for tourists when planning their vacation each year,” Halvorson in her opening remarks. Her presence at the meeting focussed on the benefits of the town agreeing to become part of a partnership to promote the community in the 2008 vacation planner. “Our association is requesting that the Town of McLennan consider entering into a partnership with the Municipal District of Smoky River, Town of Falher, Smoky River Tourism and La Chambre économique de l’Alberta (CÉA) by setting aside $800 in funding,” she added. She referred to a high volume of requests for information about McLennan by tourists at their office each year as a clear indication of the increased interest levels for having the municipality included in next year’s vacation planner. The funding commitment on behalf of McLennan translates into a 300-word write-up for each contributing partner (as well as photos). Halvorson pointed out that the expense to the municipality could be reduced through additional advertising opportunities offered to businesses and organizations such as the Kimiwan Lake Naturalists Society (operators of the tourism-based birdwalk and interpretive centre) and Smoky River Regional Golf Course Society. “I am planning to meet with both organizations to offer them an opportunity to be part of vacation planner.” Upwards of 30,000 of the vacation planners are distributed annually to visitor information centres throughout the province, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Minimal increase for waste collection/ recycling fees The cost of solid waste disposal and recycling services for residents in the Town of McLennan just got a wee bit pricier – .16 cents to be precise. Town council approved the rather insignificant service hike by placing its stamp of approval on Bylaw 2007-09 at its Sept. 10 regular monthly meeting. The increase is bumped up from the previous set rate of $10.84 for single-family residences to the new fee of $11, effective Oct. 1 of this year. Reduced speed limit Motorists who frequent the highway are reminded to pay close attention to reduced speed limit construction signs and slow down when approaching Watino from either side of the roadway. “We’re requesting the cooperation of drivers to help ensure the safety of construction workers and the traveling public,” Saunders says. The existing bridge – completed in 1950 at a cost of $841,000 – will be disassembled and removed from the site by Sept. 15 of 2010.

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