The McLennan & District Chamber of Commerce executive includes (front row from left) secretary/treasurer Pamela Elford, president Garth Rondeau and vice-president Chris Jones. They are joined by directors Irene Salisbury, Sandy Thrall, Dan & Annette Drouin and Ann Marie Servant. Missing: Robert Bisson.

The McLennan & District Chamber of Commerce officially has a new look on its executive. Sliding into the position as president is Garth Rondeau, who takes over the responsibility from Greg Radstaak after accepting the role at the chamber’s annual general meeting Nov. 7. He is joined on the executive by incoming vice-president Chris Jones (who replaces Sheldon Windjack) and Pamela Elford, who retains her position as secretary/treasurer. Directors, meanwhile, include Sandy Thrall, Dan and Annette Drouin, Robert Bisson, Irene Salisbury and Ann Marie Servant. Rondeau was born and raised in McLennan and successfully graduated from G.P. Vanier high school in Donnelly in 1985. In 2006 he became a licensed broker for Exit Realty Discovery – a role he now share with his wife, Tamara. He says he’s grateful for the support and the opportunity to represent McLennan’s business sector into what he says is a positive era of growth and development. “I’m excited about the direction the chamber and our community is heading in and looking forward to the challenges which lay ahead,” he says, adding that there are a number of unique projects on the go right now which will directly benefit McLennan and the Smoky River region. One of those initiatives revolves around the proposed future development of a five kilometre asphalt walking trail which traverses the community in a west-to-east direction along the southern outskirts of Kimiwan Lake. “There’s a tremendous amount of excitement and support for this project within the community,” Rondeau says. “It’s something we as a chamber feel will greatly enhance the overall visual appeal along the lakeshore for residents and tourists.” The project is being backed financially by the chamber, which has pledged a commitment of $5,000. Radstaak, the Smoky River region’s economic development officer says he’s presently in the process of preparing an application for grant funding through Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation & Culture. “We’re hoping to obtain matching grant funding of $125,000 from the province to help subsidize the cost of establishing a walking trail along the lakeshore,” Radstaak explained during the meeting. The matching component, meanwhile, is expected to be achieved through donations of cash as well as labour, materials and equipment. Another project which remains on the table for consideration by the chamber is a proposal to purchase and install security cameras in the downtown core as a crime deterrent. “It’s an important project... one which I personally feel needs to be discussed and debated further by the chamber,” says Radstaak, adding it sends a strong message that criminal activity is something which won’t be tolerated within the community. He suggested the possibility of a partnership between the chamber and town to cover the expense (estimated at between $10,000 and $12,000) of an outdoor security camera system. Supporting the practical benefits of using security cameras and signage to stamp out crime is Gus Brulotte, owner of Lakeview (Bigway) Foods. He installed a security camera system earlier this year to help catch and deter thieves from break-ins, vandalism and shoplifting. And the results to date, he says, have been amazing. “We’ve caught more than 20 shoplifters on camera since purchasing the security system,” Brulotte explains, adding that all but one of the offenders were adults from out of town. Next meeting Dec. 5 The topic is expected to be discussed in greater detail at the chamber’s next meeting on Dec. 5, 7 p.m. at The Coffee Connection.