Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Fundraising events are only as successful as the people backing them. It’s a statement which holds true meaning for the Smoky River Regional Golf Course Society as it continues to work on a blockbuster entertainment package featuring the NHL past all-stars playing the McLennan Redwings/Lakeland Eagles alumni March 15 at H.W. Fish Arena. With only 10 days of advance preparation remaining until the big event, organizers remain steadfast in their efforts to drum up support for this extremely worthy initiative, which will see proceeds earmarked towards significant improvements at the “regional-based” golf course. This, however, is not achievable without a full commitment from both the community and region. “What we want to emphasize is the fact that this golf course is a regional facility, which benefits all of our communities,” says society president Terry Calliou. “Recreational facilities are vital to the survival of all rural communities. Without them, we’re nothing.” Calliou, who came up with the concept of hosting this unique fundraising initiative, praised the efforts of other organizations (ie., Guy-Donnelly Sportex Society and Falher arena fundraising committee) in their ongoing efforts to maintain and achieve realistic objectives without being a burden to taxpayers. It’s that same fundamental spirit of cooperation and support which is needed now as the society enters the last stage of preparations for this one-of-a-kind fundraising event. “We require a concerted effort from the entire region to successfully pull this event off,” Calliou explains. The emphasis heading into the final 10 days of fundraising continues to focus on ticket sales for both the hockey venue and dinner/silent auction event being held at the Elks Hall on the evening of March 15. Please do your part to help improve our regional recreation facilities by purchasing your tickets and being a part of this important fundraising event. Election coverage next week By the time this edition of the Express hits local post office boxes and newsstands the results of the provincial election will already be known. Voters headed to the polls this past Monday to cast their respective ballots for the candidate they feel is best suited to lead the Dunvegan-Central Peace constituency for the next election term. And just who that candidate will be was anyone’s guess as of our Feb. 29th publication deadline for this week’s issue. One of the most contentious issues standing out well above and beyond the rest in terms of generating the most interest among residents at the recent all-candidates forum in Falher was the proposed nuclear power plant site west of Peace River. Candidates including Nathan Macklin of the Alberta New Democratic Party, Dale Lueken of the Wildrose Alliance Party and Bob Woken of the Alberta Liberal Party, all gave a negative assessment of the government’s position on the possible use of nuclear power and the opinion of Progressive Conservative MLA Hector Goudreau. From an election standpoint, the nuclear debate may have significant impact in terms of voter direction at the polls. And if you read between the lines on a provincial scale, this could translate into a much lighter grip on the pulse of the province by the Progressive Conservative government.

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