October 1, 2008
Town of Falher allocates MSI grant funds
A grant, for Municipal Sustainability Initiatives (MSI) was received by the town of Falher in the amount of $65,541. “Council decided to give the grant to the Falher Recreation Development Society for operation of the Falher Regional Recreation Complex,” said town administrator Gerard Nicolet. “The money will be used to offset costs of utilities and salaries of the Recreation Complex,” Nicolet explained.
Six candidates vying for M.P. position
Voters in the Peace River riding will had a number of candidates to choose from during the October 14 federal election. A total of six candidates came forward by putting their names in the hat to officially represent the riding as Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. Leading the way was incumbent Progressive Conservative Party of Canada M.P. Chris Warkentin, of Grande Prairie, who sought his second term in office after winning his first quite handily under Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative banner. Warkentin was being challenged in the election by five other party candidates including Grimshaw resident Adele Boucher Rymhs (New Democratic Party), Liliane Maisonneauve of St. Isidore (Liberals), Grande Prairie lawyer Jennifer Villebrun of the Green Party, Edwin Sigglekow (Canadian Action Party), and Libertarian Party candidate Melanie Simard.
October 8, 2008
Candidates square off at election forum
It didn’t have the bravado of American political debates. Nor was it cutthroat. But the All-Candidate’s Forum held at Athabasca Hall Sept. 30 did allow an excellent opportunity for the local Peace River constituency party nominees to rebuff one another in classic Canadian politeness and wit. Over 100 people went to the event sponsored by the Peace River Chamber of Commerce, all of whom were eager to hear the candidate’s platforms, and then ask intelligent questions.
Man charged following multi-vehicle crash
A 22-year-old Peace River man faced two charges following a multi-vehicle collision north of Nampa on the afternoon of Sept. 26. Keely Rae Fischer of Peace River was charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance as a result of the collision, which occurred at approximately 4:15 p.m., five kilometres north of Nampa. Cst. Dave Browne of Peace Regional RCMP said an investigation into the collision revealed that the school bus was stopped in the southbound lane of the highway with its warning lights activated and was in the process of unloading children when the collision occurred. The high speed collision caused a chain reaction which resulted in five vehicles being damaged as a result of the incident. Fortunately, the school bus was not impacted in the collision and none of the disembarking students were injured. Two occupants of the impacted vehicles, as well as the driver of the SUV, were transported by ground ambulance to Peace River hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Sacred Heart Healthcare Centre celebrates 20 years
More than 60 people were on hand at Sacred Heart Healthcare Centre in McLennan Sept. 30 to celebrate the hospital’s 20th anniversary of operations in the region. The event, which included complementary coffee, cake and tours of the facility, kicked off outside near the main doors with a special statue unveiling by the Sacred Heart Ladies Auxiliary. Ladies auxiliary president Shannon Soucy said the statue was purchased through local fundraising efforts, the majority of which was achieved from a casino fundraiser held in September of 2007.
October 15, 2008
Town of Falher requests dissolution study
The Town of Falher passed a resolution in early October as part of a request to the Minister of Alberta Municipal Affairs to carry out a dissolution study. “For our community to remain viable and sustainable in the future, we have to look at doing our business differently,” Falher Mayor Margaret Tardif explained to the Express. The decision, which was reached at a special meeting held on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008, saw the Town of Falher take the lead in search of a more streamlined level of municipal operation that addressed both effectiveness and efficiency. The municipality attributed the recent decision to a number of factors, including increasing operational costs and a declining population. The present population in Falher is at 941 and the total population of the Smoky River region is just under 5,000.
October 22, 2008
MP Chris Warkentin re-elected
Tory blue was once again the preferred party colour of choice among constituents in the Peace River riding in mid October’s federal election as incumbent Conservative MP Chris Warkentin cruised to a lop-sided victory. On a national scale, the Peace River MP said the results of the election represent a clear reflection of Canadians’ faith and trust in a Progressive Conservative government.
October 29, 2008
Physician recruitment
The Town of McLennan is on board with a proposal by Falher town council which could see municipalities cost-share the purchase of a home in McLennan as an incentive to attract new medical staff (namely a physician) to the Smoky River region. “I think it’s our best interest as a community and region to shoulder the responsibility of providing a house for accommodation purposes to help attract and retain another physician,” said Councillor Dwayne Stout.
Ducks Unlimited fundraiser
The annual Smoky River Ducks Unlimited supper in McLennan raised about $18,000, down from last year’s total of $26,000.