Ponoka News, December 02, 2015

Vol. 67, No. 49 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 | 403-783-3311 | WWW.PONOKANEWS.COM

CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY

Open houseMeaka Kinnaird smiles upside down Saturday, Nov. 28 as he fl ips through the air at the Ponoka and Gymnastics and Trampoline Club open house. Please see our story on page 17.

Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Stampeders keepbuilding their musclesStory on page 23

The early bankingboom in Ponoka

Story on page 5

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2 PONOKA NEWS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Dear Editor,I would like to take the

time and clear up some mis-conceptions that have been circling the coffee shops of town. One is that there has been money put aside for the bridge replacement from the past, which there has not. Next - that the project is on hold, which it is not. Both stories are false. I want to reaffi rm that the town continues to maintain a balanced budget under the rules of the Municipal Government Act and we are in very good fi scal shape by all accounts under the legislation we are enacted by. Every year our books are audited and are public record for all taxpayers to inspect.

I am sure you are wonder-ing – now that there are a signifi cant number of names fi led on a petition, where do we go from here? Step one is for administration to validate the names and addresses of all those who signed. Next, we will need to decide on plebiscite and public hearing. Then, we either change the bylaw or

raise taxes to pay for bridge in short term - meaning 5 years or less.

If we have to call for a plebiscite, the extra cost of doing so will need to be refl ected in an increase of taxes above our proposed 1.5 percent increase in 2016. If the plebiscite is lost and the borrowing bylaw not approved, we will need to completely have to revise the 2016 budget. This means we will have to make massive cuts in service and programs to prepare for short term borrowing to complete the bridge replacement.

When we decided to re-place the existing North Bridge last year, I would never have guessed that we would be at this point where we are petitioned on a vital part of the town’s infrastructure. The bridge has been discussed for being replaced since the late 1990s. Penalties would be too severe to halt the project now, and the safety and liability of the old bridge would be too much of a management risk.

Believe me when I say the

Clearing the air on the North Bridge project

Petition against proposed borrowing bylaw submitted to

the town

A petition against the proposed borrowing bylaw to pay for the North Bridge and road realignment proj-ect has been submitted to Town Hall.

The petition was delivered Wednesday, Nov. 25 with what is believed to be a list of signatures of 718 electors. For a petition to be legally valid to be considered by the town, a minimum of 10 percent What is needed for a petition to acquire legal validity for consideration is 10 per cent of the electors declaring their support for it. With 718 signatures, the petition does seem to have adequate support for the town to take it into consid-eration.

If all the signatures in the petition are authenticated, the petition may cost tax-payers more money in the short-term as it would mean the town could not borrow money for the project for the next 40 years as is proposed in the borrowing bylaw. Residents would most-likely

have to pay for the $5 million project within fi ve years.

Other options for the town if the petition is successful are as follows:• Town planners could

facilitate and pay for a plebiscite to garner a vote from citizens on whether they want the bridge project to move forward.

• Halt the project and leave an unfi nished roadway.

Regardless of whether the petition is successful, the current bridge will be removed within months as it is said to be beyond its life expectancy.

In 2003, a report showed the North Bridge had life left until 2012. The council of the day took no action on the report, however, a second report was commissioned in 2012, which stated the bridge needed to be replaced.

Interim CAO Doug Wright is in the process of review-ing the petition to ensure it meets standards under the Municipal Government Act. There is a 30-day period to review the petition.

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE

Letters

most economical way to fi -nance this long term use of the bridge is the borrowing bylaw. Having enough money for these million dollar projects means starting 20 years prior, or utilizing the borrowing that the gov-ernment offers us at long term stable and low interest rates. Even as governments prepare to spend billions on infrastructure as we have heard in the just recently completed elections, it will mostly be low interest bor-rowing they will be offering municipalities and not a lot of extra granting funds as all funds are either taxed or borrowed in 2015. There is no free money!

Now for a little background. The land for this project was purchased many years ago. The preliminary design and discussions had been going on for many years, before I was elected to council. These discussions and decision to replace the bridge have also included seeking govern-ment assistance.

Due to the state of the economy in past few years and lack of will on the part federal and provincial governments to allocate funds into infrastructure for communities, this council needed to take the matter into our own hands and move this important project forward.

With the confi rmation of engineering reports in 2003, I would have expected that former councils would have started placing funds in reserve for a replacement. As councils, we should be placing funds away every year in contingency for future building and major projects like this. But unfor-tunately that has not been the case, and it is extremely hard to do when we have so many other concerns. We are always trying to be fi scally responsible, but as we fi nd out year in and year out, the costs for these kinds of projects escalate in price and regulation and this continues to place strains on available funds. And as we know, governments have downloaded to municipal-ities more responsibility to take control of our own infrastructure.

The bridge has served Ponoka very well. We had options to either replace it or close it and when we discussed this last spring, we heard loud and clear that closing it was not very

popular option. As construc-tion started on the road portion of the construction, it became apparent that the borrowing bylaw was not readied prior to fi rst phase of construction. As mayor, I apologize to all citizens on behalf of council and administration for the oversight and take full re-sponsibility. We have made changes to administration in areas of guidance. We have contacted and are working with Municipal Affairs as we continue to move the project forward.

The bridge portion of the project is on schedule as was the original plan for March 2016 and total completion and removal of the exist-ing structure by the end of August 2016. Once the bridge and fi nal elevation base coat have been placed, the new roadway then pavement, curbing and connection to trail way is completed, the new bridge will be opera-tional.

So to be clear, the project has not been stopped or delayed by any means at this point in time.

The town of Ponoka has the lowest amount of bor-rowed debt amongst all the towns and cities along the QE 2 corridor as well as the lowest amount of growth along the corridor beside Millet. If you doubt my stats, just go to the Alberta Municipal Affairs website and do some research of your own. We have used only 13 per cent of our debt limit, and of that number, between the end 2015-17, the town will be retiring almost $200,000 worth of payments that the town has been paying in past many years.

The proposed borrowing bylaw is 40 years at $240,000 year, with an allowable amortization rate of 75 years. Council believes it is a good risk management position to have it cleared off the books with 35 years of use remaining by engineering standards. Maintained prop-erly, it can get the residents another 100 years or better like the old green bridge of the past.

Thank you for this oppor-tunity to clear the air and provide what I believe is factual and helpful infor-mation for this important discussion.

Sincerely,Rick Bonnett,

Mayor,Town of Ponoka

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015 PONOKA NEWS 3

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Accused kidnappersoffered deal at

preliminary hearingsThe seven individuals accused of kid-

napping a Ponoka man were scheduled to attend preliminary hearings at Ponoka Provincial Court last week almost one year after the alleged incident occurred.

The hearings were held over the course of two days on Monday, Nov. 23 and 24, with the fi ve of the seven accused, Christine Kirkeby, Shane Kerik, Tyler Scott, Zachary Purdy and James Miller-Laney appearing before the court while Lane Dickson and Ashley Shewchuck failed to appear.

Purdy was denied bail since the events

transpired and he was given a 913-day jail sentence, less time already served, after pleading guilty to some of the charges laid. He was given time and half credit for the time so far at 516 days, but must still serve the rest of his term.

Kirkeby was remanded in custody for seven days and received 12 months pro-bation. Sentencing for Scott is set for Friday, Dec. 11 and Miller-Laney was or-dered to stand trial for the events.

Kerik’s charges are believed to have been withdrawn and the hearings for him did not proceed.

Dickson and Shewchuk had arrest war-rants issued for them.


Truck stolen with over $100,000 worth of liquor

Investigators are looking for suspects involved in the theft of a truck loaded with more than $100,000 worth of liquor.

The truck was parked at the Liquor Store in Ponoka Thursday, Nov. 26 at ap-proximately 12:15 p.m. and was eventually located abandoned in the Bashaw area. Police dog and police air services were called to locate the suspects in-volved.

Investigations deter-mined the culprits entered a farmyard and then fl ed. It was determined the sus-pects recently stole a 2001 blue Dodge Ram from a nearby residence.

Reports indicated the ve-hicle was northbound on Range Road 221 but offi -cers could not locate the suspects. The fi le is under investigation.


Police looking for alleged impaired driver

A collision on Nov. 30 on Range Road 252 has police looking for a driver believed to be impaired at the time.

Police say a vehicle en-tered the west ditch and hit a fence. A query of the vehicle determined the li-cence plate did not match the vehicle

The passenger of the vehicle was located at a neighboring property and investigations determined the passenger hat hitched a ride home and both the driver and passenger had been drinking. The fi le is still open.

Police looking for liquor thief

Police are looking for a woman who entered Liquor Town and allegedly stole two bottles of Red Tassel from the store.

The incident occurred on Monday, Nov. 23 and she is described as First Nations with a dark hoodie with the words SAMCRO on the back.

Motorist driving too fast for conditions

Members of the Ponoka Integrated Traffic Unit charged a motorist with driving at an unreasonable speed after hitting the ditch.

Crews were called to the

scene of the collision Nov. 25 at 3 p.m. after the driv-er entered Highway 2 at a high rate of speed not suit-able for the conditions. He was given a ticket for $233.

Lumber truck hits ditchThe driver of a semi trac-

tor loaded with lumber is lucky to have no injuries after hitting the ditch Nov. 23.

After hitting the ditch the second of two trailers became detached from the truck and fl ipped upside down.

Mischief off Highway 2 overpass

Police received com-plaints of culprits throw-ing something off a bridge over Highway 2 at 12:40 a.m. Nov. 26.

Offi cers say two individ-uals were on the overpass throwing snowballs to-wards oncoming traffi c.

By the time police ar-rived, the suspects had left the scene although foot prints could be seen lead-ing to the overpass.

Man charged with sec-ond degree murder

Maskwacis RCMP charged 19-year-old Joshua Crier with second de-gree murder in the death of 20-year-old Kirsten Cutknife on the Samson Cree Nation.

Events leading to the arrest were due to a po-

lice investigation where Cutknife was found dead in a residence on the Samson Cree townsite at 10 a.m. on Nov. 28.

Police have also charged Crier with assault with a

weapon on Zoe Littlechild, 20. Crier is remanded in custody and will fi rst ap-pear in Wetaskiwin pro-vincial court Dec. 17.

If you have information, please call the Ponoka

RCMP at 403-783-4472. If you want to remain anon-ymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by internet at www.tipsub-mit.com.

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Religion

Meaning of Incarnation revealed

by birds

Perhaps the single greatest event in the his-tory of man and God’s relationship was the “Incarnation”, the word becoming fl esh, God be-coming man. Although his entry into the life of the world was great-ly anticipated for cen-turies, his actual arrival was subdued, quiet and humble.

The question is often asked, “Why did God have to send his Son to live among us?” If He could do all things and was in control of all things, couldn’t he have conceived a differ-ent plan of salvation? Why would he take on human form, live among us in Jesus Christ, teach-ing, healing and forgiv-ing, before giving up his life for us? The answer is not easily found and has been the focus of much debate and dis-cussion over the centu-ries. There is a story by Louis Cassels called “A Christmas Parable” that provides a glimpse into this great mystery. The story goes like this:

DEACON ROLLIE COMEAUSt. Augustine

Catholic Parish

“Once upon a time there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn’t a Scrooge. He was a kind and decent per-son, generous to his fam-ily, upright in all his deal-ings with other men. But he didn’t believe all that stuff about Incarnation which churches pro-claim at Christmas. And he was too honest to pretend that he did. “I am truly sorry to dis-tress you,” he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. “But I simply cannot understand this claim that God becomes man. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

On Christmas Eve his wife and children went to church for the mid-night service. He de-clined to accompany them. “I’d feel like a hyp-ocrite,” he explained. “I’d rather stay at home. But I’ll wait up for you.”

Shortly after his fam-ily drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the fl ur-ries getting heavier and heavier. “If we must have Christmas,” he thought, “it’s nice to have a white one.” He went back to his chair by the fi reside and began to read his newspaper. A few min-utes later he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another.

He thought that some-one must be throwing snowballs at his living room window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a fl ock of birds huddled miserably in the storm. They had been caught in the storm and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fl y through his window.

“I can’t let these poor creatures lie there and freeze,” he thought. “But how can I help them?” Then he remembered the barn where the chil-dren’s pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter.

He put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the door wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn’t come in. “Food will lure them in,” he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dis-may, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to fl op around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them into the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction - except into the warm lighted barn.

“They fi nd me a strange and terrifying creature,” he said to himself, “and I can’t seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few min-utes, perhaps I could lead them to safety …”

Just at that moment the church bells began to ring. He stood silent for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tid-ings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. “Now I do un-derstand,” he whispered. “Now I see why You had to do it.”

The majority of the Old Testament involves God revealing himself to hu-manity, fi rst by perform-ing great and wondrous deeds and secondly by sending prophets to

guide and direct his peo-ple. Because of our stub-bornness of heart, God fi nally sent his son, Jesus Christ to show us the way, the truth and the light. “And the Word was made fl esh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This truly was a great moment for humanity, past, present and future.

As we enter into the Advent season (the fi rst Sunday of Advent being Nov. 29) we are drawn into the great mystery of the Incarnation. We anticipate his birth date with hope, love, joy and peace symbolized by the four candles of the Advent wreath. In many churches the co-lour “Violet” is used to adorn altars, candles, and decorations and the vestment colours are the same. Although violet is not considered as deep as purple,( the colour of Lent), we are still called during this time of preparation for Christmas to examine our lives, to seek forgive-ness, to show kindness to others in our generos-ity and compassion, and to open ourselves up to a more full and joyful rela-tionship with God.

The Trappist monk and mystic, Thomas Merton, in his thoughts on Advent found in his book, Season of Celebration says this:

“Our task is to seek and fi nd Christ in our world as it is, and not as it might be. The fact that the world is other than it might be does not alter the truth that Christ is present in it and that his plan has neither frustrated nor changed: indeed, all will be done according to His will.

Our Advent is a cele-bration of this hope.”

Be environmentally friendly RECYCLE YOUR PAPER!

Your Guide To Local Houses

of Worship

CHURCH DIRECTORY

PONOKA WORD OF LIFE CHURCHPastor Rob McArthur 403-783-5659

Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.Corner of Hwy 53 & Hwy 2A (former Crossroads Restaurant)

www.wordofl ife.ca

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHPASTOR DAVE BEAUDOIN

6230-57 Ave. Ph. 403-783-6404 Saturdays 9:30 - 12 [email protected]

NEW COVENANT BAPTISTREFORMED CHURCH

Currently meeting at Ponoka Christian School 6300-50 St.Worship Service Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Everyone Welcome!phone: 403-783-6962 • www.baptistreformedponoka.org

PARKLAND REFORMED CHURCHSouth on 2A, West on Spruce Road 403-783-1888

Rev. Mitch Ramkissoon Worship Service 10:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.www.parklandurc.org

Associated Gospel Churches of CanadaCHURCH OF THE OPEN BIBLE

Pastor Jerry Preheim • Pastor Matt Sealy3704 - 42 St. Ponoka 403-783-6500

Worship Service 11:00 a.m. • [email protected]

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PONOKASr. Pastor Paul Spate

Erin Dirsten - Fac. Youth & Family Min. & James Crosina - Fac. of Community Life5109 - 57 Ave. Ponoka www.fbcponoka.org 403-783-5533

Bible Discovery Hour 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

PONOKA UNITED CHURCH Minister: Beatrix Schirner [email protected]

Sunday Service 10:00 am.

5020-52 Ave. Ponoka Phone: 403-783-4087

SONRISE CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH

Pastor W. DellemanWorship Service 10:30 a.m.

½ mile south of Centennial Centre for Mental Health & Brain Injury 403-783-6012 • www.sonriseponoka.com

ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC CHURCHFr. Shimit Abraham CFIC

Mass Times: 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 9:00 a.m. Sunday5113 - 52 Ave., Ponoka, T4J 1H6 403-783-4048

[email protected]

ST. MARY’S ANGLICAN CHURCHRev. Donna Willer

Rev. Marty Tuer, Honourary Assistant5120 - 49 Ave. Ponoka 403-783-4329

Sunday Service: Holy Eucharist 10 a.m.www.stmarysanglicanponoka.com

TRINITY EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

5501 - 54 Ave. Ponoka 403-783-4141Sunday Service: 10:30am Sunday School: 10:30am

Pastor Tim Graff • trinityponoka.ca

ZION CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIPPastor Fred Knip

9 miles east on Hwy 53 403-782-9877Jr. Church during service for children

Sunday Service 10:30 am


Refl ections of Ponoka

The early banking boom in Ponoka

During the early settlement of the Ponoka area in the late 1800s and beyond, the opportunities for countless pioneer families to establish their new homes and live-lihoods was overwhelming, but in those humble begin-nings, the funds to achieve their lofty goals would be extremely hard to come by. Many arrived here with only meagre belongings and a few dollars in their pockets, and what they worked so hard to earn had to go right back to supplement their ongoing survival and success-es here on the prairies. Any precious money earned in those days was likely carefully kept under the mattress, in a tin box tucked away in the cellar or in that heavy old black safe in the back room.

But progress would come quickly through great ef-forts and determination, and with an ongoing need for fi nancial support and directions, the fi rst offi cial banking service arrived in the Village of Ponoka in 1902 when Messrs. Farley and Walker of Carberry, Manitoba leased the premises for a tiny bank on main street. On February 17, 1903 The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce continued its western expansion and be-came the fi rst major banking institution to establish an offi ce in Ponoka, which was located in a small frame wooden building across the street from the Royal Hotel, with Roland H. Brotherhood as the fi rst Manager. The next banking service to come to town was a Merchant’s Bank in 1916 beside the local Co-op Store on 51 Avenue and was managed by the congenial Mr. Art Baadsgard, and would later move into a fancy brick building on Main Street, which would later become the fi rst local home of the Bank of Montreal. The BMO later ceased business here for a short time, reappeared in 1961 and opened up in the Cash Food’s building, and then in 1964 unveiled a palatial new branch on the sight of the old Ponoka Town Hall, which still operates today.

As the local banking business continued to boom, the CIBC purchased more property behind the original bank, erected the prominent big red brick building in 1911, which was renovated and extended again in 1955,

Photo courtesy of Fort Ostell Museum

Ponoka’s fi rst major bank was this tiny Canadian Bank of Commerce, which opened in February 1903 in exactly the same location where the present CIBC. stands today. Notice the wooden sidewalks, and the customers rushing to conduct their business early.

Remember When...Photo from Ponoka 50th Anniversary Book

One of the most colorful events of the early history of Ponoka was the lively Indian powwows that were held along Chipman Avenue. The friendly tribes camped in the Battle River Valley for several days, bartered and traded their unique bead work and pelts, and then performed their gala traditional dances in front of huge crowds in the vacant lot where the Ponoka News is now located.

BY MIKE RAINONE FOR THE NEWS

and has gone through many changes to provide the present day institution. It has been told that the fi rst massive steel bank vault came into the Ponoka station in the early 1900s, was transported across the street on Dick Slater’s dray and gingerly moved into place with the help of many local men, and is likely still there today. It would be in 1948 that the fi rst Credit Union would be established in our town in an offi ce next to Dr. Melvin Graham’s historical home and medical facil-ity on 51 Avenue, and thrived under the leadership of President Angus MacLeod and Treasurer Bill McIntosh. Ada McIntosh later took over as the fi rst ever female bank manager in Ponoka, the palatial new branch offi ce of the Ponoka Savings and Credit Union was opened at 4802-50 Street in 2006, then with later amalgamations the present modern facility of Community Savings would be introduced at 4780-Highway 2A just a few years ago. The staff at the Provincial Mental Hospital also organized and operated their own credit union for many years at the massive psychiatric facility.

The Imperial Bank of Canada opened an offi ce in Ponoka on February 27, 1950, and was located in a small frame building just across the street from the local Co-op Store on 51 Avenue, and the fi rst manager was Clifford J. Asp. The facilities were so small that it was necessary to transport the cash and records back

and forth to Wetaskiwin each day, but rapid expansion resulted in a bigger premises in the Jack’s Menswear building, the completion of a posh new two story branch at 5002-51 Avenue in 1959, and the eventual amalgamation with the CIBC in June 1961 under one roof at the busy present corner of 5002-50 street loca-tion.

Ponoka’s fi rst provincial Treasury Branch was opened on April 19, 1939 at the west end of Chipman Avenue under the management of Mr. Frank Robinson, and due to a steady growth and thriving economy would later open their present facility at 5018-48th Avenue. The newest banking institution to be welcomed to Ponoka was the Royal Bank at 5031-51 Avenue. Over the years, in addition to providing our community with the normal fi nancial services of a chartered bank, our long-standing Ponoka branches have provided their customers with such extra perks as safe deposit boxes, extended hours, and of course today’s amazing elec-tronic benefi ts that claim to provide the best 24-7 rates and bang for our buck. Along the way, they have provid-ed countless employment opportunities for hundreds of young men and women to join their congenial man-agement and staffs as well as right from the beginning striving to become a great friend and supporter of all facets of our growing family community.


Opinion

Rural Alberta is up in arms over the recently introduced Bill 6 aimed at enacting legislation to ensure farm and ranch workers’ rights to protection.

Alberta is the only prov-ince in the country without

Proper communication is the key

MUSTAFA ERICEditor

5019A Chipman Ave., Box 4217, Ponoka, AB. T4J 1R6Phone: 403.783.3311 Fax: 403.783.6300 Email: [email protected] every Wednesday by PNG Prairie Newspaper Group in community with: Regional Publisher, Michele Rosenthal

Susan WhitecottonAdministration

[email protected]

Judy DickManager

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Karen DouglassSales

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Jeff Heyden-KayeReporter

[email protected]

Jordie DwyerReporter

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Mustafa EricEditor

[email protected]

All editorial content, advertising content and concepts are protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is forbidden.

a law securing farm work-ers’ rights and eligibility to protection; as a left-leaning, pro-labor government, it is natural for the government of Rachel Notley to want to pass legislation protecting workers.

What is not natural, and probably not clever or perti-nent, is the way the Bill was introduced and had its fi rst reading swiftly approved, sending panic waves among the farming communities throughout the province.

Ever since the fi rst reading was passed on Nov. 17, there has been a growing wave of reaction from opposition parties, farmers’ organiza-tions, individual farmers and municipalities, with many of them sending bus-loads of protesting farmers to Edmonton to make their voices heard at the doors of the Provincial Legislature.

It looks like after her ap-

parently quite successful bid to bring together various seemingly irreconcilable stakeholders of the energy industry in the province, Premier Rachel Notley’s government seems to have overlooked the importance of communicating with the key elements of Alberta’s second most important economic sector.

Opposition critic on ag-riculture, Wildrose MLA Rick Strankman, along with other opposition MPs, has been writing columns and opinion pieces blaming the government for “putting the cart before the horse” with a strong emphasis on the lack of consultation on the part of the government with farmers and farmer orga-nizations and agricultural associations.

The reaction has clearly been noticed and the gov-ernment suspended the

second reading of the law at the Legislature on Nov. 25, announced town hall meet-ings to consult with farmers and farmer organizations and the Minister of jobs, Skills, Training and Labor Lori Sigurdson has had to issue a statement to clarify that 4-H activities were in no way being jeopardized, the kids’ lifestyle in the farm was not to change and there would be enough fl exibility in designing the regulations to satisfy farmers’ concerns before implementation.

Just as the Bill 6 contro-versy was making waves around communities, the government then an-nounced Bill 8, making clear that the provincial govern-ment would now be part of the bargaining process, which engages the school boards across the province with teachers’ union.

Alberta School Boards

Association reacted strongly saying this new legislation would restrict their ability to negotiate salaries raises with teachers; and teachers, despite having campaigned for years for government to take a seat at the table in what is called a “two-tier bargaining process”, still said they would like to see more details and most importantly, criticized the government for giving too short a notice for the legis-lative process to start and be concluded.

What appears to be the common concern in both legislative initiatives is the rush on the part of the government to have the legislation passed and im-plemented without ade-quate consultation with the stakeholders.

Regarding Bill 6, almost everybody agrees that there should be legislation to

ensure the safety of farm and ranch workers. What is opposed is the lack of consultation and the hurry surrounding it. As for Bill 8, again the lack of prior consultation with the rele-vant parties seems to have spurred criticism.

It is understandable for the NDP government to try and quickly pass legislation to respond to the needs of its voter base so that their support will continue when the time comes for the next election.

However, without com-municating its intentions properly to all stakeholders may be working against what the government is trying to do. They will be well advised to remember that poor communications (Albertans should look in the mirror) brought the downfall of the 44-year-old PC dynasty in the province.


PAT results are not the whole storyDear Editor,“If only the parents would

send us better kids!”That would be a crazy

thing for a principal of a school to say, but to some degree it represents what public high schools have said for decades. At PSC, our staff believes every sin-gle student who walks in our door deserves our very best, regardless of personal background, past academic achievement or academic needs. We do not interview a student and their family and see if they will ‘measure up’ to our standards…We open our doors, provide hope and whatever supports are needed and begin to work with them with a goal of 100 per cent of our kids will graduate. Period!

High schools of the past may best be described as fi lters, they separated those that can from those that can’t. We would never say only those that are good strong athletes can take physical education. Why would we say only those that already know math can only take math. It is ridic-ulous, but in days gone by, those students that were not being successful would be ‘withdrawn’ or simply failed and walk away with all the responsibility being placed upon them for their success or failure. In today’s schools, we try everything to get them

through and we share in the responsibility as teachers, students and parents. It may surprise some readers that the same students who fail the provincial PAT in Grade 9 somehow end up passing the Bio 30 exam and get into university. I can tell you it happens consistently at our school. We do not fi lter them to other schools or let them drop out without any intervention at all; we fi gure out what they need and then work tirelessly to get them there, and when they mess up and do something stupid, we don’t cast them aside and let someone else deal with them; we pick them up, dust them off and send them back with even more support.

What the results that have been published do not show you are some of the ‘other’ facts; the fact that many of the students in Grade 9 that come to us directly into Grade 9, come with a very limited educational back-ground. Many read at levels from Grade 2 to Grade 5. If we were to fi lter the kids, our re-sults most certainly would be better, but our society would not. Somehow the most dedicated group of people I have ever worked with, our teachers, take the results you have seen in Grade 9 and get them through to graduation, no matter what.

One may ask why the dropout rate in Alberta is

so high. The answer is quite simple, high schools don’t work for everyone. So why is PSC different, perhaps is it in the environment we are creating, the so called “open classroom” (whatever that is) creates a warmth and support that our students appreciate and they want to be here as opposed to the institutions of old? Or perhaps is it the fact that the “Fridays off”, which are being questioned, are when this staff looks at every single student, one by one, and tries to fi gure out what each individual needs to help them achieve success? Or maybe is it the fact that on those same Fridays, we try to fi nd answers as dedicated professionals on how to get students who are in Grade 9 to read, even if it’s only at a Grade 6 level? In the good old days, a teacher taught just social or chem or bio, now a teacher teaches kids and not subjects.

Our school has under-gone a lot of adversity and challenge; I have watched as students and staff have attended funerals and cel-ebrations, and each time, I am reminded of what really matters. Not that a mark on a PAT is unimportant, it is. But it is just that, a mark that measures, on that one day, how much they know, and provides us a pretty good starting place for what to do

Your school leaders deserve praise, not criticism

Dear Editor,The Ponoka News story of Nov. 18, enti-

tled “Provincial tests results need expla-nation” is right on. What misses the mark completely is the analysis of statistics by reporter Jordie Dwyer that infer Ponoka schools are failing your students.

Comedian George Burns once quipped that we should all attempt to reach age 100 because few people died after age 100; like Dwyer’s analysis, true, but misleading in its inference. I moved to Central Alberta after working as a col-lege educator and chairing the Greater St Albert School Board, so I know a little about education. One of the things that I know is that educators can improve their statistics by “cherry picking” students and it is done all the time, particularly in areas with known low performing com-munities. Our First Nation peoples are one such community where a large edu-cational gap exists. According to a study by Dr. Eric Howe of the U of A, in 2006 in Alberta, over 45 per cent of First Nations youth failed to achieve a high school ed-ucation as compared with 15 per cent for other groups, and education correlates

closely with better jobs, reduced rates of criminality, fewer divorces, fewer fami-ly interventions, greater life satisfaction and even longevity.

A few Alberta schools are challenging that problem by allowing any and all students into their schools. In doing so, they have improved the First Nations student success rate by 11 per cent over a single decade and the numbers are improving yearly. So, the simple answer to the challenge that the Ponoka school results “need explanation” is this: Your educational leaders are prepared to ac-cept diminished schools statistics (not performance) in order to give all young people a real chance at a future. I think it is regrettable that Superintendent Larry Jacobs failed to explain that, because in doing so, he has allowed that article to leave a negative public impression of your schools and their teachers and leaders.

In truth, the schools are better than most and the educational leadership should not be criticized, but commended for their integrity and foresight.

Ron LaJeunesseWesterose, Alberta

Letters

now. Could the results be better? Yes. Do we give up? No. What we seek is support from our parents, students and community to help us achieve our potential; frankly this staff and the students deserve it.

We can blame technol-ogy, but really is that the problem; and if it is, we as parents need to share in the responsibility to help fi x it. We can blame Fridays off, but your kids do the same hours in the classrooms as they always have, but now teachers spend another day trying to fi gure out how to help. If we go back to re-moving those Fridays, our school day gets shorter and is spread out over 10 days, not nine. So, not sure that is the answer either. Maybe it’s society, maybe that’s to blame, or video games, or relationship breakdown, numbers of divorces, tele-vision, movies, drugs…and the list goes on. But when results are not what we want them to be, we look to blame something or someone. I get it and take full responsibility

for our results, but it won’t convince me to return to the days of old where we fi lter out the bad ones, so we make ourselves look better when a newspaper reporter or the Fraser Institute decides to point out test scores.

And fi nally, some things can’t be measured by a test and I will tell you we have the greatest kids I have ever had the honour of working with. While we don’t always agree, they work with us and remind me and our staff every day why we do this.

We want to provide strong citizens in our community who show character and integrity. While we certainly want ones that are educated and achieve high academic standing, my wish for all students is success, whatever that means to them. We want students to leave our school as ethical, entrepreneurial and engaged citizens, ready for any challenge that lays ahead. In that regard, you have a school that every Christmas season goes about creating hope and joy with its Santas Anonymous drive

which feeds and provides Christmas for well over 100 families in our communi-ty, delivered to your door, by PSC kids; kids that for no other reason than to help a custodian, pick up a shovel and clear a front entrance of snow, kids who put on the most remarkable Remembrance Ceremony in the province and are nation-ally recognized for their work, kids that raise thousands of dollars for a variety of causes each year, and a staff that inspires and with the help of every parent, creates young people that I am very proud of, even if they failed a PAT.

We can always do better and I can tell you we con-sistently look for how to do just that, but before we cast stones, I invite every single community member into our school for a day, see what we do, see what we are trying and then see the evidence that success is everywhere, and simply thank a teacher and encourage a kid.

Ian RawlinsonPrincipal

Ponoka Secondary Campus


FCSS donations: (L-R) Town of Ponoka representative Wes Amendt, Ponoka Food Bank president Dean Hill and KidSport representative Deserae Huck each accept a $5,000 donation from Ponoka Family and Community Support Services representative Doug Gill and executive director Shannon Boyce. The presentation was made on Nov. 17 as part of a commitment to give back to the community through support of worthwhile events, projects and programs provided by community organizations.

Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Everyone is welcome to join us for a day of shopping, gift wrapping, festive music and treats!

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QUESTION OF THE WEEK!Our new Question of the Week is

“How do you fi nd out about Town news and events?”

Please let us know, by going to our website atwww.ponoka.ca

and let us know if you prefer the website, Facebook, Twitter,or the Hometown Weekly News. Of course, we think you should check them all!

HOMETOWN NEWS HOMETOWN EVENTSFEATURE NEWS – ROLL OUT THE CARTS PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION

ON DECEMBER 7 AT 6:30 PM – KINSMEN COMMUNITY CENTRE.Bring your questions about the new Waste and Recycling Program and look at the carts. Carts are being delivered this month. Look for your information package inside or check out the information on the Town website - Ponoka.ca. This is also a great time to consider supporting the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse’s recycle program. For information about this option please call them at 403-783-5810

COUNCIL UPDATESNext meeting of Council: Tuesday, December 8. Please note this meeting will be at 7 pm at the Ponoka County Boardroom. This gives everyone time to greet the CP Holiday Train at 5:30! Agenda packages are posted on the website under ‘Town Hall’ in advance of every Council meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.

TOWN NOTICESDraft Recreation Master Plan is on the website for review. This plan goes to Council in January for approval, and we are still seeking your comments. Send them to [email protected] New Heritage & Downtown Committee is seeking members representing Downtown businesses and the public at large. Contact our Economic Development Offi cer Stephen Novak at 403-783-0116Sign Up for Monthly Tax Plan payments -Please sign up by December 18, 2015 for the 2016 Tax Year. You will need to sign a form and be sure to bring a “VOID” cheque with you.Dog Licences are on sale until January 31, 2015 for $25 each. After this date they will be of $40.Winter hours at the Waste Transfer Station have started: 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Recreation Schedules and Aquaplex New are online – http://www.ponoka.ca/community!Ice Rental: Small ice surface is available for rent. Contact Tamara @403- 783-0131

Ponoka Fire Department Weekly ReportPONOKA FIRE WEEKLY REPORT: NOV. 21 – 25

The Ponoka Fire Department is donating Canadian Civil Defense equipment in its possession to the Civil Defense Museum, with some artifacts also made available to our own Fort Ostell Museum. This equipment was provided to First Responders such as Fire Departments in the Cold War Era – the same time that Air Raid Sirens were erected in locations across Canada. It is over 60 years old and a proud part of Canada’s history – we are happy to make these donations to educate people about our history. The Civil Defense Museum will use it at pop-up museums during Emergency Preparedness Week in May.

For the week of November 21 - 25 the fi re department

responded to 6 emergency calls

• 3 Motor Vehicle Accidents • 1 Fatality

• 1 Vehicle in the ditch, driver OK • 1 Multi vehicle accident Fire Crews stood down as it was outside our response area.

CP Holiday Train – December 8 Arrival at 5:30 PM; show from 5:45 – 6:15 pm. This is a fundraiser for our local foodbank! Please donate generously to those in need at ChristmasWinter and spring swim lesson registration start on December 7Christmas Break 3 on 3 Hockey Challenge - December 29 and 30, contact Wes Amendt 403-783-0118Klaglahachie Fine Arts Society Presents Mary Poppins! Details and show times are on the Town Calendar, on Ponoka.ca home pageThink you would like to become a lifeguard? Starting January, Taylor will be coaching a junior lifeguard club at the Aquaplex. Stop in or call the pool for details.

Town Council approved a new Snow Clearing and Ice Control Policy at their November 24 meeting. The goals of this new policy are to improve customer service, improve effi ciency of operations and to ensure the Town is in compliance with current legislation. The full review is a result of a motion last March, where Town Council asked for a review of the Town’s snow removal policy in the downtown core. The Town of Ponoka clears snow and ice from Town streets, lanes, sidewalks and parking lots to improve safety and make sure roads are clear for emergency services. The service also reduces the inconvenience of snow and ice for vehicles and pedestrians. Snow clearing and ice control occurs between November 1 and March 31. In the recent Citizen Budget Survey, residents rated snow removal as their #1 priority when asked how they would spend $20,000 or add $50 to everyone’s annual tax bill. We know that snow removal is important to residents and businesses in Ponoka. The new policy makes the following changes:• Two new zones have been added to improve customer service

• The Priority Routes map is updated • Parking lots, sidewalks, and trail clearing maps are updated• Changes are made to how snow is cleared in the Downtown • The new policy has been prepared to show these changes

in a clear manner• Priority routes are cleared fi rst; the Town will next clear the

Airport Runway, the Downtown (Zone 6) and Commercial and Industrial Areas (Zone 5). Following this, residential areas will be cleared on a rotational basis, once it is safe for workers and equipment to be on the roads. It takes on average 6 passes to clear a roadway during an average snowfall, and in an average year, crews clear 800,000 cubic metres of snow!

• The entire new policy is posted on our website – www.ponoka.ca, including maps that show Priority Snow Clearing Routes and Snow Clearing Zones. We also have a Snow Clearing FAQ that answers common questions on the website. This material is also available for pick up at Town Hall.

TOWN COUNCIL APPROVES UPDATEDSNOW CLEARING AND ICE CONTROL POLICY

Ponoka Snow Removal Zones, revised November 2015.


Local couple co-winners of national farm award

A local couple that have really been at the forefront of pioneering an industry have been recognized for their ef-forts.

Patrick and Cherylynn Bos, who operate Rock Ridge Dairy located southwest of Ponoka, were named the co-win-ners of the Outstanding Young Farmers of Canada (OYF) award at a ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in Edmonton. A couple from Bluevale, Ontario - the Cronins - that run a hog operation were the other co-recip-ients in the annual com-petition that has been running since 1980.

“We were really hon-oured and humbled to be named winners along with the Ontario cou-ple,” said Cherylynn in a phone interview on Monday, Nov. 30.

The Bos family has run a goat dairy operation for the last 18 years,

which now has about 1,400 goats, as well as a milk processing facility for the past nine years that handles a lot of the goat milk produced in Alberta along with or-ganic cow milk. Beside simply bottling the milk, they also produce var-ious dairy products for market across western Canada.

Cherylynn added the award demonstrates how far along their in-dustry has come.

“With the goat dairy industry really in its in-fancy, this kind of rec-ognition will help to set the industry apart from being just another hobby farm. It shows that there are really different ways of handling the family farm to make it viable in the long term,” she explained.

A big reason for their success - and one of the reasons they were se-lected for the award - is their commitment to staying on the cutting

Award winners: (L-R) Sponsor representatives Komie Hossini of Bayer CropScience and Charlene Raymond from John Deere stand with co-winners Mike and Amy Cronin plus Patrick and Cherylynn Bos (AB) and CIBC representative John Steeves for the offi cial award presentation in Edmonton on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Photo submitted

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BY JORDIE DWYER edge of technology in both the goat milking and processing sides. That includes their re-cently installed rotary milking system, which is one of the most tech-nologically advanced systems of its kind in North America.

“Defi nitely, it is our volume of production and our willingness to remain at the top of the technology model that helps to keep us oper-ating effi ciently and re-main sustainable,” she stated.

The Bos couple didn’t start out wanting to run a full scale processing facility, but were able to make it work following the closure of two other facilities in the province. It was that show of in-genuity in the face of adversity and having the strength to take a risk in order to keep going that also made them a choice for the judges.

They also try to inspire and educate through tours - the farm hosted more than 600 people last year - as well as giv-ing back to the commu-nity. Currently, the Bos’ provide the Calgary Food Bank - as part of the Children’s Milk Program - with a 2.5 cents per litre of milk they sell as a donation.

“Every year, our orga-nization recognizes and welcomes more inno-vation and more pas-sion with farm families who are helping shape the dynamic future of Canada’s agri-food sec-tor,” said OYF president Luanne Lynn.

“The Cronin and Bos families both exhibit the values of OYF and the agriculture industry in their unique and suc-cessful farm business-es.”


“Kill Bill 6” was a common phrase uttered widely last week as rural farmers took to the Alberta Legislature to protest the proposed enhanced protection of farm and ranch workers.

Discussion among rural farmers worried over how the proposed Bill 6 could affect their livelihood focused on considering the how the new legislation would bring Occupational Health and Safety (OH and S) oversight and Workers’ Compensation coverage to farms with employees. Those changes are scheduled to come into effect Jan. 1 and some have questioned whether these changes will make it tougher for farmers to do the job they need to do.

Beef farmer and Ponoka County Coun. Mark Matejka said the biggest issue he found was there was little dis-cussion among rural farmers, which created fear and confusion. “We would’ve preferred to see more input from the industry.”

He suggests that uncertainty was exacerbated by how quickly the proposal is recommended for approval. Despite that worry, Matejka feels safety on the farm is important and he does not think any farmer is ques-tioning that.

“It could still work. Some aspects of it are still needed,” suggested Matejka.

“We don’t know how the rules are set up. It’s the un-known that is causing people some concern,” he added.

Labour minister respondsQuestions that arose through social media and among

farmers included how these measures would affect families who have children that help out on the farm and how would 4-H clubs be able to function if workers compensation is required.

Lori Sigurdson, minister of jobs, skills, training and la-bour, said in an interview the purpose behind Bill 6 is to create a safe work environment for farm workers not to cause issues for 4-H clubs and family farms.

She referred to Kevin Chandler, who died in a farm accident in 2006. As there was no farm safety legislation, Chandler’s wife Lorna took the province to task for not including farm safety rules. In the event of a death on the farm, OH and S has no jurisdiction to investigate or provide tools to prevent the death from occurring again, says Sigurdson.

“The worker has a right to protection,” she stated.She added that many details of Bill 6 will take time to

develop and the implementation of workers compensa-tion and Oh and S will be a gradual process.

“We need to take into consideration the vast diversity of farming,” she added.

The proposal requires adolescents to not work for more than two hours on a school day, more than eight hours on a non-school day and between the times of 9

Dozens of farmers converged on the legislature Friday, Nov. 27 to protest the proposed farm safety legislation of Bill 6. Farmers from Ponoka continued to protest the bill on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Naomi McKinney


p.m and 6 a.m.Although all other Canadian provinces have farm

safety legislation, it does not appear that the province investigated how those laws work. Sigurdson said the goal is to make Bill 6 about Alberta and is intended to keep employees on farms safe.

Looking at Bill 6 from a legal perspectiveFrom a legal standpoint, farm safety should be a right

for all farm employees, says Eric Adams, University of Alberta law professor.

The protests faced by the provincial government show errors in judgment by policy makers, according to Adams. The proposed legislation was designed by the majority NDP government with little rural representa-tion. Adams says that when the province wants to pass laws that affect rural constituents, they will come under automatic scrutiny.

He suggests the NDP government may be learning a political lesson in including rural farmers when it comes to planning for their future. Despite these challenges, farm safety must be considered. Adams says there are few industries in Alberta that are not legislated by the

province.The tragic death of four children in in rural Alberta

highlights the need for farm safety.“The government wants to protect workers in terms of

health and safety,” said Adams.From that perspective, Adams suggests these are

reasonable questions. Other provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia also have safety legis-lation.

“Those farms have not come crashing to a halt because the province regulates safety on them,” suggests Adams.

He said there should be some protection for employees of a farm. What the government did not do was proper consultation with rural farmers, he added.

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PONOKA’S NEW WASTE AND RECYCLING PROGRAMROLL OUT THE CARTS FOR A CLEAN, GREEN PONOKA!

The Town of Ponoka offers its utility customers a weekly collection schedule which includes waste (Grey Cart), Blue bag, for recyclables and Yard waste (Green cart) in the summer months

(May 1 to October 31). Carts will be delivered to your home starting in December 2015. This new program helps to keep Ponoka clean and green! It also meets the Alberta Government's requirement to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfi ll, and increase the amount we all recycle. The Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse is a non-profi t based organization that also offers a Blue box program. If you wish to support this worth while community service please contact them for further details. Each cart will contain paperwork like the samples shown here.Zone map- You will receive a zone map and collection calendar for your zone for the entire yearPamphlet - A pamphlet that describes the programCart Placement - When and how to place your rolling carts on collection dayAcceptable items for recyclingThis material is also available on the Town website - www.ponoka.ca. Paper copies are available at Town Hall. For more information please call the Town at 403-783-4431.

To Blue Bagor Not to Blue Bag?ACCEPTABLE MATERIAL

Tin cans Milk cartons Tetra-pak drink containers

juice boxes Aluminum foil & pie plates Paper Plastic bottles and jugs with

recycling logo Boxes (fl attened) Newspaper Cardboard egg cartons Pop cans

UNACCEPTABLE MATERIAL Styrofoam Plastic bags or fi lm Lids of any kind Glass

CART PLACEMENTFront Curb Only

For additional informationplease visit the website at www.ponoka.ca orcontact the Town of Ponoka at 403-783-4431

Blue bags will be collected on alternative weeks

to rolling waste and yard carts pick-up. See the Calendar for details.

Blue bag recycling collection is easy, effi cient and environmentally friendly. By using blue bags you are protecting materials from the elements and preventing material from blowing around in the wind. Blue bags also allow a higher volume of recyclables to be placed out with greater ease, relieving you from throwing so much in the garbage.

*Blue bags do not need to be sorted.

Please fi nd a space outside, perhaps by your garage, for your rolling carts. Make sure the space gives you easy access to your front curb, where carts will be picked up. If you don’t have a garage, try along the side of your house, next to a back or side entry. Storing the organics cart inside the garage is not recommended.

Starting January 4, garbage and yard waste will be collected from new rolling carts. This is a front curb collection service. The new Waste and Recycling Program keeps Ponoka clean and green! It also meets the Alberta government’s requirements to reduce waste going to the landfi ll, and to

increase the amount we all recycle.The carts delivered to your home have serial numbers. These are recorded and will be associated with your address. The paperwork inside the carts includes:• A Calendar showing your NEW 3-DAY Collection Schedule• A Map of the Town that will show your collection zone• An explanation of our new Blue Bag programThe new rolling cart program will ensure cleaner garbage pick-up with less wind-blown debris, greater effi ciency and fewer injuries for handlers. It will also allow you to dispose of your lawn waste right from home.*Please note that Yard Waste Collection (Green carts) will run from May 1 to October 31.Calendars with pick-up schedules are also posted on the Town website - Ponoka.ca and are available at Town Hall.

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Community Check Stop: Emergency crews including the Ponoka Fire Department, EMS, police and Ponoka Victim Services held a Community Check Stop Thursday, Nov. 26 at the Ponoka Elementary School crosswalk with a view to raising awareness on how they serve the community. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye


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Town moves ahead with updated snow removal policy

Council approved an update to the Town of Ponoka’s snow removal policy aimed at increasing service levels within the community.

The decision was made Tuesday, Nov. 24 during council’s regular meeting after Dave McPhee, direc-tor of operations and prop-erty services briefed coun-cillors. Rather than keep several large town zones, McPhee said he created six, smaller zones with an updated service level guideline to meet delay concerns.

With help from new equipment and staff, crews have been able to tackle areas quicker. Part of the demand was seen in recent budget survey results, which showed strong support for snow removal. The increased service levels will also see an increase in operations costs, said McPhee.

He estimates this updat-ed policy will add $50,000 to $80,000 annually to op-erations.

The top fi ve priorities are the main arteries through town, major streets, the airport runway, the down-

town core and the com-mercial industrial zone. Depending the road con-ditions and weather fore-cast, snow clearing will begin when there is an accumulation of 10 cms.

Snow clearing residen-tial streets will rotate from Lucas Heights, the north end of town, the central district and Riverside.

For ice control, crews use a road salt mixed with a sanding material at a va-riety of rates depending on the temperature condi-tions. Priorities start at pri-mary roads, intersections, railways crossings, bridg-es, abutting highways then to collector roads and hills.

The next priority is for secondary roads and their intersections. Crews will then focus on parking lots, lanes and sidewalks.

Waste management open house set

Council requested an open house detailing the new waste management and recycle program be provided. The date is set for Monday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 at the Kinsmen Community Centre. Residents eager to hear more about the pro-gram can attend the open house to have their ques-tions answered.

County reverses decision on grader tradesA change in market conditions has

caused Ponoka County to take a u-turn on a previous decision to not trade-in three graders for the coming year.

During the presentation of the public works superintendent report at its regu-lar meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 24, council revisited the topic of trading in three used graders and purchasing three new ones - as has been recent practice for the county as part of their equipment renew-al strategy.

Back on Oct. 27, council approved fore-going the annual trade-in based on infor-mation provided by administration that showed the benefi ts wouldn’t be realized considering the low Canadian dollar and the growing difference between the value of a new grader and what the county would receive for its used ones at auction.

Since that time, the price for used grad-ers - similar in model and hours of use to what the county has - has become more favourable, prompting administration to request council adjust its thoughts on the process.

County chief administrative offi cer (CAO) Charlie Cutforth explained to coun-cil that some 2013 graders were recently sold at auction for $485,000 - a signifi cant difference than the $350,000 - $400,000 price tag that had been discussed in October.

“If that’s the value our pieces of equip-ment could fetch, the difference between the lower dollar and the price for a new grader doesn’t matter too much,” Cutforth stated.

“However, there would still be a risk attached going to auction as our graders may not realize that value.”

That said, the suggestion from Cutforth and public works superintendent Herb Schwingel was that the county look into purchasing the three graders - as per the regular replacement schedule - while ne-gotiating on pricing with Finning, a com-pany that trades such machinery, as well as with Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers on a value of the used machines that would be suffi cient and acceptable to the county.

Schwingel explained that the delivery time for the new graders would remain

the same as usual - late March - how-ever the price of the new orders would be locked in now, if the go-ahead was provided. He added the order could be set aside, if the used graders don’t meet the re-sale value the county is looking for.

“In the long term, given the economy, if we don’t get back the value for the grad-ers we can always wait and maintain the previous stance of trading in six graders next year,” explained Cutforth.

In the end, council determined it would be best to try and stay with its regular replacement program, so it approved the order of three new graders subject to evaluation of the trade-in value of the used machines with a fi nal decision ex-pected on the purchase during the coun-ty’s 2016 budget discussions.

Road projectsDiscussion took place among council

members on whether to move forward on a pair of road construction projects administration have targeted to start this coming spring.

The projects - one involving about fi ve miles (eight kilometres) of Range Road 43 plus Township Road 440 and the other being the widening and paving of 5.5 miles of Menaik Road - were brought to the table so the county could begin the process of getting landowner agreements and other permits in place so work could begin on the two projects as soon as spring arrives.

Council did approve the two projects proceeding, however council will still have the fi nal say in whether construc-tion starts when they fi nalize the funding during 2016 budget discussions.

Penalty taken off tableCouncil approved a recommendation

from administration that will see one company catch a break on paying its 2015 property taxes owing.

The company, which was not named, had agreed to a payment schedule that would see the fi nal payment made next February. However, as Cutforth explained, doing that would incur some tax penal-ties for the company, which may not be to the county’s advantage in the long term.

“In the MGA (Municipal Government Act), any taxpayer can ask for consider-ation to enter into a payment schedule


BY JORDIE DWYER for their property taxes without penalty. Normally though, those payments are completed before the end of the tax year, and since this particular payment sched-ule extends into the new year, the com-pany would then be subject to penalties,” he told council.

What Cutforth suggested would be a more prudent course is that council ap-prove the payment schedule and exempt it from the approximate $22,000 in penal-ties as the company is a big employer in the region, deals with a number of other municipalities and has been very diligent in working with the county on paying its

dues.Cutforth added he anticipates the coun-

ty will be receiving more requests to enter into payment schedules from companies given the present economic conditions facing the oil and gas industry.

Funding requestCouncil approved their annual contribu-

tion to the Blindman Handi-van Society in Rimbey, despite the request for 2016 coming a tad early. The $20,000 from the county - which was going to be added to its 2016 budget anyway - will be used to assist in paying the salary for the han-di-van’s driver.

Carts are being delivered this month.

Amanda Henderson-Kada, executive director of the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse said she would attend the open house to answer questions resi-dents have on their pro-gram.

Henderson-Kada needs confi rmation from existing or new customers by Dec. 14 that they will utilize the clubhouse’s services.

Utilities and environ-mental committee

Town council ap-proved third reading to establish a Utilities and Environmental Committee to fi nd ways to increase revenue from the town’s utilities.

The make up of the com-mittee will include two councillors, four mem-bers of the public and one member of the Economic Development Board. Each member will have a vote on the committee.

Staff gift and holiday hours

Council approved that town staff will receive $50 gift certifi cates from either IGA or No Frills, or split with both, as a holiday gift. The total value of the gifts is $4,250 plus a safe ride home, estimated at $100 for the staff party at the Curling Rink Dec. 4.

Council also approved the holiday hours for the town offi ce: closed at noon Dec. 24, closed Dec. 25 and 28. Dec. 29 to 30 regular business hours. Closed at noon Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.

Subdivision reportParkland Community

Planning Services ap-proved an application to adjust a property line to accommodate an existing fence.

The lot is categorized under the low density nar-row lot residential off of 39 Street north of Highway 53.


The organizing committee of the SECOND ANNUAL PONOKA FESTIVAL OF TREESSECOND ANNUAL PONOKA FESTIVAL OF TREES

sincerely thanks the sponsors, everyone who donated and purchased live/silent auction items, made monetary donations and the volunteers who helped in so many

ways to make this event such a success!

Th ank You

The success of this fund raising event in support of the Ponoka & District Health Foundation would not have been possible without

each and every one of you. Together this works.

PRESENTING SPONSOR Legacy Ford, Ponoka Legacy Ford, Ponoka OPENING NIGHT GALA Alberta Flares Energy Services Alberta Flares Energy Services

Ltd.Ltd.Vold Jones Vold Auction Co. Ltd.Vold Jones Vold Auction Co. Ltd.Danny Hooper, Auctioneer – Danny Hooper, Auctioneer –

Ponoka Ag SocietyPonoka Ag SocietyBREAKFAST WITH SANTA Town of PonokaTown of PonokaSENIOR’S TEA Ponoka Chrylser Jeep DodgePonoka Chrylser Jeep DodgeFACILITY Calnash Ag Event CentreCalnash Ag Event Centre

PONOKA FIRPONOKA FIR Accu PublishingPonoka FCSSPonoka CountyTantec Electronics Ponoka NewsSunny 94Cervus Equipment

RED CEDARRED CEDARFamily Health ClinicWill’s WeldingServus Credit UnionBob Ronnie CateringGREEN LARCHGREEN LARCH

Ponoka Professional PharmacyBob & Company CateringSommer Home Hardware

Building CentrePonoka & District Chamber of

CommercePeggy Hamilton

MONETARY DONATIONSMONETARY DONATIONSMGM Land Services Jorgenson HomesRowland Parker & Assoc.Ivy PughSherry & Keith GummowTyler FesslerLinc DrynanDwayne & Margo Stretch/Helen

SmithAllison KlimecKelly SperberJoanne & Pat McMillanNell LiddleLori Jones-Holt/Jones AgenciesJoan StaldekerAlberta Willis

LIVE AUCTION DONORSLIVE AUCTION DONORSLaurie River LodgePonoka Stampede Assoc.The Liquor Store/Chad JonesWestjest/Direct Travel & Cruise

CentreAltitude Laser SpaTotally Baked CupcakeryJim Hamilton/IGABoston PizzaMurray SchurVold RodeoBusted Ladies LingerieKim Meyer Neufeld

SILENT AUCTION DONORSSILENT AUCTION DONORSDr. Brett Jones, Prairie Boys Truck & Car Wash, Sommer Home Hardware, Ponoka Physiotherapy, Twisted Label,

H & R Block, Jones Agencies, Randy Hammond Trucking, Sisters Country Rustics, Prairie Points Quilt Shop, Klaglahachie Fine Arts, Direct Travel, Cervus Equipment, Strand Media Corp, The Brick, Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear, Deb Jones, Red Neck Barbie/Bruce’s Tru Hardware, Ponoka Golf Club, MiCasa Imports, Wedin’s Team & Corporate, Barnstorm Creations-Shyla Campbell, Alberta Flares, Scentsy-Melissa Marois, West Central Mechanical, Hot Mess Distressed-Bobbie Jo Van Eaton & Wanda Stang, Manulife Securities-Tim Corkery, Ponoka Stampede Assoc.-Mike Stretch, Ada Ashton, Busted Ladies Lingerie, Flowers For You, The Beauty Bar-Stacey Millard, New Beginning-Amanda Nickerson, Remax - Central Alberta, The Cutting Edge, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rip ‘n Ronnie’s Fitness

Raffl e draw sponsorsRexall Drugs, Cervus Equipment, Judy Dick

Festival of Trees Entertainers Cameron HintonLarry & Lorraine Gustafson


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Any impasse that may have been hindering progress on getting a regional fi re services agreement might have been taken care of.

A meeting between representatives from Ponoka County and the Town of Ponoka on Tuesday, Nov. 24

seems to have created a breakthrough and removed the stumbling blocks that saw talks between the mu-nicipalities on establishing a regional fi re department bog down during the last 12 months of discussions.

Recently, the county began forging its own path on regionalization by passing motions to set up its own fi re department to cover the eastern region in order to

be prepared if an agreement wasn’t reached by April 28, 2016 - the date the current fi re protection agreement between the two expires.

However, according to statements made at the Town of Ponoka’s council meeting on Nov. 24, movement has been made toward signing a new agreement in favour of a regional fi re service.

“As long as we get the same level of fi re service that we have now, or better … that’s what we want,” stated town interim chief administrative offi cer (CAO) Doug Wright at the meeting.

Discussions between Wright and Ponoka County CAO Charlie Cutforth have already begun, as the pair was scheduled to meet earlier this week and the hope of both men is to have a draft agreement complete before Wright’s contract is up at the end of January.

As for the county, they are continuing to put a con-tingency plan in place to provide service should it be necessary.

Regional fi re chief Dennis Jones updated county council at their regular Nov. 24 meeting on the status of those plans.

Jones explained they currently have 16 applicants, as well as about six more pending, that are all ei-ther current or previous members of the Ponoka Fire Department. In addition, Jones has secured commit-ments to maintain mutual aid agreements with all of the surrounding municipalities along with receiving offers to provide apparatus and a variety of fi refi ghting equipment and gear from various department should they need it. There has also been an offer by a local industrial company to provide a building for a tempo-rary fi re hall.

“What that all means is we currently have in place the manpower, location, equipment and support nec-essary to begin providing fi re protection service to the residents of the east side of the county should there be no signed agreement with the town upon the expiration of the present one,” he said.

New regional fi re services consensus coming slowly but steadilyBY JORDIE DWYER AND JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE


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Gym Club hosts offi cial grand opening ending controversial sagaIt was a long time coming

but the Ponoka Gymnastics and Trampoline Club are fi nally the offi cial owners of their land.

The club held an open house Saturday, Nov. 28 at their building with mem-bers having fun with the different equipment avail-able to them. Club pres-ident Barry Groves said he is excited to have such strong community sup-port.

He said approximately 90 per cent of the proj-ect is fi nished with the next phase to complete the upstairs mezzanine and coach’s room. He expects to complete the bridge funding payment to Ponoka County by December.

“This is a kids facility and that’s what it needs to be,” said Groves.

He said for the fall ses-sion 148 kids signed up, an

(R-L) Ponoka Junior B Stampeders captain Cody Lemon presents a donation of $400 to Deanna Groves of the Ponoka Gymnastics Club as well as athletes and other club representatives prior to the team’s game at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Centre on Wednesday, Nov. 25. The donation was to assist the club in their fundraising effort for their new facility and the children also enjoyed a tour of the team’s dressing room plus a chance to chat with some of the players and coaches. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE increase of approximate-ly 30 kids from last year,

which he feels is partly due to installed trampo-

lines and a new home.Mayor Rick Bonnett

added that he is pleased the building is complete. “Glad to see it’s up and going. It’s for the kids and for the community.”

“It’s great to see they’ve got their own building,”

added Bonnett.County Coun. Mark

Matejka is proud of Ponoka County’s fi nancial contri-bution and knows there are many members who are also county residents. “I think it’s wonderful to see the community come

together.”“Our expectation would

only be to see that it grows,” said Matejka.

Groves held a ribbon cutting ceremony for at-tendees with Bonnett and Matejka cutting the rib-bon.

Fiona Nobles smiles upside down Saturday, Nov. 28 as she fl ips through the air at the Ponoka and Gymnastics and Trampoline Club open house. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

RE

CYC

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APE

R!


Raising big dollars: Residents pulled together to raise a whopping $75,950 from the Ponoka Festival of Trees that will benefi t the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre. Here members of the festival committee pose with the cheque reveal Sunday, Nov. 28 at the Calnash Ag Event Centre. Members of the committee pictured (l-r) Tammy Henkelman, Judy Dick, Lori Jones-Holt, Carol Dunn, Theresa Turner, Cec Dykstra and Sherry Gummow. Members of the Ponoka and District Health Foundation pictured (l-r) are Dorothy Ungstad, Barry Neath, Joanne McMillan, Nell Liddle, Jennifer Parker and Kelly Sperber. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Canadian Paci c Holiday Train

Benefi tting the Ponoka Food

Bankby donating cash or food.

Tuesday, December 8th @ 5:30 pm50 St. and 47 Ave. (across from the Brick)

Devin Cuddy Kelly Prescott

Featuring Musical Guests

A Proud Community Supporter

facebook.com/HolidayTrain@CPHolidayTrain

#CPHOLIDAYTRAINwww.cpr.ca

2015RAFFLETO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMS OF THE

CALNASH AG EVENTS CENTRE

PRIZE:2015 John Deere XUV 825i Gator

or $10,000

TICKETS$20.00

2500 Tickets Printed

Draw will be held December 31, 2015at Calnash Ag Event Centre

PRIZE AWARDED MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS SHOWN

TICKETS SOLD AT:Calnash Ag Events Centre, Jones Boys Saddlery & Western Wear,

Busted Ladies Lingerie, and Cervus Equipment

GREAT IDEA FORCHRISTMAS

STOCKING STUFFERS!


See Amid the Winter’s SnowRosedale Valley String OrchestraCentral Alberta Home School ChoirA concert in support of theChristian Life OrphanageMwanza TanzaniaDec 4 Clive Baptist Church, 7:30 pm CliveDec 5 New Life Fellowship Church7 pm, 20 Kelloway Crescent, Red DeerDec 13 Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Centre3 pm, 4501, 50 Street, CamroseA free-will off ering will be taken.

info: 403-783-3446 / [email protected]

Ponoka Drop-In ActivitiesPonoka Drop-In Activities5015 – 46 Avenue5015 – 46 Avenue

Drop-ins welcome at all events.Dec. 20 - 7 pm - Gospel Concert with “Strings n’ Things”

Regular Jam session every Saturday at 1pm

Billiards - Weekdays 1:00pm. Mon through Sat – 50 cents per game. Honour system

Monday Bridge 1:00pm

Monday Whist - 1:30pm

Monday Yoga - 6:30pm

Tuesday Canasta - 1:00pm

Tuesday & Thursday Exercise class 9:30am

Tuesday Pickleball 6:30pm Centennial Centre - contact Janice Mackie 403-396-3160

Tuesday Shuffl eboard - 7pm

Wednesday morning - PIANO LESSONS FOR SENIORS (Sara Driedger 403-790-1980)

Wednesday Sewing Guild 9:30am to 4pm

Wednesday Cribbage 1:00pm

Wednesday Yoga - 6:30pm

Wednesday Duplicate Bridge 7:00pm

Thursday Floor Curling - 1:00pm

Thursday Weaving 1:00pm Welcome to drop-in to see how it’s done

Thursday Bridge 1:00pm

Thursday Art Club Drop In Noon to 4pm

Friday “500” 1:00pm

Saturday Yoga 9:30am

Memberships available for 2016 - $10.00 per person. To rent our facility contact Dorothy @ 403-783-3027

or George @ 403-783- 3514 or leave a message @ 403-783-5012. Rentals are increasing and we would like

to invite our town administration, business groups, and general public (Wedding, funeral, and Birthday

groups), to inquire about rentals services and prices early in their planning. We may fi t your bill!

Tea and sale: Folks came to the Fort Ostell Museum Thursday, Nov. 26 for a fun tea and bake sale. From left, Carol Merkel, museum manager Sandy Allsopp, Elsie Nelson and Betty Peterson enjoy some treats and tea.


Kinettes gearing up for new Centennial Park playground

Anyone driving by Centennial Park may have noticed the playground has been removed but have no fear, a bigger, bet-ter playground is in the works for next spring.

The Ponoka Kinettes have joined forces with the Ponoka Lions Club to construct this new playground and the two groups were recently awarded a Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) grant. With money raised, in-cluding support from the town and county of Ponoka, the group plans to build the playground May 25 to 28 in 2016, says Kinette Leanne Reed.

In an effort to save money on installation, the groups are seeking support from residents to help out during those days, she explained. By having volunteer help — something the Kinettes have always done when it comes to playground con-struction — organizers will be able to save money and add further amenities to the splash park. “We’ve always done community builds,” Reed said.

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE She added that the groups are working close-ly with companies that deal with gravel and ce-ment to help reduce the overall cost of construc-tion. Doing that will help them build small shelters for families at the splash park during the hot sum-mer months.

The new playground, designed by Blue Imp, has

newer features includ-ing two zip lines, several slides, a wheelchair ac-cessible ramp on the play-ground and swings.

“It’s going to have a lot of use,” stated Reed.

Anyone wishing to make further donations or get involved should call Reed at 403-597-1110. She estimates 30 to 40 volun-teers will be needed.

Illustration courtesy of the Ponoka Kinettes


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Town donates treasure trove of Cold War artifactsBY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS

A search of old air raid sirens at the Ponoka Fire Hall revealed a treasure trove of Cold War artifacts dating back to the 1950s and 1960s that has histo-rians eager to show the world.

Recently a Ponoka mem-ber of Edmonton’s Civil Defense Museum was on the lookout for old air raid sirens that were in use during the Cold War. As luck would have it, the member caught a glimpse of some crates that had the stencil markings of the old Civil Defence Health Service on them.

A further look into the boxes revealed old, nev-er-used health and safety artifacts such as fi rst aid kits, stretchers, band aids and other fi rst aid items. Finding the “time cap-sules” — in the words of Fred Armbruster, executive director of the Canadian Civil Defense Museum Association — put him on the edge of his seat, he was so excited.

“The original packaging for me is almost an arti-fact,” said Armbruster.

The items in the crates included complete lists of their contents with ev-erything in their place in-cluding the yellow painted “Canada Health” logos on the bags and other acces-sories. Artifacts marked with a yellow circle and blue triangle indicated they belonged to the Civil Defence and Ponoka’s cache has those same markings.

Understanding just what the artifacts are requires some research into the his-tory of the Civil Defence, says Armbruster.

In the wake of the Second World War, a new threat of war developed between the United States and Russia and in an effort to enhance preparedness in the face of nuclear threat, North American towns began a large scale com-munity-driven defence mechanism. “All of Canada and the Unites States lived in fear of these bombs,” Armbruster added.

“They had to have a mechanism in place ba-sically to help each other out,” he added.

Each municipality had its own civil defence head-quarters, usually a fi re hall, police station or hos-pital, and citizens within the groups had a specifi c hierarchy with wardens to medical personnel to radiology crews to emer-

gency crews. Citizens de-veloped bomb shelters and in some places, says Armbruster, underground hospitals. He referred to Medicine Hat, which un-covered an underground hospital some years ago.

“There was a civil defence

organization in Ponoka,” stated Armbruster.

How these artifacts ar-rived in Ponoka is un-certain but it is believed they were delivered to the Fire Hall sometime in the early 1990s. Town coun-cil approved the items be

donated to the Canadian Civil Defence Museum Association and Fort Ostell Museum.

What’s next?Taking a detailed cata-

logue of the artifacts and crates will be Armbruster’s fi rst order of business.

He wants to work with Sandy Allsopp, Fort Ostell Museum manager, to put together an exclu-sive Ponoka display for residents during Alberta Emergency Preparedness Week in the fi rst week of May, 2016.

Eventually Armbruster wants to take these arti-facts across the country. His goal is to tell the story of the days of the Cold

War, which is one of the reasons the group looks for old air raid sirens. They collect them and refur-bish them. “Until we came along there was no one to tell the history.”

Finds like this don’t come often but when they do, they just lead the way to more discoveries. Armbruster hopes fi nd more caches like this in the near future.

These fi rst aid items show some of the Civil Defence fi rst aid artifacts used during the Cold War recently discovered at the Ponoka Fire Hall and date back to the 1950s and 1960s.

Photo by Donna Brinkworth


Join us at the newly-renovatedPonoka United Church for our bestshow yet! Runs Fridays throughSundays, November 27-December 12.Tickets may be purchased by calling403-783-4087 or visiting kfatheatre.com

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MSW Meats held a holiday craft sale Friday, Nov. 27 at their farm to bring shoppers to their business. Other home crafters were invited to the show. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

MSW Meats hosts holiday marketBY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYEPONOKA NEWS

Crafters enjoyed a chance to show their wares during an open house at MSW Meats Friday, Nov. 27.

The annual open house was hosted by MSW Meats in an effort to get peo-ple out to the country to purchase holiday crafts as well as see some of the free range, grass fed meat products the farm has for sale, explained owner

Mark Stewart.“They’ll come and see

that we’re out on the farm and we try to do things the right way,” said Stewart.

His hope is to generate new customers to prod-ucts from smaller farms. Indeed, Stewart said the open house is a great way to meet the whole family. He feels there is growing interest from consumers who want to know what goes into the food they buy.

“It’s really good for the farmers because … tak-ing the product that we raise and making it avail-able in the freezers and to the public. People are really starting to catch on to that,” said Stewart.

He has a variety of prod-ucts available such as elk, longhorn cattle, grass fed organic meat and at the store at his farm the family offers a variety of steaks, burgers, sausages, beef jerky and more.

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The grains market con-tinued to trade through the U.S. Thanksgiving week with a stronger U.S. dollar, amidst a lit-tle more geopolitical risk in the Middle East and more economic in-dicators suggesting a Federal Reserve interest rate move higher some-time soon. Some hotter temperatures in India (thanks El Nino) are

Don’t cry for me Argentina

Crestomere 4-HMulticlub news

For the month of November, the members and the cleaver kids got the pleasure of having guest speakers at our meeting.

The members had a judg-ing workshop after the meeting, followed with their projects. Riley Sharp, a former 4-Her with lots of judging experience came to tell us the do’s and don’t’s of judging.

Everyone received their project books and we dis-

cussed the budget for this year. Sewing members start-ed making pillow cases from their own fabrics. Woodworking members are getting experience with basic hand tools, and learn-ing to build a tractor out of wood. The more experi-enced members are working on more advanced skills with power tools. The Small Engines members started identifying parts of an en-gine. Sheep members went to the Gull Lake Veterinary Clinic for a biosecurity work-

BY MACKENZIE GILLARD

leading to slower and/or smaller plantings of wheat and rapeseed crops there, suggesting that imports of cereals and veggie oils in 2016 is sure to be higher. Also pressuring markets was a new pro-business leader being elected as president in Argentina, a hopeful change for a country that’s been plagued by 20–30 per cent annual infl ation since they defaulted as country 14 years ago.

Managed money con-tinues to kill its long positions in the futures markets as we head into the winter months only soyoil and soybean fu-tures holding a net long position as of November 15th (albeit barely). Oil prices continue to act like they’re consistently getting taken out back behind the wood pile and getting spanked,

which is part of the rea-son soybean and cano-la prices remain pres-sured. Canola crush margins are about 50 per cent of what they were a year ago, which is why the smart move seems to be contracting canola to move grain in later months.

A couple more thoughts on Argentina: how does the govern-ment change affect grains? New Argentine President Macri is plan-ning to immediately cancel all export taxes on wheat and corn, and kill the 35 per cent% export tax on soybeans through February. This is signifi cant consider-ing that it’s been esti-mated that Argentinian farmers are holding onto about 22 million tonnes of grain that they’ve been waiting to sell once the new gov-

ernment relaxes the export taxes. Further, add in that their harvest starts around February, it could turn out to be a constant rush of South American product fl ood-ing the market.

That being said, the U.S.D.A. is currently fore-casting 5 million tonnes of wheat to be exported by Argentina this year, 16 million tonnes of corn, and 10.75M tonnes of soybeans, but with this new government, it may not be unrealis-tic to add 10 or 20 per cent to these numbers. The interesting thing moving forward though will be watching the soymeal market though as Argentina has been the #1 exporter of the feedstuff for a long time (almost 47M tonnes in 2015/16 forecasted by the USDA) but with it looking cheaper to ex-

port soybeans, the soy-meal processing piece may become a small-er denominator in the scheme of things.

The usual reaction by now “What the heck is Brennan talking about Argentina so much for?” Fact: had it not been for their government export taxes Argentina could easily be the #2 or #3 exporter of corn AND soybeans. With govern-ment deregulation like the new Argentinian President is proposing, it can shift the tide of how business is done, in this, a more globalized grain industry. Simply put, with Argentina defi -nitely increasing their exports, this means sub-stitution of other things elsewhere. Further, it may take away more barley acres in the South American country (it’s been a safe crop to grow

because it isn’t taxed). All in all, you may not cry over Argentina, but those losing market share to their new pol-icies may.

To growth!Brennan TurnerPresident & CEOFarmLead.comBrennan Turner is origi-

nally from Foam Lake, SK, where his family started farming the land in the 1920s. After completing his degree in economics from Yale University and then playing some pro hockey, Mr. Turner spent some time working in fi nance before starting FarmLead.com, a risk-free, transparent on-line and now mobile grain marketplace (app avail-able for iOS & Android). His weekly column is a summary of his free, daily market note, the FarmLead Breakfast Brief. He can be reached via email [email protected]

shop. Veterinary Science started looking at the basic structures of cells in a body, and how they work together.

The Cleavers had two guest speakers, Jen Blaire, and Mark Cutts. Jen Blaire is an agricultural reporter for the Alberta Farmer. She came to explain what it takes to be an agricultural reporter, and showed us that you don’t have to live on a farm to love agriculture. Mark Cutts came to teach about different types of soil, and they got to play in the dirt. He also taught about water fi ltration in sand, soil, and clay. The Cleavers were then given a tour of Stamm Dairy. “We got see how they robotically milked cows,” one of the excited kids told me.

So, overall it was tons of fun for everyone, We are looking forward to our next events, including our public speaking workshop and the Christmas party.

Ponoka Fish and Game news

November is here again but so far it has been great weather wise. Every good day we have this time of year helps make the win-ter a little shorter. A lit-tle snow would have been nice for hunting but we can enjoy what we have. Speaking of hunting - we took our yearly trip to the far north in October, the weather was great for hunting there, only had one rainy day in the two weeks we were there. That is a blessing for it is all gumbo up there when it rains. You had better stay on the hardtop.

The game was in good shape as there were a lot of second growth crops that the game like to feed on. You still have to have plenty of patience to harvest an elk or moose as they are not standing around all day in the open waiting for you. We did okay this year so makes it

SUBMITTED BYROBERT GREENEPUBLICITY CHAIRMAN

worth while going so far to hunt.

Things are winding down for the year at the club, but we still have horn measuring coming up on December 6 at the club house. If you have some-thing to measure, bring it on out.

Our membership for this year is now at 850 plus. There are not many clubs in Alberta who have more members per population as the Ponoka Fish and Game. Some clubs have bigger numbers but they have a bigger population to draw from than us.

There have been some changes in obtaining a gun license. There will no longer be a P.O.L. license, it has been changed to a P.A.L. Also there will no longer be any Challenge courses. If you need to get a license you must take the complete course.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which now has a huge membership, has now secured over two

million acres of habitat for hunting. That is quite a chunk. They have bought and been donated land by lots of people who have their property left for fu-ture generations to have a place to hunt. Great!

Hope all of you read the a article in your Outdoor Canada magazine about Cecil the lion. Sure did not take long for the an-ti-hunters to jump on that story, did it? There are some good points made by George Grunfi eld, who wrote this article. If you have not read this story, pick up your magazine and do so.

It is not very long be-fore we start or new year programs, which starts with our annual Awards Banquet the fi rst Saturday of February. Then our year-ly Alberta Fish And Game Conference that will be held in Edmomton the third week of February.

Have a great Christmas Holiday and a happy New Year to all.

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Stampeders keep building their muscles

In a two-steps-forward-one-step-back week, Ponoka Stampeders con-tinued to build up con-fi dence in their journey for what they hope to be a playoff spot by defeat-ing Blackfalds for the fi rst time in a few years, over-powering Stettler but fall-ing to Okotoks of south-ern division.

In their fi rst game of the week against Blackfalds on the road on Tuesday, Nov.24, Stampeders man-aged to score six goals conceding only three, a result that made head

coach Tyler Fiveland happy, proud and more hopeful. It was in the sec-ond period in that game that the Stampeders es-tablished their suprema-cy with three successive scores by Braeden Grant, Jordan Wombold and Nate Higgins, adding to the fi rst goal in the fi rst period by Jess Fischer and beefed up by the two goals in the third by Nate Higgins and Teagan Colonna.

Fiveland said defeating Blackfalds was a major confi dence booster for the Ponoka boys. “It is now high up in their mind that they can win over teams

like Blackfalds,” he added.The home game against

Stettler on Wednesday, Nov. 25 seemed chal-lenging at times but it was overall a rather easy fi xture for Stampeders. Ponoka boys got on the board in the fi rst two minutes of the game with Jordan Wombold. In just another minute, Tyson Crampain opened the lead to two goals, but that was all the fans were to see in terms of scoring by any team until well into the third. Five min-utes into the second, a major brawl involving all the players on the ice

ended up with ejection of players from both teams and a fi ve-minute penalty against Stampeders, who did an effective job of penalty-killing, depriving Lightning of any chance to score. But the Ponoka boys also squandered the chance of a four-minute power play with only four Lightning players on the ice by failing to score.

In the third, the visitors raised the stakes when they scored in the fourth minute sending the hosts to a heightened attack mode, which resulted in Stampeders’ third and last goal of the game in

the fi fth minute.In the game against

Okotoks on Friday, Nov. 27, Nate Higgings respond-ed to the hosts’ fi rst goal within a minute in the middle of the fi rst, and in the second, Brendan Scott put Stampeders in the lead in the fourth minute. But in the third period Okotoks scored three in a row to extract the two points out of the game.

Fiveland said his team was improving at both the defensive and offen-sive ends. “We are now having a big handle on the defl ections, earlier we were leaving a lot of

pucks in the front of the net unattended, now we are helping our goalie a lot more.” He added that, as demonstrated in the game versus Blackfalds, his offensive line was fo-cusing a lot more on scor-ing.

In the Okotoks game, he said Stampeders had out-shot their hosts by a sub-stantial margin and they were all targeted shots.

In an important test of their newly found con-fi dence, Stampeders will take on Blackfalds at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Centre on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 7:45.

BY MUSTAFA ERIC

Cody Lemon of Stampeders blocked by Lightning goalie and defenceman in his attempt to create a scoring opportunity on Wednesday, Nov. 25 at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Centre. Stampeders won the game 3-1.

Photo by Mustafa Eric


The annual Season’s Greetings supplement The annual Season’s Greetings supplement offers you an opportunity to thank your customers offers you an opportunity to thank your customers for their patronage and send Christmas greetings.for their patronage and send Christmas greetings.

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Broncs senior girls battle hard at provincialsOverall, chalk up a trip

to the provincial cham-pionship as an experi-ence not to be forgotten.

That’s how Ponoka Secondary’s Broncs se-

nior girls volleyball coach Ron Labrie basically de-scribed his team’s ap-pearance at the 3A Girls Volleyball Provincials in Bonnyville on the week-end.

“Our provincial expe-

rience was outstanding. Bonnyville Centralized High School were out-standing hosts,” he stat-ed.

The Broncs had a great round robin, fi nishing with four victories and

The Ponoka Secondary senior girls volleyball squad fi nished a respectable fi fth at the recent provincial championship tournament in Bonnyville.Front row (L-R) Hailey Boser, Hannah Hahn, Ferron French-Scott, Sawyer Liddle, Delaney BrachmannBack row (L-R) Sarah Morin, Kiana Weed, Chloe Labrie, Tess Pearman, Lauren Bussiere, Carmen Lomas, McKenzie Henderson, Coach Ron Labrie Missing: Coach Ranelle Muncast

Photo submitted

Bantam team makes it to C fi nals

Ponoka Minor Hockey’s Bantam Moose team didn’t win last weekend’s home tournament but they are show-ing improvement.

Coach Ryan Raugust said they made it to the C fi nals and while they didn’t win overall, the players grew from the experience. His goal over the weekend was for the players to go out and play hard each and every game. He said maintaining a high level of intensity was their biggest challenge over the course of the tournament.

“It’s a lot more fun when you’re giv-ing it your all,” said Raugust.

He suggests a memorable game ex-perience comes with giving strong energy. Indeed, Saturday, Nov. 28 5 p.m.game against Athabasca proved to be a winning one. Players passed the puck on a regular basis bringing it ever closer to the opposition net, which in-

creased their chances of scoring.Their passing plays proved too much

for Athabasca who struggled to keep up. Raugust said something coaches have been working on during practic-es is passing at least 20 times before getting the puck to the net. Players have taken well to the strategy, says Raugust, and they have made the drills into a fun part of the practice.

Raugust said there was only one team at the tournament who they had played before, which made it a fun experience. His team has players from other central Alberta communities such as Clive and Bashaw. Normally it takes some time for players to develop strong team camaraderie but Raugust says players have settled in quite well.

As for the regular season, the Moose team sits in the fourth spot out of six teams with a record of 3-6-0. Their next game is set for Dec. 12 at Sylvan Lake.

Mason Vogel, of the Bantam Moose team, takes a shot against the Athabasca goalie Saturday, Nov. 28 during the team’s tournament. The team made it to the C fi nals.


BY JORDIE DWYER


one loss in their pool.They opened the 12-

team, two pool tour-nament with a loss to the number three seed St. Joes Catholic from Grande Prairie 25-11, 25-23 on Thursday after-noon (Nov. 26).

However, the girls stormed back with a dominant 25-14, 25-11 performance Friday morning (Nov. 27) over the 11th seeded host Bonnyville squad. The Broncs had a much tougher match that af-ternoon against the 10th seeded team from Taber, but eventually would get the edge winning 25-20, 16-25, 16-14. The Broncs would cap off with the

day with a 25-16, 25-22 win over 6th seeded St. Martin de Porres from Calgary.

Ponoka finished off their round robin on Saturday morning (Nov. 28) defeating a very tough 7th seed from Morinville 25-15, 27-25.

That left them in sec-ond in their pool and moved them into the quarterfinals against Springbank, but fell in straight sets.

Labrie added the girls battled hard throughout the tournament We had only dropped one match to the eventual Silver medalist St. Joes from Grande Prairie.

“Springbank is a strong

team with two setters who ran a 6-2 offense with enormous height on the wings. They had excellent ball placement and great outside hit-ters, but we thought that our quick offense and strength in the middle would be a good match up,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the girls gave away too many points on our serve in addition to some below average passing early.”

Springbank would eventually wind up with the bronze, losing in the semifi nal to St. Albert Catholic who went on to capture the provin-cial title over St. Joes Catholic.


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The Midget Fountain Tire Wolves faced off against the central Alberta RCMP hockey team Tuesday, Nov. 24 to raise money for Ponoka’s KidSport. More than $1,500 was raised at the game.


Midget Wolves face off with RCMP for fundraiserThe Midget Wolves hockey

team and members of the central Alberta RCMP hockey team faced off last week in a fundraiser game to raise money for a program aimed at getting kids into team sports.

It was on Tuesday, Nov. 24 at the Ponoka Culture and Recreation Complex that the two teams worked to bring money to Ponoka’s KidSport program, says treasurer Kathy Matejka. “The team has come together to put this fundraiser on.”

Donations of $3 to watch the game plus other fund-raising efforts helped raise more than $1,500, which Matejka credits the RCMP members and midget team for accomplishing. “I think the boys have done a good job in pre-sales,” she added.

Wolves assistant coach Peter Hall helped bring everyone together for the game and he suggests it is a great opportunity for ca-maraderie between players and the RCMP members.

“This is not competition. It’s just about fun and to raise some money,” said Hall.

His players put in extra ef-fort and pre-sold 400 tickets

BY JEFFREY HEYDEN-KAYE to the game. They did such a good job the parking lot was completely full, added Hall.

KidSport is a non profi t organization that provides funds to families who want to involve their kids in

team sport activities, says Matejka. “This year so far, we have funded 48 kids.”

She added that this year the need has been greater due to a struggling economy.

RCMP Const. Adam Al-

Kadri said the night was a good opportunity to have a fun game with the midget team and to continue to grow community relations. Const. Ryan Koehli has been part of the fundraiser for

the last three years and is the former midget coach. Being able raise money for KidSport is something he feels is important.

“I think any team sport teaches life skills and hock-

ey is no different,” said Koehli.

He suggests KidSport is a positive way to get kids in-volved in those team sports.

As for the game, the RCMP won 12-7.


Everyone

Welcome!Come CheckIt Out!

Olympian Jessica Phoenix hosted an equitation clinic last weekend at Extreme Stables giving riders tips to better jumping. Here (far right) she guides a rider and horse through a jump.


Horse riders learn ins and outs of eventingOlympic horse rider Jessica Phoenix gave central

Alberta horse riders important tips and tricks in the equine eventing discipline last weekend.

The clinic was held at Extreme Stables east of Ponoka where Phoenix worked with riders to better understand eventing and how to handle their horses. The three day clinic started with dressage where no jumping is involved, the second phase worked on jumping over fences that can fall down and the third phase worked on cross-country fences.

“You’re galloping upwards of 25 miles per hour at fences that don’t fall down,” said Phoenix.

She taught horses and riders techniques and specifi c footwork to make a successful jump. Results of the clinic gave riders a better understanding of their horses and it created a stronger bond between the horses and their riders.

The Olympic rider has represented Canada in count-less international competitions including at the Pan American Games, where she has won several med-als for her skills in eventing. Her efforts also landed Canada a spot at the Rio 2016 summer Olympic games.

Getting to that level of competition takes more than just a rider and horse, says Phoenix. Aspiring eventing Olympians will need a team of individuals who know what they are doing.

She suggests family and coaches are just as import-ant as the veterinarian and farrier. “It just all goes into that success at the end of the day … make sure you’re with the most positive people that you can be with.”

Equestrian sports are gaining some momentum worldwide, says Phoenix and she sees growth due to interest from mainstream media. The sport as a whole is growing momentum and Phoenix is optimistic about what that will do for athletes and the industry. “Just growing the sport that way at the grassroots level is what will make us more competitive on the world stage,” she adds.

Seeing improvements from riders is an important part of why Phoenix hosts her clinics. “I honestly feel whether you’re at the Olympic games having your best personal performance or whether you’re in a situation like this teaching somebody…where it’s just complete clarity, it’s incredibly rewarding as a professional and that’s why I love what I do,” said Phoenix.

Stable owner Angie Golley intends to hire Phoenix again to bring further training for riders in the area.

Adam’s Chevrolet Super League Curling

standingsWednesday, Nov. 25 was the fi fth week

of the Adam’s Chevrolet Super League Curling.

With round robin play now complet-ed, the playoff format has been de-termined with the division of the 12 teams into three pools. Pool “A” will have the top four teams of Sherrer, Baron, Stebner and Classic Granite Works curl-ing for the top money. The middle four teams of Adam’s Chevrolet, Brake, Lea and Waldren will compete for money in Pool “B”. Pool “C” will consist of the teams of McKelvie, Ponoka Professional Pharmacy, Riske and Walton. With close races in each pool, the stage is set for a very exciting remaining three weeks of playoff action.

Adam’s Chevrolet Super League Curling standings going into the fi rst week of playoffs are:

Pool “A”· Sherrer- 330· Baron- 310· Stebner- 305· Classic Granite Works- 280Pool “B”· Adam’s Chevrolet- 210· Brake- 190· Lea- 190· Waldren- 180Pool “C”· McKelvie- 130· Ponoka Professional Pharmacy- 115· Riske- 85· Walton- 75


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Ponoka Jubilee Library wants to know what you think

Here at Ponoka Jubilee Library we are always striving to provide you with the best service pos-sible. With that in mind, we have created a very short survey that we are hoping people will fi ll out for us, so that we can

Our body should be the most precious thing that we own

MIKE RAINONEHAMMERTIME

BY JACLYN BERRY

gauge how the library is doing, what we can work on, and what we can offer in the future to help the library be a great place for everyone in our communi-ty. The survey is available two ways: fi rst, you can come to the library at 5110 48 Avenue and fi ll out a paper copy, or second, you can go online and fi ll out the survey, which is found at https://www.survey-monkey.com/r/L9DPV6H. It should only take a min-ute or two to fi ll out, and we appreciate everyone’s opinions.

Just a reminder that

we still have a few 2016 Charlie calendars still available. These calendars feature 12 different full-co-lour pictures of Charlie, doing all the things that she does best, such as re-laxing in the sun, hitching a ride on a wagon, steal-ing heat from a furnace vent, and many more cute things. The proceeds from the sale of calendars are split evenly between the ‘Charlie Fund’ which helps pay for Charlie’s food, treats, litter and vet bills, and the ‘Free Membership Fund’ which has helped maintain our free mem-

berships into 2016. They make a great Christmas gift, come get yours before they’re gone.

This Saturday, Dec. 5 is our ‘Vintage Family Christmas’, from 1 to 3 p.m. Each family who reg-isters for the event will be given a live miniature ever-green tree to decorate with the vintage Christmas or-naments that they create. Call the library at 403-783-3843 or stop by to book your family a spot. This program is free-of-charge, but we are accepting food bank donations.

We have a wreath mak-

ing evening on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Be taught to create a Christmas swag wreath, made from fresh boughs and all the trimmings. The cost of the class includes all supplies and instruc-tion. Space is limited, so you must register and pay in advance; any questions, contact the library.

There has been a sharp increase in food bank use this year, and we at Ponoka Jubilee Library would like to do all we can to help those in need, especially during the holiday season. With that in mind, we will

have a collection box at the library from now until December 22. Please bring your non-perishable items down to the library over the next month and we will be sure to pass them along. Let’s help make ev-erybody’s holidays a little brighter.

Coming soon: From Gillian Flynn, author of ‘Gone Girl’ comes an hom-age to the classic ghost story, with her novella ‘The Grownup’. This story proves once again that Gillian Flynn is one of the world’s most original and skilled voices in fi ction.

Forget the diamonds, the furs, the fancy vehicles, the palatial homes and all the other fancy toys and perks that we possess, because in the end, it is our body that should be the most precious thing that we own. After all, our body works for us 24-7 for a life-time for no pay and quite often far too much play, and as we have all discovered on many occasions if we don’t treat it right, it may not always perform as we expect it to, especially as it ages.

*Our heart pumps approximately 2000 gallons (7571 litres) of blood through its massive maze of chambers every single day, and is required to beat more than 100,000 times a day to achieve this most incredible feat.

*On average, all of us take around 17,000 breaths a day, and we don’t have to think about a single one of them. Yet, if you want to stop breathing temporarily for swimming, to stop hiccups, or whatever else, we are easily able to do that, because a typical pair of adult lungs is able to hold a huge six liters of air for quite a while.

*Every day our body ensures that we don’t contact cancer thousands of times over by sending special enzymes scuttling around to inspect DNA strands for faults and to fi x them before they turn into tumours.

*Did you realize that our brain never stops working, and it is estimated that between 50,000 and 60,000 thoughts pass through it each and every day, which is a whopping total of 35-48 thoughts every minute.

*The cells in our stomach lining produce an alkaline substance every few milliseconds to neutralize stomach acid, and if they didn’t do this your tummy would digest itself, because some of those acids are strong enough to dis-solve metals.

*Did you know that we blink about 28,000 times every day, with each one lasting about 1 second? This voluntary refl ex is what our body uses to keep the eyes clean and moist, which is very crucial given that 90 per cent of the in-formation we receive is visual, and can justify any vital scene or image in just 0.01 seconds.

*Most of the body’s energy is expelled via heat, and our body produces the same heat as 25 light bulbs over the course of a single day. Is that why we sometimes have hot fl ashes?? Quick facts: Red blood cells travel around the body in less than 60 seconds and make 1440 trips a day; body cells replenish themselves every 24 hours; we shed more than 1 million skin cells every day; a healthy full scalp contains 100,000 hair treads; and the brain and mouth work together to allow us to speak around 5000 words a day, but not always in synch.

Whatever the case we should always love, pamper, protect, and be very proud of our body, providing it with ample rest, fun times and proper nutrition and diet, enjoying our own choice of exercise and fresh air, taking regular medical check-ups, drinking lots of water to keep it moving. We may not always feel in tip-top shape or the best of moods each and every day, but we must always strive to feel good about ourselves, and then just go ahead and have a great week, all of you.

ComingEvents 52

ComingEvents 52

Arts & Crafts Shows ..................50Class Registrations....................51Coming Events ..........................52Lost ............................................54Found ........................................56Companions ..............................58Personals...................................60Bingos........................................64Fitness & Sports ........................66Happy Ads .................................70

What’s Happening#50 - # 70

ComingEvents 52

Bentley ChristmasCraft & Gift

SaleSat. Dec. 5th

10 AM to 3 PMBentley

Community HallLots of local

vendors with a wide variety of items for your

shopping pleasure!

Something for EveryoneEveryday in Classifieds

ComingEvents 52

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Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Salein Classifieds

Lost 54$5000 REWARD

leading up to or for thefi nding of 14 missing

simmental cows and 13 calves. Cows have a brand of TLX on the left rib and also possibly a brand of

PG (‘G’ is backwards) on the left rib. Calves are probably unbranded. Went missing

in Alliance/Sedgewick area. Phone 780-386-3745

or 780-888-1258.

Meetings 59AL-ANON WEEKLY MEETING

FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ALCOHOLICS.

Tuesdays 8 p.m.Neighborhood Place

5110 - 49 Ave., PonokaFor more info 403-783-4557

ALATEEN Weekly meetings

Tuesdays @ 8 p.m. Neighborhood

Place5110 - 49 Ave.

PonokaFor more info.

403-783-4557 or 403-783-8371

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Monday night meetings at the Anglican Church Ponoka 8:30 p.m. Phone 403-783-0719 for info.

THURSDAY AA Meetings at 8:30 p.m. in the

Catholic Church basement.52 Street & 52 Ave.

Ponoka. 403-783-4347403-783-3442

Celebrate your lifewith a Classified

ANNOUNCEMENT

We change daily to serve you better.

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Employment#700 - #920

Caregivers/Aides................710Clerical ..............................720Computer Personnel ..........730Dental ................................740Estheticians........................750Hair Stylists ........................760 Janitorial ............................770Legal ..................................780Medical ..............................790Oilfield ................................800Professionals......................810Restaurant/Hotel ................820Sales & Distributors ..........830Teachers/Tutors..................840Trades ................................850Truckers/Drivers ................860Business Opportunities......870Miscellaneous ....................880Volunteers Wanted ............890Positions Wanted ..............895Employment Training ........900Career Planning ................920

Caregivers/Aides 710

IN HOME caregiver for elderly parents, optional

accommodation avail. at no charge on a live in basis, this is not a condition of

employment, driving req’d, F/T on farm near Rimbey,

$15.75/hr. Equal opportunity employer.

Encourage all applicants. email:

POSITION FILLED

Medical 790HUGE DEMAND for

Medical Transcriptionists! CanScribe is Canada’s top

medical transcription training school. Learn

from home and work from home. Call today!

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MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! In-demand career!

Employers have work-at-home positions available.

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1-855-768-3362 to start training for your work-at-

home career today!

Medical 790MEDICAL TRAINEES

needed now! Hospitals & doctor’s offi ces need

certifi ed medical offi ce & administrative staff! No

experience needed! We can get you trained! Local job placement assistance available when training is

completed. Call for program details! 1-888-627-0297.

Restaurant/Hotel 820

BENTLEY SUBWAY

has immediate openings for permanent full time

and part time FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISORS for all shifts between 6:30 AM and 10 PM.

Duties include supervise and coordinate activities of staff who prepare and portion food, train new

staff, establish work schedules, order food and supplies, maintain records of stock, sales,

repairs, wastage, ensure food quality and control. Must be friendly,

reliable, and a team player. The ability to work under pressure in a fast paced environment is

necessary. High School Diploma, Food Safety

Certifi cate, and at least one year experience in

the food service industry is required. Must be able to work days, evenings,

weekends. Starting wage $13.75/hr with benefi t package available. Apply in person at 4930 - 50 Avenue

Bentley between 6:30 AM and 9 PM, or by email to [email protected]

Cameron Bay Holdings Inc. o/a McDonalds’s in Ponoka and Red Deer (Gasoline Alley East and West) is now hiring full time and part time Food Service Supervisors. Wages are between $13.95 to $16.00 per hour,depending upon experi-ence and qualifi cations. Candidates must be able to work a variety of shifts and have 3 to 5 years pre-vious experience. Must be able to supervisor up to 20 crew. Part-time applica-tions will be accepted fromCanadians and PermanentResidents. Apply in person4419 Hwy 2A, Ponoka,37479 Hwy 2, Red Deer,and 37428 Hwy 2, Red Deer or email resume [email protected] or fax to403-783-4251.

Legion AuxiliaryGift & Bake SaleSaturday, December 5

10 am - 4 pmYour One Stop ShoppingHome Business, Bake Sale, Toys, Crafts, Raffl es & Silent AuctionTo book a table phone Marlene

403-783-6560

For tables or more information call Donna at 403-783-6776

Wednesday, December 211:00 am – 3:00 pm

Wednesday, December 911:00 am – 3:00 pm

Thursday, December 3 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Thursday, December 10 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

At the Royal Canadian Legion, Hwy 2A

LUNCH AVAILABLEPROVIDED BY THE LEGION LADIES

PONOKA FARMER’S MARKET Christmas Markets

Internationally Acclaimed Speakers

Advertising • Page DesignSales • Creative Cloud Software

Journalism • Photography Full course descriptions online

www.awna.com/symposium

AWNA’s Annual Symposium

The family of Thelma Hornby wish to express our thanks to Dr. Du Toit,

Ponoka Hospital & Care Centre staff, Sunrise Village and Northcott Care Centre for the

excellent care of Thelma. Thank you to Marlon Wombold, Sheila Van Alstyne and staff for the care and compassion

to our family, Beatrice Schiner for her kind words and Bob Ronnie Catering for supplying the lunch.

Gail, Gerry, Kathy and families

1-877-223-3311

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5019A Chipman Ave. Box 4217 Ponoka, AB T4J 1R6 FAX: 403-783-6300 EMAIL: classifi [email protected]

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Sales &Distributors 830SALES ASSOCIATE

REQUIREDFor North/Central Alberta.Opportunity for a mature

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BusinessOpportunities 870

GET FREE VENDING machines. Can earn

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details. Call now 1-866-668-6629. Website:

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BusinessOpportunities 870GREAT CANADIAN Dollar

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leader. Call today 1-877-388-0123 ext. 229;

www.dollarstores.com.

Misc.Help 880ACADEMIC Express

ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

JANUARY START

GED Preparation

Would you like to take the GED in your community?

• Red Deer• Rocky Mtn. House• Rimbey• Caroline• Sylvan Lake• Innisfail• Stettler• Ponoka• Lacombe

Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available.

403-340-1930www.academicexpress.ca

Location Location! Ideally located along the thriving Calgary-Edmonton Corridor - one of the fastest growing markets in Canada, Ponoka is positioned for growth. Ponoka’s strong community lifestyle appeal and ideal location offers opportunities for all. The growing and dynamic community of Ponoka boasts a vibrant, rural lifestyle in the heart of central Alberta. Nestled in the picturesque and lush Battle River Valley, Ponoka is still one of Alberta’s ‘best kept secrets’. The Town of Ponoka is home to some 6,800+ residents and is a service hub for both the oil and gas industry and the agricultural sector. Ponoka also has an innovative and thriving manufacturing sector. Ponoka is also known for its leading edge mental health and brain injury centre. Ponoka is on the move and has something for everyone. Recreation, culture, scenery, adherence to protecting sustainable practices and small town living are “keeping it real” for the next Chief Administrative Offi cer and their family. The Town of Ponoka is pleased to accept executive applications that will be considered for the position of Chief Administrative Offi cer (CAO) to lead a municipal workforce and work within a growing community.EXECUTIVE REQUIREMENTSThis executive position reports to Mayor and Council who; through, executive recruitment will require the following competencies:• Serves as an advisor to council through reporting, recommendations and assessing the issues for decision;• Builds rapport with the public, council, the region and the administration staff team; • Maintains a strategic focus and assists Council with the development and implementation of long term strategic and operational plans;• Provides fi nancial stewardship;• Administers advice and guidance to Council, Administration, Developers, new businesses and residents on Economic Development, Planning and Development • Provides stewardship of municipal resources and leadership of all staff teams and community boards and committees;• Provides policy development, Bylaw compliance and oversight, legal and contractual coordination and due diligence;• Is able to bond and build a relationship with the community.COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS• The ability to negotiate, adapt, listen, and persuade through communication, and interpersonal leadership;• Comprehensive knowledge and experience regarding leadership and management of operations, practices, and administration;• A high level of ethical competence; strong analytical skills and manage complex fi nancial processes;• A bachelor degree and 10 - 15 years of progressive management experience, with a minimum of 5 years at a senior management level;• The commitment to executive development, motivation and training for senior administration and all staffi ng levels;• Set goals based on an established vision;• Be assertive and decisive in decision-making;• The ability to take direction and synthesize it into action plans, operational plans, emergency plans, and community development and capacity building.Wage will be negotiated via Delstan Innovations Group/The Werkz and the Town of Ponoka.Please submit your cover letter and resume electronically outlining experience, education in key municipal functions, references, reasons for applying and salary expectations by 12:00 p.m. on 11 December, 2015 to:

Ponoka is Recruiting!

Delstan Innovations GroupMunicipal Executive Recruiting AgentAttention: C.D. (Doug) Wright, CD at email:[email protected]

The WerkzMunicipal Executive Recruiting AgentAttention: Donna Tona, CTS at email:[email protected]

OR

Rimbey Implements Ltd.

Al York General ManagerAl York General Manager

Rimbey, AB

Cell: (403) 783-0593

Bus: (403) 843-3700

Fax: (403) 843-3430

AG EQUIPMENT

AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES

A & JA & J AUTOMOTIVEAUTOMOTIVEREPAIR6701 - 46 Ave.

Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8(403) 783-8755

Al DickhautOwner/Operator

A & J AUTOMOTIVE

Al DickhautOwner/Operator

A & J AUTOMOTIVE

6701 - 46 Ave.Ponoka, AB T4J 1J8

(403) 783-8755

ANIMAL SERVICES

WETASKIWINREADY MIX

• Residential • Commercial• Agricultural

OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAYPh: 587-786-3142

[email protected]

CONCRETE SERVICES

FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION NEEDSFOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION NEEDS

•ELECTRICAL•ELECTRICAL• INSTRUMENTATION• INSTRUMENTATION

Jim KellyJim Kelly403-304-3707403-304-3707

Trent KellyTrent [email protected]@live.com

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

Sur-B Enterprises Ltd.

BOBCAT SERVICE• Snow Removal• Driveways & Parking Lots• Post-Hole Augering - 6, 9, 12, 15• Corral Cleaning• Grading & Construction

Call Jim Ashbough 783-2764 or Cell: 588-0599Jack Surbey 783-5283 Cell: 588-0597

BOBCAT SERVICES

SALES & SERVICE

BOTTLE DEPOT

Call Jim Ashbough 403-783-2764or Cell: 587-729-0092

PONOKA BOTTLE DEPOT

Open Monday - Saturday10 am - 5 pm

Closed Sundays & Holidays

We Now Recycle Milk Cartons for Deposit

3, 5520 Hwy 2A(Across from Husky)

403-783-6875

Tues - Fri: 8:30 am-5:30 pmSaturday: 9 am-3 pm

403-783-51851-800-662-7135

Fax: 403-783-4635

Motorcycles & ATV’s

OVERHEAD DOORS

www.doorsondemand.ca

403-783-2454

5306 - 60 ST, PONOKA, AB T4J 1K7

PH: (403) 783-6372 • FAX (403) 783-6345

“Reasonable rates on all your plumbing needs”Gas Fitting - Home Renovations - Drain Cleaning

-24 HOUR SERVICE-

PLUMBING

SHANDALL PLUMBING LTD.

JAMES AVERY

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE

FOR JUST$30

PER WEEK.REACHING 6000 HOUSEHOLDS PER WEEK.

#4, 3616 67 St. Ponoka, AB

Gerald & TinaOwners

12345Place your ad in this newspaper and province wide

with a combined circulation of over 800,000 for only...

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Value Ad NetworkAlberta Weekly Newspapers Association toll free 1-800-282-6903 x228 email [email protected] or visit this community newspaper

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PONOKA NEWS 29WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

AN EXCELLENTCHOICE

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DENTISTRY

Family Friendly Dentistry

Box 11004905 50 St.Rimbey, ABT0C 2J0

RIMBEYDENTALCAREDR. STEVE CALDER BSC DDS

Ph. (403) 843-2173Fax: (403) 843-2607

HEATING

“Committed to your comfort”

EYE CARE

Drs. Heimdahl, ZoBell & Kallal403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168403-783-5575 1-800-662-7168

WWW.4YOUREYESONLY.CA • 5120-51ST AVE, PONOKA

- ADVANCED EYE HEALTH & VISION EXAMS

- CONSULTATION & REFERRAL SERVICES

- DESIGNER EYE WEAR & CONTACT LENSES

- INSURED MEDICAL EYECARE SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL AGES

NEW PATIENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

OFFICE HOURSOFFICE HOURS: Monday - Friday: Monday - Friday8AM - 12:30PM • 1PM - 5PM

BIRCHLAND DENTAL CLINIC

- General Dentistry - Orthodontics - Cosmetic Dentistry - Bonding - Veneers

- Bleaching - White or Gold Fillings- Crown and Bridge - Implant Restorations

“WE ENTHUSIASTICALLY WELCOME NEW PATIENTS”

• DR. RICK BARR • DR. JEFF BARR • DR. STELIAN LISMAN

• DR. DAVE CHORKWA • DR. PREETY BACHAN

PRACTICE OF DENTISTRY

403-783-5225 • 403-783-52355118 - 51 Ave., Ponoka, AB T4J 1R5

DENTAL CARE

Ph: 403-782-7722

Fax: 403-782-7499

Robin Esau

[email protected]

www.KlesMechanical.com

This space could be yours for

$30PER WEEK

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METAL RECYCLING & MORE

SERVING FARMERS, INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL & THE GENERAL PUBLIC

• Mobile Shears/Magnets/Grapples

• Mobile Flattener/Baler• Mobile Excavators/

Loaders• Scrap Metal Bin Service• Demolition &

Decommissioning• Earth Moving/

Excavating/Landscaping• Scrap Metal Depot

Hwy 12 East Lacombe403-357-4415www.prometalscrap.com

HEATING & EAVESTROUGHING

Reaching 6000households weekly

For just$30 per week this space could be

yours!

403-783-3311

VETERINARY SERVICES

VETERINARY SERVICES

8 a.m. - 5 p.m Mon. to Sat. • Open late Thursday24-hour Emergency Call

• Dr. Kelly Loree • Dr. Leighton Coma • Dr. Trevor Hook• Dr. Jasmine Hardy • Dr. Candace Wenzel

Southwest Industrial Park 4102-64 St., Ponoka

403-783-5200

Commercial - ResidentialInstallations - Repair

3912 - 66 St, Ponokawww.wcmltd.ca

[email protected]


FOR JUST$30


On-Farm Mobile Veterinary Services

Ultrasound-aided Reproduc ve Programs

CETA Cer ed Dairy and Beef Embryo Transfer

Herd Health

Bovine Veterinary Services

Dr. Bruce Wine

Phone 403-391-1684

BOBCAT SERVICES

A division of 1127730 Alberta Ltd.

NO JOB TOO SMALL!

Locally owned/operated

CALL BRIAN HEBERT403-506-3377

PONOKA BOBCAT SERVICE

SNOW PLOWING& CLEARING

WCB • Insured • Licensed

Business Services#1000 - #1430

Caregivers 1060WILL

BABYSITin my home

403-783-4540

Cleaning 1070THE

PROFESSIONAL HOME CLEANERSWeekly – Bi-weeklyReliable – Bondable

403-786-9987

Papa’s Little Helpers

Cleaning Services

Call Jhenn at

403-963-4014

We Make It Clean

LegalServices 1260

CRIMINAL RECORD? Think: Canadian pardon.

U.S. travel waiver. Divorce? Simple.

Fast. Inexpensive. Debt recovery? Alberta

collection to $25,000. Calgary 403-228-1300/

1-800-347-2540.

Misc.Services 1290 Misc.

Services 1290

Misc.Services 1290

. . . at your house?It’s time to call your Welcome

Wagon hostess.

She will bring congratulations and gifts for the family

and the NEW BABY!

APopulationExplosion

Heather Goodwin403-704-3647

[email protected]

EASY ALBERTA DIVORCE:

Free consultation call 1-800-320-2477 or

www.canadianlegal.orgCCA Award #1 Paralegal. A+ BBB Reputation. 26

years experience.Open Mon. - Sat.

REACH OVER 1 Million Readers Weekly. Advertise Province Wide Classifi eds. Only $269 + GST (based on 25 words or less). Call

now for details 1-800-282-6903 ext. 228;

www.awna.com.

Oilfield 1305JOURNEYMAN industrial

insulator, local, 28 yrs. exp., sheet metal shop.

403-729-2005 or 403-846-5319

Painters/Decorators1310

[email protected]

F.J.B. PAINTINGINT • EXT RESIDENTIAL

• COMMERCIAL

Quality First Always • Free Quotes

PersonalServices 1315

Unplanned pregnancy may be

diffi cult to face.We care. For

confi dential help call 403-343-1611 (24 hrs.)

CANADA BENEFIT GROUP. Do you or

someone you know suffer from a disability? Get up

to $40,000. from the Canadian Government. Toll free 1-888-511-2250 or www.canadabenefi t.

ca/free-assessment.

HIP OR KNEE Replacement? Arthritic

conditions? Restrictions in walking/dressing?

Disability Tax Credit. $2,000 tax credit. $20,000 refund. For Assistance:

1-844-453-5372.

Pet Services 1318CLINKERSKENNELS

403-783-6272

* Quality Boarding for your dogs & cats

*Proof of vaccinations and advance bookings required

HOURS: Mon - Thurs 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 6 pm;

Fri. 9 am - 12 Noon; 4 pm - 7 pm;

Sat. 9 a.m. - 12 noon;

Sun. 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. & 4 - 7 p.m.

www.clinkerskennels.ca

Welding 1410 Welding 1410

Rental -Misc 1350

Need RV or Self Storage?8’ X 10’ mini

storage units

available for rent.

Also RV storage.

Secure compound.

Call Keith at

First Call Towing

783-3636

Roofing 1370METAL ROOFING & SID-ING. 32+ colours available at over 55 Distributors. 40

year warranty. 48 hour Express Service available

at select supporting Distributors. Call 1-888-263-8254.

Attention: Farmers

Berni'sRefrigeration and Appliance Service

783-4880

We can deal with your refrigeration problems quickly, efficiently and reasonably

• B-PRESSURE • PIPELINE • OILFIELD • ASME Section VIII Division I VESSEL

FABRICATION & PIPING• SHOP/PORTABLE

• CNC PLASMA CUTTING• ALUMINUM • SHEARING & FORMING

MAIN: (403) 783-7591FAX: (403) 783-8178

Website: www.harbinwelding.comE-mail: [email protected]


Business and Services Directory

DO YOUWANT

YOUR ADTO BE

READ BY100,000

PotentialBuyers???

TRYClassified

AdvertisingSERVING CENTRALALBERTA RURAL

REGION

CALL1-877-223-3311

VolunteersWanted 890

Ponoka FCSSis accepting applications for a

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Applications available at the offi ce

5006 - 52nd Ave.or by contacting

[email protected]: 403-783-4462Apply by: December 16

EmploymentTraining 900

SEEKING A CAREER in the Community Newspaper

business? Post yourresume for FREE right

where the publishers are looking. Visit:

awna.com/for-job-seekers.

SYNERGYHEALTH AND SAFETY

Now offering safety trainingin central Alberta.

FIRST AID…H2S...Ground Disturbance and more

See our websitewww.

synergyhealthandsafety.caOr call 403-877-6387

Misc.Help 880

VolunteersWanted 890

Auctions 1530BIG STRAPPER

AUCTIONS UPCOMING SALES Wednesdays @ 6 pm.

Dec. 2, 9, & 16

at The Moose Hall, 2 miles south of Ponoka on

Hwy. 2A ~~~~~

TO BOOK YOUR SALE CALL 403-782-5693

Check website for full listingswww.bigstrapperauctions.net

UNRESERVED SPORTSMAN & Firearms Public Auction. Saturday,

December 5, 2015, 10 a.m., 9320 - 52 St. S.E.,

Calgary, Alberta. Unreserved Industrial

Public Auction. Tuesday, December 15, 2015, 8

a.m., 9320 - 52 St. S.E., Calgary, Alberta. For more

information see www.canadianpublicauction.com

or call 403-269-6600.

UNRESERVED AUCTION. Heavy haul, highway

trucks, trailers, light trucks, tools, fabrication equip-ment, plus much more.

Wed., Dec. 16, Acheson, Alberta;

CenturyServices.com for more details.

Equipment-Misc. 1620

A-CHEAP, lowest prices, steel shipping containers. Used 20’ & 40’ Seacans insulated & 40’ freezers, Special $2200 Wanted:

Professional wood carver needed. 1-866-528-7108;

www.rtccontainer.com.

Firewood 1660

FREEFIREWOOD

YOU CUTClose to town780-951-0199

LOGSSemi loads of pine, spruce,

tamarack, poplar, birch. Price depends on location

of delivery. Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

Cats 1830KITTENS to give away to a kind home. 403-704-2333

TravelPackages 1900

SAVE 30% on our Greenland and Wild

Labrador Voyage until December 18, 2015. See Labrador as it was meant

to be seen - By Sea - Aboard the comfortable Ocean Endeavour. No

extra charge for singles! Quote Community

Newspapers! Call toll free 1-800-363-7566 or visit: www.adventurecanada

.com. (TICO #04001400).

WantedTo Buy 1930WANTED: WILL PAY cash for construction equipment,

backhoes, excavators, dozers, (farm tractors

w/loaders) 1985 or newer. Skid steers, wheel loaders, screeners, low beds, any condition running or not.

250-260-0217 .

Agricultural#2000 - #2290

Farm Equipment ..............2010Haying Equipment ............2020Tractors ............................2030Combines & Headers ......2040Fertilizer Equipment..........2050Misc. Farm Machinery ......2060Equipment Wanted ..........2070Farm Custom Work ..........2080Farm Auctions ..................2090Livestock ..........................2100Livestock - Exotic..............2110Sheep ..............................2120Poultry ..............................2130Horses ..............................2140Horse Boarding ................2150Riding Supplies ................2160Horse/Stock Trailers ........2170Pasture Wanted ................2180Grain, Feed, Hay ..............2190Seed Grain ......................2200Seeding & Tillage ............2210

Grain, FeedHay 2190ROUND BALESAlfalfa, Timothy,

Brome mixNo rain, 1100-1200 lbs.

$110/baleUsona area

403-783-5985

HEATED CANOLA buying Green, Heated or Spring-thrashed Canola. Buying:

oats, barley, wheat & peas for feed. Buying damaged

or offgrade grain. “On Farm Pickup” Westcan

Feed & Grain, 1-877-250-5252.

For Rent#3000 - #3200

Acreages/Farms ..............3010Houses/Duplexes ............3020Condos/Townhouses........3030Manufactured Homes ......3040Four Plexes/Six Plexes ....3050Suites ..............................3060Cottages/Seasonal ..........3070Roommates Wanted ........3080Rooms for Rent................3090Motels/Hotels ..................3100Offices ..............................3110Stores/Commercial ..........3120Industrial ..........................3130Warehouse Space............3140Garage Space..................3150Storage Space ................3160Land ................................3170Pasture ............................3180Mobile Lot ........................3190Misc. for Rent ..................3200

Wanted to Rent#3250 - #3390

Acreages/Farms ..............3255Houses/Duplexes ............3260Suites ..............................3270Rooms..............................3280Manufactured Homes ......3290Housesitting Wanted ........3300Garage Space..................3310Storage Space ................3320Stores/Commercial ..........3330Office Space ....................3340Industrial ..........................3350Warehouse Space............3360Resorts & Cottages..........3370Pasture/Land....................3380Mobile Lot ........................3390

Houses/Duplexes 3020

HOUSE FOR RENT

4 B/R, 2 Bathhome for rentin Riverside w/

double garage & large backyard.

$1,500 + utilities, Security deposit $1,500.00. May

consider small pets.Call

403-704-3152

AVAILABLEIMMEDIATELY

2 bdrm house with single car garage $850/mnth

plus D.D. N/S, N/P5004 56 Ave, Ponoka CALL 403-588-0597

PONOKA NEWER 3 bdrm. townhouse, 6 appl., 3 bath,

$1,295/mo. Phone 403-704-1221

PONOKA, Duplex avail. Jan. 1. 3 bedroom. $950.

rent/dd, no pets, 4 appls. + drapes. 403-346-3943 or

403-358-9179

Suites 3060Available

Immediately1 bdrm suiteutilities incl.

403-790-6011

Downtown PonokaOne bdrm Apartment

No SmokingNo Pets

403-357-06542 BDRM bsmt. suite in PONOKA incld’s util’s, washer/dryer, no pets, non partier, N/S. Long term working tenants and sen-iors welcome. Avail immed. 403-704-1645

Suites 3060AVAILABLEJANUARY 1

2 bdrm$900/mnth

including utilities403-790-6011

AVAILABLEIMMEDIATELYBachelor suite

$600/mnth including utilities403-790-6011

AVAILABLE DEC 1Newer bright 3 bdrm suite

in Ponoka. Utilities incl.plus cable & internet.5 appliances, N/S, N/P.$1250/mnth plus D.D.780-217-9363

PONOKA, 2 bdrm. suite in Riverside. Fridge, stove,

shared laundry. $675.. rent/dd. gas & water incl’d.Absolutely N/S, no pets,

Avail. imm. 780-242-0924

* RIVERSIDE APTS. *Newly renovated

1 & 2 bedroom units in Ponoka: 3724-45 Street.

403-357-0287

RoomsFor Rent 3090

ROOM FOR RENT

Fully furnished including bedding

Avail. Dec. 1

403-783-4540StorageSpace 3160FOR RENTShared storage

heated bayin Ponoka

780-951-0199

Pasture 3180PASTURE & HAY LAND. 400 - 8000 acres of year round water supply. Full

operational with manage-ment available. Central Saskatchewan. Cross-

fenced & complete infrastructure. Natural

springs excellent water. Shortly ready to locate

cattle. Other small & large grain & pasture quarters.

$150k - $2.6m. Call Doug Rue 306-716-2671.

ManufacturedHomes 4090

ManufacturedHomes 4090

CROSS COUNTRY HOMES. Come view our

show homes that are ready for quick possession; 20’ wides from $114,000! Visit

us in Acheson. 780-470-8000; www.

crosscountryhomes.com.

HARVEST SALE! Save $50,000 from the

replacement cost of this 20 X 76 drywalled

Grandeur Showhome that has to go! A sacrifi ce at

$124,900. Call Terry 1-855-347-0417 or email:

[email protected].

BuildingsFor Sale 4150

STEEL BUILDINGS. “ Really Big Sale - Year end Clear Out!” 21 x 22 $5190. 25 x 24 $5988. 27 x 28 $7498. 30 x 32 $8646. 35x34 $11,844. 42 x 54 $16, 386. One

end wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-800-668-5422;www.pioneersteel.ca.

Financial#4400 - #4430

Investments ......................4410Money Wanted ................4420Money to Loan ................4430

MoneyTo Loan 4430

BANK SAID NO? Bank on us! Equity

Mortgages for purchases, debt consolidation,

foreclosures, renovations. Bruised credit, self-employed,

unemployed ok. Dave Fitzpatrick:

www.albertalending.ca. 587-437-8437,

Belmor Mortgage.

GET BACK on track! Bad credit? Bills?

Unemployed? Need money? We lend!

If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB.

1-877-987-1420; www.pioneerwest.com.

NEED A LOAN? Own property? Have bad credit? We can help! Call toll free 1-866-405-1228; www.fi r-

standsecondmortgages.ca.

Transportation#5000-5300

Automotive Services ........5010Antique & Classic Autos ....5020Cars ..................................5030SUV’s................................5040Trucks ..............................5050Heavy Trucks....................5060Vans/Buses ......................5070Motorcycles ......................5080Campers ..........................5090Motorhomes......................51005th Wheels........................5110Holiday Trailers ................5120Tent Trailers ......................5130Utility Trailers ....................5140ATV’s ................................5150Boats & Marine ................5160Snowmobiles ....................5170Tires, Parts & Accessories ......................5180Auto Wreckers ..................5190Vehicles Wanted ..............5200Car/Truck Rental ..............5210Recreational VehicleRental ..............................5220Trailer Rental ....................5230Misc. Automotive ..............5240RV’s ..................................5300

Trucks 50502013 GMC SierraDuramax $37,000.

76,000 kms 587-679-1000

RENN MILL CENTER INC.requires

PARTS DISTRIBUTION & YARDMAN REQUIRED (1)

Duties & Responsibilities:Loading and unloading trucks, receiving and distribution of parts, yard and facility

maintenance in winter and summer.Must have forklift experience and good

mechanical aptitude.Full Time-Permanent - Benefi ts available

Send resumes by fax: 403-784-2060Or email: [email protected]

Ponoka is Recruiting!

UTILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEEThe Town of Ponoka is seeking four members at large for the new Utilities and Environmental Committee.

The purpose of this Committee will be to explore various means of revenue generation, examine various funding and business models as they relate to town owned utilities, the natural gas distribution system and waste management.

If you are interested in joining this Committee, please submit a completed application form on or before December 20, 2015 to the Town of Ponoka.

Application forms are available at Town Hall: 5004 – 54 Street, Ponoka, AB T4J 1N8 or on the Town’s website: www.ponoka.ca

ECKLUNDWater Well Service

WATER WELL SERVICE

• Install & Service Pumps• Shock Wells

• Pressure Systems Serviced & Installed

Home: (403) 783-3712 Cell: (403) 704-3413

PLUMBING

5110 -50 StreetBox 4414Ponoka, AlbertaT4J 1R7

JESSE ZINTER Offi ce - 403-783-5489

We now carry a complete line of

Ritchie Stockwater parts

Hours of Business:Monday - Friday7:30 am - 5 pm

PONOKA PLUMBING & HEATING• JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER REQUIRED

8:00

WATER WELL DRILLING SERVICE

BOBCAT SERVICES

• Water wells drilled• Water wells serviced

[email protected]

Ponoka Veterinary Clinic Dr. Murray Jacobson Dr. Clayton West Dr. Ashley Shannon

Mon. - Fri.8 am - 5 pm

Sat.9 am - 4:30 pm

24 Hr.Emergency403-783-4348

5502 - Hwy 2A Ponoka, AB T4J 1M1

VETERINARY SERVICES

• Dr. Murray Jacobson • Dr. Clayton West

• Dr. Nicole Macdonald • Dr. Katie Graves


FOR JUST$30


BRUCE’S BOBCATSnow Cleaning & Removal

403-783-0663

PONOKA NEWS 31WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Real Estate#4000 - #4190

Buy & Sell#1500 - #1990

403.783.3311403.783.3311

GET YOURBUSINESSOUT THERE


OPENOPEN10 AM - 11 PM10 AM - 11 PM

77 Days Days A WeekA Week

Hammy’sHammy’s SPIRITS

Bay #5, 4502 - 50th St. • 403-783-2333Prices in effect Wednesday, December 2 to Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Prices do not include GST or deposit. We reserve the right to limit quantities

CAPTAIN MORGAN SPICED RUM

750 ML

$2299 1.14 L

$35991.75 L

$53 99

EACH

EACH

EACH

BONUSMINI

FLASKSLEEMANHONEY BROWN341 ML 12 BOTTLE

$21 99EACH

MOTT’SCLAMATO CAESAR

EXTRA SPICY OR ORIGINAL355 ML 4 BTL

$8 99EACH

BAILEYS ORIGINALIRISH CREAM

750 ML

$25991.14 L

$34 99

EACH

EACH

GRAND MARNIER750 ML

$3299EACH

1.75 L

$5999

CROWN ROYAL WHISKY

750 ML

$2599

1.14 L

$3799

CORONA EXTRA330 ML / 12 BOTTLE

$2399EACH

LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE

200 ML

$1499EACH

NEW AMSTERDAM VODKA ASSORTED FLAVOURS

750 ML

$1899EACH

APOTHICASSORTED VARIETIES

750 ML

2/$2300

OR $11 9 9

EACH

HENKELLASSORTED VARIETIES

750 ML

2/$21 00

OR $10 9 9

EACH

Documents

Ponoka News, December 02, 2015