Vol. 22 No. 34 Morinville-Gibbons, Alberta July 8, 2020

email: morinville@shaw.caPH: 780-939-3309Fax: 780-939-3093

www.cowleynewspapers.com

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After hearing two and a half hours worth ofopposition to a bylaw which would have shift-ed responsibility for property tax collection tothe manufactured home park owners for all pri-vately owned homes on leased lots in the parkand reviewing a few dozen more letters ofopposition, Morinville town council unani-mously defeated second reading of the bylawJune 23. The bylaw had been a surprise item onan agenda in May without public consultationprior to first reading.

But council didn’t address the cause of theflood of opposition at the public hearing.

Council is committed to generic closed ses-sion discussions which bind all members ofcouncil and staff in the meeting to silence. Onalmost every regular council meeting agendafor the last year there have been two itemstaken in camera (closed session). They are list-ed on the agenda as ‘CAO Dialogue’ and‘Council Dialogue’ without an actual topic fordiscussion listed. No minutes are released onthe closed sessions and councillors can losetheir seat for releasing confidential informationfrom the secret sessions. This allows council toeffectively eliminate taxpayers and electorsfrom knowing what to expect in the future andfrom providing feedback before formal actionis initiated.

Besides the ill-fated tax bylaw, council alsovoted in favor of directing administration tonegotiate a sale agreement for Perras Parkimmediately next to the town office with a spe-cific unnamed potential buyer, although nopublic discussion of selling any park had takenplace. Ironically the need for additional park-ing space at the town administration office hadbeen discussed.

Council also agreed to throw the curling rinkinto a sale agreement for the surplus hockey

arena (which has been replaced by the newMorinville Leisure Centre). There had been nopublic discussion of selling the arena, sched-uled for demolition, until a proposal from aspecific unnamed buyer appeared on a councilagenda. Subsequently no public discussion ofselling the arena complete with the adjoiningcurling rink to a different unnamed potentialbuyer appeared on a later agenda. (The saleprice — $25,000 down and $35,000 per yearfor five years -- a fraction of the appraisedvalue of just the arena.)

Council’s concept of public transparencymay even be a topic in the closed sessions of‘Council Dialogue’ but, of course, councillorsand staff would not be allowed to tell anyoneuntil it appears on a public agenda at a councilmeeting.

Morinville town council has been recog-nized nationally as one of the most secretivemunicipalities in Canada by a group of fourmedia organizations committed to press free-dom. It was the only town in Alberta to benamed in the top six most secretive in thenation.

According to the Town of Morinville’sCouncil Code of Conduct bylaw, all councilmembers are required to: “perform their func-tions and duties in a conscientious and diligentmanner with integrity, accountability andtransparency”.

The same bylaw states: “Members shall con-duct and convey Council business and all theirduties in an open and transparent manner otherthan for those matters which by law are author-ized to be dealt with in a confidential manner

in an in-camera session, and in so doing, allowthe public to view the process and rationalewhich was used to reach decisions and the rea-sons for taking certain actions.” This councilpassed the Code of Conduct, then subsequent-ly started using the council and CAO “Dia-logue” agenda items to hide the rationale forcouncil action.

An elector can file a complaint under thebylaw. However, the bylaw is to be enforced bythe same council that is avoiding transparencyin the conduct of the town business. So taxpay-ers can expect more surprises to just pop up oncouncil agendas in the future — and watch thecouncil retreat from their latest inspirationunless dozens of residents oppose an action. Orpassed quickly if no one organizes a protest.

3Box 3005, 10126 - 100 Ave.Morinville, AB T8R 1R9

Ph: 780-939-3309 Fax:780-939-3093

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O V E R 1 0 , 0 0 0 C I R C U L A T I O N R E A C H I N G :Morinvi l le , Legal , Bon Accord, Gibbons,

Edmonton Garr ison, & the res idents of SturgeonCounty rural , hamlets & subdiv is ions .

Jakki Duttenhoffer and her daughter, K’enna, stand by the flags at her grandmother Gloria Whiting’s home in Morinville. Thefamily celebrated Canada Day, Emilie Whiting’s birthday and Ashton Whiting’s graduation with a dinner and a red-and-whitedessert, strawberry shortcake.

Tax change defeated but governance problem remains

There was one new COVID-19 cases report-ed in this area last week.

As of July 3 Sturgeon County west and itssmaller urban centers reported one new activecase of COVID-19 according to the Govern-ment of Alberta website. This region previous-ly reported seven cases, all of which recovered.There were no reported cases in SturgeonCounty east.

The Town of Morinville has had threereported cases, all of which are now recovered.

Both Thorhild and Smoky Lake countiescontinue to have zero reported cases.

One new case of COVID-19 inSturgeon west

Page A2, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

ESTATE AUCTION FOR ART ARNDT OF BARRHEADTWO DAYS!!! JULY 17TH & 18TH

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DIRECTIONS: From BARRHEAD: go south on Hwy 33 to Sec.Hwy. 654; go east 4.7 km then turn north on Range Road 31; go1.6 km. turn east on Township Road 591; go 1 km turn right into thedriveway • From WESTLOCK: go 33 kms on Hwy 18 to LunnfordRoad (Range Rd. 31); turn south; go 8 kms to Twp Rd. 591; go 1 km –turn right into the driveway or) take Hwy 18 to Hwy 777; turn south;travel 10.5 km; at the stop sign turn right (west) and travel 16.5 km toRange Rd. 31; turn right (north) travel 1.6 km to Twp Rd 591 • FromEDMONTON: go west on Hwy 5 to Barrhead; Grande Prairie exit (Hwy43); go to Barrhead exit (Hwy 33) then travel north on 33 to Sec. Hwy654; turn right (east) go 4.7 km then turn north (left) on Range Rd 31;travel 1.6 km then turn right (east) on Twp Rd 591. Signs will be posted.FARM EQUIPMENT: Tractors • Balers • Hay Wagons • Combine •Harrows • Horse Drawn Implements (In Excellent Condition) • FanningMill • Garden Cultivator • Horse Drawn Buggy • Westeel Rosco GrainBins • Stock Waterers • Horse Harness • Scotch Tops • Horse Collars •Several Sets of Hames • Case Snow Blade • Milking Machines • Cabin(12’ x 14’) – must be moved • ANTIQUES: Washing Machines •Collectible Tins & Bottles • Cream Separators • Plus much more…..This auction will offer Online Bidding through iCollector.com orLiveAuctionWorld.com. We are asking that those people who are ableto Bid Online please do so. Restrictions are lifting; as a result, weanticipate we very well may be able to also have people attend and bidlive on sight. Physical distancing and Personal Protection measureswill probably still be required. A Listing and Photos have been postedto both our website and the Online websites.

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ANTIQUE/CONSIGNMENT AUCTION – SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH

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The Riviere Qui Barre (RQB) Agricultural Society, which owns andoperates the RQB Arena, shut the arena in March because of theCOVID-19 pandemic and cancelled all spring and summer events.

“We had an abrupt end to our hockey season but do not normallyhave much for revenue in the summertime, so the timing for Covid 19was good for us, if there is such a thing,” said representative CelinStenner. “Our spring and summer events were cancelled, but we aredoing our best to carry on and find other ways of fundraising andengaging the community.”

She said the board was diligent in maintaining healthy financials, sothe Society could withstand emergencies and breakdowns.

“We did receive our Ag Society grants early this year, which defi-nitely helped our position,” added Stenner. “We are not at all consider-ing shutting down the Ag Society, but are definitely hoping things willbe closer to normal by the time we re-open in mid-September.”

Riviere Qui Barre Ag Societywithstanding sudden facilityclosure during pandemic

“Sturgeon County will be imple-menting a carefully planned andstaged approach to re-opening munici-pal facilities to the public,” statesMayor Alanna Hnatiw. “And residentscan expect the delivery of services tolook different.” Changes will includeenhanced infection control measures –including physical distancing require-ments, practicing good hygiene, moni-toring for symptoms, and making

changes related to COVID-19 condi-tions accordingly. Necessary facilitymodifications are underway and tar-geted re-opening dates may be subjectto change at the discretion of theCounty.

The Government of Albertaannounced its provincial Stage 2relaunch as of June 12. SturgeonCounty will continue to take directionfrom Alberta Health Services to pre-

vent the spread of COVID-19 casesand will also monitor the number ofpositive cases of COVID-19 in theregion.

Re-Opening Stage 1 includes:• Council Chambers to reopen for a

quorum of Council by June 30. • Sturgeon County front counter

services to re-open for business onJuly 2 as follows: Sturgeon CountyCentre – all services including tax

payment and referral;Agriculture ServiceTrailer; Family &Community SupportServices; ProtectiveServices; SturgeonSouth; AssessmentServices (July 13th);

Family & Commu-nity Support Servicescontinues to offer vir-tual and telephoneservices for residentsseeking supports. Call780-939-8334 formore information.

Re-Opening Stage 2is schedule for Aug. 4:

•Council Chambersto re-open with appro-priate social distancingrequirements

•Sturgeon CountyFront Counter servic-es: Development Sup-port Services

•Sports fields anddiamonds for casualuse and bookings fororganized sports areopen (following allAlberta Health Ser-vices guidelines).

Re-Opening Stage 3on a date To-Be-Deter-mined will include:

•Occupancy limit inCouncil Chambers andcommon areas willincrease follow theadvice of the Govern-ment of Alberta.

•In-person meetingsor collaboration nolonger discouragedprovided health regu-lations are being fol-lowed.

Sturgeon County prepares for its re-opening strategy

Caidin leads her human friends, Ken and Joanne Hume, through a light drizzleand back to their home in Morinville July 2. “She doesn’t like to get wet,” saidJoanne. Caidin is 14 years old and has been part of the Hume family for the past13 years.

The Gibbons annual town wide garage saleis cancelled for this year because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.

After consulting with Alberta Health Ser-vices (AHS), town administration officiallycancelled this event on July 2. It would havebeen held Sept. 12.

Mayor Dan Deck said council is confidentthe Town Wide Garage sale will be held nextyear as long as AHS and the province allow it.

“We are also confident that the Garage Salewill be popular and possibly more popular thanever as our next will be our 25th,” he said,adding that the event usually attracts 5,000-10,000 people from all over Alberta, depend-ing on the weather.

The announcement states, “Our town widegarage sale is a huge annual event that drawspeople from all over the province. Preparationfor this event usually begins in the spring andincludes deadlines for submitting specificinformation to AHS well in advance of theactual event.

“In consultation with AHS and knowing it isthe priority of the Town of Gibbons to protectthe health and safety of our valued residents,staff and visitors, we have had to come to theunfortunate conclusion that we are unable toproceed with this event for this year.”

The town’s annual Pioneer Days weekendand Meet The Community night were previ-ously cancelled.

Gibbons town-wide garage sale cancelled

Despite a steadydrizzle the morningof July 2, ZackTrithart was out inhis Morinvilleneighborhoodpractising tricks onhis scooter. “I liketo get out of thehouse,” he said.“I’m trying to learnnew tricks.”

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Page A3

Page A4, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

TammieSmishek(Left) andJeanaJacksonsweep MikeSmishek’srock downthe iceduring theMorinvilleCurlingClub’s March14 mixedbonspiel.

Florence Quaghebeur holds up a knitted dress she made. “Ilearned to knit in grade one at school,” she said at the HeritagePlace Lodge Knitting Club in Morinville on March 5. “I watchedthe older girls at school.” At home, her father gave her a coupleof nails, and she practised with string. Years later she learnedto crochet because her grandmother could not read patterns,so she made items for her grandmother to copy. For the past23 years she’s sold her items, crafts and preserves at afarmers’market.

Ecole Notre Dame Elementary School studentLucas Watson lines up his shot Feb. 27 whenRocks and Rings instructor Morgan Leachtaught curling basics and shared its fun inMorinville.

Remember when community activities were common?It has been 17 weeks since COVID-19 control measure were announced in Alberta -- with the closure ofschools and community facilities. We are rapidly approaching one third of a year under restrictive healthprotocols. These unpublished photos were in theflow of upcoming feature images when thepandemic came to the province. They displayindividual happiness and community joy that hasbeen socially distanced since March 15.

Biology students Nia McKenzie (Left) and AreehaMahal hold up sliced open sheeps’ brains at theSturgeon Composite High School open house March4. “There’s a lot of different parts of the brain thatcontrol everything,” said McKenzie. “It’s cool to seehow doctors use technology to scan the brain to seehow it’s functioning,” added Mahal.

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Page A5

When the COVID-19 pandemic restricted Capital VisionCare in Morinville to providing only emergency, critical andurgent care, it expanded its services to include online and Tele-health care. Those continued to be service options since routineeye care resumed at the beginning of May.

Optometrist and owner Dr. Kim Bugera said that when manybusinesses were ordered closed in mid March, Capital Visionremained open because it was considered an essential servicefor emergency, critical and urgent care and it had the appropri-ate personal protective equipment (PPE).

“We were very lucky that we had acquired a con-siderable amount of PPE in February before theshortages began,” said Bugera. “Not all optometristswere able to stay open. We had the option to stayclosed, but we did not want to leave our communitywithout emergency care, and we wanted to help keeppatients out of emergency rooms.”

They received calls from outside their usual serv-ice area from people looking for eye care becausetheir usual eye centers were closed. Even so, at onepoint they were down to about 10 percent of theirusual volume of business.

During that time the federal government supportprograms were helpful. Some staff members anddoctors were temporarily laid off, and they qualifiedfor the Canada Emergency Response Benefit(CERB). Capital Vision qualified for the CanadaEmergency Business Account (CEBA) program.

Now, two months after resuming all routine eyecare services, the number of patients continues to belower than before the pandemic because of distanc-ing and sanitizing requirements.

Some of the changes to comply with health regu-lations included installation of plastic barriers for thereception area and onto a lot of equipment.

“The nature of optometry is that you need to be inthat two meter bubble with patients a lot of the time,”Bugera explained. “We had to wear PPE includingmasks, gloves, gowns and shields depending on theprocedure. We always sanitized and disinfected, buthad to put in some new steps including sterilizing ourframes between people and having every patient san-itize when they enter the office.”

They also introduced social distancing protocolsto ensure the waiting rooms and dispensary did notput patients at risk. A new triaging system was insti-tuted to ensure no patients came in with any symp-toms or risks of COVID to protect more vulnerablepatients and staff.

“We’ve had to reduce our patient load to accom-modate for all of the new safety measures, leading toa waiting list and having to ask some healthy patientsto consider postponing to accommodate patients thathad more urgent concerns,” said Bugera. “We have ahigh volume of patients and walk ins, so we initiallyhad curbside pick up and a locked door with a num-ber you call to let us know you’ve arrived. We nowhave a doorbell system to make things move a littlequicker.” Clients are asked to not come in withgroups to limit numbers in the clinic. Family mem-bers are asked to wait in the car when practical. Care-givers, interpreters and parents are accommodatedwhen possible.

Some patient encounters are managed throughTelehealth checks. If patients are unwell, are COVIDpositive or feel uncomfortable coming into the officebecause they are high risk, staff can start the discus-sion on the phone or through a Telehealth platformand decide if an in person visit is warranted. Bugerasaid that due to the close nature of optometry, it is

inevitable that interactions occur where social distancing is notpossible, so all patients wear masks in the clinic at all times.

“It’s a different way of doing business, but we have torespond to what’s needed,” she said.

One of the lasting effects on her business is the online, text,or phone triaging system for emergencies and urgent care.

“We handled a high volume of calls about eye infections,injuries and other vision problems through this system,” Bugerasaid. “We expect that as people become aware it is available itwill help patients avoid long waits in the emergency rooms for

eye related emergencies. Most of these conditions are very eas-ily managed right at your community eye care centre. We canhelp to streamline the process for patients if they do need to goto a specialist or hospital for those really serious situations bytriaging to the appropriate specialist.”

Capital Vision now has an online store for purchases. Clientsmay order contact lenses or eye drops, and items such as sun-glasses and eye wear may soon also be available online. Eyeexams and measurements for prescription eye wear will stillneed to be done at the office.

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Finished hisown run,CarsonRennie (left)watchesEddieReisinger landat theMorinvilleskate parkJuly 2. Bothspend a lot oftheir free timeat the park.“It’s fun,”Reisingersaid. “Youdon’t evenknow you’redoingexercise.”

The town of Morinville announced the closure tothrough-traffic of East Boundary Road on July 3,stating it “has been restricted to local traffic only dueto road conditions.”

This road closure will remain in place until roadconditions improve, states a release from the town.

East Boundary Roadrestricted to local traffic

Page A6, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

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The Free Pressemail morinville@shaw.ca 780-939-3309

Regular office hours 9am - 4pm Tuesday thru Friday (Closed daily 12:00 to 12:30)

NOTICEFREE PRESS, REVIEW --During the current COVID-19 situation

office hours are being minimized and phone access will beirregular, depending upon staff hours. Email and fax remain the

best communication tools. The Free Press office in Morinville has a newsstand in the front

lobby to pick up extra copies during business hours and the Reviewhas a newsstand outside the front entrance in Redwater.

Production and distribution of the weekly newspapers will continueon the normal weekly schedule. Ads, flyer orders, news, photos canbe submitted to morinville@shaw.ca The warehouse will continue

to receive flyer shipments as per normal.

Linda and Gerald Truhn stand with theirCanadian flag July 2. Gerald puts up a new onefor Canada Day every year because after a yearin the wind and weather the flag gets prettywrecked.

Coun. Kristin Toms was sworn in as DeputyMayor for the period of July 1, 2020 to Feb. 28, 2021following Council’s approval of the revised DeputyMayor schedule at the June 30 Council meeting.

“Coun. Dan Derouin was scheduled to serve nextas Deputy Mayor,” said Director Corporate ServicesJesse Sopko, “but due to unforeseen circumstances,the Mayor recommended that Coun. Toms serve asDeputy Mayor” for the term noted, “followed byCoun. Derouin who will serve the duration of the2017-2021 Council term (to the end of October2021).”

With Toms being sworn in, the position of alter-nate voting member on the Governance and CouncilServices Committee was left open. Council apppoint-ed Coun. Patrick Tighe to fill the position.

Deputy Mayor positionjuggled by Sturgeon

An armed robbery reported on June 29 in the Vil-leneuve area was determined to be an extension ofincidents that started in the early morning hours ofJune 29.

At 2:36 a.m., a break and enter was reported at acommercial business in Morinville. A vehicle wasstolen from the business and suspects abandoned avehicle at the location.

At 4:34 a.m., the stolen vehicle was reported aban-doned in a rural area in Morinville.

Sometime later a Cadillac Escalade was stolenfrom Bon Accord.

At 5:42 a.m., an attempted vehicle theft wasreported. The victim of the attempted theft followedthe suspects who were driving the previously stolenCadillac Escalade. The victim called 911, but contin-ued to follow the suspects. The suspects are allegedto have fired a shotgun at the pursuing victim of thecarjacking. He was not injured.

Morinville RCMP members located the stolenEscalade and a pursuit ensued. A tire deflation devicewas unsuccessfully deployed. The RCMP memberobserved a firearm in the possession of an occupantand discharged his firearm toward the Escalade. Theoccupants in the Escalade managed to flee the RCMP.

Following this exchange, the Escalade wasinvolved in a collision with an unrelated vehicle onHighway 37 and Highway 44.

After the collision, the Escalade went off-road,was abandoned, and the suspects fled on foot. Theymade an unsuccessful effort to steal another vehiclebefore two suspects were apprehended by the RCMPwith the assistance of Police Dog Services. By 8:30a.m., two suspects were in custody.

There is no indication that the suspects wereinjured by the prior gunfire. One of the men wasinjured as a result of a dog bite and treated for minorinjuries before being lodged in police cells.

The two faced numerous charges from possessionof a weapon when prohibited to possession of stolenproperty.

A third suspect has not been identified or locatedbut is not believe to be in the Morinville area now.

Several Units were involved in responding to theincidents, including the Alberta RCMP EmergencyResponse Team, Police Dog Services, and the Foren-sic Identification Section. The investigation intothese incidents remains ongoing while the RCMPcontinue to gather evidence.

If you have any information about this incident orthe third man involved, contact the Morinville RCMPat 780-939-4550. To remain anonymous, can contactCrime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online atwww.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app.

Two arrested afterseries of vehiclethefts -- info soughton third suspect

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FREE PRESS, REVIEW --Duringthe current COVID-19 situationoffice hours are being minimizedand phone access will be irregular,depending upon staff hours. Emailand fax remain the bestcommunication tools. During normalbusiness hours The Free Pressoffice in Morinville has a newsstandin the front lobby to pick up extracopies and the Review has anewsstand outside the frontentrance in Redwater. Productionand distribution of the weeklynewspapers will continue on thenormal weekly schedule. Ads, flyerorders, news, photos can besubmitted to morinville@shaw.caThe warehouse will continue toreceive flyer shipments as pernormal.

REDWATER - 3 bdrm 1 bathhouse with double detachedgarage for rent. $1250/month plusutilities. 780-665-3637 or 780-361-5567 34-37SELF STORAGE - sheds inSmoky Lake. 10 x 10. $90 permonth. $100 DD required.Available immediately. Call 780-656-2708. 34-37R A D WAY R E C R E AT I O N A LStudio Space for Hire - Perfect forgroup class activities such asDance, Yoga, Karate and Fitness -Large open space with mountedwall mirrors - Daytime - Eveningand Weekend Rentals - AvailableHourly One-Time or RecurringMonthly - Emailinfo@loveyourdancestudio.comfor more information 99

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CRIMINAL RECORD? Why sufferemployment /licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embar-rassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. USentry waiver. Record purge. Filedestruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com NEED MORE CUSTOMERS? LocalBusiness Websites $999. Google My

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VEHICLES

SERVICES

SERVICES

RENTALS

NOTICES

FOR SALE

FLYERS

FEED

EMPLOYMENT

COMING EVENTS

BULL SALES

CLASSIFIED ADSClassified Word Ads require Payment with Order. Low cost - high circulation.

Bonus --Pay for one title and it will run in all three: Free Press, Review, The eXtra Up to 25 words: $15.00 per week, GST included. Additional words: 50c/ each.

Deadline: Thursday 2 p.m. Mail to: Free Press, Box 3005, Morinville, AB T8R 1R9

Phone 780-939-3309 email: morinville@shaw.caSMALL ADS -- BIG REACH

LEGAL / NOTICES

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020, Page A7

PUBLIC NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF THE STURGEON PUBLIC SCHOOL DIVISION

OF MORINVILLE IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

TAKE NOTICE that:

The Sturgeon Public School Division has given third reading to borrowing Bylaw No. 02-2020 which will,upon final passage and approval, authorize the proper officers of the said school division to borrowmonies from the Alberta Capital Finance Authority by way of debenture issue, to pay for the cost of theEnergy Retrofit within the limits of the said school board;

The sum of Three Million ($3,000,000.00) dollars is to be borrowed on the security of The SturgeonPublic School Division by the issue of debentures and shall repay the indebtedness according to therepayment structure in effect, namely yearly equal payments of combined principal and interestinstallments not to exceed 20 years consecutive annual installments with interest at a rate not to exceedTHREE per cent (3%), or the interest rate as determined from time to time by Alberta Capital Authority.The total cost of the project will be recurred through energy savings.

The Board of Trustees have taken the necessary proceedings under the provisions of the Education Actto obtain authority from the Minister of Education to borrow the aforesaid debenture funds or such portionof the said funds as may be required for the aforesaid purposes. Now therefore notice is hereby given byThe Sturgeon Public School Division that, unless a petition of owners for a vote on Bylaw No. 02-2020 isdemanded, as provided for by the terms of the Capital Borrowing Regulation 83/2019 of the EducationAct, the said Board of Trustees may pass the said borrowing bylaw.

All persons interested are hereby notified and they are required to govern themselves accordingly.

DATED at the town of Morinville, in the Province of Alberta, this 25 day of June, 2020.

Per:

Mary Lynne R. Campbell, ICD.DSuperintendent/CEO

Further information can be found at www.sturgeon.ab.ca

Town of LegalCombined Property Assessment &Taxation Notice

In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, notice is hereby given that the 2020Combined Property Assessment and Taxation Notices were mailed to all property owners onJune 30, 2020. The 2020 Assessment Roll is open for inspection at the Town Office (5021 50th

Street) from 8:30 am to 12:00pm and 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Anelectronic version can be found on the Town of Legal website at www.legal.ca

Please speak to your Assessor, Dan Kanuka at 780-939-3310 with any assessment questions and prior to filing a complaint, as most concerns can be resolved beforecomplaints get to the Assessment Review Board.

Assessment complaints must be filed within 60 days from the Notice of Assessment Date usingthe Government of Alberta “Assessment Review Board Complaint Form” and filed to the Clerk ofthe Local Assessment Review Board, Box 390, Legal, AB T0G 1L0 along with the required fee asper the fee schedule posted on our website www.legal.ca or contact the office.Complaint forms are available by contacting the Town Office at 780-961-3773 and are alsoavailable online at https://www.alberta.ca/property-assessment-complaints-and-appeals.aspx

Information booklets regarding the Assessment Complaint process are available at the TownOffice. Details can also be found on the website www.legal.ca.

Final Date for Assessment Complaints is by 4:30pm September 8, 2020.

Taxes are due August 31, 2020. For those experiencing financial difficulties due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, payments may be delayed up to September 30, 2020 without a penaltyfee. Payments received or postmarked after September 30 are subject to a penalty. Please notethat taxes must be paid by due date, even if an assessment complaint has been filed.

Thanden Baty begins a maneuver at the Morinville skatepark July 2. He enjoys being outside and the exercise, andis at the park just about every day.

Page A8, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Concerned about education cuts!This letter is to highlight the deplorable state of the

education system. I have been a certificated educa-tional assistant for 18 years. The students I help edu-cate and support have many complex needs that rangefrom medical to psychological with severe behaviourchallenges.

Last week I was given a letter by the Greater StAlbert Catholic Regional School Division, stating thatnext year my full time job of 32.5 has been reduced to16.25. I am a single income household. I raised mychildren as a single mother with my hard earnedwages from this school division. I can tell you that Ifeel undervalued and left wondering if the career thatI have poured my heart and soul into will be able tosustain my livelihood.

I am heartsick and worried about the young stu-dents that rely on me to help them have successfuldays that leave them feeling that they are loved andsupported in this world.

At this moment I am struggling to feel valued orrespected by a system that isputting our new generation atgreat risk. Underfundingschools will put many amazingeducators under such stress thatthey will need mental healthleaves and have an impossibletask of overfull classes withmany diverse needs that will beimpossible to support.

If more funding is not forth-coming I will not be able to liveon my part time position andwill have to work in an unrelat-ed field that is not my life’scalling. I will be paid less,stressed more, and the childrenI support and love will fallthrough the cracks and neverreach their full potential of asociety that doesn’t value orcare about special needs chil-dren or the school employees.

Without a fully funded edu-cation system to support ourstaff and students our future asa society is sadly doomed.Please contact your MLA andEducation minister to voiceyour support and concernsabout your children’s educa-tion.

—Ellie Durgan

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Proud Canadian Marie Bauchu stands beside hergarden where three Canadian flags fly. She alsohas one flying from the front deck railing at herhome in Morinville. “I keep them up all the time,”she said. They were joined by one more flag July1 when the Morinville Historical Societyvolunteers put out their annual flags onresidential properties to celebrate Canada Day.

Cutting educational assistant hours in half will have many repercussions