Neerlandia resident believes in importance of local representation

A Neerlandia man believes in local government representation.

So much so that Arnold Viersen decided to throw his name in the ring to contest the crowded Conservative Party nomination for the soon to be created federal riding of Peace River-Westlock.

Ribbon Cutting With Panache

Thursday, July 2, marked the official grand opening of KNM Sales & Services in Barrhead, and was precluded by speeches from Mayor Gerry St. Pierre, Deputy Reeve Doug Drozd and Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken. KNM Owner Hans Mourits remarked on the company’s roster of farm equipment manufacturers, saying that the spring acquisition of Kioti to their line-up of existing products that already included Vermeer and Farm King was a happy accomplishment.

County delays pool borrowing bylaw for the second time

Barrhead County council voted unanimously to delay first reading of its $5 million borrowing bylaw, yet again, during their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 7.

Originally council had planned to give the bylaw first reading, at their June 16 meeting, but decided to delay it until their July 7 meeting. Giving first reading would have been the county’s first step towards approving the county’s portion of the estimated $13 million construction costs of Barrhead’s new aquatic centre.

Fort Assiniboine gravel pit application approved

It looks like Lafarge Canada is finally going to get its gravel pit.

On Tuesday, July 7, after a number of months of discussion, Woodlands County council voted unanimously to approve Lafarge Canada’s application for a gravel pit, during their regular meeting in Whitecourt.

Young hopeful brings first win to Canada

In June, former Barrhead resident Elien De Herdt joined Canada’s national baking team in Argentina to compete on the world stage at the Louis Lasaffre Cup, in a newly formed category for young hopefuls and won the Young Bakery Hopefuls Award for the Americas. De Herdt’s win earned her a spot at the competition’s stop in Paris, France. Working as part of a team on a national level, she said, was amazing and provided her with a wealth of experience. De Herdt, who currently lives in Edmonton and works as a baker at Dutch Delicious, plans on participating at Skills Canada, a similar baking competition, in May 2016.

Barrhead man to run for Conservatives in Peace River-Westlock riding

The Conservative Party of Canada has selected their man who will run for MP of the newly minted riding of Peace River-Westlock in the upcoming federal election in October.

Arnold Viersen, of Barrhead, was the successful candidate after the party’s vote on July 8, when he defeated Jackie Larsen, Eris Moncur and Terry Hogan, who also put their names forward for the nomination.

Council gives Schneider Lands Area Structure Plan the green light

Barrhead residents may have some additional shopping options sooner than later thanks to a recent decision by Barrhead town council.

On Tuesday, July 14, during their regular meeting, Barrhead town council unanimously gave three readings to a land use bylaw that would allow council to develop two parcels of land in the northwest part of town near, the W.R. Keir Barrhead Continuing Care Centre.

Postage Marked, Return To Sender

Betty Judd, 29, was arrested along with another unidentified individual on June 12, after Barrhead RCMP responded to a break-in in progress at the Lunford Cemetary.

Further investigation in the vicinity resulted in the location of a black Jeep Cherokee containing a number of tools, pieces of identification, personal mail and cheques, and items stolen from a tool shed on the cemetary property. According to police reports, two days after her arrest, Judd was transferred to the Barrhead Hospital due to complaints of intense pain, and after she was deemed physically healthy, managed to escape from the secure bay at the hospital where the transfer vehicle waited. A short chase ensued and Judd was tackled by Barrhead RCMP members. She was sentenced to 12-months probation, mandatory treatment for addiction, and was ordered to pay a $300 fine.

Pool Pay it Forward hopes to keep discussion positive

A number of Barrhead area residents are hoping to put all the negativity regarding the aquatic centre debate behind, and look to the future.

The group is called Pool Pay It Forward and they met for the first time at Rita’s Apothecary on Wednesday, July 22, for its inaugural meeting with about 10 people attending.

Town residents will have a chance to vote on pool borrowing bylaw

Residents living in the Town of Barrhead will have another chance to voice their opinion officially about whether they agree with the new aquatic centre project.

On Tuesday, July 21, during a special meeting, Barrhead town council decided to bring bylaw 05-2015 to Barrhead residents for their approval on a vote which will be held in October.

Being snow-blind or light sensitive, a cause for concern

Dr. Grant Balen, a resident of Barrhead and an optometrist, discussed the dangers of UV rays and the potential for damage that can be caused to the eyes during any season at his office, on July 21. Balen explained that the effects of UV rays are absorbed by the tissues of the eye and eyelid both, and that the effects can be cumulative. "While initially causing predominantly low-grade damage, it can escalate as time passes without treatment or precautions," he said. Wearing hats and sunglasses or wrap-around frames, together with sunscreen applied to the upper and lower regions of the eyelid and cheeks can help lower the risk, Balen said, adding that ultimately, avoidance of UV rays through lifestyle choices would go a long way to reducing the risks of exposure to UVA and UVB light.

Giving a man his due

This year marked a special occasion for Herman Barkemeyer, a service officer with the Royal Canadian Legion in Barrhead, when he was awarded the Ministry of Veteran’s Affairs Commendation in Calgary by veteran affairs minister Erin O’Toole. Barkemeyer, 82, a veteran of the Korean War, has been a member of the legion for 45 years, assisting fellow veterans and widows in collecting documentation and pensions. His dedication to helping veterans is exemplified through volunteer work, which includes driving them to Edmonton for medical appointments, delivering fruit or flower baskets and in assisting with birthday celebrations at the Barrhead Continuing Care Centre for over 50 residents. "I enjoy people," Barkemeyer said. "To be a service officer, I think it helps a lot if you are a veteran. Other people have been service officers without being veterans, but for me, it helped because I could understand where these people were coming from."

New aquatic centre group formed

A number of Barrhead residents concerned that the Town of Barrhead and its residents cannot afford the aquatic centre as currently proposed, met for the first time on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The group of seven people, which doesn’t have a name yet, was hosted by Vincent Wiese, former owner of Vince’s Gym, who organized the meeting because he felt opponents of the pool facility are being unfairly targeted as being against the pool.

Historic motion made by county council

In a historic motion, county council approved two new meat-related businesses on Tuesday, Aug. 4, during their regular meeting, though Dennis Ranger’s own Barrhead Custom Meats remains the sole holder of a license to distribute. Rick Neumann, development officer for the county, informed council of an application for a brand new sausage shop, as well as one for a cut-and-wrap operation. Council voted unanimously in favour of both.

Woodlands County declares state of agriculture disaster

Woodlands County has joined a growing list of Alberta counties that declared a state of agriculture disaster.

The decision was made by county councillors during a special meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6. The vote was unanimous.

Proposed aquatic centre budget released

Barrhead area residents will have a lot more information about the aquatic centre thanks to an information session by town staff.

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, during Barrhead town council’s regular meeting, Martin Taylor, Chief Administrative Officer for Barrhead, presented a report to council on the aquatic centre project.

"There is a lot of misinformation floating and I thought it would be prudent with all the recent happenings to give council the most up to date information regarding the aquatic centre," he said.

New community pro-pool group forms

A group of citizens is hoping the community will catch the wave and come together to support the new aquatic centre.

The group is called Making Waves – Yes for Progress and it had its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Multipurpose room in the Agrena with 10 people attending.

Someone’s goose, or bird, got cooked

With neither a spark nor a concussion, the power went out suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, Aug. 13, although some residents said they had received letters warning them of possible outages. According to Scott Schreiner, director of external engagement for AltaLink, approximately 8,000 customers were impacted by the outage, an event caused by a small bird that had made contact with equipment. "With the help of Fortis Alberta, we were able to make the repairs and to restore the power to the area by 2:33 p.m.," Schreiner said.

The smiles are payment enough

There is an old adage you can’t get something for nothing and for the most part that’s true.

But, like everything in life, there are exceptions. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, a group of 37 youths in Barrhead’s Summer Recreation Program were treated to an afternoon of free swimming at the Westlock Aquatic Centre.

From one writer to another

Speaking to a broad range of interests, Jay Watananiuk, a writer for Edmonton-based video game development company BioWare, filled audiences in on his past, present and future, while mingling personal experiences with innuendos as he handed out advice to would-be writers. According to Watananiuk, games without a concrete storyline and interactive elements might be fun and look cool, but if there is no emotional engagement, there is nothing to them. In addition to his work with video games, Watananiuk has two of his own novels published and said that he highly recommends a writing exercise that runs in November, National Novel Writing Month. "You get 30 days to write a 50,000 word novel and it really doesn’t give you any time to second guess yourself. You’ve got to write six to ten pages a day," he said.

All’s well that ends well

It looks like a young Barrhead girl will not miss her first day of Grade 1 after all.

On Monday, Aug. 24, Carson Meunier, a single father, contacted the Leader because he was worried that his seven year-old daughter, Blaze, would not be able to start the school year on time, due to a problem with his child allowance tax benefit. Blaze is going into Grade 1 this year at Barrhead Elementary School.

Country music, popcorn, and the Ripple Connection

The Ripple Connection Support Centre’s annual Fall Fundraiser was held at the Roxy Theatre on Sept. 19, and tickets sold out fast. Steve Hillis, performing as Basically Brooks, joined fellow tribute artist Almost Alan for the concert that followed a silent auction and 50/50 draw to benefit the Ripple Connection. All proceeds went to operating costs to keep the charity open.

New kid on the block extremely bad for you

What looked like an innocent looking flower with a pleasant scent, in reality a weed most commonly known as Jimson Weed that is part of the nightshade family, was spotted in canola fields in Barrhead. Considered a deadly and invasive species, County of Barrhead Agricultural Fieldman Marilyn Flock assured readers that the three dozen Jimson Weed plants in the county would be pulled up and incinerated in short order and advised everyone to be wary of the weed. She said that prior to the discovery, Jimson Weed had not been seen in Barrhead before.

Hot lunch program looks to the community for help

No child should go hungry.

That is the philosophy behind the FCSS Hot Lunch Program at Barrhead Elementary School.

The program started more than 10 years ago at BES when a FCSS worker visited the school and noticed that there were a number of students who either didn’t have a lunch or had one that was inadequate.

At first FCSS sent food to the school from the food bank, but now the lunches are prepared on site in the school’s kitchen for a nominal fee of $2.75 each.

Depending on the day, the menu changes and can range from anything from soup and chili, to pasta and salads.

However, Sandy McCarthy, FCSS Hot Lunch Program co-ordinator and head cook, said she is concerned about the future of the program.

Neerlandia author shares what she has learned through her journey of faith

It has been a long journey for Neerlandia resident and author Emily Wierenga, but she is finally at peace with her identity as a writer, a wife, a mother and as individual.

However, she said, that it hasn’t always been the case.

In her latest book, Making it Home: Finding My Way to Peace, Identity and Purpose, Wierenga writes about her journey of self discovery in an effort to find her identity.

Local businesses host friendly challenge on awareness day

On September 9th, a handful of businesses in Barrhead took time between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to compete in a friendly competition on Main Street in order to raise awareness for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) following a proclamation that was read by Town Councillor Ryan Warehime that declared Sept. 9 as FASD Awareness Day.

Man on own-recognizance charged with attempted murder

Coltin Demuth, 19, was arrested by members of the Barrhead RCMP detachment 24 hours after they responded to a call from Emergency Services for assistance at a site in the Campsie area. According to police reports, already bound by a no-contact court order for a prior assault charge, Demuth broke into his mother’s residence at the Campsie trailer park and proceeded to beat her to within an inch of her life, only fleeing the scene after he had attempted to ‘curb-stomp’ her to death. He was sentenced to a 30-day psychiatric evaluation by Judge Karl Wilberg upon appearing at the Alberta Provincial Courthouse in Barrhead via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre.

Dropped, dribbled and thrown

October’s theme at the Barrhead Art Gallery was focused on abstract art and boasted a show that began on Oct. 2. Abstract expressionism dates back to the 1940’s and the 1950’s, a term first used to describe the works of Russian painter and art theorist Wassily Kandinsky, though it has been more often associated with Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. It is defined as art that has no reference to any figurative reality. The abstract show ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October, except between the 16th and the 18th when the gallery hosted their fall show on those dates instead.

Barrhead Fire Department adds another full-time member

The position may be new but for many Barrhead area residents the face filling it will be familiar.

In September, Gary Hove, a long time member of the Barrhead Fire Department became the second full-time paid firefighter.

The other is fire chief John Whittaker.

The Fire Services Committee decided the department needed to add a full-time deputy chief, after an independent report recommended that the position was needed to help offset the workload of the fire chief. The committee is comprised of members from Barrhead town and county councils.

Town and county residents vote in favour of borrowing bylaw

On Wednesday, Oct. 7 the residents of the town and county of Barrhead were each asked a very simple question.

Do you support the borrowing bylaw to allow the town and/or county to borrow up to $5 million towards the construction of a new aquatic centre?

In both cases the answer was a resounding yes.

Town residents voted three to one in favour of supporting the bylaw with 1,180 for and 384 against.

The results for Barrhead County weren’t quite so one sided with 1,055 votes in favour and 473 against.

Barrhead business wins national award

For the last number of years, the Freson Bros. grocery store in Barrhead has earned a merit or regional award from the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers (CFIG), but this year they have done one better.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, as part of the CFIG’s annual trade show and conference, Freson Bros. received the gold medal in the medium sized floor category.

Canadian senator going to bat for Korean vets

First there was the Korean War medal that service personnel were awarded by former Korean President Syngman Rhee, and then there was the United Nation’s peacekeeping medal awarded for the same service. Forty-two years after the issuance of the original two medals, the Canadian government decided to recognize a commemorative medal awarded by Korea’s ministry of patriots and veterans affairs, the Ambassador for Peace medal, and it was made available to volunteers of the conflict; however the Korean War Service medal is still not approved by the Canadian government and Senator Yonah Martin, deputy government leader of the Canadian Senate, said she was looking into why Canada had not yet approved the Syngman Rhee award.

Bluegrass Christian band on nation-wide tour

Blending country elements with bluegrass, southern rock and contemporary Christian messages, Tim Neufeld and the Glory Boys manage to craft a unique standout sound in a genre that is often hard to spot in local record stores. Neufeld, a native of Abbotsford, B.C., is one of two founding members of the Juno-Award winning Christian music group Starfield and was in Barrhead on Oct. 11 to perform at the Bethel Pentecostal Church with his new band. "I’ve been a professional musician for almost 17 years and I started out in a church," Neufeld said, adding that music has always been a large part of his life. Once the current tour wraps up, Neufeld said, there are plans for a new Glory Boys record in 2016 and it will likely contain some elements of mainstream country. "I’m not quite sure what is going to happen with that but I feel like that’s probably the next step and I’m excited to find out," he said.

Neerlandia resident wins riding in convincing fashion

Neerlandia native Arnold Viersen has a new job – Member of Parliament.

On Monday Aug. 3, a day after Prime Minister Stephen Harper dropped the election writ , Viersen told his employer, Stephani Motors that he intended to quit his job as an automobile mechanic to campaign full-time in an effort to win the Peace River – Westlock riding.

Barrhead’s Parks and Recreation director leaves for a new opportunity

It came as a surprise to everyone involved, including Sue Keenan, but after serving for two years as Parks and Recreation director for the Town of Barrhead, she will be moving on to take on her next challenge.

Keenan submitted her resignation letter to the town earlier this month, effective as of Jan. 8 2016. She submitted her resignation to accept a job as Fort Macleod’s chief administrative officer (CAO).

Barrhead FCSS executive director moves on

For those people visiting the Barrhead and District FCSS there are days they may feel the absence of long time FCSS employee, Linda Mueller.

For nearly a decade, Mueller in one form or another, has been connected with Barrhead’s FCSS, but on Friday, Oct. 23, her association with the organization ended.

"It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life," Mueller said about her decision to leave Barrhead’s FCSS, where she was the executive director. "My heart wanted to stay, but my brain said it was time to go and seek out new challenges. It wasn’t for any reason. I love the community of Barrhead and the people at the FCSS."

Notable acts lined up for 2015-16 season

According to Jennifer Lechelt, a member of the Barrhead Arts Council, Heather Blush and The Uppercuts were the first act to perform for the 2015-2016 season. "We just come back from a weekend in Fort Saskatchewan where we attended Alberta Showcase – an event similar to Ontario’s Canadian Music Week which is held in Toronto, and it is a trade show for musicians and industry personnel," Lechelt said, adding that the Barrhead Arts Council has also booked Cod Gone Wild, a celtic-inspired folk band, and the Carolines, a country six-piece from Edmonton. Previously scheduled ‘Six Guitar’s’ performer Chase Padgett was forced to cancel his February date in Barrhead due to a contractual obligation with NBC. Lechelt said the council was looking for replacements.

Jazz musicians light up the night

Heather Blush and The Uppercuts performed at the drama theatre at Barrhead Composite High School on Friday, Nov. 6, to a sold-out crowd and provided entertainment in the form of sultry, sassy jazz. "You may have noticed we performed as a four-piece," Heather Johnson, vocalist and guitarist of the band, said, adding the fourth member was Cedric Blary, a clarinetist. "He really adds a lot to our show and we love playing with him." The band, according to Johnson, will be entering the studio in the early part of 2016 to record a new album.

Crown council explains to council what happened in court case

Crown council is just as frustrated as anyone else in the increase in crime and some of the sentences criminals are receiving.

That is what Jeff Morrison, chief crown prosecutor, told town council during their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

Fort Assiniboine School to remain open next year

Fort Assiniboine School will remain open for another year, despite meeting, at least in part, the criteria to open discussions on school closures. Nor will the school division entertain any grade reconfigurations.

Children’s author visits Barrhead, donates to local food bank

Cherhill resident Chance Hansen, 22, was in Barrhead on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Pembina West Co-op, for a book-signing of his latest children’s book, Green Pea: Sing To Me. "I’ve been writing since I was 13 years old," Hansen said, adding that he has been self-publishing for over five years. "I really enjoy writing children’s books. They are fun to do and if I only read to one kid who really enjoyed the story, it makes everything worthwhile regardless, just to have that one child smile."

Local MP gets Conservative shadow cabinet nod

Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen has earned a role in interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose’s shadow cabinet.

On Thursday, Nov. 19, Ambrose announced her shadow cabinet, which saw Viersen tasked as deputy critic of rural affairs to Lambton–Kent–Middlesex MP Bev Shipley.

Viersen is tasked to the file with Shipley, a veteran MP representing rural southern Ontario, someone he’s keen to learn from.

Obstruction of justice charges laid

The man charged with the first-degree murders of a St. Albert couple in 2010 is now facing additional charges that are not related to the case. The accused, Travis Vader, was arrested by RCMP members on November 12, after information was received that alleged Vader was attempting to obstruct justice in an assault case related to an incident involving his former fiancé. Vader was previously charged with assaulting his ex-fiance on two separate occasions. In addition, Vader was also charged with the murders of Lyle and Marie McCann.

Local group hopes to bring in Syrian refugee families

The federal government’s pledge to accept 25,000 refugees to Canada has prompted a group of residents to try to help.

On Thursday, Nov. 26, nine people met at the Barrhead United Church to see what they could do at a local level to help sponsor a Syrian or multiple Syrian refugee families.

To borrow or not to borrow

At the meeting of Barrhead County Council on Nov. 20, councillors discussed the borrowing bylaw and whether withdrawing the $5 million now, after the 30-day window to appeal the bylaw’s third reading has passed, or if waiting until March might not be more prudent. Reeve Bill Lee explained that council’s hesitancy stemmed from the fixed interest rates attached to the debenture and worried that taking the money out too soon could result in more interest accrued on the capital.

Pembina Hills trustees direct Dunstable School to recite Lord’s Prayer

Pembina Hills trustees voted 5-1 during their Nov. 25 board meeting to direct Dunstable School to resume reciting the Lord’s Prayer during opening assemblies.

This was the second time this fall that the Pembina Hills board has directed a local elementary school to recite the Lord’s Prayer after a similar issue arose at Busby School.

Dave Garbutt, assistant superintendent of employee services and facilities and transportation, said Dunstable School has had a long tradition of reciting the Lord’s Prayer during its opening exercises.

The principal had decided to suspend the practice pending the outcome of the consultation that took place earlier this fall at Busby School, he said.

Legislation without due consultation

Farm safety is of the utmost importance, Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken said, with respect to Bill 6 – a far reaching omnibus bill supporting legislation for better wages, insurance and safety of farm workers, and one that is currently being pushed by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. "Our biggest concern, the Wildrose Party’s concern, is that the government did not consult with the very people this bill is being implemented against," van Dijken said. The NDP government, van Dijken explained, has a role in being able to decide what is necessary, but in his opinion, they have not fulfilled that obligation. "Let’s just slow this whole thing down and stop the bill from getting passed," he said. "Let’s send it to the proper committee and find out what Is necessary for the industry."

Pembina Hills trustees consider two international trips set for March

In the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris and California, the Pembina Hills school board opted last Wednesday to cancel one trip to France in March by R.F. Staples students and change the destination of another trip by Barrhead Composite High School students that same month from the United Kingdom to New York City.

The trustees first voted unanimously to cancel a trip by R.F. Staples students to the Netherlands, Belgium and France from March 24 to April 3, 2016.

After the board passed that motion, Thiesen brought forward the issue of an international trip by a group of Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) students to Britain and Ireland originally set for March of 2016.

Based on the travel advisories issued by the Government of Canada, Thiesen said there is currently a severe level of threat involved with travelling to Britain, both from international terrorists and local terrorists in northern Ireland.

As such, the BCHS travel club amended its plans to go to New York City, with a potential side trip to Boston. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stated the threat level of a terrorist attack on New York is currently not high.

Questions about Syria and how to help

The second meeting for residents concerned about the Syrian refugee crisis was held at the Barrhead United Church on Wednesday, Dec. 9, and drew more support from the community, bringing more definitive answers to some of the questions that were raised during the last meeting. In terms of sponsorship, Rita Lyster, the acting co-ordinator of the fledgling organization, said, the refugees are organized through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and that they have to be vetted to a certain degree, that it is a long process involved. "It isn’t just a case of a person with papers showing up and wanting to be let in," she said.

New FCSS executive director named

Barrhead and District FCSS has a new executive director, one that may be familiar to a number of Barrhead area residents.

Shelly Dewsnap, a former Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) teacher, takes over from Linda Mueller, who left Barrhead’s FCSS to take a position with Wetaskiwin’s FCSS department.

Neerlandia students move into new building

It was moving day at Neerlandia, as students and staff at Neerlandia Public Christian School (NPCS) — along with a number of Pembina Hills maintenance staff and parent volunteers — moved into their new replacement school.

The provincial government first announced in the spring of 2013 that Neerlandia would be getting a new school to replace their 72-year-old building, which was showing significant signs of wear and tear.