1984-an overview of the past year
SEPTEMBER
The Progressive Conservatives had a landslide victory in the September 4 federal election, with Vegreville constituency candidate Don Mazankowski re-elected by a huge majority. |
The recreation land purchase again went to a council vote, with a narrow 3-2 margin in favor of the purchase. However, at the second Council meeting of the month, a 142-signature petition asked that the matter go to a plebiscite.
Four names were submitted on Nomination Day for the two Council seats, with Alvina Schukmacher, Gordon Fraser, Walter Lesyk and Stan Dmytrash throwing their hats in the ring for the October 3 by-election.
Tourism chairman Ron Barwick reported to the chamber of Commerce that 1600 visitors had passed through the Tourist Booth this year, from as far away as Port au Prince, Haiti.
Forty eight residential lots were put on stream in the Bespalko Subdivision by Mughal Homes Ltd., who also made a start on their new motel. The Hillview Village Apartments were ready for occupancy and were soon filled to capacity.
Elk Point Golf Club held their year-end tournament, with El Soldan named Club Champion and Pearl Bespalko Ladies Champion.
The Town Lab was finally ready for use, the Water and Sewer Operator Steve Penz tried out the new equipment on the weekly sewage tests.
Elk Point Chamber of Commerce moved to the Pioneer Circle Hall for their bi-weekly meetings while renovations on the Empress Restaurant were underway. The Chamber-sponsored Management Assistance Program also got underway, with twenty participants signed up.
Work commenced on the rebuilding of Highway 41 from the south town limits to the new bridge.
Pan-Canadian Petroleum took an option on 10.68 acres of land in the Industrial Park, with plans for an office building, warehouse and storage yard which could cost in the neighborhood of $750,000.
Elk Point Minor Hockey Association returned their 1983-84 executive for a second term, with fees remaining the same as last year’s.
Hospital Administrator Maurice Lafrance resigned his position, with hospital staff carrying on business as usual.
OCTOBER
Alvina Schuhmacher and Walter Lesyk were elected in the October 3 by-election and were sworn in at the Thanksgiving day meeting. The new councillors then took part in voting on a motion to accept the petition asking for a plebiscite on the rec land, which passed with a 43 majority.
Council also gave attention to restructuring water and sewer rates to make these utilities pay their own way, rather than having a deficit which is paid from tax dollars,
Elk Point Agricultural Society held their Annual Meeting, returning their 1983-84 executive by acclamation and leaving their fee structure at last year’s levels.
Council’s annual reorganization meeting saw Steve Stepaniuk named Deputy Mayor for the upcoming six months, and all members of Council placed on various committees.
Winter hit Elk Point very prematurely with a full scale blizzard on Tuesday, October 16 making driving hazardous. Elk Point drivers, however, took the bad roads in their stride and no major accidents resulted from the ice and blowing snow.
Jim Fell was elected president of the Elk Point Curling Club for the coming year, with Les Meger as Vice-president, Bill Currey as Secretary and Connie Currey as Treasurer. Plans for renovation of the burned-out curling rink got off to a quick start, with volunteers from the club helping to tear out the charred interior.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister John Zaozirny visited Elk Point for a dinner meeting with oil company executives and community leaders ,and assured the gathering that ‘“‘Alberta’s best days are still ahead of us.”’
Wendy Lorenson was named Junior Barrel Racing champion of the Lakeland Rodeo Association after the finals rodeo in Camrose. St. Paul Rodeo Queen Michelle Gottenbos was crowned LRA Queen, and it required two re-rides to break a tie between Gary Whitlock of Elk Point and Taylor of Ranfurly in the Junior Steer Riding championship go-round.
F.G. Miller High School drama students put on a very scary haunted house for the Elementary School youngsters, and staff at both local banks dressed up for Halloween.
NOVEMBER
Elk Point residents turned out in large numbers to remember those who gave their lives in two wars on Remembrance Day, with a parade, wreath laying ceremony and interdenominational service.
Stan Price of Acme was guest speaker at the Alberta Cattle Commission election meeting in Elk Point, at which the candidates presented their election platforms and producers also voted on a beef promotion referendum.
The November 14 plebiscite vote gave the Town the go-ahead to purchase the 156.99 acre parcel owned by Clinic Holdings by 186 to 154 vote margin.
F.G. Miller High School held their annual Awards Night, with 38 students receiving 55 awards. The Kates Memorial award went to Susan Kuhn, while Kathy Mistol was the best all-round Junior High student.
Beavers, Scouts and Cubs were installed, guides and Brownies were enrolled, and a large contingent of both Junior and Senior High students were voted as having the best attitudes in their classes.
Elk Point Curling Club reopened on Saturday, November 24, with Councillor Morris Cooper cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Contractor Wallace Briand made fast work of the extensive repairs, with volunteer club members again pitching in to help with painting the rebuilt interior. The ice was not finished in time to hold a fun spiel on that date, but was ready for that event the following Saturday.
The Heavy Oil Advisory Committee met with representatives of towns, counties, improvement districts and Chambers of Commerce from throughout the Lakeland to discuss road upgrading priorities which have resulted through the upsurge in oil development. Highway 897 got the nod from Chambers of Commerce in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, Grand Centre, Glendon and Lloydminster, while the Elk Point area representatives thought Highways 646 and 640 were most in need of upgrading.
DECEMBER
A business building boom, and Christmas activity bustle hit Elk Point this past month, with a Work Wearhouse, a Husky Tag Store, a new motel restaurant complex and a large addition to an existing restaurant emerging from the carpenters’ hammers, and pre-Christmas events of all kinds being held by organizations and schools.
The Town passed a recreation land acquisition bylaw and later ratified the purchase of the land for $150,000. Council also gave the go-ahead to construction of a new municipal library for Elk Point.
The Town and Chamber prepared road upgrading priority briefs for presentation to the Heavy Oil Advisory Committee, and the Chamber was advised to form an economic development committee.
SURROUNDED BY SUPPORTERS — Newly re-elected MP Don Mazankowski receives congratulations from constituents at P.C, campaign headquarters in St. Paul.
MAYOR WELCOMES NEW COUNCILLORS — Mayor Ed Buck (centre) welcomed new council members Walter Lesyk and Alvina Schuhmacher at the Thanksgiving Day meeting of Elk Point Town Council.
