By Morinville News Staff
Polls open early
Voters will be able to cast their Oct. 21 Municipal Election ballots as early as 8 a.m. now that Council has given second and third reading to the Elections Bylaw.
In addition to allowing voters to cast their ballots on their way to work, the new bylaw is designed to consolidate what Morinville had in place with what is provincially required through the Alberta Local Authorities Election Act.
Administration intends to repeal the Town’s Disclosure Bylaw on June 25. That 2002 bylaw allowed the public to review Council’s campaign contributions and expenses; however, the Alberta Local Authorities Election Act now includes a section (5.1) dealing with Municipal Election Finance and Contribution Disclosure.
Reuse it or “Loose” it deemed a success
Council received a report from Morinville resident and Free Press reporter Cynthia Wandler June 11 on the success of the Reuse it or Loose it program the Town of Morinville incorporated into the annual Town-Wide Garage Sale a few weekends ago.
Wandler’s idea was to have a central location where residents could drop off their unsold and unwanted garage sale items, a place where people could come and take those items away. Anything left over at the end of the run was taken to the Roseridge Landfill.
The event saw 1,577.5 pounds of goods salvaged by people, including 18 tables, five couches and other items large and small. In total, residents took 423 items away from the arena parking lot over the 24-hour period the event ran.
Wandler said 107 vehicles were tracked bringing materials to the event. A total of 1,500 pounds of metal and 3,020 pounds of other items were taken to the Roseridge Landfill, helping to keep the unwanted items out of thrift store lane ways.
The cost of the event was $5,725.89, roughly $14,000 less than the $20,000 allocated for the initiative.
Wandler said she was appreciative the support of the Town of Morinville staff and the many volunteers who assisted. She said she would like to assist with the program next year should the Town wish to do it again.
Dewald recognized for 33 years of service in education
Morinville Community High School teacher Laverne Dewald was recognized in Morinville Council Chambers Tuesday night for his 33 years of teaching in the community.
Dewald began his teaching career in 1980 as a physical education and math teacher at Morinville’s then newly opened Georges H. Primeau School.
In the 1990s he was part of the team behind the development and construction of Morinville Community High School, the town’s newest school. When the school opened in 1994, Dewald took on the role of chief Career and Technology Studies teacher in the building, a position through which he offered students the latest in graphic design instruction while still teaching mathematics and coaching the MCHS Senior Girls Basketball team.
“His dedication to the job extended well beyond the classroom, using his design expertise to aid fellow staff members and members of the community no matter what the job,” said Mayor Paul Krauskopf in describing the teacher’s more than three decades of teaching.
In addition to teaching, Dewald and his wife purchased Uptown Video in 1997 and followed the purchase of Crescent Video in 2000 and subsequently the local Sears location in 2002. In 2004, the Dewalds built a new strip mall on 100 Street, providing a new location for their video rental and Sears store, as well three other local businesses.
Dewald, an active teacher and business owner in the community, was somewhat shy in receiving Council’s thanks. After receiving a gift and accolades from Council, the long-time teacher quipped that it was something to have taught half of the current Council.
Polo approved for board
Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ms. M. Polo to serve on the Town’s Assessment Review Board.
As the board is currently full with two members of Council (David Pattison and Sheldon Fingler) and one member at large, Polo will serve as a board alternate.
Ms. Polo will be given the mandatory training before being permitted to sit in on a hearing. Her term is set to expire October of 2015.
