DECEMBER 11, 2020 Locally Owned & Operated STRATHMORE VOLUME 12 ISSUE 50 Kevin La Shaun Andrews TIMES403-850-4593 Baldwin Best Chinese Restaurant in Town Lashaun@ heartandsoldyyc.com Economic 3 items combo Zegil Automotive & Machining offers Ashlee Samaska Engine Rebuilds • Head Re-Surfacing only $9.98 What a nice 403-990-4962 Flywheel Re-Surfacing Christmas Present Ashlee@ And Much More 403-934-5957 $464,900! heartandsoldyyc.com For all your Engine & Machining needs give Just on the market 102 2nd Ave, Strathmore 3 Acres Home, large shed, Zegil Engine & Machining a call 403-542-3341 403-561-0037 Kevin Baldwin Realtor / [email protected] order online:morethanicecream.ca Barn SW of Strathmore. Page 5 COVID-19 complicating province’s court system SEAN FEAGAN Local Journalism Initiative Reporter While navigating the court system can be daunting at any time, COVID-19 has made things more complicated. The COVID-19 outbreak shut down Alberta’s court sys- tem at the start of the pandemic in the spring. While courts Local fighter are now operating again, they are still being affected by backlogs and have new processes in place. Currently, the Strathmore Courthouse, a circuit court, COVID-19 Update is open for criminal trials, family matters, civil trials and in Strathmore & some traffic matters (mandatory appearances and tickets Wheatland County scheduled for trial). But other legal proceedings, such as appeals or sentenc- (as of December 8, 2020) ing, are being addressed via the regional base court, the 248 Cases Drumheller Courthouse. This is because it is larger, allow- ing for better distancing among staff, counsel and mem- 41 Active | 204 Recovered bers of the public, explained John Getz, with local law 3 Deaths firm Getz, Collins & Associates. “The lobby is way bigger, so you’re not getting the horrible crowding that you would get on a normal docket here in Strathmore,” he said. “It just couldn’t be safe here.” But just because a matter is being addressed through the Drumheller Courthouse, does not mean travelling there is required. That is because some matters are being ad- dressed remotely, through WebEx, a video conferencing platform. “My clients are not going to drive all the way to Drum- heller, nor am I, for a relatively simpler matter,” said Getz. Getz operates the system from his office, and clients call in. “They’re on by telephone from wherever they are — sometimes at work, sometimes at home – and the odd time the guy says, ‘hold on, I need to pull over.’” Sometimes this can speed up the process, noted Getz. “For example, last Tuesday, I had three matters to speak to and I was done in the time it would have taken me to walk to the courthouse.” But generally, remote appearances take longer and some- times that system is unreliable. “I’ve had the whole system go down and then had to boot it up again, and that costs us half an hour sitting around and twiddling our thumbs.” For some matters, Getz still recommends his clients ap- pear in-person. Look on Page 12 for “On any kind of complicated sentencing, it’s probably Town of Strathmore better for the client to appear and be there in front of the Municipal Notices judge in the court,” he said. “Particularly if the Crown is Seasons givings Contact Us Today! asking for jail, and I’m asking for no jail. Tristan Recto (l-r) and Evan Buffam, Grade 7 students at Trinity Christian Acad- “Sometimes it’s better to have them in person,” he add- emy (TCA), prepare to carry donations to Strathmore & Wheatland Christmas 403.934.5589 ed. “But for the most part, I suggest that the discussion be Hamper Society Volunteers on Dec. 8. In addition to two truckloads of non- [email protected] held with the Crown beforehand, not on a court date when perishables and other items, TCA raised over $1,000 for this year’s Christmas the Crown is juggling 50 to 75 files.” hampers. www.StrathmoreTimes.com Sean Feagan Photo Continued on Page 4 $164,900 $134,900 $84,900 $279,900 $85,000 JUST LISTED NONIE HALL AGENT 403-934-0420 LOCATION PLUS !! 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During the Town of Strathmore regular coun- “We’re pretty excited about the project,” said Coul- cil meeting on Dec. 2, council voted unanimously ter. to amend the Lakewood area structure plan. The Also included in the amendments is the addition of amendments were requested by Devmore Devel- medium-density housing throughout the residential opments Inc., the developer, to respond to market portion of the plan area. This change was proposed changes, as per a report presented to council by by the developer to add more flexibility for future Cameron Thompson, town planner. residential housing options. Previously, the area was The Lakewood Meadows Area Structure Plan was amended for The amendments include the addition of an 8.5- mostly designated as low-density residential hous- a new commercial development and to allow for medium-density housing. acre commercial site and neighbourhood commer- ing, allowing for single detached and semi-detached Sean Feagan Photo cial opportunity area, as well as corresponding com- homes. But now, with the medium density designa- mercial land use policies. This commercial area will tion, row houses and two- to three-story walk-up ter is to state that there is sufficient need for another be located in the northwest portion of the develop- apartments may also be constructed. ice arena in Strathmore but will include a condition ment. The town received several letters in support of the that the town will not commit any financial resourc- As per the report, the developer’s rationale for the proposed amendments to the area structure plan, in- es to the project. commercial site is the assertion of a services gap cluded in the report. Devmore has been discussing the impact and vi- for residents of Lakewood, Hillview and surround- LAKEWOOD ARENA PROPOSAL ability of the project with the town’s recreation de- ing areas. This development will benefit the area and Lakewood Meadows could also feature a new twin- partment. There is evidence of a need for the project, Strathmore as a whole, said Thompson. rink arena in the future. because in the town’s Recreation, Culture and Facili- Devmore has received interest from numerous sec- Devmore met with town administration in Septem- ties Master Plan (2019), a new ice arena was ranked tors, including a gas station, a financial company, a ber 2020 to discuss a proposal for a new twin-rink as the second-highest priority, based on surveys and pharmacy and an interior designer, said Neal Coul- arena being considered for the northwest area of the focus groups. ter, Lakewood developer. development. During the Dec. 2 meeting, council Another ice arena could impact the operations of “They’ve gone beyond saying, ‘yes, we’re interest- voted to provide a letter of support for this project. the Family Centre, according to a report by Thomp- ed,’ he said. “They’re looking at construction costs; The letter was requested by Devmore at the re- son. However, it would also provide more recre- they’re fully involved.” quest of the group’s financiers. The non-binding let- ational opportunities for groups within Strathmore. Stronger COVID-19 measures enacted SEAN FEAGAN face covering must be worn when at all indoor pub- individuals living alone, who are allowed up to two Local Journalism Initiative Reporter lic spaces, including businesses, and is applicable to close contacts. employees, visitors and members of the public. Farm Other restrictions start on Dec. 13, including plac- The provincial government has enacted new pub- operations and rental accommodations used as pri- es of worship which will be limited to 15 per cent lic health measures that will place more restrictions vate residences are excluded. of fire code occupancy. Retail services must reduce on how people live, work and play for at least the Indoor social gatherings, already prohibited on customer capacity to 15 per cent of fire code occu- next four weeks. Nov. 24, has been extended to outdoor social gath- pancy, with a minimum of five customers allowed to During a press conference on Dec. 8, Premier Ja- erings, which previously were allowed to include enter. Shopping malls too will have capacity reduced son Kenney stated a province-wide mask mandate is up to 10 people. Close contacts are being limited to this level. enacted, in effect immediately. This means a mask or to household members only, with the exception of Continued on Page 4 Upcoming Meetings Wheatland County Assessment Review Board Until further notice, Council and committee meetings will be held via teleconference, including: Wheatland County Assessment Review Board (ARB) is an independent and impartial tribunal that hears and adjudicates formal complaints against the assessments of any property, business or local improvement in Wheatland County.