DECEMBER 2007 your free COMMUNITY newspaper ALBERTA AVENUE DELTON EASTWOOD ELMWOOD PARK REE S PARKDALE EKK PPR SPRUCE AVENUE CCRREEE WESTWOOD RSRSAATT S BUILDING COMMUNITY . ENCOURAGING COMMUNICATION . IN CREASING CAPACITY CIRCULATION 12,500 PH: 479.6285 EMAIL: [email protected] The endless battle over liquor stores KAREN MYKIETKA block going east-west (e.g. from 92 St to 93 St). And three, it has Carrie Thuesen feels like she has to be a minimum 500 metres made a career of fighting liquor from another liquor stores (this stores – and she’s tired of it. “I’m bylaw began April 2007). almost worn out. An incredible amount of people’s time and The ongoing battle energy has gone into fighting Over the last three years, as a liquor store in this location,” local residents have turned out says the Cromdale resident. to talk about vision and revi- Thuesen and other residents talization for the Avenue area, have been battling for almost a common theme has been the eight years to stop a liquor store desire to reduce the number of from establishing itself in the liquor stores, pawn shops, and Save-On Foods business area adult-video stores. This was at 112 Ave and 82 St. “It’s all even made a goal of the Avenue volunteer time,” she adds, “We Initiative Revitalization Strategy. don’t get paid for it. But the Taking the city bylaws liquor store, it’s part of their and our current zoning into business. They hire lawyers.” consideration, there are two Why sacrifice so much areas in our community avail- personal time to stop a liquor able to liquor stores; the stretch store? Thuesen says she does it on 118 Avenue between 86 for her child and the other chil- Street and 91 Street and 112 dren in the neighbourhood, “We Avenue east of 92 Street to have a playground here [Sheriff the Save-on Foods at 82 St. Robertson Park]. It should be Liquor stores are currently being Karen Mykietka Karen a safe place for kids to play.” fought in both these areas. L TO R: CHRISTY MORIN (THE CARROT), CHRIS BASUALDO (ALBERTA AVE COMMUNITY LEAGUE), She talks about broken glass In October, Parkdale- NORM ALDI (EASTWOOD COMMUNITY LEAGUE) STAND IN FRONT OF THE OLD DQ, THE PROPOSED in the sand and drunks scaring Cromdale Community SITE OF A NEW LIQUOR STORE ON THE AVE. kids out of the park. “We have League won the right to a new appealing the N&N Liquor tionary,” says Peter Rausch, be more willing to refuse a per- people who drink in the ravine Subdivision and Development Store that is applying to open Executive Director of the Alberta mit based on the community’s [Kinnard Ravine]. A liquor store Appeal Board (SDAB) hear- in the old Dairy Queen loca- Avenue Business Association, objections. The SDAB ruling here just makes it all the easier ing from the Court of Queen’s tion at 9023 118 Avenue. This “but we felt the benefit of on this matter will show how for them to get their liquor. I Bench. They claimed they did location used to be zone CNC mixed-use and increased devel- much credence they can or are can just see it getting worse.” not receive notice of the appeal which didn’t allow liquor stores. opment outweighed the poten- willing to give to community hearing for the Wine & Spirits In September 2007, the Avenue tial of a liquor store coming in.” opposition and the stated goals The regulations Mart wanting to open at 8108 Initiative rezoning plan was Mark Garrett, manager of of the Avenue Initiative. In 1993, the Alberta 112 Avenue. Robert Noce, passed by City Council changing the City’s Development and Government privatized the legal counsel for the property the zoning to CB2. “Many other Compliance Branch, explained The story isn’t over yet liquor business. Since then, owner, made convincing argu- parts of 118 Avenue already had that if a use (such as a liquor Watch for an update on these community residents have ment during the appeal, at this zoning,” says Judy Allan, store) is permitted under the liquor store appeals in the January been fighting a losing battle which no community members Avenue Initiative coordina- zoning and meets the regula- issue. In the meantime, please over the proliferation of liquor were present, and the SDAB tor, “Zoning was changed to tions, then the development send us your thoughts on, or stores in their neighbourhoods. granted the development permit. allow for developments of up officer is obligated to grant the experiences with our area liquor The number of liquor stores in The liquor store company is to four stories and a greater permit. But when a use is discre- stores. Do you use them? Do you Edmonton has increased from in discussions with the league diversity of business uses.” tionary, the development officer have any problems or concerns 42 in 1993 to 251 in 2007. to drop its opposition, but if will consider the land uses (phys- with our current stores? What do Three factors limit liquor no agreement is reached, both What does ical) implications for surround- you think of the proposed liquor store location. One, the zoning parties will be back before the discretionary mean? ing properties, the area devel- store for the old Dairy Queen? has to allow it. Two, it has to be SDAB in December. Unfortunately, CB2 also allows opment plans and any policy The Save-On area? Send feedback 100 metres from a playground, Another group of com- liquor stores as a discretionary statements from City Council. to [email protected] or school or community facility. In munity leaders will be before use. “We knew it was discre- The appeal board may call 479-6285. our area this is about one city the SDAB on November 29 The Rat Creek Press wishes you a Merry Christmas and a safe new year. CONTENTS Editorial ........................................2 How does your The Rat Creek Press needs Community News .....................3 liquor store rate? a part-time ad rep. Approx Local Business ..........................4 Festival of Food .....................6,7 Go to the back page for an 15-25 hours per month. Base Holiday Stress ...........................8 exclusive inside report by salary plus comission. Go to Law & Order .............................10 undercover RCP agents Calendar ....................................11 Snark and Snip. www.ratcreek.org for details Liquor Store Rating ...............12 RAT CREEK PRESS DECEMBER 2007 • VOLUME 9, ISSUE 11 PHONE 780.479.6285 So long and thanks for all the dish WEB www.ratcreek.org MANAGING EDITOR paper with Karen in 2004. At still left Karen with a bunch of I want to give my thanks Karen Mykietka [email protected] first I just wrote a few articles, duties including the advertising to everyone who ever did any- EDITOR EDITORIAL then added editing other people’s –anyone interested in a job? thing for this paper. The Rat Dawn Freeman [email protected] stories into the mix. Karen and I But I digress again...and that Creek would not survive with- GRAPHIC DESIGN Lorraine Shulba WITH DAWN FREEMAN worked together on planning is kind of the way I think about out your contributions and I ADVERTISING [email protected] stories, my time appreciate all your talents. The DISTRIBUTION Canada Post Did you notice that I stole themes and as edi- paper and the people involved layout. We tor of in it have been a huge part BOARD MEMBERS the title for this my last edito- To hear the news, went from the Rat of my life for some time and Joanne Siebert rial? Well, I did change it a little , Eastwood putting out the gossip, and the Creek: an it is hard to say goodbye. Peter Rausch so the estate of Douglas Adams , AABA an issue oppor- Although I am not going to Debbie Cronkite can’t sue me. I’ve always loved , Alberta Avenue every two words: “this is off tunity disappear completely; I intend Cheryl Walker, that series, but I digress... Parkdale months to be to still remain involved to help Cath Jackel, Alberta Avenue This is my final issue as the record, but...”. to doing diverted, the paper continue and flour- Cindy Burgess editor of the Rat Creek Press, , Eastwood one every to ish – perhaps on the board, Gina Gariano, Delton or as we like to affection- ately call it, the little paper month, doubling our workload. explore different stories and definitely at editorial meetings Last September Karen sup- subjects, to learn about different and as a volunteer writer. RAT CREEK PRESS ASSOCIATION that could. It’s time to move on to different things, but posedly cut back and I took people and places. To hear the And when you see me 2006 Recipient of the Solicitor General on even more of the regular news, the gossip, and the words: around, I still expect the dish. Crime Prevention Award it’s so hard to leave as well. I began working on the issue details. Of course that “this is off the record, but...”. Box 39024 RPO Norwood Edmonton, Alberta T5B 4T8 OUR MISSION The mission of the Rat Creek Press Glenrose building new energy centre Association is to highlight community news, activities, and recreational Glenrose Energy Centre increases capacity to supply expanding Royal Alex opportunities as well as local residents sion is necessary to provide tion to the expansion and it will in the neighborhoods surround- and businesses to support the growth DAWN FREEMAN heat to the new facilities.” not create any additional noise ing its Rehabilitation Hospital.