Details of the Promotional Fund spending obtained by OEP from the City of Fort Saskatchewan earlier this week reveal that the Fort’s councillors spent a total of $8,844.51 from January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013, the period for which expenses were requested by us.

The total allowable expense for each Councillor was doubled from $500 per year in 2011 to $1,000 per year in 2012, on the reccomendation of the City’s compensation committee.

Of that amount, $3,633.18 (or 41 per cent) was spent on golf tournament entry fees, golf balls, and gift cards for charity golf tournaments.

No formal policy exists on how those monies may be spent.

Also, although much of the fund spending directly supported local community initiatives, not a single dollar was spent to directly support local minor sports.

Moreover, ex-Councillor Ed van Delden spent the least — more specifically, he spent nothing at all from his Promotional Fund alottment.

Public attention on the fund and other expenses came to the fore last month, when Councillor Frank Garritsen introduced a motion that would have seen all Council expenses published on the City’s website.

That motion, however, was quickly tabled by several other members on Council, but will be returning for further debate at Council’s June 11th meeting.

A listing of all Councillors’ Promotion Fund expenditures is listed here. This information is included for purposes of transparency.

COUN. FRANK GARRITSEN

3/31/2011 – Walk to End Breast Cancer Association: $300

4/30/2011 – Sponsorship – Ambassador Band to Cuba: $100

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

2/29/2012 – STSS Donation: $100

5/31/2012 – Stephie’s Bike Tour Donation: $250

6/30/2012 – First Fort Saskatchewan Scouts – Donation: $100

7/12/2012 – FS Life Church – Aug 11 Event Sponsorship: $100

7/19/2012 – Walmart – Candy for Canada Day Parade: $100

7/31/2012 – Johnston Promotional Products – Two Dozen Golf Balls: $46.20

9/21/2012 – Terry Fox Sponsorship: $45.71

12/31/2012 – Families First Society Donation: $258

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

2/8/2013 – EIPS Brentwood Young Speakers Scholarship: $100

3/7/2013 – STSS Donation: $200

3/31/2013 – Laugh Like MADD Donation: $100

COUN. JOHN MATHER

5/9/2011 – Sturgeon County Mayor’s Golf Tournament Reg: $300

6/7/2011 – Miss Teen Fort Saskatchewan Donation: $150

8/29/2011 – Economic Developer’s Association of Canada Golf Registration: $180

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5/31/2012 – Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament Registration: $75

7/31/2012 – Johnston Promotional Products – Gotta Luv It Golf Balls: $46.20

12/17/2012 – Boys & Girls Club Donation: $300

12/17/2012 – Families First Society Donation: $300

12/17/2012 – Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank Donation: $150

12/17/2012 – Pioneer House Club 50 Donation: $100

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3/27/2013 – Ecole Rudolph Hennig Park Donation: $75

3/31/2013 – Recreation for Life Golf Tournament Registration: $300

COUN. STEW HENNIG

5/9/2011 – Sturgeon County Mayor’s Golf Tournament Registration: $300

6/7/2011 – Miss Teen Fort Saskatchewan Donation: $150

7/13/2011 – Economic Developers Assoc. of Canada – Golf Registration: $100

7/15/2011 – Nordegg Sports Ltd. – Golf Fee: $100

12/31/2011 – Xmas Cards: $12

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5/31/2012 – Recreation for Life – Golf Registration: $285.71

7/9/2012 – Fort Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce – Golf Registration: $75

7/17/2012 – Dollarama – Canada Day Parade Candy: $52

7/31/2012 – Johnston Promotional Products – 24 City Golf Balls: $92.40

8/14/2012 – RCMP Victim Services Unit – Charity Golf Tournament Registration: $110

9/5/2012 – Strathcona County – Capital Region Municipal Golf Tournament: $123.81

9/21/2012 – Terry Fox Sponsorship: $67.62

12/10/2012 – Candy for Santa Parade: $60

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3/14/2013 – Music for Hope Donation: $100

3/31/2013 – Recreation for Life Golf Tournament Registration: $300

COUN. DON WESTMAN

5/9/2011 – Stephie’s Bike Tour Donation: $100

6/7/2011 – Miss Teen Fort Saskatchewan Donation: $100

7/4/2011 – Fort Sask Hospital Foundation Donation: $100

7/5/2011 – City Bikers MS Bike Tour Donation: $100

11/30/2011 – Cancer Foundation Donation: $100

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3/31/2012 – Easter Seal Campaign Donation: $200

7/9/2012 – Stephie’s Bike Tour Donation: $100

7/12/2012 – FS Life Church – Sponsorship: $100

9/21/2012 – Terry Fox Run Sponsorship: $67.62

10/17/2012 – Pioneer House Club 50 Boys & Girls Club Rental Donation: $250

12/3/2012 – Families First Donation: $182.38

12/31/2012 – Movember Foundation Donation: $100

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3/14/2013 – Music for Hope Donation: $200

COUN. TOM HUTCHISON

5/9/2011 – AB Municipal Services Corp Golf Tourn Reg: $150

7/6/2011 – Victims Services Golf Tournament Registration: $100

9/16/2011 – Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament Reg: $100

9/26/2011 – Military Family Resource Centre Yellow Ribbon Dinner: $150

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

5/3/2012 – Recreation for Life Golf Tournament Reg: $285.71

6/13/2012 – RCMP Golf Tournament Registration: $110

6/30/2012 – Urban Development Institute (Gtr. Edmonton) Golf Tournament Reg: $180.95

7/24/2012 – Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament Reg: $100

7/31/2012 – Johnston Promotional Products 24 City Golf Balls: $46.20

8/31/2012 – Urban Development Institute New Horizon – Golf Tournament Reg: $125.00

12/11/2012 – Starbucks – Food Bank Donation: $50.00

12/11/2012 – Tim Hortons – Gift Cards for Charity Golf Tourneys: $50.00

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

3/31/2013 – Recreation for Life – Golf Tournament Registration: $300

COUN. ED VAN DELDEN

No promotional fund expenses were recorded for Councillor van Delden.

Do keep in mind the promotional funds each councillor is allotted comes from your tax dollars. In addition, in 2011, the fund amount for each councillor was increased from $500 to $1,000 per year.

Perhaps $1,000 does not seem like a great amount to some, but take into account that six councillors were allotted that amount. When OEP requested the promotional funds expenditures of Fort city councillors, it was very interesting to review what each councillor chose to do with your tax dollars in the name of giving and in the name of charity.

For me, a person who is a giver and actually wrote a book entitled Random Acts of Giving, I am more of an extrovert giver, therefore my opinion on ‘giving’ may be significantly different than most people. Nevertheless, the promotional fund, as I understand it, was meant for the purpose of giving back to the community — although there is no set policy on this at this time. Having said that, it seems apparent that each councillor understood the overall intent of the fund, as it has seemingly been spent on charitable causes.

One could debate that there is no right or wrong way to give, however, if you are giving by using tax dollars, then questions may arise, and sometimes those will be less about the amount and more about the what, where and the why of your charity choices.

Perhaps our age, our life’s experiences as well as our sentiments do affect the way in which we give or do not give. I personally believe how we give, and to what or whom we give, really speaks volumes as to who we are as a person. But, would the giving choices of our city councillors be different if they were using their personal money? This is a hypothetical question, of course, but I honestly believe some councillors would probably be more generous while others would be extra-frugal, if they gave at all.

Here is one of my questions: Do we need a return on our giving, be we city councillors or not? Is giving not just as rewarding if we cut a cheque for $100, opposed to cutting a cheque for a golf tournament and another golf tournament… knowing that there is usually a luncheon and/or a dinner…

Call it networking or call it a social outing, but I am of the opinion that when golfing adds up to 41% of how the councillors’ promotional fund was spent, it does imply a main source of giving was through golf tournaments, and certainly should cause us to have a look at why there was not more giving to other local organizations and endeavors.

Councillor Tom Hutchison has been teeing off the most with his promotional fund spending, by attending 8 golf tournaments since May of 2011, and his 9th golf tournament occurring this year with a $300 registration already paid from his promotional fund. In addition, Hutchison’s promotional spending on golf included $46.20 on City golf balls and $100.00 in December of 2012 on Tim Horton’s Gift cards for charity golf tournaments.

Councillor Stew Hennig is a close second, teeing off on 7 golf tournaments with his 8th golf tournament also occurring this year, and a $300 registration already paid from his promotion fund. In addition, Hennig’s promotional spending from the fund included $92.40 on golf balls.

Councillor John Mather is third, teeing off on 3 golf tournaments with a 4th golf tournament also occurring this year, with a $300.00 registration already paid from his promotion fund. In addition, Mather spent $46.20 from the fund for City golf balls.

Frank Garritsen spent $46.20 from his promotional fund for City golf balls, but did not use any of his promotional funds for golf tournaments.

Don Westman did not spend any promotional funds on golf tournaments or golf balls.

It is not that golf tournaments are not popular as fundraisers, because they are, and are used a great deal for that purpose. There is nothing wrong with golf either, per say, although there are still many who cannot afford a day on the green, even if they wished to.

But I stress there are many other organizations & charities here in the Fort, and even individuals with an endeavor that would really have appreciated the financial support from the councillors’ promotional fund.

Hold on though, because there were some councillors that were diligent in making their giving choices varied. Two city councillors — Don Westman and Frank Garritsen — each actually added to one of their charitable donations by getting really physically involved. For Westman, it was scaling a 29- storey hotel in downtown Edmonton, representing Fort Saskatchewan in the Easter Seal Drop Zone fundraiser, while Garritsen, for his part, did a walk for breast cancer. Both councillors spent funds from their promotional funds to also sponsor these charities.

The expense summary of the promotional fund is posted for you as the reader to peruse (see page 3). I note that Ed van Delden did not use the fund at all.

If you are a taxpayer, you are entitled to know where your tax dollars are being spent. Of course, councillors have lives outside municipal politics, and it is there that their charity endeavors is their personal business. For me, I grew up believing charity began in the home, so does charity of this kind really need to be at the discretion of individual councillors, when charity is perhaps better served by a motion and a vote?

Kristiansen was sharply criticized in an opinion piece by our Editor, Judy Sellin, in a May 3, 2013 articled entitled “Board Chair should resign, says editor.”

Confirmation of Kristiansen’s resignation came on Tuesday afternoon, with the Library’s Executive Director, Angela Kublik, stating: “I can confirm that Mr. Kristiansen has resigned from the board.”

Former FSPL Board Vice-Chair Ian Hunt is now serving as Chair.

The final piece of funding for the downtown arena was approved by City Council late Wednesday, paving the way for the project to move ahead, and open in 2016.

According to the City of Edmonton, on May 9, members of the Capital Region Board (CRB) representing 95% of the population served by the board supported Edmonton in applying for its allocation under the provincial Regional Collaboration Program. The City has said it will submit the application as soon as the program’s guidelines are defined.

However, according to a statement released by Fort Saskatchewan Mayor Gale Katchur last week, CRB support was only “in principle,” meaning that Fort Saskatchewan and other municipalities “are not bound as an individual municipality in any way” regarding future support.

“The Library Board is thrilled that the Lions have stepped forward to be the first major sponsor,” said Library Board Chair, Ian Hunt. “We know how hard the Lions work, and it means so much to the Library Board that they have chosen to support this vital community resource.”
“The Public Library is such an important part of our community,” said Don Westman, President of the Lions Club. “The Lions are proud to support the Library as it expands to meet the growing needs of the residents of Fort Saskatchewan.”

Funds raised during the campaign will be used for the development of collections, the addition of technologies such as smart boards and teleconferencing, and the purchase of signature pieces of furniture and artwork for the Library’s expansion, which is currently under construction.

Once the expansion is complete, the library will have a total space of 16,000 sq ft.

They are often asking for guidance or help in finding solutions to the cycles they’re caught in. I’ve always liked being able to help people with whatever the issues are or with whatever they might be working on… it always gave me a sense of satisfaction and purpose.

At first I thought this was okay, but I started noticing something that wasn’t good… many of these people kept returning, either with new problems or with the same old ones disguised as something else. I finally figured out that this was really becoming a huge waste of time, as nothing was really being accomplished. I needed a different strategy.

It seems to me that most of the on-going issues a person might have in their life, come from a place of pain caused by a series of events that are traumatic and negatively reinforced by significant people that should be the source of encouragement and strength for them.

For example; a child who is molested or abused has the most precious of things brutally ripped out of their life; they no longer ever feel safe, so they distrust. They’ve been violated, lied to, and assaulted physically, emotionally and spiritually.

These children then grow up with something that is so evil that it becomes attached to the very core of who they are, and they have no idea what to do with it. As they grow, depending on their environment, they develop various barriers that hinder them socially which then can become the source of cycles that many times, are almost (I say almost) impossible to overcome. Some do well… others really don’t.

The person I was recently listening to has developed a set of questions that can be asked of children that can very accurately predict when these children will begin to “check out,” and when various behavioural issues begin to show themselves.

He can tell quite accurately, as well, what is going on in how they relate to others. This information then can be used to begin early prevention or interaction that can help these kids from falling off the tracks and can be helped to lead a healthy social lifestyle.
The deepest and fundamental foundation for it all, is the fact that these people want to be and need to be valued… when they are not… everything can fall apart, or at best, life can be extremely fragile.

If we’re honest with ourselves, we all want to be valued. Nobody gets up in the morning on purpose and says “please do something to me that will nullify my existence”. No, we look for affirmation and desire to be valued by someone… in our family or close relationships, in the workplace, or in the place of business.

I needed to come up with a different strategy for helping people. I stopped giving advice and began to ask questions: the newest being: “I’ve heard your story, I value you. Now, what does the next chapter look like? Maybe I could help you to begin writing it with you, so you can write the one after that, on your own. What is one thing you can do that will cause change to begin?”

I’m finally realizing that if a person is truly valued, the issues and cycles begin to take care of themselves because the foundation that was once destroyed is being rebuilt.

A self-centred act was the cause that crushed the foundation, value is what restores it… Once the foundation is restored, incredible lives can be built!

Have a great day!

This year’s luncheon will take place on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, from noon to 2:30pm at the Dow Centennial Centre’s Agrium Soccer Field. Entertainment will be provided by Kennedy Jenson.

Tickets can be picked up at City Hall located at 10005 – 102 Street from now until May 24th.

For more information on the luncheon, contact FCSS Seniors Coordinator Tammy Lautner at 780.992.6623 or tlautner@fortsask.ca.

Well another one has come and gone. No, I don’t mean winter. I mean a show. That’s right, a show. As a member of the local community theatre group, the Sheeptown Players, we had a great show called “Polter-Heist” at the Lakeview Inn & Suites on May 10 and 11 that went over very well with all who came to see it. If you were one of the ones who didn’t see it, you missed a very funny show. Those who came are already talking about coming to next years’ show and buying a tables’ worth of tickets. Yes, they liked it that much. We had people that came from Red Deer and Airdrie to see the show, and weren’t disappointed with what they saw.

The cast for the show were and are a dedicated group of volunteers who rehearsed, sold tickets, produced, built the set and picked up things like the silent auction items (thanks to Teresa who arranged all the items) and the pop and liquor.

‘Nods’ go to Cerys Wilson (who was in the show and directed it), Tim Kubasek, Justin Amos, Carole McGowan, Ashley Friemark and Krystal Courtepatte for such dedication to the show. Behind the scenes thanks to Samantha Berard, Renee Guenette, Lori Nelson, Gail Petty and Nichole Silva for running the bar, taking tickets, tracking the silent auction items, running lights and sound and prompting. Special thanks to Ben Myckan who was our Master of Ceremonies for the show. Also cheers to MIX 107.9 for coming on board as a major contributing sponsor for the Sheeptown Players!

The other show that I was involved in (in the same time frame) was the Peoples of The North Saskatchewan Festival that was put on by the Fort Saskatchewan Historical Society, with over two hundred volunteers that helped to make the two day event (held on May 9 & 10) such a success.

Somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1,200 students and public took in the event over the two day period. Some came from as far away as Boyle to attend.

The events and demonstrations were incredible. The tug of war, the potato sack races, the egg carrying race, the water bucket race, the pioneer laundry, wood cutting, the blacksmith shop, quill writing, weaving, the Red River cart ride, the Old Schoolhouse, the Church, the Hospital, the Native dancing demonstration (put on by the Alexander First Nation, complete with their regalia), butter making, ice cream making, milking demonstration and of course, one the stars, Bailey the Buffalo.

But my point, and I do have one, is that these events were made possible by volunteers. Without this valuable asset, none of this would be possible. I encourage all reading this to become involved and support the events like these that make our incredible City the great place that it is.

I encourage you to support the arts and culture here. Don’t say, “I’ll go to the next event” or “I’ll go to the next show” or “I will help out next time”, because there may not be a next time if you don’t get involved this time. There are too many events over the years that I have seen cease because of lack of community support. As much as people enjoy what they see, it is only because volunteers make it happen and the public in general come to see.

The arts and culture do not get much Government funding and there have been cuts very recently. It is an easy target. Sports is well supported and yes, they have a number of volunteers too, but you need both to have a well-balanced and well-rounded community.

In closing, have a great long weekend and drive safely. I want you to be back to read my next “Odds, Sods & Nods”. Cheers for now!

When I questioned the recently presented motion to post these statements on the City website, I asked if this was to include all of our expenses and per diems, or just the ones paid directly by the City. Our City Manager, Our Mayor, and the presenter of the motion all stated that they were considering only those paid directly by the City.

This is where the problem comes in. As a member of the Capital Region Assessment Services Board, I receive up to three per diems of $160.00 each plus mileage for attending Board meetings. Council members sitting on various different Boards or Commissions also receive per diems and expenses from those agencies that vary from similar to what I get up to thousands and thousands from the Capital Region Board.

I am not opposed to most of these expenses as I see good value in them. The point is that this is money paid to us that comes directly or indirectly from the tax payers and these statements all should be made public, very transparent and accessible.

This motion was tabled to give our Administration some time to come up with a plan to make this happen. The could look to the City of Saint Albert or many other places to get a plan that makes sense and works very well.

Coun. Don Westman, Fort Saskatchewan

This is the second and final chapter of Maliha’s story.

As a result of the abuse Maliha suffered to her face and head, her jaw didn’t work properly and the muscles around her face had atrophied. This caused excess loose skin and her eyes sinking back into their sockets. Due to this, her fur was rubbing against her eyes and irritating them, causing infections and ultimately had the potential to cause blindness.

The vets at the Westlock Vet Clinic removed the excess skin around her eyes to tighten up the skin and keep the fur out of her eyes. Her foster mom said it was like a doggie facelift!

Maliha is a rare exception to the “dogs hate vets” theory. She has spent so much time at the vets, she knows the drill. The first thing she does when she happily enters the clinic is to greet her friends at the front desk, and then she hops on the scale to get her weight checked.
Maliha’s foster family have to keep her mouth and nasal passages scrupulously clean to avoid infection. Due to the amount of care and expense she requires to keep her comfortable and healthy, she is in permanent foster care with SCARS and the amazing family who contributes so much love and care to her well being.

With her foster family’s permission, I have taken this direct quote from Maliha’s webpage:

“I see Maliha as a symbol for all that is good and all that is challenging about animal rescue (and life for that matter). Everyone has given their best for this little dog and despite all those best efforts the outcome is not what we hoped for. We have all experienced loss in our lives from little things to big things and this event is somewhere within that scale. We try, more often than not we succeed, but sometimes we fail.

Maliha’s spirit touches something in everyone she meets and although I don’t see it right now, I have to believe this unfortunate outcome will result in something positive.

Her SCARS journey will not end the way I had hoped or planned with a healthy dog being adopted by a family who needs her, but there must be something else she is meant to do that I did not imagine.
Things don’t always work out as we want, but Maliha has gifted much to SCARS – new volunteers, new foster homes, donations, greater awareness of animal abuse issues and what SCARS does, even causing people to think a bit more about their actions or be just a bit more forgiving in their own lives. For these things we can be truly grateful. It is now up to us to use the lessons Maliha has taught us to make a difference in our lives and our communities.”

Sadly there are so many abused and neglected animals in need of care. I am proud to be a volunteer and supporter of Second Chance Animal Rescue, and hope that my articles encourage others to consider volunteering to speak for those creatures that cannot. We can make a difference!