Vol. 22 No. 44 Morinville-Gibbons, Alberta September 16, 2020

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O V E R 1 0 , 0 0 0 C I R C U L A T I O N R E A C H I N G :Morinvi l le , Legal , Bon Accord, Gibbons,

Edmonton Garr ison, & the res idents of SturgeonCounty rural , hamlets & subdiv is ions .

The town of Morinville populaton has increased above the thresh-old to qualify for city status. Morinville’s new official populationcount is 10,578. This represents a 6.92% growth over the last Censusconducted in 2016 — just above 1.7% annual growth.

The 2020 municipal census was conducted between April 1 andJuly 12. The town notes that Morinville was one of very few, if not

the only, municipality to conduct a census dur-ing a global pandemic. On Census Day, therewere 3,894 dwelling units in Morinville. Only56.4% of dwellings completed the censusonline.

Several grant programs from senior govern-ments have a per capita factor which increasesfunding the municipality receives as populatonrises.

While the town has broken the 10,000 thresh-old for city status, it does not automaticallybecome a city. Council has to apply to theprovince to have the status changed. That wouldgive the town control over Highway 642 whichbecomes 100 Avenue and is the main east-westroute through Morinville, however council isafraid of costs associated with taking over theoperation and maintenance of the secondaryhighway within municipal limits so there is lit-tle expectation the present council will apply fora change to city status.

The full 2020 Census report was not avail-able before press time.

Morinville surpassesthreshold but unlikelyto get city status

Thomas Malofy (L-R) paused while walking his dogs to speak with Gibbons protesters Tina Scott, Miranda Rubin and JoshOtt Sept. 8.

Some Gibbons residents organized a protestin the hopes of stopping the removal of a smallcluster of trees at the east edge of MemorialPark (on the west side of 51 Street) just southof the Gibbons Memorial Grounds. KendraBall explained they held the protest becausethey did not have advance notice of the workand felt it was the only way to keep the treesfrom being removed before they could taketheir concerns to council.

“Our properties back onto these trees,” saidBall Sept. 8. “Today they were supposed tostart work. Only one person on the entire blockreceived a notice. It was in their mailbox lateFriday (Sept. 4) afternoon.”

The notice, which was dated Sept. 2 andsigned by Public Works Superintendent EricLowe, advised the town would remove treesbetween Gibbons Memorial Park and the Gib-bons Memorial Gardens cemetery Sept. 8 to11, and children should stay out of the areaduring that time.

“Tree removal is in preparation for futureparking development, which includes plans tostrategically place new trees,” advised thenotice.

Ball said planned tree mulching by thecemetery was listed in the August PublicWorks report to council, and said somemulching was not the same as removing all thetrees for a parking lot.

“We would like it to stay,” Ball said of thesmall natural area with a well-worn paththrough its center. “This is where our childrengrow and play. We walk this trail every timewe go for a walk.” She added that the abun-dance of birds, bugs and nature made it a valu-able area.

Ball said the residents protesting the treeremoval feel their tax dollars would be betterused to repair sidewalks, especially wheredamaged sidewalks make it difficult for dis-abled people.

She, Tina Scott, Miranda Rubin and Josh Otthad a petition protesting the tree removal at thesite, dubbed Zombie Park, Sept. 8. They hadhoped to get 224 signatures and had 237 by1:30 that afternoon.

They sent a letter to the town and presentedto council their arguments against the reasonsgiven for the tree removal: tree disease, wateron the path and convenience for people attend-

ing funerals. “We can assure you these trees are not dis-

eased,” they wrote. “Some trees may be dead,yes, but the dead trees act as compost to newtree and forest life.” They suggested the felledtrees be removed, the rest left.

Regarding too much water on the path, theywrote: “Having biked and walked with ourfamilies through this path daily, we are pleasedto inform you that this is not of issue to us, thecommunity.” They suggested the town createdrainage on either side of the forest area as acompromise.

As for funeral parking, the letter stated therewere 14 deaths in Gibbons this year and sevenlast year and the number of people who utilizethe cemetery for those deaths “is minuscule.”There is also parking along 51 Street.

“This is where all of our children play, usetheir imaginations, make forts, climb trees,etc,” the letter stated. “It also acts privacy tothe residents of 41 Ave and is a huge noisereduction.” They also stated concern with aparking lot decreasing property values andchildren’s safety.

In response to a protest by some Gibbonsresidents regarding changes to Memorial Parkthat include some tree removal and the con-struction of a parking lot with planted trees,town CAO Farrell O’Malley provided anexplanation of what is planned and why.

He said the trees adjacent to the roadway arebeing taken down due to disease (root rot, heartrot, and cankers) and because many are dead orare dying. Additionally, due to the low areawhere the trees are, there is a significantamount of standing water and when coupledwith a shallow root system the trees are proneto blowing over during heavy winds. He esti-mated the treed area under discussion is aboutone third of an acre.

“We’re trying to make something that willserve a lot of people,” said O’Malley. “Thechanges to Memorial Park are trying to focuson addressing many user needs from playspace, picnic spaces, and shade areas so thatchildren, parents, grandparents and friends canenjoy the fantastic outdoors available in Gib-bons.”

He noted the multi-use parking lot designfeatures new and stronger trees to provideshade in different areas and produce berriesthat will attract a number of bird species, pluscreate an attractive location that still allows forgreat visibility from the roadway and minimizeadverse behavior such as vaping and vandalismto homes adjacent to the park. It will also

reduce the standing water that isa haven for mosquitoes whichcontribute to West Nile Virus.

“We hope to get the shapingof the area done and some newtrees planted this fall,” saidO’Malley. “We’re trying tominimize the time withouttrees.”

O’Malley said the concept ofthe parking area is to allow par-ents, grandparents, and otherfamily members to visit thepark and observe the kids orinteract on the playgroundequipment while knowing thatthere is a fence to help keepthem safe.

“Yes, the parking area isintended to provide for offstreet parking for those attend-ing a funeral service,” addedO’Malley. “For paying respectsto a friend, parent, grandparentor someone you used to knowwithout having to worry aboutopening your door on a busyroad in all different types ofweather.”

He explained the treeremoval and ground work fallunder operational maintenanceand risk management. There isno mandate to give notice toresidents of such work; noticewas given to make sure no chil-dren would be in the area whilework was being done.

Noah’s Ark Pets and Supplies in Morinville manager Jennifer Fylyshtan cuddles a hedgehogSept. 9. “They have very sweet little faces,” she said. Story page A4.

Town explainsthe reasons forremoval of trees

Gibbons residents protest planned demolition of trees

Page A2, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Mary Richard,counsellor at ÉcoleNotre Dame Schooland this year also atSt. Kateri TekakwithaAcademy in Mor-inville, received the2020 Laura BirdMemorial Beacon ofHope Award.

“It’s pretty hum-bling,” she said.“These last years atNotre Dame havebeen the best years. Iget up in the morn-ing, and I can’t waitto be here. I listen tochildren all day, and Italk with them. WhatI love about my workis I get to be presentfor those kids whenthey’re in need andhelp them as best Ican.”

The Laura Birdannual award isbestowed by the Greater St. Albert Catholic School (GSACRD)board of trustees on staff who are active, articulate witnesses toJesus Christ and who demonstrate dedicated, selfless service tofurther the hope and future of others.

GSACRD board past chair Joe Becigneul said Richard greets

everyone with a smile, and her office isalways open to students and staff whowant to drop in and chat.

“She’s just such a remarkable, hum-ble person,” said Becigneul. “All of thekids just love her. All of the staff loveher. She’s everything we would hopefor in a Laura Bird award recipient.”

“I think Mary has a really uniqueapproach to kids and staff members,”said Bianca Cimino, one of the staffmembers who nominated Richard forthe award. “She has a really good wayof connecting and building relation-ships within the school. She’s great towork with, and she makes such a differ-ence. She’s the closing link that bringsus all together.”

Richard began working inGSACRD in 1990 at NotreDame. At the time she was Sis-ter Mary with the Sisters ofCharity of St. Louis.

After three years at NotreDame, she went to the Univer-sity of California Berkeley andearned her Masters of Theolog-ical Studies in counselling and

interventions.“I was very blessed to do that,” Richard said. “It was

a two years, full residency program.”She returned to GSACRD and worked at Georges P

Vanier School in Morinville and Albert Lacombe School

in St. Albert before once again taking a position at Notre Dame.This year she began splitting her time between Notre Dame andthe new St. Kateri Tekakwitha Academy.

Richard left the Sisters of Charity order many years ago. Sheis now married. “I like to say I’ve had two great lives,” she said.

Outside of school Richard indulges her passion for cats andher love of kayaking. She often goes out on Big Lake west of St.Albert and out to Seba Beach.

“I love nature and birds and being outside,” she said. “I havea pretty nice life.”

The GSACRD board established the Laura Bird MemorialBeacon of Hope Award in 2017, in memory and honor of LauraBird, a teacher in St. Albert in the 1960s and 1970s, who servedstudents through a spirit of inclusion and advocacy for theirneeds.

This award recognizes mentors of faith within Greater St.Albert Catholic Schools’ school communities, now in its fourthconsecutive year.

COLLECTIBLE COIN &CURRENCY AUCTION -

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH

9:00 a.m.This auction will offer 'Live' bidding in the building (restrictionsapply due to Covid-19 restrictions). Hand sanitizer and FaceMasks are available on site. We will also be offering OnlineBidding through either iCollector.com orLiveAuctionWorld.com A Listing and Photos are available bothon our website: www.clydeauctioneering.com and the OnlineWebsites.

FIREARMS, AMMUNITION &SPORTING GOODS AUCTION

Saturday, October 17th at 9:00 a.m.This auction will be held 'Live' in the building (with restrictions)as well as we will offer Online Bidding through iCollector.com,LiveAuctionWorld.com or Onlinehunters.com. Please note therequirements when registering to bid Online. A Listing and Photos will be available very soon. We have a large Collection of Military Firearms as well asCommemorative and other firearms, Ammunition, EdgedWeapons and Sporting Goods.

Previewing for this auction will be on Friday, October 16th.

If you have any questions regarding attending any of ourauctions, please don't hesitate to give us a call at (office)

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Counsellor Richard makes a difference at Notre Dame

Greater St. Alberta Catholic Regional Division boardpast chair Joe Becigneul presents École Notre DameSchool in Morinville counsellor Mary Richard with the2020 Laura Bird Memorial Beacon of Hope Award. --photo provided by Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools.

Donated by Chris Jones to the Gibbons Legion -- A beautiful framed picture ofWW2 Spitfire. The Spitfire was considered one of the best during the Battle ofBritain. Accepting this donation is Gibbons Legion, Darren Longstaff, CD;President and Chris Wilson, CD; Sgt. At Arms.

Sturgeon County had five new reported cases ofCOVID-19 last week, increasing its total number ofcases to 47. Morinville had two new cases.

According to the Alberta government website, asof Sept. 11 Sturgeon County west and the smallerurban centers within it had 36 reported cases ofCOVID-19 of which five were new cases. Therewere five reported active cases and 31 recoveredcases.

Sturgeon County east had zero new reportedcases. Its 11 reported cases were all recovered.

The Town of Morinville’s total number of report-ed cases increased to 12, with two of them new casesand 10 recovered.

The number of reported cases inSmoky Lake County increased to 17,with six new cases reported and 11recovered cases.

In Thorhild County the number ofreported cases remained at five, with allof them recovered.

Sturgeon west includes Legal and BonAccord. Sturgeon east includes Gibbonsand Redwater.

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Sturgeon County could have up to 20 propertieson offer by public auction as they set the reservebids and conditions for the tax recovery sale slatedfor Dec. 2, 2020. The process was approve at theirregular Council meeting Sept. 9

The County’s Assessment Department preparedthe 2020 Public Sale of Land Report to estimate themarket value for the list of properties that could beoffered for sale. The assessed values range from$38,000 for a one acre parcel to $1,269,000 for aproperty in Greystone Manor.

“Property owners have up to the date at the timeof the public auction to pay tax arrears,” notedSenior Accountant of Financial Services MadisonGabriel.

Coun. Dan Derouin asked if any of the listedproperties had been paid since the July 1, 2020 val-uation date.

Gabriel noted the list was updated, removing anypaid tax arrears prior to the meeting. “We will con-tinue to update the list,” she added. “Hopefullycome December 2 we won’t see any properties onthe list.”

Mayor Alanna Hnatiw concluded the tax recoverysale is “unfortunately regrettable and an unfortunatepart of the process.”

20 properties now onCounty tax recoverylist, one over $1.2m

THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, Page A3

Page A4, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Noah’s Ark Pets and Supplies in Morinville served clientsthroughout the pandemic.

“I love animals, even the snakes and spiders,” said managerJennifer Fylyshtan. “I like the atmosphere here because people

are here to care for their pets. I love grooming. This is my dreamjob.”

Because Noah’s Ark provides care and food for pets, it wasdeemed an essential service and remained open when many

other businesses closed in Marchbecause of the COVID-19 pandemic.Fylyshtan made some changes to com-ply with the government regulations tohelp prevent the spread of COVID. Thiswas not complicated because she is theonly staff member.

She implemented additional cleaningroutines, ensured two meter spacingcould be maintained when dealing withcustomers and got a supply ofmasks for when such distancingis not possible. She also spacedout grooming appointments tominimize the number of peoplein the store at one time.

Noah’s Ark is owned byFylyshtan’s father, Ron. Hebought it just over five years ago,and when one of the staff becameill and had to leave, Fylyshtanwent to the store to help out.

“I loved it,” she said. “Iworked at the front and thenlearned to groom.”

For sale in the store are fish,reptiles, budgies, ferrets, hedge-hogs, and other small animals.She has no dogs or cats for salein the store because there is notenough space to keep them prop-erly.

Along with the animals, cus-tomers can purchase everythingneeded to feed, care for them,and keep them comfortable andhappy.

“We appreciate the local sup-

port,” said Fylyshtan. “We’re locally owned and operated, andwe use local supplies as much as we can.” All that helps createthe community feel within the store that she enjoys as much asshe enjoys the adorable pets.

“I enjoy seeing customers,” she said. “I could talk about petsall day.” She tries not to name the ones in the store for salebecause that makes it harder to let them go.

She has her own pets at home: three dogs, a ferret and abearded dragon. She enjoys spending time with them and withher family. She and her fiance, Dominic Fortin, are planningtheir wedding for next summer (they postponed it from its orig-inal date in June of this year), and she makes diaper cakes fornew parents. She recently used 600 diapers to build a three footby three foot by four foot cake for twins.

JJaammeess TThhoommaassMMIILLLLIIGGAANN November 25, 1936 - September 4, 2020

On September 3 Jim Milligan spent his lastday precisely as he'd hoped; farming andsharing lunch with family while slipping in afew corny one-liners. Jim was born in Bon Accord on the familyfarm to which he was deeply devoted. A selfdescribed steward of the farm his

grandfather established in 1898, he was happiest there when threegenerations of the family were working together. While combining theMilligan homestead quarter Jim never failed to remind whomeverwas lucky enough to be in the jumpseat that the field's knoll was tobe his final resting place.As a young man, Jim attended SAIT where he studied as amachinist and developed a lifelong passion for motors of all kinds.He used his skills to fix almost anything on the farm, and to restoreantique cars and John Deere tractors. He drove (and crashed a few)race cars, winning various awards at the Northern Alberta Sports CarClub. In 1975 Jim got his pilot's licence and began flying everywherefrom fishing expeditions and farming conventions, to (literally!)dropping in on friends for coffee. After buying a summer home inPeachland BC and racking up demerit points he began flying to thecondo where he spent 40 happy summers with his family. Once Jimfound freedom on a Harley he was unstoppable. He traveled to allcorners of the continent; from New Orleans to Nova Scotia andAlaska to Guatemala; for many years was bestowed the HighMileage Award by the Harley Owners Group of Edmonton.Jim enjoyed skiing, taught himself to sail, was an avid reader and alocal history buff. He could tell you a great story about nearly everypiece of land in the area. His intellectual curiosity was an asset to hisfarming practice; he continually sought and implemented innovativefarming methods, and started a fertilizer business in the 1960's afterseeing the success of anhydrous ammonia in his crops. Although Jim was a quiet man who disliked being the centre ofattention he had many cherished friendships from every facet of hislife: those he made on his first day of grade one, during his Car Clubdays, while traveling, riding motorbikes, and spending time in theOkanagan and Arizona, as well as those he cultivated while workingon the farm, and passing mornings over coffee at "tables ofknowledge" in Bon Accord, Gibbons, Peachland and Mesa, AZ.In the early hours of September 4, 2020 Jim passed away, withfamily at his side, after experiencing a heart attack. He is lovinglyremembered by his family - his wife of 48 years Mable, his fourchildren David (Gracy), Tim (Julie), Marcia (Jim), and Jason(Michelle), and his eight grandchildren. He is predeceased by hisparents, James and Helen, and his siblings Shirley, Marjorie, andDavid. Although not a religious man, Jim firmly believed, and oftenasserted, that "this is just the tip of the iceberg - the best is yet tocome". While he requested there be no funeral, Jim's family hopes tocelebrate his life and contributions when his friends and family cansafely gather together on his beloved farm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heartand Stroke Foundation.

Pet store is dream job for Fylyshtan

Manager Jennifer Fylyshtan holds a ferret, Sweetpea, beside the budgiesin Noah’s Ark Pets and Supplies in Morinville. “They make amazing pets,”she said. “They have some of the best qualities of both dogs and cats.”She explained that ferrets like to cuddle yet they are playful, veryintelligent, loyal and can be litterbox trained.

Servus Credit Union has generously donated $600 to the Gibbons Legion Br. 226. Participating in thepresentation of this donation is (L-R) Gibbons Legion Treasurer Dianne Sandahl, Servus Credit UnionBranch Manager Kathy Kowalczyk, and Gibbons Legion President Darren Longstaff, CD.

Residents of the Summer Villages of Sunrise Beach andSandy Beach can breathe a little easier as Sturgeon CountyCouncil approved a new three-year fire servicesagreement covering 2021 - 2023.

Though a member of Council since October 2013,Coun. Patrick Tighe questioned why the Countywould provide the service “outside our boundaries.”

Fire Chief /Manager of Protective Services PatMahoney had outlined the long history of the servic-es provided in the Requests for Decision to Council.

“From 1987 concluding in 2009, Sturgeon Coun-ty provided fire services to the Summer Village,” henoted. In 2009 the Villages decided to go to anotherprovider but in the spring of 2013 “expressed inter-est in returning to a fire services agreement onceagain that would see the County provide fire servic-es.”

Following negotiations, “in early 2015 a three-year agreement was approved that permitted fire andrescue services to Village residents by County Pro-tective Services,” Mahoney said. “The current FireService Agreement that is in place was endorsedearly in 2017 and expires the end of 2020.”

Mahoney noted, “services in relation to this agree-ment will primarily be provided by the District ofCalahoo Fire and Morinville Fire Departments” andis on a fee for service basis. In reviewing past callvolumes it is anticipated that the Villages will requireservices 10 to 12 times per year, he added. “Theseadditional calls will not impact service levels to theCounty.”

The new three-year agreement will “see a bit ofcatch up” on the fees structure as there had not beenan increase for a number of years, Mahoney conclud-ed.

The Summer Village of Sandy Beach Councilendorsed the new agreement on July 17, 2020 and

the Summer Village of Sunrise Beach did the same on July28, 2020.

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THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, Page A5

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The mask is new, but at Ecole Notre Dame School inMorinville grade four teacher Bianca Cimmino isteaching as usual Sept. 4. Greater St. Albert CatholicSchool Division school began classes Aug. 31.

--photo provided by Ecole Notre Dame School

Sturgeon County Council green lighted the opera-tion of the Interior Heavy Equipment OperatorSchool (IHE) on a leased portion of land, with theirapproval of the development permit at their regularcouncil meeting on Sept. 8.

The leased land sits adjacent to an existing aggre-gate excavation operation, however the developmentpermit states resource extraction and processing arenot allowed to occur on the site.

Manager of Development Support Services ColinKrywiak said the school’s digging “is predominantlyin the form of a ‘trench’ rather than an open excava-tion. Typically the trench or holes are backfilled withmaterials excavated at the end of the day.”

Krywiak noted the development permit allows theschool to “offer hands-on equipment training forexcavation and construction equipment operatorslooking to be employed in the forestry, mining, civil,road building and oil and gas sectors.

“Business operations will consist of a maximum of16 students operating equipment onsite during amorning or afternoon shift,” Krywiak said. “Thehours of operation will be Monday to Friday from6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m..”

Coun. Dan Derouin said “I see nothing but goodhere,” as he threw his support behind the school.

Sturgeon Chief Operating Officer Scott Mac-Dougall noted the company setting up the school hasbeen in business on a site in British Columbia for 15years and is a community minded company. Headded it is critical to get moving as “their intent is tobe operational by the end of the month.”

Coun. Kristin Toms said given the economic cli-mate with COVID-19 “we are very lucky to have thisbusiness come in.” Mayor Alanna Hnatiw concurred,stating there is “no need to hold this up anymore” asit will support the unemployed, youth, women andoff-farm income potential.

The town of Morinville is again in the process ofselling property that belongs to the taxpayers of Mor-inville without providing details or allowing inputfrom the electors of the town prior to the sale.

On Sept. 8 after a public meeting of less than anhour — including a recess — council went intoclosed session for over an hour and a half.

Following the closed door session coun. LawrenceGiffin’s motion that “Council direct the CAO tonegotiate a sale agreement for lands located at Block992-2042, Lot 7 at market value, subject to the termsoutlined in the Proposed Land Sale Report” passedunanimously.

Veteran councillor Nicole Boutestein then movedthat the “Proposed Land Sale report and attachmentsremain private pursuant to s. 16 (Disclosure harmfulto business interests of a third party), s. 23 (Localpublic body confidences), s. 24 (Advice from offi-cials), s. 25 (Disclosure harmful to economic andother interests of a public body) and s. 29 (Informa-tion that is or will be available to the public) of theFreedom of Information and Protection of PrivacyAct, RSA 2000, Chapter F-25.” This resolution togag councillors and staff was passed unanimously.

The town has yet to produce a public listing ofproperties it is interested in selling (and at whatprice), so residents of Morinville have no chance toconsider the purchase of the property.

Taxpayers left in darkas council directs staffto sell public land

Heavy equipmentoperators schoolsetting up in Sturgeon

Page A6, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

In 2019, Sturgeon County resident Michael Zouhri wastragically struck by a drunk driver who fled the scene of theaccident. The good news was that the police eventually appre-hended the driver; the bad news was that Michael was leftseverely injured with permanent, life-altering injuries. Afterseveral months of treatment, Zouhri began to look for legalservices to help with his claim. After meeting with dozens offirms, he was left feeling even more lost, alone and frustrated.“The worst part was that they left me feeling like the insurancecompanies were going to hurt me, but that they didn’t careabout me either, and yet I didn’t have a choice but to workwith them otherwise I might not recover anything. I hated thatfeeling,” says Zouhri, according to a press release. But insteadof giving up or giving in, he became motivated to do some-thing to make a difference for himself and the 200,000 otheryearly Canadian injury victims.

So he got to work and went to the law library where hechecked out every book he could find about the civil litigationprocess and anything else he could find about personal injuryclaims. “I had to go to a physical law library because thisinformation just wasn’t online. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Ofcourse, once I did get access to it, I needed some initial helpunderstanding everything. Luckily, I have some friends in lawwho were able to help me decipher things. Once I could see aclear path to build a system that could automate the entireprocess and start applying data science to make the processmore objective and better.” And while it was difficult forZouhri to begin learning and mapping the correct processes, itdidn’t take long before professionals became inspired to helphim on his mission. “At first, they all thought I was crazy andthat it couldn’t be done. But once I got the ball-rolling andthey could see progress, they really started to change theirtune,” states Zouhri in the press release.

“We decided to call the system PainWorth, because that wasthe first question every other injured person I spoke to askedabout. They all wanted to first figure out what their pain mightbe worth, followed by wanting to know how long it wouldlikely take them to reach a resolution for their claim.The PainWorth system helps the user build a full caseand claim. It automatically analyzes thousands of pastcases to find relevant case law and citations and thenperforms all the necessary statistical calculations inorder to find insights a human couldn’t possibly do ontheir own. We use data science to ensure we are deliv-ering accurate and objective insights wherever possi-ble. But it isn’t a black box. We show users all of thesteps and calculations involved so they can reallyunderstand and have confidence with their claim.”

Michael only began allowing users to use his sys-tem last November but it has already helped peoplewith nearly $10 million in cases, completely for free.And while the system is still in very early stages withmany features still pending and a clunky workflow, alot of injury victims have already found it to be ahelpful and comforting tool to give them insights andreturn some control to their lives, states the release.“The most important thing a lot of users tell me is thatthey feel like they now have some power over a situ-ation where they previously felt they had none. Theyaren’t just a blind cog in the process.”

Some claimants already have legal counsel but usethe system to fact-check the settlement values they arebeing offered, while many others simply want to han-dle their claim on their own. However, many usershave signed up because they have no choices left.“When you speak to enough people, you can see thatthere is a real problem. People in rural and remotecommunities have a hard time finding help and folkswith relatively smaller claims have a hard time find-ing someone interested in accepting their case,” saysZouhri. Millions of Canadians still have a problemgetting access to justice, and the problem has beensharply growing each year with as much as 80% oflegal needs currently being unmet, Zouhri states,attributing the figure to the National Self-RepresentedLitigants Project, an initiative funded by the Univer-sity of Windsor, Faculty of Law to promote Access toJustice for all Canadians. “I see this technology as asmall part of the answer to that problem. Technologyallows information to be more accessible, understand-able and for services to become more universal at alower cost, with results that happen at a faster speed.It’s nice to see that something which started as a per-sonal tragedy has really been helping to make a differ-ence”

Sturgeon man uses hisinjury experience asmotivation to developthe PainWorth system

Sturgeon County Council unanimouslysupported setting up a Living Well Fundof $30,000 from the 2020 operating budg-et to assist individuals and families withemergent issues.

Manager Family and Community Sup-port Services Scott Rodda put forward therequest for the fund stating “there are sit-uations and circumstances that arise thatexpose residents to extreme vulnerabilityand without emergent support can lead tofurther crisis.

“Sudden loss of income, fleeing

domestic violence, emergent medicalissues, family trauma, shelter, food orother basic needs being severely compro-mised and/or psychological despair arethese challenges that pose a significantnegative impact if timely support is notavailable,” he said.

No financial support will be provideduntil all other sources of support, fundingand resources have been explored, Roddaadvised. “This fund is applied only in sit-uations where other supports cannot beaccessed.”

Coun. Dan Derouin noted, “people outthere are hurting” and thanked administra-tion for bringing forward the proposedfund.

Rodda noted he can make decisions forup to $500 from the fund but anythingover that amount the CAO is the decisionmaker.

“Recipients will be encouraged to prac-tice accountability and a care /action planwill be developed so they can “pay it for-ward” as they move to a state of sustain-ability and stability,” Rodda concluded.

Council approves fund to assist those with emergent issues

Sturgeon County Council has approved spending $2,200 toput a bench in Cardiff Park to commemorate the mass shootings

in Nova Scotia.Scott Rodda, Manager Family and Community Support Ser-

vices, put forward therequest for decision at theAug. 25 regular Councilmeeting.

“On April 18-19, 2020,23 lives were tragicallylost in Nova Scotia to amass shooter and all Cana-da grieved with our Mar-itime neighbours.

“Sturgeon County elect-ed officials have a relation-ship with ColchesterCounty, Nova Scotiathrough work done withthe Federation of CanadianMunicipalities making iteven more meaningful forSturgeon County to com-memorate this event ofnational significance,” heconcluded.

Funding for the com-memorative bench willcome from the Councilcommon public relationsbudget.

Cardiff Park bench will commemorate mass shooting

Amber Edwards (L-R) and Benjamin Perez of Benny’s Bread & Butter hold samples oftheir work while Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm owner Tam Andersen displayssome of the super-fresh ingredients used in the kitchen during Open Farm Days inAugust.

Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole named localMP Dane Lloyd Shadow Minister for Digital Gov-ernment on Sept. 8.

The position of Minister for Digital Governmentwas created by the Prime Minister in 2019, with amandate to improve digital government services inthe digital age. In his role as critic, Sturgeon River -Parkland MP Lloyd is responsible for holding theMinister for Digital Government, Joyce Murray, toaccount.

“I’m very pleased to have been appointed to serveas Conservative Critic for Digital Government. Inthis age of pandemic, there is an increased need forsecure, accessible and effective digital services. Ilook forward to championing digital reform andholding the Liberal Government to account on theirdigital agenda,” states Lloyd.

MP Dane Lloyd namedto shadow cabinet

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THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, Page A7

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Page A8, THE FREE PRESS, Morinville/Gibbons, Alberta, 780-939-3309, email: morinville@shaw.ca, www.cowleynewspapers.com, Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Half of the Town of Gibbons councillorshave plans to run for council in the 2021 gen-eral municipal election.

Norm Sandahl is the only one on councilwho served a term prior to 2013. “I will runagain,” he said. “We are excited to announcethe planned building of a new Legion in Gib-bons. In addition the Heartland Meadows proj-ect has three houses in construction and moreanticipated in the next month. These are excit-ing times in Gibbons with many more projectsto announce this year.” Sandahl was elected tocouncil in 2010 and again in 2017.

Darren McCann will run again in 2021.“When I first ran for council. I said I wouldserve three terms,” he said. “Assuming that my

support holds, I will serve three terms.”McCann was elected in 2013 and 2017.

“I love this job,” Amber Harris said. “I amdefinitely running. I love serving this commu-nity. I feel I’ve been part of some good deci-sions. I’ll give it one more shot and see whatthe electorate thinks.” She said that eventhough negative things occur, and not every-body is going to agree and get along, a com-munity is a community. Harris was elected in2013 and 2017.

Loraine Berry said, “I’m still undecided.”She was elected to her first term on council in2017.

Councillors Jay Millante and Jean Woodgerdid not respond before deadline.

Half of Gibbons councillors havedecided to run for re-election

A dangerous driver crashed into a house inSturgeon County after police had ended a pur-suit earlier.

In the morning of Sept. 8, Morinville RCMPinvestigated a possible impaired driver nearGibbons. Police were able to determine at thistime the licence plate on the vehicle wasstolen.

“With the assistance of a conscientiousmember of the general public MorinvilleRCMP were able to locate the erratically driv-en motor vehicle,” state RCMP.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, howev-er the vehicle did not pull over. Police shortlythereafter deactivated their emergency equip-ment due to public safety reasons. “Furtherreports from the public advised the vehiclecontinued driving dangerously and approxi-mately 11 km’s later the vehicle went off theroad at a high rate of speed and collided with aresidence on Highway 642 east of the Town ofMorinville causing significant damage to the

vehicle and residence. The driver despite thecollision fled on foot,” state RCMP.

Police then immediately provided contain-ment and called in RCMP Police Dog Services(PDS) and RCMP Air Services. Air Serviceslocated the male crawling through the barleyfield attempting to get away.

A 38 year old man was arrested withoutincident and the vehicle was driving was deter-mined to be stolen as well. The man is chargedwith the following offences: Flight fromPolice; Dangerous Driving; Driving WhileProhibited; Possession of Stolen Propertyexceeding $5,000; Possession of Stolen Prop-erty not exceeding $5,000; Possession ofBreak in Instruments; Breach of a Releaseorder for being behind the wheel of a motorvehicle without the Registered Owner presentand Breach of Probation. The man was alsoarrested on 18 outstanding charges for severalwarrants.

Dangerous driving leads tocrash with house, attemptto hide in barley field