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MLA Smith meets Harper, Scheer at Calgary Stampede

Thorsby alumnus Chad Harden competes at the big rodeo
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Can you believe summer is already half over, time is flying by much too fast! Summer events are in full swing and I have been very busy continuing to commit my involvement in as many of them as possible.

I was fortunate to have been able to attend the Calgary Stampede and had the privilege of meeting former Prime Minister Steven Harper as well as the present Federal Conservative leader Andrew Scheer.

While attending the chuck wagon races at the stampede I was thrilled to find out a local constituent was competing, Mr. Chad Harden, a resident from the Thorsby area. Congratulations Chad on your successful races! You never know who you will run into on your travels.

My next stop after Calgary was in Red Deer where I and other UCP members participated in the parade at Westerner Days. The Buck Lake parade was next on the agenda where myself together with Mike Lake, MP for Edmonton-Wetaskiwin kicked off the day enjoying the pancake breakfast and later rode together in the parade. Other parade events on my agenda included Ma-Me-O Beach and of course Edmonton K-Days.

Recently I attended the Drayton Valley Rotary Club regular meeting where I had the chance to listen to District 5370 Governor, Ingrid Neitsch, unveil the clubs’ 2018-2019 vision statement being “Peace”. Ingrid demonstrates a passion about supporting the mission of peace and conflict resolution across the world through Rotary. The Rotary Club is well known for their humanitarian services in communities worldwide. One of many services our local Rotary Club offers is their community BBQ. I was excited to be able to help at the recent BBQ the Drayton Valley club hosted. It was a little soggy flipping burgers, but despite the weather a great number of people attended. Thank you to all the members for your dedication to helping our community and communities worldwide.

I had a great time taking in the Classical Gas and family street dance which recently occurred in Drayton Valley, where I put my 1965 Chevy Corvair, nicknamed “the cherry blossom” on display. This was the first time I’ve participated in this event and thoroughly enjoyed visiting with fellow car enthusiasts and viewing all the other amazing vehicles.

It was an exciting day as I attended the unveiling ceremony at the Breton Fire Hall for the last of four solar panel projects for Brazeau County facilities. Members from Brazeau County, the Village of Breton, and Brazeau County/Drayton Valley Fire Services along with members from Enmax and Alta Pro were also in attendance sharing in the celebration. With the completion of this last solar panel project, approximately 1000 solar panels are now generating electricity. The other buildings within Brazeau County involved in this project include the County Administration building, the Lodgepole Fire Hall and the Rocky Rapids Treatment Plant. Congratulations to everyone involved with the project and for helping move our province forward towards a stable, cost effective energy future.

As mentioned in a previous article, I attended the Community Consultative Group discussion on crime in the community as a panelist together with the Staff Sergeant from the Drayton Valley RCMP and the Mayor of Drayton Valley. Crime statistics were presented and questions fielded from the audience. Suggested steps to address the current crime problem in Drayton Valley and area were recorded and will be reviewed by Drayton Valley Town Council.

My office in Drayton Valley is open Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by or make an appointment so I may continue to serve and assist with any provincial issues you may be needing assistance with.

Mark Smith is MLA for the Drayton Devon constituency and writes a regular column for the Pipestone Flyer.