InTouch 2010 - Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo

201
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
An abundance of Bleeding Hearts
Article and photo by Myra Ross
T
he colour and fresh greenery of spring and summer are
gone from the Municipal garden circle at Helen Pacholko
Park in Thickwood, but when the frost lifts from the
ground each spring, the Parks crew will be preparing a special
collection for planting.
The Municipal flag flew at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on
Sept. 1, 2010 to mark the funeral of Heidi List, 23, a lifelong Fort
McMurray resident, a fourth year summer student and a wellliked and respected member of the Parks crew.
Acknowledging the tragedy and speaking on behalf of
the organization, Interim CAO Kelly Kloss talked about the
relationships that develop among co-workers and members of
the Municipal family.
“There’s a special bond that forms when someone becomes
part of our municipal family,” said Interim CAO Kelly Kloss.
“When that bond is broken, especially when one of the family
is taken from us, we share in the grief.”
“Heidi’s friends and co-workers can take comfort in sharing
their feelings of affection and fond memories they have of her.
A tragedy such as this helps us all to realize the importance of
cherishing each and every day.”
On Aug. 25, Heidi died at approximately 9 a.m. in a tragic,
single vehicle accident south of Boyle. She was to meet her
boyfriend and family at Penticton’s Iron Man competition
(an annual family event) before her return to the University
of Lethbridge where she was enrolled in her final year for a
teaching degree.
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
That morning, about three hours before the accident, she
stopped in at the Parks crew’s morning meeting at 6 a.m. with
some home-made cookies to say ‘goodbye’ to her work mates.
In shock and deeply saddened, her co-workers prepared
garden displays in support of the family at St. John’s Catholic
Church for the visitation and the funeral, where more than 300
friends and family gathered to celebrate her life.
“Four of our crew went to the visitation and the entire crew
of 15 went to the funeral,” said Crystal Carwardine, her crew
supervisor.
The affection for Heidi shown by her co-workers and the
community at large meant a great deal to her family, including
her younger sister Laura, 21, a University of Calgary student who
also worked for the Parks, Recreation and Culture branch during
the summer.
“The outpouring for and about Heidi has been unbelievable,”
said Sarah, her mother, during an interview with InTouch.
Because Heidi’s work for the Municipality was so focused on
beautification, her crew members were asked to name a plant
or a flower that they felt best represented her character and
personality – and why – and they compiled the following list:
• A tree – to symbolize Heidi’s pride in work well done
• A vine – to represent her determination
• A flower called ‘Pink Lady’ – for her kindness
• Hosta named ‘So Sweet’, for her personality, and those
cookies she delivered to her co-workers on Aug. 25
• A green bench, or benches, for comfort and support, which
she gave anyone and everyone
• Sunflowers – for Heidi’s laughter (also, Heidi planted
sunflowers every year at home)
• Bleeding hearts – to represent the sense of loss felt by
every member of Heidi’s Parks crew; and,
• All of the flowers cited by Heidi in her ‘Best Friends’ team
building essay that describes the plants she chose for a
planter on Signal Road that she designed and created as
a summer student this year (click here to read what Heidi
wrote about her ‘Best Friends’ Signal Road project).
Each spring, when the Parks crew focuses on the Municipal
garden in Helen Pacholko Park, it’s certain that Bleeding Hearts
and Sunflowers will be a mainstay.
Wood Buffalo’s Turf Crew wins
top honour They really know how to grow the green!
C
ongratulations to Wood Buffalo’s turf crew for winning
the 2010 Scotts Turf Builder, Turf & Groundcovers,
Outstanding Achievement Award in the National
Communities in Bloom Program.
Wood Buffalo was selected for the honour from a field of
135 nominations.
The Turf Crew includes: Rob Peebles and Caleb Gibbons,
full-time turf technicians who are supported by two turf tech
assistants, Adam Cook and Tyler Henderson. Rhys Watts
and Nathan Turley are the park stewards that round out the
permanent staff and the rest of the crew consists of four
temporary staff and 10 summer students.
“We’re very pleased with the dedication and skills
Back row L-R Adam Cook, Rhys Watts, Tyler Henderson, Trevor Popowich, Shane
demonstrated by our Turf Crew,” says Sean Clarke, Acting
Dixon, Caleb Gibbons, Greg Curran. Front Row L-R- Heather Abraham, Kayla
Kinnersley, Bobby Thibodeau, Julia Bonokoski, Will Harmer, Kyler Sweetapple,
Parks Associate Manager. “It’s an incentive to do even better
Phil Mankowski, Rob Peebles, Andrei Tarchilla. Missing from photo - Brendon
in the years to come.”
Brown, Dave Hickman, Carolyn Hacior (who took the picture).
The Scotts Turf Award was issued at the National
Communities in Bloom Awards Ceremonies on October 29.
Communities in Bloom has become a household term in Wood
and cultural maintenance programs. They are responsible for
Buffalo over the last ten years of involvement, as the local
the maintenance of 353.76 hectares that include parks, school
program has won provincially, and achieved national ‘five bloom’
grounds, boulevards and other open spaces.
distinction for five years in a row.
“I have worked with turf from the beginning in 2005 and year
Wood Buffalo were finalists in three Outstanding Achievement
after year we have been gaining positive comments from our
Awards. These were Tidiness, Sustainable Development and
users and the community as a whole,” said Carolyn Hacoir, Team
Turf and Groundcovers, as our programs, policies and practices
Leader, Horticulture and Turf. “I’m very proud to be a part of the
demonstrate a strong commitment and leadership in these areas
turf team and am extremely proud of our accomplishments. Our
of the Communities in Bloom Program. To be recognized as a
user groups get to play on some of the best turf in the country.
finalist is an honour among the competing national communities
This top honour shines a positive light on everything we work
and winning an Outstanding Achievement award is a huge
for.”
accomplishment for the program, staff and volunteers.
In 2009 the Turf crew focused on two different classes of turf:
“The significant aspect of this recognition,” observes Nina
1) sports fields and 2) restorations & boulevards.
Caines, Supervisor of Parks Greenspace, “is that we are being
Sports fields require very high maintenance in order to ensure
honoured by the turf industry on a National level. The judging
high quality turf for users and the restoration and boulevard
for this award is definitely objective and we are so pleased that
area encompasses a much larger area and a much broader
our employees are being recognized for their skills as well as
maintenance program.
their contribution to the beautification of Wood Buffalo.”
Wood Buffalo has been involved in the Communities in Bloom
Wood Buffalo’s Turf crew is responsible for coordinating and
for several years, and in 2005, won its population category in the
conducting all operational turf and sports field establishments
Provincial Communities in Bloom Program, earning us an invite
to compete in the National Program.
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
The youngest ‘voice’ of the
Municipality
Photos and article by Myra Ross
H
Audrey Johnson
er voice stops traffic.
After hearing her
message, motorists
will undoubtedly recall her
heartfelt request when they
see flashing red lights on a
school bus.
And they will apply their
brakes.
The public awareness
announcement currently
being conveyed by Audrey
Johnson, age 7, on five Urban
Service Area (Fort McMurray)
radio stations is captivating
in its elocution, images and
significance:
“I love going to school,”
Audrey says in the
announcement.
“I love reading, writing and
learning from my teachers.
“My favourite part of the
day though is when I get off
the school bus and see my
parents smiling, waiting for
me at the sidewalk.
Sometimes, though, cars
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and trucks don’t always slow
down and wait for me and
my friends. It can be scary, so
drivers, please think of us on
the bus.”
And, since Audrey is the
daughter of Jennifer and
Greg Johnson, her natural
talent on air comes as no
surprise —i t is a family trait
and a tradition.
Media and public affairs
advisor Jennifer Johnson
first met Greg Johnson,
radio program director,
Rock 97.9 and Country 93.3,
when they were attending
the same broadcast school.
Years later, when Jennifer
worked at an Edmonton
radio station and Greg
worked in Fort McMurray,
they became reacquainted
at a Dixie Chicks media blitz
event. Romance blossomed,
they were married in 2002
and they combined their
voices so harmoniously at a
Red Deer radio station that
they became community
celebrities. Then came their
children, Audrey and Eric,
age 3, followed by a move to
the Regional Municipality of
Wood Buffalo from Red Deer.
Soon after Regional
Council in June endorsed the
requirement that motorists
and Transportation Bylaw
come to a stop behind a
requirement of stopping for
school bus displaying flashing
flashing lights on a school bus
red lights and stop arms,
took effect.
Jennifer and senior public
Waiting the 11 days for the
affairs advisor Tyran Ault coannouncement to air seemed
authored a communication
like an eternity to Audrey,
plan for what became the
according to Jennifer.
‘Stop to Save their Lives’
“She kept asking whether it
public awareness initiative.
was August 16th yet,” Jennifer
The Plan called for the
creation of Municipal
recalls with a smile during a
advertisements from the
photo shoot with the family at
perspective of school
the radio station.
children, so a child’s ‘voice’
Audrey says she would not
became imperative.
hesitate to recommend radio
Tyran (also know as ‘the
announcing to her friends or
voice of the Municipality’)
her younger brother because
suggested that Audrey
“it’s fun.”
would be a perfect choice
as the Municipality’s voice
since both Jennifer and
Greg would be on hand
to provide guidance and
encouragement.
Moreover, Audrey usually
takes the school bus each
school day to her school, so
there is a persuasive element
to the announcement that is
genuine and can be heard by
listeners loud and clear.
Greg and Audrey created
the announcement in only
three takes at the radio
station on August 9 and it
subsequently aired for the
first time on August 16, the
The Johnson family in the radio station’s
day that the new Roads
recording studio
Canadian Bacon wins two titles
Article by Ashlee Green, Public Affairs Intern
This little piggy went to the
food fair,
This little piggy had fun,
This little piggy ate bacon,
And now, this little piggy
should go for a run.
T
from the Rural Sustainable Development table (so good I had
two cups).
Being a little piggy, I also took my time munching on the
bacon-themed treats from my own team’s table. Featured were
bacon candy, bacon and maple biscuits, and bite-sized portions
of bacon cheese ball served on bacon dipper crackers, just to
mention a few.
Moreover, our team proudly displayed plenty of decorations
including posters courtesy of our creative services team, a
stuffed pig mascot, pig noses for every team member and even
a “super-pig” costume for our Director, Philip Cooper.
The Communication Department did such an excellent job
sticking to our theme that we won the best overall and the best
theme categories (now all our piggies are wallowing in bragging
rights too).
By the end of the fair, this little piggy had a full belly, a lot
of laughs, and a plan to hit the gym. Overall, I would call this a
recipe for success.
he United Way
International Food
Fair took place on
Tuesday, Nov. 9 and I
totally pigged out. With a
record number of teams
entered, 12 in total,
and each one serving
incredible dishes I took the
opportunity to indulge – just as a little piggy should.
The first step in stuffing my little piggy face was getting a
plate which cost $10 at the door and included a door prize
ticket, a judging ballot, and my choice of bottled water, a can
of pop or iced tea.
As I entered the spacious venue, pig nose in place,
I glanced around at all of the tables set up around the
circumference of the room. Starting with soups and salads,
followed by appetizers, main courses, and finishing with
desserts, it was a good thing I planned ahead and wore the
extra-large nose to take in all of the smells.
Each table also picked a theme and focused their dishes,
decor, and even some costumes around it. The Recreation
and Culture table chose to do a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, for
which they won runner-up in the best theme category. Every
detail was accounted for, from the chicken soup served in
tea pots, to the names of their dishes (ex: Queen of Hearts
Lasagna), and even the costumes worn by every team
member.
I could tell that they put a lot of effort into their entry.
As I travelled from table to table, I picked up samples of
some fantastic dishes including the fresh Belgium waffles and
toppings from the ICT table, the impressive three-layer cake
with pies baked in between each layer that I found at the
Photos by Barbara Aarsteinsen and Nicole Auser.
Regional Emergency Services table, and the natural mint tea
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Program connects computers
and community
Article and photo by Myra Ross
GREEN BOUNTY: Members of the Surplus Computer Program committee and a few
recipients posed with the ‘green’ bags used to deliver surplus Municipal computers
to community groups this week. From left to right are: Tarryn Holder, Wood Buffalo
Primary Care Network ;Deanna Lawrence, PRC, Claude Giroux, Executive Director,
Events Wood Buffalo; Debbie Soles, ICT; Roger Grindines, Manager, Nistawayou
Friendship Centre; Aileen Diefenbach, ICT; and, Reinalie Jorolan, Project Manager,
nonprofit sector link Wood Buffalo.
F
orty not-for-profit, community agencies are adding new
computer hardware to their offices this month as a result
of interdepartmental collaboration.
This week, representatives of many of the 40 groups have
visited the third floor offices of the Parks, Recreation and
Culture (PRC) branch in the Hardin Street Building to collect
Dell computers that still have lots of useful life even though they
have been retired from Municipal use.
“The program has moved forward because of collaboration
between the Information and Communications Technology
department and the Parks, Recreation and Culture branch,”
explains Aileen Diefenbach, ICT’s manager of Client Services.
“It has turned out to be a perfect fit in order to meet the
objectives of the program.”
“We manage and control the Municipality’s computers but we
are not as connected with the community agencies and notfor-profit groups as is the PRC branch, so this is the first actual
distribution of surplus to the community.”
Aileen and Debbie Soles of ICT joined Deanna Lawrence and
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Steven Bowers of PRC to move the program from
concept to reality.
The purpose of the ‘Surplus Computer Program’ is “to
provide computers to non-profit organizations of Wood Buffalo
with the goal of assisting in the continual improvement and
development of services to the public,” according to Steven
Bowers of PRC.
As a committee, the group of four established eligibility
criteria and Deanna and Steven contacted potential recipients
within the region about the opportunity and then processed the
applications that were received.
Aileen observes that the program not only directs the
Municipality’s functioning surplus computers (and their parts)
away from landfills, but also, enables the surplus computers to
continue benefitting the public at large.
It’s taxpayer’s money going back to the taxpayer,” she says.
“Due to the changes and improvements in technology, our
computers have a life cycle of three years,” she continues.
“We replace our dated computers across the organization on
a regular basis, but some of the Dell retired computers still have
lots of life left in them and they’re in great day-in-and-day-out
use condition.
“We previously sent our surplus computers to auction where
we might receive $50 per computer; the computers that weren’t
operational would be delivered to the landfill.”
Meanwhile, all recipients of the computer hardware are
informed that the hardware they are receiving is ‘as is’ from
the time of pick-up and that the ICT department will not be
maintaining the hardware once it leaves the municipality.
Some of the groups that have received surplus computers are:
• Leadership Wood Buffalo
• Safe Communities Wood Buffalo
• Events Wood Buffalo
• The Children’s Centre
• KAOS Radio
• Wood Buffalo HIV and Aids Society
• Fort McMurray Food Bank
• Walking the Path Together – Fort Chipewyan
• Fort McMurray Detox Centre
a classic love story
I
t’s a Northern Classic love story – one involving an RMWB
employee, her fiancé and a young fan.
Oh, and maybe a hint of karma, the good kind.
Natasha Beckett felt a sense of relief when the facilitator of
the two-day SAIT course she’d been attending as a Municipal
employee called an early end to the last class.
Natasha had not yet attended a Fort McMurray Junior A Oil
Barons game and she wanted to ensure that she would leave
the Hardin Street Building early enough to stand in line long
enough to be the first person to go through the gates for the
Northern Classic hockey game being held at MacDonald Island
on Nov. 26.
She arrived early and, indeed, she was the first person in
line as the countdown began at the gate; however, just as she
felt an immense sense of satisfaction in being first, she noticed
a young, male hockey fan behind her, whose excitement and
enthusiasm even surpassed her own.
So, she made the switch.
Just as the gatekeepers held out their hands for tickets, she
stepped back behind the young man, who became the first
ticket holder through the gate at the history-making event.
Soon afterward, Scott Meller, Natasha’s fiancé, joined her
in the VIP section and they looked forward to watching some
good hockey. They bought some 50/50 tickets, and, as they
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Article and photo by Myra Ross
stood talking with MacDonald Island’s COO Tim Reid, Acting
CAO Kelly Kloss and Coun. Mike Allen, the winning 50/50 ticket
numbers were called.
Natasha quickly checked her tickets and felt extreme
frustration when she discovered she was one number away from
winning the 50/50; however, within a few seconds her fiancé
informed her that he held the ticket.
“I lost it,” Natasha says about her reaction to the wonderful
news. “Kelly Kloss came over and hugged me and Tim Reid was
high five-ing me.”
As it happened, Scott used a portion of the Northern Classic
winnings to buy Natasha a new engagement ring (she’d
misplaced the one he’d given her last year), they paid down
some bills, booked and paid for a honeymoon that begins on
Feb. 16 in Mexico and made arrangements to be married on
Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.
“That changed our world,” Natasha says about the 50/50 win.
“It has enabled us to get married and move forward as a family.
Each of our families is facing some serious health concerns right
now and the wedding is something really positive and uplifting.
“It has enabled us to get married and move forward as a
family. Each of our families is facing some serious health
concerns right now and the wedding is something really
positive and uplifting”
“Our good fortune couldn’t have arrived at a better time.”
In many respects, for many reasons, many attendees of the
Northern Classic on Nov. 26 will recall the event vividly.
For the young man who was second in line, it’s unlikely he’ll
forget that some really kind woman gave up her spot so he
could be part of making history.
For Scott and Natasha, the 50/50 win is enabling them to
marry sooner rather than later and to give their respective
families cause to celebrate.
So the Northern Classic is not just about hockey or a new
outdoor arena or winning.
It’s all about a multitude of expressions and instances of Big
Spirit – and love.
fashioning diversity in
wood buffalo
Article and photo by Myra Ross
T
he Parade of Nations,
a fashion extravaganza
celebrating diversity,
was a big hit at this year’s
June Jamboree.
Amid resounding cheers
from fellow colleagues, 16
Wood Buffalo employees
modeled traditional dress
from their home countries
and cultures.
As the models turned and
posed on stage, Barbara
Aarsteinsen captured their
movements with her camera.
Over the coming hectic,
humid days of summer,
InTouchIntranet will feature
their stories and her photos,
a winning combination.
A civil engineer
representing the Engineering
Department, Aysar Chomery
wore a traditional Iraqi dress,
a Hashmee, while carrying a
traditional brass flask that in
her homeland would be filled
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
with perfume for sprinkling
on guests as a gesture of
welcome and refreshment.
Aysar explains that the
Hashmee is seldom seen
today as it is now only worn
during festivals and traditional
occasions. She has only one
Hashmee in her closet, which
she purchased in a store.
“Normally in the areas
surrounding a city it would be
home made, knitted at home,
especially the embroidery,”
she says. “It takes awhile to
make one dress, depending
on the design.”
Aysar was born in Basrah
City, in the southern part of
Iraq, and when she arrived in
Canada with her husband and
two sons in 1999, Calgary,
Alberta was their destination.
“I chose Calgary specifically
because, according to the
advice of a friend in Jordan,
a friend at our church who
had lived in Canada for 20
years, because my husband
specializes in the oil and
gas field, the best place to
be would be Alberta and,
specifically, Calgary.”
Aysar’s previous employer
assigned her to travel to Fort
McMurray as the engineer of
record because a colleague
of hers had designed parts of
the CNRL/Horizon site.
“My husband, a chemist,
liked the idea of being in Fort
McMurray so he applied for
and got a job at the Long
Lake project and relocated
here permanently,” she
explains.
“My assignment ended
after two years and I returned
to Calgary, but when my
oldest son got married and
my youngest son graduated,
I decided to move to Fort
McMurray and join my
husband.
“I got my position with the
Municipality and then happily
joined my husband here in
June 2009.”
Aysar brought a wealth
of international professional
experience with her.
“In my job with my
previous employer, I received
vast experience in pre-cast,
prestressed concrete girders
for bridges,” she says.
“So when I applied here at
the Municipality, the former
head of engineering last year
told me that he had a project
for the Fort McKay bridge
replacement.
“He told me that with my
experience, the department
would get the benefit of
it and the Fort McKay
replacement bridge became
my first assignment.”
Since then, Aysar has
collaborated with Alberta
Transportation and
consultants and, at this stage,
“our consultant is nearly
finished the preliminary
design.”
Just two weeks ago, Aysar
participated in her first
meeting since her arrival with
a First Nation group.
“I was so excited to have
that meeting with them,” she
recalls.
Aysar’s time is also spent
building bridges among
family members.
“We are inviting our sons
and their spouses to come to
Fort McMurray and explore
for themselves where their
parents are living and why,”
she says.
“They are planning to
come shortly, probably the
end of July. We’re all excited.
We’re planning a trip to the
Discovery Centre, golfing at
MacDonald Island and all the
good stuff.”
It’s likely that corporations
in Wood Buffalo will want
the two young families to
stay, make the region their
home and help to build the
community.
a lifetime of service
S
enior firefighter Sterling Heath got a fire truck and a cake
with flames on top of it for his 30th anniversary. Fellow
members went all out October 17 to mark Sterling’s
extended tenure with Wood Buffalo’s Emergency Services, or, as
it was called when he started in 1980, the Fort McMurray
Fire Department.
He was surprised by the fanfare and he really did like the fire
truck, but what affected him the most were the comments in
his card from fellow firefighters.
Even his wife Fern became mistyeyed when she read them.
“The people I work with and
to help the common folk is the
love of my job and my work,” he
explains over a coffee at Smitty’s
on Wednesday.
“I could have left in May
2009,” he continues. “I could
have retired then. But I have
agreed to stay for another five
years. (“The wife says it will be
10 years,” he adds).
“The reason for that is to help
all the newcomers feel at home
so they have support. There’s
nothing worse than coming in
and not finding that support.
“When I started, there were a couple of old timers who took
me under their wings.”
The old timers gave him the chances he needed in order to
stop driving trucks and start saving lives.
Born in Cornerbrook, NL, Sterling spent most of his life in
Happy Valley/Goose Bay.
He traveled to Fort McMurray because Alberta was the
land of promise. Back home, he was holding down two and
sometimes three jobs, working for $3.75 an hour. Work as a
truck driver was seasonal.
Sterling had applied to five fire departments before arriving in
Fort McMurray, but in those days, as he explains it, if you didn’t
have someone related to you working in the department, you
weren’t even considered.
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Article and by Myra Ross
photos by Deryck Mills, Fire Fighter EMT-A
He went without work for three weeks before he took a
job with Diversified. Fire Captain Archie Brooks, now retired,
interviewed him for a volunteer firefighter position.
“He took me out on a call and as soon as we got back he
told me to sign a piece of paper and I was then a volunteer
firefighter,” he says about Archie’s recruitment style.
“Then he kept pestering me to apply for a permanent
position and I ended up being the first Newfoundlander hired
by the Fort McMurray Fire
Department.
“Roy Hawkins, fire chief, hired
me,” he says. “I was applying
alongside university graduates,
but Roy gave me my chance.
Today, I’m still here and those
new grads that joined about the
same time are gone.”
Sterling says life as a firefighter
hasn’t always been perfect or
easy, but when he ever felt
tempted to return east, he
quickly realized there was no
going back, and he now looks on
his 30 years of continuous service
with pride.
“What was I going to do?” he
says. “Fort McMurray has been
really, really good (for me and my
family). We visit Newfoundland,
but we live here.”
Fern moved to Fort McMurray
from Newfoundland in August
1979 to join Sterling, and they’ve
been here ever since.
“My greatest joy is spending
time with my grandchildren
(Caelan, 9, and Olivia, 1),” he
explains. “So aside from work and my volunteer activities for the
Oil Barons and the Royal Canadian Legion, I’m looking for ways
to spend time with them.
“I’m busy and active and that’s how I want to stay.”
manager has an eye for beauty
Article by Myra Ross. Photos by Ernest Thacker
kind of photographs he would acquire with a top-of-the-line,
professional camera.
“I am using a $50 Kodak camera,” he explains with a deep
chuckle. “The shutter keeps getting stuck on me, so I have to
give it a little flick. It’s a C4/C3 Easy Share, point-and-shoot kind
of camera.”
Whenever or wherever a scene presents itself, Ernest is ready
to ‘shoot’.
“I always have the camera in my truck,” he continues. “I snap
photos of anything and everything, but primarily of job sites as
work progresses through phases.”
Before July, 2010, Ernest Thacker worked as the supervisor of
Public Works, but his responsibilities have greatly expanded for
the Hamlet Manager role.
“As hamlet manager, I oversee not only public works but
also, community services, which means I manage all municipal
E
rnest Thacker, the hamlet manager of Fort Chipewyan,
wants the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo — and the
world beyond ­— to see what it’s missing.
“All you hear and see in the news today is oil sands, oil sands,
and life in our region is not all oil sands,” says Ernest about the
northern wonders of nature and the spectacular scenery he
photographed on the morning of Nov. 1.
“I like taking pictures, so when something catches my eye, I’ll
snap a photo. With the digital camera, you can take 10 photos
and make a selection of one or two.
“I especially like taking photographs around Fort Chipewyan
because the scenery is just breathtaking.
“And I like to share them with everyone, just to let them know
what they’re missing.”
The two accompanying photos of sunrise in Fort Chipewyan
on the first day of November, while the thermometer read minus
four degrees, were taken while Ernest was on his way to work.
“I took around 15 photos as the sun was coming up; the one
showing the outline of the church steeple was taken around
8:15 a.m. and the one with the boat in the background was
taken around 8:30 a.m. down at the wharf. It’s all ice there and
with all the reflections on the water, it was pretty cool.”
Given the camera Ernest is using, one can only wonder what
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facilities and functions in the community, including the Archie
Simpson Arena and the Mamawi Community Hall. In addition, I
manage the airport, the landfill, the Fort Chip Winter Road, the
water and waste water facilities and all roads.
“I also look after Fort Fitzgerald,” he says. “The Municipality
has 53 km of roads up there that we maintain.”
Despite all of the additional responsibilities, Ernest says he
manages to get everything done within a 35 hour per week
schedule “because I have good staff. They’re all knowledgeable
in the work that they do.”
Judy Ish tops the list
W
ith the recent
retirement of Phil
Klug after 36 years
with the Municipality, there
is a new name and a new
hire date at the top of the
Seniority List.
The first name on the
Canadian Union of Public
Employee’s Local 1505 list
is Judy Ish and her hire date
was May 8, 1975. When Judy
arrived in Fort McMurray
38 years ago, there were
only 867-metered homes
and Fort McMurray was a
town. Abasand, Beacon Hill,
Gregoire and Thickwood did
not exist.
“I came up to the city from
Sherwood Park with my folks
in 1972 and I was here a few
years before starting with the
town,” Judy explains. “I went
to AVC, or, Alberta Vocational
Centre, which is now known
Article and photo by Myra Ross
as Keyano College.”
Currently a Planner for the
Underground Services Branch
of Environmental Services,
a position she has held
since 1992, Judy began her
Municipal career as a summer
labourer three years after
her arrival. Shortly thereafter,
she accepted a permanent
position as a recreation
attendant, which included
managing and maintaining
the arenas in the winters
and, during the summers,
caring for grounds around
Town Hall, mowing lawns and
working in the cemetery.
At that time, all certificates
and documents relating to
the cemetery were handled
by a private individual.
“The documents were
taken care of by a farmer with
a farmhouse located where
Earl’s is today,” Judy explains.
“There was the farmhouse
and a garage. The garage
was the town bottle depot.
We would drive through the
garage with a town truck and
pick up the rough boxes,
which were stored in the back
portion of the garage.”
A rough box?
“A rough box is what
you put the coffin in,” Judy
says. I dug the graves too.
Mrs. MacDonald took care
of all the records. That year,
the MacDonalds turned
the cemetery, the rough
boxes and the records over
to the town. Maybe that is
why they chose the name
MacDonald Avenue, after
that MacDonald family.
At about this time,
Judy also took care of the
Municipal Building grounds,
which at that time surrounded
a one-storey building with
portables attached for
the RCMP.
“Back then, the Fire Hall
was on Franklin Avenue,
where Save On Foods is
now,” she continues, “and
the Public Works yard and
the dog catcher were there
as well.”
1976 was a banner year.
“It was booming then,”
she says, noting that by
this time she had become
a water meter reader with
the Municipality. “Franklin
Avenue was like a street in
San Francisco. There were
line-ups in the bank and
they would go all around the
block. There was so much life
on the streets back then.”
1976 was also the year of a
Municipal strike.
“It was in the summer and
the only thing that ended
the strike was the amount of
garbage that accumulated,”
she says. “They had to end it
then.”
Judy’s eyes tend to light up
when she talks about the Fort
McMurray of 25 years ago.
Continued on next page
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Judy Ish tops the list, continued
“I loved Fort McMurray
back then,” she recalls.
“Everyone wore mukluks and
drove their skidoos to the
bar. The skidoos would take
Clearwater River to go back
and forth.”
In addition to old
MacDonald’s farm, some
other local landmarks that
have either moved or been
replaced during her 35 years
as a municipal
employee include:
• Several old log cabins along Franklin Avenue
• St. Gabriel’s Hospital
• the old Legion on King Street
• the former Peter Pond
Jr. High School on
Franklin Avenue, where
the Safeway is now
• the old curling rink and arena on King Street where Keyano Theatre
is now
• the Nuns’ Cabin on Highway 63 and
• the old RCMP barracks, which is now Mitchell’s Restaurant.
During the 1976 Municipal
strike, Judy walked the picket
line with her toddler son,
Chris, now age 37.
“I was a single parent when
I arrived and working for the
town gave me the stability
I needed to raise my family,
she observes.
Shortly thereafter, as the
secretary treasurer of CUPE,
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
Judy met Robert Ish, who
also worked for the town of
Fort McMurray.
“He was in Public Works, I
was in Parks,” she explains.
“That’s how we met.
Working. “I was raking lawns
and he drove the big flusher
trucks. He approached me
and introduced himself. Then
I couldn’t get him out of my
mind.”
They dated in 1975, they
married in 1981 and they
added two more sons to
their family, Brandon, 25,
and Matthew, 23. Not only
that, but Robert Ish, more
commonly known as Bob, is
today the second name on
the CUPE Seniority List with
a hire date of June 30, 1975.
So, not only has Judy worked
for the Municipality for 35
years, but her husband has
as well.
Judy and Bob – and
their grown family – clearly
illustrate that Wood Buffalo
is not only a great place
to work, but also, that
Fort McMurray and the
surrounding region is an
excellent place to make a
home and raise a family.
“It wasn’t even the pension
that kept us here,” she says.
“It was a combination of the
working hours, being in town
and being accessible to the
kids as they were growing up.
“After the 1970s boom it
became a wonderful place
to raise families. Everybody
knew everybody and there
was a wide range of sports
activities and opportunities.
“The coaches here are
phenomenal in track and
field, for example.
“The fastest runners
and cyclists are from Fort
McMurray.”
Family is still central to
Judy’s daily life since all three
sons also still live in Fort
McMurray.
Says Judy: “The youngest is
engaged to be married with
the daughter of a co-worker.
“Two are power engineers,
one at Nexan and the other
at Syncrude.
“Our middle son is a
successful Heavy Duty
Mechanic who has worked for
Wilson and CAT.
“Not only do I have
three sons, but I have two
grandchildren from my
middle son, Brandon, a boy
and a girl.
“Life is good.”
Judy strongly encourages
female employees to consider
working at the Water
Treatment Plant.
“There are so many things
to do,” she says. “You’re
working with engineers who
have so much knowledge and
the Municipality provides you
with such experience and
opportunities, you can reach
for high levels – and we need
more women over here.”
Now that their children
are grown, Judy and Bob
have entered their second
childhood.
They ride motorcycles, they
travel with only the essentials,
and more and more, it is
becoming a way of life. Due
to her length of service to
the Municipality, Judy has
six weeks’ annual holiday,
and when her holiday roles
around, they load up their
bikes and hit the road.
“Last year, we went for a
month on the road,” Judy
recalls wistfully.
Judy plans to continue
seeing her name at the top of
the seniority list for awhile..
“I won’t be leaving until
Bob retires,” she says. “As
soon as he hits 55, we’re
going to list the house and
see what happens. We
want to go down south,
somewhere where there’s a
lot to do.
“It might be around the
Edmonton area because
we have many relatives and
friends there and I want
to be close to my kids and
grandkids.”
Winter made Wonderful
Municipal program channels volunteer spirit
to recipients who need it the most Photos and article by Myra Ross
The Parks crews also buy and deliver a snow shovel and ice
scraper to the residence of each senior that joins the program.
The tools arrive with a card that tells the resident: ‘Compliments
of the Municipality.’
“One of our motivators is that the biggest health risk, the
number one cause of heart attacks for seniors is shoveling the
walks in the winter,” Steve continues.
“Because we’re doing it right, the seniors are benefitting.
And seniors who have lived in our region for a long or a short
time deserve that support, period.”
S
teve Andrejiw knows that enhancing residents’ quality of
life is the highest order of business for the Municipality.
A coordinator in the Neighbourhood and Community
Development branch, Steve founded and directs the
Municipality’s Snow Angels program, which matches young
volunteers with seniors who need help in clearing snow from
their walks and driveways.
“Last year, we had 12 Snow Angels and today, just since
October, there are 38 Snow Angels, a 300 per cent increase,”
Steve says.
“Last year, we had nine senior residents and we have 22
today, which is a 100-plus per cent increase.”
Parks crews are this winter increasing the effectiveness of
the program. Steve now takes photographs of the seniors’
properties and he shares the images with Parks crews.
“I send the pictures because sometimes the driveways on bus
or main routes are hidden,” he says.
“When the plow comes along, it creates a wind row that is a
lot of extremely heavy work for the Snow Angels to clear.”
“But Parks has a really good handle on where these driveways
are now and so after the snow plow goes by, a crew comes
behind and cleans it out.
“So far, Parks has been outstanding.”
www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca
SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A TEAM: Hanna Paul, 11, volunteered as a Snow
Angel as soon as she heard about the program and her best friend,
sister and parents often help out. Taken after a January snowfall, shown
left to right are: Jodie Paul, Hanna’s mom, Amy Taylor, Hanna’s best
friend, Hanna, her dad, Ron, and, in the foreground, her younger sister
Alissa, 9. They were clearing a neighbour’s property -- Marjorie Clyburn’s
humungous Wood Buffalo driveway -- after a January snowfall. Marjorie,
who is in her eighties, says she used to clear her walk ‘a little at a time’
because ‘you can be fined’ if you don’t, she adds. “But now that the Snow
Angels do it, it’s really something…I just can’t get over it.”