Splish splash truck bath
Young drivers roar down Crystalridge Drive
for a chance at the prestigious Okotoks Rotary Club Soap Box Derby trophy. The annual
derby was held Saturday with more than 30 winners awarded for their driving skills.
For results see full
story.
photo by Cindy Ballance
Parade route changed
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
This year's Spirit of Okotoks weekend parade will be taking a different route.
Parade spectators are asked to take heed of the new route schedule so as not to miss
out on this weekend highlight.
Previously the parade route went down Elma Street, however, organizers wanted to
clean up the route so as not to cause congestion on Okotoks streets.
The parade this year will not travel down Elma Street. Instead, the parade will travel
from Fountain Tire in the Okotoks Industrial Park down the main street to the intersection
of Highway 2A. (As it has in the past)
However, it will then travel south along Highway 2A and take a left turn before the
railway tracks down the paved back alley behind Neighbours convenience store. The
parade will travel down the alley until it reaches The Station Cultural Centre where
the parade will stop.
All participants in the parade are asked to remain at The Station for the presentation
of awards.
Awards will be presented for best band, best high school band, best pipe band, best
local band, best equine entry, best out-of-town entry, best children's entry, best
float in commercial and non-commercial, and most enthusiastic entry.
Participants of the parade are asked to register their float by calling Shawn Wilhauk
at 938-8936 or the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce at 938-2848.
Also anyone with questions regarding the parade route can also call the above numbers.
This year's parade is being hosted by the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce
and the Okotoks Men's Club.
However, the Okotoks Men's Club is working in conjunction with the chamber to be
the sole host of the parade in future years.
This year's parade, 'Marching to the Millennium' will begin at 11 am on June 19.
Headwaters Health Authority prepares for possible
nurses' strike
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
The Headwaters Health Authority is braced and ready for the impact of the
nurses strike.
While negotiations continue between Alberta nurses and provincial health authorities,
the Headwaters Health Authority has prepared contingency plans which it hopes will
help to alleviate some effects of the labor disruption.
If a labor disruption does occur, plans call for a reduction of services within the
Headwaters Health Authority to include only emergency services, services for long-term
care patients and a limited range of services for community care clients and acute
in-patients.
In case of labor withdrawal, residents will be directed to local clinics for non-emergency
health services during regular business hours.
The health authority also recommends that maternity patients contact their attending
physician regarding their specific condition, as obstetrical services may not be
provided in all areas.
For information on which health services are affected by the strike, the Headwaters
Health Authority has a toll-free, 24-hour information line.
By dialing 1-888-666-6560, Headwaters staff will relay the information in person.
If the line is busy, or calls are received after regular office hours, a recorded
message will provide information on the availability of services.
Although the strike will no doubt affect services within hospitals, mediation will
continue between the United Nurses of Alberta and the Provincial Health Authorities
of Alberta.
'Our hope is that the mediation discussions will reach a successful conclusion for
everyone involved and difficulties will be avoided,' said Dwight Nelson, chief executive
officer of the Headwaters Health Authority in a press release.
'We ask all residents for their support during this difficult time and hope for a
satisfactory resolution of these issues at the bargaining table.'
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Foothills School Division superintendent plans for
retirement after 13 years of service
By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter
A long-standing member of the Foothills School Division will be retiring this
year.
Superintendent David Lynn recently announced to the board of trustees his intent
to retire after serving more than 13 years as superintendent with the school division.
'I enjoy my job very much,' said Lynn, 'but I am worried about overstaying my welcome.
I knew that it was time to make a choice before the next step in life.'
Lynn explained that he has been a school division superintendent for the past 22
years and has spent the longest amount of that time with the Foothills School Division.
'I'm past the age for when I should have retired,' said Lynn. 'It's important to
make a change in life before life forces a change on you.'
It has been a long career in education for Lynn.
He started teaching in 1965, in Revelstoke and northern British Columbia. Lynn's
ambition then took him across the country where he attended Dalhousie University
for his master's degree in education.
After obtaining his degree, he became the vice-principal of 450 students at a high
school in Nova Scotia.
Since then, Lynn has climbed the educational ladder to his current position as superintendent.
Although he has enjoyed his job as superintendent, Lynn said that he is looking forward
to retirement and spending time with his family.
'I haven't any concrete plans in place,' said Lynn, 'but my wife and I would like
to travel.'
However, to travel to the places where they would like to go, Lynn said that he will
continue to work as a consultant, possibly with the educational sector.
'(While working), I would like to control my time commitment,' said Lynn. 'I would
like to get back to the things I like to do -- biking, hiking and being a musician.'
Lynn explained that he took piano lessons about four years ago and could play a pretty
mean saxophone when he was younger.
'It's just a matter of getting (the talent) back,' Lynn laughed.
Although the date of Lynn's retirement, Dec. 31, 1999, is about six months away,
Lynn said that he will enjoy every moment he has left as superintendent and will
miss his colleagues within the school division when the time comes to say goodbye.
'There's been difficult times, but we've always managed to pop back up on the waves,'
said Lynn. 'I've enjoyed working with some outstanding colleagues, the school boards
and the parents.'
The Foothills School Division board of trustees will certainly miss Lynn as well.
'We will miss you David, very much,' said board chairperson Carolyn Kaiser. 'I believe
that you are at the top of your year. You've taken us through leaps and bounds --
we look forward to celebrating your retirement with you and we wish you all the best.'
A replacement for Lynn's superintendent position will be announced in the fall.
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