News | DrumhellerMail

Delia girl to carry torch in shadow of dinosaur

    A Delia School student has been selected to carry the torch on a high profile section of the Olympic Torch route as it makes its way to the valley this coming January 16, 2010.
    Jordan Phillips, 17, of Delia may have expected her graduation to be the highlight of her year. That was until she was selected to carry the Olympic Torch.
    “I was a little bit surprised, I didn’t think it was real at first … I thought it was an update from iCoke, but I kept reading and said ‘oh my goodness,’” she laughs. “I called my mom over and by the tone of my voice she thought someone was trying to break into the house.”
    Jordan found out she was selected in late August. She was selected through iCoke and the Sogo Active program.
    “I figure skate every winter, so I kept track of how much physical activity I did each day,” said Phillips. "If I reached my goal each week, I received another entry to be a Torch Bearer.”
    She has been selected to run from Gordon Taylor Bridge to the World’s Largest Dinosaur.
    ‘I am so excited about that,” said Jordan.
    “It’s exciting to be a part of something that is so important to the whole world. It is not just important to Alberta or just Canada, people watch from all over the world.”
    She says her extended family will be coming to town to line the route to see her run the torch.
    Jordan grew up on a farm outside of Delia, and there is no sign her active lifestyle will change any time soon. After she graduates this school year from high school, she plans to pursue a career as a pilot. She also plans to continue with her figure skating.
    “I have actually taken a coaching course, and once I finish my coaching assignment, I’ll be a CanSkate coach,” she said. "I would like to eventually upgrade that so I can coach the higher levels with advanced skaters."
    The Olympic Torch will be traveling through the valley enroute to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games in just days. The local celebration organizing committee quickly distributed tickets for the celebration at the Canadian Badlands Passion Play Site, however there are many chances for residents that want to see the torch to line the streets and cheer on the runners.
    The Mail is interested in hearing from others in the community selected to carry the torch. Contact us at 403-823-2580 or at news@drumhellermail.com.

Wildrose Alliance elects board in Drumheller-Stettler Constituency

    About 50 people from across the Drumheller-Stettler constituency braved the minus 30 degree weather in Stettler on Saturday to elect a board of directors for the Wildrose Alliance Consistency Association.
    This was its first annual meeting.
    Rick Strankman of Altario was elected president, while Chip Aiello of Drumheller became vice president. Norman Storch of Hanna assumes the role of secretary-treasurer.
    There were five directors elected. They are Bob Gainer, Hanna; Gary Wilyman, Stettler; Damien Kurek, Consort; Don Peters, Stettler and Guy Neitz, Erskine.
    Strankman called on residents of the constituency to pull together in doing their part to help bring together a new and responsible government for Alberta.
    MLA Paul Hinman addressed the meeting. He urged that every effort be made to increase the number of constituency members and to be prepared for an election. He also said there is a need for government to change, recognizing where tax dollars are coming from and re-invest at least some of those dollars back into rural Alberta.
    He also pointed out his view of the “Super Health Board” is not the answer. Instead he feels there is a need for local input into the operation of hospitals and that includes the return of local administrators.
    He added he believes there is a need for a system to recall MLA’s if constituents feel their elected member is not representing their views.

Founders Club welcomes Bronze Members Dan and Muriel MacDermid

    There is another pair of members of the Founders Club as fundraising continues for the Badlands Community Facility.
    The Mail, in its December 9 edition brought readers the story of an exciting fundraising venture undertaken by the committee to allow donors who make a substantial donation to the facility to be listed as Founders. Right away Jay O’Dwyer of Westergard Ford signed on as a Bronze Donor and Elson McDougald signed on as a Platinum Donor.
    Last week area farmer Dan and Muriel MacDermid pledged their support as a Bronze Donor, meaning they has supported the project to the tune of $50,000.
    Co-Chair of the Badlands Community Facility Committee Tony Lacher is grateful for the support of residents that have come out to make a commitment to the facility.
    “It’s encouraging to see residents become members of the Founders Group,” said Lacher. “For them (MacDermids) to step up puts us one step closer.”
    The fundraising committee, through the Founders Club hope to raise $1.8 million before the end of the year. Lacher says they are about half way to meeting their target.
    He says the Founders Club is an important aspect of the fundraising effort. Along with the much needed funds, the club also signals a strong commitment from members of the community for the facility. This is an important aspect when the committee continues its efforts when they pursue corporate donations.
    Despite the weather, crews continue to work building up the site of where the facility will begin to take shape. The aspect of the land is being raised to the 1 in 100 year flood level, with a solid gravel fill base. Tenders for the construction are expected to be released in the new year.
    The latest member of the Founders Club gives the committee a boost as it takes on its next fundraising endeavour.
    Elson and Pat McDougald are hosting Drumheller Day at the Calgary Chamber of Commence on February 24, 2010. A strong show of local support would help prove how serious Drumheller is about making the Badlands Community Facility a reality.
    For more information on the Founders Club and how to leave your mark on Badlands Community Facility, contact chair of the fundriasing committee Jeff Hall at 403-823-7800, Elson McDougald at 403-998-7595 or Jay O’Dwyer at 403-823-2500.

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