Tis’ the season.
    Albertans are being urged to get the flu shot this year and it’s never been easier.
    Starting October 21, Flu Clinics began travelling around the province and local pharmacies began administering this year’s flu vaccine.

Riverside Value Drug Mart pharmacist Ray Ainscough, right, administers a flu shot to Wendy Ellingson. Pharmacies throughout Drumheller have been offering the flu shot since October 21 and have had a busy first week.  Alberta Health Services will hold flu clinics on November 5, 25, and 26. 

    “We’ve been going pretty hard since then. We even did a few prior to that for patients considered high risk, like people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma for instance,” said Pat Doyle, pharmacist with Anderson Drugs at Freson Bros IGA.
    Alberta Health Services hosted a Flu Clinic last week, but those who missed it can still get the vaccine by heading to one of Drumheller’s pharmacies. Additional Flu Clinics have been scheduled at the Drumheller Health Centre on November 5, 25, and 26.
    Those wishing to get the vaccine can receive it in one of two ways; the traditional needle or a nasal spray.
    “We like to reserve the spray for the kids. We haven’t had any adults ask for the nasal spray, but it’s there for adults, too,” said Doyle.
    The number of Albertans getting immunized has been increasing. It is estimated 920,000 Albertans received the shot last year, an increase of 46,000 over 2011.
    “We’re quite happy with the turnout so far. If I had to say, I would say it’s been busier than last year,” said Ray Ainscough, pharmacist with Riverside Value Drug Mart. “Generally, every year we exceed our previous year, though the biggest year was during the H1N1 scare.”
    Some of the increase may be due to the widespread availability of the flu shot.
    “We have customers who don’t necessarily get many prescriptions, but come for the flu shot. They like the atmosphere, because it’s different doing it at a store, rather than a flu clinic. It’s an added bonus for everyone. It’s a win-win,” said Doyle.
    Everyone is encouraged to take a few minutes to get the shot, which is available at pharmacies throughout Drumheller. Those wishing to get immunized need only bring their Alberta Health Care number. Pharmacies can administer the shot to anyone nine-years-old and over.
    “I always say, as a person who’s had the flu, I never miss my flu shot now. I had the flu a few years back and it was five days of pure agony, so I always recommend people to get their shot,” said Ainscough.

    Drumheller’s new Town Council will be holding their first meeting on Monday.
    After being elected on October 21, the new council has spent some time getting oriented. Monday, November 4, will be their first public meeting.  
    The agenda, says Mayor Terry Yemen, is light and aims to pair councillors with various committees, such as the Library Board or Policing Committee.
    “Monday’s meeting is solely an organizational meeting, so what’s going to happen there is we’re going to assign the councillors different committees,” said Yemen. “From there, we’re kind of an open slate. I don’t think there were a lot of burning issues leftover from the previous council.”
    One of the most colossal tasks for any council is on the horizon, however. This fall, council will delve into budget deliberations.
    “It’ll be in the near-distant future. It’s kind of unfortunate that they have the elections this time of year, because one of the first things a new council has to do is one of the most significant things you do,” said Yemen. “In the fall, one of the priorities is always the budget.”
    Two issues facing the new council are replacing the water slide at the Aquaplex and the completion of the East Coulee water transmission line.
    Yemen says the slide will be discussed in the new year.
    “It’s scheduled for us to look at in 2014. There have been people asking us to look at a gradual entry of the pool, too, which would be expensive,” said Yemen.
    For East Coulee, residents have raised concerns over the water fill station being constructed at the only entrance into the community. As of right now, the issue isn’t an agenda item.
    “It hasn’t been formally asked to be on the agenda, yet,” said Yemen. “The concern over the usage?, I don’t know where it’s coming from. There have been concerns there would be industrial usage and traffic jams from industries using the station, but I don’t see them using it. There’s an industrial fill station in Drumheller that fills a lot faster. I don’t see semis heading out to East Coulee to fill up when they could do it easier in Drumheller,”
    Yemen said any problems caused by the fill station would be addressed.
    “If it causes problems, there will have to be adjustments made to the operation of it. I think we’ll have to see what problems there are first,” said Yemen.
    Drumheller residents elected predominately incumbent council on October 21, with Yemen and Councillors Jay Garbutt, Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk, Sharel Shoff, and Tom Zariski returning for another term. Patrick Kolafa and Tara McMillan were elected as the two new members of council.
    Council meetings start at 4:30 p.m. each Monday at Town Hall.