City News

It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s painless.
It’s the city’s annual census, which is quick because census takers only ask three questions; it’s easy because those three questions don’t have anything to do with physics or math; and it’s painless because, well, how much can it hurt answering three quick and easy questions?
Census takers will be going door to door in Lethbridge beginning April 7 as the city gathers basic information on which federal and provincial funding is based. In about one-third the time it takes to cook a three-minute egg, a census taker will have asked for the number of people living in a residence, their ages and genders.
That’s it.
“Our message is quick, convenient and confidential,” says city clerk Aleta Neufeld.
It almost seems too simple, particularly when considering how important the information is to the city.
Neufeld says it’s critical the city get an accurate count of its residents to maximize the amount of money it receives from the higher levels of government, which provide dollars based on population.
The math is easy. The more people living in Lethbridge, the more money the city receives to help build such things as the community arts centre currently going up in the downtown core, and the planned twin ice arena.
The city also uses the population information to help with municipal planning and providing police, fire, transit and other important services.
If residents don’t want to wait for a census taker to come calling, they can fill out a form online beginning April 1, or they can pick up a form on the second floor of City Hall.

Shooting range remains closed
Closed two weeks ago after reports of bullets flying through a Lethbridge neighbourhood, the rifle firing range in a northside park will remain shut another two weeks.
After city council members were updated on the situation, Mayor Rajko Dodic announced Feb. 21 the shut-down order won’t be lifted until March 5 at the earliest. That’s when council will hear presentations on the matter from Lethbridge Regional Police as well as city administration and the range operators, the Lethbridge Fish and Game Association.
The closure was ordered after police officials reported the bullets may have been fired from the range. The issue will be aired during council’s next scheduled meeting.
“We want to ensure everyone gets a fair hearing,” the mayor added.
No public debate is expected at that meeting, but council may decide if and when the valley-bottom facility in Peenaquim Park may resume operation.
The range was closed after a Feb. 9 meeting between the association and city administration, following reports that spent rifle bullets were found in an adjacent residential area. It was also closed two years ago, after a stray bullet hit a mini-van in the same neighbourhood.
“This is a very touchy issue,” the mayor noted. “I’m sure people will be passionate on both sides.”
Fish and Game officials have said they’re working with city officials to find a safer place for the range, further away from suburban development. They offered no comment after last week’s notice of closure, however.
But a members’ meeting was called for Feb. 23 to discuss the situation.
Dodic said city officials will be offering no more comment on the issue until the March 5 meeting.

Tax bills to take hefty jump
Contrary to provincial promises, Lethbridge homeowners are facing an unexpected tax hike.
The Conservative government’s decision to boost its education levy means the city’s “average” property tax bill could increase as much as $120 this year, city council learned Feb. 21.
While the Alison Redford government’s first budget boasted no new taxes — and no tax hikes — city treasurer Corey Wight warned that’s not the reality. In fact, he said, the education levy the city is required to collect was boosted 9.5 per cent over last year’s level.
That’s a $62 jump over last year, on a “typical” single-family home in Lethbridge assessed at $285,000. And it’s more than the $53 property tax increase council agreed to last fall, after debating the city’s operating budgets for the next three years.
Although the city is obliged to collect, pointed out Mayor Rajko Dodic, more than half of the $120 increase will be going directly to provincial coffers - not to city operations.
While it’s still described as an education levy, the province’s part of the annual property tax no longer goes to local school boards either.
Once final tax calculations are complete - including a small levy from the Green Acres Foundation as well - property tax notices will be sent out in April. Taxes are due by the end of June.
At the same time, Wight reported analysis of the provincial budget shows a slight boost in the city’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative grant for 2012. It’s going to move up from $14.8 million to $15.1 million this year.
“That’s welcome news,” he added.
MSI grants are directed toward capital costs of such projects such as the twin arenas and curling club planned for a westside site near the city’s new high schools.

Alberta to hold public inquiry into health care

Longtime health-care critic Bridget Pastoor has welcomed the promise of a full public inquiry into Alberta’s health care system.
The probe was announced Feb. 22 by Premier Alison Redford, following delivery of a long-awaited report from the province’s Health Quality Council.
“The health council said we don’t need a public inquiry, but the premier says there will be one,” Pastoor said from Edmonton, as the issue rocked the legislature.
“They certainly recognized the emergency waiting times are not acceptable.”
While downplaying allegations of dangerously long waits for lung surgery, the report found patients were waiting too long for help in emergency departments in Calgary and Edmonton.
The council reported widespread disillusionment, mismanagement, and sub-standard patient care — resulting mainly from the centralization of health care into one “superboard” after the government dissolved Alberta’s health regions. It also confirmed charges that doctors were intimidated and bullied by their bosses for speaking out on poor patient care.
But Pastoor — now a government MLA after several terms as an opposition Liberal — said doctors weren’t the only professionals who felt silenced by the health bureaucracy.
“And it wasn’t just the nurses,” she added. “They had to sign a confidentiality agreement with the superboard,” vowing not to speak out as professionals.
Other health-care disciplines were also under a gag order, Pastoor said. Once the public inquiry begins, she expects more health-care personnel will speak up.
“There will be a lot more coming out.”

Tourism website launched
Southwest Alberta could soon be a tourism hot spot with the help of a new website aimed at attracting visitors from near and far.
The Chinook Country Tourist Association site, www.exploresouth
westalberta.ca was launched Feb. 21. It features an online reservation system that allows tourists to book hotels, attraction passes and event tickets — separately or as a package deal — without having to make individual phone calls to each place.
Nikolaus Wyslouzil, interim manager of the CCTA said the new website will help put southwest Alberta on the map.
“The more people see what’s available in the area, the more likely they’ll make a decision to come here. We have a lot of unique things that we don’t have anywhere else. For example we have one of the highest concentration of UNESCO world heritage sites just a couple of hours from Lethbridge including Waterton, Head-Smashed-In (Buffalo Jump).”
There are 36 tourism operators have signed up to be on the site. The CCTA aims to have 100 by end of the year.

A newcomer to political life will face off against incumbent Lethbridge MLA Bridget Pastoor.
Rob Miyashiro, executive director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, won the Alberta Liberals’ nomination in the longtime Liberal stronghold, Lethbridge East. Though numbers were not released, organizers report he polled more support than Ald. Jeff Carlson, the other challenger.
Liberals were forced to reopen the nomination process after Pastoor suddenly switched allegiance late last fall — joining the governing Conservatives.
About 200 members and supporters turned out for the nomination event, officials said.
“This contest generated a great deal of energy and excitement,” added constituency association secretary Allyn Langager.
Miyashiro, educated at the University of Lethbridge, has worked in a variety of social agency settings for several decades. They include roles with the Blood Tribe Youth Ranch, the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta and the office of the commissioner of Services for Children and Families for the provincial government.
He plans to take a leave of absence from LSCO when the election is announced.

Shooting range closed until further notice, safety cited
The Lethbridge Fish and Game Association’s shooting range is closed until further notice following a concern over stray bullets.
The city said in a news release that it received new information from the Lethbridge regional police that questions the origin of spent rifle ammunition recovered in North Lethbridge. The range in Peenaquim Park was closed following a meeting between the association and the city on Feb. 9 to allow the administration and city council an opportunity to review the concern over the next several weeks.
The matter will be discussed in private at city council's meeting on Feb. 21. The Lethbridge Fish and Game Association has planned a public meeting for Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at the association’s hut in Kinsmen Park on the corner of 9 Avenue and 10 Street South to discuss the range’s future.
There has been no decision to permanently close the facility, the city said in a news release, adding that it acknowledges the shooting range is “very well run and that the association has made admirable efforts to make it as safe as possible.”
It’s not the first time the city has shut down the shooting range property, which it leases to the Fish and Game Association. The most recent prior closure happened in April 2010, after a stray bullet hit a minivan in a northside neighbourhood. The range re-opened about three weeks later after police determined the bullet in question could not have reasonably been fired from the range.

Alberta unveils its latest Education Act changes
The Alberta government re-introduced its Education Act on Feb. 14, promising a systematic provincewide effort to go after and punish schoolyard bullies.
“I want to make sure that in the province of Alberta we have a uniform code of conduct clearly spelling out what is and what isn’t allowable in schools relative to students’ behaviour,” said Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk after introducing Bill 2 in the legislature.
“That will include verbal abuse, physical abuse, homophobic abuse, cyberspace abuse and the list goes on and on.”
Lukaszuk said school boards will submit to his department their plans on handling bullying. They will then be compared to an over-arching definition of bullying to make sure there is a one standard of what will and won’t be accepted.
“The fact is we need to standardize this, particularly as kids move from school and class to class, that this same level of expectation will be placed on them,” he said.
Sandra Dufresne, chairwoman of the Holy Spirit Catholic school division, said more details on what will be required of school boards will likely appear in the regulations and policies that will be developed after the act has passed. And until more detail is available, Dufresne said it’s hard to imagine what the final result will look like.
Barry Litun, superintendent of Lethbridge public school district, said he’s pleased to see the act discuss both rights and responsibilities and that it’s written so that students, parents and school board trustees and educators are all partners in education. While the current School Act does enable school boards to take disciplinary action for things that occur outside school and outside school hours, the new act goes much further.
This is the second time the proposed act has been before the house.
It was first introduced 10 months ago in the last spring legislature sitting, following three years of public consultation, only to be pulled again last fall for more consultation.
The new bill also allows parents more access to information on their child’s education, sets up a minister’s student advisory council, and puts in place an expanded audit committee involving third parties to make sure school decisions reflect the goals of students and communities.
The bill retained a provision to hike the minimum dropout age to 17 from 16. It also promises to fund students up to age 21 to complete their high school diplomas; the previous limit was age 19.

Become a Katimavik host family

Lethbridge residents are invited to get a taste of what sets Canadians apart and what holds them together by becoming a Katimavik host family between Feb. 26 and March 9.
Katimavik, Canada's leading national youth service learning organization, is looking for families who are willing to host Katimavik volunteers aged 17 to 21 from across Canada. Here is your chance to get to know a young person who is presently volunteering in your community while introducing them to your way of life.
As part of Katimavik's program, volunteer youth spend 12 days with a host family in the region in order to get a better sense of the culture and local life of the community. For some volunteers, this is also an excellent opportunity to benefit from a full-fledged linguistic immersion. This precious experience will be filled with discoveries for both the host family and the volunteer(s). Each family that hosts a Katimavik volunteer receives a stipend to offset costs.
How can you become a billeting family? Contact Katimavik at 403-693-3090, ext. 2205 to discuss opportunities.
The Katimavik group arrived in Lethbridge on Jan. 4 and will live in the community for the next three months, before heading to Quebec City to continue their six-month program. The group is comprised of seven young women and four young men and are supervised by a Project Leader who lives with them. These volunteers are working five days a week at local not-for-profit organizations including: the Lethbridge Food Bank, Family Centre, Southern Alberta Art Gallery (SAAG), Galt Museum, St. Micheal's, St. Therese, 5th on 5th Youth Services, and the Lethbridge Sports Council.
For more information, visit www.katimavik.org, the blog at www.gokatimavik.com, or get social on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

2012 Alberta Cup tickets, schedule available
The schedule and ticket package prices for the 2012 Alberta Cup being held at Lethbridge’s Nicholas Sheran Arena April 26-29 is now available.
AA tournament pass which includes all 20 games of the event is $40, and a day pass for admission to four to six games is $15, according to an announcement made by Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the host committee. The final game of each day goes for $5. Children under 12 will be admitted at no charge.
Tickets and packages are available at the Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association office in Adams Ice Centre.
The tournament's complete schedule is available at www.hockeyalberta.ca.
“We had an extremely successful event here in 2011 and we are excited to build off that momentum into this year’s event,” Alberta Cup host committee co-chair Bob Bartlett said in a news release. “We are very pleased to offer a variety of affordable ticket options that will give everyone the chance to come watch the top bantam-aged hockey in the province.”
This will be the second consecutive year the event will be hosted in Lethbridge. In 2011, the Calgary South Flames won the championship after defeating the Northwest Sharks in a shootout while the event set a record financial profit netting more than $42,000. Proceeds from the 2012 Alberta Cup will once again go to benefit Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association and the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Alumni Association.

Music equipment missing
It has the makings of a sad country song.
Sometime during the evening of Feb. 13, a locked trailer along the 800 block of 21 Street South was entered, and music equipment and two suitcases containing cabling were taken.
The equipment is described as a Red SVI King Keyboard in a bag, Takamine guitar and case, snare drum, kick pedal, drumstick bag and sticks, stage lighting and fender amp.
Police also found that culprits tried but failed to break into another trailer the same night in the 700 block of 21 Street South.
Anyone with information is asked to call Lethbridge regional police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Showcase creativity during Summer Games
The Allied Arts Council of Lethbridge aims to have Alberta Summer Games athletes and their families brush with local creativity during their time in the city.
The AAC is inviting artists, street performers and buskers to submit proposals by Feb. 29 to participate in what an exciting showcase of local talent. During the games July 26-29, the AAC is plans to host an Art & Wine Stroll one evening with busker-style performances downtown; an artistan market at The Gate July 28; and street performers and buskers, various locations, including along the art walk, and at various sports and VIP events July 27-29.
Proposal forms and more information can be obtained from www.artslethbridge.org, by phoning the Allied Arts Council at 403-320-0555 and contacting Muffy McKay at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Leisure centre study continues
A few days remain to participate in the city’s study on a proposed leisure centre. Residents have until noon Feb. 24 to fill out a questionnaire posted on the city’s website, www.lethbridge.ca, under Things To Do.
The answers will be reviewed by the study’s consultants before they move forward in the next part of their research.
The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a need in the city for a future leisure centre, and to examine what components could be included as a part of this type of facility.
The study comes at the request of city council after hearing from residents that there is a desire for such a centre. Public open houses were held on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
“We envision a facility that would have the potential to be the community hub with programming and activities available for all citizens of our community,” Ashley Matthews, the city’s recreation and culture manager, said in a news release.
While this is only a study, the city says, the work done now will help guide the process should the city move forward in the future to build such a complex.
The final report from this study is expected to be presented to city council in May.
The centre, planned for a site close to the city’s new westside high schools near Whoop-Up Drive, will begin with a 10-sheet curling rink and two side-by-side hockey arenas with NHL-sized ice. A $10-million federal grant, announced in January, signalled a go-ahead for plans on hold since last summer.
 

Premier Alison Redford’s Alberta Tories delivered a pre-election budget Feb. 9 that got thumbs up from many in the city.
The provincial budget not only included predictable funding for Lethbridge cabinet minister Greg Weadick’s advanced education ministry, but it also offered good news to plenty of his Lethbridge West constituents.
And there’s more to come, he says — sweeping changes to the province’s student loans system, with details released on Feb. 13, too late for publication in the Sun Times.
Premier Alison Redford’s first budget, he added during an interview with the Lethbridge Herald, shows the province is heading for a balanced budget — with a predicted $1 billion surplus in 2013-14. At the same time, it’s providing stable, predictable grants for the province’s colleges and universities. Post-secondary institutions will see a two per cent increase in operating grants in each of the next three years.
Weadick said the budget allows for $300 million to complete capital projects at Bow Valley College, SAIT and the University of Alberta but no new major capital projects for the next fiscal year are included. Weadick said a discussion is underway within government on how to fund infrastructure projects in the future, possibly through loans. The college is in the planning stages of revamping its aging trades building but that will have to wait.
The three-year budgeting cycle from Alberta Education was also greeted positively by local school districts.
“The board is appreciative that for the first time government has made a three-year commitment with respect to the amount that grants will be increased, albeit the increases are modest for the per pupil grant of one per cent this next year and then two per cent for each of the two subsequent years,” said Barry Litun, superintendent for the Lethbridge public school district.
“There are some welcome increases in the budget for sure,” said Sandra Dufresne, chairwoman of the Holy Spirit Catholic school division. “We’re certainly pleased they’re going to be funding us on a three-year model. We’ve been advocating for that for so long.”
That no new money for new schools or modernizing old ones was announced was disappointing to both local boards but increases to inclusive education and plant operations and maintenance were heralded as positive.
Provincial funds will continue to support such key projects as the new wing on Chinook Regional Hospital, said Weadick. And there are more funds for people living with a developmental disability, and for staff at the non-profit agencies which help them.
Speaking as a government supporter for her first budget — after seven years in Opposition ranks — Lethbridge East MLA Bridget Pastoor was also pleased by what she heard.
Long an advocate for disabled Albertans relying on an AISH cheque, she was happy to see the $400 per month increase announced Thursday. But there was good news for everyone, she said.
“People in Lethbridge will be happy there’s no tax increases,” despite rumoured hikes to the province’s beer, wine, liquor and tobacco “sin taxes.”
Members of city council — including her daughter, Bridget Mearns — should also be satisfied to see the province’s MSI grants to municipal governments remaining predictable and stable.
 “They’ll be on a three-year budget cycle,” just as city council is here.
At the University of Lethbridge, however, political scientist Geoffrey Hale was less hopeful.
Hale said history shows Alberta’s budgets, unlike most other provinces’, are seldom accurate beyond the current year.
To start with, he questioned the budget’s assumption that Alberta’s economy will grow by 3.8 per cent over the next year. Almost every calculation can be overturned by outside events, he warned.
If Israel attacked Iran, for example, the price of oil would spike. But further economic distress in Europe could have the opposite effect.
And natural gas, once the province’s most reliable source of income, shows no sign of recovering that position. Now, he said, the province relies very heavily on oilsands development.
“So much depends on what the province can get from its oilsands, without adequate pipelines to our major markets.”

Lethbridge continues to grow
New census data shows the population of Lethbridge outpaced the national growth rate over the last five years — a period of time that saw the country spiral into the most serious economic tailspin since the Great Depression.
Statistics Canada released the first batch of numbers from the 2011 census on Feb. 8 and the population of Lethbridge increased by 11.8 per cent since the last census in 2006.
When the 2011 census was taken last May 10, the population of Lethbridge was 83,517, compared with 74,685 from the 2006 census.
That increase in population is consistent with the growth rate shown in city censuses. Lethbridge has enjoyed slow but steady growth over the past few years, averaging between 1.5 and two per cent, said Mayor Rajko Dodic.

County of Lethbridge hoping to woo WestJet
County of Lethbridge officials aren’t going to wait for WestJet to come to them, they’re going to WestJet following the Feb. 8 announcement the airline will launch a regional service.
County Reeve Lorne Hickey said Feb. 9 that the announcement gives the county even more incentive to persuade WestJet to put Lethbridge on its list of new market destinations. So even though the county has been working to attract WestJet to the airport — and met with officials a few years ago — it plans to step up the pressure and be even more aggressive, rather than wait, and hope, WestJet comes to the county.
WestJet confirmed it will launch a low-fare, no-frills regional airline as part of the next “logical step” in the company’s evolution. There have been no announced market destinations or even a launch date.

YWCA names Women of Distinction
Five women have been named the YWCA Lethbridge and District’s Women of Distinction for 2012.
The award recognizes outstanding women who live and work in southern Alberta.
The honourees are chosen from the nominees for their accomplishments, commitment and leadership.
This year’s women of distinction include:
Sarah Amies in the social advocate category, Vicky Vannatta Miller in the community commitment category, Berga J. Moen, LL. B. in the YWCA champion category, Mary Runte in the Spirit of Women category, and Edith M. Stewart in the wise woman achievement category.
The Women of Distinction awards ceremony takes place March 23 at 5 p.m. at the Lethbridge Lodge. Guest speaker is Leela Gilday, aboriginal singer/songwriter and a winner at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards.
Tickets are $100 with a $50 tax receipt, and can be purchased by phoning 403-329-0088 and at the YWCA.

Exhibition names its 2012 board
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition named its 2012 board at an annual general meeting held Feb. 9.
There were three board positions available. Incumbent Andy Cumming was re-elected for an additional three-year term. Joining him for three-year terms are newly elected board members Max G. Gibb and Mike Davis.
Returning board members include: president Gord Scheurman, first vice-president Don Young, Ken Benson, Dennis Carrier, Herman Elfring, Hazel Hart, Rick Neudorf, Bob Simonton, Kai Yip and past-president Georgina Knitel.
Ald. Tom Wickersham will continue to represent the City of Lethbridge and Morris Zeinstra will continue as the County of Lethbridge representative.

Some Elton John fans shut out of ticket sales

Elton John sang “I Want Love” and he certainly got it when tickets to see the musical icon in Lethbridge went on sale Feb. 11.
However, some disappointed fans left the Enmax Centre empty-handed Saturday morning after tickets to the April 24 concert sold out in 61 minutes — the fastest sell-out ever at the venue. Most of the total 6,300 tickets sold went to online buyers and not all of the 120 people who waited in freezing temperatures outside the ticket centre were able to get tickets.
“It was who got there first,” said Lana Barlow, sales and marketing manager at Enmax Centre. “Internet sales did take a huge portion.”
The Enmax Centre opened up more phone lines and increased its website bandwidth to accommodate a barrage of calls and clicks, Barlow said, but even so the phone lines and the web server still temporarily crashed.
But for those who set up camp to guarantee their spot in spite of chilling winds and, in some cases, a lack of legitimate sick days, the wait was well worth it.
Lethbridge resident Joyce Chambers and five of her friends were the first in line when tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday, having been camped out the ticket centre since Thursday at 3 p.m., armed with serious-looking schedules divided into shifts for each of them.
“Even if we’re not diehard fans, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she said. “This is the one way we’re actually guaranteed to get some tickets.”
Joe Poirier spent more than 24 hours waiting fourth in line, most of that time without even a tent.
“I’ve got frostbite on both my feet,” he said minutes before the ticket windows opened. “I’m actually going to the hospital after this.”
He did it as a surprise for his mother, who listens to Elton John’s albums “religiously.”
“It’s her birthday coming up and we just lost my dad recently so I figured this might put a smile on her face,” he said. “This is one small sacrifice to make to get her tickets to something she can’t afford.”
Those still desperate for tickets looked to online classifieds websites including Kijiji.ca, where at least a dozen posts appeared minutes after the show sold out offering tickets for up to $350 each, nearly double the $167 original ticket price. But there were twice as many wanted ads begging for tickets, some to give as birthday and wedding anniversary gifts — willing to pay hundreds more than the face value of the ticket.
The show is set for 8 p.m. April 24 at the Enmax Centre. Elton John is also set to play in Red Deer and Grande Prairie the following two nights before jetting off to Germany. Tickets for the Red Deer show sold out completely in 45 minutes, with all of the tickets available at the Red Deer Enmax Centrium going in fewer than 10 minutes.

Leisure centre study continues online
Didn’t attend either public open house concerning the city’s leisure centre study? Don’t sweat it. Residents have until noon Feb. 24 to fill out a questionnaire posted on the city’s website, www.lethbridge.ca, under Things To Do.
The answers will be reviewed by the study’s consultants before they move forward in the next part of their research.
The purpose of the study is to determine if there is a need in the city for a future leisure centre, and to examine what components could be included as a part of this type of facility.
The study comes at the request of city council after hearing from residents that there is a desire for such a centre. 
“We envision a facility that would have the potential to be the community hub with programming and activities available for all citizens of our community,” Ashley Matthews, the city’s recreation and culture manager, said in a news release.
While this is only a study, the city says, the work done now will help guide the process should the city move forward in the future to build such a complex.
The final report from this study is expected to be presented to city council in May.
The centre, planned for a site close to the city’s new westside high schools near Whoop-Up Drive, will begin with a 10-sheet curling rink and two side-by-side hockey arenas with NHL-sized ice. A $10-million federal grant, announced in January, signalled a go-ahead for plans on hold since last summer.
 

It’s not a tax bill — not yet. But owners of income-producing property in Lethbridge are getting an estimate of what they may be paying.
Assessment notices have been mailed covering about 2,100 revenue-generating properties, city officials say. They include stores, offices, apartment buildings and industry.
Owners are being asked to check them, and call city taxation officials soon if there are any questions or concerns. The valuations are based on an estimate of what the property could have sold for on the open market last July, they point out.
“We are asking owners of these properties to review their assessment valuations,” says Stan Dilworth, the city’s assessment and taxation manager.
The notice also includes an estimate of this year’s property tax, based on the assessment. But Dilworth said those figures won’t be firm until the city receives requisitions for the provincial education tax as well as the Green Acres Foundation levy.
Later in spring, he adds, the city’s 36,000 residential owners will receive a combined assessment and tax notice. Along with the business property taxes, they’ll be due on June 29.

Unapproved tattoo shop closed
Alberta Health Services is urging anyone who got a tattoo at an unapproved home operation in southern Alberta to be tested for hepatitis and HIV.
The province has shut down Sandra Wiltzen’s tattoo parlour in Lethbridge.
Health officials say the shop did not have proper sterilization equipment.
Individuals may have been exposed to the hepatitis and AIDS viruses.
Officials say the operator was given 30 days to provide Alberta Health Services with a complete list of clients, but has not done so.

Cancer awareness night with the ’Canes
It’s time to face-off in the fight against cancer with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Relay for Life.
The puck drops Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. as the Lethbridge Hurricanes take on the Regina Pats in Western Hockey League action. Come out and show your continued support for Relay for Life by participating in the Chuck-a-Puck and raffle. Proceeds benefit the mission of the Canadian Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.
Pre-tickets can be purchased at the Canadian Cancer Society Office at 317 10 St. S. at a price of $15 for adults, $10 for students and $9 for youth.

Jeans for Teens campaign at Park Place
Park Place Shopping Centre is giving shoppers a chance to save money by donating to charity.
Park Place’s Jeans for Teens sale continues until Feb. 12, giving shoppers the opportunity to donate their gently used jeans to receive deals and coupons at participating stores for new jeans. Shoppers can drop the jeans off at the denim wrapped box across from Guest Services. Once they do that, they can pick up coupons from Guest Services for deals on new jeans at participating stores. (Aeropostale, Sears, Hot Gossip, Bluenotes) Each person that donates will receive one set of coupons during the sale.
All of the jeans that are donated will be given to local charity.
Park Place marketing manager Jarod Neithercut said in a news release, “The idea originally came from Aeropostale; they did this last year. We wanted to jump on the opportunity to make it a much bigger event and to get as many pairs of jeans for donation as we possibly could. Our best chance to do this was to include more tenants and give shoppers a chance to get something new at a discounted price. We were stunned with how well our E-Waste round-up was received so we’re hoping people have just as many old jeans as old electronics.”

Open house showcases cadet opportunities
Even in landlocked southern Alberta, there are “Oceans of Opportunity” for youth ages 9-18 in the Navy League of Canada, Lethbridge Branch.
The Navy League will hold its Youth Agency Open House Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at “The Ship,” 1708 10 Ave. S. Keynote speaker will be Mayor Rajko Dodic. It’s also an opportunity to learn about the Navy League’s cadet programs.
Those who plan to attend the open house are asked to RSVP by calling Mrs. Jessie Mason at 403-394-3331.
The Navy League Cadets for youth ages 9-13 uses a naval theme as the platform to help participants develop self-discipline, respect for others, leadership skills and being part of a team, among other characteristics. While the program introduces cadets to what the Navy is all about, cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces.

City hiring census takers

It’s that time of year again.
The city is starting to hire census-takers to help chart the yearly growth.
“Residents of Lethbridge who enjoy walking are invited to apply,” says Aleta Neufeld, the acting city clerk. Application forms are available online at www.lethbridge.ca/census.
Successful applicants will be required to attend a two-hour training session in March, then start knocking on doors over a three-week period starting April 1.
City residents 18 and older are eligible to apply until Feb. 17. Forms are also available at the service counter on the second floor of City Hall.
Last spring, the city reported a population of 87,882.

Hybrid buses offer passenger comforts
Lethbridge Transit rolls out five hybrid-drive coaches on the road this month, representing the latest in energy-efficient vehicle technology. Not only will they save on fuel as they pull away from passenger stops, but they'll recharge their batteries as they brake.
"It's a parallel hybrid system," explains Richard Reron, maintenance manager for the city's transit, school bus and Access-a-Ride services.
The five New Flyer hybrids, which arrived over the holiday period, were purchased through the province's "Green Trip" incentive plan. During his last visit here as premier, Ed Stelmach announced a $6.1-million grant which will cover 10 full-sized transit buses and five Access-a-Ride vehicles — all using hybrid technology.
While their prime mover is a diesel engine, the "EP 40" technology promises fuel economy of up to 60 per cent, compared with a conventional drivetrain — and exhaust emissions cuts up to 90 per cent. The 280-horsepower General Motors engine is linked to an Allison electric drive system, with the torque and infinitely variable gear ratios of a traction motor in a trolley bus or an LRT vehicle.
Reron says riders will appreciate some inside-the-bus improvements as well. There's high-backed seating — and more seats — as well as more headroom in the back of the bus. For drivers, there are some added protection and comfort features as well.
Transit plans to retire most of the remaining high-floor GM "Classic" buses and sideline two of its four small "community buses," noted for their rough ride and uncomfortable seating. Later this year, there are also plans to add hybrid-powered Access-a-Ride buses.

Public school district approves calendar
Planning a vacation? It may get a little easier now that Lethbridge public school district has approved its 2012-13 school calendar.
Students in the Lethbridge public school district will start the 2012-13 school year on Sept. 4 after the Labour Day weekend.
The Christmas vacation will go from Dec. 24, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013 with classes resuming on Jan. 7. The Easter break is scheduled from March 29 to April 5, 2013 with classes starting again on April 8. School will end for students on June 27, 2013 and on June 28 for staff.
Other parts of the calendar, such as professional development days, will be posted on the district website once they’re finalized.

Community Foundation accepting grant applications
In continuing its support of charitable organizations, the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta has announced that grant applications for the spring 2012 cycle are being accepted.
Applications will be accepted until Feb. 15.
Organizations must be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency, be in association with a municipality, or a school district. Grant applications, as well as more information on eligibility and funding criteria, can be found on the Community Foundation website (www.cflsa.ca). The Community Foundation staff is also available to assist organizations with their grant applications at 403-328-5297.
With two granting cycles per year, the Community Foundation focuses on awarding grants in four key areas: Arts, Culture and Heritage; Environment and Conservation; Health and Wellness; Human and Social Services; Recreation and Leisure. In 2011, 59 Community Impact Grants totalling $306,775 were awarded to deserving organizations in the areas served — from Nanton to Waterton and from Grassy Lake to Crowsnest Pass.
"The funding for our Community Impact Grants is generated from the investment income of permanent endowments established by generous donors over the past 45 years," board president Barb Cavers said in a news release.
"Through our annual grants program, donors can be confident that the Foundation is able to identify and support a wide range of community projects in southwestern Alberta."
Since 1966, more than $6 million in grants has been awarded to charitable organizations in southwestern Alberta.

Get out on Winter Walk Day
Lethbridge College’s Be Fit for Life will be among the thousands of Albertans participating in the Winter Walk Day on Feb. 8.
Step up and join Lethbridge’s community event Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Henderson Lake. Registration for the event starts at 5:45 p.m. in front of Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens.
Last year, more than 100,000 Albertans participated and collectively walked more than 2.4 million minutes. Participants are expected to reach over 120,000 this year.
If you are unable to participate in the event with the group, simply walk outside for at least 15 minutes and then visit www.shapeab.com to submit your walking minutes.
For more information, contact Chelsea Purves at the Lethbridge College Be Fit for Life Centre, 403-320-3202 ext. 5742.

Interesection closed
The Intersection of 2  Avenue North and 28 Street North will be closed to traffic until Feb. 21 at 5 p.m.
This closure is necessary to accommodate a watermain installation, according to a city news release.
Detour signs are in place to guide motorists around the closure, local traffic will be permitted with no thoroughfare. Motorists are asked to follow the posted detours and drive with caution.
Highway 3, 5 Avenue North, Mayor Magrath Drive North and 31 Street North serve as alternate routes.