ECA Review 2020-03-04

4 M arch 5'20 HANNA/CORONATION/STETTLER, AB. Eca REVIEW
The Canadian Country Music Legends battled the elements as did most ticket holders for
the annual gala at Spondin, Alta. on Sat. Feb. 29 presented by the Spondin Agricultural
Society and Coronation Community Centre Society. The finale included, from the left, band
members, Gary Okrainec, steel guitar, Richard Chernesky, guitar, and drummer, Tim Lent
(hidden behind), along with Randy Holler, Eddie Churill, guest performer Ryan Snow and
his son Hudson, Joyce Smith, Alfie Myhre and George Myren. ECA Review/J. Webster
Castor council debates pros, cons of sea cans
Councillors instruct CAO to look at storage cans in other places
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
Castor town council decided at their
Feb. 24 regular meeting to examine
how other communities handle sea
cans in residential areas, after a local
resident asked the town to approve
them for storage use.
Councillors read a letter from resident
Lorne Dewart, who stated sea
cans, large, metal storage units nowadays
popular with landowners, have
more benefits than drawbacks.
“I would like to ask Castor town
council to consider amending the Land
Use Bylaw to allow for the discretionary
use of Storage Structures in
Residential Areas specifically Sea
Cans,” stated Dewart’s letter.
“Sea cans can provide landowners
cost effective, excellent storage for a
wide variety of items from the storage
of vehicles and parts, woodworking
materials, motor bikes and ATVs;
almost anything because they provide
a fire safe, weatherproof, rodent-free
dry storage.
They are a great place to store items
that would otherwise be deemed
unsightly.
“They are safe and secure which is
also a major benefit given the
increased break and enter thefts in our
area.
“Sea cans can also be altered to
blend into their surroundings by
painting to match existing buildings,
use of fencing or screens can also be
used so as to make them more aesthetically
pleasing.”
Dewart pointed out he isn’t the only
Castor resident with a sea can in his
yard.
“Currently to my knowledge there
are four to six sea cans located in residential
areas of Castor already. By
allowing discretionary use council can
ensure that all cans are meeting a Sea
Can standard, placed appropriately on
the property and have an approved
Development Permit in place for
them.”
Dewart was correct when he wrote
sea cans are forbidden in residential
areas of Castor; councillors mentioned
this point several times at the meeting.
Dewart also asked council to hold off
on enforcement while they considered
his request.
Chief Administrative Officer
Christopher Robblee noted sea cans
are not allowed in residential
neighbourhoods, but are allowed in
residential estates. They’re also permitted
in zones such as industrial.
Councillors unanimously agreed.
Coun. Lonny Nelner pointed out sea
cans have some special issues associated
with them, such as they meet no
building codes and, since they’re made
of metal, they can seriously inhibit
emergency personnel in the event of a
fire.
Coun. Tony Nichols said he sympathized
with Dewart. “I don’t see where
they’re much of an eyesore,” said
Nichols. He said there are some
garages around Castor that look worse
than a sea can.
“I think we should change the
bylaw,” said Nichols.
Coun. Brenda Wismer disagreed,
noting she felt sea cans look
“unsightly.”
Coun. Nelner said he agreed with
Dewart’s statement the sea cans can be
painted to blend in with the neighbourhood
and guidelines would be needed.
Coun. Rod Zinger said sea cans seem
to have a lot of problems associated
with them, including the ability to
stack them on top of each other.
Mayor Richard Elhard agreed with
Nichols, noting sea cans have been in
town for a long time.
Coun. Kevin McDougall suggested
tabling the issue until Robblee has
time to investigate other jurisdiction’s
handling of sea cans.
Book signing
with
T.L. Jenkins
Sat, Mar. 14
1:00 - 3:30 pm
Secondhand Bookstore
5003B 50 Ave
(Main Street)
Castor, Ab
Manitoba man charged
following last year’s fiery
collision near Chinook
Submitted
As a result of further
investigation, Oyen RCMP
has laid charges in relation
to a fatal collision that took
place on Aug. 20, 2019, at 3:30
p.m., on Highway 9 near
Range Road 73, close to
Chinook, Alta., that resulted
in three deaths.
This was a complex collision
involving 10 vehicles.
RCMP
Daniel Zacharias Wollmann
(22) from Mitchell, Man., is
charged with: Dangerous
operation causing death (x3)
and Dangerous operation
causing bodily harm (x14).
Wollmann is scheduled to
appear in Hanna Provincial
Court on Apr. 22, 2020.
As this matter is now before
the courts, no further information
will be released.
Background
Shortly after 8 p.m. on Aug.
20, 2019, the fire was extinguished
at the collision scene,
and the RCMP collision analyst
was on the scene to
conduct an examination and
investigation.
It was confirmed that 10 vehicles
were involved in the
collision; seven-passenger vehicles
and three semi-truck units.
Living Truth Christian School
OPEN HOUSE
Kindergarten thru Grade 12
Wed. March 11, 4 - 7 pm
4803 49 Ave. Mirror, AB
For more information, please call
the school at 403-788-2444.
OVER
Friday - Sunday
March 6 - 8