Looking back in the Gazette

1973 – MLA CRITICAL OF GOVERNMENT

Area Social Credit MLA Bob Clark has some critical things to say about the new PC government of Peter Lougheed. In a front-page story Clark called on the government to do a better job funding schools. “A continuation of this policy of cutbacks in capital gains to universities and colleges will have the effect of relegating (area) universities to the status of feeder institutions as they are unable to expand present programs and students will be forced to come to Edmonton to continue their education in their chosen discipline. This contradicts the trend towards smaller decentralized institutions where more interaction, which is the key to the educational process, can take place.”

1981 – QUIET DOWN PLEASE

The Olds Gazette reported on new efforts to limit unwanted noise in Olds. “From now on anyone causing excessive noise within Olds town limits could find himself paying a fine of as much as $500, if a neighbour lodges a complaint. On Monday council gave final reading to the bylaw, which restricts the types of noise-making activities according to time and location. Prohibited are any noises which by “reason of intensity, volume or nature causes or is likely to cause discomfort, annoyance or disturbance to other persons within the Town of Olds any time of day or night.” Between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. prohibited is the operation of tools, devices or machinery which creates a noise which may be heard in any residential building. There is also a section which disallows noise in a hospital zone. The bylaw describes a hospital zone as one which is so designated ‘by signs or any other means.'"

1981 – SUNDRE DIKES COMPLETED

The Gazette reported on the wrap-up of major flood protection work along the Red Deer River in Sundre. “Flood control dikes on the Red Deer River at Sundre have been completed and all that remains of that phase of the Red Deer River control system is some clean-up work to be done next spring. The Sundre project cost about $550,000, says construction supervisor Doug Nels of Red Deer. He said the town is well protected from flooding now, with one dike east of the Red Deer River bridge extending 800 metres at a height of about two and a half metres. A second dike west of the bridge is about 500 metres long and an average of three metres high. Earth-moving machines dredged the gravel used to construct the dikes out of a 30-metre-wide pilot channel which extends about seven metres to the south of the bridge on Highway 27. Channels in the river were left undisturbed at the request of Alberta Fish and Wildlife.”

1984 – MILK TROUBLES IN TOWN

The Gazette reported on a controversy around milk in Olds and area. “A bylaw designed to prohibit the sale of unpasteurized dairy products in Olds got hung up after second reading Monday when one councillor opposed its passing. Coun. Ken Gillrie objects to the bylaw, especially as it prohibits the delivery of unpasteurized dairy products within the town limits. He admitted receiving unpasteurized dairy products at his home on a regular basis. The cream he purchases comes from a dairy farm where the cows are tested for disease. He felt the bylaw should be re-worded to allow deliveries of cream to town residents while prohibiting their public sale. The councillor remains steadfast in his position despite assurances from Mayor Armstrong that the bylaw will primarily affect farmers’ markets.”

1985 – CADETS OFF TO THE STATES

The Gazette reported on a trip being taken by local cadets to the United States. “Forty-five members of Olds Squadron No. 185 air cadets leave for an exciting five day trip that takes them to one of the largest submarine bases in the U.S. situated at Bangor, Washington. They will tour the operations area of the submarine base and then will overnight at the huge Fairchild Air Force Base at Spokane. The group will tour a helicopter squadron, a security police squadron, as well as climb aboard a huge B-52 bomber. The cadets will also receive orientation on a number of different types of aircraft.”

1985 – FIRE DAMAGES GAS PLANT

The Gazette reported on a large fire at an area gas plant. “A fire at Canadian Superior Olds Harmattan Plant about 25 kilometres northwest of Didsbury caused an estimated $100,000 damage to the plant’s process pump room. B.D. Garrison, manufacturing manager, said the fire was caused when a drive shaft on one of the electric motors snapped which allowed liquid butane, propane and other gases to escape. The gases were ignited by sparks. Harmattan Plant officials said the plant was shut down, the fire isolated and the Olds and Didsbury fire departments contained the fire to one area. No one was injured in the blaze.”

1988 – FLOOD CONTROL APPROVED

The Gazette reported on efforts to prevent flooding in the district. “Environment Minister Ken Kowalski announced this week that Alberta Environment issued a $9,521 cheque to the County of Mountain View No. 17 as the first installment of a $11,610 drainage grant. The project involves the construction of ditches to alleviate flooding in low-lying agricultural land. The project will benefit approximately 32 hectares of crop and pasture land and county road. The project is funded under the Alberta Water Management and Erosion Control program.”