Looking back in the Gazette

1972

Emergency exercise a big hit - In a front-page article, the Olds Gazette reported on a successful emergency exercise in Olds. “A simulated disaster at the north crossing in the Town of Olds on Tuesday tested the capabilities of the Olds Emergency Measures Organization, the County EMO force and the three hospitals in the area at Olds, Sundre and Didsbury. In the simulated accident, a bus loaded with school children was struck by a train at the north crossing, bodies were strewn all over the highway, police, medical and fire rescue teams were summoned and the town Mayor Hoffman declared the incident a disaster. Soon the mobile County ambulance was rolling to the scene while ambulances operated by Mountain View Ambulance were wheeling the more seriously injured to the Olds Hospital where the entire staff had been mobilized. Then more disaster struck in Olds, fire wiped out the communication system’s electric power and gas services were cut and the communications system of the county was pressed into service to relay messages from the accident scene and to deal with the new emergency. When it was over accolades were handed out to all concerned and more knowledge had been gained on how to coordinate emergency services in the scene of a real disaster.”

1973

Mail service questioned - The Olds Gazette editor had some questions about the future of mail service in the district. “There was a day in the not too distant past that one could mail a letter in Didsbury and expect to have it delivered in Olds the same day but now you are lucky if it is delivered tomorrow because tomorrow is the day that never comes. There was a day too in that not too distant past when a complaint about postal service in this country would have been as rare as tomorrow's delivery because postal workers had pride in their jobs and in getting the mail from one point to another as quickly as possible. Today the postal service is top heavy with efficiency experts telling the efficiency experts what to do. The day of the old red mailbox that screamed service is gone. Gaudy colours and gaudier stamps have replaced that old fashioned virtue. It often appears that bulk mail, which is said to be easier to handle gets preference over a letter or a parcel. We know that the days of the penny-post are long gone. But those were the days too of the pony express, sailing ships and the new fangled steam engines. Now in the days of jet aircraft, super tankers, astronauts whizzing around in space, instant communication, computer science, huge transport trucks and unit trains it takes nine days for a parcel to travel from Toronto to Olds and even longer from Montreal. If you notice carefully, the only mail that seems to get through on time without delay is those end of the month bills. Can anyone suggest one more reasons?”

1982

Farmers not happy with shooters - The Gazette reported on some very unhappy residents in the west part of the County of Mountain View. “Farmers and ranchers living west of Highway 22, between Cochrane and Sundre say they have experienced the most harassing hunting season ever in 1982. They are now organizing in an effort to have the area closed to public hunting. They realize that the wildlife has to be controlled, but feel that since most landowners and occupants do not grant outsiders permission to hunt there, they are already controlling the wildlife quite effectively themselves. Land there is privately owned and occupied. In theory, the area is already closed to public hunting. Farm families and their livestock have been endangered beyond belief, and the residents say they can no longer tolerate the excessive harassment and danger to life and limb caused them by the hundreds of hit-and-run hunters who cruise around the area during hunting season. The few officers on staff can patrol a few roads only, in a vast area. The hunters know this and the residents have practically no recourse. They are not allowed to shoot back.”

1983

Museum planned partial opening - The Gazette reported on plans for the Olds museum during the Alberta Summer Games. “The museum will open with only a sampling of artifacts during this August’s Alberta Summer Games following a decision to push back the grand opening to next spring in order to accommodate Countryfest '83 and provide more time to develop exhibits. During the games, a portion of the artifacts display area will be set aside for an exhibit honoring sports in the area, said Kim Komylo, museum renovations project manager. The remainder of the display room will be provided for Countryfest '83's art exhibits. The former Alberta Government Telephones building on 50 St. and 51 Ave. will be renovated to a functional level in time for the Games. Kornylo said. There will still remain some minor finishing to complete the renovations. The museum's games exhibit will consist of what the Historical Society’s Donna Folk termed a "synchronic sports display." The display will rely on a slide presentation to depict sports in the district "from another era," she explained. There will also be a sampling of artifacts designed to "express the quality" of future exhibits. Also playing a large part in the decision to delay the grand opening is money. The society is waiting for $38,000 from the province through its museum grant program.”

1984 
Viewpoints on a gamble - The Gazette editor had some questions and some views on a planned oil well in Olds. “To build its gas plant in the area north west of Sundre, Citadel Resources had to satisfy the Energy Resources Conservation Board, the people of the area and a municipal government of its plans and of any health hazards that might exist. But in Olds, company officials and town council can sit down and decide that a well can be drilled within the boundaries of the Town of Olds. The only assurance that this well will not be a nuisance was that delivered verbally to council by a landman who said that drilling was aimed at a proven reservoir 2,000 feet above a sour gas formation. But who is to say that below that chosen well site, a pinnacle of sour gas has not pushed aside the proven oil zone and there it stands like a hidden volcano ready to send highly toxic sour gas screaming upwards from the bowels of the earth, erupting into flames and creating Alberta's second Lodgepole. There was little need for a fast decision on this matter. The $25,000 cash payment and the annual rental the town will receive will be small compensation if trouble develops. Let's hope the gamble pays off.”