Westlock News

With a mere three weeks remaining before funding contracts for people with developmental disabilities expires and no new contracts in sight, Alberta Human Services Minister Dave Hancock has indicated PDD service providers can extend their contracts.

Town Square Park at the top of Main Street in Westlock is due for a makeover this summer. “The Westlock Blooms Foundation has been trying to make improvements to Town Square Park for several years,” said foundation president Shirley Toporowski.

Westlock chief administrative officer Darrell Garceau is leaving the town for a second time. Garceau submitted his resignation on May 31, said mayor Bruce Lennon and his last day will be June 21. Garceau was unable to be reached for comment.

The Westlock Independence Network is hoping an upcoming information night will provide some answers to families trying to cope with upcoming provincial cuts to the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program.

Although it’s a given the Westlock and District Agricultural Society’s horse track will have to move, the timeline remains very much in flux. “The town has given us a deadline,” said Ag Society secretary Cheyanne Erickson.

The Town of Westlock has started the process of ending the Westlock and District Seniors and Disabled bus service.

Ally Karczmarczyk covers her mouth while a funny anecdote is shared about her (and the rest of her classmates) at the St. Mary School graduation ceremonies Friday night at the Westlock and District Community Hall. The Class of 2013 had 16 graduates in it. For more pictures see the print of e-edition of May 27 Westlock News.

Close to 40 people gathered in front of Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec’s office last Tuesday to protest the pending cuts to Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

Despite experiencing stable enrolment numbers for the first time in years, deep cuts introduced in the provincial budget have left the Pembina Hills school division facing an operating deficit of nearly half a million dollars in next year’s budget.

The lab cuts at the Westlock hospital are set in stone, says Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Maureen Kubinec. During the spring session of the Legislature May 14, Kubinec drew attention to the fact that 5.