Board of Directors
Noel Simpson
nsimpson@mcsnet.ca
Renee Cherniwchan
jcherni1@telus.net
Debbie Palichuk
crunches31@hotmail.com
Val Whitelaw
val.w@telus.net
Angel Thompson
George Nylan
gbnylan@outlook.com
Cathy Goulet
Carmel Farrelly
John Cherniwchan
jcherni1@telus.net
Minutes of Last Meeting
September 18, 2018, 7pm – Noel’s Place
Attendees
Debbie Palichuk – Shanes IDA Pharmacy
Renee Cherniwchan – Old Fashioned Bread Bakery
Michelle Wright – Pappys Parcel Pitstop
George Nylon – Global Office CA Accounting
Gerry Hudson – Excalibur Executive Planning
Cathy Goulet – Killick Leadership Group
Ed Boothman – Smoky Media
Val Whitelaw- MRW Computer Systems
Lorne Halisky-Smoky Lake Councillor
Karen Holowaychuk-Observer
Colin Piquette-Invited guest
Mark Watson-Smoky Lake Signal
Noel Simpson-Noels Place
Hank Holowaychuk -Mayor
Mel, Ross, Dan – Town Councillor|
They arrived about 8pm after their Town meeting.
1- Call to Order – Noel calls the meeting to order at 7pm
2 – Additions to agenda – Cathy wants to add small Business week, Todd Hirsch update, Lamont chamber invite
3 – Financial statement – George gives us a financial statement up to the end of August 2018. $5612.40 in our bank account. He wonders if we want to get a GST number to claim for our GST spent. George will look into it and see if its worth it. Noel and Ed suggest its not worth it, because we spend so little and don’t pay much GST anyhow, but George will check and let us know at the next meeting.
Noel talks about memberships. This year into next year it will be easier, because everything is now in order. The past few years no one has been on top of getting the membership fees. We have to go through the list. Gerry Hudson will go after the Businesses who haven’t paid and are on the sign. George asks about the Stampede invoice from 2017 for $300. Ed asks why we don’t pay it? Noel explains it was decided on the last meeting the Chamber would not pay for sponsorship with the Rodeo. George asks about a donation for the Cross Cancer and Noel says no. Smoky Lake fireworks also had sent a letter and Noel said no, because we are all Town businesses, the Town advised not to pay. Ag Foods bill for juice, George will pay.
4 – Previous minutes were passed as written.
5 – Parade what worked and what didn’t – Parade went over very well. They did the Awards before the beginning of the Parade. Renee heard great feedback. The only complaint Lorne heard was that the judging took to long and the parade start time was 20 minutes late. Next year, the judges wont wait for all the Parade attendees to show up, they will judge who is there at 10am. The people who took part in the Parade with a float loved they were able to show off their winning ribbons as the parade went through Town. Overall the new format was well received!!
6 – Ribbons and prizes – Noel talks about using the Smoky Lake coins again next year. We will check with the Town to see how many vouchers were brought back. $2.00 Coin – 1000 printed. $250 set up fee
7 – Gerry Hudson – Chamber Health Benefits, our representative – Gerry talks about the what the Chamber benefits have to offer all of the small Businesses. They can insure from 1 employee to 50 employees. Alll of the information can be found at www.chamberplan.ca
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8 – Pappys is now set up to open – Congratulations!! Michelle advised that the lockers are here. Furniture refinishing side is open now. We will go on a tour at the next Chamber meeting. Pumpkin Fair weekend will be their Grand Opening!!
9 – Christmas Light Up – Lions will pay for the hot dogs and hot chocolate. Noel needs help with the Silent Auction. Michelle says the Kinettes will do it, they just need guidance how to do it. Debbie will help Michelle with what happened last year. The Kinettes want to do a movie before or after everything starts or finishes, maybe even after school. Michelle will let us know at the next meeting what the Kinettes decide. Noel will get the kids from HAK to help out, he will contact Hal Ziprick. Renee will ask Jaime about running his tractor for hay rides. Noel will ask Doug Shapka about their team of horses. Date – November 30th – Smoky Lake Seniors Drop Inn – Debbie called Kathy Loffelbein and booked the hall. Renee will make the cookies and icing. Kinettes will prepare the grab bags, but the Chamber will buy the candy. Noel will buy tattoos and face paint kits from Edmonton. He will buy the candy and fireworks from Greg at Bigway. Noel will ask the Fire Department to do the fireworks again. We need to do an Ad in the Signal and the Review. Lorne asks why all the Businesses don’t stay open like Waskatenau? Noel explains we tried that a few years ago, but only a few businesses participated which is too bad, so everyone closes now on their scheduled time.
10 – Colin Piquette our MLA – He talks about infrastructure projects, economic development, making life better, HAK school, round about in Waskatenau, improvements for highway 855 and 28. Ed asks about where to get grand money for the Town. Colin says to come to his office or call him. Ed wants to help promote the Town. Pembina, NW phase 2 is unclear at this point. Highly motivated to get the pipeline through. We are leading the country in growth and investments. A billion dollars in deficit. We are borrowing money to build more infrastructure. Minimum wage increase predicted over 50 to 60 job losses, but 70000 dollar gain. Noel, Val and Ross talk about the negative impact the new minimum wage will have on kids jobs, staffing issues and money loss for the business. Val comments on the impact of prices in stores and food service. Its going to hurt the kids wanting part time jobs. Noels hiring practices have changed. Colin also comments on Rural Crime problems due to the economy and drug issues. St Paul crime watch, civilian support and crime mapping available. Mel, Val and Karen ask Colin about getting grant money for anything, but mainly the daycare at the School. Colin explains how the system works and who to contact to help fill out the complicated forms. Hank thanks Colin for everything the Government has done for our community. Noel thanks Colin for taking time to come and talk to us.
Hank lets us know that October 12th is the official opening of Bar V Nook.
11 – Noel sets a motion to appoint George as our treasurer. Ed seconds it.
12 – October 16th to 18th – Small Business week – Minitrade show at the Drop in Centre. Noel will talk to Cathy to set everything up. Todd Hirsch, Alberta Treasury Branch, Chief Economist will be the speaker.
13 – Invitation from the Lamont Chamber on Sept 24th in Bruderheim to learn how to reduce identify theft.
14 – October 23rd will be our next Chamber meeting. Noel thanks the councilors for coming to our meeting after their meeting.
15 – Michelle motions to adjourn the meeting at 915pm and Ed seconds.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
Minutes stored as pdf documents
March 20, 2018
September 19, 2017
July 12, 2017
June 20, 2017
February 7, 2017