Altona's 2nd St. NE nearing completion

Motorists should soon be able to resume driving on 2nd St. NE in Altona. The road from 4th Ave NE, north to the south property line of 6th Ave. was torn up earlier this summer, and crews have been rebuilding it. 
    
"The second lane was poured on Friday from end-to-end," explained Public Works Manager, Clint Derksen. 

Now, crews have to hand-pour in a few spots.

"We want to get drainage right," said Derksen. "The slip-form machine is accurate, but not in such small areas where there's numerous different curvatures to the concrete."

Altona's Southwest Drainage Project "finally a go", says Public Works Manager

Crews have arrived and are working on the Town of Altona's Southwest Drainage Project. 
    
"It's finally a go," said Public Works Manager, Clint Derksen.

The plan is to dig out the ditch along Highway 201 from Buffalo Creek, east to Road 5W this week. 

Should weather and time allow, Derksen says crews could dig all the way to 4th Street SW, noting there are enough culverts on hand to make it happen. 

With a deeper ditch and new culverts, the intent is that this project will lead to improved drainage in the southwest corner of town.

New manager hired for Altona hospital brings decades of leadership experience

A new Manager has been hired for the Altona Community Memorial Health Centre, filling a vacancy left by Kevin Hamilton in August. 

Neelam Borrison has accepted the permanent position, and comes to the facility with over 20 years of leadership experience as Nurse Manager and Director of Care in various facilities in Ontario. Recently, she also served as Clinical Specialist for the Red Cross. 

Gilmore back as R.M. of Montcalm Reeve

The results are in, and the entire council for the R.M. of Montcalm has been acclaimed for the coming term. This includes Reeve Paul Gilmore who will fill the top job for a second term. 

"I consider elections to be an integral part of a vibrant democracy, and apathy is usually not a good sign I feel. But, there's a certain anxiety for candidates when they're going into elections, so I'm kind of glad that it's over and that I can once again concentrate on representing my rate payers," said Gilmore.

Shawn Tarnick named new Sergeant for the Altona Police Service

Altona Police Chief Dan Defer says tapping Shawn Tarnick to be the department's next Sergeant was inevitable.
    
Having worked together for 22 years, Chief Defer says the experience Tarnick brings to the position is immense.

"This is his hometown. He knows the town, he knows the department, he knows how we operate and so, it was a natural fit."

Despite all this, Tarnick says he was still somewhat surprised when Chief Defer approached him with the opportunity.