The new Medical Clinic is scheduled to open towards the end of July as well. Construction has been proceeding smoothly and we look forward to the official opening scheduled for August 12, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. This is a state of the art new facility, one of the best in Manitoba. Our four physicians and staff will be relocating to the new facility in the near future.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest physician Dr. Elizabeth "Bessie" Holland-Muter together with her husband Johan Botha and their three children, Yohanu age 11, Elmanu age 3 and Nathanu age 1 who have recently moved to Altona. Johan Botha is an engineer and currently available for employment. Please extend a warm Altona welcome to this family. We wish them well and much success as they settle here in our community.

To all of you have an enjoyable summer and safe and happy holidays!

Mayor Edward R. Klassen

Council was very pleased with the turn out for our sod turning in late June. About 175 people turned up for the ceremony which was attended by a number of donors, politicians who played significant role in support of the project, and most important, the citizens of Altona and Rhineland who have supported Council in its efforts to bring this ambitious project to fruition. We are convinced that this new facility will be a popular meeting place for the community. The Centre is scheduled to be completed by early summer of 2003.

Other things have occurred in the vicinity of the Park area as well. By now, many of you will have discovered that Maple Leaf Construction has paved the trail area that connects Buffalo Creek Nature Park with our trail system. Also, the new un-serviced camp area immediately east of the Nature Park and west of Parkside School is completed and open for booking. All serviced sites at the campground are booked for all July weekends. The new un-serviced sites, which were completed on July 12, were very busy on the opening weekend.

Most of you are also aware that Altona is part of the Communities in Bloom program. Judges for the event will be arriving in Altona on August 2 and expect to tour the entire Town .

This week, of course, the focus of the community will be on the Sunflower Festival. Council will be hosting visitors from Emerald, Australia, as well as dignitaries from nearby urban and rural municipalities. As usual, the two Councils will be providing the public with watermelon and roll kuchen on Sunday, July 28 at the Altona Park. See you there!

Councillor Ted Klassen

ALL PROPERTY TAXES ARE DUE ON JULY 31, 2002

In order to miss the July 31st rush you can mail in or drop-off cheques dated July 31st, 2002 or pay by telepay. Any payments received after July 31st will be subject to a late payment charge of 1.25 per month.

The Town of Altona Administration office and the Public Works Department will be CLOSED:

Monday, August 5th, 2002
In lieu of the Civic Holiday

Monday, September 2nd, 2002
In lieu of Labour Day

Regular office hours are
Monday– Friday from
8:30—4:30 p.m.

Regular Public Works hours are
Monday—Friday from
8:00—5:00 p.m.

Landfill Site regular hours are
Tuesday—Saturday from
9:00—5:00 p.m.

July 2 - August 21
Weekdays 9:00-3:30
At the Sunflower Gardens Arena

Cost $8/day or $30/full week
( does not include trips)

Related Links:

• Summer Playground Program
• Recreation Department

New Arrivals at the Altona Branch

• Patterson, James : The Beach House
• Jude Deveraux : The Mulberry Tree
• Elmore Leonard : The Bounty Hunters
• David Eddings : Regina’s Song
• Diane Mott Davidson : Chopping Spree
• Robert Ludlum : Robert Ludlum’s The Paris Option
• Elizabeth Adler : Summer in Tuscanny
• Anne McCaffrey : Freedom’s Ransom
• Danielle Steel : Sunset in St. Tropez
• Kathy Reichs : Grave Secrets
• Janet Evanovich : Hard Eight
• Mary Higgins Clark : Mount Vernon Love Story

Summer Reading Program

SEARCH FOR TREASURE
READ FOR PLEASURE

Hours for July & August:
Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday & Friday 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Altona Police have noticed an increased use of Off Road Vehicles (ORV) in and around our community.

We would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few of the restrictions for the use of these ORVs in accordance with the Off Road Vehicles Act.

Q1. What is an Off Road Vehicle?

A1. The Off Road Vehicle Act defines an ORV as: Any vehicle wheeled or tracked motorized vehicle designed or adapted for cross-country travel on land, water, ice, snow, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing includes.

a) A four wheel drive motor vehicle, a motorcycle or a snow vehicle not registered under the Highway Traffic Act
b) An all-terrain vehicle
c) A mini-bike dirt-bike or trail-bike
d) A miniature such as a dune or sport buggy
d1)An off road maintenance machine
e) An amphibious vehicle
f) A snowmobile

But does not include

g) An implement of husbandry (cultivators, etc.)
h) A farm tractor;
i) A special mobile machine
j) A garden or lawn tractor
k) A golf cart

Q2. Do I have to register my ORV?

A2. Yes, unless you are only operating on private property or on a competition circuit.

Q3. Do I have to have headlights and taillights on my ORV?

A3. Yes, if you are going to be operating the ORV one half hour before sunset until one half hour after sunrise, or at times when visibility is reduced to 60 meters or less.

Q4. Do I need to wear a helmet when operating an ORV?

A4. Yes, there are some exceptions however they are limited to specific uses, such as when using the ORV in the course of farming, commercial fishing, hunting or trapping. For the most part helmets are required.

Q5. Are there age restrictions regarding the operation of ORV's and if so what are they?

A5 Yes, firstly you must hold a valid drivers licence of any other class but 7 in order to operate across any roadway and shoulder, no person under the age of 14 years shall operate an ORV unless supervised and accompanied by and at all times within clear view of the person's parent or a person who has attained the age of 18 years and authorized by the parent.

Q6. What size of a fine can a person expect to pay if he contravenes the Off Road Vehicle Act?

A6. Fines range from $45.00 up to $360.00.

These are only the highlights out of the OFF ROAD VEHICLE ACT, if you have any unanswered questions please call the Altona Police Service at 324 5373 or 324 5353.