Volunteer Week: The Premier of our province, Mr. Gary Doer, declared April 27 - May 3 as Volunteer Week in Manitoba. The need to recognize and pay tribute to volunteers is important as they are a tremendous asset to our community. As a Town we would like to recognize the efforts of all our volunteers that make Altona such a great place to live. We would like to recognize our volunteers that: visit the sick, work at our M.C.C. store, work with our youth, beautify our town, serve on committees and overall through their selflessness and compassion, provide wonderful examples of the community spirit that is alive and well in Altona.

Excitement seems to be building as we see the work on the Millennium Exhibition Centre drawing to completion. The projected official opening of the Millennium Exhibition Centre is slated for the middle of September.

Summer Activities

Communities in Bloom

Was a very successful first year summer project in 2002. Watch for details as to how you can get involved in the Town wide project this year.

Canada Day (Tuesday, July 1st)

The Altona & District Chamber of Commerce is again planning events to help us celebrate our 136th birthday. Plan to join in the festivities that are being planned such as: baseball games, evening stage show and our annual fireworks.

Sunflower Festival (July 25, 26 & 27th)

The Committee is actively planning to continue the tradition of having the festival second to none. Let’s make certain that we are involved and actively support it.

Western Canadian Baseball Championships (August 21-24th)

The Committee involved in organizing the event is meeting monthly. If you visit our park you will note that there is a start to the upgrading of our baseball diamonds, If your are a baseball fan this should be an exciting week of baseball.

Mayor Mel Klassen 

This year’s budget deliberations appeared to be somewhat more arduous than I can remember. Council’s aim this year was to present a budget that would result in no increase. The initial draft proposal did just that; however, it soon became evident that there were some obligations that we would be unable to avoid. Some of these obligations were outside of our control, others were necessary because we felt the responsibility to act.

This budget, which has been approved by Council, provides for a municipal portion increase of 1.97% (.522 mills). For a house with a market value assessment of $100,000, (portioned at 45% equals a taxable assessment of 45,000,) will see an municipal increase of $23.50 for the year 2003.

Below are some of the budget highlights

• Police department and fire department equipment upgrades totalling $45,000.
• Continue to work on sidewalk/trail program $35,000.
• Surface work on the floor of the changing rooms at the Aquatic Centre to make them less slippery $10,000.
• Insurance costs have risen and the cost to the Town is an additional $12,500, a result of living in a post 9/11 world.
• Costs of recycling have risen by $18,000.
• We will continue to support the Altona Community Development Corporation with a grant of $49,000.00. Also, we continue to support the Altona & District Health Care Inc. Committee with a $43,000 grant.
• We are committed to maintaining our reserves. We added $63,000 to our Utility Fund Reserve in 2002. In total the Town has about $660,000 in its reserve funds.
• We will complete construction of the new Millennium Exhibition Centre and have allowed $45,000 for furnishings and equipment for the Centre. Also, we have committed to paving a fairly large portion of the parking lot a the Centre.
• The Town has committed to spending $500,000 over the next two years on road construction and street overlays

Finance & Administration Committee and Council have had lengthy deliberations and we believe that we have balanced the need to maintain services with the need of restraint with the use of taxpayer’s dollars.
If you have any questions about the budget, feel free to talk to staff or to any Councillor. Enjoy the summer!

Ted Klassen
Chair of Finance & Administration

Altona/Rhineland Landfill

New Hours

Effective July 1st, 2003
Tuesday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

CLOSED ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY

New Rates

Effective July 1st, 2003
The following rates apply to the Altona/Rhineland Landfill Site

• Minimum charge up to 5 bags of garbage $2.00
• Half ton truck or small trailer $5.00
• One ton truck $10.00
• Truck over one tow and up to 10 ton $20.00
• Semi-trailer $40.00
• Passenger car or small truck tires $1.00 per tire
• Truck tires larger than 2 ton $3.00 per tire
• Large Tractor tires $5.00 per tire

Any oversized loads in one category will be charged the next higher rate.

The above fees shall apply to all persons delivering to the above noted site who do not reside within the boundaries of the R.M. of Rhineland and/or the Town of Altona shall pay an amount equal to three times the fee as listed herein. The triple fee rate shall also apply to persons living within the boundaries of the Town of Gretna and the Town of Plum Coulee.

Spring is definitely here and we have all the books you will need to get your yard and garden ready for planting! Please stop by and ask about all the new titles and even the new video set available on seeding and planting.

The Summer Reading Program for kids is coming soon! Keep your eyes open for more information!

BIKE RODEO Saturday, June 7th, 2003 At Parkside School 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Kindergarten - Grade 8 Students Hot dogs and pop will be served at noon. Donations to Special Olympics will be gratefully accepted. Sponsored by local businesses

BIKE AUCTION

(Some miscellaneous items as well)
Saturday, May 24th, 2003 At 2:00 p.m. at the Civic Centre
Come out and check out the bikes and place your bid.
Items go to the highest bid. Proceeds to go to the Bike Rodeo

BASEBALL

Come Out And Watch A Great Game RCMP/Altona Police Service VS Special Olympics Baseball Game Saturday, May 24th At 11:00 A.M. In The Altona Park

Golf

RCMP RED RIVER DETACHMENT & ALTONA POLICE SERVICE GOLF TOURNAMENT AT OAKVIEW GOLF CLUB

Proceeds to go to Special Olympics. Monday, June 23, 2003 Shotgun Start 10:00 a.m. Texas Scramble - 4 Balls - Best Ball. Price: $35.00 per person. Limited to: 72 Golfers, Price Includes 18 holes of golf & steak dinner. To enter contact Brian at the Altona Police Service at 324-5373.

Swimming Lessons

We have posted this years Swimming Lesson Schedule and rates on the town website, Click Here for details.

Communities in Bloom

Please join us on Thursday, June 5th, 2003 for Altona's Communities in Bloom Kick Off. We will be meeting at the Sunflower Gardens parking lot at 7:00 p.m. where we will be distributing plants for the north and east entrances to Altona. There will be free refreshments and door prizes for all participants to follow the planting ceremonies. See you there!