We were informed that it costs approximately $50,000 to incarcerate a juvenile per year. If we took that $50,000, we could provide this juvenile with a yearly swimming pass, allow them to visit a nature centre weekly, enroll them in a baseball or hockey program, give them 2 weeks of tennis lessons and allow them to play 2 rounds of golf weekly all season.

To further invest in this juvenile we could also encourage this individual to participate in a fishing clinic, take several weeks of archery classes and play basketball 8 hours a week for 40 weeks. The total monetary investment in this individual would be less than $1,000. So as a society we would save over $49,000 and because of investing in the child before they get into trouble we would have a much happier youth and a safer community.

Mayor Mel Klassen 

Did you know you have 200 times the chance of dying from the flu as you do from West Nile Virus and that the virus is carried only by 6% of mosquitoes and they do not arrive until the end of June?

The West Nile Virus mosquitoes use a different type of breeding site than the nuisance mosquitoes; a mosquito that carries West Nile is a smaller species and prefers sandier areas. Mosquitoes travel a maximum of two miles and come out predominantly at sunrise and dusk. Over 150 different species of birds carry the virus but only the crow family dies from it. You cannot contact the West Nile Virus from birds or other animals. The Province is spending $2.2 million on staffing, surveillance, mapping and potentially $3.3 million on cost shared mosquito control and the Department of Health will advise us if our area shows up as a high-risk area through their surveillance. A program is available for funding through the Provincial Government but is only available in the high-risk areas.

It is generally accepted that larviciding is the most environmentally effective way of combating the mosquito population. However, this must be done in conjunction with the elimination of potential breeding sites, i.e. ditches, rain barrels, small water holes in yards, public parks, eaves troughs, etc. Essentially any place where water stands in excess of four days can breed mosquitoes as their incubation period is from 4—10 days depending upon how hot it is. I encourage every citizen to eliminate as many water pond areas as possible within their private yards.

The communities of Altona, Winkler, Morris, Morden and Carman will be making a joint application to the Provincial Department of Health for funding assistance towards a larviciding program. In anticipation of this assistance, Council at their July 15th meeting will be considering, the commencement of a larviciding program within Altona and surrounding area.

Richard Martel

Attention Property Owners

The Town of Altona is requesting that all property owners (both vacant and developed lots) control the growth of weeds and grass on their properties on a regular basis. We wish to advise all property owners that they need to keep their properties in good order or the Town will hire a contractor to maintain the property at the owners expense.

All Property Taxes Are Due On July 31, 2003

In order to not to miss the July 31st rush you can mail in or drop-off cheques dated July 31st, 2003 or pay by telepay. Any payments received after July 31st will be subject to a late payment charge of 1.25 per month.

Attention Pet Owners

Please make sure to register your cat(s) and/or dog(s) at the Altona Town office. All cats and dogs must have a new licence every year. Please keep your pets on a leash and respect other people’s property by cleaning up after your pets.

Town Of Altona By-Law
Responsibility of the pet owners:

THAT NO OWNER SHALL:

• Permit his/her animal to defecate on any private property;
• Permit his/her animal to defecate on property other than the property of its owner without causing such excrement to be removed immediately.

If you see any infractions against the above by-law contact the Animal Control Officer Jerry Ginter at 324-4644.

• Hopscotch by Kevin Anderson
• Fire By Night by Lynn Austin
• Deep Black by Stephen Coonts
• Dead Ringer by Jasmine Cresswell
• Fugitive Mom by Lynn Erickson
• Backroads to Bliss by Ruth Glover
• Promised to Me by Robin Lee Hatcher
• Secret Justice by James Huston
• The Murder Room by R.D. James
• Changing Habits by Debbie Macomer
• Trading places by Fern Michaels
• The Spider Catcher by Gilbert Morris

NEW! Non-Fiction

• 1001 Smart Travel Tips
• The Maclean’s Guide to Canadian Universities
• The Railroad Press (Featuring Photos by Dr. J. Boreskie)
• Shattered Love: a Memoir by Richard Chamberlain
• Help & Hope for the Alcoholic Siblings of Children with Autism
• Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers
• Mayo Clinic Family Health Book
• I am the Central Park Jogger
• Beginner’s Guide to Power Walking
• Hit and Hope: How the Rest of Us Play Golf

Communities in Bloom

Communities in Bloom, is blooming once again! Thanks to all of you who participated in the evening of planting. We had a GREAT time! The baskets are hung and are filling out very nicely. Thanks to the Altona Greenhouse for donating their time in preparing and nurturing the baskets. Thanks to following businesses for donating gifts for the door prizes during the Kick-Off:

• Neilsen’s Homeopathic Clinic & Supplies
• Altona Tim-BR-Mart
• Esso Gas Mart
• Canadian Lumber
• Altona Video
• Sun Valley Co-op
• Altona Farm Supply
• Friesens Corporation
• Kountry Keepsakes

Look for some new and exciting Communities in Bloom Projects happening this summer including Back Yard Garden Tours at this year’s Manitoba Sunflower Festival. Introductory offer to this first time event will be $5.00 per person. This will buy you a map for a self-guided tour to all the yards that will be available for you to walk through and enjoy. Any proceeds from this tour will go towards future Communities in Bloom projects. The tours are being arranged for Sunday 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.

For more information please call Grace Braun at 324-9005.

Summer Playground Program

Be sure to checkout all the exciting activities going on at the Altona Summer Playground Program!

MSF 2003

And don't forget to join us in Altona for Big Time Fun, July 25, 26 and 27th at the 2003 Manitoba Sunflower Festival!

Click Here to visit the MSF 2003 website for all the details!