MP Merrifield moves on
Rob Merrifield, MP for Yellowhead, announced his retirement from the House of Commons, Sept. 17, after 14 years of service.
He leaves his position in order to become the Government of Alberta’s senior representative to the United States of America.
“I am excited for this new challenge and to continue to build upon the relationships and contacts that I have made working as a congressional liaison and the chair of the International Trade Committee,” stated Merrifield in a press release.
Check out next week’s Fitzhugh for a full story on Merrifield’s new position and retirement.
Business study wrapping up
Business study wrapping up
Community Futures West Yellowhead is zeroing in on the few businesses that haven’t yet completed an interview for its Business Visitation Study, set to be released next month.
So far more than 100 businesses have participated and only 40 are remaining, according to Morgan Roberts, business visitation coordinator.
The non-profit organization is conducting the study to gather information about the challenges facing businesses in Jasper. The interviews are completely confidential and will help Community Futures present a full picture of what it’s like to own and operate businesses in the park.
Roberts said the hope is to release the results during Small Business Week, which means any business owner who wants to participate has to get in touch before the middle of October.
To participate, contact Roberts at [email protected] or by calling 780-865-1224.
Official school opening
Official school opening
The brand new joint school facility opened its doors to students earlier this month and now it’s opening them to the public.
An official opening will take place Sept. 26, beginning at 1:30 p.m. and will include delegates from the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division, as well as Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord, and both the Jasper Junior/Senior High School and École Desrochers.
The provincial government announced the construction of a $21.3-million facility in May 2011 and it was completed this summer, in time for the 2014–15 school year.
Last call for Reuse-It Centre
Last call for Reuse-It Centre
The Reuse-It Centre will officially close its doors at the end of the month.
Janet Cooper, the town’s environmental stewardship coordinator and the driving force behind the centre’s creation, announced the news to council, Sept. 16, after releasing it on Facebook the day before.
The centre was created in 2012 to defer waste from the transfer station and recirculate reusable goods at a discounted price, but it was never able to turn a profit.
The centre is run by the Jasper Environmental Stewardship Society, which was created solely for that purpose. The hope was, after a few years, the centre would make a profit that could be turned into stewardship grants for projects in the town and park.
Despite the society’s best efforts, that dream never came to life.
Everything in the shop is free until the end of the month.
