Years ago, the Alberta government threw down the gauntlet and went out of its way to insult the High Prairie Community Beautification Association.
Beautification is the driving force behind the Christmas lights in the Civic Square. It was the dream of Grace Burgar and Lynn Herben to fill the area called ‘The Black Hole’ with lights during the holiday season to brighten everyone’s mood.
Beautification applied for and received casinos to raise money to buy the lights. No member of Beautification has been paid one red cent in over 30 years. They are truly a volunteer organization in every sense of the word. They are so cheap they will not buy themselves coffee or doughnuts for meetings!
About a decade ago, someone at Alberta Liquor and Gaming stumbled across Beautification’s casino application and determined they were not eligible. The reasons: the Christmas lights were a municipal responsibility and Beautification was determined to be a – get ready for this! – a hobby club!
What! What an insult to a volunteer organization!
Beautification appealed and lost. No big surprise, there! The little barking chihuahua does not often win a fight with a pit bull! Best efforts by Beautification and town council in the appeal were fruitless. Eventually, everyone gave up.
It is discouraging the Alberta government would punish any group of volunteers dedicated to the betterment of the community while not being paid. It is smack to the side of the head toward true volunteerism. What is so wrong with a group of people raising money to better the community?
It turns out all efforts involving Christmas decorations that Beautification strives to attain are not eligible for any grants. Apparently, it is a taboo subject. One has to wonder why. Scrooge would be proud!
Last week, as they do each year, the Government of Alberta released a glitzy news release announcing the light-up of the Alberta Legislature grounds, this year at Violet King Henry Plaza Dec. 3. The questions is who pays for this? We all know who. The people of Alberta.
The same MLAs who make the rules Beautification cannot hold casinos to raise money for the town are the same MLAs which used your hard-earned tax dollars to pay for a display in Edmonton.
And the same ones who take the credit for the display. It would be nice if they actually worked for the display but we can’t have that, can we?
Beautification cannot raise money for Christmas lights. The Alberta government just takes your money and buys lights. The same organization that says, “Do as I say, not do as I do!”
Beautification is not billing the taxpayer for the lights, but your loving Alberta government is!
The lights in the Civic Square in High Prairie do make winter just a bit more bearable and the endless darkness of winter a lot shorter. Beautification, with the support of generous donors, will continue despite the snub from the elected leaders who do their business in Edmonton.
But in no way should the Government of Alberta be acknowledged for any support. Beautification has been left in the cold so to speak.
Just thought you should know!
Chris Clegg