Investigators  from the Alberta Ombudsman will be in Drumheller spreading the word of what the office does in the province and allowing residents with concerns to express them.

The Alberta Ombudsman is Peter Hourihan, and his officers respond and investigate complaints of unfair treatment by provincial government authorities and designated professional organizations. On Wednesday, April 6, they will be in Drumheller.

“If someone feels they have been mistreated by the government, provided it is within our jurisdiction, they can contact our office once they have exhausted all avenues for appealing the particular government agencies they are dealing with,” said Hourihan. 

He explains they investigate the complaints not simply as single occurrences.

“We look at each file from as a systemic point of view as we can, we will look and see if there is a larger issue. So if it is a matter of policy, a case of a policy that is not particularly well constructed or doesn’t exist we will get the government policy to change that,” he said. "Those are sometimes our bigger cases in the sense that it adjusts the government’s activity in the future so anybody following those footsteps as a complainant will get better service in the first instance the next time around.” 

There are other cases where the policy is fine, but someone just didn’t follow it correctly that day. 

“The area we get more calls than others are things where there is money or a benefit involved. Things like maintenance enforcement, AISH or WCB,” he explains. “With AISH for example, someone may be applying for a particular benefit and they don’t get it. Every time an agency gets a claim they have a chance to get it right or get it wrong. AISH does get many claims and have ironed out so many areas where it might get it wrong, it becomes something that is very rare.”

“Sometimes if we have to explain to the person they were treated fairly, it can be a very difficult conversation to have because they don’t feel they were.” 

He says the office has broad powers in terms of investigation. They are able to interview whom they want, can compel people to be interviewed under oath and has access to government documents.  When it comes to outcomes, the office does not have the power to make a ruling.

“Our power is restricted to making a recommendation back to government,” he said.

He explains that often these recommendations are dealt with at the deputy minister level and about 98 per cent of his office’s recommendations are adopted.

 The office can take its recommendations to the minister level and even the Lieutenant General to have it addressed in the legislature, if not satisfied.

The Office of the Ombudsmen is busy.

“On average we have about 5,000 calls for service. Of those 5,000 calls, about 55- 60 per cent are not jurisdictional to our office at the end of the day,” he explains. “We will put those people in the right directions, we take the time to advise them where they should go next, and we're pretty good at that.” 

Of the remaining, he says about 60-70 per cent of those are not there at the right time, there are more steps that can be done before the Office of the Ombudsman gets involved. 

“At the end of the day we open about 180 to 200 formal investigations per year,” he said.

He says the presentation in Drumheller is to raise awareness of the office and its responsibilities.

“We aren’t trying to drum up business, we just want to make people aware if they have an issue, we may be an office that may or may not be able to help them.”

He says there will be three investigators in Drumheller who will do a presentation, and they will also be around afterwards for those who may have something they want to bring to the office’s attention.

“It gives people a chance to meet face to face with an investigator in their home community.” 

The panel of anonymous judges have reached their decisions and an excellent cast of top citizens has been named in the Rotary Club’s 2016 Celebration of Excellence coming up April 9.

JoAnne Cunningham and Lynn Hemming are the finalists for Citizen of the Year. Florence Johnson and Debbie Schinnour are the finalists for Most Courteous Employee.

JoAnn Cunningham's list of contributions includes: a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, Chair of the Knox United Church board, area captain and canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, member of the Pioneer Singers, a regular volunteer at the music festival and has judged 4-H public speaking contests.

Lynn Hemming is a high school teacher. She has organized No Regrets Day, she is the organizer and leader of the FOR Club which is an anti-bullying program, she’s known to interact with and help students struggling and leaves each one feeling valued. Her nomination information points out she is involved in many more activities but none more important than her exemplary work with youth.

Florence Johnson is employed at Re/Max and Centre Street Insurance. She is known for her excellent customer service and pleasant smile. She goes out of her way to give customers full satisfaction.

Debbie Schinnour is known as being extremely courteous and professional. She is someone who goes out of her way to welcome everyone to the World’s Largest Dinosaur.

The winners will be announced at a gala evening presented by Canalta and the Rotary Club of Drumheller on Saturday, April 9 at the Creataceous Banquet Room. A social hour begins at 5:30 pm. Tickets are just $40 and are on sale at SJ Fashions and Centre Street Insurance in Drumheller.

“We are very happy that so many in the community sent in nominations. Truly, anyone nominated is a winner. The response this year was one of the best yet,” says Delphine Viczko, Chair of the organizing committee. She adds, “We hope the public will show their appreciation of the contributions to our community of those nominated by joining us on the evening of April 9.”

In addition to a prime rib meal there will be entertainment. MP Kevin Sorenson will also be in attendance. 

Boland and Bolin named Drumheller Athletes of the Year

Success in athletics is an important part of our community. The 2016 Drumheller female and male athletes have been selected.

Megan Boland is the recipient of the Female Athlete of the Year Award. She is 15 years of age and is active in basketball, soccer, badminton, cross country running volleyball, track and field.

The 2016 Male Athlete Award goes to Duane Bolin. At 51, Duane is active in slow pitch, hockey, pickle ball, runs marathons, weight trains, swims triathlons, finished the iron man twice, bikes long distance and participates in fire fit competitions.

Boland and Bolin will be presented with their attractive awards during the Celebration of Excellence, presented by Canalta and the Drumheller Rotary Club. The gala evening takes place on Saturday, April 9 at the cretaceous Banquet Room, commencing at 5:30 pm. Tickets are available at SJ Fashions and Centre Street Insurance in Drumheller.