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Last updateFri, 14 Feb 2025 10am

CAO Drohomerski announces retirement, welcomes Assistant CAO

Esther

Town of Drumheller Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Darryl Drohomerski announced his impending retirement from the role during the Monday, January 13 Committee of the Whole meeting and introduced the Town’s new Assistant CAO Esther Quiambao.
While CAO Drohomerski will be stepping away from his role with the Town, he will continue to be involved with the Town’s ongoing Flood Mitigation program, with focus specifically on areas of property expropriations.
“This is a part time commitment, I hope, that may last for a year or two,” CAO Drohomerski shares with the Mail.
He explains there will be an estimated six to nine-month transition period before Ms. Quiambao will officially take on the duties and responsibilities as the Town’s new Chief Administrative Officer.
Ms. Quiambao has extensive experience in municipal management, having spent over a decade managing diverse municipal departments, and more than 20 years in communications, public relations, and project management.
She has also been involved most recently in the Planning and Community Services department with a $17 million Operating and Capital department budget in 2024.
She tells the Mail, “The Chief Administrative Officer role is a highly complex and challenging one that requires a significant amount of on-the-job learning. Who better to gain valuable insight from other than the retiring and proven CAO.”
Ms. Quiambao adds, on a professional level, she was drawn to Drumheller due to the Town’s “innovative approach” which would allow her this learning opportunity.
On a more personal level, she says, “Drumheller’s natural environment, unique prehistoric relevance, and outdoor recreational opportunities” were what drew her and her family.
The final decision that brought her and her family to Drumheller came even before accepting the position, as she encountered “extremely friendly and welcoming residents and businesses.”
As 2025 marks a municipal election year, Ms. Quiambao will officially step into her role shortly before the new Mayor and Council are sworn in. She plans to use her previous experience to provide the incoming Mayor and Council with support and direction; her prior experience as a returning officer in municipal elections in 2017 and 2021 will also be an asset.


Tipi installation nominated for Indigenous Tourism Award

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A partnership that was struck to honour the Indigenous roots of the community has been nominated for an Indigenous Tourism Alberta Award, (ITA).
Dry Canyon Collectables is nominated for the ITA Partnership Award, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Drumheller and Travel Drumheller.
This was the first time Dry Canyon Collectables had been nominated for an ITA award.
Owner of Dry Canyon Collectables Lynn Fabrick says it is an honour to be nominated.
“It’s an Alberta award, so to be a finalist is pretty cool,” said Fabrick.
These awards celebrate excellence in leadership, innovation, and collaboration, while showcasing the rich diversity and cultural vibrancy of Indigenous tourism, according to ITA website.
The award is for the tipi installation at Centennial Park behind the Badlands Community Facility (BCF).
It was installed last fall.
Fabrick explains they have been working on the project for two years. The sculpture is an aluminum tipi frame constructed by Dean Mahoney of Garry’s Welding and Supply and was supported by the Rotary Club, Travel Drumheller and the Town of Drumheller. The installation is near a natural low water area which has been used to ford the river for years, and is near the site where the annual Canada Day Dancing with Dinosaurs pow-wow takes place.
“What it comes down to is the need for more visibility of the Indigenous culture and history here. This is a sacred space. Along the river behind the BCF is our gathering space,” she explains. “So it is to let not only locals but visitors that come from all over see that as a permanent attraction, but also an educational display of our culture.”
She adds it plays into the goals of Truth and Reconciliation.
Other nominees in the category include the Athabasca Tribal Council and Girth Hitch and Zucmin Guiding.
The award will be presented on January 23 at the ITA Regional Gathering at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino.

Why is Al smiling? Kendrick wins $250k windfall

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A Drumheller man is $250,000 richer after scratching the right boxes.
Allan Kendrick struck it rich playing a $10 Crossword Supreme Scratch and Win Ticket. This was the top prize.
He couldn’t believe he won.
“I am still walking around looking behind me, to see if the horseshoe falls out,” he laughs.
He tells the Mail, initially he thought he had messed up scratching it. When he came home they had company, so he ignored it until the next day to check it.
“I checked it about five times,” he said.
When his wife woke he asked her to check it and her reaction was the same as Al’s.
He has no immediate plans for his winning, aside from buying a new truck he has already picked out. The couple are celebrating their 50th anniversary and already have a cruise planned.
“Maybe I‘ll head down south for a little round of golf or something,” he said.
He purchased the ticket at the Nacmine General Sore. He is a long-time lottery player but doesn't follow any superstitions and buys his tickets at random places.
“I was just driving by Nacmine when I was coming home from Calgary and stopped in and got the ticket. A very lucky ticket,” he said.
He has been playing the lottery for decades, and figures he’ll continue to play the odd ticket.
The former municipal employee remembers, “We were playing 6/49 at the water plant and we had to get the tickets out of Calgary. That’s how long ago it was. We didn't have a machine in Drumheller,” he said. “I have been playing for over 40 years, I guess this is good payback for me.”
“People are saying it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I don’t think I am that nice.”


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