September, 2018 — Heritage Co-op members and customers recently helped the organization make a $14,000 community donation. The funds were raised as part of Fuel Good Day on Sept. 18. During the day, 10 cents from every litre of fuel purchased at Heritage Co-op Gas Bars in Minnedosa, Brandon, Erickson and Wawanesa were donated to local food banks in each of these communities (Minnedosa Food Bank, Samaritan House, Helping Hands, Wawanesa Food Bank, Southquill Food Bank). “At Heritage Co-op, we’re committed to giving back and investing in the communities we serve, and Fuel Good Day is a way that we can do that on a large scale,” said Lorne Zacharias, General Manager of Heritage Co-op. “Through initiatives like this, Heritage Co-op, along with our members and customers, are supporting great local causes that make our community stronger – it’s the Co-op way.” Adding to the fun, Heritage Co-op invited local ‘celebrities’ – business owners, politicians, radio personalities, and others with an involved community presence - to come out to the pumps on September 18 to greet customers and wash windshields. “The participation and enthusiasm we saw from everyone – from these volunteers, to our staff, to every customer who rolled through the pumps – was outstanding,” said Heritage Co-op’s Petroleum Division Manager, Barry Cooper. “The great atmosphere that day was made even better by the fact that Heritage Co-op now gets to donate to these deserving local food banks.” Heritage Co-op will present the resulting donations to each of the five receiving food banks during Co-op Week, October 14-20.   Donations across Western Canada This year, Heritage Co-op was proud to join more than 400 Co-op Gas Bars throughout Western Canada in participating in Fuel Good Day, with each supporting a local charitable or non-profit organization or initiative. Last year, Co-op locations across Western Canada donated over $570,000 from Fuel Good Day. The total result from across Western Canada for 2018 will be released in early October.

Brandon, MB – With one month remaining until the October 24th municipal election, the City of Brandon’s Legislative Services Office and Brandon’s Senior Elections Official would like to inform the voting public of the numerous opportunities being provided to assist them in casting their ballot. Brandon residents will vote to elect City Councillor representatives in Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 in next month’s election (the position of Mayor and Council member in Wards 7 and 10 have been filled by acclamation). A full list of official Councillor candidates can be found on the Brandon Votes website at https://www.brandonvotes.ca/elector-info/candidate-listing. The October 24th election will also see the selection of eight candidates (City-wide) to serve on the Brandon School Board of Trustees for the 2018-2022 term of office, with the board’s rural ward representative already acclaimed. A list of registered trustee candidates can be viewed at https://www.brandonvotes.ca/school-division/school-trustee-candidates. Eligible voters will have received a Voter Information card in their mailbox in recent days, informing of ward-specific and all-ward voting places that will be in place for the October 24th election. If you are an eligible voter, but did not receive such a card in the mail, visit https://www.brandonvotes.ca/elector-info/where-do-i-vote or contact the Senior Elections Official at 204-729-2236. For residents who opt to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day, advance voting opportunities will be available at Brandon City Hall (Main Foyer, 410-9th Street) on the following days: Wednesday, October 10th, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 18th, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 20th, 2018, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. An eligible voter may also apply in writing or in person to vote by sealed envelope ballot if they have reason to believe that they will be unable to vote at their regular voting place on Election Day or during advance voting opportunities. Application to vote by sealed ballot can be made in writing to the City of Brandon Senior Elections Official. In-person applications can also be made by visiting the Senior Elections Official at Brandon City Hall (410-9th Street), beginning Wednesday, September 26th, 2018. The deadline for applications to vote by sealed envelope ballot is October 19th, 2018. Applications are also being accepted from residents who are interested in being an Election Day worker. Online applications can be made by visiting https://www.brandonvotes.ca/elector-info/apply.

(BRANDON) Long-time community backer Shaun Cameron announced in May of 2018 that he will be seeking a seat at the Council table when residents go the polls October 24. Speaking to a crowd gathered in Coronation Park, he laid out his vision for the city and the ward he hopes to represent. “I’m happy to be able to be here today, I look forward to continuing some of the work we have accomplished in the ward, and hope to bring my experience to the council table this fall”. Cameron shared that his approach is one of balance. “I’m a proponent of keeping the level of taxation affordable and predictable, while taking every opportunity we can to bring new initiatives, businesses and growth to the city”. The father of two who lives in the ward has a long public service and volunteer history that dates back to his years working with the Brandon School Division at Vincent Massey High School. “I had the good fortune as a by-product of my work there to volunteer coach with some really successful football and baseball programs, I probably spent as much time volunteering on the field after hours as I did paid in the classroom” Cameron joked. “It really lit a spark for me. I wanted to become involved in the community and to work at supporting community initiatives, especially with our youth, something that carried over into serving many years as the Referee in Chief for Westman Youth Football”. His first foray into municipal programming came in 2010, when he was appointed to the Downtown Development Group. Cameron would serve as chairperson for the group through 2014, when he and his family would move home to the Valleyview area. From there, his involvement has included work with the Valleyview Community Centre, as well as serving as the area representative on the Central Council of Community Centres, an advisory body that oversees all centres in the city. “I have truly enjoyed being at the ground level of helping build our community. I plan to work hard to represent the ward, while building on every opportunity available to grow our city” said Cameron. Cameron is a small business owner and spent time in media with CKX television as well as being a long-time Brandon Sun columnist. He would eventually come back to the education field in his current role as Secretary to the Board of Governors with Assiniboine Community College. “I believe in a balanced approach that will work to bring opportunity to the community, while remaining mindful of costs. We have to view our approach to taxation as we would spending in our own households. If we can afford to take on a particular project (like we would at home), or can see the community benefit in doing so then we should. If we have concerns then those concerns should be addressed prior to spending.”   Cameron continues to volunteer with his local community centre, which hosts a daycare program, as well as youth activity programming. Valleyview Community Centre is also the future site of City of Brandon Recreation Hub and Splash Park, slated to open in 2019. “I’m incredibly proud of the turnaround at the community centre. It is a dedicated effort by a diverse group of people that made this come about. The challenges we faced there are a microcosm of the challenges a city could face. The fact that we were able to work as a team to meet those challenges is incredibly heartening” he added. “At the end of the day, I believe in hard work and the benefit that comes from that. I believe the work I have been a part of has helped better this community, and I look forward to bringing that same level of commitment to the council table”.

James Montgomery will be seeking election as Councillor for Ward 3 (Victoria) in the upcoming Brandon Municipal Election where he will run against Barry Cullen. The election will be held on Oct. 24.  For more information on the election please visit this link.  Below is his submitted profile. I love Brandon and have a passion to serve this community.  I have been successful in the public, private and non-profit sectors. I am a very active volunteer. My grandparents and parents are originally from Brandon and I have resided here since 2009. My wife and I have decided to permanently reside in Brandon because we believe it is the best place in the world to live.  The current Mayor and Council have done a good job; therefore, I am not running on a "we need change" platform, rather my motivation is to contribute my time and experience to the city to ensure Brandon continues to progress and be an even better place to live and work.  A city with low taxes, strong infrastructure, low unemployment, safe neighbourhoods and ample recreational opportunities. I live in the Victoria Ward and I’m looking forward to meeting many more neighbors along the campaign trail. Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to have coffee.

Source:  Brandon Police Service Media Release A 16 and a 17 year females have been charged with Theft of Vehicle and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime after being located by police Driving a stolen Truck and trailer.  The youths were located in the area of Buttercup Bay at 1:00AM this morning.  They have been released on a Promise to Appear for court on October 30th 2018.