By TREENA MIELKE
The Bentley’s Blindman Valley Agricultural Centre committee, established in 1998, has been disbanded.
Janice Bickford, president of the Bentley Agricultural Society, said the group was originally established as a building committee when the new multi-purpose hall for Bentley was proposed and later built.
She said the members of the committee did a wonderful job and deserve to be commended.
“They picked up the hammers. They did the planning. They did a lot of the work and it is a wonderful thing to see.”
However, she said now that the building is completed, the decision was made to amalgamate the committee into the board, itself.
“This way we only have one board making the decisions,” she said. “I understand their feelings of ownership, but it was originally a subcommittee and this way we won’t have two separate entities and the responsibilities won’t overlap.”
In a letter to the editor of the Rimbey Review, John Ree, who was chairman of the recently dissolved Bentley Blindman Valley Agricultural Centre Committee said members needed to be thanked for their valued efforts, time and commitment to the Ag Centre facility.
“Some members have served on this committee since its beginning in February 1998 when a group got together to explore the feasibility of constructing a new multi-purpose community hall for Bentley. A volunteer committee was formed at that time and was charge of investigating, planning, fundraising, construction and ongoing operations until recently.
Ree acknowledged Betty Knull, Leslie Garries, Paul Norvila, Chloe Ree, Bill Garries, Bud Knull and Russ Buit for their efforts.
He also acknowledged past members and those who gave financially and volunteered time and effort in the building and operation of the facility.
Ree said he didn’t understand why the committee was dissolved, but wanted to be sure those who had served time as members were recognized.
“I agree,” said Bickford. “We need to say thanks.”
Member of the Bentley Agriculture Society include president Janice Bickford, first vice-president Joan Dickau, second vice-president Jeremy Park, treasurer Albert Goldade, secretary Kathleen van Dam, and past president, Keith Stephenson.
Directors are Merlyn Wilson, Chloe Ree, Greg Beavis, Georgina Miskey, Paul Norvila, Leslie Garries, Betty Knull, Roger Geisbrecht, Fred Peterson, Dwayne Johnson and Sherry Henderson.