One of our members asked what merchant discount rates available to chamber members .. so decided to put it in here to remind you all of what is available .. see abchamber.ca/membership-benefits-2/value-added-programs for most 'current' offers ..
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A Mr Mike Elgan created a post on The Problem with Facebook on Google+ on 16 Jan 2014 along with a Youtube video to watch that struck a bit of a chord for me. He basically points out that the business models of Facebook vs Google seem to be reversed. Facebook is trying to work more like TV where you pay to have your content/message presented or promoted to your audience (ie your comment IS the advertising to be paid for). Google works the other way where advertising is provided on screen based on your message (ie your comment is the audience being sold to - it is presented and promoted freely and others pay to get their advert on your screen). The result? Many of your facebook messages are dwindling out in the desert with very few ever seeing them, just as I suspected. This was my initial comment on the subject: "so, how do you get your message to your audience (without paying)? start with good content, a valid message or cause, create some noise - repetition brings conviction, post your message with images on your own 'real' website or blog and repost your content with your link on the Twitter, Facebook and Google+ platforms, and then train your close friends and family to 'like' and '+1' them for you I suppose .. so far so good."
Well there is:
Alberta Heath Services (AHS) moving home care offices from Magrath .. to Raymond.
"Alberta Health Services has announced they will be moving the Home Care Offices from Magrath to Raymond. AHS will be holding a public meeting, in Magrath on Tue 3 Dec 2013 @ 6pm at Town Office in the Council Chambers, to provide information and respond to questions from the public. Everyone welcome to attend." source: magrath.ca main page As a Chamber, are we concerned with jobs moving out of Magrath? They are saying we we see no difference in 'level of care' .. hmm. see story in Westwind Weekly News Issue 9-47 21 Nov 2013 and backstory at ref: westwindweekly.com/news/local-news/1440-meeting-to-be-scheduled-between-ahs-and-town.html 24 Oct 2013: Some time before last week the flashing crossing lights at 1st Ave W and 1st St S in Magrath (at corner of Post Office over to Roosters) stopped working.
I have called the Magrath Town Office (403 758-3212) twice so far, last week and again today, and was only told it had 'been reported' and they were told Volker-Stevin was 'waiting for parts' to repair it. Yes, I realize that Volker-Stevin is technically responsible for the maintenance on these lights. However, I see this as a huge safety issue here in Magrath. School kids cross the busy main street/highway here every day. In any other community, would the lights remain in-operational for week(s) on end? I think not. When I asked for a contact at Volker-Stevin all they had was a phone number from the internet. Perhaps a more official letter from the town addressing this concern or a phone call from CAO or Mayor to a dedicated contact serving our town at Volker-Stevin could get us an ETA on the repair? Concerned Citizen Roger Davies Box 152 Magrath, AB T0K 1J0 -- RESPONSE FROM TOWN (same day, wow!) -- Fri 25 Oct 2013 Roger, My staff reported the inoperable cross-light issue to Volker Stevin as soon as it occurred. Their Repair Division in Lethbridge told us that they first had to order the part. I notified them again today confirming in writing the urgency of this situation from the Town’s perspective. I expect that it will be taken care of very shortly. Yours sincerely, Wade Alston Chief Administrative Officer -- Follow-up comments -- Sat 26 Oct 2013 Thanks Wade for your letter and prompt response! Volker-Stevin called me at work today to explain their delays as well. Apparently their main repair person for this is out of Lethbridge and tied up there .. but they have another person lined up to look at it by Tue next. I am happy that they are working on it, but it is a strange situation where no one seems to be completely responsible for it. As a 'highway (Hwy 62) road' passing through our town, if we needed a new crossing light, I suppose the Alberta Department of Transportation would pay for and install it? For repairs of existing equipment, as sub-contractor for province, Volker-Stevin? Meanwhile it crosses through Magrath directly down 'main street' Magrath and impacts us most directly here .. and it still is not fixed .. yet. Not exactly no-mans land, but everyone-else's road .. -- and finally -- Wed 30 Oct 2013 Volker-Stevin and Town of Magrath (Wade and Brenda) contacted me by phone and email to report they were able to work out a solution. As for myself, had another near-truck experience yesterday .. where a truck almost forget to stop for me. Although initially they reported it working early Wed morning, it had stopped again by the noon hour. Thankfully by 1pm, however, the replacement button installed on the east end was made to work and the temporary signs posted stating: 'Lights are not working, proceed with caution' were able to be removed. Many thanks to all involved for getting these lights working again! //rdd Congratulations to Mayor Russ Barnett (acclaimed) and new council: Brenda Beck (527), RIchard VanEe (501), Brian Oliver (498), Devar Dahl (428), Gerry Baril (426), and Craig Godlonton (374) per source: Lethbridge Herald report Tue 22 Oct. Duane reports that the election results were also posted on the Town Hall door late last night but nowhere on the internet till this morning .. :) We also owe a big thank you to those who ran and/or served us in our last town council and in the county. They have created a sound foundation on which to move forward on. Thank you to all! Also results from the Cardston County race, the winners of Divisions 1-7 are: Broyce Jacobs (221), Fred Lacey (96), Roger Houghton (acclaimed), James Bester (133), Lloyd Earl (acclaimed), Duncan Thompson (108), Michael Loose (89) .. with the County Reeve to be selected by the new council). Magrath Chamber of Commerce
R Davies of Soft Serve Direct: Like many of you here in Magrath, I try to support both local banks. Since I do my best work at times that the sun is not yet up or out, online banking has been my method of choice for paying bills, moving money around, and monitoring balances. One long-standing annoyance for me has been that there seemed to be no way to send money BETWEEN the bank accounts I own in these different banking institutions using just online services. That meant I had to write a check to myself and walk it down the street to deposit it in order to transfer money between these accounts .. if I have time and remember to do it. A better solution? the new Interac e-Transfer service is now supported by both 1st Choice and ATB Financial. Basically, it costs $1.50 to send an Interac e-Transfer, but with some accounts (eg ATB Unlimited, Students First or Generation accounts) you get two free Interac e-Transfers each month. Perfect for me! I can now have my paycheck(s) deposited in one bank and then transfer the funds I need to the other bank by simply sending an e-Transfer by email to myself .. or to whoever you want/need to send money to ..
One glitch so far: Although the e-Transfer system is supposed to eventually work with their online 'ATB Online Business' website, it is not yet implemented there. Sue at ATB did some digging for me and discovered a workaround .. using their non-business 'ATB Online' website I can access my personal accounts and use the e-Transfer system, after I have moved my funds between my business and personal accounts in the 'ATB Online Business' website. Just a bit awkward, but still it does work. Anyone else doing this? rdd Come hear the 2013 Town of Magrath Candidates at the:
Magrath All Candidates Forum 7pm Wed 9 Oct 2013 at the School Auditorium Sponsored by the Magrath Chamber of Commerce Chamber Moderator: Bruce Jackson Don't forget to VOTE on Mon 21 Oct 2013 Do you have issues (of interest to the Town of Magrath) you think should be discussed? >> submit them for consideration (as a comment) below: Notice: We have set the date for the Spring 2014 Magrath Chamber Tradeshow for Sat 13 Apr 2013.
Chamber Members get a discount and first choice on booking locations, so consider booking as soon as possible. Thanks! Magrath Chamber Tradeshow Committee Paypal Here would be so cool. It is just not quite really 'here' yet. We could really have used this tech at our last tradeshow .. or with my last job .. or where ever. Unfortunately it only works with some Apple iOS devices at present and, of course, is not actually available to use for you or I, the general public of business users. However .. it would be cool. The Android version of the app is 'under development' and with the free reader and no monthly fees would be a killer app in our opinion. I have my doubts. Maybe for next Christmas .. or my Birthday this year? or the next ? We will keep an eye on this one. ref https://www.paypal.com/ca/webapps/mpp/credit-card-reader We started using Paypal Web Payments for our last Chamber Tradeshow and Memberships and had a good response with many vendors happily paying us online. ThiSome thing to think about for coming years .. |
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