A COMMUNITY IN SHOCK

With last Thursday's events unfolding before their eyes, our local
reeve, mayor, MLA and MP all couldn't believe what they were hearing
and seeing.

With last Thursday's events unfolding before their eyes, our local
reeve, mayor, MLA and MP all couldn't believe what they were hearing
and seeing.

"I was in absolute disbelief," says Mayor Trevor Thain.

"Nothing I can say can accurately describe how I feel."

Thain states he was at an Alberta Urban Municipalities Association
(AUMA) conference when he heard the news via telephone.

"I look at the RCMP officers as a family," he states.

Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield heard the news from a neighbour in
Whitecourt.

"This reaffirms what these RCMP members do for us," he
states.

"This is not something we should've been alerted to."

Merrifield states he will be bringing up the issue of drugs at the
next meeting and also states the repercussions of this will go to
Ottawa and beyond.

Merrifield also raises two issues to the forefront.

"It reaffirms to attack the abuse of elicit drugs," he
says.

"We must also thank the RCMP for standing on guard for
us."

Whitecourt/Ste. Anne MLA George VanderBurg was informed through
Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko. VanderBurg was then taken into a
room and briefed on what happened.

"It's unbelievable," he states.

"I know the members and I know their families."

VanderBurg states we don't usually see events like this take place in
a small town area like Rochfort Bridge.

"You think of this sort of thing happening in Toronto or Vancouver
with gang activity," he says.

"It's a real tragedy."

Woodlands County Reeve Jim Rennie, Jr. was also shocked when informed
of the events.

Rennie also states the RCMP does a wonderful job for the county as
well as the town.

"It reminds us how much respect we have for them and how sometimes we
take them for granted," he states. "Often we forget they are regular
people, too."

Rennie also states that although sometimes their presence isn't
noticed, this is a reminder of the integral role they play.

"As a county, we sure respect what they do for us," he
states.

"These are family people as well as RCMP officers."