The MD of Bonnyville’s Name the Rat contest has drawn an overwhelming response, getting 144 submissions since it began on Tuesday.
“It’s been busy”, Ag and Waste Services Director Matt Janz told MD Council. “A lot of questions, a few phone calls and 144 comments.
“It’s a two phased contest. The first phase we’re getting names and the second phase people will get to vote on the names that were suggested.”
The name that gets the most votes will receive a 100 dollar Boston Pizza gift card and some MD of Bonnyville merchandise.
The MD has purchased a taxidermied rat to help educate residents on the Alberta rat control program, which the district is heavily involved in being on the provincial border. Since the 60s Alberta has been the only region in the world outside of the far north and Antarctica to not have any rats.
The MD receives 32,000 dollars a year from the province to use on the rat control program. Janz told council that number is up for review this year and he’s heard talk of it going up to around the 50 range. The MD’s cheque hasn’t increased in about 14 years.