By Kevin Gilby
CRAIK — After taking the fight to the provincial government, Craik Mayor Rick Rogers and RM of Craik Reeve Hilton Spencer asked their community to follow their lead during a short notice public meeting Dec. 8.
To an audience of about 85 people, Rogers and Spencer highlighted their recent visit to the Provincial Legislature and the impromptu meeting with Premier Brad Wall and the Minister of Health. Among residents of the town and area, representatives from Aylesbury, Chamberlain, and the Central Butte Health Committee attended to learn what they could do to help save rural hospitals.
Citing prior interactions with Five Hills Health Region (FHHR), the pair justified going directly to the government to have the community’s voice heard.
“I think he only has a book of questions and answers he’s allowed to say,” Rogers says of the Deputy Minister of Health, Max Hendricks. “Out of the blue, he’d say something like ‘You can’t get a doctor to come to a small town, and once you get one, he won’t stay.’ I said, ‘Well, we had one that stayed 39 years, and the next one stayed 16 years. That never happens.'”
The floor was opened for discussion and two questions for the FHHR helped craft five motions for the community and municipality. The principal concern was that FHHR has stated that it will not extend the contract for the current physician beyond Jan. 31, 2015. The community also wanted to know why FHHR stopped emergencies from going to Craik when a physician was available and had a residence in the town of Craik.
Among the motions carried were statements that FHHR “is to maintain and/or improve Craik Health Region’s observation and stabilization care and to reinstate ambulance and emergency services to the Craik Health Centre” and that the FHHR board “come out to Craik for a public meeting with the community”. Full text of motions are available in the minutes to the meeting.
A resident asked the speakers, “So, what’s your next step as a group?”
“You guys are the next move. Pick up the phone. Write letters, ” replied Spencer.
Spencer told the audience “I think that we continue on this route, we know the way down there now. We’ve got support. We’ll keep at it.”
Spencer closed the session thanking all in attendance and gave a special thanks to “the other communities and the RM [of Sarnia] that came in to show their support, it makes a big difference. They’re not just dealing with Rick and I anymore.”
The Town of Craik and R.M. have made a history of discussions with FHHR and full text of the minutes available at http://www.craik.ca/SaveOurHospital
Dr. Karam participated in the meeting but declined to make a statement for this article.
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Thieves target Davidson Fields store
DAVIDSON—Someone broke into the Fields Store in Davidson in late November
Sometime during the evening of Thursday, Nov. 27 and the early morning of Friday, Nov. 28 the Fields store on Garfield Street was broken into.
The culprits entered the building through the front doors by breaking the lock.
Once inside, the thieves went to the back storage area of the store and stole numerous items.
They left the building through the rear loading doors.
Anyone with information about this or any other crimes, should contact Craik RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
Photo radar to catch speeders
Starting this week local motorists bound for Saskatchewan’s metropolises should slow down and watch out for photo radar.
Last Monday, SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) announced that “photo speed enforcement” locations in Martensville, Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw and on Highway 1 between a turnoff to Pilot Butte and White City will be operational as part of a pilot study to make sure the cameras work. Once SGI is confident the photo radar is working, there will be a two-month warning period where drivers caught speeding will be mailed a warning instead of a ticket.
The camera installations are on Highway 12 at Martensville: five spots on Circle Drive in Saskatoon as well as selected school zones; Highway 1 east between the Pilot Butte turnoff and White City; on Regina’s Ring Road and in selected school zones and in Moose Jaw school zones.
Last week black and white signs warning motorists of the photo radar zone were posted in preparation of the cameras becoming operational this week. Yellow informational signs are also posted to let drivers know they are approaching a photo-speed enforcement zone.
After the two-month warning period, drivers caught on the cameras speeding will receive a ticket in the mail.
The tickets are mailed by Xerox, vendor of the program, but they will be mailed behalf of the local law enforcement agency.
“It’s been in the news a lot, it’s been in social media, and if you still try and speed, you will get a ticket,” said Kelley Brinkworth, manager of media relations for SGI.
SGI and municipal police services and the RCMP chose the various photo speed enforcement locations based on high speeds, heavy traffic volumes and places where motorists have difficulty merging onto highways because high speeds make it very dangerous, said Brinkworth.
Certain school zones were selected because motorists were failing to obey the posted 30 kilometres per hour speed limits, making it dangerous.
Olson
It is with sadness that we announce the death of Martin Joe Olson of Davidson, Saskatchewan. Martin passed with his wife Irene at his side, on December 4, 2014 after a short battle with cancer at the age of 77. Martin was born in Hazel Dell, Saskatchewan on February 3, 1937, to Elvin and Elvina (nee Reinson) Olson. He married Irene (nee Ganton), on October 18, 1958, in Melfort Saskatchewan, and they started their family there. They moved to Davidson in 1962 and lived there until his passing.
Martin is survived by his wife of 55 years Irene, children Cam (Hayatt) Olson, Evan (Roxane Schury) Olson and Melody (Bryan Dimen) Olson and grandchildren Rhela (Terry) Bowers, Tristan (Jeannine) Manz, Kacie (Tyson Loshka) Manz, Holly (Jordan Sexton) Olson, Hillary (Ted) McCrann and Liam Olson. Martin was also blessed with two great-grandchildren Chase and Sadie Bowers. Martin is also survived by his sisters Viola (Norman, deceased) Hearn, Elaine (Jim) Tomkins and Judy (Peter) Sawchuk and sister-in-law Muriel.
Martin is preceded in death by his parents Elvin and Elvina Olson, his in-laws Kathleen and Clifford Ganton, his brothers Allan Olson, Norman (Ann) Olson and his sister and brother-in-law Loretta and Sid Wiwchar.
Martin’s first job was working telephone construction with his brother in Alberta. He soon made a lifetime career with Saskatchewan Power for 35 years, first in construction and later as Assistant District Operator and retired as District Operator.
Martin was an avid golfer and was active with the Davidson golf course both on the Executive and for a term as President. He was a committed community member and involved as a Kinsmen, Boy Scout Leader, with the Junior Athletic Association, the K-40 and with the skating rink and curling club. He was an excellent carpenter and many friends and family have benefited from the projects he and Irene worked on together.
Martin’s family was his first priority; he loved his kids, had a very special relationship with his grandchildren and was involved in their sports and activities. In the early years the family enjoyed numerous summer camping trips to B.C. together – in a tent camper he made himself, pulled by the Buick Wildcat! A celebration of Martin’s life was held at the Davidson Catholic Church on Thursday, December 11, 2014, officiated by Lutheran Pastor Sonje Finnestad.
The family would like to say a special thank-you to Dr. Lang and the staff at the Davidson Health Centre for their compassionate care and support.
Donations in memory of Martin can be sent to Davidson Golf Course, the Davidson and District Health Foundation, cheques payable to the town of Davidson, the Children’s Wish Foundation or charity of your choice. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.
Schmaltz
Schmaltz, Gerard Francis
April 23, 1959 – December 1, 2014
It is with deep sorrow the family of Frank and Emily Schmaltz announce the sudden death of their son and brother, Gerard at the age of 55 at Wanham, Alta.
Gerard leaves to cherish his memory his mother Emily Schmaltz, siblings: Ray (Gail), Pat (Bill Thomson), Cecil (Betty), Donna (Jim Siroski), Sandi (Lorne Zentner), Cyndy (Darren Lutz), and Gary (Tammie).
He also leaves nieces and nephews: Joel (Shannon) Schmaltz and children Tyler and Luke, Mike (Kathy) Schmaltz and children Sierra and Kaleah, Tim (Lisa) Thomson and children Taylor and Matt, Sheri (Neil Whiting) and children Colton, Wyatt, Dustin and Dallas, Lori Biggs and children Ernie, Josh and Danyka, Annette Smith and children Tristan, Michaela, Cheyanne and Jesse, Cory (Krista) Schmaltz and children Denovah, Cassidy and Breanne, Jason Schmaltz, goddaughter Stacey (Rosaire Belisle), Brett (Brenna) Siroski and children Reagan and Nolan, Kent Zentner, Kristine (Monty Koopman) and children Bronx and Emerson, Lauren (Tyler Murray), Jordan Schmaltz, and goddaughter Cheyanne Schmaltz (cousin).
He also leaves to mourn, his step-grandchildren Jackson and Kole whom he loved dearly, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and many good friends.
He was predeceased by: his father Frank Schmaltz, sister Terry Schmaltz, and brother Donald Schmaltz
The Prayer Service was held Dec. 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel, # 1 Dunmore Road S.E., Medicine Hat, Alta.
Donations can be made to the Canadian Mental Health society, Edmonton Region Suite 300 5th Street Place, 10010-105 Street NW, Edmonton Alta. T5J 1C4; Spirit River Minor Hockey Association, Box 533, Spirit River Alta. T0H 3G0; Wanham Plowing Match, 780-694-2233, or any charity of your choice. Care entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home, Grande Prairie 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com
Taylor
FRANK LLOYD TAYLOR
Jan 6:20 – Dec 1:14 – John 3:16
Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I WILL give you rest.”
Monday, December 1, 2014, near the end of his 95th year in this world
FRANK TAYLOR, of Davidson, Saskatchewan, entered his Eternal Rest.
A celebration of Frank’s life was held in Davidson, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014; Pastor Al Pinno, Bethlehem (AFLC) Lutheran Church, officiated. Interment followed at Davidson Cemetery.
For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory Frank may be directed to a charity of choice. Todd Lockwood, Hanson’s Funeral Home, Davidson, was in care of arrangements.
For the full obituary, please see the Dec. 15, 2014 print edition of The Davidson Leader.