Monthly Archives: July 2015

Craik, featured

Water back on in Craik

By Kevin Gilby

CRAIK — “Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”

While not at sea, Coleridge may as well have written about a small town near a dam site.

Accustomed to having to boil water before consumption, the town of Craik was dealt a further blow last Sunday.

About 12:30 p.m. Sunday, the water system in the community was shut down due to mechanical failure within the distribution plant itself.

A small buoyant float failed to signal the water treatment plant to stop pumping water to the cistern. An unfortunate result of the failure was the flooding of the water distribution plant’s basement, which damaged pump motors and contaminated the water within.

Town foreman Jo-Anne DuBeau, already deprived from sleep dealing with a recent power outage draining the cistern, was called into action again to deal with the dilemma.

Almost immediately, DuBeau and a small army of residents and town councillors began to pump out the surplus water out of the basement to assess the damage.  Municipal Utilities, based out of Regina, was called in assist in the operation.

The two electric pump motors, having been fully submerged in water, were sent to Regina that Sunday for drying and refurbishment. Meanwhile, the natural gas-powered backup motor fared only slightly better.

Local mechanic and previous water plant operator Shayne Stubbington was called in to check for any damage to the engine and prepare it for use, should the electric motors not return in time for operation.

“One hundred and ten thousand gallons of treated water gone to waste,” lamented town Mayor Rick Rogers as he watched a gasoline-powered pump drain the cistern.

While visibly upset about the situation, Rogers maintained a positive attitude about the responsive capabilities of the town, its employees and neighbours.

Amidst the flurry of activity, DuBeau sought out help from friends on social media. She invited anyone with water tanks and trailers to help out and was amazed to later see around five water tanks set up by residents and area farmers to help.

In addition to the water provided by outside assistance, the town brought in several water tanks of its own, two of which were being stored at McRae’s Farm Service.

To read more, please see the July 27th print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe, email: davidsonleader@sasktel.net

Craik, featured

Craik parades its past

Members of the RCMP in their red surge .
Members of the RCMP in their red surge .

By Kevin Gilby

CRAIK — With a little luck, weather and water held out for the Craik and District Lions and the Craik Museum Club as they shared a weekend to make memories for years to come.

Though it began as “merely” a 50th anniversary for the Craik and District Lions Club, the weekend of July 18 and 19 held more events than anyone can recall in recent years.

Museum club member Pauline Dixon said the weekend was “to celebrate the new building in the Craik Museum and to bring back a new version of the old-time town fare.”

The museum club holds an annual hamburger day. Dixon said, “We provide tours and kids events. We usually provide demonstrations. But this year, we expanded. We had a blast from the past.”

Collaborating with the Craik and District Lions Club, the partnership hosted events for all ages and interests and provided entertainment never before seen in the growing community.

With Saturday being the Lions’ 50-year celebration as a service group in Craik, they exceeded all expectations, hosting a street dance with music by Canadian Country Music Award-winning artist Julian Austin.

Past-president of the Craik Lions, Kati Ball, said, “It took five months and 11 members and countless volunteers to pull off a successful 50th anniversary for the club.”

“We were kind of nervous on Friday when there was no power and no water. We thought we may have to cancel the whole event,” Ball said. “But by some miracle we had power and water for the next day, and the rain stopped.”

With over 300 people passing through the gates, Julian Austin performed over 90 minutes of original songs and popular covers of classic rock songs.

To learn more about the Craik Lions’ 50th celebration and to see more pictures please see the July 27th print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe, call 306-567-2047 or email: davidsonleader@sasktel.net

Davidson, featured

Langs granted citizenship…eh!

The Lang family received its Canadian citizenship in a ceremony in Regina on July 13. Pictured here are J. J., Frank, Luisabel and Dr. Francisco Lang, joined by Wascana MP Ralph Goodale (far left) and Citizenship Judge Terrence O’Malley (far right).
The Lang family received its Canadian citizenship in a ceremony in Regina on July 13. Pictured here are J. J., Frank, Luisabel and Dr. Francisco Lang, joined by Wascana MP Ralph Goodale (far left) and Citizenship Judge Terrence O’Malley (far right).

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Almost eight years after their arrival here, Dr. Francisco Lang and his family are Canadian citizens at last.

The doctor, his wife Luisabel and their sons Frank and J.J. were officially granted their citizenship at a ceremony at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina on July 13.

Lang said last week he feels “immense joy and happiness” at the milestone, which only came following a long process with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

“I have no words to describe how I feel,” he said, adding that the ceremony was a highlight of his time in Canada so far, and that he and his family feel great pride

to call themselves Canadian citizens.

The Lang family hails from the Cuban province of Pinar del Río. The doctor arrived in Davidson in November 2007 to begin his practice here after working in South Africa for more than 10 years.

Lang said that working in Canada appealed to him for multiple reasons, including the country’s reputation as a leader in medical research and innovation, but also because he desired “a safer environment for my children and my family and myself.”

The family applied for its citizenship in August 2010, nearly five years ago, and Lang said he’s still not sure why the process took so long.

“I don’t have an answer for that question,” he said. “I thought the process was not going to be so lengthy . . . We’ve been waiting for reasons that we still don’t know.”

Lang said he believes that current world affairs have led authorities to conduct more thorough research and investigation before approving applications for citizenship, which may have been a factor behind their long wait.

He, Luisabel and Frank took their citizenship exams in June 2013; J.J. was exempted due to his age. The three of them passed and also had interviews with immigration officers.

They were given extensive questionnaires to fill out, requiring detailed information on their backgrounds and careers.

For years, Lang said, they watched for the notice in the mail, but it was not until early July that the invitation to their citizenship ceremony finally arrived.

He and his family were part of a group of 67 people, representing a total of 30 countries, who took the oath of citizenship on July 13.

Citizenship judge Terrence O’Malley conducted the ceremony. Also present was Ralph Goodale, longtime Liberal MP for the riding of Wascana.

Lang said some of his staff from Davidson, including receptionists Corey Eddie and Joanne Elder, attended the ceremony.

He expressed his appreciation to the community for what he called its “enormous support,” including those who asked for updates on their progress.

This included the town council, which wrote letters to the federal government inquiring about the Langs’ citizenship.

Davidson, featured

Town could break ground for new pool next spring

A preliminary design of the pool house.
A preliminary design of the pool house.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — The next step towards the construction of Davidson’s new pool is on the horizon, town councillors heard at this week’s meeting.

Recreation director Trevor Ouellette, who visited the July 21 meeting as a delegation, received approval from council last week to make arrangements with Regina-based firm Walker Projects to start seeking proposals from contractors.

“They are ready to get started as soon as we sign,” he told council at the meeting, distributing documents outlining the company’s services and fees.

With a total of $1,065,000 raised for the pool in three years, Ouellette said that it’s likely the first phase of construction could begin by the spring of 2016, with the pool being ready for use the following year.

Estimates on the cost of the project have varied, but based on current information, he placed the total cost at somewhere between $1.25 million and $1.3 million.

Ouellette was joined later in the meeting by a delegation from the swimming pool fundraising committee, consisting of Crystal Johnson, Brenna Siroski and Erin Gust.

Like the town councillors, committee members welcomed the news, but they also took the opportunity to voice some concerns.

To read more, please see the July 27th print edition of The Davidson Leader. To subscribe email: davidsonleader@sasktel.net

Dundurn, Kenaston

Waugh defeats Yelich in Tory race

Lynne Yelich
Lynne Yelich

By Joel van der Veen

SASKATOON — Lynne Yelich’s 15-year career in federal politics appears set to draw to a close this fall.

Last Monday, broadcaster Kevin Waugh defeated the longtime MP and cabinet minister in the race to be the Conservatives’ candidate for the newly-created Saskatoon Grasswood riding.

Once the writ is dropped for the next federal election — expected to fall on Oct. 19 — Yelich will lose her seat in the House of Commons after representing the Blackstrap riding since 2000.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Yelich said simply that she was “disappointed in this result,” but added that she had been honoured to support the work of the Conservative government.

“It has been a privilege to represent the constituents of Blackstrap for nearly 15 years,” she stated, thanking residents for their “support and trust in my leadership, and for this opportunity to serve a strong and free Canada.”

She did not offer any details regarding her future plans, political or otherwise, nor any further comments on Waugh’s win.

Yelich, 62, a native of Kenaston, was first elected to represent Blackstrap in 2000 as a member of the Canadian Alliance.

She remained on board in 2003 when the Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives merged to form the new federal Conservative Party of Canada.

Yelich was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011, receiving 54.4 per cent of the vote in the most recent federal election.

Having served as a critic for multiple portfolios as a member of the Opposition, Yelich became parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development after the Conservatives formed a minority government in 2006.

Two years later, she joined the federal cabinet as Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. In 2013, she was appointed to her current portfolio as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular.

In 2012, the province’s federal electoral districts were reconfigured, based on the population statistics provided by the previous year’s census.

The current riding of Blackstrap covers both urban and rural territory, combining the southeast quadrant of the City of Saskatoon with the surrounding area, extending south to Elbow, southeast to Bladworth and east to Jensen.

It will be replaced in the upcoming federal election with its area divided into two new ridings. Southeast Saskatoon will become part of the Saskatoon Grasswood riding, while the rural area will be incorporated into Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan.

Kevin Waugh, a sports director and anchor for Saskatoon’s CTV affiliate, announced in June that he would challenge Yelich for the nomination.

He offered some pointed comments to the StarPhoenix last month, saying that with a new, strictly urban riding, a change in leadership was needed.

“We only have three ridings now, so you’d better come from Saskatoon, in my estimation,” he was quoted. “You better understand what the city needs.”

The end of Yelich’s term will also mark the end of a 22-year span in which Kenaston natives represented the village and surrounding area in the House of Commons.

Allan Kerpan was elected to represent Moose Jaw-Lake Centre as a Reform MP in 1993. After new ridings were established, he was re-elected to represent Blackstrap in 1997.

He remained with the Reform Party as it dissolved to form the Canadian Alliance in 2000, but did not stand for re-election that year, paving the way for Yelich to run in the riding.

According to her online biography, Yelich has a background in administration. She and her husband Matt have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Yelich was unavailable for further comment last week.

Davidson

Blocked drains and cloudburst lead to flash floods

Rainwater is seen accumulating on Hamilton Street in Davidson on Monday afternoon in this picture taken by Ken Desiatnyk.
Rainwater is seen accumulating on Hamilton Street in Davidson on Monday afternoon in this picture taken by Ken Desiatnyk.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A cloudburst on Monday afternoon left several streets in Davidson briefly flooded with water, thanks to clogged storm drains.

Once the heavy rain started falling around 2:30 p.m., some residents observed that the water began to pool on some streets as the drains could not keep up with the rush.

In several places, the rainwater quickly reached the curbs, spilling over onto adjacent sidewalks, driveways and lawns.

Ken Desiatnyk, who lives at the corner of Hamilton and First streets, said two-and-a-half inches fell in roughly 25 minutes.

He said he attempted to unclog the drains and also saw town employees doing the same, but the water did not begin to recede until the rain stopped. It took a couple of hours for the street to drain out, he added.

Desiatnyk, who has lived there with his wife for around 25 years, said they’ve never had water in their basement, “but it’s a concern because it’s been close.”

He said the water encroached on several nearby lawns, including that of Ida Stewart on the next block, leaving her yard “like an island” surrounded by water.

Norma McNabb, who lives across the street from the Desiatnyks, said she was out at the time of the rain, but three or four inches of water accumulated in her garage.

“It’s come close before, but it never got in,” she said. “It was raining pretty darn hard.”

When heavy rains fall, McNabb said, even a car passing by can send the water cascading towards her house. One time, she recalled, the water was so high that kids went wading in the street.

Desiatnyk said a similar rain event happened three years ago, causing extensive damage to the electrical system of their new car. The town agreed to cover the deductible on their insurance following that incident.

“There’s a lot of elderly in that area,” he said. “If we ever had a four-inch rain, I’d hate to see what would happen.”

Town administrator Gary Edom said Davidson’s public works staff headed out to clear off some of the drain covers after the rain started.

Often, he said, grass clippings or leaves from nearby lawns will end up in the drain along with other debris, either blocking it or slowing down the flow of water.

“We clean them off every once in a while,” he said, “but you never know when something like that’s coming . . . That was a lot of rain in a short time.”

According to residents on Herman Crescent, town employees were seen using rakes to clear the drains at the south end of the street, after which the collected water was soon cleared from the road.

“The guys get out to open them up as fast as they can,” said Edom.

Two storm drains were replaced near the corner of First Street and Garfield Street earlier this year.

Edom said the rest of the drains in town seem to be in working order and none are scheduled to be replaced this year.