Category Archives: Davidson

Small but fervent crowd at NDP health care forum

Saskatchewan NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon and NDP health critic Danielle Chartier listen to David Ashdown (in foreground) during a town hall meeting in Davidson on Tuesday.
Saskatchewan NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon and NDP health critic Danielle Chartier listen to David Ashdown (in foreground) during a town hall meeting in Davidson on Tuesday.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — She knew the end was near, and she wanted to be in her hometown hospital when it happened.

Registered nurse Lindsay Cross told the story of an elderly lady with failing health who had been in and out of the Davidson Health Centre in recent weeks.

She was back in the hospital in mid-September and wanted to stay put, but because of a service disruption, caused by a shortage of available staff, she had to be sent elsewhere.

Cross said the patient was transferred temporarily to Saskatoon, where she died that weekend.

“She wanted to die in Davidson,” Cross said, adding that the nurses couldn’t help feeling guilty over the situation. “It shouldn’t be that way.”

Cross was speaking at a public meeting about health care in the province, organized by the New Democratic Party and held at Davidson Town Hall on Tuesday.

Leading the meeting were NDP leader Trent Wotherspoon and health critic Danielle Chartier.

Wotherspoon said the meeting was the first of many planned across the province in coming weeks, in both rural communities and urban centres.

The forums are being held in response to a recent string of job cuts in multiple health regions as a result of limited funding.

“Day after day, we’re seeing too many cuts across Saskatchewan,” said Wotherspoon. “Services aren’t up to the standard that they need to be.”

He was also critical of the review currently underway by the provincial government, which is seeking options to reduce the number of health regions in Saskatchewan.

A formal feedback process was open to the public between Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, and the advisory panel also held consultations with key partners and stakeholders.

According to the government, over 300 submissions were received from the public.

Chartier said they are concerned about the speed at which the review was carried out as well as the methods being used.

“Our goal is to be an effective opposition,” she said. “We’re very concerned that these local voices are not going to be part of the discussion.”

“We’ll be advocating in a constructive way, whenever and wherever possible,” said Wotherspoon, adding that his party would work to protect, improve and strengthen Saskatchewan’s health care system.

He acknowledged that Tuesday’s event was somewhat “intimate,” blaming the inclement weather and the Blue Jays game for the low turnout.

Just 14 people were in attendance, including seven residents of Davidson and Craik, but those present had plenty to say.

For the full story, see the Oct. 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Area teams reconnect as RaiTec hosts home tourney

The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec poses with their award after winning the consolation prize at their home tournament in Davidson on Oct. 1. Pictured are (back row from left) Nevada Wightman, Lauren Bueckert, Elena Nykiforuk, Jocelyn Millham, Chase Lyn Dean; (front row) Tori Rendall, Gracie Allan, Lynzey Sanden and Brianna Jess.
The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec poses with their award after winning the consolation prize at their home tournament in Davidson on Oct. 1. Pictured are (back row from left) Nevada Wightman, Lauren Bueckert, Elena Nykiforuk, Jocelyn Millham, Chase Lyn Dean; (front row) Tori Rendall, Gracie Allan, Lynzey Sanden and Brianna Jess.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Keeping track of eight teams and their busy schedules kept organizers on their toes last weekend.

The Davidson/Loreburn RaiTec hosted its annual senior girls volleyball tournament on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.

Team manager Sandra Baldwin said players and coaches have gotten to know each other well thanks to this and other tournaments.

“People were here for more than just volleyball,” she said, adding that six teams stayed overnight in the school, with the canteen team serving breakfast on Saturday.

“It was just a ton of fun,” Baldwin continued. “It was just a really good weekend (with) strong volleyball.”

Kahkewistahaw defeated Elrose in the final on Saturday to take the championship title for the weekend.

The tournament began with round-robin play on Friday night. Pool A teams competed in Davidson, with Kahkewistahaw coming in first place, Elrose in second, Davidson/Loreburn in third and Beechy/Kyle/Lucky Lake in fourth.

Pool B teams competed in Loreburn. Plenty finished in first place, Eston in second, Assiniboia in third and Biggar in fourth.

For the full story, see the Oct. 10 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

New rules bar younger users from fitness centre

web-town-council

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Fitness buffs 15 and under will have to look beyond the Communiplex for their gym fixes.

A recent change in policy means that younger users are barred from the Town of Davidson’s fitness centre, with the exception of a handful of teens with existing memberships.

Recreation director Trevor Ouellette visited town council as a delegate during its Sept. 20 meeting to offer some clarification on the policy change.

Previously, the town had allowed the sale of gym memberships to users under the age of 16 as long as they had supervision from a parent or guardian every time they used the facility.

Following discussions with the town office staff, Ouellette said they decided to change the policy about a month ago.

As a result, gym memberships are now only available to users 16 and up.

Ouellette said a handful of users under the age of 16 continue to hold memberships, having been “grandfathered in,” but they are still bound by the rules.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 3 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Town waits for priority list for clinic renos

The Davidson medical clinic is pictured.
The Davidson medical clinic is pictured.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Renovations to Dr. Lang’s office in Davidson are on hold as the town waits for a priority list from office staff.

The building, which first opened to serve local patients in 1976, is in need of various repairs and upgrades, ranging from a leaky front door to improved soundproofing.

Councillors discussed the matter at the Davidson town council meeting on Sept. 20, where some expressed frustration over the continued delay.

“It’s something that’s been on our radar for the past year,” said Coun. Audrey Hamm. “There’s so much to be done.”

Administrator Gary Edom said the doctor’s staff had noted various concerns about the building but had not given the town a list of priority items.

He said he had spoken to a local contractor about replacing some outdated plumbing fixtures but had yet to receive a response.

Mayor Clayton Schneider suggested that the town should ask the doctor’s staff to identify the top three priorities and seek quotes for those items.

Coun. Tyler Alexander agreed, saying, “I think that should come from Dr. Lang . . . The building’s there for him.”

“We need to get the ball rolling, so that we’re not saying something and doing something very different,” said Schneider.

Receptionist Corey Eddie said Wednesday that the office staff has identified some areas of concern, but a formal list has not been drafted.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 3 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Raiders on a rampage

From left, Cole Murfitt, Rylan Slemming and Ryan Skinner of the Davidson Raiders attempt to head off the Outlook Blues' Austin Bahnman during the Sept. 23 senior football game.
From left, Cole Murfitt, Rylan Slemming and Ryan Skinner of the Davidson Raiders attempt to head off the Outlook Blues’ Austin Bahnman during the Sept. 23 senior football game.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A cold snap last weekend took nothing away from the Raiders’ crackle and pop.

The Raiders hosted the Outlook Blues in a rematch under grey skies on Sept. 23, with Davidson dominating from start to finish, ending with a 72-6 victory.

Coach Jason Low said the game provided many of the team’s younger players with an opportunity to shine in front of a hometown crowd.

“We spent a lot of time with rookies on the field, which is nice,” he said, adding that they “all did really well.”

The juniors made a strong contribution to the win, including Grade 10 students Clay Murfitt, Tristan Stacowich and Derek Schmiedge.

Low said their playing was so effective that the Outlook coaches inquired afterward to double-check that they were, in fact, younger players.

The head coach also said he was pleased by his team’s display of character despite the lopsided win.

“They’re really good at still maintaining that good sportsmanship,” said Low.

For the full story, please see the Oct. 3 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Next mayor wants to build on momentum

Mayor-elect Tyler Alexander stands in front of Davidson Town Hall on Thursday.
Mayor-elect Tyler Alexander stands in front of Davidson Town Hall on Thursday.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Tyler Alexander threw his hat in the ring on Wednesday afternoon, and minutes later he was Davidson’s new mayor-elect.

“It didn’t look like anybody else was going to run,” he said the next day. “I thought I’d step up and try to do the job the best I can.”

As of Thursday, 12 people had put their names forward as nominees for Davidson town council, falling just short of the record set in 2006, when 13 names were on the ballot.

Voters will head to the polls on Oct. 26 to elect six councillors.

No vote will be taken for mayor, though, as Alexander was the sole nominee and was thus elected by acclamation.

He has served one term as a town councillor, and also served as deputy mayor for roughly the past year. In that role, he chaired several council meetings, in part or in whole, in the absence of mayor Clayton Schneider.

Alexander said he’s pleased with what the past council accomplished over four years and wants to continue in that direction.

For the full story, see the Sept. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.