Category Archives: featured

Craik, featured

Craik council won’t pursue change in town’s status

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By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — Two weeks after receiving a proposal to restructure the Town of Craik as an organized hamlet, councillors have concluded that the decision isn’t theirs to make.

At the close of a special meeting on Thursday, members of town council did not make a formal resolution, but agreed to issue a statement, as worded by Coun. David Ashdown.

“It is not within the jurisdiction of this council to either approve or reject the proposal to change the status of the town to an organized hamlet,” reads the statement.

“We recognize the importance of finding a financially viable solution to providing potable water, and we are committed to pursuing and examining all possible options.”

A delegation from the Water Task Force, consisting of members Dermot McCaw and Mark Wegner, had visited council during its Feb. 11 meeting.

They brought with them a proposal that the town look into restructuring itself and effectively becoming part of the rural municipality, as a last-ditch effort to obtain the necessary resources to address its looming infrastructure costs.

Councillors had tabled the proposal and agreed to discuss it at a special meeting two weeks later. None of them appeared enthusiastic about the idea of losing town status and effectively ceding control to the RM.

“It doesn’t look very good,” said Mayor Rick Rogers. “We’d be really going backwards if we turned ourselves into a hamlet.”

Ashdown said he appreciated the idea being brought forward and that it had generated plenty of conversation, but challenged the idea that council could be the catalyst for that sort of change in the town’s status.

Having reviewed the relevant portions of The Municipalities Act, Ashdown said it was his understanding that a petition brought forward by a group of ratepayers would be necessary to begin the process.

Restructuring would also require approval from the Ministry of Government Relations, which Ashdown viewed as unlikely.

Coun. Charla Edwards, who serves on the Water Task Force, said she wasn’t prepared to take the restructuring option off the table entirely.

“I can’t say yes or no,” she said. “Until there’s something else on the board, I’m not saying no to that.”

Edwards said she would still need more information before she could decide one way or the other, adding that the town’s situation seems somewhat hopeless.

“I’ve never had a meeting where we didn’t discuss how we were going to afford something,” she said. “I’m getting to the point where I don’t even get a glimpse of hope anymore.”

Administrator Sarah Wells challenged the notion that the town was headed for bankruptcy, noting that its only significant debt, the debenture on the water plant, would be paid off in two years.

“We’re not broke yet,” she said, adding that restructuring is “not our only option.”

While the town may eventually face fines or other punitive measures from the Water Security Agency, Wells said the agency is unlikely to pursue that route as long as the town continues to work towards restoring potable water.

She painted a grim picture of how restructuring would affect the town’s future. Council would be dissolved and a hamlet board would represent community concerns to the RM, which would collect taxes and control spending.

Wells said the RM would not be obligated to keep the water service running. Others predicted that this could lead to the closure of the school and the health centre.

“We’ll turn into Girvin,” said Wells. “People will move, the businesses will move.”

“Don’t you think Cheryl would just be laughing all the way to the departure lounge?” said Ashdown, referring to Five Hills Health Region CEO Cheryl Craig.

Councillors agreed that if restructuring was not the way to move forward, they would need to keep looking at other options.

Ashdown suggested raising water rates, which he said are substantially lower than in other municipalities. He said the average user in Craik pays $18 per month.

Council again discussed the possibility of seeking another source for municipal water, and whether or not the existing plant could be adapted to treat well water.

Ashdown said he had reached out to the office of Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, the province’s only Liberal MP, whose staff had promised to provide more information on infrastructure funding.

Wells said she had been advised to reach out to municipal consultant Lorri Matthewson. Councillors responded positively, directing her to inquire about the consultant’s services and possibly inviting her to meet with council.

The town is also waiting on a final engineering report from KGS Group, outlining specific options and costs regarding the water plant.

CRAIK — Two weeks after receiving a proposal to restructure the Town of Craik as an organized hamlet, councillors have concluded that the decision isn’t theirs to make.

At the close of a special meeting on Thursday, members of town council did not make a formal resolution, but agreed to issue a statement, as worded by Coun. David Ashdown.

“It is not within the jurisdiction of this council to either approve or reject the proposal to change the status of the town to an organized hamlet,” reads the statement.

“We recognize the importance of finding a financially viable solution to providing potable water, and we are committed to pursuing and examining all possible options.”

A delegation from the Water Task Force, consisting of members Dermot McCaw and Mark Wegner, had visited council during its Feb. 11 meeting.

They brought with them a proposal that the town look into restructuring itself and effectively becoming part of the rural municipality, as a last-ditch effort to obtain the necessary resources to address its looming infrastructure costs.

Councillors had tabled the proposal and agreed to discuss it at a special meeting two weeks later. None of them appeared enthusiastic about the idea of losing town status and effectively ceding control to the RM.

“It doesn’t look very good,” said Mayor Rick Rogers. “We’d be really going backwards if we turned ourselves into a hamlet.”

Ashdown said he appreciated the idea being brought forward and that it had generated plenty of conversation, but challenged the idea that council could be the catalyst for that sort of change in the town’s status.

Having reviewed the relevant portions of The Municipalities Act, Ashdown said it was his understanding that a petition brought forward by a group of ratepayers would be necessary to begin the process.

Restructuring would also require approval from the Ministry of Government Relations, which Ashdown viewed as unlikely.

Coun. Charla Edwards, who serves on the Water Task Force, said she wasn’t prepared to take the restructuring option off the table entirely.

“I can’t say yes or no,” she said. “Until there’s something else on the board, I’m not saying no to that.”

Edwards said she would still need more information before she could decide one way or the other, adding that the town’s situation seems somewhat hopeless.

“I’ve never had a meeting where we didn’t discuss how we were going to afford something,” she said. “I’m getting to the point where I don’t even get a glimpse of hope anymore.”

Administrator Sarah Wells challenged the notion that the town was headed for bankruptcy, noting that its only significant debt, the debenture on the water plant, would be paid off in two years.

“We’re not broke yet,” she said, adding that restructuring is “not our only option.”

While the town may eventually face fines or other punitive measures from the Water Security Agency, Wells said the agency is unlikely to pursue that route as long as the town continues to work towards restoring potable water.

She painted a grim picture of how restructuring would affect the town’s future. Council would be dissolved and a hamlet board would represent community concerns to the RM, which would collect taxes and control spending.

Wells said the RM would not be obligated to keep the water service running. Others predicted that this could lead to the closure of the school and the health centre.

“We’ll turn into Girvin,” said Wells. “People will move, the businesses will move.”

“Don’t you think Cheryl would just be laughing all the way to the departure lounge?” said Ashdown, referring to Five Hills Health Region CEO Cheryl Craig.

Councillors agreed that if restructuring was not the way to move forward, they would need to keep looking at other options.

Ashdown suggested raising water rates, which he said are substantially lower than in other municipalities. He said the average user in Craik pays $18 per month.

Council again discussed the possibility of seeking another source for municipal water, and whether or not the existing plant could be adapted to treat well water.

Ashdown said he had reached out to the office of Wascana MP Ralph Goodale, the province’s only Liberal MP, whose staff had promised to provide more information on infrastructure funding.

Wells said she had been advised to reach out to municipal consultant Lorri Matthewson. Councillors responded positively, directing her to inquire about the consultant’s services and possibly inviting her to meet with council.

The town is also waiting on a final engineering report from KGS Group, outlining specific options and costs regarding the water plant.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Viva la recreation!

Players from Davidson's senior boys basketball team pose with the coaches and players they trained with during a weeklong cultural exchange program in Havana, Cuba this month.
Players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team pose with the coaches and players they trained with during a weeklong cultural exchange program in Havana, Cuba this month.

 

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — They left expecting to learn about basketball, and came back having learned about a whole lot more.

Seven players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team spent their February break in Cuba, attending a week-long cultural exchange, training and competition camp at the country’s national sports training centre in Havana.

Back at school last week, they reported that the camp had been helpful in building up their skills, as they trained with and competed against Cuban players, going through drills and developing new offensive strategies.

“They were a lot bigger than us,” reported Huck Rettger, adding that the Cubans put up a tough challenge, but were also friendly hosts.

Along the way, the boys had the opportunity to learn about Cuban life and culture. Activities included salsa dancing lessons, a historical trip through Old Havana, and a visit to an inner city youth centre.

The Davidson players said they also came away with a greater appreciation of their own lives back home, particularly the material wealth they often take for granted.

“It was eye-opening how privileged we are here,” said Andrew Read, noting for example that the gym the boys trained in had toilets without proper seats.

Players taking part in the camp included Nick Chomyshen, Gabe Ebenal, James Morrison, Ben Nykiforuk, Andrew Read, and Huck and Mark Rettger.

The group, which also included 12 parents, flew out from Regina on Feb. 13 and returned eight days later.

The trip was organized through Canada-Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, and included airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and most anticipated expenses.

Coach Kim Rettger, who had first proposed the trip to a young group of basketball players nearly a decade ago, was overwhelmingly positive about the program upon their return.

“This was the greatest experience I’ve ever had with a group of kids,” he said, adding that the trip combined sports, culture and humanitarian work, and calling it rewarding for both the players and himself.

DAVIDSON — They left expecting to learn about basketball, and came back having learned about a whole lot more.

Seven players from Davidson’s senior boys basketball team spent their February break in Cuba, attending a week-long cultural exchange, training and competition camp at the country’s national sports training centre in Havana.

Back at school last week, they reported that the camp had been helpful in building up their skills, as they trained with and competed against Cuban players, going through drills and developing new offensive strategies.

“They were a lot bigger than us,” reported Huck Rettger, adding that the Cubans put up a tough challenge, but were also friendly hosts.

Along the way, the boys had the opportunity to learn about Cuban life and culture. Activities included salsa dancing lessons, a historical trip through Old Havana, and a visit to an inner city youth centre.

The Davidson players said they also came away with a greater appreciation of their own lives back home, particularly the material wealth they often take for granted.

“It was eye-opening how privileged we are here,” said Andrew Read, noting for example that the gym the boys trained in had toilets without proper seats.

Players taking part in the camp included Nick Chomyshen, Gabe Ebenal, James Morrison, Ben Nykiforuk, Andrew Read, and Huck and Mark Rettger.

The group, which also included 12 parents, flew out from Regina on Feb. 13 and returned eight days later.

The trip was organized through Canada-Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals, and included airfare, accommodations, meals, transportation and most anticipated expenses.

Coach Kim Rettger, who had first proposed the trip to a young group of basketball players nearly a decade ago, was overwhelmingly positive about the program upon their return.

“This was the greatest experience I’ve ever had with a group of kids,” he said, adding that the trip combined sports, culture and humanitarian work, and calling it rewarding for both the players and himself.

For the full story, please see the Feb. 29 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Craik, Davidson, featured

Craik care crisis: looking back one year later

The Craik and District Health Centre is pictured above in this file photo.
The Craik and District Health Centre is pictured above in this file photo.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — “Do The Right Thing.” “Let Doctors Be Doctors.” “Dollars and Common Sense.”

The signs were loud and clear. So were the people holding them.

March 2 marks one year since a busload of residents from Craik and district went down to the Leg to raise a little hell.

They came armed with bullhorns, plastic signs and just a hint of piss and vinegar, determined to draw attention to what they saw as the erosion of their health care, and one more service being snatched away from a small town.

The rally drew the attention of media from across the province, as well as both Premier Brad Wall and Opposition Leader Cam Broten, who debated rural health care that day during Question Period.

Just shy of 12 months later, Craik has a new doctor working out of its health centre nine days out of 10, along with a part-time nurse practitioner.

Health services in Craik are at the same level — roughly, if not exactly — as they have been for the past four years. Dialogue between the town, the rural municipality and health regions is ongoing.

Has the situation improved since this time last year? All parties seem to agree that it has.

How much room for improvement remains? It depends on who you ask.
But while the situation in Craik is no longer at a boiling point, clearly there’s still some simmering going on.

Local voices

Hilton Spencer, who has served as reeve of the Rural Municipality of Craik since 1989, said the district has fought hard to preserve its existing services.

“We’re not going to give up,” he said, accusing health region administrators of working to centralize health care. “They are still pushing that mandate.”

Spencer gave much of the credit to the community itself for standing firm: “Had we done nothing, we wouldn’t even have a doctor.”

That seemed like a distinct possibility a year ago, as Dr. Elie Karam’s contract with Five Hills Health Region expired in January 2015.

Craik was then being served by locum doctors. Residents were concerned that the town would soon find itself without a doctor permanently.

Community leaders and volunteers formed a task force to protest this and other changes. A rally at the health centre on Feb. 27 was followed by the visit to Regina in March.

The task force has since been replaced by a formal, six-member committee, chaired by town councillor David Ashdown and with representation from both the town and RM.

Dr. Arowolo began practising in Craik last fall, and Ashdown said he and others are pleased with the care she’s providing.

However, Ashdown added, there remain some concerns about Craik’s other health services, as well as a fundamental lack of trust on the part of local residents.

“There is still, in the community, a high level of suspicion and mistrust for the health region,” he said, “and particularly the upper-level bureaucrats and administrators.”

Spencer expressed similar concerns, saying on behalf of local residents, “We’re still quite nervous.”

Signs of progress

Rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit said he has had regular updates from the health regions on efforts to stabilize Craik’s services.

Compared to this time last year, he said, phone calls, emails and letters to his office regarding Craik have dropped substantially.

He acknowledged that not all residents are satisfied with the current state of affairs, saying, “For some members of the community, it may take some time to rebuild that trust, from their point of view.”

However, he said the level of service in the Craik-Davidson corridor has been stabilized and improved with the three-doctor team now in place.

Data provided by the ministry indicates that the area is now seeing “more consistent and stable emergency services.”

According to a year-over-year comparison, the district has seen only one service disruption in a three-month period, compared with more than 40 in the same timeframe previously.

“We believe that the service is a lot more stable,” said Ottenbreit. “I’m very happy with where things are right now.”

Terry Hutchinson, vice-president of community health services for Five Hills Health Region, said he is “very pleased” with the progress that has been made.

The latest meetings were held between the region and the community in October and December. Hutchinson said the region wants to keep talking about sustainable health services.

However, he added, mutual respect will be a necessity going forward: “Building trust is a two-way street.”

For the full story — including discussion of emergency services, and the part rural health care will play in the upcoming provincial election — please see the Feb. 22 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson, featured

Town to look at new trash option

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By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Changes to Davidson’s waste removal service may be in the cards as the town looks for potential cost savings.

Mayor Clayton Schneider said more research is needed before councillors can make an informed decision on the future of Davidson’s garbage collection.

“We’re going to do some information gathering,” he said during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Our focus for this next month’s going to be waste disposal.”

With costs rising and the town’s main garbage truck still sidelined with repair issues, some council members advised taking action sooner rather than later.

“We’re really got to admit that our back is up against the wall,” said Coun. Gerald Kenny. “We have to do something here pretty quick.”

Davidson’s public works staff has lately been using a backup truck to collect the town’s waste, as the main truck is suffering from what has been diagnosed as a transmission issue.

Kenny said he had made some phone calls to look at prices for used vehicles and had concluded that rear-pickup garbage trucks, similar to what Davidson currently uses, have become “a thing of the past.”

He had contacted Loraas Disposal Services, Ltd., who later got in touch with the town office to discuss service options available to the town.

In an email to administrator Gary Edom, sales agent Carey Chomyn provided quotes for waste removal services for Davidson, utilizing the town’s existing landfill.

“I am certainly not here to take away any local jobs or make any waves within Davidson,” wrote Chomyn. “Just thought I would present the pricing that could be had, and let the chips fall where they may with regard to what the town and residents desire.”

Currently, garbage is collected from residences every Thursday, with commercial garbage pickup offered twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.

Loraas provides the town’s curbside recycling pickup every other Monday, while commercial recycling collection is done every other Tuesday.

According to Chomyn’s email, Loraas could provide garbage and recycling collection on alternating weeks for $11.15 per residence per month. Rates for commercial pickup were also provided.

For the full story, please see the Feb. 22 edition of The Davidson Leader.

Davidson, featured, Sports

Cyclones rebound with 7-2 win over Dynamos

Davidson's Tory Allan makes good use of a penalty shot during the second period of the Cyclones' playoff game against the Dinsmore/Lucky Lake Dynamos on Feb. 12.
Davidson’s Tory Allan makes good use of a penalty shot during the second period of the Cyclones’ playoff game against the Dinsmore/Lucky Lake Dynamos on Feb. 12.

 

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — For the Davidson Cyclones, the best revenge was playing well.

The team bounced back on Feb. 12, recording a 7-2 win over the Dinsmore/Lucky Lake Dynamos — the minimum margin of victory needed for the Cyclones to move on to the next round of provincial “C” playoffs.

Manager Kirk Johnson said the team had put its primary focus on taking care of the score and leaving other challenges aside for the time being.

“They didn’t worry about what happened before,” he said. “Everybody put their best effort forward and they got ‘er done.”

The win followed a 6-2 loss to the Dynamos on Feb. 5, which had left the Cyclones in a do-or-die scenario for the second game in the total-point series.

Davidson was also left without its captain and second-leading scorer, Derek Allan, who was sidelined with a possible concussion in the previous game, owing to a hit by the Dynamos’ Carter Thomson.

Friday’s game opened with a tight first period. Both teams were held scoreless until the last four minutes, when Charles Inglis scored the first of two goals for Davidson.

Chris Henry then scored for the Dynamos, followed by Inglis’s second goal, setting the score at 2-1 for the Cyclones heading into the second period.

Davidson went on to enjoy a scoring streak, opened by Rhyse Dieno two minutes into the period. Tory Allan extended the Cyclones’ lead four minutes later with the first of three goals.

Midway through the period, Allan was tripped by a competitor while on a breakaway. He was awarded a penalty shot, which he successfully completed, bringing the score to 5-2.

Allan went on to achieve a hat trick, scoring a third goal with eight minutes remaining in the period. He was appropriately honoured by several young spectators, tossing about half a dozen hats on the ice to be collected by officials.

Justin Williams followed that up with a goal for the Dynamos, setting the score at 6-2 at the start of the third period.

The increasingly aggressive game reached its boiling point towards the end, as both the Cyclones’ Tory Allan and the Dynamos’ Carter Thomson were assessed game misconduct penalties due to fighting.

Finally, with 7:41 remaining in the game, Jared Molnar scored for Davidson, assisted by Charles Inglis, bringing the score to 7-2 and giving the Cyclones the necessary five-point lead.

Johnson noted that scoring that goal with Thomson looking on from the penalty box was probably “the best revenge we could ask for.”

He also had high praise for goaltender Brady Willner, calling his performance “unbelievable.”

“He was stopping stuff that I thought was going in,” said Johnson. “He was probably the difference, I would say.”

In the next round, the Cyclones face the Delisle Bruins in a two-game, total-point series. The first game was scheduled for Feb. 19 in Davidson, while the second will follow on Feb. 24 in Delisle.

The winner of that series will face either the Macklin Mohawks or the Eston Ramblers.

Davidson, featured, Loreburn, Sports

Loreburn 14U team wins gold in first tournament

The Loreburn 14U girls club volleyball team is pictured after winning gold in the Tier III division during the Subway Saskatchewan Cup on Feb. 7 in Warman.
The Loreburn 14U girls club volleyball team is pictured after winning gold in the Tier III division during the Subway Saskatchewan Cup on Feb. 7 in Warman.

 

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — Coming out on top was a good way for the Loreburn 14U girls club volleyball team to start things off.

Earlier this month, the team competed in its first tournament in Warman, winning gold in the Tier 3 division at the 14U Subway Saskatchewan Cup on Feb. 7.

Team manager Amanda Glubis said the eight players on the team — hailing from Loreburn, Davidson and Outlook — have all played on high school teams at the junior level, but this is their first season playing together as a club team.

“They really have clicked as a team,” she said last week, adding that the girls all exhibit a similar skill level. “I’m pretty excited . . . it’s working quite well.”

Playing from Loreburn are Alyssa Glubis, Abby Adams and Baylee Batza, while Davidson is represented by Sydney Smith, Tylar Oliver and Jordan Matheson. Two players from Outlook, Kennedy Pederson and Tanner Neufeld, complete the roster.

The team played seven games over the weekend, beginning with round-robin play on Saturday. Though they endured a couple of losses, the girls won their crossover game on Saturday night to determine their tier.

They went on to enjoy a string of wins on Sunday, culminating in their win over the Yorkton Blitz Storm in three sets during the Tier 3 final.

With club volleyball on the rise, Glubis said having the 14U team is beneficial for the parents as well as the players, giving them a taste of the club experience.

For instance, playing seven games in one tournament gave the girls plenty of time on the court, as opposed to school tournaments where a team might drop out of competition after two or three games.

“I think (the parents) were impressed with how much the kids did get to play,” said Glubis, adding that playing the game is the best way to develop skills.

The team began meeting in January and practises twice a week, but has not had any scheduled games outside of tournaments.

Glubis said it has been difficult to arrange court time in the cities, while their teams are reluctant to travel out of town for games.

“They don’t really want to come out here,” she reported. “It’s just too hard to get that organized.”

The Loreburn team is scheduled to compete in a tournament hosted by Regina’s Queen City Volleyball Club (QCVC) on March 12 and 13, followed by the provincial tournament in Saskatoon and Warman from April 15 to 17.

Carmen Heinrichs coaches the Loreburn team, assisted by Kaitlyn Glubis.