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Proposed new riding of Arm River to include Craik

Saskatchewan Party MLA Greg Brkich will not be representing the constituency of Arm River-Watrous in the next election. Not to worry, he’s staying put. It’s the riding that is changing.

Arm River will be the new constituency for Davidson and Craik, taking over the town from the current Thunder Creek riding.

“I enjoy representing Arm River-Watrous and I will enjoy representing Arm River in the next election,” said Brkich.

The new riding, recently proposed by the provincial boundaries commission, will stretch down to Central Butte in the southwest and run north along Lake Diefenbaker. It will then go above Hanley and move along a straight line under Watrous before hitting Big Quill Lake and then move down through Wynyard. Using Last Mountain Lake as a natural boundary it will head south passing just above Strasbourg on its way to Regina Beach before cutting straight across above Moose Jaw on its way back to Central Butte.

“Changes happen (to ridings) when the population changes,” said Brkich. “You have to adjust to the changes you’re given. It will be a little larger because the population has grown and the area (covered) is a little bigger.”

The Saskatchewan Provincial Boundaries Commission is established every 10 years as required by the Constituency Boundaries Act to propose an electoral map for the province based on the latest Statistics Canada census data. Its mandate is to keep the voting population of a constituency at 13,059 with an allowable variance of five per cent.

“Changes are driven by demographics where you have changes in population (like) increases or decreases,” said Stuart Pollon, deputy chairperson of the Commission. “It requires a realignment or adjustment of the constituencies to continue to try to keep them as even as possible.”

To read more please see the August 20 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

 

Obituary

Manz

Shirley

It is with sadness but also with a sense of relief that mother Shirley Manz passed away on July 25, 2012. Shirley was the youngest child born to Robert and Mary Jane Craib and was raised in the Sprattsville district.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband Martin, 1999; godson Darcy Peterson and other family members. She is survived by her daughter Hilda; sisters Anne Bearss and Audrey Byrd; brothers-in-law Doug Edwards, Johnny Manz (Nola) and Joe Arend; sister-in-law Joan Manz and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.

Living on the farm she was kept busy helping out wherever she could. This carried on even when they moved to town with gardening, making pickles and wanting her jars back. Later she kept busy being part of the coffee club and the bingo games at the manor. She also liked to carry her camera and get pictures of anyone who would pose for her. On April 13, Shirley left her home and became a resident at the Davidson Health Centre until her passing. Some of the staff are going to dye their hair as of Shirley’s request, purple was the colour of choice. Ha! So don’t be alarmed if you see some bright colours. The loving care she received was greatly appreciated by the family.

The funeral was held on Monday, July 30, 2012. Rev. Ron Bestvater officiated. The pallbearers were Chad Dezotell, Rylan Dezotell, Jordan Dezotell, Laird Edwards, Johnny Renaud and Ira Renaud. Interment was in the family plot, Davidson Cemetery, Davidson, Sask.

Arrangements were in the care of Hanson’s funeral home, Davidson, Sask.

Obituary

Rink

Walter James

Walter James Rink, age 85, passed away peacefully at the Manitou Lodge in Watrous, Sask. on July 24, 2012.

Walter was born Nov. 9, 1926 and grew up on the family farm with seven brothers and sisters. His farming career started at a very early age, as his dad died of cancer when Walter was young. He quit school and farmed with his brothers on the family farm. Later on he worked for Rudolph Ronning and this resulted in buying the Ronning farm, which is still home to his son Daryl and family. Walter married Edith Dempsey on Nov. 7, 1959. Walter farmed for over 60 years and throughout his life he always had a love for animals, especially horses.

Walter was a community-minded person, starting his community involvement as a young man playing ball on the Meuse ball team. As his family got older, Walter helped coach Daryl’s hockey teams. He helped build the new skating rink after the old one collapsed. Further community work saw Walter on the R.M. of McCraney council for six years.

The Rink families never missed a deer hunting season and the opportunity to make sausage together. The Rink and Dempsey families got together on many occasions for a game of horseshoes and cards. Walter also loved to garden and picked pails of wild saskatoons and chokecherries.

In 2008 Walter and Edith moved into their home in Westridge Manor in Watrous. Walter’s love for the land saw them putting on many miles to the farm, as Walter learned to farm from the sideline. This gave them more time to spend with grandchildren and now even great-grandchildren. They always brought a smile to his face. Another thing that put a smile on Walter’s face was watching westerns, especially John Wayne movies. Walter enjoyed the many dances at Danceland, country schools and weddings, and travelling.

Walter loved family around and appreciated all their visits, even after having to move to Manitou Lodge in January, 2011 due to failing health.

Walter is survived by his loving wife Edith of 52 years; children Daryl (Joan) Rink, Tammy (David) Remmen and Raelene (Grant) Aseltine; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Justin (Tara) – Noah, Emmett and Adleigh; Daris (Paige); Kristen (Dave) – Bentley, Dash; Colton; Tiara (Andrew); Kaylee (Luke); Austin; Brayden and Kade; siblings Margaret Dieno, Alice McHolm, Ken (Ione) Rink Muriel Matycio and Raymond (Myrna) Rink; in-laws Russ and Shirley Deneiko, Dick and Elroy Freeman, Lois Didur, Jim and Tena Dempsey, Harry Parachoniak and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Henry and Theresa; sisters Kathleen Parachoniak and Marie Murphy; in-laws John and Kay Dempsey, Otto Dieno, Vincent Murphy and Gordon Matycio.

Funeral service was held on July 27, 2012 at Kenaston Place officiated by Pastor Kristin Soveran. Eulogy was given by Terry Deneiko; register attendants Paul and Joan Didur; ushers Brad and Wes Rink; organist Cathy Thall and soloist Darla Collins; honourary pallbearers, all who shared in Walter’s life journey and active pallbearers, the family. Interment followed at the Kenaston Cemetery.

Walter will be deeply loved and sadly missed by his wife, family and many friends and neighbours.

Memorial donations directed to Watrous Community Health Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society and Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Hanson’s Funeral Service of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Obituary

Frier

James “Jimmy” Ernest

James “Jimmy” Ernest Frier of Saskatoon, Sask., age 74 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 16, 2012 at his residence in Saskatoon, Sask.

Jimmy was predeceased by his parents Roland and Ethel Frier; sisters Helen Johnson and Jean Frier; brothers Lorne Frier, Dale Frier and Gordon Frier; and brother-in-law Ernest Johnson.

Jimmy is survived by his loving family, sisters-in-law Hilda Frier and Irene Frier, numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.

A family service of memory and committal was held on Wed., August 1, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the family plot, Davidson Cemetery, Davidson, Sask.

Jimmy was a long-time resident of Elmwood Lodge, Saskatoon, Sask. He worked at Cosmopolitan Industries in Saskatoon. He was a very happy, contented lad at his home and at his place of work where he established many happy relationships.

For friends so wishing, memorials in memory of Jimmy may be directed to the charity of your choice.

Obituary

 

Vicente

José Alvaro Diogo

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of José Alvaro Diogo Vicente on Tuesday, August 14 at the age of 59 years, after a courageous battle with cancer.

José was born in Casegas, Portugal and moved to Canada in 1963, first settling in Glidden, Sask. and later moving to Bladworth where he met Debbie Schneider, married and started a family.

José leaves behind his loving wife Debbie, sons Josh (Stephanie) and Jordan, daughter Chloe (Katelyn Reich).

José also leaves to mourn his brothers Fernando (Pam) and family and Luiz (Kim Felix) and family.

José was predeceased by his parents and nephew Rob Vicente.

José grew up in Bladworth, going to school there and then finishing high school in Davidson. He attended the University of Saskatchewan where he studied one year in Arts and Science. José then went to work for CN Rail and later worked in maintenance at Panther Industries in Davidson. José was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs fan and proud supporter of the Portuguese National soccer team. He loved to socialize and some of his favourite moments were spent with family, especially granddaughter Chloe.

The Mass of Christian Burial was held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Davidson on Saturday, August 18 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Father Joseph-Gyim Austin, celebrant. Interment was held at the Bladworth Community Cemetery.

For those so wishing, memorial donations in memory of José can be directed to the Bladworth Elks, Bladworth Cemetery Fund and the Davidson Health Trust Foundation.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson in care of arrangements.

Davidson

MP opposes changes to federal riding

The new federal electoral map proposed last week by the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Saskatchewan has drawn the ire of a local MP.

Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre Member of Parliament Tom Lukiwski said the new map creates an “us versus them mentality” between constituents in urban and rural ridings, not to mention increasing the size of the rural districts to such a point that it will reduce the effectiveness of a MP to be responsible for their whole area of coverage.

“The best way to have representation, effective representation in Saskatchewan, is to have members of parliament to have both portions of urban and rural in their ridings where possible, because the economy of Saskatchewan is so intertwined in the rural and urban centres,” said Lukiwski, Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader.

“It just makes sense to have MPs who are totally conversant and knowledgeable about issues in both the urban and rural portions of the province.”

The proposed electoral map up for consideration at public hearings this fall is set to establish two exclusively urban electoral districts in Regina and three in Saskatoon. The remaining nine ridings will remain primarily rural, including Lukiwski’s.

The difference is Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre would almost double in size taking over the majority of the Blackstrap riding currently held by Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, as well as an area around and including Moose Jaw, currently named as the Palliser riding and held by Ray Boughen.

“Constituents want to personally meet with Members of Parliament,” said Lukiwski. “They want members to attend certain events in their home communities and by increasing the size of the rural riding by such a dramatic amount, it really would reduce the amount MPs could spend in all the areas of their riding.”

Under the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, every 10 years in Canada since Confederation, an electoral boundaries commission is set up in each province to redraw electoral districts according to population shifts. This is done after each census is completed, the last being in 2011, which noted Saskatchewan’s population has increased from 978,933 to 1,033,381 over the last decade.

John Courtney, a member of the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission for Saskatchewan, said the new electoral map was proposed due to the change in population densities in areas within the province. He said communities of interest, historical factors, transportation lines and natural geographic boundaries such as rivers and mountains are also taken into consideration when creating a new map.

“Some areas obviously grow, some decline, others remain stable and some parts of the country are overrepresented and some are underrepresented,” said Courtney. “It’s simply to try to keep, in tandem with the population shifts, the parliamentary seat distribution pretty well equal from decade to decade.”

To read more please see the August 13 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan