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The Davidson Leader is available at these fine retailers: Davidson – Stedmans, Shell, Riverbend Co-op Gas Bar and Food Store, The Davidson Leader; Kenaston: KC Distributors.
DAVIDSON—People hoping to see work begin on safety improvements at Davidson’s busy Highway 11 intersections will have to wait at least another year.
Those spots were not among the projects highlighted in the provincial budget that was table last Wednesday in the provincial legislature.
The Saskatchewan government announced it was investing $20 million in safety improvements on provincial highways in 2019-2020. Of that, $13 million will be spent in the first year of a five-year $65 million enhanced intersection safety program and $7 million for a safety improvement program. The budget will see $706 million spent on Saskatchewan’s highways with $351 million of that for capital projects. There is $60 million earmarked to begin, continue or complete twinning and passing lanes.
The intersections on Highway 11 at Davidson are not included in this program.
Arm River MLA Greg Brkich said the Department of Highways is studying the intersections in conjunction with the Town of Davidson to determine what to do.
He said this includes considering a request for a reduced speed limit zone on Highway 11.
“It’s on the radar screen,” Brkich said.
The 2019-2020 budget projects revenues of $15.03 billion, a 5.5 per cent increase from last year. This assumes revenues will be slightly higher than last year with the West Texas Intermediate oil price around $59.75 per barrel and potash prices at $221 per KCI (potassium chloride) tonne. Expenses are estimated at $14.99 billion, an increase of 2.6 per cent from last year. This could change if there are crop failures or forest fires or other unforeseen calamities.
“It’s a good balanced budget for the people of the province,” Brkich said. “This is what we have worked towards.”
He said Saskatchewan is one of the few provinces in the country with a balanced budget.
The budget predicts a $34.4 million surplus.
“We had a tough budget two years ago,” Brkich said of the 2017-2018 budget that saw deep spending cuts in the face of falling resource revenues. Brkich said that budget laid the foundation for the province, which is still on a path of slow, steady growth.
The provincial government is calling this year’s financial plan “The Right Balance”.
At $5.89 billion, health care is the greatest expense in the budget. The Saskatchewan Health Authority received an $113 million increase to bring its funding up to $3.6 billion. The province is increasing funding for targeted mental health and addictions initiatives by $29.8 million. The province will now spend $402 on mental health and addictions.
Education received a slight 0.6 per cent increase in funding. Total spending on education is $3.28 billion. School divisions will receive $26.2 million more than last year to bring this total to $1.9 billion.
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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Frances Verlee Lund was born in Young, SK. on May 16, 1936. She grew up in Davidson, married Roy Ziefflie in 1955 and together they raised a family of six. After Roy’s passing in 1981 Verlee moved to Saskatoon. She married William Bate in 1985. She worked at many jobs throughout her life including telephone operator, care aid in the Davidson home and hospital and medical receptionist. She was especially proud of becoming an LPN in 1983 and working for various homecare companies. After retirement, she continued volunteering and caring for elderly friends. Verlee’s early years were filled with figure skating, curling and cultivating life-long friendships. Music was a large part of her life and she enjoyed everything from church hymns to jazz and pop. She was especially close to her sister Elaine and together they attended the Jazz Festival, made Christmas cake and traveled to visit their brother Perry. Verlee painted, played the organ and loved having her large family over for holiday meals. She loved to watch old movies, TV shows and sports and recently learned to play bridge. She was a devout Christian and spoke fondly of her Bible study group. Verlee felt all meals should be shared with loved ones, perfectly cooked and always said that she hoped there was eating in heaven. Verlee was predeceased by her parents Ralph and Frances Lund, stepmother Edna Lund, first husband Roy Ziefflie, second husband Bill Bate, and son David Ziefflie. She leaves to mourn her sister Elaine (Norbert) Reich; brother Perry (Ardene) Lund; children Lee (Jordan) Ward, Tim (Mary) Ziefflie, Jille Ziefflie, Roxanne (Eldon)Ziefflie, and Scott Ziefflie; grandchildren Dan (Becky) Ward, Paul Ward, Corey (Joelyn) Ward, Matthew (Amy)Ward, Rebecca Ward, Brook (Kathrina) Byrns, Alyssa (Dave) Byrns, Mackenzie (Ryan) Byrns, Jessika (Alex) Agioritis, and Karissa Ziefflie; seven great-grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces. Verlee passed away peacefully after a brief illness on March 15, 2019. Her children would like to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for Verlee the last few months. The celebration of Verlee’s life was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 2 p.m. at the Rock of Ages Lutheran Brethren Church, 130 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon. Burial will be a private family ceremony at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillcrestmemorial.ca Arrangements entrusted to Carley Brown. Hillcrest Funeral Home & Cemetery 306-477-4400.
Dr. Gordon Hilton Spencer, 95 years old, passed away on March 14, 2019, in Calgary, Alberta. Born on the farm near Penzance, Sask.; the youngest of eight children to Harriet and Nigel Spencer. Gordon practiced veterinary medicine in the Westlake Veterinary District as well as managing the family farm. Gordon married Muriel Martin from Watrous, Sask, in 1950. They started their family of five children on the farm before moving to the town of Craik in 1961. Gordon was very active in the community giving his time to such activities as teaching Sunday School, leading the youth group, steering the Lions Band, and leading the 4-H calf and horse clubs. In 1969 Gordon moved the family to Saskatoon, when he accepted a position with the Government of Canada, Department of Agriculture, Meat Inspection Division. In 1973, he accepted a position in Calgary as the Assistant Veterinarian with the Meat Inspection Division and later promoted to Supervisor, Central Alberta and Northwest Territories. Gordon retired 1988.
In Calgary, Gordon was a respected member of the Deer Park United Church. Gordon was a church elder and helped coordinate the seniors club for many years.
Gordon leaves behind his wife, Muriel, of 68 years and all five children; Dawn (Paul), Richard, Merle (Bruce), Owen (Barb), and Jenny (Mark). Nine very much loved grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Gordon’s family would like to thank the staff at Revera MacKenzie Towne for the care they gave Gordon.
A celebration of Gordon’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. March 30, 2019 at Deer Park United Church; officiated by Rev. Tom Melvin. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mustard Seed Calgary
DAVIDSON—When Rose Spratt saw water bubbling up out of the snow as she closed the curtains of her front window before going to bed the night of Feb. 27, she had a moment when she doubted her sanity.
It was about minus 20 degrees and the last thing she expected to see was water coming up out of the snow-covered ground.
She put on her glasses.
The view didn’t improve, but the eyeglasses at least confirmed she was of sound mind.
She was looking at a serious watermain break.
“I phoned the town right away,” she said. “I’m thankful I did because we could have had a flood here.”
Water was seeping under the snow and beginning to flood the yard central yard of the Davidson Housing Authority units on Hamilton Street. The water had reached the sidewalks at the edge of the units.
Spratt said Davidson Public Works arrived on the scene immediately and turned off the water supply to the senior social housing complex that is home to four one-bedroom duplex units.
That was the start of 12-day wait for the simple pleasure of running water. Residents were without running water from Feb. 27 until March 11. The problem was caused by the failure of corroded cast iron bolts and saddles that connect the units’ water supply pipes to the cast iron watermain.
To read the full story, please consider purchasing the March 18, 2019 edition of The Davidson Leader. The Davidson Leader is available at these fine retailers: Davidson – Stedmans, Shell, Riverbend Co-op Gas Bar and Food Store, The Davidson Leader; Craik: Palliser Plains Co-op Food Store; Kenaston: KC Distributors.
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The Davidson Raiders will play for a 1A Provincial High School Basketball Championship March 22 and 23 in Saskatoon. The Raiders won the Regional Final in Davidson last Saturday to advance to the Provincial championship tournament. Their first game is Friday, March 22, 6 p.m. against Middle Lake at Centennial Collegiate. They expect to see a Sea of Blue in the stands!