By Joel van der Veen

MOOSE JAW — Canada’s political landscape shifted dramatically following Monday’s federal election, but voters in Davidson and area awoke Tuesday to find their local outlook was, on the surface, much the same.

Conservative Tom Lukiwski, who has represented the area federally since 2004, sailed to victory in the new riding of Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, receiving 55.5 per cent of the vote.

He easily defeated his nearest opponent, the NDP’s Dustan Hlady, who garnered 23.8 per cent of the vote.

Entering his fifth term as an MP, Lukiwski is a familiar face to voters in the district. However, he now finds himself not only representing a different riding, but also headed to a different side of the House of Commons.

The Conservatives will form the official opposition, as the Liberal Party under leader Justin Trudeau moved from third place to power, taking 184 seats and claiming a majority win with 39.5 per cent support.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced his resignation as party leader, issuing a press release before the night’s end, as his party was reduced to 99 seats and 31.9 per cent support.

Speaking to supporters in Moose Jaw on Monday, Lukiwski pledged that he and his colleagues would accept their new roles with fervour.

“We will persevere, and we’ll be a very good opposition,” he said, adding that he wants to be as effective as possible in co-operating with the Liberals.

“I want to work with them,” he said. “I’m a little bit concerned about Prime Minister Trudeau . . . I’m not sure if he’s got the experience.”

Still, Lukiwski said, he and the Conservatives accept the election results — noting that “voters are never wrong” — and he hopes to be able to have a positive effect on forthcoming legislation from the new government.

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Lukiwski’s supporters were gathered at the Eagles Club hall on Moose Jaw’s South Hill when the candidate made his appearance around 9 p.m.

The mood was subdued as attendees watched the televised results — pleased with the local outcome, but disappointed to see the national party’s fall from power.

Campaign manager Amos Dowler said things had gone smoothly over the past 11 weeks, with a strong team and a positive response from voters.

“Everything that we did and the strategy that we laid out went exactly to plan,” he said. “It was long, we were all happy it’s over . . . (but) it’s certainly well worth the effort.”

Dowler said the campaign focused on “natural events” in the riding until Labour Day, observing, “A lot of people aren’t focused till then . . . They’re more worried about barbecues, or enjoying the lake or cabin.”

A Q&A session with agricultural producers in Duval, where guests had the opportunity to ask questions directly to Lukiwski and to former ag minister Gerry Ritz, drew a large crowd on Oct. 13.

During his victory speech, Lukiwski noted that he put 10,000 kilometres on his car during the campaign.

“I was campaigning on unchartered territory,” he said, noting that the win was gratifying, but “it’s more humbling than anything else.”

In thanking his campaign team, he offered particular gratitude to sign co-ordinator Butch Lasek, whose team installed hundreds of signs across the riding.

“When we had that big wind a few weeks ago,” Lukiwski recalled with a smile, “we had to go back over all that territory and put them all back up again.”

On Monday, Lukiwski expressed a desire to co-operate with the Liberals but warned that it would be “sheer folly” to back out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

Reflecting on the Conservatives’ loss, he said it was clear that voters desired change and that feeling was “too powerful” to overcome. He added that the final result was the greatest surprise of the campaign.

Hlady called the Conservative campaign sometime after 9 p.m. to offer his congratulations to Lukiwski, who noted he had not had such a call from an opponent since the 2004 election.

“I told him it showed a lot of class,” he said, adding that Hlady ran a good campaign and “did his party proud.”

Lukiwski said his first priority will be to set up a constituency office in Moose Jaw, noting that he will have at least one additional office in the northern part of the riding, likely in one of the communities along Highway 11.

While receiving fewer votes overall than in 2011, Lukiwski increased his percentage of the popular vote from the previous election, when he took 53 per cent in Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre.

For the full story, including an interview with second-place finisher Dustan Hlady and reports from the Student Vote at Davidson School, please see the Oct. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — It’s only a matter of time before parking congestion on Garfield Street leads to a collision, Coun. Kim Williams told her colleagues during Tuesday’s town council meeting.

“We are going to have such an accident there,” she said, referring to the busy intersection of Garfield and First streets.

The combination of angle parking on one block and parallel parking on the next has led to reduced visibility and impaired traffic flow, she said, noting that Garfield Street is designated as an emergency route to Davidson Health Centre.

Though Williams was firmly supported by Coun. Mandy Tichit, other councillors were not persuaded, and a motion to restrict parking on an adjacent block was rejected.

The intersection sees frequent traffic during the day. Three of the four corners are occupied by Affinity Credit Union, the seniors centre and Dellene Church’s law practice, with other major businesses situated nearby.

Though Williams expressed concern about Davidson EMS being able to reach the hospital quickly, assistant administrator Donna Bessey said the EMS staff has not indicated any concerns to the town. Town staff also weren’t aware of any recent collisions there.

While he did not dispute the issue, Coun. Jason Shaw said the intersection is one among many trouble spots in town.

“There’s big parking concerns everywhere,” he said. “I’m just wondering, where do we draw the line?”

Williams suggested several options, including banning parking on both sides or installing a four-way stop, but ultimately made a motion to restrict parking on the south side of Garfield Street within a short distance from the intersection.

Tichit seconded the motion, but with no other councillors in support, the motion was defeated.

Administrator Gary Edom said that a change to the traffic bylaw would be needed in order to restrict parking along a particular street.

For the full report, please see the Oct. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — If there’s one thing new arrivals to town have all noticed, it’s the waving.

Mary Beeson, who arrived in December, said she’s frequently been on the receiving end of waves from other Davidson residents, which sets the town apart and also serves as a good memory test.

“You think, ‘Do I know that guy?’,” said Beeson, adding that it’s part of the town’s nature. “People are a lot friendlier.”

Tariq Islam, who arrived here from Bangladesh on June 1, similarly observed how Davidson folks are quick to greet each other.

Though a recent arrival, he said he has already made friends among his neighbours at the Wheatland Apartments and his co-workers at Panther Industries.

It seems natural, given the town’s reputation, that its churches have made a tradition of hosting an annual event to meet and welcome newcomers.

Davidson’s Fall Family Friendship Night was held Wednesday night at the Sacred Heart parish hall, drawing about 70 people. This included recent arrivals as well as organizers and longtime residents.

Members of the Davidson Inter-Church Association take turns organizing the event, first held in 1993. This year,

Davidson Community Bible Church (DCBC) and Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church kept things running smoothly.

DCBC pastor Lucas Branstetter was the evening’s emcee. Cookies and beverages were served, and organizers Dana Gayle Dahl and Lana Schmiedge introduced the newcomers.

Prizes for adults and children were given away in draws, while information on local programs, services and attractions was offered on a back table.

Mayor Clayton Schneider welcomed everyone, speaking briefly on how Davidson has bucked the trend of small-town decline with growing business and increased school enrollment.

Eight of the “Ukeladies” performed for the crowd, singing several songs while accompanying themselves on ukeleles. Sandra Zoerb introduced the group, acknowledging that the concept sounds like “something from Laugh-In.”

A worship band from DCBC then took the stage and played several Christian praise songs. Branstetter joked that organizers had tried to hire AC/DC, but there was some confusion with the booking agent.

Around 30 newcomers, including families, couples and singles, were invited. Of those, about 10 attended on Wednesday night.

Lana Schmiedge said this was a smaller number than in previous years, but added that organizers were pleased with the response regardless.

“We had lots of community people come out to welcome our newcomers,” she said. “I think we had a good turnout.”

For the full story, please see the Oct. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader.