Dawson Trail Dispatch March 2011

Vita Student Wins Award

By Marianne Curtis

“Yes I Can” scholarship winner Candace Maxymowich said she is especially grateful to her mentor Michelle Gawronsky for influencing her life and motivating her to follow her dreams.

Train Derails Near Woodridge

A grade 12 student from Shevechencko School in Vita was recently awarded a scholarship from the Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children.

On February 24, 17-year-old Candace Maxymowich was awarded the, “Yes I can Award”, which is an academic scholarship from the Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children. The Manitoba Council for Exceptional Children is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of effective practice in educating students with exceptional needs in Manitoba.

At a special event in Winnipeg, Maxymowich was presented a scholarship worth $750.00. The “Yes I Can Award” supports students from Manitoba who are pursuing a career directly related to working with persons with exceptionalities. To be considered she had to write a resume and an essay about her community involvement and what and where she sees herself in the future.

“My volunteer experience has convinced me further to follow a career working in the health care field,” Maxymowich said. “In the fall I plan to attend Brandon University with the goal of becoming a Psychiatric Nurse. I would like to work in the Selkirk Mental Health Centre and hope to open a young wilderness program for young women in emotional distress.”

Maxymowich explained that her interest in the field grew from volunteering at the Vita and District Health Center and other areas in South Eastman Health.

Continued on page 2

There were some tense moments outside the community of Woodridge on February 8 when a CN freight train derailed shortly after 6 a.m.

A total of nine cars on an eastbound train jumped the track. Seven cars were carrying lumber and the other two were empty.

The accident took place in an isolated area and traffic was not affected.

There were no injuries.

CN crews and investigators were on scene clearing the tracks and looking for the reason for the derailment. A cause of the accident has not been released.

Auxiliary to Host Mid-March Book Sale Book lovers and collectors alike should mark their calendars for March 23 to 26 because the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary Book sale will be taking place at the Clearspring Centre in Steinbach.

Over the past month volunteers have been sorting thousands of books and other reading materials collected for resale at the annual auxiliary book sale.

Verna Thiessen from the Bethesda Auxiliary said there are thousands of books, records, tapes, magazines, puzzles, and games priced to be sold.

Money raised during the 4-day event is earmarked for special purchases that benefit the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. This year’s goal is to raise a good portion of the $70,000 needed to purchase a gamma probe that will be used at the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. The specialized equipment is used primarily for sentinel lymph node mapping and parathyroid surgery.

The Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary started hosting the annual book sale several years ago and has raised well over $100,000 for a variety of medical equipment needed in the region. Since 1980, the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary has presented nearly $400,000 worth of equipment to Bethesda Hospital.

Cash donations are also being accepted. They can be mailed to the Bethesda Health Care Auxiliary at 316 Henry Street, Steinbach R5G 0P9.

La Broquerie Ousts Administrator

By Marianne Curtis The RM of La Broquerie is once again on the hunt for a new chief administrator after John Livingston was relieved of his duties at the beginning of February.

RM of La Broquerie Reeve Claude Lussier confirmed that his council has terminated a contract that was only signed in the fall by the former council.

“I can’t comment on why he was dismissed,” Lussier stated. “He has been relieved of his duties and he will be compensated according to his contract.”

Continued on page 2

2

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Roseau River Accepts $80.6 Million Settlement

By Marianne Curtis In a historic vote the Roseau River First Nation has approved a multi-million dollar land settlement package.

On February 8 a vast majority of the community’s registered members voted to accept the $80.6 million settlement from the federal government in a land dispute that goes back more than 100 years. The money is compensation for 12 large sections of land that the band was pressured to open up to farmers and settlers in what is known as the 1903 Surrender.

Armed Robbery in Steinbach On February 16 at approximately 9:15 a.m. the RCMP in Steinbach responded to a report of a robbery at the UPS store on Brandt Street in Steinbach. At the scene RCMP determined a male suspect entered the store wearing a balaclava over his face and confronted the lone store clerk, advised him that he had a gun and demanded that he turn over money. No gun was actually seen. Once the male obtained the money from the clerk he ran out the back door. A police dog attended but was unsuccessful in locating the suspect.

The suspect was described as being around 5 feet, 7 inches tall. He had a medium build and was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and black shoes.

The suspect may also have a darker complexion.

Video surveillance from the area showed the possible suspect running from the area. The individual attempted to run across Loewen Boulevard in Steinbach and was almost struck by a passing car. He then crossed the street and was seen running north towards Highway 12.

RCMP in Steinbach are requesting that anyone who may have observed this person or anyone with knowledge of this robbery to contact the Steinbach RCMP at (204) 326-1234 or to contact Crime Stoppers.

“While no settlement is perfect and no trust structure is acceptable to everyone, we have achieved an overwhelming positive vote.”

Chief Terrance Nelson is pleased that his band’s members voted to accept the settlement.

“We believe we negotiated a good settlement amount, over $10,000 for every acre that was lost.

The leadership is recommending the settlement,” Nelson explained. “The people have spoken and it is a clear mandate.”

Included in the agreement is a Per Capita Distribution of $5,000 to every Tribal member. Up to $13 million is set aside for the Per Capita Distribution for projects such as housing and education.

“While no settlement is perfect and no trust structure is acceptable to everyone, we have achieved an overwhelming positive vote,” added Nelson.

Out of 1,444 eligible voters – 929 voters participated in the referendum.

However, the Band may now have to wait another year before they will see any payout on the agreement after allegations have surfaced.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada have received an objection from a band member over the voting process. The objection alleges that band members were forced to vote on the same day as a settlement information session was held and that voters were paid $50 to cast their ballots. The man filing the complaint alleges that could be construed as votebuying.

At the time of the vote band officials said the $50 was offered to cover transportation costs.

La Broquerie continued...

Continued from page 1 Livingston was initially hired by the municipality as acting administrator in October 2009. In September, a two year contract was signed between council and the administrator.

While the majority of council agreed with the decision to terminate Livingston, both Councilors Ron Hamilton and Darrell Unger voted against the decision.

This is not the first time that Livingston has been terminated without a public explanation. Prior to his arrival in La Broquerie he worked for the City of Selkirk for 17 years as director of finance until his employment was terminated without a public explanation.

Meanwhile, the RM of La Broquerie has designated newly hired assistant administrator Claude Moquin as acting administrator until a replacement can be found. Moquin, a former municipal councillor, was hired as the new assistant administrator at the end of December.

Until the municipality hires a new administrator they have also appointed Roger A. Bouvier as a municipal advisor to council. He will receive compensation at a rate of $60 per hour plus mileage for working alongside council until the position is no longer vacant.

It would appear that the RM of La Broquerie council is cleaning house in other areas as well. As of the beginning of January the council laid off the public works foreman, two public works employees and dismissed a third. Since the October election the municipality also lost their assistant administrator and building inspector.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

RCMP “Name The Puppy Contest” 2011 Are you one of the lucky young people to name a future working police dog? This is your chance to find out. Canada’s national police force invites all young people from coast-to-coast-to-coast to name ten German shepherd puppies born at the Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC) in Innisfail, Alberta. The deadline for entries is March 7. Contest winners and prizes will be announced on April 4.

Winning names will be chosen by the PDSTC staff. A draw will determine the winning entry in the event of multiple submissions of the same name.

“In 2010, the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre (PDSTC), ‘Depot’ Division, received over 9,000 individual entries,” said Inspector Lawrence Aimoe, the officer-in-charge of the Centre. “This contest provides a tremendous opportunity for Canadian children to take part in a police program that saves lives and protects their neighborhood.” Young people are encouraged to be original and imaginative in finding names that will serve these puppies well in their career with Canada’s national police force. When thinking of names, it is important to keep in mind that these are working police dogs, not pets.

Contest rules are simple: - Contestants can suggest only one name (one entry per person). The name may be for a male or a female pup.

- The name must start with the letter “D”.

- The name must have no more than nine letters.

- The name must be one or two syllables.

- Contestants must live in Canada and be16 years old and under.

To enter, contestants must print their name, age, address, telephone number and the suggested name for a puppy on a postcard and mail it to: Attn: “Name the Puppy Contest” Police Dog Service Training Centre Box 6120 Innisfail, AB T4G 1S8 The RCMP will accept more than one entry per household provided that each participant submits one name per postcard. Although there can be only ten winners, names not selected for the contest will be considered for other puppies born during the year.

The PDSTC is home to the RCMP national police dog training program and is a proud member of “Depot” Division – the RCMP Academy. As a result of the Centre’s breeding program there are more than 160 RCMP breeding program dogs working as police dogs within the force, as well as within other partner agencies.

Vita Student continued...

Continued from page 1 “I enjoy volunteering in the personal care home setting and assisting and entertaining the elderly residents,” she added.

While Maxymowich appreciates the award, she said there was one thing that made receiving it extra special.

“Seeing the pride in my family and friend’s faces meant more to me than receiving this award,” she added.

The ambitious teenager sees herself eventually running for municipal, provincial, or federal government office.

“I will be attending the Forum for Young Canadians in Ottawa from February 27th to March 4th where I will have the special privilege of sitting in both the House of Commons and Senate,” Maxymowich noted. “I will meet the nation’s leaders, interact with decision-makers, and debate contemporary issues.”

In May she will also be participating in the Youth Parliament of Manitoba.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Flood Forecast Concerns Ste. Genevieve Residents

By Marianne Curtis It has been a quiet few months in Ste. Genevieve but spring flood forecasts have started to raise alarm bells for area residents, many still waiting for answers after last year’s flooding.

Last year, several residents from the Ste. Genevieve area started asking the RM of Tache for help but little was actually achieved. Carmen Allard, spokesperson for the group, said that residents are hoping that this spring will be different.

“We are back in full swing in our efforts with regards to the water issues in our area,” stated Allard.

“With the recent provincial forecast of massive flooding in the spring we are ramping up and are back on track putting pressure on the RM and provincial officials to get the lead out.”

Issues that have been raised by the group include insufficient drainage and wrong sized culverts.

Beavers and plugged ditches, in addition to two soil companies allegedly pumping water out from behind their dikes, are also causing problems. She added that last summer, after heavy rains, a few of the roads remained impassable for several weeks.

“Due to extensive road closures our emergency vehicles have to make up to a 9 mile detour to reach properties that are less than a mile away from the fire hall, which in turn could cost a resident their home or, worse yet, a loved one,” stressed Allard. “This is not acceptable.”

Despite calling meetings, talking to Cooks Creek Conservation District, the municipality and several government officials, the residents in Ste. Genevieve remain frustrated.

March 2011

3

Richert Takes on Italy

By Marianne Curtis Niverville raised race car driver David Richert has signed with Team Torino Motorsport in Italy for the 2011 race season. Richert will contest several events in the very quick Formula Renault race car at some of the most prestigious race tracks in the world, including races at Imola and Monza.

“I am very excited to climb back into a single-seater race car and to be able to do that in Italy is going to be a dream come true,” said Richert.

“This is a great opportunity to advance my racing career and I am looking forward to the challenge.”

Marco Braghero, Team Manager of Team Torino Motorsport, is looking forward to working with Richert.

“He is a successful Canadian race car driver with a lot of experience and we are honored to have him,” stated Braghero.

Twenty-eight year old Richert said that this achievement places him exactly where he needs to be if he wants to continue his dream.

“A lot of young talented drivers who have come out of this category have achieved a higher level of racing – this is exactly where I need to be right now,” he adds.

Two years ago, Richert ended a two year racing career as a Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup race car driver, which gave him valuable experience. In his second year he finished the season in 15th place

Twenty-eight year old race car driver David Richert from Niverville will be steering one of these Team Torino Formula 1 cars during the upcoming race season in Italy.

based on overall points.

“It helped me really build the ground floor of my racing career – I really learned the business side of the sport and the better you are at it, then the further you get in your career,” Richert explained. “You not only have to be good on the track but you have to be the business end of it.”

Richert will take part in several test days in April prior to his first 2 races at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola at the beginning of May. The circuit has hosted many years of Formula 1 World Championship events and was the location of a weekend of tragic events in 1994 which took the

life of F1 legend Ayrton Senna.

The Formula Renault 2.0 has been the race car of choice for many of today’s top drivers in launching their careers. The race car is capable of accelerating from 0 to 160 km/h in 4.85 seconds and braking from 200 km/h to a stop in 4.6 seconds.

Hometown Manitoba Improves Quality of Life in La Verendrye

MLA urges communities apply for support before March 15 deadline

Ron Lemieux, MLA for La Verendrye and Minister of Local Government, is encouraging area businesses and communities to take advantage of Hometown Manitoba, a program that is helping improve rural neighborhoods across Manitoba.

“We all want to make our neighborhoods stronger and that’s why we created the Hometown Program,” said Lemieux. “Together we’re improving street fronts, parks, day care centres, recreation centres, seniors centers and museums in communities like ours.”

Last year, Hometown Manitoba helped support several projects in La Verendrye including: - Clubhouse improvements at Richer Community Club, - Support for painting the Giroux UFM Co-op Society, - Improvements to the façade of church operated by Friends of Prayer Inc. The application deadline for the Hometown Manitoba Program is March 15.

To learn more, download the Hometown Manitoba Program Guide at www.manitoba.ca/agriculture/ri.

4

More Than Just News!

March 2011

Dawson Trail Dispatch

It Should Be the “Time of the Drones” It looks more and more that the battle plan for the next election will be fought partly on corporate tax cuts. Are you for those cuts or against them? The Federal corporate tax rate is now at 18 percent. The theory goes, cut the rates and jobs will grow. Sounds good, but in fact it’s a crock. We have exceeded and passed that bang for that buck. Let us expose a wee bit of corporate indifference to the economy. In 1981 the corporate tax rate was a whopping 36 percent creating 11.5 percent of new investment in the economy from their profits. In 1990 the invested percentage was down to 10.8 percent with the tax at 28 percent.

The tax is now 10 points less but the reinvestments have not been improving and corporate taxes collected are less by billions of dollars. Sorry for this run of dry figures but thanks for staying with me.

Needless to say, Canadian corporations are very profitable and are being bought and sold like Monopoly properties. Profits are the name of the game. If jobs

happen to be created it’s only an accidental consequence and, more often than not, management jobs increase only in the new off shore headquarters with manufacturing jobs increasing in a completely different off shore location. The new world economy is mobile and very profitable but any and all local economies are at their mercy.

They have zilch loyalty to their roots which are us. I am not against profits, providing they benefit all fairly.

I do not suggest that corporate taxes be raised but they do not deserve another cut because we, the individual taxpayers, are footing a larger and larger part of the tax bill. We pay for health, welfare, infrastructure, aid and social security, etc., and, as it turns out, an exorbitantly large amount of taxes go toward their entitlements, towards accumulated corporate profits and share dividends, and these, by and large, do not necessarily stay in Canada. The Canadian government is starting to make me feel like a sucker and I am not

amused.

Many of us come from a generation that had a Puritan virtue outlook towards work.

Rewards we knew, were down the road, but we were productive. We have seen the change towards the consumerism economy. Now the order of the day must be instant gratification which, of course, can only survive with cash or debt. We have seen what debt and speculation has done to our economy. The destruction has not been pretty. To continue solely down the consumerism road does not seem prudent. It would be equivalent to a young couple expressing their undying love for each other with tattoos.

Sexy now, but 40 years passes oh too quickly, and “I Love

Ste. Anne Hospital Expansion I am very pleased to confirm that there is currently a public tender out for the Ste. Anne Hospital expansion. This will be awarded this spring so that construction can be completed this summer.

Since 1999, we have invested to build, renovate and modernize over 100 health facilities around the province and bring services closer to home. The hospital expansion in Ste. Anne is part of that plan and I was pleased to learn that in late January, the South Eastman RHA issued the tender for this important project to find a construction firm to build the hospital expansion. The expanded operating room capacity will be important not only to residents in Ste. Anne, but also in surrounding communities as this helps to solidify Ste. Anne Hospital as a regional surgical center.

The NDP government has a long commitment to health. This includes a commitment to everyone in Manitoba having access to a family doctor by 2015. For Manitobans without a family doctor, this will help them get one. For families that already have a family doctor, this will help patients get in to see their doctor faster, when they need to.

More family doctors are clearly needed, but Manitobans also know that there are often times they don’t need to see a family doctor. That’s why nurse practitioners, nurses and other providers are vital to our plan.

We also believe that all Manitobans deserve access to high-quality health care close to home, which means government must continue to recruit doctors to rural areas. According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons, there are 111 more doctors in rural Manitoba than in 1999 (609 today, up from 498 in 1999).

This has been supported with increasing medical school from 70 to 110 spaces, working with the U of M to adjust admission guidelines to medical school to increase rural recruitment, and developing rural recruitment and retention grants for doctors.

As part of our plan to provide all Manitobans that want one with a family doctor by 2015, we announced in late 2010 that starting this Sept, the province will fully cover the costs of medical school for students that agree to work for up to 2.5 years in underserviced communities, mostly in rural and northern areas.

$16 million long term care investment Manitoba families will also benefit from enhanced access to home-care services, more affordable supportive-housing options and an expansion of personal-care home (PCH) beds under a renewed long-term care plan.

The provincial plan includes a two-year, $16-million investment that will provide: - more home-care supports for those older adults that need support to help them live at home longer; - an innovative new rehabilitation program to help seniors regain and maintain their independence following surgery or injury, and also delay or prevent untimely or inappropriate placement in a personal-care home; and - a new income-protection benefit of up to $295 per month to make supportive housing an affordable alternative to PCH placement for low-income seniors.

This builds on Manitoba’s investments in long-term care since 1999 that have resulted in: - more than 400 additional personal-care home beds; - over 500 new supportive housing units; - expanded home-care services for thousands more seniors; - a caregiver tax credit of $1,020 for caregivers of home-care clients; - new supports for approximately 3,500 seniors in group living including assistance with transportation and daily activities; - improved quality of care in PCHs with more than 500 new staff hired since 2007; - quality standards legislated in 2005; and - the creation of the Protection of Persons in Care Office in 2001.

As always, I appreciate hearing your comments and thoughts on these and other provincial initiatives. I encourage you to contact me by e-mail (rlemieuxmla@mts.net), by phone (878-4644), or by mail at 101-1309 Dawson Road, Box 517, Lorette, MB R0A 0Y0 and together we can continue to move La Verendrye and Manitoba forward.

Mary” in a large heart shape sags to a severely expanded and distended hairy mid-riff, while “George forever” is now perched , oh heaven forbid, at the swell of perky breast then one day disappears to 3 degrees south of her belly button. This disaster prompting George and Mary to participate in the economy by having their tattoos removed and changing their names to Josephine and Effraim.

But, if the economy needs stimulation I could suggest a tax cut to us, the workers and selfemployed that now make up the vast majority of the workforce and the economy, and if we have a profit to spend it stays in the community. I propose a tax cut with a twist. Your first 40 hours a week we carry on as usual and pay for our obligations to Canada, that includes grinning and bearing on the portion we pay in the collective pot while large corporations duck the issue and think of this as their feudal rights. But after the 40 hours I would like overtime free and clear, no deductions. Yah, I can hear all the naysayers now.

The aggressive workers will monopolize all the jobs. That’s the point, shock troops in the economy. This tax free income would be quickly reinvested or spent, would decrease the amount of borrowed money in the market and again increase the available pool of money to invest. Creating, in a short time, a shortage of labor and exposing the need for cajoling,

training and incentives to induce marginal workers to join in the fun.

Not much would change in that sector. With a little imagination the government could induce us to pool our extra tax free cash and invest into desired areas such as infrastructure, which would return them about $1.50 for each of our collective $1.00 invested. Anybody ever hear of toll roads and bridges?

Well, we wouldn’t sell you the bridge but we most certainly want you to use it. Do you think they could get that from another two percent reduction in the corporate tax rate? You can rest assured that they would only get donations to their political coffers while we will have to make up the slack and get zip.

Many people already work more than 40 hours a week: owners of small businesses, lawyers, accountants, truckers, doctors, farmers and quality workers that their bosses find indispensible (clearing snow comes to mind). This list goes on and on. But the argument is, who could light a sustained fire in the economy, large corporations or us who live, work, play and take all the necessary risks to build a community? We know by the statistics that the choice of government to favor large corporations has become ineffective, so then give us, the drones, a crack at it. Is there a political party out there willing to give us a hand? Or do we just stand here and say, “Please sir can I have another crumb?”

Serving the communities along the historic Dawson Trail and beyond.

The Dawson Trail Dispatch is a monthly newspaper distributed free of charge to 50 Southeastern Manitoba communities.

Published by: One One Consultants Inc. Box 308, Richer, MB R0E 1S0 Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Dan Guetre, Managing Editor One One Consultants Inc., Publisher News Writers: Marianne Curtis, and Dan Guetre Columnists: Lee Guetre, Peter Friesen, Anni Markmann, Peter Martens, Production/Design: Dan Guetre, Myriam Dyck, Linda Bennett and Wilma Priebe Advertising: Karen Jorgenson and Dan Guetre

For Advertising Call: Phone: (204) 422-8548 Fax: (204) 422-9768 Email: sales@dawsontrail.ca Subscriptions: $29.95 annually plus GST for Canadian Subscriptions. $52.95 annually for International Subscriptions

Canada Post Agreement Number 42079020

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

When Will Enough Be Enough?

Many residents in the southeast part of the province including the La Verendrye area will be paying a direct cost for the NDP government’s decision to put the new Bi-Pole III transmission line through the region.

That’s because for many in the region, the transmission towers are scheduled to go right over their farmland and near their homes.

This would be a hard enough decision to take under ideal circumstances, but this decision is far from ideal.

Almost every group that has examined this decision, from engineers to taxpayer protection organizations to Manitoba Hydro itself has said the line should be coming from northern Manitoba down the east side of Lake Winnipeg to the converter station near Winnipeg.

The fact that the NDP have mandated that the line should go across the north, down the far western part of the province near Saskatchewan, through the flood prone Red River Valley and through southeastern Manitoba at a cost of billions more than the eastern route makes it even more frustrating to local landowners. They know, as do most Manitobans, that the NDP route makes no sense.

But at what point will even the NDP admit that enough is enough when it comes to the added cost of their west side route? Internal documents from leaked from Manitoba Hydro recently showed that the cost of the west side Bi-Pole III transmission lined had ballooned from an estimated $2.2 billion to a cost closer to $4.1 billion. And that’s years before construction is even scheduled to begin.

And if you are wondering who is going to pay for this foolish decision the answer is every Manitoban.

Manitoba Hydro is currently asking for a rate increase and there will be many more rate increases in the future to pay for the decision by the NDP to force the line through the west side of Lake Winnipeg and then through southeastern Manitoba.

So will the NDP decide that enough is enough and the cost of this poor decision is simply too high? Or are they willing to force any cost on Manitobans to not admit they have made a mistake? It’s a question residents should be asking NDP members of the Legislature every chance they get. Because in the end, everyone of us, regardless of income or where we live, will be paying for the NDP decision to force the Bi-Pole III line down the west side for years to come if it isn’t changed.

If you want more information or want to see the proposed route of the line, visit www.bipoleiiicoalition.ca I appreciate your comments and concerns.

If you have any comments on these or other issues, you can contact me by writing, #3 – 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by phone at (204) 326-5763, by fax at (204) 346-9913, by e-mail at kelvin.goertzen@leg.gov.mb.ca or by visiting my website at www.kelvingoertzen.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

school – during exam week. Was it my clothes? I was wearing a long dress and a turtleneck. Was it my behavior? I was shy and did not have any contact with boys other than in school and had never had a boyfriend.

When the principal found out, I was suspended from school while the boy remained in classes. Word circulated among the students that I was “easy” because “rape” was never brought up. I became a target for every oversexed teenage boy in that school until I eventually got expelled after being caught mid molestation by a grade 12 boy (I was in grade 10). He graduated and my schooling was done.

Because no one stepped in and let me know I had rights and supported me at the time, these incidents have come to play in my adult life. It taught me that I had no value, that my word had no meaning. Thankfully years later, I received the help I needed and I can now talk about this without hating or blaming myself.

As a mother, I have raised three daughters and a son. I’ve been

As a Member of Parliament from a predominantly rural riding it is always welcome news when I see investments that will directly improve the lives of those who choose to live outside of major cities.

While healthcare is the purview of the provinces, there are still areas where the federal government can make a positive impact. One of these areas, the shortage of doctors in rural Canada, was the target of Health Minister Aglukkaq recently.

As countless Canadians already know, access to family doctors remains a challenge in many parts of the country. If you live far from a city, getting to and from a doctor’s office could mean hours of driving.

It is a problem that won’t be solved overnight.

On February 23, Minister Aglukkaq pledged to fund 100 new medical residency positions for rural doctors. The funding will result in more family practices springing up on main streets in rural Canada. That’s $40 million over six years for doctors who agree to practice for two years in a rural or remote location.

Opposition parties have already been critical of the creation of the new residency positions, even though the Canadian Medical Association has long called for a push for more doctors. Through initiatives such as this, our Conservative Government is once again proving that we are committed to standing up for rural Canada.

More still needs to be done to get to the point where we as a country would like to be regarding healthcare, but this is a concrete step forward and I am thrilled to see our government focus on the needs of rural Manitobans.

You may contact my office toll free at 1-866-333-1933 or at (204) 326-9889 or in Lac du Bonnet at (204) 345-9762. You may write my office at 8 - 227 Main Street, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Y7, by fax at (204) 346-9874 or by e-mail at toewsv1@parl.gc.ca.

Ice Fishing

No means NO!

RCMP Seek Public’s Assistance in Suspicious Fire and Break In

5

Support for Rural Manitoba

Through the Looking Glass Over the past few days the news has been abuzz with outrage over comments made by Winnipeg judge Robert Dewar when he sentenced a forty year old man for raping a 26 year old woman.

What has upset people from across Canada were comments made by the judge that “sex was in the air” because the victim was drunk, had been flirting with her attacker and when they were finally alone, he raped her. The judge suggested that her clothes and behavior gave the accused the wrong impression thus placing some of the responsibility of the victim.

Attitudes like this are disgusting especially coming from someone that is the court system.

As a result of this incident, rape victims from across the country are cringing – including myself. I of all people realize that things can be taken the wrong way and very quickly. About twenty-five years ago, I was sexually assaulted while attending one of the high schools in the region. I was raped, in the second floor bathroom, in the

March 2011

By Marianne Curtis

teaching them the importance of respect and the meaning of “No means No”. It has let me down in the past and yet in my optimism I believe they are still true. Yet we have a judge, seemingly reinforcing the long standing “truth” that if we as women dress provocatively, smile too broadly or are in any way shape or form sexual, that we lose our rights to change our minds. Everyone has had a moment they’ve been caught up in a moment and suddenly sanity kicks in – do we not have the right to walk away?

It is attitudes like Dewar that will keep victims trapped in their own private hell instead of seeking the help, support and justice that we all deserve. Without justice we can not heal and without healing, we can not live.

RCMP St. Pierre Jolys Detachment is seeking the public’s assistance with a suspicious fire which occurred on February 9 at 12:25 a.m. in Lorette. A backhoe parked at 15 St. Amant caught fire resulting in over $50,000 in damage.

RCMP are also seeking the public’s assistance in a Break and Enter to a residence, under construction at the same location two days prior. Sometime overnight on February 7th, culprits entered the residence and stole numerous power tools from the residence.

If you have information about these incidents please contact the RCMP St. Pierre Jolys Detachment at (204)4337433 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Manitoba Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to go ice fishing. I’ve loved summer fishing for many years but, despite living in Manitoba all my life, I’ve never gone fishing in the winter.

Riding with some of my friends (they had never ice fished before either) we drove out to St. Malo lake and met up with some of my friends’ relatives (they had ice fished plenty).

When we arrived at the lake it was an interesting experience for me to have the vehicle that I’m riding in to not stop at the shore but continue driving onto the frozen water. Imagining the ice cracking beneath the weight of the vehicle, it would only be moments before the thinly frozen water would give way and we would begin our descent into the depths of the lake. Of course, the ice did not crack and we did not break through, much to my delight.

Climbing out of the vehicle, we walked over to what would be our spot for the afternoon. With a gas-powered auger, our holes were quickly and effortlessly drilled and our lines were soon in the water. Then began the most important part of ice fishing, the learning of the patience.

With no bites happening for some time, it doesn’t take long to become discouraged, especially when you begin to feel some of your unnameable body parts beginning to freeze. Walking around helped to stay warm and there were a couple of pop-up shelters to warm-up in but with a fish about to bite my lure at any moment, I didn’t want to take the chance on missing it. Soon it happened, a fish was on the line!

Sadly, it wasn’t mine. I watched as the man ran over and pulled out a small northern pike. Looking back at my setup I knew it would only be a matter of time before a fish would hit it.

A hour or so later, a flag on a tip-up line holder sprang into the air and off raced the owner of that setup. Having nothing better to do, I ran over (okay, it was more of a walk than a run) and watched as another northern pike was pulled through the hole in the ice, this one being a little bigger.

As the day wore on and the sun played hide-and-seek in the clouds, the temperature dropped and so did my hopes of catching anything. Before long, it was time to pack up and head for home. Consoling myself that this was merely a learning experience (and yes, thanks to Josh I did learn quite a bit) I made plans to better equip myself and to someday soon head back out onto the hardwater.

Until next time, take care and keep your world spinning.

Advertise in the Dispatch

6

More Than Just News!

March 2011

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Health Authority Loses Chief Executive Steinbach 55 Plus offers programs, activities, services and volunteer opportunities, striving to promote healthy and active living for older adults of the southeast region. We invite you to come and pay us a visit and consider participating in some of our programs. For more information call the center 320-4600.

Special events coming up in March 2011

Life Is All about Change: Monday, March 14, 1:30 p.m. A healthy living workshop, learn how to embrace life’s ever changing circumstances: Retirement, separation, divorce, loss of a loved one, moves to a new home and the many other obstacles that face us every day. Speaker is Maggie Magnusson. Call the center to register.

Mature Drivers Workshop: Monday, March 21, 1-4 pm. Safety Service Manitoba in partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance is offering a workshop to experienced drivers who wish to brush up on their skills to enhance their driving performance. This workshop is being offered at no cost to you. All mature drivers welcome. The Mature Driver Workshop will teach you defensive driving techniques, show you how to enhance your driving skills, update your knowledge of current traffic laws and show you how to compensate for changes that occur in hearing, vision, flexibility and reaction time. Please note there is no testing involved and this workshop will not affect your drivers licence in any way. Call 320-4600 to register (15 people required for the workshop to run) Country Dance Lessons: Tuesday, March 22 - May 17. Cost per couple: $84 member, $96 non-member.

Warroad Casino Bus Trip: Thursday, March 24, 9:30 am - 6:30 pm. $30 member, $35 non member. Receive $20 U.S. Deadline is March 17.

Old Time Country Dance: Friday, March 25, 8 pm - 12 midnight with live band, By Request. Tickets in advance: $8 member, $10 non member, $12 at the door for all. Light lunch will be served.

Monthly Programs

Single Ladies’ Night Out: The first Friday of the month at 5 p.m. Enjoy supper out at a local restaurant. Call the centre for place to meet.

Foot Care: The first and third Tuesday of the month from 9-3 p.m. Run by a professional foot care nurse. Cost: $25. Bring your own towel. Call centre to book an appointment.

Pot Luck Supper: The second Thursday of every month at 6 pm. Main dish and beverages are provided.

Cost: $5 per person. Bring along a casserole, salad or desert. Call centre to reserve your seat. March entertainment is Steinbach 55 Plus Old Time Band and the meat is chicken.

Birthday Party: The first Wednesday of the month. All members with a birthday are invited for complimentary cake and coffee. Guests are asked to pay $2. Entertainment provided.

Perogy Bee: The first Monday of every month.

Beltone Hearing: The third Friday of each month. Call 1-800-661-2653 for appointment.

Brain Injury Support Group: The last Monday of the month. 7 pm - 9 pm.

Weekly Programs

Monday

9:30 am - 10:30 a.m.

Fitness Class 1:00 pm Canasta 1:00 pm H.O. model railway project 7:00 pm Wood Carving 7:30 pm - 8:45 pm Tai Chi Tuesday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Adult Day Program Wednesday 9:30 am - 10:30 am Fitness Class 10:00 am - 11:30 am Tai Chi 10:00 am Choir practice 1:00 pm - 4:00 p.m.

Cribbage 1:30 pm Floor curling 7:00 pm Old time country band practice Thursday 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Bridge and Whist Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Adult Day Program Noon meals are available Monday through Friday. Cost $5.50. Call 320-4605 by 9 am to reserve your meal for that day. Purchase your meal ticket at the receptionist desk before noon. Monthly menus are available at the office or in the newsletter. Bring a friend.

Billiards: Monday to Friday 1-4 pm Computer Lab: Monday to Friday 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 4 pm. Cost $1. There are lessons with Alex Cupples on Mondays from 9 am - 12 pm. Call the centre for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities include perogy making, decorating and setting tables, birthday party hosts, food preparation and serving, clean up, greeters, receptionists, etc. We welcome new volunteers.

Membership at Steinbach 55 Plus is only $20 per year. Memberships are due in January of each year.

Membership is for those 55 years of age and older. Benefits include reduced program rates, a voice in business meetings, voting rights, and eligibility to serve on the board or committees.

For more information on our programs, activities or volunteer opportunities, drop by the Centre Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm or call 320-4600 or go to www.steinbach55plus.com.

South Eastman Health Chief Executive Officer Monique Vielfaure Mackenzie has stepped down as the head of the regional health authority after six years.

By Marianne Curtis The Board of South Eastman Health is currently looking for a new chief executive officer after the recent resignation of Monique Vielfaure Mackenzie.

For the past six years Vielfaure Mackenzie has been chief executive officer for South Eastman Health. Prior to the promotion she served as the Vice President of Corporate Services and Planning for the RHA for six years.

Upon leaving South Eastman Health, Vielfaure Mackenzie will be stepping into the position of Executive Director with the Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba. She will assume that role June 1.

“This move will bring new challenges and opportunities,” said Vielfaure Mackenzie, who admits that she is leaving South Eastman Health with mixed emotions. “It has been a privilege to serve the residents of the region.”

South Eastman Health Chairperson Aurele Boisvert recognized her commitment to advancing and advocating health care for South Eastman residents and has been an inspiration to her staff.

“Although I am fully supportive of Monique’s decision to embark on a new career path, I am saddened about the significant loss to our organization,” stated Boisvert. “We will sincerely miss her leadership and will remember her contributions.”

Last month Boisvert announced that he will be stepping down from his position as board chairperson at the end of March. He was first appointed to the board by Manitoba Health back in 2003 and appointed chairperson a year later. His term with the board expires March 31.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

March 2011

7

School Gives Financial Support to Library 13th Annual Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit You are invited! The biggest event of our Gallery Season – nearly 80 southeast artists!

The public is invited to attend the 13th Annual Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit ceremonies: Adult Exhibit Opening: Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. Juvenile Exhibit Opening: Friday, March 4 at 7 p.m. No admission.

New! Spring Break Camps

Limited Spaces, register by March 22. Three awesome days, March 30 to April 1.

Music, Dance, Theatre & Art. Ages: 5-12yrs; 9-4 p.m. daily; $78 per camper. Enjoy indoor recreation, dance, drama, music & visual arts.

New! Urban Arts ’11 Program

Urban Arts ’11 – TEENS: Mar 31 – Apr 1 Ages 13 -17 Funky & Creative Youth Mural Project – A program for our youth to learn urban arts and create a mural for SAC in partnership with Graffiti Art Gallery from Winnipeg – FREE PROGRAM –\Minimum 15 students; register by March 15th

Vancouver Chamber Choir – Jon Washburn, Conductor

-Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 pm Grace Mennonite Church Guest Artists: SRSS Chamber Choir Canada’s outstanding professional vocal ensemble, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and conductor Jon Washburn have performed across the country and internationally since the choir’s formation in 1971.

Belly Dance – for your CORE area!

You can still Sign Up – Beginners welcomed!

- Saturday classes with Ildiko Gyarmati. A great workout and focus upon your body’s core muscles.

- Tuesday classes: Adults and Youth Belly Dance (ages 12-15) with Jessica Thurston.

This class offers physical wellness and encourages self-confidence!

Art Classes for ages 2-16 yrs. Sign up now

- Play Date With Art: Ages 2-4 (plus parent), 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Parent & child will enjoy a favorite story while creating a related craft.

- Art Adventures: Ages 5-7, 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Try out different mediums including clay, drawing and painting.

- Kids Art X-Travaganza: Ages 8-12, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Offers drawing, painting and clay work.

Creative Adult Art Classes: 17+ yrs

- Pottery – Barb Plett: March 9 – May 4, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

- Watercolor I: March 7 – May 2, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. For those who are new to watercolor, learn the basics.

- Watercolor II: April 12–May 31, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. For those who have previously taken watercolor.

- Digital Photography: March 2 – April 27, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Get to know your camera; create a good photograph.

- New! With Jack Tate: Drop-in Drawing Classes, Mondays at 7-9 p.m. $10/class

Spanish class starts NOW!

Great Corporate packages – send your employees!

Back by popular demand, instructed by Marisol Pullido. 10 Wednesdays, March 2 – May 11. Our classes are almost full.

Arts for Tots Preschool Program

- Early Fall Registration Begins March 1 The most creative way to learn early child development through dance, theatre, music and visual arts – for ages 3-5. Instructors: Miss Carol & Miss Pam, Monday & Wednesday, 9 – 11:30 a.m. & 1 -3:30 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday, 9 – 11:30 a.m. & 1 – 3:30 p.m.

Free Classes for Seniors – You can still sign up

- Granny’s Secret Recipes, March 9 – 30. Give us your favorite recipes to create with other seniors; learn some new tips from our nutritional facilitator. Fun, and delicious.

- Grandma & Grandpa’s Green Thumbs, April to June Participate in community projects, with local students. Share your knowledge!

Thanks to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

Steinbach Arts Council Clubs

- Photo Club with Dan Hewson: First Monday of the month - Southeast Artists Group: artists meet Tuesday mornings, 9:30 -11:30 a.m. Call Gary Holden, 346-9623

Summer in the City Festival 2011

- Calling all Artists: Musicians, Bands, Singers, Actors, Dancers – or visual artists in oils, watercolor, pottery, and more. We are currently taking applications. Entry Deadline: March 31st.

Save the Date!

Friday, May 13, Celebrate the Arts… in Mask-erade Style! Annual fundraiser. Watch for early bird tickets on sale March 21st Register for all classes at Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre or www.steinbachartscouncil.ca

Teacher and Library Board member Michelle deRocquigny presents Board Chair Susan Berry (centre) and librarian Meghann Galbichka with a cheque for $192.00.

The Board of Bibliothèque Taché Library was very pleased to receive support for their ‘Building Fund’ from students and parents of Ecole Lorette Immersion. In lieu of receiving gifts during the Christmas season, administration and staff encouraged families to make a financial donation to the new facility. What a wonderful opportunity to work together to reach important goals like building community and promoting literacy for all!!

8

March 2011

School Divisions Look at Zero Tax Increases

By Marianne Curtis Residents in both the Seine River and Hanover School Divisions can look forward to seeing a zero school tax increase on their property tax bill.

At a recent public meeting the Hanover School Division told attendees that they have crunched the numbers and will maintaining a cap on school taxes.

Marilyn Plett, Hanover School Division financial chairperson, said that the division will be accepting the incentive grant from the province in order to maintain a zero tax increase this year.

“We are proposing to accept the tax incentive grant this year and this means that we will then go with a zero percent increase in mil rate,” explained Plett. “We are not dropping any services.”

Plett adds that different departments from throughout the division have come together and identified different projects to move forward with. When the division finds out exactly how many funding dollars will come in a final decision will be made on what items can be delayed or removed completely from the budget.

“We are not drawing down our reserves,” Plett adds. “The estimated reserve of $2.5 million will remain in our accounts.”

The Seine River School Division has not made a decision to accept the Tax Incentive Grant yet, but according to finance chairperson Randy Engel, it is a possibility.

“There are cost increases throughout the system and we will see how those fit in with the Tax Incentive Grant,” Engel said. “We don’t have a lot of wiggle room right now.”

The Seine River School Division accepted the grant last year and maintained a zero tax increase. However, they were forced to dip into the division’s surplus to cover unexpected maternity and paternity leaves.

“The division’s surplus is down at this point and well under the four percent target,” Engel continued. “If our budget projections are off, we don’t have enough surplus to pull us out.”

Both school divisions have one more meeting to finalize their budgets before they must be submitted to the province for approval. The deadline is March 15.

Storm Watchers Needed The City of Steinbach is already looking toward summer and put out a call for volunteers interested in participating in the community’s storm watcher program.

The City of Steinbach Storm Ready Team is looking for six volunteers to act as weather spotters for the upcoming storm season. As spotters, volunteers become the community’s eye on the sky for severe weather, such as tornados.

Spotters must be residents of Steinbach or live within a 10 km radius of the city. Each team consists of four members and is “on call” for one week per month during the months of May thru September.

Volunteers are provided training by Environment Canada, as well as guidelines on how to report a sighting.

When they are needed volunteers are notified and asked to watch the sky for signs of severe weather developing. They then contact the Emergency Operations Team and Environment Canada to report it. Should a tornado touch down, spotters also play a significant role by conducting a preliminary evaluation and reporting it so that a plan of action can be made and the public informed.

The city council decided two years ago that they would look for people interested in becoming the eyes and ears of potential emergency storm situations. Sixteen people stepped forward and in part, this was the reason why the City of Steinbach was recognized as the first community in Canada to meet the requirements of the U.S. Weather Service’s StormReady Program.

Denis Vassart, Emergency Planning Coordinator, explained the process.

“I believe that having a StormReady plan in place will greatly enhance the City of Steinbach’s Emergency Preparedness and help us mitigate the severity of severe weather,” said Vassart. “We cannot control the weather, but we can help our community be better prepared by providing information on what to do during a severe weather event.”

Anyone interested in volunteering can call the City of Steinbach’s Emergency Planning Coordinator, Denis Vassart, at 392-5996.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Olympic Defibrillator Awarded to Grunthal The community of Grunthal has a very unique Olympic connection after they were recently awarded one of 300 defibrillators used last year in Vancouver.

The community of Grunthal was one of more than 200 community groups, aboriginal communities, searchand-rescue organizations, ski patrols, old-timer hockey leagues, schools and non-profit groups that received surplus automatic external defibrillators that were used during the Vancouver 2010 Olympics and Paralympics.

The defibrillators are gifts from the Vancouver Organizing Committee and Medtronic, the manufacturer.

Shelley Parker, a spokeswoman for Medtronic, said nearly 350 groups across Canada applied for the machines, which can be used by bystanders when someone goes into cardiac arrest. Grunthal received the machine because of its distance from the nearest hospital and ambulance service in either Steinbach or St. Pierre.

The machine designated for Grunthal will be kept at the community arena in the winter and then moved to the park during the summer to be used at the swimming pool and the baseball diamonds.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

March 2011

9

Sod Turned on Affordable Housing in Steinbach

By Marianne Curtis The sod has been turned and construction has begun on a new fifty-two unit affordable seniors housing complex in Steinbach.

On February 11, construction of Bridgepark Manor, which includes units geared towards independent living kicked off on the heels of a $3 million funding announcement by the federal and provincial governments.

Provencher MP Vic Toews was on hand to make the announcement personally.

“This new building will allow low income seniors and seniors with disabilities to stay in the community close to family and friends,” said Toews. “Safe affordable housing keeps the seniors here, which helps stabilize the area and strengthen the community.”

Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development admitted that this was the first sod turning she’s attended that had construction crews already on site ready to work.

“Today is a great day, and I have never been to a sod turning before where the machinery is already out there, I am not surprised because I know this region already and when they get their minds set on [something] they get it done and this is just another example of that.`

Steinbach Mayor Mayor Chris Goertzen is also pleased to see construction begin. The city has financially backed up the project at a rate of $1,400 per unit.

“I have had many conversations with people that have not been able to keep their families in Steinbach when they became ill and it’s an incredible hardship, not only on the seniors, but on their support networks as well,” explained Goertzen. “This is not just for the city – the entire region will benefit from this project.”

Included in the 52 seniors’ units in Bridgepark Manor will be 15 twobedroom units and 37 one-bedroom, independent living and fully accessible apartments for mobilityimpaired residents. Rents for the one- and two-bedroom units will be at or below the current median market rent in Steinbach and additional services, such as housekeeping and recreational programming, will be available to tenants.

Construction is expected to be completed in October 2011.

Federal funding was made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Provincial funding for the project was provided

by Manitoba Housing through HOMEWorks!, the Province of Residents from throughout the region are expected to benefit from the construction of a new 52-unit low income seniors housing facility Manitoba’s long-term housing that is now under construction in Steinbach. strategy and investment plan.

Goertzen Asks Residents to Email Premier on Emergency Room Project Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen has launched a new website, www.getbethesdabuilt.com, to give area residents an opportunity to directly email the province’s Premier to demand that the expansion of the Emergency Room at Bethesda Hospital finally get completed more than three years after it was announced.

“This project is important to the region and has been stalled for far, far too long. This is an opportunity for residents of the region to send that message directly to the Premier,” said Goertzen.

More Than Just News!

March 2011

10

St. Malo Apartments Under Consideration The RM of De Salaberry council has laid over a decision to approve an eight suite apartment block proposed for St. Malo.

At the beginning of February the municipality held a conditional use hearing to allow the construction of an 8-suite apartment block on Dubois Street in St. Malo. The project is being proposed by Bruno Hebert of Forty Creek Investments and Duane Enns of Hazelwood Homes.

According to Hebert, the project consists of creating a single story, U-shaped 8-suite apartment complex.

“The clientele being targeted are young families starting out that are not ready for a mortgage, who are currently required to move out of the community to seek rental housing, to seniors looking to downgrade from a dwelling,” he told council at the hearing.

Hebert already owns a 16 suite apartment block on Main Street in St. Malo.

“There is a need for rental property,” Hebert stressed.

The subdivision was conditionally approved in 2010 and is scheduled to be developed in 2011. The complex would generate over $8,000 in municipal and school taxes.

Nine concerned residents voiced some objections at the public

Collision on Trans Canada Hwy East Takes Life On February 18 at approximately 10:15 a.m. Falcon Beach RCMP responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision on the Trans Canada Hwy approximately 1 km east of Provincial Road 506, in the RM of Reynolds.

Investigation revealed that a passenger car traveling east on the Trans Canada Hwy lost control and collided with a Department of Highways pickup truck that was stopped on the shoulder of the highway while at the scene of an unrelated single vehicle rollover.

The driver of the passenger car was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger in the car was transported to hospital in unstable condition.

The driver of the Department of Highways truck sustained minor injuries in the collision.

Thieves Target Restaurant In the early morning hours of February 13, two suspects broke into the Village Green Restaurant on Park Road in Steinbach. They took several bottles of liquor before leaving the business. They were wearing parkas and toques and one was carrying a back pack. Steinbach RCMP have been continuing to investigate. If you have any information you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP at (204) 3264452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477.

hearing. Many of them came forward with concerns that a natural coulee could be closed. This could present a flooding problem in the area, council heard. However, the proponents assured the group that the coulee would not be affected, along with many of the trees.

Another concern raised by several people was the type of people that could be renting the suites. Hebert responded with assurances that since they were building a new structure tenants would not be “low income”.

Councillors Gerry Maynard and Germain Roy both agree that there is a need for new affordable housing developments in the community for young families to start off and said they were grateful that there are investors willing to invest in the community of St. Malo.

The RM of De Salaberry council closed the hearing and decided to delay any decisions until they could consider the matter further.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

March 2011

11

This Fixed Chasm I love being a senior. I enjoy the never ending conversation with people who have lived a long time, men and women who honestly look into the future and debate life after death. We can agree that ever since people have walked on the face of the earth they have wondered about life after death. However, only in the last days, say 30 years or so, have modern medical procedures become so efficient that I have read that 100,000 plus lives are saved each year. It stretches the mind a bit when we read about clinical death experiences, people who have been snatched out of the claws of the undertaker, people who have come back to tell us what it was like on the other side. This has created a whole new idea concerning death, its sensation, and its meaning.

Let’s explore a thought: What sort of ideas come to mind when we talk about dying? As believers we believe that death has occurred when the spirit leaves the body. The medical side (I hope I am correct in saying this) says it happens when the brain no longer shows any activity.

But what does it really feel like to die? I do not know, I have never been there. I can only go by what people who have had some near death experiences say or write. There are those who will say that the moment of death is absolutely painless. No choking or smothering, it feels like fainting. But do you not think that the fear of death is much bigger than that? Perhaps it is the fear of the unknown. If we would truly know what happens the moment after death and what it would feel like then, I believe, much of the fear of death could be removed – and that is where our faith in God takes over.

We cannot ignore what the Bible has to say about after death experiences. In the book of Luke, chapter 16:22-26, Jesus is the one doing the talking about a beggar by the name of Lazarus and a rich man. Verse 22: “the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.”(NIV) We can be sure that the rich man’s burial was one of great showiness and an elaborate ceremony. So much for the human side of things! It is his soul that interests us. Where did he go? Verse 23 tells us, “In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.” (NIV) Notice several things that happen. First, he is in torment. There is literal pain.

Somehow he catches sight of those who are in heaven and at peace.

The second thing we see is that he is fully conscious. Finally we are made aware that he has his senses and his memory. Verse 24: “So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’”(NIV) Before he was in torment; now he is in agony.

He has the capacity for reason. He could see his surroundings. He had feelings. He could hear. He could taste.

Speaking for the Lord, Abraham answers the man’s request in verse 25. “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.’” (NIV) There was a time when I would joke about hell; but what do I do with verse 26? “And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross from there to us.” (NIV) This fixed chasm that Abraham is talking about suggests a forever place where nobody, no matter who they are, will ever be able to come to one’s rescue after one dies.

The Biblical lesson that we have discussed does not say, “It is a sin to be rich.” Rather, it teaches that, whether rich or poor, it is a sin to reject Christ and live only for ourselves, when we shut our ears to the voice of God and fail to practice the love and mercy taught by Jesus in the Bible. However, salvation, the way to heaven, comes to us when we put our trust in Jesus Christ, then tell others with our own mouth that Jesus is our Lord, believing in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead; for it is by believing in our heart that we become right with God. When we tell others with our mouth about our salvation, that brings confirmation to our faith.

Would you pray this prayer with me? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honor Your Name.” Amen

12

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Trail Association to Host Annual Meeting

The public is invited to the Crow Wing Trail Association’s Annual Meeting, to be held on Monday March 7 at 7 pm at the Sugar Shack next to the St.-Pierre-Jolys Museum in StPierre-Jolys.

At the AGM, the Crow Wing Trail Association (CWTA) will proudly presented the new marketing materials that were developed with funding from received from the South Eastman RHA Start Fresh! Program. This program is part of the provincial Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative (CDPI) to support communities in developing projects that address lifestyle issues and habits that increase the risk of chronic diseases. The grant enabled the CWTA to increase the visibility of our local section of the Trans Canada Trail as well as encourage residents of our local communities to increase their physical activity out on the trail.

The marketing tools that were developed include a stand-up banner featuring one of the main attractions of the trail – the Senkiw Swinging Bridge as well as a map of the entire trail with pictures of trail activities and unique views along the way. The banner will accompany the CWTA’s promotional tent, which is now decorated with the CWTA name and logo, at local events and displays to promote the Crow Wing Trail. Using Crow Wing Trail access points, four community maps were developed to include directions to short looped walks along with topics of interest. The Heritage Resource Guide and a photo album of the trail were placed on cd’s for distribution at community events.

In April, Georges Beaudry will present the Crow Wing Trail: Manitoba’s First Commercial Highway 1800-1870 at the National Association for Interpretation Workshop in Pinawa.

The Crow Wing Trail is attracting more and more interest from trail use clubs, schools, seekers of active transportation and local residents alike. The trail was traveled by Red River Cart for the Metis Journey in 2002, and has been biked from one end to the other, and walked in short loops. With the completion of the Floodway Expansion Project the trail will soon be linked to the new Duff Roblin Park at the Red River Floodway.

The Crow Wing Trail is the section of the Trans Canada Trail that connects Winnipeg to Emerson. The trail is based upon a historic fur trade route connecting the Red River Settlement of Fort Garry with St. Paul Minnesota. Although the trail is located along the original route in some instances, for the most part is has been routed on a combination of gravel roads, undeveloped road allowances, community parks, sidewalks and in some instances, on private property to connect our communities and significant sites. The Crow Wing Trail promotes hiking, biking, cycling, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.

The Crow Wing Trail was officially registered with the Trans Canada Trail in 1999 and officially opened in 2006. At 191 km, the Crow Wing is the longest section of the Trans Canada Trail in Manitoba.

The CWTA is a regional trail association comprised of volunteers from six municipalities and one First Nation: Ritchot, Niverville, De Salaberry, St. Pierre-Jolys, Franklin, Emerson and the Roseau River First Nation – who work together to welcome the Trans Canada trail through our communities in order to promote tourism, economic development, historical awareness as well as provide for a great recreational opportunity.

For More Information: Crow Wing Trail Website at www.mrta.mb.ca/Trails/CrowWing/ home.htm.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

St. Malo Student Produces Award Winning Artwork

By Marianne Curtis A grade seven student from St. Malo will be honoured by having her award winning painting distributed among youth anglers province-wide during the upcoming fishing season.

Twelve-year-old Jackie St. Hilaire was among several Ecole St. Malo students that recently took part in an art contest sponsored by Manitoba Youth Angler.

Students had to depict a yellow perch in its natural environment.

Her painting, called “Underwater Fun”, earned her a first place prize of $200 and a poster of her painting which will adorn the front of 50,000 youth angling cards. To help promote recreational fishing among youth, youth angling cards are available to children free of charge wherever fishing licenses are purchased.

Event Focuses on Employee Retention

Providence Student Named Student Entrepreneur March 2011

13

Water and Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick congratulates twelve year old Jackie St Hilaire for winning a province wide art contest hosted by Manitoba Youth Angler.

The 12-year-old explained her painting.

“I decided to use pencil crayons because I thought with pencil crayons you could make more colors clash together,” said St. Hilaire.

“I drew a lot of plants because yellow perch like hanging around swampy and plant filled places at the bottom of big lakes.”

Rachael Plummer, an Ecole St. Malo art teacher, is thrilled with her student’s achievement.

“We began by researching the yellow perch, looking at pictures and finding out things such as it diet and natural habitat. Then we experimented with some different media in the pictures and students decided on whether to use oil pastels, pencil or paint in their final picture,” Plummer explained. “Jackie spent a lot of time working on the details in her picture, such as the yellow perch’s scales, which really made her final product stand out.”

As part of her prize, St. Hilaire and her parents went to the Manitoba Legislature to meet with the Minister of Water Stewardship Christine Melnick.

A Human Resource event focusing on Employee Retention was offered at the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce February 17th. Attendants were pleased with the information received. They agreed that the changing economy has huge effects on retention, and retention is a direct factor in a company’s success.

During the information session topics such as learning styles and generation characteristics were covered. It is extremely important to recognize each employee for their differences.

The event was sponsored by the Buller Centre for Business and the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce. It was facilitated by Sarah Houghton of Safeway.

By Marianne Curtis On February 16 Jordan Siemens, owner of Siemens Farms and Providence College student, was named a 2011 Student Entrepreneur Manitoba Champion. Student Entrepreneur is a national competition operated by charitable organization, Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) and CIBC, proud program supporter.

Since 2010 Siemens has owned and operated Siemens Farms, a start-up farming business focused on soybean production, based in Horndean. A fourth generation farmer, Siemens started his business this past summer by renting land and equipment from his father. He then took advantage of his father’s bulk buying abilities to purchase seed, fertilizer, insurance, chemical, and labor and completed his first season with 50 acres of soybeans planted.

“This award is a great honour as it gives me the confidence and incentive to take my business further,” commented Siemens, “It also gives me the invaluable opportunity to meet other student entrepreneurs and an exclusive network of major business leaders.”

Initially he was expecting a 25 percent profit, but with good weather, commodity prices and sound management Siemens managed to nearly double his investment.

“With today’s ever changing economic situation, ACE is proud to continue its work developing leaders, creating connections and building a better Canada,” explained Amy Harder, President of ACE. “We are confident that our 2011 Student Entrepreneur Provincial Champions will make meaningful contributions to the country and its economy for years to come.”

As a provincial champion, Siemens will now move on to represent Manitoba in the regional round of competition taking place at the 2011 ACE Regional Exposition in Calgary on March 14. Provincial Champions will each present their business to a panel of entrepreneurs and industry professionals who will determine two Regional Champions. Each will receive a $1,000 cash prize and move on to the final round of competition at the 2011 ACE National Exposition in Toronto on May 11. The National Champion will receive a $10,000 cash prize and have the opportunity to represent Canada at the international level of competition, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.

14

March 2011

Citizens’ Tips Leads to Charges of Break and Enter, and Armed Robbery On February 14 at around 11:50 p.m. RCMP in Steinbach received a report of a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot near the Le Depanneur Store (Shell Station) in La Broquerie. According to the caller, two males were seen exiting a vehicle and walking towards the store wearing balaclavas and carrying a baseball bat. A short time later Steinbach RCMP received a report of an intrusion alarm at the Le Depanneur Store. RCMP attended and learned that the store had been broken into and Lottery tickets had been stolen. Based on interviews of witnesses, RCMP were able to gather descriptions of the suspects and the vehicle they were driving.

Approximately an hour later a vehicle matching the description was located traveling west bound on the Trans Canada Hwy near the Hwy 12 turn-off. It was stopped and four youths were arrested. Inside the vehicle police located balaclavas, bear spray, and the stolen Lottery tickets.

The investigation led to two 16-year-old male youths being charged with break and enter, wearing a disguise in the commission of an offence and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. One of the youths was released by a justice for a court date in March.

The second youth, based on evidence obtained during this investigation, was also charged with an armed robbery that occurred at the same store on January 18. In that case a lone male entered the store wearing a balaclava and carrying pepper spray. He confronted the store clerk and made off with an undisclosed amount of money. This youth was remanded into custody and appeared in court on February 16.

RCMP in Steinbach would like to thank the public who assisted in this investigation.

Man Dies After Colliding with School Bus On February 24, at approximately 10:50 am, Steinbach RCMP responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Main Street and Friesen Avenue in Steinbach. The investigation determined that a North Bound Mazda Van failed to stop for a red light and struck an east bound school bus. Both vehicles then collided with a traffic light and then struck a west bound dump truck.

The school bus was empty except for the driver. Neither the bus driver nor the dump truck driver was injured.

The driver of the van, a 73-year-old male from Steinbach, was taken to the Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach. He was subsequently transported to the Health Science Center in Winnipeg where he was listed in critical condition, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The investigation has determined that speed and alcohol were not factors in the collision. The driver of the van was not wearing a seat belt.

More Than Just News!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Dawson Trail Dispatch EMAIL YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT TO EDITOR@DAWSONTRAIL.CA OR FAX 204-422-8548

Sprague The Sprague & District Historical Museum annual dinner and concert will be held at the Sprague Hall on Saturday, March 12 at 5 pm. For more information, call Mary at 437-2342.

Lorette Six evenings are offered for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one and would like an opportunity to share with others. Sessions are offered in French by Louise Dupont who wrote a book about her son’s death to suicide 7 years ago. The sessions will be based on her book: “Mission accomplie: le parcours d’une mère vers la guérison et la réconciliation.”

First session starts Thursday, March 10 at 7 pm at the Light of the Prairies Centre, 22115 Oakgrove Rd situated between Lorette and Ile des Chênes. Sessions will continue for 5 consecutive Thursdays. Please call Louise at 255-9548 for registration and/or further information.

Lorette Metis Local will again be holding a membership drive. To all new and previous members, everyone has to get their new card by September 2012. Membership drive, April 7 at 7 pm, Centre Jubinville, 1298 Dawson Road. Please contact Lorraine at 878-3704 to confirm your attendance and for further information.

Le mercredi 23 mars prochain à 19 h en la salle paroissiale de Lorette, le Comité culturel de Lorette organise une soirée spectacle de Mathieu Lippé; auteur-compositeur-interprête du Québec, qui présente un heureux mélange de chansons de slam et de contes qui sont portés par des rythmes et des musiques du monde. En première partie, le groupe Les Imposteurs (élèves de Gabrielle-Roy), qui sont un des récipiendaires de prix à la Chicane électrique 2010, nous divertissera avec quelques chansons. Les billets coûtent 7 $ à l’avance ou 10 $ à la porte. Pour réserver vos billets ou pour plus de renseignements, veuillez contacter Christianne au 878-3496. Nous recommandons ce spectacle pour les personnes de 11 ans et plus mais tous sont les bienvenues. On espère de vous voir en grand nombre!

The Lorette Metis Local is hosting its 3rd Annual Metis Cultural Event on Saturday, March 26 from 7:30 pm to 12:30 at the Lorette Parish Hall on Dawson Road in Lorette. Featured musical artist Michael Audette & The Real Deal will be on hand. 50/50 Draw, Silent Auction and Door Prize! Advanced Tickets only - $12.50. Lunch served. For more info call Lorraine at 8783704 or Rene at 298-9887.

Steinbach Breakfast with the President. Mar. 19, 8:15 - 10:30 am at the Brass Lantern, 145 Main Street, Steinbach. Join President Gus Konkel for an excellent hot breakfast and an informative presentation on Providence College and Seminary. Please RSVP to Margaret Schonewille, at 204-433-7488 x 236.

You are invited to attend the 13th annual Southeast Open Judged Art Exhibit ceremonies. Adult Exhibit Opening Ceremony – Thursday, March 3 at 7 pm. Juvenile Exhibit Opening – Friday, March 4 at 7 pm. Be among the first to view the works and meet the artists in person. Enjoy an evening of coffee and refreshments with other special guests, and dignitaries, our Board of Directors and our Arts Community.

Canadian Blood Services invites Steinbach and area residents to assist patients in need of blood treatment by attending the blood donor clinic in Steinbach on March 17. Please attend the clinic at Steinbach E.M.C. 422 Main St. on Thursday, March 17 from 12:30- 3:30 & 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Since a single donation (unit) of blood can assist up to three people, reaching the goal of 173 units of blood will benefit up to 519 patients in need of blood treatment. You can help! Call now for an appointment or for further information call 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236 6283). Saving lives together!

Steinbach Mixed Curling Bonspiel March 11 – 13. Entry Fee $140/team Includes Meal Contact Wilf Peters 326-3676.

YFC Steinbach Festival of Friends Fund Raising Dinner on Thursday, March 10, Steinbach Mennonite Church, 345 Loewen Blvd. Come to hear, see and participate: Philip and Kathy Penner on Harp and Piano Teen Stories from 2010. All tickets are compliments of Steinbach Canadian Tire and Dunn Rite Chicken. For tickets call 326-4366.

Fitness classes at Steinbach 55 Plus until March 17th. Mondays and Thursdays 9:30 am - 10:30 am. Classes take place at Steinbach 55 Plus 10 Chrysler Gate. Instructor Marisol. Payment options $55 member, $60 non member, $4 Walk in. For more information call 320-4600.

Are you interested in expanding your leadership abilities? Do you have trouble with speaking to others, from making small talk at a party to making large group presentations at work or in the community? Then Toastmasters is for you! The Carillon Toastmasters Club of Steinbach has regular meetings Thursday evenings at 7 pm in the activity room of the Jake Epp Library, 255 Elmdale Street. Guests are welcome to visit for free!

Canada’s outstanding professional vocal ensemble, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and conductor Jon Washburn have performed across the country and internationally since the choir’s formation in 1971. The Choir presents a full concert season, tours, performs in broadcasts and recordings, and offers five highly acclaimed educational programs. Come hear their stunning concert on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 pm with a special appearance by our own SRSS Chamber Choir. Phone 204-346-1077 for more information.

Come along and join us for a fantastic informative program for teen girls (aged 12-15) and their moms on Friday, March 4 from 6 to 8 pm at the Steinbach Cultural Arts Centre. We will have fun workshops including makeover nights, jewelry making, hair and skin care, and even a chance for moms to be dressed by their daughters for a fun fashion show! Topics also covered at the groups will include advice on drugs, alcohol, running away, behaviours, safety, nutrition - moms and daughters will go into separate groups throughout the evening and then join together as a group. Refreshments and door prizes included and this event is Free of charge to attend! For more information call or email Zoe at 371-1509 or zoe.clark@shaw.ca.

If you are 60 years of age or over and like hockey, you are invited to our Shinny Drop-in Hockey every Monday from 10 am – 11 am at the Centennial Arena in Steinbach. For more information, contact Bob Barrow at 204-392-3596 or email bob.r.barrow@gmail.com.

Cribbage at the Steinbach Legion will take place on Friday, March 11 and also on March 25. Everyone is welcome! Whether you’re a pro or just learning, come out for an evening of fun. Registration begins at 7 pm and Game starts at 7:30 pm. The cost is $5.00/person and includes a snack, a light lunch and prizes. For more information, contact Carol at 204-3264281 or email johncarolf@hotmail.com.

2010-2011 Rural City AA and Rural City A Midget Hockey Provincial Tournament, with 7 teams. From March 11 - 13. Gates open on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies to be held on Friday, March 11th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial Arena. Skills competitions for Midget AA on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and for Midget A on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Medal games to be held on Sunday.

All are welcome to this year’s spring Bethesda Auxiliary Healthcare Book Faire at the Clearspring Mall that will be taking place from March 23 to March 26. Donations can be dropped off at the former Saan store or the bin in front of Sobey’s at Clearpsring Centre in Steinbach. For more information, contact Verna or Phyllis at 204-326-3028 or 204-346-1640.

Old time country dance at Steinbach 55 Plus on March 25. Live Band By Request. Tickets available at Steinbach 55 Plus $8 member, $10 non member, $12 at the door for all. Starts at 8 pm and a light lunch will be served at 10 pm. Contact Maggie at 204-320-4600 or email ssinc@mts.net for more information.

Ile Des Chenes Seine River Minor Ball registration 2011 is available online starting now. Go to srmb.countmein.com to register. Online Volunteer signup is also available. Walk in registration is on Saturday, March 12 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Ile des Chenes Arena. Visa, Mastercard, cash or cheque to Seine River Minor Ball. A Cheque of $50 for volunteer deposit will also be required. Deadline for registration is April 10. Call Jennifer at 204-878-2217 for more info.

Ile Des Chenes Rec Centre AGM will be held March 31st, 7:30 pm at the Rec Centre, 414 Main St., Ile des Chenes.

Blumenort Are you looking to get in shape? Are you looking for a place to socialize with fellow community members? Walking is the best and cheapest form of exercise to maintain or reach your physical activity goals. This walking club will help you reach your fitness goals and gives you the opportunity to mingle with your Blumenort neighbours. Our group gets together weekly on Wednesdays at 10 am. If you would like more information on the Walking Club, please contact Travis at 346-7132.

Mitchell Breakfast every Tuesday morning at the Mitchell and Area Seniors Center from 7:30 am to 9 am (except the last Tuesday of the month - a social is held instead). The social includes lunch entertainment and socializing. Lunch starts at 12 noon. For information, call 204-326-6944.

Falcon Lake March 19 will be the Falcon Lake Winter Fish-Off – This is the 8th annual event. Anglers are allowed on the ice at 9 am. Prizes are awarded to the 50 heaviest fish caught with $10,000 cash going to the heaviest fish. For more info, email setthehook@shaw.ca or call toll free 1-866-676-FISH. General The super start program, a healthy baby program run through south Eastman health/santé Sud-est inc. This is a program for pregnant women and families with infants up to one year of age. Each session includes a song and rhyme time, discussions, and games on topics related to healthy babies and healthy moms. We offer a door prize and a nutritious snack.

Also, we have milk coupons for expectant mothers and mothers who have babies up to six months of age who participate in the program. This month, our session will be held on…

Tuesday Mar 1 from 10 am – 12 pm in the Family Hut in the South Oaks School, Grunthal. Thursday, Mar 3 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Blumenort EMC Church.

Tuesday, Mar 8 from 10 am – 12 pm at the 4th Ave. Bible Church, Niverville.

Wednesday, Mar 9 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Dayspring Fellowship in Ste. Anne.

Thursday, Mar 10 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Kleefeld Recreation Center.

Tuesday, Mar 15 from 10 am – 12 pm at Mitchell Mennonite Church (CMC).

Thursday, Mar 17 from 10 am - 12pm in the St. Pierre Health Corner, 354 Prefontaine av.

Tuesday, Mar 22 from 10 am – 12 pm in the Ste. Agathe Hall.

Wednesday, Mar 23 from 10 am – 12 pm at the Community Health office beside the pharmacy in Lorette.

For more information please call terry from super start at 346-7021 or just drop in.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Giving Circle Makes First Presentation

By Marianne Curtis Two youth programs administrated by Youth for Christ in Steinbach recently received a $5,000 funding boost thanks to a newly established philanthropy group.

The Chrysalis Fund, established by Simone Penner and Debbie Krahn, recently presented the staff of BackStage with a cheque for $5,000.

Penner is pleased with the group’s first grant presentation.

“We have done our first granting and it is very exciting,” stated Penner. “This year our giving project was the U-Turn House in Steinbach for new flooring and the supper club that Youth for Christ hosts on Wednesday evenings.”

Half of the donation is going towards installing new flooring in the basement of U-Turn. U-turn is a semiindependent home for youth aged 15-19, which provides a stable living environment and training for employability and independent living. The remaining $2,500 will go towards purchasing groceries and enhancing programming for the Wednesday evening Supper Club. The club meets weekly and discussions are held to discuss life issues and then they eat together.

Established back in October, the Chrysalis Fund is a group of women that have gathered together in a new philanthropic venture through a non-profit giving circle. The 17 members decided to combine their money into a shared fund and each member contributed $1,000. Grants are then given out to various organizations from the earned interest.

The Chrysalis Fund meets twice a year to review and celebrate the impact granting has made, to receive feedback from the organizations they’ve funded, and to learn about new opportunities to give.

Local organizations looking for some support from the Chrysalis Fund can pick up an application from the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce office. Any women interested joining can email thechrysalisfund@gmail.com.

Garage Sale Sign Ban in Steinbach Garage Sale enthusiasts travelling to Steinbach will have to travel to a central location to find the latest bargain spots after the city has officially banned boulevard advertising.

The City of Steinbach council has come up with a solution to a growing problem after determining that traffic volume through Steinbach has grown considerably, making it dangerous for people putting up garage sale signs and for shoppers gathering that information.

“We have come up with an alternative,” said Mayor Chris Goertzen.

The City of Steinbach has decided they will set up a central sign on a vacant lot near the TG Smith Arena.

The sign will contain protected slots the size of a sheet of paper so that people can put up posters advertising their sales.

The city has already allocated $5,000 from this year’s budget to pay for the sign, including installation. The sign is expected to be erected this spring as weather allows.

Signs that are placed along the city’s streets and boulevards will be removed by the City. Those placed on private property will be allowed to stay as long as they are within the community’s sign bylaw.

More Than Just News!

March 2011

15

Grooming Club Apologizes to Riders

By Marianne Curtis Snowmobile enthusiasts may be wondering what happened to the trails that are normally groomed throughout the region. Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, the Voyager Trail Grooming Association (VTGA) was forced to shut down trails early.

Todd Temple, president of the VTGA, said that he would like to apologize to snowmobile riders in the area.

“We would like to apologize to local sledders in our area for our current grooming shutdown,” stated Temple. “We decided to stop grooming our trail system due to the financial restraints that SNOMAN (Snowmobilers of Manitoba) has placed on the club.”

Temple explained that the issue arose over the use of the clubs grooming equipment.

The club uses a CAT Challenger 85 C and a mogul Master 12' drag which efficiently grooming the trails at an average 19 km/hour.

The VTGA trail system takes approx 40 hours to groom and approximately $1,000 of fuel is used per grooming.

He said that SNOMAN changed the rules and now requires that the groomer operate at a maximum speed of 13km/hour

averaged over a seasons grooming. If the speed is exceeded, the payout to the Club has been reduced to 50 percent. The new speed reduction ups the hours for grooming to seventy hours at a cost of about $1,500 in fuel.

“By almost doubling our costs and decreasing our payout by half, it does not make financial sense for the club to continue grooming until we are reimbursed equally with other clubs in Manitoba,” Temple added. “We have asked SNOMAN to meet with us multiple times and witness our grooming in action or compromise a solution with us, but we have been declined every time.”

Prior to shutting down grooming for the season, VTGA groomed approximately 2,750 km of trail this season already and are faced with a 50 percent reduction in payment from SNOMAN for that work, said Temple.

Money raised through the sale of the passes by SNOMAN is funnelled back into local snowmobile clubs who maintain and groom the system’s many trails. Temple encourages Snopass purchasers to demand a refund from SNOMAN for being unable to use some of the local trails due to the grooming stoppage.

16

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

St. Malo Hosts Festival of Friends For four days in February the St. Malo Provincial Park hosted the Festival of Friends.

Kicking off February 17 and running until February 20, the annual festival drew hundreds of participants to St. Malo for a spectacular celebration of culture, cuisine and traditions.

Friday’s highlights included a movie, fireworks and entertainment by the Les Girls. A vintage snowmobile parade took place on Saturday followed by a hockey game with Winnipeg Jets alumni, On Sunday ice racing and live entertainment by the Luzzif Classic Rock Band, Bernie Elastic and his Rubber Band, Michael Audette and Tickle Trunk rounded out the activities. Other activities took place including ice fishing, skating, a snow maze, snow shoeing, horse drawn hay rides and much more.

Left: Ayva Perry and Kamryn Perry got into the festival spirit during this year’s Festival of Friends.

Below: Traditional snow sculptures welcomed visitors to St. Malo Provincial Park.

St. Adolphe Bridge Expected to Re-open March 4 By the last weekend of February, the community of St. Adolphe was a-buzz as construction crews working on the Pierre Delorme Bridge have been cleaning up the site and slowly moving out.

Mayor Bob Stefaniuk has confirmed that the community’s only direct access to Highway 75 could re-open to traffic by the end of the first week of March.

“There are a lot of rumors going around now, especially since the boarding on the bridge has been taken down,” stated Stafaniuk. “What I have heard through our sources is the bridge will re-open on or before Friday, 4 March – time will tell!”

RM of Ritchot residents have been impatiently waiting for the bridge reconstruction to be complete.

The bridge was closed in August 2009 after support piers shifted. In early 2010 the province fast tracked the project financially and construction commenced in the spring. However, high water levels affected the project over the summer and the fall pushed the opening date back until spring 2011.

Additional roadwork will continue over the summer but residents will be able to use the bridge during that time.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Registration Begins for Run for Mom

By Marianne Curtis On Mother’s Day the fourth annual Run for Mom is taking place in Steinbach. Money raised during the one-day event will go towards Anna’s House, which offers programming designed to help mothers from throughout the region.

The annual Run for Mom is a Steinbach and area community event that consists of a 5-kilometer or 10kilometer run or walk. The year 2010 marked the third consecutive successful year with 476 registered participants and over 100 volunteers on the streets of Steinbach on a beautiful Mother’s Day afternoon.

Greg Penner, event organizer, is looking forward to the event.

“We are now in the planning stages for an even bigger and better event for this year,” stated Penner.

“One of the changes this year is that the start line is at the TG Smith Arena.”

Penner adds that fundraising is not required to participate in the event. The registration fee is donated completely to the facility.

“This is not an event that you need to fundraise for, though we do have a charity aspect,” explained Penner.

“We are hoping to see 500 runners this year with even greater support from surrounding communities.”

Pre-registration is encouraged and cost for participation ranges from $15 for youth to $30 for an adult, dependant on length of the run and date of registration. Family rates are available also. To register or find more information visit the event’s website at runformom.ca.

Anna’s House is a family resource centre that is located in Steinbach, but is dedicated to serving expectant mothers and families with children up to the age of 5. Programs are designed for children in each age group along with resources: a library, car seat and breast pump lending program, clothing, and nutrition programs are all offered at the facility to women from throughout the region.

More Than Just News!

March 2011

17

Committee Looking at Recreation in Niverville

Middle School Tender Awarded

By Marianne Curtis

The Hanover School Division is eagerly looking forward to the start of construction on the new Clearspring Middle School.

According to Ken Klassen, Hanover School Division superintendent, the construction contract for the new school was recently awarded to Penn-Co Construction of Blumenort.

Construction is expected to begin in the next few weeks and doors to the new school will open in September 2012.

In preparation the Hanover School Division will also begin looking for a new principal designate for the school. Klassen explains that the principal designate will have some release time to work together with the superintendents and the principals of the sending schools to make arrangements for furniture, supplies and resources needed for a successful start-up and to ensure a smooth transfer of students and staff.

The Hanover School Division expects to begin staffing the new school in March 2012.

Residents interested in recreational development in Niverville are encouraged to participate at a meeting designed to create a recreational plan for the area.

The Niverville Recreation and Wellness Commission is currently spearheading the development of a Community Recreation Plan for Niverville. The planning process will begin with collecting information from community residents and recreation groups. From the input received, the group will identify community issues, needs and interests.

Donna Watts, Director of Recreation and Wellness, explained the benefits of community recreation planning.

“By developing a shared future vision and a recreation plan for our community, we will be able to achieve more,” explained Watts. “Input from all community members and groups that are interested in sport, recreation, leisure, and culture is critical in developing a comprehensive plan.”

The group will also examine and determine values, issues, priorities and goals for recreation in the community.

“The future of recreation in our community is important – from the input received we will start to identify community issues, needs and interests,” Watts added. “By working together and taking a proactive approach we can make great things happen.”

The public community meeting will take place March 9 at the Niverville Centennial Arena in the south end meeting room starting at 6:30 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to provide thoughts on recreation in the area and hear about trends and factors that impact recreation in the area.

Ste. Anne Hospital Project Ready for Tender South Eastman Health is getting ready to go to tender on a major expansion project for the Ste. Anne Hospital.

According to Monique Vielfaure Mackenzie, South Eastman Health’s chief executive officer, seven companies responded to a pre-qualifying tender. The pre-qualifying tender was issued to identify potential companies that would want the project.

“We should have approval to go to tender at the beginning of March,” stated Vielfaure Mackenzie.

The Ste. Anne Hospital expansion includes the complete renovation of the surgical unit at the region’s second largest hospital. An additional 10,000 square feet will be added to the 20,000 square foot hospital at a cost of around $15 million.

The board of South Eastman Health expects to announce the winning bid by early April and construction expected to begin at the end of the month.

18

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Online Auction Ready for Launch

By Marianne Curtis In a few short weeks the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation will be launching their second annual online fundraising auction sale.

Money raised during the week long online auction will go towards a significant expansion in the works at the region’s second largest hospital.

Colleen Rivard, with the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation, is optimistic that the auction sale will do well.

“Last year was our first auction and we cleared $9,176 which we felt was a great success being it was our first,” explained Rivard. “We are looking for support from companies, organizations, and people to help make this happen.”

The upcoming auction is taking place from April 5-15. Items up for auction will be for building/ remodeling/landscaping needs.

There are various items such as air conditioning units, water softeners, door and window packages, lighting packages, fascia soffit, siding, gift certificates for cabinetry, excavation projects, backfill, prairie stone and more. This year tradesmen’s services and landscaping material will also be part of the auction.

The Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation is currently committed to raise money needed for the requested 10 percent community contribution towards the new surgical suite and recovery area which will be housed in a new wing.

The total cost for the project is estimated at $15 million and the foundation has committed to fundraising $1.5 million. The Town of Ste-Anne, the surrounding municipalities and the private sector have been invited to contribute generously to the project.

Once the surgical suite is complete the Ste. Anne Hospital will be able to offer full time operating services and alleviate some of the pressure on Bethesda Hospital’s surgical department.

To find out more information about the online auction or the Ste. Anne Hospital Foundation visit steannehospitalfund.ca/auctions/.

Niverville to Host Public Hearings There will be a Public Hearing in Niverville on March 22 at 7:35 p.m. regarding the closing of a portion of a Public Reserve in Plan 8285 (Ritchot Drive). There will also be a Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. on March 22 regarding the re-zoning of a part of a Public Reserve Plan 8285 and Lots 1-4 inclusive, from \”R1\” Single Family Residential to \”R2\” TwoFamily Residential Zone (Ritchot Drive). For more information contact Jim Buys 204-388-4600 ext. 105.

More Than Just News!

March 2011

19

Hanover Adds Generator to Emergency Centre The RM of Hanover recently celebrated the completion of renovations at the municipality’s Emergency Operations Centre by unveiling new equipment purchased specifically for the facility.

On February 11 the RM of Hanover officially recognized the contribution of funds to the municipality for the renovation of the municipality’s Emergency Operations Centre.

Provencher MP Vic Toews was on hand to turn on a new backup generator located at the RM of Hanover’s Emergency Operations Centre located inside the municipal office building.

RM of Hanover Emergency Coordinator Dennis Vassart expects that the new equipment will make things easier for the people working within the emergency centre if the need arose.

The new generator and other equipment were purchased by the municipality using federal funds from the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP). The JEPP grant was $21,865. In addition to the generator, the municipality was able to purchase some cots, laptops and communications equipment.

The RM of Hanover council, along with Provencher MP Vic Toews and other dignitaries, check out the new generator purchased for the municipality’s emergency operations centre.

20

March 2011

Online Videos and Contest Offer Youth Chance to Get Financially Fit and Win Big Young Canadians are invited to take part in the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) ‘Financial Fitness Challenge’, an online contest that uses videos, Facebook and Twitter tips to help youth get financially fit. The contest is aimed at helping youth increase their financial literacy and offers them the chance to win an Apple iPad or a grand prize of $2,000.

The Financial Fitness Challenge, FinancialFitnessChallenge.ca, runs to April 15 and uses interactive tools and scenarios to raise awareness of important financial concepts such as balancing needs versus wants, budgeting, saving and investing.

This year, visitors to the site will see four new entertaining and informative videos on budgeting, credit cards, investing and investment fraud.

“With close to 60,000 youth actively participating in the challenge over the past four years, the CSA has presented financial literacy education in a format that resonates with youth,” said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA. “We encourage parents and teachers to continue to develop financial literacy skills in youth by using the Challenge as a fun and informative learning tool.”

The bilingual contest is open to Canadians ages 15 to 21 and offers youth the opportunity to invite friends to join the Challenge, and to compete and engage with contest participants at a local and national level. Classroom materials including lesson plans are available to download from the Teacher and Parent Resource Centre at the website.

At the close of the contest, 13 entries – one from each province and territory – will be randomly selected from eligible participants to win an Apple iPad, and one national grand prize winner will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Unusual Tax Tips Most people know the common tax tips for saving money on your personal income tax return: medical expenses, tools for tradespersons, meals for truck drivers, child care expenses and the like. But there are some unusual ones that I find out about from time to time, or some items that are not very common.

For example, laser eye surgery is becoming more common as people tire of wearing glasses or contacts. Did you know this is an eligible medical expense credit? And since it costs hundreds or thousands of dollars, it can mean quite a saving on your tax return. If you have had eye surgery in the past ten years, you can still go back and adjust that past tax return (I hope you still have the receipt or can get a duplicate of one!

Speaking of medical expenses, you do not have to use the normal calendar year. Say you had major expenses at the end of one year and at the beginning of the next year. You could claim all of these on the one tax return.

You could choose the 12 month period ending say March 31 2010 and use expense going back to April 1 2009 if that is a better tax savings for you on your 2010 tax return.

Hair transplants are also considered a medical expense; it’s considered to be beneficial to the patient’s health.

Although some cosmetic medical surgery has been eliminated from the list of eligible expenses, many are still claimable if it’s recommended by your physician.

Did you use a lawyer to receive additional compensation from your employer? Maybe a severance payment?

These lawyer fees are a deduction from that income.

One that is very unusual is a farmer who deducts the costs of his cats (food and vet bills) because they are used for pest control. Yes, if you can prove you need the cats or dogs legitimately for your business then you can certainly deduct their expenses as business expenses. Of course if you have a service dog, you can deduct the dog food and other related expenses. I have seven furry friends, too bad I can’t figure out a way to deduct their expenses!

Do you pay for a “lunch program” at school for your child? This is supervision and is considered child care expenses. This also applies for any before and after school programs you pay for if it includes “supervision”.

Moving expenses can also be claimed as a deduction if you moved more than 40km to be closer to your new job. Although many people are reimbursed by their employers (and cannot deduct these expenses), I find young people are often moving around and are not claiming these expenses, even if it’s just the vehicle expenses (based on a per kilometre amount) and meals. Other expenses of course could be a moving van and accommodations or even storage costs.

If one spouse has dividend income and by having the other spouse claim it the spousal amount is created or can be made larger, then it can be moved to the higher income spouse. I’ve only seen this situation a couple of times over the years.

Pension Income Splitting is fairly new (2007 was the first year), but when I review some past tax returns for new tax clients, I find that most are claiming the full 50%. This is not always the best option. Sometimes splitting less than 50% means more medical expenses can be claimed by the lower income spouse. Tax software used by professionals makes this exercise a lot easier.

These are just a few examples of why it sometimes pays to have a professional file your taxes for you. At least every few years if you really want to do it yourself Unfortunately the way our tax system works, it’s up to you to find out what you may be eligible for. That’s why I like to ask lots of questions especially of my new tax clients.

Anni Markmann is an independent financial planner and tax professional working, living, playing, and volunteering in our community.

Contact her at 422-6631 or annimarkmann@mts.net or at 107 Central Avenue in Ste Anne.

Dawson Trail Dispatch

More Than Just News!

March 2011

21

Overall... It’s Good to Be A Manitoban!

We have some interesting information on what the 2011 economy may bring for Manitoba. At the Winnipeg Realtors Annual Breakfast Meeting recently, president Ralph Fyfe conveyed that, “The continued strength of the local real estate market has received national headlines proclaiming that Winnipeg will lead the way in 2011.”

Michael Benarroch, keynote speaker and Dean of the faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Winnipeg, spoke about the current global financial crisis and the recovery now underway.

He said, “The recovery is still fragile, especially in the U.S. The GOOD NEWS for Canada was that it came out of the recession relatively unscathed in comparison to the U.S.” “The U.S. debacle resulted from the approval in 2007 of $2 trillion in sub-prime mortgages, which represented 20 percent of the total mortgage market. From 2005 to 2007, 40 percent of mortgages were adjustable, meaning buyers were counting on a continual upward climb in house prices, but the opposite occurred.”

Benarroch emphasized the difference between American and Canadian mortgage delinquency ratesover 25 percent in the U.S., a mere 2 percent in Canada.

While Canada’s recession officially ended in the fourth quarter of 2009, Benarroch said there was a slow recovery in 2010.

Canada’s economy is projected to grow by 2.5 percent in 2011.

Manitoba has certainly fared better than most of Canada in 2009 with only .03 percent decline in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (2.6 percent for Canada). In 2010, however, its growth rate of 2.2 percent fell behind Canada’s rate of 2.9 percent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate of 5.3 percent is below Canada’s 7.8 percent. Manitoba averaged weekly earnings growth of 1.7 percent (0.5 percent in Canada) last year, a big jump in housing starts and a population increase of 1.3 percent.

Greg Dandewich, senior vice-president of Economic Development Winnipeg (EDW), outlined the program that is in place to attract new business and help existing local business to expand. His chart showed that the city had grown by 44,000 people over the last 10 years, and surrounding rural municipalities grew by 54,000 people. This growth is in stark contrast to the 1990’s, which were relatively static. More impressive was the forecast that rural municipalities will grow by 210,000 and the city by 170,000 people over the next 10 years.

These stats, including the job increase and major construction forecasted in the future, make Manitoba’s future look bright for Real Estate in the coming years.

Travis Olifirowich (371-7223) and Eileen Lewis (371-0255) are with Prudential Riverbend Realty. For information on this article feel free to contact them.

The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.

- Mark Twain

22

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

Niverville Seeks Funding Extension The Town of Niverville has asked for an extension of their infrastructure funding so that they can complete upgrading the community’s water treatment plant without losing money for the project.

The Town of Niverville council is hoping to take advantage of the federal and provincial offer of a onetime extension on the deadline for funding projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund and the Building Canada Fund.

The community’s $2.5 million water treatment plant upgrade project received funding from both these programs but due to weather was unable to be completed before the March 31 deadline. Historically, if not completed by the program completion deadline a project could lose all funding commitments. In this case, the town of Niverville could lose $1.66 million in funding – $832,300 from each program.

Initially, projects that received funding from these programs were supposed to be completed by March 31. However, for a variety of reasons, both governments have extended the deadline to October 31 for one time only.

The Town of Niverville council is confident that they will have the project complete by the October 31 deadline if the request is accepted.

St. Pierre Cleaner Guilty of Tax Evasion

Seine River Considers Social Networking The Seine River School Division is looking into ways to better promote division activities using the internet, specifically social networking sites.

At a recent meeting Trustee Theresa Bergson suggested that there might be some value to using social networking sites like Facebook to promote the school division and its activities.

“We are not looking for feedback or comments but a way to get information out to people,” Bergson explained.

The board agreed the social media would be a quick and easy way to get information out to the public.

However, there were concerns about how it would reflect on the division.

The Seine River Board of Trustees decided that they would look into the matter to see if there is any value to using social networking. Further information on the value of advertising through social meeting is being gathered to be brought back for further discussion at a later date.

A St. Pierre business woman has pled guilty to tax evasion and fraud after charges were brought against her by Revenue Canada.

Marcelle Bergeron, owner of Country Charm Cleaning Services and MRB Enterprises, is facing fines of $47,335 after pleading guilty of tax evasion and GST fraud. The 56-year-old cleaning woman has 60 months to pay the fine. She is also responsible to pay over $98,000 in back taxes and return over $43,000 in GST refunds she wasn’t qualified to receive.

Revenue Canada went after Bergeron after she did not file an income tax refund for five years. The court was told that from 2000 to 2005 she earned just over $391,000 through both Country Charm Cleaning Services and MRB Enterprises, on which she did not pay taxes. She also filed for GST Credits she was not entitled to claim, said the claim.

Revenue Canada has reserved the right to assess additional civil penalties at a later date.

In a statement Revenue Canada said that the case is an object lesson for taxpayers.

“Individuals who have not filed returns for previous years or who have not reported all their income can still voluntarily correct their taxes,” as long as Canada Revenue isn’t prosecuting them, the statement said.

Hanover Launches De Salaberry Guard Program Beefs Up Security The RM of De Salaberry council has decided that it is time to update the security system throughout the municipal office.

According to council, the municipality has agreed that a modern security system should be installed throughout the 56-year-old office building.

Reeve Ron Musick explained that the matter came to the table after the office was broken into around December 27. Culprits gained entry by breaking a side window and they damaged 11 interior doors.

Approximately $750 in cash was stolen from the premises.

The municipality’s insurance company is covering the damages sustained in the break-in.

To prevent further incidences, the municipality has agreed to re-key all 49 doors in the building and install a security system. The system, which is being installed

by Legal Locksmith, is costing the municipality $9,500.

Parents from four rural community schools within the Hanover School Division will breathe a little easier when the division launches a new program after spring break.

Hanover School Division Finance officer Marilyn Plett said that the division is moving ahead with installing adult crossing guards in four communities.

“We are looking at starting an adult crossing guard program in the school division and have identified four communities where there is a great need for that,” stated Plett. “We have given the four schools the green light to start the program after spring break.”

Adult crossing guards will be placed in Blumenort, Landmark, Grunthal and Niverville.

The Hanover School Division has already accounted for the implementation in their upcoming budget. If the program is successful it will then be expanded to other schools or communities.

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch

March 2011

23

Connections Made at Employment Fair Traffic Accident Injures Three

By Marianne Curtis

On February 23 immigrants and newcomers alike were invited to the Steinbach 55 Plus for the second annual Immigrant and Newcomer Employment Fair.

Eastman Immigrant Services, along with the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce, hosted the evening event with the expectation to connect those seeking employment with perspective employers.

“Making connections for the future” was the slogan for this year ’s 2nd annual employment fair, hosted by Eastman Immigrant Services and the Steinbach Chamber of Commerce.

There were 25 exhibitors and over one hundred perspective employees at the event.

Marina Klassen, from Eastman Immigrant Services, stated that she was very pleased with the success of the evening.

“People were networking and making connections,” Klassen recalled. “Many employers left with intentions of contacting the potential employees.”

There was an employer information session with a speaker panel that consisted of various employers who spoke on topics related to employer expectations. The second part was an employment fair where job-seekers could converse with local employers that were hiring, and apply for available positions and submit their resumes.

It was noted that there was a diversity of backgrounds and skills found in the people who attended the fair. Nearly half the group consisted of immigrants from 17 different countries and the remaining 51 percent consisted of local Canadian citizens.

On February 3, Steinbach RCMP responded to a 2vehicle collision at the intersection of Road 34 North and Road 29 East in the RM of Hanover.

The police investigation determined that a westbound minivan failed to stop at a stop sign and struck a southbound pick-up truck. The occupants of the minivan, both in their 80’s, were transported to the Bethesda Hospital for treatment. The female passenger was then transported to Winnipeg for further treatment. She is still in serious condition but her injuries are not considered life threatening. The 36-year-old male driver of the pick up truck was also transported to the Bethesda hospital for treatment.

Over 100 perspective employees gathered at the Steinbach’s 55 Plus Center to find out how they can be successful in finding a job.

Tache Replaces Jaws-of-Life On the heels of an accident that injured two volunteer fire fighters, the RM of Tache has decided to purchase a new set of jaws-of-life for the department.

Council made the decision to financially support the immediate

purchase of a replacement jaws-oflife for the department after meeting with Tache Fire Chief Peter Skjaerlund.

At the meeting council was told that a malfunctioning issue with the existing jaws-of -life was cause for

Fatal Snow Machine Accident in Steinbach On February 27 at 7:40 pm, RCMP in Steinbach responded to a report that a snowmobile had collided with a guide wire of a hydro pole at the intersection of PTH 12 and Hanover Road just south of Steinbach.

RCMP arrived on scene and determined that a 2010 Arctic Cat snowmobile was traveling north in the ditch next to PTH 12. Near the intersection of Hanover Road the snow machine struck a guide wire from a hydro pole. The passenger of the snow machine, a 48 year old female from Steinbach, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The 43 year old driver of the snow machine also of Steinbach was transported to the Bethesda Hospital for precautionary reasons. He has since been treated and released.

Alcohol was not a factor in the accident. An RCMP Traffic Collision Analyst attended and is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

concern. In January two fire fighters were sent to hospital while conducting a rescue after one of the hydraulic hoses that operates the jaws-of -life ruptured.

Normally the fire department fundraises for such a purchase but the circumstances surrounding the replacement demanded immediate action.

The RM of Tache council agreed to purchase the new set on the terms that any money raised from future fundraising goes towards the purchase and that the assistance be reflected in the department’s yearly budgeted equipment purchases.

24

March 2011

More Than Just News!

Dawson Trail Dispatch