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Issue 48

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019 Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240

New nursing home not in budget

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

The new provincial budget released last week brought frustration and disappointment to those working for a new Estevan Regional Nursing Home.

For the fourth time, the provincial government failed to allocate money to replace the current outdated building.

“Certainly for the members of the Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee and the members of the public who are so committed to this project it is frustrating to always find that there is a reason not to proceed in that,” said new Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee chair Don Kindopp.

The nursing home committee managed to meet the 20 per cent funding requirement for the building back in 2015, and since then they’ve been offering various ways to get the provincial government on board to construct the building.

The budget news turned to be even more frustrating since a recent meeting with the Ministry of Health gave the nursing home committee some hope.

“We’ve been in discussion with the minister in December, and we were encouraged that he might be talking to his department, because we have brought to him proposals to reduce the cost of the building by $10 million if we locate it as a three-story structure on the present grounds of the St. Joseph’s Hospital,” said Kindopp.

In their report, the committee has also indicated that the new project would result in fairly substantial yearly savings associated with the location.

“We thought that they would be interested in pursuing. However, it turned out that was not the case,” Kindopp said.

Now the committee will go back to exploring options and discussing possibilities with the Ministry of Health.

“Our plan is to continue to discuss with the ministry alternative ways, if need be, to replace the present building of the nursing home in Estevan... We look at anything creative that would allow us to proceed with the construction and not yet add to the

Don Kindopp cap of cost,” said Kindopp.

The committee is open to possibilities and plans to continue pressing the provincial government.

“We can’t give up our attempt to move this project forward because of that frustration… We have to overcome those (obstacles), and continue on, and continue to talk to the government, continue to encourage them and maybe bring to them alternative ways in which we could get that building replaced,” Kindopp said.

However, nobody knows how long these negotiations may last.

“When we started … the community campaign to raise money for the replacement of nursing home, at that time we needed to raise 20 per cent and that was under the government formula, the community raises 20 and the government provides 80 per cent of the capital cost in that. Until the government is willing to commit to that 80 per cent capital cost, we are willing to talk to them about the alternative means to replace the nursing home.”

The frustration with the government’s decisions increases, since the old building that is used for the nursing home requires a lot of regular maintenance.

“There was maintenance to be done over however many years the nursing home remains open, and the last I heard their estimate was around $12 million of maintenance to be done … and of course that doesn’t improve the functionality,” Kindopp said.

“It strikes me as they are wanting to spend $12 million to maintain the building and put that kind of money into an older building and not A2 » FUNCTIONALITY

The best in Saskatchewan The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs cheerleaders gather for a group photo after taking top spot in the Grade 9-12 scholastic intermediate division at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cheerleading Championships in Regina. Team members are, back row, from left, Tierra Fichter, Rilee Davidson, Madison Colbow, Caitlin Graham, Brianna Gusikoski, Sydney Davidson, Tamika Bodnarek, Cheyanne Tessier, Savanna Perry and Madison Folkerts. Front row, Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme, Danica Friess, McKenna Van De Woestyne, Ashley Tedford, Macie Hall, Katelyn Kobitz, Janna Friess and Reese Handley. Missing are Mataya Olson and Jordan MacDonald-West. For more on provincials, see Page A15. Photo submitted

Truck driver that caused Broncos crash sentenced to eight years

By Jessica R. Durling and Devan C. Tasa of the Tisdale Recorder Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the driver of a semi-truck who ran a stop sign, which resulted in the accident involving the Humboldt Broncos team bus, has been sentenced to eight years in jail.

For eac h of the 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death, Sidhu received a sentence of eight years in prison. For each of the 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, he received five years in prison. All of the sentences are concurrent – served at the same time.

He is also prohibited from operating a motor vehicle in Canada or owning a firearm for 10 years plus any time of imprisonment.

Judge Inez Cardinal said during Friday’s sentencing hearing held at Melfort ’s

Kerry Vickar Centre that the April 6, 2018 collision, which killed 16 and injured 13, was avoidable and that Sidhu was solely responsible for this collision by missing key indicators of an upcoming intersection.

“I find Mr. Sidhu’s moral blameworthiness to be high, especially considering his prolonged inattentiveness while operating a large, loaded semi and the tragic consequences that flowed from his actions,” she said.

“These offences require a strong message of deterrence and denunciation be sent to ensure Mr. Sidhu never operates a vehicle in such a dangerous manner, and that others – especially operators of large vehicles – understand that the dangerous operations of a motor vehicle will result in lengthy sentences of imprisonment.”

“Somehow we must stop this carnage on our highways.

It should not take an event

such as this to make people realize that operating a motor vehicle requires the full attention of the driver.”

Cardinal said she accepts that Sidhu is sincere in his remorse for the devastation his actions caused. She also pointed out he had no prior criminal record and a clean driving record before the event, and drugs, alcohol and use of a cell phone were not involved in the collision.

The judge also acknowledged the 90 impact statements submitted to the court.

“I want all the victims and their families to know their feelings have been heard in these proceedings,” she said In court Jan. 31, Crown prosecutor Thomas Healey recommended Sidhu receive a 10-year prison sentence.

“The sentence imposed today fits overall with the Crown’s submissions,” Healey told the media after the sentencing hearing. “The

sentence holds Mr. Sidhu accountable for his criminal actions on April 6; however, we recognize there is no sentence that can return any of the victims or their families to where they were before this criminal act took place.

“The crown trusts that this sentence will send a very strong message to everyone using our highways. That message is that criminal driving will not be tolerated.”

Sidhu is not a Canadian citizen, but a permanent resident. Permanent residents can be deported if they are convicted of a crime and serve more than six months in jail, or if they are convinced of a crime punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 10 years.

Raelene Herold, the mother of Adam Herold, who died in the collision, said the accident was so preventable and senseless.

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Carr pleased with provincial budget

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

Estevan MLA Lori Carr is touting the provincial budget, released on March 20, as having “the right balance” for the people of Saskatchewan.

The 2019-20 budget has a projected surplus of $34.4 million, with revenue forecasted at $15.03 billion, up about $782 million, or 5.5 per cent, compared to the 2018-19 budget. An expense of $14.99 billion is projected, up from the previous year’s budget by $382 million, or 2.6 per cent.

“It’s taken three budget cycles to get here,” Carr said in an interview with the Mercury. “It’s a commitment that we made three years ago, and it’s finally coming to fruition, and I’m just so pleased that we were able to get there.”

While this was the third budget that Carr has been a part of since she became Es-

tevan’s MLA, it was her first as a cabinet minister, as she was appointed the minister of Highways and Infrastructure last August. She had been on the treasury board the last three years, giving her an insight into the budget process.

“Sitting on that committee is absolutely fantastic, because every single ministry comes in and presents their budget, and we get an opportunity to have a really focused discussion on opportunities that they’re bringing forward, or cuts that they’re making,” said Carr.

As a cabinet minister, it gave her the opportunity to present to treasury on behalf of the ministry of Highways and Infrastructure. But during her presentation, she was wondering what might be removed from her budget.

She believes her department will have significant capital spending. The budget calls for continuing of the

Sidhu likely to face deportation « A1 “For us, our life doesn’t change. Adam doesn’t come back. It certainly isn’t closure.

“We have a lifetime sentence. He gets six months for Adam’s life,” she said, dividing the eight-year sentence by 16.

In a statement, the Humboldt Broncos said they are pleased this legal matter has been resolved.

“This past year has been extremely difficult. Having this legal matter settled and the sentencing complete is a big step in the healing process for the survivors, grieving families, our organization and the community of Humboldt and surround-

ing area,” said Humboldt Broncos president Jamie Brockman. “The sentence is subject to varying opinions but what is important is that Mr. Sidhu plead guilty, has shown remorse and has remained accountable for his careless actions.”

Among those killed in the crash were Broncos head coach and general manager Darcy Haugan and assistant coach Mark Cross.

Both played junior hockey in Estevan. Haugan was also an assistant coach with the Bruins from December 2000-January 2003, and was an interim head coach and general manager for a few months in 2003.

construction of passing lanes and some twinning from Estevan to Regina; Carr pointed out the passing lanes will be constructed between Estevan and Weyburn this year.

There is also money for intersection safety upgrades on highways. The government has bumped the amount of money available up to $20 million.

“That’s work that we were already doing on an annual basis,” said Carr. “Our budget was already $7 million for that, but obviously in light of the Humboldt (Broncos) tragedy that happened, it brings everything to the forefront and lets us know what’s really important.”

The money could be used for such expenses as lighting, signage, guard rails, rumble strips or turning lanes.

“We have actually already evaluated over 1,300 intersections, and this year in our budget, we will be ad-

Lori Carr dressing 60 of them that we’ll be starting with,” said Carr.

There is also money for resurfacing Highway 18 from Torquay to Oungre. The stretch from Torquay to Outram was completed last year.

And the government will fund a portion of repairs for Souris Avenue South in Estevan from Fourth Street to Perkins Street through the

Built more than 50 years ago, the Estevan Regional Nursing Home doesn’t meet contemporary elder care criteria. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia « A1 increase the functionality when you could apply that money towards replacing the current nursing home,” he added.

And the functionality is the main problem.

“The thing that is saddening about the present nursing home is that … it has

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have two residents.

“We need to certainly address that area for the dignity of our elders,” said Kindopp.

Room size often prevents care providers from accessing patients from both sides of their beds to provide adequate assistance.

Kindopp also underlined that, despite all these challenges, the staff is doing amazing work providing care for the patients in a building that was designed 50 years ago, and keeps hoping that the facility changes are soon to come.

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been designed some 50 years ago, in which the philosophy of care for elders was different from our philosophy of care for elders today. So the building is designed with long hallways, and the rooms are too small according to today’s standards, and there is no overhead tracking to assist patients in and out of bed,” said Kindopp.

The 70-bed facility also struggles to provide decent privacy to its patients. The rooms have a bathroom area that’s only separated from the rest of the space by curtains, and some of the rooms

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look at again,’ and hopefully we can move forward with them sooner rather than later.”

There have been discussions with the Ministry of Health about the new nursing home, but it was not discussed during budget deliberations.

She also pointed out that municipalities will receive more money through the municipal operating grants program. Urban and rural municipalities will now share three-quarters of one point of the provincial sales tax, rather than a full point, but now that the PST is applied to restaurant meals, used vehicle sales, children’s clothes, construction materials and other purchases, municipalities will actually receive more money.

“If revenues go up in PST, then cities get more. If revenues go down, they get less. It’s the same as before.

We share when things are slower and we share when things get better.”

Functionality of current nursing home not there

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provincial Urban Connector Program. Planning still needs to be completed, but Carr is optimistic it can be completed this year.

The budget did not include money for a new Estevan regional nursing home.

Carr said she knows the new nursing home committee has presented the government with some new options for how to move forward with the project.

Senior care facilities in Grenfell and Meadow Lake are moving forward this year.

“They can’t have residents in there, so they need to be replaced,” said Carr.

“They’re going to have those projects go forward and … then hopefully once those are out the door, and we see what the costing is and how it works (for a new nursing home in Estevan), I’ll be back at the door for the health minister, saying ‘We have some options here we’d like you to

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Every person filing a written objection with SLGA shall state their name, address, and telephone number in printed form, as well as the grounds for the objection(s). Petitions must name a contact person, state grounds, and be legible. Each signatory to the petition and the contact person must provide an address and telephone number. Frivolous, vexatious or competition-based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing.

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THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:

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Go online at www.estevanmercury.ca to vote!

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Interest grows for second Habitat home

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

Estevan’s Habitat for Humanity committee has taken the next step forward in building a second home for a local family.

The committee hosted an information session for prospective partner families on Saturday afternoon at the Days Inn. Representatives from potential families came to find out the requirements, and to ask questions of Tara Goulet and Addie Polley, who are with Habitat’s Regina chapter.

The Estevan chapter is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity in Regina.

“We go through our presentation to help families understand what our program is all about. And from there, they can make a decision whether or not they want to apply for a home with Habitat, and … they can pick up an application,” said Goulet.

Eight of the families who attended the session picked up an application form. A representative of the prospective partner family had to be in attendance in order to apply.

The local chapter wants people to know all about home ownership with Habitat.

“It’s the Habitat Canada program that we follow. We’re making sure that they know what the qualifiers are to make sure that they’re the right fit for our program, and what their year is going to look like once they are chosen to be a partner family,” said Polley.

Goulet pointed out that people will often ask ques-

tions about the mortgage. A mortgage with Habitat for Humanity does not have a down payment, and it is interest-free, and it will be 25 per cent of the annual gross household income.

People will want to know if they can roll their property taxes into their mortgage payments, or if the payment will change if they get a raise.

“A lot of people think that they will only pay the same amount every year, and we analyse their payment every year,” said Goulet.

Other people want to know about requirements for sweat equity, such as the tasks they will have during the construction phase.

There weren’t a lot of questions during the Estevan session, but the local committee wanted potential applicants to know about changes in requirements, particularly

when it comes to sweat equity.

“It used to be that all of the sweat equity had to be completed by the time the house was completed in order for them to get access to the mortgage, but now with the sweat equity, they’re given a year to get their sweat equity hours in,” said Estevan committee chair Doug Barnstable.

He conceded it can be difficult for the partner family to get the hours in with other commitments, but family and friends can help out.

Once the questions were answered, people in attendance picked up the preliminary application.

They also heard from Stephanie Bramham, who was the first partner family for Habitat for Humanity in Estevan, along with her daughter Teal. Stephanie Bramham noted that her journey to being a partner family started

Tara Goulet from Habitat for Humanity in Regina explained the process for becoming a partner family with Habitat.

Stephanie Bramham discussed how Habitat for Humanity has improved her life and the life of her daughter Teal. when she attended an information meeting in 2016.

“I wasn’t even 100 per cent sure if I was going to qualify or not, but I handed it in anyways,” said Bramham.

After submitting an application, she had a home interview and was selected as the partner family.

Bramham and her family and friends put in the 500 hours of sweat equity.

Her father was at the build site every day. She promoted Habitat in the community and performing tasks such as painting, insulation and tying rebar.

“My daughter loves being there,” said Bramham.

“She loves playing with her friends outside in the summer.

One of the kids in day care lives really close.”

A birthday party for Teal was held at the house last summer, and Christmas sup-

per has taken place there in 2017 and 2018.

“Teal loves having people over,” Bramham said.

Barnstable pointed out the number of people who picked up applications was a significant increase from the last information session in 2016. Only three people took out applications in 2016, and one of them wasn’t eligible.

“It shows an increased interest in the community and an awareness of the availability of Habitat homes being built, and hopefully it encourages the community that there is still a need out there,” he said.

Barnstable expects the applications will be in by March 30. Then the committee will proceed with a review and decision on who to give long applications. People will have 30 days to complete those forms.

“There are also home visits involved with the applicants on the long form level, and it takes some extra time as well on the review and decision-making,” said Barnstable.

The local committee recommends two families to Regina, who will make the final decision.

Barnstable pointed out the local committee still hopes to build a home this year, but they need about $40,000-$45,000 more in fundraising.

Goulet and Polley said the families that have received a home through Habitat for Humanity in Regina and its other chapters, including Estevan, are grateful for the opportunity.

“We are making a difference in people’s lives, and the goal of this is to help break the cycle of poverty,” said Goulet.

EHS hosts Estevan’s latest vital conversation

By Cassandra Howard for the Mercury W hat does community mean? To the Estevan Humane Society, it means everyone banding together to donate time, talent and monetary means to reach a common goal.

To come together to give a voice to the animals people co-exist with, thanks to the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Estevan’s animal shelter had a chance to share that vision.

The Estevan Humane Society received a South Saskatchewan Community Foundation grant, and as such, hosted on the SSFC’s 50th anniversar y, one of the 50 Vital Conversations held across the province. The public was invited to attend, listen and discuss the role and impact the EHS has in the community and its goals for the now and future.

EHS manager Elizabeth Murphy shared that it was an intimate discussion

with just seven community members present. They were able to remind the public what it is they do as an animal shelter, that they serve

not just the community but also surrounding areas, and that they are just one of three no kill shelters in Saskatchewan.

Their mission is to serve the animals under the five freedoms, and serve the community with the limited resources at their disposal.

Murphy said that even though it was a small gathering, they were able to raise awareness of the community’s needs when it comes

Attending a vital conversation hosted by the Estevan Humane Society on Thursday were, back row, from left, Travis Frank, Jessi Storlie, Roxy Blackmore, Monica Kovach and Dianne Glazier.

Front row, Angela Prette, Coralee Blondeau and Elizabeth Murphy. Photo submitted

Redesign

to animal welfare.

A few main topics discussed included the amount of stray animals in the community, the amount of relinquished animals, and how the down turn of the economy is affecting the animals in the city. Due to the recession, the humane society has seen an increase of animals, and for the same reasons, has experienced a decrease in adoptions and monetary donations.

With limited resources the EHS’s goals for the future is to keep fundraising, so they can expand or renovate to better accommodate the community’s animal control needs. They rely on their volunteer programs to lighten the emotional, physical and financial demands, and to be able to continue being open. They encourage people to help, with not just financial donations, but time to give better quality of life to the animals in their care, and give the animals a better chance at finding the right home.

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EDITORIAL

Council should get some compensation Nobody likes getting a pay cut. It’s even worse if you have a salary system in place for a few years, only to have someone tinker with it for no apparent reason.

That pay cut has nothing to do with performance, work ethic or ability. It’s because somebody in Ottawa decided to change the pay structure for people across the country.

That’s exactly the situation that Estevan city council, and municipal councils across Canada, have found themselves in after the federal government decided to end the days of the tax exemption for non-accountable allowances, which accounted for one-third of their compensation.

It means council members will have less take-home pay.

Now, it should be noted that the amount of money council members will be losing isn’t onerous. In order to fully compensate a council member for the money lost, a councillor would have to receive an additional $2,052 for the year, while the mayor would need to receive more than $6,000 a year.

But like most people, if you subtract more than $2,000 from their income per year, they’re going to feel it.

Urban municipal councils aren’t the only one feeling the hit. So are rural municipality councils and school boards.

It’s pretty galling that the federal government has decided to take this step against these particular elected individuals. Municipal councils

and school board trustees are the bedrock of our democracy. The vast majority of them aren’t doing it for the money. It’s not their full-time job. They aren’t looking to cover their beer and popcorn expenses.

It’s something they choose to do because they have a vision, and they want to do what’s in the best interest for their community or for education in the area.

It’s often a thankless job dealing with members of the public who don’t recognize how difficult and taxing the job is.

Council members and school board trustees deserve better.

We’re not sure why the feds have taken the step to remove the non-accountable allowances now. Perhaps it’s because there were elections late last year in Ontario and B.C., so the feds decided this was the time to try it, with new councils in those populous provinces. And can’t remove non-accountable allowances in Ontario, and allow them to remain in Saskatchewan until their next civic election.

So you remove them now, and let Saskatchewan municipalities deal with this change in the middle of their term.

Many Saskatchewan municipal councils have decided to increase their pay to offset the money that they would lose. And you can’t fault them for it. After all, how many of us would do the exact same thing if we found ourselves in that situation?

You also have to applaud councils and school boards that decided not to give themselves a raise to offset the wages they have lost.

They know they are dealing with the taxpayer’s dollars, and when they give themselves a raise, people won’t be happy, especially when it happens mid-term.

Which brings us to Estevan city council.

Council decided to turn to a remuneration committee to decide whether they should receive less money for the next two years. The remuneration committee has long been a bright move by Estevan’s council, allowing a committee of appointed citizens to determine council’s wage for the next term.

After all, if council gives themselves a raise, people aren’t going to be happy.

When a committee suggests a wage increase, it’s not so bad.

The committee’s recommendation is to restore half of the money council members would lose due to this change. It wasn’t resoundingly applauded; we’ll see if council approves it at their next meeting.

The smart move for council would be to say no to a wage increase or to side with the committee’s compromise solution. It would be a huge mistake to overrule the committee and give themselves full compensation for the wages lost.

Taxpayers would revolt, and they would have a hard time finding people to be part of this valuable committee again.

Build the pipeline – but which one?

In recent months, I’ve seen a heartwarming display of support for the oilpatch boil over and start to make some noise. One of the common phrases is “Build the pipeline.” Another is “We support the pipeline.”

But which pipeline? Most people really don’t know. So here’s a primer for you.

First of all, it’s not one pipeline. There are actually five export oil pipelines at issue. One’s mostly built, one is in purgatory, two have been cancelled (but should be reborn and built) and the last, we own, but haven’t yet built.

The first is the Enbridge Line 3 Replacement. This project is pretty much all done in Canada, with some of the last work in Saskatchewan happening south of Moosomin this past winter. You would think it’s ready to put into service, but that’s not the case. Opposition in Minnesota has meant that permits to build that portion won’t be issued until this November, pushing back the project a full year. It was supposed to be in service in later 2019, and now that’s going to be later 2020, at best.

Line 3 Replacement replaces the one problematic pipeline in the Enbridge mainline system that has required the most maintenance.

The next one is the Keystone XL pipeline. It was kyboshed by former U.S. president Barrack Obama, but revived by President Donald Trump the same week he took office. It looked like it was finally going to start construction last year when a Montana court ordered it be reviewed, again, on an environmental basis. As of mid-March, TransCanada was expecting construction to be delayed yet another year, as it would likely lose this year’s construction season.

Some people have said no Saskatchewan oil would flow on Keystone XL. I strongly disagree.

Most of the production from northwest Saskatchewan that is not refined in Lloydminster ends up being pipelined by the Husky mainline

From the Top of the Pile BRIAN ZINCHUK to Hardisty, Alta., Canada’s oil hub.

That’s where the Enbridge mainline and Keystone pipeline originate. There is no reason that I know of that oil from a thermal plant at Edam, piped to Lloydminster, then Hardisty, could not find its way into Keystone XL. Both of these pipelines would allow Canada to ship more oil to the U.S.That’s good, but it does not allow us to ship to new markets. Anything going in those new lines would still be at the mercy of American, and only American, oil markets.

The next two, the dead ones, are dead precisely because of the policies of the Justin Trudeau-led federal Liberal government.

One of those pipelines is Energy East. For Saskatchewan, this pipeline is/was the most important. Right now, every drop of oil produced in southeast Saskatchewan that does not go by rail is shipped by TEML to the Enbridge Mainline terminal at Cromer, Man., via the 16-inch Westspur line. Very little, if any, goes by rail these days.

Energy East included a planned 71-kilometre, 16-inch pipeline called the Cromer Lateral that would have allowed as much as 100 per cent of southeast Saskatchewan’s oil to be shipped on Energy East instead of the Enbridge Mainline.

That meant, instead of being locked into shipping that oil into the American Midwest or southern Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba producers could have used the Cromer Lateral and Energy East to sell their oil to refineries in Montreal, Quebec City or Saint John, N.B. The Irving Refinery at Saint John is the largest refinery in Canada, and it currently accepts its

oil principally by tanker, but can also receive it by rail. Those tankers come from places like Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan and the United States.

Energy East would have started at Hardisty.

Its capacity would have been 1.1 million barrels per day. Thus, most of its oil would have come from Alberta. But some of it could have come from northwest Saskatchewan, for the same reasons I explained for Keystone XL. In addition to supplying Montreal, Quebec and Saint John refineries, displacing foreign oil, Energy East would have allowed us to export oil, on our own tankers, to foreign markets like Europe. Energy East was supposed to have been in service by 2018. It’s 2019.

All the arguments about Northern Gateway being in service by now, and the impact on differentials, also apply to Energy East. If Energy East had been working by now, Western Canada would not have lost billions of dollars this last winter. Those are billions we will never get back.

One more thing on Energy East – it would have made Canada energy independent. If the rest of the world decided to not sell us oil, we would be just fine. That is not the case now. Without foreign oil, Eastern Canada would be walking.

Energy East was killed when the Trudeau government “moved the goalposts” on the environmental assessment for the project – adding greenhouse gas emissions for the oil it would have carried into consideration. At that point, TransCanada threw its hands up and gave up, after spending a billion dollars to get to this point.

Bill C-68 will change the way pipelines have been assessed for generations, a system that, up until the last decade, worked just fine, thank you.

Next week: Northern Gateway, Trans Mountain Expansion, and why this is so important.

Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net.

Op-Ed A5

Delivering the Gold Standard in real estate

LYNN CHIPLEY, Broker/Owner Cell 306.421.0100

1339 Fourth St., Estevan, SK S4A 0X1 Office 306.634.1020 Fax 306.634.0088 lynn.chipley@c21.ca www.century21.ca/lynn.chipley

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About…

Ugliness of poverty Have you seen the Emotional Video Shows La Vergne Students Surprising Classmate that went viral gaining over 43 million views in two weeks? If not, check it out. The video capturing American students giving shoes and clothes to their classmate who is going through a tough time deeply touched me and I guess millions of other people all over the world. The strength and purity of emotions made me once again think of how ugly poverty is, and how vulnerable we become when facing it.

I’ve seen the viciousness of poverty back in Russia, where millions of older people have to count coins while buying the simplest groceries to physically make it from pension to pension. I guess I even tried a taste of it in the early 90s, but I was too young to understand that my family was on the edge of starvation.

I’ve seen it in milder forms here in Canada, when people would come to charitable organizations being shy, hiding eyes as if apologizing for where they are in life.

I’ve witnessed it in the Dominican Republic where people live in houses built out of garbage; and in Cuba where cell phones are still a luxury and people work 16-hour days, six-seven-day weeks spending two hours on top of that on the road just trying to put bread on the table. And I mean literally bread.

I noticed poverty it in the backyards of European capitals and on the streets of American cities. I haven’t been to Asia much, but as far as I heard, the East Indian standards of living are massively below the poverty line. Tunisian poverty witnessed back in 2009 made me cry (I hope it changed some by now).

And what strikes me is that we are living in a world of mass consumption and overproduction. But even developed countries didn’t manage to find ways to overcome poverty.

Poverty is different everywhere and yet it’s the same. It humiliates us as human beings. Poverty is not a sentence, but it sure feels like it and often looks like it as well. It makes people feel hopeless. So often poverty erases human relationships. And watching like these kids in the video offer their hand to a boy, who probably can’t ask for it... It’s strong.

We don’t like talking about poverty, we call it “hard times.”

But does it help any? I believe as it makes it feel a little bit safer for those struggling, it also hides the problem, making it blend into daily life and thus remain unaddressed. Which in its turn may lead to terrible circumstances.

Another huge problem with poverty is that it’s a driving force for the most conflicts.

A few years ago I took the Peace and Conflicts Program at the University of Manitoba. One of my profs there said that the main thing humanity has to do to have peace in the world is to win the battle over poverty.

If that is to be accomplished neither ethnic, nor historical inequalities, neither national clashes, nor religious controversies would have the scale and power they’ve had throughout our history.

There is poverty in Canada, there is poverty in Estevan. Often it’s hidden and called “hard times,” but nevertheless it’s tough.

Over the past few months, I covered activities of a number of great organizations and programs that aim at helping to deal with one or another poverty symptom. Warm Welcome Kitchen and Salvation Army, Angel Tree and Hamper programs, Southeast Newcomer Services and Southeast Advocates for Employment, Habitat for Humanity and churches, Estevan Public Library’s little food pantry, you name it.

A lot of fundraisers are done by sports groups, and a lot of donations come out of local people’s and businesses’ pockets to fight that battle. And when unselfish help is initiated by kids like in that video or like in some stories the Mercury covered lately, it’s even more inspiring (well, and sad too, even little kids know that not everything is great in this world). We are a very generous and contributing community. And it gives me courage all the time.

However, with all that joint effort, with so much energy, resources, initiatives, money, great ideas and projects being used as a weapon against poverty, why is it still here?

My guess – in most cases we are more focused on visible symptoms (don’t take me wrong, it’s crucial to address those as well), but the original problems in many situations remain buried underneath the obvious. We tend to believe we live in a world of equal opportunities, but in reality, a lot depends on our history, background and individual characteristics, which too often are not up to us to change.

And while we as a community do address these milestone systematic, institutional and mental settings, in general, it’s really hard to change a centuries-old system built on oppression. Yet, when I see how much people desire and do help those going through “hard times,” I know we are going to get there.

Planning on Boarding your Pet? Make sure his vaccinations are up to date!

Sweeping equipment hit the streets of Estevan as early as March 18 this year. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Spring operations started two weeks earlier this year

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

With nice weather coming to the Energy City earlier this year the City of Estevan crews were able to deploy the cleaning equipment as early as March 18.

Norm Mack, who is the manager of roads and drainage for the public works division, said that usually, spring operations don’t start before April.

“The past week was the nice weather and most of the main arteries are melted off, so we decided to deploy the sweepers early and get some of that winter debris off the road,” said Mack.

They’ve also had the steamer out for last couple of weeks. Mack noted that it’s been a relatively slow melt with not much moisture con-

tent in the snow. And as far as water being an issue, there was no serious problems associated with drainage.

“It’s a below normal runoff that I can see,” Mack said.

With the nice weather it really did a good melt on the streets. And this week, the city is hoping to start sweeping residential areas as well.

When the warm weather is completely settled down in Estevan and main cleaning operations are done, the city will proceed with further spring operations.

“We are going to wait till the frost gets out of the ground before some of our maintenance work, which is patching and crack filling.

All that will be coming up depending on the weather, further in April,” Mack said.

He noted that there are not many potholes so far this

year. And since it is freezing and melting water that creates most potholes the roads remain in decent shape after winter because the city clears off all snow, so streets dry up really quick.

The first part of the 2019 winter didn’t bring in too much precipitation, leaving the city snow-clearing budget in good shape. However, it still might be too early to judge.

“We had one storm early in February there … we did hire some contractors and we did spend some money, and snowstorms aren’t cheap. I think we are sitting in a pretty good shape … Of course, we still got winter this year in October, November, December, so we should be in shape for the three remaining months next fall. And you never know, we could have a ... snowstorm

Ludwig reacts to provincial budget Estevan Mayor Roy Ludwig saw a number of positives in the provincial budget that was handed down March 20.

Ludwig was pleased to see added support through provincial revenue sharing, and a commitment to have passing lanes from Estevan to Weyburn. There is also money for upgrades to Souris Avenue South from Fourth Street to Perkins Street through the Urban Connectors program.

Direct provincial supports for municipalities will total $437.1 million for the coming year, supporting infrastructure projects and community initiatives through the municipal revenue sharing program (MRS), which give local governments the funds they need to properly administer and grow their community

and economy.

This represents a $25.4 million, or 6.2 per cent increase, over 2018-19.

Following a thorough review and consultation on the MRS program, it was announced that overall funding would increase to $251.6 million.

Urban municipalities will receive $161.3 million.

A breakdown for how much money Estevan would receive was not available.

“It’s moving in the positive direction, so we’re happy about that,” the mayor said.

The exclusion of Estevan’s new regional nursing home from the budget was disappointing to the mayor.

“The only thing that we were a little bit disappointed with is the fact that we’ve

Mayor Roy Ludwig had our money in place, and have been patiently waiting for our new nursing home for many years, and … we’ve been denied again. So we’ll have to continue to lobby the province, with the hope that … some day soon we’re going to get that new nursing home that

306-634-7123

www.prairieanimalhealthcentre.com

we seriously need.”

The city will also continue to press the government about the future of the community.

Now that the government has decided not to retrofit Units 4 and 5 with carbon capture and storage technology, the city is hopeful the government will support retrofitting Unit 6 at Boundary Dam and the unit at the Shand Power Station.

But the budget did not include funding to help Estevan in this time of transition.

The mayor pointed out that there was also money in the budget for a new elementary school and a new hospital in Weyburn, both of which Ludwig said are much-needed projects in that community, and he doesn’t begrudge the government for providing that support to Weyburn.

Marley is around a year and a half, male Great Pyrenees. He is very sweet and lovable, he would do great on an acreage.

Lily is an 8 month old black lab, she is very smart and eager to learn, and is patiently waiting for her forever home.

108 Breeze Street, Estevan

in April here that we may have to spend more money on,” said Mack.

Summer promises to be a busy time for the city crews, as they have a lot of work planned as far as sidewalk repairs and traffic lights.

And no matter what season it is, Mack reminded drivers to be cautious and follow the signs when coming across the operating equipment.

“A lot of our equipment has signage on the back to stay back so many metres.

If you see some of our road maintenance equipment such as sweepers and loaders, and stuff, just stay back a little bit, give them some space and give them a little time, and they’ll be out of your way.

Just remember to reduce your speed when you come up to road maintenance crews,” said Mack.

Spayed and neutered pets are much happier pets.

The Estevan Humane Society reserves the right to refuse any adoption.

CALL ESTEVAN HUMANE SOCIETY

306.634.3444

Business A6

Josh LeBlanc 306-421-6778 REALTOR® (PART-TIME)

www.joshleblanc.ca

IT TAKES MORE THAN A SIGN!

CHOICE REAL ESTATE

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Each office independently owned and operated

CEO of the Sask. Chamber of Commerce: The energy transition is happening

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Steve McLellan addressed the most sensitive of topics for the Energy City at the Estevan Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting. His speech, as he put it, was aimed at helping to understand a little more than what headlines tell about the energy sector and how critical it is to the sustainability of the community, the province and the country.

He started off recalling the Saskatchewan chamber’s main advocating projects, which included research and moves related to Saskatchewan business’ competitiveness with the rest of the country, the U.S. and the rest of the world. He also addressed topics of pipelines, carbon and the carbon tax, and Indigenous engagement.

The carbon tax, being imposed as of the beginning of next week, was one of the main focuses for the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

McLellan was straightforward on their position on the issue, which turned out to have two sides to it.

“The conversation that we are trying to make is that while we do not support the

Steve McLellan, the CEO of the Sask. Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia carbon tax, let’s be 100 per cent clear on that, we do also fully support reduced greenhouse gas emissions. And as businesses, we’ve surveyed our members, they are 100 per cent clear – reduce emissions,” McLellan said.

McLellan pointed out they are working to make sure the money taken from the communities through the carbon tax should be circulated back to Saskatchewan enterprises to help improving energy efficiency, which in the end will reduce business operating costs.

McLellan outlined that the changes that Estevan is

facing may take a long time, but are inevitable, and also encouraged members of the Estevan chamber to take opportunities.

“We will transition as an economy, as a people, as a country from somewhat of our traditional oil and gas, the legacy industry into renewables and how we do it. Is it going to be complete (transition)? Absolutely not. In your lifetime you will always need petroleum products. But will that transition happen? I’ll guarantee it will,” McLellan said.

“We are going to move this way. Why? Because tech-

nologies are improving, because the opportunity is there and you... are the Sunshine … Capital of this province, I would argue of the country and perhaps the world. So you have this raw natural resource. Why don’t we think about solar more? And if it’s economically feasible to do, let’s explore options to do it sustainably for homes and businesses, public buildings and so on,” he added.

McLellan noted that the Energy City wasn’t named an oil, coal or gas city, and on top of the traditional energy sources had a palette of renewable ones such as solar power

or geothermal, which might be used along with others.

Besides carbon-related issues McLellan also talked about pipelines. The chamber members have been to Ottawa twice to talk about Bill C-69, which in their eyes is not the right solution for the province, the West or the country.

“I talked about Bill C-69, I talked about market access and it doesn’t matter whether or not it’s oil or grain, both are struggling as it relates to rail.

We believe pipelines, if built appropriately – and we believe that we have the companies that can do it well – … will l take the pressure off. Oil goes underground, grain goes on top, your manufacturer products go on the rails. That’s what we need to transition to and we are working to get there,” McLellan said.

The Indigenous Engagement Charter that the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is working on now was another topic. It is based on the research, which was aiming to find the biggest opportunity for Saskatchewan and the biggest challenge. The answer to both questions was the same – aboriginal engagement.

“We knew we had as an opportunity thousands of people in this province under-engaged educationally

and career-wise, knew that we had a huge population that was underemployed,” McLellan said.

So they’ve done some research on how to engage and retain Indigenous people into businesses. The charter will be soft launching May and fully launched in September. It will give businesses the resources on how to engage with Indigenous companies to help them grow stronger, how to hire Indigenous people and how to educate their staff about contextual hard questions.

“We in Saskatchewan have an opportunity, unlike most other jurisdictions in the country, to take our neighbours, friends and often relatives and help them raise their level of education, of employment, and their standard of living. And if we don’t do that, we have the opposite where we have to pay for the social costs. Let’s not do that, let’s take the opportunity and address it together,” McLellan said.

Finishing up his speech he suggested, “You are going through a transition. That can be both challenging and exciting. If you choose, it’s the most exciting time in the future of Estevan, embrace it, celebrate it, and most importantly – be part of the force that made it great.”

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Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Lots of curling at 60th annual OTS bonspiel

The Estevan Oilfield Technical Society’s (OTS) 60th annual open bonspiel resulted in plenty of action at the Power Dodge Curling Centre.

Twenty-four teams entered the bonspiel, which started Friday afternoon and ended Saturday evening.

The Thirsty Bird Pumpjack Sales and Service rink, with skip Duane Lamontagne, third Ryan Hansen, second Lawrence Hansen and lead Jeremy Carlson, won the A final, defeating Dart Services 6-3.

After the game, Lamontagne said they were playing

a really good team, but the Thirsty Bird rink was able to get a jump on Dart Services from the start, which played a key role in their victory. “ We were in trouble the one end, he picked a few points up on us. He made his draw to tie it up, but we managed to sneak one in there once in a while.”

In the last end, they ran the Dart Services rink out of rocks.

The games at the bonspiel went six ends for the first time this year instead of the traditional eight, in an effort to attract more teams.

Lamontagne pointed

out the game with Dart Services was the first time Thirsty Bird went more than four ends during the bonspiel.

“I’m an old-time curler, so I prefer eight ends of curling than six ends of curling,” said Lamontagne, who added that he’d be willing to play 10 ends if he could.

In the B final, the Tarpon Energy rink, with skip Tyler Greenwald, third Jody Vatamaniuck, second Jason Clauson and lead Justin Pearce, defeated TSB; while in the C final, Nalco Champion, with skip Devon Fornwald, third Darryll Duce,

second Tyler Forbin and lead Dave Dayman, defeated Mid-West Surveys.

Scores for those two games were not available.

The bonspiel also

featured a banquet in the curling rink’s lounge on Friday night.

Members of the Thirsty Bird Pumpjack Sales and Service team that won the A final were, from left, lead Jeremy Carlson, second Lawrence Hansen, third Ryan Hansen and skip Duane Lamontagne. Photo by Brian Zinchuk

The Nalco Champion rink that won the C event were, from left, lead Dave Dayman, second Tyler Forbin, third Darryll Duce and skip Devon Fornwald.

Photo by Brian Zinchuk

From left, lead Justin Pearce, second Jason Clauson, third Jody Vatamaniuck and skip Tyler Greenwald were part of the Tarpon Energy rink that won the B event. Photo by Brian Zinchuk

THE ESTEVAN MERCURY DRILLING REPORT DRILLING LICENSES

11 new licenses issued to Monday, March 25 120492 120511 120605 119507 119503 119660 120733

Crescent Point Energy Hz ..................................................................................................... 4-7-1-11 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 13-29-8-7 Ridgeback Resources Hz .................................................................................................... 14-20-7-5 Torc Oil & Gas Hz ............................................................................................................... 1-10-2-16 Vermilion Energy Hz ............................................................................................................. 1-31-5-5 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 11-16-5-4 Vermilion Energy Hz ............................................................................................................. 2-30-3-3

120623 120697 120748 120762

Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 4-16-3-11 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 4-15-1-12 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................... 4-15-1-12 Crescent Point Energy Hz ................................................................................................. 13-10-1-12

Rig Report 106635 Vermilion Energy ...............................Vermilion Energy.................................................... 16-22-6-34 10I391 Trinidad Drilling...................................Torc Oil & Gas .......................................................... 2-29-5-6 110682 Trinidad Drilling ..............................Crescent Point Place ................................................. 14-11-1-13

A8 March 27, 2019

City discusses findings at open house The City of Estevan discussed the findings from the Our Estevan community survey, and discussed the next phase of the project, during an open house at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multipurpose room March 20 and 23.

Members of the public could ask questions to land development services manager Richard Neufeld and other city representatives who were in attendance. They could also see the findings and recommendations of the Our Initiative, as they were placed on signs throughout the multipurpose room.

Those signs covered such topics as zoning bylaw changes, residential developments and neighbourhood plans.

Neufeld said he wanted to give people an opportunity to attend, so he held two sessions. The first one was held in the afternoon of March 20, which was a weekday when many people were at work, so he also held an open house on the late afternoon of a weekend.

He wanted to have more people present, but he wasn’t disappointed with the attendance.

“Overall for public en-

gagement, from the day we started about a year ago until now it’s been really, really good,” said Neufeld.

Neufeld said they had some really interesting questions during the events that reflected the concerns of the community. He finds that people are generally supportive of the initiatives the city is trying to implement.

“No complaints were raised at all,” said Neufeld.

A couple of concepts in particular stand out. One is for in-fill developments, while the other is for the neighbourhood plans.

“I think everybody in the city would know that there are a number of places in the city where there are houses that are reaching the end of their useful life span,” said Neufeld.

“This is an old community in some respects.

“What happens when that house is removed? Do you put another house in there? Do you put a duplex in there? Do you put a four-plex in there?”

But as in-fill takes place, some lots could be converted from single-family to multifamily developments. Neufeld wondered how long it would

take before going to the people of the neighbourhood to ask of their vision for the area.

Two approaches have been taken in other communities. One is to allow anything that can fit on a lot, up to a six-plex.

The other is to allow a certain amount of changeover from single-family to multi-family, but once they reach a certain stage, say, three multi-family proposals, the city would seek the public’s input and possibly even host an open house.

“One of the things I’ve done is to separate the city into different neighbourhoods. Everyone would be able to identify with the neighbourhood they live in.

That came out quite strongly in the surveys.”

People in Westview might want to pursue a different identity than those in Trojan or Hillside, he said.

The open house also showed the city’s recommendations for the future of the Glen Peterson Industrial Park.

It will be brought together with the Prairie Meadows commercial subdivision in an effort to revitalize the area.

“Glen Peterson isn’t re-

ally working out right now in terms of sales for industrial lots, and there’s lots of industrial land that’s already serviced, and has buildings on it, that’s for sale, both in the city and in the RM.”

It could mean a brewery or a distillery could be built in the industrial park.

The city has also received inquires about hotels in northeast Estevan to see if there could be an alternate

Land development services manager Richard Neufeld stands with one of the information boards at a City of Estevan open house on Saturday.

use for them.

If the city were to convert a hotel to a residential development, then other services would be needed to accommodate it, since people have not lived east of Kensington in the past.

“Maybe we need a trail or a pathway going through, and that’s all privately owned land right now,” said Neufeld.

When they look at the Glen Peterson side, they see there might be a market for a dormitory for the college. And if a distillery or a brewery were to be added to Glen Peterson, then safe access needs to be created with sidewalks and walking paths.

The Our Estevan initiative and the open house were part of the process to create a new official community plan.

Neufeld wants to bring these ideas to council, get their feedback and then work on the policy directions accordingly.

A full document will hopefully be brought before the public this year.

“A lot of it depends on the feedback I get, and the time allotments I have to go through council to discuss some of these things,” said Neufeld.

City Hall: 1102 4th Street 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1800 Leisure Office: 701 Souris Avenue 8 am to 4:30 pm | (306) 634-1880

ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE Multi Purpose Room & Hallway

ESTEVAN GIRL SOFTBALL

Learn To Play | 2009 - 2014 | Tues. & Thurs. | $75 fee Squirt | 2007 & 2008 | Mon. & Wed. 6:30 | $100 fee Peewee| 2005 - 2006 | Tues & Thurs. 6:30 | $100 fee Bantam/Midget | 2000 - 2004 | TBD | $100 fee For more information email Rhonda Blancette at rblanchette@rema.net

Message From

The Mayor

Please take time to check out City Wide for the spring activities

ESTEVAN YOUTH SOCCER

Parent & Tot | 2016 born | Monday or Wednesday 6:00 - 6:30 | $65 U5 | 2014 - 2015 | Monday & Wednesday 6:00 - 7:00 | $105 U7 | 2012 - 2013 | Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 - 7:00 | $105 U9 | 2010 - 2011 | Monday & Wednesday 6:00 - 7:15 | $105 U11 | 2008 - 2009 | Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 - 7:15 | $105 U13/U15 | 2004 - 2005 | Tuesday & Thursday 6:00 - 7:30 | $105 For more information email estevanyouthsoccer2017@gmail.com New to Estevan Youth Soccer - Free to be Program for children and youth with any type of disability. Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 No cost to participate.

For more information email 922meili@gmail.com

ESTEVAN MINOR BASEBALL

JR Rally Cap | 2015/2014/2013| Monday/Wednesday SR Rally Cap | 2012/2011/2010 | Tuesday/Thursday 11U Mosquito | 2010/1009/2008 | Tuesday/Thursday 13U PeeWee | 2007/2006 | Monday/Wednesday 15U Bantam | 2005/2004 | Monday/Wednesday 18U Midget | 2003/2002/2001 | Any night For more information contact jen_lozy@hotmail.com New to Estevan Youth Soccer - Free to be Program for children and youth with any type of disability. Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 No cost to participate.

For more information email 922meili@gmail.com

CHALLENGER BASEBALL

Season runs May & June. Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program designed to empower children and youth living with physical and cognitive disabilities.

Ages 4 - 8 | as of August 31, 2019 | $0.00 Dates and times TBA For more information contact Christine Jones at challengerbaseballestevan@gmail.com

ESTEVAN GOLDEN EELS SUMMER SPEED SWIMMING

Season runs from May 1 to July 28. Practices, Monday to Thursday (times subject to change).

6 & 7 year olds | 4:00 - 4:30 pm | *Must have Red Cross Level 1 - $300 plus meet fees & fundraising.

8 - 10 year olds | 4:00 - 5:00 pm | $300 plus meet fees & fundraising.

11+ | 5:00 - 6:00 pm | $300 plus meet fees & fundraising.

For more information please call Deanna at estevangoldeneelsclub@gmail.com.

ART GALLERY & MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS

Camps run in July & August. Monday - Thursday each week. Ages 6 - 12 Art & Activity | July 9 - 11 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | $120.00 i-MAGIC-nation | July 15 - 18 | 9:00am - 3:30 pm | $120.00 Forts, Flags and Fortresses | August 6 - 9 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | $120.00 Out of this World Art | August 12 - 16 | 9:00 am - 3:30 pm | $120.00 Little Tots Art Camp Ages 4-6 | July 23 & 24 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm OR 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | $40.00 For more information please email Karly at educator@eagm.ca

RED CROSS SWIMMING LESSONS Register at the Leisure Services Office or online at estevan.ca .

Course selections will be available online March 12th

Utilities eBill and Preauthorization Contest The City of Estevan is encouraging residents to sign up for electronic billing and preauthorization by giving you a chance to win a $250.00 credit towards your city utility bill.

Residents can sign up for electronic billing by filling out an online form at www.estevan.ca or by visiting City Hall and filling out an application form. There are four chances to win a $250.00 credit. Draw dates will be made on March 31st, June 30th, September 30 and December 31st, 2019. All residents that are currently signed up for electronic billing will be automatically entered to win.

Residents can also sign up for Preauthorization payments online at www.estevan.ca or by visiting City Hall and filling out an application form. (please note a void cheque or bank withdrawl must be submitted) There are two chances to win a $250.00 credit. Draw dates will be made on June 30th and December 31st, 2019. All residents that are currently signed up for Preauthorization payments will be automatically entered to win.

March 27, 2019 A9

Motivational Magic at St. Mary’s School How often do you get to see a former principal and a former teacher riding a unicycle, levitating a table and doing all other kinds of magic? Students of St. Mary’s School had a unique opportunity to witness that as Steve Harmer of Calgary

showed them his motivational magic.

The interactive performance wasn’t only about tricks.

Harmer put years of teaching experience and performing skills together to make the process of learning fun, enter-

taining and influential.Through stories and focuses, he taught kids how to be Brilliant and Resilient during his so-named show.

The show was built around the seven C-words/signs – connection, confidence, compe-

tence, contribution, coping, character and control - that would lead towards brilliance and resilience.

Harmer has done over 4,300 magic performances in schools encouraging students

to evolve their skills and chase their dreams. He left the system almost two decades ago now to pursue his own. Brilliant in both educator and professional performer skills he travels the world and teaches students to

be their best in their lives.

Besides the Brilliant and Resilient program performed at St. Mary’s School on March 22, he also does shows that address such issues as bullying, leadership, character and more.

19035SS4

Phil Gellner was a part of a magic trick that demonstrated what confidence was. Picture

by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Steve Harmer started learning how to ride a unicycle from his student in exchange for math classes. Photo

by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Steve Harmer taught kids seven big words that would lead them to brilliance and resilience. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

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A10 March 27, 2019

Farm Family Of The Year

Marcotte family recognized for love of farming and dedication to the community This year’s recipients of the Farm Family of the Year Award have been recognized for a love of farming, commitment to the community and never giving up in the face of adversity.

The Marcotte family, who operate JSM Farms Ltd. in the Outram area, was presented with the prestigious honour during the Estevan Farmer’s Appreciation Evening Tuesday night at the Beefeater Plaza, with about 300 people in attendance.

Many of those present are family members and friends of the Marcottes.

The family presently farms more than 13,000 acres.

According to a bio that was read during the event, Jeff has always had a love of farming. When he was a child, he could be found following his grandfathers, uncles and father around the farm, helping out in any way possible.

“As he grew up he always knew he wanted to be a farmer,” the Marcottes said.

Both of his parents came from farm families in the Torquay area. Jeff ’s mom’s family traces its agricultural background to Jeff ’s great, great grandparents, Ole and Fredricka Tenold. They homesteaded in the rural municipality of Cambria in 1903.

Likewise, Jeff ’s father’s farming roots also trace back to his great, great grandparents. They homesteaded in the RM in 1905.

Jeff and Stacy still have both of those quarters in the farming operation today.

“When Jeff was in Grade 12 and thinking about what

caught on very quickly how to work beside Jeff.”

The couple was married in July 2004. On Feb. 28, 2005, they welcomed their twin boys Jordan and Landon into the world.

“This was a great change for our family, as up until this point Stacy had spent most of her time with Jeff on the farm,” they said. “The arrival of the twin boys required most of her attention. They did bring the boys in the combine cabs in their car seats during the first harvest.”

Their daughter Alyssa was born Dec. 21, 2009, and completed the family.

The farm grows In March 2006, there was an opportunity to expand their operation when the Memory farm became available in an auction. They talked about it, went to the bank and decided to proceed with a bid.

“Stacy and Patti were off changing the boys listening to the auction happening in the background when Jeff The Marcotte family – from left, Landon, Stacy, Jeff, Jordan and Alyssa – was recognized as the 2019 Farm walked into the shop and said, ‘Well it’s ours!’” they Family of the Year during Tuesday night’s Estevan Farmer’s Appreciation Evening. Photo submitted said. “We were very happy Growth of a farm family he wanted to do to further his second-highest mark in an that he farmed was rented and ready to make the move.”

In 2002, Jeff and Stacy education, he was discussing agriculture production tech- from his grandmother BarThe yard has two houses it with his dad, and when his nician course, he then moved bara McLaren, which he started dating and work- on it, and so Jeff ’s parents dad asked what it is you really back to Torquay and began later purchased, and some of ing together on the farm. purchased one of the houses the first land he purchased Right from the beginning, and moved to the new farm want to do, Jeff knew without his farming career.

With the help of his was from his uncle Lance they could be found side by to live in the same yard. a doubt he wanted to farm.” side, driving tractors during First land was from family parents Brian and Patti, he Marcotte.

“Since moving to our “Jeff also rented some seeding, driving the combine farm we have been able to Jeff graduated high was able to start his farmschool in 1994 and headed ing operation by renting land in the Sintaluta area at harvest, hauling grain, expand our farm operation,” to Regina to tech school machinery from them. He for a couple years, as well as changing seed boots under they said. at the Regina campus of also received endless advice the Goodwater area, which the drill and other activities.

The Marcottes say they “Although Stacy didn’t can’t farm so much land on the Saskatchewan Institute and knowledge from his he still rents from Meryl of Applied S cience and mom and dad. Jeff worked and Valerie Wanner,” they grow up on a farm she spent their own; they also have Technology (now Saskatch- off the farm for a few years at said. “He knew in order to ex- many hours with her dad some important people helpewan Polytechnic). After Boundary Motors and Sam’s pand his farm he had to rent while he trucked and did ing them. They pointed out in other areas as he thought mechanical work,” they said. the contributions of full-time graduating and receiving a Trucking.

Some of the first land local rent was too high.”

“With this background she cash bursary for having the A11 » FARM

Congratulations to the 2019 Farm Family of the Year

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Farm Family Of The Year

March 27, 2019 A11

Farm has shown considerable growth « A10 employee Ron Wurtz and part-time employees Meryl Wanner and Stan Weinrauch.

“We are very fortunate to have the employees and help that we do. We also have endless amounts of help and advice from family and neighbours.”

Jeff became ill in February 2015, and they put the responsibility of the field operations in Andy Wurtz’s hands. He had worked side by side with Jeff for seven years, so he knew just how Jeff liked things done.

With the help of Ron Wurtz, Weinrauch, Wanner, friends, family, neighbours as well as many other part-time employees over the years, Andy Wurtz gets the job done and continues to each day and year. Ron Wurtz came to work for them in operation, and they currently April 2015, and plays a big grow durum wheat, canola, role in making sure things flax, lentils and peas.

They have seen considget done on and around the erable change in the size of farm.

“Our seasonal help al- the farms since they startways goes above and beyond ed their agriculture career, for us and are ready to come as well as the size of the equipment and continued help when we call,” they said.

JSM Farms has always improvements in farming been a strictly grain farm technology.

Providing Farmers with clean water solutions including: water treatment, irrigation and RO systems.

An aerial view of the Marcotte farm located west of Estevan. Photo submitted Jeff and Stacy love how farming gives them the ability to own their own business, which gives them the freedom of making their own decisions. There is also the pride of growing profitable crops, keeping long-term hired hands on staff, and raising the family in a rural setting.

“They also experienced the not so fun part of business when twice in their career, even though they worked hard, there was just no money to be made on the farm and they wondered if it was worth continuing to farm,” the Marcottes said.

W hen they came to Brian for his advice, he re-

minded them there are good years and bad, and usually the good years outweigh the bad. But it was up to them to make the decision.

“They decided to stick with it, and they are sure happy they did,” they said.

A love of community When Jeff isn’t farming, he can also be found at the

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Rural Municipality of Cambria meetings as a councillor, serving with the Torquay Volunteer Fire Department and the Torquay Community Club, and coaching his boys’ hockey teams, whether it be in Torquay, Midale or Estevan.

He can also be found A12 » MARCOTTE

Congratulations to the 2019 Farm Family of the Year!

Box 879 Highway 39 NW Estevan, SK S4A 2A7 Ph: 306-634-8008 Fax: 306-634-8007 shawn.southland@sasktel.net

Farm Family Of The Year

A12 March 27, 2019

Marcotte children taking an active role in farm « A11 following his daughter Alyssa around, watching her in gymnastics, taking her on Gator rides and doing fun things with her.

“Last harvest Jeff was over the moon excited when Jordan and Landon were out helping the guys service combines, wash windows and running a combine and the grain cart.”

Jordan and Jeff ran two of the combines during har vest, while Landon was in the grain cart, along with the rest of the hired hands.

“This is something Jeff has waited for since the day they were born.

There was no getting Jeff out of that combine or field, he was in his glory.

It was also a busy harvest for Stacy and Alyssa as they made meals every day for the field. Alyssa was a huge help for this and she looked forward to taking those meals out each night and helping the guys in whatever she could.”

The award presentation and the Farmers’ Appreciation Evening took place after the Mercury’s press time.

For a full recap of the event, please see this week’s edition of Southeast Lifestyles.

The farm that Jeff Marcotte’s great, great grandparents homesteaded in the early 1900s. Photo submitted

Proud to Support the

Agriculture Industry!

Congratulations to the Farm Family of the year The Marcotte Family

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Farm Family Of The Year

March 27, 2019 A13

Farmer of the Year/Farm Family of the Year Award recipients from previous years The presentation of the Farm Family of the Year Award is the highlight of the annual Estevan Farmer’s Appreciation Evening. It has been part of Estevan’s annual celebration of agriculture since 1985.

When it was first introduced, it was known as the Farmer of the Year Award, but for much of its history, it has been called the Farm Family of the Year Award, to recognize the contributions that all members of the family make in operating a successful farm.

Some of southeast Saskatchewan’s most dedicated producers have been recognized for their contributions to agriculture and the community.

Here is the list of winners: 1985: Clarence Hookenson, Kisbey 1986: Ron and Marguerite Gallaway, Estevan 1987: Ken Collopy, Frobisher 1988: Jim and Mar y Mack, Benson

1989: Andrew Wingert, Estevan 1990: Paul Bachorcik, Estevan 1991: Allan and Brenda Brigden, Estevan 1992: Bill and Rose Owens, Estevan 1993: Ross and Shirley LeBlanc, Estevan 1994: Garry and Margaret Conrad, Benson 1995: David and Kathy Schnell, Lampman 1996: Ernest and Wilma Tedford, Outram 1997: Daryl and Judy Muirhead, Bromhead 1998: Richard and Eva Hagel, Benson 1999: Stanley and Dorothy Fornwald, Lampman 2000: Alvin and Christine Memory, Memory Farms, Outram 2001: Leo and Louise Seipp, Estevan 2002: Robert and Carol Cossette, Esta Farms, Estevan 2003: Murray and Gayle Wyatt, Kisbey 2004: Russell and Sharon Torkelson, Beaubier

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The Fornwald Family took home the Farm Family of the Year Award in 2018. File photo 2005: Goudy Farms, Stoughton 2006: Cameron Nordin, Oxbow 2007: Ray and Doris Frehlick, Estevan 2008: Wade and Heidi

Fleck, Lampman 2009: Johner Farms, Estevan 2 0 1 0 : Va n d e n h u r k Farms, Estevan and Midale 2011: Wallewein Farms, Benson

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A14 March 27, 2019

Provincial budget supports ag sector The Ministry of Agriculture’s budget will increase three per cent in 2019-20 to $391.3 million, ensuring programming to support farmers, ranchers and agri-businesses continues.

The budget fully funds business risk management programs and sustains investments in agricultural research.

This will encourage the agriculture sector to continue to grow.

“This provincial budget provides a stable foundation

for Saskatchewan’s farm and ranch families with increases to the right programs and services,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “This budget provides program enhancements and continued investment in research.”

In response to feedback from stakeholders and producers on the Pest Biosecurity Program introduced last year, funding to the rat control component of the program will increase by $350,000 to $1.25 million. This increased

funding will be directed to grants paid to rural municipalities and First Nations bands, to cover the cost incurred for rat inspections and bait.

The 2019-20 budget contains $271.9 million to fully fund business risk management programs offered under the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), including Crop Insurance, AgriStability, AgriInvest and Western Livestock Price Insurance.

The Crop Insurance pro-

gram includes a number of enhancements for 2019-20, including higher coverage on tame and native grazing land to better reflect the losses producers experience during a shortfall in forage production.

Approximately 30 million acres are anticipated to be insured under Crop Insurance this year.

The government continues to invest $31.9 million in agricultural research, with funding for research projects, demonstration and adoption

of new technologies. The research funding is part of the $71.2 million that will be invested this fiscal year into strategic programs under the five-year CAP agreement.

This budget continues to support a number of industry organizations, with funding for groups that include Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan 4-H Council, and Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan.

These organizations, among others, help build

trust in agriculture, develop future leaders and support a sustainable industry.

Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector is an important part of the province’s diverse economy. Producers harvested a crop of more than 35 million tonnes in 2018, the sixth consecutive year the provincial harvest has been more than 30 million tonnes. Saskatchewan’s 2018 total agri-food exports were $13.4 billion, an increase of more than 60 per cent since 2010.

Concerns raised over agriculture markets The escalating trade issues between Canada and China over Canadian canola continues to be a source of concern for farmers in Saskatchewan and Western Canada.

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is expressing concern about the

shutdown of Canadian canola exports to China.

“Producers are weeks away from planting the 2019 crop, and a trade issue with our largest canola seed customer is a very disturbing development and creates a lot of economic uncertainty for growers,” said APAS vice-

president Ian Boxall.

“This isn’t just an issue for rural Canada or Western Canada. Canola exports contribute $25 billion to the Canadian economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs. It’s our number one cash crop, and the future viability of our sector depends on trade access and trade normalcy.”

Boxall noted that trade issues with China are compounding a recent billiondollar loss in exports from commodities like pulses, and a further reduction in overall farm income is very worrying.

“Canadian producers make a very large contribution to Canada’s economy, and this is the time for our elected of-

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“And it highlights the need for better business risk management programs to ensure producer viability and protect the economy.”

Meanwhile, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers demand that the federal government stand up for farmers on the China trade file.

In the past crop year farmers have lost access to the Italian durum market and the pulse market in India. Now China has cut off Canadian canola exports and in the past several days added wheat, peas and flax to the list.

“First Italy shut us out on durum, then India hit us on our pulse crop, now our biggest trading partner, China, has restricted wheat access,” said Daryl Fransoo, one of the directors. “Last year China was our largest purchaser of wheat and canola, importing approximately $250 million of

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wheat and $4 billion of canola products.

“This will be a huge hit to farmers, the Canadian economy and the jobs that depend on agriculture, like processing, rail road and at our exporting ports.”

This is clearly a political issue, not a quality issue, he said, as he described Canadian wheat and canola are the best in the world.

The ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food, International Trade Diversification and Foreign Affairs need this issue to be their top priority.

The Wheat Growers also called for a full-time ambassador to China to be appointed.

The Wheat Growers board of directors said they would gladly join these ministers on the next flight to China to meet and resolve this problem face to face.

They also called for alternate markets that will mitigate political interference in wheat exports. While other Canadian markets are being given tax dollar support for smaller market changes, the wheat, canola, flax and peas markets are being decimated.

“We are not asking for handouts, rather we ask that politicians actually deal with the political issues at hand and let farmers deal with what we do best. Canada has just lost its biggest wheat trading partner, it doesn’t get any more serious than that,” said chair Jim Wickett.

Members of the federal Conservative Party who are part of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food have called for an emergency meeting to discuss what they called the recent retaliatory move by China halting all new purchases of Canadian canola, wheat and peas.

MPs Luc Berthold, Earl Dreeshen, and Bev Shipley sent a letter to the clerk of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Committee this afternoon requesting further study on this issue.

Conservatives are calling on the Liberal members of the Agriculture and AgriFood Committee to hold an emergency meeting within the next five days. At this meeting, Conservative MPs will move a motion calling for several ministers to testify.

“Canadian farmers produce the highest quality canola, wheat and peas in the world.

Canada’s Conservatives are deeply concerned about the impacts that these baseless actions by the Chinese government will have on Canada’s agriculture sector,” said Luc Berthold, shadow minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“The issue at hand is clearly not the quality of Canadian product. We fear that if this issue is not resolved expeditiously, farmers will suffer significantly because of the prime minister’s ongoing mishandling of the Canada-China relationship.”

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Elecs boys impress in return to Hoopla

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs senior boys basketball team returned to the Hoopla provincial basketball tournament for the first time since 1994, and came away with one win in three games.

Competing in the 5A boys division with three teams from each of Saskatoon and Regina, as well as Lloydminster Comprehensive, Estevan finished sixth in the eighth team tournament.

Seeded eighth, ECS opened the tournament with a 75-59 loss to the top-seeded Saskatoon St. Joseph team.

The Elecs were down 27-14 after the first quarter and 5125 at half-time, but recovered in the second half, outscoring St. Joseph 34-24 in the second half. “ There were a lot of nerves with the big game,” said head coach Carmon Lindquist. “We got down in the first half by a fair little bit, but in the second half, when everything settled, we played right with them. It was a good game.”

John Anders scored 24 points for Estevan, while Clark Cabiluna added 14.

Lindquist believes their play in the second half against St. Joseph continued over to their next game against another Saskatoon team, Walter Murray Collegiate – a game ECS won 74-55.

The Elecs raced out to a 24-10 lead after the first quarter, and led 42-23 at halftime. Each team registered 32 points in the second half.

“It was everything that we hoped we would be able to do going into Hoopla,” said Lindquist.

Anders had 25 points, while Francois Adaya put up 18 and Jack McGeough finished with 17.

Their final game was an 89-75 loss to Regina Luther.

Estevan trailed 19-1 at one point in the first quarter, but fought back to make the score 25-18 by the end of the

stanza, and 42-33 at halftime. At one point, it was a four-point game.

Regina pulled away to lead 66-53 after three quarters.

“Luther basically had two guys who did the bulk of their scoring. One had 34 points, and the other had 33 points. If we had seen the team earlier in the year, we likely would have known and set up a little bit differently to deal with the offensive power of shutting those two guys down.”

Anders was once again the top scorer with 18 points, while Adaya racked up 13.

While they turned the ball over more than they wanted during provincials, Lindquist said they played well as a team, moved the ball well and found the open lanes during Hoopla.

“We played well defensively. We had a couple of times where we got caught a little bit on the fast breaks and gave up some easy buckets, but overall we played very strong defensively. We forced a lot of turnovers on other teams as well, including their guards, and got hands in the lanes.”

Lindquist said the Elecs proved they belong against

The Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) Elecs cheerleaders are still the best in Saskatchewan.

The Elecs travelled to Regina for the provincial championship Saturday, and took top spot in the Grade 9-12 scholastic intermediate division, which had 10 teams entered. Coach Bonnie Chepil-Kvamme said that’s the highest number of teams they have ever faced.

“I was just really hoping for a nice, clean routine, with all of the stunts going up and everything in sync, everything nice and clean,” said ChepilKvamme.

She didn’t have any expectations of taking top spot prior to the competition, even though they had won the Best of the West Cheer and Dance competition earlier this season.

They came out strong at provincials, and finished with the top score of 93.37 per cent.

They didn’t have any deductions.

ECS received a score of 27.6 out of 30 for team building, 23.6 out of 25 for tumbling, and an overall score of 42.17 out of 45.

Estevan also had the best overall score in their session.

Four sessions were part of cheerleading provincials.

“There are thousands of athletes at this, so in our session, which is the last session of the evening, we had the highest score, which made us grand slam champs,” said Chepil-Kvamme.

The other half of the grand slam stemmed from their results at the Best of the West, and their status as the top team there.

ECS also had the highest score of all the scholastic teams at provincials.

“The judges have always loved our dancers,” said Chepil-Kvamme. “Traditionally ECS is known for good dancers. It was sharp. It was clean. So that was half of our

Members of the Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs senior boys basketball team who competed at Hoopla were, back row, from left, assistant coach Trevor Dutka, players Lais Lindquist, Reilly McGeough, Jack McGeough, Kyler Dutka and Aden Haywood, and head coach Carmon Lindquist. Front row, Feranmi Adebiyi, Clark Cabiluna, John Andres, Francois Adaya and Angelo Derain.

Photo submitted. the best teams in the province, as they competed with the top team and defeated the fifth seed.

“It was still just a great experience to be there and play at that level,” said Lindquist.

Team manager Stacy Dutka is well-versed in being part of Hoopla, as she had been there on several occasions, but with the senior girls team. She said it was different watching more boys games this time than girls games, but the experience was still great.

“It’s just so nice to give an experience like that to a group of young men,” said Dutka.

Five members of the Elecs will graduate this year.

Three of them are starters.

Lindquist believes the experience will help the returning players.

“Once you’ve seen and played at that level, it just provides so much motivation and drive to want to get back there again, and improve and play at that level,” said Lindquist. “It’s just a great experience, and it will help them immensely.”

Dutka was pleased the players realized that even though they ’re from the southeast corner of the province, they could beat a big-

city squad.

“We never got blown out. We won a game against a Saskatoon school. Every game was often single digits right down to the end. They’d pull away from us but we would catch up.”

Dutka agrees that the experience should be beneficial.

“It’s easy to set a goal of making it to Hoopla, but they didn’t know what that even meant,” said Dutka.

You don’t even know what your goal is because you don’t know what Hoopla is. It’s just unique in Saskatchewan high school sports.”

Elecs cheerleaders three-peat at provincials performance quality.”

Their stunts, dance, creativity and composition all earned praise from the judges.

“All of our stunts went up without fail. They were nice and clean for the most part, which is a tough thing to do.”

ECS was up against teams with co-ed entries, and others that had many more cheerleaders.

The cheerleaders have worked tirelessly on their routines and their conditioning.

Community coach Danica Friess, who is a former member of the program, has made a big contribution.

“I’ve had most of them since Grade 9 and some of them since Grade 10,” said ChepilKvamme. “They put the work in, and they take the corrections, and we make a lot of corrections.

They’re able to take criticism, and they correct themselves.

And they’re just very strong athletes, too.

“They’ve worked very hard to build up that endurance, they have put up with our dynamic warmups, and all the training that needs to go into it before we even look at putting a routine together.”

There is a lot of trust associated with throwing and

lifting people.

“This team is very cohesive, and they all get along quite well, so they have that trust factor. They know they can count on each other, and I know I can count on them,” said Chepil-Kvamme.

In her 27 years of coaching, she believes she has had only three or four teams that have been so good to work with.

Chepil-Kvamme noted the team has been invited to compete at the world championships in Florida in 2020, but she had to decline, because six of the 16 team members will be graduating in June.

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Bruins and Broncos went to Game 7 The Power Dodge Estevan Bruins and the Humboldt Broncos went to Game 7 in their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League quarter-final series.

Estevan forced Game 7 by winning two straight games. They rallied from a 2-0, third period deficit to defeat the Broncos 3-2 in double overtime in Game 5 Friday night at Affinity Place, and then they scored twice in the opening six minutes of the first period Sunday in a 4-1 victory in Game 6.

Game 7 was slated to be played Tuesday night at Affinity Place. Results were not available at press time, but a full recap of the game can be found in this Friday’s edition of Southeast Lifestyles, or on www.estevanmercury.ca.

Tanner Manz notched the winning goal 1:43 into the second overtime period to lift the Bruins victory in Game 5.

Manz’s tally came just a few minutes prior to midnight.

“Their d-man shot the puck up ice, and I can remember that I just took it away, and made a move to the middle, backhanded it through the d-man’s legs, and it went in,” Manz said.

The Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period, with former Bruin Logan Foster and Owen Guenter scoring for Humboldt.

Turner Ripplinger scored 21 seconds into the third

Bryce Platt (26) and Isaiah Thomas (27) celebrate the tying goal of Game 5 of the Bruins quarter-final series with the Humboldt Broncos. period to pull the Bruins to within one.

Just over two minutes later, the game was halted due to a gouge in the ice in the Bruins’ zone. Fire extinguishers were needed to repair the damage. Both teams were sent back to their dressing rooms during the repairs, and the game was

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delayed for 50 minutes.

With about three minutes to play in the third period, Jake Heerspink scored on a power-play to tie the game.

Neither team scored in the first overtime session, although the Bruins outshot their opponents 17-9.

Manz then notched the winner early in the second

extra frame.

“We stuck to our game plan,” said Manz. “We had some adversity going down 2-0 in the game, but we battled back in the third period and did whatever it took to win.”

In Game 6, Johnny Witzke and Will Koop scored early in the first to set the tone. Then a key point in

Special Olympics programs in Estevan wrap up

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Chris Hamilton, the youth co-ordinator with Special Olympics Saskatchewan, and Kandyce Meili present a certificate to Daniel Sinclair. Photo submitted

ConcussionThe Invisible Injury It is important for coaches, trainers, and parents to recognize when a concussion may have occurred. As discussed in last week’s article, a concussion is a brain injury that occurs when the neck and/or head accelerates. This can be caused by a direct hit to the head or when another body part is hit by a rapidly moving object which causes a whiplash-effect. This is referred to as the ‘mechanism of injury’ of concussion.

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the game came late in the first period and early in the second, when the Bruins took two double-minor penalties only 72 seconds apart, leaving the Broncos with a prolonged two-man advantage.

But Humboldt couldn’t score, and generated few quality chances.

“They bought into block-

ing shots,” said head coach/ GM Chris Lewgood. “They were winning battles that were winnable. Nobody strayed from the plan as far as the penalty kill in the zone. Those little things were big.”

Devan Harrison scored a short-handed goal with less than eight minutes to play in the second period to extend the Bruins lead to three.

Brayden Camrud’s goal 7 1/2 minutes into the third pulled the Broncos to within two, and the Broncos had further scoring chances afterwards. But Bruin goaltender Grant Boldt shut the door, and Bryce Platt added an empty net goal for the Bruins in the final minute.

Boldt stopped 34 shots in the victory, after stopping 42 in the double overtime game.

“I thought Grant had to make some big saves for us. I think we out-chanced those guys and we limited their quality chances, but he made some quality saves for us.”

Lewgood believes the team has been more focused since the start of the second period of Game 5.

“They don’t miss assignments like they were. They’re able to execute the game plan a little more thoroughly, and in doing so, that puts them in good position physically. And the other thing to that focus is our ability to bear down our chances and capitalize on our opportunities,” said Lewgood.

These are the 22 symptoms that an athlete can complain about after a concussion: • Headache • Pressure in the head • Neck pain • Nausea or vomiting • Dizziness • Blurred vision • Balance problems • Sensitivity to light • Sensitivity to noise • Feeling slowed down • Fogginess • Don’t feel right • Difficulty concentrating • Difficulty remembering • Fatigue or low energy • Confusion • Drowsiness • Trouble falling asleep • More emotional • Irritability • Sadness • Nervous or anxious

If you observe the mechanism of injury of concussion and the athlete complains of at least one symptom, they must be immediately pulled from their activity. It is recommended that they are assessed by a health care professional with specialized training in treating concussions. “If in doubt, sit them out!”…it is better to be over-cautious than to allow an athlete to continue to play if you are unsure.

It is important to note that some athletes will have more than one of these symptoms normally. A pre-season Baseline Concussion Test will document this…more on that in a future article.

Other neurological signs and symptoms that warrant an immediate visit to the emergency room are: • Fainting or blacking out, extreme drowsiness, or can’t be awakened • A constant, severe, or worsening headache • Repeated vomiting (more than 2x) • Cannot remember new events (repeating the same questions: “why are we here?” “where are we?” etc.)

• Cannot recognize people or places (confusion) • Acting strange, saying odd or incoherent things (changes in behaviour • Seizures (jerking of the body or limbs, or a blank stare) • Inability to move parts of the body, weakness in arms or legs, or clumsiness • Blurred vision or slurred speech • Being unsteady on feet or loss of balance

After nearly three months of activities, two programs organized by Special Olympics Estevan have come to an end.

But they will be back in the community this fall.

Active Start, which is for children ages two to six with intellectual disabilities, and Fundamentals, which is for those ages seven to 12, were offered at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multipurpose room each Friday night since Jan. 4.

They wrapped up on Friday, with the kids participating in some of their favourite activities, and the older youths participating in a Fundamentals Olympics.

Each of the children received certificates and medals.

“We had 21 kids registered, and most attended every … week,” said event spokesperson Kandyce Meili.

“Everybody had a really good time. We noticed a lot of im• Continual fluid or bleeding from ear or nose A responsible adult should watch the concussed athlete closely for at least 24 hours after the injury. The concussed athlete should not be permitted to sleep for at least 2-3 hours following the injury and should be checked on every 2 hours throughout the first night.

What are the next steps if an athlete has been diagnosed with a concussion?

Stay tuned for next week’s article which will focus on the Post-Concussion Assessment!

Leann Boehm is the Clinic Director and Physical Therapist at Southeast Physiotherapy in Estevan, Saskatchewan.

The clinic is affiliated with Complete Concussion Management Inc. and provides concussion assessment, treatment, and baseline testing. Southeast Physiotherapy’s team has treated 108 concussions and performed 285 Baseline Tests to date. She would love to hear from you: leann@southeastphysio.ca

1209 5th Street, Estevan 306-634-6630 www.southeastphysio.ca

provements in the kids, and so have the parents.”

Improvements were seen in motor skills, patience in lineups, listening skills, balance and more. They also learned a variety of sports.

“We did activities like baseball, soccer and basketball, but it started out with just the beginnings of it all, like the catching, throwing, jumping and hopping and things like that,” said Meili.

Parents have been very pleased with the program, explaining to Meili about how they felt welcome.

“The kids themselves really were happy with everything. Some of the kids went home and would practise the skills from one week to the next, and were excited talking about it before they went to class the following weeks.”

A fall session for Active Start and Fundamentals will be opening in September, and there will be a winter session from January to March.

Other initiatives will be starting in the community in the meantime, thanks to the success of Active Start and Fundamentals. Special Olympics Estevan is partnering with the Estevan Youth Soccer Association to create the Free to Be Program for children with physical and intellectual disabilities. It will run at the same time as the soccer association’s programs.

It will be free for those with special needs.

Also, the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club and Living Skies CrossFit are teaming up for a couple of TryIt nights April 4 and 5 for kids with special needs.

“We met with them and asked them if they would be interested, and they both jumped on board,” said Meili.

Meili believes these programs are something that the community needed, and now that other organization are coming on board, she believes it’s proof that people recognize the need.

“It’s exciting that there’s so much now available, so that it’s not that they have to do this because it’s the only thing available, now they get to start making choices as to what they would like to do,” she said.

March 27, 2019 A17

Novice and atom teams host tournament The Estevan novice and atom tier 2 Bruins teams hosted their annual home tournament this past weekend at Affinity Place and the Power Dodge Ice Centre.

The novice Bruins went 1-2 at the tournament. They opened with a 4-1 victory over the Southeast Nats, who have players from Midale, Torquay and Radville.

Rylan Deichert, Brooks Kuntz, Kale Kuchinka and Merek Wilhelm scored for Estevan.

Their next game was a 2-1 loss to the Yorkton Terriers. The Terriers scored twice in the second period for a 2-0 lead, which stood up until the final two minutes of the game, when

Merek Wilhelm tallied for Estevan to close the gap.

Their final game was a 3-2 overtime loss to the Swift Current Broncos. Estevan found themselves down 2-0 in the third period, but goals

by Wilhelm and Deichert less than two minutes apart tied the game.

Swift Current scored the winner with less than three minutes to play in the first overtime period.

The atoms opened their tournament with an 8-3 loss to the Yorkton Terriers. Estevan held a 1-0 lead after the first period before Yorkton took over.

Br ad le y S imon had Estevan’s first goal, while Jayden Chernoff had the

other two markers.

Their second game was a 6-5 defeat against the Midale-based Southeast Mustangs in a back-and-forth contest that saw multiple lead changes.

Aiden Turner had a hat trick for the atom Bruins, and Bradley Simon scored twice.

Their third game was a 16-0 defeat against the East Central Snipers of Wadena.

Estevan wrapped up the tournament with a 5-2 victory over the T4 Empire from Fort Qu’Appelle. Estevan led 2-0 after the first period and 5-0 after two.

Simon, Connor Paton, Keegan Park, Coben Gibson and Holden Martens scored for Estevan.

Holden Martens winds up for a shot during the atom Bruins game against the Southeast Mustangs on Saturday.

Peewee Wolves defeated in league final The Estevan peewee Wolves made it to the final of the South East Minor Hockey League (SEMHL), but lost to the Radville Nats Red in a best-of-three series.

Both games were decided by 7-6 scores.

Estevan had a 6-5 lead with four minutes to play in the third period of Game 1 in Radville on March 18, but the Nats scored with 3:08 to play to tie the game,

and added the winner 1:28 later.

Hudson Hirkala scored twice for Estevan, including the sixth goal that briefly gave the Wolves the lead.

Daylen George, Tymur Maldanski, Fisher Neff and Shea McNabb also scored for the Wolves.

The Nats led 4-0 at one point in Game 2 in Estevan on March 20, and 6-2 after two, but the Wolves fought back, and tied the game 6-6

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with seven minutes remaining in the third. The Nats scored the winner with 5:39 remaining in the final frame.

Hirkala scored twice for Estevan for the second consecutive game. Daylen George, McNabb, Maldanski and Payton Phillips had the other goals.

The Nats had the best record in the league during the regular season at 19-1, and the Wolves were second at 14-5-1.

Rylan Deichert handles the puck during the novice Bruins game against Yorkton on Saturday.

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Mismatched socks for Down Syndrome Awareness Day at Bienfait Weldon School

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

March 21 was Down Syndrome Awareness Day, when people all over the world “Rock their Socks,” wearing socks that don’t match to bring attention to the condition.

This year Bienfait Weldon School joined the movement spreading awareness about Down syndrome among its students.

To make a serious conversation more interactive they encouraged kids to wear mismatched socks and turned it into a game. Every classroom participated and most students got involved in the activity.

Weldon School principal Nina Lonsberry explained what they had happening.

“It’s Down Syndrome Awareness Day today, so we decided that we were going to do something for that. And the funny twist to this whole

The Grade 2-3 classroom at the Bienfait Weldon School won the Down Syndrome Awareness Day mismatched socks contest. Photo submitted thing is that the kids are getting really wet at recess time, so we did a contest,” she said

in an interview on March 21.

“We told them that they had to have a mismatched

pair of socks on for Down Syndrome Awareness Day, and another pair that match-

es in a Ziploc bag in their backpack. And then we were going to keep that pair here,

so when they get wet they can change their socks. It was a Double Whammy kind of thing that we were doing,” Lonsberry said.

The Grade 2-3 classroom that won the contest had 86 per cent of kids participating, Lonsberry noted.

Besides the contest, teachers had conversations with their classes about what Down syndrome was and why kids were asked to wear mismatched socks.

For Weldon S chool celebrating the Down Syndrome Awareness Day also had personal value.

“It is special to us because we have a retired teacher that just had a grandchild that had Down syndrome.

And it just kind of touched home this week for us,” Lonesberry said.

It was the first time the school did any activities for the Down Syndrome Awareness Day, but after this year’s success, they plan to make it a tradition.

Officer Rae was busy with community programming

By Ana Bykhovskaia abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Community programming officer Monica Rae joined the Estevan Police Service

(EPS) in November 2018 and has stayed busy reaching out to organizations and agencies since then.

During the Estevan board of police commissioners meet-

ing, EPS Chief Paul Ladouceur explained that as a pilot project they decided to try to move the position of the community programming officer to civilian.

That allowed them to decrease 19035PM0 19035PM1

costs by almost $50,000 a year and also overcome difficulties which come with the duality of this work.

“We had officers in the schools before and there was always that dilemma of you are arresting the student one day and now you are being the best buddy from the police services the next day. How do you create that trust and open this for students and people when you are playing both roles?” said Ladouceur.

Having a background in social work Rae was quite successful in meeting the position requirements.

Over the last several months she has had the opportunity to meet various individuals representing organizations and agencies in the community including but not limited to the

Community programming officer Monica Rae Southeast Newcomer Services, Creighton Lodge, Estevan Regional Nursing Home, St. Joseph’s Hospital’s long-term care, Hillview Manor, Southeast Regional Library, youth addiction services, youth probation services, Salvation Army,

The Estevan Senior Afternoon Curling Club Would like to thank the following businesses for their patronage of our bonspiel.

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United Way Estevan, Estevan Family Resource Centre, Red Cross, Warm Welcome Kitchen, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Southeast Regional Victim Services, Angel Tree, RCMP and others.

Rae also met with local school administrators and counsellors and has been welcomed to participate in a variety of events and activities. She attended an RCMP cannabis presentation and was involved with many other community events often along with other EPS officers.

Starting early April Rae will be delivering the drug awareness presentations, developed in conjunction with many organizations including the RCMP, addiction services, probation services, MADD, South East Cornerstone Public School Division, Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division and others.

“She’ll be conducting drug awareness presentations to Grades 4-6 and Grades 7-11 at all the schools along with community partners. Two presentations to be delivered to each school in these divisions this spring,” Ladouceur said.

In the near future, Rae also plans to provide a presentation for the Estevan Public Library, a town hall event with MADD and presentations at Hillview Manor and Creighton Lodge. She also plans to participate in the Day of Caring with the United Way, mental health first aid training in partnership with Victim Services, EPS and other community activities.

Summarizing the report on the community programming officer’s activities, Ladouceur noted that Rae has been doing remarkable work over such a short period of time.

The final evaluation is to be done at the end of the pilot project in about seven months from now.

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Michael Lee was among the customers for the B&T Estevan Gun Show in Estevan on Saturday.

Gun show brings out vendors and customers The B&T Estevan Gun Show drew customers and vendors alike to Estevan’s Wylie-Mitchell building this past weekend.

Ninety-six tables were set up for the event, which is the most they can accommodate. About 600 people were present on Saturday, and while they didn’t have an official number for Sunday, it was expected to be between 200 and 300 visitors.

Kevin Thompson, who organizes the show along with Lionel Bender, said they were pleased with the number of people who passed through the doors.

“A lot of the vendors were happy,” said Thompson.

The attendance was lower than the previous year, which Thompson chalked up to the current state of the economy. But he saw a lot of satisfied people throughout

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both days.

“In previous years, we usually get around that 700 mark (for attendance) on the first day, and then on the second day it’s around 300-350 people,” said Thompson.

Thompson said the first day is usually the more popular of the two because all of the most sought-after merchandise is still available.

The customers were very happy with the selection.

“There were quite a few nice comments with some of the guns that were displayed.

Some of the knife-makers that were here, they did very well,” said Thompson.

About 90 per cent of the exhibits were for guns and ammunition, but there were some other exhibitors as well, including knife-makers, a coin collector, a moccasin vendor and photographers.

“We have to have a few a different tables for something different,” said Thompson.

Thompson said the vendors are still eager to come back to Estevan. He talked to about 95 per cent of them, and they said they would be back next year.

Proceeds from the gun show will be directed towards the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

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A20 March 27, 2019 Obituaries

Obituaries

Audrey Sovdi 1925 - 2019 It is with heavy but grateful hearts that the family of Audrey Sovdi announces that she left this earth on March 17, 2019 at the age of 93.

Audrey was predeceased by her husband Lloyd; her parents Thomas and Jeanetta Miller; brothers Stanley and Roger; her sister Rita Waugh. Audrey was also predeceased by her parents in law, brothers and sisters-in-law.

Left to carry her legacy are her five children: Arlice [Dennis] Adderley; Lynn [Garry] Tedford; Leslie [Val] Sovdi; Arleen [Bruce] Schoff; Lavern Sovdi. Audrey also leaves 7 grandchildren: Blake [Tammy] Dreher, Julie [Todd] Wasilinchuk; Les [Patti-Jo] Adderley, Launa [Dale] Coyne, Tara [Doug] Smart, Jerrod [Marsha] Tedford, Holly [Rebecca] Sovdi; 15 great grandchildren: Alana, Brody Dreher; Cheyenne, Cody Wasilinchuk; Breanna, Brayden Adderley; Tiernan, A.J. Coyne; Chase, Jaslyn McNabb, Saphyra Smart; Nevin, Bella Tedford; Raine Sovdi; and 2 great-great-grandsons Carson and Carter.

Audrey is also survived by: her sister Shirley Daniels; two brothers-in-law, Ordeen (Hilda) Sovdi, and Reuben Sovdi.

Audrey Doreen Miller was born at home, on a farm at Avonlea, Saskatchewan. Grade school was taken at Avonlea. She furthered her education in Moose Jaw, becoming a teacher. She began her teaching career at Maple View School, northeast of Torquay, Saskatchewan. Pie socials were common at rural schools, one being extra special, as she met a shy and handsome young man from the neighbouring Outram district. Lloyd and Audrey were married in 1948 at her parents’ farm at Avonlea. They took over the senior Sovdis’ farm in the Outram area where she lived until March 2011 when she moved to Hillview Manor. This was a big transition for Audrey as she was a country girl at heart. However, she embraced her ‘new home and family’. Many times she expressed how grateful she was to the Lord for bringing her to Hillview and for giving her many hours of pleasure there. Audrey had a strong faith in and relationship with God which sustained her throughout her life. She was a very gracious person. Daily morning devotions were the priority, even until the end.

It was important to be grateful for each new day He has given.

Audrey loved reading, music, and the arts. She continued to enjoy these through c.d.’s. dvd’s, cassette tapes and listening to the birds outside her window or in the valley below her home even as her sight continued to fail her. Some of her other pleasures in life were her flower beds and vegetable garden, preserves, her love of baking and cooking hearty meals, handiwork like crocheting, knitting and hooking rugs, keeping up with current world affairs and her family as it grew.

Thank You

Audrey and family wish to thank Eunice, Brenda, Kendra and all the staff at Hillview Manor for the exceptional care and love they showed to Audrey and her family.

If you wish to make a donation in remembrance of Audrey, her request was for those donations to go to Hillview Manor. If you are making this by cheque make it out to Arlice Adderley and on the memo line, indicate “for Hillview Manor in memory of Audrey Sovdi”.

The Celebratory Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, 1506 4th Street, Estevan with Leslie Sovdi officiating. Interment followed at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, after which a time of fellowship and refreshments was held at the Western Star Hotel, 303 Kensington Avenue, Estevan.

The pallbearers were: Blake Dreher, Jerrod Tedford, Launa Coyne, Cheyenne Wasilinchuk, Chase McNabb and Jaslyn McNabb. Ushers were: Garry Tedford and Bruce Schoff.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15 Yvonne Clark and Dustin Hall with Hall Funeral Services, Estevan assisted the Sovdi family.

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Kittelson, Harry April 22,1926 - March 11, 2019 Harry was born in Macoun, Saskatchewan, later years in New Westminster, BC.,where he worked & retired in 1988 from BC Hydro. Harry passed away peacefully, with cancer at the age of 92, at St.Micheal’s Hospice, in Burnaby, BC. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Martha (Bob) Pow, her children, David(Sue) Pow, Linda(John) McGinn, Donna(Jeff) Banks, many nieces & nephews.

Harry will be remembered for his Great smile, laughter, kindness, gentle way, thoughtfulness of others, love of the farm life...

Service, ‪August 12, 2019 @1:00‬ p.m.@ Ocean view Funeral Home, ‪4000 Imperial St., Burnaby, BC.‬ Donations to Hospice Society of Burnaby or Cancer Society would be appreciated. For additional information you can contact Donna @ bankspow@gmail.com

Council delays decision on committee’s report Estevan city council has tabled a report from the committee tasked with reviewing the compensation for council members for the rest of the current term.

Monica Kovach, Kevin Smith and Bernadette Wright, who comprised the council remuneration committee, presented their report at Monday night’s council meeting.

The committee was struck after the federal government decided to no longer provide tax exemptions for non-accountable allowances.

Those allowances represent one-third of the compensation for municipal council and school board officials. It means a decrease in take-home pay for council members.

If the city is looking to keep salaries whole, the mayor and council annual wages would need to increase.

In the case of Mayor Roy Ludwig, without the non-accountable allowances exemption, his net pay would drop from $3,040.36

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Kelly Richard Bakken Kelly Richard Bakken passed away on February 24 2019 at the age of 43.

Kelly will be remembered by the love of his life his daughter Olivia Marie Bakken, Olivia’s mother Ancuta Tibuleac.

Kelly will be missed by his family, father Ray Bakken, mother Candace Mann, brothers Darren, (Robbyn Burke and son Kreed Bakken) Scott (wife Jessica Hawkins daughter Sydney and Son Cruz Bakken) sister Chelsey Mehls (husband Pauel Zydek son Brooklyn).

Kelly will be missed by his relatives, uncles, aunts, niece and nephews. and friends.

Celebration of Life was held at Calgary Full Gospel Church 917-14 Avenue SW Calgary, AB Sunday March 3rd 2019.

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to $2,676.09 per month.

The six councillors, who receive $14,982 annually, would see their net pay drop from $1,029.44 to $907.97 per month, a decrease of $121.47.

To offset the lost money, Ludwig’s gross pay would have to increase $6,886 to $52,730 per year, while councillors would increase $2,094 to $17,375 this year.

Kovach pointed out the committee was presented with four options: to do nothing for the mayor and councillor salaries, creating a shortfall for them; increase their stipends to recoup half of the money they are losing; provide full compensation for the rest of the mayor and councillors’ term; and consider the MLA salary formula to connect the mayor and councillor wages to the salary of Saskatchewan’s MLAs. The committee recommended the 50 per cent compromise, with the mayor receiving an additional $3,443 this year, and each councillor getting $1,047, retroactive to Jan. 1.

Multiple meetings were needed for the committee to come up with the recommendation.

Kovach noted that the committee wasn’t unanimous in their decision to have a compromise increase, as Wright was in opposition.

Councillors Shelly Veroba and Dennis Moore were also opposed to the recommendation. Veroba said she thought council’s compensation should remain the same for the bulk of the term, even if it costs them money.

“A wage scale was already in place when I got elected in 2016, and the wage scale was for 2016-2020,” said Veroba.

She has spoken with many taxpayers in Estevan, and couldn’t find one who thought it was OK to in-

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crease council’s wages.

“I know that other communities have done it. That’s fine. They felt it was right,” said Veroba.

Moore said he would have rather seen council be fully compensated for the wages they would lose, or not receive an increase at all, than have the 50-50 solution that was provided.

“Fifty per cent is like teasing a dog,” said Moore.

“What would you want to do that for?”

But other council members voiced their support, including Councillor Trevor Knibbs, who said things beyond council’s control have changed.

“We’re giving 100 per cent, and I think that’s something deserved by all of council,” said Knibbs.

Councillor Travis Frank suggested going with the MLA option, and pointed out Estevan is among the lower paid councils in the province, but he also said he supports the compromise option.

Councillor Lyle Yanish wanted to know how they came up with half. Smith, a former city councillor, said council members have expenses that are unaccounted for, and he wanted council to be compensated accordingly.

Kovach pointed out that the Rural Municipality of Estevan council kept the same wage for the rest of the term.

“I know if you look at most of the other cities, they kept their net (compensation) whole,” said Ludwig.

Yorkton and Swift Current did not have an increase.

A f t e r t h e m e e t i n g, Wright said she didn’t agree with the committee’s recommendation, citing her agreement with Moore. She also wanted the committee to do more due diligence before filing its report.

Kovach pointed out that they did receive one written statement from the public, who believed council should not receive an increase in compensation.

Ludwig said he wanted council to table the motion to the next meeting, scheduled for April 22, so that they would have time to receive more feedback from the public, and because he wanted to have all members of council in attendance to make the decision.

“I wouldn’t mind getting more feedback. I know where I work (at the mines) there are 400 people who love to give me their feelings and their feedback.”

Councillor Greg Hoffort was absent from the meeting.

Ludwig also voiced his interest in having council wages connected in some way to those of the MLAs, because it would create certainty moving forward.

March 27, 2019 A21

Police release name of alleged impaired driver The Estevan Police Service has released the name of a motorist recently charged with driving while impaired.

C o d y R Wa r d , a 30-year-old Estevan man, was charged on March 18 with impaired driving and operating a conveyance with a blood-alcohol content exceeding .08.

The charges have not been proven in court.

In other recent police news, officers received a report of two youths fighting at a business parking lot during the March 19 day shift.

The youths have both been charged under the bylaw for fighting in public.

Members of the EPS received a report of mischief to a vehicle and a possible failure to report an accident.

The matter is still under investigation.

EPS members, along with members of the Combined Traffic Service of Saskatchewan, did a joint enforcement project for a few hours during Wednesday’s day shift that resulted in several summary offence tickets

being issued. Tickets for speeding, cellular phone use, seat belts and intersection violations were issued. These partnerships and projects will continue now that spring is here.

Members charged an Estevan male with mischief to city property during the March 20 night shift, for damaging property in police cells. The individual appeared in Estevan Provincial Court the following morning to answer to the charge.

Police were called to a local business parking lot during the March 21 night shift of a report of a fight between four males and a female. Police attended and arrested a 26-year-old Estevan man. He was lodged in cells and to be released in the morning when sober.

Members were requested to provide some assistance for a B.C. RCMP detachment during the March 22 day shift. The EPS was able to relay the results back to the originating detachment.

Police responded to a report of a fight outside a

liquor establishment during the March 22 night shift.

A 30-year-old Estevan man was arrested for assault. He was lodged in cells until sober and released later in the morning with a future court date.

Officers received a call of a vehicle that was travelling on 13th Avenue. An occupant was believed to be smoking marijuana. A plate was given and the matter remains under investigation.

A report of harassment was made to police. A suspect was quickly identified and the incident is under investigation.

Police received parking complaints from around the city buildings of Affinity Place and the Estevan Leisure Centre. Several vehicles were issued parking violations for parking in staff parking without a visible 2019 parking pass. As well, several parking tickets were issued for vehicles parked along the fire lane on the south side of the property. Members will continue to monitor this situation at events

Three calls for fire department March 25 The Estevan Fire Rescue Service has had a busy day March 25 with three calls in less than a five-hour span.

The first was just after 9:30 a.m. for a residential fire alarm in the rural municipality of Estevan, to the northeast of the city limits. Fire Chief Dale Feser said crews found that the alarm was triggered by steam from a shower, and there wasn’t an emergency occurring.

The second was before 11 a.m. for a commercial fire alarm in southeast Estevan. Firefighters arrived on scene to find a construction company was conducting maintenance inside by cutting concrete and using gas-powered equipment.

“The airborne concrete dust, along with the exhaust from the gas-fired equipment, caused the alarm to go off,” said Feser.

The property owners were reminded that any time there is property maintenance happening to contact the monitoring agency and ensure they are aware of the work in advance, so that it doesn’t cause an unnecessary call for the fire department.

The final call was at 1:45 p.m. for a two-vehicle collision on Carbon Avenue in Bienfait, about a block from the Bienfait Weldon School. A vehicle struck a vehicle that was parked. The fire department, the Estevan RCMP and Emergency Medical Services attended the scene.

“There were fluids leaking on the ground,” said Feser. “There were some very minor injuries as a result.”

Occupants of the moving vehicle were

treated at the scene of the collision, and then the scene was turned over to the RCMP for an investigation.

In other recent activity for the department, firefighters were called to a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm on March 18 from north-central Estevan. Crews gained entry with gas detection equipment, only to find that there wasn’t any CO in the home. The call was due to a faulty detection device.

A few hours later, they were notified of another CO alarm in northwest Estevan. It also proved to be a faulty detection device.

The fire department was notified of an outdoor fire in the backyard of a residence March 21 in north-central Estevan. Crews arrived to find the homeowner was operating a fire pit in the backyard.

“The homeowner was doing exactly everything that was required as per the fire pits,” said Feser.

He reminds the public to only use proper burning materials for the fire pit, which means they can’t burn tree leaves, small twigs or yard refuse from spring cleaning.

A commercial fire alarm was from eastcentral Estevan on March 22. Cleaning crews had a mishap in which a vacuum cleaner bag blew up, and the airborne dust triggered the fire alarm.

A training night was held on March 19 with self-contained breathing apparatus lessons and restricted access drills.

Feser said those are always popular activities with the firefighters.

around facilities.

Police observed a person who entered a vehicle during the March 23 day shift and was showing signs of intoxication. The vehicle was checked and the driver was tested with a roadside screening device. The instrument registered a “warning” level and the driver was suspended from driving for three days. The vehicle was also impounded.

O f fi c e r s a r re s t e d a 25-year-old woman for assault during the March 23 night shift. She is on proba-

tion and release conditions from previous charges. She was held in cells and police will look at remanding her until Monday for court. The victim did not sustain any major injuries.

Police responded to a report of a theft of cash. The money was winnings from a VLT in a downtown establishment. The suspect turned himself in to police the following night. He returned the money and apologized for his actions. Due to the suspect’s co-operation in the matter, no charges will be

laid at this time.

Officers were dispatched to the 600-block of Second Street to a report of an intoxicated male banging on a door. He was located a short distance away and was arrested. He was lodged in cells until sober.

Police received more reports of scams last week, including one that involved someone claiming to be with NAPA Auto Parts. Police are continuing to remind citizens not to give out personal information over the phone or Internet.

EPS February crime statistics

By Ana Bykhovskaia

abykhovskaia@estevanmercury.ca

Members of the Estevan board of police commissioners saw a few tendencies at their March 20 meeting.

The overall crime statistics went down a little bit. However, the report demonstrated that some particular numbers went up last month in comparison to February 2018. Thus, the Estevan Police Service (EPS) saw a 100 per cent increase in residential break and enters and a 300 per cent increase in business break and enters, but with four cases of each type in general numbers remained low.

There also were four cases of thefts under $5,000 and four cases of mischief or willful damage. Overall property crimes went down from 15 in February 2018 to 11 in February 2019.

There were 11 crimes against people in February, with one sexual crime, nine assaults and one assault causing bodily harm. Yet, in comparison to last year Estevan had a 29 per cent overall decrease in this type of crimes, from 12 to nine.

No drug-related arrests were made and with just one such a case in January the yearly statistics so far demonstrate a 94 per cent decrease in comparison to 2018.

One area that keeps improving significantly is the impaired driving situation.

There were only seven cases of impaired/exceed-related offences in February 2019 in comparison to 18 a year earlier.

EPS Chief Paul Ladouceur noted that the statistics they’ve witnessed on drinking

Paul Ladouceur and driving is a result of tremendous efforts of the police, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), SGI and other organizations. He believes that publicity also played its role.

“There’s been a lot of publicity around impaired driving, and police continue to release the names of impaired drivers.

We’ve had some criticism saying why we are doing that. It’s a simple answer: 30 years later we are still fighting the same battle. And it has to come to an end and quite frankly it’s simple, you don’t want your name there, don’t drink and drive,” said Ladouceur.

He also outlined that SGI funds a lot of activities, providing giveaways and covering all costs associated with check stops.

“Their biggest contribution when it comes to impaired driving is the 100 per cent fund of our high-visibility check stops. So when you see our officers there at night, there are four or six officers, and taxpayers are saying, ‘Why there are so many officers standing, they are getting paid, wasting our dollars?’

Taxpayers aren’t paying for that, SGI is,” Ladouceur noted.

Stray cats and parking

violations were among the areas of concern of the bylaw enforcement officer in February. Ladouceur noted that the first problem should be resolved as the warmer temperatures settle in.

“There’s been a lot of complaints over the winter to why we are not trapping these cats…

We have to be humane and to trap cats at subzero temperatures is less than humane, unless you can check traps every 30 minutes… When it gets nicer we can get on that again,” said Ladouceur.

The other concern that was brought forward was with vehicles parked downtown overnight and left there into the next day, in that manner violating the two-hour parking restrictions.

“We have started chalking tires downtown; we’ll continue to do so. There have been tickets issued already for parking violations. So if you are going to be parked over two hours, be prepared for a parking ticket,” said Ladouceur.

He explained that it’s not “a cash grab,” and their main goal is to make downtown shopping equally accessible to everyone.

Over 28 days of February EPS, the bylaw enforcement officer received 19 animal-related calls, addressed two animal violations and impounded three creatures. She also had to deal with 23 parking complaints, 31 parking violations and one vehicle was towed.

On top of that, 72 snow removal notices were issued, there were three summons and nine other bylaw issues.

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