June 15, 2023 Digital Issue

Valley Manor School Hosting Taste of VMS on June 15th and 16th

The community is invited to attend the Taste of VMS, taking place at Valley Manor Elementary School from 12:00pm-12:45pm on Thursday, June 15th and Friday, June 16th.

This event will feature a wide variety of food options, face painting, balloon toss and more, all created by the Grade 8 students as they operate their own businesses. All items will be available via cash only, so be sure to bring your wallet and the whole family to take part in some fun, good eats and help support the Grade 8’s.

If attending, walk around the school to the back tarmac, and in the gym if it is raining to take part in the final project for the Grade 8 Career Education.

ABOVE: A variety of T-shirts will be available for purchase for $25/each at the June 18th Dave Martens Memorial Show & Shine. (Submitted)

Martensville Deputy Mayor to Host Father’s Day Car Show

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Jamie Martens, who is currently Martensville’s Deputy Mayor will be hosting a classic car show on Sunday, June 18th on Centennial Drive beside A&W from 11am-2pm in Martensville. The event, which is being held in honour of her late father Dave Martens who passed away in August of 2012, will also include a BBQ with hotdogs and hamburgers available. There will also be ‘1st Annual Dave Martens Memorial Show & Shine’ T-shirts available for purchase for $25 each.

This past May, Martens hosted a Mother’s Day event which featured a petting zoo and BBQ and decided to host the Father’s Day event as an opportunity for people to come out and celebrate dads of all ages, and thought this was a perfect homage to her own father, who always had a great appreciation for classic cars, especially those from the 50’s.

“My dad was a paint and body man for years who loved cars. He restored some himself and so holidays in the summer often consisted of going to car shows on the weekends. My job was to shine the chrome and whitewalls of the tires, which are memories I really cherish. It is because of him that I find such inspiration in these amazing cars and I am really excited to be able to have an event like this in his name,” Martens explained. The love of cars is something that Martens herself has passed down to her children, with her oldest daughter actually bringing a car to the June 18th event.

In addition to paint and body, Dave Martens also did chrome work out of his garage in his retirement, and as one of the only ones doing that kind of work in the province, car lovers from all over came to Martensville to have Martens put his expertise to use.

When first reaching out to local car clubs about the event, Martens wasn’t sure what to expect; however, word quickly spread and there are likely going to be over 30 cars attending the car show.

Communities Unite to Read!

Summer reading is heating up across Wheatland Regional Library branches this year! The inaugural Wheatland Reading Cup challenges communities to reach the summer reading goals set by their local branch library to be named the Wheatland Reading Champions. Everyone is encouraged to register using their Beanstack account or at their local library for this all-ages challenge before June 30, and all reading must be logged by September 5, 2023. Registration automatically enters individual readers in the regional grand prize draw for a Kobo Clara 2E reader with free access to eBooks and eAudiobooks through the built-in Overdrive software and their library card.

Wheatland Regional Library also supports the national TD Summer Reading Club (TD SRC) for children ages 0-12 years with a focus on keeping kids actively reading to beat the dreaded Summer Slide: playing catch-up at school in September and October to get back to the same reading level they left with at the end of June. Registered TD SRC readers will also be eligible for a regional grand prize draw for a $100 Chapters/Indigo gift card, and have their reading count towards their community’s reading goal for the Wheatland Reading Cup.

To find a library program near you, watch the progress of the Wheatland regional reading goal of 1,000,000 reading minutes, and see weekly community rankings in the Wheatland Reading Cup challenge visit www.wheatland.sk.ca/summerprograms.

Proceeds from this event will go towards the Jamie Martens Campaign Fund as she looks to become the SaskParty representative for the MLA election in 2024. A love of classic cars was not the only thing passed on to Martens from her father, but her journey in politics was also inspired by the beloved Martensville resident.

“My dad was very well known in town and he always wanted to know what was going on and learn about how everything operated. His interest in community is what made me decide to get involved in politics and I haven’t looked back since. Community is so important and events like this give me a chance to meet the people that I represent and for them to get to know me on more of an individual basis.”

Reminder to Clean-Up after Our Pets

Please be reminded to clean up after our pets on the pathways and the off-leash dog park. The mess can be potentially harmful to other pets, exposing them to parvovirus and these public spaces are for everyone to enjoy. Remember to bring along a baggy or use one of the baggy stations located along the pathways and dispose of the mess properly.

Residential Fire - Related Regulations

Martensville Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to take care and be mindful of the regulations for Residential Outdoor Fire Pits, Barbeques, and Fireworks to ensure the safety of themselves and others in our community.

Regulations include:

- Fires must be contained within a non-combustible fire box constructed of material such as cement, brick or metal and covered with a heavy gauge screen and be at least 3m from combustible materials (fences, buildings etc)

- The burning of rubbish, leaves or clippings is prohibited

- Outdoor fires must be supervised and should be extinguished when finished

- Keep a garden hose, pails of water or a source to extinguish a fire nearby

- No permit is required for private fireworks display but those fireworks must be set off in a manner that would not create danger or nuisance to neighbors

- No person under the age of 18 shall set off fireworks

- Ensure you have the civic address of your residence prominently displayed in the event of fire or emergency; this is to ensure responders can clearly identify your home

For a complete list of regulations please visit martensville.ca or contact the Fire Department.

Organics/Green Bin Program is Underway

The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription.

Pick-up of the Green Bins will have regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and commenced in May and runs until the end of October Pick-up takes place on Tuesdays.

The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca

For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall.

RM of Corman Park Donates

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – August 19th

The City of Martensville will be holding a Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) Collection Day on Saturday, August 19, 2023, from 9:30am to 3:30pm in the parking lot of the Martensville Sports Centre.

This event will give residents of Martensville the opportunity to dispose of a variety of hazardous household waste and chemicals that cannot be disposed of in the regular garbage or recycling collection. Improper disposal of hazardous household waste can result in contamination of the environment, including waterways and greenspaces within the City Visit Martensville.ca, under waste and recycling for a full list of items that can be disposed of at HHW Collection Day.

Landscaping or Working on your Property this Summer?Things You Should Know

To eliminate damages to public properties, the City has created the Access to Private Property Through Open Spaces Bylaw.

Permit required - Any person or business that will be driving a vehicle or equipment over city open space to access private property are now required to apply for a permit before gaining access. A permit is also required if the work will require storage of material or equipment in an open area.

If you require access to your property through a public space, buffer or park, please contact City Hall before doing so.

Please consult the Bylaw for more information or contact City Hall if you have questions before starting your project.

June & July Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in person, guests may wear a mask if desired within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

June 20th- Regular Council Meeting

July 11th – Committee of the Whole Meeting

July 18th – Regular Council Meeting

All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 37 Centennial Dr. S.All meetings commence at 5 PM.

$500,000

to the Martensville Community Recreation Centre

On Monday, June 12th, the Rural Municipality of Corman Park announced its $500,000 donation to the Lace ‘Em Up Campaign for the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre.

City of Martensville Council, along with representatives from the Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP), gathered to celebrate this contribution and thank the RM for its support of the new $44.5 million facility that will provide space for recreation, community and cultural gatherings in the region. To thank the RM of Corman Park, the Entry Lobby in the new Centre will be named the “Corman Park Lobby.”

“When the MCRP and Lace ‘Em Up Team presented to Council, it was a unanimous vote to support at this level. We saw from the onset how this new recreation centre would serve the greater region, including residents of Corman Park,” said Judy Harwood, Reeve of the RM. “This new Community Recreation Centre will add to the vibrancy and sustainability of our community and of our neighbours.”

Funding for this donation comes from the RM’s Registered Non-Profit Organization Grant, which serve’s the RM’s objective to encourage and support culture, recreation and social services growth within the Municipality.

“The new centre is an exciting project as it will bring much-needed more ice and field time to the region,” said Bas Froese-Kooijenga, Councillor for Division 6 of the RM. “With the inclusion of the indoor turf, sports like soccer will flourish and all athletes will have the opportunity to play and be active.”

Regional collaboration is a key piece of the RM’s mandate. Along with Martensville and other communities in the region, the RM is a member of the Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G), which develops a long-term regional vision and strategy to grow the region to 1 million people. In April 2023, the P4G was recognized for its work, winning the 2022 Regional Cooperation Winner of the Saskatchewan Municipal Awards.

“The RM of Corman Park is a long-term partner of Martensville. It’s wonderful to recognize their incredible contribution to this new facility,” said Kent Muench, Mayor of the City of Martensville. “We are thankful for their continued collaboration to make our region stronger, together.”

“The RM’s support for the new centre reflects the long-term regional cooperation between our communities,” said Trevor Hanley, President of Martensville Minor Hockey Association (MMHA). He shared how MMHA and the Martensville Maddogs have welcomed players who reside in the RM for several years.

In December 2022, the Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP), together with the City of Martensville, launched the Lace ‘Em Up Campaign. The campaign goal of $4 million was set to complete the MCRP’s community fundraising goal.

“The RM was one of the campaign’s first donors,” said Ahlana Ehalt, Co-Chair of the Lace ‘Em Up Campaign. “RM Council understood the vision of this new centre. They believed in the MCRP early on and stepped up with an incredible gift, to encourage the growth of recreation and sport in our region. We are truly grateful.”

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details.

The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca

“The RM’s tremendous gift means we can build this dream and region stronger, together,” added Jesse Reis, Chair of the MCRP. “The MCRP will never forget the RM’s support and role in this journey to show others what true community means. Thank you!” There is still time to donate.

The MCRP continues to accept donations naming rights for various facility amenities. There are many ways to give to the campaign. Pledges can be made over five years and can include gifts of appreciated securities. For example, for a gift of only $17 per month for five years, your name can be included on the facility’s donor wall. All donations received may qualify for a charitable tax receipt.

Donations can be made at www.mcrp.ca/donate or dropped off at City Hall. For more information on the Centre, visit Martensville.ca.

ABOVE: Bas Froese-Kooijenga, Councillor for Division 6 of the RM spoke about the benefits the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre will have for the region. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

ABOVE: (From left to right) Martensville City Councillor Darren MacDonald, Martensville Mayor Kent Muench, Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood, Corman Park Councillor Bas Froese-Kooijenga, MCRP campaign co-chair Ahlana Ehalt, and Martensville Minor Hockey Association President Trevor Hanley were on hand during the RM of Corman Park’s announcement of their $500,000 donation to the Martensville Community Recreation Centre. (Jocelyn Ottenbreit/MM)

Warman

RCMP Respond to ATV Rollover

At approximately 11:15 a.m., Warman RCMP received a report of an ATV rollover near Highway #60 and Channels Road. Officers and EMS responded. The driver and sole rider of the ATV was declared deceased at the scene by EMS. He has been identified as a 13-year-old boy from Saskatoon. His family has been notified. Warman RCMP continue to investigate.

Corman Park Police Perform June Check Stops

On Friday, June 9th, Corman Park Police were joined by the RCMP and Vanscoy Police in conducting a check stop outside Paradise Beach, off of Valley Road. Officers issued two 72 hour suspensions for cannabis consumption, seized cannabis and dumped a lot of beverage alcohol.

Please remember that consumption of cannabis and alcohol is prohibited in a public place. Police will be out regularly to ensure everyone can have a safe and fun experience at the numerous beaches in the RM of Corman Park.

On June 1, 2023 Corman Park set up a light vehicle and trailer check stop on Highway 12. Members were joined by Vanscoy Police RCMP, Saskatoon City Police, and Conservation Officers. A total of 66 trucks and trailers were checked. Multiple warnings and tickets were issued for safety violations. Two impaired drivers were taken off the road with vehicles impounded.

POLICE BEAT

Wide Array Of Drugs Seized Following Search

Warrants

Being Executed At Martensville And Saskatoon Locations

As part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation,

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert Crime Reduction Team (CRT) executed search warrants at locations in Martensville and Saskatoon. Officers located and seized items including one kilogram of cocaine, 550 grams of cannabis, 154 packages of cannabis gummies, 138 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 13 grams of suspected fentanyl, 15 fentanyl patches and an assortment of pharmaceutical pills, including approximately 11,200 Xanax tablets.

ABOVE: Corman Park Police, along with other police services, conducted a check stop on Highway 12 on June 1st, which saw two impaired drivers removed from the roads and their vehicles impounded. (Corman Park Police Service)

ABOVE: RCMP seized a wide array of items after executing seach warrants at locations in Martensville and Saskatoon. Two males were arrested during the execution of the search warrants. (Submitted)

A 23-year-old male from Martensville and a 24-year-old male from Saskatoon were arrested during the execution of the search warrants. Both have been returned to custody for breach of parole conditions.

Saskatchewan RCMP’s Prince Albert and Saskatoon Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Teams (WEST) and Martensville detachment and Saskatoon Police Service’s Crime Reduction Team assisted during the execution of the search warrants. Prince Albert CRT continue to investigate and investigational updates will be provided as available.

That’s a Wrap for

BUSTER DAYS 2023

One of the biggest events in Martensville took place from June 9-11 with hundreds of local residents coming out to take part in the fun. Each year Buster Days offers a wide variety of activities and events throughout the weekend for the community to partake in and this year was no different. From the slo-pitch tournament, fun at the MAP, a strongman competition, corgi races, fireworks, street hockey, food trucks, bingo, swimming and more; this year’s Buster Days was one that won’t be forgotten soon.

“We are so grateful to everyone that came out to support this event and are so pleased with the turn out. Thank you to all of the volunteers, service groups, vendors and sponsors that help make this event so successful each and every year. The weather was perfect and all of the events had a great turn-out,” Buster Days organizer Angie Reddekopp said.

Don’t Worry About Saskatchewan’s Early Election Talk

Forget all the rumours of late on an immediate Saskatchewan general election. For now, we’ll all just have to settle for necessary byelections. A general election now wouldn’t make much sense, although one supposes it’s possible to see a province wide election slightly before its scheduled October 2024 date. That would make more sense.

Rumours have been hot and heavy that Premier Scott Moe would seize the moment of United Conservative Party (UPC) leader Danielle Smith’s win and perhaps do so in Saskatchewan. To do so now would mean the shortest term; slightly more than two and a half years; in the history of a province where you’re more likely to see a government exceed the traditional four-year mandate than go to the polls earlier.

Furthermore, there’s the question of whether political success in one neighbouring jurisdiction translates into the next or whether Smith’s win even translates into momentum for anyone.

Sure, the UPC handily won “rural” Alberta (defined as anything outside of Calgary and Edmonton). But the governing party was wiped out of Edmonton and lost the majority of seats in Calgary.

According to an Insightrix Research poll this spring, these Calgary-Edmonton Alberta results mirror what is now happening in Regina and Saskatoon. Of course, you can be pretty much assured of winning in Saskatchewan if you can sweep the rural areas like the UPC did outside Calgary and Edmonton and like as the Sask. Party are again destined to do here. In fact, non-NDP governments have traditionally faired poorly in the cities (especially, in Regina).

Many would rightly suggest that it’s an inevitability that majority governments will lose seats in a general election. It just makes sense to seize the opportunity whenever it can, but it’s a point of pride within the Saskatchewan Party that in its 26-year history it has never emerged from a general election with less seats than it had.

The government is sitting on a billion-dollar surplus in 2023-24 budget after a billion-dollar surplus in 2022-23, meaning it has a great opportunity to spend a few bucks to win back city voters.

Recently, the government dropped $40 million to deal with overcrowded classrooms — a problem everywhere, but certainly a big problem in Saskatoon and Regina where the Regina Coronation Park and Regina Walsh Acres are now vacant, along with Lumsden-Morse. (This also may be contributing to the general election rumours.)

How serious the Sask. Party seems to be about not yielding any urban ground to the NDP is evident in its unopposed selection of former Regina Pat and NHLer Nevin Markwart as its Walsh Acres’ byelection candidate. No date has been set for the byelections as of the writing of this column, but seats must be filled within six months of becoming vacant. Regina Coronation Park has been vacant since February.

Another thing that’s contributing to the general election rumours is a spate of retirement announcements — long-time MLA Greg Ottenbreit in Yorkton and Ken Francis in Kindersley that will be swallowed up by the new Kindersley-Biggar riding under the new Saskatchewan electoral map.

This has been followed by a Sask. Party press release scheduling 11 nominations included in Saskatchewan Rivers seat now filled by former Sask. Party member and now Saskatchewan United Party leader Nadine Wilson. The 10 others are ridings with returning incumbents, including Ken Cheveldayoff, Jeremy Harrison, Bronwyn Eyre, Laura Ross and Steven Bonk.

This has the NDP responding in kind, which might very well be the purpose of all those rumours we are now hearing. It’s always good to keep your opponents guessing. It is possible the Sask. Party could still go early, perhaps in the spring of 2024 after that goodie-filled budget, but as for any election, we’ll all just have to settle for those byelections.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Future is Bright for Saskatchewan’s Mining Industry

Saskatchewan recently recognized Mining Week, a chance to celebrate the strength of the industry and the hard-working people who support it across the province. This year’s theme, “Saskatchewan: A Growing Critical Minerals Hub,” builds on the success of our critical minerals strategy, released earlier this year.

The future is bright for Saskatchewan’s mining industry. While our province has long been a top global producer of potash and uranium, the province is now home to growing helium and lithium sectors and the first-of-its-kind rare earth processing facility in North America.

As critical minerals become increasingly important to the global economy, Saskatchewan has the opportunity to secure its place as a global leader in these industries. Critical minerals are essential to the economy, energy security and everyday life, and are used in the production of everything from clean energy to consumer electronics.

The presence of critical minerals combined with existing expertise in mining and processing positions Saskatchewan as a critical minerals leader today and into the future. Our government launched Securing the Future: Saskatchewan’s Critical Minerals Strategy in March of this year to drive growth and development in the critical minerals sector. The strategy outlines four goals for the sector: to increase Saskatchewan’s share of Canadian mineral exploration spending to 15 per cent by 2030, to double the number of critical minerals being produced in Saskatchewan by 2030, to grow Saskatchewan’s production of potash, uranium and helium, and to establish Saskatchewan as a rare earth element hub.

In the 2023-24 Provincial Budget, our government expanded three programs to pave the way for critical minerals development. The Saskatchewan Mineral Exploration Tax Credit was increased from 10 to 30 per cent and the Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive, which applies to exploration drilling of all hard-rock minerals, was increased from $750,000 to $4 million. In addition, $2.4 million was invested to provide better systems for geoscience data collection and reporting, which explorers use when considering projects.

For companies looking to expand and invest, the Saskatchewan advantage is clear. The Fraser Institute’s 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies ranked Saskatchewan third in the world and first in Canada in the Investment Attractiveness Index. Our province also ranked second in the world for mineral potential. Saskatchewan continues to be a standout jurisdiction to invest in with our outstanding resource potential and strong policies that support mineral exploration and development.

The strength of the province’s mining sector is evident in last year’s record-breaking numbers. The total value of sales more than doubled the previous record for a total of over $19.4 billion thanks to increased production, higher mineral prices in response to supply chain disruptions and ever-increasing global demand. The reopening of the McArthur River mine last year in northern Saskatchewan allowed for increased production volumes of uranium, while gold saw the highest production numbers in over 30 years with a record 136,000 ounces extracted from the Seabee mine. The potash industry achieved record value of sales and record production, stepping up to alleviate global food insecurity concerns due to geopolitical instability that continues to impact global supply. The potash industry in the province has committed to continue to invest in increased production to meet global demand.

Growth in the mining industry is growth that works for everyone. For more information, visit saskmining.ca.

eHealth Reminds Residents To Ensure Personal Information Is Current Ahead Of Fall Health Card Renewal

eHealth Saskatchewan is reminding residents that it's important to ensure your address and family information is up to date now, to receive your new health card stickers this fall.

If your address or other personal information has changed - such as name change, family unit change due to marriage, divorce, addition or removal of dependentsHealth Registries needs to know.

Preparations are underway for the 2023 health care renewal. Current health cards are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023. eHealth will begin mailing out renewal stickers to individuals who are currently eligible for Saskatchewan health coverage starting in mid-fall of 2023.

Renewal stickers will extend your current health card and service coverage until Dec. 31, 2026. If your health card expires, you could be billed for medical services.

To update your address, as well as any personal information, email Change@eHealthSask.ca or call 1-800-667-7551. Find out more on the eHealth Saskatchewan website.

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Petter Farms Prepares for Busy Summer Season

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Petter Farms is preparing for another busy season and will be a regular vendor at the Martensville Summer Market when it opens on June 24th.

Having originally started as a hobby growing vegetables for their family, Roelof and Marjan Petter began getting serious with gardening in 2013/2014 and began coming to the Martensville Farmer’s Market regularly in 2015.

Located north of Martensville, 2.5 kms off of Highway 12 on the Osler turn-off, Petter Farms has been hard at work ensuring they have a wide variety of produce available this year which will be sold at the Martensville and Warman markets. They also have a “do it yourself” roadside stand which has been recently renovated to look like a granery, with everything packaged and ready to go. Marjan noted that all you have to do is a little math and put the money in the provided money box, or send an E-transfer. The roadside stand is open Monday-Friday from 9am-7pm, Saturdays from 9am-5pm and closed on Sundays. There is a wide variety of vegetables available such as carrots, beets, onions, garlic, potatoes, lettuce, cucumbers and more, as well as herbs and many options of squash and pumpkins.

They operate from April until winter hits. The first step in May is giving the soil a dose of chicken manure and plowing and then certain items, such as onions, leeks, cabbage and herbs, get started in the greenhouse. In early May, plants and seeds that can handle a little frost are planted outside. Once the greenhouse is emptied and everything is outside, they begin seeding the more tender plants such as cucumbers, squash and pumpkins, which are ready to go outside within approximately two weeks. Watering is done with drip lines, which provides the plants with the proper amount of water and eliminates waste.

Visit the Petter Farms Facebook page to learn more about this incredible local business. “We try to be as informative as possible, but during the summer months, we are extremely busy,” Marjan explained. Produce is expected to be ready by the end of June.

Marjan provided a helpful tip when it comes to summer vegetables, stating, “Just wash it, and there is hardly any need for peeling. The vegetables are tasty when they are fresh and just need a little oil, pepper and salt and in some cases honey. Cut it up and put it on the BBQ for about 15 minutes and voila, your meal is ready.”

ABOVE: The recently renovated “do it yourself” roadside stand at Petter Farms. (Submitted)