November 17, 2022 Digital Issue

Reminder Property Taxes are Due!

-Tax Notices were mailed out on April 29th. If anyone has not received their notice, they should contact City Hall. Ensure all contact information is up to date.

- Starting on August 1st, interest penalties on outstanding amounts begin to accrue.

Ways to Pay

- Taxes can be paid by cash, cheque, or debit at City Hall.

- Taxes can also be paid online through Banking Bill Payments, or by E-transfers; for payments: payments@martensville.ca.

Please include address &/or roll number in the comment section along with an indication the payment is for taxes.

December & January Council Meeting Dates

Committee of the Whole - December 13th Regular Council - December 20th

Committee of the Whole - January 10th Regular Council - January 17th

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

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.

Stay Off the Ice

Tis the Season....For Check Stops

Recreation Update - Sip n’ Shop Coming!

Play n Skate with Santa, Twinkle Tours

Lazy Man Triathlon: Registration is open! Can you complete a Triathalon over the course of a month?

Sip N Shop: November 24th - Registration for local vendors is open and look forward to a day of local products and crafts.

Play & Skate with Santa: December 11th

Twinkle Tours: December 12th-16th

Contact the MAP, visit Martensville.ca or Facebook for information on registration and what is coming up.

The Winter Program Guide is Coming! The Winter Program Guide will come out on-line on November 24th and be in mailboxes December 8th.

Snow Removal this Winter – What you need to know

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access to goods and services in the community.

Our crews strive to deliver excellent service, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to promptly remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions. There are ways you can help to ensure to keep streets clear and safe

- Do not shovel, blow, or push snow from private property onto the street – this causes snow ridges on your driveway when our plow cleans our street.

- Do not plow or pile snow on streets or hydrants – this can block access to manholes, water valves, and access to water in case of emergencies.

- Clear your driveways in advance of the city’s snow clearing operations - this helps our operators clear your street more efficiently as well as more clearly see driveways to avoid ridging.

- Do not park your vehicle in an area where it could obstruct snow removal procedures - this hinders our operations and could result in a snow ridge blocking your vehicle in place.

- Do not leave large piles of snow at the corners of driveways – this snow can be caught by a raised snow-gate blade and topple over into your driveway or the street.

-Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks - Crews apply a mixture of salt and sand on our streets and intersections to ensure safer driving conditions. If you are near or behind the sanding truck you are reminded to stay back 15m to allow the truck to disperse materials and to prevent materials from potentially hitting your vehicle.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca.

Editor/Ad Design: Jocelyn Ottenbreit jottenbreit@martensvillemessenger.ca

To Contact Us About Advertising: advertising@martensvillemessenger.ca Want to Share News?: news@martensvillemessenger.ca

The Martensville Fire Department is reminding the public to stay off of the ice on the ponds located within Martensville until testing is done to measure the ice thickness and it can be deemed safe. Attempting to cross the ice without knowing the thickness is unsafe. The MFD will update residents once testing is complete. (MFD)

Corman Park Police Service, along with RCMP Traffic, were out on November 12th to once again ensure the roadways were safe for all motorists by conducting a check stop on Clarence Avenue and Middleton Road. During this check stop, approximately 100 vehicles were pulled in and two drivers were issued an alcohol 72-hour suspension, one driver received a 72-hour cannabis suspension, one impaired charge was laid and there was a blood demand made on a suspected impaired driver. CPPS reminds drivers to ensure a safe ride home is planned before drinking.

Warman & Martensville Tim Horton’s Donate Over $20,000 to Kidsport

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

The 26th Annual Smile Cookie Campaign put on by Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada from September 19 – 25th was another huge success raising funds for local charities. 100% of the proceeds from every Smile Cookie goes towards community groups and this year, Warman and Martensville Tim Horton’s donated their proceeds to Kidsport.

This not-for-profit organization is designed to assist youth ages 5 to 18 of families facing financial obstacles to participate in sport programs. 100% of the funds raised stay in the Saskatchewan community.

“It was a nice surprise for us to be able to get this donation,” said Angie Reddekopp, Martensville Kidsport Representative.

Last year $12.2 million was raised and distributed to over 600 local charities and community groups with a total of over $75 million raised since the program’s inception.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

As December gets nearer, the Martensville & District Kinette Club has been hard at work ensuring they are able to once again bring Santa to town to help celebrate the holiday season.

This year marks the third year that the Kinettes have been able to bring Santa from the North Pole to Martensville and they are looking forward to seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces.

The event will take place on December 10th with stops on the north and south sides of Martensville. The north side Santa stop will take place at North Hills Park (Mini Mountain) from 2:00pm – 3:15pm and the south side Santa stop will be at Lions Park/ Spray Park on 6th Avenue South from 3:30pm – 4:45pm.

Photos with Santa will be available by donation and those wanting photos are asked to bring their own cameras. All proceeds from this event will be donated to TeleMiracle 47.

There are currently sponsorship opportunities available to help make this event as successful as possible.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities and more, contact santamvillekinettes@ gmail.com. E-transfers for photo donations are accepted and can be sent to the same email address.

Kinsmen Acknowledged for Contributions

The Martensville & District Kinsmen Club have been a dedicated part of the community for many years supporting many local organizations through various fundraisers. Most recently, the Kinsmen Club received a certificate of recognition from the Air Cadet League of Canada, Saskatchewan Provincial Committee for their contributions and support for the 574 Dakota Royal Canadian Air Cadet program.

“The Martensville Kinsmen are proud to support our local air cadets, and are happy to receive this award of recognition from the Provincial Committee. It’s our pleasure to help make a difference in our community,” the Martensville Kinsmen stated.

ABOVE: Following the 26th annual Smile Cookie Campaign, the Martensville and Warman Tim Hortons locations donated over $20,000 to the local KidSport organizations.

Local Businesses Come Together to Support Mental Health for Local Youth Through the Martensville Youth Connection

A partnership between Possibilities Recovery Centre and Carter’s Counselling Services opened a new opportunity for local youth called Martensville Youth Connection (MYC) in March of this year, which is a drop-in support group that takes place evenings throughout the week in Martensville.

This is Martensville’s first and only Charitable Youth Center that is dedicated to improving the lives of youth right here in our community. MYC offers mental health and addiction education and programming which includes information, education, and skill-building opportunities for ages 10-16 years old. They also are involved in community projects and events such as community clean-up and cooking for our seniors.

The idea for this support came after realizing that there was a lack of programming options for young people in Martensville. “I started seeing children and youths through my counselling business, Carter’s Counselling Services, in Martensville. Having worked in Mental Health and Addictions in the past, I knew there were many youth programming options and resources in Saskatoon, but none specifically in Martensville. As a social worker, I know that transportation (among other things) can be a barrier to accessing resources and I wanted young people in the community to be able to access services without barriers,” Katharine Carter explained.

Youth attending can read, work on homework, play cards or games, or partake in activities that are lined up. They will also be provided with free access to healthy, nutritious snacks as part of a holistic care philosophy.

Programming takes place every night during the week with the exception of Wednesday, and is overseen by a Registered Social Worker and diploma level counsellors that also have experience with addiction and mental health disorders. This includes education and discussion on subjects such as positive self-image/self-esteem, triggers, self-harm, suicide intervention, mental health and addictions and resources that are available in the community.

Additionally, MYC works to connect youth with opportunities in the community to prepare them for the workforce with businesses looking for student workers or volunteers.

“We feel this is beneficial because youth need something meaningful to do, especially during the pandemic, which has isolated all of us for the past two years. They need social connection and a welcoming place to go where they can talk about what’s bothering them, receive education and skills training and learn about healthy coping skills, amongst other things. The benefits are immeasurable. Youths are our future, and when they are healthy as individuals, it contributes to the health of the community and society in general,” Carter stated.

Carter’s Counselling Services opened in December of 2020, and at that time, Carter saw that there were limited options for counselling services within the community. The partnership with Possibilities Recovery Centre (PRC) came after Carter began looking for ways to expand youth programming and services in Martensville. PRC was working on developing a youth mental wellness program and the two met to discuss ways to support one another and discovered similarities in their goals, so decided to work together. “PRC is a registered charity, and they can issue tax receipts for donations. This helps immensely raising funds as our goal remains to keep this program available free of charge for everyone. To do that, we rely on grants, donations, and investment from the business community,” Carter explained.

Because the MYC is not currently publicly funded, they need the community’s support to keep the center open. The organization has received some generous donations to date and used them to operate the center by having qualified facilitators, nutritious snacks for the youths, activities to partake in and

counselling for individuals who request it.

There will be a fundraiser event on Sunday, November 27, 2022, at the Adobe Inn in Martensville hosted by Martensville Plumbing & Heating, Infinity Salon & Spa and the Martensville Messenger to help raise money to support the center. The event includes raffle prizes, a silent auction and 50/50. The cost is $25 a ticket and all funds raised will be used to go towards the MYC for charitable admissions to their program. All information regarding the event is on the poster below.

They will gratefully accept any donations that people are willing to contribute such as; silent auction items, raffle prizes and monetary contributions. Cheque or e-transfer to possibilitiesrecovery@gmail.com are accepted. Please state MYC in the note sections.

“In appreciation of your donation, we will recognize you or your company on our social media pages leading up to, and after the event. For donations greater than $500, sponsors will also get recognition during the event. Income Tax receipts can be issued for monetary and in-kind donations,” said Carter.

Visit the ‘Friends of the MYC’ Facebook page to learn more about this fundraiser, as well as upcoming events to help to ensure the future of the Martensville Youth Connection.

If other businesses want to get involved in helping the center, you can contact Katharine Carter through her website at carterscounsellingservices.ca, or by calling 1-866-923-5664. They can also contact Tanner Perratt at Possibilities Recovery Center at 306-242-7023 or visit possibilitiesrecovery.ca.

“By continuing to create community events and fundraisers, the hope is to bring awareness of what we’re trying to do, which ultimately is to support people with their mental health and/or addictions challenges,” Carter added.

For more information about Martensville Youth Connection, visit https://possibilitiesrecovery.ca/mycyouth-program.

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Funding Announced For Martensville’s New Rec Facility

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

On Monday, November 14th, exciting news was announced that will have a big impact on Martensville and the surrounding communities. The announcement, made by Dominic LeBlanc, the Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations, was regarding a $40 million investment into joint funding for nine infrastructures across the province, which includes the new recreation facility planned for Martensville on the west side of Highway 12 in the new Trilogy Ranch subdivision, a 680 acre residential and commercial development.

Funding for this project will include a total of $17.8 million from the Government of Canada, with another $14.8 million from the Government of Saskatchewan and $11.8 million from the City of Martensville.

"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest more than $17.7 million toward these shovel ready infrastructure projects, which will increase recreation and cultural opportunities, protect the environment and enhance the transportation system,” McMorris said. “These local infrastructure investments will continue to strengthen our communities and benefit Saskatchewan citizens for years to come."

The current arena within the community, the Martensville Sports Centre was constructed in 1984, with the curling rink opening in 1986 and is home to minor hockey teams from Initiation to Midget, a Figure Skating Club, Rec Hockey teams and a Curling Club, as well as public skating.

The Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP) have played a major role in not only raising funds for this project, but also awareness of the need for another ice surface within the community since 2013 and in that time, have raised over $1.7 million towards this project.

“This is the incredible news we have been working towards for over 8 years! This will be a $44 million dollar project taking place right here in our community, and it’s actually happening. In fact, construction of the project will be commencing in the

coming weeks with the project tentatively scheduled to open in September 2024. Today is an amazing day,” the MCRP commented regarding the announcement.

“We are so glad to see the hard work of so many come together, putting so much of their time over the years to reach this goal and sticking to their vision. This is a big day for the MCRP and everyone involved in our community and sport and culture in our region. I think everyone’s dedicated involvement through the years was a big part in the funding support from senior levels of government,” Mayor Kent Muench stated.

The facility will include one regulation-size ice surface with spectator seating, a leisure ice surface with skate change area, an artificial turf facility, rock climbing wall and playground, as well as multipurpose rooms available to the public, change rooms, washrooms and concession areas.

“This is as much of a story of perseverance, passion, and resiliency as it is about a new recreational facility. What started out as the need for a new rink has evolved into something so much more. To all of you that have helped in anyway over the last decade we are so grateful. For all of the no’s and maybe’s, the setbacks, and the fundraisers you attended or organized, you never gave up, you always brought your passion and love for our community in everything you did. Your passion and resilience are incredible. It really does show that there is no limit to what a dedicated group of volunteers can accomplish,” Mayor Kent Muench stated.

Construction of the project will be commencing in the coming weeks with the project tentatively scheduled to open in September 2024.

ABOVE & BELOW: The Martensville High School Girls Volleyball team won bronze this past weekend at the Regionals in Meadow Lake which has earned them a spot in Provincials this weekend.

ABOVE: An artist rendering of the new recreational facility planned for the City of Martensville.

$500 Cheques a Bit of a Voter Payoff

Why do politicians keep attempting to buy us off with our own money? Well, largely because it works and works rather well.

A case in point is those $500 “affordability tax credit” cheques you will soon be cashing if you are an adult who can prove you filed income tax in Saskatchewan this year.

Could the Saskatchewan Party government have put this money to better used in a province with crumbling roads, an even more crumbling health system and massive debt that should be paid down so we aren’t shelling out quite so much to the banks at budget time?

Absolutely. Is this even the fairest way to handout money to ensure it does the most good? Absolutely not, but it might be the most effective way for the Saskatchewan Party government to maximize votes, which, again, is likely why it’s doing it in the way that it is doing it.

Before we go too far down that road, however, let us look at the government. In fairness, the Sask. Party government does have some valid arguments for choosing to hand out money in this way.

In perhaps the most speculator and rapid inyear turnarounds in Saskatchewan budgeting history, the 2022-23 budget is going from a $1.04-billion deficit Finance Minister Donna Harpauer predicted in March to a $463-million surplus by the end of the first quarter on July 1st.

That’s an amazing $1.5-billion turnaround and the news might get better in the mid-year update likely to be unveiled next month.

This wasn’t a case of bad budgeting on the part of the Ministry of Finance that’s now taking the heat from economists left, right and centre for its “Drawing the Line” white paper predicting a $111-billion cost related to the carbon tax and other federal programs.

What is happening in 2022-23 is a bit of budgeting anomaly that has everything to do with the Russian invasion of Ukraine that’s skyrocketed oil and gas prices and put Saskatchewan potash, wheat and oilseed products in greater demands.

As Premier Scott Moe has suggested, it would be wrong-headed to budget in the future on the basis of what amounts to found-money we likely won’t soon see again. Moreover, ordinary folks coming out of a pandemic that suffered losses to their business and even their jobs have been suddenly hit with high inflation.

Everyone - including the NDP Opposition - were clamouring for the Sask. Party government to do something for people. In fact, the amount suggested by the NDP of around $100 each would have been considerably less for some, but herein lies the problem when governments get to dole out money simply because they have it: The temptation is great to hand it out in a way that’s most politically beneficial to them.

Let us set aside, for the moment that the money would have actually been better spent on either addressing existing problems or paying down debt. No government is ever eager to pay down debt because there simply isn’t much political bang for your buck and while spending the windfall to perhaps recruit or retain doctors and nurses might sound more reasonable, there would surely have been outrage that everyone’s money was going to a specialized profession that might eventually pack up and leave Saskatchewan anyway.

Handing out cheques to most every voting age adult seems the cleanest way to do things. Unfortunately it’s not necessarily the best way to help.

As NDP leader Carla Beck noted, is it reasonable a single mother struggling with three kids gets $500 and a millionaire couple with no kids gets $1,000? There again it seems likely that most votingage people will remember come election time that they got $500 from this government. Certainly, the Sask. Party will remind us of that.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Strengthening Law Enforcement in Saskatchewan

Our government continues to work with other agencies, levels of government and communities to make Saskatchewan safer. In the recent Speech from the Throne, new support and initiative were announced like the new Saskatchewan Marshal Service, increased funding for the Crime Reduction Team along with the Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team. We continue to work with the Prince Albert Grand Council to learn more about a self-administered First Nations police service for Saskatchewan.

When fully operational, 70 officers will make up the Saskatchewan Marshal Service (SMS), providing an additional layer of law enforcement in the province. The SMS will be an independent agency reporting to the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety. Duties will include responding to areas with high crime rates, apprehending offenders with outstanding arrest warrants and investigating farmingrelated offences like theft and trespassing. Marshals will conduct proactive investigations while supporting RCMP and municipal police in their daily operations. There are many areas of the province where a more active and visible police presence will strengthen law enforcement efforts.

We will also invest another $1.6 million annually to expand Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) in Prince Albert. The unit will consist of eight RCMP officers, one analyst and one administrative support position. The first WEST units started operations in Saskatoon and Meadow Lake this spring. The Prince Albert unit is expected to be operational in late 2023 or early 2024. WEST targets high-profile offenders who represent a significant threat to public safety, such as gang members and violent offenders with outstanding warrants.

Additionally, a new Crime Reduction Team (CRT) unit established in the Battlefords region will consist of eight officers, one analyst and one administrative support position. The CRT focus will be street gangs and repeat offenders while assisting in the event of a surge in urban and rural crime. This expansion increases the total number of CRT units in the province from 9 to 10.

Over $23 million in additional funding has been committed to enhancing and expanding agencies that will ensure public safety, respond to emergencies and support programs already in place. The expansion will build on previous investments, such as the Provincial Protective Services Branch and the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team.

Making Workplaces Safer

Our government is also moving to ensure workplaces across the province are safe for residents. We have introduced amendments to the Saskatchewan Employment Act that will improve health and safety requirements while meeting the needs of a modern workplace.

Following the engagement of industry stakeholders, the amendments introduced were part of a review of occupational health and safety provisions. Changes include the addition of secondary and post-secondary students being defined as workers so they can be covered by the Act, requiring all workplaces to have a violence policy and investigate incidents of violence or harassment, and allowing officers to take photos or recordings during inspections. The amendments introduced are another step forward in helping protect the health and safety of all workers in the province.

Increased private investment and higher resource revenues are being re-invested into our province to ensure Saskatchewan residents benefit from this growth for years to come. Our government is committed to ensuring each of us feels safe in our communities and on the job site. The investments will support current programs, services and the RCMP in their efforts. With all agencies working together to address the needs of Saskatchewan people, our province will continue to be one of the greatest places to call home.

Saskatchewan's Highway Hotline: There's An App For That

Saskatchewan travelers will now be able to check the Highway Hotline through an app on their smartphones. Saskatchewan's Highway Hotline has launched a new version of their app with cleaner graphics and added functions such as an expanded route-planning feature that includes road conditions.

Users can now download a free mobile app for their smartphones. It's available online at Google Play and the Apple Store. "I'm so excited about this new version of the Highway Hotline," Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. "It's got all the same trusted highway and road information, in a sleek new package people will love."

"As Saskatchewan's trusted advocate on road user safety, we encourage drivers to check the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline for updates on road conditions," CAA Saskatchewan Director of Corporate Communications Christine Niemczyk said. "We include the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline in our safety messaging because we know the weather in our province can change quickly. It's important to adapt our driving behaviour to the current weather and road conditions, and to rely on resources such as the Saskatchewan Highway Hotline to help keep all road users safe."

The Highway Hotline began nearly 50 years ago as a phone-based service that provided information about road conditions. Today, the hotline receives roughly 6.5 million online visits annually. Last winter, which was impacted by several intense storms, the hotline set a record, with nearly 13 million hits.

It has evolved into a phone and web-based service that shares information about highway conditions, road closures, construction zones, ferries and border crossings. Maps and information are updated at least three times per day. During winter storms, updates are made the moment they're received.

ABOVE: Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline now has an app available.

Highway Hotline information is also available over the phone at 1-888-335-7623 or by calling 511. The hotline features a network of more than 40 cameras on Saskatchewan highways and airports. The cameras provide real time, current images of weather and highway conditions, which can help travelers make informed decisions about their safety.

In addition to the Highway Hotline, the ministry has more than 300 snowplows deployed across the province that are available to respond to snow and ice on provincial highways 24 hours per day.

Letter to the Editor

Martens Moves into Role of Deputy Mayor

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Martensville City Council held their final meeting of the month on Tuesday, November 15th. City Administration provided updates for each department with some items noted including an update on the new Recreation Facility. Weekly meetings are taking place to plan and review various options within the facility.

According to City Manager Scott Blevins, the details of the facility are nearing the final steps with colours and outdoor products now having been finalized. Tours of other recreation facilities within different communities will be taking place. Blevins also noted in his report that

the City of Martensville is working with neighboring communities to draft a Fire Mutual Aid Agreement.

The Water & Sewer Department is still working on completing the water meter replacements within the community, with attempts being made to contact the owners and occupants of the remaining properties.

This meeting also included a change to various Council Committee appointments, as well as a change in the Deputy Mayor role. Jamie Martens will be taking over this position from Tyson Chillog. “I know Jamie will be a great advocate for the City of Martensville. I would also like to thank Tyson Chillog for his past service

in this role. He has spent countless hours serving and

residents of Martensville,’ Mayor Kent Muench stated.

Council also approved the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) agreement for the new recreation facility between the city, province and federal government. See more information about the recreation facility on page 5 of this week’s issue.

The next City Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 13th at 5pm at City Hall. More information about Council meetings and to view the full agenda, visit www.martensville.ca.

Martensville