Issue 17

Page 1

Vol. 104 No. 17

Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0

THURSDAY,, APRIL 25, 2013

email: tip@sasktel.net

24 pages

Phone: 306-948-3344

$1.25

www.biggarindependent.ca

Runners to your marks - Biggar Boogie set to run this June Fun run to raise money for playground facilities by Kevin Brautigam of The Independent

The fi rst annual Biggar Boogie promises to be a

fun, no pressure event designed to raise money for recreational facilities in Biggar.

Slated for this Saturday, June 22, the family oriented event will feature two, five and,

for the more serious and competitive runners, a 10 kilometre challenge. Participates can run or

Traffic Safety Blitz starts Monday Biggar RCMP will be conducting a traffic safety blitz in and around Biggar and Perdue starting this Monday and running until May 3. The traffic safety blitz will focus on seatbelt, speeding, distracted driving, stop signs, aggressive driving and motor vehicle insurance violations. “Fines for these types of offences vary but can equate to several hundreds of dollars,” Biggar Detachment Commander, Sgt. Colin Sawrenko explained. “Depending on the situation your vehicle may also be towed. There will be a zero tolerance approach during the blitz.” Biggar RCMP are encouraging everyone to focus on safe driving habits, not only during this period, but at all times.

On the face of it all . . . Biggar Central School senior, Gordie May makes the return, Saturday during the Blazer home tourney. The senior badminton squad had a great weekend, following it up with strong play at Sectionals in Rosetown, taking nine of the 16 spots. May,

by Kevin Brautigam)

Municipal mill rate limit means more fairness for Saskatchewan taxpayers The Government of Saskatchewan has set an interim mill rate factor limit for the 2013

taxation year to support the equitable distribution of property taxes set by municipalities among

Short order chefs . . . Rita Sutherland, left, takes her trio of cooks, Alric Massie, Jacob Miller and Wyatt Aman, through a lesson, Tuesday during the weekly Kids in the Kitchen program. Held at Biggar Central School, the after-school program is open to all kids, teaching them how to make healthy and nutritious meals. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

along with doubles partner Jared McLeod, placed second in boys doubles in Rosetown, allowing them to move to District play this weekend in Outlook. (Independent Photo

property classes. “Most commercial and industrial property owners in the province pay higher municipal property taxes than those paid on agricultural and residential properties for delivery of many of the same municipal services,” Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter said, Monday. “Setting this interim limit will be a first step toward fairer taxation among all municipal property tax classes going forward and focuses on the most extreme occurrences.” The maximum ratio of highest to lowest mill rate factors that may be implemented by a municipality in 2013 will be 15.0. The interim limit will be placed in The Municipalities Regulations and is retroactive to January 1, 2013 and therefore

applicable for the 2013 municipal taxation year. Municipalities should not interpret this as a target; the majority have far lower ratios and should continue to strive for taxation fairness. Mill rate factors do not apply to education property taxes. The interim limit does not apply to cities or northern municipalities since they are all well below it. The Ministry of Government Relations will conduct further review and consult with business stakeholders and the municipal sector to develop a long-term policy for placing limits on mill rate factors to take effect in 2014. The review will include all property tax tools and all categories of municipalities, including cities and northern municipalities.

walk the course which will start at the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold park gazebo. “We wanted the two kilometre because we hope that a lot of kids w i l l t a k e p a r t i n i t ,” explained Town of Biggar Recreation Director Erin Poitras, again, stressing the family-fun nature of the event. Open to any age, those interested can register at the Town Office or at New U Fitness. Hoping to make this an annual event, Poitras hopes the event can raise cash for playground equipment for the various recreational facilities in town, specifically at the B u ck i n g h a m Pa r k o n Third Avenue East. “We just felt it would be a good fit for the Recreation Department to do something that involves physical activity,” she said. “I think it’s great that we have the two, five and 10 kilometre because for the two kilometre, get a bunch of families out there, get moving, have something to do, but yet there are some of the more serious runners out there who do travel quite a bit to go to 10 kilometre competitions, why not have one here?” Poitras says that although the Biggar Boogie has just started promoting itself, she’s already received interest from runners and former residents. It will be a timed event, but the nature of will be relaxed and fun - unless you are competing, and for some, the competitive juices will flow freely. Again, running, walking or pushing a stroller will b e a l l o w e d . H o w e v e r, no bikes or pets will be allowed, mainly due to the potential for on-course accidents or incidents. Although an official time hasn’t been set for registrations and start times, so stay tuned as more details are finalized. Once again, to register for the Biggar Boogie this Saturday, June 22, contact the Town Offi ce (306-948-3317 or New U Fitness (306-948-2208).


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