Vol. 105 No. 09
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014
20 pages
$1.25
Bringing news to Biggar and area for 105 years! Box 40, 122 Main Street, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0
email: tip@sasktel.net
Phone: hone: 306-948-3344
www www.biggarindependent.ca .bi biggarindependent.ca
Biggar writer brings Napoleon to North America
B
i g g a r- b o r n w r i t e r Shannon Selin has just released a novel entitled ‘Napoleon in America’. The book imagines what might have happened if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped from St. Helena and wound up in the United States in 1821. Selin got the idea for the book while dining at Napoleon House in New Orleans. According to the legend behind the building, some local pirates were plotting to rescue Napoleon from St. Helena – where he was exiled after his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 – and
bring him to New Orleans. On the day they planned to sail, they learned that Napoleon had died. Selin has them succeed in the quest to bring the former French Emperor to North America. “There were lots of opportunities for Napoleon to make mischief,” says Selin. “The United States was still weak in comparison with the European powers. It was sandwiched between Mexico, chaotically emerging from Spanish rule, and Canada, still a British colony. Napoleon landing on American soil was American leaders’ worst nightmare.” With settings on both sides of the Atlantic, and a cast of characters ranging from the Duke of Wellington to Alamo d e f e n d e r J i m B o w i e,
Selin consulted over 300 sources to make the book “a plausible whopper.” Kirkus Reviews calls ‘Napoleon in America’ “evocative and immersive. . . A thorough, sweeping novel with seamless transitions from the real to the imagined.” A Wikipedia-based study recently ranked Napoleon as the second most significant figure in history. As next year marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, ‘Napoleon in America’ offers a timely look at what might have been, had the pirates sailed earlier. Shannon Selin is the daughter of the late Alan Selin and Eleanor Selin of Saskatoon, formerly of Biggar. She lives in Vancouver, where she is working on the next novel
Shannon Selin brings Napoleon Bonaparte alive in her fictional interpretation of what could have been if the French emperor made it to American soil. (Submitted Photo) in her Napoleon series. ‘Napoleon in America’ is
available from Amazon and McNally Robinson
Booksellers. Find out more at shannonselin.com.
pand and enhance access to high-speed broadband networks to a target speed of five megabits per second for up to 280,000 Canadian households, which represents near universal access. Canadians in rural areas expect to have access to the same applications and Internet services as those in urban centres. The Minister of State made it clear that the Government of Canada’s priority is to see that Canadians, regardless of where they live, have access to the Internet at speeds of at least five megabits per second. Between 2009 and 2012, the Broadband Canada program connected nearly 220,000 Canadian households to fast, reliable Internet service. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government of Canada aims to expand and enhance access for up to 280,000 households to reliable Internet service at five megabits per second. “Economic Action Plan 2014 is about keeping taxes low and supporting businesses, families and communities across Saskatchewan and Canada,” said Sorenson. “Since 2006, our government has cut taxes nearly 160 times, putting nearly $3,400 back into
the pockets of hardworking Canadian families this year. We have done this while continuing to invest in the vital infrastructure that advances our economy and builds the nation, especially through expanding rural broadband. Through Economic Action Plan 2014, our government is focused on what matters most to Canadians; Saskatchewan is well positioned to grow for many years.” With Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government is continuing to pursue the objectives of job creation and economic growth that have underpinned the Action Plan since its inception in 2009, while remaining on track for balanced budgets in 2015–16. Over one million net new jobs have been created in Canada since the end of the recession. This is by far the strongest job growth in the entire G7 over this period. Economic Action Plan 2014 is focused on what matters most to Canadians - jobs and growth. Sorenson underlined that the government will make these investments in broadband, while remaining focused on returning to balanced budgets and ensuring no new taxes for businesses and families.
Action Plan 2014 discussed for area Highlights important new investments in rural broadband
Office of the Minister of Industry Minister of State (Finance) Kevin Sorenson last Thursday highlighted Economic Action Plan 2014 and what it means for jobs and growth in Saskatchewan. Joined by Kelly Block, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon–Rosetown–Biggar, Minister of State So-
renson focused on specific investments made in the Action Plan, most notably in rural broadband, that will help businesses, families and communities across Saskatchewan prosper. “Ensuring that Canadians have fast, reliable Internet service is fundamental to building a strong, modern digital economy in Cana-
Abstract cold comfort . . . A hazy and cold day - in fact, the whole week - greeted area residents. With a distinct nip in the air, the sunlight filtering through the trees
da,” said Block. “In a world where it matters less where you live and more what you can offer, people across our province are realizing that they can put down roots in their communities, while taking full advantage of opportunities online. Through the timely investments in rural broadband made by Economic Action Plan 2014,
more entrepreneurs and small businesses across Saskatchewan will be able to spur new innovation and create new jobs, while living and working in their local community. This is great for Saskatchewan and great for Canada.” Economic Action Plan 2014 will invest $305 million over five years to ex-
backlights the misty morning air. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)