review
weyburn Vol.115 No. 03 - Weyburn, Saskatchewan Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 16 Pages
Test your skills with our Mammoth Crossword Puzzle on pages 7-10!
Do you know the artist? This painting of TC Douglas is in the city’s permanent art collection. Help find the artist. Page 2 Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 Publication Mail Registration No. 09093
Year in Review July - December Enjoy a look back at the news makers from 2024. Pages 12-16 $1.25 (Includes GST)
City of Weyburn proposes 6.2% tax increase for 2025
On the firing line
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
Participants in the 3D archery shoot competition lined up to take aim at their chosen targets on Saturday, for the annual event hosted by the Weyburn Wildlife Federation at the Goodwater Community Rink. There were 25 participants on Saturday and 21 on Sunday, with more youth taking part. The scores depended on hitting the target area on each animal, each set at particular distances from the firing line.
Concerns raised at Leg. about finances of Weyburn couple with health issues By John Cairns and Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca Concerns are being raised again at the Legislature about the financial situation facing Weyburn resident Fred and Teresa Sandeski. The New Democrats had been calling on the Sask Party government to step up to address the situation of Fred Sandeski, a longtime volunteer and advocate in Weyburn who has raised concerns about the mounting bills for his end of life care. Sandeski, who is not expected to have a lot of time left to live, is in respite care at a cost of $45 a day — an amount that raised concerns from the Sandeskis about their ability to afford rent. On social media, a video was posted recently by the NDP in which their Seniors critic Keith Jorgenson was shown meeting with Fred Sandeski. In that video, Jorgenson reviewed a letter Sandeski received from the province. But instead of that envelope containing an offer from the health ministry to help, it contained a bill. Jorgenson spoke more about that meeting, and what he learned of Sandeski’s situation, at a news conference at the Legislature Friday. “The only official cor-
respondence that Fred has received from this provincial government is a bill,” said Jorgenson. “In fact, rather than help him, someone first suggested medical assistance in dying, and now they have asked Fred and his wife to involuntarily separate to get a small government benefit. Can you imagine asking somebody at the end of their life... to separate from their spouse in order to pay their bills? This is cruel and unnecessary.” Wey bu r n - B e n g o u g h MLA Mike Weger took issue with some of the assertions made by Jorgenson, pointing out, “At no time did the Government of Saskatchewan suggest that Mr. Sandeski separate from his wife.” He provided an explanation of the process used by the Sask Health Authority. “For married persons who reside in separate homes for reasons beyond their control, they may choose to complete an Optional Designation form, which may assist with the monthly charge. With this form, only the resident’s income is considered when calculating the monthly resident charge. Choosing the Optional Designation does not change a couple’s marital status.” In terms of the level
of care for Fred and Teresa, Weger said, “The Ministry, along with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, works with patients to help determine the most appropriate level of care. Care and services are planned and provided according to the needs of the individual. This could include respite care for people who normally live at home but are dependent on family for support, palliative care for those in the end-of-life stage and longterm care.” Jorgenson said the minister “could solve this problem today. They should have solved it over a month ago. Saskatchewan seniors like Fred helped build this province. They deserve to age and die with dignity. Instead,
Fred is having to spend his last days trying to get ahold of Sask Party ministers. Our parents, our grandparents deserve better.” Weger added that clients are assessed “endof-life stage” by a health care team within the SHA using a standard guide and checklist. “Clients assessed as needing end-of-life care do not pay a monthly resident charge at special-care homes,” he said. In regard to the bill sent to the Sandeskis, MLA Weger said he will continue to communicate concerns to the Ministers of Health, and specifically he will raise the issues around the bill directly with the Ministers’ Offices.
By Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca Weyburn city council approved the preliminary budget on Monday evening, with a proposed tax increase of 6.2 per cent and a $50 increase in the base tax. F o r a n “ av e r a g e ” home owner, for a home assessed at $300,000, the increase will add about $65 to the annual property tax bill, plus the base tax increase will be a total increase of about $115 to the tax bill or around $10 a month, said director of finance Laura Missal. These increases will bring the municipal tax from $1,145 to $1,210, and the base tax goes up from $845 in 2024 to $895 per residential property. (These taxes do not include the provincial education tax, which last year was around $1,362 for a property at this assessment level.) The City will now hold two open houses, on Thursday, Jan. 16 and Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 5-7 p.m. both days in the Sun Room at the Weyburn Leisure Centre. Department heads will be present to answer questions, along with the police and fire chiefs, and members of city council, as council seeks to find out what suggestions or comments the public has to make on the proposed budget before the finalized version is voted on. The last opportunity for input will be on Monday, Jan. 27, when delegations can appear before council to make their points or comments on the budget, and coun-
cil will vote on the final version of the budget. The net operating budget for 2025 will total $26,226,575, which includes $23,341,075 for the operating budget, and $2,885,500 for the capital budget. Of this amount, 48.78 per cent goes to wages and benefits; 21.16 per cent to maintenance, material and supplies; 9.47 per cent to professional and contractual costs; 6.44 per cent in transfers to the capital fund; 4.72 per cent to utilities; 2.57 per cent for internal loans; 3.21 per cent for grants, and1.33 per cent for interest costs. The capital budget includes $110,000 to the police department for new fleet; $12,000 to the fire department for a hose adapter and fittings; $73,500 for the boardwalk replacement, and $200,000 for phase 1 of Young Fellows Park (on the Haig School grounds); $725,000 to repair the roof on the police station; and for public works, $15,000 for asphalt, $300,000 for new traffic lights, $600,000 for a new culvert on Highway 39, and $85,000 for stormwater-sanitary system modeling. There is also $240,000 for a tandem dump truck, and $25,000 for a cold planer skid steer attachment. Among the initiatives for the Weyburn Police Service is switching over to next generation 911, which police chief Brent VanDeSype noted has been mandated to take place across Canada. Continued on page 3
Sharpen your pencils! The Mammoth Crossword Puzzle can be found on Pages 7 to 10. Answers will appear in the January 22nd Weyburn Review.
Signs of a bitterly cold winter day
Photo – Greg Nikkel, SaskToday.ca
A sundog formed around the sun on Sunday morning in Weyburn, one of the signs that the temperatures were a bit on the frosty side, including a high wind chill as winds whipped up ice crystals in the air.