Reflections by Bonnie Hutchinson

Grateful for our health system

I’m old enough to remember when “health care insurance” became a public service in Alberta. I remember raging controversy about whether that was a good idea. Some people were concerned about “socialism” (a dirty word in Alberta) or “nannystate” or that governments might override the judgment of medical professionals.

At various times since then, I’ve appreciated that when any one of us becomes ill, medical care is available to us, mostly without creating a financial crisis for the individual or the family.

As someone who has seldom faced medical challenges, I didn’t realize what a source of security that is. However, In the past year and a half, I’ve stopped taking that blessing for granted. It got personal.

Last year, one of my descendants had a mysterious chronic condition that was hard to diagnose. She had access to a variety of tests (“every test known to man,” she said). Medical experts were eventually able to identify the problem. Yes, it’s chronic and yes, it’s something she’ll likely need to manage for the rest of her life. But at that time and now, she has access to all the medical expertise and diagnostic facilities that are needed.

***

A few days before Christmas, my youngest descendant was rushed in an ambulance to an Edmonton hospital. Over the next several days, hooked up to many tubes, his life was saved. Our family learned that a clinic attached to the hospital is world-renowned for its expertise related to his medical condition.

He was released from the big-city hospital on Christmas Eve. Back in Camrose, a nurse came to his home–on Christmas Eve–to make sure everything was okay.

More recently, in my annual physical checkup, my physician spotted a potential problem and ordered some tests. Those tests led to other tests–booked within just a few days and free of charge–that identified what could be a life-threatening condition. Follow up treatment is in the works. All this during a pandemic!

Again, the medical expertise and facilities are available without direct financial cost to me.

***

Because I have friends in the U.S., I’m keenly aware that their reality is different.

Once when I was in the U.S. and a friend became violently ill, I was one of the people who accompanied her to the nearest hospital. I was shocked that the first question anyone asked was how she would pay the cost of whatever treatment might be required.

Fortunately for her, she had private health care insurance. As near as I could tell, if she hadn’t been able to prove she could pay, she might not have received treatment. She might have been turned away.

That experience was before Obamacare, so the situation may be somewhat different now. It did bring into sharp focus how fortunate we are.

I know our health care is not “free”. It’s paid for by a significant chunk of our taxes. At various times over the years. It’s not perfect. I’ve made the odd caustic remark about how a specific health practitioner performed some function. I’ve been appalled by “two-tier health care”. A few years ago, a friend was told she could wait eight months for a diagnostic test OR, for $800, she could get the test within a few days.

I’ve thought that the cost of certain prescription drugs, and dental and vision care, ought to be covered by public health care rather than require private insurance. Quibbles.

When members of our family have required medical care, we have sometimes been stressed out about their medical condition. Never once did we also have to worry about the direct cost of their care creating a devastating financial blow to the family. “Cha-ching!” was never one of the concerns. I am profoundly grateful.

***

I’d love to hear from you! If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send a note to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day.

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Being the Third Best Independent Newspaper in North America is an outstanding accomplishment!

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Your readers are so grateful to you for keeping us informed and up to date regarding all that transpires in our community and Alberta in general.

You have focused on community interests (e.g. antique/old automobiles), and raised awareness regarding community needs (e.g. County/ City fire, recreation and recycling costs), providing details your readers need to use when making decisions.

You have also covered political nuances, zeroing in on what needs to be said with tactful confidence and verbal poise.

The detailed article on fitness served as a reminder to get me moving again. I first met Connie in the Bethany warm pool exercise classes. The article, with its clear 15-point “Tips to get there” (and the clincher, “never give up!”) made me dig out my exercise sheets, my mat, the big ball and my walking poles, again, and renewed my resolve to try to get moving.

We don’t know who to thank for the Booster Banter, but we thank them for infusing a little levity into a rather grim COVID-19 existence. Know that we have shared some of those chuckles with Edmontonians and a shut-in octogenarian UK friend.

The Booster is so relevant to many aspects of our lives.

For this, and much more, we thank you! Marion and Bill Leithead, Bawlf

Punching bag

Our MLA Jackie Lovely must be feeling like a piñata or a punching bag these days, as a small but very vocal and never happy group of NDP supporters constantly attack her in print when they’re not “busy” marching around in front of her office or trying to harass her on the telephone. Now I’m sure Ms. Lovely realizes that she is “fair game” as an elected representative, but that doesn’t likely make it any easier.

Apparently, these people object to being referred to as “socialists” even though that is the commonly accepted term for those who believe government spending is the only solution to society’s problems. Has it now become a dirty word?

Our provincial government has the very difficult task of trying to help our economy survive, as well as protect our health during the worst pandemic of our lifetime, and do it without laying an insufferable burden of debt on future generations. This is not an easy task. It would be much easier to take the NDP (and federal Liberal) approach of just spending enormous amounts of money with little or no accountability and letting the chips fall where they may.

One of the recurring complaints seems to be the “massive cuts” to government funding, in particular, post-secondary education. While it is unfortunate anytime jobs are lost, the fact is the impact of the pandemic and economic downturn has been far more devastating to the private sector. Small business owners and employees have real “survival” concerns, but they are not the ones hounding their MLA. Larry Lewsaw, Camrose

Pipelines

The cancellation of the TC XL pipeline was not inevitable, but a fair bet for anyone paying attention. Jason Kenny risked dumping $1.5 billion into XL and providing another $6 billion in loan guarantees on what many anticipated would become a white elephant. Add into the mix the $1.3 billion in losses when he nixed the oil-by-rail program with his incompetent and myopic push to bring back Alberta oil’s glory days, he has cost Albertans dearly. Now he is falling back on an easy and familiar target, the federal government. Somehow, they didn’t do enough to compel the new president to ignore America’s own Paris commitments.

What could Alberta have done with the $8.8 billion? According to the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, the technical potential of generating electricity from deep well geothermal in Alberta is 555,800 MW. The theoretical potential, that is drilling deeper and working to mature the technology, is almost 8.2 TW. Deep well geothermal uses exactly the same technology we use to drill oil wells. It uses the same personnel, engineering, drillers, suppliers and down hole tooling. One pilot in southern Saskatchewan has cost $10 million to produce the needed heat. These geothermal installations have a generating capacity of five to 20 MW. Camrose uses close to 20 MW of electricity. The estimated employment requirement is about four FTE per MW to operate each plant.

Once upon a time in Alberta, a man named Lougheed had a vision for something called the Alberta Tar Sands. He was told that it was not economically viable, but he committed Alberta to research and develop the technology needed to make what was to become the economic lifeblood of Alberta a reality.

In Alberta, we have thousands of orphan wells. Potentially, we could be providing cities and towns with renewable, carbon-free electricity. We could easily become a net exporter of power. The big question is, with low oil prices, increasing GHG emissions, rising unemployment and an expert, ready-made work force, why are we not fully embracing the ultimate potential of deep well geothermal?

We could be a world leader in geothermal generation, an exporter of green electricity, we could meet our Paris commitments and beyond, and Kenny could leave a legacy that would give our children a livable planet. But I guess it’s easier and more in character to pick fights with the feds. Tim Belec, Camrose

Repeat offender caught in Camrose

By Lori Larsen

Camrose Police Service were successful, with the assistance of RCMP and the public, in arresting and ultimately charging a repeat offender.

The 46-year-old male has an extensive criminal record throughout central Alberta and British Columbia, starting in the early 1990s, involving Break and Enters, Thefts and Possession of Weapons.

On Jan. 6 at 9:30 p.m., CPS was advised by the RCMP that a white Dodge Ram had fled a traffic stop north on Highway 833, and was last seen traveling towards Camrose.

As police were searching for the vehicle, a Camrose resident advised CPS that someone had parked a white truck in their driveway.

Police checks confirmed that the suspect truck had been stolen out of Tofield and displayed a license plate stolen from Edmonton. Police seized the vehicle and were able to secure evidence possibly identifying the suspect. Throughout the night, CPS members continued their search for the suspect, who the RCMP described as wearing black pants, a red plaid jacket and a grey beanie hat.

At 7:30 a.m., a CP Rail employee contacted CPS advising that the CP Rail office had been broken into and a backpack, several tools and computers were missing. At the time, it was believed that the company Ford F250 was also missing. When the vehicle was confirmed stolen, it was GPS located, parked east of Camrose at Range Road 195 and Township Road 462.

Multiple officers attended the location, where a lone occupant appeared to be sleeping in the driver’s seat. Members surrounded the vehicle and when police abruptly opened the driver’s door, the startled suspect attempted to shift the transmission into drive. Police were able to successfully pull the male out of the vehicle and onto the ground, where he was arrested.

As police continued their investigation, additional complaints from the community were received. A Break and Enter to a school, two attempted vehicle thefts from residences, and another attempted vehicle theft from a business all contained evidence that linked the occurrences to the same suspect.

The 46-year-old suspect, who was recently released from jail in relation to other similar convictions, has now been charged with 14 additional Criminal Code offences and two Traffic Safety Act violations for his crime spree within Camrose. The accused appeared before a Justice of the Peace, and his bail was set to $500. Unable to source the funds, the accused was remanded into custody, and will be required to appear in Camrose Provincial Court on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

“Once again, this is another investigation that was aided by people in our community who contacted police with information,” noted Camrose Police Service Crime Prevention and Community Relations officer Constable Kelly Bauer. “Each scene contained evidence which police could use to link together crime scenes. Sometimes it can be the smallest piece of evidence that can be used to solve a crime. Tools stolen from one incident were located at another.”

Bauer added that video surveillance was used at neighboring homes and businesses, tracking the suspect as he continued on his path of criminal activity. “It was an excellent example of how police and the community can work together to ensure that this individual is held accountable for his actions.”

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Photo below: Kelly “the Carver” Davies was busy on Main Street in Downtown Camrose on Jan. 22, carving beautiful ice sculptures out of huge chucks of ice. Photo left: The little penguin ice sculpture in front of the United Church is bound to put a smile or two on visitors to Downtown Camrose.

Bawlf tea house, museum planned

By Murray Green

Several years ago, Darlene Berg purchased land and a house in Bawlf to enjoy the quiet community near Camrose.

“My place is right on Main Street with a storefront and living quarters in the back. It was a restaurant (Red Roof) and I operated that for awhile until my daughter got very sick. I had to close the restaurant to help her. This was six or seven years ago,” explained Darlene.

“I started renovations in the back to my place, but never got around to finishing it. I was just too busy. Over the last 40 years, I collected teapots of people and places that I traveled. Now I have more than 300 teapots in various sizes. One of the teapots was featured in the National Geographic magazine,” shared Darlene.

“I also liked Lady Diana for all of the things she did for women and accomplished. So I bought one doll. And that carried into other things like jewellery and teddy bears. The teddy bears are replicas of ones that William and Harry had when they were younger.”

She estimates her collection of Diana memorabilia at $20,000 and her teapot collec-

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Camrose Rec Centre – Encana Arena Concession 4412-56 Street, Camrose Hours: Tues.-Fri., noon-7 pm; Sat. & Sun., 11 am-7 pm ssion pm Soup of the Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 Chicken Wings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1200 tion at $30,000. “I would like to set up a museum to tribute her life and the teapots that I have collected. I would like a tea house so people can have a tea while they tour the museum of dolls and teapots. I have one teapot that is worth more than $500,” Darlene added. “These items should be shared with others and I want to start a museum. I Darlene is searching for assistance. “I’m looking for people to donate funds to help get the museum started and for renovations. When I went to Italy, I loved the work of the ceilings in the Sistine Chapel. I’m looking for a business to supply local artists to paint murals on the ceilings.” She also has plans for a rose garden outside of her place. Darlene is also lookWestern Omelette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1400 Ham and Cheese Omelette. . . . . . . $1400 Chef’s Salad. . . . . Half $1300 Full $1400 Taco Salad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1500 Chicken Quesadilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1200 Chicken Fingers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1400 Clubhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1400 found several places in the area that wanted the collecing into using the empty lot beside her as a garden to trib- Beef or Turkey and Cheddar . . . . $1400 tion to come to their town or city, but they all had a lot ute Diana as well, depending on if she has the support from Reuben. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1400 of stairs. That’s why I want to have it at the place I’m at the Village of Bawlf. “It’s a dream for me and I’m getting Hot Hamburger Sandwich . . . . . . . $1500 now. It will be accessible for wheelchairs.” older, so I need some help to make my dream to come Bacon and Cheese Burger . . . . . . . $1400

Berg wants to display her huge collection of teapots. true. I will take large or small donations, which are badly needed.” Darlene is searching for Overloaded Burger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Royal Burger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ $ 1500 1500 painters, plumbers, heating specialists, drywallers Roast Alberta Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1700 and cabinet makers for the teahouse and museum Breaded Pork Cutlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1600 who will donate their time. She also needs people who Breaded Veal Cutlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1700 embroider. “I want to leave everything to Bawlf when Liver and Onions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1600 I pass and give this to the community.” Lasagna. . . . . . . . . . Half $1400 Full $1600 Darlene is looking for people to create menus for Fish and Chips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1600 printing and nice signage. “With COVID-19, it has 8-oz. Top Sirloin Steak Sandwich$1900 been difficult to get started. I can do some of the work Gravy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200 myself. If people want to donate, they can do it at the Growler 64-oz. fresh brewed beer . . . . . . . . . . $1905 CIBC bank under the registered name. I don’t want the Growler Refills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1143 Available sides: French Fries and Mashed Potatoes Call today! 780.672.9171 Barefoot Pinot Grigio . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1125 Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon. . . $1125✂ funds coming directly to me.” Her museum will be called Leeann’s Tea House and Berg’s Museum. She is trying to get everything in place for a late summer launch. She also plans to have a tea leaf reader and live music when the museum opens. For more information, to volunteer or donate, call Darlene at 780-288-5400.

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City eyes May start to treatment plant

By Murray Green

The City of Camrose is ready to proceed to the next stage of replacing the waste water treatment plant. “We are nearing the end of detailed engineering design, we have provided feedback to our consultants on the 90 per cent drawings, and we expect to have the final drawings by the end of the month,” said Jeremy Enarson, city director of engineering. LUNCH BAR The City hopes to put the Request For Proposals Murray Green, Camrose Booster (RFP) out in early FebruCity of Camrose Mayor Norm Mayer, left, cut the ribbon to officially open Kim’s Vietnamese Lunch Bar with help from Kim Phan (Jensen), Kyna, Casie and Craig Jensen, on Jan. 18. The lunch bar started with a soft opening on Jan. 7 at Unit 16, 5110-48A Avenue (south of Central Agencies). ary, so not only can they look at the financial side, but also some key nonfinancial items they want to consider. “Give yourself the VALUABLE “The most important on that side is how is the

Comfort You Deserve.” GIFT CERTIFICATE general contractor going to work side-by-side with our $20✄ operations staff to make sure they can continue to make upgrades while we continue to meet regulatory requirements in our level of treatment in our discharge. We hope to select a general contractor by April,” explained Enarson. Currently, the plant is budgeted at $42.2 milPresent this gift certificate to receive $20 off your purchase. Minimum purchase of $40. No cash value. 4955-50 St., Camrose 780.672.2701 lion (down from $43.3 million due to scope changes), One coupon per person. Expires Jan. 31, 2021. www.branecessities.net plus $3.5 million in costs for over-excavation of clay for future landfill projects ($4 million paid by the landfill). “We are looking at construction of the WWTP in early May. It will be roughly two years of construction, followed by the City taking over full operations towards the end of 2023,” projected Enarson.

“We have been in close contact with the province and the federal government on the environmental side of things. We are providing them with line drawings. We are waiting for the green light for construction.”

Funding for the treatment plant has been collected for a few years. “This is a utility cost, and back six or seven years ago, the City of Camrose had some foresight to raise rates on the waste water in order to start building up a reserve,” said Travis Bouck, manager of financial services.

“We believe that with the increase in 2020 and 2021, we can fund the initial purchase and debenture payments with respect to this project without having to raise rates any further. I think it is a perfect example of long range planning that the City started.”