Shellbrook Chronicle Th The voice i off th the P Parkland kl d ffor over 100 years Shellbrook, Saskatchewan Friday, June 14, 2013
VOL. 102 NO. 24| PMR #40007604
www.shellbrookchronicle.com
Members of PDAP hold meeting in Blaine Lake
One of about 130 roads affected by the flooding in the RM of Blaine Lake.
A community meeting was held on June 6 in Blaine Lake in order to inform everyone about the next steps regarding flood recovery. Over 50 concerned community members made their way to the gathering to hear Building Standards and PDAP officials discuss their options following the disaster. Len Semko from Building Standards was first on the docket. He explained the role of Building Standards and some of the steps that should be taken after your house has been subjected to a disaster such as a flood. He let people know what they can expect throughout the process, and warned of some of the mistakes that people have made in the past. A common theme throughout the evening was the idea of documenting the disaster. Semko said that pictures should be taken before, during and after the event in order to help the various inspectors properly di-
agnose the damage that has been done. He also preached safety when repairing or cleaning up these damaged areas, as some hidden dangers can arise. He fielded some questions from the audience and made himself available after the presentation for further queries. The meat of the event began when the members of PDAP (the Provincial Disaster Assistance Program) took the floor. They described their program as a last resort for disaster victims. Only when insurance and other measures of recovery fail does PDAP step in to help. They are not meant to be a replacement for insurance, nor are they meant to cover all losses and damages. A step by step process must be carried out before PDAP can be of assistance. First, an application form must be submitted that details the damage. Continued on Page 2
Luncheon held to welcome new doctors
The Shellbrook and District Chamber of Commerce held a special luncheon on June 5 to welcome some of the new doctors to the community. Members of Town Council and representatives from local businesses made their way to the Senior Centre on Wednesday for the noontime gathering. The event saw a large turnout, and the tables in the hall were formed into a large square that allowed for everyone in attendance to socialize freely throughout the meal. After a delicious lunch that was prepared by Neighbourhood Catering, those in attendance took turns introducing themselves and letting the doctors and everyone in attendance know why they choose to call Shellbrook home. Many parallels existed between the various tales that were told. Some in attendance were born and raised in Shellbrook, while others relocated because of employment opportunities or in order to start a family. The pleasant small-town feel and benefits of raising children in the community were echoed throughout the discussion. Everyone in attendance, when given the chance to speak, took the opportunity to thank the doctors for choosing to work and live in Shellbrook. They reinforced how important it is to have skilled physicians in the community, and most made it clear that they hope each doctor has a long stay in the area. Each doctor also took this opportunity to say a few words, some of them sharing stories as to how they made their way to Shellbrook. These stories spanned a wide spectrum, as many of the town’s new doctors have travelled long distances in order to get here. Their methods of arrival also varied, but the Internet and the efforts of the recruitment committee often played large parts in the process. Each doctor commented on the warm welcome that they received upon their arrival and, like most everyone else in attendance,
they commented on the warm small-town feel and the benefits of raising their children in the community. The influx of doctors into the community, combined with the opening of the Parkland Regional Health Centre, should result in Shellbrook and surrounding areas receiving excel-
lent health care for the foreseeable future. None of these goals, however, were achieved overnight. They were instead the result of tireless work by numerous individuals, and the community as a whole coming together to create a positive change.
Members of the Chamber of Commerce posed for a photograph with the doctors after a luncheon on June 5. Photographed, from left to right, are Dr. Imran Ibrahim, Mark Klaassen, Dr. Rizwan Mohammad, Dr. Selam Teclegiorgis, Mason Wallin, Darin Stene, Yvonne Groenen, and Dr. Chamberlain Ajogwu. Dr. Anatole Nguegno was also present, but was called away before the photograph could be taken.
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