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Wed., January 11, 2017

Issue 36

SERVING THE ENERGY CITY FOR 113 YEARS

www.estevanmercury.ca

Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240

Recommendations for healthcare changes draw responses This is what transformational change looks like in the Saskatchewan health-care community.

Based on last week’s 33-page report filed by the three-person Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure, Saskatchewan appears headed toward a one region, serves all, template for the delivery of health services.

Many details have yet to be worked out prior to the actual implementation of the new format, which is expected as early as next fall, said Health Minister Jim Reiter.

So what the service will actually

look like and what it will entail, is a work in progress, starting now.

The panel, chaired by Dr. Dennis Kendel with Brenda Abrametz and Tyler Bragg, was given a four-point mandate with the most relevant one being a need to provide a recommendation for fewer regional health authorities.

The recommendation they have provided after meeting with stakeholders and considering all written and oral submissions, reduces the current number of health regions in Saskatchewan from 12 to two with one major authority to conduct the business and delivery of services in the southern part of the

province while the Athabaska Health Region, will continue its work in the far north with a combination of provincial, federal and First Nations support.

Other items in the mandate included composition and accountability of health system boards, clinical and health system support services and improved capacity for measurement of system performance.

Comments from various parties were gathered by the Mercury shortly after the recommendations were released and can be found within this week’s issue, beginning on Page A3 and with editorial commentary on Page A4.

Fun With Lego Emily Sauder was among the young people who enjoyed the Lego Club at the Estevan Public Library on Saturday. Emily and others created structures using the popular toys. The Lego Club is a family program that meets monthly at the library. Photo

by David Willberg.

City releases its budget for 2017

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

The City of Estevan’s budget for 2017 includes increases to property taxes and water consumption rates, along with alterations for parts of King Street, and continued debt repayment.

Now the city is looking for the public’s thoughts on the document.

The city posted details of the fiscal plan on its website on Friday afternoon. City manager Jeff Ward said in an interview with the Mercury that they plan to raise property taxes by three per cent, which is expected to generate $441,850 for the general operating fund.

A homeowner with a property worth $350,000 will see the municipal share of their property taxes jump by about $65.

Water consumption rates will increase by five per cent, but the water service fees will not increase. Ward didn’t specify how much money the consumption rate increase would generate for the utility fund, because consumption figures can be unpredictable.

“We’ve seen that in the last few years,” said Ward. “I know we’re $300,000 under budget on utility revenues for 2016, just based on vacancies in homes. Obviously this summer was very dry, so people let their lawns just go. There were a lot of brown lawns for a long time. And you just saw the consumption down.”

The decrease in revenues for water consumption in 2016, as well as uncollected property taxes for abandoned residences, has created some challenges for the city’s finances, but Ward said they won’t know the extent of the problem until the audited financial statements are released later this year.

Ward noted that changes are also expected to be coming from the provincial government for the education portion of property tax, which will further increase property taxes.

He admitted there is some concern that if both municipal and education portion of property taxes go up, it could stretch some ratepayers too thin, especially if the economy doesn’t bounce back.

Overall, revenues are forecasted to be more than $26.12 million for the general fund (up from more than $25.03 million last year) and utility fund revenues are to be more than $7.75 million (up from $6.85 million last year due to the federal and provincial funding).

The document also calls for general operating expenditures of more than $24.52 million (up from $23.65 million in 2016), general capital expenditures of $2.71 million (down from $2.94 million in 2016), utility operating expenditures of nearly $5.27 million (up from $5.26 million in 2016), and utility capital expenditures of $2.525 million (up

City manager Jeff Ward from $1.5 million in 2016).

As for capital spending, the most high-profile project will likely be the first phase of the King Street rehabilitation and alterations. The arterial road is scheduled to be resurfaced from 13th Avenue and Arthur Avenue, which Ward said includes the “notoriously” bad south lanes.

“Because there aren’t any undergrounds that need to be repaired under there, you get more bang for your buck in that area,” said Ward.

King Street is to be widened to four lanes from Bannatyne Avenue to Pine Avenue, meaning that King will finally have double lanes all the way from 13th Avenue to Kensington Avenue.

Currently there are two lanes of traffic for westbound vehicles from Pine Avenue to

Bannatyne Avenue, but just one lane for eastbound traffic.

“We’re budgeting a million bucks, and we think we can get both of them done,” said Ward. “Those are hightraffic areas.”

There are underground works from Arthur Avenue to Bannatyne Avenue, so those blocks won’t be resurfaced next year.

“That will be more than $2 million, so council will have to decide how they want to play this out,” said Ward.

Sister Roddy Road will be paved to Wellock Road for about $130,000. The city will also continue to apply asphalt patches for roads affected by water main breaks.

Last year $700,000 was budgeted for the asphalt patches. This year it will be $300,000, which is a normal

amount.

Council is also looking to invest some money into the 60-year-old Civic Auditorium. There have been concerns about heating issues in the venue. There has also been a lot of speculation about the venue’s future, including structural study.

But council has decided to budget $250,000 for repairs to the building.

“It will cover heating, the ceiling, bathroom upgrades and things like that,” said Ward.

The parks budget will include a five-year pathway plan. Council members will seek public input for the document.

And they are looking to add a sidewalk on the north side of Wellock Road from Souris Avenue North to Gibbs Road, which will cost about $100,000.

And they have money in place to continue to upgrade the city’s vehicle fleet.

On the utility side, the city will move forward with a pair of projects for which it has received Building Canada Fund approval. Council will move forward with the residuals management project, which will end the process of dumping residuals from the waste water treatment plant into the Souris River.

Also, engineering will occur to shift the city’s primary water source from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam. The city will pay for a

third of each project. The federal and provincial governments will pay the remaining costs.

As for debt repayment, the budget calls for $3.92 million in principal debt repayment and another $959,477 in interest, which would leave the debt at $26.9 million at the end of the year.

But the budget also calls for $2 million in proposed borrowing, which will leave the debt at about $29 million.

“Over this term, I’ve given council a goal of reducing debt from $30 million, where it is currently, to around $22 million,” said Ward.

Ward said council is looking for the public’s feedback on the document.

At council’s regular meeting on Jan. 30, the public will be given the chance to speak about the financial plan. They can also submit written thoughts to council.

“The new initiative from this council and this administration is to put out bylaws, give the public a chance for feedback, and really let the people have a chance to look at it, digest it and to guide council in some of their decision-making,” said Ward.

The last two years saw council receive little feedback from the public on the budget. Last year, for example, they received a few comments and questions from the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, but little correspondence from the public.

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Estevan Mercury

Estevan breaks a snowfall record

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

Estevan has set a record for the largest accumulation of snow for December.

The Energy City received 52 centimetres of snow last month, according to data compiled by Environment Canada at the Estevan Airport. The previous December record of 42 centimetres was set back in 2002.

Environment Canada’s records for snowfall date back more than 100 years.

“Most of Saskatchewan is dry, especially through the winter months,” said John Paul Cragg, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada. “The average snowfall in Estevan for the year is 110 centimetres.”

December accounted for about half of the average yearly snowfall in the city.

Cragg compared Estevan’s annual snowfall figures with the amount that Ottawa receives each year. Canada’s capital city receives about 220 centimetres in a typical year,

which is twice as much as Estevan.

Estevan already had a thick blanket of snow on the ground when December arrived, thanks to about 20 centimetres of snow that fell on the city in late November.

Then the city received about 26 centimetres on Dec. 5 and 6, and another 19 centimetres from a storm that started on Christmas Day. Both of the storms in December were accompanied by high winds, creating blizzard-like conditions and low visibility.

“These two storms in December were the results of Colorado lows, which do happen in the Prairies, but don’t occur that often, and to have two affecting the area in one month is fairly uncommon,” said Cragg. “And that’s the reason there’s been so much snow.”

Cragg admits the measurements aren’t perfect, since the wind will whip the snow around so much, creating large drifts in some areas, and lower accumulations in others.

There are some large snow piles around the Energy City, after Estevan received a record-setting amount of snow for December.

“If you’re downwind from an open field, there could be huge drifts in front of your house,” said Cragg.

The average snowfall for December is around 18 centimetres.

December was also colder than normal. The av-

erage daytime high in December was -9.8, compared with the average of about -6 C, while the night time low was -18.3 C, which is lower than the average of -17 C. While Estevan hasn’t received a lot of snow so far in January, the frigid tem-

peratures have persisted.

The daytime high has been above -10 C only once so far this year, and according to Cragg, the frigid temperatures are to remain until the weekend.

“Some models are showing the potential for a

warmup, but it’s not for sure right now, and there’s still quite a bit of deviation in the models for what they’re showing,” said Cragg.

It’s hard to tell the extent of the warmup, but Cragg expects temperatures will be closer to normal.

Davies hired as new deputy chief The Estevan Fire Rescue Service has turned to a familiar face to be its new deputy fire chief.

Rick Davies was hired for the job in December, and officially started on Jan. 3.

He joined the fire service’s ranks in 1999, when he was just 19 years old. Davies has obtained numerous certifications since then, and has been a captain since 2009.

“I wanted to come here, work closer with Dale (Fire Chief Dale Feser), and be more involved with the day-to-day operations for the guys on the floor,” said Davies.

Firefighting is in his blood, as his father, Clint, retired from the Estevan fire department in 2015 after more than 20 years in the department, and more

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than 30 years of service as a firefighter.

“I grew up with firefighting, obviously, with Dad being here … and I just progressed up the ladder,” said Davies.

The first few days on the job have been interesting. The department has had a few calls already this year, and Davies has also spent a lot of time following Feser around.

But he also recognizes there will be a lot of learning, as he will need to assist Feser in any way possible, and take a more active role in training the firefighters.

“I’ve been around here long enough to know the goings on, but I’m still new to this position, so I’m getting my feet wet and figuring everything out,” said Davies.

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to leave the dealership, but he’s excited about the new opportunity.

Feser noted that Davies was a finalist for the deputy fire chief job when Charles Olsen was hired earlier in 2016. Olsen announced his resignation from the fire department in October to take a job in Regina.

After Olsen resigned, Davies emerged as a top candidate to be the deputy chief.

“We made the offer to Rick, as he finished quite high in the interview process, and he agreed to take on the role,” said Feser. “We look forward to working with him.”

Feser said they are thrilled to hire someone with Davies’ experience, knowledge of the community, and familiarity with the department and its procedures.

“I think it will be a seamless transition,” said Feser.

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HEALTH CARE CHANGES

Move to single health authority raises questions and concerns

By Norm Park normpark@estevanmercury.ca

When Saskatchewan’s Health Minister Jim Reiter accepted all of the recommendations of the Saskatchewan Advisory Panel on Health System Structure on Jan. 4, the ensuing announcement triggered a series of responses from various sectors, especially around one particular recommendation that calls for the amalgamation of the province’s 12 health regions into a single provincial health authority with one board of directors.

“One provincial authority that is focused on better co-ordination of health services across the province will improve the quality of care patients receive,” Reiter said.

“It will also reduce administration and duplication across the health system.”

Reiter added the change did not mean a centralization of services.

Tom McIntosh, head of politics and international studies at the University of Regina, when contacted by the Mercury on Jan. 6, said “one interesting thing about the recommendations is that there was not much attention paid toward the question of doctors being more integrated in the new system.”

McIntosh, who worked with the Romanow Commision on the wellness issue a few years ago, added that since physicians work as autonomous contractors they are not necessarily included in health region deliberations so to persuade them to become a part of the new package, would signal significant change, not only with regards to leadership, but also stewardship.

“To get doctors to say, yes, we have responsibility to the people doling out other services in the health care field, would be a radical departure. They would then have a point of responsibility in stewardship of the system.

There could be potential there, especially with the younger doctors, the new

wave of medical professionals, who might want to shorten their hours, take time to have children, be with family … in other words take on roles like the other health-care professionals.

They might want to schedule shorter hours and change the culture, but then, we’ve been there before.”

As far as making a selection of just who could be hired as the new chief executive officer for the large system that will cater to about one million people, along with a few thousand more left within the jurisdiction of the far north’s Athabaska Health Region, it could become a tricky business.

Ditto for those who will be appointed to serve on a super board of directors.

“We will need someone with health system experience, someone from within the general public and someone with government background,” said McIntosh.

The CEO will have to be equipped with the talent to push the agenda while earning the trust and confidence of the people inside

“Even where this new CEO locates his or her office will be telling.

Regina, Saskatoon or Davidson.”

– Tom McIntosh, head of politics and international studies, U of Regina the system as well as with the general population.

“We saw what happens with powerful actors who got involved with the Lean initiatives. Originally the health-care community was supportive but then it got silly and they turned against it, and we know what happened then,” McIntosh said, also noting the Alberta system has gone through a few CEOs with their one system feeds all, mandate. He added, however, the Saskatchewan recommendations have indicated those errors can be avoided in this province.

“Even where this new CEO locates his or her office will be telling. Regina, Saskatoon or Davidson,” he

said with a chuckle, noting that Davidson is the tiny community located centrally between the province’s two major centres on Highway 11.

The super board configuration will also be telling insofar as geographic representation, urban and rural and First Nations presence on the board will require delicate balancing acts.

“And, just how many healthcare professionals will be on that board? How large will the board be? How do local voices get heard? Will community networks still have clout and again, there will probably be a political element to this too,” said McIntosh.

The possible closure of smaller hospitals may also be on the plate, but the U of R professor felt those questions and decisions would probably come later on, not right away.

“What will be the mechanism for Estevan in making its case successfully for supplying needed services?

You need to preserve them.

Where and how do they hear the voices from the smaller facilities,” he said, noting that services such as the dialysis unit and CT scanner at St. Joseph’s Hospital were made possible because local voices and networks were heard.

“The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy found, over time, that it seemed everything was being done to benefit Winnipeg, so they had to implement features that would ensure the board would start listening to others. There will be loud voices coming from Regina and Saskatoon. Will they drown out the rest? There should be built in mechanisms that won’t let them do that.”

McIntosh also said it

was interesting to note the panel didn’t make a big issue of invoking any major costsavings in the transition plan.

“There won’t be a lot of money saved, but there should be efficiencies and decisions made going forward that will save money. But there will be empire building. That comes with all administrative structures of all types. We probably won’t see much saving, even with the removal of 12 CEOs and 60 or more vice-presidents. There will be well-intentioned moves to save money, but I don’t think it will happen.”

Collective bargaining agreements, due in the spring, will bring in other new challenges, McIntosh suggested. Union positions could be affected as well as the implementation of a new bargaining format.

“I think we’re all trying to be optimistic here but there are some worrisome elements such as board structure and how it operates, CEO selection and, the whole system will need some oversight,” he said in conclusion.

MLA sees transformational change as step forward

By Norm Park normpark@estevanmercury.ca

Estevan MLA Lori Carr knows anything to do with health-care from a governance perspective can be a tough subject, but she said, if the recent recommendations issued by the advisory panel and adopted by the Ministry of Health, go as planned, “it will make things better for front line employees and I do hope there is a buy-in from them.”

Carr said issues such as seniority status among unionized employees can be accommodated with union engagement and none of

those discussions should compromise patient and client care.

“It’s a matter of consolidating services and administration. Right now we have 12 CEOs and 60 vicepresidents.”

Carr said exactly who will be appointed to the new, super health-care board of directors, is yet to be seen and she said she expected the ministry would be the overseer of their appointment and ensuing activities.

“I expect we’ll see some health-care professionals appointed, someone with experience on the financial side, some geographically

appropriate representation.

At least that is my hope,” she said.

Carr said a little trepidation in the rural areas could be expected until the system becomes operative.

“Consolidation does not mean reduction of healthcare services. Patients and clients can, no doubt, stay where they are and get services they need,” she said.

Ensuring the medical communities, including physicians, remain committed to the overall functions of service delivery, will be important, just as it has been with the regional health systems, she said.

Lori Carr, MLA for Estevan

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Volume 113 Issue 36 Contact us: Phone: 634-2654 Fax: 634-3934 68 Souris Ave. N., Estevan By mail: Box 730, Estevan, Sask. S4A 2A6 Website: www.estevanmercury.ca Twitter: @Estevan_Mercury Facebook: facebook.com/EstevanMercury

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So many questions surround proposals Can the new one size fits all super Saskatchewan Health system be all things for all the people of Saskatchewan?

We are about to find out over the next eight to 12 months.

The advisory panel on the health system’s structure completed their work and submitted their recommendations to Health Minister Jim Reiter last week. It appears as if his ministry will be adopting most of these recommendations with the most significant one being the concept of rolling all 12 of the province’s health regions into one super health-care service depot, except for the far north, which will have it’s own dedicated region with its unique needs.

That means instead of 12 provincial chief executive officers, the super health office will have just one CEO. There will be an advisory board appointed to serve the wishes of the CEO or vice-versa.

According to those who have studied health-care governance and administrations over the years, we can expect some interesting turf wars and “who’s the boss?” issues to surface while the package is being put together.

Naturally Reiter will serve as the upfront spokesman for the unfolding super group, but being a politician, subject to portfolio changes every year or two, the public cannot

Prairie Perspective MURRAY MANDRYK Murray Mandryk is a political columnist with the Leader Post

Wall is why rollbacks are needed For most of us it’s an easy and simple solution to ask Saskatchewan public servants to do their part to tackle the province’s billion dollar deficit.

But for Premier Brad Wall, it’s also a problem of his own making.

Consider wages at SaskPower.

According to the 2015-16 Crown Payee Disclosure, the detailed spending at our publicly owned Crown corporations, including wages, 1,797 of 3,777 SaskPower employees were earning more than $100,000 a year. Total payroll was $344.8 million in 2015-16, so the average wage was $91,289 a year.

Just a decade or so earlier, in 2004, there were only 164 SaskPower employees earning six figures per year, with an average of $73,509.

So in about a decade, SaskPower payroll has nearly doubled and the average SaskPower wage has increased 24 per cent.

expect him to be the boss, although the Sask.

Party provincial government would like us to see the picture that way. It will be Reiter who will be issuing the statements and defending the decisions being made by the back room boys and girls. This group will more than likely be headed up by a team of deputy and assistant deputy ministers and their groupies.

Where the new Czar of health care (i.e.

CEO) will fit into the picture, will no doubt depend on the strength of that person’s personality, skill set and ability to persuade others to do his/her bidding. It will not be a job for the faint of heart.

In other words, we could be in for some interesting times before the dust settles on this transformational switch.

As one political pundit Tom McIntosh suggested, even where the health czar sets up office will bear some significance with regards to whether the transformation will be business or politics. Either way, we should expect a significant amount of empire building en route to final deployment.

The appointment of the super board will bear close scrutiny since it will, no doubt, have to include geographical representation, paying close attention to the Wall government’s core strength in rural Saskatchewan, as well as professional expertise that will be needed at the table. So, just how large this

super trooper team will be, is another issue that should attract attention.

It was rather interesting that the 33-page report, crafted by the panel chaired by Dr. Dennis Kendel along with panel members Brenda Abrametz and Tyler Bragg, included several recommendations we thought would have been addressed, at least in some fashion by the John Black and Associates Lean machine that was to have introduced huge efficiencies into the system years ago. Such things as ambulance dispatches are, apparently, still a messy matter in Saskatchewan’s health care system. And that is just one example of what we hope will be addressed with the central system.

There will be issues surrounding union negotiations and transitions. There will be questions about survival of smaller hospitals, which will probably be addressed later rather than sooner. The need to discuss communications and technology in a seamless fashion will also be on the table.

Another big concern will be the age-old question as to whether or not our roster of 650 physicians will be buying into the plans that will be trying, once again, to sell the idea of true teamwork in the delivery of health care in Saskatchewan. After all, they still are private contractors in the system.

Let’s see what happens on all fronts.

Of course, most of it occurred under Wall’s watch. It can be argued that SaskPower employees haven’t done nearly as well as other public servants like Saskatchewan’s registered nurses.

Notwithstanding the Sask. Party’s introduction of its essential services legislation (later struck down by the Supreme Court of Canada) in 2008, the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN) were greeted with a 36 plus per cent wage increase over the next four years from the newly elected Wall government.

Nurses’ contracts since have been more in line with the two or three per cent annual wage increases for SaskPower employees.

But you are getting the picture.

The last budget of the NDP government in 2006-07 had operating expenses of $7.7 billion, about $3.7 billion more than when the NDP took power 16 years earlier.

However, according to the mid-year update for the 2016-17 budget, with government spending in a decade has doubled a $7 billion increase in government spending to $14.7 billion.

The political issue isn’t so much that employee wages make up 60 per cent of government spending, as Wall correctly observed in a series of year-end interviews with reporters.

The issue is that it was Wall’s government that has been fully responsible for wages and government spending increasing even more rapidly in the past nine years than they were increasing under previous administrations.

“I hope there’s goodwill and good faith

on the part of provider unions and managers and people that work in the public service to realize that even what’s being paid right now, might not be sustainable,” Wall told Canadian Press.

“At some point, I think we have to determine in the long-term interest of the province, do we engage in layoffs or rollbacks?

“That doesn’t always happen in government. Maybe we need to have that conversation and see if we can avoid what might be dramatic layoffs.”

This is likely true. But can Brad Wall make the argument, in good faith, when it was his government negotiating these huge wage increases in the past decade?

In the case of the 2008, 36-plus per cent increase given to Saskatchewan nurses, it was deemed an unnecessary move even at the time.

Moreover, Wall has been even more generous in the wage increase he has paid to individuals on his own staff in the past decade, many of whom have seen fantastic increases in pay for nothing more than a change in job title.

Then there is the little matter of Wall increasing the legislative assembly by three more MLAs. Credit Wall for acknowledging that he knows this move will be unpopular.

“I’m not prepared to sort of kick this can down the road like provinces used to do in the ‘80s, or even like some are doing today,” he said.

But if layoffs or wage cuts are now necessary, they have been made necessary

by Wall’s own decisions.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

What would the sensors do?

Norm Park All Things Considered

As I gripped the steering wheel of my usually steady vehicle, and watched it slide ever so gracefully into the oncoming lane while attempting a simple right-hand turn in my neighbourhood street at a pokey 16 km/h, I was transfixed with a few questions. Fortunately for me, no other vehicle was within shouting distance, so my SUV’s random wandering into the undesignated lane, went unnoticed and unreported. It was Dec. 27 or 28 and Estevan was just digging out from several feet of snow and it was every driver’s duty to not only pay attention to their own skill-testing driving skills, but those of the other motorists they were encountering along the way, no matter which way we were heading.

We do the Saskatchewan shuffle with our feet when crossing icy intersections on foot. We need to do something similar while driving.

The thought that struck me, was, what would an autonomous vehicle do under similar circumstances?

Would I be tempted to grab that steering wheel of the driverless car once I felt the tires lose their grip? Would the driverless vehicle’s sensors catch this development and automatically reduce speed from 16 km/h to 8 km/h and self-correct?

I keep hearing how the driverless car experiments are going wonderfully well … in California. I need to know how they’re doing in Saskatchewan with five-foot snow banks and blizzards maybe hampering the senors and satellite signals that these vehicles carry.

How do they cope with an Estevan King Street configuration where you need to turn left on a two-lane street into a 3.5 lane street with ice ruts? What makes the choice?

Now don’t get me wrong, this is not a critique on local street cleaning and configurations, it’s a question about driverless cars, and, I presume, semi-trucks.

Local snow clearing efforts have been near heroic in style and efficiency. We haven’t fielded one complaint yet about snow clearing in the middle of some very trying circumstances.

Nope, this is about autonomous autos and how they might react to what we’ve been dealing with for the past 35 days and which we now consider to be general driving conditions which will be with us until March, I presume.

Do these driverless vehicles know when to touch brakes and when to hit the brakes and when to pump the brakes and when to just steer into the skid and hope the car comes to a skidding stop having completed a 360 degree cycle or a figure eight?

Do these driverless vehicles make the right decisions approaching a green light that then turns amber as you approach the icy intersection at 30 km/h? This requires instant decision-making. Do you run the amber light and hope it doesn’t turn red before you cross the intersection? Do you proceed through amber and hope the other drivers stopped at the intersection acknowledge and react positively to your dilemma? Do they see your dilemma at all? Will the autonomous vehicle’s sensors know that the other drivers (in non-driverless cars) aren’t paying attention? Do you hit and pump brakes and hope you come to a halt before entering the intersection?

Would the driverless car’s sensors make the same decision? Shoot, I don’t know. Maybe they’ll pick up a false signal due to the three-foot snow windrow off to the left!

It might work if all vehicles are driverless, or it could turn chaotic. Especially if the sensors start acting up.

I understand they are now testing driverless vehicles in Pittsburgh, as well as Santa Monica. They expect to encounter some of these questions regarding snow, slips, ice, blizzards, snowdrifts and such.

In the meantime, let us all recall that old Simon and Garfunkle tune, Slip Sliding Away. It too talks about reaching your destination.

Be careful out there.

Students share $2,000 in YouthBiz prizes Students around southeast Saskatchewan won $2,000 in prize money this year in the annual Community Futures Sunrise YouthBiz competition.

Students from Spruce Ridge, Westview and Macoun Schools were among the winners in the Achievement Awards category.

The Macoun School students earned a special recognition award for the preparation of a top financial statement while Tierra Fichter and Alyssa Jacques from Spruce Ridge School captured the Creative Customer Service Award for their unique approach to a food truck business they named the Float Your Boat Food Truck.

The Business Operation Award went to Princess Agbon and Bethany Montebon of Westview School for their company PB Apparel.

The Going the Extra Mile Award was taken by Rilyn Murray from Yellow Grass School for her venture Fresh Fondant Cakes.

Verna O’Neill from Community Futures visited the schools to make the presentations and to urge students to remain engaged in the business development models and concepts as part of their academic experience.

The awards were handed out to students who excelled in describing their business ideas and developing a business plan for them.

This year, 240 students from 13 schools were registered in the Community Futures (CF) Sunrise challenge.

In the Grade 6-8 category, the first place prize of $500 went to Skyler Kreger of Weyburn for her business Rock and Roll Skate Park. Second place and $300 was claimed by Andrew Altwasser from Yellow Grass for off-ice hockey training ideas and Third place plus $150 was awarded to Denise King of Weyburn for her Kozy Kings clothing line.

In the Grade 9-12 category, the $500 first place prize went to Paris Lyon, Jessica Christopherson and Jordan Byrns of Yellow Grass for Triple J food service. Megan Guest, also from Yellow Grass earned second with her pet supply business Tack in the Box that earned her $300 and

the $150 prize for third was claimed by Megan Ebel for her photography studio 3,2,1 Capture it!

This was the 10th year

for the YouthBiz competition with over 1,750 youth participating in total, said O’Neill. The contest allows students to develop entre-

preneurial skills in a fun and exciting way. They write up their business ideas and get engaged in the planning process, she said.

From the left; Verna O’Neill of the Community Futures Sunrise with Westview School students Princess Agbon and Bethany Montebon with teacher Shannon Sands. The two students captured the Business Operation Award in the annual YouthBiz competition for their company concept PB Apparel. Photo submitted.

From the left: Verna O’Neill of Community Futures Sunrise with Spruce Ridge students Tierra Fichter and Alyssa Jacques and teacher advisor, Graeme Summers. The two students took the YouthBiz Creative Customer Service Award for their food truck Float Your Boat Food Truck concept. Photo submitted.

Macoun School teacher Annmarie Rosner is pictured here with her students who captured the award for financial statement preparations in this year’s YouthBiz competition. Photo submitted.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Changes in school bus transportation outlined at Cornerstone session While confirming his impending retirement as the manager of transportation and fleet services with the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, Larry Ursu also provided the board members with a comprehensive report on the state of transportation affairs within the school division during their December session.

Ursu said retaining bus drivers and finding skilled technicians and mechanics continues to be a challenge for the school division’s garages and the fleet of 161 buses, including spares.

Two mechanics resigned and they have been replaced, he said, while a transportation foreman from Estevan is temporarily filling in for a similar role in the Weyburn area.

The new buses, he said, are going to be gas powered V-10 units that will eliminate the use of urea for emission controls and the buses will provide better heat in the winter.

“Since September, 2016, on division-owned

buses, we transported 3,182 students an average of 17,968 kms per day on 116 regular routes. Contracted bus service provider, First Bus, transported 877 students an average of 8,185 kms per day on 43 routes,” he told the trustees. That brings the total to 4,059 bus students travelling 26,153 kms per day.

The average ride time is 48 minutes per student with the longest ride for any students being a 90 minute trek for riders from the Torquay region into Estevan.

Ursu also told the board members there had to be route cancellations for six half days and one two day episode when no substitute driver could be deployed. There were also a few cancellations due to weather conditions and a couple for mechanical concerns.

On the spare driver roster, Ursu said there were 23 listed for the Weyburn area and 12 out of Estevan and eight from the Oxbow, Carnduff region.

The division has ten-

dered for five additional buses and the average age of the bus fleet is about five years.

Three bus driver meetings that focused on such things as safety training, standards and inspections were held in different locations in August and September of last year. SGI safety officers made the presentations outlining the importance of doing circle checks and maintaining proper log sheets. CPR and First Aid training for some drivers will also be offered in the new year, the manager said. That will include re-certifiction for some drivers who need to renew their status as providers of these life-saving skills.

New regulations from the Education Ministry poses challenges, Ursu added. These items dealt with legislated transportation requirements, key risks to safe transportation; best practices and strategies to reduce risk; relevant transportation performance information and approaches for track-

Larry Ursu, manager of transportation and fleet services for Cornerstone. port their compliance next fall,” he said.

In a response to questions from the board members, Ursu said school buses continue to be well built and constructed in a manner that makes them just as safe, or even safer for riders than traditional transportation vehicles, even without the use of seatbelts.

He also noted that de-

ing outstanding risks and unresolved complaints.

Key risks he said had the working group looking at driver competency, student (rider) behaviour, vehicle maintenance, external factors and observation of best practices.

“The school divisions are expected to implement these guidelines starting in the next school year and re-

cisions about making a school bus route run will remain with the individual bus drivers when it comes to weather-related concerns. “We have very professional drivers. They know when they feel safe and when they might not be and if they decide not to make the run, we’ll take the heat if necessary,” he told the board.

Local company will return to the Den in October 2012 to promote the camelina oil. They received strong reviews from the five venture capitalists who serve as the “dragons,” and they secured an investment from Canadian marketing mogul Arlene Dickinson, who offered $150,000 for 20 per cent of the company.

National business leader Kevin O’Leary offered $150,000, but he wanted 50 per cent.

And while the deal with Dickinson eventually fell through, the Vandenhurks had high praise for their experience on Dragon’s Den.

The Three Farmers are making a return appearance on the CBC series Dragons’ Den for the Jan. 11 episode.

The Three Farmers company was founded by three Midale-area farmers: Colin Rosengren, Ron Emde and Dan Vandenhurk, in an effort to promote their camelina oil. Vandenhurk’s daughters, Natasha and Elysia, comprise the management team, with Natasha serving as the chief executive officer and Elysia the chief operating officer and red seal chef.

Natasha and Elysia appeared on Dragon’s Den

The Jan. 11 episode is being billed as a second chance special. All of the entrepreneurs appearing before the “dragons” have been on the show previously.

Since the Vandenhurks’ appearance on the Dragon’s Den more than four years ago, the Three Farmers company has expanded their product line to include chickpeas. And the Vandenhurks were presented with the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce at the Association of Business Excellence Awards last fall.

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Energy

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

BD3 still proving its point Those who are not strong supporters of the Bounday Dam carbon capture and sequestration system, will continue to focus on the few negatives while dismissing the favourable facts surrounding this once controversial $1.5 billion project located just south of Estevan. That’s to be expected. “ We b e l i e v e m o s t Saskatchewan residents, remain behind us and this project,” said Howard Matthews, vice-president of power production for SaskPower, the operators of the Boundary Dam Power Station which includes the BD3 carbon dioxide capture island.

Monthly reports have been issued for over a year and one glitch, early on, regarding reportage, has been addressed. “I believe we retrieved our credibility after that one incident and have come to be seen as the reliable supplier with facts,” said Matthews.

“Some people are just not strong supporters of coal.

But we’ve come a long way and proved to the world in 2015 we could do this and in 2016, it continued as a steady and reliable process that is working near maximum efficiency ratings.”

Additional good news is found with the recent partnership with BHP Billiton in the formation of a universal knowledge centre that will help spread the word about carbon dioxide capture and sequestration processes and efficiency ratings.

“I don’t think the general public fully realizes how many tours we have conducted for people from around the globe … influential people who have seen the plant, got a feel

for what it does and heard it in operation. They leave as believers of this being a solution for protecting the environment,” said Matthews.

In December, BD3 captured 58,569 tonnes of carbon dioxide, completing the year with 792,533 tonnes captured and 1,332,200 million tonnes captured in total and prevented from entering the atmosphere since the plant’s opening in October of 2014. This is the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from more than 330,000 vehicles.

In 2016, the carbon capture unit operated 84.8 per cent of the time, just 0.2 per cent under the 85 per cent target. The project was taken down for cleaning in December and due to the extreme weather conditions, a water pipeline froze, which extended the maintenance period. It gave the operators some knowledge and experience regarding how the process best performs and reacts in different situations.

The maximum rated capacity was tested in the past year, proving the design specifications of capturing 90 per cent of the CO2 in the exhaust gas at maximum capacity, was doable. They also met the needs of the carbon dioxide buyer, ending the year with a net profit on sales after figuring in expenses associated with financial penalties paid to the supplier for not meeting the contract requirements in the early stages.

BD3 currently exceeds federal emission regulations.

Matthews pointed out other carbon capture project developers around the world are testing various

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post-combustion capture processes using different amine and also applying what they learn to oil and natural gas plant emissions as well as coal-fired plants.

Hitachi, the company that partnered with SaskPower for a test facility at the nearby Shand Power Station, is on the second half of their experimentations on carbon capture using different solutions and technologies.

Matthews said incoming U.S. President Donald Trump knows about clean coal and has stated that his group is willing to look at all options with regards to coal-burning power plants.

“The more people get involved and use it, the cost of the technology comes down and therefore it makes if affordable for key customers, the large electrical users,” Matthews added.

“Capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, we prove it works. There are value-added features too, such as the sale of CO2 to Cenovus, like we are doing. The flyash that is captured is useful on the revenue side for the concrete industry that uses it, which lowers their CO2 emissions. The sulphur dioxide has been captured at BD3 since this fall. Getting it equipped there took time, but it can be used for the manufacture of sulphuric acid, so there are electrical waste products that have value for other users.”

In the meantime, SaskPower continues to procure more renewable wind and solar options.

“We got some good production from wind generators in the last few weeks,” said Matthews.

“Estevan could be well positioned from an energy perspective for a solar project. Panel prices have come down. The challenge though is to balance the cost structure to make power production from all sources, competitive,” he said.

Getting wind and solar electrical production onto the grid efficiently, is a key.

“In the meantime, local businesses in Estevan,

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Estevan Mercury

HEALTH CARE CHANGES Union leaders pose questions and concerns

By Norm Park normpark@estevanmercury.ca

When it comes to transformational change in health-care services in Saskatchewan, the various unions whose members serve the system as employees, signaled their concerns shortly after the health-care advisory panel had issued their recommendation to amalgamate 12 health regions into one large authority.

Although the Service Employees International Union (SEIU-West) in Saskatchewan does not have members employed in the Sun Country Health Region, they do have about 11,000 members in healthcare services around the province, said Barb Cape, president of their provincial chapter.

“I think we’ll deal with the new board and CEO as we do now. I believe we will be able to raise our concerns as they rise,

but we do need clear indications of what their respective roles will be,” said Cape, referring to the duties to be performed by the CEO and board of directors.

“I also believe that implementing these changes by the fall of this year, is ambitious, to say the least.

Time and attention is the requirement right now, not a rush.”

Upcoming negotiations this spring could prove to be awkward at some stages since the transformation will be underway and union members will be seeking re-negotiated contracts.

“Union jurisdictions will come up with a common plan. Legal ramifications will have to be addressed and not as an after thought,” said Cape.

“Consolidation of services is called for, so how clear will that be? Are layoffs expected? In the developmental stages we

will all have things to consider to help move this plan forward.”

Cape said she did not fear the imposition of an overall CEO or healthcare czar, if you will, but there might be some fear felt within the ranks of the front-line health-care providers regarding job security. She felt though, that element of anxiety will be relaxed once the various factors surrounding the changes get settled.

“We do need to keep rural services active and effective. Access to quality care shouldn’t be confined to the two larger cities,” Cape said, adding that her union is currently gathering the questions and concerns

from its members and they were active participants in providing submissions to the advisory panel when it was making its rounds.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and their president of the Health Care Council, Gordon Campbell, expressed serious concerns over the formation of one province-wide health care super board.

“Health-care restructuring will disrupt the established systems and relationships of providing health-care in the province,” Campbell said.

“The announcement creates more uncertainty for frontline workers and rural communities. It is also

17012CG1

questionable that any cost savings will result.”

CUPE said past experiences from across the country raise several red flags when it comes to reorganization, beginning with Alberta that experienced many difficulties when merging their health regions into one, including that of leaving patients more confused than ever as to who to report to and where to go for assistance and support.

“We are concerned one central super board (system) will be less responsive and harder to navigate for patients and communities,” said Campbell. “Will this lead to reduced services and loss of decision-making in communities, especially rural communities?”

Campbell said there was uncertainty during and after the last two reorganizations, the last being about 12 years ago, which caused stress, lowered morale and created confusion among

frontline workers.

CUPE represents about 13,000 members in the health-care community including some in Sun Country Health Region.

The Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) which represents about 2,500 health care workers, said in their statement that restructuring must not reduce existing services or disrupt patient care.

Their president, Bob Bymoen said “right now, there is a lot of uncertainty about what this process will mean for both workers and patients.

“SGEU is committed to working with the provincial government to ensure high quality services currently provided by our members aren’t disrupted during the restructuring of the health-care system.

The bottom line is that Saskatchewan residents must not see their services reduced.”

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Mulligan resigns from TS&M Woodlawn

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

Chargers Power Past Blues Power Dodge bantam A Chargers defenceman Karleigh Mackenzie moves the puck past Blues rearguard Alexa Thacyk during the second period of Estevan’s 5-2 win over Regina at the Civic Auditorium on Sunday. For more photos and the story please see B4. Photo by Jamie Harkins.

Bruins suffer early letdown against NB North Stars

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

The Estevan Power Dodge Bruins dug themselves a hole they couldn’t climb out of in their 6-3 loss to the Battlefords North Stars at Affinity Place on Friday.

The Bruins came out of the gate strong against the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) leading North Stars (33-7) matching the opposition’s high tempo and hard hitting attack. A penalty call on Bruins captain Lynnden Pastachak helped Battlefords notch the opening marker with defenceman Kendall Fransoo scoring midway through the frame on a wrist shot from the top of the circle.

Battlefords leading scorer Layne Young followed suit a little over two minutes later by tipping a cross crease pass from Ben Allen by Estevan netminder Nathan Alalouf. A late penalty taken by Bruins right wing Matt McNeil led the North Stars to a 3-0 advantage courtesy of a Keaton Holinaty goal with nine seconds left in the first period.

“That’s what cost us the game,” said Bruins head coach and general manager Chris Lewgood. “They weren’t vicious stupid penalties, but they were just unnecessary. They’re plays where we’re careless going after the puck. We got a slashing call. Previous to that was Pastachak gets an elbow up on a guy taking a charge at him. I mean you got to take one for the team sometimes. It’s much easier said than done, but those are 200 feet from our net and didn’t need to be taken.”

The Bruins bounced back in the second period on a couple of strong plays from left wing Jake Fletcher.

The gritty veteran set up the first goal by Pastachak 2:15

Bruins right wing Matt McNeil attempts to drive past North Stars defenceman Levi Kleiboer during the second period of Battlefords 6-3 win over Estevan at Affinity Place on Friday. Photo by Jamie Harkins. into the frame by winning a battle behind the North Stars net before passing the puck to his teammate for a onetimer from the slot. Fletcher found himself in front of the North Stars net on the Bruins next goal three-and-a-half minutes later providing a screen on a Josh Rieger shot from the point.

“We’ve done it a couple of times this year where we get down 1-0, 3-0 this game in the first, and we think that we’re just going to be able to come back,” said Rieger.

“That’s just not our game.

We’ve got to come balls out right from the start and play that way the full 60 to win.”

The North Stars got back on the attack after the Bruins second marker with McGregor Sinclair eventually restoring the two-goal

lead with 1:46 left in the period. Battlefords then gave the home side numerous chances to regain the momentum taking three straight minor penalties through the opening six minutes of the third period, but the Black and Gold failed to capitalize.

“We had chances,” said Lewgood. “We just didn’t do anything with them. There were lots of times we could have put pucks to the net when we had a net-front presence, but we’re too busy trying to break them down to the point where we have a wide open net by the look of things.”

Bruins centre Jason Miller brought Estevan back to within one 17:15 into the third period, but the club was unable to score the equalizer.

Sinclair potted two into an

empty net in the final 30 seconds with Pastachak, Rieger and left wing Hayden Guilderson taking exception to the last goal prompting a spirited battle in the neutral zone with 10 seconds remaining.

Nate Bedford, head coach and general manager of the North Stars, said they had two two-goal leads in their last game against the Bruins on Nov. 19 only to lose 8-6. He said coming out poorly in the second period coupled with a long break since their last game on Dec. 18 made him a bit nervous Estevan might stage another comeback, but the guys battled through the adversity and came through in the end.

“We went out in the third period and our whole

goal was to make sure we didn’t give them any more scoring opportunities,” said Bedford. “Obviously they got one there late and that’s disappointing, but I thought for the most part we played well defensively, killed penalties and blocked shots.”

The Bruins (25-13-0-1) have one final game, a contest at Melville’s Horizon Credit Union Centre against the Millionaires (16-19-2) on Wednesday, before the players scatter for a weekand-a-half long break.

“We’re going to bounce back here for sure,” said Rieger. “We don’t want to go into that break on a loss.

No team ever does. No team ever wants to be on a losing streak. We’ll find a way to get out of it and come back strong on Wednesday.”

Kyle Mulligan just hit a ball from the 18th tee at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club that landed in Regina.

Mulligan announced his resignation as general manager of TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club late last week to pursue an opportunity to become the new general manager of the Royal Regina Golf Club.

His last day with the Estevan course will be Jan. 27.

In order to accept the position at Royal Regina Golf Club, Mulligan has also resigned as an assistant coach with the Estevan Power Dodge Bruins. His last game with the hockey team will be the Bruins home date against the Melfort Mustangs on Jan. 28.

“An opportunity has come to me to further my career as a general manager and as a golf professional and the opportunity was one that I could not pass up,” said Mulligan, who has been the general manager at TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club since December 2014. “Estevan has been a great place for me. I’ve enjoyed the two seasons that I’ve been here. The members, the staff and all of the people of Estevan have been tremendous supporters and I can’t thank everybody enough for what they’ve done for me and for my career here in Estevan and I’m going to miss it very much. It’s been a very difficult decision and at the end of the day when a lifetime opportunity comes to you I just could not pass it up.”

Ward Tuttle, president of TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club, said Mulligan’s resignation came as a surprise to the golf course’s board of directors, but they understand the opportunity to move forward in the industry was too good to let pass and they wish him well on his endeavours.

He said the board will post a listing for the general manager position with an anticipation that they will receive inquiries shortly.

“The one thing is with Kyle leaving he is going to be quite supportive of trying to assist with us in finding a replacement so that will be helpful as well,” said Tuttle. “But I would say our strategy will be to look to receive applications in the next 14 days to three weeks and hopefully by the time the AGM is held (in late February) we would have if not a pretty good idea of who the successful candidate is then perhaps even them hired by that point.”

Tuttle said a candidate with experience in operating a golf course would obviously present a tremendous benefit,

TS&M⇢B5

B2 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

Lions goalie stonewalls Bruins

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

The Estevan Apex midget AA Bruins fired 53 shots on the Lumsden/Bethune Lions net at Affinity Place on Saturday, but only three were truly memorable for the goalie who stared the onslaught down.

“The save that stood out the most is the one where I made the first save, made the second save, came out for the third save and actually fell over and the puck still ended up hitting me,” said Lions netminder Riley Christison about a second period flurry midway through the 0-0 draw. “It was just one of those nights where everything hit me.”

Christison had stopped about 25 pucks by the time he got hit with that second period chance with a majority of those shots and the 28 he faced afterwards being of the difficult save variety. The Bruins (19-42) controlled the play from the opening faceoff and notched quality opportunities throughout including a Dawson Schaff one-timer from the side of the net halfway through the first period that found Christison’s chest and a blast from the wing by Hunter Piche 13 minutes into the third period that the goaltender calmly gloved down.

“I had fun,” he said. “I was seeing the puck well through anything.”

Bruins centre Jacob Palmer enjoyed a number of chances to break the shutout with a shot from the hashmarks late in the second period and a wire off the post midway through the final stanza proving to be prime examples, but it was a chance late in the extra frame that he felt deserved a better fate.

“It was a rebound and I

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Apex Bruins forward Jaiden Gervais sets up camp in front of Lions goaltender Riley Christison’s net. Photo by Jamie Harkins. backhanded it and the other player came in and blocked it,” said Palmer. “They came in and crashed the net and protected it.”

Bruins goaltender Bryson Garton’s shutout attempt faced its biggest challenge shortly before Palmer’s overtime chance.

With 1:40 left to play in the fourth period, Lions forwards Jacob Belton and Kade Klisowsky broke in on a two-on-one with the

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latter wiring a one-timer low corner from in close that Garton stopped with a quick pad save.

“It’s a tie against one of the better teams in the league,” said Christison, whose team moves to 5-142-2 with the draw. “You want to come into someone’s barn and take two points any night, but we’ll take one I guess.”

The 0-0 tie and 2-1 win over the Notre Dame Hounds (7-15-0-1) at Affinity Place on Sunday wraps up a successful nine-

game home stand for the Bruins that saw the club go 6-2-1 over the past month and a half. The second seed in the South Saskatchewan Minor Hockey League plays seven of their final 11 regular season games on the road beginning with a return match against the Lions at Lumsden Arena on Friday.

“We did very well at home,” said Palmer. “Now we just got to go out on the road and win a couple of games there to get into first.”

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January 11, 2017 B3

Bruins captain Cale Adams skates through the Stallions defence during the second period of Saskatoon’s 4-2 win over Estevan at Affinity Place on Saturday. Photo by Jamie Harkins.

Poor penalty kill haunts bantam Bruins

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

The strides the Estevan TS&M bantam AA Bruins have made this season were on full display in their 4-2 loss to the Saskatoon Stallions at Affinity Place on Saturday, but the areas that still need work got a showcase as well.

Tom Copeland, head coach of the Bruins, said special teams made the big difference in the defeat.

He said they’re trying to reinvent their penalty kill which has been poor up to this point, but a bit of confu-

sion with a man down early in the third period allowing the Stallions best offensive player in Cohner Saleski to go to work did them in.

“We had more power plays than they did too, so we need to bury a couple of pucks,” said Copeland.

“But I’ve said it to a couple of people if we get better on our penalty kill we’re going to win more hockey games.”

The Stallions and Bruins exchanged chances at the beginning of the game with Estevan’s top line of Cale Adams, Josh Romanyk and Chase Gedak providing

a strong attack for the home side. However, it was the tandem of Saleski and Warner Bristow who capitalized first with the latter depositing the puck high blocker side on Bruins netminder Zane Winter off a two-man break about 15 minutes into the frame.

Stallions forward Boston Maxwell made it 2-0 a little over two minutes into the second period on a slap shot from the blueline before Bruins left wing Cody Davis brought his team back to within one on a quick shot from the slot off an offensive zone faceoff

late in the stanza.

The Stallions power play then capitalized on their opportunities to put the match out of reach with two quick markers by Logan Gable and Saleski early in the third period. Davis fired his second goal past Stallions goalie Carter Seryhenko with six minutes remaining to make the final 4-2.

“We have had six broken arms, two cracked collarbones and a concussion and we’ve been short all year,” said Stallions coach Ward Edwards, whose team moved to 9-11 with the

victory. “Anytime we get a win, especially in a place like Estevan on the road, a tough place to win, we’re very happy.”

Copeland said they’ve played the majority of their games this season on the road and against teams from the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League’s tough North Division. He said the schedule gets a bit friendlier for the Bruins (5-12-3) from here on as they’ll play at home more often and against teams from their own South Division giving the club a chance to gain some ground in the stand-

ings. The Bruins began that charge with a 5-1 win over the Melville Millionaires (2-8-0-1) on Sunday at Affinity Place.

“We had a tough December,” said Copeland.

“We played in Prince Albert, we played in Saskatoon, it was just a brutal schedule, but it made these kids better players. Tomorrow we better see a really good process and (then) for the rest of the season.

We still can finish top five in our division and that’s exactly what we’ll do. I look forward to it. We’ve got six weeks to go.”

Terriers teach Bruins a tough lesson

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

The Estevan Westmoreland Coal peewee AA Bruins learned a tough lesson in their 6-4 loss to the Yorkton Canadian Western Bank Terriers at Affinity Place on Saturday.

After jumping out to an early 3-0 lead on first period markers by Kaden Chrest, Colby Cuddington and Mason Kukura, the Bruins seemed to forget about the task at hand. Terriers captain Carter Dereniwsky took advantage of the letup notching a power-play marker with 3:58 remaining in the first period.

Grady Hoffman then made the score 3-2 seven-and-a-half minutes into the second period before Dereniwsky tied the game 2:27 into the final stanza on a drive to the net where he roofed the puck top corner blocker side on Bruins

netminder Jackson Miller.

Estevan’s Boden Dukart got his team back into the lead on the power play four minutes later only to have Dereniwsky tie it once again 40 seconds later.

“We just need our goalie to make a stop there,” said Bruins coach Aren Miller.

“The tying goal hits the middle of the net. He’s not ready. It’s the best player in the league coming off the wall. I think these guys have got to be aware when the top players from the other team are on the line and we weren’t today.”

Hoffman potted the goahead marker 10 seconds after the tying goal on a rush off the ensuing faceoff leading to Miller getting pulled for Talon Howie. The Bruins staged a pushback after the goal when Chrest enjoyed a good chance to score on a backhand in close with a minute-and-a-half remaining, but Terriers goaltender

Help the humane society find these animals their fur-ever home and let me find your forever home!

Landon Sorenson was up to the task. Dereniwsky scored his fourth of the game into an empty net with 24 seconds left to provide the insurance marker.

Miller said the kids have to understand they’re not going to continue to score eight or nine goals a game as the season progresses and other teams get better. He said they are going to have to win games 4-3 and 3-2 and that means they’ll have to exhibit a higher level of maturity when they come to the rink.

“We’re down to (eight) games left in the season now and it could come to a quick end,” said Miller. “This team learned that last year where we only played three playoff games and we don’t want to be done in February.

So, we’ve got a good group of kids and a good group of coaches that are working towards the ultimate goal.

It’s speed bumps like this

that you hope they learn from and come back (ready) tomorrow.”

The Bruins (11-5-1) enjoyed a better result in the second match of their two-

Westmoreland Coal Bruins centre Ty Hoste and Terriers forward Grady Hoffman charge toward a loose puck. Photo by Jamie Harkins.

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game homestand against the Terriers (9-8) on Sunday afternoon beating Yorkton 4-1.

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B4 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

Prairie Mud Bruins capture Border Cup championship The Estevan Prairie Mud peewee A Bruins celebrated their third-straight tournament championship this past weekend.

The Bruins came back from two one-goal deficits to beat the host Wolves 3-2 in the gold medal game of the Pee Wee Border Cup tournament in Minot, North Dakota, on Sunday. Bruins defenceman Denver Sehn scored the game winner wiring a shot just inside the post with 54 seconds left in the third period.

The Wolves opened the scoring off a shot from the boards at the 11:25 mark of the first period with Tate Kasick tying the match shortly afterwards. Minot regained the one-goal lead 10 minutes into the middle frame before Aidan Wasmann sprung Kyler Gingras on a breakaway where the Bruin managed to beat the Wolves goalie five-hole on a strong second effort after loosing the puck while under pressure from the defence.

Estevan earned a berth in the gold medal game through a tight 3-2 win over the Regina Bisons in the

The Estevan Prairie Mud peewee A Bruins celebrate their Pee Wee Border Cup tournament championship in Minot, North Dakota, on Sunday. Submitted photo. third period.

The Bruins began to rally shortly after the goal with Jordan Marcotte finding the back of the net off a Hayden Lavoie cross-crease pass with 4:10 to play. Zack

first-place game on Saturday. Once again the Bruins found themselves down 1-0 halfway through the opening stanza with the Bisons adding to the lead at the nine-minute mark of the

Gedak tied the match 1:09 later before Kasick notched the winner with 1:42 left in the game deflecting a Bryson George shot from in front of the Bisons net.

Estevan opened the

tournament with a 4-0 win over the Grand Forks Stars.

Bruins’ Marcotte and Lavoie potted two goals each, while Joshua Bittman stopped 36 shots for the shutout.

The Pee Wee Border

Cup tournament was the last action the team will see before the provincial playoffs begin in late January. The Bruins will host a tournament from March 17 to 19 to conclude their season.

Solid support helps Chargers to win

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

Strong goaltending and excellent support from the net out helped the Estevan Power Dodge bantam A Chargers to a 5-2 win over the Regina Blues at the Civic Auditorium on Sunday.

“We’re starting to work together more and we’ve picked up our game since we last played them,” said Chargers defenceman Karleigh Mackenzie, referring to a 6-1 home loss to the Blues when the teams last played each other two months ago. “We’ve found our positions and where we need to be.”

Mackenzie helped the

Chargers centre Bailey Farr added to the lead just over a minute into the third period by driving down the wing before slicing into the middle and firing a shot top corner. Blues forward McKenna Nameth found the back of Chargers goaltender Devan Fayle’s net with five minutes remaining to finish off the scoring.

The Chargers (5-11) win over the Blues (4-11-3) was the team’s fourth victory in their past six games.

Included among those four wins were 5-3 and 2-1 defeats of the South Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s top ranked Yorkton Gardon Crushers at home on Dec. 16 and 17.

“In terms of wins and

Chargers to a 1-0 lead four minutes into the first period blasting a shot from a few feet inside the blueline that handcuffed Blues goalie Kallie Colwell. Chargers right wing Keara Merriman scored her first goal of the season a little over a minute-and-a-half later on a shot just inside the post from the bottom of the circle.

After Blues forward Kailey Halstead brought her team to within one fourand-a-half minutes into the second period, Chargers winger Jaycee Mclellan and Mackenzie went to work with each providing a reply late in the frame to make the score 4-1 by the second intermission.

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team will continue to practise keeping their legs moving at all times and winning the one-on-one battles with a hope the hard work will help the club continue to build on their mid-season success. With seven of

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Estevan Chargers right wing Keara Merriman attempts to fire a shot on the Blues net while under pressure from a Regina defenceman. Photo by Jamie Harkins.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF ELECTORS The Annual Meeting of Electors of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division No. 209 will be held in the Board Room at the South East Cornerstone Public School Division Office, 80A-18th Street N.E., Weyburn, SK on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. for review of the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year as prescribed by The Education Act, 1995. All electors are welcome.

MEETING DATES The dates and location of the regularly scheduled public meetings of the Board of Education of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, as well as the Annual Meeting of Electors and the Organizational Meeting of the Board, are listed on the school division’s website at www.cornerstonesd.ca under Board  Agendas and Meetings.

DISPOSAL OF STUDENT CUMULATIVE RECORDS

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their final eight games on the road, Merriman said if the other teams want the puck the Chargers plan on making them earn it.

“We just got to stay focused,” added Mackenzie, “and play our own game.”

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losses we had a slow start,” said Chargers assistant coach Mike Merriman.

“We played a lot of top end teams and we just needed to get experience and confidence.”

Merriman said the

In accordance with the December 2012 Records Retention and Disposal Guide for Saskatchewan School Divisions, South East Cornerstone Public School Division will be disposing of student cumulative files for students born in 1990. The records will be disposed of after March 31, 2017.

Dated at Weyburn, SK this 5th day of January, 2017.

Shelley Toth, Superintendent of Division Services/CFO

Check out our career section on B11 Want to post a career ad with us?

Please contact adsales@estevanmercury.ca

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www.estevanmercury.ca

January 11, 2017 B5

Quarter horse riders prepare for national awards defence

By Jamie Harkins sports@estevanmercury.ca

The heavy snow and freezing temperatures that southeast Saskatchewan has experienced this winter hasn’t slowed down a couple of local Quarter Horse riders from continuing to pursue their passion.

Sisters Tiana and Talissa Gervais are spending the winter months at an indoor arena on their family farm in Bienfait preparing their animals for another season of quarter horse shows.

The young athletes are practising trusted and new routines as well as spending some quality bonding time with the horses in an attempt to be ready for the start of what could be their most promising season.

“Every day we go out and we either ride or practise with them,” said Tiana, 17. “During the winter we try to learn new things with them and improve, (while) summer is just travelling and trying to keep ourselves crisp.”

In this past spring-to-

Bienfait’s Talissa Gervais captured seven national titles and two reserve titles in the novice and youth classes at the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show last August. Submitted photos.

fall campaign, Tiana participated in seven competitions culminating in two reserve, or second-place, titles at the season-ending Canadian National quarter horse Show at Red Deer’s Westerner Park from Aug. 25-28. Talissa, 14, captured seven first-place championships along with two reserve titles at the national competition before travelling to Columbus, Ohio, in October to participate in the prestigious All American quarter horse Congress.

The Grade 9 student at Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) said the quarter horse Congress allowed her to compete against 100 of the best novice riders from around the world in the disciples of Trail, Horsemanship and Showmanship. She said the tough competition knocked her out of medal contention, but the chance to even participate at the Congress showed the hard work she’s put in is paying off.

Talissa added the connection she had with her horse Missy, despite it being their first year together, had a lot to do with her success this past season.

She noted this upcoming spring will mark her ninth year participating in quarter horse competition and the plan is to do “at least just as well” as the past campaign with this winter’s training hopefully making that a reality.

Tiana, who is entering her 12th year as a quarter horse competitor, spent the past season riding threeyear-old horse Joey and 12-year-old mare Sophie due to an injury to her regu-

Tiana Gervais won a reserve title in the disciplines of Western Pleasure and Hunter Under Saddle at the Canadian National Quarter Horse Show last summer. lar steed Tracen. She said the gains made with Joey and Sophie simply comes down to hard work, but a chance to work with Tracen again this winter raises

hope for future accomplishments, including a match of her younger sister’s, once the snow melts.

“I’d like to get my horses broke and next year

at nationals I’d like to do better than I did this year and go on to more events,” said Tiana. “One day I’d like to show at the quarter horse Congress.”

TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club now looking for a new general manager

Kyle Mulligan has resigned as general manager of TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club and assistant coach of the Estevan Power Dodge Bruins to pursue an opportunity to become general manager of the Royal Regina Golf Club. Photo courtesy of TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club.

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B1⇠but considering the strong management team they have in place, including head professional Amanda Minchin, food and beverage manager Tracy Tuchscherer and superintendent Bob Currie, a person with a good business skill set who is not as strong in golf would also be of interest.

“The fortunate thing if we had to look at it is basically all buying has been made for the new season, so we’ve got that side of it done,” he said. “Financially we go into the new year fairly sound so that’s good and again we have a strong core team which to Kyle’s credit he fostered and kept so I think we go into the season quite strong.”

Chris Lewgood, head

coach and general manager of the Estevan Bruins, said Mulligan has been a huge addition to the team this season in terms of the intensity that he brings, his attention to detail and his availability to the club.

He said it will be hard to not have him around every day, but they’ll work as a committee to pick up the slack.

Tuttle noted Mulligan’s major accomplishment with TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club over the past two years was reinvigorating the membership through building a relationship with the members and guests in terms of what they want to see in their golf course. He said they’ve seen a lot of new faces at the club as a result al-

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lowing them to maintain a fairly strong financial balance sheet and cash flow in the operations of the course despite it being a challenging economic time in Estevan and southeast Saskatchewan.

“Working with the staff who were there, the board of directors, I believe we’ve truly set the table for the TS&M Woodlawn Golf

Club to have a tremendous future,” said Mulligan. “We were lucky enough and have worked really hard to achieve the 2015 PGA Saskatchewan Facility of the Year award. In 2016, our head professional Amanda Minchin won the Canadian Junior Leader award and that just goes to credit the things we were doing at the golf club.”

We would like to invite everyone to the

ESTEVAN EXHIBITION ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING Tuesday, January 24, 2017 7:00 p.m. at the Exhibition Hall

Memberships are now due: Single $40.00, Family $80.00

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B6 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

HEALTH CARE CHANGES

Health-care transition process might be tricky on some fronts The details as to how the province is going to amalgamate 12 health re-

gions into one super region to cover most of the province, excepting the

Marga Cugnet, president and CEO Sun Country Health Region

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far north, will be revealed over the next few months.

In the meantime, the CEO of the Sun Country Health Region is looking at the prospect with an open mind, even though the process may lead to the elimination of her leadership role in the southeast region’s health-care delivery system.

Marga Cugnet spoke with the Mercury, two days after the release of the recommendations regarding the super amalgamation process that has been accepted by the Ministry of Health. “There are some real advantages to having one board and one central system. There could be agreed upon standardized services developed and this is one way to get to that point.”

But, the transition could be difficult, since the one-board, one administration team concept might quickly result in senior leaders in Sun Country, tendering resignations en masse. Sun Country has five vice-presidents in charge of various sectors of the local health-care delivery system, plus 11 more regional managers and directors for the 28 health-care facilities that come under the Sun Country umbrella.

Cugnet said Sun Country was one region that worked diligently toward building community networks over the past 10 or more years and she hoped that form of communication remained, but “you have to make the effort, and how that will happen is important because feedback from the communities is very important for those delivering

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the service.”

While Sun Country may soon see the emptying of senior positions, it should translate into some strong expertise being available for the new central administration and governance teams, she said. Local recruitment

to fill vital frontline positions, shouldn’t be affected, she suggested. New leadership within middle management, will become important, she added.

“The idea of one large board and system was not a surprise. How it rolls out will be important. There is

that need to retain local flavour and the need to supply smaller pieces to the bigger board. I want to see how this works, if it makes the delivery better and if it’s sustainable and whether the focus stays on patients and clients,” Cugnet said in conclusion.

St. Joe’s status may prove beneficial in new system Since St. Joseph’s Hospital is designated as an affiliate facility within the Sun Country Health Region, that might be a positive factor for the local community in the months and years to come, said the hospital’s executive director, Greg Hoffort.

“Being an affiliate means the hospital has a separate board of directors and that could prove to be quite beneficial in the future,” Hoffort said.

“The local board, that communicated with Sun Country will now be communicating with the new provincial central system.

St. Joe’s has some local autonomy that other hospitals may not have. The local board was key in getting such services as the dialysis program and the CT scanner installed here and restoring the ultra-sound service. Would those things have happened without local board involvement?”

So while the Sun Country board of direc-

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Greg Hoffort, executive director of St. Joseph’s Hospital tors will be dismantled over the ensuing months, the St. Joseph’s board will continue to serve the community and region with an independent look and some lobbying expertise.

Hoffort said there should be no fear in the fact that a newly appointed CEO for the entire provincial system will wield tremendous influence over all that happens in provincial health-care. “The job will bring challenges for the new CEO, but you know, we have always been able to garner their attention at the ministry level if the idea is a good one,” he said.

Hoffort joined other commentators in hoping the newly appointed board will contain a balance of expertise as well as geographical representation

with a four-zone proposal currently on the table.

“There are many qualified people. I just worry about how it seems so much of it is going to roll out, maybe too soon.”

As for physician involvement in the process, Hoffort said it was too early to try to speculate on how the new system will be greeted by these private health-care contractors.

But, when it came down to the overall picture, the hospital’s director said that while the one centralized system recommendation came as, “a bit of a surprise, I wasn’t totally surprised by the decision.”

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Blue Rodeo excited to come to Estevan

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

The long-time frontman of Canada’s foremost country-rock band is looking forward to their upcoming performance at Affinity Place.

Blue Rodeo, with special guests Ron Hawkins and the Do Good Assassins, will be performing on Jan. 15. Estevan is one of 23 cities on the tour, which begins Jan. 11 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and continues until Feb. 26 in Moncton, N.B. Jim Cuddy, who has lending his guitar and vocal skills to the group since its inception 30 years ago, said they have been in Estevan just once, and that was many years ago. He’s looking forward to returning to the Energy City, and playing at Affinity Place.

He’s also looking forward to getting back on the road, and travelling across the country to promote their latest album, 1000 Arms.

Fans can look forward

Canadian rock country group Blue Rodeo will be in Estevan on Jan. 15 as part of their tour to promote their new album, 1000 Arms.

Photo submitted. to hearing songs from the album, as well as some of their more well-known hits, such as Try and Till I am

Myself Again.

“I think with the last record, it just seemed to be better if we played it

Flute Alors concert will include local talents When the Flute Alors, a quartet that features special talents on recorders, comes to Estevan on Jan. 23. It will be a special attraction for young music students.

The student feature attached to the performance will see Grade 3-8 recorder students take to the stage to entertain the audience 15 minutes prior to the concert and during

the intermission.

The students and their parents are being offered tickets to the concert at a deep discount and these tickets will only be available at the door on the night of the concert.

The Flute Alors quartet is a dynamic and versatile new generation team of recorder players who will be entertaining the local audience at Trin-

ity Lutheran Church on that evening, beginning at 7:15.

The quartet is appearing as a Stars for Saskatchewan feature through Prairie Debut. It is the fourth concert in the local series.

Advance tickets for the regular audience members are available at Henders Drugs in downtown Estevan.

all at once, so that’s what we did with the last tour,” said Cuddy. “With this one, the songs blend more with our catalogue of songs, so they’re just going to be worked into a set. Some we do acoustically, and some we do electrically, so it will be a flow of catalogue songs and new songs.”

The new album has some great sounds and songs, he said. He has also found that there is a smooth transition from the record to a live performance.

The title track of 1000 Arms stands out the most, he said, not just for its sound, but for its story.

“The song comes from a podcast that I listen to, and the podcast is generally about community,” said Cuddy. “This one segment of it was about a bipolar woman, and she had spent much of her life trying to figure out how to deal with her episodes, which were pretty extreme and left her pretty bewildered.”

The woman, who was a colourful character and

a well-known person in the community, eventually opened a coffee shop in San Francisco.

“When she had one of these incidents, somebody would know her, and lead her back to the coffee shop, or where she lived. So I was inspired by that to write the song.”

He noted that when Blue Rodeo went through the process of naming the album, the music community in Canada had been through a rough year, but they got through it with the support of each other as well as friends outside of the industry.

Cuddy is also looking forward to working with Hawkins and the Do Good Assassins. Cuddy described himself as a fan of their work.

“I like his records, and he’s a good guy,” said Cuddy. “I’ve seen him at a couple of festivals, and we worked together this summer a couple of times, so this will be the first time we’ve done an extended

tour together.”

Blue Rodeo has released 15 full-length albums, as well as four compilation albums and a greatest hits album. Cuddy chalks up their success to the loyalty of Canadian music fans.

“I think music really means a lot to people in Canada,” said Cuddy. “It’s not just a form of entertainment for people, I think it’s a way of cataloguing events in their lives.”

The band has also been willing to visit communities of all sizes, he said, and they have worked hard and continued to release albums.

Continuity has also been a big factor in their success, he said. Vocalist/guitarist Greg Keelor and bass guitarist Cleave Anderson have been with the group since the beginning, while drummer Glenn Michem has been with the band for nearly 25 years.

Tickets are still available for the concert in Estevan.

This week’s

Flute Alors, a Stars for Saskatchewan featured recorder quartet will be on stage in Estevan on Jan. 23.

Happy 70 th Anniversary

New Arrivals Drahun: Born to Justin Drahun & Kassie Krunick on December 29, 2016, twin daughters, Jordynn Acea Drahun, weighing 5lbs 13oz & Journee Hailey Drahun, weighing 5lbs 11oz. Proud grandparents are Delores Dukart, David Krunick and John & Blanche Drahun. Proud siblings are Hayden & Amrie Drahun.

Donald and Elsie Fiest

Donald and Elsie Fiest (Stuble) of Hitchcock celebrated 70 years of marriage earlier this fall.

Born and raised in South-Eastern Saskatchewan, Donald and Elsie met at a local dance and were married 1 year later. A farming family, Donald kept busy as a machinist while Elsie was busy working and raising their 5 children.

The 70th anniversary celebration was held September 5th at the Hitchcock Community Centre, and saw 5 generations of family joined together for the festivities. The day began with the arrival of Don and Elsie escorted in by their eldest and youngest children, and included an afternoon celebration with family.

Dinner included a beef roast with many family favorite recipes being prepared. The night ended with a slideshow; giving family a glimpse into Donald and Elsie’s childhood, allowing them to see photos of Don and Elsie’s wedding for the first time, photos of their children, and reminders of past events and anniversaries.

Many of Don and Elsie’s 5 children: Doris (Gordon Geske), Linda Fiest, Darlene Fiest, Brenda (Roger Eagles) and Tim (Luta) attended, including 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 19 great-greatgrandchildren and 1 great-great-great-grandchild.

Congratulations on 70 years together! Your family cannot wait to enjoy many more years with you!

Kristen O’Handley

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INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED

306-421-9065

KristenOhandley@royallepage.ca

Congratulations Lanette Kurtz

On receiving your University of Calgary Bachelor of Nursing Degree with Distinction through Medicine Hat College.

We are proud of your accomplishments And wish you the best in your nursing career.

Love from, Dad, Mom, Dallas, Christa, Richard, Sienna and Kate

Classifieds

B8

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Auto MiscellAneous

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Wrecking over 250 units... cars a n d t r u ck s. L o t s o f t r u ck s. . .

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Announcements

Coming EvEnts

LAND FOR SALE

Saskatoon Far m Toy and Collectible Show January 13-15,2017 at the German Cultural Centre, Saskatoon, SK. Friday 5pm-9pm, Sa t u rd ay 10 a m - 5 p m , S u n d ay 10am-4pm. Special features include farm toys and scenes, construction equipment, vintage toys, die-cast models, collectibles, replacement parts and more!

FARMLAND WANTED

HealtH ServiceS CELEBRATE CANADA 150 WITH SASKATCHEWAN EXPRESS! Singers and dancers needed for our 2017 Oh! Canada Summer Tour Performers must be 15 years of age or older.

Summer includes extensive touring.

Applications at www.saskatchewan express.com or contact Michele Glaze at 306.522.3403 michele@ saskatchewanexpress.com for further information.

Angela Michelle Cole March 11, 1969 January 18,2007 We thank God for the years we shared together, even though they were much too short. Every day there is a fond remembrance of you; your love your laughter, your caring ways. You left us without saying good-bye and so suddenly.

Angela, a part of our family is missing, but we are thankful for the time God gave us with you. It has been a difficult ten years, but God knows what’s best for us and we have to trust Him completely.We miss you, we love you, and cherish the many memories .Deeply missed Mom Karon Knuckey and Ivan

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Run a classified ad in the

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS! SUMMARY OF SOLD PROPERTIES North - 10 1/4’s North East - 14 1/4’s North West - 12 1/4’s East - 57 1/4’s West - 50 1/4’s Central - 219 1/4’s South - 100 1/4’s South East - 46 1/4’s South West - 65 1/4’s PURCHASING: SINGLE TO LARGE BLOCKS OF LAND.

Reaching 5,200 homes on Wednesday and you can run the same ad in Friday’s

at

RENT BACK AVAILABLE Call DOUG 306-955-2266 saskfarms@shaw.ca

CALL 306.634.2654

PrairieSky Royalty Ltd. is a publicly-traded company in Calgary that acquires oil & gas fee title and royalty interests at fair market value.

To receive a cash offer, call 587293-4055 or visit www.prairiesky.com/Selling-Your-Royalties.

Steel BuildingS / granarieS STEEL BUILDING SALE ...”REALLY BIG SALE IS BACK EXTRA WINTER DISCOUNT ON NOW!” 2 0 X 19 $ 5 , 14 5 2 5 X 2 7 $ 5 , 9 9 7 2 8 x 2 7 $ 6 , 7 7 3 3 0 X 3 1 $ 8 , 110 35X33 $11,37640X43 $13,978.

One End wall included. Pioneer Steel 1-855-212-7036 www.pioneersteel.ca

For Sale - MiSc

35 lines

10 Years have passed In Loving Memory Brittany Dawn (Brit) MatchettFrancis July 16, 1993 January 5, 2007 In loving memory of Dad’s Special Angel.

Ten Years of missing you With wonderful memories woven in gold, These are the memories we tenderly hold. Deep in our hearts your memory is kept, To love, to cherish and never forget. Just as your were, you will always be, Forever treasured in our memory.

Forever loved, remembered and deeply missed by her Dad Ken, Uncles Douglas and Darren, Grandma Muriel and Grandpa Ken Matchett.

Remember Your Loved Ones with a Memorial Tribute in The Mercury

In Loving Memory of ( Baine ) Blaine Simon October 20 , 1978 January 14, 2010 To Hear your voice and see you smile,To sit with you and talk awhile,To be together in the same old way,Would be our greatest wish today.There will always be a heartache And often a silent tear,But always a precious memory,Of the day you were here.We hold you close in our hearts, And there you will always stay ,Remembering you is easy, We do it every day.

But missing you is a heartacheThat never goes away.

Loved , Remembered, and deeply missed by Mom and Dad, Barry, Emma, Barrett, Gabbie, Bradley, Sophia, Kayla

Feed & Seed HEATED CANOLA WANTED!!

- GREEN CANOLA - SPRING THRASHED - DAMAGED CANOLA FEED OATS WANTED!!

- BARLEY, OATS, WHT - LIGHT OR TOUGH - SPRING THRASHED HEATED FLAX WANTED!!

HEATED PEAS HEATED LENTILS "ON FARM PICKUP" Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252 Buying/Selling FEED GRAINS heated / damaged CANOLA/FLAX Top price paid FOB FARM

Western Commodities 877-695-6461 Visit our website @

www.westerncommodities.ca

Remembering Laurence Leptich January 11, 2014 Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear Love Vivian and Family

NOTICE

NORTH EAST PRAIRIE GRAIN INC. Currently Buying: Soybeans, Feed Barley, Wheat and Oats.

OFFERING: Competitive Prices, On Farm Pickup & Prompt Payment! CALL: 1-306-873-3551, WEBSITE: neprairiegrain.com NutraSun Foods Ltd of Regina wants to buy your Organic Hard Red Spr ing and Conventional Hard White Wheat. Please contact Abe Ens at 306-751-2440.

1/2 Price!

REACH OVER 500,000 Saskatchewan Readers Each Week!

Blanket Classifieds are carried in 79 community newspapers, which reach over 450 communities including 14 cities.

Published weekly by the Prairie Newspaper Group L.P., a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc. The Glacier group of companies collects personal information from our customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request. On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: The Estevan Mercury, Box 730, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 2A6; or phone (306) 634-2654. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our Web site at: www. estevanmercury.ca The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated by Prairie Newspaper Group L.P., a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc.

Auctions

Career OppOrtunities

LAND AUCTION VAL VEROBA, KELLY FLECK, DALLAS FLECK & SHERRY MOFFAT THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2017 DAYS INN ESTEVAN, SASK. 7:00 P.M. Please join Mack Auction Company on March 23rd for your chance to own 12 quarter sections of prime farmland in the RM of Browning #34. There is over $60,000.00 of Surface Lease Revenue being sold with the land which is located in the center of the Lampman/Steelman gas and oil fields!

For details go to www.mackauctioncompany.com or call 306-634-9512 PL 311962

Parts & accessories GREAT PRICES on new, used and re-manufactured engines, parts and accessories for diesel pickups. Large inventory, engines can be shipped or installed. Give us a call or check us out at www.thickettenginerebuilding.ca.

Thickett Engine Rebuilding. Ph. 204-532-2187 Russell, MB.

P: 306-649-1405 E: classifieds@swna.com W: www.swna.com The Strength is in Community Newspapers!

Adver tisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

For Sale 9600 Shulte snow blower, 3 point hitch. Asking $4500 Please call 306-869-7854 HARDY TREE, SHRUB, and berry seedlings delivered. Order online at www.treetime.ca or call 1-866873-3846. New growth guaranteed.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Re a c h ove r 5 5 0 , 0 0 0 re a d e rs weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

St. Joseph’s Hospital relies on donations to fund equipment purchases. Your Memorial Gift honours your loved one and makes it possible for our hospital to continue providing quality care for Estevan and area residents.

A letter will be sent to the family acknowledging your gift; please include their name and address as well as your own.

You will receive an income tax receipt.

Please send your donation to:

St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation 1176 Nicholson Rd, Estevan, SK S4A 0H3 Phone: 306-637-2474

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION! Indemand career! Employers have work-at-home positions available.

Get online training you need from an employer-tr usted program.

Visit: CareerStep.ca/MT or 1-855768-3362 to start training for your work-at-home career today!

General employment An experienced live in caregiver for a female available at the beginning of February. Contact Tamara 306-201-4827

Buying or Selling A Vehicle?

The Classifieds will get you

on the road!

Phone today!

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Box 730, Estevan, SK S4A 2A6

or e-mail: classieds@estevanmercury.ca Business Ofce Located at 68 Souris Avenue North in Estevan (Across from the Water Tower) Phone 634-2654 for further information Ofce Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday

Note: No Refunds are issued for Cancelled Classied Ads – If you cancel your ad before expiry, Credit will be given which may be applied to future advertising ***** CHECK YOUR ADS We will only accept responsibility for Errors the First Time an Ad appears.

PLEASE NOTE

Rewording or changing an ad after it has appeared in the paper requires Payment for a NEW AD No Credits are issued for ads that are Changed Cancellations Must be received by 4:00 p.m. Friday for the Mercury and 3:00 p.m. Wednesday for the Trader

Name ____________________________________________ Address __________________________________________

MAIL YOUR ADS TO: The Estevan Mercury Box 730, Estevan, SK S4A 2A6 or e-mail: classieds@estevanmercury.ca with payment or card number included Please Select Your Category from the Classied Index Remember: Each Abbreviation Counts as One Word (You don’t save money by abbreviating …

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www.estevanmercury.ca

January 11, 2017 B9

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Albert Roy Tarnes 1940 - 2016

Obituaries

Obituaries John Yakamovich 1926 – 2016

Albert Tarnes passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan, SK on Monday, December 12, 2016 at the age of 76 years.

Albert is survived by his wife Bonna (Hansen); step son Kelly Lowes (Gina); sons, Mark (Rhonda) and Calvin; grandchildren, Logan, Evan and Keaten Tarnes; step grandchildren, Riley, McKenzie and Kennedy Lowes; siblings, Anne Johner, Joe (Jan) Tarnes, Dorothy (Stanley) Fornwald, Marjorie (Joe) Heidinger, Margaret (Dale) Norris and Richard (Betty-Anne) Tarnes; sisterin-law Judy Tarnes; brother-in-law Henry Peters, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Katherine Tarnes; siblings, Pauline Peters, Bernice (John) Bespflug and Dennis Tarnes, and brother-in-law Frank Johner.

A Service of Remembrance was held on Friday, December 16, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Estevan, with Pastor Stewart Miller officiating. Interment took place at Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan, after which a luncheon was held in the church social hall.

Those wishing to make donations in Albert’s memory may do so directly to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H3. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.

John Yakamovich passed away with family by his side on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan, SK at the age of 90 years.

Left to cherish the precious memories of John are one brother Bill (Rita) Yakamovich, Cornwall, ON; sister Ann Gaudreau, Laval, Quebec; several nieces and nephews (great, Great-great and Great-great-great) as well as many wonderful friends.

John was predeceased by his parents, Matys and Katherine Yakamovich; brother, Peter Yakamovich; sisters, Jean Buday, Effie Hrycyk, Len Dobbie, Olga Davies and Mary Dzuba. A Graveside service will be held at a later date in 2017.

For those wishing, donations can be made online to: The Locomotives of Bienfait.com (Go Fund Me) or to the Bienfait Town Office, payable to the Locomotives of Bienfait, Bienfait, SK, S0C 0M0. John was very proud to be a part of this documentary and was very supportive of refurbishing the local locomotive #3522 in Bienfait.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.

Thank You

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dr. Akinsete, nurses Kendra and Amber and the EMS personnel for their care. Thanks to Pastor Stewart Miller for leading a meaningful service, the choir for the absolutely beautiful music and the ladies of Trinity Lutheran Church for providing the luncheon. For the love and support of our family and friends during this difficult time, we will be forever grateful. Thanks to everyone for the flowers, food, cards, visits, phone calls and donations in Albert’s memory – your tributes are so very much appreciated. Thanks to Hall Funeral Services for their assistance, especially Shirley and Dustin.

-Bonna & family Frances Evelyn Zimmerman (nee Wood)Frances Frances was born August 13, 1924 in Oxbow, SK; she passed away peacefully while a resident of Eden House Care Home in Guelph, ON December 22, 2016. Frances grew up on a farm near Northgate, SK along the Souris River. She was always fond of the life on the family farm and the family relationships she enjoyed there. After a brief career teaching in rural schools, she began a bookkeeping career with St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan, SK . She married Peter Jacob Zimmerman in 1950.

They made their home and raised their 4 children in Estevan.

When the children were still young, Frances returned to her bookkeeping career at St. Joseph’s until 1985. After retirement, Frances and Peter remained in Estevan, enjoying the closeness of the families of children Gale and Bryan, residents of Estevan and Karen’s family in Saskatoon. Frances enjoyed excellent health until the final decade, when dementia gradually robbed her of mind and body. Her final 4 years were spent at Eden House Care Home in Guelph, ON near daughter Joyce. Frances was pre-deceased by her parents Mary and Joseph Wood, her husband Peter (2008), her sister D. Jean (2005), brother Stanley (2005). She is survived by her children: Joyce (husband Walter and daughter Christine), Gale (husband Edwin and sons Ryan and Jeffrey), Bryan ( and daughters Colleen, Rebecca and Charlene) and Karen (husband Dave and sons Curtis Korpan and Cody Korpan). She is also survived by 8 great grandchildren, 3 brothers , Richard (wife Anne), Kenneth (wife Sylvanna), Robert (wife Lynn) and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

HEART & STROKE FOUNDATION OF SASKATCHEWAN

Finding answers. For life.

WALLISER, Wesley June 29, 1956 - December 27, 2016 Wesley Walliser, beloved husband of Jacie Walliser of Red Deer, passed away at the University of Alberta Hospital on December 27, 2016 at the age of 60 years.

Wes will be remembered by his daughter, Krista (Jeremy) Boschman of Airdrie; son, Devon (Renae) Walliser of Red Deer; mother, Elsie Walliser of Lampman, SK; brother, Neil (Kim) Walliser of Calgary and by sister, Betty Ann Sterling of Estevan, SK. He will also be dearly missed by his four grandchildren, Emerson and Addison Walliser; Mason and Nolan Boschman, as well as many close friends. Wes was predeceased by his father, Robert Walliser and nephew, Michael Dzuba.

A celebration of Wes’ life was held at Eventide Funeral Home on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. If friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 5913 - 50 Ave 202, Red Deer AB T4N 4C4.

Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.eventidefuneralchapels.com.

Bridal Guide

Jessi Henderson & Ryan Mittelholtz ... March 2017 Jade Chipley & Ryan Biletsky............. Spring 2017 Pam O’Handley & Dan McLellan .....June 24, 2017 Jacine Styre & Jeffrey Leclair ..........June 24, 2017 Mica Moreau & Winston Hunt .......... Aug. 19, 2017 Kaela Bonokoski & Scott Larter ....... Nov. 28, 2017 To Announce Your Upcoming Wedding For Free Call

306-634-2654

From large weddings to smaller intimate affairs.

E.B.’s Dining Emporium Let us look after the catering

can make your Special Event a Day to Remember!

104 Souris Ave., Estevan

306-634-2356

From large weddings to smaller intimate affairs.

Let us look after the catering

Your Guide to Area

ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH

Sunday Worship and Sunday School

• 11:00 am

Jason Richards

EMAIL: stpaulsuc@sasktel.net Website: stpaulsestevan.ca

ALL are Welcome!!

GOSPEL CHAPEL ESTEVAN

1202 - 2nd Street Phone: 306-634-3761

“Holding fast the faithful word” Sunday:Worship 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday: Prayer Meeting 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAY SERVICES: Bible Study - 10:00 a.m. • Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Evening Worship - Sunday and Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.

An Associated Gospel Church

1107 4th Street • 306-634-2074 • www.facebook.com/salvationarmyestevan

Faith Lutheran Church REAL LIFE

REAL PEOPLE

REAL GOD

Sunday Service at

10:00 am

Followed by coffee time

Bible studies on any subject can be arranged at your convenience. Please call us.

100 King Street, Estevan, Sask • (306) 634-8133 • livinghope-ca.org

Estevan Alliance Church

Trinity Lutheran Church

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Nursery & Children’s Ministries available during the service.

Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 am

Children’s Clubs Wednesdays 7-8 pm

Friday Night Youth 7:30 pm (Gr 7-12)

140 King Street (across from Staples)

306.634.2601

www.estevanalliancechurch.com /estevanalliance

PASTORS: JIM KEDGE & WAYLON KLIX

St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church Corner 12th Avenue & 2nd Street

Phone: 306-634-2190

Fax: 306-634-6845

Pastor: Father Brian Meredith MASSES: Saturday: 7:00 p.m.

Sunday: 10:00 a.m.

ALL WELCOME!

www.estevangospelchapel.ca

CHURCH OF CHRIST TIM PIPPUS

10:30 a.m. - Sunday Service

Wednesday: Club DJ for kids 6:30 p.m.

306-634-2885 • 1418 3rd St. Estevan

1302 - 8th St., Estevan Office Phone: 306-634-3116 Email: estevan.cofc@sasktel.net

THE SALVATION ARMY Estevan Community Church

E.L.C.I.C.

Sunday Worship & Sunday School - 10am PASTOR STEWART MILLER

Coffee & Fellowship after Worship 738 - 2nd Street, Estevan Church Office: 306-634-5684 E: trinity.luth@sasktel.net Website: www.etlc.ca

Sunday Service 10:30 am Sunday school during service Nicholson Centre Pastor Dan Krauss Phone: 306-471-8130 All Are Welcome Faithlc.com

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church 130 Souris Ave. N. Reverend Randy Kleemola Phone: 306-634-2024 email: st.peters@sasktel.net

www.stpeterslutheranestevan.com

Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. - Bible Study 10:30 a.m. - Divine Service with Holy Communion and Sunday School A Congregation of LUTHERAN CHURCH - CANADA

B10 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Lawrence M. Fichter 1932 – 2016 Lawrence passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan, SK at the age of 84 years.

Lawrence will be lovingly remembered by his son Chad (Connie) Law of Estevan, SK and their children, Matthew, Alexa, Xander, Zach, Bailey and Brooklyn; siblings, Otilia (Louis) Beaulieu of Estevan, SK, Marty Nicol of Red Deer, AB and Ida (Pat) Morrissey of Oakville, ON as well as numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.

Lawrence was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Barbara; special friend Sharon Law; brothers, Joe Fichter and Ted Fichter; sister Annie Fichter and one brother-in-law Ray Nicol.

Prayers were held on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan with Mr. Doug Third officiating. The Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist RC Church, Estevan with Rev. Brian Meredith presiding. Interment took place following the service at the Estevan City Cemetery.

In memory of Lawrence, memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, 1176 Nicholson Road, Estevan, SK, S4A 0H3.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.

Joyce Biberdorf 1935 - 2016 Joyce Olivia Miller Biberdorf, born in Leader, SK on March 26, 1935, passed away in Regina, SK on December 21, 2016 at the age of 81 years.

Joyce is remembered and missed by her husband of 64 years, Alvin Biberdorf and five children, Brenda (Larry) Ringguth, Nola Forseth (Rick Worsnop), Vaughn (Mary Ann) Biberdorf, Rick (Karla) Biberdorf and Randy Biberdorf (Rose).

She was so proud of her grandchildren, Dallas, Derek, Sheldon, Nicole, Melanie, Melinda, Aaron, Landon, Cally and Kyla. Then the great grandchildren started coming - sometimes two at a time. They are: Viktoria, Mackenzie, Adrianne, Kolby, Riley, twins Gradey and Jessey, Ethan, Aurora, twins Alex and Jarred, Shelby, Waylon, Ian, Louisa, Scarlett and Paislee.

Joyce is also remembered and missed by numerous friends including Linda and Bill Baker along with their sons Adam and Jared, and by her half brothers, Mervin and Meryl Biberdorf, half sisters, Myrna Biberdorf, Marlys Herman, and Merva Ulrich, and families.

She was predeceased by her son Glen Biberdorf, grandson Sean Biberdorf, son-in-law Alan Forseth, mother and step father Elvia and Lawrence Biberdorf and lifelong friend Donna Hedin.

Joyce loved to cook and bake. While busy on the farm, cooking large meals, raising children, and doing many farm chores, she baked and decorated wedding cakes. Many weddings in the area had a cake decorated by her.

Later on, Joyce was encouraged to sell her baking at the local farmers market. From there, Mrs. B’s baking became known throughout the countryside.

Joyce and Alvin spend many weekends in the spring, summer, and early fall attending the farmers market at the Red Barn at the lake, selling buns, pies, donuts, cinnamon buns and butter horns. She also had a table at the local Christmas craft sale, selling her baking and Christmas fruit cakes.

Joyce loved to entertain, family and friends, from large Sunday and holiday dinners to helping to organize two Biberdorf reunions.

Joyce and Alvin were active Lutheran church members in Frobisher and later in Estevan.

She could always be counted on to donate her time, cooking and baking talents to many of the church events.

They loved to drive to B.C. every fall to get apples and stop along the way visiting their kids in Red Deer, Edmonton and Kindersley. Her apple pies were the best.

Joyce had the chance to fly from Regina to Edmonton. It was the first and only time she got to fly. She appreciated the opportunity to fly, but didn’t really like it.

Joyce was also an avid sports fan and supported the Toronto Blue Jays and Saskatchewan Rough Riders. She loved to talk baseball and football with her sons and son-in-law. A couple of years ago, she was able to go to a Rider game with some friends. It was one of the few games that they won that year and a highlight for her. They had so much fun.

Joyce had a very full and active life. Rest in peace, wife, mother, grandma, great grandma, sister and friend. You are loved and missed.

A Memorial Service for Joyce was held on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, with Rev. Daniel Krauss officiating. A luncheon followed at the Nicholson Centre, Estevan. Interment will take place at the Frobisher Cemetery, Frobisher, SK at a later date.

Those wishing to make donations in Joyce’s memory may do so directly to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, 1 - 2217 Hanselman Court, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 6A8.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.

Thank You

Our family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan and Regina General Hospital for the care and compassion shown to Joyce.

Special thanks to relatives, and friends for their expressions of sympathy in various ways, by hugs, prayers, money donations, food, cards, visits, flowers, as well as all who attended Joyce’s memorial service.

Thanks to Pastor Krauss for officiating the memorial service and the Faith Lutheran Church ladies for serving the lunch.

Thank you to Hall Funeral Services for all their help, advice and caring service.

Alvin Biberdorf and children, Brenda, Nola, Vaughn, Rick and Randy, and families.

Speeding tickets

Members of the Estevan Combined Traffic Services unit issued 65 tickets from Dec. 18 to Jan. 7.

Forty-six tickets were for exceeding the posted speed limit. Two were for exceeding the speed limit by more than 35 kilometres per hour, and one was for exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 km/h.

Seven tickets were for operating an unregistered motor vehicle and four were for a driver who failed to wear a seatbelt. The remaining tickets were for disobeying a stop sign, driving without due care and attention, failing to stop for a red light, having illegal tint on the front windows, and for a passenger failing to wear a seatbelt.

They also issued 25 warnings and three inspection notices.

Traffic unit members are also reminding the public that it is unlawful to operate an unregistered motor vehicle on a highway. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is registered prior to operating it, regardless of who owns the vehicle.

Rural theft investigated

The Estevan detachment of the RCMP are continuing their investigation into the theft of a large number of power tools from a home in the rural area northeast of the intersection of Highway 361 and 47.

The theft, that occurred sometime between Dec. 19 and 27, saw the rural residence broken into and the power tools and home electronics stolen.

The RCMP said they wanted the residents in the Benson and Lampman area to be aware of the fact there are people engaged in this kind of activity in their area, and the residents should be very wary of people attempting to sell them items like those stolen from the residence.

“Always take the necessary steps to secure your property and belonging, especially when leaving your home unattended for any length of time,” said Const. Peter Donaldson.

Anyone with information regarding this break-in and theft can report to the local detachment directly at their Estevan detachment office, phone them at 306-637-4400 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Melda “Ruth” Dixon 1923 - 2016 It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Melda Ruth Dixon (nee Quigley) at the Misericordia Health Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Friday, December 23, 2016 at the age of 93.

Ruth was predeceased by her husband Walter Dixon; sisters, Grace, Elsie, Nina, Eileen and her brothers, Don, Jim, and Frank She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Wendy (Leland) and son Wayne (Penelope); cherished grandchildren, Christy, Brad, Chelan (Ryan) and Geoff (Rachel) and great granddaughters, Lily, June, Quinn and Mila. She has a great many nieces and nephews across Canada, England, Scotland and in the USA. Ruth was born in Mawer, Saskatchewan and lived in the following Saskatchewan communities: Bemersyde, Corning, Ryerson, Maryfield, Estevan, Moose Mountain Provincial Park and Carlyle.

She spent the last two years in Winnipeg. For several years she was a teacher in several schools, and spent several years on a farm at Bemersyde. She was active in line dancing, and loved listening to music as well as playing her piano. She loved cross country skiing and curling.

She enjoyed playing card games and shuffleboard. She also loved to feed her birds and did a bird count for the Western Producer newspaper.

With her husband, Walter, they built a cabin in Moose Mountain Provincial Park which was initially a weekend/vacation escape but ended up being a permanent home for many years.

Throughout her life Ruth had a tremendous work ethic and an open heart for anyone needing a helping hand. She sponsored a child through World Vision for a number of years. She was a enthusiastic hockey fan and never lost hope that her Toronto Maple leafs would once again win the Stanley Cup! She and Walter made numerous trips to watch their grandchildren, participate in their sports of choice. She also loved baseball and was a huge Toronto Blue Jays fan and cheered them on at every opportunity.

Family was always important to Ruth; as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother she organized and hosted many family gatherings. She loved seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always greeted them with a big smile when they arrived for their visits.

The family would like to thank the home care staff while she was in assisted living at Devonshire House II, the staff at the St. Boniface Hospital and the staff at the Victoria General Hospital for their care and support. A special thanks to all the nursing staff and health care aides of Cornish 6 at the Misericordia Health Centre in Winnipeg for the excellent care provided to Ruth.

There will be a Celebration of Life gathering for Ruth in Carlyle, Saskatchewan in the summer of 2017. Details will be posted at www.hallfuneralservices.ca closer to that time.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Services, Estevan.

BUSINESS SERVICES LEGAL

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Paul Elash Q.C., B.A., LL.B. Aaron Ludwig, B.Sc., LL.B. Genevieve Golas, B. Mgt., J.D. 1312- 4th Street, Estevan Telephone: 306-634-3631 • Fax: (306) 634-6901

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Carnduff:

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ORLOWSKI LAW OFFICE Stephen J. Orlowski, B.Ed., LL.B. 1215 - 5th Street, Estevan

Phone: 306-634-3353

Branch offices at:

Arcola Redvers Carnduff Arcola Agencies Bldg.

Carlsen Bldg.

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Wednesday A.M. Wednesday P.M. Thursday P.M. Phone: 306-455-2277 Phone: 306-452-3377 Phone: 306-482-4077

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January 11, 2017 B11

Police handle calls in early January Members of the Estevan Police Service have responded to a number of calls early in 2017.

Police dealt with several minor vehicle collisions during the day shift on New Year’s Day. No injuries were reported.

Officers were also out enforcing Traffic Safety Act regulations on Jan. 1, and several drivers were ticketed for offences.

Police also received a report of a mischief incident that took place at a residence in the downtown core. Mi-

nor damage was sustained to the residence and the matter is under investigation.

Police received a call about a dog that was found and being cared for by a resident during the Jan. 2 night shift. The dog was taken to the Estevan Hu-

mane Society’s shelter.

Officers responded to several hit and run motor vehicle collisions within the city during the Jan. 3 day shift.

Members also received a complaint of a theft of fuel from a local business. The

60-and-Over Club report Submitted by Shirley Graham

A man placed his hands over the eyes of a woman, and said, “If you can’t guess who it is in three guesses, I’m going to kiss you.”

She replied, “Jack Frost, Santa Claus and Christopher Columbus.”

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?

Me neither.

The bridge winner for the week of Jan. 2 was Helen Parish. Jim Benison was second and Bernie Collins came in third.

Lyle Dukart came in first in cribbage. Elizabeth Olson was second and Verna Morsky finished third.

A city man bought a ranch and decided he needed a horse. He went to a

neighbour, who had some.

Looking the horses over, he couldn’t find one he liked.

Then he noticed a beautiful white stallion standing alone.

“What about this one?” the new farmer asked.

“He don’t look so good,” the neighbour said.

“How much is he?” the rancher asked.

“Ten dollars,” the neigh-

bour replied.

“I’ll take him,” the rancher said.

The next day, while riding his new horse, the horse ran into a tree. Enraged, the city man returned to the neighbour, saying,” Why didn’t you tell me the horse was blind?”

“I did,” said the neighbour. “I told you it doesn’t look so good.”

CAREERS

matter is still under investigation.

A residential fire was reported at a detached garage during the Jan. 5 day shift. Police and Estevan Fire Rescue Service members attended to determine the issue was caused by the venting of a wood burning stove, and that the garage was not on fire.

Officers received a report of a semi-trailer unit failing to report at the North Portal border crossing. Police were notified prior to locating the semi that it had returned to the United States.

Police received a complaint through the Report Impaired Driving line. The vehicle could not be located.

Officers received a report of a dispute over a family law division cus-

tody order. The matter was referred back to the courts.

Police also responded to a number of motor vehicle accidents throughout the day.

Members were called to a three-vehicle collision on Kensington Avenue during the Jan. 6 day shift. Two people involved were taken to hospital as a precaution and were later released. Two of the three vehicles had to be towed from the scene of the collision. One of the drivers was charged with a Traffic Safety Act violation for following too closely.

There was a bit of a delay on Kensington while vehicles were cleared from the scene.

Police received a report of harassment. The matter will remain under investigation until all involved can be spoken to.

CALL FOR TENDER

Bert Baxter Transport, is a family owned business serving the transportation industry for the past 60 years. We are seeking a COMPANY DRIVER for the oil patch in South Eastern Saskatchewan and parts of MB and the US. Applicants must be physically fit, hardworking and convey professionalism when dealing with customers. Drivers provide our customers with exceptional delivery service and value in exchange for ongoing business success in this fast growing industry.

Tank Truck Drivers • COMPETITIVE WAGES • SCHEDULED DAYS OFF • HEALTH BENEFITS PACKAGE To Apply: 306-455-3774 ask for Corey or

email resume to: csibley@frenchtransport.ca

Qualifications: • Will be required to pull a flat deck trailer.

• Class 1A motor vehicle license.

• Applicants must have a safe Drivers Abstract.

• Applicants must be hard working, self-motivated and consistently display superior customer service skills.

SRI HOMES’ Estevan Facility SHELTER HOME SYSTEMS

is currently accepting applications for

Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing a must. Preference will be given to those who can enter the US

PRODUCTION WORKERS

Send resume to: Fax: 306-634-4258 • Email: brenda.jensen@bbaxtertransport.ca

ESTEVAN MERCURY PUBLICATIONS IS HIRING A

CARRIER

• Required Immediately

Southeast Lifestyles is looking for a carrier or carriers for door to door delivery in Bienfait.

Duties include:

• Assembling and installing modular components Send, fax, e-mail or drop off resume to:

If interested please call Gayle at 306-634-2654

Box 845 #200 Hwy. 18 West, Estevan, SK S4A 2A7 Fax: 306-634-7597 E-mail: jobs.shelter@gmail.com

ESTEVAN HOUSING AUTHORITY invites local businesses to submit Tenders for service and/or supplies for the year 2017.

Tender packages are available at the Housing Authority Office - 530 - 12th Avenue.

All sealed Tenders are to be returned to this office no later than January 27, 2017 at 12:00 noon.

The following tender packages are available: Plumbing & Heating: General repair and maintenance, hot water heater replacement, HVAC service.

Roofing: General roofing repairs, shingle replacement.

Electrical: General repairs, installation and maintenance.

Appliance Repair: General appliance repair and maintenance.

Appliances: Supply fridges, stoves, washers, dryers, and dishwashers.

Paint Supply: Provide paint and supplies.

Painting Labour: Provide labour to paint apartments and duplexes.

Flooring: Supply and installation of carpets, vinyl and underlay in housing units.

Snow Removal: Provide equipment rates for housing sites.

Cleaning: Unit cleaning and carpet shampooing.

We wish to thank all our current trades and suppliers for their ongoing dedication and support in maintaining the property of the Estevan Housing Authority. We look forward to doing business with the successful tradespeople and suppliers in 2017.

If you have any questions, please call Diane Thul, Housing Authority Manager at 306-634-6700.

TOP Youth Employment Services

is offering a 12 week paid Work Force Development training program for youth (16-30), not in school or employed, with limited to no work experience.

For more info, contact Tammie at 306-861-3079 or www.topyes.net.

Program is offered in Weyburn & Estevan.

Canyon is Busy Join our Team, NOW! Canyon is hiring experienced Class 3 & 1 Drivers for our Cement & Acid division. If you are experienced we are looking for you and will pay top dollar day rates and job bonuses.

Hiring the following positions in Estevan: 



Cement & Acid Driver / Operators Cement & Acid Supervisors

Applicant Requirements:  First Aid  H2S  Safety-focused  Team orientated  Clean Class 3 or,1 driver’s abstract  Cement & Acid experience would be an asset

Why Canyon?  Compensation package consists of day     

rates and job bonuses Premium benefit plans Industry leading training Career advancement opportunities Dynamic company Well maintained, modern equipment

To apply for the above positions, in confidence, please apply online and include a copy of a current drivers abstract. We thank all applicants; however only those selected for an initial interview will be contacted.

How to apply:

online: canyontech.ca/opportunities Email: hr@canyontech.ca

JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY!

Canyon is hosting a Career Fair with Beef on a Bun Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 Time: Noon—6:00PM Location: Canyon Technical Services Shop 548 Bourquin Road Estevan We are hiring Class 1 and Class 3 Drivers for the following positions:  Cement & Acid Equipment Operators  Cement & Acid Supervisors Stop by for beef on a bun and bring your resume and a driver’s abstract for an on the spot interview.

For more information or to view full job postings visit our websites: www.canyontech.ca

B12 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

1102 4TH STREET• ESTEVAN, SK • 306-634-1800

FACILITY SCHEDULE

ESTEVAN LEISURE CENTRE January 4 - March 31, 2017

TIME

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

6am - 9am

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

Help us keep your kids safe!

9am - 10am

A.I.S.

TWINGES & HINGES

A.I.S.

TWINGES & HINGES

A.I.S.

10am - 12pm

MOM & BABY AQUAFIT 10:15am - 11am

PRESCHOOL LESSONS

MOM & BABY AQUAFIT 10:15am - 11am

SCHOOL LESSONS

SCHOOL LESSONS

All children under the age of 8 must be supervised by someone 16 years or older, within arms reach.

12pm - 1pm

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

1pm - 3pm

SCHOOL LESSONS

SCHOOL LESSONS

SCHOOL LESSONS

SCHOOL LESSONS

SCHOOL LESSONS

3pm - 4pm

SURF & SWIM

SURF & SWIM

SURF & SWIM

SURF & SWIM

SURF & SWIM

4pm - 5pm

RED CROSS LESSONS 4pm - 5:15pm

5pm - 6pm

MINI MERMAIDS | 5:15pm - 6pm AQUASTEP | 5:15pm - 6pm

RED CROSS LESSONS

RED CROSS LESSONS 4pm - 6pm AQUASTEP 5:15pm - 6pm

RED CROSS LESSONS 4pm - 6pm AQUASTEP 5:15pm - 6pm

LION’S FREE SWIM

6pm - 7pm 7pm - 8pm

SPECIAL OLYMPICS MERMAIDS

8pm - 9pm 9pm - 10pm Weight Room & Walking Track (except stat holidays)

Affinity Rink

MERMAIDS

WATER POLO

LANE SWIM 6am - 10pm

6am - 9pm

WATER POLO

LANE SWIM

ADULT WATER POLO

6am - 10pm

6am - 9pm

PARENT & TOT | 11:15am - 12pm PARENT & TOT | 11:15am - 12pm PARENT & TOT | 11:15am - 12pm sponsor: Estevan Strippers Hockey Club

sponsor: Estevan Strippers Hockey Club

LANE SWIM FAMILY SWIM

PUBLIC SWIM

PUBLIC SWIM

LANE SWIM FAMILY SWIM

PUBLIC SWIM

PUBLIC SWIM

LANE SWIM WATER POLO DEEP WATER FITNESS 8pm - 8:45pm

Hot tub and steam room may be available during LANE SWIM, SCHOOL LESSONS, and RED CROSS LESSONS, please call 306-634-1876 to check.

6am - 9pm sponsor: Estevan Strippers Hockey Club

16+ NOON HOCKEY | 12pm - 1pm 16+ NOON HOCKEY | 12pm - 1pm 16+ NOON HOCKEY | 12pm - 1pm

SUNDAY

LANE SWIM

LANE SWIM

PARENT & TOT | 11:15am - 12pm

sponsor: Estevan Strippers Hockey Club

SATURDAY

16+ NOON HOCKEY | 12pm - 1pm

9am - 9pm

9am - 9pm

* FAMILY SKATE begins January 8th ** PUBLIC SKATE begins January 5th

PUBLIC SKATE is unsupervised. Participants MUST wear skates, helmets are recommended

PARENT & TOT | 11:15am - 12pm

Power Dodge Ice Centre

sponsor: Estevan Strippers Hockey Club

FAMILY SKATE* | 5:15pm - 6:15pm

16+ NOON HOCKEY | 12pm - 1pm PUBLIC SKATE** | 7:15pm - 8:15pm

701 Souris Avenue North | Estevan, SK | Tel: 306-634-1888 | www.estevan.ca

Follow us!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15, 2017 AFFINITY PLACE, ESTEVAN GET TICKETS AT TICKETMASTER.CA CHARGE BY PHONE 1-800-970-7328 OR HENDERS DRUGS

PUBLIC NOTICE The Council of the City of Estevan, pursuant to Section 209 of the Saskatchewan Planning and Development Act, 2007, gives notice of its intention to amend Zoning Bylaw #2010-1834 as hereinafter provided: Consideration is being given to make a number of amendments to the Zoning Bylaw #2010-1834 which are of a minor nature – specifically errors and omissions that have been discovered since the passing of the Zoning Bylaw in 2010. In addition, an updated fee schedule has been proposed for development permits, rezoning applications, and related applications The amending Bylaw (#2016-1974) may be inspected by any person at the Legislative Services Business Division, 1102 4th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and 1:00pm and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

City Council, at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan will hear any person(s) wishing to be heard with respect to the proposed amending bylaw and will further consider any written submissions respecting the proposed bylaw, provided such intentions and/or submissions are received by the City Clerk’s Office, Legislative Services, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 0W7 no later than 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

Dated at the City of Estevan this 14th Day of December, 2016.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Council of the City of Estevan, pursuant to Section 81 of The Cities Act, 2002, gives notice of its intention to amend Building Bylaw #2004-1662 as hereinafter provided: Consideration is being given to make a number of amendments to the Building Bylaw #2004-1662 which have been deemed necessary for assisting in the administration of the Bylaw. The proposed amendments cover the following topics: • Updating the fee schedule for permits & inspections; • Updating the calculations for building valuations; • New requirement for a building performance deposit; and, • The administration & issuance of occupancy permits.

City of Estevan PUBLIC NOTICE The Council of the City of Estevan, pursuant to Section 207 of the Planning and Development Act, 2007, gives notice of its intention to amend Zoning Bylaw #2010-1834 & the corresponding Zoning Map as hereinafter provided: Consideration is being given to amend the Zoning Bylaw Map by rezoning Parcel G, Plan 64R106616 Ext.01, Estevan, Saskatchewan, from ‘Industrial Heavy Zone (M2)’ to ‘Commercial Arterial/Highway Zone (C3)’; Reason: Rezoning is being undertaken to support a proposed Personal Service Establishment (Nail Salon) development.

The boundaries of the rezoning are shown highlighted and crosshatched on the above noted plan.

The amending Bylaw (#2016-1976) may be inspected by any person at the Legislative Services Business Division, 1102 4th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, between the hours of 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and 1:00pm and 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

City Council, at its meeting to be held on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan will hear any person(s) wishing to be heard with respect to the proposed amending bylaw and will further consider any written submissions respecting the proposed bylaw, provided such intentions and/or submissions are received by the City Clerk’s Office, Legislative Services, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 0W7 no later than 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

Dated at the City of Estevan this 14th Day of December, 2016.

The amending Bylaw (#2016-1977) may be inspected by any person at the Legislative Services Business Division, City Hall, 1102 4th Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, between the hours of 8:00am4:30pm Monday to Friday.

City Council, at it’s meeting to be held on Monday, January 16, 2017, at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan will hear any person(s) wishing to be heard with respect to the proposed rezoning bylaw and will further consider any written submissions respecting the proposed zoning amendment, provided such intentions and/or submissions are received by the City Clerk’s Office, Legislative Services, City Hall, 1102 Fourth Street, Estevan, Saskatchewan, S4A 0W7 no later than 12:00 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

Dated at the City of Estevan this 14th Day of December, 2016

City of Estevan Bylaw 2016-1963 53(3) - “The occupier of property in the City of Estevan shall remove any snow, ice or other obstruction from the public sidewalk adjacent to such property within twenty-four (24) hours of the time such snow, ice or other obstruction appears on such public sidewalk.

As an effort to keep our City sidewalks clean and safe for pedestrian use, we ask that you please attend to removing any snow / ice from the sidewalk adjacent to your residence within twenty-four (24) hours of snow fall.

34(1)(b) - No person shall park a vehicle on any street for a period more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours.

Please move vehicles off the street to assist snow removal crews.

NOTICE OF WARNING WITH THE SNOW BEING UNSTABLE, EVERYONE PLEASE KEEP CLEAR OF ALL SNOW PILES WITHIN THE CITY. Safety is Everyone’s Concern

Police Bylaw Bylaw 2016 – 1963 Section 34(1)(b) No person shall park a vehicle on any street for a period more than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours.

Message From

The Mayor Thank you to the residents for your patience and good will during our snow clearing efforts.

Many thanks to the staff members for trying to keep the roads passable and safe.

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1228 FOURTH STREET, ESTEVAN, SK S4A 0W9 • OFFICE: 306-634-9898

A10 January 11, 2017

Estevan Mercury

Fire department activity increased

By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service experienced a slight increase in call volumes in 2016.

In an interview with the Mercury, Fire Chief Dale Feser said the department received 246 calls for service last year, which was up three from the 243 they had in 2015. It means the local fire service responded to an average of nearly five calls each week.

“We were anticipating a little bit of a decrease as far as call volumes go, with the downturn in the economy,” said Feser. “But we didn’t really experience that. We experienced a steady call volume right through the year.”

Forty of the calls last year were for actual fires.

Thirty-seven were for res-

cues and emergency medical services incidents, and 38 were for hazardous conditions or hazardous materials, including carbon monoxide issues. Eight service calls were for noxious odours, 10 calls were for authorized controlled burns; and 108 were false alarms.

Two were for special incident calls, such as the drowning that occurred at Boundary Dam in July.

“If we break it down, we’ve had a fairly busy year,” said Feser.

Two severe storms that rolled through the Estevan area in the early summer contributed to the call volumes. The first was a thunderstorm in late June that dumped about 50 millimetres of rain on the city.

The other was the flash flood on July 10 that brought about 120 millimetres of rain in about two hours. Each

of those storms resulted in numerous calls.

The department was also busy due to the two blizzards that hammered Estevan in December.

“We definitely had more than our fair share of larger scale events occur here,” said Feser. “Those are some of those challenging things that we always try to plan for.

There’s a lot of background and pre-incident planning that’s occurring that the general public doesn’t see.”

Nearly 44 per cent of their calls last year were for false alarms. The fire chief stressed that when they receive a false alarm call, they speak to the homeowner to prevent firefighters from being called there again.

People need to ensure that the homeowner is the first point of contact for an alarm if they have a monitored alarm system. That

way, if there is an issue, the monitoring agency won’t contact the fire department first.

“What seems to be happening is they’re contacting the fire department first, and then once we get called out, we have a duty to respond to make sure there is no actual emergency occurring,” said Feser.

Local firefighters also participated in 36 training nights and 13 special events, such as promotional appearances and classroom speeches, bringing their total call and activity count for the year to 295.

“We had a stretch where we went about nine days without a call, but then all of a sudden we have a few days where we have three or four calls a day,” said Feser.

The department added five new firefighters during their fall recruiting intake,

bringing their total to 32.

Those recruits are now taking their 40-hour training program, and then they will be integrated into the department.

“They should bring our numbers up to right where we want to be,” said Feser.

He hopes the fire department can bring new and current members alike up to speed on ice water rescue techniques, as well as grain bin and other agriculturerelated rescue scenarios.

Feser predicted the fire department will see a 10 to 15 per cent increase in call volumes this year. One reason stems from switching over their dispatching service from the Estevan Police Service to the provincial dispatching service in Prince Albert.

“There’s probably going to be a little less of a middle man in between the

actual caller and ourselves, so we will probably be dispatched to a few more motor vehicle collisions than in the past,” said Feser.

The change will take effect in mid-January.

The fire department is also concerned that the large amount of snow received in late November and in December could be problematic when the snow melts.

“We’re working with our provincial partners and agencies to see if overland flooding is going to be an issue,” said Feser. “So far … the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and the emergency management and fire safety offices haven’t made any indications that this is going to be an issue.”

The department is also budgeting for annual equipment purchases so that their firefighters are safe when responding to calls.

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A house in the 400-block of Third Street sustained minor damage due to a fire on Thursday morning.

Members of the Estevan Fire Rescue Service and the Estevan Police Service were called to the fire at about 10:15 a.m. Fire Chief Dale Feser said the fire occurred because of a compromised main electrical service line, stemming from work being done on the home by a contractor.

“When we did arrive on the scene, we found that the homeowner … as well as the other occupants, including the workers, were able to safely escape the home without injury,” said Feser.

Once firefighters entered the building, they encountered fairly heavy smoke coming from the basement of the home. Feser noted the contractor had indicated the issue was in the basement.

SaskPower attended the scene to isolate power in the home so that fire suppression crews could safely use water if needed.

“We kept the fire at bay with fire extinguishers so that way it wasn’t going to spread, and so that it would be manageable once we got the power isolated,” said Feser.

Feser described the fire damage as “very minimal.”

The fire did get inside the wall of the basement, and progressed into the upper level, but the fire department stopped it at one floor panel.

But there was smoke damage, as well as damage to the gas-fired appliances and the electrical panel.

Feser expected the homeowner would be displaced for a couple days while repairs are made.

Firefighters were at the scene for about 90 minutes.

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