Dairy Queen Takes Steps Towards Reopening
⇢ A9
Meeting Santa
⇢ A3
Bruins Shake Up Roster
⇢ B1
December 5, 2012
Theory Of A Deadman Ready To Rock Spectra Place
WEDNESDAY
Sacha and Sierra Mantei were among the local children who had a chance to have their picture taken with Santa at the Estevan Shoppers Mall Saturday.
Local Fighters Victorious In Virgin Islands
www.estevanmercury.ca
⇢ B1
Issue 31
Sun Country employee numbers shifting The good news still managed to dominate the staffing situation at the Sun Country Health Region during the past two months, but continuing to completely fill all 2,300 employment positions remains a fluid situation in this corner of the province. In a staffing report filed with the Sun Country board of directors last week, it was noted that two registered nurses were hired while six RNs tendered resignations. This reversed a previous trend noted in summer and fall reports that showed more nursing hires than departures. One dietitian and two out-of-scope positions were filled in a period that
stretched from mid-October to mid-November, but at the same time the region lost three licensed practical nurses and one speech language pathologist. On the brighter side, the report stated that five medical students are currently studying with financial assistance provided by Sun Country with the expectation that they will assume practice in the region upon graduation. There was also a newly created administrative position that was filled within the past couple of months when Chris McKee was appointed executive director of the new Kaizen Promotion Office, which will be responsible for designing,
planning and deploying the Lean (efficiency) system throughout the region. The Lean program enables groups to reorganize operations and empowers staff to generate new methods to eliminate waste and refocus on patient care. On another front, CEO Marga Cugnet said the health region may be close
to hiring a vice-president of finance and corporate services, a position currently being filled on an interim basis by Pamela Haupstein. Cugnet noted that interviews had been conducted with candidates on the short list. Sun Country has awarded 39 bursaries since April of this year, with 25 of those being for people en-
rolled in training to become registered nurses, another one in a registered psychiatric nurse program and one in a nurse practitioner program. There is also one student in an occupational therapy training program and four more in medicine, one in emergency medical technician training and one primary care paramedic along with five emergency medical responders. In comparison, there had been 55 bursaries awarded in the previous year. The health region stated that they are continuing to offer clinical placements for students, primarily those in nursing programs, Shortages ⇢ A2
Lampman receives final flood payment Scan with your smartphone to visit The Mercury’s mobile website
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WEATHER & INDEX
The Town of Lampman has received an early Christmas present from the provincial government. It was announced last week that Lampman received the final payment for the flood protection efforts they had to undertake over the past couple of years after the community was threatened by a lake that had formed northwest of the town. According to a government press release, more
than $640,000 was paid to Lampman through the Emergency Flood Damage Reduction Program. The Town built a number of berms and a lift station to prevent flooding. “Lampman has been one of the hardest hit areas in the province as they continue to deal with these water-related issues,� Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Ken Cheveldayoff said. “It’s important for the people of
Saskatchewan to know that this government is here to take action so that our communities can continue to grow and prosper.� The release added that since 2011, the Water Security Agency has committed nearly $6 million to the Town of Lampman and the surrounding area to deal with flood protection and mitigation efforts as a result of the record amounts of precipitation in 2010 and 2011.
“Our town has been through a lot the last few years and we want to thank the provincial government for providing this funding to ensure our citizens are safe and secure,� Lampman Mayor Scott Greening said. In an interview with The Mercury, Town administrator Greg Wallin said the funding from the government covered 75 per cent of the berm and lift station, meaning Lampman is left with a bill in the $160,000
range. They are also on the hook for future operating costs. “It’s still a very expensive venture for a small community,â€? said Wallin who added they are talking to the province about decreasing their percentage to 10 per cent. “As far as operating, it just depends how much you have to pump and how much washes away each year.â€? Although much of the flood focus in 2011 Water ⇢ A2
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