The Niqab 'Issue'

I'm wading into this one with eyes wide open.  Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi has gone eye to eye with Jason Kenney - Multiculturalism Minister in Stephen Harper's cabinet and Conservative candidate in Calgary-Mindapore - over the issue of a very, very few Muslim women refusing to remove their face veil (niqab) during their citizenship ceremony.

The feds are taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court; what a waste of time and bucks!

May I suggest a simple solution to this whole issue?  I firmly believe that no one should be allowed to cover their face while taking the oath of Canadian citizenship, whether it be ceremonial or not. 

The women have already agreed to remove their niqab in private to prove their identity.  My solution is have them take the ceremonial oath at that time, in private, where they've already agreed to uncover their faces.  They've already met every other condition to become a Canadian, why not allow them the right to have a private ceremony where they can remove their niqab comfortably? 

It would be a compromise, to be sure, but isn't that what Canada is all about?  We can come to a satisfactory agreement on these kind of things!

We compromised when the Sikh RCMP officers were finally allowed to wear their turbans.  I don't believe the sanctity of the RCMP was affected in any way and it helped those officers in the performance of their duties.   So; come on Mr. Kenney, sit down and talk to these two women who are involved and get a deal!

Sir John A.'s 200th Birthday!

Today (January 11, 2015) is Sir John A. Macdonald's 200th birthday!  I suspect most Canadians don't even know who he is.  Sir John was Canada's first Prime Minister. 

He was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1815.  His efforts joined four upstart young provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick) into a nation in 1867.

 From what I can read, Sir John felt Canada had to be formed, otherwise the Americans would take it all!  He was the first to suggest we have a national police force to patrol the vast western territories.  That force became the R.C.M.P.  He did everything he could (some legal, some not so much) to create a national railway running coast to coast.  That became the Canadian Pacific Railway.

It's no secret that Sir John drank.  Stories of him discussing politics with and lecturing a favorite lamp post in Ottawa were well known.  Rumor has it that after the Charlottetown Conference of 1864, in the group photo of the "Fathers of Confederation," he is one of the only ones seated -- because he had too much to drink to stand still for the lengthy exposure time!  His temper was also well known.  He would defend his vision of Canada to anyone in sometimes very heated debate!

He got things done!  When others told him it would be impossible, he made it happen.  The problems and difficulties he faced were enormous, yet he and a couple of his colleagues overcame them!  Things Prime Minister Macdonald had to deal with and overcome, make current Prime Minister Harper's problems seem like a walk in the park!  I believe that Canada would not exist had it not been for Sir John's persistence, and downright stubbornness.

 He was no angel, but I think he deserves a higher profile in Canadian culture than he has right now!

Happy Sir John A. Macdonald Day!

Pedestrian Bridge Vandalism

As part of our drainage channel upgrades, we are rebuilding the three bridges connecting the East and West sides of Beiseker.  We are starting with the two at the north end of the drainage channel. 

With the high volume of water moving down that drainage channel, it became necessary to raise those pedestrian bridges and strengthen their foundation footings.   Preparations were started on Monday, with the installation of concrete footings for the two bridges.

Unfortunately, after the work was completed yesterday morning, some unidentified people damaged some of the footings before the concrete was completely cured.  They will have to be excavated out of there, and redone before work can continue!  This extra work will cause a delay in the construction of the bridges and take more funds from our already meagre project budget. 

Those responsible for the vandalism need to understand that their actions jeopardized the completion of the project this fall.   I would like to know who they are!

 If you know anything about the damage done to the pedestrian bridge footings behind the Dynagra complex, please phone the Village Office (403-947-3774), the Beiseker RCMP (403-947-3496), or the Calgary-area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. 

Honouring the RCMP's Fallen

Beiseker is a long way from Moncton, New Brunswick, when measured in miles or kilometres, but it's only a short distance when measured in values and honour.

At last night's Beiseker Council meeting, we agreed to lower our flag to half mast all day Tuesday to honour those three RCMP officers killed in the line of duty in the streets of Moncton last week.  Their funeral will be held today.  Moncton has been desribed as a very quiet and peaceful city, not unlike our quiet little village here in Alberta.  The horrific events of last week could have happened anywhere in Canada.

When the call came into Moncton RCMP headquarters that a heavily armed individual had been spotted in a quiet neighbourhood, the Mounties responded.  Those officers went toward the trouble while residents moved away and stayed behind locked doors.  The officers put their lives on the line to protect the folks of Moncton! 

I think it is to the credit of those officers that no citizens were injured in the 30 hours that it took to bring the situation under control again.  Two officers were injured and three lost their lives making that happen!

The heroic actions of Constable Ross, Constable Gevaudan, and Constable Larche will not be forgotten. 

The RCMP lost three of their own last week.  Two other officers are recovering from their wounds.  If you get a chance this next few days, thank a police officer for their service and dedication.

The North Road Issue

With continuing upgrades to Highway 72, the portion which passes through our village - called North Road - has caused problems for Beiseker residents.  Speeding is the most common problem, but other issues with drivers have been noted.

Village council has met with Alberta Transportation on several occasions to discuss this very issue.  Our last meeting was held almost a year ago, at the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association convention. During that time, we devised a strategy to slow traffic down as it passed through our village.

Some of those changes have been have been done. Others are still waiting to be implemented.  I suspect that Alberta Transportation has had its hands full with the areas of the province affected by the June floods - so I think we have to be patient.

But, here's what we have already planned to do;

1. Increase the number of painted and marked crosswalks from 2 to 3. This has been completed.
2. Move the 50 km/h sign farther to the west, so the traffic has more time to slow down and will be at the 50 km/h speed limit as they pass by the Grasslands subdivision. This has not been completed.
3. To place decreasing graduated lines on the highway in the "Slowdown Zones."  These painted lines visually draw the drivers' attention to their speeds.  This has not been completed.
4. To increase the number of enforcement visits (speed traps) by both the RCMP and the Alberta Sheriffs' Highway Patrol.  This has occurred.
5. To examine the School Zone vs Playground Zone issue, and make adjustments to the signage as required.  I understand this is ongoing.  The signs designating a School Zone remain.

Other suggestions which have been made include;

Installing speed bumps and/or rumble strips along North Road.  This has been mostly ruled out, because of the noise factor.  Vehicles slowing down and speeding up, and the sound of tires rumbling over these structures, can be very annoying to neighbours - and, occurring at all times of the day.

Construction of traffic circles at both ends of North Road. Traffic circles do indeed slow traffic down.  And a traffic circle at the Beacon Heights Road and the junction of Highway nine and Highway 806 would have an effect, but this option would be quite expensive.

There has been some discussion about the Village starting its own speed enforcement program. This would involve the village buying some kind of radar unit, and hire trained and certified personnel to operate it (and issue tickets for infractions).  I don't believe the village can afford to maintain such a unit as this.   It would probably make money immediately after it started but as compliance increased, less and less revenue would be realized from this very expensive unit.  I also understand that this kind of speed enforcement by municipalities on provincial highways is frowned upon be the province.

Finally, there was a suggestion to install a radar speed sign (like the one pictured above) along North Road to deter speeders.  These signs have proven effective to slow drivers down, and wouldn't require hiring someone to man it.  However, these signs don't write tickets and I don't know how much it would cost to install and maintain such a unit. 

Beiseker Village Council will be meeting with Alberta Transportation again this fall during the AUMA convention.  North Road will be the topic of much of the discussion there.

If reelected, I will continue to push for these and possibly other changes to make North Road safer for all.

Kicking Someone When They're Down

I did hear another rumour about the flood victims in Southern Alberta which I was desperately hoping was untrue.  It turns out that it was very much true!

Apparently some individuals, posing as clean-up crews are going into flood ravaged areas and looting whatever they can.  This is low, very low!

If you've been helping out in a flood area in Southern Alberta try to remember if you saw anyone or anything suspicious.  Do you remember a licence number or even a name on a truck door?  If you do, I urge you to talk to the RCMP or Crime Stoppers. 

It's important to say that almost all of those working and volunteering down there in High River were wonderful volunteers and professionals.  A few, it appears, had far less noble reasons to be there!

Beiseker C.O.P. Going Strong!

The Beiseker Citizens On Patrol have started an active program to patrol our village and the surrounding area.  Here's some of what they've been up to;

• They've been patrolling our village every week since February 18, 2013.
• They drove an intoxicated person home!
• They found a garage door ajar at night and informed the resident.
• They patrolled the lanes, streets and avenues in the village, along with parking lots, industrial parks, the school and the arena.
• Reported suspicious or abandoned vehicles to the RCMP.
• Provided two Drive Home Programs for the Beiseker Lions Club!

These folks are doing a fantastic job for our village and they're looking for more volunteers!  If you are interested in joining the Beiseker COP program, leave your name with me or at the village office and I will put you in contact with those in the know, or you could attend their next meeting.

The next meeting of the Beiseker Citizens On Patrol will be on Wednesday May 8 at 7;30 p.m. at the Beiseker Community Centre.  This could be one of your 3!

Goin' Fast on North Road!

Hi Leo!  Thanks for that comment on the speeders along Highway 72 (North Road) through Beiseker.

This is indeed a tough one.  Many drivers seem to forget they're driving through a residential area when they drive through town on the "72".  Because it's a provincial highway, Alberta Transportation is the one to decide what the posted speed limit will be.  We have brought our concerns about the speeds on North Road and Highway #9 to representatives of Alberta Transportation for many years at each Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) convention.

They have told us that they're in business to keep traffic moving, not slow it up!  It took many years of coaxing to get the speed lowered along Highway #9.  I'm presuming it will take at least that long to post lower speeds on the "72".  They have told us they will consider lowering the speed limit on the "72"  west of Beiseker from 100 km/h when they see houses being built in Grasslands.

I'm thinking there may be other ways to "speed up the slow down" process.  Here are my thoughts;

1. If everyone who saw a vehicle driving along North Road at an excessive speed would phone the RCMP local detachment number (403-947-3496) with a complaint, the police would be aware of the problem and note that in their reports.
2. If all concerned folks in Beiseker wrote a letter to Alberta Transportation Minister Ric McIver asking him to look into the problem, we might get some action!
3. If those same folks wrote a letter to Village Council asking that the School Zone on North Road be changed to a Playground Zone (30 km/h, in force seven days a week, twelve months of the year), that would give us some punch when we ask Alberta Transportation once again for that to happen.

There my thoughts.  I agree with you Leo; I'd rather be proactive on this speed issue rather that react to an accident along there!  Let's keep working on this.

Disappointed

I was most disappointed when I went out to start up my old truck for this year's work.  I keep my old truck for spring and summer work.  It sits behind my house waiting for the warm weather.  This year when I went out to start it I found someone had siphoned the gas from its tank, slashed two of my tires and cracked my windshield!  The tires are not repairable!  I will have to pay a good portion of my small truck budget to buy new ones!

I don't know who or why someone would decide to damage my old truck.  I reported it to the authorities but there is very little they can do now. 
If you find damage to your property or to public property please report it to the police (403-947-3496) or at least call Crime Stoppers at 1-877-222-8477!  We must get a curb on this senseless property damage in Beiseker!

Off-Road Problems

Sgt. Patricia Neely of the RCMP visited Village Council last night to give her regular report on policing in the Village of Beiseker.  The one topic which took up much of our time was the use  (or misuse) of off-road vehicles within the Village!

At present our by-law permits the operation of an off road vehicle within the Village under certain stipulations;

1. they are restricted to lanes and alleyways.
2. their speed can not exceed 20 km/h
3. they must take the shortest and most direct route out of the Village.
4. they must be operated as quietly as possible into and out of the Village.
5. applicable registration and insurance will be carried by the operator

Most off-road vehicle operators comply to our by-law but there have been a few exceptions which are spoiling it for everyone!  If we cannot achieve compliance with our current by-law, then council will have to look at simply banning the operation of off road vehicles within the Village completely. 

That would mean that all off-roaders would have to shut off their vehicle and push them in and out of the Village or trailer them in and out of the Village!  It would be a shame to spoil it for most off-roaders because of the actions of a few.

What Can You Do?

If you see someone operating an off-road vehicle (quad, snowmobile, or dirt bike) without heeding our by-laws, please report them to our RCMP detachment at (403) 947-3496.  If you know someone who operates an off-road vehicle in the Village, ask them to review our very generous by-law regarding their use within the Village.