Boil Water Notice for 6th Street

On Friday, Public Works issued a boil water notice to a very few residents of the village who live along 6th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues.  This was issued simply as a precaution after the water breaks along there were repaired. 

It does NOT affect the entire village, just a few residents along that street.  They have been informed.

Give Justin a Break!

I'm not a big fan of Justin Trudeau.  I have always thought that the guy needed more time in the House of Commons, first as a backbencher then as a cabinet minister, before moving into  being party leader and Prime Minister.

However, after watching it on TV and reading about it in the paper, I think this little kafuffle in the House of Commons the other day has been blown all out of proportion!  I say let's give Justin a break,  put this whole thing to rest and get on with the more serious problems which face Canada.

It was quite clear that young Justin was very frustrated with how the Opposition was stalling on the business of the House.  Many opposition members appeared to be refusing to return to their desks so a vote could proceed.

The Prime Minister crossed the floor in anger (not a good move) and physically confronted the Opposition Members (another bad move).  Some physical pushing, shoving and bad language resulted.  There were no physical injuries as far as I could see. 

Parliament is something like the game of volleyball.  Things get batted back and forth over the net (or in the case of Parliament-over the Hansard Table and Mace).  There is to be no physical contact! The ref controls the volleyball game and the Speaker of The House controls Parliament.

In this case were the actions of the Prime Minister un-parliamentary?  Yes, they were, but so were the actions of several members of the Opposition! 

Let's stop wasting time, effort and money running around this one and get on with running the country!  I think it would very difficult to explain to a fire evacuee from Fort McMurray why this silliness in the House of Commons would be more important than their plight!

Bridge Over Not-So-Troubled Waters

I was very pleased to see that Beiseker Public Works arranged to have the bridge over the drainage canal between downtown Beiseker and Beacon Heights repaired! 

The rebuild reinforced the handrails, and provided proper entrance ramps on each side.  I think it dramatically improved the look of the bridge, too!   I'm hoping that we can find the funds in our tight budget to rebuild the third bridge, down by the Public Works Yard.

Mayland Heights Bank Move

I felt badly for a Calgary community which is losing its bank.  Scotiabank has decided to close its bank branch in the north-east community of Mayland Heights.  I read about their struggle in the paper yesterday. 

The bank is a focal point for the aging community.  They are going to really miss their bank.  They held a small demonstration the other day to protest the closing. 

It all reminded me when the Royal Bank of Canada closed its Beiseker location, even though it actually made money!  I was one who demonstrated in front of the bank, protesting the closing.  It didn't matter. The bank was closed anyway. 

Beiseker was very fortunate the Mountain View Credit Union was ready and willing to step into the old bank location shortly after the Royal Bank skulked out of town.  The credit union has served our community extremely well ever since.

Wouldn't it be nice if Mayland Heights found a similar saviour for their problem.

The Cornwallis Debate

About two hundred and fifty years ago a British military man arrived in what is now Nova Scotia.  His job was to set up a British colony there as a counter to the French fortress of Louisbourg, and make sure it would be safe for colonists arriving from the U.K., mostly Scotland.

He founded the city of Halifax.  The new colony of Nova Scotia (New Scotland) thrived under his leadership. 

That man was Edward Cornwallis.  He's commemorated around that modern city of Halifax with parks, streets, buildings, and squares named for him - not to mention, a large statue.

But there was another side to Edward Cornwallis.  He came to Canada fresh from a campaign to bring Scotland more in line with the rest of the U.K.  His solution there was to exterminate his opponents!  Many Scots were killed in that campaign.  I think Ed figured that it worked so well in Scotland he would do the same thing in Nova Scotia. 

He proclaimed a bounty on the lives of the native Mi'kmaq people, including women and children!  It is unclear just how many native people were slaughtered as part of this program.  I think there might have been a large number!  

When you read history you'll find out that the British did much of this "pacification" everywhere they went.  The rule appears to have been; "If you can't make good British citizens out of the natives, then remove them or possibly enslave them".  It happened in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, India, Canada and what was to become the United States, plus many other places! 

This "pacification" program carried on for centuries.  Those countries and their native populations affected are still suffering the affects of this brutal, inhumane program. 

Many people in Halifax want Edward Cornwallis struck from history.  I think that would be a mistake.  Renaming many of his namesakes would be a good thing, but Nova Scotians (and all Canadians) must never be allowed to forget what Cornwallis did!  The actions of Cornwallis and his fellow British militarists are one reason why we are here now with the issues and problems we face today!

Changes at the Beiseker Post Office

I am not presentable to anyone until I've had my morning coffee!  My wife ordered my coffee more than a week ago.  It was mailed to Beiseker last week. 

But I didn't get it!  After checking the mail over a few days, my wife went on an investigation.  She found the errant parcel notice in a bunch of recycling I'd brought home from the post office.  I always sorted my mail on that little shelf near the post office door.  Now the shelf is gone, I try to sort through my mail as best I can at the mailbox. 

Obviously not well!  I went down and retrieved my coffee; all is well. 

I sort of understand why the Canada Post doesn't want us recycling our flyers in there, but why take out that very convenient little shelf?   Canada Post is a federal responsibility.  I'm going to ask our MP, Martin Shields, if he can find out why Mr. Trudeau took away our little shelf!

Fort McMurray Update #2

Our Beiseker Fire Truck and the accompanying firefighters have been spotted in the Fort McMurray area helping out.  Way to go guys!

For those wishing to donate items to help the evacuees they will be accepted at the AngelaRoxanne Photography studio.  The studio is next door to the hardware store on Main Street (230 6 Street).  They're open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. day.   They'll also have a special time to be open this Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

They'll need a couple of volunteers to help out down there.  If you can give them a couple of hours that would be great.

Right now the authorities are asking for specific items such as personal hygiene items, disposable diapers,  bottled water, granola bars, toilet paper, facial tissue, pillows (new), and blankets (new).

The Canadian Red Cross is accepting cash donations which are always greatly appreciated in disasters like this.  Money is easily transferred and outfits like the Red Cross can get huge buying power discounts!

If you know someone up there from Fort McMurray, text them, e-mail them or call them and let them know that all of Canada is beside them in their fight.

Fort McMurray Update

I am pleased to announce that the Beiseker Fire Department has sent a small contingent of firefighters and one piece of firefighting apparatus up to Fort McMurray to help out.  God Speed!

We as individuals can help by donating to the Canadian Red Cross, who I believe are already on the ground up there!  The Alberta Government has announced they will match donations made, as well as provide the Red Cross $2 million to kick-start their relief operations for Fort McMurray residents.

I was less than pleased with our Prime Minister this morning, who was pretty general and non-specific about the assistance the federal government is going to provide.  I'm hoping that he'll become more specific in the next few days as more details become available.

I haven't heard if the city of Fort McMurray has requested support from our armed forces yet.  Those folks are trained to handle disasters such as this.

Thoughts and Prayers to Fort McMurray

I've been watching the reports coming in from Fort McMurray all evening.  They are quite terrifying!

This small Alberta city is under siege by a raging forest fire.  The authorities have ordered a complete evacuation of most of the city! 

Parts of the city appear to be on fire or already destroyed.  I think I can speak for all of Beiseker's council in saying our thoughts and prayers go to all those folks in Fort McMurray.  We hope that you all are able to reach safety tonight.  Over the coming next few days and weeks there will a multitude of projects coming from Southern Alberta to help you all through this difficult time.  You are not alone!

If you want to help people displaced by disaster, you can donate to the Canadian Red Cross through their Alberta Fires Appeal.