Moment with the Mayor: "Dear Santa"

A quick note: the Bean isn't publishing the week of the 29th so this column may not be seen in the Bean.

Hi Neighbours:

There we are, my two youngest sons and I sitting in the stands watching Denmark beat Russia, and my youngest grabs my attention and says, “Dad, can we read Santa’s letter to me?” “Of course,” I said! In the stands, with the game going on, my son and I rip open the envelope and read Santa’s letter. It was a good letter but, as I reflected later, I wondered: if Santa delivered gifts to municipalities, what would I ask for? So, here is my Christmas letter to Santa, as Mayor.

Dear Santa:

It has been a good year in Kindersley - not perfect but we don’t deserve a lump of coal either. We have made a lot of tough decisions this year and taken steps to grow. Santa, there are a lot of good people here working hard to make Kindersley a home and a community that we are all proud of. We have great volunteers! But there are some things we need help with. Could you help us with some of these things?

First of all, could you make it possible for us to spend enough on the goods and services the Town needs and wants and still lower taxes? If not, here is a list of things we need:

Clear Communications	Dust Control that Works	Field House
Fire Hall	Good Crops	Good Governance
Good Government Relations	Health Services Effectiveness	Homeowners in Brookhollow
HWY Corridor Beautification	Ladder Truck	Lift Stations
Lower Taxes	Main St Boulevard	New Businesses
Passing & Turning Lanes on HWYs	Performing Arts Centre	Playgrounds and Equipment
Pool	Reasonable Oil Prices	Redesigned HWY Intersections
Regional Landfill	Revitalized Downtown	Safety for All
Street Sweeper	Truck Parking	Waste Water Lagoon
Water and Sewage Pipes	Water Mains	WCEC Fully Repaired

Finally, Santa, to wrap this up nicely: effective and efficient arts, recreation, and social programming for kids of all ages.

I realize, Santa, that this list is a bit lengthy but Kindersley needs these items to be beautiful and just, to have opportunities for fulfillment, and to have good relations. Sometimes we complain that the federal and provincial governments seem too much like Scrooge but we realize they are trying their best with their resources as well.

Thanks, Santa. And if you don’t mind installing or implementing these items, I sure would be grateful; my Christmas tree and stocking aren’t big enough for these items.

Merry Christmas! May peace and joy be yours throughout the year. Please, stay safe in the winter conditions.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.