Great Plains College Grad

Friday May 23rd I had the honour of being a guest at Great Plains College Graduation 2014 at the Kindersley Inn. Many grads walked across the floor embarking on a new season in their lives. Some of the students were quite young while others were much more seasoned.

Great Plains College Grad. May 23, 2014

My remarks were brief. Here is an outline:

• Congratulations on behalf of the Council of the Town of Kindersley and our residents for your accomplishment.
• Congratulations go to the many families of the students who made the sacrifice as their loved ones spent a year studying intensively
• More than 50 years ago President John Kennedy challenged the young people of America to not ask what their country can do for them but what they could do for their country.
• I asked the grads to consider:
• how can they make their work place, home, neighbourhood, and community more beautiful;
• to ensure they work so that their workplace and community is just;
• to contribute to their work place and community by enabling others, and themselves, to be fulfilled; and
• to have good relationships with those around them.

There were approximately 130 people in attendance.

Great Plains College Grad. May 23, 2014

What's with the Orange Fence?

Have you seen this little fence , hole and trench near the walking trail?

This is a line that has been identified serving the house east of Brookhollow Estates. The line is left like this to ensure it is not damaged until new lines can be connected to the house in question.

Youth Council: Clean Up Capture

Youth Council is getting into the beautification of Kindersley with a twist. Their contest, in which the winner gets a complimentary one year subscription to Loraas' curbside recycling program.

Participation is easy:

1. Pick up garbage they see around town and take a "selfie" of themselves tossing it in the waste bin or appropriate recyclable container.
2. Post the picture to @youthcouncil4 with the hashtag #cleanupcapture or share on the Youth Council's Facebook page

Hmmm.... perhaps trashing something takes on a whole new meaning. It should be interesting.

Regarding the curbside recycling: excellent program. Our garage is a lot cleaner and no sorting is required.

Trash Talk: Tidy Week

This year Kindersley is participating in the National Communities in Bloom contest. As part of preparing for the judging we have entered a contest with Humboldt. The challenge is to see which community can log more volunteer hours of tidying yards, parks, roadways, laneways (alleys), vacant lots, work places and work lots, and any other spot that needs beautification as part of "Tidy Week."

This contest runs between June 16 - June 20 and Humboldt, when they lose, will have their Mayor, Malcolm Eaton, wear a Klippers' jersey during their home opener. Details are still be worked out with a partner to record the volunteer hours. So, stay tuned for details.

I have to say that I think Malcolm will look good sporting a green and blue Klippers' jersey. Wearing a Broncos' jersey doesn't appeal to me.

New Outdoor Rink

Work has started on the construction of a new outdoor rink south of the Events Centre. The rink and warm up shack have been donated by Gary Becker with Brett Sautner of Kindersley Glass donating some of the materials, labour, and organizing the project.

Its initiatives like this that make Kindersley a remarkable community. Thank you Brett and Gary!

Workers assembling the boards of the new outdoor rink. May 22, 2014

The west side of the rink. May 22, 2014

Winter is hardly gone and I'm imagining ice in the rink (Something is wrong with me). May 22, 2014

Road hockey anyone?

State of the Town Address: To the Rotary Club

This evening I was invited to speak to the Rotary Club about the Town. The Rotary Club is a service club dedicated to helping, both financially and with their own hands, local and international causes. Perhaps the Rotary Club is best known for their 4 Way Test:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The following are the PPT slides of my presentation without my commentary. If you would like me to speak to your group please contact me.

Mayoral Report: April - May

Date	Activity	Purpose/Outcome	Follow Up	Policy Number
Apr 24	Budget Meeting	·      Discuss Budget Item	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.
Apr 25	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
Apr 25	Lunch w/MLA Bill Boyd	·      Government Relations	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
Apr 28	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
Apr 28	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0., GP.1.
Apr 30	Financial Transparency Webinar	·      Governance Development	·      Ongoing	·      GP.8.
Apr 30	KHS Needs Assessment	·      Discuss Assessment	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 1	Premier’s Supper	·      Government Relations	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 3	Firemen’s Ball	·      Support Fire Fighters	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2; GP.7
May 5	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
May 7	SUMA: City Mayor’s Caucus	·      Government Relations; Policy Development, Advocacy	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 8	SUMA: City Mayor’s Caucus	·      Government Relations; Policy Development, Advocacy	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 9	SUMA: City Mayor’s Caucus	·      Government Relations; Policy Development, Advocacy	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 12	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
May 12	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0., GP.1.
May 14	Meet w/MLA Bill Boyd	·      Government Relations	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 14	Meet w/Minister Duncan	·      Government Relations	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 15	SUMAssure	·      Committee Meeting	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.
May 16	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.1; GP.7
May 20	2015 Budget Meeting	·      Planning	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.
May 21	Rotary Club Meeting	·      State of the Town Address	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2; GP.7

Landfill Update

Construction waste is still being collected at the landfill. The fee is based on cost recovery for the Town. The fee is $88 for a half ton load or about $22 per cubic metre.

Traffic Signals: HWY 7 & HWY 21

Earlier today we received a complaint from a motorist who stated they waited 7 minutes at the intersection of HWYs 7 & 21.

The Town is no longer responsible for the operations of the signals. This has resulted in capital savings of ~$1 million plus operation costs. However, in the spirit of collaboration and partnership, the Town is helping out when asked by the provincial contractor and charging back our costs to the contractor.

If you have a concern or complaint about the lights please call the Kindersley Ministry of Highways office at 306.463.5504

Frost

And now for something completely different.

• Construction on Rutley is scheduled to begin May 26th. Yea! 
• However, frost has been measured 20 cm - 30 cm down. Winter is very slowly releasing its grip.
• Three companies are doing the work including the water and sewage pipes.