2016 Year in Review — November

Dec 30, 2016 | 1:00 PM

 As we prepare to say goodbye to 2016, meadowlakeNOW.com is taking a look at some of the top news items that made headlines and newsmakers over the past 11 months since our launch.

 

City council sworn in

Meadow Lake’s new city council was officially sworn in at the beginning of the month, after the municipal election in October.

Acclaimed to his second full term, Mayor Gary Vidal was officially sworn to office during the Nov. 1 inaugural meeting. Re-elected councillors Merlin Seymour, Kim Chiverton, Conrad Read, Curtis Paylor and new councillors Glen Winkler and Tom Harrison were also sworn in for the next four years.

NWSD trustees sworn in

After 10 Northwest School Division (NWSD) board trustees were sworn in, the group quickly got to work electing its chair and vice-chair members.

Barb Seymour, Glen Winkler, Jessica Piche, Andrea Perillat, Faith Graham, Mark Campbell, Terri Prete, Brian Gaboury, Janice Baillargeon and John Anderson were all sworn in at the Nov. 3 inaugural meeting at the division office.

R.M. council sworn in

Two new members were sworn into council for the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake in the first week of November, and a deputy reeve was elected.

During the Nov. 7 inaugural meeting, Tim McKay and Blair Mysko were sworn in as the new reeve and Division Five councillor respectively. Gary Ratke, Dale Sheppard, Ron Johnson and Russ Jones were also sworn in for a new term.

Weight restrictions placed on rural roads

Due to the “terrible” conditions of gravel roads in the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake, council put a weight restriction on all semi-trailer and tractor units until further notice.

Because of the weather conditions so far this fall, Gina Bernier, R.M. administrator, said the restriction is 50 per cent of the load weight for all semi-trailers and tractor units hauling on rural roads. She explained this means if a resident normally hauls 60 cattle, they can only haul 30. Or if they haul 12 bails, they can now only haul six.

Deputy Mayor assigned

Meadow Lake city council had its new deputy mayor in place and councillors assigned to various committees following a mid-month meeting.

Council was busier than normal at the Nov. 14 meeting, the first following the Oct. 26 election and Nov. 1 swearing in.

During the near two-hour meeting, council nominated and unanimously elected Merlin Seymour as the new deputy mayor. Seymour took over the position from Annette Klassen, who did not seek re-election last month.

R.M. removed tax incentive discount

Residents in the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake are no longer being offered a tax discount after council approved removing the incentive at the Nov. 14 meeting.

The incentive provided a five per cent discount to residents if they paid their taxes between January and September. Administrator Gina Bernier added the discount was four per cent if paid in October, two per cent in November, no discount in December, and then penalties started Jan. 1 on any taxes left outstanding.

Construction began on new R.M. office

The first phase of construction had started on a new office building for the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake.

Installation of water and sewer lines was currently underway. R.M. administrator Gina Bernier said she hoped to have ground breaking for the building’s construction in April 2017.

RCMP report suggests dramatic increase in sexual assaults

A recent report filed by the M.L. RCMP suggests sexual assault cases have increased in the city, but officials say the data was the result of an awareness campaign.

Between Jan. 1, 2016 and Oct. 31, 2016, 66 sexual assaults were reported, compared to 19 in the same time span in 2015 and 17 in 2014.

The numbers came from the detailed monthly police report by Staff Sgt. Tim Sartison, the new detachment commander, who prepares the document each month and presents it to city council.

City council passes official community plan for next four years

Meadow Lake city council passed its official community plan (OCP) for the next four years, however, there wasn’t expected to be any firm timelines until the new year.

The OCP was passed at the Nov. 28 regular council meeting commits to addressing over a dozen areas, including enhancing the city’s entrances with gateways, signs, and landscaping.

Local fundraiser set new personal record for money raised

The eleventh annual Meadow Lake Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees was a huge success with records in attendance and amount of money raised.

On Saturday, Nov. 26, roughly 270 people filled the Civic Centre, up around 50 people from past years, according to foundation chairman Don Marsh. He added this year over $85,000 was raised, which is approximately $20,000 more than past years.

“The response was quicker, we were sold out three or four weeks prior to the event which typically hasn’t happened in the past,” Marsh said. “There seems to be more recognition and a growing level of support from individuals and businesses. The level of support locally seems to be on the rise which is very much appreciated.”