By-election, traffic issues addressed by council

By Kimberley Hartwig
Maple Creek town council met on Sept. 2. where the upcoming by-election, traffic concerns and other town business was discussed.
After town councillor Justin McFarlane announced he would be stepping down, the town will be holding a by-election. Nominations will be accepted on Sept. 3 to 18 at Town Hall. Nominations will also be accepted on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Council addressed a traffic issue that had been brought forward. Residents have noted that many drivers have been running the four way-stop on Pacific Avenue. The issue becomes particularly worrisome during the tourist season when traffic in town is higher than normal. Council discussed a number of solutions including placing a flashing light near the sign in order to attract drivers’ attention.
Council also discussed a concern from community members that the C.M. Glascock building is used more often than other buildings in the town. Air conditioning and wheelchair accessibility, which are both available at the Glascock building, are often important factors when choosing where to host a function.
Work on flushing out the waterlines will begin on Sept. 8. The town expects the work to be finished by Sept. 18. The town has not been able to move forward with cleaning out the ditches as there is still water in the ditches.
In other town business, council passed a motion to advertise the properties at 423 Fifth Ave., 202 Maple St. and 111 Lonsdale St. The town obtained the three properties through tax enforcement.
Mayor Barry Rudd recently attended a meeting about construction of an additional storage yard for grain cars. The town is looking at the possibility of adding an additional track to store grain cars so they can continually have grain on the rails.
Nav Canada will be installing weather cameras at the Maple Creek airport. The equipment, installation and maintenance will be covered by Nav Canada. The town is also in talks with Nav Canada to update the airport’s current radio system.
Councillor Barry Elderkin reported on the hospital trust board meeting where it was decided that a 50/50 lottery would be held later in the year. The proceeds will be used to establish a scholarship fund to assist health care professionals who have spent time working at the Southwest Integrated Health Care Facility. The Retired Teacher’s Association will sell the tickets, which will cost $20, and help run the lottery. This is the third time a 50/50 lottery will be held to benefit the hospital — the previous two helped raise funds to buy equipment for the new facility.
Councillor Michelle Mackenzie took a moment to commend the team at Cypress Lodge for the move into the long-term care facility. The move took place on Aug. 21 and relocated 41 people to the new building.
Council received an invitation to send a representative to a meeting in Burstall regarding regional-style landfill sites. Council was in support of sending a member to the meeting, for which a date has not yet been set. Invitations had been extended to all municipalities within the area.

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