Opinion

It’s never easy to deal with a high-profile death in the community.

Early indications are that next year will be dominated by solid, weighty subjects — in both senses of the word. Athabasca’s town and county councils are set to get down to brass tacks early in 2014 on a couple of major infrastructure projects.

Well, what a year it was. And what a year beckons. As the clock ticks over from 2013 to 2104, it is natural to be in a reflective and forward-thinking mood. Think of 2013 and one event shines like a glorious beacon.

It’s been quite a year. There has been all kinds of excitement in the Westlock area in 2013, and the changes we’ve seen will certainly set the stage for more excitement in 2014.

Seen for so long as the stragglers on the path to a new aquatic centre, Barrhead County Council made some movement last week. However, it is unlikely the municipality impressed many pro-pool frontrunners.

Dear Editor: It is with extreme sadness and disbelief that we read in the December 12-13 Edmonton Journal that Manmeet Bhullar will not call an inquiry into the deaths of the many children placed in this province’s care.

Dear Editor, Recent news coverage about the deaths of children and youth in care has sparked much discussion and speculation, but there is one point about which we all agree: the death of even one child is tragic and unfortunate.

One of the highlights of the Advocate staff’s year is reading through letters to Santa by Aspen View students (see excerpts from the letters in our Christmas Greetings section, starting page 15).

Athabasca Mayor Roger Morrill raises a valid concern over the amount of taxpayers’ money — over $10,000 — spent on the recent Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) conference, but the three councillors who attended don’t deserve to be vilif

Look at the cartoon on the right of this page. So many glum looks, so many downturned mouths, despite the plethora of purchases. And so many bodies crushed together in a tight space. It is hardly the fitting face of the season to be merry.