Opinion

Dear Editor, The Provincial Government is mandating two baths a week for residents of long term healthcare facilities.

The news of layoffs and buyouts at Athabasca University is certainly unwelcome, though itís not entirely unexpected.

As Canadians, we grow up with winter. We are moulded by it by virtue of living nearly one third of our lives in it.

Once again, both Athabasca and Boyle will be represented at minor hockey provincial championships this year. The local area seems to be spoiled for gifted young hockey players.

Change is a good thing. The Barrhead Figure Skating Club proved that over the weekend during their annual Ice Carnival, as this year was different than those in the past.

So the latest Japanese delegation has said “sayonara,” taking with them gifts, memories and our good wishes. As is tradition, a farewell dinner was held in their honour at the Multi-Purpose Room last Thursday, attended by many local luminaries.

It’s good that that’s over. The wrangling over devising the newest contract for Alberta teachers is now over, with the Alberta Teachers Association’ and Alberta Education having reached an agreement.

We all knew some difficult choices would be dealt in the recent provincial budget. The Progressive Conservative government made that abundantly clear when it revealed resource revenues would drop by more than $6 billion.

Steelers raised their game last Sunday to power past Devon in a pulsating three-match playoff series.

In a perfect world Sparrow’s Hope would not exist. Director Ben Kellert would like nothing better than to tear down the walls, even though the facility is part of his life’s mission. And yet we know this is unlikely to happen.