This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
There is a Board meeting tonight at 5-15 PM on the same zoom link as for Thursday meetings. In addition to regular business, the strategic plan will be discussed and presented next week to the membership.
In Allen's absence, Ann will cover secretarial tasks and she requests that all written reports be sent to her.
SUSTAINABILITY OF SASKATCHEWAN MUNICIPALITIES BY PRESIDENT JEAN-MARC, PHD CANDIDATE
Jean-Marc is a PhD candidate with the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy. His dissertation is as the title above indicates. It was interesting to hear the material he has researched to date. He outlined the historical events that led to the creation of the Municipal sector in Saskatchewan--pre-1900's, events 1900-1945, 1950 to today. The impact on the prairies of early decisions was significant and resulted in the formation of the Dominion Lands Claim Act in 1872, which brought settlers to the prairies. A quarter section of land was available for purchase for $10. The farmer had 3 years to harvest a crop and build or move a house to this piece of land. There were many farmers that took advantage of the opportunity which meant 4 families to a section and thus population on the prairies grew. Another significant impact was when the North West Mounted Police located to the prairies in 1873 helping with whisky runners while developing relationships with indigenous people and communities. The third impact was the building of the railway. The result was the building of communities 7 miles apart. This was a bonus for farmers to transport their produce by horse teams to the railway station and return home the same day.
Post 1900, municipalities were largely responsible for education and welfare. During these years the CoOp movement formed. In 1944, T.C. Douglas came into Saskatchewan politics and recognized the current tax model of the Government was not sustainable moving forward. Gradually the Government became responsible for funding social welfare, education and health. Saskatchewan has 774 municipalities for just over 1 million people. 130 of these municipalities have less than 100 people. Ontario has 430 for under 15 million people. The large number of municipalities in Saskatchewan is and will be difficult to sustain. There is little will on either the Government side or the SARM side to change at this point in time. If there is change remains to be seen.
President Jean-Marc (file photo)
We look forward to the next phase of Jean-Marc's project following interviews, more research and analysis. Thank you Jean-Marc. Very interesting. Good luck as you proceed.
The Family of Rotary
Chris Hefner
We were saddened to learn of the death of Eastview member, Chris Hefner, last weekend. Chris had been a member for a few years and truly enjoyed Rotary. His passion was promoting Rotary to all he met. He will be missed. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family of Chris.
It has not been a good week for some Eastview Rotarians.
Doreen Pankewich has notified us that husband Albert, had heart bypass surgery Wednesday. Overall, the surgery was a success and he has been moved out of Surgical ICU to Surgical Telemetry so he is doing well. He will be in hospital for another week or so and then the long recovery begins. The family expresses their gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of many and the wonderful skill of the surgeon and medical staff. We are thinking of Albert, Doreen and family and send best wishes for a complete recovery and a very special Christmas at home.
This morning (Thursday) Allen Hillsden went to hospital with suspicious pain. We have since learned he is back home and it is not heart related. In true Allen fashion he passed on information that something he was working on was unfinished. Bob Durston advises that he is aware of Allen's unfinished task and will handle it for him. Good news that you are alright, Allen. Take care.
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Sergeant Pat Dell fined Laurel for admitting that she forgot about last week's Rotary meeting--she was on another zoom meeting--that happens. The Sergeant dispensed virtual rotobucks to John Van Koll for successful execution of the ham project. Thank you John. Happy bucks came from the following: Doug Mortin was happy he had a negative COVID test but a positive experience--only 90 minutes in line and 3 wonderful people to deal with. This is very good news Doug; Gary noted that Jessie's cataract surgery has been postponed due to a potential COVID exposure (Jessie is fine); Laurel is happy her daughter has moved into her new house--the couch is to come, the pictures are hung and she will host Christmas--which means Laurel does not have to cook; Peter Peters delivered 18 hams to Saskatoon. Pat is curious as to how Peter and Allen pack so many hams in the trunks of their cars. And that was the Sergeant's report.
The Christmas Ham "Box Building" and "Ham Packing" assembly line process took place on Tuesday of this week. John Van Koll is really the "KING" of the ham project. John and his crew, Pat, Glen, Allen, Grace, Hans, Toshi and Peter P, worked around a 6 foot table and any other flat surface available in the London Drugs busy receiving area. Certainly, this was an occasion where the RC of Regina Eastview volunteer light shone bright. Thanks to all (from Peter Peters).
Grace Hillsden, a volunteer with the ham crew
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"I personally believe that each of us was put here for a purpose -- to build not to destroy. If I can make people smile, then I have served my purpose for God."
