UNITY — At this moment I’m thinking of all of our students, teachers and support staff who are starting another year of education and social interactions. The back-to-school shopping is done and soon the routine will kick in.
We are so fortunate. Councillor Sernecky and I are attending SUMA school in Regina. Our speakers this evening were Jason Young, the Northern School District director of education and the Mayor of La Loche, Georgina Jolibois. It was six years in January since the La Loche school shooting that ended with four people dead and seven injured. People across the province and the country still deal with the trauma of that day. Tragedies show how people near and far step up to help in any way possible. This help and support is needed for years after a tragedy, not just the initial days and weeks. We can only hope we have learned steps to provide the help needed to prevent this from happening again. Inclusiveness is so important throughout our young lives. Our parents and educators are leading the way with anti-bullying awareness. We can all make an impact by letting all of our children know how much we value them. Smile, encourage and include at all levels. There is no better sound than the laughter on the school playgrounds.
Councillor Sernecky and I have gained insight and experience at SUMA school for mayors and councillors. It has been a very full two and a half days of information and sharing problems and solutions with other communities. As council, we plan to have a booth at Unity Ag Society’s Fall Fair. You can stop by with questions and concerns, or just to visit.
As you’re reading this, the Ministry of Highways expect to be finished with the Highway 21 reroute. I want to thank you for your patience with all projects in and around our community. Our first avenue infrastructure project is officially on hold until the spring. There will be some preparation this fall but the roads will remain as they are until the contractor can start, hopefully by May.
Thank you to staff for the work they do to enhance our daily lives. Everything from patching wicked holes, keeping the pool open extra days with the heat, explaining in detail how the new water meters work, making sure we’re in compliance with government standards, giving us a neat and clean community and keeping us fiscally responsible.
Please remember, everyone, with the start of school, there will be more children out and about, biking, walking and running. Their minds may be on their friends or the game they are going to and not on traffic. Please slow down and be diligent in focusing on the area as you drive through the streets. There is absolutely nothing more important than the safety of our children.
