Tax for TV viewers

The CRTC is in a dilemma. All the local affiliates of CTV, CBC and all the rest of the main networks in Canada are up in arms about the fact that distributors like Bell, Star Choice etc are able to include their signals at no extra charge.The Canadian networks and their ‘local’ stations feel that they should get a piece of the pie. This is similar to Britain who has charged a ‘tax’ to every household who owns a TV for donkey’s years.

Now, we all like to view the 16 CBC stations on Satelite and the 18 CTV stations and all the rest. Heck, it is delightful to watch what is happening in Sarnia or Victoria or other sites that we only find out about during their news breaks. Most of them I have put parental locks on …. so I don’t have to scan through them all.

However,I may now have to pay an extra $10.00 per month for a fee which will be passed on to these stations. Even though they have about 32 minutes of programming and 28 minutes of commercials every hour, that is not enough. I may have to resort to turning off my parential block in order to get my money’s worth.

There is only so many minutes in an hour and they all seem to have commercials on at the same time, so what does one do….. I know, pay extra for a pay per view movie. Heck, so now we are up to $130.00 or more per month, at least we are supporting Sarnia and Victoria and…… Maybe I can buy something there and pick it up sometime, after all their advertisers are targeting everyone across Canada.

Or….I could turn the box off and read or write or do a little exercise and save money.

DL

Water from Calgary?

The Mayor of Calgary recently announced that members of the Calgary Regional Partnership could, in the future, draw water from the City of Calgary. It included, among others, Irricana.

It appears to be an attempt to draw Rockyview County back into the alliance after they pulled out of the Partnership a while back.

This has created quite a stir, because there is very limited water that is available from the South Saskatchewan River Basin (The Bow River included).

Calgary says that they can get water for about 3 million people and are only using half, so lots for other communities.

So, if Irricana was to need water in the future, who would build the pipeline from, I assume, Airdrie? It creates an interesting thought that we would have water from two different river systems and perhaps have to pay over twice as much.

I think Calgary would be worse to deal with than Drumheller.

DL

Congratulations Irricana Fire fighters.

November 14,saw the graduation of 18 members of the local volunteer fire fighters.This has been five months of intense study and committment.
They now are all certified as Prodfessional Fire fighters.( Naitonal Fire protection association 10 -0-1 standard level 2)
This brings to our town a total of 24 fully qualified members.
Irricana station # 56 is on of the few volunteer stations having every one of its members fully certified.
We are a very proud of you and wish you the best today at your graduation and in the future.
EL

Irricana Volunteer awards for 2009

Mavis Hallman accepts the Mayor's award

[caption id="attachment_1367" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Jake Parker\'s mom accepted his Youth award"][/caption]

Brian Culp was Urban Winner

[caption id="attachment_1365" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Roy Pothenroff was Rural Winner"][/caption]

Terry McAuley was the MC

Thursday, November 12th was the occasion of the annual urban and rural volunteer appreciation awards.
The Town invited all volunteers from the community to this event and those present partaked in a Roast Beef on a Bun meal.

The climax of the night was the presentation of the award. This year they went to:

Rural award to Roy Pothenroth for his years of service to support Irricana

Brian Culp was the urban winner for his contribution and hard work in the community through many, many means.

The Youth award went to Jake Parker, who has been nominated as an Olympic Torch Bearer and is involved with different organizations in Town.

There was a special ‘Mayor’s’ award, which is given out only occasionally. It went to Mavis Hallman for all her service to the community in the past. Mavis has dedicated herself to Irricana and this is a just reward.

Let’s thank the Provincial Government

I think that it is in order for the citizens of Irricana (via the council) to thank the Province for upgrading Highway number 9 past Irricana, from Beiseker to Kathyrn. The Province is critisized so much for things that they don’t do… but in this case, and in many more areas, we have to feel priviledged that they have helped our community.

How:
Reduced the possiblilty of fatal accidents, as has happened on that stretch for many years.
Make it more comfortable in the fact that turning lanes are now more defined.
Shoulders are wide and it makes it much easier for those who chose bicyles to travel, a more comfortable and safer environment.

There will always be the individuals who think that the Province did not do enough, but I would like to say thank-you for what you did for us in Irricana.

DL