Dauphin Herald
Threshing Day!
Local residents had a chance to take a step back in time, Saturday, when the Dauphin Agricultural Heritage Club hosted its 22nd annual Threshing Day, north of Dauphin.
Those in attendance got to see how farming was done in the early to mid 1900s thanks to combining, threshing and baling demonstrations using farm equipment of old.
The local 4-H club hosted a fund-raising concession to feed the hungry patrons.
Dauphin mayoralty candidates share their thoughts
Editor’s note: In an effort to help city of Dauphin voters make an informed decision when choosing a new mayor this fall, the Herald provide an opportunity for candidates David Bosiak and Kerri Riehl to share their platforms, priorities and plans in their own words through a series of questions and answers.
The first question, answered here this week was “What do you see as the biggest issue facing Dauphin and how would you like to see it addressed?”
David Bosiak
On the campaign trail I’ve asked voters the same question posed to me by the Dauphin Herald: “What is the biggest issue facing our community?” The responses I received were varied to say the least. When I thought about each and every (different) response, I realized there was a critical theme relating to each one.
All issues presented to me could be addressed by following through on a well-developed plan. The City does not currently have a fully complete strategic plan. A completed plan will allow us to tackle problems and issues transparently, proactively and move us forward together.
As you can imagine, I received a multitude of responses. There were common themes, like community safety and crime, the lack of affordable housing and the condition of Main Street (and other streets and back lanes for that matter). I was also told the biggest issue was a lack of big box retailers, a lack of development in our industrial park, and a lack of new housing sub-divisions. I also heard about our incomplete trail and bike path system, the wavering strength of our relationship with other levels of government and the lingering impacts related to the closing of the jail.
The lack of incentives and barriers to industrial and business development were common among those looking to develop property in our community. I was told more than once that Dauphin needed good paying jobs that would attract and keep young people here.
What I found was that it was hard to pinpoint the one “biggest” issue facing Dauphin. What I did conclude was that the biggest issue wasn’t a singular issue at all – but a lack of a collective vision for our future.
What this means to me is this, our community needs a clear and concise plan that identifies, quantifies and prioritizes all the “biggest” issues presented to me by the public. Our last Council developed a strategic plan in 2021. That plan identified five major goals, with the third being public engagement and awareness. However, the planning process used by the City did not actually engage the community to include their input, or provide them with any awareness of their activity, thus it is incomplete.
If elected Mayor the first step I will take is to bring Council, staff and the public together to revise and complete our strategic plan. This will be achieved by holding a community consultation meeting where Council hears and engages the public. As a new Council, prioritizing community initiatives should be our primary focus.
The current plan outlines the City’s vision, mission and mandate but it does not include specifics on how any of the objectives would be achieved. Newly elected Council members will hold their own beliefs of what should happen in the next four years, but I believe it is equally important that public input be included to validate future actions we take together as a community.
We need a completed strategic plan that clearly outlines what we want as a community and how we are going to achieve it. Elect me on Oct. 26th and I’ll make sure it happens.
Kerri Riehl
The biggest issue facing Dauphin is the lack of efficient and principled municipal governance.
The City of Dauphin is an incorporated business. Municipalities are bound by laws and legislation. Under the Manitoba Municipal Act, councils are democratically accountable to the citizens they serve despite any differences of opinions, beliefs, or their socioeconomic status. All citizens are equal stakeholders in our community.
A role of council is to listen and engage with the public while considering the best interests of the entire community. Nepotism has no place on councils.
All councillors must have the opportunity to have an equal voice, and only all of council can make decisions for the municipality.
Council is the decisionmaker of policy while administration implements the policies decided upon by council. In other words, “council steers the boat and administration rows.”
Realistically, this is a system closest to the people where citizens can have the greatest impact. I believe the system and the Act to be efficient and effective. My experience, however, having served on Dauphin city council, was not as described above.
There is a historical stagnant culture of saying “this is the way things are and the way it’s always been done.” I believe this is often a justification for doing little or nothing. Those councillors who do not engage have abandoned their responsibility to advance real change. In 1986 when I went to the U of M to study Criminology, Dauphin’s population was 8,875. In 2016 the population was 8,457. In 2021 our population was 8,368. The data is quite clear. The status quo has not worked.
How would I address this?
My council experience, my term as deputy-mayor, and filling in for the mayor during his absence has given me the experience and understanding necessary to lead our city.
I have studied to become proficient in the Manitoba Municipal Act and will promote accountability, transparency, and guarantee efficient and principled politics.
I will set regular office hours at city hall ensuring accessibility to the public. Quarterly town hall meetings will be held. The citizens of Dauphin will have many opportunities to become involved in the decision making process.
Council will receive orientation training. Ongoing training opportunities will be provided to ensure competency. My expectations are that all of council will have an equal voice without exception.
Advocacy to gain funding at the provincial and federal levels will be sought at every opportunity.
My goal is to achieve effective services, financial stewardship, and use of resources.
I have a long-term vision for our community and am committed to seeing that vision become a reality as mayor of Dauphin.
I believe good governance increases Dauphin’s chances of “effectively meeting the needs of its people thereby creating conditions where all citizens can lead meaningful, prosperous and happy lives.”
Old school friendships always seem to fade away
By Ed Stozek
For the Herald
While watching an episode of Family Feud one of the questions made me think about high school. Steve Harvey asked the show’s contestants how many friends from high school does a typical adult keep in touch with? It was surprizing that out of the 100 people surveyed the top answer was zero.
During my three-years of attending Grades 10 to 12 at the Elphinstone Collegiate, class sizes were relatively small and I got to know most of the students at the school.
A new crop of Grade 9 students was officially welcomed in early September during Freshie Days. Dressed up in Hawaiian themed costumes they participated in a variety of initiation activities.
We all had a favourite group of individuals to “hang out with.” During recess and noon hour we often walked the hallways or sat at the back of the classroom, discussed a variety of topics and listened to our favourite music.
School dances provided more social interaction. Three of my school friends learned to play some popular rock songs. Instead of listening to 45 rpm records at the school dance, we were privileged to have them play for us. Since the caretaker did not want marks left by shoes on the gymnasium floor, students were asked to remove their foot wear at these dances. Our vigilant elderly caretaker often pointed to our feet and reminded us, “No shoes.”
Prior to the Christmas holidays each class decorated their own room.
Our Grade 12 room was judged as the best decorated and we were rewarded with a box of oranges and two boxes of chocolate. On Dec. 23 our school held an all-day Christmas party starting with a curling bonspiel. Those students who did not curl spent their day skating and playing broomball. In the evening everyone watched the film, “The Tale of Two Cities.” After the film, gifts were exchanged and the evening came to a successful end.
Organized intramural sports included volleyball, basketball, curling and badminton. They provided an avenue for us to exert physical activity during noon hour. We also participated in other “non-organized activities.”
One day a classmate brought two pairs of boxing gloves to school. During noon hour the equipment room became a boxing ring.
Dennis, a very strong specimen of physical ability challenged me to a round of boxing. Luckily, I had watched some of Mohammed Ali's moves and was able to evade most of the punches.
In June, the dreaded provincial exams were administered. The exams determined if one passed or failed the subject. Since exams were written in the morning there was no need to take the school bus and spend a whole day at school. Instead, I drove my parent’s car and was home by noon to help out with the farm work or study for the next exam. It was a great feeling to drive home after the last exam. It was even more exciting when the exam results arrived via Canada Post and passing grades were achieved.
Our grad class in 1970 coincided with Manitoba's centennial and that year we became the proud recipients of Elphinstone Collegiate’s Spirit of 70 yearbook.
In his principal’s message, Mr. Garry Bochinski noted, “Few books which you will ever own have the lasting value of this Centennial Yearbook. Its true value will only be realized in retrospect. Ten years from now as you page through this book you will again relive the events of this school year. The sound of the nine o'clock bell, the exchange of opinions over a controversial lecture, the noisy bus ride home, the excitement of planning for the spring prom, all of these make you feel the significance of these vital years.”
Mr. Bochinski's words were very true.
1970 marked the end of high school and the beginning of a new phase in my life.
Our graduating class all had different interests and we went our separate ways. It is always interesting to peruse the E.C.I. yearbook, wonder where my schoolmates ended up and reflect upon the highlights of a school year from over 50 years ago.
Sadly, the answer to the question on Family Feud turned out to be true.
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Special Dauphin Kings Section
The special Dauphin Kings section can be found in the May 17th edition of the
Dauphin Herald!
PMH: Winter storm may impact services
via PMH
Prairie Mountain Health is advising the public that the upcoming Winter Storm / Blizzard may cause weather related services delays or cancellations of client appointments and / or scheduled events.
Please Call Ahead!
Before leaving your home, please call your health-care provider to confirm your appointment.
Home Care Clients are encouraged to activate their backup plans with family members and friends.
Clients can cancel or postpone visits by contacting the After hours line at: North: 1-833-620-0316 South: 1-855-644-0399 Central: 1-833-578-2325 For all emergencies, call 911.
Power outages can occur during blizzards and Manitobans are encouraged to prepare basic emergency kits with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.
More information is available at: www.manitoba.ca/emo/prepare/kit.html#basic.
Parkland Shopper delivery to be delayed
Due to the winter storm that is expected to hit the Parkland beginning tonight, delivery of the Parkland Shopper will be delayed.
The Parkland Shopper is normally delivered on Thursdays, but because of the coming storm, delivery is expected to be delayed.
In the interest of ensuring the safety of our carriers and delivery drivers, they will have the option of delivering the Parkland Shopper to households in the area between Thursday and Saturday.
If you wish to pick up your Shopper, Thursday, you may pick it up at the Shopper box located outside our entrance.
The mail must go through, no matter what
Jack and Edna Secord took over the six rural mail routes operated by Cliff Norton on Oct. 1, 1949. On that day they were at the post office at 6:45 a.m. sorting and tying the mail into bundles for easier handling and loading it into the car for the morning route.
Delivery was scheduled for three routes per day. Each route was done three times a week, averaged 35-to-45 mail boxes and took 1-1/2 to 2 hours to complete. Then it was back to the post office to pick up the mail for the next route. Typically, the day ended by 4 p.m..
“Our first route was a nightmare. The roads were terrible. Half of the mailboxes had no names on them. I had never gone around the routes, so I had lots to learn in a hurry.” (December 7, 1993, Dauphin Herald)
That year the winter was very severe with a great deal of snow. Jack started out using a car but he knew that he would need a vehicle that could handle heavy roads. He went to Winnipeg and bought a bombardier designed to go over snow banks. He paid $3,960 and it was the first of its kind in Dauphin. The first winter the bombardier put the Secords $1,200 in the hole, but it did get the mail through and proved its value in the community.
The phone rang day and night with people needing the service of the bombardier. Many calls were from people with someone sick and requiring to get to a doctor or the hospital.
The bombardier often freighted people to do business, freighted cream and eggs to town and groceries and tobacco back for those who couldn’t get to town.
The idea was that if people needed help one tried to help them. As a result, the people on the route reciprocated. Their doors were never locked and if Jack and Edna had trouble and needed to use the phone they just walked in.
“I had many scary trips. On one mail route southwest of Dauphin there was a note in the mailbox to come to the house because they needed help. I found a little child in convulsions, turning blue. I remembered my grandma saying dunking a child in water as hot as he could bear would bring him out of it. That’s what we did and it worked. Then they wrapped the baby well, took him to the bombardier and to the hospital as fast as we could go. The mother stayed at the hospital with the baby and I had to go back and finish the mail route.”
Delivering the mail ended up as a family affair. When Jack took on the contract to deliver the mail to Swan River from 1960 to 1965, Edna handled the rural routes and was often accompanied by her children. Carol, Greg and Judy took their turns helping when they were not in school. Edna had an orange crate for them to sit on so that they could reach the car window and put the mail into the box.
For deliveries on Saturday to Swan River, Carol recalled getting up at 5 a.m. to get ready to accompany her father. They dropped mail off at communities including Ethelbert, Garland, Pine River and Minitonas. Since Jack knew the owner of the store at Garland they often stopped for a break and had a soda. At Swan River they ate their bagged lunch in the truck.
Throughout their 44 years of delivering the mail the Secords wore out 25 vehicles. In spite of the poor roads during the 1950s they had no serious accidents.
They did slide into mail boxes on slippery roads and were once surrounded by a herd of elk near the Park.
Flat tires also posed delays. On one occasion Edna removed the flat tire and found that the spare was also flat. She had to walk a mile to the nearest farm to get a pump. Luckily, the farmer came to help her.
Oct, 29, 1993 marked the final day for the countless miles and adventures when Jack and Edna delivered the mail for the last time.