Honestly the hardest thing to do here is going to be to figure out a smooth transition from one thought to another. But anyone who knows me, knows that’s just how it goes with me. So here goes.... I wasn’t surprised.

Not one little, tiny bit. In fact, I was FULLY expecting to see a retort of some kind from the council after Shelley Napier came out here to meet with the people of our communities. Really, I expected it a bit sooner but public relations and spin does take a while. I knew that they’d have to try and discredit her. And me. And this paper. Sadly, over the past three years, that’s what I’ve come to expect of this council. It would have been so much easier - so much more graceful to just admit your mistakes, fix them and move on. But no. Please remember, no one asked Mrs. Napier to come here. Or paid her. She was here on her own accord, because, I feel - no, actually I KNOW - that she feels that the people of the communities within this municipality should treated with more respect by their mayor and councilors and the administration who is supposed to be under their control. And, as she said - in that huge long article - which was more of a transcription of her words that anything else - this was something that she had to say.

That, quite possibly she’d been too nice (anyone who had shown up at that meeting would have seen that - councilors included - only Estha Baseley was there). That her staff was angry. That they wanted her to sue this municipality but that’s not how she works. Which makes sense. For decades she’s been working for the people of municipalities across the country. She’s in the business of making their lives easier and safer. So she had nothing to gain from taking time out of her very busy schedule to come here and talk to us - nor does she now have anything to gain. Aside from the truth, as she said, she has no dog in this fight.. Not then, not now. Nothing but honesty and, I think, to put a bit of closure to this now increasingly ridiculous chapter of our lives. You can see read about that in her Letter to the Editor that starts on page 3 (not the usual space - but our pages are a little full this week so there’s been plenty of shifting around.) So..... back to this ‘letter thing’ from council. I was expecting it for a bunch of reasons. First, as you know, way back in.... July, it think it was - the council started talking about suing the town newspaper. I can’t go back and look because the last time I checked, sets of council minutes are missing off the website.

Read the full editorial in this week's Russell Banner!

A country rock singer songwriter, JR Charron says he grew up in Binscarth on simple straight forward music.

Four chords and the truth. He’s been called the small town boy with the big voice.

While he’s been making music of one kind or another since he was a teen, his art has really come together in a big way over the last few years.

Read the full story in this week's Russell Banner!

Looking at the list of teachers for the three Park West division schools in our area, it’s heartwarming when you realize how many teachers are past graduates who have chosen to come home and share their time and talent with our students.

Christine MacIsaac Ushey and her daughter Zoe Anne, both graduates of Major Pratt, will be teaching junior high students in classrooms next door to one another this year.

Standing at the base of the main stairs in Major Pratt, they’re holding a picture of Christine’s mom Anne MacIsaac who was a beloved teacher of English in Major Pratt for many years.

The family continues to be inspired by Doug MacIsaac who was the superintendent of Pelly Trail School Division throughout the 1970’s.

Get more in this week's Russell Banner!

The council of Russell Binscarth met on Aug 25th in council chambers in Russell for their second regular meeting of the month.

This meeting drew 29 spectators to the chambers and the lobby of the buildng.

While Councillor Baseley brought a number of questions to the floor the highlight - which will be dealt with later in this acticle, were the delgegation to council brought forward by Mrs. Jamie Bradshaw, as printed on page 2.

Councillor Cadieux also fulfilled a promise made at the last meeting after Len Derkach brought an issue to floor with a delegation pertaining to a resolution brought forward by Councillor Cadieux that banned Mr. Len Derkach and Mr. Nick Foisy from running in the upcoming election. (See coverage of this meeting and Derkach’s delegation in Aug. 16th issue of The Russell Banner.)

Read more details in this week's Russell Banner!

Anyone who is lucky enough to have known Barb Dow knows she’s sharp as a tack with a faultless memory and a sense of humor matched by no other. 

So it comes as no surprise to her pals - old and new -  that Barbara B. Dow decided to write a children’s book at the age of (almost) ninety one. 

Barb’s foray into writing came after she moved from her beloved Russell where she and her husband Jack owned and ran a Hardware Store for years. If you’re old enough, you might remember Barb as sweet and funny secretary for Major Pratt School.

You can read the rest of the story in the July 19th edition of The Russell Banner!

Parade Marshall Eva Barker with friend Marg Fraser