The annual review of the news of the year always reveals a treasure trove of stories, of events that made us stand and applaud, of losses that made us shed tears, and of history-making changes that will alter the fates for local communities.
Looking back, the relay that brought the Olympic torch through St. Paul was an amazing way to start the year. The torch relay created a sense of connection to the games and patriot pride for people who felt as though they were truly part of hosting Canada’s Winter Olympics.
The proposed new medical centre for St. Paul proved to be a hot topic too, as the issue of its east end location became a bone of contention for some who would have preferred to see the clinic moved downtown or perhaps locate in the St. Paul Shopping Centre. Although there was initially some talk of securing funds for the project by the end of this year, clearly, that has not yet happened and the future of the centre is still wrapped in mystery. However, county and town councils have both expressed that pushing forward with this clinic is still a top priority.
Weather proved to create some headline-generating news as well, with an April blizzard that followed a relatively balmy 15-degree spring day, and later summer thunderstorms that tore through the Town and County of St. Paul. The latter was part of a return to normal rain weather through the spring and summer, a welcome respite for producers and residents from years of dryness.
Provincial politicians traipsed through the Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills constituency through 2010, most notably Premier Ed Stelmach, along with ministers such as Gene Zwozdesky and Dave Hancock. But the flip side of that was a visit from Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle Smith and MLA Paul Hinman. Both visits proved to contrast the difference between the PCs, steering the same course in a steady manner, and the Wildrose Alliance, trumpeting the need for change. The stark contrast between the two parties and the rising popularity of the latter sets the stage for a more interesting era in Albertan politics, to say the least.
The appetite for change was demonstrated in municipal elections. Sometimes, these elections can be dry affairs, with the same mayor, reeve and/or councillors elected year after year. But in this year’s election, long-time, experienced local politicians such as Johnnie Doonanco, John Trefanenko and Robert Bouchard failed to win their seats, giving way to newcomers Larry Lofstrand, Don Padlesky and Steve Upham respectively. It’s still unclear how the newcomers will live up to their roles, but their presence on local councils is an indication that people are ready for a fresh, new way of conducting political business.
Then there were the losses, including the May 1 fire that razed the nearly century old Hansen’s Hotel. That fire has been deemed an arson, and 2011 will see the arson suspect appearing in St. Paul Provincial Court. Families such as the Chamberlands and Heathcotes lost their homes to fires, and the Corbieres lost their 16-year-old daughter Brittany to a car accident. However, local residents rallied around the families suffering such losses, and as ever, demonstrated their compassion by providing emotional support and fundraising to help out. It’s fitting that the year will close in St. Paul with a New Year’s Eve benefit dance, demonstrating that at the end of everything, what remains is people and families supporting one another through bad times and good.
Every year, both tragedy and triumphs, hardships and celebrations, play out in the pages of this newspaper, proof that life in rural Alberta is far from dull. Indeed, life here is rich in memory, family, and a sense of community that stamps each story with a personal significance.
As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 commences, one can scarcely doubt that the next year will be equally eventful. We can look forward to seeing progress on the construction of a medical centre, new businesses opening, the rise of a new dawn in Alberta where politics is not dominated by a single party, potentially a federal or provincial election, and as always, the people of St. Paul and area working together to keep making this a great place to live.
