The Excitement Continues...

Many visitors to our community over the past couple of weeks. Our MLA, Gerard Jennissen travelled to Leaf Rapids accompanied by Steve Ashton, Minister of InterGov't Affairs & his daughter Niki Ashton, federal NDP candidate for the Churchill riding. The three had been touring the Manitoba north, with stops as remote as Tadoule Lake, where apparently the plane left the runway and ended up in a ditch. While in Leaf Rapids, they met with local govt and toured the Gardening Project, including a stop at the Greenhouse built by Chuck Stensgard & Bob Buschau back in the 70's. Mr Jennissen mentioned a possible forum of northern individuals, with expertise in a variety of fields, to come up with new ideas for northern sustainable development. It was a positive to see politicians take a moment to visit our community.

contact Gerard Jennissen, MLA Flin Flon Riding ffoffice@mts.net p204.687.3367 (Flin Flon office) 1.800.282.8069 x2936 Manitoba Legislature office

Chuck hosts the NDP Northern Tour @ the LREC School Greenhouse

Niki Ashton visits Mackison Square Gardens, but alas, no Elton John

Walter is reunited with his long lost sibling, Gerard Jennissen

"Let's do it."

"Right now. We need it."

A meeting was held at the LREC on 22Mar07 with the goal of discussing issues related to our school. It turned out to be a forum of issues facing our community as a whole. It was evident from the outset that there were many interested parties in the room who all believe in Leaf Rapids' ability to respond to the challenges thrust upon us by the Ruttan Mine closure.

The Amisk Centre Director, Brad Stoneman, spoke often, admirably it must be noted, on some of the social issues. One comment that grabbed me was his challenge to the Frontier School Division Superintendent, Gordon Shead, as well as to all of us in the room, when he respond to facing these challenges by saying, "Let's do it."

Another one of the attendees, Leaf Rapids Mayor Ed Charrier, spoke on numerous occasions, addressing some of these issues as well. His tone was serious and determined. He wants to see our community not only survive, but to thrive as well. One of the Mayor's comments that caught my attention in particular was in response to government agencies dragging their collective feet. He stated in unequivocal terms that Leaf Rapids requires these vital services. In his own words, "Right now. We need it."

The talented and passionate group that came together for this meeting has decided to embark on what I call a Working Together WorkGroup. The objective of the group, with the deft facilitation of Dale Seddon, Leaf Rapids CEDO, is to draft a 3-5 year plan on how the community will deal with and reconcile the widespread social issues that permeate our local culture and the resulting negative effect on both our education system and the heart and soul of Leaf Rapids.

All of us need to find a way to work together. Hatchets need to be buried, differences must be put aside for the future of our children and the community. Will we agree on everything? What community has total consensus? Well some, but odds are they are geographically located in a country governed by a fascist dictator. No, we will still be at odds over issues, but it is the act of moving to common ground where individuals can state their opinion in a respectful public forum. This approach and nothing short of it, will mobilize the population to take up the challenge. We have amazing untapped resources in our version of small town Canada and I'm not talkin' iron ore or zinc. I'm speaking of the unexploited human resources. Tackling the deep rooted problems in our community head on will require everyone making a colossal effort to find that common ground. What could be more common ground than that upon which we all walk. Sure the common ground is a huge sand esker, sure it is under 10' of snow right now, but it is our sand esker and we love it. The question is, do we love it enough to put aside differences, learn to respect each other and work together?

My answer? I'm all in... always have been, always will be.

I was just checking my email when I noticed a google alert about Leaf Rapids. It was an article in the Globe & Mail about the shopping bag ban Leaf Rapids Town Council is about to approve. There is a quote from the Town Administrator, Bond Ryan.
Mr Ryan tells the Globe, "The big issue is not to be the first. It's to take a stand.” So I'm reading this and thinking, wow, this guy deserves a compliment, an acknowledgement of his environmental efforts.

So, congratulations Mr Ryan, Mayor & Council on an important environmental initiative. I couldn't agree more, it is time to take a stand.

Well done! I thank you & Gaia thanks you...

Leaf Rapids "Need To Know" Campaign



Wow, what a deal. As of 01Mar07, Leaf Rapids loses the tax dollars from the 66 properties once held in the CMHC portfolio. Leaf Rapids also loses the Care & Maintenance revenue from CMHC. The reintroduction of 66 properties into an already dismal real estate market is the stuff Harvard case studies are made of. Due to a complete lack of communication or involvement between the community and the local governing body, many are left wondering who our new neighbours will be. Let's explore the options:

1. Will homes be sold to wealthy Americans & Albertans who only visit the community for a few days once a year? GW Bush lovin' Mr Lahey & Randy would love that scenario. The configuration of well heeled Yanks & the nouveau rich 'Bertans would be devastating to the local economy. Sure the muni govt would be all smiles, but local industry and social based services see a virtual ZERO return.

2. Diavik or another fly in mine could 'snap' up homes and bring families here to live while daddy or mommy fly out for work, but that requires a hell of a sales job equivalent to selling the recipe for ice cubes to the Inuit. Sure Leaf Rapids looks nice, it should since our muni payroll is 85% care & maintenance (Great job on the roads guys, btw), but start scratching the surface and we have significant dysfunctional obstacles for families to overcome for relocation, not the least of which is a lack of transparency in local govt. You gotta be Superman to get anything outta these despots.
*editors note: Leaf in Brief is a good initiative towards communication, openness & transparency, but the accuracy and editorial bias require major adjustments.

3. A Leaf Rapids Home Purchasing Plan (LRHPP) is the logical, sustainable development option. Reaching out to those who want to live here but have difficulty purchasing homes will provide an endless list of potential candidates. This demographic is local or regional, often with family already in the community or in the north. No need to negotiate through Bands/First Nations, go directly to the people who are dealing with a housing crisis.

What is the criteria for determining who will live in our community? Will we reach past our local/regional family & neighbours to roll out the red carpet for Yanks & 'Bertans? Or will we get down to the task of building our community social infrastructure so we are an appealing community to family oriented home seekers?


Tomorrow... We try to make sense of the deal points between our community & CMHC. Did the LRCDC buy the homes as reported or is it the Town of Leaf Rapids? Who is guiding us through this process and do they have the skills to make this move a success?

Stay Wired...

"...Aggressive municipal government measures to protect our environment."

How?

Banning garbage bags. Great decoy. How about the pollution particulates from burning trailers. More pollution is created from the burning of one trailer than 20 years of shopping bags. Pollutant particulates that have a diameter of less than 0.1 microns are defined as "ultrafine particles" — particles so small they can easily deposit deeply into the lungs, agitating asthma and some cardiovascular illnesses. Lung cancer and heart disease are commonly known as diseases related to high exposure of ultrafine particles that can be inhaled.
Our children inhale this. Not too many children inhaling shopping bags...



Mr Lahey, our mayor, is a big fan of George Dubya. No wonder Leaf Rapids' new motto is Albertans & Americans are IN, Aboriginals and those on Assistance are OUT.

Who is on the B of D for the LRCDC? Seems they have been making decisions about the future of our community behind closed doors. Transparency? Community Involvement? George Orwell?

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Sunday, March 04, 2007

A sunny -30 this morning.
There is another chill in the air.
The frigidness that accompanies corruption, discrimination & conflict of interest. Consider for a moment those who actually believe they operate in a state of exemption from recrimination or punishment. Impunity & diplomatic immunity? Struggling with the concept of democracy is a very public and painful process for our elected officials. Like children that just don't know or have not been taught, we must continue to be patient as the decisionmakers catch up to the modern world.

I suggest crossing your fingers vs the breath hold.

CRITICAL MASS HYSTERIA
Hues x Hughes
Contemporary Art Exhibition
National Exhibition Centre
Leaf Rapids.MB
Vernissage: 03Mar07 @ 1400hrs

Scardate: 04Feb07:





1. Nathan CD Release Party!! details below

2. Leaf Rapids, Third World & Supplementary Arguement to SYS DIS (Systemic Discrimination):
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/story/3868546p-4475352c.html
need omar say more? say no more, omar!

3. Leaf Rapids School Protest:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2007/01/30/leaf-rapids.html

4. Mackison Square Gardens: Backyard Rink Contest

Hello friends, it is almost February, the most depressing month of
the year. But no need to snivel in our snickers,as here is some news
sure to put some pizzaz into our pantaloons:

1.Nathan CD Release Party!!

NATHAN's "Key Principles" CD RELEASE PARTY
February 23, 2007
at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg
w/ guests Mike Trike vs. Chords of Canada, and teen rockers Purity

Please come and celebrate with us at this special show with pedal
steel, trumpets, tubas, pianos, whatever we can drag up on stage.
This album will be available in Winnipeg only, until March, when it will
be available digitally. The official Canadian retail release is in
June.

You can buy tickets at Ticketmaster, The West End Cultural Centre,
Music Trader and Into the Music.
Please get them RIGHT AWAY, as a great
many nice people were turned away at the door at our last release
and it broke our hearts. See you there!

step lively, but mind the ice under your feet
love the nathans
nathanmusic.ca

The First Ice in Leaf Rapids!

MACKison Square Gardens



MACKison Square Gardens



Mac's Giant Ice Cube

Do Our Children come First or Last in Leaf Rapids?

No Hockey? Where are we...Portugal?

More numbers for you to consider...
Leaf Rapids has had a 59% reduction in population since 2001, but more importantly, the youth(18 and under) population has only dropped by 28%. Juxtapose this with an overall average recreation budget reduction of 84%.

Not a pretty picture for our children.

Will the leadership of Leaf Rapids continue to ignore our children? Or will they just open the bar?

Stay tuned to the reality show that is Laugh Rapids...

Leaf Rapids Arena is still CLOSED.



We've had querries about the financial information.

Somehow in 2006, without the arena plant online, $85K had been spent by Oct. '06???!!??

$85K??

CDN$85,000.00

So much for hockeyville...