"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.