The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Back in early April of 2003, local MLA, Gerard Jennissen made an appearance at the Snow Lake Health Center (SLHC). He made a long awaited announcement that would see Manitoba Health provide $300,000 to expand the SLHC and provide an additional two personal care beds within the SLHC. Jennissen explained that the investment in the expansion of the SLHC was part of Manitoba Health's ongoing plan to build on some of the fundamentals of health care. However, the fundamentals got a little more expensive over the spring and summer and it appears the money allotted to the project will likely fall short. The Town Council's representative on the community's District Health Council, Larry Fisher, reported recently that the two-room addition to the hospital has once again been put on hold. It appears that the construction industry is in the midst of a boom, and the estimated present day cost for the work has come in far higher than expected. As a result, it's unlikely that construction on a project as limited in size and scope as this one will begin any time soon. However, Fisher reported that discussions are proceeding. Still on the SLHC, the steps out front of the centre, which were repaired last winter, ended up being replaced during late summer. Concern was expressed when small cracks appeared in the repair work and as a result the decision was made to replace them entirely. The replacement, taken on jointly by the contractor and the Health Authority, will assure safe future access to the centre. In other news, Snow Lake's RCMP Detachment recently gave the community a heads up on an upcoming Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign, which it says is slated for the period between September 22 to October 5, 2003. In announcing it, Corporal Bob MacKnight stated, "Since January 1, 2003, as the result of 46 traffic collisions, in rural Manitoba, there have been 51 deaths. Of those killed, 25 of the 27 were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected from the vehicle." He advised that In the spirit of the RCMP's mission statement of providing "Safe Homes, Communities and Roads" and Transport Canada's "Road Safety Vision 2010" goal of reducing traffic collision injuries and fatalities by 30 %, the Snow Lake RCMP will be participating in the two week provincial enforcement initiative. "Regardless of where, in town or upon the highway, you may be operating or traveling in a vehicle, the law requires that all vehicle occupants be properly restrained," said MacKnight. "From the commencement of this campaign and henceforth, failure to utilize occupant restraints, will result in the issuance of a fine for $100."
