by STEPHAN BURNETT, Weyburn Review Editor
In Monday's regularly scheduled City Council meeting Weyburn's aldermen voted 5-2 against allowing alcohol to be served during Red Wings games.
Rudachyk asked council whether he should be excused from the discussion because of his connection,as business manager with the Red Wings. Alderman Michael Pickering however, pointed out that Rudachyk's knowledge of the Red Wings organization would be appreciated and asked him to stay during the discussion. With no objectors, Rudachyk elected to stay.
Alderman Ray Hamm spoke of how he moved notice to the issue but immediately pronounced he would be voting against it. Hamm said he had initial doubts to the original proposal but felt the discussion should be provided a wider public dialogue, so he made the original notice of intention.
"Since then I've had a number of people speak and I've only heard opposition to the idea and I'm voting against it," said Hamm.
Alderman Debra Button then asked Rudachyk to define exactly when the spirits and alcohol would be sold.
Rudachyk replied there had been some confusion and misinterpretation surrounding this issue.
"The alcohol would be served only between Periods 1 and 2, and 2 and 3 and for one hour after the post game," said Rudachyk.
"The whole thing came about because of the 20 to 30 age group," said Rudachyk, adding many in that age group had responded they did not attend the games because of a lack of alcohol. Rudachyk added that if council approved the idea of serving alcohol, the Red Wings would next have to seek approval from the Saskatchewan Gaming and Liquor Commission who would then advertise the concept once again, and anyone with objections would have another chance to come forward.
Alderman Button then asked Rudachyk how many alcohol tickets a person could purchase at any point in time. Rudachyk replied the most alcohol tickets a person could buy at one point in time would be two tickets.
Alderman Pickering then reflected the views he had heard from his constituents. Pickering asked whether the Red Wings organization had considered any additional security; and whether that would offset revenue.
"There's going to be more kids and we're selling spirits at the same time, many of the people I've talked to have said they'd rather see ticket prices raised $1."
Pickering concluded that he's lived in quite a few cities, some that offer alcohol at hockey games and others that do not, and he concluded, "there is always one bad apple in the bunch that will spoil it for the rest."
Rudachyk answered that all security personnel for the Red Wings games volunteer.
"They're the best security forces in the league," said Rudachyk, later admitting any problems that occurred last year came at playoff time as a result of fans having drank alcohol prior to the game.
Alderman Marlene Nedelcov and Alderman Ray Wahl then served notice they would be voting against the proposition.
Alderman Button pointed out the Weyburn Curling Club has been licensed for many years.
"I feel it should be the parents responsibility to explain to their children the effects of alcohol within a social situation," said Button.
Mayor Don Schlosser then supplied his opinion.
"Between the people I've talked to there have been 22 families against it and four in favor. I've received three letters from church groups, the City Police have contacted me with their concerns, and security people (volunteers at Red Wings games) are concerned this could be a problem." Schlosser also outlined how if people had the opportunity to drink then they would want to be able to smoke; he also stated there were some businesses in Weyburn that pay considerable taxes to the City and this is the way they make their living. Because of these considerations Mayor Schlosser stated he would be voting against the resolution.
Rudachyk then stated the Red Wings organizations' feelings would not be hurt if the alcohol-serving idea was struck down.
The vote was then taken and the idea to introduce drinking at the Colosseum was struck down by a vote of 5-2 with Button and Rudachyk being the lone supporters of the idea.
At the top of the meeting Council welcomed Don Kossick to council. Kossick, a representative for the Council of Canadians, made a presentation on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI).
Kossick explained the MAI could have a substantial impact on the governance of municipal councils and could "seriously erode civic power."
Kossick also stated the MAI "basically puts the rights of transnational companies ahead of community-coalition groups," later suggesting if council were supplying grants to local companies, the MAI might force council to supply the same grants to international firms.
The MAI might also curtail the power local councils have to make changes in zoning bylaws, Kossack explained.
Kossick then explained how the provincial government has formally come out against the MAI, in its present form, and he also explained how the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has also passed a resolution which went against the MAI.
Kossick then asked for and received council's unanimous approval on a resolution. The motions asks the federal government not to enter into any agreement which would infringe upon municipal governments' current powers and further expressed a wish that the federal government cease and desist exploring the MAI further.
The council discussed the South Central Health District Foundation's quest for additional board members. Any person interested in serving as a board member for the Foundation may contact Gail Mehler, coordinator for the South Central Health District Foundation Inc.
John Frederick asked for but did not receive an extension for the demolition order for 417 Pine St. Frederick is convalescing in Regina General Hospital after a recent illness and asked for the demolition order to be extended, but on a 6-1 vote, council turned down his request.
Council received four bids from Regina-based companies for the acquisition of one 2.5 cubic yard, four-wheel drive articulated loader, to include a forklift with a quick attach system for fast and easy changeover from the bucket to forklift. The lowest bidder was Redhead Equipment Ltd. based out of Regina which will charge $111,760 for the front-end loader/forklift.
City commissioner Bob Smith reported negotiations for a contract with Serco which will conclude on December 31, 1999 have ended. The contract has been forwarded to Council and City Solicitors for comments. On July 3, a letter was forwarded to the Weyburn Professional Fire Fighter's Association requesting that negotiations resume to conclude a new collective agreement. To date there has been no response.
A memorandum was received from Serco explaining increased rates for the 1998-99 season at the Weyburn Leisure Centre, Weyburn Colosseum and the Sports Arena. The letter, received from acting general manager, Shauna Bourassa, detailed that last year's proposed six per cent increase had been implemented, stating it was half of what was required over a two-year period, with the remainder to be implemented in the 1998-99 season.
The recommendation of rates brought forward for this year reflect approximately a six per cent increase. The increase is in keeping with Council's mandate to recover 50 per cent of revenue. For the period Aug. 1, 1997 to July 31, 1998 the revenue recovery for recreational and cultural services is calculated to be 43.88 per cent. By gradually increasing rates, the revenue produced should keep the budgeted 44 per cent recovery for 1998 and 45 per cent for 1999, on target, wrote Bourassa.
Mayor Don Schlosser provided his congratulations to the host committee Canadian Senior A Men's Baseball Championship. "I commend them for the job that they did. I talked a lot to people from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and they were all very happy." Alderman Pickering echoed the mayor's sentiments adding the tournament provided a $250,000 capital injection into the city. Alderman Rudachyk added his congratulations to city staff and provided a direct compliment to city engineer Bob Kinash. Earlier in the meeting Rudachyk expressed his best wishes to Dick Thompson who had acted as the animal-control officer for many years. The Weyburn Humane Society will now supply animal-control personnel for a $1,000 per month fee.
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