City Notebook: Could it be? A light at the end of the tunnel?

By COLLIN GALLANT on June 19, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Monday is the first full day of summer, but we finally heard Friday that the province will lift restrictions on Canada Day.

Could it possibly be that we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after a year and a bit with life-as-usual on hiatus?

“You betcha,” according to the provincial government, but the answer is much closer to “probably.”

Lessons of the past, and from other jurisdictions wrestling the peaks and valleys of COVID response lead one to believe we’re not out of the woods yet. But, cases are dropping, and good. Tensions, both internal and external, are waning. However with a hard stop to health restrictions (the government’s thorniest issue) announced a few weeks back (at the government’s low point in popularity), you can understand the skepticism.

Time will tell however.

Time may also be the best balm for a series of all-too-immediate political crisis that popped up and down on a weekly basis over the last year.

Will any of that stick, or rather float away this summer as we emerge and get “back to normal” as the signs at press conferences say.

Time will tell.

Priorities

If the pandemic is over, lets agree to keep a few souvenirs:

Stay safe – What’s the harm in washing your hands, or generally considering the well-being of others? It would be ironic that after the largest public health effort in history people need to be reminded not to drink and drive, or text and drive.

Say hi – Admit it, you probably didn’t know your neighbours names before March 2020, but now have some sense of everyone who lives on your block.

Walking – If a box of cigars in a closet is a cure for a youngest curious about smoking, then the pandemic has hopefully taught us all something about living life on a couch in front of a television. “The idiot box” (as my Grade 3 teacher called it) plays such a central role in life today, along with smart phones that are supposed to inform and aid us, but more often than not simply hypnotize.

Get out, get moving, enjoy.

Support local (business) – It’s a sentiment that’s been around for a while, and hard to argue against, but one that’s open to backsliding when money is tight, you want to order online, or just aren’t thinking.

Support local (workers) – The economy wouldn’t turn without rank and file workforce and consumers spending their dollars.

Support local (charities) – Times are tight for some, flush for others, but we’ve all saved the cost of at least one tank of gas over the last 16 months. Why not cut a $50 cheque today to help local agencies and community groups do their important work?

Tis the season

It’s only mid-June, and after crushing heat for a few days already, Hatters are no doubt getting an inkling of worry about rain, hail or worst on the horizon.

Those who rush to the weather radar maps on Environment Canada’s website are now seeing an updated format after national radar station upgrades have moved ahead over the last few years, including one at the local station near Schuler. That doubled the effective range from 120 to 240 kilometres, and creates greater overlap with other stations.

A look ahead

City council meets Monday to discuss minor matters including a preview of a new parks and recreation masterplan, and potentially one of the final regularly scheduled COVID-19 update from city hall emergency officials.

The city’s first financial statements of 2021 will be presented after winding their way through audit committee last week.

100 years ago

Medicine Hat became the focus of an uproarious national political scene as top officials from two parties arrived in town to support byelection candidates, the News reported in June 1921.

Progressive movement leader T.A. Crerar packed the Empress Theatre for farmer candidate Robert Gardiner, while government labour minister told a crowd at the Orange Hall that Tory candidate Nelson Spencer could help grow farm and industrial home industries side by side.

In provincial politics, the Alberta Liberal party would hold its annual convention in Medicine Hat and Redcliff at the end of the month.

Local organizers promoted the upcoming appearance of a 300-horsepower Fiat racing auto at Dominion Day races, dubbed the “Gasoline Fiesta” connected to the annual agricultural fair.

The new head office of the Wrigley chewing gum company, standing 16 storeys with a 308-foot spire, was officially opened in Chicago.

King George opened parliament in Northern Ireland in a show of strength following months of rioting in Ireland.

Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com.