Commentary

Editor: Next month it will be eight years since I retired from teaching.  Life now is a mixture volunteering, music, church activities and a continuing study of politics and history.  But  I am not totally out of teaching:   I often get contracts from the University of Lethbridge to observe student teachers, and this spring [...] Read More »

Editor:  Re: Alberta Municipalities says it still hasn’t been given chance to consult on changes to bill (May 7, 2024). The UCP certainly appears hesitant to consult – with anyone – regarding Bill 20. Call me ill-informed, but I honestly don’t understand the need for this bill in the first place, and the UCP hasn’t, [...] Read More »

Editor:  Re: Alberta Municipalities says it still hasn’t been given chance to consult on changes to bill (May 7, 2024). The UCP certainly appears hesitant to consult – with anyone – regarding Bill 20. Call me ill-informed, but I honestly don’t understand the need for this bill in the first place, and the UCP hasn’t, [...] Read More »

Editor: On April 22, I emailed a letter to the editor, and delivered a copy of it  to City Hall for the attention of Mayor Blaine Hyggen. About three hours after having delivered the letter to City Hall, I  received a three-page letter from a Lethbridge legal firm retained by the LDE in which I [...] Read More »

Editor: More and more, we see paternalistic policy from the UCP. I know many who would benefit from the national pharmacare program: diabetics who cannot afford medications and test supplies who progress to diabetic complications, and those who cannot afford birth control.  Our provincial government claims Albertans have access to programs and do not need [...] Read More »

FROM THE HALL Blaine Hyggen – Mayor of Lethbridge I’m very pleased to begin this month by highlighting a wonderful collaboration between CONCEPT Investment Partners Ltd. (CIPL), Province of Alberta and the City of Lethbridge that will soon bring 50 new housing units to the city.   At The Edwards, located at 1730, 10 Avenue South [...] Read More »

LEAVE IT TO BEEBER Al Beeber – managing editor To start with, I want to say a special thanks to the anonymous reader who dropped off a gift at the office last Friday for my birthday. The reader told Nikki at the front counter she’s a fond reader of my columns and I gather she [...] Read More »

AT THE LEGISLATURE Nathan Neudorf – UCP MLA for Lethbridge East It is no secret that the cost of living is hitting Albertans hard. I hear from constituents every day who are struggling with inflation, unaffordable housing, food insecurity, and other consequences that come with the high cost of living.  This is putting more pressure [...] Read More »

LEAVE IT TO BEEBER Al Beeber – managing editor I made it! I’m officially a senior citizen after turning 65 this week. While I had intended to celebrate by taking a week off as I’ve traditionally done over the years, as you can tell since you’re reading this column that didn’t happen. I couldn’t leave [...] Read More »

LORNE FITCH One definition of a consultant is someone who looks at your watch and tells you what time it is. The recently released consultant’s report— Adaptation Roadmap for the SSRB: Assessment of Strategic Water Management Projects to Support Economic Development in the South Saskatchewan River Basin— is a mirror reflecting back the aspirations of [...] Read More »

ROAST: To city council for wanting to cut police funding: We need all the police we can get to patrol all streets in Lethbridge to control the crime rate. More police on the streets and less criminals. One way to do this is when you have extra money don’t build or renovate any arts centre, [...] Read More »

TOAST: On behalf of many, I’d like to express sincere appreciation to the lovely little musical family who provides All Saints parishioners with a number of uplifting spiritual pieces at the Sunday morning Mass. While singing is not allowed during these COVID-19 days, their music feeds our hearts and our souls as we offer up [...] Read More »

TOAST: To the Blood Tribe for sponsoring the COVID commercials. More people need to pay attention. ROAST: Wow. Do as I say, not as I do. Re: Turning Point photo opp at city hall in Lethbridge Herald, Nov. 17, page A2. Great to see all wearing masks but what happened to social distancing. All of [...] Read More »