The recent attempted abducted kidnapping incident in Yorkton is disturbing and troubling.
It's just so hard to believe that our city may not be safe enough to allow our children to walk a couple of blocks to school. Thankfully, the little girl was able to get away and find help before something really tragic occurred. Meanwhile, this alleged perpetrator is lucky to be still walking/driving around. Somehow he was able to elude authorities, who likely were on the lookout for him in neighbouring communities as well as Yorkton. This should now be a good time to establish with our children, a method of determining whether or not you can trust an adult who approaches you for any reason. There was an incident in Dauphin a few weeks ago whereby the child asked the grown-up for a code word. When the code word wasn't used, the youngster fled.
Speaking of authorities, it has been brought to my attention that my column a couple of weeks ago that mentioned 'quotas' for Yorkton RCMP officers was slightly incorrect from their point of view as management says there is an 'expectation level' as opposed to a 'quota'.
I suppose human nature is to complain when something doesn't go right, so if you experience the polar opposite, then one needs to offer a tip of the hat when applicable. Last week our Mosquito baseball team was playing a doubleheader and my wife decided to bring slushies for 13 boys and several adults in-between games. The young staff at the Super C went above and beyond the call of duty to help make the purchase an enjoyable one. In this day and age of having to search high and low (as well as far and wide) in order to get good help, I really think it's important we single out an experience such as this one.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders finish the preseason 0-and-2 after getting thumped in Calgary on Sunday. No reason to hit the panic button as the Riders really haven't put their play book into effect yet. Remember last year when there was a concern about the defence? Once the regular season started, we saw all kinds of movement and different looks that we never saw during the exhibition. The bottom line is that if John Chick and Stevie Baggs can be replaced adequately, and if Darian Durant continues his ascent toward the top of the CFL quarterback parade, the Riders should be fine.
The Yorkton Terriers held their AGM last week and it was revealed the club has a $90,000 deficit. To this, I say it's time to start making all tickets game specific. I know this is unpopular with fans, but the reality is that the club is losing money at the gate and the same fans that bemoan such a policy are usually the ones coming for free at the expense of a season ticket holder who has missed a game. I have season tickets to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and I will miss the July 1st home opener. I cannot then go and use that ticket somewhere down the line. The same should be true for Terrier tickets. Folks that wait outside the Gallagher Centre in late February handing out free tickets also need to understand they are taking money out of the team's pocket by doing that.
The Terriers are also three spots short of filling the Executive. At the end of the day, they will be filled by three people who are far too busy to do it, but feel a sense of community obligation. There are folks out there who have time and are more than capable. To you, I say step up.
Personally, I'm on the Yorkton Harvest Board of Directors this year and I'm hopeful of being a part of a real strong group that can help give this organization a larger community profile. The team will always be second fiddle to the Terriers and that's fine; but there is no reason why this city can't strongly support a real good Midget 'AAA' program. Game tickets are $6 and most of us would have a hard time getting a fast food meal for that price. Very reasonable entertainment and stay tuned as we are hoping to get a decent fundraiser going that will be enjoyed by sports fans in general, not just Harvest ones.
Nice person mentions this week to David Chorney, Larry Kitchen, Dion Campbell, Dean Brockman, and Debbie Burak.
