Over the last while vandalism again raised its ugly head here in Meota. This time the regional park was the scene of the activities that led to the culprits damaging one of the doors on the camp kitchen and leaving deposits in the toilets that are out of commission for the winter. The door they bashed in is not just a regular door, but one that someone built to a much stronger set of specs than are usual. The culprits had to use significant force to break the outer panel of heavy plywood to get in. Unfortunately, the building is isolated enough their antics and the noise generated would not catch the attention of anyone who might have alerted authorities. It just means volunteer time that could have gone towards better goals was wasted on unnecessary repairs.
There have also been a few cases where members of the ADRA board have caught local youth in the warm up shack at the skating rink consuming alcoholic beverages or abusing the facility. I don't know for sure, but there is some belief the incident at the park was also carried out by local residents and this leads to a problem that needs to be solved.
First and foremost there is no form of bylaw enforcement or regular policing. When things are happening here and calls go in to the RCMP detachment in North Battleford a timely response that would do justice to the problem cannot be achieved. It also seems that they are not interested in policing local bylaws since they are often too busy with more critical problems. We, in essence, have had no one making sure these bylaws, which are there for the benefit of all residents, are being adhered to. For a long time, village bylaws have gone unheeded fostering, in some cases, a belief anyone can do whatever they want here. This is especially evident in visitors who camp out in the campground. Last fall the field next to the campground was heavily littered with the refuse that remains after fireworks have been set off. This, along with the quad trails running through the crop, were quite a nuisance to the harvest process. In fact, it cost the farmer an expensive swather tire when a broken whiskey bottle destroyed it. He also had to spend considerable unnecessary time cleaning up before he could harvest the crop.
To solve these types of problems the village is working to have a bylaw enforcement officer set in place to work towards curbing these types of infringements on the community as a whole. Cochin has hired a person in this role and Meota Village Council is negotiating to have this person cover Meota as well. These talks are not complete so when the enforcement will come into effect is not known. They are hoping it will be soon and so are many of the residents who are getting tired of the problems.
In Kaiser play over the last while, Dec. 29, Jean Gansauge took first place with Ken Tucker coming second, Anna Tucker placing third and Fred Gansauge following in fourth place. Jan. 5, first went to Anna Tucker, Jean Gansauge placed second, Beulah Corbeil came in third and Ken Tucker placed fourth.
In bridge action over the last couple of weeks, Jan. 3, in duplicate play, Bea Novlan and Ross Morton took first with Jette and Terrence DaSilva taking second spot. Jan. 10, again in duplicate play, first went to Marg Dyck and Fraser Glen with Bea Novlan and Ross Morton coming in second. In contract bridge action Jan. 2, first went to Frank Antoine and second place was garnered by Eric Callbeck. Jan. 9, they went head to head with Jette DaSilva placing first and Robert Iverson taking second.
Jan. 6 in canasta play, the winning team was Murray McCrimmon and Beulah Corbeil.
Quote: "Laws in society are made to protect the majority of society from those narcissistic individuals who have the belief that the rest of us exist only to serve their narrow minded purposes." Unknown
