WILKIE - Another year is almost behind us, proving again to be busy and an incredibly challenging one AT the tail end of COVID and the lifting of all mandates. I feel the staff and our community have handled all the changes and extra cautions in stride and I know will do so until it is behind us. Each and every one of us have played a part in the history of the pandemic. I would like to especially thank all of our health care staff for keeping our community safe.
Its hard to believe the Christmas season is here again and I hope all is well with your family and the past year was good to you. Let us be thankful for our families, friends, neighbours, co-workers and community, for without them we would be unable to create those special memories. Sincere condolences to the families who have lost loved ones due to sickness, war and tragedies in the past year and may their grief be healed with God’s grace.
The community was saddened to hear that our long-term doctor, Dr. Kemp, retired at the end of November. Dr. Kemp has served the community since 1986 and deserves a happy and fulfilling retirement. He and his wife Astrid will be truly missed by the community. The Wilkie Medical Clinic will remain open with Dr. Matta providing care two days a week and town council, the Wilkie and District Health Foundation and the Saskatchewan Health Authority are all working together to bring another full-time doctor to Wilkie and to open up our ER after two and a half years of closure due to the pandemic.
I would like to congratulate Jerel Wood for stepping up to be elected to town council through acclamation. Council and staff look forward to working with Jerel.
The town of Wilkie also welcomes three new employees — Linda Nicholetts as part-time secretary, Connor Piller as assistant administrator and Bobby MacCuish as Public Works manager.
Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the Downtown 2nd Avenue Park. Work is completed for this year and the finishing touches will be completed in the spring. We look forward to hosting events and activities in the park next year and hope the community takes the opportunity to use the park as well.
A warm welcome to all new residents. I hope you enjoy living in Wilkie as much as I do and my best wishes go out to those who are sick or in the hospital this holiday season. I wish everyone a speedy recovery.
The recreation board and town council are actively pursuing fundraising for the new pool and just finished hosting a cabaret event featuring Danny and the Dusters.
I would like to thank Lana and her office staff, Lori and her staff at the community centre and swimming pool and Bobby and his Public Works staff. Your dedication in keeping our community of Wilkie safe and working smoothly throughout the year does not go unnoticed. Thank you.
I hope this season brings with it the promise of peace, goodness, happiness and a sense of comfort. On behalf of my wife Kelly, our families, town council, management and town staff, I wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy new year.
Parents, please remember to give your kids a hug.
