People sometimes feel powerless and voiceless, particularly in the political process, as issues rage on all around them and they think, "I am just one person, who cares about what I have to say?"
The fact of the matter is, every person can have an impact on what happens; politicians do listen to their constituents, and parties listen to voices, especially when there's more than one, united in pushing for a common goal.
Weyburn has some issues that need to have the voice of the people behind it; one is, we need a new acute-care hospital. The need for one has been shown, over and over again, and has been present not just for months, but for years now, and need grows more acute the longer we go without even an announcement of future funding being made.
According to our MLA, Health minister Dustin Duncan, even if we had approval right now for a new hospital, it would be three years or more down the road before it would become a reality - so we're at least that far away, and farther with every year that passes with no word of funding from the government.
The community, and her citizens and business community, have been doing their part; the Weyburn Hospital Foundation has identified at least $14.5 million in funds, both cash-in-hand and in pledges. Consider the short time the Foundation has been working to raise funds, this is impressive, and their work is continuing with a major fundraiser in the works for July in the form of a golf tournament, with many more events and donations and bequests to follow.
The other issue we have facing us is a shortage of doctors; according to the doctors of the Weyburn Health Centre, we are short by some seven physicians for a community of our size. This is disturbing, considering there are doctors with "closed practices", as they are unable to take on any more patients.
There is a community committee in Weyburn whose mandate is to help in the recruitment and retention of doctors; the residents of Weyburn and area need to get behind this committee's work and help, so prospective doctors can see Weyburn is a place worthy of their consideration. We are a place that have people in need of a doctor's attention and care - and we are a family-oriented community that can welcome new families and help them settle in to a new life here.
There is much to do, people, and much to say; will you step up and be a part of it?
