Even being as long of tooth as I am, some government decisions astound me.
The provincial government has announced the elimination of a plan that will save taxpayers one million bucks.
Sounds like we’re onto a good thing, but pursue it a tad further.
The government is going to scrap electronic monitoring of high-risk offenders.
Yep, these criminals now serving their sentences within our communities will no longer have any restriction.
They’ll live just like you and I with total freedom.
But wait, the government is still protecting us.
The government said protection will now be accomplished by phone checks.
Now isn’t that brilliant?
Just phone the murderer and ask are you slitting anyone’s throat?
A ‘no’ answer would no doubt mean continued freedom.
Or does it mean the criminal should phone the government prior to the crime.
I’m going to rob someone now and hang up.
No doubt there’ll be another government plan to cover that.
At our expense of course.
There’s a move afoot to eliminate score keeping for kids under 12 years playing soccer.
I hope Cochrane minor soccer doesn’t buy that.
It’s also being discussed in minor hockey, and it makes no sense there either.
One of the major planks used by those against keeping score is that if there’s no score — there’s no winners or losers.
These folks think losing is difficult for kids and I think that’s dead wrong.
Losing is far more difficult for parents of kids. The kids have it in perspective, parents don’t.
To be well balanced, kids must learn there are successes and failures in life. Just like soccer.
Through minor sports, kids can learn that as in life it’s the effort that counts and not the score.
One of the great fallacies that has plagued minor hockey since its inception is that it’s producing future NHL stars.
It’s not.
It’s providing recreation for kids and should always remain in that concept.
So, I hope they always keep score and keep life in perspective.
And parents can make a great contribution by something so simple.
The next time your kid comes home from a game don’t ask if they scored a goal, ask instead if they had fun.
Better still, be there to watch them have fun and you will make the amazing discovery that if you both have fun and enjoy the game the score doesn’t really matter.
The old hotel is lookin’ good.
One needs a program these days to keep the bar scene straight, but Mark and Michelle who used to have the Texas Gate on Railway Street bought the Rockyview Hotel.
The old Texas Gate is now the BullHorn and the hotel is now the Texas Gate.
Mark and Michelle have made changes at the hotel and there’s more to come.
The ceiling is now black, which makes the metal inlay really standout and the carpet squares on the floor greatly reduces noise and makes it much cleaner.
The restaurant is still undergoing changes and plans are to re-open it in early April.
The Sunday pickin’ jam with Gary and the usual suspects is still on and is as popular as ever.
