It’s that great time of year when experts around the world make predictions and suggestions for the coming year.
The saving grace is nobody has ever really checked to see how many come true. My guess is very few. Some predictions of course are genuine and others are simply fun so let’s have a go.
• Sometime in 2013 Elvis will be spotted having won-ton at the Cochrane Cafe.
• The Calgary Flames will not win the Stanley Cup in 2013.
• The Calgary Flames won’t even play in 2013.
• Alberta Premier Allison Redford will blame low oil prices for the Flames’ problems. And why not, every other problem in her life she blames on low oil prices.
• Prime Minister Harper will preach about law and order and immediately the federal Tories will break all sorts of laws just to get re-elected.
• Hopefully Mayor McBride will realize something during 2013 that if your house is burning we would rather have a fireman on the scene than a bus.
• Hopefully sometime during the coming year town staff and council will realize transparency is telling the public and not just each other.
• The Cochrane Generals will do better than most expect but they won’t win Stanley’s mug either.
• Did you realize that between Martin Parnell and I, we’ve run more than 250 marathons. I predict I won’t run any in 2013.
• There will be many new faces in Cochrane in new jobs in 2013 — after the fall civic election.
• And this one I really, really hope comes true for you all — have a happy and prosperous New Year.
New Year’s Eve is Monday and it will be the last for the Texas Gate under Mark Horton’s ownership.
Mark and wife Michelle are done as of Jan.3, 2013 so this is their last New Year’s Eve and rather that it being a wake Mark and Michelle want it to be a celebration of their eight years in business in Cochrane.
In that time they’ve supported the community in many ways from sponsoring rodeos to golf leagues. So pop into the Texas Gate the last day of the year and thank them for being part of our community for so long.
You’ll enjoy great entertainment, a great meal and the chance to thank Mark and Michelle for their great support for our community.
Some interesting numbers.
These are the numbers available Nov. 9, 2012.
Cochrane — population 17,580. It has 133 full-time employees, 46 part-time and 99 casual.
Strathmore — population 12,305. It has 64 full-time employees and 30 part-time.
High River — population 12,290. It has 80 full-time employees.
Okotoks — population 24,511. It has 138 full-time employees.
Airdrie — population 42,564 and it has 303 full-time employees.
Brooks — population 13,676 and it has 84 full-time employees.
I agree these aren’t full disclosure, because there’s also contract work which isn’t included, but it does give one some interesting comparisons.
I’m just saying.
