I am curious to know how many people subscribe to the News.

I get the paper delivered. I enjoy reading about local information obviously, but I skip past the national news, as I have already heard about most of it by the time I get the paper. And the letters to the editor can be….interesting. In the age of the internet, are newspapers still relevant?

You are invited

to celebrate the release of

my first book

A Doctor’s Journey

At

Courtyard

Medicine Hat College

On Thursday September 28, 2006

6 pm -9 pm

There will be signing of the book and refreshment will be served.

25 per cent of the proceeds from the book sale that evening will be donated to

Medicine Hat News Santa Fund

Dr. Noorali Bharwani

nb786@shaw.ca

www.nbharwani.com

821A - 5th Street SW

Medicine Hat, AB T1A 4H7

Tel: (403) 527-0099

Fax: (403) 529-0711

visit www.nbharwani.com for information about my book A Doctor’s Journey (http://trafford.com/06-0910)

I hope this means we dont lose him this year.

link 

“A small plane has crashed near the Alberta community of Elkwater, killing a 21-year-old woman.

Redcliff RCMP headed to the site of the Cessna 172 crash at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

The young woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her name has not been released. A 53-year-old man was rushed to the Medicine Hat hospital in serious condition.

Both are residents of Medicine Hat.”

Link

Update: a bit more information here 

I received 2 emails this morning asking me to vote at the Chat TV poll today. People are obviously excited about Costco coming.

Should the City move servicing the Box Springs Business Park ahead of developments that have already been planned, so Costco can build there next year?

Link

Check out how Ryan gets his Canadian Tour exemption card at Mike Weir’s website:

“Ryan Vallely of Medicine Hat, Alb. bucked the odds and drained an 85-foot eagle putt on the first playoff hole to win a four-man playoff for the 15th and final exempt card. “

A few years ago we were stuck in an airport terminal for 3 hours together. He is a personable, down to earth kid that had no problem keeping up his end of the conversation. And yes, he is related to the Mayor.

Ryans Bio

Ryan’s younger brother Dale is also an accomplished golfer who retained his card for next year by having a successful summer.

Good job guys!

The Connaught Golf and Country Club would like the City of Medicine Hat to guarantee a $750,000 loan to install a new irrigation system. In total, it is going to take close to 2 million dollars for the improvements and to keep the club solvent (ie. pay off old debts). I don’t mind loan guarantees where the City has a reasonable expectation of payment but a $2 million loan is not feasible, and from what I understand, they want an outright grant of the next installment.

There is precedent. About 15 years ago the Medicine Hat Golf course borrowed $750,000 to upgrade there irrigation system. But they had a plan. The members matched the $750,000 the City borrowed them, and paid back the loan with interest. The City actually made money off of the deal, and everyone was happy. But from what I can tell, there is no plan here. Remember that both Clubs lease their land from the City for $1 per year so the taxpayer is already making a significant contribution annually.

If/When the Golf club can not pay off the loan, and they are at a point when the hole is too deep to get out, does this become a City golf course at the expense of the taxpayers? Is this just another public service like the Arena, the Leisure Centre, the Esplanade or should the City expect the Club to operate like a business and pay their own way.

And Connaught is losing members right now with Desert Blume opening up next year. It certainly is not going to get any easier. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Connaught Golf Club, and they have one of the best pro’s around (Glen Carr). I want them to be successful. But is this something feasible? Do they have a solid plan for repayment? Should any business be entitled to ask the City for loan with no real expectations? What do you think?

I noticed local guy Dan was brave enough to post his thoughts on the Pope’s recent problems.

Link

I was having a conversation with a friend from Calgary recently, and he was surprised to find out that many people here do not lock their car/house doors. I know I have been locking my vehicle doors a little more lately, but for the most part I feel fairly safe.

With overall crime down (but vehicle thefts up) in Medicine Hat, how secure do you feel? Do you think The Hat is a generally safe place to live, or are you worried about the crime and violence here?

In an Edmonton court room today Jay (or his lawyer on his behalf) faced charges from an incident on Aug 12 on Whyte Ave.

“Bouwmeester was charged with impaired driving and operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of more than .08. His first court date was yesterday.

The former Medicine Hat Tigers junior star, who was chosen third overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and was awarded a two-year, $4.35-million US contract by a salary arbitrator in July, did not personally show up in court.”

I think Jay is lucky - being arrested is not the worst thing that can happen when you drink and drive. Normally a level headed guy, but I wont defend this action.

source