Local poet will compete in national poetry slam

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

St. Andrews resident Kortnee Stevens, 18, will represent the City of Winnipeg at the Verses Festival of Words in Vancouver next month.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

A St. Andrews poet will represent the City of Winnipeg at a national poetry competition in Vancouver next month.

Kortnee Stevens, 18, will face off against almost 40 other poets at the Canadian Independent Poetry Slam, which starts at the end of next month in Vancouver.

Stevens was named the Individual Poetry Slam champion last December for a piece she performed on mental health, and is now competing for the national title.  

The poetry slam is part of the Vancouver Verses Festival of Words.

Stevens will be performing a piece, no longer than four minutes in length that will criticize society in some way. The exact length of the piece and the topic will be determined at the festival.

She successfully spoke about stigma associated with mental health at the Winnipeg competition last December.

“The motivation came from a lot of friends that I’ve had and they’ve been struggling a lot with the mental health stigma,” Stevens said.

“People don’t see depression or anxiety is a real illness or a real disadvantage in everyday life.”

Poetry slams are short memorized pieces of art made by writers. The slams can be about pretty much anything, but poets are usually restricted to no more than three minutes of stage time, Stevens said.

Judges evaluate contestants on their overall performance and any extra entertainment a candidate has created to compliment their piece.

The pieces must be done without the aid of props, costumes, nudity, animal acts, or musical accompaniment.

“You sort of just sign up and spill your heart out on stage,” Stevens said.

“If it’s a meaningful piece to you then the audience really sees that and that’s kind of where you get your points.”

Stevens first started writing poetry a few years ago when she was in Grade 11 English class, and then began attending open mic nights with friends that were put on by the Winnipeg poetry community.  

“We kind of grew addicted to it I guess,” Stevens said.

Stevens calls herself a relatively new competitor and said she’s relishing the opportunity to go to Vancouver to compete.

“This is the one that takes you places,” Stevens said.

“That’s why it’s major and kind of stands out from the rest.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.15

Future of Selkirk & District Handi-Bus in limbo.

‘Alternate service model’ being explored by Tri-S councils

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

The future of Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is in jeopardy.

 By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

The future of Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is in jeopardy, and starting next Tuesday rates for users are expected to skyrocket.

But a new alternative service model that would provide clients with a “safe and reliable handi-transit service” might be hitting the streets though few details about the new service have been made public.

Thousands of dollars in funding provided by municipalities in the Tri-S area for Selkirk and District Handi-Bus is expected to disappear April 1.

The move by the City of Selkirk, the RM of St. Clements, and the RM of St. Andrews came after “ongoing concerns about the stability and viability of handi-transit service” were raised.

A Feb. 13 online notice published by all three of the municipalities said the move follows a joint resolution that was passed unanimously by the three councils.

The municipalities struck a joint committee earlier this year after concerns about persistent financial and operating challenges were raised, the online notice said.

“The three councils are taking this action to reduce the likelihood of a service interruption in the short term, and in the longer term to ensure that this important service will continue to be available to those who need it.”

Selkirk and District Handi-Bus board member Sharon Wasny said she was blindsided by the notice.

“These resolutions were made without our knowledge and posted on the website,” Wasny said Sunday when reached by phone.

A media release from Selkirk and District Handi-Bus Inc. published last December said the bus service has been operating in “crisis mode” since last November.

The release, which is linked to change.org, an online petition site, said allegations from the three municipalities have been unsubstantiated.

“It is impossible for the board to take action on allegations that are not spelled out and substantiated,” the release said.

The Feb. 13 online notice from the three councils doesn’t address any specific allegations made against Handi-Transit, but said the local governments have a responsibility to ensure a responsible handi-transit provider serves the region.

Expectations for transparency, fiscal responsibility and sound operating practices must all be met, the notice said.

Wasny said the change in funding is a “big concern” for the Handi Bus board.

“We rely very heavily on the grants from the three municipalities.”

She said starting March 30 Handi-Bus will be forced to raise rates and work under a new model.

“We are prepared to go out on our own,” Wasny said.

“The rates will be significantly more than what they are now, but we’re prepared to still service our clients.”

She said the Handi-Bus board is willing to work with the councils to “make some much needed changes within the organization,” if they have a change of heart.

No one from the joint committee would comment on this article.

The Record will update this story.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.10

Biker narrowly escapes head-on crash with car

Entire ordeal was caught on dash cam

 

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Winnipeg resident Ryan Evans, 41, is lucky to be alive after narrowly escaping what would have been an ugly head-on crash with a car that had just barged into his lane.      

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

A Winnipeg biker, who was merely inches away from being hit head-on by a fast-travelling car, says some quick instinctual thinking is the reason he is alive today.

Ryan Evans, 41, was nearly hit head-on by a car during an afternoon ride on March 14 on Highway 9.

Evans had just left Lockport and was on his way to Gimli when he made his narrow escape from the car, which appeared to make no effort to slowdown or return to its proper lane.

Evans was driving 100 kilometres per hour, and was approximately five minutes south of Winnipeg Beach when he said he noticed another vehicle travelling in the opposite lane.

“Then all of the sudden this silver car popped out from behind him into my lane,” said Evans.

“It was a matter of inches from my handlebar clipping his mirror and sending me down if not worse.”

“So I just headed over to the edge of the road hoping that I’d be able to stay on the road, and not have to get on the shoulder, because I probably would have gone down if I had to go on the shoulder.”

“It just kind of was instinctual,” Evans said.

The entire ordeal, which lasted for just a few seconds, was caught on a GoPro camera that was mounted on the dash of Evans’ motorcycle.

Evans said it wasn’t until he returned home and watched the video that he realized just how lucky he was to be alive.

“I mean I really didn’t know how close it was,” he said.

Evans posted the video online, and it’s since been shared thousands of times making him somewhat famous.

During an interview on Saturday with the Record at a Subway, a random stranger shouted at Evans.

“Good job missing that car,” the man said.

Evans said although he’s lucky to be alive what’s touched him is the response he’s received from his friends and family.

“I mean I’ve been affected more by the reactions of the people around me,” he said.

“I am OK. Everything’s good, but when I watch the video I realize that could have been a whole lot different.”

Evans filed a report with Selkirk RCMP on Saturday and handed over the licence plate number of the car, which was captured clearly on video.

But his narrow escape from the car didn’t stop him from getting back on his bike.

Just a day after the ordeal he drove out to Lockport for a ride with his wife Nicole.

Police are now investigating the incident.

RCMP spokesman Paul Human said now that spring has arrived motorists need to pay more attention on the road.

“Motorcycles are out there and sharing the roads,” said Human in an email.

Post by Ryan Evans.

-- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.2

Flood risk low for Selkirk so far

 

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson and City of Selkirk emergency co-ordinator Darrell Kupchik are happy ice-cutting in Selkirk has now finished. Both are optimistic about the current flood forecast for the city.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

There’s a small chance of a spring flood in Selkirk this year, but officials with the city say they are prepared for one just in case.

“We’re optimistic that we’re going to be in good shape,” said Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson in an interview Friday.

“The temperatures have been really really good, the ice is rotting underneath, and we’re getting good strong sun during the day,” Johannson said.

Ice-cutting crews finished chopping their way through 29 kilometres of ice in the area between Breezy Point and Selkirk last week.

The Amphibex machines are now working on the Brokenhead River, north of Selkirk.

Officials are praising the gradual melt that’s taken place so far this spring and say minimal run-off is what’s partly caused the low flood-risk.

“We’re in a good spot right now,” said City of Selkirk emergency co-ordinator Darrell Kupchik.

The current flood forecast is a sigh of relief for the city who dealt with flooding just last year.

“I breath a lot easier than I did last year,” Johannson said.

Last year a dumping of snow was blamed for flooding that affected some parts in Selkirk like the Selkirk Park.

But if the situation changes Johannson said Selkirk will be protected.

“All our guys are ready,” Johannson said.

Kupchik said staff in both the public works and community services departments at the city are ready to respond to a flood risk if one arises.

“We are prepared,” Kupchik said.

He said the city has clay for dikes ready to go and there is enough sand to fill thousands of sandbags if needed.

But Kupchik stressed everything will depend on the weather so crews will just be on stand by for now.

“A lot of what we do is we prepare and wait,” Kupchik said.

Johannson said if the flood-risk changes the city will move to protect high-risk areas that are prone to flooding like the waterfront and the Selkirk Park.

“We’ve got a plan in place,” Johannson said.

“We want the citizens and the people on the waterfront to know that we’re watching things, and we’re keeping a close eye on it, and if trouble arises our guys are ready to kick into gear.”

“We feel pretty good.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.3

New tax treat for seniors

But despite rebate, original promise to wipe away taxes still broken 

 

RECORD FILE PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Manitoba Finance Minister Greg Dewar announced a new school tax rebate for seniors last Thursday.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

The Manitoba government is doubling an education property tax rebate for senior citizens, but won’t wipe out the taxes completely this year as the NDP had originally promised in 2011.

Rookie Finance Minister Greg Dewar made the announcement at a press conference in Winnipeg last Tuesday.

Seniors 65 years or older can now get a school tax rebate of up to $470. The rebate was previously capped at $235.

After announcing the new rebate Dewar was asked about the NDP’s 2011 promise to wipe out the school taxes completely for seniors.

He said the province didn’t have a firm timeline for when it would eliminate the taxes, but just hours after the news conference Dewar recanted his statement, and told the Canadian Press the school taxes will be eliminated.

"We made a commitment to eliminate it and we'll eliminate it by 2016," Dewar told the Canadian Press.

“We’re committed to making things more affordable for the seniors who have worked so hard to help build our province.” 

Last year, the province said it needed until 2016 to eliminate the taxes. It’s been struggling to get the provincial deficit under control.

Opposition leader Brian Pallister said last Thursday’s announcement doesn’t live up to what the NDP promised in 2011.

“The reality is that seniors have been hit very hard with the broken promises the government has inflicted on them,” Pallister said.

“I think it’s sad. I think it’s shady, and I don’t think seniors will be fooled again,” Pallister said.

“Seniors were born not yesterday.”

The province said seniors can apply for the new rebate starting in mid-May. Residents will have until the end of March to apply for the rebate for 2014.

The new rebate is in addition to a basic $700 education property tax credit and the income-tested $400 seniors’ education property tax credit top-up that already exist for homeowners. 

Dewar also released the date he will deliver the 2015-16 budget. He’s making that announcement on April 30.

“Preparation work for the budget is in the final stages, and I can tell all Manitobans that despite the financial pressures caused by major flood damage, we’ll have a budget that will take a balanced approach to providing front-line services,” Dewar said.

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.11

School tax increase irks Selkirk mayor

RECORD FILE PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

A tax increase by the Lord Selkirk School Division isn’t sitting well with Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

 Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson has joined a growing chorus of politicians who are decrying an increase in school taxes.

The Lord Selkirk School Division announced a 4.75 per cent increase in taxes earlier this month, and the increase isn’t sitting well with Johannson.

“I don’t think it’s fair and equable,” Johannson said.

Johannson is the latest mayor to come forward and decry a school tax increase.

West St. Paul Mayor Bruce Henley raised concerns about a 4.7 per cent tax increase in the Seven Oaks School Division, which was passed earlier this month.

Both Henley and Johannson want school taxes to be removed from municipal property bills.

Municipalities are required to collect school taxes and hand over the cash to the appropriate school division every year.

But both mayors think many residents don’t realize the taxes, which appear on their bills, aren’t all from their municipality.

“A lot of people look at the bottom line of the bill and compare it to last year’s and they’re thinking holy jeez the tax has gone up,” Johannson said.

The city of Selkirk raised municipal taxes earlier this year by 2.99 per cent, and Johannson said he doesn’t see why the school division can’t raise taxes at a rate that’s close to or on par with the municipality.

He said school divisions need to work harder to lower taxes.

“We should be looking at more efficiencies in the school division,” Johannson said.

“We’re doing it at our end. We’re not just saying spend and pass the taxes onto the citizens and the ratepayers. We’re looking for efficiencies and creating a good budget and sticking to that budget.”

While speaking to the Record after releasing their 2015-2016 budget, Lord Selkirk School Division superintendent Scott Kwasnitza said a tax increase was necessary, and said the only other option would have been cuts to programming and staff.

“If you are going to reduce taxes or hold the line, you are looking at significant reductions to programming and staffing,” said Kwasnitza. “And I don’t think the public wants to see us dismantling staff or programming.

“That would be detrimental to the quality of education in the Lord Selkirk School Division.”
Kwasnitza also said the division is not getting an increase in funding from the province.
 

He said they have a funding agreement with the province, and said that enrollment for next year is expected to decline by about 80 students, so if they did not have that agreement their provincial funding would have actually decreased by about $500,000.“So I’m not criticizing the province. 

I’m just letting people know we aren’t getting an increase,” said Kwasnitza. 

The Lord Selkirk School Division also took $150,000 out of their surplus fund to help mitigate the tax increase.
 

But Johannson thinks the increase is unacceptable.

“I think it’s high. I really do,” he said.

Johannson said every time taxes are increased he hears about it from discontented residents.

“Guess who’s out there and hears about that increase,” he said.

“And I’m sure the councillors hear about it too.”

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition March 26, 2015 p.7

Communication and housing top priorities for chief hopeful

 

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cindy Spence is running for chief of Peguis First Nation.

By Austin Grabish, The Express Weekly News

Cindy Spence has a lengthy list of issues she says she would tackle if elected chief of Peguis, but first and foremost she is pledging to address the Interlake First Nation’s dire housing situation.  

“My biggest priority would be to review the housing circumstance on reserve,” said Spence in a phone interview Monday.

Hundreds of homes on the Peguis First Nation are awaiting repair or replacement, and Spence said they should be a top priority for council. 

“Our people really have been suffering,” Spence said.

But housing is just the first of many problems on the reserve she is promising to address if elected chief.

The next item on her list is communication.

She said there is a paucity of communication between council and its band members.

“I really believe that it’s time for Peguis people to take an active role in community consultations,” Spence said.

“People have to be informed of revenues, they have to be informed of what type of investments are required of Peguis band members on an ongoing long-term basis.”

Spence, who has run for chief of Peguis before, thinks poverty in the community could be eradicated if funds from large settlements the band has received were used strategically. 

“We are the beneficiaries of these trusts, and it’s time for the Peguis people to have a voice in how and where our money is invested,” Spence said.

She said many band members have questions about business dealings made by the First Nation. 

“The people of Peguis are very interested in taking a look at some of the deals that have been negotiated on our behalf.”

She said she supports businesses and if elected chief she would bring all of the recent business deals that have been made by the band to the people of Peguis.

“And pretty much review through public consultation process, and allow for people to have a proper informed decision in regards to moving any business ventures forward,” Spence said.

The long-time resident of Peguis feels there is an unfair divide in the pay employees receive on reserve.

“I think that the whole wage system needs to be reviewed in Peguis. It’s not only for chief and council, but for people who are underpaid in many cases,” Spence said.

“We are one of the wealthier bands in Manitoba however our people are some of the poorest and that’s for both on and off reserve members.”

She also questions honorariums that are given to council members when they travel and do work for off-reserve boards.

Monies paid to members of council from the boards aren’t reported like salaries and expenses, she said.

“When we look at those salaries we are only seeing one small piece of what a person is actually bringing in.”

“So I really think the whole thing needs to be looked at.”

She said if elected chief any honorariums she received for off-reserve board work would be given back to the community. 

Spence said she wants to shape the future of Peguis together with band members.

“I think that my voice represents the voice of the people, and that if I’m elected it will be the people that will be my number one priority.”

Voting takes place March 24.

**An earlier version of this story identified Spence as Smith. The Express apologizes for the error.

-- First published in the Express Weekly News print edition March 19, 2015 p.13