Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Bringing youth together to create change

By Lisa Goudy


When reflecting on We Day, King George Elementary School Grade 7 student Cauy Cobb thought of two speakers, Craig and Marc Kielburger, who met Ghandi’s grandson.

“The grandson told the secret how one pencil can be broken but 40 pencils can’t be,” said Cobb.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Council notebook

By Lisa Goudy


Council defeated the budget committee’s recommendation to refer the 2013 police service operating budget back to the board of police commissioners regarding concerns over budget for staffing levels.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Potential multi-unit residential units identified in Ross Park

Coun. Candis Kirkpatrick and Coun. Don Mitchell listen
to other comments after voicing their concerns regarding
establishing  value for a piece of land and to market that
land in Ross Park to accomodate for multi-family
development during Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


A piece of land identified as a possible future residential housing was a topic of much discussion at council Monday night.

The majority of council voted to receive and file a report regarding establishing a value for a parcel of high-density residential land (R3) and approval to market the land for sale in Ross Park.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Fourth Avenue Bridge closed for repairs

By Lisa Goudy


The Fourth Avenue Bridge was closed on Wednesday for crews to repair the bridge and will remain closed on Thursday.

“We are experiencing a lot of water freezing overnight and the ice we’re dealing with (is) plugging up the drains that are on the bridge,” said public works manager Duane Grado.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Transit use decreases in final quarter

By Lisa Goudy


Fewer people used the transit system in the final quarter of 2012, but yearly revenues were up.

During Monday’s regular council meeting, council received the city manager’s city department quarterly reports for the fourth quarter from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: City supplies residential lot to Habitat for Humanity

Brian Martynook, chair of Habitat for Humanity,
delivers a presentation on the organization's request
for the city to supply the lot at 907 Ominica St. E.
in order to build a home at council Monday night.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Habitat for Humanity can build a home at 907 Ominica St. E.

Council unanimously approved the organization’s request for the city to supply its residential lot, waive the cost of the building permit and give a tax exemption on the property until the home is occupied during Monday’s meeting.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: ‘Significant deficit’ in proposed unfunded budget

Coun. Brian Swanson, Coun. Heather Eby and
 Coun. Patrick Boyle listen to the comments
surrounding the proposed 10-year unfunded capital
budget during Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

When it comes to the 10-year unfunded capital budget, Moose Jaw has $218.86 million in infrastructure deficit.

“It’s a very significant deficit,” said Brian Acker, director of financial services. “At some point municipalities like Moose Jaw will have to consider something like an infrastructure levy … and provide funding for some of this unfunded capital works.”

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Huge infrastructure deficit in proposed capital budget

By Lisa Goudy


Council had its first look at the preliminary 2013-2017 capital budget at Monday’s regular meeting. Once again the city is faced with huge infrastructure deficit.

Mayor Deb Higgins asks a question regarding the
capital expenditure fund interest earnings as it
relates to the proposed 2013-2017 capital budget
estimates during Monday's council meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

Director of financial services Brian Acker and city manager Garry McKay presented the five-year estimates to council. The majority of council voted to refer the estimates to budget committee for detailed review.

Read more

Additional information

Funding sources for the general reserve

There are nine main sources for the general reserve portion of the 2013-2017 capital budget comes from nine main sources. For instance, one funding source is the Saskatchewan Power Corporation (SPC) municipal surcharge levied on power bills in the city at a rate of 10 per cent of total billing.

A 2013 initiative made via the operating budget was to redirect $300,000 of those franchise fees from the operating budget to the capital budget. The contribution to the general reserve over five years is $19.47 million.

Another funding source is the hospital levy. The levy is estimated to generate $1.54 million a year and $7.69 million over five years. Other funding sources include taxation revenue, capital expenditure fund interest earnings, land sale proceeds, parks dedication reserve funding, federal and provincial contributions and the downtown facility capital contribution.

The other three sources are fundraising contributions, multiplex carry forward and uncompleted works.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Learn to give and take constructive criticism

Feb. 22 column

By Lisa Goudy


To my beloved sister who has interest in some areas of psychology, I wish you a beautiful birthday today.

Recently I came across a website called PsychTests.com.

The website offers a variety of psychological tests, including personality, IQ and career tests. I’ve never been into doing those types of things, but nonetheless I was intrigued when I hear about their study comparing employees on their ability to handle constructive criticism. The results are quite interesting and I think there are suggestions included we can take to heart in our every day lives.

PsychTests.com is based in Montreal and for the study they surveyed 3,664 participants. It’s not a huge sample size considering the Canadian population, but the results are most interesting anyway.

The survey indicated people’s responses to criticism based on six factors - negative thoughts toward the people criticizing a person’s work, negative thoughts toward the self, negative emotional responses to others and to the self, negative overt behaviours such as arguing, scowling or threatening to quit and negative or passive aggressive behaviours such as purposely slacking off or ignoring criticism completely and not making any recommended changes.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: New perspectives to avoid commercialization temptations

Feb. 15 column

By Lisa Goudy


I think I understand why some people dislike Valentine’s Day.

With Valentine’s Day come and gone yet again for another year, undoubtedly many people have spent a significant portion of money on gifts or something else special for their special someone. With everything now at discounted prices more money will be spent on gifts. The most common reason I hear people saying they don’t like Valentine’s Day is because it is a commercial holiday. This is not a lie.

In an age of capitalism, every holiday has become commercialized including Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and Halloween. From that point of view, knowing Valentine’s Day is simply a money grab, I can see why people might dislike it. Now that Valentine’s Day is over, all of the items are probably already on discounted prices.

Personally I’ve spent hardly anything for Valentine’s Day. Given, I have never been in a relationship when Valentine’s Day rolls around, but I doubt that will change when I get into a relationship with a guy.

We need to garner a new perspective on our relationships to help avoid the temptation of commercialization of everything in our entire lives before, after and during a holiday. 

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Higgins awarded jubilee medal

Coun. Dawn Luhning announced
during Monday's council meeting
that Mayor Deb Higgins has been
selected to receive a Queen Elizabeth
II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Mayor Deb Higgins has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Coun. Dawn Luhning made the announcement during Monday’s regular council meeting.

“The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has selected Mayor Higgins on honour of the contributions that you have made to your community and to all of Canada,” said Luhning.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: No temporary signs for Hillcrest Golf Club

By Lisa Goudy


Hillcrest Golf Club won’t be able to erect four temporary signs in the right of way along Main Street, the city executive committee voted on Monday night.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Multiplex bylaw passed with amendments

By Lisa Goudy


Moose Jaw city council voted on the third reading of the proposed multiplex bylaw on Monday night, with the majority of council voting to pass the bylaw as it had been amended at the Jan. 28 council meeting.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald Weekend Extra: Overcoming challenges and looking to the future

Mosaic Place and YaraCentre general manager Scott
Clark stands in front of the arena at Mosaic Place.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


As he went up the elevator to the second level, it was as if he was going down a mineshaft.

Two figures were silhouetted on the wall with tools in hand. The circular lights on their helmets were on. The intention of the design Elevator Shaft 2 is to imitate a feeling of going underground.

When the ding went off and the doors opened, he walked out to the highest level of the facility. With every success comes challenges and there have been ups and downs.

Read more


This story is the third and final in a series with Clark that concludes in Saturday's edition of the Times-Herald Weekend Extra.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Ash Wednesday a time for atonement and repentance

By Lisa Goudy

Ash Wednesday is the beginning of a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

“We have all this preparation leading up to Holy Week. Ash Wednesday signals the beginning of Lent,” said Father Barry Anwender of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Gardens here to stay

Executive votes to stop potential sale process of community gardens

Supporters of the Yara Community Gardens wore
green to show their support and opposition to the
potential sale of the Home Street location at
Monday's executive commitee meeting.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

City administration will not take any steps to sell the Yara Community Gardens Home Street location.

Council chambers were filled with a sea of green during Monday’s executive committee meeting with garden supporters wearing green. The issue that came before executive was whether to sell the Home Street location of the Yara Community Gardens to make it available for residential housing developments.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Artist trading cards unique to each artist

Erica Silzer (left) and her 12-year old daughter Ciera
Mottus work on some artist trading cards during a workshop
at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery on Sunday.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Having the freedom to work in a small environment makes artist trading cards appealing to Erica Silzer and her 12-year old daughter Ciera Mottus.

 “It’s a good mother-daughter thing,” said Silzer.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Thirty Palliser recipients awarded jubilee medal

Palliser MP Ray Boughen and Senator Pamela
Wallin prepare to present Ray Taylor with his
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Ray Taylor never expected to receive a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

“I’m very humbled. I guess that says it in a nutshell,” said Taylor. “It’s a humbling experience.”

Read more

To see a Times-Herald slideshow of my images from the medal presentations, go here.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Learning to have a Scream-Free marriage

Debbie and Travis Parent talk about the Scream-Free
Marriage classes at a seminar at Mosaic Place
on Saturday. Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


The best way to have a marriage is to be scream free.

“We all have the power to change ourselves and how we respond to the world around us and the relationships of the people around us,” said Debbie Parent, certified teacher of Scream-Free Marriages and Scream-Free Parenting courses with the organization Shepherd’s Gate Ministries.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Museum celebrates Sask. heritage

Ryder Procyk, 3, plays some hockey at Heritage Day
at the Western Development Museum on Saturday.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Saskatchewan heritage was celebrated on Saturday at the Western Development Museum.

“Our boys need to have as much fun as possible. We do any kind of family event,” said Rachelle Procyk, one of the people who came out to enjoy Heritage Day at the museum.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald Weekend Extra: Embracing the programs at Mosaic Place and YaraCentre

Mosaic Place and YaraCentre general manager
Scott Clark overlooks the arena at Mosaic Place.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

As he looked over the arena on the concourse close to noon, the red seats were unoccupied.

Below on the ice, a team of hockey players practised for an upcoming game. The arena has been converted for many purposes, but at the time ice was required. It has also been used as a stage in the past and will be needed for many purposes in the future.

On Nov. 10 and 11 in 2011, 12,000 people set foot in Mosaic Place in the two-day grand opening that officially unveiled the new facility through a free concert, official Remembrance Day ceremonies and a Western Hockey League Moose Jaw Warriors game.

Read more

This story is the second in a series with Clark that begins in Saturday's edition of the Times-Herald Weekend Extra.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Kisses for Kritters a near sell-out

April Hudson of Moose Jaw examines an item
at the silent auction at the Moose Jaw
Humane Society's second annual fundraiser
Kisses for Kritters Friday night.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Shortly before 6 p.m. on Friday the line of people extended into the lobby of the Heritage Inn. As soon as the doors opened at 6 p.m. people began to file in the room.

“I’m a firm believer in supporting the humane society. It’s a good cause,” said April Hudson of Moose Jaw.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Raising awareness on global issues

By Lisa Goudy


International Development Week was about highlighting international work.

“It’s a national campaign across Canada that seeks to highlight the work Canadians are doing in the fields of international development,” said Jenn Bergen, executive director of the Saskatchewan Council for International Co-operation (SCIC).

Read more 

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Book-movie adaptations are just that

By Lisa Goudy

Over the past week or week and a half, I’ve been having a Harry Potter movie marathon.

Personally I love all of the Harry Potter books and movies. While some people can choose favourites, I can’t because I love them all too much. I can read the books again and again just as I can watch the movies again and again. The movies are, in my opinion, great adaptations of fabulous books.

But that’s what many people seem to forget. The Harry Potter movies are adaptations of the books, not the entire books played out on-screen over the course of eight movies. That’s probably the biggest complaint I hear any of the movies — it didn’t include everything from the book. The movie changed things from the book. It didn’t follow the book page by page.

This extends far beyond just Harry Potter. It includes every book-movie adaptation ever made.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Community gardens looking for support

Council to vote on Monday on whether to sell gardens’ land

By Lisa Goudy

Yara Community Gardens is looking to rally community support to protest the possible sale of its Home Street location.

Sarah Varey, community gardens co-ordinator, said the board was notified on Wednesday that at Monday’s council meeting, council would vote on whether to make the Home Street location “available for development” and sold. She said no one from Yara Community Gardens or Hunger in Moose Jaw were consulted on the issue.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: More men encouraged to compete for Mister Moose Jaw

By Lisa Goudy

Moose Jaw men over 19 years of age are encouraged to compete to be the next Mister Moose Jaw.

“It’ll be a fun event,” said Doris Dunphy, chairperson of Relay for Life.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Tackling hospital-related issues at SUMA

Higgins asks about hyperbaric unit, new hospital on last day of convention

By Lisa Goudy


For Mayor Deb Higgins, the last day of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention had a lot to do with health.

She said she spent a good part of the morning on Wednesday talking with Dustin Duncan, the provincial health minister. 

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Learning French outside the classroom

Grade 2 French immersion class has school day at mall

École St. Margaret School Grade 2 teacher Lisa
Ethier helps out some students with French
reading program Tumblebooks on the computer
at the Town 'n' Country Mall on Wednesday.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


A group of 10 École St. Margaret School Grade 2 students split into groups to do activities.

From the computer reading program Tumblebooks to spelling words with magnetic letters to learning vocabulary related to Valentine’s Day, the kids actively learned and spoke French.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Some resolutions tackled on third day of SUMA convention

By Lisa Goudy


Presentations, breakout sessions and resolutions were the main topics at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention on Tuesday.

“We dealt with a number of the resolutions which were all passed except for one,” said Mayor Deb Higgins.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Common job to fill potholes in winter

City crews put down and compacted a cold mix
material to temporarily fill the potholes on the
southbound lane of Fourth Avenue Bridge on Tuesday.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


Seeing multiple potholes on a short stretch of road in the winter months is quite common.

“It’s no news to us. Some years are better than others,” said Duane Grado, public works manager.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: MJBEX awards nomination period extended

By Lisa Goudy


The deadline for the 2013 Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce nomination packages for the Moose Jaw Business Excellence (MJBEX) Awards has been extended to Feb. 15.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Riding across Sask. for breast cancer awareness

Riders on the 2013 ride with Prairie Women On
Snowmobiles as well as the pit crew are riding
across Saskatchewan raising funds for breast cancer
research and stopped in Moose Jaw on Monday.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy


A group of women riding snowmobiles across Saskatchewan stopped in Moose Jaw.

Prairie Women On Snowmobiles’ 13th annual eight-day mission ride to raise money for breast cancer research began on Feb. 1.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Infrastructure a priority at SUMA convention

By Lisa Goudy


Speeches from provincial politicians at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention on Monday were a highlight for Mayor Deb Higgins.

“That’s always important to kind of see the areas that government and ministers feel are important,” said Higgins.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Building permits down in January 2013

By Lisa Goudy

The City of Moose Jaw has issued a development only permit for the new hospital at 55 Diefenbaker Dr. It was one of 12 building permits issued in January.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Weekend Extra: Reflecting on the years behind and ahead

Scott Clark discusses 2013 operating budgets

Mosaic Place and YaraCentre general manager Scott
Clark sits at his desk at Mosaic Place this week.
Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

By Lisa Goudy

With his jacket draped over his chair, a professional businessman took a sip of his hot beverage.

The staff worked away with preparations in the kitchen with music playing softly in the background. Except for him and the reporter at his table, there were no patrons in the lounge that morning. Dressed in a blue dress shirt, a patterned blue tie and a grey suit jacket, he sat in the Great Western Lounge overlooking the Moose Jaw Ford Curling Centre at Mosaic Place.

“I’m biased, but I think (it’s been) incredibly successful,” said Scott Clark, general manager of Mosaic Place and YaraCentre. 

Read more

This story is the first in a series with Clark that begins in Saturday's edition of the Times-Herald Weekend Extra.

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Common perspectives leads Hagel to endorse Wotherspoon for NDP leader

By Lisa Goudy


Glenn Hagel can relate easily to provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) leadership candidate Trent Wotherspoon.

“I’ve known of Trent much longer than I’ve known him. I wasn’t in the Legislature at the same time he was. So over the last couple of years we had occasions to meet when he came to Moose Jaw,” said Hagel, former cabinet minister and Moose Jaw mayor. “I just found myself feeling very comfortable with the man, with his perspective on the future of Saskatchewan and his approach to dealing with issues.”

This week Hagel endorsed Wotherspoon for the next leader of the NDP party. Cam Broten, Ryan Meili and Erin Weir are also part of the leadership race. The NDP leader will be elected on March 9.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Local Sears loses two employees in nationwide layoffs

By Lisa Goudy


Moose Jaw’s Sears store is affected by the nation-wide layoff.

Read more

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: A Saskatchewan girl’s way to cope with cold

By Lisa Goudy


I’m positive I’m not the only one sick of the extreme cold.

Being a Saskatchewan girl all my life, you’d think I’d be used to it by now. Alas, I am not. Every time it rolls around I’m just as cold as if I were experiencing it for the first time. Maybe if I lived in -43 C all year round I’d be used to it.

But Saskatchewan isn’t like that. Weather in this province has a tendency to shift from one extreme to the next in a matter of days. While writing this column, Environment Canada states Moose Jaw is under an extreme wind chill warning with wind chills potentially reaching -48 C.

Read more