Local Government district of Pinawa

QUARTERLY news

OCTOBER DECEMBER 2014

Mayors Message
Mayor Blair Skinner
I feel deeply honoured to have the opportunity to serve the Local Government District of
Pinawa for another term. I am committed to working hard for another 4 years on the
priority issues for our community. I congratulate the candidates who are participating in
the upcoming election. We will have at least 2 new Councillors for the next 4 years.
New Councillors bring new points of view and life experiences to draw from. I look
forward to working together with the new Council to make Pinawa an even better place
to live. I would like to thank outgoing Councillors Clay McMurren and Don Daymond for
their service to Pinawa. It has been a pleasure to have you on the team and your
presence around the Council table will be missed.
It has been a very busy summer for Council and we have made significant progress on
Pinawas priority issues.
Stabilizing Medical Services
Our efforts to stabilize medical services in Pinawa and the region continue to move
forward. I will start with an update on the Waterford Global project, which was
previously reported in The Paper in May. The goal is to recruit two doctors to Pinawa
from the United Kingdom who will want to move to Pinawa, will be committed to doing
emergency room on call, and will want to become part of our Community. Two of the
shortlisted doctors visited Pinawa in August as previously reported in The Paper.
Pinawa did a great job during these visits and, as a result, these doctors have both
indicated a desire to make the move. Our Project Team also concluded that they would
be a good fit for Pinawa and for the job, therefore we are proceeding with the process.
Due diligence activities such as checking references are underway. Both doctors are
scheduled to write the required exam in January. Their return of service contract will
specify a 5-year commitment. Assuming successful results and completion of
immigration documentation, we can expect the doctors to arrive in spring or early
summer of 2015. This brings us to the short-term pain of this plan. We are down to one
doctor in Pinawa as of the end of August and that doctor is currently on vacation for an
important family event. The Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) have
announced that Dr. Theodore Banach will be seeing patients in Pinawa twice a week
until our doctor returns in late October. Clearly that leaves us very shorthanded until the
Waterford Global doctors arrive in 2015. I have asked the IERHA to provide regular
communications to our residents on short-term measures to provide medical care until
the Waterford Global doctors arrive, so please watch for these Press Releases. There
is one additional update on the Waterford Global project. Our team did not want to only
rely on the two doctors discussed above. A third doctor has been invited to Pinawa
during the week of October 20. This doctor was scheduled to write the required exam in
September. If the visit is as successful as the first two visits, there is a possibility that
one of the positions could be filled earlier.

In summary, the long-term solution is in sight and every effort is being made to
continue to provide medical services in the interim until our efforts for long-term
stable medical care are successful.
The Eastern Region Community Health Committee has continued to grow because
we have rapidly developed the reputation of being able to think outside of the box
when it comes to stabilizing medical services in the region. Consequently the town of
Powerview-Pine Falls and representatives from Victoria Beach have now joined the
Committee. A semi-retired nurse from Pinawa and a representative from BeauHead
Seniors have also joined the Committee. This year, the IERHA sponsored Resident
Administrator, Jenny Petersen, and myself to attend this years Family Medicine
Residents Retreat to represent all of the Communities who are members of the
Community Health Committee. We had a booth next door to the IERHAs booth so
the IERHA could talk about the job opportunities and we could talk about the
communities. This scenario worked very well and the IERHA felt that they had at
least 4 solid leads on potential recruits. The Family Medicine doctors follow one of 3
streams including Urban, Rural, and Northern. This year, there was a definite shift
towards the Rural stream with 40% of the doctors choosing that stream, which is a
significant increase over previous years. In addition, there were a number of Urban
doctors who were open to considering the Rural option and a number who wanted to
talk about summer locums in the area. This would be very helpful to our communities
since there is an upward surge in required medical services in the summer months.
So the Community Health Committee continues to explore every opportunity to recruit
medical personnel to the region.
I am also very pleased to inform you that my efforts to have the IERHA develop new
clinic space at the W.B. Lewis Business Centre have been successful. The current
clinic space at the Pinawa Hospital is not setup to efficiently see patients and the
doctors are often distracted by needs of the inpatients in the Hospital and patients
reporting to Emergency during Clinic hours. There is space at the W.B. Lewis
Business Centre recently vacated by the IERHA that could be made suitable for
Clinic space with minimum renovations. This space already has four sub-offices that
would work for examination rooms (two per doctor) plus office space plus reception
area. When all positions are filled, two of the three doctors would see patients with
scheduled appointments in the new clinic space with minimal distractions, therefore,
this facility would be very efficient. The third doctor would work in the current Clinic
space at the Pinawa Hospital which would essentially become a Walk-In Clinic. This
doctor would also be responsible for the inpatients and the emergency room at the
Hospital. The doctors would regularly rotate positions. This proposed scenario will
mean a full complement of doctors will be able to provide very efficient medical
services to our communities and at the Pinawa Hospital. There would also be
available space in the current Clinic space for locum doctors, should they want to
come and practice during the summer months. The IERHA will be working with W.B.
Lewis Business Centre over the next 2 months to finalize the plans. The required
renovations will be completed during the winter in time for the arrival of the Waterford
Global doctors.

Sewage Lagoon
The project to add capacity to our sewage lagoon is soon to be realized. This project
is being cost shared 50/50 with the Province of Manitoba. Manitoba Water Services
Board are providing the Project Management as they did previously for the water
meter installation project. The sewage lagoon construction contract was tendered
with bids closing on September 12. The contract has been awarded to River East
Construction. It is our understanding that the work is to be completed this fall. This is
an important project as it will allow current and future residential and commercial
developments to move forward. Note that this may impact the Trans Canada
Trail/Snowmobile trail and we are assessing the additional work that may be required
to restore the trails to full use as soon as possible.
Tim Horton Childrens Foundation (THCF)
The THCF Youth Leadership Camp is also moving forward. Camp Whiteshell is
scheduled to open in June 2015. The water and sewer line installation across the
Winnipeg River has commenced. Council and staff have been working hard with
THCF and the Province of Manitoba Office of Drinking Water to ensure that the
connections will not add any risk to our residents. In particular, our team insisted that
the sewer line had to be installed downstream of the Water Treatment Plant intake
line. Also, as reported earlier, the cost of the water and sewer lines is 100% borne by
THCF who will retain ownership of the lines and will retain all liability with respect to
repairs and eventual replacement and/or decommissioning of the lines.
Fahr Group Condo Development
Finally, the Fahr Group has informed Council they have decided not to proceed with
the proposed Condo Development at the corner of Willis Drive east and Highway 211
(opposite the golf course). This property will be returned to the pool of LGD of Pinawa
properties that will be offered to the private sector for potential development.
I enjoy the opportunity to discuss the projects Council is working on. Please feel free
to call me at (204) 753-2199 about these or any other issues.

DID YOU KNOW

Tim Horton Childrens Foundation Camp Whiteshell is now hiring.
For a listing of available positions along with all other current job
listings in Pinawa, check out the Employment Opportunities on
www.pinawa.com under Business.

Community Events & Information

Community Events and Information can be seen on TVs located at the Town Office,
Sunova, Solo Market, Pinawa Public Library and Pinawa Golf and Country Club, by
calling our Information Line 204-753-5103 or at www.pinawa.com
Visit http://s885.photobucket.com/user/sullivanp/slideshow/
To watch Community Events online
(Right click on the link and copy hyperlink to your Desktop)
To include your events, please contact Pat Sullivan at 204-753-5108 or
email sullivanp@pinawa.com

MUNICIPAL ELECTION
OCTOBER 22, 2014
POLLS OPEN 8 am 8 pm
Pinawa Community Centre
ADVANCE POLL
October 18th from 8 am 8 pm
Council Chambers Town Office
Please bring Government issued Photo Identification
Information and forms for voting by mail can be obtained at the Town Office or in
the online Document Library at www.pinawa.com

CIVIC ADDRESSING
When emergency personnel have to respond to an address, they rely on the
address being visible from the main street. Numbers should be placed in a
lighted area that is easily visible at night. Use numbers of a color that contrasts
the building, so they stand out. When Police, Fire and Ambulance receive an
emergency call for service, valuable time can be lost in searching for the
addresses if they are not visible or if numbers are not posted at all.
4

Waterline Freezing Prepare for Winter

With changing climate and erratic temperatures property owners of the Local
Government District of Pinawa (LGD) have been encountering more water service line
freeze-ups. In the event that a property loses water due to freezing, the LGD will follow
the methods set out in this policy as a guide to help property owners through this
circumstance.
The property owner is responsible for taking precautions to prevent interior basement or
crawl space waterlines from freezing.
Steps to take before winter
Turn off the water to outside taps from inside your house. Leave outside taps
slightly open to allow any remaining water to expand when freezing. Remove and
drain hoses.
Insulate areas of your home containing water pipes, including crawl spaces,
garages and attics.
Insulate water pipes (both hot and cold) near the exterior walls, especially those
facing north. Many home improvement stores carry foam sleeves with a lengthwise
slit, or bands of insulation that wrap around the pipes.
Weather-seal your windows.
Check for air leaks around electrical outlets, dryer vents and pipes. Seal these
leaks with caulking or insulation to keep cold air away from your pipes.
Know where your master water valve is (usually near your water meter).
When winter arrives
Heat areas of your home containing water pipes so warm air will prevent them from
freezing.
Set the thermostat no lower than 12C (55F) at night and when you are away.
If you plan to be away, have someone check your house daily to make sure the
heat is on and no problems have occurred.
Keep the garage door closed if there are water pipes inside.
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and
appliances near outside walls.
If a pipe freezes and bursts, turn off the master valve immediately.
A copy of the LGD of Pinawa Waterline Freezing Policy is available at the Town Office.

SHAW DIRECT CUSTOMERS

for technical assistance contact
SHAW DIRECT
1-866-782-7345 or 1-888-782-7693

SNOW
REMOVAL
Winter conditions create challenges for both
pedestrians and motorists. The LGD of Pinawas
main objective is to provide safe, passable roads
and sidewalks so residents can travel throughout
the Town in a safe and efficient manner during
the winter months.
The Public Works Department makes every effort
to ensure that the Town's roads and sidewalks
are safe.
In the event of a snowfall, residents are asked to
do their best to refrain from parking on the street,
in order that the Public Department can do their
best to clear the streets.
The continued cooperation of the public is
respectfully requested to assist Public Works in
snow removal.
You can assist by:
Obeying No Parking signs
Removing inoperative vehicles from streets
Shovelling snow onto your own property,
please do not shovel snow onto Town streets

PUBLIC NOTICE
REMINDER
Pinawa Trails are closed to ALL
off-road vehicles, except on
designated ATV routes from
March 31st - December 1st as
per By-law 712-09.

TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS

Regular Council Meetings are
held on the second Tuesday of
the month starting at 6:30 pm
MEETING DATES
October 14th
November 4th
December 9th
TOWN OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday
8:30 am 4:30 pm
OFFICE CLOSURE
The Town Office & Public
Works will be closed
October 13th
November 11th
December 25th, 26th
MAYOR
Blair Skinner
204-753-2199
skinnerb@pinawa.com
DEPUTY MAYOR
Rhonda Henschell
204-753-2358
henschellr@pinawa.com
COUNCILLORS
Clay McMurren
204-753-8841
mcmurrenc@pinawa.com
Don Daymond
204-753-2604
daymondd@pinawa.com
Dorothy Wilken
204-753-8397
wilkend@pinawa.com

CONTACT INFORMATION
General Inquiries
Toll Free

204-753-5100
1-855-761-4650

Community Information

204-753-5103

Resident Administrator
Jenny Petersen

204-753-5105 or 204-345-3105
petersenj@pinawa.com

Assistant Resident Administrator

Gisele Smith

204-753-5100
smithg@pinawa.com

Accountant
Wendy Kozmak

204-753-5102
kozmak@pinawa.com

Office Administrator
Pat Sullivan

204-753-5108
sullivanp@pinawa.com

Public Works Manager

Daryl Woodbeck

204-753-5106 or 204-345-3107
pwmanager@pinawa.com

Building Inspector
Ole Vik

204-753-2404
vik@mymts.net

Recycling Depot

204-753-2491

Pinawa CDC Officer

Nancy Bremner

204-753-5172 or 1-800-806-0412
bremnern@pinawa.com

Administrative/Program Assistant
Suzanne Ellert

204-753-5170
ellerts@pinawa.com

Recreation Office
Donna Watts

204-345-8816
wrrdcom@gmail.com

RCMP
General Inquiries
Complaints/Emergencies

204-753-2217
204-753-2919