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THE VIEW FROM HERE – If the main concern is music, there should be only a nominal sense of loss when a rock star passes

by Tom Henihan The death of celebrities unavoidably catches our attention as the media focuses its bovine gaze on all aspects of the deceased individual’s life. The effete, breathless pundits of popular culture are invited on television to elaborate on…

May 3, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – Alberta Jobs Plan supports families, creates jobs, controls costs, says Alberta government

Government of Alberta News release Budget 2016 – The Alberta Jobs Plan moves Alberta forward by supporting families and businesses through a tough economy, promoting job creation and economic diversification, and carefully controlling government spending. The Alberta Jobs Plan is…

May 1, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

COMMENTARY – Manifestos and pipe dreams

Commentary by Tom Henihan It is noble to express concern for the world our grandchildren will inherit as Stephen Lewis did recently at the NDP Leadership Convention in Edmonton. Most responsible people look ahead with similar thoughts but being powerless…

April 29, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

KEYBOARD COMMANDO – Now is the time to prepare for a long hot spring and summer

by Mac Olsen Next month marks five years since Slave Lake and that area were hit by wildfires, which have left an indelible impression on me to this day. One residential area in Slave Lake was totally destroyed by the…

April 28, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

VIEW FROM HERE – While Mike Duffy is cleared of committing any crime it does not mean he is blameless

by Tom Henihan On April 21, four months after a 62-day trial, Justice Charles Vaillancourt pronounced on the fate of Mike Duffy, acquitting the suspended senator of all 31 charges. Duffy was charged with three breach of trust and bribery…

April 28, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – Oppose Motion 504, phase out funding for private schools, and end the charter school experiment

Public Interest Alberta News release Public Interest Alberta Executive Director Joel French called on MLAs and government to reject MLA Rick McIver’s Motion 504, and instead to end provincial funding for private schools and absorb charter schools into the province’s…

April 24, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – Wildrose Party releases 10-point common sense budget recommendations

Wildrose Party News release Ensuring the sustainability of front line services, eliminating waste and saving the province just over $2 billion dollars are the three key principles that guide the 10-point common sense plan in the Wildrose Budget Sustainability Recommendations…

April 24, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – Euthanasia Prevention Coalition raises concerns about assisted dying law

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition News release Euthanasia Prevention Coalition (EPC) recognizes that the design of the law will either prevention or enable abuse of assisted dying law. In all jurisdictions where assisted death is legal, the laws lack effective oversight stated…

April 24, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – NDP’s Leap Manifesto dangerous for Alberta, says the Progressive Conservative Party

Progressive Conservative Party News release “At a time when Alberta is facing record job losses and worsening economic uncertainty, the Leap Manifesto proves that the NDP has never had our backs,” said Ric McIver, Interim Leader and MLA for Calgary-Hays.…

April 22, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

Some of life’s inevitabilities are less inevitable for some people than they are for others

The View From Here   Tom Henihan Smoky River Express Reporter The phrase, usually attributed to Benjamin Franklin, ‘In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,’ is only partly true because for some people,…

April 21, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

OPINION – Albertans should be the boss, not politicians – the Wildrose Party

Mark Smith Wildrose Party MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon That was the premise behind Bill 201 the Election Recall Act that was introduced in the Legislature this spring. It collected 11,000 signatures in just over the weeks in an online petition.…

April 21, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

KEYBOARD COMMANDO – Jump for joy! Federal NDP to be under new management soon

by Mac Olsen I haven’t seen much good news lately, but last week seemed to be the best in a long time. Current federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair is soon to fade into history. He didn’t garner even 50 per…

April 20, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

COMMENTARY – No surprises, no sunshine

by Jeff Burgar Well kids, the money forecast is clouds, rain, and more rain. Mom and Dad still have their jobs, but the renter in the basement has moved out. That means all the extra cash he paid us is…

April 20, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

Kaminski accusations raise questions about who is in charge

Friends of Medicare News release Friends of Medicare are calling for a review of the governance and structure of AHS in light of accusations brought forward by former CEO Vickie Kaminski. “Kaminski’s resignation letter sets a concerning tone. Governments are…

April 15, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·

NDP downloading housing costs onto the municipalities: Stier

Wildrose Party News release This week, Wildrose Shadow Municipal Affairs Minister Pat Stier challenged the government to restore the cancelled Grants in Lieu of Taxes Program, which pays for the important municipal and social housing facilities vulnerable Albertans need. The…

April 15, 2016 · by Admin2015 ·