Mayor Harris: October 2017

Thursday, 26 October 2017

Violence Prevention Week - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 26th, 2017 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 26th, 2017 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: Violence Prevention Week

"Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan has announced October 23-27, as the fourth annual Violence Prevention Week in Saskatchewan"

“With the tragic levels of violence we continue to see in our province, this is an issue our government takes very seriously,” Morgan said. “Violence of any kind in our communities is unacceptable and we all play a role in stopping it"

“Our government is committed to promoting healthy, respectful relationships to help change the culture of violence in our province and ensure the safety of all Saskatchewan citizens,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Bronwyn Eyre said.

The province is continuously working across sectors to develop tools to aid those encountering violence and those working to support victims. In response to the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, and with funding from Justice Canada, the Ministry of Justice is increasing witness aid tools to significantly improve a witnesses’ experience while providing testimony. More than 30 new witness protection screens, manufactured in Saskatchewan, will be acquired and the number of court locations equipped for video testimonial abilities will be increased.

The province is also releasing a revised Child Abuse Protocol. This protocol updates and simplifies the previous version, released in 2014, and is supported by multiple ministries and by all provincial police forces.

“We all play an important role protecting children and youth from neglect and abuse,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said. “This week, I encourage everyone to take 10 minutes and complete our easy and informative online course to learn more about your duty to report. It could make a world of difference in the life of a vulnerable young person.”

More information about the new protocol, along with a link to the online course, is available at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/justice-crime-and-the-law/child-protection/child-abuse-and-neglect.

Child Abuse and Neglect

Child protection services are available from the Ministry of Social Services for children who are believed to be in need of protection. It is the goal of the Ministry of Social Services to keep children in their family home whenever possible and, if a child must be removed for their protection, to reunite families as soon as possible.

For children and families living on-reserve, child protection services are provided by First Nations Child and Family Services Agencies.
What is child abuse and neglect?

Abuse and neglect refers to circumstances that may be harmful to a child’s physical, emotional or psychological health.
Physical abuse - any action, including discipline, causing injury to the child’s body.
Sexual abuse - any action involving a child in sexual exploitation or sexual activity including touching, exposure, using a child in the making of/or viewing pornography.
Emotional maltreatment - expecting a child to be able to do things he or she cannot do, embarrassing or insulting a child, making hurtful comments about a child’s appearance, intelligence, size, ability, etc.
Neglect - failing to provide a child with enough food, proper clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision.
Domestic violence - exposing a child to a pattern of abusive behaviour or threats of abusive behaviour by one caregiver against another (hitting, kicking, restraining, slapping, throwing objects, intimidation, stalking, etc.).

How can I stop child abuse and neglect

As a parent, if you feel unable to safely parent your child, immediately contact your nearest office of the Ministry of Social Services office.

As a member of the community, if you believe a child may be neglected or abused, you have a legal responsibility to immediately report your concerns.
Time is of the essence in ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Immediately report all incidents of suspected, observed or disclosed abuse.
Do not wait until you have all information before reporting the abuse.
You have an ongoing duty to report child abuse, even if you believe a report has already been made.
If you believe the child or other children must be protected from further abuse, please contact the police.
Do not contact the alleged perpetrator. Reporting concerns of child abuse or neglect is everyone's responsibility. We have developed a short and informative online course that will take you through your duty to report and help stop child abuse and neglect in your community.

Reporting abuse, neglect, interpersonal violence

Report all incidents of suspected, observed, or disclosed abuse to your nearest Ministry of Social Services Office, First Nations Child and Family Services Agency or local police/RCMP.

For all after hours incidents or concerns, immediately contact your nearest After Hours Crisis Center:
Prince Albert - 306-764-1011
Saskatoon - 306-933-6200
Regina - 306-569-2724
Local Police/RCMP in other communities
a local First Nations Child and Family Service Agency

A person reporting suspected neglect or abuse is not required to provide their name.

Related Items

Duty to Report

A brochure outlining a legal duty to report immediately if there is suspicion that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been, or may be, impacted by abuse or neglect. (Also available in French.)

PDF
Saskatchewan Child Abuse Protocol

The purpose of this Protocol is to describe what constitutes child abuse under the law, to describe roles and responsibilities of service providers, and to describe the process by which they must respond. (Also available in French.)

PDF
The Structured Decision Making System for Child Protective Services

Policy and Procedures Manual

PDF
Child Protection Services

A factsheet identifying the physical and behavioural indicators for children experiencing abuse and neglect.

PDF
Child Protection Services Manual

This manual provides the framework within which child protection services are delivered.

PDF

Again please take the online course about 10 minutes of your time.

- Town of Preeceville Official Community Plan

The Town is initiating a planning review project to adopt a New Official Community Plan and a New Zoning Bylaw to better guide development within our community. The Town’s Zoning Bylaw is outdated and does not reflect the changing needs of the Town and provides almost no direction on growth. In order to update the Zoning Bylaw, the Provincial Government requires the Town to adopt an Official Community Plan. The benefit of having an overall plan with “Action” items will assist Council in planning cost effective infrastructure and balancing residential, commercial, recreational and industrial development. Town Council has engaged Tim Cheesman, M.C.I.P. and his Planning Team to prepare the Plan and Bylaw.
The Planning Team has completed the Town’s Draft Official Community Plan. The Draft OCP and the Results of the Public Consultation Process are available for viewing by clicking the links below:
Town of Preeceville Draft Official Community Plan about 73 pages
Preeceville Public Consultation Responses about 35 pages
You may provide your feedback/comments on the Draft OCP by emailing tcheesman@accesscomm.ca or preeceville@sasktel.net.

Events:

- Ongoing

- Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace.
"So far Preeceville Lions (Chase The Ace) has paid out $11,263.00 in weekly prize money and a lucky winner won the Jack Pot of $18,137 last week. A total prize pool of $29,400.00 as of Sept. 21st
- The Jackpot this week is $2500. Draws every Thursday night.
Watch their Ad's. Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/
Each week the Lions post photo's of the draw and sometimes the winners. Check it out!

- Oct 29th - Kids Halloween Corn Maze - Halloween Fright Nites in the Corn Maze
Begins at 4:00pm with a Costume Parade at 5pm
Hot Dogs and Treats for the Kids Admission $5.00
Ages 11 and Under - Andrea 306-547-2810 preecevillerec@sasktel.net

- And as always if you wish to have an event promoted visit and post it to our Community Events Calendar at www.townofPreeceville.ca

Follow the Mayor on the town site at http://www.townofpreeceville.ca/default.aspx?page=65&cid=6 follow me on blogspot at http://mayorharris.blogspot.ca/

follow me on facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/mayorgarthharrisfollow me on twitter @https://twitter.com/MayorGartharris

follow me on google+ @ https://plus.google.com/u/0/102741942183606627948?tab=wX#102741942183606627948/posts

follow me on youtube @https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKyA9eN2gdku8lGSo0WPRWw follow me on instagram @ http://instagram.com/garthrharris

Monday, 23 October 2017

Cyber Security Month

October is Cyber Security Month.

Phishing is a common practice of scammers where an email is created and used to mimic a legitimate email in all but the smallest detail. Phishing targets you specifically and tricks you into downloading malicious software or providing personal information like passwords or account numbers.

You need to be aware that a phishing attack can come from a downloaded message from an app, SMS/text messages, email messages and attachments, or links to websites.

Some common steps that can help you avoid phishing and other scams:

1. Slow down. Phishers and spammers want you to act first and think later. If the message conveys a sense of urgency, or uses high-pressure sales tactics, be skeptical; never let their urgency influence your careful review.

2. Look for errors. A great deal of spam is of poor quality with lots of spelling, grammar and layout flaws. If you see obvious errors, you know it’s a fake. However, the lack of errors does NOT make the offer legitimate. Smart scammers can spell, and they can make a fake email look as good as a legitimate one.

3. Research the facts. Never believe unsolicited messages offering financial solutions, hot stock tips, credit assistance, refinancing, etc. If the email looks like it is from a company you use, do your research. Use a search engine or contact the company directly to learn more. If the offer is for an investment, have someone at your bank, a financial consultant, or trusted advisor review the deal before handing over a dime – or your personal information.

4. Delete any request for financial information or passwords. If you get asked to reply to a message by providing your bank account, bank routing information, credit card numbers or passwords, it’s a phish or some other type of scam.

5. Reject requests for help or offers of help. Legitimate companies and organizations do not contact you to provide help. If you did not specifically request assistance from the sender, consider any offer to ‘help’ restore credit scores, refinance a home, etc., a scam. Similarly, if you receive a request for help from a charity or organization that you do not have a relationship with, delete it. Charity scams tug on heartstrings especially after a disaster strikes. To give, seek out reputable charitable organizations on your own to avoid falling for a phish, and research how much of the money donated will get to people in need.

6. Don’t let a link be in control of where you land. Stay in control by finding the website yourself using a search engine to be sure you land where you intend to land. Hovering over links in email will show the actual URL at the bottom, but a good fake can still steer you wrong. Long-pressing on your mobile phone will pop a dialog with the actual destination URL on most mobile operating systems.

7. Beware of dangerous downloads. If you don’t know the sender personally and don’t expect a file from them, downloading is a mistake. When in doubt, call the sender – you don’t want to email them if their account has been compromised.

8. Scammers manipulate emotions. If you’re financially stressed, lonely, angry, sad, overly happy, frustrated, etc., you’re more likely to fall for phishing and other forms of fraud. Put emotions aside when evaluating phone calls, text messages, mail, email, online offers or notices.

9. Free has a price tag – and it’s usually more than you bargained for. Offers of free trial products (or free anything) are scams – and potentially phishing. Even when you don’t see a direct phishing connection, the catch is they are collecting your information – you need to give your name, address, phone number, email address, and often more, when signing up. This information will be sold, resold, and repurposed (think phishing) many times over.

10. Don’t let your guard down at work. While SLGA has tools that help block phishing scams, they cannot catch everything. While the same anti-phishing advice applies when opening, downloading or linking to sites from email arriving in your work inbox, the stakes are significantly higher. Falling for a phish or other malicious scam does not simply impact yourself; you potentially put the whole company at risk.

Spread the news. Take the time to discuss this topic with your children, parents, or grandparents. Scams, Phishing and digital fraud are the new normal, knowledge and awareness can go a long way to prevent your loved ones from becoming a victim of fraud.

Thursday, 19 October 2017

#HeadsUp teen drivers - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 19th, 2017 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 19th, 2017 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: #HeadsUp, teen drivers: A ticket you’ll want to get & a chance to win

National Teen Driver Safety Week contest running October 15-21

Putting down the phone, buckling up and driving safe and sober could earn teen drivers a chance to win a $250 VISA gift card during National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct.15-21). During the week, police will be rewarding teens demonstrating safe driving habits with “positive tickets.”
Teen drivers are invited to enter the social media contest #GetHomeSafeSK by liking, sharing and tagging two friends on SGI’s Teen Driver Safety Week posts on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.
The contest is open to all teens 15-19 in Saskatchewan, and entrants could win one of 10 $250 VISA gift card prizes. Winners will be determined by a random draw of all eligible entries.
“This is a fun way to reward and promote good driving habits,” said Earl Cameron, Executive Vice President of the Auto Fund. “We want to make sure teen drivers are following safe practices because they are over-represented when it comes to causing collisions and traffic deaths.”
In Saskatchewan in 2016, there were 8,573 collisions involving drivers between the ages of 16-19, and teen drivers were found to be at fault in 79 per cent of those collisions.
Teen drivers have higher fatality, injury and collision rates than drivers in other age ranges. Although teen drivers represent just under seven per cent of drivers on the road, they are involved in*:

· 13 per cent of collisions,

· 18 per cent of major injury collisions, and

· 15 per cent of fatal collisions in Saskatchewan.

*Numbers include collisions where a teen driver was involved in the collision, whether or not they were at fault.

SGI is committed to educating teen drivers and helping them stay safe on Saskatchewan roads. The Saskatchewan Graduated Drivers Licensing Program helps to ensure new drivers of any age learn and demonstrate safe driving behaviours before getting their Class 5 Driver’s Licence. Teens are eligible for the free program starting at age 15.
National Teen Driver Safety Week is organized by Parachute Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to injury prevention. For more information about National Teen Driver Safety Week, and to see SGI’s full social media contest rules, visit www.sgi.sk.ca/teendrivers.

- Town of Preeceville Official Community Plan

- Ongoing

- Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace.
"So far Preeceville Lions (Chase The Ace) has paid out $11,263.00 in weekly prize money and a lucky winner won the Jack Pot of $18,137 last week. A total prize pool of $29,400.00 as of Sept. 21st
- The Jackpot this week is $2500. Draws every Thursday night.
Watch their Ad's. Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/
Each week the Lions post photo's of the draw and sometimes the winners. Check it out!

- Oct 20th - Halloween Fright Nites in the Preeceville Corn Maze. For ages 12 and up. 8pm - 12am
Admission is $8.00 - Andrea 306-547-2810 preecevillerec@sasktel.net

- Oct 22nd - Kelsey Ecological Presents: Travels in Tanzania and India - Jasmine Knihniski presenting 2:00 pm Club 60

Thursday, 12 October 2017

New Wildlife Management Survey App - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 12th, 2017 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 12th, 2017 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: New Wildlife Management Survey App

"The Ministry of Environment has launched a new mobile application called the Saskatchewan Co-operative Wildlife Management Survey (SK CWMS) for Saskatchewan’s people to record wildlife observations. Species include moose, elk, deer and select upland game birds, which helps the ministry manage wildlife decisions.

“The SK CWMS app, which is compatible with Apple and Android smart phones, will make recording wildlife information much easier,” Environment Minister Dustin Duncan said. “This modern platform not only simplifies the recording of wildlife sightings, but also increases the accuracy and timeliness of information provided to the ministry.”

The Saskatchewan Co-operative Wildlife Management Survey began in the 1980s as a way to better understand herd structure for deer. Today, the survey is used as a tool to gather population information for moose, elk, deer and select upland game birds across the province. This long-standing, volunteer-based survey provides valuable information to guide the management of game species.

“Wildlife sightings provide important information indicating population growth and survival for big game and upland game birds, to help wildlife managers with their planning,” Duncan said.

Although observers are encouraged to record observations for all species throughout the year, each game species has the following key observation periods when it is particularly important to record your observations:

White-tailed deer and mule deer: September 1 to November 30

Moose: September 1 to December 31

Elk: September 1 to February 28

Sharp-tailed grouse: March 1 to July 15

Wild Turkey: December 1 to March 1

Everyone from across the province is invited to join the community of volunteer wildlife observers by downloading the app (SK CWMS) on GooglePlay or the Apple store. Once the app is downloaded, call 1-800-567-4224, for your participant number and activation code.

The traditional paper booklet will remain available for those who prefer this method of recording information. To receive a traditional survey booklet, please call 1-800-567-4224 "

For further information, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-recreation-heritage-and-arts/hunting-trapping-and-angling/wildlife-population-surveys.

Wildlife Population Surveys

The Government of Saskatchewan aims to sustainably manage game species and their habitats including white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose, elk, pronghorn, caribou, bison, upland game birds, waterfowl, bear, wolf, cougar and furbearers. To help wildlife managers better understand the many aspects of wildlife populations, such as population size, herd structure, productivity (e.g., young per female), impact of disease, harvest and hunting effort and human-wildlife issues that impact wildlife populations, several survey types are employed.
Ground-Based Trend Surveys
Spotlight Deer Surveys
Pronghorn Herd Structure Survey
Aerial Population Density Surveys
Citizen Science Surveys
Hunter Harvest Survey
Co-operative Wildlife Management Survey
Annual Status of Furbearers Survey
Ground-Based Trend Surveys

Spotlight Deer Surveys

Each October, the Ministry of Environment conducts ground-based spotlight deer surveys on established routes in select wildlife management zones (WMZs) across the province. Observers record the number, age and sex of game species that they detect. Routes are approximately 160 kilometres and run through a variety of habitats. Data in each WMZ is considered comparable to other years’ data for the same WMZ, thus yielding a population trend for game species of that region.

Pronghorn Herd Structure Survey

The pronghorn herd structure survey monitors the changes in pronghorn populations over time. Seventy 80-kilometre routes are established across the pronghorn range in Saskatchewan and staff complete each one annually between July 1 and July 21. Two surveyors record the number, age and sex of all pronghorn observed within 800 metres either side of the road.

Aerial Population Density Surveys

The Ministry of Environment conducts aerial surveys using a stratified random block design to determine density and generate population estimates for select regions across the province. These surveys, typically conducted in winter when snow cover and lack of foliage make observations easier, are designed to estimate age (i.e. adult vs. young) and sex composition of ungulate populations. Structures are usually presented as adult males or young per adult female.

Citizen Science Surveys

Hunter Harvest Survey

Hunter harvest surveys are an important component of managing game in Saskatchewan and provide valuable information for quota and season setting for the upcoming year. You will find detailed information about this survey and an annual summary of results here.

Saskatchewan Co-operative Wildlife Management Survey

The Saskatchewan Co-operative Wildlife Management Survey, formerly the Co-operative Deer Management Survey, is a long-standing, volunteer-based survey that provides the ministry with valuable productivity and herd structure information. In 2017, this survey was expanded to formally include moose, elk and select upland bird observations. Also new for 2017, participants have the opportunity to conveniently record observations using the new mobile SK CWMS application, that is compatible with both Apple and Android smart phones.

Annual Status of Furbearers Survey

The Annual Status of Furbearers Survey asks trappers to assess the abundance of local furbearers. Each species is assigned a number between 0 and 4, with 0 corresponding to never being found in the area, 1 to sometimes being found but not present in the year of interest, 2 to being scarce, 3 to being common and 4 to being abundant. The average of all trappers reporting on the species is summarized in order to determine if the species is abundant (>3.3), common (2.8 – 3.2), fairly common (2.3 – 2.7), uncommon (2.0 – 2.3), scarce (<2.0) or never found (0). Similarly, trappers are asked to identify if the abundance of each species is lower, similar or higher than the previous year. In 2017, this survey was transitioned into the HAL system and will be available to all trappers purchasing a Northern Fur Conservation Area or Southern Fur Conservation Area trapping licence.

http://www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/parks-recreation-heritage-and-arts/hunting-trapping-and-angling/wildlife-population-surveys

- Town of Preeceville Official Community Plan

- Oct 22nd - Kelsey Ecological Presents: Travels in Tanzania and India - Jasmine Knihniski presenting 2:00 pm Club 60

Thursday, 5 October 2017

#HeadsUp - Distracted driving - Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 5th, 2017 8:35 am

Working Draft for:

Preeceville's Main Street with the Mayor Garth Harris for Thursday October 5th, 2017 8:35 am

With GX94's Craig Wallebeck > see him @ http://www.gx94radio.com/craig-Wallebeck

This week we focus on: Distracted driving is always a bad call

#HeadsUp, Saskatchewan - Distracted driving is always a bad call

Police cracking down on distracted drivers in October; factor in 8,300 collisions last year

Picking up your phone while driving to let your friend know you’re running late? That’s a bad call. It’s illegal, dangerous and may cost you – there might be a police officer watching from a bus or an unmarked vehicle in the next lane, and the fines and penalties are stiff.
Distracted driving is the focus of October’s Traffic Safety Spotlight. Throughout the month, police across the province will be using a variety of tactics to catch distracted drivers in the act, including surveillance from unmarked vehicles and plainclothes officers on the sidewalks.

Police will be on the lookout for people using handheld cellphones to talk, text, email or browse online while driving. But distracted driving isn’t just limited to using a phone.

“Drivers are still not getting the message. If you are in control of a vehicle, anything that takes your attention away from the road is dangerous,” said Superintendent Brian Shalovelo,
Saskatoon Police Service. “If someone says they were picking up a CD on the floor when they lost control, that is distracted driving. Changing the radio station, smoking a cigarette, reading a map or your mail – these are all examples of how a driver can be distracted. We’ve even seen people watching Netflix while driving.”
“The average car or lightweight truck weighs over four thousand pounds,” said Chief Evan Bray, Regina Police Service. “That is two tons of comfort and convenience to get you to your destination…or it’s two tons of steel and glass that can take your life, or someone else’s, if you lose control. Is there any text message, photo or music selection in the world that could be more important than a human life?”
“The message is simple: put the phone away and encourage your friends and family to do the same,” said Earl Cameron, Executive Vice President of the Auto Fund. “Put it out of reach in your glove box, zip it up in your purse and put it in the back seat, or mount it on your dashboard and use it hands-free if you’re an experienced driver. We all have a responsibility to make safe choices behind the wheel.”
It is illegal for drivers in Saskatchewan to use, view, hold or manipulate a cellphone while driving. This means that, even if you’re simply holding a cellphone and not using it, you can still be charged. Drivers caught using their cellphone while driving for the second time within one year will have the vehicle they are driving seized for seven days. Experienced drivers can only use a cellphone if it is mounted to their visor or dash, and they use the voice-activated or one-touch functions. Learner and novice drivers are not allowed to use a cellphone of any kind, not even hands-free.
The penalty for distracted driving is a $280 fine and four demerit points under SGI’s Safe Driver Recognition program.

Everyone can drive free of distractions by following these tips:

· Don’t use your cellphone, even at a red light – the law applies whenever you’re in control of a vehicle.

· Put the phone away – silence your phone and put it out of reach before getting behind the wheel.

· Focus on driving – limit distractions like eating, grooming, or having emotional conversations with passengers.

· Have a designated texter – let your passenger reply to messages and operate the radio and GPS.

· Pull over first – if you need to make a call or take care of children or pets, don’t do it while driving.

· Call out friends and family – if you see them using a cellphone behind the wheel, speak up! It may save their life.

Visit SGI’s website at www.sgi.sk.ca to learn more about distracted driving and the strengthened cellphone legislation.

August Traffic Safety Spotlight Results: Impaired driving

During the August spotlight on impaired driving police reported 390 impaired driving offences, including 334 Criminal Code charges.

Police also reported:

4,243 tickets for speeding or aggressive driving
360 tickets for inappropriate or no seatbelt/child restraint
459 tickets for distracted driving (including 342 for cellphone use)

https://www.sgi.sk.ca/about/newsreleases/2017/octoberspotlight.html

- Town of Preeceville Official Community Plan

- Ongoing
- Preeceville & District Lions Club Chase the Ace.
"So far Preeceville Lions (Chase The Ace) has paid out $11,263.00 in weekly prize money and a lucky winner won the Jack Pot of $18,137 last week. A total prize pool of $29,400.00 as of Sept. 21st
- The Jackpot this week is $2500.Get your tickets and the jackpot will build again. Draws every Thursday night.
Watch their Ad's. Follow the ACE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PreecevilleChaseTheAce/
Each week the Lions post photo's of the draw and sometimes the winners. Check it out!

- Oct 7th - the 2017 Preeceville Annual October Tradeshow will start at 10:00 at the Legion Hall with over 40 vendors, 50/50, door prizes, free admission -

Contact Welma Bartel at 306-547-9422 or email her at" wbartel@sasktel.net