Cathay Wagantall made the most of her visit to Kelvington on July 12.
The Yorkton-Melville MP spoke with many local residents, including the town and rural municipality councils to discuss issues within the Kelvington area.
This includes much-needed funds for infrastructure improvements.
Wagantall is hearing those concerns everywhere she goes with part of the cost being engineering expenses.
“I understand the need to have engineers involved to make sure the project is being dealt with properly but we’re finding the costs on that side of the equation are so high that it’s making it difficult for the smaller communities to go ahead.”
Wagantall will be following up on that, she says.
Also included in the visit was a tour of the water treatment plant, which did receive federal funding, as well as the new hospital, which received provincial funding.
The challenge for Kelvington will be making sure their books are in order before looking forward to the next project, says Wagantall, but for right now, she was there to celebrate their accomplishments.
Members of the community also brought concerns forward to Wagantall, including current regulations with trucking companies.
“Their concern really is the trucking industry. It is not well regulated when it comes to training. That’s something everyone has become aware of. We’ll be looking at that from a federal side just to see what is or could be done to see that there is safety right across the country.”
Wagantall’s visit also included coffee at the Esso and lunch at the bakery, as well as delivering a Canada 150 volunteer service award medal that had not been delivered yet to 91-year-old Margaret Mottram-Franks.
Besides many hours volunteering around the community, Mottram-Franks spent many dedicated hours volunteering with the Kelvington Legion Branch #19, including as a spearhead for the Kelvington and Area War Wall Monument and the comprehensive list of all local veterans, including those from High Tor, Nut Mountain, and Lintlaw.
Mottram-Franks was also a driving force behind the recent Canada 150 Celebration in Kelvington, organizing a student walk from the schools to the Legion Hall, as well as a program and cake.
Mottram-Franks was nominated by for the award by Constance Prouse who wrote, “when (Margaret) has a mission, she works at it until it is completed. She is a great role model. When I see her contributions, I want to get more involved in the community.”
Mottram-Franks received the award from Wagantall while surrounded by her family.
