By Norm Park
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She has been representing Estevan and the immediate area in the provincial legislature since 1999, and Doreen Eagles is still excited about her MLA's job and the opportunity it provides to serve the local constituency.
"For the first time in a long time, I even took a few personal days just to spend with family," she said, when asked to comment on this summer's schedule.
"I made my regular trips into Regina to tend to business as well as in the constituency office, and we had a constructive caucus retreat at Elk Ridge in mid-August. I think that has been a good program over the years because it gives everyone an opportunity to be heard. All MLAs get a chance to explain what's going on in their constituency and how it might relate to what's going on in other regions," Eagles said.
For example, the need to improve provincial highways is a big item in many rural constituencies, including Estevan, she said. "We have more miles of roads than any other province, so it makes sense that we're all wanting improvements. I know I was really happy to see the paving between Macoun and Estevan this year. It was getting pretty rough. I didn't even mind those 15 to 20 minute delays on the highway because I knew it meant it was getting done."
While the Estevan truck bypass appears to be moving slowly, it is moving forward, she said, noting that she has been informed that the grading of the bypass should be completed by the end of September and while the actual roadbed construction has been delayed often due to weather, the crews have been able to install the required culverts and the roadbed construction will get back on pace this fall and next spring with the intention of having the truck route readied for paving during the 2015 construction season.
"I know the opposition will be going after us on their typical agenda. They'll raise their concerns about senior care and building school facilities on P3 models. We expect that flow of questions from the spring session. We're proud of our record to date. When we were in opposition we generally provided possible solutions for the government to consider. This opposition hasn't done that so far. We'll see what they have to offer when we get going again in the legislature near the end of October. I'm actually looking forward to that."
The summer has been busy, even after taking those few personal days off. Eagles said she attended a 103-year celebration for the Lutheran church in Woodley, a church her grandfather had helped build. The evangelical church in Macoun also held an 85th anniversary, which she was able to attend and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Estevan is having a 50th anniversary, which she also expects to attend.
But it hasn't just been about churches. There have been pioneer days and rodeos to attend and parades coming up or already held, that she made her way to, as part of her summertime obligations. These are events she said she understands are part of her schedule but also events she enjoys.
As for the question of her continuing in the role as MLA, Eagles said she had said she was going to come to a decision regarding a possible retirement or not, this summer. She admitted that this difficult choice hasn't been made yet since she still has to weigh several factors before arriving there.
Since a general election is not expected to be called until the spring of 2016, she said she has felt no pressure at all from the government or her constituents regarding the stay or go situation, but knew that it would be made relatively soon and only after consultations with Premier Brad Wall, the caucus and her family.
"All I can say is that I'm working toward the decision. I can't say much more than that at this point."
