Very few businesses can claim being open for 60 years but the Main family from Brandon has done that and very successfully. In late 2024 Ryan Main and his family decided now is the time to sell Pik-A-Dilly RV Centre on the North Hill. BDNMB – Big decision to sell after 60 years I imagine Ryan Main - Sixty years is a long time! I spent the past 18 years of my life in Pik-A-Dilly, full time in one capacity or another and witnessed a LOT of changes in the business landscape in Brandon. And to think, I didn't even get to a third of the years that the business had been running for! Between Grandpa Frank and Grandma Shirley starting selling campers from a corner B&A gas station at the corner of 10th and Vic, to relocating the business to where the Victoria Inn currently sits to the current location on the North Hill, our family has been at the helm of Pik-A-Dilly. We've been a major part of thousands of families camping adventures, many through multiple generations. To look at it that way and know that our family helped so many create lasting, lifelong memories with their loved ones is something I will always be proud of. The decision was a difficult one, but it was time. I had hit a point where I was burnt out and I needed to be available to my family more readily as the kids are at an age where we can go and make our own lifelong memories and I never want to think (or have them think) that anything was 'missed' out on. The generations are different from when I was young and mom was able to be at home to now where a single income family is very rare so family time is a little harder to come by. BDNMB - What is your favorite memory Ryan Main - I have so many memories from my time in the RV industry. A few off the top of my head have to be; selling a trailer to couples that had previously purchased from both Grandpa Frank and dad (happened twice!), getting to experience Las Vegas for yearly RVDA conventions, making lifelong relationships and friendships with local business people and the connections made with local events and charities through sponsorship and donations, so many good stories and memories with past staff and customers, the family feel of a smaller staff working together, rekindling a friendship that led to getting married and having three wonderful kids happened through an industry meeting in Alberta. Having those three kids visit while Kelly was on mat leave with each of them - Alex was passed around to staff members and customers alike to get used to 'other people' besides mom and dad holding him all the time, Bennett would come up and bring coffee that he always tried to get his hands on as a baby and Colbie just had to have her hands on everything and anything she could grab (especially her "clackulator"). My dog Poncho being the unofficial greeter at the dealership and being able to have him with me at work, so many great memories I can't possibly revisit them all. BDNMB - And what would be your least favorite memory Ryan Main - My least favorite memory of my time working in a family business had to be when I first started in sales, I took a family out to show them some trailers and, being new, I answered a lot of questions with "I'm not sure of the answer to that, but I will get it for you before you leave" and having the gentleman go up one side of me and down the other for not knowing the answers to all of his questions on the spot. That actually had me briefly question whether I should even bother at all with the job as there was a certain pressure that came with the shoes to fill before me. I'm glad I stuck it out though! BDNMB - Million-dollar question what will you do now Ryan Main – As far as what's next for me, I've moved across the highway to run the parts department at Maxim Truck and Trailer. It's a little different in terms of industries, but people skills are transferable and learning new things keeps you young I've heard! All in all, at the end of the day, it was important for dad and I to find new owners that had the same, small mom and pop values that we ran the business with and we think that we found that with the group from Steinbach Trailers. It was arranged so that all of the current staff kept their positions so campers can count on a familiar voice and familiar faces for when they contact the dealership as the weather turns a little more 'camping friendly' again! My family and I won't be out of the camping industry totally, we'll just be on the other side of it enjoying our many local campgrounds in our camper with our kids. I've heard so many stories about this great camping spot or that great camping resort, now I get to experience them first hand!! BDNMB - Do you see major changes in the RV industry moving forward? Ryan Main - As far as the RV industry is concerned, there will always be changes, whether big or small, but they'll always be further behind than say the auto industry. It's such a laid back way of life. COVID times were huge as camping seemed to be the one thing that everyone could actually go out and do, so everyone who could find an RV to purchase bought one. We couldn't keep trailers in stock if we wanted to. I remember many people saying that it looked like we were going out of business with the number of trailers in stock and trying to strategically park the sales lot to make it look fuller than it was. The industry had a bit of a set back coming out of the pandemic, but it's started to come back closer to pre-pandemic levels now. I've always said that there is only so much you can do inside a box that's 30 feet (ish) long by 8 feet wide, so I don't foresee any mind-blowing changes in the near future as there would need to be so many other changes to accommodate that (DOT regulations for towing, campground changes for longer or wider units, etc). And I think that there is so much variation in floor plans and manufacturer's that automated assembly is likely a long way off for RV's.

MPI thanks the Public Utilities Board (PUB) for its response to the Corporation’s 2025/26 General Rate Application, which begins April 1, 2025. MPI respects the independent role of the PUB and will work to implement the order that has been issued for the Corporation’s compulsory line of business (Basic insurance). Coverage under MPI’s Basic insurance is mandatory for Manitoba drivers and rates are regulated and approved by PUB annually. For the 2025/26 insurance year, PUB has ordered a 5.7 per cent increase to Basic insurance rates, which will represent an increase of $50.84 per year or $4.24 per month for the average passenger vehicle policy. To ensure customers can choose the type of coverage that best meets their needs, MPI also offers additional options through its Extension line of business. These products are not mandatory and customers may choose to purchase them from any insurance provider in the province. With 96 per cent of customers choosing to purchase Extension products from MPI, the Corporation is proud of the value and convenience these options offer to Manitobans. MPI’s Extension product portfolio includes additional third-party liability coverage, rental vehicle insurance and the option for customers to pay slightly higher premiums for their insurance to reduce the deductible they would pay in the event of a claim. For example, MPI’s current Basic insurance deductible is $750, but most Manitobans choose to pay for additional Extension coverage that reduces their deductible to $200. In the current insurance year, MPI’s Board of Directors approved a 10.32 per cent increase to Extension rates, which represented an increase of $9.60 per year for the average passenger vehicle policy. Beginning April 1, 2025, Extension rates will increase by two per cent, which will represent an increase of $1.99 per year on the average passenger vehicle policy. MPI regularly reviews the pricing of its products to ensure we are continuing to provide high-value options for customers that are priced competitively when compared to other providers. The PUB has also approved MPI’s application for a $10 increase to the cost of an annual driver’s licence. This helps support the Personal Injury Protection Plan (PIPP), one of the most comprehensive universal injury protection plans in North America. MPI has not increased the cost of a driver’s licence since 1997. An expansion of the Driver Safety Rating system was also approved in the 2025/26 order. Customers who move to the new level 19 on the scale will receive an additional discount above the current maximum of 46 per cent. All changes delivered in the order will be in effect as of April 1, 2025

The City of Brandon will be releasing the 2025 proposed municipal budget this week. All documents will be available on brandon.ca tomorrow, Jan 8, 2025. The municipal budget is written by city staff, then debated, amended and passed by City Council. Brandon City Council will deliberate the 2025 proposed budget as prepared by City administration on Fri, Jan. 24 and Sat, Jan. 25. Deliberations will be held in the Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of Brandon City Hall at 410 – 9th Street and are open to the public and media to observe. The deliberations will also be livestreamed via the City of Brandon YouTube channel. Westman Communications Group TV (WCGtv) will also be live streaming this event. Prior to Budget Deliberations, the following pre-budget sessions will take place: Capital Budget – Part I            Wed, Jan. 8, 6 – 9 p.m. in Council Chambers Capital Budget – Part II           Mon, Jan. 13, 6 - 9 p.m. in Council Chambers Public Open House                 Thu, Jan. 16, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Foyer Other Budgetary Items            Tue, Jan. 21, 6 – 9 p.m. in Council Chambers The public open house on Jan. 16 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. is a come-and-go event where members of the public can ask specific questions regarding the proposed budget to city administration. A brief presentation by the Director of Finance will be held at 5:30 p.m. The 2025 proposed budget will require an additional $6.2 million in municipal taxes levied. That would require a 12% increase in revenue, which for an average property owner would be an 11.7% increase in the municipal portion of their tax bill from last year. The proposed combined general and utility budgets are $153.4 million. The proposed capital plan is $151.6 million, which includes $37.9 million in Federal and Provincial grant funding. Based on an average single-family residential property assessed at $301,300, the daily cost is $6.59, or an annual cost of $2,406 (municipal taxes only). Major projects from the proposed capital budget includes: $30.7 million for wastewater infrastructure enhancements and preservation including the Southwest Wastewater Servicing Project $28.5 million for the water treatment facility expansion $18.9 million for land drainage improvements, including the Southeast Drainage Project $13.2 million for upgrades for streets, sidewalks, and active transportation $6.1 million for completion of the upgrades for the Brandon’s Community Sportsplex ice arena, which is expected to be opened by fall 2025 $5.8 million for refurbishment of Transit Fleet $4.6 million for the completion of the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex, which is expected to open by summer 2025 Other notable items in the proposed operating budget include increased funding for improved road and property restoration, a new low-income water audit / fixture subsidy program, and enhanced Transit security. City Council welcomes comments or feedback on the proposed 2025 budget, which can be sent via email to budget@brandon.ca.

Greetings everyone a few transactions to report. Keystone Motor Inn on 18th Street has been SOLD to the current owners of the Travelodge ( North 40 ). Pik-A-Dilly RV Centre  has been sold after 60 years by Ryan Main and his family to a company in Steinbach. Millers Pharmacy on 18th Street has been sold to new owners. Smitten celebrated 15 years in business in December. Darryl Wolski - darryl@bdnmb.ca

The Manitoba government is introducing several new measures to help improve student safety and bring greater accountability, discipline and transparency for teachers through legislative amendments, acting Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today. “There is nothing more important than ensuring that children are safe,” said Schmidt. “Teachers have a great role to play in a child’s life and parents and caregivers are entrusting teachers with their children’s education and well-being. Our government is strengthening the teacher professional conduct review process through an online registry and the appointment of an independent commissioner, which will give parents and caregivers reassurance that reviews will be done in reliable, transparent way that keeps student safety at the centre.” The new teacher certification and professional conduct framework through the Education Administration Amendment Act includes a public registry of certified Manitoba teachers who have a teaching certificate as well as information on whether a teacher’s certificate has been suspended or cancelled. The teacher registry is now available to the public online. “The new framework modernizes the way we regulate the teaching profession in Manitoba,” added Schmidt. “As a parent, this is an issue that’s close to my heart because when we talk about teacher professional conduct, we’re talking about student safety.” The new teacher professional conduct review process has now taken effect. The review process will be led by an independent commissioner, Bobbi Taillefer, who will receive and investigate complaints, facilitate consent resolution agreements and refer cases to a hearing panel for adjudication. The hearing panel will be made up of teachers, representatives nominated by the Manitoba School Boards Association and members of the public, which include: Erin Bockstael (public representative), manager of family and community programs at the Women’s Health Clinic; Gavin Bruce Strang (public representative), a professor in the department of history at Brandon University; Gord Schumacher (public representative), the executive director of the Manitoba Association of Chiefs of Police; Raven-Dominique Gobeil (public representative), the senior in-house attorney for the First Nations Family Advocate Office; Kevin Sterner (independent schools representative); Morgan Whiteway (Manitoba School Boards Association representative); Elizabeth Mitchell (Manitoba School Boards Association representative); Alison Bourrier (Manitoba School Boards Association representative); Charles Cochrane (Manitoba School Boards Association representative); Vinh Huynh (Manitoba Teacher Society representative); Jesse Thomaschewski (Manitoba Teacher Society representative); and Nicole Lavallee (Manitoba Teacher Society representative). “Moving forward, Manitoba students and parents will benefit from enhanced protections and transparency,” said Noni Classen, director of education and support services, Canadian Centre for Child Protection. “We believe these changes will enhance the trust and confidence students and their families have in Manitoba’s school system.” The registry is available to the public at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/profcert/registry/index.html. The commissioner of teacher professional conduct’s website is also available to the public at: www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/commissioner/index.html.