Manitoba Education and Training advises it has appointed five and reappointed two members to the Brandon University Board of Governors. Kerry Auriat is vice-president and an investment advisor with National Bank Financial in Brandon.  He also serves as a weekly columnist for the Brandon Sun.  He holds a bachelor of arts from Brandon University and previously served as a student representative on the Brandon University board of governors and Brandon University senate.  Auriat has also served on the boards of the Brandon General Hospital Foundation and Murray House Cancer Residence and as co-chair (fundraising) of the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre. Brad Zander is a lawyer at MLT Aikins LLP specializing in corporate and commercial law.  He received his Juris doctor (dean’s list) from the Schulich school of law at Dalhousie University in 2010 and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2011 and the Manitoba Bar in 2014.  He volunteers as a member of the fundraising committee for the Delta Waterfowl Foundation, a pro bono legal advisor for the Breast Cancer Society of Canada, a member of the Professional Liability Claims Fund Committee for the Law Society of Manitoba, and a business advisor and coach for the Fast Pitch Program with The Winnipeg Foundation. Jason Gobeil works as an Aboriginal community co-ordinator for the City of Brandon/Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council.  He has over 10 years of experience working directly in the areas of employment counselling, project management and community program development.  He has volunteered his time serving on boards of the Brandon School Division’s Indigenous Advisory Committee and the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (Westman Chapter).  Gobeil is also a member of the Brandon Bear Clan Patrol and is bilingual (French). Robyn Sneath is the president/owner of three companies:  Fraser Sneath Coffee, Brandon’s first high-end coffee shop featuring Manitoban products and located in a renovated historic building; Sneath Projects, a boutique construction company; and Bowerbird Holdings Ltd., a real estate development company that specializes in the restoration of heritage buildings in Winnipeg and Brandon.  She holds a master of theological studies from Harvard and a PhD in education from Oxford.  She has experience serving on numerous boards including the board of directors of CanU Canada, an intensive mentorship program at the University of Manitoba that helps at-risk kids, and Servants of Service, a not-for-profit organization developing affordable housing for seniors in downtown Brandon. Grant Jackson is a third-year history major at Brandon University. The two reappointed members include Shawn Chambers, vice-president with RBC Phillips Hager & North, and Caroline Stitt, a second-year student at Brandon University. The Brandon University board of governors consists of 17 members, 10 of whom are appointed by the lieutenant-governor in council.  Of the 10 members appointed by the lieutenant-governor, two must be students of Brandon University.  The powers of the board are set forth in The Brandon University Act and include the appointment of the president, vice-president, deans and the other staff. Appointments are for up to three-year terms except for students who have a one-year term of office.

The Dr. Ajai Khandelwal Primary Care Centre committee reached a decision to proceed with fall construction of the new medical clinic facility in Minnedosa. The non-profit charitable organization has raised $1,754,000 to date, having received significant support from the communities, businesses, organizations, and individuals in Minnedosa and surrounding municipalities; the total projected cost of the 5,036 square foot facility is $2,113,000.00. After consultation with the project manager, T. L. Penner Construction and their architects, the committee unanimously decided to proceed with construction of the building and its functional aspects, with construction slated to begin in the coming weeks. Travis Penner of T.L. Penner Construction said “there are a few preliminary things that need to be done, some surveying and line locating and that sort of thing. The design is basically done, it’s just a matter of getting in here, we expect to have it completed early summer, and then you’ll have the best clinic in the area!” According to Gord Lane, chairman of the primary care committee, “the committee’s decision to start at this time is to preserve the current pricing for material and trades and to complete the project as soon as possible to secure additional doctors.” Completion of the building construction ensures the ability of Minnedosa Medical Group to provide uninterrupted and improved clinic services to the area, as well as the ability to recruit and retain additional doctors to the community. Reinforcing that, Monty Peckover, Councillor for Minto-Odanah states the new clinic is a benefit to the region as “it is part of our long-term strategy to recruit doctors into the community.” In an effort to reduce immediate costs, some features have been held back for tender in the spring including paving, landscaping and a basement suite which will be completed as funds allow. John Mendrikis, board member of the primary care clinic committee noted that “proceeding with construction at this time is largely due to the public response that has occurred to date for fundraising. The remaining balance will be the goal of the committee to raise by reaching out to anyone and everyone that sees this project as a benefit to themselves and communities.” A new clinic in Minnedosa not only stands to serve Minnedosa residents, but also those of the surrounding municipalities and communities. Kaye Wolstenholme, a councillor for the R.M. of Oakview commented, “I think it’s going to be a real benefit for our municipalities, not only ours, but especially a town like Rapid City where the residents are always coming to Minnedosa or they have to wait or go somewhere else like Shoal Lake, so I think that’s nice and handy.” To date, generous support has been shown by the rural municipalities of Harrison Park, Minto Odanah, and Oakview, and the Town of Minnedosa having contributed a combined $810,000.00 to the facility. “It’s a project that’s been a long time coming, and I’m just so glad to see a start. The municipality is actually quite pleased to put money towards it because it is something that the region in general really needs”, said Jim Andersen, the Reeve for Minto-Odanah. “I think it’s fantastic for the area. The opportunity for the community and surrounding area to come together to put up a clinic for the Minnedosa area, it’s been a long time coming and we are certainly happy to be a part of it” said Bruce Delgarno, councillor for the R.M. of Harrison Park.

Former Dep. Chief Garry Bell receives Mary Beth Dolin Meritorious Fire Service Medal from Minister Blaine Pedersen. This award was established in 1988 to honour individual achievement in the Manitoba Fire Service and is awarded to those who have demonstrated excellence, leadership or outstanding achievement, or to those whose contributions have substantially enhanced the safety of the people of Manitoba. Mary Beth Dolin was a dedicated educator, school administrator and served as the Minister of Labour from 1981 to 1985; the award is named for Dolin to commemorate her spirit of public service, which exemplified the unselfish dedication to duty prized within the fire service.

Kris Dejarlais, Rosser Ward Councillor, will be hosting a ward meeting tonight at the Park Community Centre to discuss a variety of topics.  The meeting runs from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.  All residents within the City of Brandon's Rosser Ward are invited to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the following items: 8th Street Bridge Replacement Sidewalk Snow Clearing Downtown Snow Removal Bear Clan CPTED update Nuisance By-law Amendments 9th Street Closure Other Ward or City Issues Members of Administration will be in attendance.

The Brandon Firefighters Charity Fund, in cooperation with Vincent Massey Youth Revolution group, will be raising funds for the Westman area by hosting a used book sale.  With approximately 30,000 books available in the book sale there is bound to be some great reading material for every enthusiast.  Books can be purchased for only $15 per bag.  Bring in a standard size reusable shopping bag and fill it up or use one of their Co-Op donated bags. Keystone Centre-City Square October 14: 9:00 am to 7:00 pm October 15: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm