Having a race for mayor could mean more people heading to the polls in a month.
Dr. Franklin L. Foster, a history and political science teacher at Lakeland College and author, says more people will likely head to the polls when there is a battle for the highest profile spots. He pointed to the United States, which, while vastly different in scope, sees a jump in election years which the presidential set is contested.
After two straight victories by acclamation, Mayor Ken Baker will be challenged this time by Jeff Mulligan, the former CEO of Common Wealth Credit Union.
“It’s something that people can focus on,” said Foster. “It’s a leader-type position, so people assume that’s more significant than one of the council. And it’s easier, one or two people running against each other is easier to get their head around rather than 12 people running for six positions.” There have also been rumours for the last couple of weeks that a third person could be entering the race as well.
Most of the research has been comparing U.S. presidential years compared to off years with generally 15 to 20 per cent higher voter turnout.
About 35 per cent of eligible Lloydminster voters cast ballots in 2006, a decent figure for a municipal election, but one that may have been inflated because of the controversial smoking bylaw plebiscite that was a major concern.
Foster added he is surprised that fewer people take part in the municipal election process, considering the relative influence a vote can have.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

The Lloydminster Bobcats snapped their five game losing streak in style this past weekend.
Just one night after dropping their fifth straight game, the ‘Cats edged the Calgary Royals in double overtime, 6-5, thanks to Brock Maschmeyer’s first goal of the season and first career overtime winner.
“It’s great, just getting this win, getting over that losing streak and bringing this win into the next game is just great,” the hero of the night, Maschmeyer said.
Maschmeyer admitted the past few games, the team has hung their heads after being scored on or surrendering a lead, but that didn’t happen against the Royals and it led to the win.
“We just kept our heads in it, played more systems and didn’t fool around in our own zone. The systems really helped,” he said.
The game saw four lead changes and was tied four times, but thanks to determination and not giving up despite surrendering a two goal lead and giving up a goal in the last minute, the ‘Cats came away with a much needed win.
“I’m happy for the guys, it’s been such a rough ride the past 10 days. I thought we got a good effort today (Saturday), unfortunately we let up in the second period, but for us to bounce back and get two points, it’s great,” ‘Cats head coach Tom Keca said.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

The City of Lloydminster is hoping issues surrounding education finances can be resolved soon.
At Monday’s city council meeting Mayor Ken Baker reiterated the need for patience in getting all sides together after both local school divisions have gone public the last couple of weeks with their frustrations.
The problems all the stem from being a border city and having to get four different ministries (two on each side of the border) to agree. Both divisions have concerns about their budgeting process down the road.
“We always have issues (being on the border),” Baker said. “I think if we just hang in there together, at the end of the day we’ll be able to solve our Lloydminster problems, we always do.”

This weekend, the games start to count.
After a longer training camp than usual, four exhibition games and some tough decisions, the Lloydminster Universal Heat are ready to kick off the 2009-2010 AMBHL season.
The Heat wrapped up their pre-season schedule by splitting a pair of games with the improved Camrose Kodiaks – losing 3-2 Saturday and winning 6-3 Sunday.
“These were good games, it’s much more what the league will be like. It was physical, it was a lot higher tempo, they (Camrose) have a lot more offensive and defensive skill and challenged us,” Heat head coach Brian Hozack said. “We had a good game up there, came back Sunday and again it was a good game. I was pleased with the way our boys responded, we got pucks to the net and we were fortunate to get some pucks in.”

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

A new joint effort will take more impaired drivers off the streets, and raise awareness amongst Lloyd residents.
The first Mothers Against Drunk Driving and RCMP check stop was held on Friday night on Highway 16, near Barr Colony, from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Everyone that needed to be stopped was stopped,” said Gayle Speidel, coordinator with MADD Lloydminster. “We have a new constable now in traffic and he’s a very pro- Mothers Against Drunk Driving person so you’ll be seeing a lot more of us.”
RCMP stopped 270 vehicles and found four unlicensed drivers, one unregistered vehicle, one seatbelt infraction and laid no impaired driving charges.
Cpl. Robb Karaim, RCMP municipal traffic officer of Lloydminster, says the collaboration with MADD, in Friday’s check stop, was about raising awareness.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

Robb Fenton - Staff Writer

The Lloyd Comp Barons got off to a quick start this past weekend and never looked back.
The Barons scored a touchdown within the first three minutes of the game, building a 7-0 lead and cruised to 27-6 victory over the visiting Wainwright Commandos at Armstrong Field.
“The guys came out more physical, I was happy with that part of the game. The first half I was super happy with, I thought the guys played well, we came out firing on both sides of the ball,” Barons head coach Justin Kelly said. “The second half, we didn’t finish drives as well, but we can work on that, it gives us something to look to next week. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the effort, we got the win, that’s the main thing and we move on.”
The Barons scored the first 20 points of the game, including eight in the first half off of a touchdown and a punt that sailed through the endzone.
A start like that wasn’t overlooked by the Barons coaching staff, as they knew they would be in tough against the Commandos.
“We knew they were going to come in and bring it and we knew if we could get it going early and get the points on the board, it would take the pressure off and our guys could relax and settle in and they did that. It was a nice boost for our team for sure,” Kelly said.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF Format.

Andrea Nicholl - Staff Writer

A change in local taxation may leave holes in public school funding and voids in services and programming.
The Lloydminster taxation review was initiated by Ministries in Alberta, in response to the City of Lloydminster citing numerous tax payer complaints of excessive education tax.
If the proposed changes are implemented, the Lloydminster Public School Division’s access to $4.5 million in local property tax will be phased out over three years.
Mayor Ken Baker made it clear, during a Tuesday morning media conference, that the decision to cut funding is not a municipal matter.
“The City of Lloydminster does not set the mill rate for education, this is a provincial issue,” said Baker. “The province has to take the lead, they’re the boss, they’re in charge. It’s their program.”
The mayor confirmed that council has received no written correspondence from the Saskatchewan or Alberta government regarding the education mill rate since May.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

A lot of people wouldn’t blame the Lloydminster Bandits if they were still celebrating one of the best seasons in recent memory, but for the team, it’s back to business.
The team is back on the ice and has been for a few weeks looking to fill some spots, create chemistry and prepare for the defence of their NEAJBHL title.
“I’ve been really impressed. Obviously we have some veterans coming back, but some of the new guys that have come in here look like they’re going to fit in well,” Bandits head coach Joe Young said, Tuesday night. “We don’t want anyone to come in here and do anything spectacular right now. Just stick to the gameplan and let the veterans lead. We had a lot of success from last year, but I’m really happy right now.”
The Bandits lost a few important players from last season’s all-star roster, including captain Todd Palik, Cory Dubyk, Kelley Piecharka and Jamie Sparkes, who scored the winner in the provincial championship game.
Although chemistry plays a big role, Young said he’s not too worried about pairing defencemen together or setting up lines, he just wants to break everyone in, get to know the new players and get back into playing hockey.
The lines and systems will slowly take shape as the Bandits hit the ice more and more.

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.

Headway has been made by the city on the new Libbie Young Centre. At Tuesday evening’s city council meeting, officials approved the purchase of land from Nelson Group, located at 39 Street and 51 Avenue for the new facility.
“It became an ideal property for this particular project simply because of the nature of the project,” said senior director of corporate affairs, Tom Lysyk.
“It needed to be close to employment services, (for) the type of clientèle that’s going to use it. It’s just ideal to be close and near hand in terms of some educational opportunities, some work opportunities and transportation opportunities.”
As a partner with the Libbie Young Centre, who provides support services to adults living with mental illness, the city purchased the 1.5 acre parcel of land at market value, approximately $220,000 an acre, said Lysyk.
“We were very happy to make this deal with the Nelson Group and we look forward to moving on this year and bringing that project to fruition,” he continued.  “At the end of the day (this) will be the Libbie Young Centre’s, it will be owned and operated by that board and by those people. We are here to just facilitate, to make sure that Lloydminster gets something that they need.”

Read the rest of the story. Download The Source in PDF format.