Opinion

As 2012 comes to a close people in the U.S. and Canada can look back on 12 months marked by many highlights, including a gradual return to economic health following the recession.

With all of these stolen Christmas lights around Sundre I wonder where the spirit of Christmas has gone. Christmas is supposed to be a time for giving, for thinking of others and cherishing your loved ones.

Last week when I put my frenetic day-to-day affairs on hold to decorate the house for Christmas my amused wife stopped in her tracks, cast a broad smile and said, “Johnnie, you are just like a kid.” That caused me to pause as well. She was right.

With the holiday season well underway across West Central Alberta this week, many families are no doubt planning trips and gatherings to celebrate the festivities.

With Alberta physicians and the Redford Tories getting closer and closer to an all-out war over the government's decision to impose a new long-term financial deal on doctors, the recent uproar over the premier's actions when she was justice minister

After interviewing retired game warden Murray Bates last week, I haven't been able to stop thinking about how alarmed I am over what I have learned about poachers. There has been a large number of poaching incidents recently, as stated in a Dec.

Having lived in a big city from the day I was born and throwing myself in a small town like Sundre has been a shock – I can't believe how friendly everyone is here.

There is no question town staff and council are anxiously looking forward to the upcoming holiday season.

When Alberta Premier Alison Redford recently told her party's 2012 convention that her government is prepared to see the province borrow to pay for key infrastructure projects it shouldn't have come as a big surprise to anyone.

With Mayor Annette Clews' apology on Nov. 5, Sundre's elected officials are given an extraordinary opportunity to prove they can rise above growing anger with the public over this fall's communication blunders.