Help needed now

The people in the southeast corner of the province are getting annoyed with the lack of information and action coming out of the provincial government in regards to compensation for damage caused by last month's flood.

And, rightly so. Many of the affected people in Cypress County, did not just have flooded basements, but lost all of their possessions, were forced to leave their homes with just the clothes on their backs and for many farmers in the area, have lost this year's crops.

These people needed immediate emergency assistance to get clothing, food, and to pay for accommodations. Rural people are proud people and asking for help is not a part of their moral fibre, but when they have nothing left, asking for a helping hand from the Alberta government should not have even been an issue.

Where was Premier Ed Stelmach during the aftermath of the flood? As his ministers were touring the region from above, where was he? While the ministers have assured the people that help is on the way, there has been not one word of condolence or assurance from one person who they want to hear it from.

The people in southwest Saskatchewan were experiencing the same devastation and their premier, Brad Wall was there himself to tour the region and has been able to provide those affected with a $3,000 advance on their compensation package to help cover those immediate emergency costs. Those people, like the ones in Cypress County, are dealing with clean-up, dealing with insurance, and worrying about how they will recover from the disaster. The people in Saskatchewan, however, have one less worry. They know they have the support of their provincial government during their time of need.

As the people in Cypress County sit and wait for the provincial government to hold their meetings and discussions and vote on the compensation package, the people in southwest Saskatchewan are able to start working on re-building their lives.

Have your meetings and discussions behind closed doors, but make sure the people of Alberta are taken care of during their time of need. It is not just because these are the taxpayers who contribute and vote, it is because it is the compassionate and right thing to do.