County residents losing patience

As people in Cypress County continue to clean up following last month's flood, some are questioning what is taking the provincial government so long in providing financial assistance and in giving them up-to-date information on what is being done to help them.

The last Cypress County officials or the public has heard from the provincial government was when Minister of Municipal Affairs, Hector Goudreau toured the affected area with Cypress/Medicine Hat MLA Len MItzel and announced that a proposed compensation package would be presented to the Treasury Branch on July 6, with a vote in Cabinet to follow on July 13.

"When it comes to the funding, it is out of the county's hands, but the way this province handles disasters is a disaster in itself," said area farmer, Geoff Watson, who contends the way the provincial government handles emergency situations, like the flood and drought, is vastly different in the southeast corner than in northern regions of the province.

"In 2000-01, wer were forced to sell our cattle, had dried up sloughs that had never dried up before, and were forced to send our cattle east or pay those high prices. Where was ouir government then? It w may have a different leader now, but it was the same government," said Watson.

"In 2008, we had back-to-back storms with those straight line winds and a hail storm. We do exactly what they want. We put our names in, register, list our damage. Then, a year later, you had to be listening to the raido or reading the paper to get word that you were recieiving funding and all you got was $1,000," he added.

Cypress County reeve, Darcy Geigle, who represents the area hardest hit by the flood, said the county is doing all it can to ensure people are getting the help they need.

"We met with the Red Cross on Thursday to bring them out here where the people need them. A lot of people cannot even get into Medicine Hat, so there needed to be something here. We have done everything we can. We told the province to worry about getting the residences fixed up. We will worry about financing the roads later," said Geigle.

"We didn't even know until (Minister of Municipal Affairs) Hector Goudreau came out what was going on and that was when he announced that it was going to the Treasury Bopard on July 6 and to cabinet on July 13. We are doing what we can. It is up to the province to come through and it is disappointing that they could not have done something immediately for these people," he added.

Cypress County residents were also outraged when they learned that the provincial government to the east came through for their residents immediately, while those in Alberta are left waiting and wondering.

Roughly 150 people int he Maple Creek area have received cheques for $3,000 from the Saskatchewan government as an advance on their disaster relief payments. Premier Brad Wall toured the affected areas in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan immediately following the flood.

"I was so angry when I found out that the people in Saskatchewan were given $3,000 immediately and we were left out in the dark," said Irvine resident, Karen Kramer.

"My biggest complaint is that we really have not been able to talke to anybody. Any information we do get is comewing second- or third-hand," she added.

Watson wonders why the Stelmach government could not have tapped into the Heritage Fund for emergency funds, or at least have a plan in place to assist people then an emegent situation takes place.

"What the heck is the Heritage Fund for? There is not going to be any heritage around if they don't help the people now,” said Watson.