Hello Chestermere! It is hard to find the words this week to express how devastating it is to hear about the many atrocities and heart breaking losses in Orlando Florida, and around the world. Little Lane Graves was taken by a crocodile at a Disney World lagoon on June 15, and his little body was recovered a short time afterward. Losing a child is the cruelest blow of all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
On June 12 American-born Omar Mateen, 29, of Fort Pierce, Florida, who’d evidently pledged allegiance to ISIS, murdered 49 people and wounded 53 at a gay nightclub in Orlando. “This was an act of violence born out of hate that inflicted terror on an entire community,” FBI Special Agent Ron Hopper said Wednesday. “I would call it a hate crime, I would call it terrorism. It’s both.” Our most heartfelt condolences go out to all those who are suffering from these horrific events.
The day before on June 11, 2016 the singer Christina Grimmie (“The Voice”) was shot dead. This beautiful young singer had such a great career ahead of her. We send our love to her family and friends.
Finally, Canadian hostage Robert Hall was executed by Al-Qaeda offshoot Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines. He was murdered at some point on June 13, 2016. He had been held since September 21, 2015. Again we are just overwhelmed with grief over this senseless loss.
We are so fortunate to live in Canada, and moreover Alberta. We are surrounded by people who constantly, and consistently inspire us at the worst moments in their lives. People like the Sommerfeld family who allowed us to share in their grief on Friday June 10th as we released balloons in Jaydon’s honor to commemorate this beautiful young life who was taken from us too soon. We were also inspired by Dr Jackie Smith of the privately funded non-profit Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC). Dr. Smith related her personal story of her daughter’s addictions to drugs and alcohol, and the great work done at AARC, to a group of Chestermere and surrounding area advocates for youth and youth programs. Included in the discussion was our very own Patty Sproule of Synergy, and Bev LaPeare our school trustee. These are the things that give me hope in such trying times around the world, and here at home with job losses at an all time high, and no relief in sight from a Government whose agenda seems bent on destroying our energy sector. During the Carbon Tax debate we in the Wildrose asked the government repeatedly to release their economic impact assessment. They repeatedly refused. Recently leaked documents prepared by their financial advisors indicate that the Carbon Tax will cause further damage to an economy that is already reeling. With total job losses in excess of 100,000 and tens of thousands of jobs lost in the last month alone is this really the time to pile on more taxes?
Enjoy the start of summer. We now offer Commissioner For Oaths services (free). Please call the office. Remember to stay strong Alberta! We are a resilient, compassionate, and magnificent province. We will continue to fight for you, and as always we love to hear from you!
