Derek Dorsett: All heart, and then some
Could it really have been 10 years ago that Derek Dorsett became public enemy No. 1 in Vancouver — fighting, biting, snarling and scoring against the Memorial Cup host Giants?
The attitude had made him a fan favourite in the Hat, as well as every hometown where he played, including New York City, Columbus and Vancouver, where he was forced to retire as a Canuck on Thursday.
It’s the result of medical problems — Dorsett had surgery to fuse two vertebrae last year, but problems continue.
Now doctors say definitively that he’ll never play again, the risk of major or catastrophic injury being too great.
That’s tough news for a man who you could say literally broke his own neck getting to and staying in the NHL for a 500-game career.
Thankfully, problems don’t exist beyond the ice, but everyone’s favourite Tiger is out of the game.
Thankfully, more still, he’s probably heading to join his equally driven family in their construction business.
Dorsett’s a pretty determined character. Life after hockey may be a tough adjustment but I think he’ll do alright.
Taxing math
Confused about the carbon tax increase? You’re not alone, and the issue has been bashed back and forth in the legislature and beyond.
Not accounting for political positioning, the point of confusion seems to be that the levy is not calculated on consumer price (like the GST), but on a per unit basis.
OK, here goes: The levy was set at $20 per tonne in early 2017.
About 20 gigajoules of natural gas creates 1 tonne of carbon dioxide. Therefore, the resulting charge is a flat $1.011 per gigajoule.
A move to $30 per tonne in 2018 moves the levy up 50.6-cents to a total of $1.52.
November’s natural gas consumer price was about $2, which some commentators note is 75 per cent of the consumer price, or in their words, a “75 per cent tax.”
Using the same logic and calculations, December’s “tax rate” drops to 66 per cent since the commodity price has risen.
If natural gas went to $10, it would drop to 15 per cent, though actual bills would be five times higher.
That’s the dispute in a nutshell. It depends how you look at it.
By the way, gasoline and diesel prices will rise by about 2.5 cents each on Jan. 1, to total 6.75 cents and 8 cents, respectively.
Keeping track of trash
Advent Calendars were started on Friday, but likely more important to the man in your life, word comes that the city’s solid waste department is replacing its 12month flip calendar — denoting garbage pickup zones and days — is being replaced with a posterversion and phone app.
Also, please don’t read any chauvinism into this note.
Women take out the garbage too, but I doubt most care to have a whole calendar dedicated to it (or need a reminder in the first place).
Christmas coming
After last night’s Midnight Madness event downtown, Christmas events are coming fast and thick.
A certainly incomplete listing for the next week follows:
— The final day of the Medalta Heritage Christmas Fair is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
— The Police Point Park Christmas Hayride, sponsored by the Lions Club, is on Sunday with rides, crafts and treats from 1-4 p.m.;
— The Seven Persons Community hall hosts the annual craft sale on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.;
— The Enerplus Olde Tyme Christmas at the Medicine Hat Stampede grounds takes place on Thursday night from 4-9 p.m.
On the dial
News reporter Gillian Slade will be featured on the CBC Radio program “Day Six” on Saturday, which will take up the issues and importance of local newspapers from 10-11 a.m. on 98.3 FM. A replay is usually found on the show’s website.
A look ahead
City council sits on Monday to debate coming utility rate increases for 2018.
100 years ago
A guilty verdict against a Schuler man for poisoning his homesteading wife drew to a close in one of the longest trials in the 12-year-old province of Alberta, the News reported this week in 1917.
Following a three-week trial, Adam Neigel was sentenced to be hanged in March at the Lethbridge gaol.
The city prepared for a visit by the Duke of Devonshire, Canada’s governor general.
Dr. Gershaw, head of the school board, officially opened Riverside School.
Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com