Let it snow

This week’s white stuff has noticeably lifted the mood of Hatters during the approach to Christmas

Preparations for the joyous season in Medicine Hat have been dampened this year by a distinct lack of the white stuff.

Aside from a brief but voluminous dump of snow in November, there’s been brown grass, unseasonably warm temperatures and continued dry weather that’s persisted since a wet spring.

Golf driving ranges remained open, outdoor rinks remained unflooded, and it was certainly easy to put off feeling merry until another day.

Now, with a whiff of snow on Tuesday night and more expected heading into the holiday weekend, we hope the situation can reverse.

Despite added hassle, the mood has noticeably lifted, even if the weather complicates driving and adds clearing the sidewalk to a long list of holiday chores. Things just seem to be a little more as they should.

In a similar vein, its hoped that Hatters can take a load off this month and enjoy our many blessings.

That’s been difficult for two years when gloom and doom hung over the city and province, where worry persists despite some obvious signs of spring in the economic landscape.

Chiefly, unemployment is down no matter how it’s measured.

Several major private sector construction projects are underway in town. The regional outlook is encouraging.

Elected officials at city hall are positively vibrating at the possibilities for 2018.

That’s only months after the October election was waged as if the town had devolved into a Third World wasteland. Most candidates promised free land, steep utility discounts if only to create some sort of positive economic news.

At its start and throughout, many surmised the 2015 recession would be “worse than the 1980s” — there were two that decade, from 1982 to 1984, then a follow-up slump in 1986. An honest comparison finds it’s not even close.

Unlike the blanket of snow, however, the improving fortunes have not reached everyone. It can be hard to feel good about increases to gross domestic product if we haven’t seen it in daily life.

At Christmas, and always, it’s important to remember and extend a hand to those less fortunate and those who are suffering in our community.

There is also continued uneasiness and for good reason.

The future and stability of the oilpatch remains a question mark — a large one for many in the community who depend on it.

Widespread change, downsizing and volatility and the spectre of more changes are still as real as when the bottom fell out of oil prices three years ago.

Every job in every business in every sector is challenged by a new rush toward new technology that will only gain speed and force.

But just as New Year’s Day follows Christmas, so too should our celebration of joy and thanksgiving be transformed into energy to meet the challenges and opportunity of the coming year.

The economy is better than it was, but not as good as it could be.

Here’s hoping your Christmas is snowy and perfect.