Jeff Burgar

If we lived in a perfect world, the Golden Rule would be enough: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

In our not-quite-so-perfect world, some people decide we need another rule, or a rule has to be tweaked. The “tweakers” write up the new rule and put it to work.

At some point in time, somebody decides the rule does not suit them. Some break the rules. Others, if there is a way to change the rule, work to do so. Still others, if there is a way to argue if the rule is good or bad, take the course of arguing.

So we come to the High Prairie Community Beautification Association. The average lady on the street may not know that High Prairie’s annual Christmas Light-Up is the work of the association, and town public works crew. The association has also contributed people and dollar power to other projects around the community. All their work was paid by community donations, volunteers, and one very, very big source of income – casinos.

Over the years, since the decline of community bingo associations, many volunteer groups have relied on casino income to pay many of their bills. Beautification was one of them.

Then, a few years ago, the axe fell. Beautification was, according to civil servants in Edmonton, not a charitable non-profit group. Or at least, it didn’t qualify as “enough” of a charity under the “rules” to get a casino license.

Any person trying to interpret the rules would be confused. Seniors, being good voters, get many breaks. Even adult hockey teams at one time did. Maybe still do.

But according to Alberta Gaming and Liquor, the folks who interpret the rules, Beautification is a gardening association, not a charity.

“Out with you!” the pencil pushers declared.

Beautification, through their activities, especially the Light-Up, is a great spirit booster in High Prairie. People in the entire region are very proud of their Christmas lights.

Meanwhile, of course, their taxpayer dollars go to pay for a huge provincial display at the Alberta Legislature. Want to look at some nice lights? Take a four-hour trip, maybe plan to stay overnight at a motel, and of course, pay for the whole family to eat, and then drive back.

Now it’s interesting there exists an appeal process. As it happens, Beautification did appeal.

And lost!

When you have government appointed people on an appeal board, are they really going to take a side against the government’s own rules and rule enforcers? Not if they like the pork barrel.

Meanwhile, without casinos, Beautification is running out of money. So, it’s good news the society won 1,000 tulip bulbs, to use for Canada’s 150th birthday next year.

Thank you to Vesey Bulbs for their contest and prize. Thank you to Beautification for entering and congratulations on winning.

It isn’t a huge, huge prize, but it sure means a lot to a struggling organization that doesn’t just talk about making a better community, but actually does things about it.