Riley Hiebert was this year’s recipient of The Citizen’s $1,000 graduation bursary. To apply for the award, Niverville Collegiate students must submit an article for our monthly Commentary section. The following article was the winning entry. 

The leaders of our community recently decided it was time to talk trash… both literally and figuratively. How strange that a community that still had burn barrels 20 years ago would find the subject of recycling so complex and contentious. It’s a testament to our commitment to good stewardship, and for this we should commend our leadership.

I humorously watched as my grandson lined up all the bicycles and outdoor riding toys, readying them for his “car wash.” The fact that he was wearing his preschool graduation hat, two backpacks, and had marker lines drawn across his face resembling war paint was of no concern to him. As he reached for the beloved garden hose, his little sister, artistically covered in blue sidewalk chalk and dragging Daddy’s shovel behind her, shuffled over in a pair of Mommy’s shoes to share in her big brother’s antics. 

The laws of our society are not intended to be applied to the vast majority of citizens. They are, and always have been, created to keep in check those who are slowest, most careless, and show the poorest judgment. In the case of many specific laws, we can see that it’s necessary to set the bar low. It’s a true testament to how ridiculous human nature can get when our public discourse turns to basic etiquette and respect between people.

Spring is upon us, and for most our annual spring cleaning is underway. We once again open windows, closet doors, dresser drawers, and storage bins, using the fresh air as motivation to take stock of all the stuff that has accumulated over the past year. We attempt to rid ourselves of the unwanted and unnecessary clutter by sifting through and sorting these into organized piles of what to keep, what to toss, and what to give away.

Our health system is on life support, and the prognosis is unknown. Much like with patients themselves, it’s not always clear what the problem is. But there is a problem. We are not well, so we ask doctors, nurses, and other professionals to help. Sometimes the answer is straightforward, with a prescription issued and the malady kept at bay. Other times, experimentation and tests are required to determine the cause of our sickness.