Re: Choose carefully in local elections, Think Again, Michael Zwaagstra, Sept. 10, The Carillon.

I should not be surprised. Michael Zwaagstra’s recent “Think Again” column in The Carillon tries to pass along his wisdom on discerning between right-leaning and left-leaning candidates for city council. Without evidence he even suggests that there may be ‘unofficial slates’ of left or right-leaning candidates, that are working together, despite the clear rule that partisan coordination is not allowed in municipal politics.

But this is Zwaagstra, committed to a worldview predicated on labels and dualities: Right leaning candidates uphold traditional values, no frills, low taxes. Left leaning candidates seek inclusion, progressive ways, and enjoy spending on big ticket items. Even his own students would recognize the logical fallacy in this way of thinking. Set out a false either/or proposition and railroad your audience towards the conclusion you’ve prepared for them.

Let’s reject labels. What is best for Steinbach? What will make this community a happier place for all its citizens? If you’re a candidate tell me how you’re going to help Steinbach thrive, economically, socially, mentally, physically. I’m OK paying a little more tax if it means we have a few more amenities that matter. I’ll gladly support a candidate who doesn’t look or sound like me, because in our variety and difference is our true strength as a community.

A Niverville man and Dominion City woman were arrested as a result of search warrant under the controlled drugs and substances act.

Several police organizations including the Manitoba First Nations Police Service crime reduction and enforcement unit and the Manitoba RCMP emergency response team searched a Dominion City home on Sept. 13 leading to seizures of meth, cocaine, drug trafficking paraphernalia, an improvised single-shot 12-gauge shotgun, a stolen vehicle and proceeds of crime.

Miseane Rhiannon Wilson, 31, of Dominion City has been charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine, possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition, unsafe storage of a firearm, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized.

Erik Russell Hiebert, 50, of Niverville was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Organizers of the first Walk with Jesus, a Christian community gathering, say they hope to give people hope.

Denise Sandberg, a member of the organizing committee, said the event planned for Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the K.R. Barkman Park was inspired by the Walk for Jesus held in Winnipeg.

“We had such a great time,” Sandberg, who helped organize as a prayer intercessor said. “We said, we should do this in Steinbach.”

That Steinbach’s event is called Walk with Jesus instead of Walk for Jesus is no mistake.

“Hoy! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” -Isaiah 55:1 (NASB)

Each year Christians around the world observe the ‘Season of Creation’, a period of prayer and reflection that begins Sept. 1, the first day of the Orthodox church calendar, and concludes on October 4, the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology. During these weeks, believers are invited to consider God’s gift of creation and humanity’s responsibility toward our common home.

Underlying this season is a profound question: Do we believe God has created a world of abundance, or do we live as though scarcity has the final word? Isaiah 55:1 offers a compelling invitation into God’s vision of abundance, justice, and restoration.

Isaiah 55 begins with a single Hebrew word, that many translators ignore. The word is ‘Hoy!’ and as an interrogative it is difficult to translate. It carries shades of warning, lament, relief, wonder, and urgent attention all at once. Messianic Jewish scholar Yaakov Brown describes it as a foreboding exclamation that combines awe and invitation.