Hey big spender . . .

Councillor Dubois managed to hold on to her Crown being the top spender on council for 2009, while Wyant nudged out Hill by a nose for second place. Had you played a triacter on this race the payday would have been small as the favorites came in to win. A special thanks to Prarieland Park for picking up Neault's travel expenses and again thank you to Nealut for not double-dipping.

The surprise spender was Councillor Paulsen (SP Feb.9/10) seemingly leading the charge on an additional $54,000.00 to separate the tax bill for the school boards. While it is true that most taxpayers fail to realise that half that bill goes to the school boards, we have also entered an era were the province has taken away the school boards' ability to tax and has a long range plan to reduce the weight of that expense from the property tax.

I expect that many taxpayers will be confused by the separate billing and may only pay one bill but not the other. Then the city will be required to pay the expense of collecting these taxes and late payment will penalize the property owner. No doubt some will add the two incorrectly and have a small shortage or overage. I agree with Penner, Wyant and Clark that the current tax bill is pretty clear as to allocation of taxes paid. Those three get a back on the pat.

On the upside, now there will be space on the notice to include all the indirect taxation we pay - ever-increasing levies on infrastructure, landfill fees, transit passes and utility increases. I'll let the environmentally conscious folks comment on the increased waste of paper.

Now council should spend a little time figuring out how we can pay for this as I recall six of them are committed to no tax increase.

The shovels are coming out tonight

The marathon scheduled for tonight's council meeting will test the mettle of the most enduring political athlete. It would appear that 30 good citizens want to share their views with council on one topic - snow removal. With each speaker having five minutes to expound on their solutions to the problem, add in the Mayor's introduction and instruction, the amble down to the podium by the speaker, my guess would be 3 1/2 hours on this topic alone. Each speaker will deliver the same message. In the first hour or so a councillor or two will pop up with some platitude or word of empathy just to prove they are listening and getting the message. And as time and nerves wear on, everyone quits listening and shuts down. I think I would rather watch a rerun of CSI.

Calgary council ordered an audit of their snow removal. Atch thinks its premature to call for an audit of Saskatoon's program. He states audit it means intensive scrutiny and we just need a review. And a tax increase. And Neault is sure that dumping more money into the program will fix it. Administration wants to hire more people so it can properly ticket and tow motorists. Hill's game for contracting out snow removal. Yes folks. The lunatics are in charge of the asylum.

This is why I like local politics so much. Everyone participates. Its reality TV, funny home videos and a local talent show all wrapped into one. Best way to watch it is to record it and fast forward to the best parts.

So the snow shovels will be out tonight but it won't be snow that being shovelled.

Nettie pack your bags!

Nettie Wiebe has come very close a couple of times fulfilling her dream of a seat in parliament. I now suspect if she took her circus over to Saskatoon-Humbolt her dream might come true.

I went online (saskatoonglobaltv.com) last night and watched the whole video of Pankiw's press conference. My politest comment would be that old Jim looks a little "disturbed." My impolite comment is, in my opinion, he was absolutely wacko. However he does have his following and he will drain some vote - hell, he might win. I am reminded that I never once thought that the voters of Saskatoon-Humboldt would toss the bright and classy Georgette Sheridan for him, and I thought wrong.

In Saskatoon-Humboldt good ole Nettie might find herself walking up the centre of the road - and centre is not her comfort zone. And I am sick at the thought of maybe having to listen to Nettie Wiebe and Jack Layton sing a duet for years and years.

I don't think Saskatchewan needed two universities much less three, but I understood the need of First Nations people to control their own destiny given the history of aboriginal people in Saskatchewan and Canada. It saddened me to watch the ongoing drama of FNUC and eventually, its pending demise.

The FNUC setback is hard enough for First Nations to bear, but coupled with the return of Jim Pankiw to politics, the provincial chiefs' nightmares have just begun. His "I'm Back" comment brings to mind the leering face of Jack Nicholson in The Shinning. He will stir up old prejudices and make unfounded allegations in order to create attention to his cause - racism. I am unclear as to what political office he will be seeking, but remembering his past successes, I won't write him off. And it doesn't matter at this point if he wins, what matters is the damage he will do trying to win.

I find it ironic that he would chastise the media for the reporting on him as they give him more press and free advertising than any politician could hope for and, as the old saying goes, "Bad press is better than no press."

One step forward, two steps back. Put on your rose-colored glasses or correct your myopia with a prescription for humanity.

What does wedding cake and health care have in common?

They are both tiered. The bottom layer forms health care for the masses, the second layer is for those folks who have top up coverage through a collective agreement or contract and the top layer is for the rich and famous and those with influence.

During my recent visit to the USA I was stunned by the reaction of the American public to Obama's health care proposal. While in debate with some Americans on Obama's plan I expressed the benefits of our health care system, acknowledged its few short comings and suggested that the pros outweighed the cons for middle class Americans. An enraged Attila the Hun is frightening and I exited the debate while I still had skin on my back.

Danny Williams certainly has been a controversial premier in Canada and has taken his road show down to the USA. In today's SP article a doctor from the Canadian Doctors for Medicine says seeking his medical treatment in the USA should not be a judgment on Canadian Health Care. Sadly, it is - on both sides of the border. Thousands of Canadians head south every year for diagnosis, speedy treatment or advanced procedures. Most are not funded by Canadian health care but by the individual.

The lesson to be learned from this is our inability to rationally discuss health care without fear mongering politics taking over the debate - on both sides of the border.

Let them eat cake. And we will too.

Whine, whinge and whatever

The preamble warnings of yet another civic tax increase have started. In today's SP article regarding provincial funding for municipalities it was reported that Saskatoon will only receive the same amount as last year ($29.2 million.) Hardly a surprise given the fact that the province has been vocal for almost a year on holding the line on spending in light of its budget dilemmas. And lets remember how little the cities used to receive from the province prior to 2009.

We have already seen indirect taxation through water rate increases, transit fare increases, parking meter hikes, infrastructure levies and we still have ongoing discussion regarding garbage pickup charges. It boils downs to council looking at needs vs. wants. We need services and, maybe, want extras. At this point council should look at putting on hold projects on River Landing, construction of new recreation facilities, improvements to existing sports venues and everything else that doesn't translate into necessary services to the public.

During the civic election campaign six councillors committed to no tax increase if re-elected. All six councillors were incumbents and knew, or should have known, what was expected from the province. Any decisions on extra spending should have been made with the proviso that they were contingent on increased funding from the province.

I suspect we will just see finger pointing at the provincial government and a lot of rhetoric about why council must increase taxes. The only thing we the public can watch for is whether or not six of our councillors honourably keep their promises.

Et tu Atch?

Dog with a bone

There is still meat on this bone to be picked so I am continuing with the comments from Friday (Suites not sweet.) My first point is property owner rights. Currently if you want a zoning change you submit your request, adjacent property owners that may be affected by the request are notified, there is a hearing and all involved are invited to attend and voice their support or express their concerns. If council unilaterally enlarges on the zoning to to include garage/garden suites in traditional residential zoning, they will effectively eliminate a property owners right to speak to the issue that may directly impact on their use and enjoyment of their property. For those of you who want this in your neighbourhood, go speak in favour of it for your 'hood rather than impose it on everyone else.

Secondly, the issue of illegal suites should be of concern to all neighbourhoods and renters. Illegal suites do not meet code and can have safety issues. By example, if proper egress is not in place and there is a fire the tenant may be trapped and a risk for serious injury or death. I have seen suites in this city that I wouldn't let my dog stay in, yet they continue exist without intervention by the city primarily because of the shortage if rental properties. What makes you think illegal garage/garden suites will not be handled in the same fashion?

If density is the goal then allow properties that are already zoned for multiple dwelling to build 40 or more stories high. Didn't the U of S recently announce its intent to build several new student housing complexes? How about more support for organizations like Habitat for Humanity?

We have a sidewalk clearing bylaw. If we have suites over garages with alley access, will we have to clear the back lane to allow for public access? Will these suites be required to be handicapped accessible? I won't even get going on street parking.

One commenter mentioned these suites will give an opportunity for some to generate revenue. That is true, but lets hope that commentator will include that revenue on his/her tax return and and give the government its share. Then the government can use that new revenue to support social housing.

For most of us our homes are not just a place of refuge but the single or only investment we have. The our eggs are in one basket and the city appears to want to scramble them. Its great if you like scrambled eggs. I don't.