A degree in decorum

It wasn't that long ago that the University of Saskatchewan rated at the bottom of the list for Canadian Universities. Under the leadership of President McKinnon we have moved way on up that list.

There has been significant increases for infrastructure replacement and repair, new programs, research money, donor dollars for scholarships - in short our university is in better shape than its been for a long while. I applaud President McKinnon for his work.

Serving 12 years on the school board, were time and time again political agendas tried to infiltrate and override education needs, makes me abhor politics in our education systems. If the USS-WORD Senators and their 100 so-called grassroots protesters feel there is a ground swell of public support to change the University Act they should run for public office and move on those legislative changes. Until then I expect the President, council and Board of Governors are bound to that Act that exists - one created by elected legislators. And that is democracy.

Disrupting meetings and tossing around allegations about the integrity of other Senators is not the way to effect change. Chair Nancy Hopkins has served the university for years and is a well-respected lawyer in the city. To my knowledge she has never compromised the university as a result of her professional or outside board activities. The fact that the USS-WORD attack her personally simply tells me their position on the issue is weak.

Protest to your hearts content. It is your democratic right. March, wave signs and put forward your position on issues. Preach your gospel. If you can get enough public support, change will happen. But if you can't, maybe you should reconsider your position and move on.

To the President and those in the Senate who conduct themselves with decorum, thanks for all the good work you have done for University of Saskatchewan and the students attending it.

Will he bust out?

How long can Dwain Lingenfelter contain himself in the avuncular role designed for him in this election? And will it work with the voters?

It must be killing him not to be able to come out swinging at Wall. This gentler Dwain runs against his political nature.

Link's announcement of a negotiation for revenue-sharing on resources with First Nations is a blatant vote buy. It was odd though that he would say "This will be a long and difficult discussion and debate that will go on." Its not a great way to start a negotiation if in fact you intend to honor the promise.

Honor may be the key word.

You can drive me crazy without a diverter

I think Councillor Heidt was correct when he stated "Every time we horse around with traffic patterns in this city we move the problems elsewhere." (SP Oct. 13/11) referring to the diverter to be installed at Avenue C and 38th Street. Its a popular short cut to the airport. It has also been used as a detour when Idylwyld has been shut down for repair or maintenance.

It brings to mind the diverter the city installed years ago at the top of the Broadway bridge to keep traffic from crossing over Broadway Avenue or turning left from Saskatchewan Crescent to go downtown. The reason this was done was because crossing over or turning left impeded the flow of traffic on the bridge. I think the better solution would have been a sign prohibiting crossing and turning during peak travel periods. Over the last year and a half this area has been shut down due to the closure of the Traffic Bridge and the construction of the lift station. Now local access is difficult and the residential detour roads have been chewed to hell thanks to the traffic flow diversion.

I wish someone had asked for a traffic study in this whole area and how to provide better access to Circle Drive and the airport for those needing to come down Idylwyld and then fixed the problem rather than simply moving it.

Until the issue of reasonable access to Circle Drive off Idylwyld is resolved travellers will find new routes to use. And the nightmare of Circle and Avenue C is only going to get worse when the new bridge opens.

The area residents may have traded in traffic flow annoyances for inconvenient neighbourhood access.

Pick your poison.

What's blowing here is not wind

It pains me to agree with Pat Lorje statement: "I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle because as soon as you announce a project is green everybody stands and salutes the flag."

I share her concern that a decision to invest $5 million on a project before all the reports are in, tabled and made public is foolhardy. Although I am not anti-wind turbine energy alternatives, I'm not sure that locating a turbine in the centre of a city or neighbourhood is the best placement. Nor should the Montgomery Place residents be deemed NIMBYs. They are ordinary folk that have invested their life savings in a home and should be concerned about, not just the effect on their everyday lives, but on their property values as well. But council has already invested $530,000 in consulting and is not about to let that go and its green.

However given Lorje's stance on other green projects, my cynical side suspects her concerns are more about garnering votes for next October and Montgomery has relatively high voter. turnout.

The cat came back

Hello one and all. I am back from a family wedding and mini reunion and just in time for the provincial election kick off, kick in or kick to the curb activities.

First of all, thanks to guest bloggers for filling in. I haven't had a chance to review the frivolity of the last three weeks but will do so as I turn my clock back to central time.

One of the first articles to catch my eye upon my return to Saskatchewan was the Airport Authority announcing its intent (or hope) to get a direct flight to a major centre in Europe. Hallelujah for international travellers. I know it doesn't mean much to those who don't travel, but to those who do it would be a godsend.

After a guelling 10 hour flight from Rome to Toronto we faced unbelievable security check queues in Toronto thanks to the work to rule activity of employees of airport security. People were missing their connecting flights or scheduled domestic flights thanks to security personnel. If these employees thought travellers would vent their anger on the corporation they are in dispute with, they were wrong. The anger of travellers was directed solely on the employees.

The idea of flying directly to Saskatoon and dealing with people who exhibit some good old "western hospitiality" is very appealing. The idea of not having a 4 hour wait in Toronto to catch a flight west is also very appealing.

Its good to be home.

Are You willing to pay Nine Million Dollars on the Hilltops?

Guest Blogger here;

So a civic committee has approved a 9 million dollar upgrade for Gordie Howe Bowl. Now before I get started on why I am opposed to this it has nothing to do with liking football or even what types of civic services we want in this city. I am a sports friendly blogger.

This upgrade is purely for the benefit of the one private user and that is the Hilltops. If anyone tells you differently they are delusional. Yes high school football play some games there, but that is truly to appease those whiners on the west side that want this facility improved and need to show it is being used. They also feel they have been left out when it comes to civic facilities. Well the East side doesn't have an Olympic sized swimming pool not to mention a CUC or TCU. I know as a fact that some years ago the school divisions spent hundreds of thousands to have football (north American version) played on the sports fields behind the east soccer, including bleachers and lighting for night games.

I heard some time ago track people wanted the place improved but I don't see that happening in this proposal. If this facility needs an upgrade then the city should be asking the group using it to pay for those upgrades. The fact the city spent thousands of dollars on an external review to tell them how to make the facility useable to more than just one entity tells the story. BTW that would cost $30 mil. If the city has gone to a cost recovery basis for all other leisure facilities, are the Hilltops willing to do the same at this venue? I don't think so. It will be left again to local tax payers.

As per my previous blogs on wasteful spending this is just another example of money that could go to better use.

Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.

Guest Blogger here,

I can't say I'm surprised the the City administration is trying to find new and lucrative ways to take more money out of the local tax payer. And it is in a way that councilors going into an election year can take to the public and flaunt as a model of taxation used elsewhere. Just because Edmonton's council went with a dedicated tax levy for roads doesn't mean our city needs to do the same. How can Regina put away more money for roads then we do? It's simple PRIORITIZE!!!!! Now had Administration said they want Council to dedicate an increased portion of taxes, what every that may be, to roads and I would be in favor of that. But to start piecemealing tax increases isn't going to get us where we need to be. First it was show removal, then it was garbage/recycling, the Local improvement levies, now roads. What's next a special levy to cover Councillors wage increases? If council agrees to this concept I say come election time we will all be singing "hit the road Jack and don't you come back, no more, no more, no more." and that goes for the lot of them.

Get to work council and find us some true savings and spend our tax dollars where we need it most in basic civic services not the filly handouts and wasteful expenditures.