On Friday, under Triple A Beef, an anonymous commenter suggested that my comments on Standard and Poors and the Lehman Bros were plagiarized from Dave Hutton's column in the SP. I often read Mr. Hutton's column. I respect the work he does. I often agree with his assessment and reporting on items. But I did not plagiarlize him. I'm not sure that anyone commenting on a year and half old news item can be guilty of that charge.
Every time I hear a councillor talk about the city's great credit rating I chant "Standard & Poors/Lehman Bros." If you care to look back to an October 26/09 posting under the heading "Holy Bejezus" I made similar comments to those posted on Friday, February 26/10. I am guilty of being repetitive. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
In the event anyone is interested I started this blog as a journal of my thoughts on issues of the day, mostly political. I decided to share my journal online to see if anyone in cyberspace had comments on those issues, thinking I might find kindred spirits or others with contrary views that could be enlightening. For the most part I have enjoyed hearing from you. But in reality I do this blog for myself. I no longer have the zest to be a candidate or do the grunt work on an election team. But I still have a great interest in my city, province and country and its politics. I will continue with this blog and invite you to join me.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Triple A Beef
Today's SP reports that Standard and Poors gave our city a triple A credit rating with a few flags. Good news. Then I recalled that Standard and Poors gave Lehman Bros and others a great rating just prior to the USA financial collapse.
What caught my attention was the comment that the Saskatchewan Municipal Board may soon increase our debt limit from the current $298 million amount.
Just how deep in debt are we and how deep does council intend to go?
How will we pay increasing debt when we have six councillors that promised no tax increases during the election campaign?
My beef is that something smells fishy.
What caught my attention was the comment that the Saskatchewan Municipal Board may soon increase our debt limit from the current $298 million amount.
Just how deep in debt are we and how deep does council intend to go?
How will we pay increasing debt when we have six councillors that promised no tax increases during the election campaign?
My beef is that something smells fishy.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Hit the Wall
I believe Brad Wall has the potential to be one of Saskatchewan's greatest premiers. Whether or not he realizes his potential is in question.
I think the public can accept last year's overly optimistic budget in light of the good times we were enjoying. I think the public can appreciate his government's zest and desire to keep their election promises. I think what the public will reject is a budget that negatively impacts on the neediest and/or most vulnerable of our society.
There are two things that the public values most - health and education. Floating the ideas of cuts to education that may hurt mainstream and special needs students is not going to be well received by families or teachers. Cuts to health programs that hurt seniors is a form of assisted political suicide.
During this period of budget recovery I hope the government will consider putting on hold mega spending in the form of a controversial art gallery, stadium or other nice, but not urgent, capital projects. Bricks and mortar projects will not trump loss of perceived needs.
The thought of our Premier hitting the brick wall and thus allowing the ghost of Lingenfelter to float through is frightening. I hope the party membership will hit Wall before he hits the wall.
I think the public can accept last year's overly optimistic budget in light of the good times we were enjoying. I think the public can appreciate his government's zest and desire to keep their election promises. I think what the public will reject is a budget that negatively impacts on the neediest and/or most vulnerable of our society.
There are two things that the public values most - health and education. Floating the ideas of cuts to education that may hurt mainstream and special needs students is not going to be well received by families or teachers. Cuts to health programs that hurt seniors is a form of assisted political suicide.
During this period of budget recovery I hope the government will consider putting on hold mega spending in the form of a controversial art gallery, stadium or other nice, but not urgent, capital projects. Bricks and mortar projects will not trump loss of perceived needs.
The thought of our Premier hitting the brick wall and thus allowing the ghost of Lingenfelter to float through is frightening. I hope the party membership will hit Wall before he hits the wall.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunny in Saskatoon
I do believe that our new mascot Sunny absolutely personifies our happy, jolly Mayor. I didn't know council was expecting the newborn Sunny, and I don't know what it cost, but envisioning Atch and the councillors taking turns wearing the costume to various civic functions will be worth it for the entertainment value alone. (This assumes they will not be putting the mascot on the payroll.)
It did bring a much needed chuckle this morning after reading Pat Atkinson's comments on the proposed plan to cut educational assistants in school divisions (SP Feb. 24/10). She said government is trying to dodge responsibility for the proposed changes by passing the buck to school divisions. It is the height of hypocrisy for a former Minister of Education and a representative of a former government that did nothing but pass the buck for funding to local school boards. Every taxation year every school division board in this province screamed foul as they were forced to increase property taxes to pay for salary increases and programs imposed on them by the NDP government without sufficient provincial funding to cover the cost.
There is controversy within the education community itself as to whether or not this position has flourished beyond need or that EAs are being used effectively. It is one of those 'six of one, or a half dozen of another' debates. I will leave it the professionals to come up with the solution.
Today, I will just let the sunshine in . . .
It did bring a much needed chuckle this morning after reading Pat Atkinson's comments on the proposed plan to cut educational assistants in school divisions (SP Feb. 24/10). She said government is trying to dodge responsibility for the proposed changes by passing the buck to school divisions. It is the height of hypocrisy for a former Minister of Education and a representative of a former government that did nothing but pass the buck for funding to local school boards. Every taxation year every school division board in this province screamed foul as they were forced to increase property taxes to pay for salary increases and programs imposed on them by the NDP government without sufficient provincial funding to cover the cost.
There is controversy within the education community itself as to whether or not this position has flourished beyond need or that EAs are being used effectively. It is one of those 'six of one, or a half dozen of another' debates. I will leave it the professionals to come up with the solution.
Today, I will just let the sunshine in . . .
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A female tale of baleful males
This is a true story. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Once upon a time there was a young woman named Alice. Alice is a tall, willowy, pretty 28 year old woman. She is well-educated, has a great sense of humor accompanied by a lilting laugh. She is witty, smart, good natured and wholesome looking. Have you a picture of Alice in your head?
Alice's chosen career was human resources/industrial relations. Her early career steps walked her into a field dominated by men who, and I generalize, value women only in the biblical sense. I feared the only attention Alice would garner from this group would be the wolf-whistle. She proved me wrong. In a short period of time she became the least hated management employee.
One day on the job site a crew of workers, and for the purpose of this story only they will be called the Teamsters, started to intimidate and bully other workers who were not part of their union. Some non-Teamsters were threatening to pull out of the job site. Alice's boss came in with one directive - fix it!
Alice gathered the bullies in the boardroom and began to employ every academic strategy she knew in the art of negotiation, mediation and settlement. Hours dragged on with no sign of success in sight.
The Alice did what every shrewd woman would do. The elephant in the room reminded her that this beast survived as a result of shared memories passed on through the matriarch. She thought of her family matriarchs. What was it that granny used to say? "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." She blurted out: "If I order in ten buckets of KFC could we resolve this by noon and get back to work?" A resounding "YES" reverberated off the paneled walls. And after some finger-licking good chicken everyone returned to work and they all lived happily ever after.
But this got Alice to thinking of wisdom passed along through family matriarchs. What was it that Mom once told her. ? Oh yea: "When you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow." She stored that away for another day.
Alice is well on her way to a successful career.
Once upon a time there was a young woman named Alice. Alice is a tall, willowy, pretty 28 year old woman. She is well-educated, has a great sense of humor accompanied by a lilting laugh. She is witty, smart, good natured and wholesome looking. Have you a picture of Alice in your head?
Alice's chosen career was human resources/industrial relations. Her early career steps walked her into a field dominated by men who, and I generalize, value women only in the biblical sense. I feared the only attention Alice would garner from this group would be the wolf-whistle. She proved me wrong. In a short period of time she became the least hated management employee.
One day on the job site a crew of workers, and for the purpose of this story only they will be called the Teamsters, started to intimidate and bully other workers who were not part of their union. Some non-Teamsters were threatening to pull out of the job site. Alice's boss came in with one directive - fix it!
Alice gathered the bullies in the boardroom and began to employ every academic strategy she knew in the art of negotiation, mediation and settlement. Hours dragged on with no sign of success in sight.
The Alice did what every shrewd woman would do. The elephant in the room reminded her that this beast survived as a result of shared memories passed on through the matriarch. She thought of her family matriarchs. What was it that granny used to say? "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." She blurted out: "If I order in ten buckets of KFC could we resolve this by noon and get back to work?" A resounding "YES" reverberated off the paneled walls. And after some finger-licking good chicken everyone returned to work and they all lived happily ever after.
But this got Alice to thinking of wisdom passed along through family matriarchs. What was it that Mom once told her. ? Oh yea: "When you've got them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow." She stored that away for another day.
Alice is well on her way to a successful career.
Monday, February 22, 2010
If governments had souls . .
they would be pitted with acts of commission and omission.
I read in today's SP that government sanctioned provincial lotteries are moving into the "once-underground" world of online gambling. The reason stated? It will lend credibility to the unregulated industry. The real reason: easy money.
I'm all for free will, but please spare me the hypocrisy of any 'positive' benefit of that which governments do regarding the so-called social vices.
In past, and today, governments publish all the ill effects of alcohol use and abuse. At the same time they do everything to encourage the consumption by ducking up their owned and operated stores, opening up distributorships and extending hours of sale. Why? Heavy tax on alcohol equals easy money. Don't get me wrong. I like browsing the stores and checking out the product and I'm okay with extending sale opportunities. Please just spare the caring and sharing concerns, both physically and socially, of the ill-effects of alcohol.
Governments tell us all the negative repercussions of tobacco use. Yet the governments control the sale, add on heavy taxes and bingo, easy money.
The last frontier will be use of narcotics. I am surprised they haven't tapped into the mega dollars laying at this roadside.
I think adults can do whatever they choose with their bodies and souls as long as their actions to do not negatively impact on others. And if governments want to capitalize on these vices with sin taxes, so be it. Just be straight about it.
My folly here is thinking that governments actually have souls.
I read in today's SP that government sanctioned provincial lotteries are moving into the "once-underground" world of online gambling. The reason stated? It will lend credibility to the unregulated industry. The real reason: easy money.
I'm all for free will, but please spare me the hypocrisy of any 'positive' benefit of that which governments do regarding the so-called social vices.
In past, and today, governments publish all the ill effects of alcohol use and abuse. At the same time they do everything to encourage the consumption by ducking up their owned and operated stores, opening up distributorships and extending hours of sale. Why? Heavy tax on alcohol equals easy money. Don't get me wrong. I like browsing the stores and checking out the product and I'm okay with extending sale opportunities. Please just spare the caring and sharing concerns, both physically and socially, of the ill-effects of alcohol.
Governments tell us all the negative repercussions of tobacco use. Yet the governments control the sale, add on heavy taxes and bingo, easy money.
The last frontier will be use of narcotics. I am surprised they haven't tapped into the mega dollars laying at this roadside.
I think adults can do whatever they choose with their bodies and souls as long as their actions to do not negatively impact on others. And if governments want to capitalize on these vices with sin taxes, so be it. Just be straight about it.
My folly here is thinking that governments actually have souls.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Fire them up or fire them!
Hmm. In today's SP Mike Stefiuk, CUPE 859 union representative, states the city mishandled the snow cleanup and that they don't have a problem contracting out as long as city staff are first properly managed and resourced. Last week the Mayor stated some of the problems in the snow clearing debacle was due to lack of experience in the department. Earlier this month Mike Gutek, infrastructure services manager, said he was letting his fingers do the walking for him as he scanned the yellow pages looking for private contractors to help out after the storm. This comment alone speaks volumes to foreword planning by the department.
From these comments it seems the problem is city management.
It is time for council to hold the city manager's feet to the fire. But first the public has to build a pyre and fire up city council.
Kudos to the union for their willingness to discuss the contracting out.
And thanks to my favorite Geek Squad guy for getting me back online.
From these comments it seems the problem is city management.
It is time for council to hold the city manager's feet to the fire. But first the public has to build a pyre and fire up city council.
Kudos to the union for their willingness to discuss the contracting out.
And thanks to my favorite Geek Squad guy for getting me back online.
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