Want to get rich quick?

Be a consultant for the city. The old Gathercole and AL Cole sites have been the most studied properties in Saskatoon. It has gone on for decades. I couldn't even hazard a guess at the cost of previous studies or the money lost by developers on failed proposals.

A plan was developed, after public consultation, for a mix of public/private development. Initially the public contribution was to be about $35 million. Close to $80 million has already been spent and another $55 to 60 million contemplated for more public use development. And still no private development to help foot the bill. And it seems we're going to consult again.

In the event councillors didn't hear the message during the election - the public is concerned about the money you are spending and the debt you are creating. They are concerned that you can't bring a project in on budget or stick to a plan.

If you truly want public input hold a referendum vote. It will be cheaper than another consultant. You actually might create something that the majority will agree upon.

Where is council?

Neault and Heidt say - put it back on the market. Sorry boys. Last time you only had one taker and he just lost a bundle of money. I just can't see a flurry of activity on another go round. I fear you will simply taint the property as being a developer's nightmare.

Penner says - test the market - no rush to develop - grass it. Already done. We need something to pay for watering the grass we've already planted.

Hill's position - no rush - consult again. Been there, done that. Word of advice - wear a saddle when straddling the fence.

Lorje says - she's open to more public space but it won't attract people. Then why be open to it? Check other cities, hire another consultant. Been there, done that. Up, down, blue, brown.

Clark's - wants a successful public gathering space - quandary is competing interest between generating tax base and doing something good for citizens. Generating tax revenue would be doing something good for citizens.

Wyant - check with developers and reconsider existing zoning and development guidelines. What a novel idea. Actually find out why developers struggle with this piece of property. Tip of the hat to Wyant.

Dubois, Paulsen, Atch, Pringle - from all reports seem to be into more consultation.

Looney Tunes

"Increasing parking rates is one of the tools to increase parking stall availability rates" states parking services manager Miles Jarvin. I suspect he's right.

Why would I pay $2.00 to park at a meter when it hits -40 when I can park underground in the Midtown Plaza and pay the same $2.00. And if I am delayed getting back to my car at a city meter I will likely get a $10.00 parking ticket. If I am delayed getting back to my warm car at the Midtown Plaza parkingI pay an additional $1.00 per half hour. Better yet, if I avoid downtown I can go to a mall and pay nothing.

Definitely the bus increases seem to be a better deal. But if we all ride the bus downtown and avoid the parking meters how will transit make the shortfall? Not so long ago transit said by investing money in new depots (U of S, Market Mall etc.), offering the Upass for students and developing express lanes would increase ridership and make public transit viable - the economy of scale. What happened?

Riding a bike downtown, particularly in winter as snow clearing isn't a strong suit for the city, is a venture only for the brave at heart.

Lastly, quit comparing Saskatoon to the mega cities of a million plus population. Why can Regina offer parking at a $1.00/hr?

Parking meters are not the only depositories for loonies. . . city hall has a fair collection.

Big Boo Boo

The recent poll on the provincial government was not surprising but intriguing. What was most noticeable was Cam Cooper's comment the the NDP have not yet benefited from a "Lingenfelter lift." Generally speaking euphoria follows immediately after a leadership change. I'm not sure whether the poll is reflective of Premier Wall's leadership or Mr. Lingenfelter lack thereof or whether the public likes Wall's new style politics vs. Lingenfelter same old, same old - throw a little mud and hope something sticks.

Interestingly I was in Alberta and had dinner last weekend with some long-term friends who have been died-in-the-wool ex-pat socialists. To keep any of our evenings from being disastrous we generally avoid discussing politics. I was taken aback when one friend said there was one one reason Saskatchewan was doing so well as of late. I bit . . that would be because . . .? Simple response - Brad Wall. He even acknowledged he could vote for Wall. I nearly fell off the chair - and it was not a liquor related incident.

Lingenfelter said he never viewed his return to Saskatchewan politics as a sprint, but rather as a steady climb to the 2011 election. I'm skeptical that his "tortoise and hare" race is going to end the fabled way.

In the end the NDP leadership boo boo looks like it might be an election night boo hoo.

Toss Trost

I understand Planned Parenthood is an organization that educates on contraception and reproductive responsibility, health and privacy issues, provides counselling on an unplanned pregnancy and options for women in dealing with their circumstance. I will not get into the no win ProLife/ProChoice debate. This is an international agency dealing with a serious issue.

MP Trost has not put forward a plan on how to support women during gestation, or after birth, or for the child born in these circumstances. It seems to be the theme "bring them into the world and let them fend for themselves." I don't see him bringing in a plan to provide day care services to allow teen moms to get back to school so they might, in future, support themselves and their child. If, in the event of post-natal depression or hopelessness, children are neglected, abused or abandoned he'll no doubt lead the charge to have the mother charged and jailed - but not supported.

He states in the Petition: "the IPPF does not support physician's freedom to practice according to their conscience and/or religious beliefs regarding abortion referral." I might agree that a physician should not be forced to perform an optional procedure against conscience, but not a referral to another physician. And it is shameful that MP Trost thinks he should impose this holier than thou position on developing nations.

Planned Parenthood may not receive Mr. Trost's support, and Mr. Trost will not receive my support. I am ashamed of my MP and I pray that the majority of members of parliament will toss his petition and that Saskatoon-Humboldt voters will toss him.

Grandstanding or governing

If politicians want to know what creates voter apathy they simply need to look at the antics in the legislature when the NDP MLA's went on a short "strike." We have have serious issues in the province and the city regarding health care, energy etc. that require the collective input from both sides of the government. When you get up and leave the venue its hard to believe that you really want to problem solve. I would hope there are avenues to use when dealing with conduct of a minister or speaker other than shirking your responsibilities to constituents. We deserve better.

If you are looking for a political grandstanding do it after your job in the legislature is done. It may simply be a problem of not being able to teach old dogs new tricks and that we need some new dogs. I think all those who left should be docked pay.

Priceless

I have a copy of the letter acclaimed Ward 4 Public School Trustee Dan Danielson distributed during the election that, in essence, panned incumbent Myles Heidt for not getting the Board cheap land in Hampton Village. He states that the reason Hampton Village does not have a school is due to the increased cost of land over the last three years which according to him is all due to Heidt. Bunk!

Don't we all wish we could buy property at prices prior to the boom. If the school board wanted the land it could have exercised its option three years ago at the old price. It didn't. Three years ago the school division still had declining school enrollment and the possibility of school closures was more in the forefront. What is the role of a school trustee if not to do forward planning? If it now becomes the role of a councillor to plan and budget for schools, why do we need trustees?

In his letter he states: "Our councillor has refused to support our requests." Who's the "our"? Is he speaking for the Board?

It is well known in local political circles that there is "bad blood" between these two and I think it shameful that Danielson would use his position with the Board for his personal vendetta. Thank the provincial government for taking access to the tax base away from boards who seem to deal with "wants" rather than "needs."

If not the land, the letter itself is priceless.

Snakes and Ladders

It wasn't much of a surprise to hear the Lake Placid crashed. While Saskatoon seemed immune from a global recession the rest of the world was exercising financial caution. And simply relisting the property won't solve the problem. Eventually, and I suspect sooner rather than later, the city will find no one willing to bid on the land. Its the problem with crown jewels - few can afford them.

Parking is essential to the success of the whole development - and even more expensive to construct on the riverbank. When well-skilled developers can't make a go of it, it is time to ask "why?" My best guess would be the zoning and stringent DCDs. Perhaps the city should be talking to its partners in the MVA.

It is time to ride the snake down to square one.