I wasn't surprised by yesterday's outcome in the Ward 7 by-election. This area has historically voted NDP in both civic and provincial elections. The edge young candidates have is social media. Prior to this medium younger voters did not turn out at the polls. And no doubt many of these young voters did not vote so much on issues but simply for one of their own. Pat Atkinson trained her well and no doubt we will see the results of this mentorship in the months to come.
I'm not sure I would agree that this win could be seen as an overwhelming endorsement of her views on mandatory recycling. But garbage has always been an issue in this area. It was the good folks in part of Ward 7 that opposed front street pick-up and won the battle. However if you have to put your recycle bins out on the street, why not your garbage can.
In closing, I thank all the candidates for their efforts and ideas. I might not agree with many but I do admire them for stepping up and throwing theirs hats in the ring.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Bust the bus
Thank you Councillor Paulsen. Finally someone on Council has stepped up to question the wisdom of the guru of public transit.
We keep throwing more money at a losing proposition. Other cities seem to be able to offer effective public transportation at a reasonable cost. To date we have unreliable schedules, increasing fares, higher tax subsidy and declining ridership. The GPS scenario was new information for me and altering the traffic lights to accommodate transit was also an eye-opener. I hope that doesn't happen before the South bridge opens or traffic will be worse yet. Then again that is the goal of some councillors. Make driving difficult so they will catch an unreliable bus.
Who really gets my sympathy is the university students. They are forced to buy a bus pass - most of them purchasing it with borrowed money - and do not have the service they pay for.
While examining the routes, perhaps council should also examine the management of transit.
We keep throwing more money at a losing proposition. Other cities seem to be able to offer effective public transportation at a reasonable cost. To date we have unreliable schedules, increasing fares, higher tax subsidy and declining ridership. The GPS scenario was new information for me and altering the traffic lights to accommodate transit was also an eye-opener. I hope that doesn't happen before the South bridge opens or traffic will be worse yet. Then again that is the goal of some councillors. Make driving difficult so they will catch an unreliable bus.
Who really gets my sympathy is the university students. They are forced to buy a bus pass - most of them purchasing it with borrowed money - and do not have the service they pay for.
While examining the routes, perhaps council should also examine the management of transit.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Jack of all trades
If you go to a lending institution to ask for a loan, and your application is declined, it is generally because the people with expertise in finance understand that your income cannot support the debt. Alternatively, it may be that you have a bad credit rating.
Why would council assume to have better knowledge than the lenders themselves?
Five years ago, under the Clavert government, Saskatchewan was adverting in Alberta that it had cheap housing and land for the taking. It was the lure used to attract people and business to this province. The question is, how did Saskatoon go from being an affordable city to having the highest cost in Western Canada? Add to the increased housing costs is the ever escalating tax bill, utilities and levies.
Even if you could get young families into housing, can they maintain that household after the purchase? Mortgages are generally five-year terms. If five year from now the interest rates on mortgage double, which they did a few decades past, can this young homeowner support the mortgage?
Will the interest rate charged under this loan program be at least the equivalent to that which the city is paying on its own debt? Or will existing homeowners, along with new homeowners, have to pay additional tax to support this program?
I know there is an affordable housing crisis in Saskatoon. I would have preferred that council work with organizations like Habitat for Humanity that have proven great successes in placing young families in homes. Habitat also trains their families as to how to maintain the homes they get.
Perhaps council should sit back and examine what their role is or the provincial government should look at legislation to limit elected councils from these types of give-a-ways. I am sick and tired of seeing this council trying to fix up one mess by creating another.
Then again, we the taxpaying public should do our job and send that message at the next civic election.
Why would council assume to have better knowledge than the lenders themselves?
Five years ago, under the Clavert government, Saskatchewan was adverting in Alberta that it had cheap housing and land for the taking. It was the lure used to attract people and business to this province. The question is, how did Saskatoon go from being an affordable city to having the highest cost in Western Canada? Add to the increased housing costs is the ever escalating tax bill, utilities and levies.
Even if you could get young families into housing, can they maintain that household after the purchase? Mortgages are generally five-year terms. If five year from now the interest rates on mortgage double, which they did a few decades past, can this young homeowner support the mortgage?
Will the interest rate charged under this loan program be at least the equivalent to that which the city is paying on its own debt? Or will existing homeowners, along with new homeowners, have to pay additional tax to support this program?
I know there is an affordable housing crisis in Saskatoon. I would have preferred that council work with organizations like Habitat for Humanity that have proven great successes in placing young families in homes. Habitat also trains their families as to how to maintain the homes they get.
Perhaps council should sit back and examine what their role is or the provincial government should look at legislation to limit elected councils from these types of give-a-ways. I am sick and tired of seeing this council trying to fix up one mess by creating another.
Then again, we the taxpaying public should do our job and send that message at the next civic election.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Coming down the home stretch
I reviewed the remaining candidate profiles in Saturday's SP (Feb. 5/11.) I am beginning to think that the age factor comes into play. The younger candidates when responding to concerns on taxation leave me with the impression that costs don't matter when it comes to their visions of where the city should head.
There seems to be little understanding that people on fixed or low income cannot continue to receive taxation expenses that exceed the revenue increases. As much as I appreciate the twenty or thirty-someones wanting to step up to the plate and take over the reins, I am starting to think they haven't had enough life experience or financial management to effectively do the job.
On the other hand we already have a mix on council and those experienced and senior councillors seem to have lost the concept of affordability as well.
I can't guess who is going to win this race. I only hope it will be someone who will bring some common sense and balance to the budget table.
There seems to be little understanding that people on fixed or low income cannot continue to receive taxation expenses that exceed the revenue increases. As much as I appreciate the twenty or thirty-someones wanting to step up to the plate and take over the reins, I am starting to think they haven't had enough life experience or financial management to effectively do the job.
On the other hand we already have a mix on council and those experienced and senior councillors seem to have lost the concept of affordability as well.
I can't guess who is going to win this race. I only hope it will be someone who will bring some common sense and balance to the budget table.
Friday, February 4, 2011
The gift that keeps on giving
At some point the federal government going to have to step up and clarify the tax free issue on tobacco for First Nations.
I agree with Premier Wall's seizure of the tobacco product shipped by Montreal based Rainbow cigarette manufacturer to Saskatchewan. Although the spokesman for Rainbow states the shipment was a gift to First Nations in Saskatchewan, clearly the intent is to introduce his product in this province.
I know we must honour the treaties, but it really is time to make decisions on what the intent was when the treaties were signed. Did the signatories to the treaties really intend that tax free status mean you could make money off selling a substance known to cause deadly disease? Did the medicine chest really mean hospitals and medical treatment for the disease caused by the tax free disease inducing product?
If taxation on tobacco runs at 42% everyone buying and/or using the product, regardless of race or ethnicity, should pay the tax and all that tax should be put into health care.
Since Alberta seems to be in the same position on this issue, I sincerely hope we join forces and get a ruling on just what the federal legislation means. If in fact the First Nations leaders are right then all loss of tax should be submitted to the provinces by the federal government. Or all health care costs relating to tobacco induced illnesses suffered by First Nations should be covered by the federal government.
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving - it gives you heart disease, cancers and a multitude of other ailments. And before you die be sure to say thanks for the wonderful gift
I agree with Premier Wall's seizure of the tobacco product shipped by Montreal based Rainbow cigarette manufacturer to Saskatchewan. Although the spokesman for Rainbow states the shipment was a gift to First Nations in Saskatchewan, clearly the intent is to introduce his product in this province.
I know we must honour the treaties, but it really is time to make decisions on what the intent was when the treaties were signed. Did the signatories to the treaties really intend that tax free status mean you could make money off selling a substance known to cause deadly disease? Did the medicine chest really mean hospitals and medical treatment for the disease caused by the tax free disease inducing product?
If taxation on tobacco runs at 42% everyone buying and/or using the product, regardless of race or ethnicity, should pay the tax and all that tax should be put into health care.
Since Alberta seems to be in the same position on this issue, I sincerely hope we join forces and get a ruling on just what the federal legislation means. If in fact the First Nations leaders are right then all loss of tax should be submitted to the provinces by the federal government. Or all health care costs relating to tobacco induced illnesses suffered by First Nations should be covered by the federal government.
This is truly the gift that keeps on giving - it gives you heart disease, cancers and a multitude of other ailments. And before you die be sure to say thanks for the wonderful gift
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Laugh or you'll cry
I didn't attend last night's forum showcasing the candidates on the Ward 7 by-election but most certainly enjoyed reading the report in today's SP (Feb. 3/11.) I find a little humour at these solemn events goes a long way.
Bellamy's response to the question as to his brightest idea to make Saskatoon a "green" city was notable. He responded with "he'd focus on letting people know about the city's parks and green spaces."
On transit, Oranchuk received a round of applause for his idea of giving away bus passes to all seniors and mandating that "Every civic employee would ride the bus, including the people who manage the transit system." The free bus passes may get him the senior vote but how he expects, in a democratic country, to force civic employees to take a bus either speaks to his view on voter intellect or his own stupidity.
Oranchuk also promised to axe the new police station and cancel the recent decision by the police to acquire the armoured vehicle. Clearly this candidate does not understand that the 'power of one' equals zip and he has no control over the decisions made by the Chief of Police. He can simply speak against the police budget but cannot direct police services.
Pollock is going to put citizens on a "road diet." He is going to change our car-centric mentality. He is joined by Loewen who, if elected, will implement a safer cycling network throughout the city and make it more attractive to walk and bicycle around the sprawling city - in December, January and February.
On a more serious note, Egyptians are rebelling against the current government and want the right to legitimately and democratically elect their leader. Some rioters have died for the cause.
I will watch with anticipation how many Ward 7 residents go out to legitimately and democratically exercise their franchise to elect their leader.
What is not humorous about our elections is how lightly we take our democratic right and how little responsibility we accept to honour the right.
Bellamy's response to the question as to his brightest idea to make Saskatoon a "green" city was notable. He responded with "he'd focus on letting people know about the city's parks and green spaces."
On transit, Oranchuk received a round of applause for his idea of giving away bus passes to all seniors and mandating that "Every civic employee would ride the bus, including the people who manage the transit system." The free bus passes may get him the senior vote but how he expects, in a democratic country, to force civic employees to take a bus either speaks to his view on voter intellect or his own stupidity.
Oranchuk also promised to axe the new police station and cancel the recent decision by the police to acquire the armoured vehicle. Clearly this candidate does not understand that the 'power of one' equals zip and he has no control over the decisions made by the Chief of Police. He can simply speak against the police budget but cannot direct police services.
Pollock is going to put citizens on a "road diet." He is going to change our car-centric mentality. He is joined by Loewen who, if elected, will implement a safer cycling network throughout the city and make it more attractive to walk and bicycle around the sprawling city - in December, January and February.
On a more serious note, Egyptians are rebelling against the current government and want the right to legitimately and democratically elect their leader. Some rioters have died for the cause.
I will watch with anticipation how many Ward 7 residents go out to legitimately and democratically exercise their franchise to elect their leader.
What is not humorous about our elections is how lightly we take our democratic right and how little responsibility we accept to honour the right.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
I'm a PUTZ
In writing this blog I was starting to wonder whether I was a CAVE person, that being Gormley's acronym for Citizens Against Virtually Everything. But on second though I believe I am a PUTZ, that being a Person Undermining Taxation Zealots.
When I read Mandryk's column today (SP Feb. 1/11) with his report on the blue-skying idea of making the Regina domed stadium a bigger than proposed project, incorporating low-income housing, condo and retail development, in order to access more federal tax dollars and/or public support, my first thought was to pack up and leave this province while the getting was good. Is the blue sky the calm before the storm?
At the same time the reports arising from the SUMA convention leave the impression that infrastructure needs are horrendous across the province. Roads in decay, water treatment facilities, health services, universities and schools, senior care homes and social housing are paramount to civic leaders also looking for federal and provincial funding.
In part our infrastructure decay is due to neglect by previous NDP governments. Previous NDP governments point to excess spending by their predecessors, the Conservatives, and the cost of paying off those debts and thus being unable to invest in the needs of the day.
We seem to be caught in a cycle of feast or famine.
I'm not against private sector development. I'm not against government investment in public projects. I simply ask that governments get their priorities straight. Take care of our needs before you take care of the wants.
Whether tax dollars come out of our left pocket, right pocket or back pocket, they are still tax dollars we must pay. Debt is debt. And the debt belongs to all of us and is ours until it is paid.
When I read Mandryk's column today (SP Feb. 1/11) with his report on the blue-skying idea of making the Regina domed stadium a bigger than proposed project, incorporating low-income housing, condo and retail development, in order to access more federal tax dollars and/or public support, my first thought was to pack up and leave this province while the getting was good. Is the blue sky the calm before the storm?
At the same time the reports arising from the SUMA convention leave the impression that infrastructure needs are horrendous across the province. Roads in decay, water treatment facilities, health services, universities and schools, senior care homes and social housing are paramount to civic leaders also looking for federal and provincial funding.
In part our infrastructure decay is due to neglect by previous NDP governments. Previous NDP governments point to excess spending by their predecessors, the Conservatives, and the cost of paying off those debts and thus being unable to invest in the needs of the day.
We seem to be caught in a cycle of feast or famine.
I'm not against private sector development. I'm not against government investment in public projects. I simply ask that governments get their priorities straight. Take care of our needs before you take care of the wants.
Whether tax dollars come out of our left pocket, right pocket or back pocket, they are still tax dollars we must pay. Debt is debt. And the debt belongs to all of us and is ours until it is paid.
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