Not everything should be recycled

The best way to eliminate your competitor is to buy them out. Loraas did exactly that with their purchase of Saskatoon Curbside Recycling (SP Sept. 12/11) and Cosmo has been thrown under the bus by all concerned.

It will be interesting to see how many of Saskatoon Curbside's customers want to continue to pay Loraas $20.00 a month for a service that, according to the city, will soon by provided for less than $5.00 a month.

We now have recycled a competitive industry into a monopoly.

History and histronics in the making

Wow! Brad Wall would have to be caught doing vile things to a dead sheep on consecrated ground in order to lose the upcoming election.

There are a couple of things that amaze me: 1) that the NDP elected Lingenfelter as their leader and 2) that 78.7% of the public polled believe Wall would make the best premier, yet only 63.4% will vote for him. Does that mean 15.3 of those polled would support Lingenfelter for premier even if they think he's not the best man for the job?

Things that I wonder about: 1) how many Saskatoon constituencies will elect NDP MLAs and 2) what labour will do to try and turn this around. If I were a sheep I would go into hiding.

Wall's biggest problems will be getting out voters who will view this election as a fait accompli as a result of the poll, and thereafter controlling an overwhelming and inexperienced back bench.

Well, it ain't over until the fat lady sings.

Rah, rah, rah, sis boom bah

I was both amused and annoyed reading Gerry Klein's column today (SP Sept. 8/11.) He states that Saskatoon would need between $18 and $80 million dollars, at current rates, to have the same level of roadway service as do the cities of Regina and Edmonton, both of which are reasonably comparable in size and taxes levied. The question that should be asked is why have those cities been able to maintain their infrastructure with existing mill rate revenues and we have not.

Rather, he suggests the problem may be with the residents and their driving habits. He suggests that if we used 21st Century technology as do the mega cities of New York, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Singapore and Boston, and downloaded apps to track buses, available parking, alternate routes, etc. we would save wear and tear on the roads. Great idea - if everyone wants or can afford to own a Blackberry or similar device.

He believes that this is a paved road to a better, greener and smarter city. He may be right when our city population reaches into the multi-millions

Let the dreamers and pragmatists debate begin.

Green-eyed monster

The Green Party isn't just about the environment - its about green politicians. Larissa Shasko's very public resignation as provincial leader (SP Sept. 7/11) weeks before the election speaks more about the party's organization than issues. It also speaks to her integrity. Changing parties is one thing, but trying to sewer them on the way out the door is another.

Add on to this the sanction of Brenden Cross as a party candidate, the debate about whether to run Green candidates against NDP candidates in some constituencies, would leave me hoping that true Greens would rejoice in seeing her leave. Their gain may be the NDP's loss.

The Greens may never form government in our lifetime, but they offer a role of conscience to others.

Reality Check

I support Lingenfelter's recycled suggestion of creating a fund similar to Alberta's Heritage Fund for the use and benefit of future generations, but I would prefer that the government pay off the debt first. I think future generations do not want to pay for the debts accrued by past governments, regardless of what government created it. And the current interest on debt would help fill those coffers quickly.

Yup, money can by you happiness

I never could figure out whether the controversy around Lonechild was simply about a .08 charge or whether the collective just didn't like changes he was proposing.

I don't fault Lonechild for cashing out - there was no way for him to work productively in such a hostile environment. But I do wonder how much good could have been done for people on reserves with $600,000.

Another chapter closes.

The dream debate

On Aug. 20/11, the SP opinion column was "Dreamers must lead debate." It would seem that our Mayor has begun the dreamers' debate with his comments in today's SP (Sept. 1/11) about his dream tax goal of matching Calgary municipal tax rates, a city with one of the lowest levies in Canada. If the new Mayor of Calgary continues with his plan of tax increases, Atch may see his dream come true - if he's still in office 10 or 15 years from now.

However, the report is silent as to whether or not Calgary has user fees for services or extra levies on their bills. Anyone know? I think Jack Vicq, professor emeritus in accounting, makes a good point on using apples to oranges comparisons when examining tax structures and rates between cities without the framework being the same.

Since we have managed, according to a recent CMHC report, to exceed Calgary in terms of cost of housing, whose to say this tax dream won't become reality.

Then today we have SP Columnist Gerry Klein suggesting that the lowbrows in Saskatoon are resorting to "politics of the street" and reducing years of dreaming about creating a cosmopolitan city into base election issues of garbage pick-up, low taxes and pavement. Hmmm.

Let the debate begin,.