I believed if anyone could pull off a hotel/condo/retail complex on River Landing, it would be Kay Nasser - and the zoning changes made it a reality (SP Nov. 22/11.) My only question is, were was the Meewasin Valley Authority in all of this?
A half dozen years ago the MVA placed every obstacle possible to prevent this type of development. They have control over the riverbank and exercised that control at every turn. Now there is nary a peep. Have the Friends of the Gathercole, champions of the public access to the riverbank, died or just moved Nirvana to a new site?
Maybe its just the spirit of giving that moved Council, the MVA and the Friends to deliver the gifts of the Magi to these developers.
Does anyone know if the vote was unanimous?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Something old, something new
It was not a surprise that John Nilson was selected as interim leader of the NDP (SP Nov. 21/11.) Immediately following the election one former NDP MLA said to me that they should have gotten rid of Nilson too and allowed the party to renew itself with fresh, young people without baggage from bygone days.
With Nilson declaring that he will not seek the leadership, which of the remaining eight NDP MLAs is the favorite? If the leadership contender is not one of the recently elected, and the leader is selected from the outside, which of the MLAs steps down to allow the new leader to run? Is there a safe NDP seat left?
Saskatchewan is changing and those who are resistant to change will fall by the wayside. The NDP need more than a new leader, they need a policy and platform change. But I'm not sure they can let go of Tommy, Al and Roy and the greatness of what once was.
It brings to mind a quote by J.K. Galbraith: "Few things are as immutable as the addiction of political groups to the ideas by which they once won office."
With Nilson declaring that he will not seek the leadership, which of the remaining eight NDP MLAs is the favorite? If the leadership contender is not one of the recently elected, and the leader is selected from the outside, which of the MLAs steps down to allow the new leader to run? Is there a safe NDP seat left?
Saskatchewan is changing and those who are resistant to change will fall by the wayside. The NDP need more than a new leader, they need a policy and platform change. But I'm not sure they can let go of Tommy, Al and Roy and the greatness of what once was.
It brings to mind a quote by J.K. Galbraith: "Few things are as immutable as the addiction of political groups to the ideas by which they once won office."
Friday, November 18, 2011
Democracy in action - maybe
I have been wondering who the wackos were on the Corman Park Council. Today's item in the SP (Nov. 18/11) answered that question. To ask the minister to ignore the referendum recently voted on is an insult to the voters of that region.
Worse yet is to say the voters didn't understand the question and its repercussions. If they believe that, then they failed in their duty to inform the voters prior to the vote.
I going to guess the real reason is that three of them will lose their jobs after the restructuring.
Worse yet is to say the voters didn't understand the question and its repercussions. If they believe that, then they failed in their duty to inform the voters prior to the vote.
I going to guess the real reason is that three of them will lose their jobs after the restructuring.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Hail to the Chief
Over a 12-year period a 130% increase in police funding gets you a 30% decrease in crime (SP Nov. 17/11.) I think those numbers are a bit misleading in that for years prior to 2000 the police service was greatly underfunded - think back to the Chief Dave Scott battle with a previous Council. There was some catching up to do. Having said that, we might be going overboard here. I would like to see the police statistics for the areas of Saskatoon before determining that new and sparsely populated areas need more policing. And what other cities spend on policing per capita.
What concerns me more is the cost of policing once the new station is built. Added on to the budget down the road will be the debt repayment and debt servicing costs, together with increased building operating costs.
Maybe that's why part of the requested increase includes another accounting position and a media relations officer to sell the spending.
I think our Police Chief is on a roll and getting what he can while he can.
What concerns me more is the cost of policing once the new station is built. Added on to the budget down the road will be the debt repayment and debt servicing costs, together with increased building operating costs.
Maybe that's why part of the requested increase includes another accounting position and a media relations officer to sell the spending.
I think our Police Chief is on a roll and getting what he can while he can.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Greenbacks for green
I suspect the foundation is being laid for a cost overrun on the new art gallery. In today's SP (Nov. 16/11) project manager Sandy Schultz says under the current budget the "green roof" is in but as they work through the design details some items may have to be re-looked.
I can image that this "green" council will bypass the opportunity for the roof so I'm guessing that cost overrun number one is in the making.
The big shocker was the comment that the gallery team will present the design and and update on the costs in January. I thought the design was already established and the cost fixed at $84 million, parking included.
I feel foolish for thinking that just maybe this one time the city would work within a budget.
I can image that this "green" council will bypass the opportunity for the roof so I'm guessing that cost overrun number one is in the making.
The big shocker was the comment that the gallery team will present the design and and update on the costs in January. I thought the design was already established and the cost fixed at $84 million, parking included.
I feel foolish for thinking that just maybe this one time the city would work within a budget.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Giveth and taketh
IF you are going downtown you are so much better off parking in a parking lot than at a meter. The parking rates are the same and should you be ten minutes late getting back to your car you will only pay a buck or two for the delay rather than a $10 fine - soon to be a $20 fine (SP Nov. 15/11.). As for the complaints from businesses on employees parking at meters, I'd like to hear their reaction when they can't get part-time employees at minimum wage.
But what comes in must go out. According to the news report the new revenue generated from increased parking fines will go to pay for security to protect shoppers from the downtown panhandlers. Frankly, these folks don't bother me that much - or at least not as much as the parking charges. But these two issues alone beg the question - why does anyone bother to go downtown?
Councillor Paulsen states she doesn't have a problem increasing the fine because it only applies to those who breach the bylaw. But the Occupy Saskatoon group were breaching a city bylaw for weeks without penalty from the city. Will the Commissionaires be as generous with those felons using expired meters?
For me, the irony is recalling a complaint I received, while sitting on council, about a certain City Councillor that parked daily in front of his/her place of business using his/her free city parking pass.
People in glass houses . . . .
But what comes in must go out. According to the news report the new revenue generated from increased parking fines will go to pay for security to protect shoppers from the downtown panhandlers. Frankly, these folks don't bother me that much - or at least not as much as the parking charges. But these two issues alone beg the question - why does anyone bother to go downtown?
Councillor Paulsen states she doesn't have a problem increasing the fine because it only applies to those who breach the bylaw. But the Occupy Saskatoon group were breaching a city bylaw for weeks without penalty from the city. Will the Commissionaires be as generous with those felons using expired meters?
For me, the irony is recalling a complaint I received, while sitting on council, about a certain City Councillor that parked daily in front of his/her place of business using his/her free city parking pass.
People in glass houses . . . .
Monday, November 14, 2011
Notice to Quit
I am thankful that the city is finally do to take action on the Occupy Saskatoon group and the camping in city parks (SP Nov. 14/11.) I walked by the Dumont Park campsite the other day and had the sense this is no longer a protest group but a squatters' camp. It is nicely tucked away from the eye of the general public so as not to draw attention from anyone save a handful of daily walkers and joggers on the MVA trail and, of course, the odd media article on a slow news day.
If you want public attention to the cause, set up camp in front of City Hall. Then again, you would have been evicted on Day 1.
Although not ideal, there are homeless shelters available to those in need. I was a little taken aback by the comment of one camper who stated in today's paper: "At the Salvation Army, you're only really allowed a week or two, then you're left scrambling to go on welfare or to find a job."
Does that mean camping in a park when it is -30, with no toileting facilities, a better option than welfare?
It is important to keep the issue of affordable housing in the forefront for governments. But creating and encouraging long-term camps in parks is not effectively addressing the issue.
If you want public attention to the cause, set up camp in front of City Hall. Then again, you would have been evicted on Day 1.
Although not ideal, there are homeless shelters available to those in need. I was a little taken aback by the comment of one camper who stated in today's paper: "At the Salvation Army, you're only really allowed a week or two, then you're left scrambling to go on welfare or to find a job."
Does that mean camping in a park when it is -30, with no toileting facilities, a better option than welfare?
It is important to keep the issue of affordable housing in the forefront for governments. But creating and encouraging long-term camps in parks is not effectively addressing the issue.
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