I support the idea of installing security cameras in high crime areas, but why does everything coming out of City Hall these days have to include the option of corporate sponsorship?
Here’s a thought, rather than spending time and money chasing down corporate sponsors for every plow blade in the city, maybe they just should have kept some base level of business tax in place.
I’d prefer that to seeing signs for the AAA Alarms Downtown Security Cameras, Off! Skintastic Mosquito Fogging Service and the Pita Pit Transit Stop all over town.
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Alberta just announced a 20-year infrastructure plan. Sure, they have more money than us, and this was at least partly motivated by a pending provincial election call, but it still seems like a damn good idea to me.
Get all the infrastructure priorities of the province (roads, schools, hospitals utilities) down on paper for everyone to see, and work out a tentative schedule. Things will obviously change over time, but it’s nice to at least have a plan to work from, rather than just responding to the political whims of the government of the day.
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The mayor is proposing a Green Vehicle Plan for the City, which includes reducing idling, exploring biodiesel and purchasing hybrid vehicles whenever possible.
I’m okay with the first two, but I think the hybrid vehicle thing has gotten a bit out of hand. The emphasis should be on buying vehicles that are fuel efficient, not that make use of any particular technology. For example, I’ve often wondered why the Parking Authority has staff driving around in hybrid Ford Escape SUVs, when a Toyota Yaris would cost half as much and burn less fuel.
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Full credit to whomever wrote the Freep’s editorial today calling for the province to cap school taxes and remove the ability of school boards to levy taxes in the first place. It’s the best suggestion to come out of that page in quite a while.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: City of Winnipeg, province of manitoba, sam katz
Agreed with the hybrid argument. The Toyota Yaris would also be more trendy and easier to park. Parking authority, meet your savior!
Pleased to see you wade in to the security camera issue. A few items that you might want to reflect on.
A big part of the serious crime occurs in particular residential neighbourhoods as opposed to store front areas. e.g. Magnus This activity would remain unrecorded if the city proceeds as planned.
I am convinced there is no shortage of funds for this activity. Somebody just has to say boo and both the Feds and the Province will ante up.
Especially in residential settings the real problem occurs in the area of how the information is used and who can access it. I am not particularly in favour of an Orwell world nor do I want a parallel policing body.