Quick thoughts for 05-01-08

I called him a dictator the other day, but I will give Gary Doer some credit for his proposed changes to the elections act. On the whole, I think they’ll go a long way toward democratizing the election process in Manitoba.

Yes, the Tories and Libs have been nitpicking about certain changes, but did you really expect them to do otherwise? Besides, from a pure red-saber politicial strategy viewpoint, I think the legislation does far more to tie the hands of the sitting government than those of the opposition.

I do agree with Curtis though, that Doer’s sudden interest in election process and finance has more to do with protecting his own legacy than it does with democracy.

On a related note, I did get a chuckle out of Mary Agnes’s article on this issue in today’s Freep. You know you’re a political nerd when you describe fixed election dates as “sexy.”

————

Speaking of dictators, it appears that Elmwood MLA Jim Maloway has learned a thing or two from his leader. No longer content with being just a backbencher, Maloway also wants to be the Director of Public Works for the City.

You see, Jim is upset that the City isn’t spending an additional $100 million+ to expand the Disraeli Bridge into a six-lane span. Apparently he hasn’t heard that rising gas prices are going to force us all back into the horse and buggy anyway.

Of course, as he’s still the owner of an auto insurance brokerage, I’m sure Jim would like to do everything he can to ensure there are as many vehicles as possible on the roads of Northeast Winnipeg.

————

The Freep reports that the City is reviewing results of its five month test of a hybrid articulated (bendy) bus from New Flyer. While the bus was a big hit with passengers, I hear that it barely left the garage during this winter’s cold snap due to operating problems. That doesn’t bode well for the City’s plan to purchase 20 of these things.

————

And I’ll leave you today with a quote that was passed along from an emailer, who heard it from a friend, who read it in some smoke signals. My point being that I don’t know where it came from exactly, but it may be a prescient commentary on Mayor Sam’s dwindling power base at City Hall over the next few years.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not meeting a lot of Katz supporters these days. I’m meeting a lot of former Katz supporters.