Edmonton Framework Agreement Headlines
So…they’re building a downtown arena.
What’s that?
The odd 9:30pm news conference caught you off guard? The vote behind closed-doors feels a little off? The fact nothing really changed from the last, seemingly tentative, steps forward, leaving construction costs $100-million short doesn’t sound like sound city planning?
I believe that is anti-Oiler, Anti-Edmonton talk.
Don’t you love the downtown, don’t you love your city?!
(I do recognize the deal uses terms like “framework” and “agreement in principle” but come on…)
On the plus-side, one can hope the City sticks to its guns and doesn’t move forward without making up the $100-million in missing money. Right now that is tied into asking the federal and provincial governments. A seat sale won’t be part of it. (We also have a pretty good idea for funding the arena.) The provincial government also has to approve a community revitalization levy (CRL) that can use taxes from a specified zone to help pay for the arena (the City has identified a pretty large swatch of the downtown for this). There has to be a public hearing on the CRL.
One can also hope Edmonton doesn’t become just another example of a city that handed money to a sports franchise to try and invigorate it’s downtown, only to be looking for ways to in invigorate it’s downtown a couple of years later. Design, and the “entertainment district” around the arena are going to be the most important parts of this.
Also, regardless of other reports and math, Daryl Katz is putting in $100-million, which is fantastic, but does account for less than 1/4 of the construction costs. That means the City of Edmonton (and/or other levels of taxpayer-funded government) must pay the majority of costs to build the arena. Katz may eventually pay $125-million of that back through a ticket tax, but you and I are paying to build his team’s arena.
Oh, and Northlands is gonna be pissed, because the Katz Group wants a non-competition clause, so Northlands doesn’t keep booking concerts, sports, the rodeo, etc… at Rexall Place. Which I presume will become some sort of housing location for wigs. (Northlands could end up non-existent, totally reinvented, or rolled into Edmonton Economic Development, as a result of all this.)
Alright, these are Edmonton Headlines, not just Arena headlines. Let’s dig in. (more…)
May 11 Edmonton Headlines
Once you see robins you know spring is here.
Good morning, Edmonton.
The Edmonton Public School Board is trying to pressure the provincial government into more funding, by prioritizing older schools. The province has recently been building new schools, so this shift of priorities increases the line in the sand the new school board trustees have been drawing after years of school closures.
Sticking with education…Could a slim education budget be to blame for cuts to a special needs program at Avonmore School? Could it be due to enrollment (which is a similar reason so many schools have recently closed in Edmonton)? Either way, it means special needs cuts.
Before you click through to this story on University of Alberta students borrowing money to go to school I want you to guess how much money, in total, the students at the U of A borrowed in 2010-2011. Alright, now that you’ve got a number in mind, head on through… (when you come back let me know if you were close to the actual figure)
It’s going to cost the City $15 to run your name when you get a parking ticket. But the fines will likely go up more than $15 very soon.
Alright, now let’s head downtown! (more…)
Cinco de Headlines
Hey there, Edmonton, let’s do this news thing. I know you like it.
You’ve only got a few more days to let the City know what you think of The Way We Green. That’s the environmental plan for the next number of years.
The Edmonton Catholic School District may be facing tough budget decisions without a lot of money coming from the Alberta government, but it is looking at expanding its French immersion school.
While arson is down this year, so far, May 4 was declared “Arson Awareness Day,” in the hope of bringing more light to what is not in fact a victimless crime.
Edmonton Police have charged a man after three women alleged to have been sexually assaulted when heading to a home for a job interview. Even if a business is in a home, I think it’s probably still a good idea to meet people from the Internet in a public space.
The second annual Victims of Homicide Conference begins today in Edmonton.
Edmonton’s industrial real estate market is picking up steam.
The Valley Zoo begins a new chapter today, trying to re-brand when zoos sometimes feel like relics of a different place, a world where information about any animal is readily available at the click of a mouse. (The computer kind of mouse.)
If you take a buzz by the Kingsway area, you’ll notice construction on the LRT line to NAIT, and also on the new Indy racetrack.
Edmonton’s urban landscape could be improved by small things like a little more lighting here, more open space there, art on more walls.
*****
Alberta’s largest oil spill in a generation may be affecting people living in a nearby community.
Your health information will, one day soonish, be at your fingertips. Right now, the Alberta government has simply launched a website full of general health information. There’s also a new wait time website.
Alberta’s Workers Compensation Board is providing coverage for four more cancers for firefighters.
The workplace safety blitzes continue to turn up lots of violations, and next on the inspection list is places young people will be found in larger numbers over the summer months.
Partners are being sought to help the provincial government build up to $100-million in affordable housing.
We are more likely here, in Alberta, to default on our mortgage payments than anywhere else in Canada.
*****
There’s nothing wrong with admiring someone’s great pair of short-shorts, but let’s remember that they are actual people. And let’s remind the Badminton World Federation of that.
Back from Easter break Headlines
I always forget how much news there is to catch up on when I take a few days off. Let’s go!
Edmonton Public students may be looking at a shorter summer vacation to help create a November break. A lot of this “fall break” stuff going around. The public board is also joining the Catholic schools, and Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, in asking for slower speed limits around schools.
Both school boards are looking at tough decisions with budget shortfalls.
One Edmonton school is dealing with mental health issues right where students are.
Let the City of Edmonton know your thoughts on the downtown LRT connections, Thursday afternoon and evening, at an open house at City Hall.
NAIT students could be seeing their recreation and sports fees jump in the next school year.
It is dry out there. So be sure not to set anything on fire.
It’s Capital City Clean Up time. Are you going to take 15 to clean?
Edmontonian productions are leading the way in nominations for this year’s Alberta Film and Television awards – the Rosies.
We are just getting warmed up today… (more…)
Internet and Coffee Headlines
The mayor thinks Edmonton should contract out more of its snow removal. This, as the City ponders buying more equipment to deal with snow. Hey, it’s totally an option. But…when there’s a big storm, don’t we always hear about how many of the “on-call” contractors don’t show up right away? Whatever we do heading into the end of 2011, it’s got to be different. I think it’s time to suck up the pride and copy ideas from other cities.
The mayor also wants more river valley money.
There are a lot of stories on the Scona Road construction today, but the Journal’s captures the neighbourhood feelings best. That’s my opinion, but I think people in Old Strathcona are more upset about a third lane coming off the James McDonald Bridge (the merge lane will be extended right up to Saskatchhewan Drive) than they are about six months of construction.
Sure, people are upset about the total closure (except some local access) of Scona Road, but work needs to be done. No, it’s the lack of consultation about the extra lane of traffic that’s most upsetting – as I’ve heard around the community. It also says, to me, that every time we take a step forward with LRT expansion and bus route improvements we take a step back by adding lanes for personal vehicles.
Edmonton’s police disciplinary process might need a tweak or two. One officer’s been winding his way through for eight years, to finally have the charges dropped.
The Edmonton Public School Board is the first board in Alberta to draft a policy on discrimination over sexual orientation.
Leaky roof? Sounds like you need an entirely new house. Or something.
You want more Edmonton news? Sure you do. (more…)
Snow-buried Headlines
We asked for basement apartment pictures of all our snow. Liam will have more to report if he ever digs out.
Good morning, Edmonton. The top story today puts Edmonton into international news coverage.
A suicide bombing in Iraq has reached to Edmonton. Investigations have led police and the FBI to an Edmonton man with alleged connections to the group behind the bombing.
Now, news from our city that won’t be read in New York or London… (more…)
Freebie Headlines
Good morning, Edmonton.
If you read just one story today it should be this one by Karen Kleiss of the Edmonton Journal about freebies accepted by governing Progressive Conservatives. My favourite part is about good old Carl Benito.
He’s the MLA who promised his salary to scholarships but reneged after SEE Magazine wrote two stories about his lack of doing so. He’s still promising the equivalent of one year’s salary. But if you read today’s story you may see why we shouldn’t be holding our breath for that money. Oh, Carl…
It’s interesting to see which governing MLAs took trips, tickets, and other perks, and from which influential companies and donors. There are a couple that make sense and don’t raise alarms (like Lindsay Blackett’s trip to the World Juniors) but most of them just make you realize why people don’t trust politicians.
It is good, however, that this kind of information is made available. And if these kinds of freebies upset you, you’re going to be pleased with all members of the opposition.
I also predict that the rest of the newsrooms will be following this Journal story today.
There’s lots going on elsewhere… (more…)
Back in Session Headlines
Good, snowy, morning to you Edmonton. We knew it couldn’t hold off forever.
Today is the first day of the fall sitting of the Alberta Legislature. Yay.
That means news stories will shift from all that municipal stuff we’ve been hearing about, to health care. There are some other things going on provincially (there’s always the oilsands) but health care reform and emergency rooms are dominating the headlines as the session begins.
Perhaps we’ll see a new head of Alberta Health Services soon. The health minister and CEO don’t always seem to be on the same page.
There are actually issues beyond health care and oil to talk about.
We could be looking at helmet laws for ATV and snowmobile riders, anger over a non-hospital in Sherwood Park, anger over a power line in the Capital region, the government can always refine child support rules, the Wildrose Alliance needs to start taking down the government a peg or two if it’s serious about anything (even if they aren’t popular in Edmonton), and progressives will continue to search themselves for ways to win seats in a long right-of-centre province.
Oh, and Syncrude got smacked with a $3-million fine on Friday, for the dead ducks. They’ll be paying a large portion of that fine to environmental groups, research, and training.
Come on, you’ve been missing Premier Ed… (more…)
ID Cards for the Homeless
It is an oft-overlooked problem, one without a visible face. But now, that is changing.
A new program in Edmonton is helping homeless people have an identity, at least in the eyes of the provincial government, and is doing so in a literal fashion: helping them get ID cards. The new program allows the homeless to list homeless shelters and other agencies as residences and is going to great lengths to help them find documentation to prove their identities.
The thinking behind the program is that not only will it help the government track the number of homeless individuals in the province, but will also help them get back on their feet. Without proper identification, many resources are unavailable to them, such as opening bank accounts or even going to the food bank. It has symbolic implications as well: those who have too often been ignored now have an identity, and now are being treated as people like any citizen with a home, job, and proper ID.
Of course, the program is not without its faults. (more…)
Alberta Budget
You can listen live to the Alberta Budget at this website.
Or follow the commentary and information on Twitter.
Go with #ableg or #abbudget for the latest details from the budget, the latest reaction and all kinds of zings.
Update: Read the budget documents, and more, here. Still check the Twitter hashtags though (you don’t even need to be on Twitter to search it).
Make your move!
This is probably the only time anyone will ever mention David Swann, Brian Mason AND Carson Daly in the same breath. And I’m going somewhere with it. (Probably.)
It’s their time to make a move.
Don't stare directly into his eyes! Or you'll fall in love.
With all the chatter about Jay and Conan (I’m with Coco, by the way), and the renewed interest in all late night talk shows, Carson Daly is getting zinged left and right. I bet he’s being talked about as much, or more, than in his TRL days. Make your move Carson. It’s time to capitalize on your current name-recoginition before NBC just dumps your show (or puts you on at 2am), and secure your retirement with a sweet deal somewhere else.
Now, for our Alberta politicians I’d also say it’s time to make a big move. Though, they don’t have near the current name-recognition of doe-eyed Carson.
With the governing Tories taking a beating from all sides, the Wildrose Alliance is striding up the right-side of the policical spectrum to one elected member and two crossover MLAs. Plus, they’re all over the news and sinking into the consciousness of Albertans.
Why isn't Rick Mercer hanging out with this guy at WEM?
So…it’s time for the centre-left guys to do something big. I know people have told you to join forces, I know people have told you to work together, or start a new party for progressives, and those who are socially liberal and fiscally conservative. I’m telling you this is your one real chance.
Hey, would you look at that. Someone has already gone out and started a party which is looking for enough signatures to become the real deal. If the NDP and Liberals could just suck up their egos for about a minute they might see that they aren’t being talked about at all these days.
At all.
Never surrender! Never win many seats!
And since they haven’t been able to do much with their current parties, and since Alberta feels like a two-party kind of parliamentary democracy, I think the only chance real centre-left, post-partisans have is something new.
Now is also the time because you’ve got a few years until the next election so you’ve got time for the Tories and Wildrose to split the partisan, socially conservative side of things even more, leaving a nice big swath of voters looking elsewhere. And maybe all this new action will get even more people out to vote.
Come on Carson, David and Brian, make a big move.
p.s. If you make a move to a new party, be sure to pay off your current party debts first.
Nuclear Power: Not green but not that scary
By Gregg Beever
It’s winter, isn’t it? Kind of tough to tell these days.
Winter brings shorter days and shorter days mean the lights stay on longer. Our winter heating bills double as we jack the thermostat in an effort to combat hypothermia. It’s the time of year our already rabid consumption of energy becomes insanely intense.
Edmonton, like many other city around the globe, is growing along with its insatiable energy needs. So how is Edmonton and the rest of Alberta going to fuel the future?
Before you answer, remember, we have to do it cleanly and greenly. You know, that whole global warming thing.
A few months back I was at the Greyhound Bus Station on a delivery errand. As my package was being processed a young woman cycled up to the door carrying several large, bound stacks of paper. Dressed in earthy tones she had natural, mid-length hair, wore no obvious make-up and was equipped with the kind of proper cycling gear that suggested her bike was her main mode of transport. In short, she was the type of girl that makes my hippy heart flutter.
It came as no surprise, then, that the stacks she placed on the conveyor belt beside me were posters for an environmental advocacy group. The poster read “A Truly Green Future…Does Not Include Nuclear Power,” a slogan belonging to the Coalition for a Nuclear Free Alberta (CNFA).
It occurred to me, as I was driving home, that I should have picked her brain about it. Why should Alberta be nuclear free? What makes nuclear power not “truly green?” Would that girl have given me her phone number?
These were all questions that demanded answers. Since I’ll never get the answer for that last one, I’ll have settle for answering the first two. (more…)
Ed Stelmach: lone wolf pack
A letter to the Premier of Alberta, on his most recent television appearance, by Janine Edwards.
Dear Mr. Stelmach,
Your speech last night put me to sleep. It’s a good thing I set my VCR to record the speech, because I had to catch up on it when I woke up.
Now that I’ve watched it, let’s get a few things straight.
That cost HOW MUCH? $134,000. Wow. How many ‘Paranormal Activity’ or likewise indie movies could that purchase? And just what exactly cost so much money?
Was it all that beautiful stock footage? Was it the suit? (Which made you look frightening and awkward.) Was it the powerpoint slides swinging by on the screen? Was it for the speech-writer?
Here are some things you, Mr. Stelmach, and your team could do to improve these paid speeches:
1. Don’t read your prompter word-for-word. We CAN see you, and can tell you are reading as you are talking. Next you’ll be sounding out the big words.
2. Ask NAIT and SAIT kids to get the stock footage. It could be their assignment at school and cost nothing to the taxpayer.
3. Ditch the suit, wear something comfortable. Mr. Stelmach, by wearing that suit – you, yourself, just look like a suit. There is no personality there… you are exactly what I thought you’d be. Next time – how about a warm sweater-vest? Or perhaps a three wolf, one moon t-shirt. It will show that you’re one hip cat.
4. If you must use the powerpoint slideslow – do me one favour: creative transitioning. I want that dissolve feature, the curtain transition, and of course, the star wipe. The star wipe is key. Do this over and over, and we’ll take you seriously. As well, you’ll be watched by more people, all over the world – as we will ensure the world sees the video on YouTube.
5. Did you see when Harper sang that catchy Beatles tune on stage? Canadians went ape-shit. Step one: Learn the clarinet. Step two: A groovy jazz number to close your next speech.
6. Ditch the whole ‘speech’ concept. Film it like an episode of ‘Cribs’. Take us on a tour of the Legislature, or your farm in Andrew, and discuss the economy as you tell us what’s in your fridge, and how many cars you have. The brief look at your forest was alright… but what sort of farmer are you? Is it a Beet farm? Beet farmers are popular nowadays.
As it stands, it wasn’t the exciting speech I so dreamed it would be. Do I think it accomplished what you thought it would? No. But I think you just found the opportunity to waste taxpayers money and have a solid 18 minutes of air-time too tempting to resist. I can’t fault you that.
Oh, and by the way – I recorded over some Survivorman episodes. Thanks a lot, Stelmach.
