August 5 Edmonton Headlines
Welcome to the end of our short August week, Edmonton.
Edmonton’s playing major catch-up on infrastructure – our roads, public buildings, LRT, etc… – some might even say we’ve got an infrasturcture debt that’s way past due. That’s an important factor to remember when talking about pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into a downtown arena, without any clear plans on all of the exciting, truly revitazling buildings and infrastructure that is supposed to go around the arena.
And, even then, it might not be the best way to spend all that money. Other cities don’t seem to be getting ahead after dumping money into a new arena or stadium. Is a downtown arena truly going to change our city, or is Edmonton simply following the lure of big promises and the fear of upsetting a fan base?
Speaking of the fan base…sounds like the Oilers would look for close-to-home options if the downtown arena plans fell through.
Good for iNews/CHED for trying to balance a story about how newsrooms should try and tell a more honest, full story about life in Edmonton and drop the “If it bleeds it leads.” approach. Wait, no, I take that back. They “balanced” it with a story full of sensational quotes that says nothing about whether crime reporting is accurate.
They did not try to counter the claims that our homicide rate is “unacceptable” and our city unsafe. Probably because there’s nothing as quotable in that. (More on this story below, in the PC leadership race.) Here’s your balance: crime is dropping in Edmonton, and across Canada, and Edmonton is experiencing a 2011 jump in homicides for unclear reasons.
That doesn’t take anything away from the victims of crime and their families. It might even help catalyze people into more action on crime prevention if crime stories made up a more representative portion of news coverage. Right now it’s so prevalent you’d think very little else goes on. That is indeed the perception that makes it into newscasts and newspapers outside of Edmonton.
It’s nice to see a Journal columnist saying we’re safe in Edmonton. That, however, doesn’t make the front page as homicides routinely do.
We should hear from the chief of the Edmonton Police Service next week with some new plans and approaches to crime in Edmonton.
I really thought I could end the week with a little less on crime reporting. Especially with downtown arena in the Headlines. Shows what I know. (more…)
Edmonton Headlines
Good morning and good budget, Edmonton.
Yes, the federal budget came down Tuesday, with much fanfare. The budget itself isn’t all that much to write home about (Do people still write home about such things?) but it’s the reaction of the opposition parties – that they likely won’t support this budget – that means something. That means we could see an election.
Yippee!
I guess it also means the opposition parties could take another shot at a coalition government, if they brought down the Stephen Harper Conservative minority. I kind of wish our parliamentary system could use all of its tools before sending people back to the polls for another minority government. Who knows, maybe the new Governor General would understand it’s a totally legitimate and legal way for our system of government to run.
But enough about coalitions…check out the budget!
While generally supportive (what else are you going to do when you’re both big C Conservatives) the Premier would have liked to have seen more healthcare money from Ottawa. Alberta’s one, lonely non-Conservative, Edmonton-Strathcona’s New Democrat MP Linda Duncan, isn’t a fan of the budget.
Meanwhile…back in Edmonton… (more…)
Ghost Mayors …on City Services
A historical satire by actors who did little research, from the EdmontonPolitics.com team.
From garbage collection to policing, recreation to power generation, the City of Edmonton provides a lot to its residents. Our city’s former mayors sure have some thoughts on what could be done better. And what they’d rather just take care of without you sticking your nose into it.
In this forum:
Mayor Matthew (Mat) “Warden” McCauley – Edmonton’s first mayor
Mayor William J. McNamara – First mayor to defeat a sitting incumbent, in the city’s closest race (still the closest race to date)
Mayor William “Wild Bill” Hawrelak – 3 time mayor, twice had to leave office because of land deals, eventually died in office
After the jump you’ll find out what they think. Hopefully Fightin’ Joe Clarke doesn’t show up to settle the score with Mayor McNamara… (more…)
Lucy and Bob Barker: All you need to know
Yes, Bob Barker is here to see Lucy the Elephant. Yes, we could spend copious amounts of time covering the meeting. Or Mr. Barker’s visit to City Hall.
But really, we know this is all you’re actually after.
Opinion: Don’t give money to the homeless
The givers not knowing where their money’s going
Is as sinful as throwing away
- Cold War Kids, “Passing the hat”
By: Janine Edwards
We’ve established already that I’m an uncaring human being. If you are unaware of this, perhaps you should pay closer attention to my Letters to the Editors. If you’ve previously been offended by my point of view… you really aren’t going to like this.
Homeless people are ruining our city.
‘But Janine! They can’t help it. They’re addicts, they’ve had a bum deal, they are victims of an uncaring society.’ Bah.
There are places out there to help them. Lots of places. Okay, now we’re all recessionary… But there were tons of homeless even when we had staff shortages.
Now, in the style of our soon to be ruler of Colberta, I’m putting the Homeless on notice. (more…)
Most important item of the day*
This is Lucy, on the way to art class.
The City of Edmonton (rather, the Valley Zoo) is providing an update on the health of Lucy the elephant.
Not because Bob Barker is coming to town or anything…
Does it feel, to anyone else, that the two sides of this debate aren’t connecting?
It’s like the Bob Barker/Zoocheck side is arguing that elephants get lonely and need to be in warmer climates, while the City side is arguing that Lucy is loved and people should stay out of our business.
Sigh…at least there’s not a recession to deal with right now.
Health update on Lucy, the Asian elephant living at the Edmonton Valley Zoo Edmonton, September 14, 2009 - Community Services General Manager Linda Cochrane and Valley Zoo veterinarian Dr. Milton Ness will provide an update on Lucy's health, including the results of a recent examination of Lucy and the opinions of a third-party specialist. Date: Monday, September 14, 2009 Time: Noon Location: Valley Zoo, 13315 Buena Vista Road Media representatives should sign-in at the Zoo's administration building.
* It’s not really the most important thing happening today.
