A short week but one of our busiest, as Councillor Mike Pagtakhan was in studio for over 80 minutes on Wednesday, discussing and debating the proposed Blue Bomber stadium/waterpark/hotel/infrastructure renewal of South Point Douglas put forward by David Asper.
Mike said he would work to ensure residents of the Point (just like residents near Health Sciences Centre in that expansion) would be compensated on the basis of "a home for a home" if they are expropriated or forced to move.
He also stated that all residents of North and South Point Douglas, not just Aboriginals, should have equal opportunity at any jobs or training that comes out of the plan, and also speculated that sewer renewal alone to accomodate the Asper plan might cost $50 million. At some point, Mike said, there is a number that is too big for taxpayers, but the plan is worth a serious evaluation.
He would like to see the principles of an upscale, forward thinking revitalization enacted, and promised that any community consultation would be well advertised and residents will be notified by direct mail drop.
Today: Spirited Kenny has more of his 511 Emergency Warning system fiasco report and the stonewalling he is getting at the hands of government bureaucrats who won't provide even basic information;
More on the Taman inquiry and witness evidence that East St. Paul police at the scene of the accident that killed Crystal Taman knew the driver of the truck that rammed into her, was a city cop who had been up all night drinking;
and a special tribute to 3 wrestlers who died 20 years ago today when their van crashed in Lewisporte, Nfld.
Adrian Adonis (former AWA/WWF tag team champion), Pat Kelly (the Kelly Twins, famous for an Oh Henry commercial) and tour promoter Dave "Bearman" McKigney were killed when Kelly's brother Mike swerved to avoid a moose and crashed off of a causeway. McKigney's son -- who was about 12 at the time -- was in the ring truck following the van and witnessed the scene. His mother had been killed only years before when one of their wrestling bears escaped the cage and attacked her.
In tribute to the Bearman -- who fought an utterly corrupt Ontario Boxing and Wrestling Commission to keep the Canadian barnstorming wrestling troupe tradition alive, and the tale of his struggle in the book Drawing Heat by Professor Jim Freedman inspired me to try my hand at promoting pro wrestling -- we present this clip from 1980.
Folk singer Syvia Tyson hosted a CBC TV story about regional wrestling in Ontario and McKigney was prominently featured.
http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/wrestling/topics/1237-6841/
