From: Kim the traffic reporter
Re: "Active Transportation": Hay/Jubilee bike paths
Upon arriving at the open house on Wednesday night I noted an older couple who were sitting in a small park outside the Leisure Centre. I spoke with them, turns out they were there for the open house, in fact they were eager to see what plans were being made for their area in regards to future pathways. They enjoy cycling and walking. However, this couple do have serious security issues with the current multi-use pathways along the river.
* Their home is on Osborne facing onto the river, it is a seniors complex. The residents have been subject to kids throwing poles at the building along with threats to "rape all the women".
This has been discouraging to the seniors in the building who might want to use the river pathways. Corney and Joy want more security patrols so that people can feel safe using those pathways. Joy indicated that many of these kids are from 12-18 yrs of age.
* Hay will have traffic circles at Bartlett, Oakwood, Ashland, Claire and Montogmery. Montgomery at Casey will be using yield signs to control vehicle movements. The plans are to link up at Churchill Dr. both north and south ends.
* Jubilee on the other hand will face significant changes. A multi-use path is being planned for the South side of Jubilee from Pembina to Cockburn. The new path will encompass the existing sidewalk but will take out the grass boulevard up to the curb. There will be a loss of approximately 12 trees and new driveway approaches will have to be built.
* A future overpass is planned exiting onto Pembina by Argue. There is a current bike path at this point it is unknown if that particular pathway will be kept or if it will be moved. Near the traffic lights at Argue there is a guard rail which is to protect against turning trucks, this area needs to be widened to accommodate this multi-use pathway. In order to provide this width, a 1.9mX60m (6ftX200ft) property requirement is needed.
* Four properties are facing expropriation. Letters have been sent to the registered owners informing them they face losing some of their property. Of the four properties, two or three are rentals. $900 000.00 is slated for the Jubilee/Hay project. No loss of parking is expected.
* One older gentleman was very unhappy that he is forced to make right hand turns off Kylmore onto Argue and that you cannot access Argue from Lilac. He said that there are planters on Argue to force drivers to make these turns. He cannot get onto his street from Argue and is forced to take an alternate route to go home.
* There were numerous comments from people who loved the idea of the Jubilee multi-use pathways, though some wished that Churchill Drive and some of the riverwalk could be better paved.
As opposed to many other open houses, there was a good representation of ages from young to old. There also seemed to be an a good mixture of cyclist/non-cyclist. However, for some the active transportation seemed to be an after thought and the BRT was the real star of the show.
My thoughts:
1) Expropriation, kinda had a thought that at some point that word would raise it's head in regards to active transportation.
I'm sorry, but to take someone's property even if it's only a few meters or feet is wrong. But then I suppose the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few... I'm still waiting to hear that phrase uttered.
2) I'm feeling a tingle of Disraeli here. Doesn't matter that you take out private property. Oh hang on, there is already active transportation on Argue ... why not move the multi-use path to the North side and connect the two, but wait, plans are uncertain as to whether or not the Argue path will even be kept, so if it's scrapped, what a waste of money.
3) The older gentleman who is unhappy about Kylemore. I wonder if he was ever consulted about that forced right turn onto Argue? Don't think so. Wonder if he realizes that further to the north along streets such as Warsaw, another forced right turn could impact south Osborne? Corydon will become even more congested which will force some motorists to find alternative routes. Which means there could be an increase in traffic on Jubilee, which means those who choose to avoid that crush of an already heavily used area could decide to head down residential streets.
But the consultants say no when I brought up that issue. I think it's a little shortsighted. What affects one area, will affect the neighbouring areas as well.
5) The mainstream media didn't even report on the active transportation plans for Jubilee and Hay. The news I caught was a 2 minute blurb on, you guessed it..BRT. I did note that CKUW 95.9fm (U. of W) was taking a close look at the AT side of things. Now that I think on it, he and I were the only reporters to stay for the whole event. After 6pm the other media outlets disappeared.
6) Lastly, I noted that for a change there didn't seem to be enough consultants and city planners on hand. They all seemed to be swarmed for most of the event. I was told that there were 15 on hand. I counted nine, but then I could be wrong. But some of the ones who were there weren't actually working the event.
Guess the BRT/Active Transportation people didn't expect the turnout they got.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Kim reports Brazier bike path open house draws 54
From: Kim the traffic reporter
Subject: Re: Open House Apr. 6 Roch/Brazier
To: talk@kick.fm
Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 2:32 AM
One question raised was how much it was going to cost to repair the dings and dents damage done by snow plows.
One resident Shawn said that it's a "great idea, stop stupid speeders". That was the theme for the evening. Many of the people attending had the same thought, to stop the speeders. There were others who loved the idea they wouldn't have to stop at every intersection.
Another question raised was if in-line skaters would be able to use these bike paths, sharrows, bike lanes etc and according Kevin Nixon, yes they will be able to use them.
In attendance was Kevin Nixon, Ruth Marr, Bill Woroby and Councillor Jeff Browaty.
All in all there were mixed reactions to the new plans for Roch. Many were pleased and many were not happy with the money being spent which is slated at $350 000.00, many feeling the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
My thoughts:
Not a great turnout. 54 for the area is not good. It's a start, the travelling road show does seem to be having the effect of getting people out, as is advertising in the Herald and the Sunday flyers. However, 54 is still to low a number for the area and does not provide a significant consultation with the area.
I would like to see the studies done regarding the potential impact on other streets such as Brazier or McLeod as some drivers will chose alternate routes. Great that traffic is being moved off of the active transportation streets, but that could create a problem elsewhere.
I was told that many of the routes were chosen because of input by cyclists, some of whom were the consultants. My issue is that's great..have the cyclists input, but also poll the neighbourhood and the motorists who use the area as well. I find many of these projects tend to be one sided and not a fair representation of the neighbourhood. What I found interesting is some of the less positive comments were coming from cyclists. So if the routes were chosen by cyclists and other cyclists are not as happy with some of the routes, just who were the people chosen for their input?
The one shining spot was pretty much everybody agreed, the multi-use path between Raleigh and Gateway is great and I have to agree. It would be nice to see more of those kinds of pathways than sending additional traffic down other streets and roads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marty I have some traffic counts for you. These I believe are from 2005. For some reason traffic counts were not available for the entirety of Roch and Brazier, just portions, but here they are:
AADT= average annual daily traffic count
Roch
Southbound Springfield to McLeod:
Am 249 PM 307 AADT 2728
Northbound
AM 106 PM 328 AADT 2169
McLeod to Oakview
South:
AM 234 PM 163 AADT 2082
North:
AM 158 PM 268 AADT 2258
Oakview to Midwinter
South
AM 206 PM 127 AADT 1580
North
AM 104 PM 152 AADT 1339
For comparison
Brazier
South
McLeod to Dundeath
AM 143 PM 228 AADT 2098
North
AM 198 PM 262 AADT 2651
Leighton to Midwinter
South
AM 184 PM 206 AADT 2330
North
AM 95 PM 149 AADT 1450
These were the only numbers available.
**********************
Today, tons of great content including
- our own eyewitness account of the Elmwood enclave threatened by Disraeli expropriation,
- the WRHA blockbusting in the inner city, a solution to lingering derelict buildings, - police kept busy nabbing violent criminals,
- That Wine Guy, and
- all about the MYS annual dinner next Thursday, get your tickets www.MYS.ca.
Subject: Re: Open House Apr. 6 Roch/Brazier
To: talk@kick.fm
Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010, 2:32 AM
As I approached Miles MacDonnell Collegiate, I noted that the electronic billboard was displaying the information for the open house 'from 6-8pm'.
Information provided at the kiosk in Kildonan Place Mar. 26-28 had indicated the open house was from 5-8pm.
I arrived at 5:40, departing at about 8:10. I took note that when I arrived, residents were already in the building.
Some people did indicate they received a flyer in their paper on Sunday, although not all streets received such information. One person stated that a family member lived by Watt and did not receive any flyer.
The plans for Roch/Brazier have changed, Brazier will no longer be included the active transportation project. A decision was made to stay on Roch.
A new poster was up dealing with bike boulevards including pictures of various traffic calming measures including:
-a bike box
-forced right turns with median refuge
-traffic calming circle
-1 way choker curb extensions
-street closure with cylist and pedstrian access
The poster then continues with the usual definition of a bike boulevard.
In the current plans for Roch, appearing at various intersections heading southbound from Springfield to Midwinter:
McKay - flip stop sign
Kingsford - curb extensions
Hawthorne - curb extensions
Leighton - raised intersection or traffic calming circles
Linden - raised intersection or traffic calming circles
Helmsdale - raised intersection or traffic circle
Chelsea - raised intersection
Donalda - curb extension
Washington - curb extension or raised intersection
Larsen - raised intersection or traffic circle
Union - curb extension
Midwinter - curb ramp
In these current plans there is no loss of parking, though if the residents request it, that issue will be looked at by active transportation.
Though there was a very good representation of ages as well as cyclist/non-cyclist attending the open house, however attendance was only 54 people.
Some of the comments about these plans were:
Concerns about fire trucks being able to get around the traffic circles, one of the consultants answered that the fire trucks would not be able to make a turn around them but the trucks can cut across to the left if needed. According to 311 there are no transit buses that go down Roch.
Concerns were also raised about the traffic circles that people would not go around but instead cut across them. So when wanting to turn left, you would travel around the circle to the left and exit out of the circle. Concerns about potential accidents should people not travel the circle. Irene Campbell who is a resident on Brazier is not as concerned now that the plans for the area no longer include her street, however, is still worried that people simply won't stop for the circles.
A concern brought up by another resident on Brazier who did not wish to give her name, indicated that their street sees alot of traffic off of Henderson and is worried more traffic may come off Roch from those who wish to avoid the traffic calming measures, though she is not a cyclist, her children do ride their bikes.
Another area resident who also did not wish to be named stated he did not like the curb extensions, citing the Nassau St. curb extensions and the bottleneck of traffic it creates. As well as the damage that has been done to vehicles. Considers this project to be a "waste of money" which this resident said would have been "better spent on infrastructure such as fixing the old parks in the area or arenas".
An older couple, Bill and Francis stated that the bike signs had been up for 5 years and had not made any difference. The Kliewers went on to say that they are cyclists but don't consider this project needs to be done, they don't see the need for it, that it's alot of money for something that's just not that important. Although they do like the idea of cutting down on the speeding in the area.
Information provided at the kiosk in Kildonan Place Mar. 26-28 had indicated the open house was from 5-8pm.
I arrived at 5:40, departing at about 8:10. I took note that when I arrived, residents were already in the building.
Some people did indicate they received a flyer in their paper on Sunday, although not all streets received such information. One person stated that a family member lived by Watt and did not receive any flyer.
The plans for Roch/Brazier have changed, Brazier will no longer be included the active transportation project. A decision was made to stay on Roch.
A new poster was up dealing with bike boulevards including pictures of various traffic calming measures including:
-a bike box
-forced right turns with median refuge
-traffic calming circle
-1 way choker curb extensions
-street closure with cylist and pedstrian access
The poster then continues with the usual definition of a bike boulevard.
In the current plans for Roch, appearing at various intersections heading southbound from Springfield to Midwinter:
McKay - flip stop sign
Kingsford - curb extensions
Hawthorne - curb extensions
Leighton - raised intersection or traffic calming circles
Linden - raised intersection or traffic calming circles
Helmsdale - raised intersection or traffic circle
Chelsea - raised intersection
Donalda - curb extension
Washington - curb extension or raised intersection
Larsen - raised intersection or traffic circle
Union - curb extension
Midwinter - curb ramp
In these current plans there is no loss of parking, though if the residents request it, that issue will be looked at by active transportation.
Though there was a very good representation of ages as well as cyclist/non-cyclist attending the open house, however attendance was only 54 people.
Some of the comments about these plans were:
Concerns about fire trucks being able to get around the traffic circles, one of the consultants answered that the fire trucks would not be able to make a turn around them but the trucks can cut across to the left if needed. According to 311 there are no transit buses that go down Roch.
Concerns were also raised about the traffic circles that people would not go around but instead cut across them. So when wanting to turn left, you would travel around the circle to the left and exit out of the circle. Concerns about potential accidents should people not travel the circle. Irene Campbell who is a resident on Brazier is not as concerned now that the plans for the area no longer include her street, however, is still worried that people simply won't stop for the circles.
A concern brought up by another resident on Brazier who did not wish to give her name, indicated that their street sees alot of traffic off of Henderson and is worried more traffic may come off Roch from those who wish to avoid the traffic calming measures, though she is not a cyclist, her children do ride their bikes.
Another area resident who also did not wish to be named stated he did not like the curb extensions, citing the Nassau St. curb extensions and the bottleneck of traffic it creates. As well as the damage that has been done to vehicles. Considers this project to be a "waste of money" which this resident said would have been "better spent on infrastructure such as fixing the old parks in the area or arenas".
An older couple, Bill and Francis stated that the bike signs had been up for 5 years and had not made any difference. The Kliewers went on to say that they are cyclists but don't consider this project needs to be done, they don't see the need for it, that it's alot of money for something that's just not that important. Although they do like the idea of cutting down on the speeding in the area.
One question raised was how much it was going to cost to repair the dings and dents damage done by snow plows.
One resident Shawn said that it's a "great idea, stop stupid speeders". That was the theme for the evening. Many of the people attending had the same thought, to stop the speeders. There were others who loved the idea they wouldn't have to stop at every intersection.
Another question raised was if in-line skaters would be able to use these bike paths, sharrows, bike lanes etc and according Kevin Nixon, yes they will be able to use them.
In attendance was Kevin Nixon, Ruth Marr, Bill Woroby and Councillor Jeff Browaty.
All in all there were mixed reactions to the new plans for Roch. Many were pleased and many were not happy with the money being spent which is slated at $350 000.00, many feeling the money could have been better spent elsewhere.
My thoughts:
Not a great turnout. 54 for the area is not good. It's a start, the travelling road show does seem to be having the effect of getting people out, as is advertising in the Herald and the Sunday flyers. However, 54 is still to low a number for the area and does not provide a significant consultation with the area.
I would like to see the studies done regarding the potential impact on other streets such as Brazier or McLeod as some drivers will chose alternate routes. Great that traffic is being moved off of the active transportation streets, but that could create a problem elsewhere.
I was told that many of the routes were chosen because of input by cyclists, some of whom were the consultants. My issue is that's great..have the cyclists input, but also poll the neighbourhood and the motorists who use the area as well. I find many of these projects tend to be one sided and not a fair representation of the neighbourhood. What I found interesting is some of the less positive comments were coming from cyclists. So if the routes were chosen by cyclists and other cyclists are not as happy with some of the routes, just who were the people chosen for their input?
The one shining spot was pretty much everybody agreed, the multi-use path between Raleigh and Gateway is great and I have to agree. It would be nice to see more of those kinds of pathways than sending additional traffic down other streets and roads.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marty I have some traffic counts for you. These I believe are from 2005. For some reason traffic counts were not available for the entirety of Roch and Brazier, just portions, but here they are:
AADT= average annual daily traffic count
Roch
Southbound Springfield to McLeod:
Am 249 PM 307 AADT 2728
Northbound
AM 106 PM 328 AADT 2169
McLeod to Oakview
South:
AM 234 PM 163 AADT 2082
North:
AM 158 PM 268 AADT 2258
Oakview to Midwinter
South
AM 206 PM 127 AADT 1580
North
AM 104 PM 152 AADT 1339
For comparison
Brazier
South
McLeod to Dundeath
AM 143 PM 228 AADT 2098
North
AM 198 PM 262 AADT 2651
Leighton to Midwinter
South
AM 184 PM 206 AADT 2330
North
AM 95 PM 149 AADT 1450
These were the only numbers available.
**********************
Today, tons of great content including
- our own eyewitness account of the Elmwood enclave threatened by Disraeli expropriation,
- the WRHA blockbusting in the inner city, a solution to lingering derelict buildings, - police kept busy nabbing violent criminals,
- That Wine Guy, and
- all about the MYS annual dinner next Thursday, get your tickets www.MYS.ca.
Monday, April 5, 2010
More Loud Whistle Blowing Drawing Attention - and, coming up this week...
Editorial, reprinted by permission, from Bob Axford's Community Living newsletters on stands at Winnipeg retailers this week:
Denied intervenor status at the Public Utilities Board hearing into rate increases proposed by Manitoba Hydro, the woman known as "New York Consultant" made an unprecedented media appearance to take her case directly to Manitobans and caution that without her participation, the PUB hearings will be a farce. She did so using the alternative, rather than traditional big media outlets, to engage in her first-ever broadcast discussion of the issues, speaking for over an hour on Marty Gold’s ‘The Great Canadian Talk Show’.
Listen to the audio:
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShowHighlight-April12010
Last Thursday, 'Miss Whistle' explained that after a series of smaller contracts, ongoing work led her to discover system flaws in the Hydro computer system which led to miscalculated financial forecasts which in turn led to a consumer rate increase in 2003-2004 that was "unnecessary" . There were also "oversights in the reservoir levels" which could put the Province at risk of power interruptions in case of another drought.
Miss Whistle said she had reported her findings at every step of the way to the Chief Financial Officer, filing various reports that were backlogged on his desk, until, in 2008, she participated in a 6 hour meeting with Hydro officials in which she defended her work. She pointed out that in the affidavit filed by Hydro in a separate lawsuit against her company there was no mention of the CFO vetting her work.
She also alleged that the minutes of the 2008 meeting have disappeared, although she retained the 204 page report she submitted that day, as proof they knew her concerns for the well-being of the utility were substantiated.
Ultimately, her findings formed a challenge to influential longtime Hydro insiders and to senior executives who had rubber-stamped previous annual reports. The man who signed Hydro's affidavit, David Cormie "has had a vendetta because I attacked his computer system" and when compared to other jurisdictions, Hydro’s government-appointed board "has been largely unregulated".
She described the attacks on her orchestrated through public comments and the affidavit as “childish and immature", and the mainstream media has been parroting the resulting "pandemonium of mistruths and misquotes". "People just write nonsense", which is why she wanted her voice heard properly and why she wanted to field questions about the case.
"There needs to be an equitable investigation ... (but) PUB doesn't want any evidence of the risk " to be tabled. Although every other applicant for intervenor was granted status and unlimited legal costs (one estimated theirs at $300,000), she who is most capable of explaining risk and rates has been asked to participate in a limited advisory scope with a cap on her legal costs at a paltry $5000.
Meanwhile, Miss Whistle revealed that the lawsuit against her launched by Hydro, is "unnecessary interference with the legislation". Applying for a court order to release her work to a competitor, KPMG, is a ploy by the Manitoba government to sidestep the Whistleblower Act. Manitoba Hydro was ordered by the Minister Rosanne Wowchuk to hire KPMG to conduct a special audit and then turn the "results" over to the government. As a result, Miss Whistle has absorbed $50,000 in legal costs to fight the application, as those court documents have been circulated to the media with information that identifies her and her company, in violation of the Whistleblower protection she is entitled to.
"There was a danger to the safety of people" which led Miss Whistle to come forward, yet in almost a year and a half, the provincial auditor (a former Hydro board member) did nothing and the Ombudsman has been silent about the multiple breaches of the Whistleblower Act and the attacks on Miss Whistle's professional work and character.
Premier Greg Selinger, who drafted the Act and was responsible for Hydro for a decade, has the most to lose if the public catches on to the message of obstruction and cover-up heard on Kick-FM on April 1st. Bob Brennan and his cronies at Hydro would just lose their jobs; but for Selinger and the NDP, credibility and the seat of government could well be at risk.
***************
This week on TGCTS:
Tuesday: an Elmwood homeowner seeks answers, as he never received anything from the city about the Disraeli Bridge project that will affect his home and family, was never asked about the bike bridge by city staff, and his councillor has not returned his phone call for over a month; a Lesson in Journalism on how the Wolseley neighborhood beat the bike lobby at the last stand of Omand's Creek; Dr. "Brain" Postl flunked the Superbug prevention standards at the WRHA yet get hired as new U of M Dean of Medicine; plus listener emails;
Wednesday: residents of Elmwood, North Point Douglas, and South Point Douglas in studio, form a united front against the city Disraeli plan; and Manitoba Homecoming 2010 honcho Kevin Walters previews the big events this spring;
Thursday: Sean Crawford of MacDonald Youth Services plugs their annual Under the Big Top fundraiser next week (got you tickets yet? www.mys.ca for more info), plus That Wine Guy with Campbell Alexander;
If you are a homeowner or business affected by Disraeli Bridge expropriation or construction, or by the city plans for bike lanes and bike paths, contact us talk@kick.fm
Denied intervenor status at the Public Utilities Board hearing into rate increases proposed by Manitoba Hydro, the woman known as "New York Consultant" made an unprecedented media appearance to take her case directly to Manitobans and caution that without her participation, the PUB hearings will be a farce. She did so using the alternative, rather than traditional big media outlets, to engage in her first-ever broadcast discussion of the issues, speaking for over an hour on Marty Gold’s ‘The Great Canadian Talk Show’.
Listen to the audio:
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShowHighlight-April12010
Last Thursday, 'Miss Whistle' explained that after a series of smaller contracts, ongoing work led her to discover system flaws in the Hydro computer system which led to miscalculated financial forecasts which in turn led to a consumer rate increase in 2003-2004 that was "unnecessary" . There were also "oversights in the reservoir levels" which could put the Province at risk of power interruptions in case of another drought.
Miss Whistle said she had reported her findings at every step of the way to the Chief Financial Officer, filing various reports that were backlogged on his desk, until, in 2008, she participated in a 6 hour meeting with Hydro officials in which she defended her work. She pointed out that in the affidavit filed by Hydro in a separate lawsuit against her company there was no mention of the CFO vetting her work.
She also alleged that the minutes of the 2008 meeting have disappeared, although she retained the 204 page report she submitted that day, as proof they knew her concerns for the well-being of the utility were substantiated.
Ultimately, her findings formed a challenge to influential longtime Hydro insiders and to senior executives who had rubber-stamped previous annual reports. The man who signed Hydro's affidavit, David Cormie "has had a vendetta because I attacked his computer system" and when compared to other jurisdictions, Hydro’s government-appointed board "has been largely unregulated".
She described the attacks on her orchestrated through public comments and the affidavit as “childish and immature", and the mainstream media has been parroting the resulting "pandemonium of mistruths and misquotes". "People just write nonsense", which is why she wanted her voice heard properly and why she wanted to field questions about the case.
"There needs to be an equitable investigation ... (but) PUB doesn't want any evidence of the risk " to be tabled. Although every other applicant for intervenor was granted status and unlimited legal costs (one estimated theirs at $300,000), she who is most capable of explaining risk and rates has been asked to participate in a limited advisory scope with a cap on her legal costs at a paltry $5000.
Meanwhile, Miss Whistle revealed that the lawsuit against her launched by Hydro, is "unnecessary interference with the legislation". Applying for a court order to release her work to a competitor, KPMG, is a ploy by the Manitoba government to sidestep the Whistleblower Act. Manitoba Hydro was ordered by the Minister Rosanne Wowchuk to hire KPMG to conduct a special audit and then turn the "results" over to the government. As a result, Miss Whistle has absorbed $50,000 in legal costs to fight the application, as those court documents have been circulated to the media with information that identifies her and her company, in violation of the Whistleblower protection she is entitled to.
"There was a danger to the safety of people" which led Miss Whistle to come forward, yet in almost a year and a half, the provincial auditor (a former Hydro board member) did nothing and the Ombudsman has been silent about the multiple breaches of the Whistleblower Act and the attacks on Miss Whistle's professional work and character.
Premier Greg Selinger, who drafted the Act and was responsible for Hydro for a decade, has the most to lose if the public catches on to the message of obstruction and cover-up heard on Kick-FM on April 1st. Bob Brennan and his cronies at Hydro would just lose their jobs; but for Selinger and the NDP, credibility and the seat of government could well be at risk.
***************
This week on TGCTS:
Tuesday: an Elmwood homeowner seeks answers, as he never received anything from the city about the Disraeli Bridge project that will affect his home and family, was never asked about the bike bridge by city staff, and his councillor has not returned his phone call for over a month; a Lesson in Journalism on how the Wolseley neighborhood beat the bike lobby at the last stand of Omand's Creek; Dr. "Brain" Postl flunked the Superbug prevention standards at the WRHA yet get hired as new U of M Dean of Medicine; plus listener emails;
Wednesday: residents of Elmwood, North Point Douglas, and South Point Douglas in studio, form a united front against the city Disraeli plan; and Manitoba Homecoming 2010 honcho Kevin Walters previews the big events this spring;
Thursday: Sean Crawford of MacDonald Youth Services plugs their annual Under the Big Top fundraiser next week (got you tickets yet? www.mys.ca for more info), plus That Wine Guy with Campbell Alexander;
If you are a homeowner or business affected by Disraeli Bridge expropriation or construction, or by the city plans for bike lanes and bike paths, contact us talk@kick.fm
Thursday, April 1, 2010
NEW! AUDIO of HYDRO WHISTLEBLOWER ; plus listener emails
Get the full audio, and preview story,
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShowHighlight-April12010
*******************
From our mailbag:
Disraeli:
Every single politician at city hall has passed the buck on public consultation issues. The almighty Administration has them all on a short lease and could care less if the public is stiffed again and again.
They have the power, not the public.
Since no politician will take on these bureaucrats they are all complicit with what's happening.
AQ
***************
Bikes and Active Transportation:
Marty
I have to tell you about this. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I was driving down Princess the other day in the afternoon. I was in the right hand lane behind several cars that were driving slower and then one by one they would dart out to the left as if to pass an obstacle. Yes they were passing an obstacle, a cyclist, all decked out in cycling gear.
Now you might think that this is no big deal but the fact there was a cycle lane on the other side of the street for her to use, you'd think she'd be using that! Nope. She was to content to bike to her own rules.
She seemed confused as I yelled at her about paying for a lane for her to use...
Mike
and...
Marty,
With all due respect to your guests today, some of the fear mongering
over the Berry Street Bikeway is a bit ridiculous. The point of that
particular route is to provide an alternative to using Route 90 for
people cycling to businesses in the airport area and to RRC's Notre
Dame Campus. I drive or cycle portions of that route nearly every
single day and it's a perfect candidate for incorporating bike lanes.
For starters, the road is 3 lanes wide from Silver to Saskatchewan.
But because there’s no lines painted anywhere, no one actually knows
where they’re supposed to drive. So in some places you have cars
driving two abreast headed south, while in other places they’re
driving two abreast headed north. It’s confusing and dangerous in its
current configuration.
Your guest suggested Ferry as an alternative route. Ferry is six
blocks further west, so it's not a great alternative to Route 90 for
anyone coming from the south or east (in my case, River Heights). It
also dead ends at Ellice. Continuing the pathway further north would
require rerouting to...Berry Street.
Your guest also said Ferry would provide better connectivity with
existing bike routes. Wrong again, as both routes will tie into the
Silver Avenue Parkway, and the bike routes along Assiniboine south of
Portage. The Berry route will also connect with the Sherwin Road
Pathway that will lead right into RRC's campus.
As for the need to remove streetlights and sidewalks, I couldn't tell
whether that was just speculation on your guest's part or something
that was actually mentioned at the open house. Either way, it's
completely unnecessary. There's also no need for additional traffic
calming, as traffic levels aren't that bad at all. Actually marking
bike lanes on either side of the street will reduce the occasional
car/bike conflicts that exist currently. In fact, the best part of the
Berry pathway is that it could be "built" for the cost of a few cans
of paint. No other changes are required.
There's definitely some goofy decisions being made as part of the
active transportation plan (like the million-dollar Omand's Creek
bridge), but the Berry Street route is a no-brainer.
C
*****************
Waverly West and geothermal:
Hey Marty, love the show! I just discovered TGCTS and KICK FM and am hooked.
We just moved into Waverley West this winter and love it. The place is humming with construction every day...except...there are dozens of unsold lots advertising geothermal heating as a supposed bonus feature. We left our money-pit house in Wolseley for this, and love the fact that our heating costs--which come from a standard gas furnace--are next to nothing now. I checked out the savings from the geothermal, and it would get me a whopping extra $25 a month, or $300 a year in energy savings. All you have to do is spend $35,000 up front for the privilege!
I worked it out: considering inflation, opportunity cost, and interest charges, and it would only take about 75 years to earn it back. All the other people shopping around here seem to have figured that out too. Another triumph of top-down environmental policy and feel-good corporate welfare.
Cheers
P
********************
Nurse practitioners:
Hey Marty.
Just in comment to the small segment on Nurse Practitioners. I've been seeing a nurse practitioner for the last 2 years as my primary medical care provider at the Four Rivers Clinic on Broadway. One of the reasons I ended up with a NP is because finding a doctor who was taking new patients who was anywhere near either my home or work locations was nearly impossible. My former physician was located out by Misericordia hospital, while I live in Garden City and work in St. Vital/St. Boniface.
I had called Four Rivers to book an appointment with my mother's physician who unfortunately was no longer taking new patients but they suggested that I see a NP. I have never regretted the decision to say yes. He's been really great. I go for my appointment and *gasp* get in at the time I'm booked for. I've heard horror stories of people having to take whole days off work just for a routine visit with their physicians because they invariably wait hours and hours to get in, only to be ushered through. My NP never rushes me out. Always has time to talk if something is up, even though I've never had an issue that took longer than 15minutes.
He can write prescriptions and order all manner of blood tests that any physician can. If there is a need, he can send me to a specialist for more in-depth care. Basically he is as good as a medical physician. In fact he's much better than my former doctor.
Nurse Practitioners are a blessing to the health community and more should be trained and hired in Winnipeg/Manitoba.
AD
****************
Police shooting of Eric Daniels:
What the "H" is wrong with Gordon Sinclair? Eric Daniels was the cause of his own demise. Now he (Gordo) has to bring up the J.J. Harper incident, something that happened 22 yrs ago. Does he think this is going to calm aboriginals by giving them what he thinks is support or is it going to agitate a long standing sore spot with them? Give your head a shake Gordon Sinclair, and if nothing intelligent falls out, hang up your pen!!
JC
****************
and lastly, regarding today's upcoming interview with Miss Whistle:
So pumped!!! You are the man.
Ace Burpee
http://www.archive.org/details/TheGreatCanadianTalkShowHighlight-April12010
*******************
From our mailbag:
Disraeli:
Every single politician at city hall has passed the buck on public consultation issues. The almighty Administration has them all on a short lease and could care less if the public is stiffed again and again.
They have the power, not the public.
Since no politician will take on these bureaucrats they are all complicit with what's happening.
AQ
***************
Bikes and Active Transportation:
Marty
I have to tell you about this. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. I was driving down Princess the other day in the afternoon. I was in the right hand lane behind several cars that were driving slower and then one by one they would dart out to the left as if to pass an obstacle. Yes they were passing an obstacle, a cyclist, all decked out in cycling gear.
Now you might think that this is no big deal but the fact there was a cycle lane on the other side of the street for her to use, you'd think she'd be using that! Nope. She was to content to bike to her own rules.
She seemed confused as I yelled at her about paying for a lane for her to use...
Mike
and...
Marty,
With all due respect to your guests today, some of the fear mongering
over the Berry Street Bikeway is a bit ridiculous. The point of that
particular route is to provide an alternative to using Route 90 for
people cycling to businesses in the airport area and to RRC's Notre
Dame Campus. I drive or cycle portions of that route nearly every
single day and it's a perfect candidate for incorporating bike lanes.
For starters, the road is 3 lanes wide from Silver to Saskatchewan.
But because there’s no lines painted anywhere, no one actually knows
where they’re supposed to drive. So in some places you have cars
driving two abreast headed south, while in other places they’re
driving two abreast headed north. It’s confusing and dangerous in its
current configuration.
Your guest suggested Ferry as an alternative route. Ferry is six
blocks further west, so it's not a great alternative to Route 90 for
anyone coming from the south or east (in my case, River Heights). It
also dead ends at Ellice. Continuing the pathway further north would
require rerouting to...Berry Street.
Your guest also said Ferry would provide better connectivity with
existing bike routes. Wrong again, as both routes will tie into the
Silver Avenue Parkway, and the bike routes along Assiniboine south of
Portage. The Berry route will also connect with the Sherwin Road
Pathway that will lead right into RRC's campus.
As for the need to remove streetlights and sidewalks, I couldn't tell
whether that was just speculation on your guest's part or something
that was actually mentioned at the open house. Either way, it's
completely unnecessary. There's also no need for additional traffic
calming, as traffic levels aren't that bad at all. Actually marking
bike lanes on either side of the street will reduce the occasional
car/bike conflicts that exist currently. In fact, the best part of the
Berry pathway is that it could be "built" for the cost of a few cans
of paint. No other changes are required.
There's definitely some goofy decisions being made as part of the
active transportation plan (like the million-dollar Omand's Creek
bridge), but the Berry Street route is a no-brainer.
C
*****************
Waverly West and geothermal:
Hey Marty, love the show! I just discovered TGCTS and KICK FM and am hooked.
We just moved into Waverley West this winter and love it. The place is humming with construction every day...except...there are dozens of unsold lots advertising geothermal heating as a supposed bonus feature. We left our money-pit house in Wolseley for this, and love the fact that our heating costs--which come from a standard gas furnace--are next to nothing now. I checked out the savings from the geothermal, and it would get me a whopping extra $25 a month, or $300 a year in energy savings. All you have to do is spend $35,000 up front for the privilege!
I worked it out: considering inflation, opportunity cost, and interest charges, and it would only take about 75 years to earn it back. All the other people shopping around here seem to have figured that out too. Another triumph of top-down environmental policy and feel-good corporate welfare.
Cheers
P
********************
Nurse practitioners:
Hey Marty.
Just in comment to the small segment on Nurse Practitioners. I've been seeing a nurse practitioner for the last 2 years as my primary medical care provider at the Four Rivers Clinic on Broadway. One of the reasons I ended up with a NP is because finding a doctor who was taking new patients who was anywhere near either my home or work locations was nearly impossible. My former physician was located out by Misericordia hospital, while I live in Garden City and work in St. Vital/St. Boniface.
I had called Four Rivers to book an appointment with my mother's physician who unfortunately was no longer taking new patients but they suggested that I see a NP. I have never regretted the decision to say yes. He's been really great. I go for my appointment and *gasp* get in at the time I'm booked for. I've heard horror stories of people having to take whole days off work just for a routine visit with their physicians because they invariably wait hours and hours to get in, only to be ushered through. My NP never rushes me out. Always has time to talk if something is up, even though I've never had an issue that took longer than 15minutes.
He can write prescriptions and order all manner of blood tests that any physician can. If there is a need, he can send me to a specialist for more in-depth care. Basically he is as good as a medical physician. In fact he's much better than my former doctor.
Nurse Practitioners are a blessing to the health community and more should be trained and hired in Winnipeg/Manitoba.
AD
****************
Police shooting of Eric Daniels:
What the "H" is wrong with Gordon Sinclair? Eric Daniels was the cause of his own demise. Now he (Gordo) has to bring up the J.J. Harper incident, something that happened 22 yrs ago. Does he think this is going to calm aboriginals by giving them what he thinks is support or is it going to agitate a long standing sore spot with them? Give your head a shake Gordon Sinclair, and if nothing intelligent falls out, hang up your pen!!
JC
****************
and lastly, regarding today's upcoming interview with Miss Whistle:
So pumped!!! You are the man.
Ace Burpee
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Attention residents of Berry, Sherbrook., St Matthews, Silver: the bike lobby says kiss your parking goodbye
Kim the Kick-FM traffic reporter reviews the Active Transportation Open House on March 25; plus -- an email from a concerned resident to elected officials:
Kim says:
I arrived at the Active Transportation open house at 1420 Portage Ave Mennonite Brethren church at about 4:01pm and left at 7:10pm. I took note that the electronic billboard WAS advertising the open house (I think nagging Kevin Nixon finally worked). The count for the evening was between 70 and 80 people, most of whom were cyclists.
Took note that CTV showed up as did Councillor Harvey Smith.
Upon first entering the Church people are given a comment form. Question number 3: How do you typically travel to work, school or shopping? The choices given are:
-automobile
-bicycle
-transit
-walk
-other please specify
This question is the ONLY time walking is mentioned on this form. All the rest involve cyclists. Of the 35 Active Transportation projects, 14 are multi-use pathways which would include pedestrians, all the rest ... that would be 21, are solely for cyclists.
Regarding the Omand's Creek Park bridge, it is still "up in the air" according to a MMM consultant.
The projects listed for this open house are as follows, a total of 7 projects for this open house:
Yellow Ribbon Greenway:
-multi-use pathway off the street
-no effect on traffic
-AT in talks with DND to allow pathway onto Military Base as path cannot cross onto the Base
-crosses Truro creek plans are to build an estimated $250 000.00 bridge.
-cost could escalate dependent upon the engineers report
Sherwin
-connects to RRC at Notre Dame
-off road multi-use pathway
-no effect on traffic
-at this time no signal lights are being put up at Sherwin and Notre Dame
-AT will evaluate need for signal lights in a year or so depending upon traffic volumes, RRC has asked for lights at that intersection
St. Mary Ave.
Fort to Memorial
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike path
-parking lane
-cuts down on width of travel lanes
(note: St. Mary has both morning and afternoon rush hours in some areas that could be affected)
Memorial to Colony
-travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-all parking has been removed from this section
Colony to Portage
-travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lanes on both east and west sides of street
-this section had no parking allowed
York
Vaughan to Main
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking removed from various sections on York could be south side around Kennedy, Edmonton and Carlton
-has potential to lose more parking
Waterfront to Main
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
Sherbrook
Maryland Bridge to Portage
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-some sections will have cut-outs for parking
-potential loss of parking
Portage to Ellice
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bikelane/parking lane
Ellice to Cumberland
-parking/travel lane (west side)
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike/parking lane from 700-1930 (East side)
-East side could lose parking
-rush hour lanes will be moved from the east side to the west side
-loss of parking during peak times
Cumberland to Notre Dame
-east side bike lane
North of Notre Dame
-no changes
Crossing options for Sherbrook/Maryland
-Olivia off McDermot extend sidewalk (turns into multi-use path) to Notre Dame to Notre Dame
-Regional Health Authority will have to agree to this as they have that property
Maryland
Notre Dame to Bridge
-no major changes
-bike lane on East side
-does not affect parking
St. Matthews
Arlington to Empress
-north and south side become bike lanes
-travel lane
-travel lane
-some parking could be lost
Silver
Century to Ferry
West side:
-bike lane
-travel lane
East side:
-travel lane
-bike lane
-all parking lost on both sides of the street
Maroons will have bike signage only
St. James at this point only signage, but future efforts could see separated path but will have to do extensive and very expensive cut-outs from sloped areas and a retaining wall, has not yet been costed out.
Berry
Sargent to Saskatchewan
-Bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking completely removed
Ellice to Sargent
-bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking is completely removed
Silver to Ellice
-bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking is completely removed
-is currently a 1 or 2 hour time limit zone
-soccer field/playground and school in that area
Portage to Silver
-bike path will be off street on boulevard by roadway east and west side
****************
Many of the cyclists were pleased with the new pathways, though there were some who felt that all vehicles should be taken off the road.
Spoke with a cyclist, Susan who thought the new paths were great as she likes to cycle for most of the year, though according to Susan she "didn't know anything about these open houses" until a friend sent her an email with regards to this open house. Susan indicated she had seen the Kiosk when it was at Grant Park Shopping Centre, but had not paid much attention to it.
Another fellow who prefers to walk wants more AT and doesn't mind losing parking.
One cyclist Fred Morris (SEE BELOW) is annoyed with the bike lanes saying he had "been dinged" in a bike lane by a vehicle. Fred happened to see the advertisement for the open house through the Metro Lance paper and is a regular cyclist.
Colin and Patricia Knight are residents of Berry St., they have expressed concerns about the loss of parking especially around the Stevenson Britannia School. Colin also expressed concerns because Berry is both a bus route and heavily used by the fire department and feels they could be hampered. The Knights also raise the question of scooters and motorized bikes may end up using the bike lanes and another question raised is about the trees in their neighbourhood being potentially effected by off street bike paths between Portage and Ness.
There is both support and opposition to these plans, yet once again while having upwards of 80 attending, it is a small number compared with the amount of residents in the affected areas. Many of whom are unaware there could be significant changes in their neighbourhoods.
My thoughts:
1) Does the Federal Government really care which project gets what money? As long as the money is spent and projects completed by the end of March 2011. Guess we could ask Pat Martin, oh wait tried that, seems he's not available to answer any questions.
2) If the message of Active Transportation is getting out to residents, then why the low turnout?
3) When I looked at the flyer it was the same used for every other open house, no information. Not anywhere on the flyer does it tell the residents of Berry, of Sherbrook, St. Matthews and Silver that they WILL lose parking on their streets. So to those residents all I can say is "SURPRISE". Look at the gift you've just received from the city and find a new place to park.
4) I also have to wonder about the York and St. Mary bike lanes. Can't wait to see what happens during rush hour when York is wall to wall traffic.
5) Hmm here's another thought, the Parking Authority wants to raise the rates of parking meters in the downtown area and possible the exchange district. Yet the parking authority is losing or giving up parking spots in an area that desperately needs it. York around the Kennedy area is always full particularly when Court is in session and what happens when Active Transportation wants more on-street spots for bike parking? Again all I can say to the motorists and parkers of the area..."SURPRISE".
Kim the traffic reporter
********************
Subject: The Berry Street Bikeway
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:01:25 -0500
Kim says:
I arrived at the Active Transportation open house at 1420 Portage Ave Mennonite Brethren church at about 4:01pm and left at 7:10pm. I took note that the electronic billboard WAS advertising the open house (I think nagging Kevin Nixon finally worked). The count for the evening was between 70 and 80 people, most of whom were cyclists.
Took note that CTV showed up as did Councillor Harvey Smith.
Upon first entering the Church people are given a comment form. Question number 3: How do you typically travel to work, school or shopping? The choices given are:
-automobile
-bicycle
-transit
-walk
-other please specify
This question is the ONLY time walking is mentioned on this form. All the rest involve cyclists. Of the 35 Active Transportation projects, 14 are multi-use pathways which would include pedestrians, all the rest ... that would be 21, are solely for cyclists.
Regarding the Omand's Creek Park bridge, it is still "up in the air" according to a MMM consultant.
The projects listed for this open house are as follows, a total of 7 projects for this open house:
Yellow Ribbon Greenway:
-multi-use pathway off the street
-no effect on traffic
-AT in talks with DND to allow pathway onto Military Base as path cannot cross onto the Base
-crosses Truro creek plans are to build an estimated $250 000.00 bridge.
-cost could escalate dependent upon the engineers report
Sherwin
-connects to RRC at Notre Dame
-off road multi-use pathway
-no effect on traffic
-at this time no signal lights are being put up at Sherwin and Notre Dame
-AT will evaluate need for signal lights in a year or so depending upon traffic volumes, RRC has asked for lights at that intersection
St. Mary Ave.
Fort to Memorial
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike path
-parking lane
-cuts down on width of travel lanes
(note: St. Mary has both morning and afternoon rush hours in some areas that could be affected)
Memorial to Colony
-travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-all parking has been removed from this section
Colony to Portage
-travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lanes on both east and west sides of street
-this section had no parking allowed
York
Vaughan to Main
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking removed from various sections on York could be south side around Kennedy, Edmonton and Carlton
-has potential to lose more parking
Waterfront to Main
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
Sherbrook
Maryland Bridge to Portage
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-some sections will have cut-outs for parking
-potential loss of parking
Portage to Ellice
-parking/travel lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bikelane/parking lane
Ellice to Cumberland
-parking/travel lane (west side)
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike/parking lane from 700-1930 (East side)
-East side could lose parking
-rush hour lanes will be moved from the east side to the west side
-loss of parking during peak times
Cumberland to Notre Dame
-east side bike lane
North of Notre Dame
-no changes
Crossing options for Sherbrook/Maryland
-Olivia off McDermot extend sidewalk (turns into multi-use path) to Notre Dame to Notre Dame
-Regional Health Authority will have to agree to this as they have that property
Maryland
Notre Dame to Bridge
-no major changes
-bike lane on East side
-does not affect parking
St. Matthews
Arlington to Empress
-north and south side become bike lanes
-travel lane
-travel lane
-some parking could be lost
Silver
Century to Ferry
West side:
-bike lane
-travel lane
East side:
-travel lane
-bike lane
-all parking lost on both sides of the street
Maroons will have bike signage only
St. James at this point only signage, but future efforts could see separated path but will have to do extensive and very expensive cut-outs from sloped areas and a retaining wall, has not yet been costed out.
Berry
Sargent to Saskatchewan
-Bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking completely removed
Ellice to Sargent
-bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking is completely removed
Silver to Ellice
-bike lane
-travel lane
-travel lane
-bike lane
-parking is completely removed
-is currently a 1 or 2 hour time limit zone
-soccer field/playground and school in that area
Portage to Silver
-bike path will be off street on boulevard by roadway east and west side
****************
Many of the cyclists were pleased with the new pathways, though there were some who felt that all vehicles should be taken off the road.
Spoke with a cyclist, Susan who thought the new paths were great as she likes to cycle for most of the year, though according to Susan she "didn't know anything about these open houses" until a friend sent her an email with regards to this open house. Susan indicated she had seen the Kiosk when it was at Grant Park Shopping Centre, but had not paid much attention to it.
Another fellow who prefers to walk wants more AT and doesn't mind losing parking.
One cyclist Fred Morris (SEE BELOW) is annoyed with the bike lanes saying he had "been dinged" in a bike lane by a vehicle. Fred happened to see the advertisement for the open house through the Metro Lance paper and is a regular cyclist.
Colin and Patricia Knight are residents of Berry St., they have expressed concerns about the loss of parking especially around the Stevenson Britannia School. Colin also expressed concerns because Berry is both a bus route and heavily used by the fire department and feels they could be hampered. The Knights also raise the question of scooters and motorized bikes may end up using the bike lanes and another question raised is about the trees in their neighbourhood being potentially effected by off street bike paths between Portage and Ness.
There is both support and opposition to these plans, yet once again while having upwards of 80 attending, it is a small number compared with the amount of residents in the affected areas. Many of whom are unaware there could be significant changes in their neighbourhoods.
My thoughts:
1) Does the Federal Government really care which project gets what money? As long as the money is spent and projects completed by the end of March 2011. Guess we could ask Pat Martin, oh wait tried that, seems he's not available to answer any questions.
2) If the message of Active Transportation is getting out to residents, then why the low turnout?
3) When I looked at the flyer it was the same used for every other open house, no information. Not anywhere on the flyer does it tell the residents of Berry, of Sherbrook, St. Matthews and Silver that they WILL lose parking on their streets. So to those residents all I can say is "SURPRISE". Look at the gift you've just received from the city and find a new place to park.
4) I also have to wonder about the York and St. Mary bike lanes. Can't wait to see what happens during rush hour when York is wall to wall traffic.
5) Hmm here's another thought, the Parking Authority wants to raise the rates of parking meters in the downtown area and possible the exchange district. Yet the parking authority is losing or giving up parking spots in an area that desperately needs it. York around the Kennedy area is always full particularly when Court is in session and what happens when Active Transportation wants more on-street spots for bike parking? Again all I can say to the motorists and parkers of the area..."SURPRISE".
Kim the traffic reporter
********************
Subject: The Berry Street Bikeway
Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 11:01:25 -0500
Good Day,
There is a definite need for more explanation. A Berry Street bikeway may be difficult.
Part of Berry is a narrow street that has a bus route, a boulevard with beautiful trees, and parking. Another part has a school, and recreational fields. Also, it will be difficult to discourage the current large amount of non residential traffic. Berry Street is the most direct route between the Airport, some major industry and Portage Avenue. HAVE THE RESIDENTS OF BERRY STREET BEEN CONSULTED?
City Council should individually review each active transportation project. It may not be possible to immediately start each part of the project. Our Conservative councillors should tell our Conservative Federal government not to cut off their funding if common sense necessitates delaying certain parts of the Active Transportation Plan.. Active Transportation can be positive for the future of our City. However, it is important that we deal with problems before we start any part of the project.
Fred Morris
There is a definite need for more explanation. A Berry Street bikeway may be difficult.
Part of Berry is a narrow street that has a bus route, a boulevard with beautiful trees, and parking. Another part has a school, and recreational fields. Also, it will be difficult to discourage the current large amount of non residential traffic. Berry Street is the most direct route between the Airport, some major industry and Portage Avenue. HAVE THE RESIDENTS OF BERRY STREET BEEN CONSULTED?
City Council should individually review each active transportation project. It may not be possible to immediately start each part of the project. Our Conservative councillors should tell our Conservative Federal government not to cut off their funding if common sense necessitates delaying certain parts of the Active Transportation Plan.. Active Transportation can be positive for the future of our City. However, it is important that we deal with problems before we start any part of the project.
Fred Morris
Saturday, March 27, 2010
New Disraeli bridge= expropriations: Free Press breaks 8 day old news, misses real story
Only 8 days after we broadcast the concerns of Elmwood and Point Douglas residents about potentially losing their properties to the revised Disraeli bridge repair scheme,
http://www.4shared.com/file/252198133/957266ae/Martin_Landy_-_Friday_March_19.html
the Winnipeg Free Press finally decided it was a story.
Well, not exactly.
The story is really about the refusal of city officials to address the questions about property losses, until pressured by the alternative media after stonewalling the affected residents for months.
On Friday March 19th we heard about how mainstream media outlets including the Free Press and CBC, had ignored the complaints of potentially displaced and threatened residents, who had asked for proper consultations and straight information from city hall.
As North Point Douglas resident Martin Landy explained, for all the coverage about the Omand's Creek bike bridge where no houses were threatened by a $1 million Active Transportation structure, standing up for poor neighborhoods that stood to lose up to 14 homes to a $53 Million bridge with a $15 million AT structure, didn't register as a concern with the MSM gatekeepers. The people were ignored.
Instead of a balanced story with the residents views included, it appears the Freep fell for the oldest trick in the bureaucrats handbook - a Friday afternoon release full of spin and damage control.
Or, it was inconvenient for Bartley Kives to do any real work so close to the weekend.
Curiously, although the FP story is based on an email sent to city councillors by CAO Glen Laubenstein, an entry with the exact same quotes was posted on the city Disraeli blog under the signature of project head Henry Hunter.
http://winnipegdisraeli.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/disraeli-bridges-project-update/
The Hunter post came mere days after TGCTS left direct questions about the expropriation issue on the official blog, that were not published until we revisited the blog asking if censorship was being practiced by civic officials.
That same question about censorship now must also be asked by city councillors and the Mayor.
To our surprise, when our entries were finally published, critical comments left by concerned residents in the weeks before ours miraculously appeared on the city blog.
Such as:
Joanne Vanderhorst Says:
February 1, 2010 at 12:10 am |
http://www.4shared.com/file/252198133/957266ae/Martin_Landy_-_Friday_March_19.html
the Winnipeg Free Press finally decided it was a story.
Well, not exactly.
The story is really about the refusal of city officials to address the questions about property losses, until pressured by the alternative media after stonewalling the affected residents for months.
On Friday March 19th we heard about how mainstream media outlets including the Free Press and CBC, had ignored the complaints of potentially displaced and threatened residents, who had asked for proper consultations and straight information from city hall.
As North Point Douglas resident Martin Landy explained, for all the coverage about the Omand's Creek bike bridge where no houses were threatened by a $1 million Active Transportation structure, standing up for poor neighborhoods that stood to lose up to 14 homes to a $53 Million bridge with a $15 million AT structure, didn't register as a concern with the MSM gatekeepers. The people were ignored.
Instead of a balanced story with the residents views included, it appears the Freep fell for the oldest trick in the bureaucrats handbook - a Friday afternoon release full of spin and damage control.
Or, it was inconvenient for Bartley Kives to do any real work so close to the weekend.
Curiously, although the FP story is based on an email sent to city councillors by CAO Glen Laubenstein, an entry with the exact same quotes was posted on the city Disraeli blog under the signature of project head Henry Hunter.
http://winnipegdisraeli.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/disraeli-bridges-project-update/
Disraeli Bridges Project – Update
By Henry Hunter - Project LeadThe City conducted a program of extensive public engagement prior to developing the design of the new Disraeli Bridges. A key element of the public consultation process entailed the creation of a Stakeholder Advisory Committee consisting of local residents, business people and neighbourhood/community groups and involved several open houses.
These public consultations made it clear that Winnipeggers wanted the Disraeli Bridges Project to accommodate motorists as well as pedestrians and cyclists, and they wanted the bridges kept open to vehicular traffic throughout construction.
The Provincial and Federal Government funding received for the project was critical in enabling Plenary Roads Winnipeg, the group the City chose to design, build and maintain the new bridges, to meet these expressed wishes of the public while keeping within budgetary constraints.
Here are some of the key aspects of the design and construction plan developed by Plenary:
• A minimum of four lanes will remain open throughout construction during all peak travel times (Monday to Friday 6 am to 6 pm.
• The bridges crossing the Red River and the CP Rail mainline will be replaced with entirely new structures.
• A separate, new Active Transportation bridge will be built utilizing the existing river bridge piers, proving cyclists, pedestrians and other non-motorized users with an easily accessible, functional and attractive cross of the Red River.
• Pedestrians and cyclists will also be able to cross the Red River on the vehicular bridge, which will feature a sidewalk and bike sharrows.
• The bridge and overpass are designed to accommodate future expansion to six lanes, should that option be pursued.
• Improved lighting, landscaping and aesthetic elements such as an under-bridge art gallery and gateway features will create a more attractive and residential feel for the adjoining neighbourhoods.
Some land needs to be acquired for the project. The details of the land acquisition plan are being finalized, and every effort is being made to minimize property disruption. In all, nine residential and 10 commercial/nonresidential properties may be affected, with most involving the acquisition of narrow strips, or slivers, of land. No more than two homes, and possibly none at all depending on final design details, will need to be acquired. The owners of all the affected properties have already been notified, and in accordance with established policy, the City is endeavouring to negotiate the purchase of any required land with the owners.
Representatives from the City and Plenary have recently met and will hold future meetings with neighbourhood groups to keep them up to date on project developments. In addition public information open houses are being scheduled for mid-April.
That same question about censorship now must also be asked by city councillors and the Mayor.
To our surprise, when our entries were finally published, critical comments left by concerned residents in the weeks before ours miraculously appeared on the city blog.
Such as:
Joanne Vanderhorst Says:
February 1, 2010 at 12:10 am |
Please provide me with a list of properties that will have to be acquired (expropriated) in order for the bridge reconstruction to occur.
P Iveniuk Says:
February 4, 2010 at 11:45 pm |
Dear Sir:
Three days have passed since I asked a couple of questions about this Disraeli project.
Let’s try again shall we?
1.Will these two new spans each have a separate bicycle lane or has the redesign eliminated them?
2. Will there be any public open house to show the final design?
3. It would boost the profile of this blog if there was a link to it on the other Disraeli Bridge Project page; that being the link in your post above.
That’s all for now.
Lori Steinthorson Says:
March 13, 2010 at 8:04 pm |
What is going to happen to the homes located on Midwinter, Talbot, and Riverton closest to the existing bridge? will they have to be demolished?
Following up on our interview with Landy, and under the impression the official Disraeli blog had not been utilized as a means of holding civic officials accountable, we sent our own questions.
marty gold Says:
March 22, 2010 at 4:29 am |
Mr. Hunter;
There is no mention in your post or in any of the city press releases about how this revised project will affect homeowners in the area.
What explanation can you provide for the fact that no open houses were conducted, which would have allowed for public input regarding these new bridge designs ?
Please post a blog detailing the form/dates of other consultations which have been conducted with residents of Elmwood and the Points regarding possible expropriations and construction-related damage to their homes (foundation and walls cracking etc.) .
Please do not include on that list the open-houses that took place prior to Premier Gary Doer offering additional funding, as his offer completely changed the timetable and designs and were rendered moot.
This example of a city infrastructure process shutting out the public is now an urgent concern — as we were told by Martin Landy (Friday March 19th) that up to 14 property owners may lose their homes now.
Can you confirm or deny that up to 14 houses may be bulldozed to make way for the new bridge on-ramps/approaches etc.?
How much money has been allocated in the budget for potential buy-outs? Any? None?
Our audience was very disturbed to learn of this lack of a proper consultation process, on the heels of seeing the Omand’s Creek Bike Bridge almost being rammed down the throats of residents of Wolseley.
Landy said that the city officials and consultants refused to discuss ANY aspect of this construction project with them, yet work is proceeding. Is that true?
Marty Gold
The Great Canadian Talk Show
92.9 Kick-FM
The Free Press story provides the first clue to the true backroom clout of the bike lobby in Winnipeg.
When the revised, provincially funded Disraeli plan was unveiled, never-answered questions were raised about why the new bridge included bike allowances and sidewalks, when a separate $15 million Active Transportation bridge, approved without a single public meeting or open house, was slated as part of the project.
Now we know why.
"The vehicle bridge will include a sidewalk and extra-wide curb lanes so pedestrians and cyclists will not have to wait for the active-transportation bridge to be completed".
In other words, let's waste some tax money because god forbid the cyclists should be inconvenienced for a year.
The FP story also stated that open houses will take place on April 13 and 14th, at Bronx Park CC and Norquay CC respectively, and that "about 17,000 information packages will be sent to homes in Elmwood and Point Douglas".
However, dissatisfaction has expressed by city councillors like Harvey Smith and Jeff Browaty in TGCTS interviews about slanted and inferior "information" and open houses relating to other projects like the Assiniboine Avenue bike boulevard/traffic diversion and Omand's Creek. The Wolseley outcry led to Coun. John Orlikow personally sending out 15,000 postcards about proposed bike paths in his ward.
The recent failures of city staff responsible for communicating with voters will bring these latest information packages under unprecedented scrutiny. If Disraeli-affected residents feel they are being bulldozed, the backlash will be felt all the way to the October civic election.
**************************
On Monday at 4.30PM, a longtime resident of Berry Street will explain the dangerous, anti-neighbourhood bike lanes being rammed thru in St. James. Coun. Scott Fielding is unavailable next week.
Also on Monday,
- Scott Taylor on the politics of the new football stadium. Premier Selinger has thrown a Hail Mary pass to David Asper;
- More on Disraeli and MSM reporting;
- a follow-up on the Hydro whistleblower and the failure of the Ombudsman's office to enforce the Act that is supposed to protect her confidentiality;
- a father tossing out a party crasher dies;
- and Frank the Italian Barber and Spirited Kenny recap Wrestlemania 26 and GSP's great victory at UFC 111.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Alternative media panel at 4 PM- plus the All Star Sunday line-up
Today, The Alternative Media panel is convened - we look at the state of the city, the province, and the mainstream media, with publisher Bob Axford, Graham Hnatiuk of progressivewinnipeg.blogspot.com, and Rob Galston who writes the Rise and Sprawl blog, (not that the Free Press ever tells their readers). We may even be joined by Young Josh!
The Selinger/NDP election fraud scandals, the conduct of judges in the Brian Sinclair Inquest, the WRHA, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Lotteries, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Disraeli, the bike lobby, garbage carts and the Parking Authority, among the topics expected to be analyzed.
And, at 5.25PM, Illegal Curve previews tonights hockey show at 7 PM.
PLUS listen to win passes for the PCW 8th Anniversary wrestling spectacular tomorrow night at Dylan's on Pembina, featuring former world champion Steve Corino, Outlaw Adam Knight, Canadian Champion Average Joe Dixon, and the fabulous Kenny Omega.
* TOMORROW - Live remote from CDI College
* Friday - Wrestlemania 26 preview with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
* This Sunday starting at 7 PM we present a 5 episode selection of the best of 2010 aka All Star Sunday;
Friday Feb 26th -- interview with Ace Burpee at the 2010 Olympics
Monday March 15th -- interview with Dallas Courchene, brother of Eric Daniels
Tuesday Feb 9th -- Jason Ross vs the Parking Authority
Wednesday March 3rd Dr Tim Ball responds to claims about Climategate and global warming made by Al Gore in a New York Times op-ed
Thursday, Jan. 14th - interview with councillor Jenny Gerbasi
The Selinger/NDP election fraud scandals, the conduct of judges in the Brian Sinclair Inquest, the WRHA, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Lotteries, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Disraeli, the bike lobby, garbage carts and the Parking Authority, among the topics expected to be analyzed.
And, at 5.25PM, Illegal Curve previews tonights hockey show at 7 PM.
PLUS listen to win passes for the PCW 8th Anniversary wrestling spectacular tomorrow night at Dylan's on Pembina, featuring former world champion Steve Corino, Outlaw Adam Knight, Canadian Champion Average Joe Dixon, and the fabulous Kenny Omega.
* TOMORROW - Live remote from CDI College
* Friday - Wrestlemania 26 preview with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter
* This Sunday starting at 7 PM we present a 5 episode selection of the best of 2010 aka All Star Sunday;
Friday Feb 26th -- interview with Ace Burpee at the 2010 Olympics
Monday March 15th -- interview with Dallas Courchene, brother of Eric Daniels
Tuesday Feb 9th -- Jason Ross vs the Parking Authority
Wednesday March 3rd Dr Tim Ball responds to claims about Climategate and global warming made by Al Gore in a New York Times op-ed
Thursday, Jan. 14th - interview with councillor Jenny Gerbasi
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Museum for Human Rights ignores graveyard below
Last Thursday on TGCTS, a Metis researcher told of the significant areas of the Forks which had served as a burial ground for aboriginals for a century, and his attempts to get the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to acknowledge this.
Museum champion, Gail Asper did not return David Carriere's call, delegating the task of blowing him off to a flunky.
"Elders" had assured the Museum millionaires that their location was not a burial ground as " we would not have buried so close to the banks of the river".
CMHR head cheerleader Gordon Sinclair of the Free Press also brushed off the concerns, based on assurances from the museum's handpicked aboriginal "experts" that enabled the pet project of millionaires to proceed unabated.
Carriere explained, because of the significant financial support of FN organizations such as the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Manitoba Metis Federation, if there was any notion that the construction was disturbing a native boneyard, there would be an uproar.
The truth about the bones beneath the floor was an inconvenient truth, for the human rights crowd of Manitoba.
Armed with extensive historical clippings and academic studies of the region, Carriere took his case to the vaunted Round Table consultations at the Forks in January, when CMHR officials ostensibly were asking for citizens to come forward with their ideas of which human rights stories the museum should tell.
As he described it, "THEIR JAWS WERE ON THE TABLE".
Carriere is not asking for construction of the Museum to stop.
He is not asking for existing structures to be torn down.
All he is asking for is a cairn, a plaque, a memorial, to allow visitors to the Forks and the CMHR to give pause and remember the exploitation of a native burial ground by land developers.
Apparently, for the Gail Asper's of the world, such an act would require too much time away from high-society hobnobbing and panhandling for donations from gullible school children and photo-op craving Premiers.
Carriere has yet to hear back about his suggestion from anyone connected to the Museum. Here is the letter he presented at the public session:
Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to propose that the
The existence of the Aboriginal graveyard at The Forks was consistently described by early visitors to the area as “unusually large”. This was attributed to the smallpox epidemics of 1781-1782. During this time half of the areas aboriginal population died.
This area was used for burial from ancient times till at least 1874 (see photo dated 1874). During this time the number of burials would have been enormous. At times, the
For example; On September 15th, 1817, the “Indian tombs” ½ miles south of
After,
During this land development boom, a great number of aboriginal skeletons were unearthed. The citizens of
But, by then, the descendants of the buried were far away suffering on reservations. Some claimed that the aboriginals had abandoned the graveyard. And that gave them the right to use it as they saw fit. But, the separation of Canadian Aboriginals from their ancestor’s final resting place has historically been involuntary.
Some land within the old C.N. railyard is believed to be within the old graveyard. Some of these areas are not built upon. But, it is probably still the same story. The land is seen as too valuable to respect the Aboriginal dead.
David Carriere
Monday, March 15, 2010
Eric Daniels was chased by armed aggressors towards fatal confrontion with cops: brother
Monday at 4 PM, startling new details about the final moments of Eric Daniels were revealed by his brother Dallas Courchene, who says only Eric could have prevented his own death at the hands of Winnipeg police.
Listen here:
http://kickfm.blogspot.com/2010/03/interview-with-eric-daniels-brother-on.html
Courchene has himself been the target of threats from native radicals, after repudiating any allegations that the police shooting was racially motivated, stating that Daniels looked white, and posed a threat in the altercation on Sargent Avenue last Saturday March 6.
Daniels was shot once by police when he refused to drop a machete and walked to within 5 feet of police responding to a call. He allegedly only carried the weapon for self-defence from gangs, after leaving the Native Syndicate.
Courchene confirmed that Daniels, 28, was on probation for a drunken petty theft in Portage La Prairie and should not have been drinking -- but that was his lifelong weakness which led to repeated incarcerations. It was only in jail that he aligned himself with the NS out of fear for his well-being, and Courchene said his brother was not in any way a hardened gang member.
Daniels, after downing a few at the Maryland Hotel with his girlfriend, headed to the Flying Pizza at Arlington and Sargent when a confrontation occurred in front of a house on Home Street. Courchene claimed that contrary to earlier MSM reports, the trouble was started by the people at the house who had a beef with Daniels' girlfriend. Daniels drew the machete from his shoe box, said Courchene, but did not threaten the instigators with it, instead walking away. Courchene says two or more people from the house armed themselves with a bat and followed the couple verbally baiting Daniels, as someone from the house called police.
It was in response to that call, said Courchene, that police saw a frustrated and enraged Daniels whacking at a bench beside the pizza joint. Despite being ordered twice to drop the weapon, he did not comply and was shot to death.
Courchene stated that Eric moving to their home community of Long Plains ("no good influences") and all his stints in jail did nothing to rehabilitate his brother or help him deal with his alcohol addiction, and called into question the sincerity of efforts by the government and native chiefs to deal with the problems faced by First Nations, rather than empire-build and perpetuate the cycle.
Calling for the abolition of treaty rights and the dependency/welfare structure, Courchene endorsed the teachings of Morty Lefkoe who has promised to bring $150,000 worth of courses to the community in an effort to inspire aboriginals in Manitoba to take control and responsibility for their own choices in life.
"If Eric had made better choices, he'd still be alive".
Postscript: A comment left on the Kick_FM facebook page by Dallas:
Dallas Courchene Marty, thanks for the interview. I just want to clear this up before I get some more flak for it: there are good influences on my reservation. It was a live interview and I was nervous; I was just trying to make the point that some of the influences weren't the best. We all know this. Every reserve has problems, and it's time that we do something about it. If we want to help our children, we must have a positive focus and believe that we can do something about it.
The problem isn't gangs - my brother would tell me that they care about their families and want something better for them and themselves. He would even talk to them in jail about some of the ideas I shared with him, and they listened.
Every negative action always have positive intention behind them, and that's why some people have had negative reactions, calling me an Apple. But that's the furthest thing from the truth, what I did is a clear example of our 7 Sacred Teachings - Honesty, Humility, Truth, Courage, Love, Respect, and Wisdom. And I think it was either Tecumseh or Sitting Bull that said "Don't hate our white brother for what he does to us. Love and forgive them". And you know what? The people of Winnipeg have shown their support - when we Aboriginals hold to our teachings, people support us and real changes happen. ... See more
I choose not to focus on the negative - ever since this happened, many influential Aboriginal leaders and Chiefs have contacted me asking to help them with their projects of helping our youth, particularly those in the criminal justice system. And it's these people that are looking for solutions, not problems, which is why we will succeed.
Listen here:
http://kickfm.blogspot.com/2010/03/interview-with-eric-daniels-brother-on.html
Courchene has himself been the target of threats from native radicals, after repudiating any allegations that the police shooting was racially motivated, stating that Daniels looked white, and posed a threat in the altercation on Sargent Avenue last Saturday March 6.
Daniels was shot once by police when he refused to drop a machete and walked to within 5 feet of police responding to a call. He allegedly only carried the weapon for self-defence from gangs, after leaving the Native Syndicate.
Courchene confirmed that Daniels, 28, was on probation for a drunken petty theft in Portage La Prairie and should not have been drinking -- but that was his lifelong weakness which led to repeated incarcerations. It was only in jail that he aligned himself with the NS out of fear for his well-being, and Courchene said his brother was not in any way a hardened gang member.
Daniels, after downing a few at the Maryland Hotel with his girlfriend, headed to the Flying Pizza at Arlington and Sargent when a confrontation occurred in front of a house on Home Street. Courchene claimed that contrary to earlier MSM reports, the trouble was started by the people at the house who had a beef with Daniels' girlfriend. Daniels drew the machete from his shoe box, said Courchene, but did not threaten the instigators with it, instead walking away. Courchene says two or more people from the house armed themselves with a bat and followed the couple verbally baiting Daniels, as someone from the house called police.
It was in response to that call, said Courchene, that police saw a frustrated and enraged Daniels whacking at a bench beside the pizza joint. Despite being ordered twice to drop the weapon, he did not comply and was shot to death.
Courchene stated that Eric moving to their home community of Long Plains ("no good influences") and all his stints in jail did nothing to rehabilitate his brother or help him deal with his alcohol addiction, and called into question the sincerity of efforts by the government and native chiefs to deal with the problems faced by First Nations, rather than empire-build and perpetuate the cycle.
Calling for the abolition of treaty rights and the dependency/welfare structure, Courchene endorsed the teachings of Morty Lefkoe who has promised to bring $150,000 worth of courses to the community in an effort to inspire aboriginals in Manitoba to take control and responsibility for their own choices in life.
"If Eric had made better choices, he'd still be alive".
Postscript: A comment left on the Kick_FM facebook page by Dallas:
Dallas Courchene Marty, thanks for the interview. I just want to clear this up before I get some more flak for it: there are good influences on my reservation. It was a live interview and I was nervous; I was just trying to make the point that some of the influences weren't the best. We all know this. Every reserve has problems, and it's time that we do something about it. If we want to help our children, we must have a positive focus and believe that we can do something about it.
The problem isn't gangs - my brother would tell me that they care about their families and want something better for them and themselves. He would even talk to them in jail about some of the ideas I shared with him, and they listened.
Every negative action always have positive intention behind them, and that's why some people have had negative reactions, calling me an Apple. But that's the furthest thing from the truth, what I did is a clear example of our 7 Sacred Teachings - Honesty, Humility, Truth, Courage, Love, Respect, and Wisdom. And I think it was either Tecumseh or Sitting Bull that said "Don't hate our white brother for what he does to us. Love and forgive them". And you know what? The people of Winnipeg have shown their support - when we Aboriginals hold to our teachings, people support us and real changes happen. ... See more
I choose not to focus on the negative - ever since this happened, many influential Aboriginal leaders and Chiefs have contacted me asking to help them with their projects of helping our youth, particularly those in the criminal justice system. And it's these people that are looking for solutions, not problems, which is why we will succeed.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Winnipeg's Active Transportation "consultation" failure leads to Omand's Creek Bike Bridge battle
In preparation for our coverage of the community open house next Thursday evening for the proposed Omand's Creek bike bridge, Kick-FM traffic reporter Kim did what the mainstream media didn't - she went to the scene and spoke to actual residents.
Hundreds are mobilizing against the Active Transportation department's mindless kow-towing to the bike lobby in the name of "stimulus spending", that would ruin the local toboggan run, and add to other safety concerns.
This past Wednesday, area Councillor Harvey Smith told us he had no clue that the neighbourhood toboggan hill was going to be obliterated by the support pilings for a 75 meter bridge, and that he thinks the bike lobby has too much influence with city hall insiders. He's not the only one.
Kim's report:
Hi Marty
I was walking down Raglan on my way to the park when near the entrance I was stopped by a couple of people. One was a woman who is also one of the organizers on getting people out to the meeting. The couple were handing out leaflets informing everyone about the meeting taking place on March 18/10.
Laura stopped me and asked if I knew about the meeting, at that point we started chatting. I told her why I was there and she offered to take me on a tour of the park. Along the way we stopped to chat with a variety of people including cyclists.
Laura told the story of the flood of 1997 where people came to fish and when the flood waters receeded there were fish stuck in the trees. Turns out the folks out fishing had their lines caught in the trees, had to cut the lines so when the waters returned to the river, there were all these fish in the trees.
Every cyclist we talked to had the same thing to say, not one of them had a problem with diverting off the existing creek come flood season. One cyclist lives in River Heights, he comes through the park to meet with friends in the Wolseley area and they all go off together.
Other comments include
- "the money would be better spent elsewhere".
- "1 million for this? Dumb!"
- "If the government can screw it up, they will."
One cyclist (who didn't want to be named) is at the University of Manitoba, he told me that Bike to the Future would back the residents of Wolseley, however, after having read their most recent minutes of March 9/10 I'm not so sure that will be the case.
One older gentleman, Werner, has been using that park for 45 years.
Before there was ever any kind of bridge in the area, he said they would "jump over the water". He uses this park everyday, often several times a day as he walks, ski's, rides through there all the time and vehemently opposed to the new bridge. Werner stated that "it is a rite of passage for the kids to make it up the hill". He also told me that the Boy Scouts often use the area where Omand's Creek empties into the Assiniboine to launch their canoes. It is also a popular fishing spot.
He also told a story that during one of the floods (he thinks 1861) the natives used the hill as a sort of ark. It was the only place in the area that escaped the flood waters. Werner went on to say that even today everybody comes to watch the flood waters.
Laura went on to say that the residents are "not opposed to cyclists, this is after all Wolseley, but not at the expense of the landscape."
And that seemed to be the words of the day. The residents of this area would "chain themselves to trees" if construction started.
As it is, public works was already out taking soil samples to test where to put the concrete for the new bridge.
Every single person we came across had the same thing to say: they love their little glen for its natural beauty, the prairie grasses, the ducks, geese, beavers that live there. But the residents are also afraid of what a new bridge would mean for safety.
There have been numerous bonfires, bush parties etc. Seems some parents actually drop off their kids for these parties. Problem is they tend to get out of hand. Under the railway bridge it's a mess and a lot of parties.
In the park people have taken apart picnic tables, snapped off parts of trees for wood. The police and fire department are called in frequently. Laura told me that she is afraid this new bridge will bring even worse parties and problems.
One thought was if funding is available for the cadets, couldn't they be used to patrol such areas and break up those parties? It is at the point where the residents are actually considering bringing in some kind of private security, they don't yet know what steps they will take, but those parties have become a problem.
Oh,and I should tell you that (resident organizer) Chris Roe is a man, not a woman. Seems the Freep got it wrong.
Kim the traffic reporter
PS:
Marty there was one thing I forgot. Laura told me that the residents had absolutely no idea this is what was planned. They had no idea open houses had already happened for their area ie the Sherbrook/Maryland open houses. The residents had NEVER been consulted in anyway shape or form.
And man are they pissed.
Hundreds are mobilizing against the Active Transportation department's mindless kow-towing to the bike lobby in the name of "stimulus spending", that would ruin the local toboggan run, and add to other safety concerns.
This past Wednesday, area Councillor Harvey Smith told us he had no clue that the neighbourhood toboggan hill was going to be obliterated by the support pilings for a 75 meter bridge, and that he thinks the bike lobby has too much influence with city hall insiders. He's not the only one.
Kim's report:
Hi Marty
I was walking down Raglan on my way to the park when near the entrance I was stopped by a couple of people. One was a woman who is also one of the organizers on getting people out to the meeting. The couple were handing out leaflets informing everyone about the meeting taking place on March 18/10.
Laura stopped me and asked if I knew about the meeting, at that point we started chatting. I told her why I was there and she offered to take me on a tour of the park. Along the way we stopped to chat with a variety of people including cyclists.
Laura told the story of the flood of 1997 where people came to fish and when the flood waters receeded there were fish stuck in the trees. Turns out the folks out fishing had their lines caught in the trees, had to cut the lines so when the waters returned to the river, there were all these fish in the trees.
Every cyclist we talked to had the same thing to say, not one of them had a problem with diverting off the existing creek come flood season. One cyclist lives in River Heights, he comes through the park to meet with friends in the Wolseley area and they all go off together.
Other comments include
- "the money would be better spent elsewhere".
- "1 million for this? Dumb!"
- "If the government can screw it up, they will."
One cyclist (who didn't want to be named) is at the University of Manitoba, he told me that Bike to the Future would back the residents of Wolseley, however, after having read their most recent minutes of March 9/10 I'm not so sure that will be the case.
One older gentleman, Werner, has been using that park for 45 years.
Before there was ever any kind of bridge in the area, he said they would "jump over the water". He uses this park everyday, often several times a day as he walks, ski's, rides through there all the time and vehemently opposed to the new bridge. Werner stated that "it is a rite of passage for the kids to make it up the hill". He also told me that the Boy Scouts often use the area where Omand's Creek empties into the Assiniboine to launch their canoes. It is also a popular fishing spot.
He also told a story that during one of the floods (he thinks 1861) the natives used the hill as a sort of ark. It was the only place in the area that escaped the flood waters. Werner went on to say that even today everybody comes to watch the flood waters.
Laura went on to say that the residents are "not opposed to cyclists, this is after all Wolseley, but not at the expense of the landscape."
And that seemed to be the words of the day. The residents of this area would "chain themselves to trees" if construction started.
As it is, public works was already out taking soil samples to test where to put the concrete for the new bridge.
Every single person we came across had the same thing to say: they love their little glen for its natural beauty, the prairie grasses, the ducks, geese, beavers that live there. But the residents are also afraid of what a new bridge would mean for safety.
There have been numerous bonfires, bush parties etc. Seems some parents actually drop off their kids for these parties. Problem is they tend to get out of hand. Under the railway bridge it's a mess and a lot of parties.
In the park people have taken apart picnic tables, snapped off parts of trees for wood. The police and fire department are called in frequently. Laura told me that she is afraid this new bridge will bring even worse parties and problems.
One thought was if funding is available for the cadets, couldn't they be used to patrol such areas and break up those parties? It is at the point where the residents are actually considering bringing in some kind of private security, they don't yet know what steps they will take, but those parties have become a problem.
Oh,and I should tell you that (resident organizer) Chris Roe is a man, not a woman. Seems the Freep got it wrong.
Kim the traffic reporter
PS:
Marty there was one thing I forgot. Laura told me that the residents had absolutely no idea this is what was planned. They had no idea open houses had already happened for their area ie the Sherbrook/Maryland open houses. The residents had NEVER been consulted in anyway shape or form.
And man are they pissed.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Outraged listener asks voters to protect Churchill High students from retaliation by school trustees
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/students-could-be-punished-85937707.html
Marty,
This is a perfect example of your theme of this year to hold the elected officials accountable.
I cannot believe that this is even being considered. I guess Winnipeg School Division is showing that it's organization should be operated from the Kremlin.
I wonder, would these same students be facing possible discipline action if they had caught say a kid shooting another kid in the school on their cell phones??
Are we really about to show Canada, because this lap dance video has been seen on the National on CBC, that our officials are this stupid, that the two teachers did something at a high school pep rally that if not gets them suspended, fired or possibly losing their licence to teach, instead we are going to focus on why a couple of students used their phones to video tape the incident.
As I said, this is stunning that this is even being considered. They should be giving these kids a commendation for bringing this to the school divisions' attention.
So if these so called School Trustee's make any kind of decision in any way to sanction the students who taped this incident, well then come the next Civic Election later this year, it's time to actually remember these Trustee's names and hold them accountable.
Most people cannot name their school trustees if you offered them money to remember. I bet they can't even remember who they voted for. It's time for that to change, it's time to hold these clowns accountable.
Granted I don't think that Superintendant Pauline Vlarke can be voted out, but School Trustee Mike Babinsky and School Board Chairwoman Jackie Sneesby can be.
Why does this scream of tampering by the Teachers Association?? Why do you get the impression that the School Board feels it can't do anything to the teachers because of their union power and a possible lawsuit threat, and instead are going to focus on the students who have no representation and are not going to be able to defend themselves.
Shame, Shame, Shame.
Residents of this School Division, I beg you to phone any of the following Trustee's to tell them if they punish the kids, they will meet the wrath of the voters come this fall.
Tell them that this time we will remember their names, this time we will care who we vote for, and this time it will not be them.
Mike Babinsky Phone: 582-9296
Kristine Barr Phone: 775-0990
Joyce Bateman Phone: 799-8855
Cindy Gilroy-Price Phone: 781-6230
Rita Hildahl Phone: 414-7706
Suzanne Hrynyk Phone: 452-3847
Sonia Prevost-Derbecker (Vice-Chair) Phone: 781-8658
Anthony Ramos Phone: 293-8040
Jackie Sneesby (Chair) Phone: 489-3277
Thanks Marty, keep up the excellent work.
N
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)