The Campaign for Mayor

The campaign for mayor seems to be focused on crime in recent weeks. Sam Katz, using inside information from a study unavailable to anyone else, has weighed in on hiring 19 more 911 operators and 58 more police.

Judy Wasylycia-Leis wants to force gangsters to work off their crimes in the community.

Both promises are vague in terms of how they will be implemented or paid for.

The campaign so far is unimpressive.

I don't know how many police the city should have and how they should be deployed. Nor do I know how we measure success in hiring that many officers. Would it be a drop in the crime rate? If crime doesn't go down, is the solution more police?

I don't oppose an increase in police officers but I do want to know what they will be doing and how the increase will be paid for. We have nothing of those details.

Similarly, I don't know how much it would cost to pay to get gangsters to do work in the community. It is an effective deterrent? Will it reduce crime?

Crime continues to be a big problem in Winnipeg. The city needs a plan to deal with it. I don't believe we have ever gathered enough information to be able to make a cogent decision on the issue.

My personal view is that any candidate for mayor would do well to promise to fund a comprehensive study on crime in Winnipeg and offer solutions that the city could enact on its own or in partnership with other levels of government, non-government, community or private interests to address the issue. In terms of how the study would be funded, I think it could be done within the present city budget.

It is better to make decisions on sound advice and sound information.



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City Election

I have so far heard from two candidates and they have filled out the question sheets that I sent out. Livio Ciarelli and Dashi Zargani have their full responses here and here.

Cheryl Conley-Strange has withdrawn from the race September 3, 2010 due to a family matter.

I have been told by two other candidates that they will send replies and I will post them them when they come in. I have not heard back from some of the candidates despite two emails so far.



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Charleswood-Tuxedo Candidate Livio Ciaralli

Press Releases from Livio Ciarelli

Important Mission Statement release by

Livio Ciaralli - Candidate for Council

Charleswood - Tuxedo - Whyte Ridge


Release and comment can be viewed at : www.votelivio.blogspot.com

I believe this is the biggest issue facing our City. Am surprised neither of the Mayoral candidates or other candidates are speaking about a much larger vision. All seemed to be mired in the same hot button issues without telling us how they intend to pay for it.

I am on twitter @VoteLivio


Thank You
Livio Ciaralli

951-7827

Release:

Livio Ciaralli Candidate for Council - Winnipeg Constitution
Mission Statement

Dedicate myself to work with Council and the Mayor in crafting a Constitution for our City.

A Constitution that will declare, Winnipeg, the biggest and most important City in the Province has the right to its own Destiny. That right requires we have independence in our choices. The power, respect and funding to achieve our goals are the three elements that will define us.



1) Power : the Power to define our future and exercise control over our destiny.
2) Respect: the Respect that We are able to manage our own affairs.
3) Funding : an appropriate amount to meet our objectives.


Further, we should stop defining ourselves as a creation of the Province. It is fair to assume and safely say, we are all grown up.


Ask yourself, do you think it is logical to work all week and at the end of the week you have to ask your boss for some money to buy a new pair of shoes ?

And his response to you is “ Why don’t we just buy you some new laces for your old shoes “

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Livio Ciaralli - Candidate for Council in the Charleswood Tuxedo Ward has pledged to make use of Bike Routes and Transit as his modes of transportation for the next 4 years to City Hall.

Why ?

I'll park my car to save constituents some money, plus I believe, like everyone I can pay my own way. If its good enough for taxpayers, then its good enough for me.

Also, I can test both systems to see how they work. I can recieve and provide feedback to better the experiences.

And finally, by doing this, I hope to Set an Example. I hope to get the attention of voters ( and non Voters) and show them I am prepared to use City systems just like they are asked to use them. Councillors need to regain the trust of voters. I hope my small efforts signal it won't be business as usual at City Hall.


Thanks You,

Livio Ciaralli
951-7827

or Twitter

@VoteLivio



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CFRW Back to Sports

Back in 2001, CFRW became the Team sports radio station. The format lasted only a year before the station went back to oldies. The ratings were even more dismal than before their conversion to sports.

CFRW is now the only oldies radio station but has lingered near the bottom for years on the AM dial. The AM dial is now mostly talk.

Sports radio has been a successful formula in other cities. Toronto fans tune into their sports radio station is respectable numbers. The thing is that sports radio seems to succeed in cities with major league teams, specifically hockey when it comes to Canada.

CJOB remains firmly in control on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Manitoba Moose games in radio. CFRW has the Winnipeg Goldeyes. Unless CFRW is going to outbid CJOB for the rights to those games, they will be shut out of local coverage.

It would appear that CJOB knows that sports really helps their ratings. They have increased their sports talk shows with Hustler and Lawless which is a far ranging sports talk show hosted live in a Winnipeg sports bar.

The TEAM radio station that Winnipeg hosted was very much about syndicated sports talk shows like the Jim Rome Show. While that show was quite good, it was not a local program nor was it a live program hosted in the city.

It will be interesting to see if the re-emergence of sports radio will differ from what we saw in the past in Winnipeg. It may be that that CFRW is anticipating the come back of NHL to Winnipeg and if this is the case, it will be a real dogfight for broadcast rights. The station might be trying to get his sports chops in gear early.

Is it a coincidence that the MTS Centre is expanding their press box?



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Cold Drinks

I will leave you this you with this rap from Wendy's for the next days.



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Exchange District Part 1

The Smart Bag building and Sport Manitoba's plan for it.




Kelly House on Adelaide Street, home to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

Last month the Canadian Foundation indicated that the Exchange District was in their top 10 for endangered heritage sites in Canada. There have been some questionable decisions in recent months regarding some of the buildings such as King Building being turned into a parkade and the Smart Bag Building being partially torn down in favour of a Sport Manitoba training center.

The character of the Exchange District is sufficient that strong measures should be in place to sustain it. Owners that let their buildings deteriorate and then beg to allow them to be destroyed in favour of surface parking lots or parkades should lose their buildings to the city.

I don't believe every building can be saved. The Epic Theatre, the first theatre west of Montreal specifically for movies and five other historic buildings to make way for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority building and parkade is a case in point. The buildings torn down included the Starland Theatre and the Club Hotel.

The truth about many blocks of Main Street is that even when the price was a dollar, no one wanted to own, develop or really even rent the places. Some of the roughest bars in Winnipeg's history operated from Higgins Avenue to just north of City Hall.

The seven movies theatres that existed along Main Street along with the Epic (1913) were Elite (1903), the Bijou (1905), The Star (1907) the Royal/Starland (1909), the Fox (1940's) and the Colonial. The city owned the Epic for twenty years. I don't recall when the last movie played in any of those theatres but I don't recall any from as far back as the 1970s.

It would have been nice to see some sort of preservation but into what with so many theatres all over the city empty? There were over 130 theatres in the city. Was it possible to preserve them all?

The Exchange District has fared better as a whole partly because it maintained its industry of garment manufacturing and furniture sales well into the 1980s and 1990s. The slow growth in the 1970s and 1980s plus Winnipeg's expansive downtown ensured the area didn't fall willy nilly to the wrecking ball.

As the popularity of the Exchange District increases, the issue of developers wanting to tear down parts of the area for parking or other aspects of their business will increase. The city has to be firmer in pushing back against that. It has to be firmer with those who let their buildings go simply to give the city no choice about their ultimate demise.

The Canadian Foundation is only slightly alarmist in its assessment of the downtown's Exchange District. There are indeed good things happening but for every one of those good things, we are still seeing some developments that completely undermine the area as a neighborhood.



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Arcade Fire Song Featuring My House

Click Here.



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Charleswood-Tuxedo Candidate Livio Ciaralli

Thanks to Livio Ciarelli for his quick response after announcing his candidacy. I hope he fills in the fun part of the questionnaire as well. I have posted his answers unedited.

To view the previous responses of Dashi Zargani, look here.

Questions for the candidates for Charleswood-Tuxedo Ward

Question 1: What is your name? Livio Ciaralli

Question 2: What is your profession? I install Voice /Data/Optical Structured Cabling Networks

Question 3: How old are you? 49 this September

Question 4: Can you tell us about your family?

Son of Italian immigrants. Married a local Charleswood girl 22 years ago. Have 2 sons.

Question 5: Why are you running in Charleswood-Tuxedo?

I think Charleswood needs some new ideas and thoughts as to what we deserve in light of what we contribute. We’re pretty comfortable here, nonetheless, like the last election. My focus will always be on young people, those not so fortunate and our elders. I know its clichéd, but really, do we in the Ward have much to complain about other than a lack of facilities and some little benefits. There will be much more detail when I release my Platform

Question 6: How long have you lived in the ward?

22 years

Question 7: Have you had any past political affiliations in provincial or federal politics?

None

Question 8: Who did you vote for in the last civic election both for mayor and councillor and why? How would you rate the last council and mayor?

I voted Cerilli and myself. The last council had done a poor job of keeping Ratepayers front and center and giving them the respect they deserved.

Question 9: Do you feel your political views are left, center or right? How would you describe your political views?

I define myself as a Conservative/Social/Liberal I guess that makes me an Idealist. Coming from an engineering background, I like it when the math works. When the math works, everyone benefits.




Question 10: What do you think are the major issues for the city of Winnipeg?

We need to stop bickering about every issue. The first question a Councillor needs to ask is “ Are taxpayers being respected “, the answer to that question defines how we proceed.

Sorry, there’s a bigger issue, but will have to wait till Platform is released



Question 11: What do you think are the major issues for the ward of Charleswood-Tuxedo?

The biggest issue, in the first year is to get our Fire Hall built.

Question 12: Do you support a continued tax freeze or do you believe that taxes should go up to re-build infrastructure and support programs?

I don’t believe raising taxes is the answer. It is just a lazy way of penalizing taxpayers for bad decisions.

Question 13: Do you support cuts in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

I don’t support cuts. I much prefer finding efficiencies that leverage our money 20 to 30% more.

Question 14: Do you support increases in the city of Winnipeg budget? Where?

Again, we collect enough taxes, if departments can find efficiencies, which will be my only instruction to them, then we can redistribute where we require.

Question 15: Do you support an increase, decrease or a freeze in the city budget for police officers? Do you believe we need more police officers? If so, would you support a tax increase for it?

Without a review, I can’t say if we need more. I’ve worked in police stations and at 151 Princess, you see a lot of police walking around. As a lay person, we can draw inaccurate observations, personally, I am sure they are doing something worthwhile. Maybe we have enough police, its how they are used that is an issue.

Again, no tax increase.

Question 16: What is your view on crime in the city of Winnipeg and what can you as councillor do about it?

Having lived in 3 other Metropolitan city’s and visited Cities in Europe, Central America and the States, Winnipeg is pretty safe. Sure we have youth crime, derelicts, panhandlers, petty thieves, drugs, gangs etc. But really when you think of it the City is not bad….could be better yes. We all know crime is a hot button issue, I believe the Province has to demonstrate more responsibility on this topic.

But look, if push comes to shove, I have no problem throwing them out of the City.

Gangs, seriously, we need to get tough with these punks. They appear; we round them up and throw them out. They come back, we do the same. Keep doing until they stop coming back.


Question 17: Do you support rapid bus transit or light rail transit? Do you have any other ideas for rapid transit? Do you believe Charleswood is well served for public transit?

Neither. But if the mayor is trying to get more of our money back from the Feds./Province, I’ll take either.. I personally don’t see the need and the reasoning behind it. My preference would be to see a Portage/Polo Park/St. James line, but I have to set my personal reasons aside and give my full support to whoever is bringing tax dollars back to Winnipeg taxpayers.

Charleswood need s a Wilkes line with Park and Ride facilities. Students and workers need to get downtown quicker. This line would save a lot of money for those that are forced to take vehicles to reach the U of M and perhaps those that commute downtown, some incentive to switch.

Question 18: Do you believe a city should fund a zoo? If yes or no, please indicate why. Would you support closing or selling the zoo or ending funding of the zoo?

Personally, I’m not in favor of keeping animals captive. I believe we have enough technology we can give kids a WOW effect. But if we are going to go ahead and rebuild one, let’s make it the very best we can and get the proper funding for it.

Question 19: Do you believe a city should fund arts and culture? If yes or no, indicate why.

Yes, but I would like to have a much better focus. I am a big fan of street festivals and a pedestrian experience. Look I’m Italian, la Bella Vita is in our blood.


Question 20: Do you believe the fire department should have an increase, decrease or a freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for the fire department?

No new taxes. As for increases, efficiencies first. But by all means we shouldn’t short change them. After all, they are possibly #2 in importances when it comes to City departments.

Question 21: Do you believe that roads, water and sewer should receive an increase, decrease or freeze in their budget? Would you support a tax increase for roads, water and sewer?

No new taxes. As for increases, let them find efficiencies first.



Question 22: Do you support the present hotel tax?

No, but is this an issue. Seems to me, everyone is on board so I’ll accept that fact

Question 23: Would you support the city of Winnipeg having a sales tax in addition to property tax?

No. We can do better. This is just a lazy way to try and solve a problem. But I would support a formula that took a portion of all PST spent in the City and returned by the Province with no strings attached. I go into detail about this issue on my website.


Question 24: Do you think Winnipeg should have a tax cut? If yes or no, explain why?

No, we must meet our budget requirements, but we should stop nickel diming residents with dreary, lazy oppressive schemes. Parking and Red light camera’s come to mind.

Question 25: Do you believe that the present city of Winnipeg budget is adequate for the city of Winnipeg? If yes or no, explain why.

I think if efficiencies are found , its adequate for year to year operations. But it cannot support the huge infrastructure price tag, nor can it support poor City planning

Question 25: Should education be funded through property tax or through general funds from the province?

This is a Provincial matter, and they should deal with it. As it stands, the city takes the brunt of the backlash for increases when in fact, the City only collects it. Let Provincial politicians take the heat.

Question 26: Do you support term limits? Will you be serving a term limit even if there are no rules in place? How long will you serve?

Yes I support Term Limits. I will serve for 4 years, and if at that time I sense it is impossible to effect change, I will walk away. A second term would only interest me if my Major platform issue has gained traction. But if you can’t accomplish anything in 8 years, why stay? Besides, it trumps voter apathy and gives other courage to run. Our Ward is a perfect example. Last election there was only two of us, now, the flood gates have opened. It’s a good thing





Question 26: Do you think housing should be allowed at The Forks? If yes or no, explain why.

Sure, as long as it does not interfere with the general scope of the Forks. Beside the rail tracks could work. Who knows, if the rails leave town and abandon the ROW’s, the residents would have front door access to public transport, how cool would that be.


Question 27: What changes (if any) should be done to upkeep our city parks and recreation programs?

In my last election , I had campaigned for a 500 Thousand per Ward funding formula. I’ll hold to that goal. With this return to the grass roots level of continuous funding , a lot of projects would be completed without all the red tape that goes along with City Hall control.

Question 28: What do hope to see in the Kapyong Barracks along Kenaston?

Assuming negotiations are completed, I wouldn’t be against a residential area. You know this issue is just so muddled and stuck at other government levels , does it really matter what anyone thinks. I won’t waste too much energy on it. I’ll have to see what Planning’s’ thoughts are on the matter.

Question 29: Do you support a moratorium on development on old railway lines in favor of rapid transit and bike corridors?

As in the last election….yes, these are very important ROW’s. As important as Watermains and sewers. It was irresponsible to have sold the River Heights Row’s and remove the Polo Park (Canadian Tire ) rails. Someone should have lost their job over this lack of foresight..

People need to understand, these rail lines already form our Rapid Transit system. It is perhaps one of the greatest treasures we have. We need to preserve them and start thinking how they can be used in Planning our City.

What is really interesting is no one at City Hall has bothered to engage Rail companies in the discussion. I will.





Question 30: Do you support widening Kenaston to three lanes in each direction?

Do I have a choice. Ikea and a massive development is going in, how else are you going to service the area. But I don’t think it’s the right spot for Ikea, nor do I think Kenaston should become a heavy freight corridor. My views differ on the matter..

Question 31: Do you support the creation of service roads for any further shopping developments?

Well yes, that’s how its been done for half a century in most Cities.




Question 32: What is your view on city taxes going to build a stadium for the Blue Bombers and Manitoba Bisons?

Against it, unless we reject the current proposal. We need to start at square one and reevaluate what “community owned “actually” means and what type of Stadium we really want and where it suits the City in a more efficient manner for all Citizens.

Question 33: What is your view of a possible call for taxpayer help to expand the MTS Centre? Would you support it?

Against it. Sorry, but we are paying for all these stadiums so a few can retain ownership. I think we’ve helped enough and they should make their own investments, considering one of the partners is a multi billionaire. I understand the benefits, but taxpayers have really pulled through in the last decade. Its time for private business to put their profits, which taxpayers have made possible, back into their ventures. Yes, I understand the bigger picture, but , really, when is enough , enough. Perhaps they should go to the business community and raise capital there ( the way business should be conducted )


Question 34: What do you believe the city should do to ensure a vital downtown? Do you believe it is important as a councillor to support it?

Of course every councilor needs to support the core. My views are a little more daring. I see the U of W and Red River experiments as huge successes. The experiment has worked, we should work to make the Core an Educational Center . It would be huge and very prosperous. I mean, is their another proposal out there that brings thousands of pedestrian to the core day in day out ?

Question 35: Do you believe that some city service should be privatized? What services (if any) would be candidates for it?

I like our civil service. I’ve worked with them for over 15 years. It has been my experience, of all levels of government; our civil employees are the best. These people are our frontline. I think they can do the job and more. I just want to see if I can re energize them and give them incentives that would promote a better level of service. If that doesn’t work, of course, as a contractor, I know the contracting industry can get projects completed.



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The Grand Forks, Fargo, Minneapolis Trek

The Metrodome in the foreground of the skyline of Minneapolis.

Every long weekend (and often any weekend), a steady and sometimes very large stream of traffic flows south down Highway 75 to the U.S. with the intent of combining a shopping trip with a holiday.

The three primary destinations usually are Grand Forks, Fargo and Minneapolis.

Grand Forks has generally been the quickest destination for a family with young children, those that don't like to drive far or those with only a few days. Columbia Mall has always been a favourite with Winnipeggers ever since it was built in 1978. With Target, JCPenny and Dayton's as it main attractions, Winnipeggers flocked to hotels nearby and shopped in a fairly stylish mall for the time. For a time in the 1970s, many Winnipeggers by-passed Grand Forks to go to Fargo's West Acres Mall which was built in 1972.

I remember that I felt there was a huge difference in the look and feel of Columbia Mall and that West Acres felt like it was from a different era. Through the 1980s and 1990s, Grand Forks remained the closest and possibly the best regarded shopping excursion destination for Winnipeggers. The opening of the first Wal-Mart in 1990 in Grand Forks and rise of the Canadian dollar for a time led to huge crowds in the city. At roughly two hours away from Winnipeg, it seemed everyone was going down to shop.

The Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in 2008 to compete with the Target Supercenter that had opened across from Columbia Mall in 2001. Columbia Mall has never quite been the same since it lost Target. Even with the opening of Sears in the mall in 2000 and the change of Dayton's to Macy's, the mall has not found anyone to occupy the boarded up Target. The movie theatres in the parking lot closed a few years ago as well. The mall in 2009 completed a food court but there are still empty store fronts today.

After the 1997 flood, one of the hotels we stayed at was never the same. The Westward Ho was badly damaged. We stayed there twice after the repairs but the flood damage was too much. It was around this time that our family started making a journey to Fargo as Grand Forks re-built.

I believe that we weren't the only ones to see that the street where the mall was located 12th Avenue had become a hub of big box stores not found in Grand Forks. Barnes and Noble became a favourite stop if only for a day trip from our Grand Forks hotel. Eventually, our family started to by-pass Grand Forks altogether.

While Grand Forks remains a big attraction for the people of Winnipeg, it is not unusual to see many Manitoba licences all over Fargo on a long weekend as well.

The more intrepid travellers and avid shopper makes the full trek to Mall of America in Minneapolis. The casinos and sports teams also are destinations for many people. The Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Wild draw regular Winnipeg visitors year round. The Mall of America opened in 1992 and has probably contributed greater number of Winnipeggers by-passing Grand Forks and Fargo altogether. Combined the mall with the factory outlet stores in Albertville, Minnesota and most power shoppers can't resist making it a four day weekend.

Over the years the rise and fall of the dollar and the steady march northward of retailers Winnipeggers like has caused ebbs and flows of traffic down Highway 75. Still, there is likely nothing that will stop the travel south of the border for a getaway that involves a little relaxation and shopping.



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Manitoba/Nunavut All Weather Road

Manitoba and Nunavut have announced again that they are looking at an all-weather road between the two jurisdictions.

Just how many times do they have to announce a project over and over again? Look at this from 2007:

Nishi-Khon/SNC-Lavalin consultants have completed the route selection study to determine the best route for a road link between Rankin Inlet and the existing highway network in Manitoba. The study, jointly funded by the governments of Nunavut and Manitoba and Kivalliq Inuit Association, forms one of the key initiatives being undertaken with Nunavut under a Memorandum of Understanding between Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation and Nunavut Economic Development and Transportation.

The study included an assessment of social, economic, environmental and financial impacts of road development for each of the three potential corridors (Western via Lynn Lake, Central via Thompson and Eastern via Gillam) that were examined and included extensive community, stakeholder and public consultation.

The consultant has concluded that the recommended alignment for a route linking Rankin Inlet to the existing highway network in Manitoba is the Eastern Route Alternative. The Eastern Route Alternative starts near Gillam and runs northerly via Churchill to Rankin Inlet. The approximate length is 1 100 km and the estimated cost of construction is $1.2 billion.

The full report is here.

The NDP have to stop announcing projects over and over again and act like it hasn't been studied and costed out numerous times. Get on with it.



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IKON to Ricoh

The new Ricoh sign going up at 215 Garry Street


On August 1st, IKON Business Solutions was bought by Ricoh Canada. In 1996, IKON acquired National Typewriter of Winnipeg and has had a major presence in the city ever since. The IKON letters have been affixed atop 215 Garry Street for many years.

The IKON letters have come down and the Ricoh letters have gone up.

Ricoh is one of the leading manufacturers of office equipment.



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Hotel Buy-Outs

The Occidental Hotel in 1980.

There were some warnings about the problem of buy-outs when they occurred on Main Street in the last several years. The argument was that the problem would migrate to the hotels that still existed elsewhere. And so it should come as no surprise that some hotels south of Portage Avenue now have some of the customers that once populated north Main Street.

Now, there appears to be a plan for a similar buy-out for the hotels south of Portage. One would assume that they are talking about the Vendome Hotel, The Garrick Hotel and possibly some larger hotels. Personally, I don't think there is money to buy some of the larger hotels such as the Marlborough Hotel, St. Regis or a few others that have places where alcohol served.

And even if they did have the money, would it not push the problem to somewhere else?

The issue isn't only about the serving of alcohol but a question of housing for long term residents.

It would seem a waste of time and money to try and buy out hotels when alcohol enforcement would be a bigger stick to wave at places that are an ongoing menace to the surrounding area.

One last point: While the merits of ending smoking in bars and restaurants cannot be denied, the problem of smokers hovering around doors all over the downtown cannot be denied either. In some cases, the solutions some bars come up with of a outdoor smoking area can be a boisterous producer of noise as we have seen in the Exchange District.

There are no easy solutions but better enforcement of alcohol over-serving, public drunkenness and fines for establishments that violate noise by-laws would go a long way.



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Ferris Bueller Found

This story on a couple returning him from a trip and finding their car in long term parking has 724 kilometres on it amuses.

I think Ferris Bueller joyrided the car.

A couple returned to New York from a trip to California and discovered that their car—which had been parked in the long-term lot near JFK airport—had 724 extra miles on the odometer. Which raises the question—what exactly does your car do in long-term car parks?

Since the vehicle was also playing a CD at full volume when the couple, Mimi and Ulrich Gunthart, started it, the logical explanation is that someone borrowed the car for a joyride/road trip (724 miles is roughly the distance from New York City to Pittsburgh and back).

Longterm parking at Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport is $75 weekly. Think I'd let Ferris have the car for the week so long as he topped it up and rolled back the odometer.



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Safety Downtown

The Strand condo on Waterfront Drive Safe enough in the day but the park across the street can be very dark.



Los Angeles The 6th Street Bridge before (left) and after (right) the LED conversion (Bureau of Street Lighting )

The Downtown Business Improvement Zone from the downtown has released another study that says that people feel safer living downtown.

The women interviewed said they don't feel safe at night and the BIZ talked about their security programs and push for more police. Fairly standard moves and ones that can and do make people more secure. However, there are other ways for the city to try and make the downtown feel safer.

The one thing that is often heard is that people are afraid to go out at night. And why wouldn't they be? They sightlines are limited, the shadows are perfect for hiding and there are fewer people than the day. One of the big changes that seem to make the most sense is to find better lighting.

All over North America cities are changing from high pressure sodium lights to LED lights. As with many things, Winnipeg seems very slow to adopt the idea.

Los Angeles is well on the way in terms of transforming its streets. The picture above shows the difference. Some people hated the brightness but others emphasized that they are more efficient and also made people more secure in their neighbourhoods. If there is one place where the lights make sense it is the downtown.

I suspect this isn't even on the city's radar.



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The End of McMansion?

Bridgwater McMansion?

The Census Bureau in the U.S. has released data indicating that the McMansions are on the decline.

After years of growth, the Census Bureau recently reported that median new home size fell to 2,135 square feet in 2009 after peaking at more than 2,300 earlier in the decade.

McMansions are described as:

a pejorative term for a large new house which is judged as pretentious, tasteless, or badly designed for its neighborhood.

Does Winnipeg have McMansions? Well, look at this:

The Manchester can be found at 35 Edington Point in centrally-located Bridgwater Forest.

"This home is a very functional, efficient design," says Menno Friesen of Realty Executives, sales representative for Randall Homes (along with Dave Mick) for 35 Edington. "It's a wonderful design full of great features contained in a floor plan that wastes very little in the way of space."

Due to its well-conceived floor plan, the home -- already an expansive 2,329 sq. ft. spread out over two levels -- feels even larger than the listed square footage. That feeling of space starts in an extra-wide (and long) foyer (with 17-foot ceiling) that provides seamless access to the voluminous great room. It's here that the space and common-sense floor plan merge to create a family home designed for easy living.

Description of McMansions:

Typically it will have a floor area over 3,000 square feet (280 m2), ceilings 9-10 feet high, a two-story portico, a front door hall with a chandelier hanging from 16-20 feet, two or more garages, several bedrooms and bathrooms, and lavish interiors. The house often covers a larger portion of the lot than the construction it replaces.

Add the livable basement space in the Winnipeg house and you have 3000 feet.

I wonder if the Waverley West is building for a market that might be downsizing in just a short time?



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Gun Registry

The Liberal party will be whipping their vote on the gun registry in the fall. It is expected that any Liberal who votes against the registry or who doesn't show up will face party sanction. Michael Ignatieff has indicated that he supports a compromise on the bill to waive fees and be less harsh with first time offenders. This seems to have appealed to some of the Liberal MPs who have voted to kill the registry in the past.

The NDP is allowing a free vote for their MPs and this could result in the private member's bill from the Tory side passing and the gun registry will be kaput.

Two NDP MPs in Manitoba have voted to kill the bill in the past. Both are expected to do the same thing in the next vote. Jack Layton says that the public should not blame the NDP if the vote ends the registry.

I think only the most partisan of NDPer will feel comfortable with this particular free vote if ends up killing the registry. The NDP can blame the Liberals, the Conservatives or anyone else but the results of the vote will be the same: the end of the registry and a list of NDP MPs who made it possible.

The two MPs in Manitoba who look to kill the bill are:

* Niki Ashton (Churchill) - T: 866-785-0522 Ottawa: 613-992-3018 Email: Ashton.N@parl.gc.ca

* Jim Maloway (Elmwood-Transcona) - T: 204-984-2499 Ottawa: 613-995-6339 Email: Maloway.J@parl.gc.ca

One thing is certain: I would change my vote if the registry was killed by my MP or by the party I normally supported.

I was opposed to the gun registry at the beginning because I believed the costs were being seriously underestimated to get it started. The Liberals should have been ashamed of themselves for such cost over-runs and poor management.

Now that the program is running, it has passed Auditor General checks and passed muster with the police who utilize it. Medical and social advocacy groups support the registry.

I believe that the registry should be retained given what we are hearing now.

The fate of the bill lies with the NDP since the Tories have always promised to kill the registry. It is the NDP that doesn't seem to have a policy on the gun registry when all other parties have now stated where they stand.



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A Quiet Man

Hiva Alizadeh, right side. CBC picture.

On Wednesday, Canadian police swept up an alleged terror ring linked to radicalized elements of the Muslim community opposed to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

There is still a lot unknown about the arrests of the three people in Ottawa and London. Police say there are three other unnamed people they are looking for.

We will have to see in the coming months and probably years how the accused came to be under suspicion and what evidence there is to suggest they planned terrorist activities. And it will be up to the police to prove the conspiracy allegations in court.

One thing is clear: There are Canadians who have been radicalized and who have gravitated to jihad against their fellow Canadians.

One person among those arrested lived in Winnipeg. Hiva Alizadeh attended Red River College and studied electrical engineering, had a home in St. Vital and had a relationship with an aboriginal woman who was a convert to Islam.

Those that knew Hiva Alizadeh are shocked by his arrest. Many say he was a quiet man who didn't talk about politics. From 2003 to 2009 he worked at a halal meat shop, attended school and lived in an apartment with his wife and child. His wife became more devout during their time in St. Vital and she went from a long dress and head covering to full niqab which left only the eyes exposed.

Was this the beginning of a change within the man and the family to something radical? We may never know the full motivation but it is important to know why some people are drawn to the siren call of jihad and would rather fight than using freedoms they have in Canada to call attention to wrongs they feel need remedying.

A quiet man who quietly rages against the society he lives in and quietly plots to act against it violently is a pretty scary concept.

We must know where the radicalization takes place. It seems obvious that those who feel the same things are drawn to one another. How? It seems obvious that those who have these feelings of rage are guided by someone who manages to keep them below the radar while working together? Who?

After the arrests of so many would be terrorists in Canada over the years, I don't know if we are any closer to knowing what makes a terrorist in Canada.



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Tea Party and Reform Party of Canada

CNN is running a story about how the Tea Party movement and the Reform Party of Canada share some traits in how the right has been shaken.

Preston Manning is quoted widely in the story.

I was in Florida in April and saw the Tea Party with its protest signs about how Barack Obama was not born in America. It was one of the more milder signs I saw.

The Tea Party is going after any person on the right who is not deemed right enough. The result could be that Independents and moderate Republicans might not have a home in the party. It is difficult to say whether this will be an impediment to election fortunes in the U.S. where there are only two main parties. Still, if some on the right decide as Florida's governor has to run as independents, the right might find it splits the vote.

The Reform Party in Canada had a hard time escaping from the narrow politics it had staked out. The party eventually killed off the Progressive Conservatives and I think it can be said that the present Conservative Party of Stephen Harper has no Red Tories or progressives in it. This allowed for a reunification of the right minus this significant component from past decades.

It isn't a reach to say that Harper will have a hard time ever reaching a majority so long as centrists remain uncomfortable with the more ideological aspects of Harper's government.

As far as the Tea Party goes in the U.S., the same desire for centrist politics could hurt the conservative movement from making long term, sustainable gains. The anger now about the recession could see Tea Party people nominated and even elected but hardcore right stances could result in their defeat just as quickly if they espouse racist or hyper intolerant views as some have in the past months.



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September 11 and Muslims

In 2001, 24 Canadians perished in the attacks that took place on September 11 in the U.S. A total of 2,974 died in Washington D.C., New York and Pennsylvania.

This September 11 will make 9 years since the event and raw emotions are still close to the surface even as construction takes place to build new office towers and a memorial. Part of the controversy in recent months is in regards to a mosque or Islamic cultural center which is a looking to build a few blocks from ground zero.

There was one Winnipegger killed on September 11. Dr. Christine Egan was a nurse and professor at the University of Manitoba. She lived nearby and by all accounts was an amazing person. She was at World Trade Center visiting her brother, an exec at Aon Corporation on the 105th floor when the planes hit. No one that high up above the impact site survived the attack.

Another Winnipegger affected by the attack was my high school friend Abby Carter. He husband Arron Dack was also at World Trade Center when the first plane hit. He was able to call his wife shortly after the impact but was not able to escape below the impact site.

If anyone is to have a strong view about the Islamic cultural center, it might be Abby. This is what she said the other day.

When I first heard of the Mosque I thought “Good. What better way to teach tolerance on both sides of the coin?” Thoughts of it being “insensitive” to 9/11 family members did not enter my mind. I began to hear rumblings of how Muslims build mosques at the sites of their victories, but have discovered there are various interpretations of that understanding, one being that they build mosques at sites within crying distance of Muslims. Muslims were killed in the buildings too. Muslims have suffered from post 9/11 racism. So yes, building in a place of tears makes sense to me. Building within crying distance for all Americans makes sense to me. We are all finding ways of healing.

I think Abby is pretty incredible.



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Sam Katz Not For Mayor Ad Campaign

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