Letters, July 6

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/07/2023 (1172 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Vulcan fire presents opportunity

Re: Industrial blaze in Point Douglas sparks health concern (July 5)

The dramatic fire at the former Vulcan Iron Works building elicits many thoughts, emotions, and ideas.

Founded in 1874, the firm was driving force as Winnipeg grew and played a role in the famous Winnipeg General Strike of 1919. Labour unrest, however, was only one factor, but combined with crushing inflation and unemployment, terrible living conditions, an influenza epidemic, soldiers returning from a horrendous war and paranoia of a Russian-style revolution fomented by “others” such as “foreign elements” (note that the Strike leaders were British).

History, up close, is not always pretty and can leave scars.

Cindy Tugwell is right in that you can’t save every building. This one may come down, but what then? Perhaps this offers an opportunity for investment in one of Winnipeg’s’ historic neighborhoods, beyond a plaque on the site.

In 2023 the City of Winnipeg celebrates 150 years. What could be better than a facility that both tells the unique history of the area yet serves the current purposes of the local community?

Dan Furlan, President, Manitoba Historical Society, Winnipeg

Buckle up

Re: Several injured in turbulence on Hawaiian Airlines flight to Australia (July 4)

From the Associated Press story I read quoting a mother of two children who sustained minor injuries as a result of the turbulence, “it was difficult,” she said in text messages, “seeing your kids being thrown around the plane cabin’ and being unable to keep them safe.”

Every flight I have been on the crew in their announcements strongly suggest that one’s seat belt should be worn at all times when seated in case of turbulence. If one wishes to keep loved ones safe please follow this suggestion so it becomes a habit.

Those thrown around were not wearing their seat belts.

Had they been wearing them they would not have been hurt.

Gerard Ward, Winnipeg

Coyote issue not easily solved

Re: Coyote euthanized after attacks on children (July 5)

Two children have recently been attacked and injured by a coyote — or two different coyotes, it’s nearly impossible to tell. It’s quite rightly necessary to at least try to remove this threat.

So one is trapped and euthanized. A few more may be killed, if it’s deemed necessary.

But did they get the right coyotes?

I’m reminded of that quote from Dr. Zhivago: “What does it matter? A village betrays us, a village is burned. The point’s made.”

Unfortunately, coyotes do not communicate the finer details of interacting with humans.

Even if you exterminate them all, in a short time they’ll be back. Pups are born in nearby territories and have to find their own food sources.

The long-term effective way is to eliminate food sources for coyotes and their prey — rodents and rabbits.

Only then will the coyotes be gone (with occasional temporary incursions by roaming young adults).

Allan Robertson, Winnipeg

Trapping method wrong

Re: Leg-hold traps used in hunt for coyote after second attack (July 4)

While I understand and wholeheartedly agree with Manitoba Conservation needing to trap the coyotes who are attacking children, I steadfastly disagree with the means by which they intend to trap these coyotes.

Leg-hold traps are banned in over 80 countries and 10 U.S. states, for good reason.

Once the trap is triggered, it immobilizes the animal, and in their distress and panic, many animals are so desperate to escape that they resort to chewing or wringing off their trapped limbs, breaking their teeth and bones in the process.

Animals endure a painful and terror-filled period until they die from exhaustion, blood loss, predation, dehydration, or whatever else the trapper has in mind to end their lives.

The degree to which the animal suffers is indescribable and hard to watch for those of us who have witnessed it.

Leg-hold traps also don’t discriminate between species, and often non-target animals are caught.

There are tons of horror stories about family pets being caught in traps and the outcome isn’t pretty.

It’s 2023. Manitoba Conservation needs to keep up with the times and ditch these traps in favour of a humane alternative that’s not so antiquated and barbaric.

Diane Youngman, Winnipeg

Beverage biopic pitch

Re: What made lemonade pink? (June 28)

It was entertaining to read about Texas circus clown Pete Conklin, who, fortuitously concocted what is known as “pink lemonade,” in the year 1857.

The stars shine bright on this curious tale of ingenuity. My only hope is that this fascinating (and humorous) true story ought to come to the silver screen, in a movie entitled Pink Bluff, Strange Ways to Drink and Dye in the Old West.

Ladies and gents, it would be a crowd pleaser!

Don Warkentin, Winnipeg

Time to get city plan right

Re: City split three ways on desired infrastructure path: poll

What are we getting right in this city?

Probably the most extraordinarily endowed “hidden gem city” in all of Canada, Winnipeg still has all the basic essentials to have rivalled Chicago, from the ’20s, when that was the plan, to now in 2023, when that kind of comparison in a contemporary sense, sounds like a fantastic pipe dream.

It is not.

Winnipeg’s location on the global map has not changed.

The Free Press Probe Research and articles similar to the recent one (July 4) reporting on a “desired infrastructure path: poll” wrongly compares spending more on recreation than is currently funded, as more important than “prioritizing” expanding roadways.

Politics mentioned, in that article for expanding roadways, as high on the wish list of pro conservatives, is a disingenuous comment.

If the point of any article to inform Winnipeg citizens is to genuinely desire city improvement, where the Free Press or any other media outlet exists, then please, inform people of potential, not bias.

Comparisons to Winnipeg, using cities whose geographical location have natural resources similar to ours, have a responsibility to inform people who could see and comprehend potential solutions, and would be a more generous journalistic point.

That level of information can clearly demonstrate where unique solutions in other cities have correctly addressed resourcing similar city attributes.

Sufficient growth opportunity in an inner city filled with activities and festivals, exceptional distinguished destination opportunities for education, historical interactive cultural celebration, and entertainment are already here.

Rivers and waterways providing natural beauty and recreational family interaction, throughout the seasons, are conduits, already in place, binding communities north to south and west to centre, where unique travelling and commuting, awaits the unique development that would reset Winnipeg completely.

Infrastructure supporting commuting corridors coming into our inner city and from all directions leaving, linked to the current suburbs, must immediately be recognized in conjunction with the building of transit structures inventively, with future vision, that would improve the full range of needs for citizens and tourists, who will eventually come to enjoy an iconically evolved Winnipeg, where the quality of life, is unique to this city.

Whatever is built, needs to recognize natural attributes and weather and opportunities specific to this city.

Our place on the planet is specific. Our decisions are therefore tied to that specificity.

We get it right now, or we may never get it right.

Bev Jacobs, Winnipeg