Letters, Dec. 4

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/12/2023 (1017 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Security plan unwise

Re: Decent pay: big expectations (Nov. 30)

I just finished reading that the City of Winnipeg has approved a new safety program for Transit to help curb some of the problems plaguing city buses.

One of the big problems has been that drivers and passengers have been assaulted by perpetrators with weapons. Unfortunately, the new safety officers will not be armed (no taser, club etc.). The article does state that the peace officers can/will make arrests. In my opinion, this is a recipe for disaster. A person who is armed and dangerous has a distinct advantage over an officer who is armed only with handcuffs. It’s great that officers will have training in conflict resolution but there are times when force must be met with force.

The only method of assuring safety for all involved is an armed police officer posted on every bus.

Ken Campbell

Winnipeg

Help Lemay

I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of great concern to the residents of St. Norbert and the wider Winnipeg community. This week, we took what may be our last walk in the beautiful Lemay Forest, a cherished local asset that has been a source of solace, recreation, and environmental education for many.

On Dec. 1, Tochal Developments plans to restrict public access to this forest by erecting a fence or gate. This move will not only deprive our community of a treasured natural space but also represents a worrying trend of privatizing public lands that should be accessible to all.

Lemay Forest is more than just a tract of land; it is a living testament to our city’s rich biodiversity, a place where families can connect with nature and where children can learn about the importance of environmental conservation. It is a sanctuary for local wildlife and a vital green lung that helps to clean our air and combat climate change.

The planned restriction by Tochal Developments is a significant blow to our community. While we understand the need for development and progress, it should not come at the expense of our natural heritage and public spaces. We believe there must be a balance between urban development and environmental preservation.

We urge the Free Press to highlight this issue and bring it to the forefront of public discourse. We need your help to raise awareness about the importance of preserving public access to Lemay Forest and to encourage a dialogue about responsible development in our city.

We hope that by shedding light on this issue, we can inspire our community to voice their concerns and perhaps prompt Tochal Developments to reconsider their decision. We believe that with open dialogue and collaborative planning, we can find a solution that respects both the need for development and the importance of preserving our natural spaces.

Jaxon Kowaluk

Save Lemay Forest Committee

Winnipeg

Pot to kettle…

Re: Province adds medical, surgical beds at Grace Hospital (Nov. 30)

Every effective government needs an effective opposition to keep it ‘on its toes’. But for the opposition health critic, Kathleen Cook, to criticize government for ‘half-baked announcements’ and for its ‘ability to get the beds in use without a corresponding plan to staff them’ is laughable and pitiful in light of how her government torched the system during the past eight years.

At the very least, give us time to forget about your mistakes before slamming this government’s mistakes (if and when they make them). Criticize actions rather than plans.

Greg Giesbrecht

Winnipeg

Think of Duff

Re: Falsehoods don’t hurt careers like they used to (Nov. 28)

I have one major problem with Deveryn Ross’ opinion piece, that it was not placed on the front page.

I don’t always agree with Mr. Ross’ opinions but I respect his knowledge and experience. This piece was spot on and a warning to those: who check a ballot without thinking, who check the same ballot their entire life and who don’t bother to check a ballot.

The potential result of being influenced by our southern neighbours and not punishing (at the polls) our leaders who don’t tell the truth is an authoritarian style government. To avoid this type of government we must invest in public education and go back to teaching civics to the youth of today. We then must learn to discuss politics without yelling, bullying, shaming while really listening to the other person.

This must occur so our youth can hold future leaders accountable. To hold our leaders accountable we must have strong political parties across the spectrum and media that is willing and able to ask the tough questions.

When I see/read/hear of the antics of federal Oppoistion Leader Pierre Poilievre, I always ask, what would Duff Roblin think about this?

Jeff Roos

Winnipeg

HSC plan needs another look

Re: Review of $1.5-B Tory project unsettles clinic’s future (Nov. 23)

The idea of spending $1.5 billion to upgrade parts of HSC is a flawed idea that absolutely needs to be reviewed.

As a health-care professional who has worked at HSC for over 30 years and served on the board at Cancer Care, I can attest to the multitude of problems that face architects and planners whenever another renovation or addition is being planned for this ugly hodgepodge of ancient and modern buildings. Many of these buildings are antiquated, long past their normal lifespan.

Most are not energy efficient and some are impossible to upgrade to modern standards. Winnipeg’s original “General Hospital” was built in 1872, for heaven’s sake.

While I recognize that urgent renovations to the present conglomerate of buildings must continue for some time, let us not spend untold millions to accommodate the present sparsely used Manitoba clinic. I’m sure that wise planners will ultimately find a viable use for this beautiful building.

I believe that the ‘Tory promised’ $1.5 billion, if it exists, should go towards upgrading regional hospitals where each would provide traditional services but also take over some of the myriad services that are presently available only at the HSC.

In time, most of the HSC would become obsolete and demolition could begin. I know that patients and visitors would be ever so grateful if they no longer had to navigate that impossible labyrinth that encompasses several acres of cold concrete and precious little greenery.

Jules Legal

Winnipeg

Nothing beats homemade

Re: Top nog (Nov. 28)

Just want to send a comment about the eggnog article by Eva and Jen. They should have included a homemade eggnog.

As a small child I always looked forward to Christmas and the eggnog my mom would buy.

As an adult, my daughter still talks about the day I came home with a new “chocolate” eggnog from the store. She said I was so excited. I couldn’t wait to try it. Chocolate and eggnog. My two favourite things combined!

This was going to be dynamite!

My daughter still likes to tell me how stunned and disappointed I looked after I tried it. It was horrible.

After that, I could barely go back to normal eggnog. Then somewhere along the line after that horrible incident, someone gave me a recipe for eggnog. It takes a bit of time and you have to really watch the temperature when making it, but… it is the best eggnog.

As far as I’m concerned, any storebought eggnog is just flavoured paste with different consistencies between them.

A bit disappointed homemade eggnog was not tried at all in the article.

Merry Christmas!

Mark Stutski

Winnipeg