Letters, July 15

Cheap product

Re: “Better way to paint” (Letters, July 14)

Further to the letter by Michael Dowling, I would like to share my experiences with licence plates.

In 1999 I moved to Toronto and after registering my vehicle there I kept my Manitoba licence plate, which I had for several years, as a souvenir; it was in A1 shape — no peeling whatsoever.

20 years later, I moved back to Manitoba and my Ontario licence plate, which was on my vehicle for those 20 years, was still in very good shape. Like my old Manitoba plate, it too was not peeling.

After just a few years back, I had to replace my new Manitoba plate at a cost of $15 due to peeling. I don’t understand why MPI is forcing its customers to pay for their decision to use poor-quality licence plates; it’s not right.

I realize that this is a minor issue compared to Project Nova, but, nevertheless, it is a reflection of MPI’s general incompetence.

Gilles Roch

Winnipeg

Reconsider supporting Street Links

Re: Irony holding Winnipeg back (Think Tank, July 11)

I join the chorus of concerned Winnipeggers that decries the termination of city funding for St. Boniface Street Links. This innovative program has received awards for its foresight and incredible success in addressing homelessness, addictions and mental health issues. It has long provided a successful model of wrap-around support that has significantly reduced homelessness, with a surprisingly low recidivism rate.

When asked by a community ministry volunteer why violence and addictions suddenly increased in one year, Street Links executive director Marion Willis told us that was the year when government funding for wrap-around services was seriously cut. We were stunned that the results of the cutback would have such an immediate effect. We were also impressed with the analysis, compassion and long-term support Street Links provides.

Much to our dismay, the City of Winnipeg pulled its funding from the very model of success that those who are struggling with poverty, homelessness, addictions or mental health so desperately need. Yes, there are other organizations also offering support, albeit through a different model and philosophy. But why cut funding from Street Links, which offers an approach closely aligned with Manitoba’s “Your Way Home”?

To the City of Winnipeg: please reconsider your decision, as requested by Couns. Cindy Gilroy and Sherri Rollins. Instead of forcing non-profit organizations which address homelessness into funding competition, let us consider Shaun Loney’s proposal, in which the city pays all non-profits for every month a person they have assisted stays housed. Success is rewarded and the cost of emergency services is reduced. And I would invite the reader to consider joining my partner and me in adding Street Links to your regular donations.

Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd

Winnipeg

The simple solution

There has been a lot of discussion about the Carberry intersection on the Trans Canada Highway and what should be done there. I drive through that intersection 10 to 15 times per year. I just returned from Brandon and noticed that the speed limit at that intersection is still 100 k/h.

The simplest, cheapest, fastest change that could have been made at that intersection would have been to reduce the speed limit to 80k/h or even 70k/h. This might seem trivial but at 100k/h it takes an average 80-100 metres to come to a stop. At 80k/h that is reduced to 60-70 metres and at 70k/h it would be reduced to 50-60 metres. That is the time to come to a complete stop, but just reducing the speed of the impact, even from 50 k/h to just 40 k/h, would make a dramatic difference in the risk of serious injury. People might complain about an 80 k/h speed zone on the Trans-Canada, but that is just whinging.

A one-kilometre long, 80 k/h speed limit zone just prior to the intersection would increase someone’s travel time by only nine seconds. Maybe around 20 seconds for slowing down and speeding up again. Negligible, in other words.

This may not be the final solution, but it could have been implemented immediately while the final solution was debated.

Rob McConnell

Winnipeg

Thanks for columnist

Re: Finally at a loss for an opinion (Think Tank, July 12)

Thanks to Paul Thomas for his judicious, well-researched opinions on politics and government. We will certainly miss his viewpoints.

His and other opinions pieces are among the main reasons I subscribe to the Free Press.

Ann Hanks

Winnipeg

It was with regret that I discovered in reading his most recent opinion piece that Paul Thomas will no longer be a regular contributor to the pages of the Free Press. A well-deserved break from the grind of research and writing after several decades of commentary on politics and public policy, but regrettable nonetheless, as his columns were always enjoyable to read and one always learned something from having done so.

I was fortunate to have been a student of professor Thomas in the early 2000s and luckier still when he, along with professors John Long and John Stapleton, agreed to serve on my doctoral advisory committee at University of Manitoba. Thomas was always accessible, generous with his time, spot-on with his insights, supportive and fair with his criticisms — in short, the qualities a student would hope for from an instructor. He was, and is, an exceptional teacher and very highly regarded in the world of academia for the quality of his extensive scholarly work.

The depth of knowledge demonstrated in his writings is obvious, and his even-handed perspective and analysis refreshing at a time when that seems out of vogue in civic discourse. Definitely not past his “best-before date,” should he choose on occasion in the future to share with Free Press readers his astute observations on Manitoba/Canadian politics and public administration, it would be most welcome.

Thanks, professor Thomas!

David Yeo

Stonewall

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Paul Thomas’s opinion pieces over the years. I always learn something new and sometimes chuckle too.

His knowledge of politics and administration is unparalleled in this province. I had the distinct pleasure of taking a politics in public administration course from him in 2008 at the University of Manitoba.

The members of this class were much younger than Paul and I were, and during discussions the students referred to us as grandpa and grandma! It was my honour to have Paul as a member of my PhD committee. I appreciated his contributions to my work and research. I received my PhD in 2011.

I, for one, will definitely miss his writing. All the best, Paul.

Dorothy Young

Winnipeg

Hold your conversation

Why do people go to concerts just to talk? Spent the weekend at Folk Fest and it’s amazing how many people just sit and talk through complete performances.

And Folk Fest is not unique. It happens at every stage we’ve been at. I understand some casual conversation but to talk nonstop throughout a performance is simply rude and selfish.

Go to the bar or a coffee shop or a restaurant and let us who have come to listen enjoy the music enjoy it!

Ken McLean

Starbuck