Good Samaritan was right in time

Mayor takes RM to court to recover legal fees

Three years after winning a legal appeal against the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, the area’s mayor has filed litigation to recover costs from the court battle that followed a coup by a group of former councillors.

Mayor Joy Sul filed a statement of claim against the RM north of Winnipeg on June 30, seeking indemnity for nearly $50,000 in legal fees she incurred while fighting council’s attempts to strip her of key responsibilities.

“Several years ago, I went to court because I believed the actions being taken against me were wrong and contrary to municipal law,” Sul said in a statement to the Free Press Monday.

“I want to be very clear about one thing: I am not seeking a windfall, damages, or any personal financial gain. I am simply seeking reimbursement for the legal costs I actually incurred while successfully defending my elected position.”

City considers million-dollar chop to tree planting program

The City of Winnipeg is one step away from chopping $1.2 million from its tree planting program to fill a separate budget gap.

The Manitoba government recently directed the city to spend an additional $1.236 million of its provincial “strategic infrastructure basket” funding on the Assiniboine Park Conservancy Journey to Churchill Exhibit, according to a city finance report.

Finance officials recommend the city fill that budget gap by transferring the same amount from the urban forest tree planting budget, which council’s executive policy committee voted in favour of Tuesday.

A local tree protection group said any funding loss would hurt an already ailing city canopy.

Brotherly bond boosts local Amazing Race competitors

Sacha has a feeling and Sébastien has a plan — together they’ll work it out.

Manitoba Tories can learn from Poilievre’s mistake

Among the many errors made by Pierre Poilievre since becoming leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, his decision to attempt to persuade supporters of Max Bernier’s People’s Party and other right-wing groups to return to the Tory party ­— as opposed to adopting policies that would make the CPC more attractive to moderate Canadians — may be his greatest mistake.

Mosquito-free summers nice while they lasted

It was nice while it lasted, wasn’t it? And it certainly seemed to last a long, lovely time. But with this spring and early summer’s unusually heavy rainfall and significant standing-water accumulation, our blissful vacation from mosquito swarming and swatting is most definitely over.

Jets depth chart takes shape as off-season heats up

That Kevin Cheveldayoff was expecting the pace of the off-season to shift gears came as little surprise.

And while it appears as though there are still a few questions left unresolved when it comes to the Winnipeg Jets roster this fall — including a massive one involving starting goalie Connor Hellebuyck and his future with the organization — the depth chart is taking shape.

When he spoke to members of the media at the conclusion of Jets development camp, the general manager spoke about prioritizing a new contract for restricted free agent Cole Perfetti, who filed for arbitration on Sunday in what was more of a procedural move than an indicator of how negotiations might be going.

As Perfetti stated unabashedly after his exit interview, the Jets forward wants to be part of the long-term solution and there should be an opportunity for the player and the team to find common ground on a long-term deal with the Jets before an arbitration hearing takes place.