This year, more returns expected before the gifts are opened

Landlord miffed after city orders cleanup of riverside homeless camp

A West Broadway landlord is angry the City of Winnipeg has ordered him to clear away a homeless encampment from his riverfront property or have the cleanup cost added to his property tax bill.

Marvin Sharp, CEO of Astroid Management Ltd., which manages the Pen-Eve Apartments at 35 Balmoral St., said the city is forcing private property owners to deal with a problem they didn’t create.

“This is kind of like the neighbours throwing their garbage over the fence, every single day, and the city’s saying, ‘You have to go clean this up, but we’re not going to go tell the neighbour to stop doing that,’” Sharp said. “What do you want me to do here? You’ve got a serious problem here. We’re not talking about someone throwing garbage on the ground. We’re talking about encampments.”

Sharp said he received a city compliance order dated July 10, which was viewed by the Free Press. It says a bylaw officer observed “an accumulation of garbage” on the property, including abandoned goods of manufacture, tents and unattended shopping carts.

Spike in safety concerns doesn’t feel like harm reduction

It’s after dinner when a couple of young boys appear on my porch. I recognize them from the neighbourhood, but they’re not here to ask my kids to come out for a game of basketball. Instead, one asks, “Is it OK to come in for a little bit. There’s a guy out there and he’s scaring us.”

City dermatologist penalized again for misconduct

A Winnipeg dermatologist has been allowed to continue practising — albeit with a reduced scope — after pursuing a relationship with a female patient and seeing another patient without a required chaperone at a time when his office was normally closed.

A College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba inquiry panel, in a June 30 disciplinary decision, said it was concerned with Dr. Earl Minuk’s level of contrition and future compliance, while noting his pattern of violating professional boundaries.

A shortage of specialists factored into the decision to allow him to continue to practise.

“CPSM carefully considers the need to protect the public while balancing the need for access to care. Dr. Minuk’s expertise includes managing a condition that can be disfiguring if left untreated,” the college said in a statement Tuesday.

CUPE leader Delbridge dies

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500 announced Tuesday its president had died Monday night after a sudden medical incident. He was 55 years old.

Nearly one in four watercraft fail inspection during roadside blitz to prevent aquatic pests

More than 120 watercraft failed a roadside inspection over the weekend aimed at slowing the spread of aquatic invasive species, including zebra mussels.