Letters, Nov. 10

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/11/2015 (3677 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Eadie responsible to voters

It is Mynarski voters and residents who are Coun. Ross Eadie’s boss — not Mayor Brian Bowman (Why did they call the boss?, Winnipeg Free Press front page, Nov. 9).

But to answer the misguided question: political protocol, whether at the federal, provincial or municipal level, calls for notification of the whip when questionable actions by elected officials are reported. In this case, the mayor’s office serves that function.

With seasonal celebrations about to begin in earnest, it’s worth noting real friends don’t just summon cabs for intoxicated friends — they go the extra step to ensure their safe arrival home.

Mark Rash

Winnipeg

 

Transferable-ballot system works

Kevin Longfield’s First past-the-post leaves us behind (Nov. 9) is worthy of support.

When I first ran as a CCF candidate in St. James in 1953, my friend, Reg Wightman, defeated me by approximately 300 votes. He received just over 50 per cent of the final votes after a second-choice allocation of two other eliminated candidates.

Under the preferential or transferable-ballot system used in the 1953 election, the electors of the constituency made the final decision.

That’s true democracy. The present first-past-the-post system is undemocratic, but the proportional-representation system would establish political parties as the final selector — not the electors. A transferable-ballot system would protect democratic decision making.

Al Mackling

Winnipeg

 

Scary headline seems fishy

The headline Threat of the highest scale (Nov. 9) got my attention, as intended. Was I going to be unable to eat my favourite pickerel? Thoughts of chemical poisoning from algae came to mind.

Then I found out the scare wasn’t anything like that — it was about a so-called lack of fisheries management.

The Seafood Watch report has the potential to seriously damage the marketing opportunities of Manitoba fishers and fisheries. This is based on soft information, not evidence of any depletion of fish stocks in our lakes. If I were a fisherman, I’d consider suing Seafood Watch and SeaChoice for their irresponsible actions.

I’d also caution the Free Press from using such sensational, misleading headlines.

Anthony Brookes

Winnipeg

 

Children getting food education

In response to Joyce Slater’s Nov. 6 letter Child-nutrition strategy needed, it’s worth noting that in Manitoba, four high school physical education and health credits are needed to graduate.

Many of the outcomes in the Manitoba physical education and health curriculum relate to food and nutrition. From foods that help build strong bones in Grade 6 to learning to read food labels and properly and safely prepare food in Grade 12, students are educated about food and nutrition.

Maybe, as Slater states, not all students are receiving food and nutrition education in home economics classes, but they are receiving it in physical education and health classes.

Brian McKenty

Physical education and health, âcole Edward Schreyer School

Beausejour

 

Bombers broken beyond repair

The Nov. 9 article Bombers troika better get better carries with it the sub-headline Coach, GM, CEO have much to prove — based on the premise all three incumbents remain.

As a loyal fan, in spite of one dismal season after another, I can’t accept this as a starting point for 2016.

This past season is a result of a fundamental, catastrophic failure of the Winnipeg Football Club. I can’t point to anything that provides any confidence for a better 2016. The Bombers board must accept that the current management team has not, and will not likely ever, move this team forward.

Change is a theme that has captured Canadians in recent weeks, and should be embraced by the board, who can ensure change within this team.

Robert Granke

Winnipeg

 

After two years, the Ottawa Redblacks have a good chance of winning the Grey Cup this year — coaches and management know what they’re doing.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been around for a long time. Why can’t they seem to get it right?

It’s football, not rocket science. Get football people that know what they’re doing and get players that can play together as a team, and you’ll likely have success — just like in Ottawa.

Meanwhile in Winnipeg, the team is still working at trying to fit square pegs into round holes.

George Morawski

Niverville