Letters, Sept. 9

Time to prune the problem?

Re: Storm hammers parts of River Heights (Sept. 8)

As River Heights residents caught in a swath of rain and wind on Sunday evening, we survived 10 hours with no power after a big boom and an electric arc favoured us with a strike in our back lane. So far, we have had two brief additional outages (Monday) and in the early hours of (Tuesday) morning. This doesn’t begin to compare with the damage on Mathers Avenue, which is still under repair.

Hydro workers have been working non-stop to deal with the effects of this storm and for that we thank them.

However, would it not be a better approach to deal with prevention rather than picking up pieces after the damage has occurred?

Our praised tree canopy entwines itself in hydro lines and created potential for incidents such as this when nature takes control of our environment.

The power lines are Manitoba Hydro’s responsibility while the trees belong to the City of Winnipeg or private owners. It appears that no one has the mandate or the resources to address the issue of trimming trees away from power lines. A decision regarding responsibility for this work and accompanying resources would certainly make life safer and would allow us to have an uninterrupted source of a basic necessity — electricity.

As a taxpayer I want my taxes to go towards this effort! Is anybody listening?

Ellen Karr, Winnipeg

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Potential of geothermal overlooked

Re: Manitoba’s next power plant already under construction (Think Tank, Sept. 4)

I want to thank Colleen Koroluk from Efficiency Manitoba for reminding us that the energy we save will almost always be cheaper and cleaner than new energy we must build.

It is curious, however, that her colleagues at Manitoba Hydro have overlooked her sage advice. I note that back in July, Hydro communications manager Scott Powell conceded to the media that neighbourhood-scale geothermal heating systems don’t even get a mention in Hydro’s proposal. That should tell us all we need to know about Hydro’s mind-set.

This significant oversight should and could be corrected by the premier.

As Stuart Williams described on these very pages (The alternative is in the ground, July 29), Hydro could obtain more than enough power to meet our needs by converting Manitoba’s 250,000 buildings using electric heat to using ground-source heat pumps. This would also save the building owners money, create way more employment than gas turbines, avoid sending billions of our dollars to Trump’s America during a trade war, and reduce our dependence on polluting fossil fuel imports in a worsening climate crisis.

If Manitoba Hydro is not interested in pursuing this enormous opportunity, perhaps the premier should put Ms. Koroluk and Efficiency Manitoba in charge instead?

Jean Altemeyer, Winnipeg

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An open and shut case

I’m a tad drenched as I write this because I went out to close the open lid on my recycling bin so that it didn’t float away in the torrential rain after being emptied by city workers.

That was after I read the orange note attached to my garbage bin that said, “We couldn’t empty your cart today because cart lids must be completely closed …”

Mine was open because a homeless man had gone through bins down the back lane, leaving many open.

My annoyance at the inconsistent practices of city workers, who vary in leaving lids up or lids down after emptying bins, prompted a call to 311 and I was told I’d know in two business days whether they will return this week. Or not. This makes me wonder who trains and supervises city workers.

It also rips my heart that someone has to dumpster dive, hoping for something they can eat or use.

I never know from week to week whether my lids will be left up or down, but I know the weather-beaten man with the shopping cart will be back.

While I’ll be waiting for the city workers, the man of the house, a trained Bear Clan Patrol volunteer, will be waiting for the gentleman with a care package of juices, protein bars, apples, socks and a list of helping resources.

The inherent value and dignity of every human cannot be tossed aside. We need to put a lid on poverty. Case closed.

Heather Emberley, Winnipeg

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Both education systems work

Re: Rising enrolment at independent schools ‘staggering’ (Sept. 8)

“We are saving them huge money and that’s rarely recognized,” said Andrew Micklefield, the executive director of the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools.

I want to thank Mr. Micklefield for saying the ‘quiet part’ out loud.

I myself graduated from the public system (junior high and high school). I taught in the public system for 16 years and I am now entering my 13th year of teaching in the independent system. Both experiences have been fulfilling and enjoyable.

I pay 100 per cent of my school taxes, even though my children do not attend a public school. If we round student funding down to $15,000/student, we will save the government $45,000 for the three children we home-school. Add an additional $7,500 savings for our eldest, who attends an independent high school.

Remember also that tuition helps cover a steep funding deficit faced by independent schools. This is ground covered in the article. It’s thanks to alumni support and friends of our schools that we are able to maintain and improve offerings and facilities for our students. Independent school administrators work hard counting pennies, too. It’s a tough gig.

I used my public school/music major math to calculate the numbers above. Both systems can work!

I firmly believe the most influential factor in student success is family support. Parents: encourage your students and hold them accountable. Support their teachers and administrators, who work very hard to do right by your kids. Teachers: support one another!

Finally, one question, if I may: can government explain how it uses the savings above to serve its public-school students? Money’s tight, true, but it’s good to know. Last I checked, we’re 13 months away from our next provincial election (using my public-school math AND social studies)?

Paulo Borges, Winnipeg

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Much respect

This summer I started biking regularly, as I had done before hip surgery.

I cycled keeping in mind to keep reasonably close to the curb. Typically, motorists made it very comfortable for me as they drove past. I felt safe and appreciated the respect as they drove by.

They couldn’t hear my thank yous then, but I want to say thank you again, so they can hear me now.

Gene Kirichenko, Winnipeg

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Prepare to be scapegoated

Donald Trump and his administration need a scapegoat for their rising inflation and will shift blame only to Canada for higher-priced American goods now that Canada’s retaliatory tariffs have taken effect. Americans must understand that their higher-priced goods are the result of Trump’s war with Iran and his tariffs on Canada and other world countries long before Sept 8.

Robert Moskal, Winnipeg