Letters, July 7

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This article was published 07/07/2022 (1429 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Roundabouts supported

Re: Stop installing roundabouts (Letters July 2).

Letter writer Irwin Corobow makes some excellent points regarding the use of roundabouts in Winnipeg, but to suggest drivers “do not know how to use them” is both true and a poor excuse for not having them. From my observation, many Winnipeggers also don’t know how to properly navigate a four-way intersection and, for that matter, what a “stop” sign actually signifies, never mind a roundabout.

In some cases, a roundabout would be a far more efficient and safer means for managing traffic. In Royalwood, there is a four-way intersection where Shorehill Drive and John Bruce Road East intersect, the only “controlled” intersection along Shorehill.

Driver response at this intersection varies, from complete compliance, which means coming to a full stop, to the most popular action, the oxymoron(ic) “rolling stop,” to the most dangerous option, where drivers make no effort to slow or stop.

In this case, a roundabout would be ideal; drivers would still have to learn to yield as they enter the intersection but it would keep traffic moving, and for many drivers, it would do away with that pesky need to come to a complete stop anyway.

Oh, and likely save gas, not having to accelerate away from a stop sign.

Mark Strople

Winnipeg

I agree many drivers do not know how to use roundabouts, but this was a fault of Winnipeg council for not issuing some form of explanation.

I was raised in the United Kingdom, where roundabouts are prevalent, and have always found them a blessing. I applauded their introduction when they appeared here in the city.

Two are about to be built near me and they will reduce vehicle idling at traffic lights, which is especially pertinent with vehicle fuel prices as high as they are now, not to mention reduction in pollution.

Alan Inness

Winnipeg

Upon reading your correspondent’s letter, my thoughts on the same subject came to mind. Surely, it is not the roundabout itself, but the size of those installed, which is offensive.

If one uses the roundabout installed on Waterfront Drive, it is evident that vehicle speed is reduced, as was intended. Perhaps our traffic engineers should have looked more widely and seen those used successfully throughout the world have much greater diameter than those on Grosvenor Avenue, for example. Is the space between the sidewalk and curb not city property? That being the case, some space should be available on each of the four corners.

If reducing speed in residential areas is the aim, use available space and make the circles work. Otherwise, remove those presently installed, along with the engineers who designed them, and reinstall stop signs.

Clem Toner

Winnipeg

Attack reported insensitively

Re: Young day campers spooked by random act of violence (July 6)

Regarding the account of the children from a church day camp at Kildonan Park who were “spooked by a random act of violence” after a man with the mental capacity of a child jumped on one of the campers: frankly, I’m very disappointed the Free Press would print an article of this nature.

The story explains the man, who is dealing with autism, had an incident involving some kids that was unplanned, unintentional and preventable, but your click-bait headline would suggest it was something very sinister.

You have piggybacked on a very unfortunate event for both the children and the adult, who was clearly agitated and aggravated and was unable to process those emotions in a safe and appropriate way. The fear-mongering way the story was reported brought shame to those dealing with mental disabilities, implying we all need to be afraid to step out of our houses and let our children out of our sight. I would have expected better.

Jennifer Brownridge

Winnipeg

Tories spend beyond our means

Re: Tight-fisted Tories stand pat as Winnipeg ER, urgent-care wait times soar (Opinion, July 5)

Please stop perpetuating the myth the Tories are “tight fisted” on spending. They continue to spend well in excess of revenues, with large deficits each and every year they have been in power. Tom Brodbeck is starting to sound like NDP leader Wab Kinew, whose go-to solution is “we have to spend more.”

James Roberts

Winnipeg

Refund fee when luggage lost

Re: Luggage ‘onslaught’ poses latest hurdle to airlines, passengers (July 5)

With airlines making more and more of their income from fees relating to booking a bag on a flight, as soon as your luggage is delayed or lost, the airline should refund your money. They entered a contract when you paid to put your luggage on the plane, and they did not supply you with the service.

Will Franklin

Winnipeg

Credit for PCH beds clarified

Re: Manitoba personal care home beds pledge falters (July 4)

Many people, including some of us former provincial public servants, understand that government capital projects, such as personal care home (PCH) beds, take years to plan and build. While the information about the number of PCH beds in the article was accurate, the timing and potential credit for which government decided and acted on adding the beds was misleading.

The project planning of the 2019 Holy Family Home expansion was started in 2007, followed by construction beginning in April 2016 under the previous NDP government.

While the Tabor Home opened in 2017, the project construction began in December 2015 under the NDP.

The expansions to both the Boyne Lodge in Carman and Rest Haven PCH in Steinbach were initiated under the Progressive Conservative government of Brian Pallister.

So of the 479 beds reported in the article, only 222, or 46 per cent, were due to the PC government, falling even shorter of their pledge.

Joanna Plater

Winnipeg

Jets fans eager for draft

Re: Bowness ready to get Jets back on track (July 4)

Come Friday morning, after the NHL draft, we will potentially be looking at a new version of the Winnipeg Jets. A new head coach and some interesting prospects might help ease the rising anxiety amongst fans.

Indeed, this anxiety needs to be lessened after a failure to secure Barry Trotz as head coach and the pronouncement from Pierre-Luc Dubois of “thanks, but no thanks” for a long-term contract. Going back to May, we also heard moaning from the world’s slowest centre, Mark Scheifele, that hinted he is looking for greener pastures.

One has to ask why these people are reluctant to call Winnipeg their home. For the answer, one needs to get beyond the bias of those loyalists who think general manager Keven Cheveldayoff is a hockey mastermind, and his draft-and-develop strategy has been brilliant.

Really? What has Cheveldayoff’s strategy achieved to date? Nothing, except an exodus of high-end talent.

Look at the Jets’ payroll. Who does Cheveldayoff think is the most valuable asset in the lineup? Blake Wheeler, arguably the most overpaid and over-played forward in the league. I am talking 2022, mind you, not the past. These days, he might be a third-line contributor on a real Stanley Cup contender. His foot speed is no longer there. Is his play worth more than $8 million a year?

Fingers crossed, we will land some high-end talent in the draft. Fingers crossed, new coach Rick Bowness can bring something to the bench that has not been there before — consistency. Fingers crossed, we can see post-season success in the spring of 2023. Go, Jets!

Gary Hook

Winnipeg