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The September 14-27 issue of prairie dog, Regina's arts weekly, had this to say:
LAND AHOY
prairie dog staff
As prairie dog was going to press on Tuesday Sept. 12 journalists for the excellent indie media Web site actupinsask.org reported that Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco and members of his family own 34 lots of land in an area of southwest Regina slated for controversial residential and commercial development. While it’s not illegal for politicians to own land it appears to be an alarming conflict of interest to say the least, especially since City Hall had to lobby the Provincial government to approve the development which many argue was too close to the airport, posing a hazard to prospective residents and also scuttling the possibility of future airport expansion should Regina grow. A “wag of the tail” to Regina Media Collective journalists Patricia Elliott and Dave Mitchell for uncovering a major story most of the city’s so-called reporters, editors and news directors missed.
Here are six reasons why this could be the biggest local story of the year:
1 THE CIVIC ELECTION JUST GOT INTERESTING The suspected gargantuan influence of real estate developers at City Hall has been a topic of debate and criticism for much of Fiacco’s current term as Regina sprawl continues unabated. The revelation that the mayor potentially stands to profit from this sprawl—even if everything is above board—could damage his image and drive support to his CCFR opponents. 2 THE GREAT DEBATE More and more people are growing unhappy with Regina’s haphazard and chaotic growth that’s seen the downtown decay while the city oozes outward. This new controversy should focus public debate on what kind of town we want Regina to be—high density, efficient and urban, or a disconnected collection of far-flung suburbs. 3 SHAME AND BLAME How did the Leader-Post, the CBC and everybody else miss this story? What in the hell is wrong with Saskatchewan media? Act Up In Sask. just gave everybody a long overdue kick in the ass. 4 FULL DISCLOSURE Before this story broke this issue of prairie dog was already running a piece about Regina’s lack of guidelines for disclosing political donations in this issue. This new controversy underscores just how critical it is for voters to know just who, exactly, our local leaders are beholden to. 5 CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Local politics have long been a poor sibling to regional and national politics. Nowhere has this been truer than in Saskatchewan, where provincial politics have traditionally engendered a high degree of engagement. But it’s important to keep an eye on local politics too, as Elliott and Mitchell’s story makes clear. 6 ANGER CAN BE A GOOD THING Perhaps the most aggravating thing about Regina is its complacency—people in this city seem to shy away from debate and argument as a general rule. One theory is that Saskatchewan was so scarred by the medicare battles of the ’60s that people have permanently lost their appetite for conflict. But you can’t build a society—or a city—without open debate, and now there’s an issue to focus that debate around.
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Written by Hugo Chavez on 2006-09-14 16:25:29
great coverage here
http://citizensfederation.blogspot.com/
http://citizensfederation.blogspot.com/ | No good debate....
Written by Guest on 2006-09-15 00:38:42
You said: 'Perhaps the most aggravating thing about Regina is its complacency—people in this city seem to shy away from debate and argument as a general rule.'
I concur. Take a look at the sorry state of this exchange:
http://www.rabble.ca/babble/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=12&t=001290
 | WHERE WERE YOU?
Written by Guest on 2006-09-21 13:54:00
Why have the so called "concerned coalition" finally stuck their heads out from under the rock they have been hiding under? If this city has been in such bad shape for so many years, why hasnt anybody had the stones to put up or shut up and run for the post of Mayor in so many past elections? The answer is simple - the majority of the apathetic voters are sensible enough to know that there is no way they would elect or could with any type of consience, place their faith in a "party" whose mandate seems to scream union values first and we will worry about the rest of you later. We already have that provincially and look where we are with that pearl of political strength. Urban sprawl cant be stopped - people dont want to live in an apartment in the core - fresh air and the ability to actually get to feel freedom in your own yard is too great of a benefit - you dont like it in the burbs? - good - stay the hell out of my view then. | WHERE WERE YOU?
Written by Guest on 2006-09-21 13:55:09
Why have the so called "concerned coalition" finally stuck their heads out from under the rock they have been hiding under? If this city has been in such bad shape for so many years, why hasnt anybody had the stones to put up or shut up and run for the post of Mayor in so many past elections? The answer is simple - the majority of the apathetic voters are sensible enough to know that there is no way they would elect or could with any type of consience, place their faith in a "party" whose mandate seems to scream union values first and we will worry about the rest of you later. We already have that provincially and look where we are with that pearl of political strength. Urban sprawl cant be stopped - people dont want to live in an apartment in the core - fresh air and the ability to actually get to feel freedom in your own yard is too great of a benefit - you dont like it in the burbs? - good - stay the hell out of my view then. |
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