|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events |
Peace Rally, Regina- Sat, Jan 3rd, 2009, @1:00pm- 2:00pm
|
Refugee Fundraiser at Lydia's Pub, Saskatoon- Thu, Jan 8th, 2009, @9:00pm- 2:00am
|
Tar Sands - Mike Hudema Talk, Regina- Tue, Jan 20th, 2009, @7:00pm- 9:00pm
|
Evening of Hope for Congo - Regina- Sat, Jan 24th, 2009, @6:00pm- 9:00pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Pathway :: Home
|
Mayor's Inappropriate Action Overshadows Community Triumph |
|
|
|
|
Contributed by Jim Elliott
|
|
Saturday, 09 December 2006 |
Early Thursday December 7th, fifteen young men and Ben Hernando set off to run a marathon in Las Vegas. Their efforts over many months to overcome trials and troubled lives were inspired by Ben Hernando, a marathon runner himself, who thought that these children needed to go on a different path. All the skills to run a marathon can be used by anyone who wants to do something different: hope, faith, determination, planning and dedication. He said, "I want them to see that there is another world outside of 5th and 6th Avenue----that there's another place that is very nice. So hopefully they will open their eyes and say, 'Hey, I can do this, I can go to places, I can find a good job.' "
The youth that started the journey called themselves the Dirty
Dozen, a connection to the problems or dirt that they have had to deal
with in their short lives. Just to get to Thursday was not easy. But
by the end of the training, they are now running 35 kilometres a day.
Most able-bodied individuals could not do what they are doing. They
have also inspired donations of over $17,000 dollars to cover their
costs while in Las Vegas and to have a chance to see the sites.
At the end of this already amazing journey, Mayor Fiacco brings
presents for the youth including a video game called Grand Theft Auto.
This video game is seen as being very violent, degrading of women and
an inappropriate influence on youth today. Much of the television
coverage was not on the actions of the youth of this community who have
come so far but were on the Mayor trying to soften, smooth over or
explain his inappropriate act.
A few days earlier on Saturday,
December 2nd, over 100 people from in and around Regina (250 had
registered) listened to an introductory address by the Mayor at the
Anti-Gang Forum. These various government officials, elected
representatives, including Councilor Wade Murray, community activists
and leaders spent over 8 hours together to work on real strategies and
steps to prevent gang activity from existing in Regina. We heard a
number of strong personal testimonials and the release of a very
important DVD on gang activity in Regina. The youth present at the
Forum also gave us reasons why they got out of gangs and the problems
with being in gangs. There will be an action plan coming from the
Forum with necessary steps. Hopefully this city's council can rise
above the action of the mayor and will be in a position to help the
community tackle this and many other problems in Regina.
|
Did I miss something?
Written by hugo chavez on 2006-12-10 20:07:04
I didn't see anything of the kind in the press, just the fact Fiacco showed up to encourage them.
What's wrong with GTA ?
Better a video game then actually committing such crimes and don't even start with the influences kids to do it. It sounds too much like heavy metal is satanic or crap like that.
I don't like the mayor but this is just silly.
| WHAT?????
Written by boris gomez on 2006-12-10 22:10:23
Have to mark the wall on this one - actually agreeing with Hugo and his response - must be the warm fuzzies that come out at this special time of year.  | Santa Fiacco Strikes Again
Written by trouble on 2006-12-15 16:26:25
What kind of person in any kind of leadership position would explot the success of a bunch of inner city kids for a photo op where he gives them a gift called Grand Theft Auto and then he laughs??? Who asked him to take the spotlight?
This is a violent game where sex trade workers are beat up to score points. Would he give such a "trashy gift" to kids in better off neighbourhoods or is this ALL he thinks these kids have to look forward to in their lives ?? Disgusting!! Why not track suits or new runners, a membership to a gym??? The Grinch lives at City Hall! | Santa?
Written by boris gomez on 2006-12-17 22:56:48
Maybe I am all wrong on this, but the "gift" of the Playstation was a used unit, and contained other games besides the one that everybody seems to think will inspire these kids to give up running and get into a life of jacking cars for kicks. Guess that that didnt work because they all came back smiling and not in handcuffs. The laugh was for the whole stupid irony of the game being in the box - kids in other neighbourhoods would probably have their own PSP's and would not accept a used game being given to them - its to the point that now, you cant even try to do something nice without all the PCers coming down on you for trying to give a damn. Dont blame Fiacco for the way this got totally got blown out of porportion - once again the crack squads of the Regina media jump in on any chance to make someone look bad. You want disgusting? - why isnt there a hue and cry about the new eatery on Albert St - nothing like keeping everybodys minds thinking alike when you open up a new place and call it "The Hood" - real good for the psyche of the area and its inhabitants - do you think anyone from anywhere else is going to go in for a nice supper? - I dont think so, but you must be OK with this are you "trouble"? | mayor probably didn't look in the box
Written by crazydiamond on 2006-12-24 22:10:51
stupid city employee handed him the box and didn't care to look into it himself. |
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 11 December 2006 )
|
All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owners. Opinions expressed in articles within this site are those of their owners and may not reflect the opinion of ActUpInSask.org, its staff, or its associates.
|
|
|
