MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, September 19, 2018 • PAGE A7
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TRADING THOUGHTS
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Who neglected city council’s homework on handicapped parking meter issue? The 80-year-old senior and his wife were having supper when she looked across the street and asked: “What is the meter man putting on the car?� The meal completed, they walked over and found a yellow piece of paper cut crookedly from a paper the way a pre-kindergarten child might do. It read: AS PER CITY HALL — NEW
have been asleep to miss the firestorm this would create. Two: Or this is a simple tax grab without concern for the city’s disproportionate and growing numbers of handicapped. PLUS Either way, it leaves city council and senior administra tion looking like they are mean to and inconsiderate of the handicapped and military veterans. To book, visit your professional travel agent: A strong case can be made, and has been made in this 80 CARIBOU ST. W. MOOSE JAW • PHONE: 306.693.5117 column, to limit the time drivers with handicapped plates can park. by Ron Walter Some park in one spot all day. Usually, these folks are not dlindsay@mjford.ca 306.630.4152 issued a ticket. PICK OF THE BYLAW 5556 But any change to a longstanding policy and practice “People using the disability placard who are parked at a like this should be preceded by plenty of advance notice meter must pay the meter and abide by the time limit. and public consultation. One suspects that after-the-fact “Disability placard is only good to park in the “marked/ consultation will happen now that many people are up in signed disability spots.â€? arms over an undemocratic process. Our senior didn’t think this amateurishly drafted note was The loss of free parking for handicapped drivers and mila very professional way to inform the public. itary veterans will place pressure on the city for more meWhat the note neglected to say was the bylaw passed ters designated for their use. through council on June 11 and will become effective Oc- Yours Truly recalls observing 10 or 12 years ago many tober 1. handicapped meters were rarely used. That has changed. Yours Truly went back almost a year in city council Finding a vacant handicapped meter has become difficult. agendas to see when and where this parking meter by- When the handicapped meter no pay process was in2018 law change originated and when and where, if there was, stalled, council, out ofSeptember respect for veterans12, and the current was the public consultation — finding no mention of this military base in Moose Jaw, decided to extend the bylaw change or any public notice/consultation. to drivers with veterans’ plates. The transportation services advisory committee had dis- Removing the veterans’ privilege can be taken as a mercecussed other changes and did an online survey on them. nary show of disrespect.The city has 514 parking meters 2018 F-150 Lariat SuperCrew $64,587 An e-mail to the city indicated no one in the city knew but has no count on the number designated for handiwhere the bylaw originated, although Coun. Chris Warren capped driver use. This 2018 Ford F-150 Lariat Supercrew comes with $9,900 Nominate Moose Jaw’s ofofSignificanceâ€? is quoted in one media as saying the meter change was“Tree an Each those city meters averaged $1,478 last year for in dealer installed accessories. This truck normally retails for $77,751.36, but until Sept 30th, you can save over oversight in updating the old traffic bylaw. almost $760,000. By that count, and my estimate of 30 $13,000 with our ‘Better Than Employee Pricing’ sale! Apparently, the city lawyer drafting the bylaw used a designated meters, the city would gain $45,000, unless Hurry in today or give me a call! Weyburn bylaw as the model. Some cities are adopting drivers choose to shop where the parking is free. bylaws require drivers with handicapped designation Choosing free parking the high-taxed downJaw – Inthat commemoration of National Tree Day and National Foresthurts Week, the City of veterans to Recreation pay the parking meter fee. town. aw’sand Park and Department wants to recognize trees of significance in Moose The oversight shows one or two matters of concern for this politically-sensitive issue. Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net moosejawfordsales.com â—† 1010 North Service Road One: everybody on council or senior administration must
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’s official National Tree Day is Wednesday, September 26, 2018, an annual event held Wednesday of National Forest Week (September 23-29). National Tree Day will serve as a ion for all Canadians to appreciate the great benefits that trees provide us - clean air, abitat, reduced energy demand and a connection with nature.
Tree of Significance Nominations Open to September 19th, 2018
a tree in Moose Jaw that you feel other residents should know about? Let us know why the tree is special:
“A people without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless.� cause of its size and shape? Theodore Roosevelt (1907)
have a historical significance? Moose Jaw is abundant with beautiful trees to grace
our landscape. This year’s nominations for Moose Jaw’s “Tree of Significance� are open until Septemre species for this region? ber 19th by filling out a nomination form available at the City’s website, www.moosejaw.ca or from the sualParks or interesting some way? & Recreation in office. In Commemoration of National Tree Day and National Forest Week, the annual event serves as a minated should be accessible to the celebration for all Canadians to appreciate the great ch as in front yards, public orair, wildlife habbenefits that trees provide: clean nal spaces. itat, reduced energy demand and a connection with nature. Trees nominated should be accessible to the view,available as in front yards, public or institutional spaces. ion public formstoare on the City’s website, www.moosejaw.ca or from the Parks & If you have a special tree that is significant, let the community know why you think so. on office. Complete the Nomination form and return it to the Parks & Recreation * Is it because of its size and shape? ent*by September 19, 2018. Does it have a historical significance? * Is it a rare species for this region? Is it unusual interesting in some way? and the winning tree will be announced on be *judged onorthe criteria supplied Trees will be judged on the criteria supplied and the winning tree will be announced on September 26, 2018 – Naber 26, 2018 – National Tree Day. tional Tree Day.
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TUESDAY, OCT. 2, 2018 – 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24, 2018 – 7 PM
MAE WILSON THEATRE AT THE MOOSE JAW CULTURAL CENTRE
Tickets at the MJCC Box Office and online at www.moosejawculture.ca For information call 306-693-4700.