Commentary
We Get Press Clippings – Star Phoenix Editorial on Recycling Consultation
Aug 5th
The Star Phoenix published my editorial today. In the editorial I rebutt some of the arguments made against a city-wide curbside recycling program by Cosmo Industries in their editorial from last Friday.
For a look at a good back-and-forth debate with a proponent of Cosmo’s position, have a look through the comment section of my last post (here).
Cosmo Industries, SP Editorial, My Rebuttal
Aug 3rd
The following is an editorial I submitted to the Saskatoon Star Phoenix on Friday (July 31, 2010), in response to an editorial written by Gary Nickel of Cosmopolitan Industries on the topic of recycling. No word yet from the SP if they intend to publish it or not.
Time to get serious about Recycling
It was unfortunate to read the mis-leading arguments being put forward by Cosmopolitan Industries over the current recycling debate in our city (Think beyond the “blue box”, July 30, 2010).
In their article and through their on-going information campaign, Cosmo has been presenting misleading statistics about the amount of recycling Saskatoon currently undertakes. Moreover, they continue to make the false argument that a move towards a city-wide curbside recycling system (Option 4 in the current recycling survey) would see their organization’s clients without jobs because recyclable materials would no longer be source separated.
What Cosmo fails to mention is that most curbside collection programs involve separation of recyclables by households prior to collection. Additionally, at no point has any city official or any curbside proponent suggested that a city-wide curbside recycling program would exclude Cosmo, SARCAN, or Saskatoon Curbside Recycling. Infact, our city administration has attempted over the last two More >
Saskatoon Cycles – A New Cycling Advocacy Group
Jul 25th
Over the past few months I have been spending some of my limited free time helping start-up a cycling advocacy group here in Saskatoon.
In June the group launched its website – www.saskatooncycles.org – a facebook page, and started holding bi-monthly meetings. Over the past month membership has grown to over 60 cyclists, while the regular meetings draw between 15 and 20 members.
The group is dedicated to advocating for cycling in Saskatoon through positive interactions with local decision makers. The group’s mission statement, vision statement, and priorities are listed on their website. In addition, there is a place to add your name and email to the membership list.
This past week, David Kirton of NewsTalk650 contacted the group in order to set-up an on air interview. I was able to join David on-air on Wednesday morning and spent about 5 minutes detailing what Saskatoon Cycles is about and how people can get involved.
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Council Salaries – High Enough?
Jul 13th
On the weekend the Star Phoenix published an article comparing the salaries of the Mayors and Councillors of Saskatoon and Regina.
In Saskatoon, the Mayor earns 85% of a Provincial Cabinet Minister ($112,968) and Councillors earn 45% of the Mayor ($50,836 – 1/3 tax free)).
In Regina, the Mayor earns 77% of a Provincial Cabinet Minister ($102,336) and Councillors earn 33% of the Mayor ($33,770).
The article quotes long-time Saskatoon Councillor Glen Penner (Ward and Mayor Atchison suggesting that Councillors should possibly be increased. They argue that the responsibilities required of Councillors merit recognition on the pay stub.
Of course, I’m sure if you asked all Councillors, the majority would back peddle away from any suggestion that the pay scale should be increased. It seems that nothing riles up the public more than politician’s talking about increasing their own salaries. While I agree that Council shouldn’t be directly deciding on their rate of pay, I don’t agree that it shouldn’t be discussed.
In a City the size of Saskatoon we are being under-served by a system that sees the majority of our Councillors working additional jobs in addition to their Council duties. Personally, I’d rather have each and every Councillor dedicating themselves full-time to the running More >
News And Notes: August Edition
Aug 24th
Posted by Sean Shaw in City Council
1 comment
It appears that my new job has nearly zapped my ability to keep this blog upto-date over the past weeks. In my defense it has been a relatively slow summer. So, I figured now would be a good time to dump a few municipal tidbits on whatever readers I have left:
1. Possible Municipal By-Election:
Ward 5 Councillor, and Sask Party Candidate for Saskatoon-Northwest, could possibly find himself contesting a Provincial By-election this fall. Word has it that the Sask Party would very much like to see current Saskatoon-Northwest MLA Serge LeClerc vacant his seat as early as this Fall. Such a series of events may be a long shot, as the recently turned Independent MLA has been granted a medical leave of absence from his elected duties, boarded up his offices, and is residing in Ontario, seemingly content to draw on his MLA salary until the General Election in November 2011. However, should Mr. LeClerc be “convinced” to retire, Councillor Wyant stands a good chance of retaining the seat for the Sask Party in a by-election. Wyant has already indicated that he would resign his Council seat if elected to the Legislature. If this were to happen before October 2011, the More >