The Jameson | 53.95m | 17s | Open Sky | Acton Ostry

[David A]

Personally I find he has a tendency of just stiring the pot of things he disagrees with under the veil of "just asking questions". All his content is built on the premise of having his position and almost avoiding investigating why things may be done that way or limitations to Edmonton's responsibilities or powers.

Maybe questions should sometimes be ask or problems highlighted. Are we just supposed to pretend this hole in the ground is fine and everything here is great, just because the messenger doesn't correspond to someone else's political view?

 

[Blizzard]

It's not about not asking the question. Having an open pit like this is terrible and embarrassing. It's about not purposefully misrepresenting the facts. You'll notice that everything Mr. Watson says is  technically correct, but spun in such a way that the City looks like they went out of their way to do things wrong. And the audience that eats this stuff up does not have the necessary background knowledge, context, nor the ability to get those things. Mr. Watson is what happens when YEGWave runs for Council and loses.

 

[David A]

It's not about not asking the question. Having an open pit like this is terrible and embarrassing. It's about not purposefully misrepresenting the facts. You'll notice that everything Mr. Watson says is  technically correct, but spun in such a way that the City looks like they went out of their way to do things wrong. And the audience that eats this stuff up does not have the necessary background knowledge, context, nor the ability to get those things. Mr. Watson is what happens when YEGWave runs for Council and loses.

Well if what he says is technically correct, then there is a real problem. Of course, one undeveloped site while unfortunate, is not the only or greatest problem the city has to deal with.

However, I get the sense his real crime here may be stirring the pot to much or embarrassing those who for whatever reasons haven't been able to deal with this or similar sites so far.

However, the civic election is over and there will not be one for several years, so not quite sure what else he really expects to accomplish, other than bring some attention to such problems.

So I would still say to those in our civic government, be smart and get on with fixing this and related problems, this is really the best way to make the problematic messenger go away.

 

[devobersver]

Well if what he says is technically correct, then there is a real problem. Of course, one undeveloped site while unfortunate, is not the only or greatest problem the city has to deal with.

However, I get the sense his real crime here may be stirring the pot to much or embarrassing those who for whatever reasons haven't been able to deal with this or similar sites so far.

However, the civic election is over and there will not be one for several years, so not quite sure what else he really expects to accomplish, other than bring some attention to such problems.

So I would still say to those in our civic government, be smart and get on with fixing this and related problems, this is really the best way to make the problematic messenger go away.

He's building a base to gear up for round 2.

 

[thommyjo]

Provincial election sooner. That’d be my bet.

He's building a base to gear up for round 2.

 

[MacLac]

Well if what he says is technically correct, then there is a real problem. Of course, one undeveloped site while unfortunate, is not the only or greatest problem the city has to deal with.

However, I get the sense his real crime here may be stirring the pot to much or embarrassing those who for whatever reasons haven't been able to deal with this or similar sites so far.

However, the civic election is over and there will not be one for several years, so not quite sure what else he really expects to accomplish, other than bring some attention to such problems.

So I would still say to those in our civic government, be smart and get on with fixing this and related problems, this is really the best way to make the problematic messenger go away.

I only count 3 empty lots in that area.......BFD!!!!

 

[constance_chlore]

Congratulations on a successful wetland restoration project

 

[davcocom]

Congratulations on a successful wetland restoration project

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I really cannot understand how City Council is planning on charging for Patios in DT (that actually help with vibrancy) cuz they need more money, but they're not taxing the heck out of these sites.

 

[Barnaby]

These are same people forcing private enterprise to tax bags.

 

[ADob]

Congratulations on a successful wetland restoration project

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There is a certain post-Apocalyptic charm to it, isn't there? Like those photos of abandoned buildings in the middle of the jungle.

 

[archited]

To all Edmontonian apologists just think of this as an (arguably more interesting design) inverted 6-storey that has absolutely annihilated surface parking and has caused downtown to become more densified (elsewhere).

 

[David A]

I really cannot understand how City Council is planning on charging for Patios in DT (that actually help with vibrancy) cuz they need more money, but they're not taxing the heck out of these sites.

The most obvious answer that comes to mind is because they are idiots. Perhaps a better and longer answer is the small businesses that have these patios can't easily fight back and don't fund their election campaigns like larger companies that pull this type of crap.

 

[fromyeg]

I believe the money for the patios previously came from the funds from photo radar. (Source: I heard it on Taproot.) It was part of an effort to improve streetscapes.

UCP curtailing photo radar meant a loss of millions to the city that was spent on improving our streets, making them safer and more enjoyable.

If you want to blame anyone, blame Devin Dreeshen.

 

[MakeYEGGreatAgain]

So the City is using the program of photo radar to generate revenue and not to prevent speeding. That is the reason why the provincial government yanked the program.

Bottom line, the City should encourage more business activity and not charge crazy money to small businesses who are activating the dead streets.

City council is all messed up!!

 

[fromyeg]

So the City is using the program of photo radar to generate revenue and not to prevent speeding. That is the reason why the provincial government yanked the program.

Bottom line, the City should encourage more business activity and not charge crazy money to small businesses who are activating the dead streets.

City council is all messed up!!

I shouldn’t be spending the time writing to respond this (feeding the troll) but here we go.

Two things can be true at the same time.

1) Photo radar reduces speeding and crashes and road deaths. This is cannot be reasonably argued against. The literature/evidence is robust.

Also a real life example in Edmonton: photo radar was curtailed and rates of speeding and roads deaths subsequently increased.

2) Funds generated from photo radar (money collected from people breaking the law and making our streets less enjoyable and more dangerous) were used for initiatives to improve street safety and design and screetscapes (in this instance, patios.)

Now those funds are gone.

Programs like the patio program cost money.

Feel free to argue that the money should come out of general revenues (ie “property taxes”), but recognize that the only reason this discussion is happening and restaurants are having to pay for their patio space is because of decisions made by the UCP.