\t\t\tJoe Zuken for mayor<\/p>\n
Re: More mayoral candidates would mean more ideas<\/a> (Editorial, July 14)<\/p>\n Absolutely, elections matter and, as the Free Press editorial states, \u201cWinnipeg deserves an election that matches the seriousness of the challenges before it.\u201d<\/p>\n And yes, \u201cThe mayor sets the tone at city hall \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n So, given the dearth of serious alternatives running against the incumbent, let me propose the following: a write-in campaign for Joe Zuken.<\/p>\n Sure, given electronic ballots the \u2018write-in\u2019 bit will take some finessing \u2026 details, details. Most likely a vote for Joe would appear as a spoiled ballot, but that would still allow Winnipeg voters to register their frustration and disappointment with the shameful boondoggles we\u2019ve been subject to for the last four years.<\/p>\n Coun. Joe Zuken served first on the school board and was then elected to city council in 1961, representing the North End. He fought for public housing, public hospitals and in general, for the poor and disenfranchised. In 1969 he won unanimous support for changes to Winnipeg\u2019s Tenant Act, including the establishment of a landlord\/tenant review board, restrictions on eviction notices, and improvements to tenants\u2019 privacy rights.<\/p>\n Widely respected, he exemplified serious intent and competence. Joe Zuken ran for mayor in 1979 and garnered 18 per cent of the vote; we could beat that with a write-in campaign. Joe left us too soon, dying in 1986 at age 73.<\/p>\n I\u2019m imagining a boisterous campaign launch at Joe Zuken Heritage Park in the North End, with families in attendance and with all of the wonderful diversity that makes up our city today. Winnipeg deserves better \u2014 Joe Zuken for mayor!<\/p>\n Sig Laser<\/p>\n Winnipeg<\/p>\n Lack of analysis is telling<\/p>\n Re: Manitoba lost $40M in unpaid medical bills<\/a> (July 15)<\/p>\n I can\u2019t help question the motivation of SecondStreet.org, the Alberta-based think tank\u2019s freedom of information request and contact with the media regarding unpaid medical bills. I fear it\u2019s intended to stir up anger.<\/p>\n The comments from the interest group lacked balance. We don\u2019t get to decide who \u201cdeserves\u201d health care and we are not always going to feel great about all taxpayer-funded expenditures.<\/p>\n Personally, I wonder how $8 million annually compares to other expenditures, such as the costs to treat people (Canadians) for conditions which could have been prevented by vaccines? Or treat injuries sustained by people (Canadians) not wearing seatbelts or helmets? This could go on forever.<\/p>\n The proposed solutions are impractical and expensive. How do we confirm the validity of proof of insurance at border crossings and medical facilities? Who will pay for the staff required? Where will this confirmation occur and how will it impact the timeliness of border crossings and provision of treatment (for all people)? How will it impact Canadians travelling to other countries after the same requirements are placed on us? Never mind the complexities of the \u201cbanned\u201d list.<\/p>\n I also wonder about Canadians\u2019 unpaid medical bills outside Canada. I suspect we are just as guilty as \u201cthem.\u201d<\/p>\n This organization has the capacity to do a basic cost-benefit analysis and I wonder why they felt the need to share the information without including any analysis. We really don\u2019t need anyone winding up the outrage machine with incomplete narratives.<\/p>\n Michelle Burdz, Winnipeg<\/p>\n A windy solution?<\/p>\n Re: Gone with the wind?<\/a> (July 11)<\/p>\n Julia-Simone Rutgers has written a fine article about the subject of wind power.<\/p>\n I am very much in favour of using more wind power to generate electricity, but it is concerning to hear the size and scale of the proposed wind farms, and that it may be difficult to live in close proximity to them.<\/p>\n I wonder if reducing the height of the towers would help the situation, since in most ways, the area is very suitable?<\/p>\n It\u2019s sad that Manitoba has been so slow to implement wind technology. We should have been having these conversations years ago.<\/p>\n Marlene Beaty, Winnipeg<\/p>\n Firearms protest puzzling<\/p>\n Re: Gun owners rally at city hall<\/a> (July 14)<\/p>\n I am puzzled by the comments offered by attendees at the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights rally.<\/p>\n One person suggests the gun policy will \u201ctake away freedom\u201d and that gun ownership is an \u201cessential right.\u201d<\/p>\n Raquel Dancho, MP for Kildonan\u2013St. Paul, said that the policy targets \u201cfamily artifacts and heirlooms\u201d and that owning guns is part of the \u201cCanadian identity.\u201d<\/p>\n Admittedly, I don\u2019t have a clear understanding of Bill C-21 and the gun buyback policy, but I am at a loss to understand how military-style assault weapons could be family heirlooms, or an essential right, or even be necessary to hunt for food.<\/p>\n My idea of Canadian identity and freedom is being able to live without the fear of being killed by the gunfire of a criminal or paranoid person. This seems to happen daily in the United States, with their professed \u201cright to bear arms.\u201d<\/p>\n Annette Lowe, Winnipeg<\/p>\n Gordie was good in the corners<\/p>\n