Sound Off -- April 30, 2012

Lack of communication is the real issue

I would like to further reiterate my comment from the April 13 in Sound Off entitled, “We Have A Voice” about the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation chief and council. It was meant as constructive criticism of the way business was conducted for the last two years under the leadership of the re-elected Chief Vince Tacan. Obviously, the community at large approved of the divisive motives we were under since 2010. The chief and council did not accomplish anything tangible during this period of time. Even his message of getting close to signing off on the final self-government agreement is just a ploy to deflect the real issues.

Band office not responsible enough

I’m from Canupawakpa Dakota Nation and I am outraged by all the decisions Chief Frank Brown is making. I really didn’t care about the small time reserve politics before, but now that the chief took Canupawakpa out of DOTC. I do now. I’m sorry to say but our people are not the kind who save up for college and post-secondary education when a child is born and we can thank residential schools for that. But my point is that now that Canupawakpa is out of DOTC our future and our children’s future went down the drain. DOTC sponsored our community members to go and get post-secondary training or to go out and have a second chance at obtaining a GED.

Help is out there

My girlfriend and I have been involved with the Women’s Resource Centre for a number of years now and can’t stress enough the good works they do! Regarding James O’Connor column, “Buy Hook Or Buy Crook?” in the April 21 paper: rarely are women so publicly humiliated and in print to boot. Most abusers unfortunately abuse their spouses in the privacy of their own homes. We strongly urge any and all women whether suffering humiliation publicly or privately contact the Women’s Resource Centre at 726-8632.

Here’s your sign

Hey you, ya you! I am talking to you — you, the people who break into people’s homes and vehicles. Are you so stupid not to realize how people got those things you are stealing. They got them by working and earning money. Why don’t you do the same too and stop trying to get things the lazy way? And secondly, are you so stupid not to figure out that you are going to get caught? And when you are, you are going to get your picture all over the newspaper. When that happens, you might as well have a sign on your forehead saying, “Hey look at me, I am not only stupid — I am also lazy.” That is what I think of when I turn the page and see a picture of a person who has broken into someone’s home and stolen something.

Good call, feds!

You got one right when you refused a million dollars for the special interest group that wants to restore the Strand Theatre. Let’s hope the provincial and the city governments also respect our tax dollars and don’t put any more of it into that money pit. It doesn’t matter which level of government puts money there, it all began as ours and I don’t want mine spent there. Give us some decent streets instead.

FOLKIES HAVE TO KNOW WHEN THE MUSIC’S OVER

Good on the folk festival group for trying to do something with the old Strand Theatre. But it looks like their efforts have been in vain. So they have to understand that and let it go. They can reapply, but from what we’ve read, the original business plan looks unrealistic. The city has already “bet” $100,000 and apparently lost on the chance that millions in government funds for the arts centre would come through. It’s time for builders and business people to consider other things to do with that property. The old Strand — we’ll miss you. But to us, it’s not as precious as the historic Dome Building at the Keystone.

Not in my lifetime

In the report by Mr. Mahood of the Department of Highways to Brandon city council, regarding the 20- to 25-year plan for the two entrances off the Trans-Canada Highway into Brandon, this is no plan. It is nothing more than a dream. We are a growing city and 60 per cent of us will be dead by the time this is done. Then there are the new bridges on 18th Street you were way over budget on. One year after finally completing them, you had to put red danger signs up because the approaches are sinking! Did you ever hear of guaranteed work? A shakeup in your department is obviously in order and the sooner the better.

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition April 30, 2012