Sound Off — Dec. 19, 2011

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2011 (5424 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Were you complaining 35 years ago, too?

To the person who wrote in about the spandex shorts that the girls volleyball teams are wearing. Where have they been? Thirty-five years, ago we were all wearing terry cloth shorts that probably were tighter fitting than the what these girls are wearing now. Really — you don’t have enough to complain about?

Tax increase more worrisome than snake photos

While I am sure that issues such as snake pictures and people not using their turn signals are of major importance to some people, I think the pending 19 per cent average property tax increase — a combination of the provincial assessment conducted for the city and the city’s own increased mill rate — should at least deserve equal billing as something to complain about. After all it affects all of us. This proposed increase is unaffordable by most citizens. While most of us probably recognize an increase beyond inflation is required to sustain services and pay for the fire and police stations, it is incomprehensible to believe why a 19 per cent increase is necessary.

Financial avalanche

Since the provincial election in the fall, we’ve heard little from the NDP government. Except now, maybe hoping it will go unnoticed with all the Christmas activity going on, Finance Minister Stan Struthers has been letting out hints of a looming financial disaster for the province. Manitoba’s deficit is expected to hit $989 million this budget year and the NDP is trying to blame it on the flood. Don’t believe it. This was a long time coming. We’re being set up for some huge tax increases, people.

Free advertising?

On the front page of the Dec. 16 Brandon Sun, Matt Goerzen states that the cigarettes sold at the Chundee Smoke Shop are federally stamped for sale but not stamped for legal sale in Manitoba. My question is, why is the Brandon Sun supporting the illegal activities of the Great Buffalo Nation by running news stories that essentially act as advertising stating the location and times that non-native residents can buy their illegal smokes?

Get over it — life goes on

Do you ever come across former co-workers who were fired? It’s always so awkward. It’s even worse if they continue to carry a chip on their shoulder long after they were let go. I know one person who holds a grudge to this day against all of us in the plant and it has been at least 10 years since it happened. And she has gone on to work in a few other places! C’mon, it’s Christmas, cheer up!

It’s all good

Re: “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas.” To the lady who left her parcels on the counter — whatever happened to being a good Christian? All that did was get the clerk upset. You know, people should be able to say whichever greeting they wish. There is no controversy there. That lady I think was a little too hasty. I know around Christmas people get upset easily, but she upset people, too. Where is the Christianity in this lady? It is not “us” versus “them.” If you want to say “Merry Christmas,” say it — if you want to say “Happy Holidays,” then say that.