Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2012 (5005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Wishing Henry the best of luck

Re: Sept. 29 article on Mr. Henry Lawrence. I, too, was a victim of the big insurance company (pre-existing clause). I call it escape from paying compensation clause, and they use it to their advantage. I was hit on the left shoulder on a pedestrian walk by a car that did not stop. I was thrown to the ground, broke my right arm, hit on the head, was knocked out and had a concussion. Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) confirmed the above injuries. When my right arm was 60 per cent healed, I went to physiotherapy. While at therapy, I told my therapist I could not do some of the exercises she wanted me to do, so she requested an MRI. The results of the MRI showed a massive tear to the left shoulder rotator cuff and my doctor assumed it was caused by the accident and was irrepairable. Now I never had any problems with my arms or shoulders prior to the accident. I had my doctor for more than 35 years go back to my health history records and he found nothing on my arms or shoulders. His letter was presented to MPI, but MPI’s doctor said it was pre-existing. Guess who won? You guessed it — MPI. Their decision was the accident enhanced the pre-existing problem. I hope Mr. Henry Lawrence wins his battle.

Where are the inspectors?

I get a stern warning from a Brandon police constable for a burned-out turning light, but as we speak, these jacked-up monster trucks are speeding down the street! How can those highly modified pickup trucks be street legal? They are so high my little compact would fight nicely underneath one in an accident. Why aren’t the authorities clamping down on those noisy, dangerous beasts? Especially the ones who tamper with the exhaust systems?

An all-year project?

I wonder if the day will come when the construction on Van Horne Avenue leading into Douglas Street will be completed. I believe it was started sometime in the early summer or late spring and looks as if it may not be completed before winter. There have been various times nobody was working on the site and it wasn’t because of rain delay! It seems contractors have no concern of how their performance affects other people’s lives. Perhaps the city should look for contractors who are more responsible when contracting out their projects.

Very little thanks from customers

To those who are lucky enough to enjoy the long weekend, please be courteous to the people who do work the long weekend. It’s hard enough that some of these people are not able to spend time with their friends and family, they are sacrificing that time to work to and make sure they have enough money to pay bills feed themselves and their family. They don’t need people to be rude and snarky when they are serving them, wether from ordering at a restaurant to ringing in their items at a store. Also, please note that on a long weekend it is at least twice as busy as any other day. So, don’t bark at the people who are working hard to make your life a little more convenient. Please, be polite, ask them how their day is going or joke with them. As the saying goes, “treat others as you would have them treat you”

Merv does good

Congratulations to Merv Tweed for making the right decision regarding the Strand Project. Mr. Tweed correctly determined that there is virtually no private support in Brandon for the project, and as a result no public money should be invested in it. Bravo!

Move the lights

With winter coming, I sure hope whoever is responsible for the Winter Display of Lights uses some sense and doesn’t put the display in an area that few can see such as last years. I’d like to suggest maybe the area east of the Discovery Centre. There is a good flat area, about a good quarter-section, that could be used as it is not developed. It is flat so that people could drive through it.

Can’t fund them all

When is the premier of this broke province going to realize that public funds can’t be used to fund every special-interest group that comes along with their hand out for money. Pull your head out of the sand and start balancing the chequebook. Oh, but I forgot the NDP doesn’t know the meaning of spending only what you actually take in. Let the Strand folks find private funding.

Arts groups need public financing

Very, very few arts groups manage to achieve lofty goals without the help of government programs. That is why those programs exist. There are processes and procedures for the proponents of the projects to follow. I’m not sure is those processes include political interference by an MP of the governing party. If that money destined for the Strand Theatre doesn’t come to Brandon, it will end up in Red Deer, or Swift Current or Medicine Hat. It won’t end up elsewhere in Brandon. Why be so quick to turn away cash from this city? Give the Strand a chance.