A focus on civics – and a look at his new book – brings Don Woodstock back to TGCTS for Episode 48. There’s lots of ideas, opinions and observations on tap!
Part 1- Don was among the few Winnipeg residents who actually went to one of the city’s “Information Sessions” about the five proposed sites for new supportive housing projects. With good reason, the Property and Development Committee adjourned the Public Hearing to get more details.
As Woodstock explains, the fact his questions would not be answered by provincial representatives who would actually be making decisions about the site populations and service providers, was just one of many good reasons to hit the brakes rather than ram approval through.
He insists that renovating and revamping existing buildings makes way more economic and administrative sense than handing over city-owned “surplus” properties whose value has never been measured on the open market.
21.35 Part 2- Woodstock and his wife each have experience as Transit drivers. Hear why he thinks that the new plan for Community Safety Officers to handle fare enforcement is a smoke-and-mirrors charade to prop up the CSO program instead of hiring actual police. “They have no authority whatsoever.”
Between the ongoing safety issues and the disastrous new schedules and routing system, Woodstock says it’s proof that City Hall doesn’t listen to the public and has created dangerous conditions for folks who rely on riding a bus to get to and from work, school and social events.
“The real conversation is how Uber has increased their ridership” as a result of people being stranded.
44.30 Part 3- Don Woodstock’s new book “Unrelenting” is discussed. It’s available at donwoodstockunrelenting.com
He tells his story about growing up in Jamaica, the influence of his grandfather, his commitment to environmental issues, and how he created the momentum for legislative changes to restrict the use of plastic shopping bags. He makes a pitch for ramping up manufacturing of electric buses while noting “the politics is so depressing” undercutting economic development and employment opportunities.
“A welfare cheque is not an income, it’s a tax on all of us. People need the capacity to earn a real income.”
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Coming up – another interview with a candidate in the Elmwood- East Kildonan by-election. Four down, three to go!
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From the pages of the Winnipeg Sun- Marty Gold’s most recent columns have continued to break news and stir up conversations:
Sept 17- Considering that city councillors had just given voice to valid complaints that Transit officials were at the same busy labeling myths, a woman named A.M. drew the correct conclusion. “This is actually the weirdest, most manipulative document city hall has put out.”
Riders push back as City plays ‘misinformation’ card to dismiss Transit complaints
Sept 21- It’s becoming a pattern that when citizens raise their voices about Gillingham’s policies and proposals, we’re told those people don’t matter- because they’re repeating “misinformation”.
Democracy proves inconvenient to Gillingham’s plan for Supportive Housing sites
Sept. 24- “I’m convinced that the real reason why progress is so slow,” said the source, “is because there is so much money to be made by doing absolutely nothing while congratulating yourself for how virtuous you are by protecting someone’s “right” to ignore the rules the rest of society are obliged to respect.”
Entitlement, poor results undermine trust in homelessness agency’s success claims
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