Listener feedback on some recent podcast topics, and a brief recap of two court decisions that embarassed the City of Winnipeg, opens Episode 36.
This first segment points towards follow-ups in upcoming episodes- such as the alarming delay of an ambulance in St. Boniface. Those may become more commonplace if the City rams through proposed bike lanes.
Marty also speaks about the passing of longtime family friend Norman Freedman, who contributed so much to our city as a social worker, volunteer and community leader.
17:39 – It’s the first TGCTS interview of the 2023 provincial election!
Last week Marty ventured to a fundraiser at the Pony Corral to meet a Progressive Conservative candidate poised to try to do the unthinkable- break the NDP hammerlock on constituencies north of the 53rd parallel.
Listeners will hear Sports Minister Obby Khan prime the enthusiastic and multi-ethnic crowd with a distinctly non-partisan message about the Conservative’s efforts to woo voters in the 16 remote communities of Keewatinook, and then hear from the candidate himself.
25:18 – Michael Birch is a newcomer to politics but no newcomer to making things happen.
Birch brings voters a resume featuring an extensive background in business development, working with First Nations communities. As the Tories look to open a new northern front in the seat-by-seat battle to win the election, Birch says, “We’re not going in this to lose!”
In a fast and fun interview, he describes his platform of reforming the “welfare dependent state” and creating economic prosperity in those remote communities by expanding mining operations. Birch also reveals his secret weapon- a campaign team that once dislodged an NDP deputy premier.
Marty assesses the Tory campaign tactics in light of polls showing a neck and neck race- do they improve the chances to upend the NDP and inch towards re-election?
** Chip in this week to ensure more great election reporting **
– Online via paypal.com/paypalme/MartyGoldMedia
38:49 Part 2- Two items under the Crime tab you’ll want to hear about:
1) A listener sent along a link to a TV news story about Premier Stefanson’s commitment for increased public safety funding for downtown. He figured Marty might have some observations. Sure thing!
How was the headline for the video misleading? Hear why the true nature of the extremist group that Winnipeg newsrooms love to platform is hardly “grassroots”.
2) Marty reads aloud an online commentary by a River Heights property owner who has had to call the cops 15 – fifteen – times this year.
“I agree with all the cameras they are putting downtown … it’s about time! But that does nothing to help Osborne Village, West Broadway, Wolseley, Crescentwood, etc.”
She went into specific shocking details you won’t believe- police response was rare and when they did show up, removing the problematic criminals was not their priority.
And this wasn’t about loitering- the cases included church, garage and car break-ins, a wanted murder suspect, and a vandal toting around a giant hammer.
“I am thoroughly disgusted with this neighbourhood and this city. The crime in River Heights/ Crescentwood is rampant!”
At the end of the episode, Marty notes who her city councilor is- John Orlikow.
A few observations are voiced about Orlikow denouncing a court ruling that will costs taxpayers $5M in damages to Gem Equities. While bureaucrats he was pressuring “were aware their conduct was unlawful and likely to cause harm to the plaintiffs”, do the facts back up his claim that his ethics and conduct in the scandal were above reproach and the court got it wrong?
In coming episodes, listeners will hear the judge’s findings about Orlikow quoted directly from her ruling, and more comments about the case – from a former city hall insider.