I spend a lot of time out in the public. Whether it be at the grocery store or the gas station, I have readers approach me with concerns all the time. I enjoy engaging in these conversations and most of them have an opinion on matters that happen right here in our city, therefore, I've decided to voice some of my readers concerns.
The main rant out there seems to be the city's emergency system. Readers are confused with the word "emergency". They say they have received all sorts of notices from dandelion spraying to road repairs, yet when we had a severe weather warning (including tornado watch), not one notice was sent out. What the heck did we all sign up for? We were under the impression that we were signing up for an advanced warning in case of an emergency. Since when is dandelion spraying an emergency? I signed up for this alert when it was first implemented and I know on August 1, I received a notice when a severe thunderstorm watch was issued, so things are looking up (so I thought). When the rain warning was issued last weekend with a threat of flooding, once again, not one alert was sent out! Hmmmmmm.
The next highlighted issue was the intermittent paving of roads. Apparently some roads (example Coteau Avenue) are being paved one block, then one block not paved and then the next block being paved. Not only is this a disruption of traffic at different intervals, but it makes for unnecessary wear and tear on one's vehicle. I tried to explain how paving works (to my knowledge) as I have been involved in some paving decisions as a homeowner. I believe you need a certain number of signatures from homeowners involved who oppose the paving project for that area not to be paved. My readers believe that if the road needs to be repaired, it should come out of some reserve fund that is collected with our taxes and then used when necessary. That way you can't opt out, especially when the road really needs paving. If you can collect money for a new hospital fund, from homeowners who have no choice in the matter, then why can't you do it for road pavement? Hmmmm, good point.
The final one I'm going to sneak in as space permits, is the barricading of streets when the fair parade occurs. Apparently it is just expected that everyone in the city for the day is aware that there is a parade going on. Not so. We have people driving down the parade route as the parade participants are coming up the street. Normally, I would probably call these people 'idiots' but with no barricades put up to herd these drivers elsewhere, how are they to know?
There were many more concerns (especially the number of workers that accompany a repair project in the city), but I will conclude my column with these four words. Don't shoot the messenger! Fortunately, we have a new column entitled 'Mayor's Musings' (see page 9) which is a monthly column from the City of Weyburn's Mayor Debra Button. She is more than happy to address any of your concerns. These can be forwarded to the Mayor's office at City Hall.
Facebook Saying of the Week: It's a proven fact that women say twice as many words a day as men. That's because we have to repeat everything we say to them. Ha, ha.I like that one.
Pet Peeve of the Week: Wasting of time. I totally get when brain dead teenagers sleep the day away because they don't appreciate the value of time. What really 'peeves' me is when grown adults watch life pass them by by being unhappy and not living life to its fullest. These people know the value of time. Shame on you. No one else will do it for you. Get going!!!!
That's just me....let me know what you think!
