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When talking to friends, we came up with a collection of observations and gripes...

Witnessing 4 motorcycle riders doing wheelies down 109 St. at 3:00am, I experienced an epiphany.  If they had an accident, my payment to health care would cover their medical bills. I would end up, in part, paying for their stupidity.  Let me rethink this.  I figure if you want to act stupid by driving fast on one wheel, skateboarding down a 30 foot rail, kayaking down a 100 foot waterfall, getting towed behind a car while on a skateboard, jumping between buildings for the sheer exhilaration, or countless other dumb things, then pay for your own medical bills.  Why cause the system to increase in costs because your brain looks like the commercial for drugs?  You know the one…the eggs are frying in the pan.

And how about the idiots that decided to light a fire and toss it in the waste can at West Edmonton Mall.  Yesterday I witnessed 3 punks (people having no klue…I know it’s spelled wrong) testing out their lighters. Now, what were they thinking…??  Not much.

Another point of interest is the West Edmonton Mall’s policy on handicap parking.  I was with a friend going to a movie at the Mall, and noticed a vehicle in the handicap parking spot…without a placard.  Typical everywhere I go.  So I approached this person and kindly asked them to leave.  Well, the response was, What for?  I am waiting for my children.  ?????  Okay.  Please park in the open spaces a few feet away.  No, I will not be long.  At that point I parked horizontal to the person’s vehicle and blocked them in.  I called for security and asked them to resolve this situation by giving the violator a ticket.  The WEM parking people came out, after the husband came out and threatened to back into my vehicle.  The WEM people asked me to move, as I could be ticketed for blocking the road!!  I was then asked for particulars of what happened.  I explained, and noticed that the offender was let go.  The next day I called WEM and spoke with the operations manager.  His comment was, they do not like to give tickets out, and that they are concerned about the reactions of paying customers!!!!  I guess handicapped people do not qualify as paying customers.  All in all, I was displeased with this response, but not displeased by the reactions of the general public that day.  While I was discussing the situation with the WEM parking people, several citizens were berating the offenders and asking them to understand the rules of conduct about Handicap Parking Stalls.  Kudos to the forthright citizens.  The response from the offenders was “so what,” flipping of the bird, and general mouthiness towards the general public.

We also heard about the cutbacks in police funding, fire service funding and more.  Let’s figure this out.  We spend money for an archway across Calgary Trail North (I know that’s not the name, but I’ve been using it for years, and don’t get me started on why the name changed).  Maybe the people from Calgary get lost looking for Old Strathcona?  Let’s spend money on a slogan change (rename City of Champions), but no Canada Day Fireworks???  Let’s beautify Sir Winston Churchill Square, and more.  What is going on? Money can be found for frivolous things (in many people’s opinion), but cut down the essentials.  Smart.  Really smart.

Going for a drive around Edmonton has become a real challenge.  I’m familiar with this city and can find alternate routes, but the poor tourist…I feel sorry for them.  We end up blocking main corridors, just so we can put new curbs on streets.  For example, Argyll Road.  The city has to block 4 lanes to put in new curbs?  How about just blocking ˝ of the street?  How about the traffic tie-up at 109 St. and Whyte? There are many locations around town that are inconvenienced and are a nightmare for tourists.  Edmonton has a wonderful road system of potholes, but we need those curbs!!!

Now, we all love this city, but you have to wonder sometimes what our council is thinking, or for that matter, what the city managers are doing.  I love this city of festivals (but that’s another topic). 

Enjoy the weather, the roads, and be courteous of others in your travels through Edmonton.

“June showers bring July flowers!!”