Winnipeg and Regina, the two cities where I’ve spent most of life, have lots of things in common.
We are both winter cities, and most of the time we tough it out and get through it just fine. But sometimes there is an appalling lack of common sense when it comes to problems related to winter.
This season has been worse than most. Many vehicles are refusing to start if they’re parked outdoors without a block heater that’s plugged in. If it’s happened to you, I don’t have to tell you how frustrating it can be waiting endless hours for CAA to come along and give you a boost.
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere
If your only option is parking on the street, you could run an extension cord across a city sidewalk. The tall foreheads in both communities declared years ago that such a practice should not be allowed. It might pose a safety hazard. More importantly I suspect, it would enable them to fundraise by writing tickets.
It became an issue in Regina in recent years, and thanks to an unusual outbreak of common sense, the parking enforcers in the Queen city are no longer ticketing folks for running a cord across the sidewalk. Perhaps Sam Katz and Michael Fougere should chat more often.
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz
Mayor Sam was among those surprised to find out that the Winnipeg Parking Authority is still issuing such tickets with a price tag of $100. Some of them are being left on windshields after midnight. If that isn’t pure ‘fundraising’, I’m not sure what else you might call it.
The situation in Winnipeg has been made worse this year because of the heavy snow which has made it impossible for many folks to park in the back lane behind their homes.
It’s not rocket science or brain surgery, and hopefully Winnipeg will figure it out before spring, whenever that might be.
I’m Roger Currie
Winter photos by Gregory McNeill
