It is time again to share some opinions on a variety of topics:
Thank you to the four members of city council who decided to retain Crescent Park as an ornamental and passive park, rather than as a speedway for pooches and cyclists.
Coun. Chris Warren argued passionately for leashed dogs and cyclists to roam through the park, based on the argument that parks in other cities allow such activities without major incidents. He also spoke about the idea of increased use of the park and the promotion of health and wellness, getting exercise while cycling and walking the dogs.
However, even more eloquent was Coun. Heather Eby who pulled no punches in speaking against dogs in the park, suggesting she wouldn’t want to picnic where a dog had recently peed on the grass. Nor did she buy the argument that dog owners always scoop the poop left behind by their animals.
She said there is evidence all over town that not all dog owners are conscientious about scooping, and even in the dog parks, the poop goes uncollected.
And so dogs lost, and so did cyclists. They are welcome elsewhere in the city but not in Crescent Park. While some will say Moose Jaw residents are too entrenched in the olden days, most people I’ve talked to are satisfied that council made the correct decision.
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The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre was rocking recently with the return of Megan Nash to the local stage — bringing with her Scotch & Water — not at the bar, but on stage.
Scotch & Water is a band she met on a tour of Germany and through conversations a tour of Canada was arranged. Of course Moose Jaw was on the schedule and the audience in the Mae Wilson theatre was energetic and appreciative of the many musical influences represented on stage.
The highlight of the evening was hearing Nash perform her new and her familiar songs, as well as some cover music during the 2 1/2 hour show. Over the years she has grown as a performer and is at ease on stage, keeping the audience laughing and nodding in approval at her stories and her music.
After the concert, one could only hope she will be back soon, perhaps with another band she’s met along the path of her musical tours.
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Does Canada need a 40-day federal election campaign? I suppose it could go on for years at a time as it does in the United States, but I am sure others join me in already being tired of the political baffle gab that was under way even before the prime minister and governor general met for tea.
Some will suggest Canada is such a vast country that it takes 40 days and 40 nights to crisscross the land to spread the message — and that long for one or more of the leaders to get caught with foot-in-mouth disease.
This is, however, possibly the first time an election campaign had a shot gun start even before the campaign started.
I should conclude by saying: “may the best party win” but the best party for whom?
One can only hope that some of us will be happy when we arise on Oct. 22.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
