Tait@noon - a parting gift for Mayor Mandel - UPDATED WITH PICTURES

In many ways, the time seems right.

 Stephen Mandel announced just seconds after 11 a.m. Tuesday he will not run for a fourth term. Now, the downtown arena project is set in stone, thanks to last week’s city council ratifying the agreement, Mandel feels it’s time to retire.

Maybe, he doesn’t have the strength — physically and mentally — for another monumental project, namely the downtown arena project.

But he’s 67. It’s time, perhaps, for him to share some time with his family. Maybe travel. Or walk in Edmonton’s river valley, look all around him, and feel the pride of the city help build.

Mandel goes out on top, with many wanting him to run for another term — one he’d probably win.

The big question now is who will guide Edmonton come fall when the next civic election rolls around.

But let’s not worry about that today.

Let’s celebrate and honor a man who has shared his vision with us; a man who has shown compassion, toughness and boldness.

Mandel deserves a parting gift, something that will mirror his work as mayor.

Maybe, a new road around the downtown arena. Call it Mandel Way.

Because that’s how he made Edmonton grow. 

Cam 'N Eggs - May 21 - Celebrating Canadian hockey in the spring ... or not?

Maybe, it’s time Hockey Canada re-considered  Canadians participating in the World Hockey Championships.

The maple leaf hasn’t blown in the medal round since 2009 when Lindy Ruff was head coach. The magic didn’t reappear this spring: Ruff, axed from the Buffalo Sabres earlier this season, guided the Canadians to a fifth-place finish in Stockholm.

Fifth place, eh? Same result as last year.

But, we’re Canadians. Hockey is our game. We can do better.

Can we though, really?

The Canadian roster is players from teams who don’t make the National Hockey League playoffs.

Excuses for a sub-par performance don’t cut it. But perhaps the condensed NHL season took its toll on the Canadian players.

Not a very strong argument: eight NHL teams are still fighting tooth and nail in the post-season.

Maybe the World Championships could to re-scheduled to end of June so the Stanley Cup Champions could ... Fat chance, right?

We need a new approach. Finding that right approach is certainly easier said then done.

Canadians should not accept failing to make  the medal round for three years and counting.

Canadians deserve to celebrate a major hockey championship when it counts the most — in the spring.

The lone Canadian team left in the Stanley Cup won a thriller Sunday, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in double overtime

The Ottawa Senators won it at home in the nation’s capital.

And, so, hockey in Canada is still alive.