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.

Today's Timely Tune - May 17

(We love news. We love music. We try to put them together to make a point)



Councillor Kerry Diotte announced Thursday he is planning to run for the mayor's job in the fall.
Mayor Stephen Mandell was talking about Diotte's tweetng and, .. well, here you have a look.


THE NEWS

THE TUNE

Cam 'n Eggs: May 17 -The Scheetz Shuffle for a great cause

  

Radio personalities, like television anchors and newspaper columnists, have gifts. The obvious gift is their voices

And if they can tell a story, they are even more gifted.

Throughout Edmonton many members of the media have shared their talents with many charities to raise funds and awareness.

Everyone of them deserves our admiration.

They are simply driven by the genuine desire to help others and continue to make a difference.

People like CISN-FM’s Chris Scheetz. In 2002, Scheetz lived in a tractor for five days and raised more than $150,000 for drought stricken Alberta farmers.

Two years ago when town of Slave Lake was ravaged by forest fires, Scheetz asked listeners to contribute household items for people that need them. During a 48-hour period three semi-trailers were plumb full of items and rolled into Slave Lake.

Scheetz is at it again this week.

He set out to walk 250 kilometers to raise funds and awareness for Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

He’s going asking people to go online and sign up for the Drive For Life Contract: a pledge saying you will not drink and drive and will not text and drive.

For every pledge for the Drive For Life Contact, $1.00 will be contributed to MADD. The event is sponsored by Mayfield Toyota and LA Z Boy Furniture Galleries.

Scheetz started the journey Monday and headed west to Evansburg. Heturned south and went to Drayton Valley before looping back. Scheetz has walked 50 km a day.

Sometime around 4 p.m. today Blackjack’s Roadhouse in Nisku.

When he gets there news reporters might very well ask him why he embarked on such a journey.

But really, there’s no need to ask: Scheetz just followed his heart

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Time to bang the drum for Alberta's disabled

Perhaps the easy thing to do as we gather around the water cooler is to talk about the new downtown arena deal. It is the biggest story of the day, by an icing call and more.

It would also be the easy thing to do.

But, maybe starting today, some Albertans with disabilities cannot do the easy thing anymore. I am talking about people with disabilities that need to start speaking up against provincial government cutbacks.

I am one of them. And I know I have to do better.

Now over the half century mark, and with cerebral palsy, I really haven’t been a very strong advocate for my fellow brothers and sisters with disabilities.

I have gone on with my life, have been integrated in the workforce, and live in my own home in the community with services.

I am responsible for my own care and have the chance to control it.

I need to do more for others, and realize many people with disabilities are not as fortunate as I am.

There was protest Wednesday afternoon in front of the legislature from family members and people with developmental disabilities over $42 million in cuts.

They had signs and made statements because, sadly, nobody else does.

I am dating myself when I speak of the Alberta Committee of Disabled Groups of Disabled People, formed in the 1970’s. They were grass roots and were very vocal when news stories of provincial cuts to people with disabilities hit the headlines.

They are still around, known as Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities.

GARY MCPHERSON

Why haven’t we heard them bang the drum on this?

The Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities was struck in 1987, a direct tangible result from the Rick Hansen Man In Motion World Tour coming to Alberta.

What is their position on the PDD cuts? Are they planning a statement?

When Gary McPherson passed away three years ago the disabled community lost a powerful voice.

To my mind, we need a leader; we need someone, some group, to speak up to government and create meaningful discussions so all Albertans with disabilities can live with independence and dignity.

We need an unified voice.

Let’s start building that today before the provincial government does more damage.

Ideas? camtait@telus.net is my email.

Today's Timely Tune - (UPDATED STORY: 8:45 P.M. May 15

(We love news. We love music. We try to put them together to make a point.)

Photograph: SHAUGHN BUTTS, Edmonton Journal

There's a demonstration this afternoon about the government's $42 million cuts to programs supporting Albertans with disabilities.
Here is the Edmonton Journal's website story.


And here's the Timely Tune

If you have another suggestion for a song please email camtait@telus.net