The joys of living in Tobastan
"Despite Hydro's pause on the project, Heritage Winnipeg director Cindy Tugwell warned the utility's provincial jurisdiction would allow it to ignore city restrictions if the purchase eventually goes ahead.
"This is pivotal. It's going to be good or bad stewardship from the province," Tugwell said."
Or as Ayn Rand wrote in 1944: "Horrors which no man would dare consider for his own selfish sake are perpetrated with a clear conscience by "altruists" who justify themselves by-the common good."
It is already known that design guidelines are toothless (especially when applied to the projects of public entities), and now it seems preservation laws are equally useless to stand up to (appropriately-named) Crown Corporations.
***
Related - Dallas Hansen (who also has an article in the National Post today) at TRU Winnipeg: "Exchange District under siege (again)"
posted by The Rise and Sprawl at
12:23 PM
26 Comments:
All this anti-crown rhetoric is typical of Rob's blog, but this has nothing to do with Hydro being a crown corporation. Deregulated and private energy utilities make stupid decisions, and are, arguably, far less sensitive to communities then crowns (which have a mandate to serve the people, not just make a profit for shareholders).
Can't they build this underground? Isn't it common to put substations underground in dense city centres?
Come on comrade, it's not as if the private sector is immune from this disease. Does Trizec ring a bell?
http://westenddumplings.blogspot.com/2009/01/not-learning-trizec-lesson.html
Hydro's proposal was stupid, yes. But you're making a pretty weak link to use this boneheaded decision as an excuse to attack Crowns. It's like attacking the liquor monopoly as being uselessly bureaucratic just because they asked you for ID.
Oh wait...
http://blackrod.blogspot.com/2006/12/free-press-apology-admit-his-column.html
Crown corps good, publicly traded companies baaaaaaaad.
All the closet Marxists are coming out to graze with the rest of the herd.
Yes, what *would* we do without the MLCC? We'd have to buy our beer someplace that *isn't* a rundown hotel "vendor" or a rare, eerily uniform gov't retailer.
"Crown corps good, publicly traded companies baaaaaaaad.
"
Yeah, so no one's said that. Of course, any criticism of a private company automatically means one is anti-business and thus Marxist.
I think the big issue here is that Manitoba Hydro has given no indication that it is sincerely looking for a better solution. Contrast this crown's actions to Canada Post's statements regarding the land adjacent to Gordon Bell (they're definitely interested in a land swap if a suitable 2.5 acres of land near downtown can be found), and you'll see that there's a right way and a wrong way for a crown corporation to act, just as it is with private corporations.
Several actions by Manitoba Hydro over the past few years have shown a real lack of public accountability. When crown corps misbehave, they need to be reined in by the government and reminded that they are meant to serve the public good.
That's like the fox watching the henhouse Regan.
Rob: Why do you advertise for the morons at Tru? Seriously, could Jim and Dallas have made larger asses of themselves?
I'm with Katz on this one. While the TRU blogpost about Brennan is hilarious, the ad hominem attacks totally undermine any credibility that they might've have on that issue. (Besides, how can you tell from a low-res shot that Brennan isn't wearing a Brioni suit?)
Do yourself a favour Rob, stop trying to be a good guy and distance yourself from those clowns. They will only drag you down along with them.
Just to clarify the point of this entry, because it seems the first couple of commentators misunderstood:
This post was to point out that Hydro (according to Heritage Winnipeg) would be able to over-ride any municipal heritage laws, by virtue of the fact that they are a Provincial crown corporation.
If a private company wanted to knock down three buildings protected by local heritage laws, they would not be allowed to. The City could say no. To Hydro, apparently, they could not.
Whose side are you on zubaz? Or are you a just mad becuase you're a hick slob just like Brennan?
you bitches take this blog shit far to seriously. get a life losers. rob hates you all.
Hey "kid zubaz" where's your website? Where are your published works? That's what I thought. Easy to trash talk when you're on the sidelines, but when you're not in the game it's because you wouldn't make the cut.
If the buildings were classified as Grade 1's they would not be able. Provincially, federally or otherwise.
Their Permits would not be granted. based on the bylaw, unless the City allows it to proceed.
Thats how its written but hey, anything goes considering the Eatons building and WHRA site were dropped with hardly a protest by anyone with authority.
All Grade 2's and 3's are open to demolition with only facades remaining. Argue all you like, but that's the bylaw.
Kid Zubaz and everyone else attacking the tru article, lighten up!
I didn't realize blogging was such serious business. You guys are acting as if this writing was published in the New York Times. A blog is a public journal to place your honest thoughts on the issues that surround your life. If you're going to get in a huff about someone joking about a public figure's attire, stick to reading boring, mainstream media.
When someone with major decision-making power is dreaming up egotistical plans to destroy a priceless artifact that defines our city he deserves to be made fun of.
Some would say, "well it's just one building who cares?" In Winnipeg it never stops with one, there are always more that are on the demolition list.
That building means something to me and many others in Winnipeg. I did my first photo shoot in that studio(which instigated many to come after that), absorbed the culture of countless local art-shows and company of young peers celebrating their talents. Just it being there and part of our historical exchange district that helps makes Winnipeg a special space means something to Winnipeggers who care about human culture.
It would be a shame if future generations of young, creative Winnipegers didn't have places like this in a city that is gaining more big box stores, and becoming more void of cultural hubs.
Is it so awful to make one funny about this guy who obviously looks just doesn't get it? If you want to put your critiszing sentiments towards someone don't attack Dallas, put it towards Bob Brennan.
Before you guys start attacking Dallas without even personally knowing him take some logical time to think about his intentions. I know Dallas very well, and he loves this city more than you can imagine. He has volunteered countless hours of his time and thought into trying to make Winnipeg a better place for everyone. You may not agree with all of his positions, but how many of you have started your own group to promote urbanism and public transit, frequented city planning meetings trying to educate city planning officials, stayed up all night researching hundreds of books and articles to compose pieces on good planning and much more. (Oh, and I musn't forget props to others like Rob and Jim who have also volunteered there time and efforts)
He may have different politcal views than you that you don't like to hear, but when it comes to urbanism, he knows what he's talking about, so take the time to listen and learn.
Do you know how I know? Before I met Dallas I didn't understand urban planning as I had never spent real time living in a lively urban environment. The past couple of years though, I have travelled and lived in most of the major North American cities. Everything he preached about I have seen working first hand. All his ideas about what makes a city work like mixed use, historic buildings, public transit, small businesses, sidewalks are true.
No text book, professor or hacked ideas by city officials can make you understand this stuff. You've got to experience it yourself. You won't understand the priceless pleasures of urban communities until you've lived above a store and have had your window provide you more entertainment than a TV. Until you walk a mere block and realize that you've just bought your groceries, a falafal, a bucket of paint, a bottle of wine, and a new shirt all from independent businesses and saw three people you knew along the way.
When I really think about it, Dallas' commentary on that picture is comedic. That photo of Bob Barron is simply a symbol of his understanding of the riches of city life; it's non-existant, in fact so much that it's the opposite of urban; it's rural. (Not that there is anything wrong with rural communities, but they are very different, I mean no farmer would want me to make major decisions when it would come to planning a farm.)
The point is, it's a shame that in Winnipeg most of the people who make the big-decisions towards planning our city have no clue what a city should be like.
--DM
Eloquent defense, DM. I thought Dallas' critique of Brennan was funny, but ultimately off base and counterproductive.
There is enough in Hydro's actions to criticize without resorting to pointless ad hominem attacks. If you want to be Howie Mandel, don't expect people to take you seriously.
Thanks. Yet I also believe not all great ideas and points come from academic and serious sources. Many philosophies have been born through wit and humour, a little story called "Candide" seems to come to mind...
--DM
The thing about Dallas (and Jim) is that their knowledge and good urban ideas are often buried within personal attacks, an unwillingness to engage others constructively, and general anti-social behaviour that detracts from their more reasoned arguments. Often, one differing opinion with them means that you are reduced to "anti-urban slobs" without any possible contribution to make. It's the seeing of the world in stark black and white that makes them difficult to deal with, and their ideas thus lost amidst the name-calling and insults.
Anonymous,
I will agree with you that I personally don't find personal attacks to be very useful when engaging in debate. Not really my style.
I have read many of Dallas' internet posts on all different types of forums throughout the past 3 years(not my idea of a good time as I find cyber-debate a frusterating task, yet it pops up from time-to-time) and most of what he says is articulate and well-mannered.
Yet, when it comes to this blog and most Winnipeg related forums he goes off a bit. I'm not defending these attacks as previously said about my sentiments for them as I believe two wrong don't make a right. Unforunately though, I assume a large part of comments coming from this blog are from individuals who post in a forum called "new winnipeg".
If you, or anyone on here happened to participate in a 20+ page thread a couple years ago that likened it's self to a lynch mob of disgusting, gloating personal attacks to someone that was already very down, then you are not to be critiszing. (I know it may not be you, but I'm positive many people who post here were part of it) What some of you people said makes Dallas' "anti-urban slob" insult look like a Holiday Greeting and should look in the mirror at your immature, herd-like mentality. (NOT a personal attack, just an observation of your actions.) It actually kind of reminded me of grade school, where children with low self-esteem only have enough courage to pick on someone once they're already hurting to make themselves feel better
I'm not even sure why Dallas still takes the time to debate with you guys as I would have claimed exassperation long ago.
I never said anything about it on a forum so sorry for bringing up the past, but just thought it was relevant to much of the people posting on here calling Dallas immature and what-not.
--DM
I'm just tellin it like it is folks. This city is being dragged down by rubes, and that includes the so-called "urban advocates" who faithfully read this blog but get a boner at the prospect of a Bus Rapid Transit system or an ugly-ass Hydro HQ. If you can't see the contradiction in that then frankly, as they say, "if the shoe fits...."
TRU, I get the BRT beef (for different reasons ) but can you clarify the Hydro HQ beef ?
Do you have an architectural problem with it or that some people made a good chunk of change off an inventory of old tired buildings.
I also wonder about the hydro building beef, maybe a new entry or could you post a link to explain that one?
I've been critical of the tru winnipeg entry here. The thing is, when this kind of entry is made public in a place like winnipeg, it is taken to represent more than the authors. It is usually taken as the point of view of the multitude of anti-establishment groups and advocates for change. Lets' face it the MSM in this town is about as deep as a patched pot hole and most people don't question what they read in a 150 word column or 30 second segment on the evening news.
If the MLC got Dallas kicked off the Free Press and basically killed his career here in Winnipeg, can you imagine what Brennan is going to do to this chump?
Dallas, you will be living in a hole like a mole, with no electricity.
Get a life Dallas.
@ 6:45
Ah, yes indeed, the Joys of Living in Tobastan, where Masons and bikers and Marxist Big Labour form a reciprocal web of corrupt connections to rake in dirty money, while using any means necessary (illegal wiretapping, economic extortion, kidnapping, false legal accusations) to quash legitimate dissent.
Totalitarianism at its best. No wonder so many of the brightest have sought (and found) greener pastures....
@ 7:44am, you're right:
Gangsters, Unions, and (I don't know if Masons is as relevant a term as it once was), but we'll call them the Friends: posturing to one or the other (or all three, if you're keen) seems to be your only choices here.
Mr. Nobody, thank you for your insight that would help prevent further demolitions in the Exchange District.
If making all the Exchange District buildings Grade 1 heritage, then that's what Winnipeggers should shout at the highest mountains (err blogs) about.
JAJ
yw TRu, after reading the bylaw, its clear, too much effort has gone into trying to appease both sides of the argument.
I don't think the majority of peggers really give a shit one way or the other. So if there is a stand to be taken, then it should be taken.
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