Letter states Drew's NDP have injected over a Billion dollars into Brandon since coming to power in this province.  
 
In it, he states progress such as ACC's partial move to North Hill, highway infrastructure improvements on 1st and 18th streets, eastern access ongoing, cancer treatment center, Brandon University, Regional Health Authority, Keystone Centre, Healthy Living, Dome Building, wastewater treatment plant, dikes, Neighborhood renewal, affordable housing, increased property tax credits, eliminated small business taxs, and so on.  
 
Nice of him to mention the real people spearheading initiatives such as the Peter's (Dome Building), Murray's, Chrest, Auriat (Murray House), Campbell's (skate park), Kille brothers (YMCA), Mazer's (Equine Ministries).  
 
I'd like to add to the list of people working for Brandon starting with Merv  
Tweed who through the federal government have financed the cancer treatment center through healthcare transfers, infrastructure highways plans, wastewater treatment, $425,000 to the Dome Building, dikes/flood mitigation, 2% GST reduction, relocation of Princess Pats to the neighborhood, and equalization payments just to name a few.  
 
Further wish to add your modest self for your efforts behind the Strand scenes with your "in" with the premier's office. Hopefully it will go a long way towards your shared dreams with Shandra, Mayor Shari, Dr. Dector and company of realizing some kind of cultural entertainment venue paid for by taxpayers and owned by some vague consortium.  
 
I'd also like to thank the people involved for the astronomical property tax increases with more on the way, all the new provincial taxes, $270,000 affordable housing initiatives. I won't mention bipole 3 as it doesn't pertain to Brandon specifically on this thread.  
 
Finally, I wish to thank eBrandon for the venue where most of the bare lies shine through the translucency in due time and process.  
 
I'm all for giving credit where credit is due.  
 
You see...Positivity and Negativity can work together to accomplish so much!  
 
Caligula  
Not NDP Anything  
 
Edited by Caligula, 2012-08-19 13:28:53

Caligula said "Letter states Drew's NDP have injected over a Billion dollars into Brandon since coming to power in this province.     In it, he states progress such as ACC's partial move to North Hill, highway infrastructure improvements on 1st and 18th streets, eastern access ongoing, cancer treatment center, Brandon University, Regional Health Authority, Keystone Centre, Healthy Living, Dome Building, wastewater treatment plant, dikes, Neighborhood renewal, affordable housing, increased property tax credits, eliminated small business taxs, and so on.     Nice of him to mention the real people spearheading initiatives such as the Peter's (Dome Building), Murray's, Chrest, Auriat (Murray House), Campbell's (skate park), Kille brothers (YMCA), Mazer's (Equine Ministries).     I'd like to add to the list of people working for Brandon starting with Merv   Tweed who through the federal government have financed the cancer treatment center through healthcare transfers, infrastructure highways plans, wastewater treatment, $425,000 to the Dome Building, dikes/flood mitigation, 2% GST reduction, relocation of Princess Pats to the neighborhood, and equalization payments just to name a few.     Further wish to add your modest self for your efforts behind the Strand scenes with your "in" with the premier's office. Hopefully it will go a long way towards your shared dreams with Shandra, Mayor Shari, Dr. Dector and company of realizing some kind of cultural entertainment venue paid for by taxpayers and owned by some vague consortium.     I'd also like to thank the people involved for the astronomical property tax increases with more on the way, all the new provincial taxes, $270,000 affordable housing initiatives. I won't mention bipole 3 as it doesn't pertain to Brandon specifically on this thread.     Finally, I wish to thank eBrandon for the venue where most of the bare lies shine through the translucency in due time and process.     I'm all for giving credit where credit is due.     You see...Positivity and Negativity can work together to accomplish so much!     Caligula   Not NDP Anything     Edited by Caligula, 2012-08-19 13:28:53"

You can never find a "like" button when you need one. Two thumbs up!

Nothing like patting your own back.

"Merv Tweed who through the federal government have financed the cancer treatment center through healthcare transfers"  
 
Healthcare spending is still directed by the province.  
 
"infrastructure highways plans,"  
 
Again, direction is given by the province on what will or won't be repaired / upgraded.  
 
"wastewater treatment"  
 
Provincial responsibility again  
 
"dikes/flood mitigation"  
 
Provincial responsibility. Nice they kicked in, though.  
 
"2% GST reduction"  
 
Nice. If they hadn't, we would still have a surplus budget.  
 
"relocation of Princess Pats to the neighborhood"  
 
Paul Martin was PM in 2004 - when the Pats moved.  
 
"and equalization payments just to name a few."  
 
So, what you're saying is that the provincial gov't made enough of a case to warrant the feds kicking in money to the projects.  
 
Sounds like you're supporting the provincial gov't in their ability to make their case to the feds on why the money should be spent here over other provinces projects that may have been rejected.

So True. I like Drew but in this case his arm also must be sore from all that back patting and adding his "dear leader mentality" to the mix .In this case it was a letter not a paid advertisement!  
 
The sooner the Province and the Feds start to concentrate on their own knittt  
 

Heading for bankruptcy like other countries. We have large amount of poverty, sickness, homeless families and the list goes on. The governments have to start cutting back at the top. Do they really need all those lunches, meetings, cars, offices. Our Mayor cut the bottled water within City Offices. Even though it is a small savings it does make a difference.

This is sort of like Peter Kent tooting his own horn for what others have done.  
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/08/08/pol-emissions-report-kent.html  

One-percenter said ""Merv Tweed who through the federal government have financed the cancer treatment center through healthcare transfers"     Healthcare spending is still directed by the province.     "infrastructure highways plans,"     Again, direction is given by the province on what will or won't be repaired / upgraded.     "wastewater treatment"     Provincial responsibility again     "dikes/flood mitigation"     Provincial responsibility. Nice they kicked in, though.     "2% GST reduction"     Nice. If they hadn't, we would still have a surplus budget.     "relocation of Princess Pats to the neighborhood"     Paul Martin was PM in 2004 - when the Pats moved.     "and equalization payments just to name a few."     So, what you're saying is that the provincial gov't made enough of a case to warrant the feds kicking in money to the projects.     Sounds like you're supporting the provincial gov't in their ability to make their case to the feds on why the money should be spent here over other provinces projects that may have been rejected. "

No, I've never had a reason to support any provincial NDP government in Manitoba or elsewhere partly due to their disability in managing/directing anything effectively or responsibly.  
 
It is nice that you recognize where the hundreds of millions of dollars come from to finance the above items plus much more.  
 
We should also be thankful to Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland for their success and contribution to Canada for without them our federal equalization transfers (welfare cheques) would be much smaller. After all, Manitoba is second only to Quebec for sucking on the federal teat.  
 
Case in point, hundreds and hundreds of millions spent by NDP(federal cash) on cancer treatment center as well as the huge addition to Brandon General Hospital....for what I ask? An ever expanding ineffective administration with no gain to delivering an increase in patient services, beds or attracting qualified professionals.  
 
This latest fiasco of revamping the RHA's to save an estimated 10 million over the next three years is just the ongoing "crock of Sh*t show ". Sorry to say but the ten million isn't even a drop in the bucket in terms of healthcare, but I suppose the smoke and mirror show fools possibly the NDP majority and makes them feel all cozy and secure while waiting years for medical procedures. As predictable, two million of the savings is already spent just converting the administration and redirecting those eliminated CEO's to other cushy jobs within the RHA. Soon we'll be down to 1/2 a drop in the bucket.  
 
Speaking of RHA's, wasn't it the NDP who created them as a way to divert public pressure to government and distance themselves from responsibility. If it wasn't...it sure has worked in their favor.  
 
So as you say, "directed by the provincial government" speaks volumes as to what kind of managers they are. They can't even get it right with all the free money coming from Ottawa, pillaging Hydro's bankroll, overtaxing the workers, overcharging MPI rates, adding new taxes, new oil drilling taxes, emergency relief funds...the list goes on and on.  
 
My prediction....we'll be closer to 2 billion in the hole by the next election. What a legacy to be proud of!  
 
I don't know how you can criticize the feds 2% GST reduction saying we'd still have a surplus budget nationally when you support the local NDP circus 2 billion looming deficit. After all and in all fairness, wasn't it Happy Jack and those other two obscure parties getting together to force the minority Conservative government into stimulus spending to artificially keep the economy rolling after world downturns? 2% would have made little difference!  
 
My latest night sweat comes from the 53 million plus collected through tax and oil leases from the southwest corner this year, yet they've abandoned the infrastructure(roads/bridges) to the point that the oil companies have and are considering turning their interests elsewhere. Atta boy Greg, hear you're scrambling now that this has come to light. Too bad you've frittered the money away and we'll be faced with even more debt fixing roads and bridges in an attempt to keep the cash cow at home.  
 
I have no preschool children, but it sure would be nice if MPI built a million dollar daycare here in Brandon too....just because they can.  
 
As far as "making the case", and looking important...don't you think Ottawa knows what we'll be getting before the hand is even extended?  
 
Dicken's....."Please Sir...I Want Some More"! Free money with few strings is addicting...isn't it?  
 
My condolences to the next party who inherits this mess and has to clean it up...surely they'll be viewed as the bad guy collectively! They'll have to think of something new as balanced budget legislation is to be scorned and rescinded!  
 
Sorry if this has expanded off the Brandon track, but feel it's all relevant to what a great job I've done.  
 
Edited by Caligula, 2012-08-21 17:42:23

I sure hope the gov't kept the receipt for the south bound 18th st bridge. There is a huge drop off when you come off the bridge and I am guessing it isn't going to get better with time...

Merv...if you're out there and can read this...please lobby Stephen Harper to appoint 3rd party managers to both Manitoba Provincial and Brandon Civic Governments before it's too late!  
 
Caligula

comedian said "Heading for bankruptcy like other countries. We have large amount of poverty, sickness, homeless families and the list goes on. The governments have to start cutting back at the top. Do they really need all those lunches, meetings, cars, offices. Our Mayor cut the bottled water within City Offices. Even though it is a small savings it does make a difference. "

Start cutting back FROM THE TOP.  
 
I know what you're getting at when you say City Hall has cut out bottled water (although wasn't the replacement somewhat pricey?)  
 
But anyway, that is not starting to cut from the top. The top is exactly what it is...THEE TOP. Cuts need to take place in every department that takes our money and spends it like it's their own.  
 
When we scream that cuts are needed, we mean from the top. When government whispers that cuts are needed, they try the scare tactics that our services will be cut.  
 
More employees need to WORK while on the clock and now is the time to stop all frivilous spending. If the TOP can't figure out what that is, many of us can help them I'm sure.  
 
I know that too many pats on the head versus kicks in the ass stunts your growth. I think too many self-administered pats on the back render the same result.  
 
Edited by Hackeda, 2012-08-21 18:14:00

Crash said "I sure hope the gov't kept the receipt for the south bound 18th st bridge. There is a huge drop off when you come off the bridge and I am guessing it isn't going to get better with time... "

There was talk of City Hall going to MIT to impress upon them the importance to get the "dips" fixed. There was mention of a safety issue also.  
 
WHAT? No action taken?  
 
Since I've seen no improvement on this bridge, me thinks no one at City Hall or MIT know which "dip" needs fixing first and yet they don't dare ask us

Hackeda said "    Crash said "I sure hope the gov't kept the receipt for the south bound 18th st bridge. There is a huge drop off when you come off the bridge and I am guessing it isn't going to get better with time... " There was talk of City Hall going to MIT to impress upon them the importance to get the "dips" fixed. There was mention of a safety issue also.     WHAT? No action taken?     Since I've seen no improvement on this bridge, me thinks no one at City Hall or MIT know which "dip" needs fixing first and yet they don't dare ask us "

As long as the subject is raised...didn't that bridge cost twice as much from the original 17 million and take twice as long to build? The letter's author must have forgot to include that in list of accomplishments. So glad the honorable member elect from Brandon East did such a fantastic job building roads on 1st and 18th streets while neglecting 1st street bridge and all other provincial roads imploding within Brandon.

Comparing Manitoba and Quebec and the other provinces regarding provincial income tax rates and reliance on Equalization Payments  
 
http://www.winnipegsun.com/2012/08/20/some-provinces-more-equal-than-others  
 
This should work better  
 
Edited by beefer39, 2012-08-21 20:12:04

beefer39 said "Comparing Manitoba and Quebec and the other provinces regarding provincial income tax rates and reliance on Equalization Payments     http://www.ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=638309 "

I get a server error on your link beefer39.

Caligula said "    beefer39 said "Comparing Manitoba and Quebec and the other provinces regarding provincial income tax rates and reliance on Equalization Payments     http://www.ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=638309 " I get a server error on your link beefer39. "

Sorry about that. I changed the link.  
 
Should work now  

 
a"Director of Transportation",a "Transit Manager"and a "Transit Supervisor".They must not travel over the south bound 18th st.bridge or they would notice it.  

I re-read this letter after reading the comments here and I think Caldwell is simply celebrating good things happening in Brandon and the people who make them happen. Notice he mentions a variety of individuals, all different political stripes. Did he mention the NDP? yes, that's his job.  
 
Come on folks...tired of the Caldwell bashing. Let's move on.

beefer39 said "    Caligula said "    beefer39 said "Comparing Manitoba and Quebec and the other provinces regarding provincial income tax rates and reliance on Equalization Payments     http://www.ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=638309 " I get a server error on your link beefer39. " Sorry about that. I changed the link.     Should work now   "

Wow! It's always good to have informed discussion and to see from above and below the gutter. The facts just make it harder to refute and spin into something positive.  
 
Tiger Lily (your name wouldn't be Shandra...would it?)...I started this thread and gave credit to Drew's mention of some of the pillars of this community, who I would suspect are not NDP supporters....I could be wrong though.  
 
My whole purpose was to answer or expound upon his letter with my opinion and what looks like others as well, his and his party's bragging rights and of course follies. You would never take a knife to a gunfight, nor would you have a debate without any mental or factual ammunition. I welcome any rebuttals of anyone to refute or defend the honorable member elect from Brandon East and show the whole picture...not just the "cherry picking" as in the letter.  
Drew..you're welcome to chime in as well and defend your position.

My name is NOT Shandra!

Tiger Lily said "My name is NOT Shandra! "

Thanks for the clarification. You sounded close to the subject of discussion in my mind's eye and as a sensitive person, the last thing I ever want to do is "bash" someone.  
 
However, I also believe in calling a spade a spade with a strong dislike for half truths, lies, overlooking the actual and deception.  
 
When it comes to politics, and especially economics, management, and philosophies, one would have to admit it's pretty hard to lay back and get it over and over and over again with the flagrant disrespect to the people of Manitoba and City of Brandon. We all can't be that stupid to think people voted for and are getting good representation after 13 years and 2 years respectively of these governmental parodies.  
 
Edited by Caligula, 2012-08-21 22:49:48

Caligula said "    Tiger Lily said "My name is NOT Shandra! " Thanks for the clarification. You sounded close to the subject of discussion in my mind's eye and as a sensitive person, the last thing I ever want to do is "bash" someone.     However, I also believe in calling a spade a spade with a strong dislike for half truths, lies, overlooking the actual and deception.     When it comes to politics, and especially economics, management, and philosophies, one would have to admit it's pretty hard to lay back and get it over and over and over again with the flagrant disrespect to the people of Manitoba and City of Brandon. We all can't be that stupid to think people voted for and are getting good representation after 13 years and 2 years respectively of these governmental parodies.     Edited by Caligula, 2012-08-21 22:49:48"

At my job I have no choice but to be responsible for what I do, what I accomplish and what I don't. I have to be accountable for my actions. If/when I screw up, it is MY fault. I have to explain that to the company. If I screw up to many times, I will be fired. No if, ands or buts. And I expect nothing less. If it was my company, I would eliminate dead weight as soon as I could. We have policies about dishonesty and accountability etc.  
 
I only hold all levels of government to the same standards at the jobs they do as I am held to at my job.  
 
What is so damn difficult about accountability and honesty within the government offices? We blame the particular parties? And why is it considered bashing whenever we demand a "recount" of some sort?  
 
It is fine to pat yourself on the back on a personal level but to call yourself out with praise to the world is...tacky.  
 
I am wonderful. Praise me. Look what I have accomplished. Tacky.  
 

Comforting to know where priorities stand when the good old NDP sat idly by when a few hundred BU professors went on strike affecting thousands of students and their families education and thousands in lost finances. I know of some who are still smarting from that months long strike. I guess we'll never know how much the complete loss was as for many it was six months lost from their working years that can never be recovered.  
 
But hey, it's really admirable to stick up for the working man/woman regardless who the victims are and how much they bleed.  
 
Kudos to a sense of fair play.

Every politician is the same. If something works it was their idea all along. If it doesn't, well, then it was the other guys hairbrained idea that was never gonna work.  
 
They all tell you what you wanna hear when it's election time. Then after they get elected they just go do whatever they want without giving you a single thought.  
 
Mr. Mike Waddell has been passed over on how many ballots? The only guy with a backbone, integrity, and common sense. The 3 things that would kill anyones political aspirations.  
 
But hey, just keep voting for Drew.....Mr. Smile n Nod will tell you everything you wanna hear. Til it's too late again.

Brandonites should be overjoyed with the province sneaking in and applying a sealant coat over the first street bridge. No announcements....no fanfare....no back patting....what triggered that? Bad publicity of late? Thanks for the bandaid and I'm sure it'll be fun dodging all the holes again next spring.  
 
Just curious...that mountain of gravel across from jail earmarked for the city dikes....would it have made more sense to work that into the dikes while it was still on the trucks rather than load and unload twice to accomplish the same thing? Or is it the province and city's goal to drag the project out, keep the trucking companies in black ink at taxpayer's expense or was it simply disabled management? Last question...what did it cost?....a few hundred thousand?  
 
NDP Government not paying it's bills! In the link seems to be a disagreement with WRHA and City of Winnipeg....can hardly wait to see how this one plays out.  
 
http://www.cjob.com/news/winnipeg/story.aspx?ID=1767936

All: while I find some agreement with many of you in regards to the last bit of Drew's letter, it is also both nice (as a recipient) and good form to comment positively on so many things that are going well in Brandon right now.  
Should the provincial government take credit for everything? Absolutely not, because so many of the initiatives being undertaken are privately funded, while others are funded out of Ottawa, etc.  
Let's take a moment as a community to use this letter as a victory lap and take out of it the things that make us feel good rather than focus on the aspects with which we disagree. It always makes me feel better to do so.