Can we please stop bashing RCMP?

I get tired of reading and listening to complaining critics and carping commentators about what a lousy job our RCMP are doing.
They’re an easy target these days. Nothing has done more damage to their reputation than the trigger-happy use of Tasers. That issue is highlighted by the tragic case of Robert Dziekanski, and it’s been [...]

The difference between press and politicians

I took part in a panel discussion this morning at the Social Justice conference organized by Diane Parker of Kamloops Immigrant Services. My assignment was to talk to about 70 young people about social justice from an editor’s perspective, and from a mayor’s perspective.
It gave me an opportunity to reflect on the two roles, and [...]

Good news is worth giving more than once, or twice

For publication in The Kamloops Daily News, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009
Q: How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Forty-one. Eight to argue, one to get a continuance, one to object, one to demur, two to research precedents, one to dictate a letter, one to stipulate, five to turn in their time [...]

Here’s the secret to bottling wine

Last night after work, Syd and I bottled a new batch of wine — a cheeky little Chardonnay with a fruity bouquet, a pleasant je ne sais quoi, and just a hint of u-brew.
Seven weeks ago, I sprinkled some yeast in a big plastic vat full of juice and, presto, voila, we’ve now got 30 [...]

Council’s open strategy talk most informative

Coun. Pat Wallace may have put it best during today’s City council discussion on its strategic plan (yes, the one council labored over in secret one recent weekend). 
“This is going to read like a book before we’re done,” she said, after listening to several of her fellow councillors attempting vainly to re-invent the wheel, and [...]

B.C. throne speech all about doom and gloom

I don’t think I’ve ever read a Throne Speech so packed with such dramatic prose, so many cliches as the one delivered today in Victoria.
To read this document, you would think that, rather than going through a down cycle in the economy, our universe has changed forever. We must change, and our provincial government is [...]

Good news, bad news about the economy

For publication in The Kamloops Daily News on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009
My investment adviser seemed down in the dumps.
We were having coffee earlier this week, talking, of course, about the economy. This is not a good time for portfolio managers. When people start losing money, they look for someone to blame, and the first one [...]

Mayor Milobar getting on right track

Mayor Peter Milobar cheesed me off when he held his first economic task force meeting in secret. He cheesed me off even more when he held the City council strategic planning meeting behind closed doors.
I’m much happier today, which I’m sure is a big relief to the mayor.
What I’m happier about is the fact he [...]

Here’s a toast to clumsy people

“Did you get your presentation done?” the chair of the committee asked me today at our lunch-hour meeting.
“I most certainly did!” I replied proudly. “If you’ll allow, I’ve made copies for everyone!”
And, as I reached for the file folder, promptly spilled a full glass of water all over my papers.
“Mel won’t be making his presentation [...]

Rankin Family as good as ever

If I hadn’t scored some last-minute complimentary tickets, we wouldn’t have been sitting in Interior Savings Centre last night listening to the Rankin Family.
How easy it is to forget just how wonderful these Cape Breton musicians are. If I had to do it again, I would gladly have forked over the $50 per ticket to [...]