My Way

Billions of dollars are spent on these amazing structures BILLIONs. And we keep seeing and hearing about the one to two billion people who do not have enough food and water. There are those who say society can do it all- help the needy and keep up the building binge but that just does not happen. The UN states that about 25,000 children die every day due to disease, bad water and lack of food but we just keep on rolling with new sport facilities. Guess what those 25,000 kids would select if you offered them food-water-medicine or a new rink-gym, hmmm kinda think the first options are the most important. We as a society just cannot pay for the basic needs but just bring up a new submarine or aircraft carrier or bid billions on the next Olympis site-- those are catchy and cool . Visit a slum in Rio or see poverty in a hundred different cities-- we wish you enough no more- enough. Bruce Garrity

Billions of dollars are spent on these amazing structures BILLIONs. And we keep seeing and hearing about the one to two billion people who do not have enough food and water. There are those who say society can do it all- help the needy and keep up the building binge but that just does not happen. The UN states that about 25,000 children die every day due to disease, bad water and lack of food but we just keep on rolling with new sport facilities. Guess what those 25,000 kids would select if you offered them food-water-medicine or a new rink-gym, hmmm kinda think the first options are the most important. We as a society just cannot pay for the basic needs but just bring up a new submarine or aircraft carrier or bid billions on the next Olympis site-- those are catchy and cool . Visit a slum in Rio or see poverty in a hundred different cities-- we wish you enough no more- enough. Bruce Garrity

Billions of dollars are spent on these amazing structures BILLIONs. And we keep seeing and hearing about the one to two billion people who do not have enough food and water. There are those who say society can do it all- help the needy and keep up the building binge but that just does not happen. The UN states that about 25,000 children die every day due to disease, bad water and lack of food but we just keep on rolling with new sport facilities. Guess what those 25,000 kids would select if you offered them food-water-medicine or a new rink-gym, hmmm kinda think the first options are the most important. We as a society just cannot pay for the basic needs but just bring up a new submarine or aircraft carrier or bid billions on the next Olympis site-- those are catchy and cool . Visit a slum in Rio or see poverty in a hundred different cities-- we wish you enough no more- enough. Bruce Garrity

Just saw that damn replay of the hockey goalie -- Roy -- going one end of the ice to the other to pound the hell out of the other goalie and then proceed to pound him when he was NOT fighting and was already down on the ice... and Roy got a 5 game suspension!!! what the hell is going on? He should be tossed out of hockey and there should have been an arrest and charges filed. Fighting is part of hockey? B S get a life. This attack was savage, cruel and awful to watch! Canadians pride themselves with their Peacekeeping reputation and this savagery is acceptable-- it's embarasing that our somewhat civilized society allows this street fighting to continue. If we saw this on TV in a film clip from Afganistan, we woulds be outraged. I just don't understand it... Bruce Garrity 892-4532

Yeah, it's part of the game... so this Country is one big contradiction. The "Peace keepers of the World". But this country just loves a big ole bloody rink fight. Let the bullies rule the ice and lets teach our kids that bullying and might is right on the ice but not in the schoolyard..... and then we criticize the Yanks for FIGHTING here and there. Hockey is a great sport, fast, graceful, sharp.. but fighting is wrong on the street and on the playing field. peace We wish you enough Bruce Garrity

I have raised the question of priorities and no one listens... Tonight I heard the City and Province will build a outdoor arena for 10,000 for the Canada Games. I realize it is probably going to be defended as a future use for music concerts but the outdoor track and the whole concept is a white elephant-- use the Bowl at Stonepark and that track which of course needs an upgrade, but noooo we have to spend millions! And if I hear one more dunce say "how can we not afford to build it" I will lose it! When will Canadians get a lot lass selfish and truly share our wealth with those in need--new outdoor arena and track, yeah, like we care... Bruce Garrity 902-892-4532

Hi todaoy I saw a fairly wealthy lady driving a great big Caddy SUV thingy. Somehow I am a it envious or jealous but in Charlottetown PEI its way way way too big for sensible use . She can well afford a nice hybrid. Why is it that if u have the cash u go out and buy such an overgrown humongeous machine. ? Would we all follow suit if we had that cash?

Priorities for City Council,

Last night we held our monthly Council meeting and we discussed a large number of items, one of which was the difficulty in finding $10,000 to reinstate the skunk removal program and yet we not long ago budgeted $10,000 for the New Years Day Levee. Right priority?

We say we need more Police overtime money and yet we budget a third of a MILLION DOLLARS for 150th Anniversary events... Right Priority?

There was comment last night about how great the new pools and rinks are that cost $22,000,000 - ”could we have built a smaller facility and used the Millions left over for safer crosswalks for our children and seniors? Or for filling in ditches that are dangerous! Also, we have tens of thousands of dollars for City related travel and for 150th Anniversary pins and arm patches... Right priorities

Last night we approved the building of a new clock for about $25,000. The money is coming from the Province and other sources so it's not "city money"! Would the Province not better spend their $15,000 contribution on reinstating the serious cuts to the Craft association? Right priority?

But most importantly of all was the speech last night by Cecil on the importance of clean water worldwide- he said a BILLION people do not have safe water to drink! A Billion people...! Last night we heard about the plan to have the largest fireworks in the whole country on Canada Day and a BILLION people don't have safe water to drink! That's some priority.!

I read on the internet that the UN estimates 25,000 children worldwide die DAILY from lack of food and water-- 25,000 a DAY!

I may have oversimplified some very complicated issues here. You may say some of these issues are not in the jurisdiction of the City but I believe we should be involved with all level of issues. These comments can be taken as too serious or too dark or too heavy but I feel they should be said.

Our Council is made up of some truly fine people and I mean these comments to be suggestions rather than criticisms. Can we meet to revamp the budget and set new priorities that are more serious and much more important? Let's be leaders and address larger issues. Can we not meet with our Provincial and Federal counterparts to set loftier and more serious priorities?

Bruce Garrity
Councilor Ward 6
May 10, 2005

There is little trust in the honesty and efficiency of public officials.

Why-- it's rasy to read about the rip-offs  and glaring mistakes  we all read about almost daily.

How can we better the situation- try caring a bit more- call your local representative and keep up to date on issues. Ask to be involved or at least be aware of issues prior to them being voted on

The public is at least as smart as their representatives if not a lot more intelligent. Put pressure on officials to open up and make issues and meetings open to the public

The system can be made better- don't just complain- get involved

Peace