A collection of articles to stimulate the brain:
Developing sound approaches to cities is quite tricky.
One of the big problems is the “one size fits all” idea. This article talks
about why it is so hard to apply one city’s success to another.
From the Kingston, The Whig (a paper never featured here
before), apparently democratic engagement leads to a better sense of well-being. I can definitely appreciate why some of
this might be true. Winning victories and feeling like you have input in the
process is empowering and probably offers a sense of control.
Aaron Renn is one of my favourite urban bloggers to read,
but I rarely feature his stuff because of the narrow context he often writes
in. However, this week he had a post about how cities are ignoring the needs of those with the least to cultivate the upper-class of global urban residents in
Chicago. Basically, the notion is that Chicago is taking public funds and putting them
towards the well-off rather than supplying basic services to the disadvantaged.
The next two are about the developing Senate
scandal. From the National Post, Mike
Duffy’s speech to the Senate revealing Stephen Harper’s (CPC – Calgary Southwest,
AB) involvement in the cover-up. I hesitate to offer “the truth” about this story. I am heavily biased and think
there’s a certain Shakespearean justice at play here.
Chantal Hebert of the Toronto Star says that the story here
is more than just the Senate. The missteps of the Conservatives in the last few
months illustrates that the Prime Minister is losing control of his party. I do not know if I buy that. Frankly it is a narrative that Mme. Hebert has
been selling for over a year. If Stephen Harper’s party collapses around him
history will bear her to be right, I’m sure.
It is with profound jealousy that residents of the
troubled cities of Toronto and Vancouver must look at their peers in Alberta.
Calgary and Edmonton elected new mayors of exceptional high quality in their local elections this week.
I believe I have expressed my fondness for Myers Briggs
earlier. I recognize its shortcomings, but I find the study of human
personalities and temperaments fascinating. Researchers conducted personality tests and found certain types more common in certain geographic areas.
Touching on one of the previous articles, this commenter
says that Toronto needs more than an anti-Ford candidate, or a strong mayor
like Naheed Nenshi (Calgary) or Don Iveson (Edmonton), but wholesale change in the political culture there.
Journalists discussing the merit and usefulness of
pundits and whether or not it has perpetuated lazy journalism.
Premier Kathleen Wynne (OLP – Don Valley West) has convened 36 panels to discuss numerous issues confronting my home province. I like Premier Wynne, but I wish she would take some bold actions, such as on
the transit file, and stop passing the buck for fear of losing her government.
The magnificent CGP Grey has a new YouTube video out
explaining what is a country?
A tweet I came across today that I thought I’d share.
Did you know it takes a household income of approx. $110,045 to afford a home for $417,293? #MakeRentalHappen
— York Region (@YorkRegionGovt) October 23, 2013
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