And On The Seventh Year, God Created Sam Katz

The mayoral forum, was a massive disappointment to say the least.
First of all, as if it wasn't stressful enough racing to the school in my car where CJOB is perpetually on, and having hyperbolic Richard Cloutier ram how intense it was going to be into my head- giving me visions of the school being backed up all the way down princess and me leaving my gridlocked car zombie movie style and running from China Town to the cafeteria panting: Sam, Judy, Sam, Judy....
Uh, sorry Steve, I meant to say, waking up at five, glancing casually through my day planner while simultaneously reading the Free Press and the Sun. Then, upon departure, stopping at every red light while pondering the idea of adding a second to the amber light, and finally strolling into the cafeteria 20 minutes early and taking a seat with my pen (because its inside, so it won't freeze) , my miniature (not full-sized) notebook (for field reporting because we're in the cafeteria) and finally my student card draped gracefully around my neck on a stately lanyard.

Anyway, time for the real news.
I think I misunderstood the format of the forum, because I assumed that this would be the time to make in depth, logical appeals, elaborating on their point-form plans so I could make an informed decision. Instead it was just more of the same childish crap. Should I go for Judy's five-fingered crime prevention plan (with youth in the palm) or Sam's two-pronged justice. (thanks for the imagery guys but I'm not twelve). I thought it was a bit of an insult to Winnipeg, that we would be swayed by same point-form junk we can find on the internet coupled with lame insults and biblical allusions. P.S: Way to liken yourself to God Sam Katz. That was actually way funnier than it was offensive. Especially since you said "God took seven years" when Genesis says seven days. Aren't you Jewish, Sam? Isnt' the Old Testament kind of "your thing".

Regardless, I definitely appreciate Katz's business approach to Winnipeg, and I think that if they went for it, a Provincial Sales Tax increase of 1% would definitely be the way to go, after all, its obvious that property is no indication of income. Also I think a huge component of how we view ourselves- hopefully as a serious city and not some hick- half-capital- has to do with Katz's attractions. However, with the exception of Canwest Park and The Forks (The parking in that area is magical). I avoid going anywhere downtown because its a complete maze of one way streets- and now that everyone seems to be so into getting more police on the streets, its crawling with cops, and the stress is mounting exponentially.
What's worse, I can't even take public transit because its a 45 min walk to the Portage 11 stop, and the only other bus that comes within 15 minutes of my house is 1. A horrendously residential route, and 2. An every-hour-if-I-feel-like-it-bus. I realize that I live at the edge of North Kildonan, but comeon, I'm still a resident.

So to get anywhere is a huge inconvenience. Why is this a problem? Because we live in Winnipeg and its a billion degrees  bellow zero. I can't idle around for 45 minutes in the cold waiting for a bus or walk 2 miles from my car to my destination because I will die on the way there. And if everyone's dying in the streets, they'll have to employ more street clearing services to push the bodies to the side of the road.

How could Sam not respond to Judy's accusation that he didn't have a plan. That would have been the perfect opportunity to shove it in her face if he even had the inkling of a plan- so clearly he doesn't. However much Judy made herself sound like Sam's mom, which he was right, she came off looking like a one trick pony, it was made abundantly clear that there is no plan.

Sam's claims against Judy Wasylyscia-Leis followed the same pattern. "Get back to reality" he would yell, as if to say "Adults are talking now Judy." And to a certain extent he was right. I wanted to hear the facts, and the facts weren't there. How can you prove this will be effective? He would say again and again.
This was something I really needed to hear. I work at a youth drop-in program and have worked for a city children's drop-in in the past. It was exceedingly obvious how beneficial the program was for the young children, but I would really like more information about how the youth programs work. For instance, I think there's definitely attendance issues for people over 13. Youth that aren't coming in for basketball aren't coming in at all, and I don't like how sports are portrayed as the ultimate gang solution.  We've had to open up some sites to 10 year olds and if I was 15, I wouldn't be hanging out anywhere 10 year olds could be found.

My excitement for her green plan has rapidly deteriorated since these questions have gone unanswered. Can she deliver? I'm not sure anymore. She isn't as fact-based as I thought, after all she misquoted the deficit.
As for Sam Katz, I'm a little pissed off that he's not even trying. You don't come into an election against somebody with a huge crop of fresh ideas, and jump into speeches about the great things you've done in the past. It's not like you just make a couple improvements to the city and it's awesome forever.

IN CONCLUSION: Please don't be offended by any of my comments. This post was essentially my impressions of my very first forum.
In addition, if you have any interesting information that I missed or facts and figures or other relevant info that may help me make a decision on my vote, don't hesitate to post it on my comments.