There was a city traffic blitz conducted by RCMP last week. Depending on who you talk to there were between four and ten police cars stopping traffic on Broadway Street, near the Parker Quine building. Of course, some folks like to exaggerate so who knows how many men in blue were truly involved. I guess my main comment on this would be along the lines of 'are seat belts and speed a big enough problem that we need to bring reinforcements into Yorkton in order to get a firm grip on it all'? I have no issue enforcing the letter of the law. I have received several speeding tickets in my day and I have deserved every single one of them. However, if seat belts and speed are a big enough issue that a 'blitz' is needed every so often; then let's see 'blitzes' in other aspects of law enforcement as well. If you catch a police officer 'off the record' one will sometimes admit that he/she is aware of a minor drug dealer in town who sells the odd joint out of his home, but for all the work you have to put into arresting the individual in comparison to the penalty the offender would receive, it's hardly worth it. I say undertake an operation whereby you put the clamps on anyone who so much as smells like an illegal drug. I wouldn't mind seeing extra officers come into town once or twice a year to gather up those who are suspected of being in gangs too.
Here's a good one from our justice system this week: Harold David Smeltzer, a convicted child killer has been granted another six months of day parole in Regina. He's admitted to raping forty young girls and was convicted for kidnapping a girl who was on her way to kindergarten. He killed her and stuffed her body into a garbage can. A report says Smeltzer is a 'moderate' risk to re-offend. Wow. You would think someone who has this kind of a track record would become 'no' risk before being given such freedoms.
There are bleeding hearts everywhere though. It's amazing how hardcore I must be when it comes to this kind of thing. I was watching a sports show on television over the weekend and a couple of announcers said they thought tasering fans who run onto a professional sports arena's playing surface to interfere with a game is over the top. I'll tell you what else is over the top: Monica Seles (professional tennis player) getting stabbed by a fan a number of years ago who jumped the rails and came into contact with her. The bottom line is that if you come onto the field of play, you should have serious consequences. Athletes need to be protected.
Saskatchewan Roughrider spirit never ceases to amaze me. If Yorkton doesn't win the Riderville competition, then there ought to be a major investigation. There are logos painted all over the road, Roughrider propoganda all through business windows, professional staff everywhere wearing Rider jerseys, and even domestic vehicles sporting Rider decals. Now, I'm told you can even get official license plates, ranging in cost from $50 -$125 that are legally recognizable as your official vehicle plate.
I spent the majority of last week in Dauphin for the RBC Cup. If Melville uses the Credit Union Place as a blueprint for their facility; they will quickly become the envy of their Highway-10 neighbours in Yorkton. My only issue, and it's nitpicking, would be to have an additional washroom facility and also break-up the areas where food is served from where alcohol can be purchased. The washrooms, alcohol booth, and concession area are all in the same basic area and it can become congested during intermissions. Again, I'm nitpicking. What a tremendous facility with great volunteers.
The other thing Melville may want to explore with their new arena: additional press boxes and several luxury suites.
This week's nice person list includes: Jennifer Stackhouse (I want to see if she's reading!), Kevin Webster, Jason Larose, Kristen Gill, Rita Hilbig, and Dean Fyck.
