School officials are downplaying Saturday's violence at the Centennial Rink in Fairview as an isolated incident. Why then was there a need for 6 security guards during the high school hockey league game between Halifax West and the Sackville High Kingfishers? It's because high school hockey games can be rowdy affairs at times, Kids from different schools gather in a confined area and stuff happens. Saturday's incident was more extreme than usual. Two security guards were injured, one of them stabbed, when a group of teens attempted to get into an already full rink. Schools these days are now required to have security guards for sporting events. We didn't have these issues, and no need for security guards, back when I played high school hockey. Times have certainly changed.
Speaking of violence, what's with the guy who walked into Canadian Tire on Quinpool Sunday, bought a sledgehammer, walked out and proceeded to beat up on his hearse parked outside the store. The man was standing on its roof when police arrived. They took him away in handcuffs but later released the man with no charges because it was his car and he planned on cleaning up afterwards. As for the hearse, it was beat up pretty bad. The junk man took it away.
It's good to see the province's Major Unsolved Crimes Program start to show results. Until the Preeper boys were charged this past summer with the murder of Melissa Dawn Peacock, based on tips provided through the rewards program, there had not been any information provided on any of the murders listed under the program. Rewards of $150,000 are offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction in any of the many cases that are part of the program. Now a second case has resulted in charges because of it. Information handed over to the rewards program led the RCMP to charge Stephen Johnson of North Preston with July's murder of Narico Downey. Justice Minister Ross Landry is also hinting of a break in another murder case. Stay tuned.
The city has put out a call for tenders on what will be the eventual demolition of the Cogswell Street Interchange in downtown Halifax. The road, built in the 70s, was part of a four lane highway project that would have gone along the city's waterfront, destroying most of the historic buildings in its path. Public protest fortunately put a stop to it. Can you imagine what a loss that would have been considering the waterfront's popularity today. The interchange will come down. The question is what should take its place. I hear talk of a new bus terminal similar to the new terminal at the Dartmouth sportsplex. How about a sports stadium? I'm not sure if there's enough land there, but if so, it would be a perfect location for such a facility. What to do with the land will be one of the tough decisions facing a new mayor and council after this Saturday's vote.
I'll be hosting Saturday night election coverage on News 95.7 beginning when the polls close at 7. Among my co-hosts in studio will be Halifax mayor Peter Kelly.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
