I'm learning newly minted Halifax police chief Jean Michel Blais is not your typical police chief. For one, he likes coming into our studios when we invite him on as a guest on my radio show, often wearing jeans and carrying a knapsack. He's also started inviting folks with divergent views into chat with senior officers of his department and the RCMP, his former employer. Someone from Occupy Nova Scotia was a guest and this week the chief and his gang listened to the arguments presented by a group called LEAP, or Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. This is a group of cops, ex-cops and other law officers from across Canada and the U.S. who are pushing for the legalization of marijuana. Check out their website if you want to read their reasons. Chief Blais is not ready yet to jump on their bandwagon, however he did tell my radio show yesterday afternoon it's important we have the debate in this country on legalization. I like his forward thinking.
Meantime, the police drug unit busted a grow-op in Dartmouth last evening. They seized about $100,000 worth of marijuana. Two men face cultivation charges.
I think the Canadian Taxpayers Federation has touched a government nerve, again. The federation's Kevin Lacey is questioning why taxpayers had to pay for a bag full of perks for the country's premiers when they met here in Halifax this past summer. 38 whisky tumblers with a Titanic design, sailboat dishes, leather journals, jackets and cheese boards were among the swag the lucky premiers took home with them. Much of it covered by the taxpayers of Nova Scotia. NDP MLA Mat Whynot was quick to point out this was one of the lowest cost premiers conferences ever held. Not the point Mat. Why are we taxpayers paying for swag for politicians? If you want to give gifts, get them donated.
City council's decision to stick with the status quo on sidewalk costs was the right decision to make at yesterday's meeting. It means the urban core will continue to pay the cost of maintaining the city's sidewalks. If a rural resident of HRM has no sidewalks, why should they pay for sidewalks elsewhere? It highlights a problem we have in this city. We're too large. There may be something to pollster Don Mills contention HRM needs to split into two units, one rural and one urban.
Senator Patrick Brazeau got the boot yesterday, though with pay unfortunately. Is Senator Mike Duffy next?
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
