Once in a while, governments get it right.
The design of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge that will become the major new border crossing between Windsor and Detroit is an absolutely fabulous design. It is the cover shot for this month's PERSPECTIVES, and I hope you will study the concept closely.
Too often government projects opt for the lowest-cost, blandest and greyest architecture. This new bridge is a soaring, elegant design that I think will quickly become an iconic landmark. This infrastructure project shows once again that innovative design can be a civic game-changer.
For Canadians who visit Florida for part of the winter, anyone traveling south of St. Petersburg towards Sarasota, Fort Meyers and Naples knows the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It is a similar concept, and that bridge has become the focus of artists, photographers, and tourist momentoes. There is no reason to believe the new Gordie Howe Bridge will be anything less.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I suppose I should tell you that my father taught Gordie Howe in Saskatoon many years ago. I met Gordie several times, and he was a terrific man. He could also hit the golf ball out of sight. Honouring him with the bridge is a superb choice, with his long career with the Red Wings and his deep Canadian roots.)
This edition of PERSPECTIVES focuses on public transportation, but we also have several other very interesting articles for you. And, I refer you to this month's CIVIC COMMENT for my take on the shocking actions by Ontario Premier Doug Ford that forever changed the Toronto City Council and its imminent election process.
Readers will recall that our very first edition featured an in-depth look at how Cannabis legislation would impact our towns and cities. With the October implementation of the federal Cannabis legislation in Canada, we've looked at how this will impact your workplace in other words, inside city halls and dealing with your employees. That will be a minefield for employers.
Many communities and people are finalizing their plans for fall municipal elections. Former Whitehorse, Yukon Mayor Bev Buckway has written a thoughtful article on what candidates could and should expect in the election process and what makes Yukon so unique.
On public transportation, you'll enjoy articles on the new LRT in the Region of Waterloo, an interesting perspective on drones and technology by Nolan Crouse, and an article from American sources that offer innovative looks at transportation issues.
Now, on a quite different note, and another reminder of how Canadian and US politics differ...
GOVERNING Magazine out of Washington, DC, reported last month that "Democratic Chicago mayoral candidate Willie Wilson's handing out of nearly $200,000 at a recent South Side church event did not break campaign finance laws, the state board of elections ruled.
Wilson, 70, rejected claims from political competitors that he was simply buying votes at the Sunday event held at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The Illinois State Board of Elections announced Monday it agreed with Wilson, because the money came from his registered non-profit foundation at the event he promoted as one of the biggest property tax relief assistance' events of 2018. Wilson owns and operates several McDonald's franchises in addition to owning a medical supplies company."
Wow! Chicago politics continue to amaze.
This is a jam-packed edition which we hope you'll enjoy.
As always, let us know: perspectives@municipalinfonet.com
And, if you will be visiting this year's AMO convention in Ottawa, be sure to look for the MUNICIPAL INFORMATION NETWORK booth at the trade show! I'll see you there.
GORD HUME
