Letters: Most have given up trying to influence Saskatoon council

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Phil Tank mentions me by name, as one of only two taxpayers to express concerns about the downtown event and entertainment district (DEED).

Ironically, a memory popped up on my Facebook page last Saturday, from fours years ago. My very first submission to city council had been published on their public agenda. It was about the price of face masks for transit users.

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Since then, I have made many submissions, ranging from finances and transit to garbage and washrooms.

The DEED was just the latest topic. I had submitted a video with 10 concerns that I had on the administration’s report. I converted my words to speech in order to fit in under the five-minute time limit. With the time remaining, I addressed council via phone.

Somehow, the audio of that response was not captured by the recording. My final point was “Please do not assume that the lack of taxpayer submissions on this item means that it is generally supported.

“With city resources committed to this project for many years, land being purchased, fancy drawings presented and even a promotional event at TCU with an estimated price tag of $32,000, it appears useless to express opposition at this point.”

The last four years have shown me that engagement with Saskatoon city council is frustrating, time consuming and often falls on deaf ears. No wonder so few people get involved.

While I know the chances of my opinions having any impact are slim to none, like Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100 per cent of the shots you don’t take.”

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Sherry Tarasoff, Saskatoon

Put arena pipe dream on back burner

I have visions of the American musical The Music Man when I see the breathless exuberance city officials display when discussing the partnership offer with an American company for the arena project. Such a company would never consider coming here if it wasn’t a bona fide opportunity to make lots of money — for them.

Visions of grandeur are clouding the judgments of city managers and council. Time to put this pipe dream on the back burner. Focus on real challenges such as homelessness, addiction and crumbling infrastructure.

Pursuing such a project will only further pad the coffers for millionaires. Ticket prices will be so high that only farmers, miners, city managers and Saskatchewan Party operatives will be able to afford them.

The construction estimate will increase astronomically and the carefully crafted funding strategy will collapse, leaving the poor taxpayer on the hook. Might be considered a pessimistic assessment, but the ratepayers have seen one too many of these shows.

Tim Krause, Saskatoon

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