Letters: Saskatoon residents deserve better than snow excuses

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This is getting way too easy, the City of Saskatoon is again crying poverty that there isn’t enough money in the (two-month-old) budget to remove the piles of snow, ice and sand that negate street parking, block cars parked in front of their own homes and dramatically delay the spring cleanup.

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According to Cam LeClaire (the city’s roadways manager), as reported by CTV, repeatedly blading streets to pile ice chips on the side is prioritized over being able to park in front of your own home.

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I hope that he is bright enough to realize that the slow daily freeze/thaw cycle renders this quite ineffective as the tiny melt has nowhere to go but back to the street or onto the sidewalk.

I welcome Mr. LeClaire to drive through most any city area to see how the ruts regenerate overnight and explain how totally covering some sidewalks or forcing drivers to shovel themselves away from the curb furthers anyone’s interest.

He goes on to say that notice can’t be given to homeowners because “crews move through the city so quickly.” Insert comment here. I wish that I could predict the lotto as well as I can predict the city’s lack of enthusiasm toward snow removal and the inevitable shortfall only two months into the new budget season.

These excuses failed to pass the laugh test many years ago; our residents deserve better and the city workers should be allowed to do their jobs as needed. Stop relying on the “spring melt!”

Tracy Hildebrand, Saskatoon

Middle East peace requires major changes

The Saturday, March 1 “Protect Gaza from Trump annexation” letter was more about Israel than Gaza. So, I agree that Trump should have nothing to say about Gaza. Trump doesn’t seem to complain about U.S. money going to Israel like he does about money going to Ukraine.

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But Putin would not let him take over Ukraine, and Israel doesn’t seem to care. A real plan is needed for the Middle East. But there are war mongers on all sides (there are many sides); peace isn’t going to happen soon. The bullies of the world are becoming more powerful, with Trump front and centre.

But this letter is about stopping Israel. There is nothing said about Hamas — remember them? — they attacked Israel and took hostages. Hamas have returned some of these people, but not all. Meanwhile, Israel has returned hundreds.

Hamas attacked Israel and then the leaders went home (not to Gaza) and let the world attack Israel. Yes, there has been war with both sides killing people and dropping missiles. But the real war was in the media. Mostly anti Israel.

The Palestinians are not Hamas, but as long as Hamas is running the country there will be trouble. I don’t think Hamas wants peace. Both the Palestinians and the Israelis are victims of Hamas.

Real peace will take fundamental changes on both sides. Hopefully, the UN will soon to be able to find a “just, lasting and comprehensive peace arrangement.”

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Marilyn Loken, Saskatoon

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