Local Predictions of 2000  
 
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  City of Edmonton

1. prediction: · Edmonton is busy for World Games coming, budget will hurt for it, provincial government has wide variety of excuses to deny assistance. The tax increases will reflect the need for a wide variety of expansions to prepare for the big event. But the city does profit. Again, we come up with even more touristy concepts for our city's appeal.

comments: True


2. prediction: · Bylaw enforcement is criticized for good reason, seems the city wants to encourage tourism and yet doesn't provide proper nor convenient parking for the events and the parking tickets are rather harsh and criticized by out of towners in the media, this is not good for tourism in the end result. This must be reviewed before big events take place-not-just games events either. Who is the planning director here? Conference center seems to be a spot of concern here.

3. prediction: · Our city budget is strained, but doing well in 2000. The addition of police, etc. are greatly needed and the taxpayers should all ban together and remember that they can't get services they don't pay for. Tax's will not be as high as proposed, however there will be a hike up, it seems more reasonable and agreeable, however, it might have to go a little higher yet to provide for our realistic needs. The stink from the sewers around the Coliseum is spreading outward - and if this isn't fixed it will be a huge tourism news article that shames our whole city - but what about the near by residents? Why aren't they being paid attention to in this issue, does it take a nasty news article from a foreign place to get this problem solved.

comments: True


4. prediction:· Another slight to our Tourism Industry, we are again completely ignored by a major publication who covers Calgary but not Edmonton for some reason. This is a true insult and should be heavily addressed by the Premiere not just the Mayor, but the Premiere doesn't feel inclined to do so with any meaningful impact.

comments: Ouch. True


5. prediction:· Gang crime is not abating, but there are 3 small dents put into their operations in the year 2000 with Asian discrimination being cited in one of these cases. Native gangs are taking more of a purchase hold in their areas and this is not being paid as much attention to due to lack of staff as the Asian gang problem -which will present a problem for taxpayers.

comments:The Police Department arrested key leaders of operation in Asian Gangs in June/July 2000 through a sting operation (I believe in co-operation with RCMP, thanks to that Gang-crime tip line that they started and I predicted would pay for itself in the first 18 months). These arrests put a serious dent into Gang crime - at least until the operatives are replaced that is. Spokesperson from Gang Crime was quoted the other day in the Edmonton Sun, July 18th or so, 2000 as saying that the Native American Gangs are not much of a problem -whoa there cowboy, I don't think we should underestimate any gang activity and when the crime rates are down is just when we should be vigilant. We should not be caught docile due to numbers on paper - as I said this will present a problem and not just in Native American Gang crime but all Gang Crime.