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WA] FRI (X ) (THmNICLI-j ' Wednesday. January 18. 2003 0 B l . . .. . . ) . . , , , ‘ ‘ . l.l:l llzlth l() thCHRONlLll: . F. o » . ; L., N,” .,.,,., ._..A .. . ,., . . ., , . . l for it. The blame is : uarelv on their ers in our area or clean our side lndln W0 rk Councillors Shoald shoulders. ' sq ' walks at their own expense instead 3 ‘ ’ Once again, the region doesn‘t of taxing residents. ll is the City that . spend time in ghetto an, m We” and he“, the my pm. created pan of the problem. worth (10ng was just reading about the ”ghet» ple who pay their wages. These are Ito" in Waterloo on your website. indeed scary times. Norma w and how that poor resident who has Waterloo Theodore Roosevelt. the 26th president ofthe United States. lived there for decades can't get Cindy Brown once said. “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the anyone at city hall to do any1hing. Elmira chance to work hard at work worth doing." How typical - the city council- City setting example 1 discovered this quote, oddly enough, while reading a book lors obviously couldn‘t care less. about newspaper column writing and. at the same time. listen- and wouldn't live anywhere near Snowplows aren’t ’I‘his letter is regarding the Jan. 2} ing to the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama this past those streets. making it e to article about council's cuts on week. Perhaps that's the answer. I pro- a discretionary spending. The book The Art of Column Writing by Suzette Maninez pose that all of the City councillors Clear Sid Another very good reason for Standring is an inspiring and invaluable resource. and l con- have to take up residence for a few ‘ suspending ”discretionary“ spend- sider it required reading for any aspiring columnist. weeks. and let‘s see if things don't Due to the fact that boulevards ing is because the city and its I've been reflecting about column writing as I reach the change in a hurry. were removed many years ago. employees need to set an example. third anniversary of doing it. For this column I've interviewed Of course they wouldn‘t do it. it is impossible to keep sidewalks If city employees go ofl‘ to all- actors and musicians and athletes; l've written about death The idea that an actual city council- shovelled in a wide sense, especially expenses paid conferences at tax- and fatherhood and gardening: I've attended a cremation and lor lives in a student housing area is when Waterloo city snowplows payers‘ expense during difficult chatted with some of my childhood heroes. Each week, hoping absurd. but it begs the question throw snow and ice right back onto times. it can very easily give the to Strike a Chord With readers when are they going to do some- our sidewalks wrong impression and send a nega- Martinez Standring’s book. featuring some of the most thing? ‘ As octogenarians whose grand- tive massage. famous columnists in the business. sheds light on becoming a They sit there in their fancy sons shovel our sidewalks when Does anyone at city hall remem- columnist through both the author’s offices and fight among themselves needed and with a wide-type shov- ber the fallout when the BigT‘hree own experiences and anecdotes from about what‘s the right answer â€" it's el, the complaint given to us was automakers arrived in Washington respected writers who excel in their \ | \ l 1 \ I l ‘r. l l called common sense. Wake up and that the walkway was too narrowâ€" to ask for a bailout in private jets? craft. In Chapter 1. the Quest for a t l . l \ smell the ghetto. thanks to the snowplows. Column, Martinez Standring writes: \ ‘ It has arrived in Waterloo, and l Therefore, it is the duty of the " Debut-hm “Columns are concentrated storyâ€" for one blame the city councillors City ofWaterloo to warn snow driv- Waterloo telling, and you dream of writing a . great one. Your work moves people to ~ {l action. Thanks to you. stubborn con- " narians change long-held beliefs. . From Waterloo to Queens Park ..................b......... ~ they ask their friends, ‘Did you read her column this morning?’ This is I’ve written some random thoughts this week, from some kind of nefarious plan by the party to increase your dream." . a, a number of different locations its popularity by simply annoying everyone. But Though I never dreamed of one Waterloo: Councillors are staying the course on perhaps I don't understand the politics of it. day being a newspaper columnist. l MARSHALL one issue, and flip flopping on another. Council has I feel bad for those kidS- “3 hard to believe all the can see in hindsight what led me here WARD opted to keep 10 parking spots at Waterloo'lbwn different sides saying how much they care. when no as 1 have always had a love for story Square for those who might have imbibed too much one seems to be doing‘anything for you. telling â€" and what I do here in this at any one of several watering holes. Everywhere Speaking Ofeducatlon- space each week is tell a short story. What 1 never imagined Cold comfort, I suppose. for those there is also the prospect Of a strike by ele- when I first started writing this column were the immeasura- businesses that have watched parking ] 1] i ( I l ) l mentary teachers. 1 am not a fan of strikes ble rewards that come with communicating with one's com~ spots disappear at that location as the , . by teachers. It holds a grow Of people â€" muniry. Communicating with readers, whether in the form of city completes its civic square/per Bl ll l R l\ l students â€" hostage when they are com- an email. a handwritten letter or a conversation in the grocery haps sometime in the future skating PlCtElY powerless (0 do anything about it store is the greatest experience of writing this column. rink/water feature! whatever the heck _. ‘1' " They can't buy the services from another After reading my column. Enjoying the Time we Have Left it's supposed to be. , 3; company. and they can’t ante up them- (Ian. 7, 2009). local singer-songwriter Amanda Brewer (TWO What should be even more fun is f. , 7 ' selves (0 provide the money needed (0 Monty TWO) wrote me at length to say, “Many thanks for what on the agenda for April, when council ; y a? , settle the dlSPUl€~ you share weekly with us" We began a correspondence after I plans to review its overnight parking 3. l ' ‘Z l have no problem With teachers l wrote back to thank her for writing. and tell her how much I mics. ff â€" know plenty Of them. The overwhelming appreciate feedback from readers. Brewer responded and gave Something tells me a lot won‘t 3? a maiority Of the ones who taUght my me permission to quote her: “As an artist and writer myself. I change. of ' daughters were caring. committed lhdl- understand that a kind'word of recognition that your work is A poor time to give up potential & VidualS' touching someone is so valuable â€" and hard to come by. What revenue. Not that I'm suggesting that I do have a problem with their union a struggle it is to contribute so much ofyour heart and soul to is any kind of motivating factor. No BRIAN leadership. (It's a union. not a federation.) society and the world around you through an and yet barely way. HOW Silly Of me. BOURKE The Elementary “Mlle“ Federation says he acknowledged. I feel it every day, as do most artists I think. Meanwhile. councillors last week it wants to close "the gap" in funding It's such a shame.” voted to take almost $40,000 out of -â€" between elementary and secondary I'm reminded often, by feedback from people like Amanda their budget which covers travel and conferences. schools. This will be done by increasing Brewer. how loyal readers of a column can feel a connection Now they have voted to put it back. Coun. Scott Wit- wages. Apparently this Wlll also increase the quality not just to the words. but to the person writing them. Keeping mer is disappointed. saying it may not be a lot of of education. Because we all know, the more money my audience in mind. l continually ask myself: Will they be money, bl" taking ll out sends a message. Other you spend the better everything WOM- Witness OUT interested in my topic? in contemplating that. I strive to write councillors say it's important for members to attend health-care system. about a wide range of topics. including more difficult subject ‘ ‘ conferences SO they can be ahead Of the curve. (Not l'd be more inclined to believe the federation WES matter like redemption. the downtrodden and suicide. “Some- to be cynical. but it's been a while since I've seen truly concerned about the lSSUeS if ll 88“? UP the times we ask our readers to go with us to very dark places and any politician ahead of any curve.) idea of a wage increase in exchange for the hiring of think about things they miflit not want to think about.” said Mth communication so easy, is it absolutely more teachers. Bl" we're "01 80ln8 ‘0 see lhfll hap- Laura Pulfer. columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer. essential to attend in person? That question goes for pen are W9? In the chapter the lifestyle Columnist. Pulfer said colum» all the time. not just when the economy goes into I'm not asking anyone 10 give UP a wage increase nists should, above all else. write in a way that resonates with the tank. Most people. I think, would agree council â€" hey. ll you think you can it“ it Bl" I'd like to gt?! a readers. “Nobody cares about your mother." said Pulfer. "Read- had it right the first time. and putting the cash back little bit of honesty from the leadefihipt ers are looking for a subtext. write about her. but in a way that in for travel isn't going to win friends or influence H the limo" “this higher wages. lUSt say i'- do"? readers would say. “That's my mother.’ " people. try (0 spin it as the best possible way to increase When I learn something l have written has resonated with a Toronto: By tomorrow. hopefully. students at education quality. reader. I'm reminded it's a great honour to be given a regular York University will get word they can go back to That insults all Of US- column. and that to do it well each week requires a great class. amount of dedication to the craft. . That after three months of striking by sessional Because far and away, the bat prize that life offers is the and part-time faculty. Premier McGulnty was m chance to work hard at work worth doing dragged kicking and screaming into the legislature Brian Bourke. a member of the 105.3 KOOL PM to pass back-to-work legislation. The only‘prbblem morning mm. can be reached byemail at Marshall Ward is a visual artist and independent filmmaker. has been the NDP voting against it, I assume this is bbourkeG’lcmlfm.mm. Email is whom at marshalL wardOhoonachom ‘ ‘ . ' N ‘ ‘\'l'.\'rit‘ rm“. L r'i ‘tin.i'.t‘ ' t .. ..t in! ‘ “ll ., ‘. I, . .~. ‘lV/‘ t