“Wise Up Winnipeg” raising photo enforcement awareness

With a five-minute video and a strong message, former traffic police officer Larry Stefanuik is attempting to open Winnipeggers’ eyes on the controversial subject of photo enforcement.

Along with Winnipeg businessman Todd Dube, Stefanuik created WiseUpWinnipeg.com in order to push city traffic police to increase signage on speed traps and increase amber times in key Winnipeg intersections.

In a short video on the site, Stefanuik claims that by adding a second to amber times in high-speed intersections, close to 80 per cent of traffic tickets can be avoided and drivers will be given the time they need to make the decision to slow down or speed through without penalty.

Brandon woman discriminated against by apartment owner

For a Brandon woman looking to buy an apartment, an unexpected barrier has at last fallen by the wayside. In 2007, Wendy Hiebert was looking to lease an apartment on the main level of Amberwood Village, but was told by the apartment owner that she would not be allowed due to her five-year-old son, citing noise and safety concerns.

Hiebert took the case to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, and the case went to an adjudicator. The apartment owner recently lost this case and was forced to remove the restriction and pay Hiebert $1,000 in damages.

Four Directions Walk ready for round two

On Saturday, Oct. 17, the International Day to Eradicate Poverty, Winnipeg’s second annual Four Directions Walk will take place, with people joining in from every neighbourhood.

In a press release by the Four Directions Walk committee, a description is given of the ambitious walk to fight local poverty, with four separate groups starting from the north, south, east and west Perimeter Highway and meeting for a rally at the Legislature.

The rally time is 3 p.m. for interested walkers. More info can be found by calling Cheryl-Anne Carr at 233-7116 or David Tymoshchuck at 792-3371.

Province puts cottage lots up for sale

Starting Oct. 26, Manitobans will be given the chance to purchase unclaimed cottage lots on public property on a first-come, first-served basis.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, with just under 350 cottages and lots up for sale, Manitobans will be given the exclusive right to grab up properties for 120 days before opening up the draw to those in other provinces.

All applications must be made in person at the Manitoba Conservation Office at 200 Saulteaux Cres. After Nov. 6, applications can also be submitted by mail.

Google Maps adds Canadian “street views”

When testing out the satellite view of Google Maps, many have been frustrated with the limit to which we can spy on the details of many Canadian cities. For some, that has come to an end.

According to the Google Lat Long Blog, a site created by Google Maps engineers, public tourism agencies across the country have teamed up with Google to provide “street level” views of major landmarks, from the CN Tower to Old Quebec City. These 3-D views give our tourist offerings a worldwide audience and adds Canada to a long list of countries already using the technology.

Published in Volume 64, Number 7 of The Uniter (October 15, 2009)