Check the online Telegram today which is actually carrying two really worthwhile stories. (They carry lots, but not all are online.)
First is this story [click news and look for the "Highrise" story if that link doesn't work] by Terry Roberts on a new development for the downtown proposed by Danny Williams' brother and Danny Williams' former business partner around the end of June this year. You may recall that Premier Danny Williams is the guy who thinks Andy Wells is the right man to head up the province's offshore regulatory board.
Predictably, the city's boorish mayor is all in favour of the deal. The proposal violates the city's zoning in the area which limits buildings to four stories. The exceptions (Atlantic Place, Scotia Centre, Fortis Building and TD Place) all pre-date the revised downtown zoning policy designed to preserve the historic character of the area. [Hint: it's what draws people here.] Of course, as the mayor is fond of saying: "Rules, we dun need no stinking rules."
This council should not be making any substantive decisions since we are in the middle of a municipal election. That some members of council are carrying forward as if the election didn't matter displays a blatant contempt for voters.
Incidentally, take a close look at the design. The architect seems to thing that kitsch is actually something desirable. Google the word, if you need to. This is a design that people would surely come to wish is in the path of a Category Five hurricane.
Second is a column by Telly editor Russell Wangersky. Russell comes back from two weeks vacation and takes a swipe at columnists like A.J. Baker who pander to their audience rather than present accurate information. Bravo, Russell.
