YES! YOU CAN FIGHT CITY HALL
(AND SOMETIMES WIN!)
I also wrote my councilors today in Ward 3 where I reside in Edmonton to see how they voted, so I know how to vote accordingly in the next civic election. I noted that two of them abstained from voting as well making it a narrow victory. Apathy gets you nowhere SO — stand up and be heard!
Yah, not to mention the weird sun angle at certain times of the year to be blinding motorist as they zip by and pay no regard… to this sick twisted pathetic piece of so-called artwork anyways.
[ Google News Links Here ]
[ City Of Edmonton Page & Pyramid Proposal ]
P.S. – I like the current signs, just as they are. In fact there is a Geocache at everyone of them, and in my Geocache Profile pic I proudly stand in front of one welcoming others to our city here.
P.P.S. – Check out my “Edmonton Observers Group Network” website below as well.
:: http://edmontonobservers.net
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From: Taylor, Lance
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 2:53 PM
To: ’stephen.mandel@edmonton.ca’
Subject: RE: The LIGHT(Glass) PYRAMIDS
Your Worship Mayor Stephen Mandel,
Just a quick follow-up note to indicate to you that I will not be voting for, or supporting you in the next civic election based on your decision NOT to follow my recommendation to vote against the ‘pyramid proposal’ (as put on record in The Globe & Mail).
Those councilors that did vote against the proposal, have my full support in the future. However, in the end, I am glad the system works and that the proposal did not go through as this waste of tax-payers money certainly would have been an ugly blight upon the city.
Regards,
<Contact Info>
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Edmonton vote flattens idea for pyramid welcome signs
Story Link Here
KATHERINE O’NEILL
From Thursday’s Globe and Mail
July 24, 2008 at 6:38 AM EDT
Edmonton — Council Wednesday voted down a controversial and pricey plan to replace a wooden welcome sign to the city with a dramatic 21-metre-high laminated glass and steel pyramid.
The proposal originally called for the city to construct two new entrance markers, but it was scaled down to just one. The estimated price tag: $750,000.
Mayor Stephen Mandel voted to proceed with building the design by Edmonton architect Gene Dub. However, the proposal was narrowly defeated by a vote of six to five. Two councilors abstained.
The idea of building tilting pyramids that light up the Prairie sky at night – as well as their hefty price tag, an estimated $2.6-million – had polarized Alberta’s capital.
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From: Taylor, Lance
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:20 PM
To: ’stephen.mandel@edmonton.ca’
Subject: The LIGHT(Glass) PYRAMIDS
Your Worship Mayor Stephen Mandel,
I wish to bring this discussion to your attention between members of the Edmonton RASC ( http://edmontonrasc.com/ ). It has been debated (mainly cons) since the idea was first announced to erect these “pyramids of light pollution” at the gates of our fair city.
News Link Here
Our club has long been lobbying for dark skies, and was recently instrumental in getting and working with the parks people at Elk Island National Park to get a dark sky preserve (the first ever) created. It is truly sad, that we must drive farther out of the city these days to enjoy the night sky. Ergo, I am writing to let you know that I agree with all the points raised by my dear friend Dave Robinson and others of the club that we should not sit idly by and watch this happen. I am also going to communicate with other members in the club to pass along their feelings on this project to you as well to you.
Again, I do not support this pyramid project, if passed I will definitely reconsider whom I vote for at the next civic election. I hope you and council can work together on this “to see the light” so to speak, and quash any plans of it going forward. Thank-you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Regards,
<Contact Info>
PS – This is the first time I have ever written a civic official on any matter of importance. That is how strongly I feel against this idea (enough to become involved in the process).
——————————————————————————–
From: Taylor, Lance
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:21 PM
To: ‘Astronomy Discussion list’
Subject: RE: [Astro] The LIGHT(Glass) PYRAMIDS
You can reach the Mayor at his e-mail address of:
stephen.mandel@edmonton.ca
Be part of the problem, or be part of the solution.
- Lance
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From: astro-bounces@mailman.srv.ualberta.ca [mailto:astro-bounces@mailman.srv.ualberta.ca]
On Behalf Of Dave Robinson
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 12:00 PM
To: Astronomy Discussion list
Subject: Re: [Astro] The LIGHT(Glass) PYRAMIDS
While the lighting issue around the pyramids is certainly a concern, it’s unlikely one to deter Mr. Dub or the coneheads at city hall (remember Dub’s cone dome idea for that signature public building?).
More important considerations are:
Firstly, there are potential safety implications for drivers. No, I don’t expect the pyramids themselves to fall on anybody, but ice and snow adhering to the surface of them certainly will. (Imagine a 5 pound chunk of ice hitting your windshield at 80K). They also will be significant visual and perhaps glaring distractions to drivers already trying to handle increased traffic at the city gateway and attempting to figure out where they are going in a new city. If built as advertised, it will only be a matter of time before somebody is injured or killed as a result and the city faces a huge lawsuit.
Secondly: Do we really need to spend well over a million dollars in order to tart up our entrance signa. Are we that insecure of our city’s beauty or our place in the world? Why not simple, tasteful, “Welcome to Edmonton” signs? No logos, no fancy artwork, just a polite message.
Thirdly: If we want to spend a million or so on public art, why not put it somewhere where everyone can appreciate it, not just motorists as they whiz by. Why not invest in some local painting or sculpture for the new art gallery? Why not a statue or two to dress up Churchill Square? Those would go further to build some appreciation for our arts than a couple of leaning towers of pizaz.
Dave Robinson
— On Thu, 7/10/08, Dave Boyle wrote:
From: Dave Boyle
Subject: [Astro] The LIGHT(Glass) PYRAMIDS
To: “Astronomy Discussion list”
Received: Thursday, July 10, 2008, 7:56 AM
I noticed this morning on CITY-TV that the news blurp says that city council needs more information on the glass pyramids.
This thing isnt going to go away without the artist giving it his best shot.He must know who lobby or how to lobby.
To think that city council could even get behind this, while at the same time talking light pollution.(am I kidding myself ,its council) If they were to fill it with incandescent light bulbs , the thing would already be up and running,they prefer to change bulbs rather than light fixtures and attitudes.
Dont go by what the council says …actions speak louder than words and it really shows their intention. Most politicians being “YES MEN/WOMAN” can only say yes to so many before the jig is up.
When will they lay this to rest. I for one think that council really likes the idea and wants it.
Maybe the plan is …throw it out there now …the mass’s become desensitized after a long while, and then its approved with little or no opposition, as its almost accepted at this point. (example being.. maybe the pyramids will be there in 2010 or 2012).
The optomist
Dave
p/s ..lets keep the pyramids in Egypt,Im happy enough with the Muttart.
Alrighty, after two sleepless nights trying to get bleeding edge Wine and WoW as well as nVidia drivers installed, I gave up for tonight to have some fun with Linux. That is to say, kick the tires a bit.
I just sold my Etrex Legend C to a coworker, and used the cash to buy Greg Scrathley’s GPS60Cx. He in turn upgraded to a GPS60CSx and the horse swallowed the fly, and so on. In the end everyone winds up with a shiny new cache machine.
