One Man's Opinion

By: Doug Collins

Why food trucks if you can't get to them?

February 19, 2017 - 12:00pm

KAMLOOPS — I’ve never been a food truck kind of guy. My work place just isn’t conducive to checking out food trucks at breaks or at lunch. But I’ve been following the food truck debate in council fairly closely because I’ve always liked the concept of the hot dog stands at some shopping locations around town, and having some of the specialty foods that food trucks make their living from.

Enough crying about bad city streets

February 17, 2017 - 11:00am

KAMLOOPS — Enough already!! We already know that the city streets aren’t in ideal condition. We already know that the sidewalks in some cases are atrocious. We know that intersections are full of water. We know that lanes aren’t wide enough in some cases for even two lanes of traffic. We know potholes are starting to show up. We know that for those with disabilities (and I’m one of them) it’s really hard maneuvering through the ruts, the piles of snow and the windrows.

Many questions need answers over highway issues

February 14, 2017 - 7:30am

KAMLOOPS — Many questions  need answering following the series of snowstorms and the resultant problems on area highways over the past week or so. In particular, we need to address the problems on the Coquihalla Highway. The highway was open, then it was closed, then it was open. There were long lines of traffic waiting to get through. There were long lines of trucks and cars in the ditch, lined up unable to move, freezing rain, heavy snow, and the list goes on. It was a dangerous situation and we need to determine a better way to deal with that particular highway in these difficult times.

It only took 16 years for ICBC to get it right

February 12, 2017 - 5:00am

KAMLOOPS — In 2001, ICBC abandoned the idea of fixing windshield chips before they got too big and the entire windshield had to be replaced. 16 years later, Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced this past week that — surprise — if you have comprehensive insurance, you can get your chips fixed starting this spring with no deductible. It could save ICBC $8 million a year.

Can we please focus on the issues!

February 7, 2017 - 5:00am

KAMLOOPS — I dread election campaigns. I quickly get sick and tired of the rhetoric and head-bashing and the silly accusations by all parties against the others. It’s extremely influential to the campaign, of course, and the whole intention is to get voters in a furor and vote based, not on reason, but on inflammation created by the spin doctors. We saw how Donald Trump’s campaign used that last year to elect a man based on rhetoric and some character-bashing rather than on facts and issues. In previous elections, we in Canada have started to use that same U.S.

A tale of two countries - to paraphrase the bard

February 5, 2017 - 5:00am

KAMLOOPS — On a day when the Republicans in the U.S. led the way to repeal former President Obama’s Stream Protection rule, the federal government in Ottawa launched two new programs to address climate change in communities and strengthen infrastructure funding. Ironic, isn’t it, that while one seeks to view protection of the environment with a blind eye,  it’s close neighbor is going the other way.

News faces massive challenges

January 30, 2017 - 10:00am

KAMLOOPS — Two weeks ago, I lamented the dilemma facing news organizations. I asked “who is going to protect journalistic integrity” in light of the challenges facing news organizations large and small. A new report out Thursday reinforces those concerns, and some disturbing comments about where U.S. voters got their election news scare me even more.

How about a beer with your shave?

January 24, 2017 - 11:30am

KAMLOOPS — While it may be a noble gesture to try to cut red tape and react to the desires of society, sometimes you have to wonder why we do some of the things we do. As of yesterday, under new regulations put in place by the government, all sorts of businesses can apply to serve alcohol along with the services they normally provide. You can get a nice glass of beer or wine while you have your hair cut. Regulations will be more relaxed for serving alcohol at charity events, or you can apply to become a bar instead of a restaurant after certain hours.

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