In an earlier post, I expressed my outrage at my local municipal licensing watchdogs.

Having had some time to think, I’m less angry, but am still shocked by their approach.  Particularly, their non-diplomatic approach.

Immediately after receiving the complaint, I communicated with my city councillor, added a note to my web-site clearly stating that I don’t do paid work in Edmonton out of respect for the local pros, and removed an angry post from my flickr page. They backed down.

Some questions have surfaced that would be nice to have answered… did some local pro photographer complain, or do they have staff that are looking for these kinds of situations? If the city has staff that is watching, they sure didn’t do any “background” on this investigation. Coincidentally, in our neighborhood this winter, The City issued warnings to a number of neighbors on our block (including us) for failing to shovel the sidewalks.  It’s the first time I’ve heard of this happening since we’ve lived here (about 15 years), and the neighbors in question (and us too) are pretty diligent about snow removal.  Again, do they have people out looking for infractions, or did they receive a complaint.

I don’t even want to start on the road snow clearing issue… this city has failed miserably year after year to clear snow properly from our urban neighborhood’s streets.

So, either our city is trying to pad it’s wallet unfairly, or there are some fiendish rats lurking around.

When I procrastinate, it’s because I need time to think. A project worth doing is worth doing well, and careful thought can help make the work efficient.
I’ve seem to do my best thinking horizontally. Perhaps lying on the couch with my feet elevated gets more blood to my brain?

Some of us will turn the tide of history by our actions. Some of us will live in obscurity. But all of us can have great worth and value in our lives and can be comfortable with those less or more powerful than we.

So I will always lean my heart
As close to your soul
As I can.

Dear Planning and Development Department:
Thank you for the Notice.  I was worried that my photographic art work was going un-appreciated.
I’m just wondering if you’re also going to be sending a notice to my neighbor, who loves cooking soup.  She’s very good at it, and sometimes brings over some tupperware containers of soup for my wife and I to enjoy.  We have sometimes filled her tupperware with our own soup, or other treats before returning them.  Does that mean she’s operating … [read more]