City Notebook: Apparently the media got U.S. election coverage wrong again

By Collin Gallant on November 2, 2024.

Do we need to talk about the U.S. election? Maybe. But what’s there to talk about?

Most of the big news in the U.S. race seems to have happened in the summer, and now we just seem to be endlessly looping back to 2020 campaigns (or perhaps 2016), on this or that from either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump.

One interesting facet, I’ve found, is that once again the media is to blame.

It was roundly criticized in some corners eight years ago for giving Donald Trump too much air time for often-times wild pronouncements, and is now being criticized for not giving wide enough coverage of it all.

All things being equal, it’s a candidate’s job to provide a counterpoint, and the job of voters to decide elections, not reporters.

It all shakes out Tuesday, then likely for weeks and months after.

Power plant

The proposed 2025-26 capital budget for the gas and power division includes nothing for gas, but $36 million in scheduled maintenance on gas-fired turbines at the power complex.

It’s a big number and bigger still when you recall that $33 million was moved forward an approved already this year so the purchasing department could get engines on a two-year wait list.

The new figure includes some long lead items from 2027 that are shifting forward, but expect discussion soon at city hall about a system authority to approve critical repairs without the need.

Speaking of…

The renewables debate in Medicine Hat should heat up as administrators are talking more and more about the proposed Saamis Solar Park purchase in public meetings as a “no regret” proposition, while opponents ramp up their activities.

The Medicine Hat Utility Ratepayers Association is planning an open meeting on Thursday with guests from anti-renewables lobby group “Friends of Science.”

If you’re hoping to “do your own research” as they say, check out the September city council videos on YouTube for the energy division’s net zero presentation, as well as this past week’s committee of the whole meeting on the energy division budget. Also search for “Texas renewables boom” to find out what that fossil-fuel loving jurisdiction has been up to.

Sigh…

The saying is “trick or treat” but it’s clear which is winning out.

Candy volumes have grown exponentially over recent years, but what of tricks?

Aside from the ever-popular, though rather unimaginative, smashing of the odd pumpkin, they’ve all but disappeared from Halloween.

It’s been a long time since windows were soaped, and ever longer since a wagon wound up on a roof.

What of tipped trash cans or relocated realtor signs?

Video-monitoring has rendered ding-dong ditch a moot point.

Toilet paper is no longer tossed about the trees since its value was highlighted in the 2020 hoarding frenzy.

Nobody should have to clean up eggs, or get their candy grabbed by punks, but shouldn’t there be some room for wholesome mischief in the world of today.

A look ahead

A capital grant request from the Medicine Hat Stampede for grandstand renewal and event space will be back before city council when it meets Monday.

The initial draft of the 2025-26 municipal operating budget will be the subject of a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday.

100 years ago

The city’s traffic bylaw was amended to conform with provincial “right of way” regulations, though a defeated amendment would have given priority to those travelling on avenues over streets, the News reported in November 1924.

Elkwater Lake would be stocked with pickerel and perch, the Dept. of Fisheries announced in Ottawa. The larger fish, known out west as walleye, were a good catch in themselves, the News remarked, while perch would support dwindling pike population.

The Ministerial Association of Medicine Hat concluded that services commemorating Armistice Day would be held Sunday, Nov. 9. Church leaders encouraged employers to allow a two-minute pause in business at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Republican Calvin Coolidge was elected president of the U.S., and Stanley Baldwin was re-elected prime minister of Britain, after the Conservatives reversed a loss to the Labour Party in an election 11 months earlier.

The Medicine Hat board of health declared cases of Scarlett fever in the city had not reach epidemic proportions, but quarantine rules that included $50 fines for non-compliance were enacted.

School trustee and alderman Hector Lang was named president of the Alberta Amateur Athletics Union.

Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com.