Just over a year ago, the Donald Street Collective was formed as an outlet for commentary, communication and interaction between downtown denizens. These peoples of the core came together to share in the joys and lamentations of what it means to be shoehorned into a hot concrete jungle with the clouds and rays of electronic communities hovering above. 

Within this site is an assortment of confectionary tidbits and hardened evaluations of  2014/2015 realities. Peruse the writings, art and rants of those in the know from the ground level...or, in some cases, the 3rd floor balcony level.

As the DSC explores individual avenues of expression, life and health, we would like to thank all supporters and readers of the site for their interest and engagement. Despite our overwhelmingly misanthropic approach, we love you all and believe in the power of Collectives, no matter what street you live on.  


DSC News Bulletin Services

Once again...the DSC News Bulletin Services has done the responsibly civic duty of uncovering the news as it happens on Donald Street. Why? Because we care. We feel an obligation to keep Winnipeggers abreast of the news as it happens..but more so, because one of our reporters lives in the dumpster behind Thida's! 

As reported earlier today, there was a shooting early Sunday morning at the greasy, yet cheap, Chicago Phil's pizza joint. While the details are a touch shady, it would seem the local gangster Transcona Tony has had it up to the anchovies with Chicago Phil.

Formerly, Chicago Phil and Transcona Tony were known to be amicable, if not downright friendly with one another. This was, of course, before Chicago Phil started using Mennonite Mozzarella instead of the Saputo brand cheese topping. This change in supplier has created an apparently unbridgable impasse between the two local wanna be mobsters. Word on the street says Tony sent a shooter over to end business with Phil...in true Chicago style...unlike the crappy pizzas being flung by Phil himself. One shot was fired in this brazen act of Sicilian stupidity and concerned Downtownites fear this could trigger a Winnipeg cheese war.

While ambulances were on the scene, it would seem the only victim in this incident is Downtown Stan, who wandered around the police tape for 3 hours mumbling, "I just wanna get some pizza."

So there you have it, the truths as uncovered by the intrepid DSC crew. Some other bystander said, "It was a robbery. Two guys went in and fired a wildshot to get the owner to just cough up the cash...and they did. The perps then ran towards Assiniboine." While interesting, we at the DSC know something that mundane would never be true. This is Donald Street after all.


DSC News Bulletin Services

The DSC was on the scene for yet more paranormal happenings at 44 Hargrave St. aka. Demon Hotel. The skeleton that was the remnants of the purportedly haunted apartment building, burned to the ground Easter afternoon as residents and curious passer-byer's stood gawking in awe .
We at the DSC have informed locals of the mysteries surrounding this downtown staple HERE. Does this mean the legendary curse of Demon Hotel is forever vanquished...or will it just spread throughout the downtown core? 
The DSC will keep you informed as demonologists and paranormal scientists investigate this disturbing fire.



DSC News Bulletin Services

More about Demon Hotel HERE

As the snows blow the chilled air, we hunker down and think of ways to stay warm!


DSC News Bulletin Services

Fun times were had by all during the warm up to the Santa Parade. Hot Coffee kept party goers comfortable while the winds of winter howled through Portage and Main. Strange tribal beats filled the downtown core as Winnipeggers danced and took in the final gusts of somewhat fresh air before being locked in doors for the next 4 months.

The DSC News Bulletin Services

As always, the DSC has uncovered the news behind the scenes, the lies within the hushed silences, and the complete ridiculousness of living in prison cell boxes that scum lords pass off as "apartments". When the ticking of your tock is washed away by the sounds of your downtown neighbours visceral digestions and ejaculations, when you look for answers to the strangeness that is downtown Winnipeg, the DSC will be there to provide the  news that matters. 

As reported earlier, there was an afternoon occurrence at 87 Smith Street that had coppers, paramedics and old ladies living across the hall, collectively shaking their heads. The DSC very early on collected some important details about the event, namely, the involvement of a human head, a cat, and a freezer. These three components seem to be the players in the Smith Street fiasco.

It has been uncovered that a hapless Downtownite decided to save 20 cents and get his pet cat cheaper food. Big mistake...according to police. Constable O' Penbottom stated,

" The cat was apparently very picky about what food it would ingest. As the days went by and the cat rejected the food, the feline turned hunger into anger."

The crazed, famished cat had taken enough of its "owner's" selfishness and attacked his face. The dumb struck 30 something year old Winnipegger attempted to console and remove the cat from his head but was unable to do so. He eventually thought it would be a good idea to stick his head, with cat, into the freezer to try and relax the feisty feline. Constable O'Penbottom continued,

" As the man waited for the cat to be affected by the cold of the freezer, his profusely bleeding head froze to the inside of the freezer. When we arrived on the scene, we saw the tenant standing completely limp, held up by the head in the freezer with an ice ball mixture of blood, drool, and the cat."

Paramedics managed to crack the ice off the mans head and the tenant was rushed to hospital where he is recovering from multiple face lacerations and frost bitten ears, nose and gums. The frozen, starved, barely living cat was sold to one of the many food trucks parked on Broadway.


DSC News Bulletin Services

As emergency crews work to prevent further situations, it would seem a bit of a mishap occurred at 87 Smith Street Apartment Block at around 2 pm today. While details are scant, we here at the DSC News Bulletin Services will work diligently  to present you with the fallicies of facts that will undoubtedly be uncovered. Early word states there may be a human head, a freezer and a hungry cat involved. Stay Tuned!

(Continued HERE)

Eccentric Harvey referred to himself as an "old resilient bastard" on the radio the other day. The 78 year old is ready for another run for city council. He was elected to the Winnipeg City Council in 1980 for the division of Sargent Park, retaining his seat until 1986.

In the provincial election of 1986, Smith was elected in the Winnipeg riding of Ellice, defeating Progressive Conservative Seech Gajadharsingh by over 2,000 votes. He was not appointed to the cabinet of Howard Pawley, and lost to Liberal Avis Gray by 724 votes in the 1988 election.

In 1998, Smith came out of political retirement to run for the Winnipeg City Council again, representing the Daniel McIntyre Ward on city council. In 2002, he was re-elected over Maureen Pendergast by almost 3000 votes. Despite being the incumbent candidate, Smith lost the endorsement of the NDP going into the 2010 civic election in favour of Pat Martin's constituency assistant Keith Bellamy. Smith decided to contest this decision and ran as an independent in the 2010 Winnipeg civic election.On October 27, 2010, Smith won a narrow victory over four other candidates and retained his seat as councillor for the Daniel McIntyre ward.

In 2004, he filled out the NDP nomination forms for a provincial by-election in the riding of Minto, but soon withdrew from the race. Harvey had a secret...

CBC April, 2007: 

The apartment of a Winnipeg city councillor has been deemed insanitary by the city's environmental health services department.

Harvey Smith, who represents the Daniel McIntyre ward in Winnipeg, has moved out of his suite in the Marie Apartments on Alverstone Street in the West End neighbourhood he represents.

Building caretaker Normand McKay says earlier media reports that Smith was evicted are incorrect.

"He wasn't evicted, and if he would have cleaned up, he'd still be living here," McKay said.

"If you don't abide by the health rules, by the health department and stuff — like, they even told him to clean up because it was unsafe for anybody to live in.The way it was, I wouldn't even let my dog live here."

McKay says he found mouse droppings and year-old food in Smith's apartment.
"I filled out three bins of his garbage and I'm still cleaning up the apartment, the way he left it," McKay said.

The closing order for Smith's suite indicates inspectors found a "large accumulation of household garbage, debris, filth and hoarding of items throughout the suite," according to a report in the Winnipeg Free Press.


For his part, Smith says he's not surprised his apartment was ruled unfit for human habitation.

"I mean, I agree with it. It's the walls. It's the physical condition of the apartment," he says.

"When the roof leaked, they repaired the roof but they didn't bother repairing the wallpaper where the water had come down."

Smith admits he had a lot of belongings, including thousands of books, records and old furniture, such as an old radio from the 1930s.

"But it was all neat and clean."

Smith believes he was forced out of his apartment by the landlord after he stood up for another tenant.

"I made the landlord angry… because I went to bat for the tenant across the way," he says. "They tried to evict him and the Rentalsman's decision quoted me as saying the tenant was quiet and responsible."

I wonder if Harvey has strange odours?


Zen Yetimoto

The DSC-NBS always has its ears to the curb and eyes to the street, and it just so happens that while looking on the street we discovered a top secret government memo. It is our duty and privilege to share this revealing document to you, the DSC Readers. 
While unsurprising, it would seem apathy and corruption continue to haunt the public sector. This particular memo "reminds" employees of the public sectors core values, which include fear and intimidation and self sabatoge. We at the DSC do have empathy for the current environment confronting federal employees, but the reality is, the whole public service industry has systemic issues that need to get worked out, one way or another.

Remember, when your put on hold for 45 minutes while a government worker looks up your file, there is a specific reason for it...and  you heard it here first, at the DSC!

The DSC News Bulletin Services

Note: Due to the ongoing legal issues and, in order to ensure the safety of the victim, the Court has recently lifted a legally imposed publishing ban. Some details are now available.

The DSC’s own Angry Vegan, the most recent addition to the DSC Blog Team, has been convalescing at a local ashram after multiple reconstructive surgeries and a lengthy stay in hospital. The medical team is pleased with his progress and has released him under medical supervision.  Locals said he was savagely beaten by a meat eating, women-hating, limp-dicked, sclerosis-ridden workingman. Local police described the carnage as the kill floor at your favourite abattoir. Witnesses also describe watching what appeared to be a butcher gutting a calf. When Police and Rescue arrived at the scene the Angry Vegan was a trembling, quivering sack of dislodged meat.

The perpetrator of this heinous act had overheard the Angry Vegan make a disparaging comment about grain fed beef. Witnesses state that he also claimed that certain American beers, made under license in Canada, were flavoured and made, in part, with corn. The Angry Vegan appeared to enjoy provoking Burt Geddoe, 35, of Tungsten Grange but things went south quickly after Mr. Vegan proclaimed that Ford, GM and Chrysler were foreign cars in Canada just as a Toyota was. The Angry Vegan is well known to the residents of the area; many of whom were deeply shocked that their loveable curmudgeon was subjected to such cruelty. However, some did say that though they were fond of AV (as he is known); something was bound to happen eventually given the provocative and confrontational nature of his personality.

Though Police have yet to release full details (it is uncertain if they will ever be permitted by the Court), Geddoe has been charged with aggravated assault, unnecessary use of force and improper use of a spoon. He faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.  Lobby groups from the federal and provincial meat industries, and the American car manufacturing sector are providing Geddoes with legal and financial support. The Angry Vegan is using a Legal Aid lawyer for the pending civil cases launched against him.

We expect a public statement from the Angry Vegan once lawyers manage to set clearly defined parameters for trial and police report press releases. It’s possible that even given the horrendous violence to which he was subjected, Mr. Vegan could face millions of dollars worth of legal costs and owed settlements to the interested parties. The civil cases are being built as the criminal trial proceeds. The criminal trial is expected to last six weeks. 


The DSC News Bulletin Services
and
Herr Doktor

Artist's interpretation of events as they unfolded Thursday, July 10th, when a Donald Street downtown apartment resident was witnessed damaging property in suites below. Officials stated it may be linked to the "Linda Blair Food Poisoning" event that occurred a few weeks ago or it may just be the same bastard that pukes every Thursday night from the third floor balcony. 

Once again the DSC News Bulletin Services has gotten the scoop from the streets and presents it here for you first, at the Donald Street Collective!
You may have heard about the brazen shooting near the intersection of Graham and Carlton Thursday night, but what you haven't heard are the facts behind the craziness...and sheesh...is it ever crazy!


It would seem that a love struck patron of the Shark Club just wanted to give a gift to his favourite waitress. Little did he know that, as with all servers at the Shark Club, she was in actuality an Automated Female Server Killing Unit (better known as AFSKU). As the Cyborg finished its shift and went to its vehicle, the romantic Shark Club regular approached "her" to give it a flower. Unfortunately, the AFSKU computed this parking lot visit as a threat and reacted defensively (as depicted below in Artist's interpretation). Police stated this happens more than they would like to admit and warn patrons of all downtown eateries and bars to refrain from foolishly thinking servers have any emotions,feelings or loving inclinations...regardless of how much you tip them. The AFSKU was released when police determined it was, "...just doing its job."

Continuing in the DSC's tradition of misinforming you before others do, we have three downtown news items that caught our attention in the past month. All involve cops...and all involve complete fabrication. Courtesy of the DSC News Bulletin Services!

On June 19th, at the Domo gas bar on the corner of Wardlaw and Donald, police had to take serious measures when confronting a cigarette thief in the night. The police officer that shot the perp, Officer O' Slippinfingar, told an unreliable source that as the squad car pulled up to the gas station, the robber began throwing packs of stolen cigarettes at the officers and they had no choice but to take drastic actions. 

" He was throwing the packs really hard at us...he was warned!" Officer O' Slippinfingar stated. 

Neither officer involved in the event will be formally investigated or even burdened with having to explain themselves. The victim remains stable in hospital despite a melon sized hole in his chest and he now faces severe jail time for more than just stealing the smokes. Each pack of cigarettes he threw at the cops is  being considered an individual assault with a weapon charge against a police officer. He threw 4 packs of smokes.

Then, on June 21st, a bored Best Buy employee who was forced to take vacation time and had nothing to do, acquired some MAGIC MUSHROOMS from a river rat and proceeded to watch FIRST BLOOD. He viewed the Stallone hit just as the mushrooms began to take effect, then, in a psilocybin fuelled trip out bender,  he obsessively watched the film 4 more times without drinking, eating or taking a washroom break. He expectedly went on a rampage and ended up jumping off the Osborne Street Bridge when chased by police. 

After the tripping jumper exited the stink waters of the Assiniboine River, he quickly succumbed to gangrene, typhoid fever, emphysema and hair loss. Police threw him in a plastic box until his trip wore off. He is now rehydrating in hospital and told sources,
" All I wanted to do was have a nice trip and look at trees but as soon as Rambo started getting abused by the cops, I saw red. That's all I remember."

Doctors say that while the trip from the mushrooms subsided over several hours, the effects of the river water will physically and mentally damage the Village Tripper for life.

And thirdly, there was the tragic shooting at the Chateau 100 on July 1st. It would sadly appear that booze, loaded weapons and a can of Chef Boyardee Over Stuffed Ravioli were involved in the death of a young woman. Police are considering the charges to be laid against the can. The Shooter was let off with a warning to never waste or risk a can of Ravioli again. After clearing the crime scene, police decided to hang out in the Chateau 100 suite for a week because it had a great view of Goldeye fireworks and what one Officer stated was a, " ...Great shower head with serious water pressure!".


The DSC is committed to providing the news that matters, the fallacies within the lies and the truths without merit. Stay Tuned for more breaking News as we conceive of it!


DSC News Bulletin Services

As reported earlier on the DSC, the DSC News Bulletin Services has uncovered a disturbing food borne sickness that has resulted from the Smith Street Party hotdogs. Now being referred to as the " Linda Blair Food Poisoning" incident, several people have fallen ill early this evening with symptoms that include large amounts of green vomit and low grunting noises.

Partiers were seen shoving several hotdogs at a time in their faces and while it would seem the green vomit malady could be caused by a bacteria, it is actually just the result of piggish overeating. Health officials have warned people that the best thing to do is let the over gluttony run its course through excessive puking and moaning. People are additionally warned that "free hotdog" is not always a good thing and not to think the illness is the result of anything demonic, spiritual or accursed. Demonic Forces were blamed when a North Kildonan family that partook in the downtown festivities had only one frame of reference for green puke. 

The "Linda Blair Food Poisoning" seems to subside after a few vomits and several clothing changes. Let us not stain the entire event with pea soup, presented below are a few Smith Street Block Party 2014 Pics to remind us of the back alley that rocked on a Summer Sunday in Downtown Winnipeg!

As the Smith Street Block Party wrapped up (previously reported on here), there were whispers in the corners that the hotdogs may have caused more than a feeding frenzy! As always, the DSC brings you the complete fallacies as they unfolded in a bid to encourage misappropriation and misunderstandings to the fullest!

Likened to the spread of a zombie outbreak, many Smith Street Party attendees confronted the demon of the bowel with at least one reported bodily fluid misunderstanding occurring in North Kildonan. The DSC will keep you abreast of this news morsel as it is uncovered and as rumours spread! Stay Tuned!

Someone call the Party Police! It looks like the Smith Street Party is in full swagger this afternoon in the downtown core. Between Broadway and Young, the Smith Street Block Party has music, clothes and burnt hot dogs to feast upon. While the vibe seems nice and family like, this reporter has noticed an underlying potential for some tragic event to take place.

Stay tuned, as the Donald Street News Bulletin Services brings you new and questionable facts that will bring to light the downtown denizens as they shuffle about their concrete dominated days. The Block Party is happening until 2pm, or until the homeless folk are well fed...so suit up and get dirty!

No surprise to the DSC, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg is moving forward in feigned earnestness to convince you of the swinging deal to be had by seeing the horrors of humanity. This newly posted article by the Free Press is obviously laden with propaganda and manipulation. The best part about the article is the comments. Moderated, of course, it would seem any counter point to the selfish drives behind this atrocity Museum are being squashed. Typical of course, but let us remind you of the agenda behind this seemingly sensitive shrine to death. One of our contributors voiced their opinion in:The Museum of Human Hypocrisy (or The Shrine to Ego) some time ago, and it seems right on target.

While the DSC has fun with social commentary, the business machine that is the Canadian Museum for Human Rights should be made clear to you...yes you. The ones that paid to have this fiasco built. Oppressing the viewpoints of various individuals that are openly challenging the notions the PR people at the museum flaunt is unacceptable, and frankly...isn't it counter what that thing is supposed to be? Then again maybe not, the writing in on the wall and the DSC will continue to challenge this insult to Winnipeggers and human beings everywhere. Stay tuned!


DSC News Bulletin Services

The Midtown Troll explains further.

Elections are a time when we see citizens band together with others who share a common view and lobby for their interest.  As candidates may pander to such lobby groups, out comes the squeaky wheels. Citizen groups are an important part of our public discourse, but some particular groups are just delusional.

It’s still early in the Winnipeg election campaign, and one such group who calls themselves “WINDOG” has gotten a bit of coverage the past few days.  WINDOG, or the Winnipeg Network of Dog Owner Groups, are essentially exactly what you may think: a group of suburbanites with sheltered and dull lives who feel a special privilege, have entitlement issues, and can’t see the bigger picture.  For them, their Precious Fido is what will determine their vote. 

WINDOG and its supporters want a substantial increase in off-leash dog parks to be created in Winnipeg.  Currently, there are either 11 or 13 in Winnipeg (depending on the source) and they seem to be dispersed well enough that none are too far away from any place in the city.  11 dog parks are far short of what they want (it was pointed out that Calgary has about 150).  WINDOG basically would like to see a special off-leash park within walking distance of every home.  They demand that many current parks for people be converted to dog parks.  Fido has rights, don’t you know! 

Donna Henry, the group’s delusional spokesperson, went so far as to say “Dog parks are a core service just like any other core service in the city.”  Seriously, that is a quote.  You can’t make up such nonsense!  A core service!  You know, right up there with the other core services the city delivers such as water and sewer, first responders (firefighters, police, and paramedics), public transit, and garbage collection. 

Winnipeg is a city that has its share of very serious problems.  In terms of municipal issues, take your pick: crumbling infrastructure, rampant crime in the Fear Zones, mismanagement and cronyism at City Hall, inadequate public transportation… I could go on and on.  These are the types of issues that a responsible and thoughtful citizen should consider at that ballot box.  But for the WINDOG mentality, Precious Fido is Issue #1. 

How nice it must be in their part of town where this is their top and seemingly only concern.  The entitlement they feel is appalling, in short: because they have dogs, parks (for people) and other green spaces should be converted and designated as an off-leash dog park. It really reflects how something must be missing in their lives that they value the happiness of a canine to the same (or greater) degree as that of actual human beings.  Voting on issues that would improve the city and the lives Winnipeggers (the human kind) is not a concern for this flawed mentality.  They chose to live in a city, that means having a dog on a leash… this is not the farm where Fido can run around to his hearts content.  Be grateful for the 11 off-leash parks that currently exist.  And don’t even get me started on a rant about the overwhelming amount of irresponsible dog owners there are. 

Herr Doktor has previously written a great post in his Woodlot series about this twisted mentality of treating dogs as people, I encourage you to read it as it sheds a great deal of light on the ‘my dog has special status and is just as important as a person’ mentality (click here).

Anyway, ‘be a good citizen and vote,’ as they say… but if you can’t see past yourself (or your dog) and can’t comprehend the truly important issues, please stay home on Election Day.


The Midtown Troll

The DSC News Bulletin Services gave you the scoop on a fire that was raging on the 22nd Floor of 134 Smith Street and now, as always, we follow up with some highly speculative conjectures that are whispered on the street...and remember you heard it here, at the DSC first!

While firefighters were able to contain the fire in the room where it started, there was severe smoke, heat and water damage to the suite itself and the apartment under it. Once again, it would seem that unattended cigarette droppings were the root cause. Unlike a recent recycle bin fire that caused a car to explode on Donald Street, this inferno was caused by a resident. Word on the curb says, a tired, hard working man, engaged in a prolonged masturbation session, felt the need to light up a smoke and, unsurprisingly, then passed out due to exhaustion. The lit cigarette apparently ignited some paper towels and old porno mags that were strewn about the bedroom of the suite. The culprit escaped with only minor burns but sadly, he lost his entire mid-80's vintage SWANK collection to the blaze.

DSC News Bulletin Services

There seems to to have been a fire on the 22nd Floor of 134 Smith St., giving downtownites a bit of excitement to break in the new warm(er) weather! Fire fighters amassed in force to stop the potential grease fire mishap that was contained within one suite. They worked fast to prevent the inferno from spreading to other living quarters within the apartment building. Don't worry, the Smith Food Mart is still open.

We are committed to investigating this blaze and details will be posted as clues are analyzed. Stay Tuned to DSC News Bulletin Services for the truths behind the news!

DSC News Bulletin Services


(continued HERE)

As of the time of writing, there are four individuals who have officially entered the 2014 Winnipeg mayoral race.  Here are some trollish initial questions and impressions of those candidates.   






Where On The Spectrum Is Gord Steeves Today? 

Former councilor Gord Steeves: is he left, centre, or right?  Seems that where he sits is ever-changing, based on What Is Best For Gord Today.  During Glen Murray’s time as mayor, I recall Gord touting the same lines as (then) NDP Glen.  He enthusiastically sat in Murray’s inner circle (the Executive Policy Committee) and was a staunch defender of His Worship.  Fast forward to when Sam Katz became mayor, and lo and behold, there was Gord, parroting Katz’s lines and defending his policy.  Even if it was 180-degrees opposite of what he supported under Murray (e.g., the bus rapid transit phase 1 fiasco).   

Before being elected to city council, he ran for MLA as a provincial Liberal (and lost), then he joined PC Manitoba and ran for MLA under that banner (and lost).  The second time he ran for MLA in 2011, he earlier (had to) vacate his city council seat.  Hence, he has not held elected office since that time… as such, he may also attempt to brand himself as ‘an outsider.’  Good luck with that, Gord.  By last indication, Gord Steeves is right of centre.  But that may change as the race unfolds (move to the left if the right gets too crowded). 

A likely post-election lesson for Gord will be: if you try to be everything to everyone, you will fail at being acceptable to most anyone! 



Who in the Hell is Brian Bowman? 

That is the question that will be on most people’s mind the past few days, that is, if you are not plugged into the local ‘Twitterverse.’  Oh, Brian Bowman is Big On Twitter in Winnipeg.  This is likely why he got a whole lotta media coverage in the past few days as he launched his campaign… a disproportionate amount of coverage for a privacy lawyer who has never held elected office before and only served on some local boards of directors.  As most of the local Winnipeg media is plugged into Twitter, they lose sight of the fact that Bowman isn’t a recognized name outside of Twitter given all the 140-character footsie they’ve been playing with each other over the past few years.   

Thus far, Brian Bowman has been yapping the typical lines for a younger ‘outsider,’ about being a ‘non-politician,’ the need for a ‘new generation,’ to ‘move forward’ and his having so much ‘vision.’  Meaningless political speak.  Really, he puts out such empty blather with ease as he really is not new to politics, having apparently been close to running for the PC Manitoba leadership recently, and leading the PC Manitoba youth wing in his younger days.  Regardless, if you run as a candidate for office, you’re a politician!  (I believe that Sammy is still referring to himself as a non-politician after all these years, what nonsense!)  

Brian Bowman is also like a politician in that he is more than willing to use his young family as a political prop.  When he rolled out his wife and sons, it was during a school day morning.  Poor kids, Daddy puts his ambitions first.  Yeah, he isn’t a politician! 

There will likely be a good deal of vote splitting on the centre and centre-right of the spectrum.  There is probably a right-leaning councilor or two who will also run for mayor, in addition to Gord Steeves (if he is currently right, that is).  As such, Bowman probably doesn’t stand much of a chance.  Though he may try to marshal his Twitter appeal and pander to local hipsters… in other words make platitudes of opening Portage & Main to pedestrians and take photo-ops sipping java in Parlour Coffee (a strategy that would come at the expense of many other potential voters, particularly those in the ‘burbs). 

A likely post-election lesson for Brian will be: don’t judge your popularity by your number of Twitter followers!  (For more on Bowman, see The Black Rod) 



What’s Up With The Two Other Guys? 

Mayoral races always attract some eccentric individuals who clearly do not have a chance (or much campaign funds), but think they have a shot given the mindset of “I have such good and big ideas that people will listen and see things my way!”  So far, in this category, we have funeral home owner Mike Vogiatzakis and blogger Gordon Warren. 

Mike Vogiatzakis has a shady history with two criminal convictions, one of which was for assault.  He also does not live in Winnipeg, so there’s that as a bit of an issue for him to overcome.  Owns some property here (the funeral home?), so it turns out he is allowed to run.  Would likely be Winnipeg’s Rob Ford if elected.  Also would half expect if, as mayor, he put forward policies that may endanger the lives of Winnipeggers... cut down ambulance service, for instance… would be good for business as a funeral home owner!  It certainly isn’t unusual for a Winnipeg mayor to work first and foremost in the best interests of their privately held business(es).  That’s why these outsider business owners run in the first place. 

Gordon Warren has been  accused of being anti-Semitic more than once.  While the basis of these accusations does not constitute an actual hate crime, some of his postings are nonetheless rather controversial and unbecoming of someone who wants to lead the city.   I’ll save the whole argument about real hate crimes versus ‘the right to not be offended’ for another day, or this post will get way too long.  Either way, Gordon Warren is a blogger, and as we all know, bloggers are crazy and angry people who reside in dark rooms and get off on getting you upset.  Being a blogger in itself is his ultimate disgrace and discredit! 


***** 

Be sure to check back in on The Donald Street Collective for continuing and biased coverage of the 2014 Winnipeg election! 



The Midtown Troll

At approximately 22:15, April 18th, there was a fire at the rear of 59 Donald. While the investigation is still underway, it would appear that the recycle bins are the source of the fire and spread to a nearby vehicle. 

The Vehicle was engulfed in flames and several explosions were heard by tenants within the apartment building. 

One bystander stated,
"It was like being in a war zone! There were flames everywhere, smoke and then these explosions! I was terrified!"
Fire fighters arrived quickly and extinguished the blaze within minutes. A truck that was parked next to the exploding car was also affected by the intense heat (as seen in picture below). Damage is estimated to be in the range of $60,000.

While it is unclear how the fire actually started in the recycle bin, a mentioned theory is that it was not a malicious act but rather the unfortunate result of a full recycle bin, a bin picker, a lit cigarette and high winds. 

Car explodes as tenants fear for their lives! More to come as news unfolds!