Rhino's Ramblings: Harleys on High
Robert Thomas
In the world of motorcycle gangs there is something called a "patch-over ceremony". A patch-over is basically where one gang decides to either join another gang or be forced into merging with one. Such ceremonies are typically followed by a celebration of sorts.
A similar such event was set to happen on September 7th, as the gang from the corner of Fairford and Main Streets was set to ride over to High Street West and with a BBQ and a street dance to announce the grand reopening of the street.
The patch-over; a political success.
The party was supposed to announce to the City, and through the media and province as a whole, that High Street was finally open for business: and the road which once won the dubious title of the "Worst Road in Saskatchewan" in an online CAA poll was now dubbed the "Best Road in Saskatchewan" by the city's Communications Manager. The hard fought battle to Make High Street Great Again was over.
The City stepped in, and with some hard work, completed the work properly after the 12 month debacle by “shoddy” Ungar Construction Ltd. A perfect political narrative for all to see.
But the event which was to showcase the great victory and, let’s face it, a political patch over, went bust when a large portion of the businesses on High Street privately said they wanted no part of it. With even a few businesses telling me privately that if the soiree went ahead they would be showing up to publicly criticize it. For the City, such an occurrence would be a major political embarrassment.
You need to understand the development of politics on High Street. It’s not just the City, the businesses, Ungar Construction and a year long project.
What you have had down on High Street are businesses who have seen their livelihoods devastated by not only the events outside of their control but also by the people they traditionally turn to for help; who are, in their minds, letting them down.
It’s not just the admitted lack of communication with the City which has angered the businesses but in their minds the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce also let them down. More than a few have told me they have contacted the Chamber they feel have done little to help.
The fact of the matter is that the Chamber did say something but they traditionally take a more supportive approach on a situation. The Chamber does not want to bite the hand of the City which feeds it but they also want to find a resolution which doesn’t burn any bridges, is conciliatory, plus privately sends a message.
On the other hand you have a second business-friendly group called the Canadian Federation of Business (CFIB) who entered the fray. The CFIB prides itself as a strong defender of small business and they have the battle scars to prove it. They have fought for the interests of small businesses on local, provincial and federal levels and they have also shown that they are more than willing to work with governments. But when they see small business hurt by government they are like a pit bull that hasn’t eaten for three days and just got back from its weekly teeth sharpening at the dentist.
By the time the CFIB entered into the High Street debate many businesses had not only given up trying to speak to what they viewed as an unresponsive City Hall but were in no mood for conciliatory talks either, as their life's work got closer and closer to the abyss and they were on the verge of losing everything.
It’s hard for some to see why would so many High Street businesses turn down a free party to promote them. Even the publisher of the MJ Independent does not understand why would anyone turn down free promotion? It’s not logical or is it?
For more than a few High Street businesses they want people to know they are still open for business, the street is now great, the same great service and prices are here but the difference is they don’t blame Ungar Construction for what happened. Rightly or wrongly, they blame the City, and after all that has happened to them they are not going to give them a political pass. More than a few said it was a slap in the face.
The businesses sing praises for Cypress Paving Ltd for working very hard and long hours, six days a week, rain or shine, to get the job done. At least one business even took out cold water to them when they worked the hottest days of the year as a thank you.
People also need to understand that construction problems did not just deal major financial blows to High Street businesses but the disruption hit heavily for more than a few Fairford and River Street businesses as well. And they aren’t happy either.
With opposition from angry businesses, the City wisely cancelled the event. Politically it could have been embarrassing if any of the High Street business owners decided to speak out, especially to the Regina media.
Was that threat real? Yes; I believe it was. In the entire time I have been writing about High Street usually one or two varying and different businesses will contact me with their concerns. When the cancellation of the BBQ and street party were announced I already had over six businesses forward it to me within 10 minutes of receiving it.
So what happens now on High Street West? Is it all over except for the legal haggling and potential lawsuit from Ungar Construction Ltd? Well, maybe or maybe not. As I have been told, after it all at least one business is preparing to sue. Legally, I don’t know if they are allowed to sue the City, due to legislation, but they are looking at it just on principle.
In the end though here’s hoping the people of Moose Jaw take up the banner of Let’s Make High Street Great Again.
In all the times I was on High Street West one business owner really would never speak to me. As coincidence would have it I happened to walk by his shop when the street party was cancelled (I’ve been trying to track people down all week for an obituary and cellphone numbers aren’t listed) and I asked him one question off the record after all that happened and seemed to go wrong what did he have to say about it? What did he have to say to his customers, the people who spoke up and the people coming back? All he said was “thank you” and went back to work.