Hartley Miller's Slapshots, July 1st Edition
By 250 News
Friday, July 01, 2005 03:59 AM
It seems every “Peter”, “Paul” and “Mary” have expressed their opinion about the BATTLE OF THE HOCKEY ENFORCERS. Now, I get to “weigh in” on this issue.
Although 94X and the Wolf@97fm are sponsors, I personally don't find this type of show all that appealing.
The initial announcement divided this city into three distinct groups.
First, a small percentage of people supported the concept. The second group, “Nay-Sayers”, strongly disagreed with this whole idea. Finally, the third group, to which I belong, the silent majority, has no intention of financially supporting this event, but believes in freedom of choice.
The “nay Sayers” emerged to the forefront and their opposition influenced some politicians, particularly the Not So Fab Five (5 Council members who originally overturned the decision). It was the “squeaky wheel” minority that whined and sniveled, and caused this uproar. They characterized this event as, “shameful”, “embarrassing” and stated that this would leave a “black eye”on our city.
Well, “nay-Sayers”, who made you the ethical voices of Prince George? Are your “standard” and moral views the ones we should all abide by? Where was the uproar when the WWF (now WWE) came to PG, or Snoopy Pup (or whatever his name is) and that non family show strolled through town? Did anyone twist your leg to attend these events? Where were the objections to the violent Ultimate fighting Championships? One would think that a group of terrorists were planning a convention in PG. My goodness, calm down and “chill”.
Canada was founded on democratic principles including freedom of choice. Many honorable Canadians gave their lives so future generations could live in a world free of dictators. Because hockey enforcers has been outlawed elsewhere, doesn’t mean we should deny people the right to make their own choice.
City Staff booked this event with the blessing of the PG Athletic Commission, and then Council overreacted and overturned the decision. This is much like a hockey coach who decides to use goalie “A” and having the team’s General Manager overrule the decision by announcing that goalie “B” will play instead. Are we teaching our youth that is right to break agreements?
Counselor Brian Skakun has made several “headshaking” statements about his perceived harm to Prince George’s reputation. Skakun says he received an e-mail from a person in Penticton suggesting she was considering a move to PG, but may not now because of the enforcers show. Well, M’am, Prince George has been doing just fine without you. As far as I’m concerned, your snobbish attitude can stay in the Okanagan. We don't need to be so naive about what people in other cities think about Prince George. Do you really think they care about PG?
In the end, Council made the right decision, and the event is a “GO”. Thank goodness
Mayor Kinsley used his power to revisit the issue and wisely got an 8-1 backing to allow the event to proceed . The city has far more important things to worry about.
Let’s hope CN Centre manager Phil Beaulieu can continue to land more events, even if it’s controversial. Who knows, maybe you can go to the fights and a hockey game will break out.
The Lighter Side:
--Got an extra 10-grand ? The New York Times reports a spot in Wayne Gretzky's
five-day fantasy hockey camp in LA is going for $9,999.
--Shaquille O'Neal, on his basketball abilities. "If i were a painter, you'd be calling me Shaqcasso".
--Arena Football League Commissioner David Baker, on his size."I've got one of those scales that gives an audio response, and today it said, 'Come back when you're not in your car.' "
And, how is your week ?
--Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97FM. He
also writes for PG Free Press.
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Posted by: owl on July 1 2005 1:26 PM
There are some who actually know and care about the laws of the land and understand the concept of due diligence when it comes to safety issues.
In my mind, and those of several others, including Councillor Skakun from what I understand of his position, the criminal Code of Canada allows "prize fights" to take place only under certain conditions.
One of those is that an "Athletic Commission" sanctions the "fight".
The Vancouver Athletic Commission, for instance, takes that role very seriously. It has, out of principle, as well as based on the mandate it has from City Council, which is the same as the mandate our athletic commission has, not looked at events such as this since there are no standard setting organizations such as the CBF involved. Therefore, such events have no commonly accepted standards. What has happened is that the Prince George Athletic Commission has taken it upon itself to create a standard which is unique in this country purely for the fact that the fight is not occurring in a standard rink, with footgear which provides little control and a surface as hard as concrete.
The Prince George Athletic Commission has thus taken on a considerable liability, especially so since this particular event has been turned down by so many other places for that very same reason and the premiere Athletic Commission in this province would not even consider such an event.
Should anything happen at this event, the Prince George Athletic Commission has left this City wide open for a major liability lawsuit which, with a smart insurance lawyer, no insurance will pay since the event can be shown in a court of law to have been an illegal event since the Bylaw of this City giving the Athletic Commission its mandate was contravened and the decision of the Athletic Commission is thus not a legal decision.
The advice given to the City by its lawyers was, in my opinion, poor advice. It was advice based on gambling; gambling the possibility of a lawsuit for breach of contract against the possibility of someone getting seriously injured at the event.
Of course, the whole thing is moot if this event is not the real thing. For all I know this is just another one of those fake WWF shows and we are dealing with a piece of theatre rather than a real fight.
In that case, let the show go on.