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Last updated July 27/10  

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Point Douglas in the News


Tell SLUGs they are lazy losers

Single Lazy Unemployed Guys, the SLUGS of the inner city, are the main cause of crime and social dislocation. As we have worked on crime suppression in Point Douglas, certain themes began to emerge.

One was the huge number of healthy young men who do not work or go to school. At any time of day or night you see these guys walking, riding their bikes or chatting, as if being unemployed was normal, which is not the Point Douglas norm.

One of our outreach workers, who had always worked herself but most of her friends did not, was given the job of delivering "welcome cart" packages to people moving into Point Douglas. She discovered that no one was home during the day at most of the homes she visited. "I had no idea so many people worked," she said.

As we moved in on more and more crack houses, we discovered another phenomenon: Couch surfers, young men who moved in on families, mothers, girlfriends, cousins and lived off the income of the woman. Many of the younger crack dealers did pretty well. No rent, food provided, sleep in, and a good income from selling crack.

It was very difficult for the woman whose home was invaded to get rid of this big, strong, young man, who not only lived off them, he set a horrible role model for any kids in the home.
(read full story)

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION - 27/07/2010


Jean to revisit community she inspired

Governor General returning to Point Douglas Aug. 25 for a daylong celebration

Graffiti Gallery's Stephen Wilson says Jean is coming to give area residents 'a pat on the back.'

Graffiti Gallery's Stephen Wilson says Jean is coming to give area residents 'a pat on the back.'

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has a soft spot in her heart for Point Douglas, extolling the community's courageous and successful battle against crime in speeches around the world.

And the inner-city Winnipeg neighbourhood loves her right back.

On Aug. 25, in likely her last visit to Winnipeg before her viceregal term ends this fall, Jean will spend the entire day in Point Douglas, a community she played a major role in transforming three years ago.

"The reason for her return is to come and congratulate the residents for a job well done -- to give them a pat on the back. That's why she's coming back," said Stephen Wilson, executive director of the Graffiti Gallery on Higgins Avenue.

It's at Graffiti in June 2007 that Jean, then on a national tour of urban art forums, met a group of grades 5 and 6 students from Norquay School, who wrote her a poignant letter about the grim realities of living in Point Douglas. They told the Queen's representative that they didn't feel safe in a neighbourhood in which they were constantly threatened and where the streets were littered with drug needles, shotgun shells and broken glass.

The visit and the letter made national headlines and lit a fire under the provincial NDP government and city police. Three weeks later, several cabinet ministers, police officials and justice department representatives, including current city police Chief Keith McCaskill, met with the community to listen to its concerns first-hand.

Community leaders who had long struggled to reclaim the neighbourhood from drug dealers and other thugs suddenly had friends in high places. Sel and Chris Burrows were able to establish the Powerline phone line, through which community members provided anonymous tips about bad guys, whom the police then investigated.  (read full story)

By Larry Kusch, Winnipeg Free Press, July 24, 2010


Student finds her groove during hip-hop classes at Graffiti Gallery: 
"When I'm dancing ... I feel so free!"

Bob Veruela will judge an upcoming dance contest in which Raven Michelle, 12, will compete.
As the bass beat pumps in the background, 12-year-old Raven Michelle breaks into a grin and starts to dance.

Although she only has a few years under her belt, Raven holds complicated breakdance poses like a natural.

"I love dancing because it gets all my stress out and keeps me out of trouble," said. "Who wouldn't want to do the thing they love?"

Raven started dancing a year-and-a-half ago after attending one of the Graffiti Gallery's free hip-hop classes.

"I came to the class and I just thought it was so much fun," she said. "So I started coming back every Saturday."

While Raven is enthusiastic and dedicated, she is also very talented, gallery project manager Jill Ramsay said.

"We've awarded her a bursary and scholarship to attend contemporary dance classes. She's really one of the best young dancers in the city," she added. (read full story)

Britt Harvey, Winnipeg Free Press print edition, July 23, 2010


Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Point Douglas green space named after Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean

ADRIAN WYLD/ THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES Enlarge Image

Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean

The City of Winnipeg has named a Point Douglas green space around Norquay Community Centre after outgoing Canadian Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Jean.

City council's protection and community services committee voted this morning to name the green space -- which had no name -- after the GG.

The name change will take effect as soon as protocol officers in Ottawa determine whether it should be named "Gov.-Gen. Michaelle Park" or "Michaelle Jean Park."

The GG will next be in Winnipeg Aug. 25. Graffiti Gallery director Steve Wilson said he hopes she will attend a naming ceremony.


Winnipeg park named for Gov. Gen Jean

Last Updated: Monday, July 12, 2010 | 11:34 AM CST

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has often noted Point Douglas in speeches about renewed hope and transforming neighbourhoods.
Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has often noted Point Douglas in speeches about renewed hope and transforming neighbourhoods.
(Pawel Dwulit/Canadian Press)

Winnipeg is naming a park in Point Douglas after outgoing Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

The standing policy committee on protection and community services voted Monday to honour Jean — and her philosophy of bringing communities together to address crime and renew hope — by naming a section of riverfront green space for her.

The park, which does not currently have a name, is adjacent to Norquay Community Centre, just off Granville Street and Rover Avenue.

The city hopes to time the naming of the site with Jean's next visit to Winnipeg on Aug. 25.

The naming process does not require a vote by city council but it does need approval from protocol officers in Ottawa.

The motion that proposed the naming of the park cited Jean's connection with the Point Douglas neighbourhood:

  • In June 2007, she held an event in the area as part of the Governor General's Urban Arts Forum.
  • In a September 2008 speech in Toronto as part of the Youth Arts Policy Forum: Ignite the Americas, Jean referred to North Point Douglas as a successful example of bringing communities together to address crime and promote strong neighbourhoods.
  • At the inauguration of the Jeanne Sauvé Lecture Series in Montreal on Feb. 18, 2010, Jean referenced the youth from Graffiti Art Gallery, located in South Point Douglas, as an example of how youth and the arts can help lower crime rates and transform neighbourhoods.
  • On May 10, 2010, in her opening address at a DiverseCity event in Toronto, Jean referred to the North Point Douglas neighbourhood as a place where residents care and a place of renewed hope.

"She's brought a lot of light on various areas that haven't seen that light before, and North Point Douglas is definitely one of those areas that she's brought light to and I thank her for that," said Coun. Lillian Thomas, a member of the protection and community services committee.
 


Indigenous Cultural Centre Reopens Today

Winnipeg - A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the revitalized, reopened Manitoba Indigenous Cultural Education Centre in Winnipeg's Point Douglas area this morning.

The centre located at 119 Sutherland Ave. houses more than 10,000 books and videos and hundreds of artifacts and works of art. (Read full story)

Staff Reporter, Winnipeg Free Press, June 30, 2010


Heritage house wracked by fire

Point Douglas residents vow salvage

Firefighters watch the flame-engulfed house burn Monday morning.

KEITH CAMPEAU PHOTO       Firefighters watch the flame-engulfed house burn Monday morning.

Point Douglas residents are vowing to find a way to save Barber House after the historic home was heavily damaged by fire early Monday morning.The gutted building in the aftermath.

"The goal is still going to be to bring that building back to life in a historically acceptable way," Point Douglas resident and community activist Sel Burrows said of the long-vacant two-storey home at 99 Euclid Ave., which is believed to be the oldest frame house in Winnipeg.

 
The gutted building in the aftermath. ( WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA )

Barber House, June 1959.


Barber House, June 1959.

"Right now we're in a bit of a state of shock," Burrows said of the members of Sisters Initiating Steps Towards a Renewed Society (SISTARS), a community group that obtained possession of the house and surrounding property just last week from the city.

He said SISTARS plans to build a new $1.3-million community daycare centre on the Barber House property and to redevelop the house into a drop-in centre for area seniors. He added the two buildings will be physically connected to one another.

"I spoke to most of the board members this morning (Monday) and I don't think there's a question in anybody's mind that it is salvageable," he said. "It has to be salvaged. It's just too important historically."

A fire department spokesman said Monday the cause of the fire was still under investigation and a damage estimate had not yet been determined. (Read full story)


Local Leaders Needed - There have been killings, rapes and shootings in the West End before -- lots of them -- but nothing like the series of horrifying events that unfolded this week. It started on Sunday with the brutal sexual assault of a six-year-old girl, followed by a gang war that left one teenager dead, another wounded and two young girls also injured by gunfire. The fact that the suspects in the shootings are also teenagers is just as disturbing.

There's nothing to compare it to in the city's history and it has traumatized not only the families affected by the violence, but the entire community. Something has to be done, but what?

Let's start by acknowledging the obvious. There are no quick and easy fixes, but there are useful precedents from around the world on how crime-ridden communities took control of their fates.

One of them can be found in our own Point Douglas neighbourhood, which showed ordinary people can fight back.

Just three years ago, it was plagued with violence, gangs and 32 crack houses. A group of residents rallied the neighbourhood and established a system that made it easy for people to report problems. Police, city hall and the province were suddenly swamped with demands to clean up garbage and derelict housing, or close down drug operations or homes that were fronts for prostitution and crime.

Working with the authority of the municipal Livability Bylaw and the provincial Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, officers shut down centres of criminal activity and forced landlords to clean up their properties and evict problem tenants. All of a sudden, it was the criminal who felt uncomfortable.

Point Douglas still has crime, but the gangs and crack houses are gone and people feel safe walking the streets.   

The West End needs to follow this model.      (Read full story)

Editorial, Winnipeg Free Press, May 29, 2010


Point of Pride? - A city committee will consider a request Tuesday to “point” a few roads in a new direction.

But a proposal to remove “Avenue” from the names of the northernmost streets in Point Douglas — Magnus, Burrows, Alfred and Aberdeen — and replace it with “Point” is already being shot down by the councillor who represents the area.

“I don’t think much of that idea,” said Coun. Harry Lazarenko, whose Mynarski ward includes the four streets. “What would ‘Point’ mean to people not familiar with the area? I’d rather see something like ‘Avenue East.’ (Read full story)

Coun. Harry Lazaranko (Mynarski) at Alfred Avenue — Alfred Point? — and Main Street. He wants to consult residents. (MARCEL CRETAIN/Winnipeg Sun)

by Paul Turenne, Winnipeg Sun, April 13, 2010


New life for North Main -- Major retail complex planned

Work is to get underway this July on a major retail development that will breathe new life into a struggling section of north Main Street.

That's when construction crews are to begin work on Neechi Foods Co-op's $5-million redevelopment of the former California Fruit Market property on north Main Street.

Bridgman Collaborative Architects
From left, Russ Rothney, Neechi 
Foods Co-op president Louise Champagne and Wins Bridgman in front of the
 old California Fruit Market, which is to be transformed into a retail 
complex, seen above in artist�s rendering.
Bridgman Collaborative Architects From left, Russ Rothney, Neechi Foods Co-op president Louise Champagne and Wins Bridgman in front of the old California Fruit Market, which is to be transformed into a retail complex, seen above in artist�s rendering.

Although details still have to be completed, Neechi Foods has lofty plans for the property it acquired last September.

Not only will its Neechi Commons development be home for a much-expanded Neechi Foods supermarket, but also for 10 to 15 retailers and several office tenants. And if everything falls into place, it could also be home to a culinary-arts school, a hydroponics operation and a year-round farmers market.

Astrid Lichti, administrator for the Mosaic Business Improvement Zone, said BIZ officials and area residents can't wait for the new development to open. (Read full story)

Murray McNeill - Winnipeg Free Press, April 5, 2010


Elmwood gets access to inner city program -- Representatives of Elmwood are cheering the province’s decision to include the neighbourhood in an inner city program that has helped other similar neighbourhoods in the city.

The provincial government announced that Elmwood will soon be eligible to join the Neighbourhoods Alive! program as part of its March 23 budget announcement.

The program is aimed at giving inner city neighbourhoods more of a say in determining how they need to rebuild, rehabilitate, and improve the quality of life in their communities. It works with community organizations, including schools and businesses, to plan and secure funding for projects.

“I’m ecstatic about it,” said Martin Landy, executive director of the Elmwood Community Resource Centre and Area Association.

“Elmwood is a sister community to the inner city and we’ve been experiencing all of the same issues as the other Neighbourhoods Alive! communities.” (Read full story)

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Apr 1/10


Crime can be beaten -- There is no silver bullet in the battle against crime, but the residents of Point Douglas in Winnipeg's inner city have shown neighbourhoods can fight back and win. Three years ago, the community was plagued with violence, gangs and 32 crack houses. Today, the gangs and crack houses are gone, and people feel safe walking down the street.

Criminals are still a challenge, but they no longer rule or define the historic neighbourhood. Point Douglas activist Sel Burrows explains the dramatic turnaround in a column in today's View from the West (H11).

Fighting crime and anti-social behaviour begins with the realization that police and governments cannot solve every problem, but they can be partners and agents of change in communities that mobilize for action. That's what happened in Point Douglas. (Read full story)

Staff writer - Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 13, 2010

 


Point Douglas natives SAY NO TO CRIME -- And because of that, Point Douglas has gone from being a high-crime area to a low-crime area in three years.

Many people have followed our struggle as we went from a community with 32 crack houses, a recognizable gang presence, where kids were afraid to go out in the evening, to one with crime but where the criminals are afraid of the community.

What most people aren't aware of is the crucial role aboriginal people living in Point Douglas have played. When the Powerline system was first dreamed of, it was a Métis elder who suggested the strategy. I remember Sandy Dzedzora sitting in our living room, glass of homemade red wine in hand saying: "There are five crack houses on my block. Why don't we start with them."

Two months later the dealers were evicted or arrested and people were phoning: "I've got a crack house on my street, why don't you close that one." And we would, and the Powerline was born.  (Read full story)

Sel Burrows is a Point Douglas community activist.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 13, 2010


Treatment Centre Doomed:  Driedger - A plan by the province to turn a seniors' home in Point Douglas into an addictions treatment centre may be on the ropes because of escalating costs to renovate the building, Progressive Conservative Health critic Myrna Driedger said Wednesday.The plan called for the former Sharon Home at 146 Magnus Ave. to be turned into a 78-bed residential addictions treatment centre and outpatient facility, but a 2008 consultant's report obtained by Driedger said renovation costs would total $10 million and the annual operating cost would be about $8 million. Manitoba Health and Healthy Living would pay for the renovations.

"It sounds like the centre is doomed," she said. "That's too bad. There's a desperate need for more treatment beds."  (read full story)

Bruce Owen, Winnipeg Free Press, March 11, 2010


Point Douglas to get early childhood education centre

An economic development co-op based in Point Douglas is moving ahead with plans to build an early childhood education centre and community space in the neighbourhood.

Sisters Initiating Steps Toward a Renewed Society (SISTARS) recently completed raising the $1.6 million needed to build the Eagle Wing Early Education Centre and Point Douglas Community Room.

On Feb. 11, SISTARS invited residents to view a model of the facility, discuss its design, and share in the excitement.

“It’s been a long time coming and it’s all very exciting,” said Angel Peterson, SISTARS co-chair.

She said the facility will be located at 99 Euclid Ave. and will add to the ongoing revitalization of the area.

“It’s really going to impact the community and open it up for families with children. Everyone is very positive about it.”

Bridgman Collaborative designed the facility, which features three early childhood education spaces: an infant room with a capacity of 12 and two preschool rooms with a capacity of 16 each. There will also be a kitchen and even am ice-cream vendor with a window.
(Read full story)

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Feb 25/10


Artist's portraits of women confrontational, challenging -- This brash new exhibit at the High Octane Gallery attempts to counteract centuries of dewy, idealized images of femininity.

Given the crushing weight of art history, that's not really something that can be accomplished in one show. But Winnipeg artist Arlea Ashcroft does her darnedest, with aggressive technique, in-your-face subject matter and a whole lot of screw-you attitude.  (Read full story)

Alison Gilmour, Winnipeg Free Press, February 25, 2010

 

 


Point Douglas aims to improve housing stock -

A new non-profit organization in Point Douglas aims to rehabilitate the neighbourhood’s few remaining notorious residential properties.

Still in the planning stages, the Point Douglas Housing Initiative is in consultations with potential partners and financial backers. Co-ordinator Heather Geddie said the objective is to purchase residential properties, renovate them and rent them out.  (read full story)
 

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Feb 18/10


Greyhound Rescue Centre Makes Urgent Appeal for Help - A Point Douglas-based canine rescue operation is in urgent need of donations after receiving an influx of 18 new dogs.

Hi-Speed Hounds, a non-profit, volunteer-run greyhound rescue organization, took in the dogs following the closure of a race track in Wisconsin.

President Michaela Lamoureau said the organization desperately needs monetary donations in addition to donations of extra-large crates, premium dog food, dog clothing, blankets and toys.  (read full story)

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Feb 4/10


Derelict building bylaw lacks teeth, councillor says - A veteran city councillor says efforts to revitalize the North End continue to be hamstrung by an ineffective vacant and derelict building bylaw.
Mynarski Coun. Harry Lazarenko said the majority of the city's derelict properties are in his ward. He said the city needs the province to adopt tougher legislation to address the problem.
Lazarenko said it takes far too long for the city to seize derelict properties and the process needs to be shortened. It currently takes the city at least 450 days to take the title of a derelict property.  
"How long would these vacant and derelict buildings stand if they were in Tuxedo?" Lazarenko asked. "I know for a fact there's no way that people there would ever stand for it. But in the North End, it's different."   (read full story)

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Feb 4/10

Petition to get rid of derelict houses in Point Douglas


Point Douglas rises to Haiti's aid - Like many other Canadians, residents of Point Douglas shared Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean's grief when they saw her weeping about the recent devastation in Haiti. Few communities share the emotional connection with Jean, the Queen's official representative in Canada, that Point Douglas does.

Jean was warmly embraced as a member of the community when she visited the north Winnipeg neighbourhood in June 2007.  And she has never missed an opportunity to praise the neighbourhood as an example of positive change when she travels abroad.

Seeing her distress prompted Point Douglas residents to join together to help Haiti in her honour. At a meeting held at Norquay School on Jan. 27, members of the community reached a consensus on how best to do just that.  (read full story)

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Feb 4/10


Point Douglas Residents Thank Police - Residents of Point Douglas recently offered their heart-felt thanks to the Winnipeg Police Service for its efforts in helping dramatically reduce crime in their neighbourhood.

Members of the community collected dozens of signatures and messages on a thank-you card that they recently delivered to officers at the District 3 service centre on Hartford Avenue in West Kildonan.

The gesture was a token of appreciation for the police service’s assistance in the operation of the community-led Powerline crime prevention initiative. Residents can call the Powerline number (956-4090) to report criminal activities which are then passed on to the police service or other authorities.

Ryan Crocker, "The Times, a Canstar Community Newspaper", Jan 28/10 (read full story)


Open Concept - Artist welcomes guests into her one-of-a-kind home/studio, which perfectly reflects her free spirit - You've got to be a little loony to choose the artist's life.

This weekend, local artist Aliza Amihude and her husband are celebrating their dedication to living creatively by throwing open the doors to what they call "the Loonie House."

Seven years ago, the couple paid one loonie for a filthy, condemned, circa-1915 two-storey on Grove Street in North Point Douglas. Now transformed -- but still an eccentric work in progress -- the unique house is a stop on the In Plain View tour of artists' studios taking place this weekend.  Alison Mayes, Winnipeg Free Press, November 5, 2009  (read full story)

 


Little solutions go a long way in the PointSociety is the loser when youngsters choose gangs:    The awful truth was driven home about halfway through my tour of North Point Douglas. It was just over a year ago, and I was trying to put together a longer feature article on the troubled inner-city community. It was a great yarn, in large part because the people of the Point had started to take back their community from the purveyors of drugs, prostitution and violence. Point Douglas was not rid of those problems, but the community had evolved beyond a well-earned stereotype.  Dan Lett, Winnipeg Free Press, September 24, 2009  (read full story)


Neechi's expansion will bring another food store to Main Street - A North End institution is branching out from its long-time home in hopes of creating a destination location that can provide healthier food options to many of its patrons.

Neechi Foods Co-op has finalized plans to expand from 325 Dufferin Avenue to 865 Main Street to be the anchor tenant in a retail, restaurant and food complex to be known as Neechi Commons.  Geoff Kirbyson, Winnipeg Free Press, September 16, 2009  (Read full article)


Press Release - Sept 11/09

Point Douglas

 Citizens on Watch  (COWS)    Point.Powerline  

Community Policing Huge Success in Point Douglas 

          With well over 100 citizens involved in Crime Prevention through the Point Douglas Powerline (an anonymous phone and email line run by volunteers), our community has been working closely with the Winnipeg Police Service and the Police Community Support Unit.

          This week that relationship showed amazing results. Neighbours on two streets had identified the leaders of small groups  of youth who were selling crack from between houses. In two different actions the police arrested the ring leaders. One was found to have 32 ‘rocks’ of crack in his possession.

The police officers involved were searching one apartment after the arrest when there was a loud knocking at the door and a man yelling...”open up...I want a couple of rocks”.        You can imagine his surprise when the police opened the apartment door and invited him in.

          Two days later another guy was pounding on that apartment door. A neighbour asked him if he needed any help. The fellow said, “I’m looking for my buddy so I can score some crack”.  The neighbour in the lovely bluntness one finds in the inner city replied. “Your buddy is in jail. Get the F*** out of here or I’ll call the cops and you’ll join him.” The fellow was last seen scurrying down the street.

There is real  power for neighbours knowing they aren’t alone in wanting to stop crime .

          The Point Douglas Powerline has enabled neighbours who want a safe neighbourhood to communicate their concerns with no threat of retaliation.

          Recently a gang member told one of our residents, “we stay out of Point Douglas, Too many people watchin.”

          The Police in District 3 , have incorporated a new structure so that the  police officers work the same community on an ongoing basis. This allows the Powerline to provide more detailed background of criminals or alert them to incipient crime. The response time to concerns has increased immensely. When we first set out to “Make Point Douglas A Crack Free Zone” two years ago, it would often take months to deal with an issue. Now, with improved police systems and an active community, most situations are dealt with in days or weeks.

   I say most because we know there are certain criminals in our community that are skilled or sneaky enough to escape our ‘eyes on the street’. However, just keeping the bad guys nervously looking over their shoulder protects the community. We know the main crack supplier doesn’t live in Point Douglas but in a large house in a very pleasant neighbourhood. Could she be your neighbour?

          Recently Point Douglas Powerline has added a whole new tactic to our toolkit to keep the bad guys on the run. Previously we had a few landlords we worked with who would actively cooperate with us in evicting criminals. Now we have discovered that the huge majority of landlords are willing to work towards making our community safe.  Many of the younger ganglet members are couch surfers. They move in with relatives, girl friends and use that address as a base for their criminal activities. We now have many landlords, including several very large ones, who will go to their legitimate tenant and tell them they are responsible for what goes on in their suite. Get the bad guy out or you face eviction. Many tenants find this really empowering , having a concrete reason to tell the kid to get out. This saves the police a lot of time so they can focus on the more serious criminals.

          One landlord recently evicted a young man and his friends who were caught with crack. While one will probably spend a long time in the youth centre the other two have indicated they want out of the ganglet subculture.

          We have learned in tackling crime that no one solution fits all. We need the police for the heavy lifting, for the dangerous ones. However, when the community sends a strong message that criminal behaviour is not accepted, a lot of crime is prevented.

          We occasionally face criticism with our crime prevention methods. We know they aren’t perfect, but with the increased community orientation of the police and over 100 neighbours involved, Point Douglas is fast moving from a high crime area to a low crime area.

Chris Burrows

Coordinator, Point Douglas Powerline

956-4090   point.powerline@yahoo.com


Residents cautious about park plan:  Point Douglas group waiting to learn more - POINT Douglas residents seem to be waiting for a concrete proposal from Premier Gary Doer before getting too excited about the idea of a provincial park in their midst.

Doer's surprise proposal -- made some time ago in a breakfast meeting with a few community activists and revealed last week by the Free Press -- wasn't mentioned once at a community meeting sponsored by the Point Douglas Residents Committee Thursday afternoon.  (read full article) - Winnipeg Free Press, July 24, 2009

 

Point Douglas getting rid of drug dealers one at a time -- Point Douglas has had its problems but in the last two years, in response to the appeals from grade 5 and 6 kids at Norquay School, the community has taken back its streets from drug dealers.

Point Douglas has over 100 anonymous people who keep an eye around their own homes, watching for crack dealers, gangs, ganglets and other stuff that degrades a community and report it on a phone line we call "Powerline." As a result, we have had our share of drug busts and gang arrests in partnership with the police and Manitoba Justice.  (read full article)  - by Sel Burrows, Winnipeg Free Press, July 19, 2009


King Gary Decrees a Park -- KING Gary has revealed yet another point in his unilateral plan to improve Winnipeg, this time plopping a provin­cial park in the middle of a vibrant, rejuvenat­ing heritage neighbourhood in the North End.

The Point residents have worked hard to turn around a once-dismal, seedy area into a place where people can raise kids, go to school, start a business. Home ownership is rising, but still sits at about a third of residential properties. Some absentee landlords own three or four properties, some of which sit empty. The war against the crack houses and the street gangs is being won. There is hope. (read full article) - Editorial, Winnipeg Free Press, July 18, 2009


Point Douglas Park? - Doer touts provincial designation for historic riverside -- Point Douglas won't be home to the new Blue Bomber football stadium, but if Premier Gary Doer gets his way, it will get a provincial park.

"I want to get the debate going, I want to get the discussion going and I want us as a community to seize the opportunity," Doer said in an interview Wednesday.

He said a formal plan has yet to be developed, but his goal is to preserve and develop the area along the Red River in Point Douglas as a public asset for "walking, cycling (and) viewing the river."  (read full article) - Winnipeg Free Press, July 15, 2009


Province boosts rec centre hours:  Funding aimed at inner-city kids -- The provincial government is spending $1.3 million to extend the hours that 10 Winnipeg inner-city recreation centres are open by more than 50 per cent. Many of the centres will soon be open seven days a week, instead of five, and will stay open later in the evening. The new funding will also allow for the hiring of 20 full- and part-time recreation leaders who will develop and help deliver programming for kids. (read full story)  - Winnipeg Free Press, July 10, 2009
 


Tries to save friend, city artist drowns:  'Passionate about working with children' -- Darryle Caribou didn't hesitate to jump into the raging Red River to try to save a friend last Friday afternoon. Three days later, his body washed ashore. On Wednesday, police identified Caribou, 26, as the man who went missing Friday afternoon. They had recovered his body Monday afternoon near the Provencher Bridge. Caribou was an aboriginal artist, well-known in the Point Douglas community.  (Read full story) - Winnipeg Free Press, July 11, 2009


Empty houses should not be left to ruin:    Two very different articles shared a common theme that I feel must be addressed, and quickly. In the article City in a growth spurt (June 17) it is stated that "Winnipeg desperately needs more multi-family housing to accommodate this growth ..." and further notes that "Winnipeg already has a housing crisis, as the residential vacancy rate now stands at less than one per cent." An article in a subsequent paper (Fire at vacant house no shock: neighbours, June 20) notes that the house destroyed by fire was a derelict eyesore for years, and the city does nothing to resolve the situation.  (read full story)
 


Facility spurs area concerns:  Addictions treatment in old nursing home - A proposal to build an addictions treatment and mental health centre in an old North Point Douglas nursing home has some area residents worried aobut everything from drug dealers to parking. (read full story) - Winnipeg Sun, June 23, 2009


Point Douglas takes much-needed coffee break - When Christine Shuwera decided to open a business in her new neighbourhood of Point Douglas, she didn't concentrate too much on the things she wanted to sell. Her focus was on the things it wouldn't offer. Read full story - The Times, June 18, 2009


Great review of Metro Meats in Marion Warhaft's column in the Free Press - Winnipeg Free Press, May 29, 2009


Women's Centre Volunteer Honoured - Bishop one of 10 Women of Distinction. One of the key players in the revitalization of Point Douglas in recent years has been honoured for her commitment to the community. Read full story - The Times, May 21/09


Getting People On Wheels - Bike Dump Volunteers help riders with repairs - Winnipeg Free Press, May 6, 2009    Bike Dump websitewww.bike-dump.ca


Put up a Plaque - Letter to the Editor about the Winnipeg General Strike and the neglected but very historically important Vulcan Ironworks. Written by Shirley Kowalchuk - Winnipeg Free Press, May 6/09


Flooding Destroys Historic Cairn - Fort Douglas cairn swept away by ice during flooding. Plaque marking cairn retrieved by Point Douglas resident Ernest Cucheron - Winnipeg Free Press, May 5, 2009


A city with no design standards - article by Rob Galston, Winnipeg writer and Point Douglas resident, on the new WRHA building on Main Street - Winnipeg Free Press, April 28, 2009


Katz symposium on development stirs optimism - Event pleases presenters, mayor (This event is not about Point Douglas directly, but it does concern us) - Winnipeg Free Press, April 26, 2009


Visionary merchants required to make Point Douglas thrive - Heather Geddie, Letters to the Editor - Winnipeg Free Press, April 22, 2009


Public schools slipping? - Barry Hammond, Letters to the Editor - Winnipeg Free Press, April 22, 2009


We Believe in Winnipeg - South Point Douglas artisan Jordan Van Sewell in the news - Winnipeg Free Press, April 12, 2009


Point Douglas residents fear rash decision - The Times, March 26, 2009


Point Douglas group urges city to reconsider Disraeli plans - Winnipeg Free Press, March 10, 2009


Disraeli Cycling/Pedestrian Crossing; Two Options Developed by the CPWG (Collaborative Planning Working Group) - March 6, 2009


If you want your neighbourhood back, do it the Point Douglas way - the Globe and Mail, February 27, 2009


On the Rebound - Uptown [Magazine] explores how North Point Douglas took itself back  -  Uptown Magazine - Article, May 2008


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