| Goliath's case
Several of the men facing charges related to a police raid of a gay bathhouse last year plead not guilty on January 23, and several others will enter a plea next month.
The men charged with the operation of Goliath's Spa and Texas Lounge plead not guilty and will face trial later this year. Several of the men arrested at the bathhouse were removed from the judicial system after entering alternative measures programs, but two more men will enter a plea next month.
Those charged in the case were supported outside the courtroom by members of Calgary's gay community, who have criticized police for raiding the bathhouse. The case has gained national attention in Canada's gay community because raids of this nature are rare – bathhouses are often accepted as part of the gay community. Local activists say the raid has strained relations between police and Calgary's gay community. Police say the raid was conducted after complaints from the community.
Liquor store rules
Several Calgary aldermen are trying to strengthen the rules governing liquor stores in the city, saying current planning guidelines have allowed the proliferation of too many liquor stores.
City council ordered administration to look into the planning guidelines that guide the approval of development permits for liquor stores because they think too many have popped since the industry was deregulated by the provincial government in the mid-'90s.
Current city rules say consideration should be taken if a proprietor applies to open a liquor store within 300 metres of an existing store or 150 metres of a school. Aldermen Craig Burrows and Ray Jones says those guidelines should be solidified.
Jones and Burrows say the industry supports their idea because tighter rules would give them a better chance to succeed. Other aldermen say the market should be left to determine which ones survive and fail, not government planning guidelines.
Tobacco reduction
Anti-smoking lobbyists are pushing the provincial government to do more to cut down on youth smoking than making it illegal.
The provincial government announced new legislation making it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess tobacco products. Similar legislation was in place several years ago, but critics say it did little to curb smoking.
Lobbyists are pushing the government to use the new legislation as part of a larger, more comprehensive anti-smoking strategy, including legislation banning smoking in public places, a ban on tobacco advertising and promotion and the outlawing of tobacco sales in retail stores.
Waterton ruling
A Calgarian is pushing the provincial government to release information on a development near Waterton Lakes National Park, after Alberta's privacy commissioner order the release of the information.
The privacy commissioner said Alberta Environment violated Alberta privacy law by refusing to release information detailing why an environmental assessment wasn't ordered on a development at Castle Mountain Resort north of Waterton.
Despite the order, the citizen, Dianne Pachal, has not received the information and is urging the government to comply with the order. Pachal is concerned the development will harm the environment of the area and the nearby national park.
Parks Foundation
A 111-year-old school in Calgary has been renovated and will now house the Calgary Parks Foundation.
Renovations to the Haultain School building in the beltline district were completed recently as part of a deal between the Parks Foundation and the city that will see the not-for-profit organization occupy the building on a long-term basis.
The foundation about $1 million on interior and exterior renovations of the sandstone building in exchange for a low-cost lease from the city.
The Parks Foundation works to maintain and enhance Calgary's natural areas. |
