More Observations - and Election Predictions

In an earlier editorial, I compared Thunder Bay with the Sault in terms of appearance and my initial impressions. Now, after almost a month, I’d thought I’d share a few more observations.

Aside from differences in the façade – the look of houses and the arrangement of roads and neighbourhoods – I have noticed a few other differences. For instance, there are an awful lot of laundromats here.

By “an awful lot” I don’t just mean there are a number of these businesses scattered about this city of 100,000. In some places there are laundromats on every block, and in some cases two on the same block, practically next door to each other.

I don’t know why this is, but my guess would be that there is a greater transient population, comprised of people working in the forestry and mining sectors, perhaps. Either that, or very few people bother purchasing washers and dryers for their homes.

Another difference I have noticed is that drivers here almost invariably pull over and stop for emergency vehicles. It’s not just that they pull over as one overtakes them, but that they do so well in advance of its approach.

Of course, drivers here seem to have a similar disregard for pedestrians as those in the Sault. I guess some things don’t change.

Another similarity is encountering people in public -- in the hallways here at LU, in mall, etc -- who congregate in doorways for a chat. They are, of course, oblivious to others who are trying to get through the doorway.

I have also noticed, and had commented briefly on this previously, is the number of restaurants here. From small family-run establishments to national chains, Thunder Bay has a wide selection of eateries.

By my count, there are 149 restaurants listed in the Yellow Pages, not counting multiple locations of chain restaurants.

Speaking of chain restaurants, it takes a bit of getting used to seeing so many here, after watching chains come and go so often in the Sault.

One further difference, aside from the sheer number of restaurants here, is the variety of cuisine available. Almost every conceivable cuisine is available here: Greek, Finnish & Scandinavian, Italian, Polish & Slovak, Indian & Thai, and Chinese, Japanese, & Vietnamese.

In fact, outside of Toronto I have never seen so many Chinese restaurants! There are several which have taken out full-page menu ads in the local Yellow Pages.

Like the Sault, sports are big here. There are a number of hockey rinks, baseball fields, curling clubs, and other venues.

The Arts community here is thriving. There are two performing arts theatres, and a number of art galleries.

Another contrast is that the Transit service here is well-used. Not only that, it is quite convenient and runs much more frequently than the Sault’s – 30 minutes during the day, and 40 minutes evenings, weekends and holidays.

The routes also have numbered bus stop signs which are used as art of a dial-in route information service. By calling a central number and punching-in the 4-digit stop number, riders can find out the time of the next two or three buses.

All buses are the low-floor, wheelchair-accessible type, and are well-used by the disabled community. There is also a Para-bus service and a wheelchair taxi service to complement the regular Transit.

In all fairness, however, I will say that Sault Transit has improved over the past few years.

By now you may be getting the impression that I like Thunder Bay. Well, aside from the fact that I haven’t yet experienced winter here and am reserving my final verdict until Spring, I will say that, so far, I do like Thunder Bay.

Do I like it more than the Sault? Yes and no. In some ways, Thunder Bay does have more to offer than the Sault. But restaurants, sporting events, concerts and theatre presentations all cost money, and one’s budget may limit how often one can attend.

Then there is the isolation factor. While there is a lot to offer in the city itself, it is a long, lonely drive to almost anywhere else one might want to go. The closest large city is Duluth, MN, which is four hours away. The next closest large cities are the Sault and Minneapolis, both about eight hours away, and a trip to Toronto or Winnipeg is a two-day drive.

Then again, many people are perfectly happy to live their lives in the Sault, with only infrequent trips elsewhere. No doubt there are those here in Thunder Bay who also are content to do likewise.

In fact, given the distances and expense involved in traveling from Thunder Bay, I expect that the isolation is a factor in the availability of restaurants, sporting venues, and other recreational facilities here.

So, if I were to be offered a teaching job here after graduation (providing, of course, that I do graduate!), I would be tempted. On the other hand, if I had to choose between a job offer here and in the Sault, I would have a difficult decision to make.

I have spent more than three-quarters of my life living in the Sault, and it will always be “home.” That being said, I enjoyed my time in Southern Ontario, and would also consider returning there.

The fact remains, though, that there really isn’t all that much to keep me in the Sault. As you know, I recently sold the house that my parents and I called “home” for almost thirty years. I have no immediate family, and while some of my extended family are in the Sault, most are scattered across the country.

There are things in the Sault I would miss, especially my involvement at Willowgrove. But I’m not sure that I won’t be looking to head elsewhere when I’m done school.

After all, these past few years, and especially the past few months, have been leading me toward a fresh start. If I am to start over, it might make sense to do so in a new region.

Then again, a lot depends on where the job offers, if any, come from.

Until then, I’ve got another five weeks here in Thunder Bay this term, and an additional nine weeks in the New Year, with ten weeks of practicum in the Sault between now and April.

So, I don’t have to make up my mind just yet. Thank goodness!

But wherever I end up, and for whatever reason I do, I will always think of the Sault as "home."

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With the election on the horizon, I just wanted to add my 2-cents' worth.

I doubt anyone will be surprised to see David Orazietti win a second term, and by a credible margin.

The NDP, in the person of Jeff Arbus, will fare well, garnering more than a token share of the vote, but not enough to cause David any concern.

The Conservatives and Josh Pringle won't fare too well; Josh is too young and relatively unknown by the electorate, and John Tory's *ahem* leadership will count heavily against them.

The Greens may make some local gains, even though Andre Riopel is seen as a one-issue candidate.

As for the Referendum, the Status Quo will be preserved... this time.