Moose FM CKLP 103.3 - Parry Sound

Are you ready for some football?

Well many people who are fans of the CFL have been ready for, and enjoying, football since Canada Day, July 1^st. So why is it such a big deal to many people here in Canada that the NFL season kicks off tonight? I believe there are a number of factors that make the NFL more appealing to fans than the CFL.

First, and quite possibly the biggest, is marketing. Remember a number of years ago when the CFL had the slogan, “Our Balls Are Bigger”? That was a direct attack at the NFL and people enjoyed it! They liked the competition of two professional leagues that play the same sport and comparing to find out which is better. Now, the CFL has almost bowed down to the NFL thinking they can’t compete. There are no slogans or commercials that compare the two leagues and now there is even talk of having an NFL team here in Canada.

 Along the lines of marketing is scheduling. The thing that makes the NFL more exciting is that the majority of teams play on one day, Sunday! Then the league comes up with some key matchups and showcases them on national television on Monday night. The CFL needs to adapt this type of scheduling instead of having a game on a Friday night then two on Saturday and there are even some Thursday and Sunday night games thrown in there. Sure, the NFL has Thursday night games, but they usually occur around holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when schedules become tight and even then, some critics say the Thursday night games are ruining the prestige of the NFL.

How many people bet on the CFL? Not many. Now, how many people have ever placed a bet on an NFL game? This is a big draw to why people like the NFL more than the CFL. Not only betting actually money, but you can go into almost any bar (except here in Parry Sound) and be in a league where all you do is pick the winner of each game each week. Then there are fantasy leagues on Yahoo, ESPN, and even NFL.com. The CFL lacks this aspect which makes it less appealing to its fans.

Maybe it’s only a southern Ontario thing because I know a lot of people in cities like Saskatchewan and Winnipeg who only love the CFL because they are not closely exposed to the NFL. But if our national football league wants to thrive, (which it has the potential to do. I mean, there’s more offense with a wider and longer field, bigger endzones, and more passing with only three downs) some things have to change off the field that will make the CFL more appealing.

Norm Miller is calling on the province to pave shoulders on some highways.   The Parry Sound Muskoka MPP's private members bill, if passed, would require one metre of paved shoulder on provincial highways.   Miller says this would improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.   He adds the idea has received overwhelming support.   According to studies in Australia paved shoulders drastically reduce accidents.

Granite Harbour Condominiums are just about ready to build after completing all of the items council asked them to do.  A hold was put on the construction until 5 things were done; an environmental assessment, a traffic study, a caution to potential buyers about the use of the salt docks, extention of the services to the site, and a noise study.  A representative from Granite Harbour told council on Tuesday night that all five of the provisions were completed but one more thing has to be done before the hold can come off.  A letter of security showing that all of the provisions have been completed is still in the process of being put together.  He said that letter of security could be in the hands of staff by the end of this week.

Mayor Richard Adams has declared that he will not be running for re-election this fall.  In a press release received this morning, Adams says his decision was not made lightly and he considered many factors before deciding.  Adams has served as a Councillor and Mayor of Parry Sound for 23 years and he thanks the residents for their continued support and trust and he also thanks this term’s council and staff for their hard work in achieving so much in 4 years.  With the deadline for nominations due by the end of this week, the only two who have committed to the mayoral race are Jamie McGarvey and Parry Harris.

An affordable housing project proposed earlier this year could become a reality.  Last night council approved a resolution for staff to follow up on a draft agreement to implement a proposed sale of municipal land for a housing development.  The development was brought to council by FAD Architechs and Distler Construction in July for a cul de sac to be built near the east end of Emily Street.  The proposed project would include some semi-detached homes, town houses and condos.