This year, we are surprised and blessed with a hard-working Oilers team that has made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.  No one dared dream this scenario in March, but I know a lot secretly hoped.  Now that we are here, I can say I echo one posterboard at Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals: Pinch me, I think I’m dreaming!

 

The city is abuzz with excitement.  Restaurants and pubs are full.  People are wearing and talking Oilers.  Employers are letting people go home early to check out games.  This is an amazing feeling this author thought would not come again for a lot longer.  Jasper Avenue after games is full of people cheering and waving their colors in full bravado and excitement.  We are happy again.

 

Whyte Avenue is one of our party spots.  It always has been, and probably always will be.  During this run however, elements of the city are utilizing the Stanley Cup run as simply an excuse to become the vandals they really are.  This has garnered more national and international media attention than the partying and the amazing Cup run.  Basically, a small group of classless rowdies is spoiling this for everyone.  That is unacceptable.

 

C2E is a simple microcosm of the energy and excitement here in the city.  Many groups and organizations in the city are working tirlessly to increase awareness of Edmonton and also to dispel some of the rather negative stereotypes and allow for others to see Edmonton as a place to live, work, and play.  We are given this gift from the “hockey gods”, and instead of being able to capitalize on it, we find ourselves back on our heels trying to defend ourselves.

 

We now have media outlets that are trying to vilify Edmonton fans.  We have letters to the editor from people in other cities decrying how “their” fans would not do this.  We have a general misperception that this is unique to Edmonton, and that the crowd as a whole is unruly.

 

This is false.  I have yet to see a city where at some time a crowd became unruly and did something unfortunate.  Hooligans and malcontents exist everywhere: this is not an Edmonton problem alone.  The pious assumptions of others are not relevant, humanity is littered with examples of the few malcontents ruining it for everyone.

 

I applaud the efforts of many of our civic partners in Alberta to lend assistance to this issue.  They know that the smug attitude of a few media personalities of “it won’t happen here” is flawed.  It can happen anywhere.  Mayor Bronconnier of Calgary knows this as the “Red Mile” was one goofball away from anarchy at times. 

 

We have a great opportunity here.  We can potentially win a major sporting trophy – for the sixth time.  We can show the world the class we exemplified with the cheering of the Star Spangled banner, and the pure ecstasy we created with the impromptu O’ Canada performance.  Jasper Avenue’s biggest issue is horn honking.  Neighbourhoods throughout the city have the celebratory issues of running out of Dorito’s.  We are not a city of hooligans, no matter how the rubber-neckers in the media and the public would like to focus on the bad.   It is truly confined to a small area, and to a small group of anarchists that want to use any excuse to act out their fantasies of morbid destruction.  All Whyte did was to give these individuals a place to gather. 

 

Throughout this forum, there are people who are offering suggestions and solutions to this problem.  Join in the chorus and offer your help.

 

So, without further incident, GO OILERS GO!