Right in the centre - Viability is the key
- Details
- Published on Friday, October 7, 2016
By Ken Waddell
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
There are only two ways to increase net profit: increase income or decrease expenses. When a company wants or needs to establish a higher profit margin, it has those same two choices. A company can make more stuff or get in more product and then sell more. It can also decrease expenses. For a government at any level it is a bit more difficult, as they don’t have the same control over income. Taxes are based on the economy’s productivity and government can’t do much about that in the short term, they can, however, cut expenses. In a public setting, that is a very tough thing to do. Many government jobs are protected by contract or union agreement. In addition, when cuts are made, there is a public outcry about job losses.
My perspective - Time for a new approach
- Details
- Published on Thursday, October 6, 2016
By Kate Jackman-Atkinson
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
Soon, Neepawa will lose a local landmark and reminder of its early prominence. After years of neglect, the Davidson House is slated for demolition.
Dollars and sense
- Details
- Published on Friday, September 30, 2016
By Kate Jackman-Atkinson
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
In the United States, there’s a powerful debate raging over minimum wage. Across the country, low-wage workers are protesting, demanding the minimum wage be increased to $15/hour. Currently, for states that have a minimum wage, the rates are between $5.15 and $10.50 an hour. We are seeing the same debate in Canada, although not to the same extent.
Observations on several issues
- Details
- Published on Thursday, September 29, 2016
By Ken Waddell
Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press
Watching the U.S. presidential debate on Monday night was hardly riveting as neither candidate, neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump, are brilliant speakers. That said, the American voters do have a clearer choice after this week’s debate.
My Perspective: Food for thought
- Details
- Published on Friday, September 23, 2016
By Kate Jackman-Atkinson
The Banner
Sometimes, I find myself at a bit of a cross roads in the grocery store aisles. I’m sure I’m not the only one – in rural Manitoba, we are in a unique position of being both suppliers and consumers.
When it comes to buying one of our main necessities, food, we have a lot of options. We have choices within our home communities, we have choices in neighbouring communities and we have choices in larger regional centres. Overall, in Canada, there are lots of choices, especially as non-traditional grocers, like Wal-Mart, continue to enter the market.
