Board of Control has deferred until next week discussions about some updates and visual enhancements to Veterans’ Memorial Parkway in the city’s east end. That’s a good thing, because the entire issue needs a more careful look.

I confess a conflict of interest up front – my Dad was a Second World War vet and I have the greatest admiration for the sacrifices made by all our military men and women over the years.  When they sang “Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee”, it was more than just words, it was an expression of their respect and love for this country.

It has become fashionable in some quarters to look down on patriotism as a questionable civic virtue but the people who espouse such nonsense are only free to do so because of the patriotism and dedication shown by those people who have served under Canadian colours and fought to protect the rights and freedoms too many of us take for granted. But I digress.

Apparently the problem here is that city council had earmarked $800,000 for the addition of a number of features along the parkway to further salute our veterans. I don’t know in detail what they planned, nor how appropriate it might be, but when they put out a request for someone to do the job, apparently only one company put in a bid. And it was significantly higher than what had been budgeted, so it was suggested the plans be scaled back.

That prompted a storm of protest, particularly from Controller Bud Polhill, whose father was a vet from both World Wars. He didn’t want any reductions in the planned work, seeing that as a slap in the face of the very people the parkway is supposed to honour. He wants council to find the extra funds to make sure the job is done right.

Good for him, but it’s the wrong approach, at least for now. The key to a possible solution lies in the fact that only one company bid on the job. Under normal government policy that doesn’t mean they automatically get the job. What often happens is that the proposal is modified or the opportunity more widely promoted, and a second call for bidders is issued.

Given the wide publicity the current situation has generated, that’s exactly what should happen here. Before we commit more money to the job, let’s make absolutely sure there is nobody out there qualified and willing to meet the specification within the existing budget.

Given the stand-up nature of most of the people I know who work in the construction and landscaping industries, I’m betting there’s somebody out there who would be proud to sharpen their pencil and help deliver the quality of memorial our veterans deserve.