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I just received my power bill for the month of June.

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I was shocked to learn that for 33 days I was charged over $200. I don't know how they can justify this amount, considering there is no heat on, no lights until 10 p.m., most of the cooking has been done on the barbecue and the air conditioner was not turned on until July.

How do they justify a $30 service charge? For what? - over $10 a month for a water heater rental, which I am promptly having removed and replacing for under $300.

To make me even sicker, and the reason for this letter, I have just read in the Gleaner that they are promoting bonuses for these greedy executives, who make more in one year than most make in ten.

I think perhaps it is time that all New Brunswickers stop paying their power bills and ask that NB Power executives be replaced with caring people who will be there to represent the people that NB Power was formed for.

Keith Coughlan

Hanwell, N.B.

Paycheque, not bonuses are for doing a day's work

I want to comment on the Daily Gleaner's July 26 revealing editorial about NB Power's bonuses to its bosses.

Electricity is one of the main commodities for our daily needs.

NB Power's McGuire statement on bonuses is not his own, but a committee decision - at least I would hope.

It is felt that there are too many ventures, like bonuses, thrown about these days, and hang the consequences. Anyone who works for pay, which includes presidents and labourers, is paid to do a good job, not a bad one.

If they do what they are paid for, why give them a bonus?

NB Power, a company that could do no wrong, is doing very little right lately. Retirees who worked during NB Power's great growth period years ago will be delighted when things are turned around.

Maybe NB Power's upper management should have a spinal tap and refilled with new vigor and a measure of success of habit and duty.

Gerry McLaughlin

Fredericton

Date of death should not determine eligibility for payment

I am writing to express my opinion on the group called the Military Widows on a War Path.

For three days in June 1966 and four days in June 1967, Agent Orange, Agent Purple and other unregistered herbicides were tested at CFB Gagetown in cooperation with the U.S. military to evaluate their effectiveness.

The members of the Military Widows on a War Path have confirmation of these men being in the area during the time of spraying, as well as medical documentation proving they were affected with one or more of negative health outcomes caused by these dioxins as listed by the Department of National Defense.

Some of these health problems include chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, respiratory cancer (of lung and bronchus, larynx, and trachea), prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, and spina bifida in the children of veterans.

The government is now taking some accountability for the mistake of testing this terrible chemical at CFB Gagetown by issuing a $20,000 Ex Gratia payment to those who have been affected.

However, they have placed a date on the "acceptable" death of the victims.

The primary caregivers of any person who was affected, and who died on or after Feb. 6, 2006, are being granted this payment. But the widows of men who have died before Feb. 6, 2006 have been overlooked.

Not only did this unexpected mistake put these women through the heartbreaking pain of losing their loved ones, but they also had to suffer with them as they fought the terrible health outcomes of the chemicals.

The goal of the Military Widows on a War Path is to have the date of Feb. 6, 2006 thrown out. The day a man dies has nothing to do with the deserving level of compensation.

These ladies are understandably appalled by the government decision, and not only do they want to publicize their unacceptable solutions, but they are reaching out to other widows like themselves, coming together and fighting for compensations of their husbands' deaths.

I have strong opinions regarding the Ex Gratia payment and feel there are a great number of undeserving recipients. But excluding the widows of victims, whose lives were cut short by Agent Orange, by setting this date is unacceptable.

Lee-Ann Davenport

Noonan, N.B.

Canadians need a carbon tax break

Canadians already pay the highest carbon taxes in the world.

Canada is the only oil producing nation in the world that protects the domestic price of oil.

The average price of a litre of gasoline in the other oil producing nations is about 40 cents a litre. Canadians are paying more than three times this amount today. We base our price on the open market and current trading value of oil.

Our governments profit from the sale of oil, both as a natural resource and as a refined product.

On top of that, domestically, Canadians already pay some of the highest value-added taxes on refined oil products in the world.

These taxes have been spent on reducing carbon emissions for decades, like taxes that build and maintain better roads, taxes that subsidize transportation: air, water, rail and public transit.

Even taxes that subsidized industry have all benefitted Canadians in reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment.

Canadians do not need a new carbon tax.

Canadians live in one of the worst climates on the planet. We must heat our homes or we die in this climate. Rising world oil prices have placed a great burden on every Canadian household and we are in a state of crisis.

We do not need people running for political office that want to increase taxes, because Canadians need a carbon tax break.

John Staples

Fredericton

Cosman family reunion Sunday

The annual Cosman family reunion and pot luck supper will take place Sunday, Aug. 3, at the family homestead in Mapledale (outside Debec).

This is for descendants of the late Millage and Jessie (Smith). We will have our annual auction and games for the kids. Bring your lawn chairs and items for the pot luck supper.

Friends and neighbors are welcome to drop in. If you require further information, contact Velma (Cosman) Reagon at (506) 784-2635 or Marcia Spence at (506) 472-7030.

Marcia Spence

Fredericton

Regiment will gather Saturday

The few surviving local veterans of the Second World War infantry unit, the Carleton and York Regiment, will observe the 63rd anniversary of the regiment's return from overseas, and celebrate the memory of their fallen comrades.

This will take place at a memorial service to be held at the regimental monument located near the pedway at the foot of Carleton Street in Fredericton on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 2 p.m.

The service, in which the Rev. Jon Lownds will again kindly assist, will be of short duration and seating will be provided.

In event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the drill hall of the armouries nearby.

The First Battalion, the Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton and York) has kindly offered the facilities of its mess in the armouries for refreshments following the service.

All friends of the regiment and interested members of the public are invited to attend.

David Dickson

Co-ordinator

Fredericton