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10 Comment(s)

For months I have quietly watched the ongoing attacks against Minister Lamrock and others whose intentions were to bring change to our French language program.

As a methods and resource teacher, it was apparent to me that the previous system had many shortcomings for both our children learning their mother tongue and our children learning a second language.

I do not profess to have the knowledge to know if the proposed changes will work and, possibly, none of us do.

However, I, for one, am encouraged by the fact we have a minister who has demonstrated unique leadership. I am certain he knew this monumental challenge could be a risk to his political future.

No politician should pay a price for such courage.

On behalf of the many struggling parents, students and teachers, I say thank you to Minister Lamrock for rising above these challenges.

Brenda Sansom

Fredericton

Only time will tell

This is a letter to Premier Shawn Graham.

On reading the many letters to the editor in The Daily Gleaner, plus the media interviews concerning the proposed site at Mactaquac Provincial Park for the installation of the "TreeGo" recreational facility, I decided it was time for an independent voice to be heard.

The only thing I know about this recreational facility comes from the short video clip carried July 16 on the CBC-TV, 6 p.m. newscast, plus the bits of information gleaned from interviews reported in the press and on the radio.

It appears to be more suited as an obstacle course for the military to train troops for jungle warfare or a movie production set for filming the next "Tarzan" sequel.

From what I've seen and heard, I will be very surprised if any responsible parent allows their children on these apparatus. Should someone get seriously injured or killed, who is going to be responsible?

No doubt there will be many safety measures in place. However, bad things happen.

In most lawsuits, everyone remotely connected is named as a defendant. Courts have a history of making awards against the party with the deepest pockets. There is no question in my mind who will be on the hook.

What I do know, is the area designated to this facility is a rugged pristine section of the Mactaquac Provincial Park that is a natural ecosystem, second to none, with walking trails that have easy access from the most highly used areas within the park.

This area is without question the gem of the whole Mactaquac Provincial Park trail system. In my opinion, the individual in government who approved this project was very ill-informed or has absolutely no appreciation for our natural assets and should, therefore, be designated to the penalty box.

Having been employed by the provincial government for 39 years-plus, in both the Departments of Natural Resources and Tourism, I know firsthand how the system works. The only difference between either of the two major parties is whose friends are skimming the cream.

There is only one politician that I know who was bold enough to state this publicly. J.C. Vanhorne, when being interviewed by a reporter about a controversial decision he had made, replied: "Politics in New Brunswick is ... you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours."

One has to wonder whose back in government is being scratched in this instance.

Only time will tell who's right and who's wrong.

However, if "TreeGo" flounders, which quite often these ventures do, they will have destroyed a natural ecosystem that will take at least a century or two to rehabilitate itself, if it ever does.

Vaughn MacManus

Mactaquac, N.B.

City needs a 'good' centre

This is in reply to Basil Kirk's letter.

I have no particular view on a convention centre for Fredericton, except this.

If we don't have a good one, we should have.

But "the bridge to nowhere" is a favourite spot of mine. My grandchildren love it, and the name is a great one.

There should be a prominent sign beside it, and we should be advertising in our tourist brochures. We do have tourist brochures, don't we?

The only people who can't enjoy TBTN are crabby old goats who hate fun, much older than my 73 years.

Stuart Mills

Fredericton

The best and the brightest?

Another payday has come and gone, and it's that quick how it gets spent.

I would just like to take a few minutes to discuss my other favourite topic - NB Power.

First of all they say they need bonuses for the best and the brightest, the bosses at NB Power. I'm not sure if it's these guys!

Why do I say that? Here's why.

Well, first of all, my hotwater heater charge keeps inching up. To me, this is a problem, unless were on metered water and someone didn't tell me.

The point I'm trying to make here is the water heater I have in my home is 25 years old. I was told that it was 22 when we bought this house.

Now, you're going to try and tell me that's why my bills are so high.

I tried to get it removed and one of your most trusted employees told me I can't touch that "'til you get an electrician to separate it from the water pump."

It's all Greek to me; I'm Canada's answer to "Tim the tool man."

Imagine that NB Power has a service man who doesn't know how to be an electrician. So that brings me to the almighty service charge that keeps going up every month. I'm not getting service.

To me, that's the same thing as system activation fees for cellphones - beer money for the higher ups at NB Power on the weekends.

So, to finish anyway, "the best and the brightest?" I don't think so.

Frank Andrew Drost

Minto, N.B.

Maritime Union. Why not?

Maritime Union. Is this a dirty word? Bring this topic up and you can feel the silence.

I realize the three tiny ivory towers in the three respective capitals feel secure at the moment. Having one tower, however, would disperse with tons of red tape, expense and, more than anything, give us a stronger voice as a province of just under three million (I'm now including Newfoundland).

This would reduce the number of leaders (premiers), aid in availability of health care, create better highway construction and spread the wealth more consistently throughout the new province.

Identities would not be lost; we're all Canadians. When we rid ourselves of this feeling of "let the other fellow do it and see how it works," we would do ourselves proud in becoming one.

Look at the tourist attractions in these Maritimes, all under one umbrella and what shall we call ourselves?

Maybe the original name Acadia/L'acadie

Ralph MacDonald

Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.

Market was an experience

I would like to thank Fredericton and area residents for their support July 26 at the Boyce Market.

Military Widows on a Warpath, a group dedicated to fighting for their husbands who died affected by chemical spraying at CFB Gagetown, was at the market.

We were somewhat dismayed and disappointed that we were asked to leave the premises so quickly.

We were not given the opportunity to explain why we were there.

We were in no manner obstructing patrons of the market. However, we did move to an area which we considered to be public property.

We were then approached by two young policeman who politely told us they had received a minor complaint that we were obstructing traffic to the market.

We were merely asking for public support for our cause. These ladies are all between the ages of 60 to 70. We were quiet and orderly.

Perhaps the market authority could have been a bit more congenial? This was our first public appearance as a group.

We are not the least bit discouraged and we will soldier on.

Needless to say, many of us will think twice before we patronize the market.

Again to all of you who gave us your support, thank you so much.

Bette J.Hudson

Widows on a Warpath

Lincoln, N.B.