Letters | Surely this was a simple misunderstanding
Published Friday July 3rd, 2009
Re: Letter published June 30 called
Taking credit, even when it's not due
I would like to set the record straight regarding comments made by a Karen Matheson in her letter regarding a visit by the premier to Connaught Street School.
The premier and I visited the school that day and had an opportunity to take part in a music class. The premier was impressed by the students' display of musical talent at such a young age and I pointed out that the drums they were using were donated to the class by the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival and that this is what can happen when schools and communities work together to teach our children.
Connaught Street School has developed a tremendous music program, thanks to support of organizations such as the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. I commend the festival for its work in the community, a sentiment I know is shared by the premier.
What this government has done is restore art and music in classrooms throughout the province by hiring more teachers for arts education. We want to build more great programs like the music program at Connaught Street School.
This is what the previous government failed to deliver on and what the premier was referring to later in the legislature. He is well aware of where the drums came from and was not trying to take credit for the good work of the festival in donating music equipment to the school, as Matheson implied in her letter.
I'm sure this was a simple misunderstanding and not the work of opposition researchers to embarrass the premier by having his words taken out of context. Most people who live in this community know the premier is a huge supporter of music, the arts, and certainly the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival.
Our government believes a well-rounded student has a better chance to succeed. That is why we are restoring music, art and physical education to the classroom by hiring more specialists in those fields.
Who knows how much better off our students would be today if the previous government had chosen to invest in education like Premier Graham has.
Rick Miles
MLA for Fredericton-Silverwood
Get it in writing
Re: Staples criminal case
The New Brunswick courts have just set a new moral precedent for adult conduct in our society and your readers should be made more aware of it.
I am talking about the Staples case, and its outcome applies as much to heterosexual relationships as it does homosexual relationships.
I have been following the case because Mr. Staples and I have something in common - we both go by the same name.
We also work in the same city, and I have been getting some strange looks around town.
It has now become unlawful for teenagers or young adults of consenting age - over the age of 16 but not yet 19 - to have a relationship with an adult who is 19 years or older that they know, without the consent of their parents or legal guardians.
The parent or guardian can now charge the adult involved with assault. Socially it is expected that adults can be trusted not to take advantage of our children in any way. The only defense the adult now has is if they can prove they had just met the youth and were unaware of the fact that they were not yet 19 years of age.
If you are an adult 19 years or older and you wish to have a relationship with someone you know is not yet 19 years of age, you will need to ask their parents or guardians for consent.
I suggest you get it in writing.
Wait - isn't that being married?
Mrs. Robinson, the pool boy is now off limits. Mr. Robinson, the babysitter will not become wife number two, so expect to go to jail if you get her in family way.
As a parent of three, I think I like this new ruling, but I know there are now a lot of your readers who hope that Mr. Staples wins his appeal. Their own freedom may depend on it.
John Robert Staples
Fredericton
What will the future generations have in the way of rights?
Re: Our children's future
At this time of year when students are graduating and celebrations are taking place, I begin to ponder what lies ahead for this and future generations.
Will they have the freedoms of speech and religion that we, even now, must fight to enjoy, or will they be stifled by human rights commissions seeking to silence those who rise against the politically correct attitudes of society?
Will they retain the right to refuse immoral or unethical practices, such as abortion, based on their religious principles, or will they be required by law to rescind their inner-most convictions and comply - or face jail time?
Will we leave them with the right to own firearms and the right to own and enjoy private property, or will there be nothing but memories left of these Canadian rights for the next generation?
The Christian Heritage Party is here to take a stand for our Canadian rights, and already has against the Canadian Human Rights Commission, for all New Brunswickers and for all Canadians.
So rare it is in this country today to have a political party stand up for what is right for the nation, not just itself.
I joined the CHP because its policies fell in line with my beliefs like no other party's ever have. As more New Brunswickers discover the strong moral and accountable platform presented by the CHP, I am confident they will join us to help ensure we leave our future generations a Canada they can be proud of.
Jason Farris
New Brunswick interim president
Christian Heritage Party of Canada
The rain held off
Re: Successful fundraiser
On Sunday, June 21 the local chapter of Muscular Dystrophy Canada held its annual Walk for Muscular Dystrophy.
The rain held off and we were able to raise over $27,000.
Thanks to the walk committee, all the folks who helped at the event, firefighters and all those who took part. Thanks also goes to the Firefighters who had ladder-sits in both Fredericton and Oromocto in all the rain.
It was a job well done.
Thank you.
Richard Steeves
Chapter president
Central NB Chapter
Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Durham Bridge, N.B.
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Comments (13)
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Why can't you politicians just admit when you were wrong instead of tying yourself in knots trying to turn a negative into a positive? Your letter is just a further embarrassment to yourself and your party. And trying to insult the letter writer as an "opposition researcher" only out to embarrass your government? Seems to me she is the only one involved in this who has spoken a word of truth.
Open your mind.
teachers in the system, for a total of 600 new teachers since we took office.
Where to start...
So apparently past phys ed teachers have never provided "proper" physical education. Interesting since he would have to lump himself in that mix of incompetent phys. ed teachers. con't.
Then we find out about these new teachers they are hiring. Hmmm, a little disingenuous when we know that every year they have to hire to replace retiring teachers. How about talking about the net hires? Of course that won't happen since it would be emabarrassing.
Overall, thank you Mr. Miles for providing the incentive to dig into this issue a little further. You have indeed set the record straight. I was mistaken to think the Premier is petty. He is indeed petty AND dishonest.
I hope the COR party days of NB are over. We dont need any more groups leading us into the past. NB has the potential to be as successful as we want it to be - we don't need fear mongers like the Christian Blah-de-Blah Hate PArty to lead us into darker days.
You dont create community through division.
As for the concerns about the Christian Heritage Party of Canada, I doubt anyone truly has to worry about a party like that. They will attract some support as sadly there are people like that out there. But personally I'd prefer they gather in one spot it gets them out of the shadows where they hide for all to see. Heck if the left can have their Communist Party I guess the right deserves their own extreme.