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RE: Recent provincial budget

We are always quick to criticize but slow to praise our politicians, particularly if they are on the government side.

New Brunswick's provincial budget was released a couple of weeks ago.

Under the current economic climate the minister of finance had some difficult decisions to make.

Most of the attention has focused on the unwanted changes that have been made, such as the ferry service and charges for ambulance service.

However, there were some pretty major tax cuts that I know are going to make life easier in New Brunswick.

There's going to be more money in my pocket and yours at tax time.

I understand the same is the case for small businesspeople, the backbone of the New Brunswick economy.

By lowering taxes, New Brunswick will be more attractive to the skilled workers and professionals who will be taking up residence in our province.

I am happy to see the government provide $15 million for teaching new classroom technology and better training so children get the help when they need it.

Also, $33 million is being spent in post-secondary education, as well as adding 490 community college seats with more money announced for additional apprenticeship, training and support.

And, yes, the government is finally taking steps to assist university graduates with high student debt with new repayment programs.

I know the cuts and the decision to make government leaner are tough steps to take.

But for the long term, government has done the right thing. And it's not often we get to say that.

The National Post credits the New Brunswick government with leadership in going about this economic turmoil on its own without asking for federal government assistance, saying "the winds of change are blowing."

Greg Forsythe

Fredericton

Enough is enough

Re: NB Power

Once again the good citizens of New Brunswick are being asked to open their wallets and to leave them open indefinitely since NB Power officials are not capable of predicting the completion of the Point Lepreau nuclear power tation refurbishment.

This, after predicting the completion and missing the target several times.

Somebody with project management skills needs to get involved quickly, as this incompetency is costing NBers $700,000 per day.

I can think of many areas where this money would do some good, like getting more doctors and nurses into the health system, rather than going into this money pit.

Enough is enough.

Steve Kirchgessner

Nasonworth, N.B.

Asking the tough questions

Re: Agent Orange compensation

It's somewhat disconcerting that after almost four years of the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown story hitting the airwaves, reporters today are still misquoting, misdating and underestimating the events, the impact on the people and the toxic chemicals sprayed there.

Many reporters seem to be using the issue as an easy space filler which needs neither investigation nor accuracy.

Dates of the spraying, chemicals used, areas sprayed, spraying accidents, the government's inactions and number of possible victims, don't seem to matter as long as you quote some politician who knows even less about Gagetown than the reporter does.

In many cases, facts, which are well documented in the very same papers, are presenting incorrect information to the general public and being ignored.

Apparent facts found in the BGAFFP's task # 1 final report are that more than 7,000 regular military personnel were identified as being stationed at CFB Gagetown during summer training for the years 1966 and 1967 and that 358 civilians were identified as employed by CFB Gagetown during the years 1966 and 1967.

Eight hundred and six family members were identified who may have been associated with the regular military and civilian employees during 1966 and 1967 for a total of 8,164 - not counting one single civilian living within five kilometres of Gagetown in 1966 and 1967.

Some questions that reporters should be asking are: If the government's own BGAFFP reported 8,164 victims, not counting the civilians within the five kilometre limit, present during the summers of '66 and '67, why then was the ex-gratia package designed to compensate only 4,500 victims?

Were the people who died before Feb. 6, 2006 any less dead or any less affected by the chemicals used at CFB Gagetown and why won't Ottawa compensate these widows?

If everything was alright and aboveboard, as Ottawa would like us to believe, why is Ottawa now refusing to call for a full public and judicial inquiry?

Could the answer to all three questions be the same?

Ottawa knew full well that more than half of the Gagetown victims were already dead.

Mr. Thompson, as reported on April 1 in the Montreal Gazette said: "I've stated very clearly the dates will not change."

Just two days before on the 29th of March, it was reported in the Telegraph Journal that "Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson has said that the April 1 deadline for compensation isn't absolute and late applications will be considered."

In Ottawa, our MPs call this a flip-flop, while in the opinions of many less honourable, we would call it bold face lying.

I guess our only choice now is to figure out whether the newspapers are lying or whether the member flip-flopped, yet again, and mispoke to the newspapers.

The only question which remains is did Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson mispeak to the Montreal Gazette or to the Telegraph Journal?

And, more importantly, are there any Canadians left who would believe him even if he told us?

If you are going to write about our story and our lives, please get your facts straight.

Cpl. Kenneth H. Young CD (ret)

Nanaimo, B.C.

Community dealt a disservice Re: Services provided by DOT garage

Mr. Premier, I write this letter with a sense of shock and frustration over your recent decision to reduce services provided by the Canterbury Department of Transportation garage to that of a winter only facility.

I cannot help but feel that the citizens of Canterbury and surrounding communities have been dealt a severe disservice, and I take offence at recent comments from DOT communication staff, who have assured the public that there will be no reduction in service. The region served by Canterbury DOT employees is a vast and far-reaching area, and we cannot imagine how staff from Debec will be able to adequately maintain this service.

In fact, our population swells during upcoming months with thousands of cottage owners returning to take up residence.

Mr. Premier, in rural New Brunswick we do not expect the same level of service as urban centers receive. However, we do expect, and deserve, safe and adequate road systems, and you are letting us down. I also must inform you of the necessary service that Canterbury DOT staff provide in the ongoing upkeep of fresh and potable water for a number of local residents as a result of contamination caused by DOT. This must continue.

It's my understanding that you can still reverse this decision. I want to reinforce the job done by local staff, and I encourage you to do the right thing.

Leo Cloutier

Mayor of Canterbury