Don't base your reaction to NB Power issue on emotion
Published Saturday November 28th, 2009
Letters to the editor
Re: Sale of NB Power
For years I've heard New Brunswickers complain about NB Power's mismanagement, and now that there's a viable proposal on the table, we see a huge swell of opposition, much of it based on nothing more than how people "feel."
Whether it's bitterness towards the premier, a grudge against the Liberals or a hate for Quebec, few people I've heard seem able or willing to weigh the proposal on its own merits.
They just want to oppose it, and naturally, they offer no alternative plans themselves.
For my own part, I like the idea of local management of NB Power. But that's only my feeling; I'm no expert on the management of a vital utility, nor on public policy.
My feelings don't keep the lights on. If experts who specialize in utility management, in economics and in policy say this is the best course of action, that should count for more than what we laymen think.
The pilot of a plane doesn't poll the passengers for flying instructions before take-off; their specialized knowledge counts for more than populist opinion, and rightly so.
Something a lot of people don't seem to get about democracy is that sometimes their guy wins and sometimes the other guy wins, and no matter who is in power, they're bound to make decisions that this voter or that one disagrees with.
The voters' recourse comes in the form of elections and peaceful protests.
But the Liberals won the last election, and now it's their turn to give their ideas a try.
What's more, if they did hold a public vote on every big decision they tried to make, not only would nothing ever get done, but the next day everyone would be screaming "and the polling/commission/referendum cost us how much?"
To the government, I'd offer a little bit of history's wisdom on whatever the popularity of the opposition they might face: George S. Patton said, "if everyone is thinking alike, someone isn't thinking."
Ken Spragg
Fredericton
Triangle of a deal
Re: Sale of NB Power
The triangle of Québec, New Brunswick and Hydro-Québec is ever-present, but where is NB Power?
NB Power appears to not have been invited to the table on this deal. The president of Hydro-Quebec returned to New Brunswick recently and met with the directors of NB Power, and his opening statement was, "Make no mistake, this deal will go through."
What does that statement mean? It means, forget about public opinion, NB Power corporate opinion, NB Power board of directors' opinion and the opinion of 2,500 employees who, combined, have some 40,000 to 50,000 years of experience in the industry.
It screams "your opinion doesn't matter."
This screams that the government of New Brunswick took the only offer on the table to answer the government's question of 'what should we do with NB Power?'
The auditor general stated, "Actually, there will be no impact on the province's net debt," (referring to the sale of NB Power).
It is difficult to ignore this statement. Under the leadership of David Hay, NB Power's debt has been reduced by $1.3 billion over the past five years.
Electricity issues are complex at best, and everyone seems to think they understand the industry.
Sometimes a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. As the old saying goes, "Be careful of what you wish for;" and as government would say, Be in this place, the province of New Brunswick, where NB Power belongs.
Stephen Hayes
Lincoln, N.B.
Bottle exchange would be a good addition
Re: York Street train station
We are all looking forward to NB Liquor's restoration of the old train station.
I wonder if any thought has been given to adding a clean and attractive bottle exchange to the rear of the building.
Even if this depot was set up for just NB Liquor products, it could provide the outlet that has gone missing for so many downtown with no way to get out to the new bottle exchange location.
Any such station should be provided by the private sector and can be maintained in a manner respectful to the overall restoration and redevelopment of that area of our community.
Frank Webb
Fredericton
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Comments (34)
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With a deal of this magnitude, one that will affect NB forever, and affects every person in NB, is it any wonder that people are a little emotional?
As for alternatives, what alternatives have the Liberals looked at before deciding to sell? Have they sat down with NB Power employees (the ones that actually do the work, not the baggage at the top) and said "How can we change things to be more effecient, cost effectve and run things better?" Have tey went to NL, NS and PEI and sought out agreements to sell/buy power, lease transmission lines etc? Several smaller deals may be far more lucrative than this one shot deal.
"If experts who specialize in utility management, in economics and in policy say this is the best course of action, that should count for more than what we laymen think"
Experts far more experienced than Shawn & Jack have spoken out against this deal. Their expertise doesn't count?
The deal is bad and proving to be more so each day!
I'm glad you don't see anything wrong with a government actively working to subvert the will of the people by selling us out in a bad deal, but obviously quite a few people don't like it. When voter participation in the next election hits another all time low, I sure hope nobody writing to the Gleaner sits around wondering why. We know why, we're seeing it right now.
Why bother voting when the politicians will just act like dictators and ignore everything you voted them in to do? Our system is a joke.
With all due respect, if you are seriously suggesting that this deal has been analyzed by experts as being the most beneficial solution for this province and was not basically an industry (re:Irving) directed decision, you are delusional. Mr. Graham is doing exactly what he has been told to do and the only expertise required was how to make Irving more profitable.
The government propaganda is muddying the water somewhat and is useless (the people of New Brunswick see it for what it is) so why waste our dollars on this huge campaign. My concern is that I feel NB Power was bought cheap and Hydro Quebec is laughing behind our backs! Also, no matter how optimistic you are, someday we will be buying power from a hostile foreign government.
"Hurray, boys! We've got them. We'll finish them up and then go home to our station."
General George Custer, before battle with Indians at Little Big Horn
Everything here is an opinion and I am certain that u know what that is worth - if it makes you feel better I may be as delusional as I suggested that Mr. Spragg could be. I always seem to look at the people who benefit the most and have the most influence as the likely drivers of a decision - call it the auditor in me or call it delusional, I don't much care.