Pirates captured !

From the VOCM News site:

War Of Words Continues
April 14, 2008

Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn has fired back at the head of the Sea Shepherd Society. The Farley Mowat was boarded Saturday and the captain and first officer were arrested. The ship has been impounded and remains docked in Sydney harbour.The captain and first officer have been granted bail. Hearn says Paul Watson's claims about the ship being Dutch shouldn't play a huge role because his department followed proper protocol in boarding and seizing the vessel. Hearn says Canadian and International laws for boarding and seizing vessels were properly followed and the only say the Dutch government will have is if they agree or disagree with the protocol. It's a decision Hearn says they'll have to live by. In the meantime, Hearn says Watson is anything but a fearless leader when he's consistently commenting from anywhere but on board the Farley Mowat with his followers. Hearn says Watson is not willing to stand with his crew and would rather see them take the fall while he watches and comments from a distance in Los Angeles and now New York. Hearn also took the time to respond to Watson's "dare" last week for his department to board and seize the Farley Mowat. Hearn had two simple words for Watson. "I did!."

What kind of rabbit hole have I fallen into where it's all topsy-turvy and we're the bad guys?' Gerry Rogers

Last fall a family member of ours received a phone call from someone at Eastern Health saying that her cancer tests had came back negative. This was years after she had a mastectomy for breast cancer. Not quite knowing how to respond, the only thing she could say was "are you saying i never had cancer?" The voice at the other end just said "i can't say anything other then what i just repeated." She asked another question. "Are you saying that i didn't need to have my breast removed?" The voice said "i'm sorry, i can only tell you that your test results came back negative." She is part of the ongoing class action suit but still has received no information in the form of a letter from Eastern Health. She finds it difficult to follow the news and proceedings because she spends most of her day looking after her husband who has recently went through an ordeal and is lucky to be alive. Recently she carried what information she had to her MHA hoping he would be able to shed more light on the situation she's in. The judicial inquiry will wrap up sometime during the summer and the debate in the hose of assembly over it will gradually fade away. For the 108 who passed away lets hope that the voices of people like Gerry Rogers, Peter Dawe , journalists ,bloggers, etc. can help set nation standards for hormone receptor tests so this cannot happen again.

YO? Tom my man,WHENS THAT THEIR BUDGET COMING DOWN?

Inquiring minds want to know. You remember the one you promised us when you ran around the province with that cool debt clock of yours ticking? We all know how you guys and gals just hate going to the house of assembly recently with the mess in the Health Care system, but come on,do we really have to wait for the 24 th. of May weekend for it?

A chance to be a leader.

Butts and Babies Don't Mix
April 5, 2008
(from VOCM News)

The Minister of Health and Community Services says he is keeping an eye on what is happening across the country as a number of provinces have moved to ban smoking in cars when children are present. Nova Scotia was the first Canadian province to enact a ban for cars carrying children under the age of 18 years. The Yukon recently followed suit and the issue is up for debate in the Ontario legislature. Wiseman says until the issue surfaced in Wolfville, Nova Scotia some time ago, it wasn't something that was discussed here in this province.

Mr. Wiseman, here's a chance to be a leader, not a follower. Why not make it illegal for anyone in a car to smoke when there is a passenger? There are those over 18 who can't speak for themselves. They are the developmentally delayed. Even quite a few of our non smoking seniors out there have to breathe it in because they sometimes have no say in the matter.

A story by Natalie Musseau, taken from The Gulf News about the Home Care crisis in our area.

Hardy fears looming home care worker shortage
Low pay, high demand

NATALIE MUSSEAU
The Gulf News

Tears roll down Goldie Hardy's face as she pauses to find a voice for her fears.

She's scared that she will be forced to give up caring for two autistic men she considers part of her family because of the low wages given to home care workers.

Two of the four workers that help the Port aux Basques resident have told her they are looking elsewhere for work. Mrs. Hardy says that's because they simply can't make enough to live on the wage they are earning - under $9 per hour.

Her workers, like many others, are funded by the provincial Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment.

"It's not all about the money," said Mrs. Hardy, adding that all of her workers would have left for high-paying jobs on the mainland years ago if that was the case. More on the story ..Click here.

Spring is just a date on the calendar this year.

Seems like winter just wants to stick around this year! Saturday a friend and i went out for an ATV ride. Only a few sections of the Trailway had no snow cover and what did could be driven over because it was frozen so hard. A few pics of Saturdays trail ride and a few from the previous day.

A plug today for Harold Jacobs and the good folks of Badger who are helping him.

Dear Reader,

I am writing to you on behalf of Harold Jacobs, a young man in our community who is confined to a wheelchair because of cerebral palsy. For the past 42 years, Harold's parents have been looking after him in a phenomenal way -- addressing his every need. With age comes a price, and with many health issues, it is becoming more difficult each day for Harold and his parents.

They can no longer travel with Harold because his condition doesn't allow him to sit comfortably in a regular vehicle. Even if he could, his parents are no longer able to lift him because of their own health problems.

Harold's quality of life would be greatly improved with a lift van so that he could travel, and once again socialize with others, as he has so enjoyed over the past years.

Harold is a very special person who was always on the go. He attended all events in the community until health issues struck him and his family. This young man once had a quality of life that was filled with joy and happiness, but now he is confined to his home. We can restore this quality of life by raising enough money to purchase a lift van for him and his family.

Unfortunately, Harold's family is not able to purchase the lift van that he needs so much. We are appealing to all people and organizations to assist us through a monetary donation that will help us reach our goal. Just think what it would be like for us if we had to spend 95% of our time inside -- not being able to have social contact with the outside world.

Your generosity and kindness will certainly make a difference in this young man's life. Help us help Harold! I sincerely thank you on behalf of Harold and the Jacobs family. May God bless you all with good health and happiness.

Sincerely,

Mayor William Foley

Town of Badger

To visit Harolds website and see the progress, please click here.

March 11, 2008

OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced today the awarding of five Military Valour Decorations, one Star and four Medals, to members of the Canadian Forces who displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. She also announced the awarding of 24 Meritorious Service Decorations (Military Division), namely seven Crosses and 17 Medals, to individuals whose specific achievements have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.

The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration at a presentation ceremony at a later date.

One of the recipients is Master Warrant Officer Stephen Goward Jeans, M.S.M., C.D. from the community of Cape Ray. Master Warrant Officer Jeans was Company sergeant major, India Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, Joint Task Force Afghanistan, from January to August 2007. He is recognized for his leadership, exemplary performance and extreme loyalty to his soldiers and the mission during diverse and complex operations while under intense enemy fire.

Thank you Master Warrant Officer Stephen Goward Jeans or the name we all know you by "Stephen," from the entire community of Cape Ray.

One of the best write ups i have seen on the NL Wild Blueberry is featured on NL Interactive's March feature. An article by Sharon Martin gives the reader quite a bit of information on the provinces Blueberry - Vaccinium angustifollium.

Thank you Mr. Cadman.

The people of NL benefited greatly because of you.Thank you !

Home-care labour crunch at crisis point, managers say

"CBC NEWS ARTICLE"

A bustling job market in the St. John's area is draining home-care workers, and a labour shortage won't improve as long as wages remain well below national standards, an agency owner warns.

Most home care workers in Newfoundland and Labrador earn little more than minimum wage.
(CBC)

"On an average week to two-week basis, I would suspect we're losing three to four home support workers, and … we're hiring probably one, maybe two, every two weeks," said Phyllis Marie Healey, human resources manager of Caregivers, a home care company in St. John's.

"We can't replace the ones we are losing."

The issue is wages. Even fast-food restaurants pay more than what Newfoundland and Labrador employers can offer in home care, an industry largely subsidized by the provincial government.

The issue of home care was pushed to the fore last week by the dilemma of Patrick and Shirley Connors, a St. John's couple in their late 70s who say they may have to declare bankruptcy in order to qualify for government-run care. More here.............

Progress on T'Railway
February 23, 2008

All inspections of the structures along the T'Railway Provincial Park have now been completed and the majority of structures have been reopened to the public.

Environment Minister Charlene Johnson says all structures between St. John's and Stephenville are now re-opened with the exception of Glide Brook near Deer Lake. A further assessment of Glide Brook has determined that the structure will remain closed until further notice. Mary Ann Brook and Black Duck Brook are also now reopened to the public. Assessments of the structures from Stephenville to Port Aux Basques were completed this week and eight structures will remain closed as a result. Middle Brook, Barry Brook, Fischells Brook, Robinsons River West and East, Flat Bay Bridge, Morris Brook Bridge and Codroy North Branch Bridge are off limits until safety issues are addressed.

It's great news to hear the T'Railway bridges have been reopened. Several announced as still closed on the West Coast section have never really been opened and some such as the one at Morris Brook don't exist. Those bridges washed out years ago causing hikers,Snowmobiles and ATV'S to cross the river beds or detour around. The one at North Branch forces people to travel along the shoulders of the TCH for a kilometer or more. It's no easy task maintaining this trailbed and one of the factors involved when the railway closed it.I worked on those sections of trails when employed by the railway and know conditions of the trail can change daily.

Some action on the T'railway matter from the feds today.

Money for T'Railway Improvements
February 17, 2008

Ottawa is providing financial assistance to help make safety and structural improvements to the Newfoundland T'Railway. Earlier this week, the provincial government announced that all structures, including trestles and bridges along the T'Railway are closed to all pedestrian, ATV, snowmobile and vehicle traffic after a number of inspections by Transport Canada indicated that eighteen of these structures pose an unreasonable life safety risk to the public. The province's representative in the federal cabinet spoke on the issue Saturday while addressing the 25th annual convention and trade show of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador at Hotel Gander. Loyola Hearn said that through ACOA, one-and-a-half million dollars will be spent for necessary enhancements and upgrades on the T'Railway across the island.

Flawed Logic?

Will this story made the big times! The Globe & Mail picked it up today.

Trail's trestles, bridges closed over safety worry

The Canadian Press

February 15, 2008

St. John's -- The Newfoundland government has closed all trestles, bridges and other structures on a provincewide trail because of concerns over their safety.

T'Railway Provincial Park follows the former track route of the Canadian National Railway, from St. John's to Port aux Basques. Transport Canada inspected 109 structures and found that 18 of them pose an unreasonable safety risk.

18 structures are deemed to be unsafe and the government closes down 109 across the island. Yesterday the same government said it would shut down 22 personal care homes in the province because they have no sprinkler systems. Using the same logic i wonder why they didn't want to shut down all personal care homes? Today i went out to check the bailey bridge close to where i live to see if a barricade had been put in place. Nothing was erected by 3 pm today so i drove across it. That bailey bridge (in the top photo) was only recently placed there and cost many thousands of dollars after an environmental assessment. I always heard the phrase if it's not broke don't fix it. So if it's not broke don't touch it!

From CBC News, NL, Feb. 14/2008

T'Railway bridges, trestles ordered closed

Last Updated: Thursday, February 14, 2008 | 5:50 PM NT

In an unusual move, the Newfoundland and Labrador government ordered the closure of dozens of trestles and bridges on an island-wide trail.

The T'Railway Provincial Park was built along the former railbed of the Newfoundland Railway after it was decommissioned in the late 1980s.

In a statement Thursday, the government said federal inspectors found significant safety risks with trestles and bridges that are often used by hikers and riders on all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.

"Transport Canada indicates that 18 structures pose an unreasonable life safety risk to the public," the government said in a statement.

"The report also indicates that many other structures should be examined for life safety issues."

The remaining trestles and bridges will remain closed until engineering studies prove they are safe.

The government said it will erect warning signs and barricades to keep the public away.

here are a few shots of some bridges in my area. All structures seem safe and well maintained to me. Hopefully the list will become available to those of us who use the trail frequently.

90 Day Jane

Jane Doe's Blog declares that in 90 days she will kill herself.At first i thought this was just a hoax and someone was enjoying a bit of attention.I noticed the lack of Google ads and the high number of replies.That person if they wanted could make a few dollars with the blog by using ads.I suspect in a few days the blog will attract thousands of viewers and posters each posting they make.I also wonder how many teens are following it and how many will look up to this person as a hero.I wonder if Jane Doe's action will mean the death of some young person who just might like the idea?

Woman killed in TCH collision was pregnant: RCMP

(CBC NEWS) The woman killed in a weekend highway collision in eastern Newfoundland was pregnant, police said Monday.

The RCMP said Lisa Jennifer Crann, 31, was the woman killed after a tractor-trailer rear-ended her vehicle Friday night on the Trans-Canada Highway, near the Southern Harbour turnoff.

Crann's vehicle had broken down, but was still in the way of oncoming traffic, RCMP Const. Trevor O'Keefe told CBC News.

"From what we can determine, it was right in the driving lane, the inside lane of the highway," Const. Trevor O'Keefe said.

"The car had broken down — we don't know if it was a battery problem or an alternator problem — but there was no emergency lights, and that's pretty much what caused it," O'Keefe said.

The vehicle has been seized as the RCMP conduct their investigation.

Road conditions were slippery at the time, O'Keefe said.

"It was one of those really dark, black, wet nights. You couldn't see much on the highway," O'Keefe said.

A 25-year-old female passenger in Crann's vehicle was injured. She was treated in hospital and released on Saturday, O'Keefe said.

Cpl. Rupert Baker said motorists should be cautious when driving on the highway, especially at night.

"In a situation where somebody breaks down or you have a problem on the highway, you have to either move as far as you can to the right of the highway or if you can get off the highway, I certainly recommend that you do that so that something coming behind you won't strike you," Baker said.

I drove home last night in whiteout conditions. Like many nights if i broke down there was no place for me to pull of to the right. The right did not exist. If i broke down all i could do was stay there and hope the vehicles behind me saw me before it was to late. My cellphone might of helped and i wonder if The RCMP would of came to my assistance? Im sure no tow truck would of last night. With 24 hour coverage by Works & Transportation some accidents might be avoided if they could assist and keep our highways cleaned better. After 10 pm in this province your very much on your own out there and outside of the Avalon or Corner Brook area don't expect to call 911 and seek help. It just does not work. Maybe in the 2008 budget we might finally see that in NL

The Crest of Marystown,NL

I have never visited Marystown,NL but from the events unfolding in that community i hope to do so sometime this year. I suspect i would feel very comfortable there during my visit. I know from just reading the newspaper headlines and viewing the television news that the people are caring,friendly and if in need of assistance i would have no trouble finding help. So thank you Marystown,NL you are what makes this province great and unique!

Lets make a deal

The Auditor General of NL is saying, "there just isn't enough audit coverage."Were paying doctors in our province for services they never performed. In one instance a Psychiatrist over billed the province almost a million dollars for services they didn't perform. He/she wants to repay half that amount for the non existent services and the province wants to cut a deal for $600,000 leaving them with $400,000 for something they never did. The CBC News article points out similar cases. The ordinary Joe like myself can only look at the big picture and shake his head. Maybe we didn't need all that extra revenue from our vast natural resources in this province to be a so called "have province," but better bookkeeping. What we do need right now is for the Auditor General to keep digging and more staff if needed. Ross Wiseman says it is necessary to negotiate with the Physicians to recover the money. Great plan there Ross! I'm sure they'll agree to pay back a portion of it and keep the rest they never worked for! Dr. Joe Tumilty says it best."The good Doctor says the physicians won't participate in the audits unless they have a say in how much they pay back. Maybe the ordinary Joe like myself should have a say in the matter.I say,if they don't pay back every dollar for services they never performed,charge them with thief and try and suspend their medical licenses.

Groundhog Day

We hardly take notice of Groundhog Day in our area.We watch the news and see some TV station doing a little segment or so about the day and the meaning. With no Groundhogs in NL some of us observe it differently. I don't know how accurate my predictions will be but i suspect we'll have a bit more winter.I can only surmise this by saying that since we saw no shadows of our MHA's in the legislature yesterday that'll have to do for us. They showed a repeat of the 1993 Groundhog Day starring Bill Murray on several stations yesterday. In that movie the character finds himself repeating the same day over and over again.The movie reminds me of the top photo (The Wreckhouse) i posted. This Groundhog Day accident looks so similar to others i have seen on this stretch over the years it just reminds me of the movie. The scene will repeat itself many more times in 2008. This is the third time since January 2nd that i have went to the area to shoot a few photos of a tractor trailer accident. It happens on the same stretch and each time a southeast wind blows here i actually think that it's mandatory for one to blow over. The accidents happen in an area where a small weather station to gauge the winds is sat up. Decades ago the McDougall family lived here and became famous for predicting the winds and alerting the railway not to send the trains through the area. With todays technology it would be so simple to have a digital sign on both ends warning Tractor Trailer drivers of the wind in real time. Most drivers are lucky and only receive a few minor injuries but someday surely someone unaware of what can happen will die on that stretch of road in the top photo.

Few pics i shot of the Groundhog Day accident.