Sunset on the river
I'm happy to report that the ice has been gone for over a week now. The picture above is out of date. In fact, yesterday I was putting in an all-nighter at the office to get some things finished and as I stood outside for a breath of fresh air at sunrise, I caught a horde of ducks flying up the river. The ducks were all flying single file, about a couple of feet apart, and the column stretched at least three or four miles. I kept watching and they kept coming. It was quite an impressive sign of spring.
Promising Prosperity
As part of my startup, I received my invitation to join the local business group. Along with the bundle came a notice of a special breakfast next week, at which the Miramichi Prosperity Task Force will be officially presenting their report and the premier will be on hand to announce funding for their ideas. The total amount of funding to be expected is hard to predict however. Times are tough (as usual) and even though the French communities on the Acadian peninsula received $25 Million after a similar report there, it seems that we're not going to be in for quite the same level of support.
It's no matter really. The report's already been unofficially released, so its recommendations are known. I have to admit that I was quite disappointed. Most of the promising elements are either left vague, or don't go far enough. Many recommendations seem to be there for the sole purpose of hiring staff to allocate money, rather than determining where the money will go. This river has a habit of seeing it's economic funding disappear into the pockets of a very select few. I suspect that this will be the case again. Whether the premier offers $25 Million dollars or 25 cents, the end result will be just as invisible when seen through the eyes of 98% of the people here.
It's a bit long to fisk on the main page, so click here if you want to read the recommendations and my take on them.
1 Comments
pNXqHB The best blog you have!
12:30 AM
Post a Comment
Home