Part of the wharf at Tabusintac
Just a quick little post before leaving the office.
The election results appear to be in. John McKay won the election by about 200 votes, with a 60% voter turnout. The election was pretty much overshadowed however, by the demonstration at Tanker Malley's constituency office. It appears there is a rumour circulating that the Lord government is going to close 100 beds at the Miramichi regional hospital. That's more than half. It's technically just a rumour, but the government won't deny it, and over 1000 people turned out to demonstrate on Monday. Petitions are circulating. I think I have received five in my inbox today.
All in all, there seems to be a lot of tension in the air. There was the fishing trouble I already posted on, but spring is also bringing out violence in the bar scene. Both of the main bars in town had fights break out at closing time. At one, a police officer was assaulted. At the other, which I happened to be present to witness (lucky me), a police car was damaged when some drunk's head went through the rear passenger window. Today I read in the paper that in one weekend last month (April 23-25), local police responded to 90 calls. Unbelievable-- and they want to close down the hospital!
Even me yesterday. I was standing outside my office building and some guy drove by. We made eye contact as he passed and it must of been for a second too long, because he circled around and parked in front of me, staring. I said, "Can I help you?" at which point he got out of his car and repeated it back to me with a thick French accent. I don`t suspect that he spoke much English at all really... but here is a complete stranger who is trying to pick a fight with me. Amazing. This place is turning into bloody Rwanda.
Nonetheless things are on course. The business is shaping up. I've got a couple of unexpected projects being pitched at me (unsolicited I might add). It also looks like I'll be able to make it to a fantastic festival in about 6 weeks and maybe get a few trips outside Miramichi so that I can keep my perspective.
But expect Friday's cartoon to have a twinge of bitterness to it.
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