tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45531528151500350262024-02-07T09:33:26.314-03:30The Rural LensKeeping Rural Newfoundland and Labrador in Focus.Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-24818522820494222172017-11-09T11:19:00.001-03:302017-11-09T11:19:40.925-03:30Tire SafetyMichelin said it best: Because so much is riding on your tires.<br />
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Winter driving in NL can be deadly, and thats not a joke or an overstatement. We live in a place where snow is a part of life and we live in a time where driving is a necessity for most. As a result many of us end up driving in some pretty unsafe conditions. I personally love driving in a good snowstorm, but I go well prepared. I've been working around cars for over 20 years and I also am a certified instructor for the <a href="https://www.tireindustry.org/" target="_blank">Tire Industry Association</a>, so I know a little about tire safety.<br />
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I can say without hesitation that the scariest thing I see on regular basis pulling into the shop where I work is bad tires. It happens every week and the drivers often have no idea that their tires are worn to so badly it is simply a matter of time before they cause an accident. It is the first thing I notice and I have to hold back from getting angry with drivers about the state of their tires. But as usual I digress.<br />
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Beyond having tires that are in good condition you should have tires that match the conditions you will be driving in to maximize your control of your vehicle. You need the right tires, installed properly and in the right location on your vehicle to improve your traction. Knowing that people often know far to little about the most important safety feature on their vehicle I thought I might share some tips and knowledge to help keep us all safe on the roads this winter.<br />
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<b>"All Season" my ass. </b><br />
There is no such thing as an "all season" tire in NL. Technically speaking there are really only two designations that matter. There is a tire designation specifically for tires that meet a minimum standard for extreme winter driving conditions. It can be identified by a symbol on the sidewall of the tire that has a snowflake inside a mountain with 3 peaks as seen below. It is the only official winter tire designation and has specific standards to be met before it can be included on a tire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-INZc0r4z2-ioBCe5y-ARYLry3T97etGaw2N84siyq0vt4pPe5yr1nEjp1uFI902E2RSSHbMt7CWFSyvw3QNJNS4jBXkCBl3wWbljgXfvFb8BYiVQkvsgmpfpuD7wq5GtRm9gc0iHV6U/s1600/Mountain+Snowflake+%2528small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="232" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-INZc0r4z2-ioBCe5y-ARYLry3T97etGaw2N84siyq0vt4pPe5yr1nEjp1uFI902E2RSSHbMt7CWFSyvw3QNJNS4jBXkCBl3wWbljgXfvFb8BYiVQkvsgmpfpuD7wq5GtRm9gc0iHV6U/s200/Mountain+Snowflake+%2528small%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The other type of tire available is pretty much everything else. It may seem a little confusing because manufacturers will use symbols and letters to denote the type of tire they are selling, but at the end of the day it either has the 3 peak mountain snowflake(3PMSF) or it doesn't.<br />
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You will see tires stamped with AT (All Terrain) M+S (Mud and Snow) or any other number of identifiers but they do not mean that the tire is a tested snow tire. They may have aggressive treads or even be a studdable tire but without the 3PMSF it is technically not a tested winter tire. In Quebec where <a href="https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/road-safety/behaviours/adapting-your-driving/winter-driving/" target="_blank">winter tires are mandatory</a>, the 3PMSF symbol is the standard they use.<br />
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"All Season" tires can have limited snow traction, minimal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siping_(rubber)" target="_blank">sipes</a>, and very poor cold weather performance. If you want the safest winter tire available look for that symbol.<br />
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The idea of mandatory winter tires has <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/winter-tires-province-medical-society-1.4390928" target="_blank">gained some traction lately.</a> I happen to think it's a good idea.<br />
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<b>Location. Direction. </b><br />
The "common sense" approach to tires seems to dictate that you put your best tires on your drive wheels. So on the front for a front wheel drive, and on the back for a rear wheel drive. Well... not exactly. While have good tires on your drive wheels will get you started if you have better tires in the front then the rear you are at a much higher risk of loosing control and will have a near impossible task to regain control in a skid. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdSf0KJie_E" target="_blank">It is reality and not just my opinion</a>. I get tired of explaining this to people but it is part of the job. If you don't want to worry about it then just rotate your tires and you will have even wear all around, as it should be.<br />
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One more short note on the tire location. To maximize grip winter tires are often designed with a directional tread pattern. This means that the tire will give proper traction when spinning in one direction and greatly reduced traction if placed on the car in the wrong location. These tires can sometimes be identified by the tread but they always have a direction of rotation noted on the sidewall somewhere. So if you have your winter tires already on rims and you put them on yourself just make sure you put them on the proper side of your vehicle or you will be cutting the effectiveness of your tires significantly.<br />
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<b>Save some money and some time.</b><br />
This one is as simple as it gets. Buy yourself some steel wheels and have your winters mounted on them. This way your seasonal tire change is faster, cheaper and you will keep your summer wheels in better condition.<br />
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<b>Shop around.</b><br />
This one is sometimes easier said then done. Find yourself a reputable shop to do your tire work. They should have properly trained staff and appropriate equipment for the job. Some tires require specialty equipment and trying to get by without it can cause damage to tires and rims.<br />
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<b>Be safe.</b><br />
At the end of the day you can have the best tires money can buy, installed properly and still not understand the basics of winter driving. If you don't feel safe driving in snow then don't do it. If you do have to drive in snow then be safe. Just because you may have an AWD or 4X4 doesn't mean it stops any faster then a regular 2WD on ice. It doesn't. Never forget that you're not alone on the roads and especially this year we have seen far too many multiple vehicle accidents and deaths.<br />
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Be safe out there.<br />
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-15073160448848452562016-05-19T19:59:00.000-02:302016-05-19T20:00:35.995-02:30Paul Lane. Hero or Heretic? Paul Lane (no relation) has made the news again today by essentially changing parties one more time. He did it back in 2014 when he left the PCs for the Liberals, and today he did it, not entirely by his own choosing, after being very public about his concern over the current Liberal budget.<br />
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As some disclosure up front I know Paul a little, starting back in his municipal days on the Mount Pearl Council and leading into his entry into the Liberal Party, of which I was active at the time.<br />
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Check out the <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/lane-is-kicked-out-of-caucus-1.3588949" target="_blank">CBC article here</a> and if you have a few minutes to checkout the peanut gallery (i.e. the comments section), you will get two very diametrically opposed viewpoints on this development. In the minority are those who feel Lane is a political opportunist who is merely exploiting the current disgust with the aforementioned budget: heretic. The vast majority of the comments are quite the opposite, literally praising Lane's courage at representing the views of his constituents, the loud ones at least. I'd like to look at these two sides and then pose another question that seems to be rarely asked.<br />
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Paul the Heretic.<br />
It is certainly true that Lane has ditched a sinking party in the past. But does that make him smart or an opportunist, or maybe both? Lane has stated that he has had concerns about the budget and specifically the hated levy. He says he raised his concerns within proper channels but heard no acceptable response and felt this was the only option. Premier Ball on the other hand says he knew of no such concerns raised by Lane. Of course Lane knew what the fallout would be for threatening to vote against a budget his party had developed. Kicked out both for not supporting his party and as a warning to others who may be considering similar action.<br />
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The party/Government already has a few folks out there painting Lane as a bit of an opportunist to deflect their responsibility and focus on the message that the budget is a necessary evil. The calls of heretic are however quite few and far between, and they are being overshadowed by the cries of a frustrated people happy to have "one brave soul" who will "stand up for the people."<br />
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Paul the Hero.<br />
I'm sure It is not necessary to go into detail here about the level of frustration surrounding this budget. And as a result anyone who stands against it will automatically gain support and cheers. Except for <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/confederation-building-rally-1.3546491" target="_blank">poor Paul Davis</a> of course. So it is no surprise to see Lane being heralded as the only voice of reason in a den of elitist fools who pray on the poor and support the rich. At least that's what I've read.<br />
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Lane is the most popular man in the province for today and likely a few days with plenty of cheers of support and calls for other Liberal MHAs to join him. Even if it means that they will sit as independents, just like Lane. My Face Book feed is full of praise for his "bravery" and "courage" in "support of democracy" and little poor people everywhere. <br />
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Paul the MHA.<br />
Lane will get lots of support for this right now simply because of the current frustration with the budget but who knows where it will put him in the future. People forget very quickly in this province and after a year or so has gone by this story will be one of those "hey you remember that time when that MHA..."<br />
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Other MHAs. <br />
I propose a different level of question that is getting passed over in all the cheers and boos of late. What is the responsibility of an MHA? Seriously. Is that person responsible to act on the views of the majority of constituents, or at least the vocal ones? Or is it to make and support decisions that are in the long term best interests of those same people? Very rarely are those two the same and the dilemma must be a difficult one to reconcile. <br />
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The most stressful profession currently in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has to be that of a Liberal MHA. Hands down. I know a couple of them and I can say that the completely ridiculous comments made against some of them is certainly defamation and boarders on harassment in some cases. <a href="http://www.thepacket.ca/News/Local/2016-05-02/article-4515963/Neil-King%26rsquo%3Bs-family-faces-threats-via-Facebook" target="_blank">Stories of family members</a>, wives and daughters who are bombarded with ignorant vitriol are enough to make me ashamed and I'm just an observer. <br />
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Sure there are parts of this budget that are damn hard to swallow or understand. But I have to say that at least on some level I have to think that some of the people who were involved in its development were exposed to information that I have not been. So While I do think there are parts of the budget that should be scrapped or changed, like the levy, and the library budget. And I think that the PR machine for Government has completely fallen flat, and I mean hard. I still have some degree of faith that the majority of the fees and taxes and cuts are necessary.<br />
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In the end I respect Paul's decision. I know he has integrity and works very hard for his district, but I'm not sure this was the move I would have made. I do hope to see him back in the Liberal ranks again in the future. For now he is following what he feels is right and no one can fault him for that. <br />
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-28589000572193608872015-10-16T11:08:00.002-02:302015-10-16T11:13:06.341-02:30Lets Ban Banning!In case you haven't heard people go to bars on George Street, get drunk, do stupid things and it is their own responsibility. If you agree with that statement then we'll get along just fine. If not then keep reading and we'll see where we end up.<br />
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There's this guy named Kirill who somehow has made a career of taking crappy pictures of drunk people doing stupid things in clubs. While I happen to think that his career is the real crime here I'll carry on accepting that you can make a career out of most anything if you're willing to leave your conscience at the door.<br />
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Back to Kirill. He was here at club Allure a while ago a made a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nlc-suspends-allure-s-licence-over-underage-teen-pics-1.2576112" target="_blank">bit of a stir</a> because there were underage girls in the club (not his fault) at the time and some topless photos were posted on <a href="https://www.kirillwashere.com/" target="_blank">his website</a>. It was the talk of old St. John's town for 5 minutes or so and then it passed. And now he's coming back again.<br />
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So once again we give <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/kirill-george-street-return-october-2015-1.3273254" target="_blank">media coverage</a> (read "free publicity") to a guy who knows how to play the game very well indeed. If that wasn't bad enough there's a <a href="https://www.change.org/p/george-street-association-city-of-st-john-s-keep-the-slut-whisperer-out-of-st-john-s" target="_blank">petition online</a> to ban him from George Street clubs.<br />
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Now let me be clear that generally speaking I think this guy is a douchebag. He exploits drunk people, mostly women, to make his career. But at the same time consider that if you skim his pictures there are no forced pictures or video, and everyone certainly appears to be having a grand old time. Is it stupid? Yes. Is it illegal? No. The end. <br />
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If we started banning every asshole and idiot with questionable morals from George Street the place would be a ghost town. Not to mention the fact that we live in a free society where people can do as they please, and that includes getting drunk and getting photographed doing stupid shit. Proposing a ban for a person is fucking stupid. If you don't like what he stands for then don't go. If you really hate what he does then convince others not to go. If you want him to fail and have to choose another way to make his money then be smart and talk sensibly to young men and women about making responsible choices. And then accept that won't work and carry on.<br />
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Banning people you don't agree with is just this side of book burning. Grow up and accept that there are a whole bunch of people out there who do things you don't like. If you don't agree with people then work to change the conversation or shut up.<br />
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Cheers.Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-75825822503114147152014-10-17T09:35:00.000-02:302014-10-17T09:51:36.441-02:30Ideas + 1For the next installment of my short series on ideas to make NL a better place to live I thought I should explain the two types or levels of ideas that I like to talk about. First is the practical on the ground and generally tangible type. It could be a simple Gov program, a new funding source, a slight shift in approach or adding a new planning angle to something that is already in operation. These ideas tend to be easier to implement and cost comparatively little as well. The other type of idea is on a larger scale that could involve a significant directional shift in how we do things. This ideas can be much more difficult to implement and potentially very expensive. In this piece I'll provide one of each.<br />
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<b>Homemade Bread to Baker's Fog</b> <br />
Today I'll start with an idea that has been brewing in the back of my head for quite a long while. I have read and heard about how people feel that Newfoundland and Labrador is such a unique and wonderful place because of the unusual economic and cultural landscape that encouraged our independent and resourceful spirit. Besides a few very rural and tourism related exceptions that unique culture and the related skills are being lost at an alarming rate. I think we need to raise the level of importance of our cultural heritage and start actively preserving it. <br />
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Can you bake a batch of bread from scratch? How many students who graduated high school this year can bake bread, or knit a par of socks, split a cod, pip a squid, play an instrument, spin a yarn? Or even understand some of our basic traditions, history or language? Unless we work to continue to spread those cultural attributes they will be lost to history. Now I'm not saying that those skills are essential for survival, however they can still provide important cultural lessons and transferable skills that we should celebrate.<br />
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What we need is a Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Institute. This NLCI could capture and offer these key aspects of our history and culture and offer them up in various formats for those who wish to learn more. I want to learn to knit, but I don't have any immediate family members who are able to teach me. What if there was a place I could turn to where I could learn to knit a pair of mitts or vamps? It could be a combination of digital and concrete resources that would act as a repository of information and a learning resource for everyone. The focus would have to be on collecting and sharing the skills, stories, history, pastimes, languages and anything else that has helped NL become the place it has become. And yes I do include Labrador specific and aboriginal specific information. Why not collect and share all that amazing cultural information? This idea needs more fleshing out and I'm certainly not clear on every detail, but I do think it is certainly worth the time and effort to take a closer look at it.<br />
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<b>Close to Home </b><br />
It seems to be the general idea that many successive governments in NL have felt that consolidating services and offices is the best choice because it saves money. I would argue that saving money is not always the primary goal of government services. So over the years as we have seen decision making bodies move further and further away from the people who are most directly impacted, we have seen both the level of service and the quality of the decisions made erode significantly. I think that what we have seen is quite the opposite of what we need. Our decision making bodies should in fact be as close to those impacted as practical, and most of my larger scale ides focus around that very theme; as local as practical. <br />
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One of the most ridiculous moves the current Government has made that is the complete opposite of my line of thinking was the consolidation of the school boards. There was a time when important school decisions were made by those in the community where the school was located. Then it moved to a regional basis with some consultation with communities, and now local community leaders and school administrators wait together while bureaucrats in the capital region decree the latest mandated changes.<br />
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Of course the Department of Education must set main education criteria and province wide policy, but with the English school Board taking in 99% of provincial schools why do we need two giant bureaucratic administrative bodies with so much overlap? Why not just scrap the school board and let the Dept of Education handle it all? Or why not do the proper thing and go back to the sensible approach of letting local people make decisions about local schools? It may cost a little more but isn't it worth it? Healthcare and education are always chosen as the top two priorities of taxpayers, so if we're going to spend the money then why don't we get some real local value out of it?<br />
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Stay tuned... <br />
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You can read <a href="http://www.therurallens.com/2014/10/ideas.html" target="_blank">Ideas Part I here.</a> Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-84968879536773689632014-10-06T20:32:00.001-02:302014-10-06T20:35:41.241-02:30Ideas There are many characteristics that a good leader can possess, and one of the most important is the willingness to explore new ideas. Albert Einstein supposedly said "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." If that is indeed true then we need to change the way we seek to make our society better. We must not focus on our problems and then try to solve them, but instead look at our assets and explore what we can achieve with them.<br />
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As the next election draws near I hope we hear new ideas that will help develop and improve our society. Even a simple idea can have a profound impact over time. I have certainly voiced my share of complaints about the current government over the last number of years but on a couple rare occasions they have been willing to try something new. The highway moose detection system was actually an idea worth exploring. It should have been only a trial in one location and all additional costs should have been borne by the company who completed the installation, but it was worth exploring. We must be willing to explore and attempt new things if we hope to improve our society.<br />
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In the vein of sharing ideas in an attempt to improve our province I thought I'd post a couple of thoughts here over the next few days and see where they go.<br />
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1. Provincial Government Help Line.<br />
Those who live in St. John's would be familiar with the 311 phone number as a first point of contact with the City. Its not always perfect but at least its a starting point for contact. Having worked with the Provincial Government and having dealt with various departments I can easily say that the key to getting proper help is knowing who to talk to. For many residents their first point of contact is their MHA's office, and while that can work it's adding an extra step that shouldn't be required. Having one contact number for the Province where you could reach an office dedicated to helping you reach the proper person or office could provide a simple direct link between residents and their government.<br />
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2. Idea Warehouse.<br />
Even when I was a manager with the Provincial Government I found it very difficult to find any real interest in new ideas and approaches. In fact it was the continued resistance to ideas for change that eventually led me to resign. Even understanding the politicized nature of government there should always be a sincere and open forum for people to bring forward new ideas. We need every opportunity to explore every idea that could benefit us as a province. We should have a public repository where everyone is invited to submit and comment on ideas that could improve services, save money, or benefit any part of society.<br />
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3. Substitute Teachers on Retainer.<br />
Currently substitute teachers are all tossed into a pool and schools develop a call list of teachers that the use on a semi-regular basis depending on their availability. For a few lucky teachers this can lead to good relationships with one school that can develop into replacement or even full time work eventually. Unfortunately for most substitutes it simply leads to years of jumping from school to school without any real ability to develop a proper relationship with students. What if substitutes were hired on a retainer basis with a school? They would make a base amount for being on retainer and then extra money for days when they were called into work. They would consistently be dealing with the same staff, school and more importantly the same students. It would help reduce the disruptive nature of bringing in a new substitute and help develop the teacher - student bond.<br />
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Those are the first three that I'm throwing out there for discussion. Of course they need to be developed more fully but they are a starting point of looking at some things a little differently. Could they work? I certainly think so, and I'm open to discussing any thoughts any of you might have.<br />
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Note: If you have any interesting and unique ideas you'd like to share please feel free to post them in the comments section or send them along in an email and I'll post them if you'd like. <br />
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Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-14981169593462063752014-09-18T08:54:00.000-02:302014-09-18T08:54:35.371-02:30Piss-a-bed?Every so often I hear a word and wonder about the origins. Did it start as a slang term? Did it come from another language? Is it something truly unique to Newfoundland and Labrador?<br />
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One of the earliest I can remember wondering about was coleslaw. I could see someone eating this tasty but unusual side and commenting on how it was basically cold slop and it could have evolved from there! Of course that's not where the name comes from. It actually originated with the Dutch word for a cabbage salad: koolsla. Now you know.<br />
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Another word I often wondered about was dandelion. It always seemed to me that it could be a French word meaning lion's tooth, based on the shape of the pointy jagged leaf. Turns out I actually got that one right. Not that it's a stretch to see that dandelion could come from dent de lion. This is really only where the interesting notes about dandelions in NL gets started.<br />
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I was lucky enough to grow up with my grandparents and as such they provided me with a link to a more traditional side to NL culture and language that I would have otherwise missed out on. When it came to dandelions my grandmother would often say her mother called them "piss-a-beds." This just sent me in a burst of laughter as a boy. How could it not? A while ago I was thinking about my nan and dandelions came into my head and how that always made me laugh. Then I started to wonder about where piss-a-bed could have come from? <br />
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I'm not sure if I actually looked it up in french or if I happened to see it written but I was pretty surprised when I found that the french word for dandelion is not dandelion but is actually pissenlit. So not only is the regular english name derived from french but so is the Newfoundland word! To make it even better the Newfoundland word is a mix between french and english. The beginning is similar as pissen becomes piss-a but the funny part is how the end of the word gets translated into english as lit translates to bed. <br />
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We are incredibly lucky in Newfoundland and Labrador to have such a mix of traditional culture and language. From english to french to aboriginal, we must to continue to explore and celebrate our cultures. They help us understand where we came from and indeed can help shape our unique future in a world of homogeneity. Isn't it more fun to call them piss-a-beds then boring dandelions! <br />
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-89377231337044531522014-08-22T09:54:00.004-02:302014-08-22T09:54:59.044-02:30More Bill 29 Fallout The latest opportunity for the current Government to show its lack of ability to get anything right was taken full advantage of by Minister Sandy Collins and his senior staff this week. He firmly establish this Government's lack of ability to take responsibility, and their complete lack of reasoning for moving ahead with Bill-29. Or perhaps it shows that they are willing to allow a public bloodletting from a guy who in all likely hood have nothing to do with the original bill but now shoulders the responsibility. It's the continuing saga of a Government/Party that has passed its expiration date. <div>
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Check out more over here at <a href="http://bondpapers.blogspot.ca/2014/08/information-underload-nlpoli.html" target="_blank">The Sir Robert Bond Papers</a></div>
Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-70151073013623130852014-07-24T08:54:00.001-02:302014-07-24T09:00:30.904-02:30Mea CulpaIn case you haven't heard about this recent news story take a moment and head over to <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/war-vets-felt-hassled-by-marine-atlantic-over-service-dog-1.2715609" target="_blank">CBC and read this</a>. Does it make you angry? Upset? Frustrated? Why? Have you had a similar experience with Marine Atlantic or some other Government service provider? <br />
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Throughout the private sector business' have their own customer service struggles, but they generally can't hold a candle to government offices or crown corporations when it comes to bad customer service. Generally speaking government offices like Motor Registration don't care if you leave happy or frustrated just as long as you leave. Don't misunderstand my comments as an attack on government employees. I have been served by some very pleasant government staff in various departments and crown corporations at both Provincial and Federal levels, including Motor Registration. Their focus is very rarely on customer service and Marine Atlantic is often the epitome of this unfortunate missed opportunity.<br />
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Crown Corporations seem to see their objective as providing basic service for minimal cost, period. Marine Atlantic is a tough sell to folks even when they make positive news cycles for any number of reasons usually related to lack of funding, but the funny thing is that good customer service generally doesn't cost money and yet they still repeatedly screw it up.<br />
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To get back to this most recent fiasco Marine Atlantic has managed to once again piss off a huge number of people for something that could have easily been avoided. A certified service dog traveling with a veteran was almost denied entry to the ferry and then harassed continuously for the duration of the voyage. Once the story broke this was bad news for the PR folks at MA but bless their hearts they went and made it worse.<br />
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After hearing of the incident MA senior staff should have immediately contacted the gentleman in question and profusely apologized and then went to the media with their mea culpa. Take the blame and the responsibility for what happened, say that policy will change and it will never happen again. End of story. Right? Wrong.<br />
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Instead of begging for forgiveness the MA VP for "customer experience" (whatever that's supposed to mean) spoke to CBC to say things like "<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"At its root, we do not have a clear definition of what a service animal is," said Barnes. <br />
"We talked a lot about the need for a better understanding of
the issues involved and the struggles and challenges faced by people
with PTSD and this whole new emerging area of service animals for
atypical or non-traditional kinds of support."<br />
He said that while most people are familiar with service dogs
working in the role of a seeing eye dog, some people are still learning
about service animals providing other types of support.<br />
Barnes said that Marine Atlantic front-line employees receive
training every two years on how to support passengers with disabilities.</blockquote>
His comments should have been heavy with apology in every fashion possible, but they were not.<br />
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The public can be fooled by slick campaigns and fast talkers for sure, but most of the time a genuine apology will take care of all but the most egregious customer service problems. It costs nothing but honesty and sincerity. Unfortunately it appears that those are a couple of things Marine Atlantic just can't afford. <br />
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-28161234666114315482014-07-16T08:50:00.001-02:302014-07-16T08:50:46.206-02:30Early Summer News BlotterFirst up is this silly little number out of Plate Cove East. <div>
<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/outdoor-pool-deemed-illegal-despite-government-funding-1.2706185">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/outdoor-pool-deemed-illegal-despite-government-funding-1.2706185</a></div>
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Money was invested to help restore the river pool back to its pre-Igore state and ever since then Service NL has told them it's illegal to operate it. It's a river pool in a small community so any discussion is just stupid. The safety argument does make sense but use at own risk still applies. </div>
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Next up is trails and tribulations. </div>
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<a href="http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=47620&latest=1">http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=47620&latest=1</a></div>
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It looks like the Prov Gov has suggested a private company should be allowed to use bikes on the ECT without the approval of the actual East Coast Trail Association. What a surprise. I hike the ECT a fair amount and I've seen a few mountain bikers along the way. There are certainly sections where it could work but they then to be the areas that are former access roads or the more open areas. Some sections of trail are difficult on foot and bikers would be carrying their bikes for sure. </div>
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And then its the City of St. John's looking for "regional cooperation"</div>
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<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dennis-o-keefe-wants-mount-pearl-to-split-costs-of-team-gushue-highway-1.2708295">http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dennis-o-keefe-wants-mount-pearl-to-split-costs-of-team-gushue-highway-1.2708295</a></div>
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This isn't the first time we've heard this tune from St. John's. Former Mayor Wells was know for his attitude for the "brow baggers" who worked in the City but resided outside of it's sacred limits. The skinny here is that as the Capital, St, John's benefits from a readily available work force, government offices everywhere, retail establishments in all corners, and they all choose the City as their location to better access the residents of the entire region. Bottom line is that St. John's benefits far more from those who travel to work there then it looses on road maintenance servicing the arterials in and out of the City. Suck it up.</div>
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Where is Batman? Or superman?</div>
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No links required here as you've all read the news stories of gunshots, bear spray, knife attacks and general havoc in and around the downtown area as of late. Does this indicate a rise in crime or more unsafe streets in our fair capital? Do we nee to flash the Bat symbol into the fog? Maybe not just yet, but we should keep an eye on it. I'm not convinced our streets are really less safe but it is hard to deny the increasing frequency of newsworthy incidents. We are becoming a more affluent region and that extra money brings nice cars, expensive restaurants and organized crime. We haven't been overrun just yet but we need to keep control of the situation before it gets out of hand. The police can only do so much and always deserve our support, but we also need a shift in our approach to justice that reflects our new reality. An approach that streamlines court proceedings for non-violent crimes and minor issues like small claims court, while creating special responsibilities for those tasked with keeping our streets safe from the real and growing threats. </div>
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Drive through St. John's, go for a hike and a swim and don't do drugs! </div>
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Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-34060722441684122882014-06-16T21:48:00.002-02:302014-06-16T21:48:32.297-02:30Don't count your chickens, sharpen your axes. News today of "the man who would be king" Frank Coleman's move to step away from the opportunity to become Premier was a shocker to many. There had been rumors in some circles for some weeks that it would be a bad strategic move for him to continue on to take the top job based on his luke warm public reception, bad communications choices, and the faltering condition of the PC Party. If we take Frank at his word, and really how can we not, then it was a family emergency and not the building stress related to his upcoming coronation that led to his departure. So what then of the PC's?<br />
<br />
Since the later days of Dunderdale's reign many have been touting that the tide will turn from blue to red for the next general election. I've heard this from interested but non-partisan folks as well as from a good many big "L" Liberals. The fortunes for the PC's seem to just keep getting worse with every cycle of the moon and it's difficult to say what it might take for them to get a credible leader following this latest foolishness.<br />
<br />
After all Coleman was supposedly hand picked by the great DW himself despite what each had said publicly. Now Dan's man has stepped aside and we are left with some folks who didn't feel strongly enough to take a run at it just a couple months ago. Good with that I say.<br />
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Then, of course we are just coming off the heals of the Liberal convention in Gander which was apparently very well attended. I didn't make it out myself but luckily Facebook and Twitter kept me in the loop for most of it. You can bet that even before this Coleman pull-out Gander was chocked full of Liberals who feel it's all just a matter of time before they're vacuuming the blue out of the carpets and spreading the red around. It certainly is true that the liberals have had a very good public profile, positive poll results, and some known candidates express serious interest in running for them.<br />
<br />
But lets not forget the debt. As opposed to the PCs who have buckets of cash the Liberal Party is still rolling pennys. On top of that is that fact that the tories could still get a relatively strong leader, and they get to choose the date of the election. Plus they hold the public purse strings until that election is called. And finally it would be very unwise to assume that because the sky seems to be falling on them right now that they are too stunned to do anything about it. While most of the elected PC members won't be joining Mensa anytime soon they do employ people who know how to develop a strategy, and deliver a message. <br />
<br />
This race is far from over. The tories will seriously have to get their act together if they expect to make a real run at holding government. At the same time the Liberals can't expect this to go down without a battle.<br />
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At the end of the day I do think the people have had enough of the current crowd, and it is largely do to their own hubris that they will lose. But the Liberals should fight tooth and nail to prove that they are worthy of the responsibility to form a new government that actually listens to the people and not one that dictates to them. At least that's my hope.<br />
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-23991929161726547642014-04-20T16:55:00.004-02:302014-04-20T16:55:43.822-02:30Engage Us! <b>The Hard Road </b><br />
Democracy is messy and hard. That is if you're doing it right. Its setup to allow participation by all who wish to take part and provide an arena to debate ideas. Unfortunately many democracies do not welcome all, nor do they provide open arenas for debate. The general public recognize this in some forms and begin to loose interest in all but the most radical scenarios, and they get called apathetic or lazy. While there are certainly some who simply don't care there are many many more who do care but feel that their involvement is not wanted.<br />
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Here's a video of Dave Meslin presenting on the idea that most people are interested but the system is usually set up to keep them out using "intentional exclusion."<br />
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<b>Engage Me! </b><br />
The idea seams simple enough doesn't it? If you want people involved then you have to do things to get them involved. If there are no significant actions that are intended to genuinely engage people then it must be concluded that there is no intent to actually involve people. Recently there has been some public discourse regarding youth engagement in municipal politics, and you can find my thoughts on the matter <a href="http://www.therurallens.com/2014/04/how-about-some-real-municipal-reform.html" target="_blank">here</a>. When I look at the three levels of government in our country I see very few examples of genuine public engagement. <br />
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When the Government of NL launched the <a href="http://www.ope.gov.nl.ca/" target="_blank">Office of Public Engagement</a> I admit that I had hope that this was a sign of something new. A sign that they actually wanted input and participation from the people of NL. I hit Twitter and congratulated them for the move and mentioned how much I was looking forward to seeing how they would work toward actually engaging people. Unfortunately the OPE appears to be a branding exercise and not much more. Take a few minutes and click on the link and poke around the site. Try to find the new avenues they are using to "engage" people. You will find few if any. As of now the OPE has become a collection of initiatives that didn't fit anywhere else. Like the Rural Secretariat, Privacy protection, and training for the volunteer sector. These initiatives may indeed be worthwhile but they do not constitute public engagement.<br />
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<b>Consultation Consternation. </b><br />
One of the best examples of a process that could be a useful public engagement tool but is terribly misused is the annual farce of Pre-Budget Consultations. This is where the current Finance Minister travels around the Province to listen to presentations from groups and individuals on where our public money should be spent. Sounds like a decent idea right? Well it might be if the budget hadn't already been decided upon, thus making the entire process a sham. These "consultations" take place early in the new year while the budget is decided by the end of the previous year. The really sad part is that most everyone knows this yet we all still play along as if it actually meant something. <br />
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<b>Now What.</b><br />
While part of my intention is to point out that we have very little real public engagement happening I do want to cover some of the ways it is being done and can be done properly. As I indicated above it comes down to intent. Most governments and partys say they want your involvement when want they really want is your quiet support. So is anyone doing anything right? Are there better ways to get people involved? Of course, but it requires the genuine desire to get people involved. <br />
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It starts with sharing. Some of the more impressive municipal councils in NL share almost everything via newsletters, websites, email lists, Facebook and Twitter. And I'm not just talking about the "gee aren't we great" stuff or the fluffy stuff. Some towns lay it all out, from the budget to the minutes to the staffing to the operational programs. The idea is that you provide the information and those who want to use it will use it. Too many councils share very little beyond fluff and it doesn't show any intent to engage because they simply are not interested in actively involving residents. <br />
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Some councils regularly invite people to sit on committees and attend council meetings, while others do very little and want very little input. At the Provincial level I would guess very few MHAs would want you to show up and watch a sitting of the House of Assembly. Simply for the reason that many of them act like spoiled children who continuously shout and mock each other. Plus there are the incredibly ridiculous rules for sitting in the gallery for the general public. Like the fact that you are not allowed to take notes, or use your phone, or even remain standing. I was in the gallery for some of the Bill 29 debates and after getting tired of sitting I stood to watch for a while. I was told that if I did not sit down I would be asked to leave. I almost refused just to see if they would remove me for standing.<br />
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The bottom line is that if you really want to get more people, youth, women, new people involved you have to mean it, you can't just say it. You have to take every opportunity to bring them them in and get their input. We have a representative democracy where you vote to give your vote to someone else, and the least they can do is to have you involved in the decision making process. The people of NL are pretty damn smart, and we care what happens in our governments. Open the doors and let us take part, we can handle it. Engage us! <br />
Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-90848383058204612682014-04-13T19:47:00.000-02:302014-04-14T15:01:47.006-02:30How about some real municipal reform?The Municipalities Act was rewritten in 1999 and is occasionally amended to improve the original legislation. One example of a positive amendment was in 2007 when section 219 was updated to modify the ability of municipalities to engage in joint ventures for the purposes of service delivery. That's the kind of updating the act requires, changes that help modernize the Act and the sector to keep pushing municipalities toward greater accountability while also providing better resources.<br />
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On April 7th the Provincial Government sent out <a href="http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2014/ma/0408n09.htm" target="_blank">this release </a>that indicates two new amendments. Specifically the text reads as follows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The first amendment will allow councils the discretionary authority to
permit their councillors to attend meetings remotely. This will enable
flexibility for councillors who are balancing council participation with
family commitments, or who work from non-traditional locations or on an
irregular schedule.<br />
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The second amendment will allow councils the discretionary authority to
appoint one or more youth representatives to council. These individuals,
while not voting members, will bring the voice of youth to the council
chambers and will add a new and important perspective to deliberations.</blockquote>
The complete text of the Bill can be <a href="http://www.assembly.nl.ca/business/bills/bill1406.htm" target="_blank">found here</a>. The unfortunate side of these amendments is that one is completely not required and the other simply enables struggling municipalities to remain on life support instead of performing the life saving surgery they desperately need. <br />
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<b>Redundancy is redundant.</b><br />
Engaging youth in any democratic process is always a good idea. The average age of councillors in NL is reflective of the the high average age of the population across the province. So what's the issue with that first amendment above? Actually there are two issues with it. The first is that it is appointed so the council can choose anyone they like. Not exactly democratic. But my main issue is with regard to the fact that it is entirely unnecessary. <br />
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Section 25 is designed to allow councils to appoint anyone they want to any committee they want in order to ensure the proper operation of the town. This includes youth. Any council at any time could appoint an entire committee of youth specifically to provide the youth perspective. And this committee can have a chair who attends all council meetings and provides the youth perspective on any and all issues before council.<br />
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Bottom line is that legislation should be sharp and precise and not cumbersome and unnecessary. Encourage councils to use the ability they already have instead of doubling up on voluntary options.<br />
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<b>Absence makes the votes go longer.</b><br />
The second section of the proposed amendment will likely make quite a few councils pretty happy. There have been ongoing issues with getting enough people to serve on councils across NL and some towns have found that the Alberta job market has pulled away some folks who would, and have, serve on council. So this opportunity to attend council meetings via some kind of remote technology sounds like just what the Dr ordered right? Not exactly.<br />
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Again there are two issues here. First up is the idea of someone who for all intents and purposes barely lives in a community but still gets to make vital decision on how it runs. As long as a persons permanent residence is located in a community they are eligible to serve on council, even if they spend 80 or 90% of their time in another province. This is a little disconcerting for "local government" and I don't think it sets the right precedent. For emergency situations remote attendance is perfect but how many councillors will be attending the majority of their meetings from another province?<br />
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The second, and much larger issue here is that this is a stop gap measure that simply covers up the larger issue. The municipal sector has been in dire need of significant reform in NL for decades and Governments of various colors have been pretty much ignoring it all along. If it were one or two councillors that required the ability to attend remotely on occasion that would be one thing, but the number people on councils who work out west combined with the difficulty in getting people to serve on councils is just a small indication of the fundamental, and structural changes needed in the sector. This amendment is like putting a band aid on a broken leg. <br />
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This "Bill 6" will likely pass and there will certainly be some councillors and councils who support it. It is worth noting however that as I write this it appears that Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) does not support at least one portion of the bill. My guess is that Municipal Affairs came up with these amendments without actually checking with the sector representatives if they made any sense. The bottom line is that this bill doesn't help engage youth and it doesn't provide for the sustainability of municipalities in NL. In fact it does pretty much nothing of any use at all. <br />
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<b>UPDATE</b><br />
As reported <a href="http://www.vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=45280&latest=1" target="_blank">here at VOCM</a> MNL is clearly not in favor of at least part of the amendment. Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-27478753002632060592014-03-22T16:03:00.001-02:302014-03-22T16:04:19.060-02:30Media and The CityThe recent blow-up about the media being banned for open a public meetings held by the City of St. John's has raised some interesting debate about the role the media plays with regard to getting information into the hands of the people. Of course the main item to catch the attention of the media was the idea of calling a meeting public without allowing the media to record the event.<br />
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Keep in mind that this item comes at a time when many residents have felt shut out of Provincial Government information sharing due to a bill that they themselves have now admitted may not have been the best choice for openness and transparency. See the latest on that <a href="http://www.thetelegram.com/News/Local/2014-03-21/article-3657752/Opposition-struggles-for-answers-in-the-era-of-Open-Government/1" target="_blank">here</a>. So with that in mind lets have a look at the arguments presented.<br />
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The media began to pick up on the story mid week about a public meeting the City was holding regarding development of parks and green-spaces within the City as noted in <a href="http://stjohns.ca/media-release/public-session-parks-and-greenways-randall-arendt" target="_blank">this release</a>. The story got rolling when the media were informed that they would not be permitted to record the event on audio or video. Then all hell broke loose. The media started yelling about how can it be an open meeting if the media are not free to attend. The specific response from the city went like this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: cassiaregular; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;">“Members of the media are welcome to attend any of the scheduled sessions as participants and ward residents,” it said, “however, the sessions and comments by participants may not be videotaped and/or recorded for broadcasting or reporting. Reporters interested in arranging interviews with (the consultants) or any representatives of the city may do so by contacting the city’s communications and public relations officer.”</span></blockquote>
The media began running stories about how the meetings could not be considered open and they stated that it was an important role of the media to act as a conduit to transfer the information to those people who could not attend. The CBC has<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/media-banned-from-reporting-on-st-john-s-public-meetings-1.2580784" target="_blank"> this story</a> on their website including a quote from a communications "expert" at MUN as follows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">"I don't think they have a room that would actually fit everyone in the community, so they have to have some sort of an outlet to let the greater community know what's going on, and that clearly isn't happening here," Warkentin said.</span></blockquote>
Then the City Counsellors jumped in. With both feet. Councillor Galgay was quoted as supporting the media's ability to attend and record in the CBC story as follows:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">"To start off limiting the media and participation is certainly a wrong step forward, and it's something I am not willing to support,"</span></blockquote>
There seemed to be a lack of unity on the decision, or the perceived decision to ban the media and to make matters worse the media were being directed away from communications staff and toward Councillor Dave Lane to find their answers. Councillor Lane posted in <a href="http://davelanestjohns.ca/blog/posts/2014/march/22/heres-why-you-thought-st-johns-was-banning-the-media/" target="_blank">his blog</a> about how there was a misunderstanding about what happened and that media were indeed welcome to attend and he linked to this<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/communications-breakdown-cited-over-st-john-s-meeting-fuss-1.2581253" target="_blank"> CBC piece</a> that say that the media will now be allowed to record the event. Flip meet flop.<br />
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Why was this such a big deal, and what went wrong along the way?<br />
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First lets look at the City's response. Councils set policy and staff implement policy. Apparently there was a breakdown in that pretty simple process here. It still seems unclear if this no recoding thing is or ever was an actual policy or just some random idea. Communications staff are paid to manage communications demands. Again a breakdown occurred. Either the staff did not want to respond to the media, or they are being micromanaged into not responding, but either way its not how it should be done. Hire people you trust and let them do their job. There were questions about who was at fault here, wether it was a bad policy, a recommendation from a consultant, or inept staff. The bottom line is that those discussions should have happened behind closed doors and not in front of a microphone.<br />
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Now for the media. This was barely a real story so it must have been a slow news week. Asking the media not to record residents individual comments for broadcast does not mean the meeting isn't public. That was a stretch. It only got traction because of the mess the Provincial Government has created over openness and transparency. Thats just the nature of news, no big deal there. What was a big deal was when some media folks climbed up on that high horse and claimed that it was there responsibility to act as a conduit for information to those members of the public who couldn't attend. This is simply not the case. The media do indeed pass on important information to people on a daily bases but it is important to remember that they decide everyday on what is "newsworthy" and that significantly impacts what gets reported, and how.<br />
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Public meetings are a great example. Were it not for this media banning incident the meeting would have garnered very little coverage. A couple of minutes on the evening news and maybe a small online story, at most. So how could they disseminate the pertinent details of what could be a 2 hour meeting in 3 or 4 minutes. Simply not possible. Plus consider that if a fight were to break out at the meeting the focus of the story would shift to accommodate the more newsworthy happening. I fully understand that all media are directed by someone to cover stories that are interesting. After all the line "if it bleeds it leads" is certainly the truth. But the responsibility for disseminating the required information to the residents who couldn't make it to a session is the responsibility of the City. Plain and simple. Wether they are up to that challenge is a matter for another conversation, but even if they are not, it is not the responsibility of the media to fill that gap.<br />
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One final point. I have taken part in and facilitated hundreds of meetings of various sizes and I can say with absolute certainty that having the media present to record a conversation changes the nature of that conversation, and not in a positive way. Some people are very hesitant to voice an idea that they feel may be unpopular, even if its a great idea. Adding a microphone and a camera to the mix means some people will just listen and not contribute. Thats not what public meetings are about.<br />
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Does the City of St. John's have a policy preventing media from rebroadcasting residents comments at public debates or events? Who knows, but maybe they should. <br />
<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-50722159253864958312014-02-10T08:13:00.001-03:302014-02-18T10:32:45.510-03:30Rick Mercer on Veterans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-1212883005141188682014-02-06T10:59:00.003-03:302014-02-06T10:59:56.785-03:30No choice at allIn recent weeks the Liberal Caucus has been growing by leaps and bounds. It was no shock to any who were paying attention to see the 2 former NDP MHAs slip on a red jacket and join up with the party currently topping the polls. Some are asking if it was a good move by the two amigos or by the welcoming party? <br />
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For Mitchelmore and Kirby there were really very few options. It certainly appeared that they had drawn a line in the sand at Lorraine's feet and they were not willing to kneel before her and kiss those feet. So they couldn't go back. They had spent nearly every waking moment since their election bashing the current Government/Party so if they had any hope of holding on to a shred of integrity they couldn't go blue.<br />
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The only options that remained were to remain as independents or to join up with the crew at the top of the polls. As independents they would have limited resources and severely limited abilities in the House of Assembly. Plus running in the next election, even as incumbents, they would still face a full slate of candidates from the NDP, PCs and Liberals. On the other hand they could move to the Liberals. A party that has been riding a rising wave of public support for nearly a year, including a very surprising defection of a well know PC mouthpiece in Paul Lane. In addition moving from the far-left NDP to the just-left-of-center Liberals isn't a huge ideological leap. Partially since political ideologies are almost nonexistent in Nl on a practical basis, despite the rhetoric at election time.<br />
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In the end the switch from Orange to Red makes so much sense its a wonder Lorraine herself hasn't been looking for a deal! Then again, maybe she has...Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-38873580053466055382013-12-16T12:17:00.000-03:302013-12-16T12:17:21.179-03:30Tis The SeasonIt is always a balancing act during the Christmas Season for major businesses to promote their product or service without seeming to be a bunch of money grubbing buggers. Holding on to the Christmas spirit as well as a few dollars takes a significant amount of skill, intuition and impeccable timing.<br />
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The recent effort by West Jet has been making the rounds and because it is an excellent example of a great idea and incredible execution. In case you haven't yet seen it here you go.<br />
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Hats off to them and a merry christmas to all!Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-77000434712277019852013-10-24T08:23:00.001-02:302013-10-24T08:23:24.498-02:30Bad TimingIt's been the buzz around office water coolers and coffee shops for the past few days. The NDP are imploding and it's all happening in public. It is a sad turn of affairs for a party that plays an important role in the Province. But the worst of it all is the serious case of bad timing involved. It's not their fault, I'm sure they didn't plan a public meltdown that would be at the top of every newswire, but thats exactly what happened. Unfortunately it has distracted most everyone from a far more important story.<br />
<br />
The CBC's Adam Walsh broke <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sex-exploitation-report-deemed-too-harmful-to-release-1.2129162" target="_blank">this story</a> about a Government report completed over two years ago regarding various forms of sexual exploitation. The real story was that the report was never released, even though it makes some significant recommendations. Government claimed that they didn't release the report because just the simple knowledge that research was happening would put people at risk. You can see more of the ridiculous comments by the Minister and the Deputy Police Chief <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/cbc-stories-on-leaked-report-irresponsible-minister-1.2159429" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Over at <a href="http://bondpapers.blogspot.ca/2013/10/socially-responsible-reporting-trumps.html" target="_blank">The Sir Robert Bond Papers</a> there's some good commentary on why the Governments position is so hard to swallow. The bottom line is that most people, including some of those interviewed for the report and others who work in that sector feel that at the very lest the recommendations for the report should be made public. How else can we expect change to happen?<br />
<br />
It appears to be another case of a "trust us, we know what we're doing" style of government. The most unfortunate part of this is the timing of the breaking story. Even with the weight of this story to stay in the news for a couple of days the NDP collapse is still getting top billing. It's not surprising but it is unfortunate. <br />
<br />
<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-71883273025488379082013-09-23T09:09:00.000-02:302013-10-02T13:49:58.139-02:30Municipal Election Thoughts Pt 2.My original plan was to write a few posts about some of the issues facing municipal councils in NL. It turns out that I'll only end up writing two, this being the second. The topic of this post has changed from my original intent to something a little more in the media over the last week or so. CBC ran a story <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/how-thousands-of-people-don-t-pay-a-dime-in-property-tax-1.1856765" target="_blank">here</a> on Sept 17th regarding some of the discrepancies between municipalities and other communities, and then followed it up on the 19th with one <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/province-not-ready-to-tackle-unincorporated-communities-1.1860153" target="_blank">here</a> on how the Province "isn't ready" to tackle the structural issues of unincorporated communities. In light of those stories and a conversation I almost had on VOCM's Nightline I thought I'd share my thoughts on the issue, and while it won't change any ones vote come Tuesday I hope those who read this will leave with a better understanding of our broken municipal sector.<br />
<br />
<u>Structural Integrity </u><br />
The current system has 4 distinct types of community.<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>The City. We currently have 3 cities and they are regulated slightly differently then other communities as they have unique legislation. </li>
<li>The Municipality. There are approximately 276 municipalities in NL. They are governed by the Municipalities Act, among some others, and are monitored by the Province to ensure they are operating within the rules. </li>
<li>Local Service Districts. Last time I was involved in the sector there were somewhere areound 180 LSD's in NL. They are generally run by a committee and can provide basic services like garbage collection for a fee from residents. They cannot charge a tax but can charge fees. I believe there are a couple that also own and operate water systems. </li>
<li>Unincorperated Communities. Hard to say just how many since there's no real definition as to what consitutes a "community." They also usually have fee for service arrangements for garbage collection at least. </li>
</ol>
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<br />
For the purposes of
this discussion it makes sense to group these into 2 main groups which I will
call municipalities that will include all towns and cities, and unincorporated
communities that will include LSD's and completely unincorporated communities.
Note also that there was a 5th kind of structure referred to as a regional
municipality made up of a mix of these options, but the only one in NL was
dissolved to create the municipality of Fogo Island not too long ago.
<br />
<br />
<u>Imbalance</u><br />
So why does it
matter? Who cares if there are different types of representation or community
structure? It matters because it sets up a significant imbalance in the system
that is usually tips the scales against municipalities. To illustrate the point
we'll look at two items; property tax and snow clearing.
<br />
First we'll look at
property tax and how the imbalance across the community types causes an unfair
advantage for unincorporated areas and a loss in potential revenue to be used
for community development. Around NL it is common to have municipalities and
unincorporated communities side by side. When businesses and individuals look
to build new buildings they often look outside the municipality so they can
avoid business and property tax. This causes a loss of potential revenue for municipalities
and even provides a slight business advantage to those who operate in
unincorporated areas. In addition these businesses and people will often use
services in nearby municipalities such as banking, retail and government
services that use resources of that municipality. Therefore people are
appreciating the benefits of being near a municipality but are not contributing
to the operation of that system.
<br />
<br />
On the side of
expenses we need to look no further then the roads that we drive on everyday.
During the winter months all municipalities have to budget thousands of dollars
just to keep the roads passable. Snow clearing forms a large percentage of the
expenses for many small towns who don't provide many other services. What's the
big deal? Well, neighbouring unincorporated communities need not worry because
the Provincial Government takes care of it at no cost. How? By using Dept. of
Transportation equipment or by throwing a little cash at a neighboring
municipality to use their equipment to do the job. That sounds fair
right?
<br />
<br />
<u>Results</u><br />
What does it all
mean? On a small scale it leaves municipalities and those who pay municipal
taxes feeling that they are paying a little more then their fair share as they
pay municipal taxes in addition to the provincial and federal taxes just like
all others. On a larger scale it highlights the disparity and disfunctionality
within our municipal sector. It certainly isn't necessary or practical for all
areas of the Province to have the same service levels but shouldn't we be
working toward a basic standard that can apply to all? At least we should have
a system that applies the same cost for the same service to all on an equal
basis?
<br />
<br />
Our municipal
structure needs an overhaul. It's needed one for decades but as usual it
requires significant political will that has so far been missing from the equation.
And until we have all parts of the equation on the table we have very little
hope of reaching equality.
Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-37116431299743109972013-09-14T13:32:00.000-02:302013-09-14T13:32:57.273-02:30Municipal Election Thoughts. Part 1With the province wide municipal elections coming up in just over 2 weeks perhaps it's time to have a quick look at the general state of our municipal sector. Of course this time around I'm also a candidate for my town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove, and you can check out my campaign website at <a href="http://www.RyanLane.org/">www.RyanLane.org</a>. If you want a detailed look at the sector, have a look back at a 4 part series I wrote in 2011 starting with<a href="http://www.therurallens.com/2011/11/municipal-refit-part-1.html"> Part 1</a>. Over the next couple of weeks I'll provide my current thoughts on the sector and highlight the areas we really need to work on. In this first instalment I'll cover municipal financing and citizen engagement. <br />
<br />
<b>Cash Flow</b><br />
Those involved in the sector are well aware of the financial realities of running a town on very limited resources and increasing responsibilities. It's a sign of the health of the sector that most towns would have to close their doors if they stopped receiving the Municipal Operating Grants from the Province. Then there's the infrastructure that they have even less control over. Each year municipalities put forward applications for desperately needed infrastructure development and maintenance in hopes that they might get chosen from the random and largely politicised infrastructure lottery. <br />
<br />
So we have a level of government with seriously insufficient funding and secretive, sketchy and politicised access to infrastructure funding. How do we fix it? Well, the Province has promised a proper fiscal framework review for many years, and there is one ongoing right now but the outcome is likely to simply be a rejig of the MOG formula. Municipalities need proper enabling legislation, more diverse revenue generation tools and a multi-year public and prioritised infrastructure plan from the Province so that they can plan appropriately without having to cross their fingers and hope that their project will get approved.<br />
<br />
<b>Citizen Engagement</b><br />
This topic is a tough one because some towns do their utmost to engage residents, while others treat residents as an unfortunate side effect of having a council. Most towns are in the middle somewhere. This problem stems from the fact that neither the Province nor many councils or councillors understand what municipalities are for, nor what they are capable of. Because of this many towns don't try to engage residents because they wouldn't know what to do with them even if they were engaged in the process.<br />
<br />
The most recent unfortunate example of this I've seen is with my own town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove where I expressed concern to the council that our residents might not get the opportunity to meet all the candidates. I suggested a simple meet and greet for all candidates to make sure no resident could say they weren't given the opportunity to know who they were voting for. Unfortunately the response from the Town was that the majority of the current council had no interest in holding such an event. This is a problem.<br />
<br />
While Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador and the Professional Municipal Administrators association are always holding training sessions that often emphasise the importance of resident engagement many councils still don't quite get it. It is the backbone of our democratic system, and engaging citizens once every 4 years is just not good enough.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-2194513198251988492013-09-10T12:06:00.000-02:302013-09-10T12:06:31.471-02:30Up and RunningSeptember the 24th will be here before we know it. And that's a big deal because it's municipal election day in Newfoundland and Labrador. So wherever you live be sure and get out and vote!<br />
<br />
If you happen to live in, or know someone who lives in the great town of Logy Bay-Middle Cove Outer Cove then you may know that I'm running for that council, and you should check out my campaign website at <a href="http://www.ryanlane.org/">www.ryanlane.org</a>. <br />
<br />
My campaign is simple and based on my years of experience in the municipal sector, and in areas of community development and strategic planning.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately I've just today received some disheartening news regarding the election in my Town. All candidates have been invited to an event in the City if St. John's hosted by the Board of Trade. A meet and greet, of sorts, that was open to all candidates from surrounding municipalities. It's a great idea and I appreciate the invitation, but I'm not sure many residents of LB-MC-OC will attend.<br />
<br />
As such I made a request to my town to host a similar, simple "meet and greet" style event. My response came today from the town office:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">"Just ran this by council last night. Unfortunately, no one was in favor of hosting an event at this time."</span></blockquote>
We only get to choose a council once every 4 years, and I find it unfortunate that this council doesn't appear interested in providing one event where residents can come together to meet the people who want to make important decisions on their behalf.<br />
<br />
In the beginning I wanted to volunteer my experience to help make good decisions for our town. Now it seems, I will also be running to ensure that people have every opportunity to become involved and engaged in the municipal process.<br />
<br />
Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-55108216192763529492013-08-29T09:21:00.000-02:302013-09-10T12:06:43.198-02:30Time to Make Your MarkIt only happens every 4 years, and last time around there wasn't much interest in the municipal elections around Newfoundland and Labrador. What about this time?<br />
<br />
The usual trend in municipal elections for NL is to see more interest in the larger towns and cities but less interest in the smaller communities, unless there's a major issue dividing the town. This certainly isn't always the case as some smaller communities have very healthy elections and voter turnout. But the general trend is to have more councils acclaimed in smaller towns, and in many cases there are often not even enough people nominated to fill the available seats. In fact in the <a href="http://www.municipalnl.ca/?Content=CCRC/Census_and_Survey">MNL Municipal Census</a> it was almost a 50/50 split between those that had contested elections and those that did not. So at least 110 municipalities did not have a contested election in 2009.<br />
<br />
When I worked with MNL and with Municipal Affairs, councillors and mayors would often comment that they were perfectly happy being acclaimed. They would tell me how it was a sign that their residents were content and didn't feel they needed change. The unfortunate truth is that uncontested elections are not generally a good thing. While it can be a sign of contentment it can also be a sign of apathy and frustration with a system people don't understand.<br />
<br />
Healthy elections are important for healthy communities. Its a part of democracy to have choice, no choice means no democracy. It also is an amazing way for residents to get to understand the system of municipal government. Speaking with councillors from around NL a common theme that arises is how they had no idea what was involved until they became a member of their council. The average person doesn't know, or often care to know how the municipal system works in NL. What better way to get to know then by getting involved and sitting on a council.<br />
<br />
The current <a href="http://www.ma.gov.nl.ca/makeyourmarknl/">Make Your Mark</a> campaign as pushed by the Department of Municipal Affairs and Municipalities NL is attempting to reach out and encourage people to run for council. It does appear to be having some success as some municipalities seem to have more names coming forward then for the last election. The closest example for me is my home community of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove. While Mayor John Kennedy has been acclaimed there is a great deal of interest in the other council seats. There was a fully acclaimed council last time around, but this time for the 6 council positions there are 11 names to choose from, including mine.<br />
<br />
And don't forget that even if you don't want to run for your council you still have the a very important role to play in choosing your council. So on September 24th get out there and Make Your Mark!Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-16291017409210730472013-08-23T10:48:00.000-02:302013-08-26T08:30:01.180-02:30The Liberal Leadership: Round 1It started with a decent size crowd in a warm room and ended with handshakes and smiles, with a few fireworks in between. Overall it was a very successful and positive night for the Liberal Party of NL, and despite a couple of pointed questions and some raised voices the one thing I took away from the event is that the tide has now turned and it's acceptable to be Liberal once again.<br />
<br />
Each contestant had a very different approach and they didn't all resonate with the affable audience. While some answers were canned others were a little more off the cuff and in the end I'd put two of the five at the front following this first round, and for different reasons. Dwight Ball came off looking good due to actually answering some questions and holding his own in most of the debates. Jim Bennett looked to be the only one who actually had policy based answers to the questions of the night. And while these two came out on top there was a lot more going on...<br />
<br />
In order of their placement on the stage I give you my impressions of each candidate from the 1st Leadership debate.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Paul Antle</u></b> <br />
Antle looked and sounded like a leader. He was well spoken if a little slow in some cases for my taste, almost dropping to William Shatner speed once or twice. He is obviously a polished speaker and was well prepped on the style of the debate. In one instance on the one on one debates he set Danny Dumaresque up to bash Muskrat Falls, A.K.A. Cathy Bennett, and not surprisingly Dumaresque didn't disappoint him. It was a good job of getting one of the others to do his bidding and was well played.<br />
<br />
The downside of Paul's performance was with regard to his answers to pretty much every question. That is to say he sounded great but he didn't actually say anything. Going into the debate I was looking forward to learning more about how he actually felt about issues, but alas after almost 3 hours it still looks like he doesn't have many thoughts of his own. Only two things were clear from his answers; first is that he doesn't have enough information on Muskrat Falls (Really? After two years?) and secondly that he's adamant that the current Government is doing everything wrong. But that's about it. When asked a very important question regarding the fact that he doesn't have a seat in the house and the difficulty related to being a leader outside the house or would he ask someone to step down, Antle's response was basically that he would have to assess the situation after he became leader. Non-answer.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Dwight Ball</u></b><br />
Ball also looked and sounded the part for most of the night. He looked comfortable and answered casually never loosing composure. He relied heavily on the growth of the popularity of the Party during his time as Interim Leader, stating that a recent poll put the Party in first place at %46. He answered a couple questions with actual answers including a couple healthcare planks that would focus on smoking cessation work and specific chronic disease (Diabetes) programs.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately for Ball his answers weren't exactly up to scratch for those were really paying attention. The substance of his responses was lacking to say the least. It was most obvious when asked by Dumaresque specifically what he would do to reinvigorate the fishery. He struggled badly and came up with little more then marketing and joint management. In addition, his reliance on his track record was also a little off base. While the Party is gaining ground I'm not sure he can claim much success when compared to a Government that continuously shoots itself in the foot. And finally, his debate with Jim Bennett around public support and polling numbers seems to indicate a bad memory or creative story telling. The Party has not been in first place, nor at %46 anytime since Ball has been at the helm. In fact the last <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/06/10/nl-cra-poll-dunderdale-third-610.html">Poll</a> indicated the Party in second place at %36, with Ball as leader showing %24 support, exactly what Bennett had said. <b><u>Edit:</u></b> I was contacted by Ball with some clarification including the latest MQO poll which puts the Party in first at 46%. Those numbers however were not publicly released until they appeared on CBC's <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/NL/ID/2402784279/">On Point</a> and there are still no media stories on them and no official release information from MQO. Odd. And he also indicated an Angus Reid poll that placed him in first place across Canada tied with another opposition leader. The full report on that poll <a href="http://www.angusreidglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Full-Report-Detailed-Tables-and-Methodology-PDF.pdf">available here </a>does place Ball tied in first place across the country but that portion does not include other party leaders within the home province. The full report and poll within this province still places Ball second behind the NDP leader. <br />
<br />
<b><u>Cathy Bennett</u></b> <br />
I'll refer to her by first name here simply because there are two Bennetts in the race. Cathy looked the part and many of her answers were well prepared and for her part she provided the answers reasonably well. And to her credit she was able to stay on topic and held her ground and stood by past decisions even when she was being nearly shouted down by two of her competitors.<br />
<br />
As well spoken as she was she did stumble a few times throughout the night, not terribly but noticeably considering she was really the only one to do so. Like Antle her answers were terribly vague, but she took a different track. Her response to most every question revolved around consultation and listening. This indeed seems to fit with her general campaign messaging thus far. And while consultation is imperative to government decision making it appears that Cathy doesn't have many real answers beyond consultation. But her largest impediment on the night was her support of the Muskrat Falls project. To her credit she did not back down despite an obviously anti-Muskrat audience. The topic got the most response from the audience and was never in her favor. She questioned Jim, the other Bennett, on seniors housing and the beginning of his response included his concerns for the increases coming for their light bills and how that would impact their pocket books. She just couldn't win and at a couple of occasions her attitude began to slip into defensive territory and she got snippy, especially with Antle.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Danny Dumaresque</u></b><br />
Dumaresque is a good public speaker and he's good at pushing those buttons that get people riled up. In the case of this audience it was Liberal pride and anti-Muskrat Falls. He answered some of the questions with actual answers and was one of the few who actually indicated some kind of plan for a couple of sectors. This included a commitment to construct a fixed link to Labrador to increase tourism and broader economic development.<br />
<br />
Dumaresque did have answers to most questions but unfortunately almost all his answers were Muskrat Falls. Even when he was asked a direct question about improving healthcare his answer was about how Muskrat Falls was wasting our money. In the end I still don't know much about his platform beyond how he feels about the Party, Muskrat Falls, and the fishery. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Jim Bennett</b></u><br />
Jim sounded well informed, spoke clearly and he had obviously done his homework with regard to the majority of issues. He conveyed portions of his platform in most every answer and his references to the work he had completed as a member of the opposition gave legitimacy to his responses. From creating a Special Prosecutor for organized crime, a switch from open to closed aquaculture, and a strong focus on social justice issues he actually answered the questions.<br />
<br />
Even with his detailed answers there were missed opportunities for him during the debate. During one 2 minute debate he didn't get the opportunity to speak because the others were talking and he didn't insert himself. And while questioning Ball on his popularity he allowed Ball to get away with his incorrect statistics.<br />
<br />
<b>In Closing...</b><br />
To be honest it was more spirited then I expected and there was a good turnout with some great questions. Full credit to the Gander and Area Chamber of Commerce and the moderator, Darrin Murray, who did a fantastic job of keeping things on track.<br />
<br />
I was really hoping to hear more policy. My main criticism of the current Government is that they do not understand how important good planning and policy are to good government. I want a Liberal Leader who understands those things. It's no secret I'm supporting Jim Bennett and his strong approach to planing and policy is a large reason for that support.<br />
<br />
I firmly believe that in the end whatever the result of this process the Liberal Party of NL will be well positioned for 2015. I enjoyed the debate and I can't wait for the next one! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-52832426387770854932013-08-11T16:08:00.000-02:302013-08-11T16:08:23.879-02:30Taking your life in your handsI've just returned from one of my summer pleasures. For the past 4 years my girlfriend and I volunteer as Judges for the Tidy Towns program and it has the incredible benefit of taking us all around the province to visit the most beautiful places you can imagine. This summer we evaluated 7 towns and traveled over 3000 kms from the Avalon, Baie Vert, Burin and Great Northern Peninsulas. As you would expect there's a fair bit of effort keeping eyes peeled for large furry mammals who might ruin our happy trip, but this summer we only saw 3 of those. There were however lots of other things to be wary of.<br />
<br />
While I can say that we were never in any real danger on this trip we still got to see plenty of evidence as to why there are so many accidents on our highways. Most accidents on our highways are not a result of moose, but instead its another dumb animal that's to blame.<br />
<br />
I drive fast. I always have and I don't expect it will change soon. But I don't drive stupid. I choose a constant speed and based on road and weather conditions I do my best to keep that speed and safely pass those who wish to drive slower. On this trip, and on most trips, I was passed by quite a few folks who seem to feel that their vehicle does not have to conform to the laws of man or of physics. It is not uncommon to be passed as though I'm standing still, even in very heavy rain sometimes, and remember I drive fast already so these folks are skipping along. And with the condition of some of our roads Its just crazy.<br />
<br />
I see drivers every day who seem to be blissfully unaware that their vehicles are equipped with indicator lights to help INDICATE when they are turning. Then there are those who like to surge and slow as they drive, I hate them. Pick a speed and stick with it. Differences of more then 20kph in a few minutes on unchanging roads is not safe. We will always have those who drive slowly until you attempt to pass and then it turns into a race. These people are simply unbearable.<br />
<br />
Some people seem unable to do the simplest of tasks like use a signal light, use headlights, merge, pass safely or drive without doing at least two other distracting things at the same time. Eating, smoking, talking on the phone, texting, putting on makeup, reading, falling asleep, drinking etc.<br />
<br />
Then there's simple vehicle maintenance. You see cars with exhaust pipes falling off, tires falling off or bald, lights not working and we even saw one car who's reverse lights were on while drive 100 on the TCH. It's scary.<br />
<br />
In the end the demands on a driver to remain alert are very high and our roads can be very dangerous. Next time you're on the TCH heading across our beautiful countryside don't just concentrate on the ditches, keep an eye to your fellow motorists as well, because they may not be keeping an eye out for you. Drive safe.Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-62431952479417535292013-08-02T09:49:00.000-02:302013-08-11T15:43:05.697-02:30I'll be supporting...The slate of candidates who have come forward for the Liberal Leadership is nothing short of fantastic. It is a mix of experience and new voices in a party that is crying out for both. The character and experience of these candidates will grow the party and increases the chances of at the very least having some great new Liberal candidates for the next election. I have more hope for the Liberal Party of NL right now then I've had since I became involved a few years ago. I know that whomever wins this race will be a great leader and the party will be all the stronger for it. In the end only one candidate can win and despite being asked by multiple candidates, I can only support one of them. I support Jim Bennett for the Leadership of the Liberal Party of NL.<br />
<br />
I have not made this choice lightly. I examined the candidates and while they all have many skills to bring to this contest I feel strongly that Jim is the leader that the party currently needs. Jim had contacted me some time ago to talk about the leadership possibilities and even then, before the contest had been announced, he impressed me with his strategic approach to how the contest could be won and how the party could be developed to lead NL back to an accountable government again. His emphasis on planning was especially important to me since a large part of my career was spent extolling the need for planning to municipalities around NL. Here was a person looking to lead a government and he actually wanted to begin with analysis and planning. What a contrast to the current Government!<br />
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In 2006 Jim held the leadership of the party for a brief period when no one else would even put their name forward. He stepped up and was not afraid to push for new ideas and new approaches. Unfortunately at the time the party was not ready for the change that Jim tried to create. He knew then that if he stayed and fought it would only tear the party further apart so he did what was best for the party at that time and stepped down. In 2007 he ran for the party and despite some very hard work he was not successful. But he did not miss his next opportunity in 2011. While the party was in shambles and we were all fighting for every vote Jim had his ground team in place and worked hard to push his way to victory. It was hard fought and a surprise win in an election where many of us did not fare so well. His determination and ground work had made the difference.<br />
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In our conversations since that election Jim has spoken of his vision for the Liberal Party of NL. A party that is focused but fluid enough to adapt. Rebuilt from the ground up with long time party supporters and new blood to reinvigorate and innovate. This must begin at the local level and he has worked hard to get his District Association to a place where they are a healthy functioning organisation. That's what he wants to do all over the province. In addition to his skills it is perhaps his belief in the Liberal Party and the province of NL that makes him the best choice. He truly believes in a party and a government that is transparent and accountable, fiscally responsible and representative. Jim is a believer in the Liberal Party and the Province of NL. And it's that combination of faith and skill that inspires people. It has inspired me, not only to vote for Jim when the time comes, but to be part of Jim's campaign team.<br />
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In the end all that we can do is vote for the person we feel will do the best job. I think that person is Jim Bennett. You have to decide for yourself.<br />
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You can find out more about Jim's Campaign at <a href="http://www.JimBennett.ca/">www.JimBennett.ca</a><br />
<br />Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4553152815150035026.post-41682581998261725572013-07-29T11:45:00.001-02:302013-07-29T12:37:23.395-02:30The Pain and the GainI am sore. I mean physically sore to the point of having to hobble. Yesterday I scratched an item off my bucket list and today I continue to pay the small price of sore feet, legs and for some reason even my back has not escaped the wrath of the Tely 10. With the ecouragement of my girlfriend I registered early and even trained a little (very little LOL) and yesterday I had a chip time of 2:06:52. I had set a goal of 2hrs but I have to say I don't think I'd be much happier if I had picked up the extra 6 or 7 minutes. I had a great and punishing time and it has given me a tremendous appreciation for those who undertake full marathons!<br />
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It starts great and you're all full of energy and by the end you have an overwhelming need to stop moving, just for a little while. My asthma didn't hinder me any more then I was expecting but it was a struggle to keep motivated in the later stages of the race. Lukily there was some unexpected motivation along the way, but more on that in a bit. </div>
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The race is a 10 mile foot race from The Paradise Communituy Center to Bannerman Park and this year there were 3501 regestered runners. Not all runners show up or finish but if you know someone who was in the race or just want to take a look at the results you can check them out <a href="http://nlaa.ca/results/rr/2013/20130728tely10results.php">here</a>. You'll note there are 2 times listed for each competitor because there is the time from the starting pistol to the finish and the time from when you pass the starting line til you cross the finish line(chip time). This is necessary because with 3500 runners they can't all start the race at the same time. In fact some will be waiting 5 or 6 minutes after the pistol just to cross the start line. </div>
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It is essential to thank all those who make the event possible including organisers and volunteers at the water stations. The officers at the intersections and the fire and paramedic staff who attend just in case they are needed are also greatly appreciated. Some of the traffic staff put up with some pretty silly complaining from motorists who were somehow unaware that sections of road are closed for the race. Afterall it only happens every year. </div>
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I have to offer a very special thank you to one more group of people that I mentioned earlier as the unexpected motivation along the way. It is a challenging race and there are moments where you may feel its just easier to give it all up or to take it easy and walk it out to the finish. But thankfully there are people who line the streets to cheer on runners for close to 3 hours in various spots along the way. There are signs of encouragement, motivational things written in chaulk on the pavement, people with noisemakers and water hoses. But I have to say that the most impressive were those people who stood close to the course and motivated people with their words of support, even to the point of reading the names of the runners off their Bibs (number labels) so they could shout personalized encouragement. I can honestly say I had not expected to hear complete strangers say my name and tell me how great I was doing and that I could keep going til the end. </div>
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It was a great experience. The pain will last a few days for sure, but the gain of crossing it off my bucket list and knowing that I had the determination to push myself even when I though I would pass out, as I almost did at about 5.5 miles, will stay with me forever.</div>
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Ryan Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04519803912310995872noreply@blogger.com0