A newspaper owned and operated in Newfoundland & Labrador
Vol. 2 Issue 28
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Sunday, July 11-17, 2004
www.theindependent.ca
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Heart stopper
Ray Guy A poke in the eye Page 3
Cardiac surgeon says health care corp. deserves ‘prize for incompetence’ Waiting list patients should be sent to mainland By Jeff Ducharme The Sunday Independent
I Business Williams in Ireland Page 15
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Heart surgeon Michael Furey (left) prepares for an operation at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s. One of the province’s leading heart surgeons predicts the waiting list may jump to over 400 in a year if something isn’t done.
Life & Times Band of gypsies Page 23
Park pickets Workers at national parks may be on strike by Aug. 2; conciliation talks to be held this week By Alisha Morrissey The Sunday Independent
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Sports Jason Churchill Page 25
Quote of the Week “When you’re on the road sometimes the only real place is on the stage.” — Beni Malone, clown
ore than 4,000 park workers across Canada — including 200 in Newfoundland and Labrador at national parks like Gros Morne and Terra Nova — may be on strike in early August, the peak of tourism season. It isn’t clear whether job action will shut the parks down. An official with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the union representing the park workers, says every effort has been made on the union’s part to negotiate a fair contract and avoid a strike. Jeannie Baldwin, regional vice-president for PSAC’s Atlantic division, told The Sunday Independent officials with the federal Treasury Board have been unwilling to co-operate in negotiations since they got underway in October. “They have made no offers whatsoever,” says Baldwin, the union executive overseeing Parks negotiations. “They have used every tactic to draw out the process.” A spokesperson for Parks Canada couldn’t be reached for comment. A recent PSAC press release stated that the union will do everything it can to avoid affecting visitors to the parks and historic sites, though Baldwin says if a
strike is inevitable so is the nuisance to the tourism industry. “We don’t want to cause any inconvenience to visitors … but the employer will be responsible for that — not the workers.” Both sides are expected to attend conciliation board meetings on Monday to Friday of this week. Outstanding issues include wages, overtime, travel and health and safety concerns. The board will have 14 days to issue a report. Park workers will be in a legal strike position seven days after that report has been filed — roughly Aug. 2. “Unless Parks Canada is willing to negotiate a speedy settlement, there will be no peace in the federal parks this summer,” Baldwin said in an earlier news release. “Travellers, campers and businesses who rely on the operations of the national parks, heritage sites and canals are warned that there might be disruptions in service over the course of the summer.” Auditor General Sheila Fraser recently announced that heritage sites are under funded and, as a result, are deteriorating. “They treat their employees the way they treat their historic sites — they’re not putting anything into it,” Baldwin says. There will be union activity around the campsites for the next week or so as park workers plan to hand out leaflets, informing the public of their issues.
nternal hospital politics and the worst rate of cardiac disease on “the globe” are a lethal combination for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians awaiting heart surgery, says one of the province’s leading cardiac surgeons. In memos obtained by The Sunday Independent through the Freedom of Information Act, Dr. Kevin Melvin, chief of cardiac surgery at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s, expresses serious concerns over the state of cardiac care in this province, including waiting times and bureaucratic red tape. “Apart from some very localized and isolated parts of the world, I do not know if there is a greater incidence of this disease on the globe,” Melvin wrote in an October, 2003 memo to senior corporation management. “Publications in the medical journals document these facts continuously, yet on the local scene a patient on the waiting
list for cardiac surgery is given no more priority than one for an elective cosmetic procedure. Something is obviously wrong with our priorities.” Melvin, who declined a request for an interview, contends cardiac patients are becoming victims of bureaucracy and “lack of co-operation from other services.” In another memo, written this past May, Melvin wrote that senior management of the health care corporation are reluctant to “approach the problem of allocation of medical resources on the basis of patient needs, as opposed to political expediency.” As of March 31, Melvin says 90 cardiac surgeries had been cancelled for “mostly unjustifiable reasons.” In the same May memo, Melvin wrote that whenever possible cardiac surgery cases would be exempt from the “bump” list, whereby non-emergency surgeries are postponed. Continued on page 2
$500 million loss Revised Terra Nova oilfield reserves will cost the province dearly By Ryan Cleary The Sunday Independent
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Greg Locke / PictureDesk 1999
The offshore drilling platform Glomar Grand Banks rests on the Terra Nova field.
recent downgrading of estimates of petroleum reserves in the Terra Nova oil field will cost the Newfoundland and Labrador government $500 million in royalties, internal government documents reveal. The loss will take a huge dent out of the $700 million in royalties the province is expected to collect over the next four years following Prime Minister Paul Martin’s pledge to honour provisions of the Atlantic Accord. “With the total reserve estimate down from 405 million barrels to 354 million barrels, the province calculates the (Terra Nova) project will generate approximately $500 million less in royalty revenue than had been expected with the original reserve estimate,” Premier Danny Williams wrote in a May 21 letter to Prime Minister Paul Martin. “The revenue shortfall will further increase the financial pressure on Newfoundland and Labrador, which is already dealing with profound financial challenges.” In the letter, which was obtained by The Sunday Independent through the Freedom of Information Act, the premier went on to ask Martin to allow the province to keep 100 per cent of offshore royalties — a request the prime minister
granted during the recent federal election campaign. On May 19, the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board released its revised assessment of petroleum reserves for the Terra Nova project, the first such review since 1992. The revised assessment reflects well data obtained since production began at the Terra Nova field, located about 350 kilometres east of Newfoundland on the Grand Banks, in January 2002. “A reduction in the reserves for the project would have a significant impact on the estimate of royalties,” reads a briefing note included with Williams’ letter. “Based on the long-term price of $23 US per barrel, the (Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum) board’s revised reserve estimate would result in approximately $500 million (nominal) less in royalty revenue than could have been expected with the reserve estimate.” In his letter, Williams urged Martin to treat offshore resources that Newfoundland and Labrador brought into Confederation, “from a revenue perspective, as if they are on land within the province.” The Supreme Court of Canada ruled in March,1984 that the federal government has exclusive rights to explore and exploit the subsea resources on the continental shelf. The court ruled that any Continued on page 2
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NEWS
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
Nova Scotia bound Cardiac patients may be sent out of province for surgery
By Jeff Ducharme The Sunday Independent
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Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
atients on the waiting list for cardiac surgery may be flown to Halifax in a bid to reduce the backlog of cases in Newfoundland and Labrador. “We’ve done it before and it may need to be done again,” Dr. Robert Williams, vice-president of medical services with the Health Care Corporation of St. John’s, told The Sunday Independent. “It’s a policy issue that we’ll need to look at if we’re going to be in it for the long haul … contemplate, OK, in the future we’ll just do the more urgent cases here and the other cases will be prioritized somewhere else.” As of April 30, there were 298 people on the waiting list for cardiac surgery in the province. Williams says the corporation is making some progress. “We have improved, but we haven’t improved enough in terms of accessibil-
‘Dismal’ prospects From page 1 That apparently hasn’t been the case. A part of the problem is a shortage of medical specialists, including anesthetists. “The prospects for the summer are pretty dismal in terms of operating time and cancellations unless there is a serious change in attitude towards this service,” Melvin wrote in the May memo. As of April 30, 298 people in the province were on the waiting list for cardiac surgery. According to Melvin, the delays weren’t “appreciably” affected by the 28day, public-sector strike. “As far as I can see there is a general apathy surrounding the whole issue,” wrote Melvin. Almost half of the people on the waiting list for cardiac surgery have been waiting for an appointment for more than 24 months. In the October memo, Melvin expressed frustration that the cardiac department doesn’t control the operating room schedule. “… cardiac surgery does not occupy the priority that it once did and greater liberties are being taken with regards to optional decisions as to whether to allow certain cardiac cases to proceed; operating room administrators are less accountable,” Melvin wrote. “In other words the profile of cardiac surgery has been significantly diminished and individuals feel more at ease when it comes to cancelling cases.” Melvin wrote that the cardiac department had been told to increase its caseload to 20 per week — up from 16. “Since April we have completed an average of 13 cases per week and added over 15 cases a week to the waiting list,” Melvin wrote. “At this rate we will have
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over 400 cases on the waiting list a year from now; this should, at least, qualify us for some sort of prize for incompetence.” Most recent numbers from the corporation show that 15 surgeries a week are being carried out. In the May memo, Melvin again expressed his frustration. “The service is at any given time a convenience for anesthetists, cardiologists and perfusionists and, for the administration, very probably a nuisance,” he wrote. “As long as patients don’t complain to the government of the day, then nearly everybody is happy to let things pursue their merry course, and the patients give up.” Melvin suggests that only emergency cardiac cases be done in St. John’s and that those on the waiting list be sent to the mainland for treatment. “At least those on the waiting list would know where they stand and would not have to wait an interminable length of time for surgery or alternately, until their disease worsens to the point that they become emergencies.” With the average wait time in this province four times that of Ontario, Melvin says “ … locally we have given up estimating waiting times.” Newfoundland has the highest rate of heart disease in the country. According to a 1997 Canadian Institute for Health Information report, this province had a rate of 425 cases of heart disease per 100,000 population in males and 275 per 100,000 for females. That’s almost twice the rate of heart disease in B.C. — the country’s healthiest province.
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ity. And so we’re going to do better.” With holidays and a chronic understaffing in the specialties of anesthesiology (two are required for each cardiac surgery to keep patients sedated) and perfusionists (a specialist who maintains and introduces fluids to a patient), the Health Sciences Centre is only carrying out 13 procedures a week. Approximately 15 new cases are added each week to the waiting list for cardiac surgery. Towards the end of 1990s, there were 12 patients a week going under the knife. By 2000, that number had climbed to 16. A total of 709 cardiac surgeries were done in 2003. “Our wait list went down to the high 260s, 270s over time and now it’s crept up again. It’s crept up for a several reasons,” says Williams. In an attempt to hit its target of 20 cases per week, the corporation has gone so far as to send two of its employees to the mainland to train as perfusionists. They are expected to be working at the
Health Sciences in 2005. Across the country, there is also a shortage of anesthesiologists, making recruitment and retention an ongoing struggle. With the opening of an additional cardiac diagnostic lab, the numbers have climbed because more cases were brought to light. Also, the province’s population is getting older and the risk of heart disease increases once a person reaches middle age. Last year, 154 surgeries were bumped, including 12 cardiac procedures. “We try to protect the cardiac surgery from bumping, but we haven’t completely said that they’re never going to get any bumps although we protect them more so than some of the other services,” says Williams, referring to concerns voiced by cardiac surgeon Dr. Kevin Melvin. “I think we have a surgeon that cares and wants to make sure that we provide the best patient care. It’s done out of frustration, but also it’s done out of … we need to do better.”
Fourteen questions for the prime minister From page 1 rights that Newfoundland held at the time of Confederation would have been automatically transferred to Canada when Newfoundland relinquished its sovereignty and became a province of Canada. In another letter to the prime minister on May 25 —the day after the federal election call — Williams posed 14 questions on topics ranging from oil and gas and fisheries management to hydro power and military training. In regards to oil and gas, Williams asked the prime minister whether the Liberal Party of Canada was prepared to transfer its 8.5
stake in Hibernia to the province “at no cost, provided the arrangement allows for Canada to recover its initial equity investment from profits?” The second question was even more interesting. “Will you support giving Newfoundland and Labrador jurisdictional control over ownership over petroleum and other economic resources to the offshore as a means to achieve greater prosperity for our province and more opportunity for our people?” The prime minister wrote Williams back on at least one occasion but the letter was withheld by the premier’s office. Offi-
cials have asked the prime minister’s office for permission to release the letter. In a surprise early-morning announcement in St. John’s on June 5 before boarding a plane to the mainland, Martin promised Williams that Newfoundland and Labrador would be the primary beneficiary of offshore oil revenues — collecting $700 million over the next four years that it otherwise wouldn’t have received. The provincial government received only $124 million last year from offshore royalties compared to Ottawa’s windfall of $4.9 billion.
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
NEWS
Page 3
Neighbourhood watch Andrew Smith felt safer living in London, England than St. John’s By Stephanie Porter The Sunday Independent
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ndrew Smith spent more than one sleepless night last week staring out the window of his home, wondering if his family — his wife, two children, and elderly mother — were going to be safe. He’s haunted by a recent incident, a more worrying confrontation than any of the cases of vandalism or theft he’d previously encountered. Determined to do something to address the situation, Smith says he’s designing a website, with the eventual goal of launching a class action lawsuit against the provincial Justice Department. On July 7, Smith was in his home in St. John’s. He looked out the window and saw a teenager riding a bicycle in the driveway, peering into the car. Smith banged on the window. “The kid looked up and said, ‘What do you want?’” Smith says. “I came out of the house and said, ‘What do you mean, what do you want?’ I mean, here he was, in my driveway. “He was so brazen and belligerent.” Smith says the teen, unfazed,
made no motion to move. Even when Smith advanced, and eventually used his cell phone to call the police, he says the young man didn’t leave. “He knows if I phone the police, they may not come, and if they do there’s nothing they can do,” Smith says. “I’m a hefty guy. I could have killed him, but he knows I wouldn’t because then I would be the one in the dock. “This is a time bomb waiting to happen because they know there’s no consequences to petty crime.” Before the teen eventually left, Smith says he threatened to return. He also told Smith that he and his family would “regret” the confrontation. A policeman arrived shortly afterwards, and basically said “there’s nothing we can do.” Smith was left frustrated and uneasy. “I feel less safe working and living in St. John’s than I would in New York City,” he says. Royal Newfoundland Constabulary media relations officer June Layden says, in a case like this, the officer’s hands are tied. “(This was) a situation of possible threats,” she says. “The problem that’s encountered is that under Canadian legislation, the threat has to be direct.
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Andrew Smith
“For instance, me telling you ‘I’m going to get you’ is not considered a criminal threat because there’s no indication that what I’m going to do is illegal.” St. John’s Mayor Andy Wells — who says his home has been on the receiving end of vandalism more
than once — agrees there’s a problem. While he doesn’t think crime rates are going up, he says “the balance has shifted in favour of the perpetrators. “A lot of these punks know their rights and they throw them in your face,” he says. “We cannot protect
A Poke In The Eye
(Smith) against this little punk and that’s terrible that a person’s got to live like that.” Wells has no solution. “We’re going to get more police officers but I don’t know if it’s going to address the problem … it’s a matter for the law. What can I do?” Smith says it doesn’t need to be this way. He was living in London, England, in 1992, and faced a similar situation — but the response was much different. “The desk sergeant told me ‘We have a philosophy, we want every resident of our area to feel safe in their own homes. ‘That’s their starting point.” Smith says in London, officers monitored the situation for three weeks. He thinks the same concern should be shown for citizens here. “It’s not that we need more officers,” he says. “It’s a difference in philosophy, attitude, and political will.” Smith plans to use his website to collect stories from other residents with similar experiences. When he’s got enough ammunition, he says he’ll launch the class-action lawsuit — or at least threaten one. “I want to get the politicians off their asses,” he says. “I want to politicize this. I want this to change.”
by Ray Guy
Hellish thin gruel I
t being the minutes of the annual general meeting of the Society of Old Fart Columnizers held July 3, 2004. “Poor pitiful us,” was the theme of the meeting as it has been since 1972, the year in which a perfidious Joey Smallwood left us with the remainder of our life’s work an anti-climax. As Brother J. Purvis so aptly put it: “We are geared up for rats and all we are offered are mice.” It was again the general tone of the meeting that A.J. (or After Joey) no one has taken the pilotage of state who has been so excessively insane as to believe himself absolutely right. “God be with the good old days,” said Brother F. Hutchings, “when all our days were made merry and all our nights a perpetual bacchanal.” Brother Hutchings proposed that a large bust of Smallwood in full spittle-flecked rampage be commissioned, but this piece of extreme sentimentality was met by
the hurling of several heavy glass ashtrays. “Well, there was the Unspeakable Tobin,” suggested your Recording Secretary. “Fond glimmers of Joey. Faint whiffs of cynical skullduggery.” “Tobin? Hardly worth getting out of bed,” riposted Brother Purvis. “Like trying to catch an eel in a barrel of snot … and then what have you got? A snotty eel. A poor trophy indeed to mount over the meeting room’s fireplace.” “John Efford showed promise,” persisted your Recording Secretary. “Snow means slow. Pigeon mites in the Harvey Road welfare office. Six million seals nuked. Efford could have been a contender.” “And only 14 votes away from knocking out Roger Grimes at the Glacier in Mount Pearl,” sighed Brother Purvis. “It could have been revival in our time.” All agreed it was another pitiful stroke of bad luck when “Snow-
Means-Slow” Efford left us for federal politics … “I got to be da Minista foah all of Canader, now.” A federal minister from Newfoundland is hardly worth the combined talents of the Old Farts Columnizing Society, or as Brother Jarvis observed “the powder to blow him to the Senate or to hell.” Such was the despondency of the gathering that a motion was made to broach refreshments immediately. Instead, there was a digression, pitifully desperate, down other avenues in search of the requisite cock-sure zealots. Religion held no solace. It was gloomily agreed that the pickings were slim with few heretics burning at the stake in St. John’s east or spawn of Satan recently clubbed to death in the hamlets of White Bay. Some member suggested that the Society cast its net more widely to embrace the suicide bombers of the Middle East and of Washington, D.C. He was rudely brought back to reality by another
member who asked what our circulation was in those maniacal environs. The Reform-Alliance-Conservative gang was the suggestion of another member who supposed much sport could be made of “all those Little Hitlers popping out of gopher holes on the prairies.” This too was set aside. If a goggle-eyed hypocrite like Paul Martin can best that lot, what need of our own talents? As the pressure to retire for refreshments became extreme, your Recording Secretary put forward a stance he had learned at his Mother’s knee: Take what life hands you and always do the very best you can. “OK,” sighed Brother Hutchings. “What have we got? Danny Millions (wish I’d come up with that one) is off to Ireland for some cock-a-doodle reason. Didn’t that Erse fandango start with the Unspeakable Tobin? Leo Puddister, our most famous Welshman, brought over a former IRA butch-
er, currently Honorable Member of the British Commons. Craig Dobbin, Molly Malone’s Vicar here on Earth, has broken the bonds of shamrock sentiment and is moving shop to B.C. …” “I suppose you could put all that in a bag and shake it up … but it makes a hellish thin gruel.” “God be with the good old days,” sighed Brother Hutchings. “Are we sure about that bust of Joey?” Before the launching of ashtrays could commence anew the annual general meeting of the Old Farts Columnizing Society adjourned and refreshments were not so much served as desperately attacked. Ray Guy’s next column appears Aug. 8.
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NEWS
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
An independent voice for Newfoundland & Labrador
P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C St. John’s, Newfoundland A1C 5X4 Tel: 709-726-4639 Fax: 709-726-8499 www.theindependent.ca The Sunday Independent is published by The Sunday Independent, Inc. in St. John’s. It is an independent newspaper covering the news, issues and current affairs that affect the people of Newfoundland & Labrador.
NEWSROOM Managing Editor Ryan Cleary Senior Editor Stephanie Porter Picture Editor Paul Daly Senior Writer Jeff Ducharme Reporter Alisha Morrissey
Silly questions
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O
n May 24, the day after the federal election call, Premier Danny Williams wrote Prime Minister Paul Martin asking him to respond to 14 questions having to do with issues “critically important” to Newfoundland and Labrador. The letter, obtained by The Sunday Independent through the Freedom of Information Act, offers insight into what Williams, as premier, would have for the province if he had his way. Whether he gets his way is another question. On oil and gas … No. 1: Will you support giving Newfoundland and Labrador jurisdictional control and ownership over petroleum and other economic resources in the offshore as a means to achieve greater prosperity for our province and more opportunity for our people? No. 2: Will you, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, support transferring, at no cost to Newfoundland and Labrador, the 8.5 per cent shares the federal government owns through the Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, provided the arrangement allows for Canada to recover the initial equity investment from profits? No. 3: Will you support Newfoundland and Labrador’s claim to 100 per cent of our offshore oil and gas provincial revenues, making
the province a true “principle beneficiary” as intended under the Atlantic Accord? Equalization … No. 4: Will you support equalization based on a ten-province formula? (Such a change would mean hundreds of millions of dollars a year for the province.) Transfers … No. 5: Will you as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada support the restoration of federal transfers to the province for health care, post-secondary education and social services to 1994-95 levels adjusted for inflation? No. 6: Will you support the allocation of future transfers on the basis of need rather than population? (More tens of millions for the province.) Fisheries Management … No. 7: Will you, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, support giving Newfoundland and Labrador a direct, meaningful say in the management (i.e. allocation and harvesting) of fisheries stocks in the ocean territory adjacent to the province? No. 8: Will you support imposing custodial management on the continental shelf immediately outside Canada’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone where such action is warranted to preserve fish stocks from international unsustainable harvesting practices?
Hydro Power … No. 9: Will you, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada support efforts to develop the hydro-power resources of the Lower Churchill River system for the primary benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador, including the provision of a federal government guarantee, if necessary, to proceed with the project on a stand-alone basis? No. 10: Will you support initiatives that make amends for the grossly-lopsided Upper Churchill power contract that was signed after Ottawa refused to support a reasonably-priced power corridor for Newfoundland and Labrador to wheel electricity across Quebec to external markets? Highways and fixed link … No. 11: Will you, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, support the completion of the TransLabrador Highway and raise it to an acceptable standard? No. 12: Will you support efforts for the repair, replacement and maintenance of key transportation infrastructure in the province on a timely basis? No. 13: Will you support the construction of a fixed link across the Strait of Belle Isle to give this province the continuous land-based connection to the North American highway grid that most residents of the nine other provinces enjoy, and which will complete the Trans-
Canada Highway from coast to coast. Military training … No. 14: Will you, as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, support efforts to restore and enhance military training activities at 5 Wing Goose Bay, which has served for many years as a key NATO international training base? ••• Martin never wrote Williams back. Further, the only hard and fast promise the prime minister made during the election was that the province would receive 100 per cent of provincial royalties from offshore resources. Martin threw the promise over his shoulder, in the midst of the election, as he boarded a plane in St. John’s for the mainland. And that wasn’t in writing. The Independent would like to add a 15th question to Danny’s list: If a Newfoundlander shouts across the Gulf, does anyone hear? Ryan Cleary is managing editor of The Sunday Independent. ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca
Letter to the Editor
LETTERS POLICY The Sunday Independent welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must be 300 words in length or less and include full name, mailing address and daytime contact numbers. Letters may be edited for length, content and legal considerations. Send your letters in care of The Sunday Independent, P.O. Box 5891, Station C, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5X4 or e-mail us at editorial@theindependent.ca
Restrictions and predictions Dear editor, The Royal Commission on Renewing and Strengthening our Place in Canada reported just a year ago and concluded amongst its findings that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians didn’t want separation but didn’t want status quo, either. We are tired of no action on a number of fronts, including a plan to rebuild cod stocks, federal government involvement in Labrador power development, joint fishery management, receipt of our fair share of offshore oil royalties, and a plan for our Gulf ferry to serve as an economic incentive, as opposed to an economic liability.
On June 28, virtually all of the 49.2 per cent of ballots cast in this province essentially voted yes to status quo by voting for mainstream party candidates. Besides the very notable rise of voter apathy, one cannot help but ponder if the result would have been different had we had a real choice other than status quo. That choice could have been an established, credible, independent party alternative. As we do the diligence for an independent party movement, we can muse on what will unravel by year’s end on the soapbox in Ottawa with a minority government. The Liberals will find some common ground with the NDP to advance the
health-care platform. There will be a modest tax reduction (to appease NDP support) for low-income earners. Spending and debt will continue at current levels. Early childhood education will be expanded. Initiatives will be explored for clean water, air, land and energy. Initiatives will start for primarily cities to get better funding. Steady as she goes on defence and national unity. Look for more foreign aid (this province will not qualify for any, however). Expect nothing on parliamentary reform. Proportional representation will be hotly debated with the Liberals likely having to offer a referendum in the next election in order to avoid defeat.
Meanwhile, our status quo MPs will become lost in the mainstream of Canada. We will continue to be poor while our natural resources are plundered. The face of Newfoundland and Labrador will continue to age. The Conservatives will struggle to present a united national face. The Liberals will hanker for an opportunity again for a majority by default. Canada will become more fragmented politically. Expect more minority governments, however. In such a changing landscape, a Newfoundland and Labrador First Party can provide a stronger voice for real action. Fred Wilcox
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
NEWS
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Photos by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Caplin scull Jim Matthews of Goulds scoops caplin from the waters off Middle Cove near St. John’s.
Rant and Reason
by Ivan Morgan
Throwing the book at Lorraine Lush
N
ewfoundlanders have always been the victims of greedy self-promoters. I think it has something to do with the old economic system Newfoundland suffered under — the one where most outport people were, for all intents and purposes, owned by the local merchants. I read somewhere once that Newfoundland and rural Quebec were the only places in North America that once had a true Europeanstyle peasantry. I think the remnants of that can still be found in our political culture. It manifests itself in a number of curious ways. One of the most obvious is the messiah premier syndrome. Danny Williams is the latest in a long line of these. People sneer at him and say he got elected by representing himself as a messiah. I don’t sneer — you do what you have to do to get elected. I think it was more of a that’s-howto-get elected thing. I didn’t vote for him because he was doing the messiah thing. I was in the minor-
ity; it made me nauseous. I hope one day we will get past the messiah stage. If we get past it, believe me, so will the politicians. Another way our feudal past reveals itself is in our history of being snowed by shameless selfpromoters. Think of Alfred Valdmanis, John C. Doyle or John Shaheen, for example. How about the Sprungs? We have always been a sucker for a con man with a good line. I think Newfoundlanders are still real suckers for the shameless self-promoter. When I was young he or she came issued with terrific self-confidence and a pompous English accent. Younger people can turn to Andy Jones for an excellent parody of this type. People who couldn’t get a job bagging groceries anywhere else passed themselves off here as the greatest thing since sliced bread. We subscribed. Today we are still afflicted by hucksters — but now they typically have American accents and use
things called marketing and communications. Bronzed faces, toothy grins, and boundless optimism — these are the tools of the new hucksters. Whether they are selling you poorly built homes or waffle irons dressed up as grills, the truth is it’s a hard sell and while it is made to look like they are helping you, it is done to make money. That’s all. I am on this line of thinking because Lorraine Lush — former owner and chief salesperson for the now-bankrupt Career Academy — has surfaced again, this time hawking a book that purports to tell all about the disastrous crash of her business. It appears she believes there are a still few people left in the province with whom she can get to part with a dollar. Oh please. I think she hopes people have forgotten about the details of the Career Academy’s crash. I hate the idea of privatized education, but will grudgingly admit there are a few schools that aren’t complete-
Letter to the Editor
Hideous agenda? Dear editor, I would like to comment on rural hospitals and the apparent negative disposition of the Danny Williams’ administration towards them. Does this government have a hideous agenda to close hospitals in outlying areas where populations are currently too small to support them? Yahweh forbid. It does seem that the social conscience of the present government is anti-rural and its social ambitions, pro-urban. Government should not view rural hospitals as a burden on the provincial healthcare budget. These social institutions must be diagnosed as positive assets for the economic development and sustaining ability of our rural regions and their many communities. Since the 1992 northern cod moratorium, droves of our people have exited to the mainland seeking work. A realistic scenario for government to ponder: A few years down the road, the reassuring presence of a modern local hospital will act as a social magnet for these relatively prosperous new retirees who want to return to their roots and enjoy, once again, the tranquility of the rural community and its neighbourly environment. Above all, these retirees will create a new demand for goods and services. Unquestionably, these people will bring new dollars with them. They will not draw incomes from the local rural economy and will not be in competition with original residents for jobs. What an excellent way
to grow the local economy. The scenario is one where increased population does lead to increased prosperity at acceptable levels. And, we all know this is something our rural areas have not seen much of in recent years. A rural area that loses its hospital is losing its best chance for economic rebirth and a second chance for survival. Save them we can. Save them we must. The current herd of politicians and bureaucrats in this province are too preoccupied with deficit cutting to think about imaginative solutions to serious social problems. In my opinion, where there is no vision the people perish. The present crisis in the health-care system in this province demands politicians who can apply enlightened practical common sense to a system apparently now on life-support and gasping for oxygen. In this province we have a former accountant (Elizabeth Marshall) appointed Health minister. This situation can be diagnosed an asset, a liability, or both. While her accounting skills can be a cure for the inhumane bottom line, they can be distasteful medicines for all those who are weak and heavy-laden — the patients. I caution Marshall: At all times in your endeavors as minister, please strive diligently to balance your accounting skills with a sense of passion. Then, maybe at the end of the day, we will proclaim and proclaim you the hope of our ailing healthcare system. Harold Hayward, Musgrave Harbour
ly awful. Lush’s business was not one of them. For years we were subjected to advertising campaign after shameless advertising campaign extolling the virtues of making Lush and her company richer. I always felt she was preying on people who did not know what they wanted to do in life but did qualify for student loans. I thought she would do practically anything to get people to enroll. I think she finally scraped the bottom of a very deep and sleazy barrel with the (and I think this was the actual slogan, but I could be wrong) Success comes in pairs campaign. It basically implied — not too subtly — that you should enroll in the Career Academy to meet nice looking mates. Borrow money to meet a fella. That Lush cared more about her bank account than her students was made all the more plain by the shoddy end of the Career Academy. This is the silly season for the media. Summer is here and noth-
ing much else is going on. This, I presume, is the only reason she is getting a fair amount of coverage lately. The coverage is basically the same in all media outlets. Journalists have been hinting about her, a few have insinuated about her, one or two have beat around the bush about her. But no one has come right out and said it. So Lush, on behalf of the folks you left high and dry, and on behalf of the folks who are still paying off loans for training they didn’t know they didn’t want and couldn’t use, and on behalf of the rest of us who had to put up with your dreadful advertising campaigns, allow me to make it plain. Go away. Ivan Morgan can be reached at imorgan@elvis.com.
Icelanders register trawler in Canada and receive generous turbot and shrimp quota Editor’s note: A coalition of fishing communities in Nunavut has asked Ottawa to allow two foreign fishing vessels and their crews to fish its quota of turbot and shrimp off Baffin Island — a job that could be done by Newfoundland fishermen. The following is the translation of an article that appeared July 2 in an Icelandic publication. An icelandic company owns one of the foreign vessels in question.
and Finnur, in co-operation with Royal Greenland, have achieved what many have tried before with different results. A few ships, some owned by Icelanders, have gotten short-term licences in the past to fish turbot that native inhabitants in eastern Canada control, but no one until now has before been able to get their ship registered in Canada and gotten control of quotas for the long term. This has been brewing for a long time, he Shrimp trawler Salles that has been according to Erlingsson, and the main reason fishing shrimp on the Flemish Cap we where able to register the ship in Canada using Estonian fishing days has been are the agreements made with the Baffin registered in Canada and will, in the future, Fisheries Coalition in the town of Iqaluit by fish from the generous turBaffin Bay. bot and shrimp quota in The owners of the Salles Canada. Company Bjarnar have formed the company ...but no one until owns 55 per cent of the Naatanaq Fishery Inc. trawler and Royal Greenlocated in Iqaluit. The now has before been land owns 45 per cent. trawler will be named able to get their ship Everything is ready. We Inuksuk, which means registered in Canada have the trawler in Skagen, “path” in the native lanand gotten control of Denmark where we are guage. Twenty-eight peoinstalling a turbot line. Over quotas for the long term. ple will be in the crew and here there are people from the catch will be discharged the Canadian ships registry both in Canada and Greento inspect the ship to make land. sure it fulfills the demands that the registry We will receive generous quotas that will requires and I believe we can sail the ship be enough to operate the trawler all year from here to Canada next weekend, said Ste- round. ingrimur Erlingsson, one of the owners of the We will start fishing turbot and hope to be trawler. Erlingsson is the owner of the Ice- able to do that until the end of the year, then landic company, with his partner Finnur we will switch to shrimp fishing but the idea Hardarsson. is to fish turbot half the year and shrimp half We can say that by doing this, Steingrimur the year, says Erlingsson.
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The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
Opinions Are Like...
by Jeff Ducharme
Come grow with Lorraine F it.
orgiveness is a funny thing; we all want it, but few of us are able to give
Without forgiveness, healing can never begin. But then some of us aren’t interested in healing. Apologies are often not enough. Sorry doesn’t feed the bulldog. When the Career Academy collapsed in 1998, hundreds of students saw their dreams of a better life thrown into a whirlpool of uncertainty. When the school declared bankruptcy and closed it doors, students lost their tuition, creditors went unpaid and 250 people were laid off in a $17 million implosion that many foretold. Government stepped in and placed some 1,400 students, who chose to continue their education, in various schools around the province. Government made good on a bad situation. But that doesn’t excuse the Career Academy brass for letting their students down. The private school was the darling of the industry with glitzy advertising promising students a better life. For those who graduated before the collapse, there were lavish celebrations at the St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre. Insiders knew that the extravagances couldn’t last. Unfortunately, they kept it to themselves and did an ostrich: Stuck their collective heads in the sand and hoped for a miracle that never came. And now, Lorraine Lush is
retuning to the scene of the crime. After hiding out in the United States since leaving the province in shame, Lush announced recently that she’s ending her self-imposed exile and coming home.
Lush isn’t returning to hold a healing circle or do anything magnanimous for her former students whom she supposedly cared so much about. Nope, Lush is returning to the province to write a book about the Career
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Sean Panting, Duane Andrews, Elliott Dicks and Craig Squires perform as members of Bitches Rebrewed during a Sound Symposium show Friday night. The Sound Symposium continues this week, for information visit www.soundsymposium.com.
Academy folly that she helped orchestrate. The founder of the ill-fated school made and lost a small fortune on the backs of students’ dreams and now she’s returning in an attempt to make more money on the backs of the very same dreams she shattered. “I deeply regret having hurt people in Newfoundland. I was hurt too and I should have hurt because I owned it. I deeply regret that I hurt people, I just hope that they treat me kindly,” Lush told CBC Radio. Lush has a lot of nerve playing the treat-me-kindly card. Then again, nerve is something that Lush has seemingly never lacked. The name of the book, Unfinished Business, is certainly appropriate but how about Shattered Dreams, Aspirations Crushed, or Can I have fries with that?
The profits from Lush’s book, if there are any, should be split between the 1,400 students whose lives were thrown into turmoil. Beyond that, a portion should be paid to the Newfoundland and Labrador government to reimburse taxpayers for the cost of putting the students in other schools across the province. The taxpayers of this province paid to right the wrong and deserve compensation. Lush and husband, John Mastropietro, can try to play martyrs, but nothing could be further from the truth. They made their fortune selling dreams of a better life to thousands and then scuttled off to the United States when the dream was found to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Absolution is not something Lush or her husband will find in St. John’s, and her having the nerve to profit from her follies by writing a book about it will make forgiveness even less likely. And yes, the provincial government must shoulder some of the blame in this fiasco. They knew, as did industry insiders, that the Career Academy was on the verge of implosion — they grew too big, too fast. If there is any Unfinished Business that deserves Lush’s attention, then it would be for her to make amends with the students who she left under the wheels of her Maserati that she used to flit around town in. Lush’s former students that she left in the lurch shouldn’t be too hard to find, there aren’t that many drive-throughs in this city. Jeff Ducharme is The Sunday Independent’s senior writer. jeff.ducharme@theindependent.ca
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
NEWS
Page 7
Full ‘stream’ ahead
Controversial Churchill River causeway and bridge to go ahead Happy Valley-Goose Bay By Bert Pomeroy The Sunday Independent
C
onstruction of a controversial causeway and bridge connecting the south and north sides of the Churchill River near Happy Valley-Goose Bay will begin this summer, despite concerns from some area residents, according to the provincial environment minister. “The work will begin this summer to make preparations for the bridge,” says Tom Osbourne. The proposed development, which will take place about nine kilometres upstream from the community, will involve the construction of about 500 metres of causeway and a 360-metre bridge as part of Phase III of the TransLabrador Highway. The minister announced the release of Phase III from the environmental assessment process last week, much to the chagrin of the more than 40 area residents who attended a meeting in Happy Valley-Goose Bay Thursday night. Organized by Friends of the Grand River — an environmental group dedicated to the preservation and conservation of the Churchill (Grand) River — the meeting raised numerous concerns about the proposed development, from flow rates and impacts on
Photo by Bert Pomeroy/For The Independent
Churchill River
migrating fish, to winter travel and flooding. Marina Biasutti, environmental analyst with the Innu Nation, said many of the concerns raised are valid ones. “They (government) can’t tell you (what the impacts will be) because there is no other bridge and causeway design like this anywhere,” she said. While the Innu Nation has no problem with the planned location of the causeway and bridge, Biasutti said, it is concerned about the proposed design. “The Innu Nation’s main concerns deal with the stream crossing,” she said. “We are concerned about access to the river near the causeway and access during the winter because of the ice.” The Innu Nation has called on
Transport Canada to conduct further studies into the future navigability of the river near the proposed bridge, Biasutti said. “We are also concerned about the impacts of flow speeds and how it will affect fish species in this area,” she said. “The Innu Nation is pushing that these studies be done before the project begins.” FULL-TIME MONITOR The Innu Nation has been involved in the environmental assessment process of Phase III for over a year and has signed a bilateral agreement with the provincial government with respect to construction and environmental permits. “All construction and environmental permits have to be
reviewed by the Innu Nation,” Biasutti said. “We’re going to have a full-time monitor on the construction site.” Aside from the Churchill River, the Innu Nation is also concerned about other proposed river and stream crossings along the planned route of Phase III. “Of nine stream crossings … the Innu Nation opposed six of them because the stream is too wide for closed-bottom culverts,” she said, noting the provincial Department of Natural Resources has higher standards for forest access routes in the region. “For all forest access roads, any fish-bearing stream must be crossed with open-bottom culverts.” Meanwhile, others accuse the provincial government of pushing the causeway and bridge project in order to provide access to rich timber stands. “They’re doing it because they want the logs,” said long-time resident Gerald Dyson. The community of Mud Lake is located on the opposite side of the river from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Residents there travel over the river most of the year by boat or snowmobile. “We have concerns too,” said Mud Lake resident Melissa Best. “The river changes continuously with sandbars. We have boats and we don’t want to be traveling from sandbar to sandbar in order to cross the river.” Mud Lake is already affected by the two million gallons of raw sewerage from Happy ValleyGoose Bay pumped into the river each day, Best said, adding that she fears the problem will worsen if the causeway and bridge is built. BULLY Many of those at the meeting took shots at Lake Melville MHA and former Happy Valley-Goose Bay mayor John Hickey for neglecting their concerns about the proposed development. “The last time we talked to Mr. Hickey he was onboard with us over the environmental concerns,” said Gary Broomfield. “That’s not the case now.” Broomfield was referring to a June 23 Friends of Grand River meeting in which Hickey agreed to take the group’s concerns back to officials with the Department of
Transportation and Works. “I think the department has an obligation to have public information sessions and to answer any concerns,” Hickey said at the time. “You have valid questions and you should be given valid answers.” Hickey did hold a meeting with invited stakeholders at the Happy Valley-Goose Bay town hall on June 28 to discuss the proposed causeway and bridge project. While one member of Friends of Grand River was invited to attend that meeting, others were blocked from entering the building. After being confronted by a member of Friends of Grand River prior to the meeting, Hickey called in the RCMP to break up a small demonstration. That angered many of those at Thursday’s meeting. “He’s a bully,” some shouted. Public comments made by Hickey since the June 28 meeting have also sparked outrage from residents like Leo Hanrahan. “I am very concerned,” he said. “This is not democracy.” Hanrahan was referring to Hickey’s statement that “we’re not going to be dictated to,” by Friends of the Grand River and other individuals “who are dead set on prolonging the process and stopping it”. Hanrahan accused the government and Hickey of ignoring local concerns. “How can anybody get away with not doing a meaningful environmental assessment?” he asked. PUBLIC SESSION? Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass has written Osbourne requesting a public session be held on the proposed bridge and causeway project. Osbourne maintains the public has had ample time to express concerns about the project. “The environmental assessment, including the bridge, has been a two-and-a-half to three-year process,” he said. “(Phase III) was turned down twice because of concerns.” While Phase III has been released from the environmental assessment process, there are still a number of permits that will be required during the course of construction, Osbourne said. “There could be in excess of 1,000 permits that may be required,” including for the bridge and causeway, he said. While he said he’s aware of the concerns being raised over the proposed bridge and causeway, Osbourne notes that he has not received any calls or correspondence from groups like Friends of Grand River or other individuals. In any event, Osbourne said he is willing to listen to all concerns related to the proposal. “If people have any concerns they can send them to my attention,” he said. “We will look at them.”
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The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
Bucking the trend Pentecostal church in St. John’s is actually growing; construction, believe it or not, isn’t to turn church into condos By Clare-Marie Gosse For The Sunday Independent
According to statistics from the 2001 Canadian census, churches around the province and the nation are declining in n a day and age when the number of numbers. Locally, the abuse scandal at churches around Newfoundland and Mount Cashel, a long-closed orphanage Labrador is steadily declining, the in St. John’s that was run by the Christian Bethesda Pentecostal Church in St. John’s Brothers, is generally seen as having had is breaking the pattern, undergoing a $1.6 an impact on church attendance. million expansion. Hans Rollmann, a professor specializFrom outside the building, it’s clear an ing in religion in Newfoundland and extensive expansion project is under way. Labrador at Memorial University, says Pastor Gary Windsor says the reason why there’s no hard evidence to support that is simple enough. theory. “The church has been growing,” he “You can easily assume that it might says, “(and) we’re preparing for contin- have affected individual life,” Rollmann ued growth. We’re doing three Sunday reflects, “but I do not think we have any morning services now, and there’s been statistically reliable way of (showing) over 30 per cent increase in the atten- how people have been affected.” dance over the past five years.” What he does say is that out-migration The Pentecostal faith is a very evangel- is most likely the main cause for dwinical denomination. The church takes its dling numbers. Taking population into name from the festival that comes 50 account, percentages pertaining to Chrisdays after Easter Sunday, celebrating the tianity in Newfoundland and Labrador descent of the Holy Spirit upon the 12 have not dropped drastically over the last disciples after Christ’s resurrection. 10 years, with over 50 per cent categorizCompared to the ing themselves as rest of Canada, PenteProtestant. Catholics costal numbers are still hold the largest “The church has been unusually high in single denominationNewfoundland and al group with a pergrowing (and) we’re Labrador, predomicentage of 36.9. nantly because the What these figures preparing for continued church has a lengthy don’t reveal — and growth. We’re doing three history here, dating what obsolete, finanback to 1911. cially destitute church Sunday morning services Statistics show, buildings all across now, and there’s been however, that even the province do — is Pentecostal numbers that the religious catover 30 per cent increase have reduced over the egory a person uses in the attendance over past 10 years, when to define themselves before that, they were on a census bears no the past five years.” consistently increasrelation to how often ing. that person may or — Gary Windsor, pastor Bethesda could may not attend probably give the church. other 120 Pentecostal And no congregachurches in the province a few tips. The tion, equals no church. building extension is to provide the conAs for the Bethesda Pentecostal Church gregation with additional seating, extra in St. John’s, Rollmann says Bethesda is offices, nursery and pre-school facilities, the most restrained of the Pentecostals, and a multi-purpose room for sports and the most mainstream. “So what you have social events. at Bethesda, you have probably an “All our funding comes internally, from increase in catering to middle class voluntary contributions from the church among the Pentecostals.” people; so of course this is a congregaDespite the particular church’s obvious tional decision,” Windsor says. success, Rollmann’s prevailing sentiment Although his church maintains a strong is that bankruptcy and financial conadherence to the bible, he says they work straints are a phenomenon all across hard to transfer that relevance into today’s North America within churches of all society, particularly focusing on youth. denominations. He says there isn’t even Windsor says that during the university any significant increase in alternative school year as many as 150 post-sec- practices such as Paganism and Wicca, ondary students attend Sunday services. just a huge increase in the number of peoJudging by the building project, a large ple that refuse to affiliate with any relistaff quota, and the monetary support gion whatsoever. Bethesda gives to church missions in sevThere is one religious trend on the up: eral countries around the world, as well as Financially induced transformations of in the province, the generous Pentecostal churches into apartment buildings. At worshippers in the east end of St. John’s least Bethesda Pentecostal Church needmust strongly believe their church is n’t worry about that happening anytime doing something right. soon.
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The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
NEWS
Page 9
Survivor Kevin Lahey was a survivor up until his last day. His ex-wife and good friend, Bernice Pittman, holds their granddaughter Meagan as the two sort through the good and bad of Lahey’s 50 years. Just weeks after receiving approximately $300,000 in compensation for abuse at the defunct Mount Cashel Orphanage in St. John’s, Lahey died of heart failure. Geoff Budden, Lahey’s attorney, says his earliest memory of Lahey is of him showing off photos of Meagan, 8. “Kevin had a rough life. Nothing had ever been given to him and he spent eight years in that hole,” says Budden of Mount Cashel. “He lived so many years hand to mouth.” After receiving his compensation, Budden says Lahey bought himself a house. “Nothing extravagant, a solid house in a solid area,” and a five year-old Chrysler. The following is a
piece written by Meagan and read at her grandfather’s funeral: My pop was a kind man, he loves his brothers and sisters, he also loved Corrissa. His favourite thing to do is play pool. He loves his grandchildren very much, he has great friends. Everyone that saw us together said we were twins. Everyone loves my poppy very much, he spent his last times with my family, but now he is in a safe place where no one can hurt him. I love my pop a lot. I know that he is looking over all of us, he is going to be outside if you can see him. I bet everyone here wishes he was alive. If he was, he would be happy. My poppy has really good friends. My pop has a small heart, but a space for everyone. He was the best pop. I bet you wish he was yours, but I’m glad he was mine. — Alisha Morrissey
Photo b y Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Harbour gates New security regulations will make St. John’s waterfront a different place By Jeff Ducharme The Sunday Independent
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ourists and locals strolling along St. John’s waterfront might have to make a few detours with the introduction of new security regulations. As of July 1, all ships — including cruise ships and cargo vessels — will be surrounded by barricades manned by security guards. The regulations are part of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. The new regulations were put in place after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States left many questioning the security of ports around the world and vulnerability of ships to terrorist attacks. Only a third of the world’s ports now comply with the regulations. Harbour master Henry Flight says the St. John’s Port Authority is “fully compliant” with the new regulations. The first real test of the new regulations will come Tuesday when the cruise ship Rotterdam sails into port. “If you come down on Tuesday you’ll see how we perform with the Rotterdam,” Flight told The Sunday Independent. “You’ll see that that ship will be completely barricaded around the ship to the guardrail out to the street. We’ll have extra security, there will nobody in or out except those who have a legitimate right to be there like the ship’s agent and the passengers coming in and out.” In May, the federal government provided $115 million to help
Akademik Ioffe, a research and exploration vessel from Russia, berthed in St. John’s harbour.
ports across the country purchase security barricades and surveillance systems. Flight agrees that with the restricted space on the waterfront, the new regulations will be a challenge to enforce. “With the cruise ships, the challenge is that we have (to have) more security people and we have to have more security barricades,”
Be Your Own Boss!
says Flight. “It’s always a challenge to keep people out of there, but it’s one of those things that after a while, people will become more educated and they’ll learn quickly to stay away from those areas.” During the recent visit of the Canadian navy submarine HMCS Windsor, a Russian cruise ship sat docked just a few metres away. On
July 3, the submarine was opened to the public and was swamped by visitors. The lineup very quickly snaked its way through the barricades that were erected as part of the new regulations and the barricades were eventually removed by the navy personnel. Flight says the Russian ship had no passengers onboard and so it wasn’t held to the same stringent
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
regulations. The real test, he says, will come with the arrival of the Rotterdam. “The ships are doing things that would probably not be obvious … but they’re vigilant in restricting access to that ship and from time to time the area around the ship will change to suit the that need, however, the rules are still being followed.”
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Page 10
NEWS
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
West Words
by Frank Carroll
Makeover, Stephenville style
“W
hat an ugly town.” Those, I regret to say, were my words upon entering Stephenville for the first time in 1987. At a glance, it looked as if someone had slapped down a bunch of boxes and called it a town. After having travelled across the island to attend journalism school here, I felt a sense of déja vu. That first glimpse of Stephenville reminded me of the former Argentia naval base near my hometown of Placentia. Small wonder, since Stephenville was also home to an American military base from the early 1940s until the mid-’60s. From the ancient times of Sparta to the present, militaries have not been known for their aesthetic sensibilities. The Americans built these bases with functionality, not beauty, foremost in their minds. The section of Stephenville that was home to the Americans is still known today as “the base.” I was relieved back in 1987 to discover that many parts of Stephenville — even some of the residential parts of the base — were much more pleasant looking once you got past that first glance.
Still, it was a town of contradictions. There were miles of beautiful beaches to walk along, but you had to hold your nose in some places to get past the outfalls that dumped raw sewage into the ocean. Homeowners took pride in their properties, but litter was strewn all over some parts of town. I knew of one walking trail, but there were very few trees around. The town had plenty of amenities, but the quality of the drinking water — that most basic of needs — was terrible. I know it’s a cliché to say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but clichés survive partly because they contain truth. My first impressions of the people here were far different from my feelings about the appearance of the base. Stephenville people are warmhearted and welcoming. Even by Newfoundland standards, it’s easy to make friends in this town. But there was something else I didn’t realize about Stephenville people back then, and that was how determined they were to turn things around. Not that their gumption was new
found. Stephenville has survived many major blows during its history, not the least of which was the closure of the base in 1966. As I found out more about Stephenville, I began to regard many of those old base buildings differently. They really stood as a testament to the considerable survival skills of the people here. You may remember the hoopla surrounding the implosion of the 10-storey BOQ (Bachelor Officers Quarters) building in Argentia a few years ago. Well, the people in Stephenville didn’t blow up or tear down the base buildings left to them by the Americans. Far from it: They maintained facilities such as the old base gym and the local theatre; they converted some of the other facilities into the local College of the North Atlantic campus and residence; they created rental properties and office buildings. It is this can-do attitude that local volunteers, businesspeople, councilors and town employees have harnessed in making Stephenville more beautiful. They’ve come a long way in the past 15 years.
Shipping News Keeping an eye on the comings and goings of the ships in St. John’s Harbour. Information provided by the Coast Guard Traffic Centre. MONDAY, JULY 5 Vessels arrived: Atlantic Eagle, Canada, from Terra Nova FPSO. TUESDAY, JULY 6 Vessels arrived: Eld Fisk, Australia, from Cape Town; Stena Forteller, Sweden, from Halifax; Katrina Charlene, Canada, from fishing; Maersk Chignecto, Canada, from Hibernia. Vessels departed: Burin Sea, Canada, to Terra Nova; Irving Eskimo, Canada, to Saint John; Akademik Ioffe, Russia, to sea. WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 Vessels arrived: Atlantic King Fisher, Canada, from Terra Nova; Maersk Placentia, Canada, from Hibernia; George R. Pearves, Canada, from sea. Vessels departed: Stena Foreteller, Sweden, to Corner Brook; Cape Roger, Canada, to sea; Mearsk Chignecto, Canada, to White Rose Oil Field. THURSDAY, JULY 8 Vessels arrived: Penny Smart, Canada, from Marystown; Hudson, Canada, from sea; Leonard J. Cowley, Canada, from sea; Cicero, Canada, from Montreal; Vizconde de Eza, Spain, from sea. Vessels departed: Atlantic Eagle, Canada, to Terra Nova; Atlantic Kingfisher, Canada, to Terra Nova; Maersk Placentia, Canada, to Hibernia; Maersk Chancellor, Canada, to White Rose. FRIDAY, JULY 9 Vessels arrived: Atlantic Kingfisher, Canada, from Terra Nova; Wilfred Templeman, Canada, from sea; Maersk Chancellor, Canada, from White Rose; L.E.Niamh, Ireland, from Boston. Vessels departed: Atlantic Osprey, Canada, to White Rose; Visconde De Eza, Spain, to Flemish Cap; Cicero, Canada, to Corner Brook; Atlantic Kingfisher, Canada, to Bay Bulls.
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Stats: Length overall — 78.84 metres Beam — 14 metres Draught — 3.80 metres Displacement — 1,500 tonnes Speed — 23 knots Endurance at 15 knots — 6,000 miles Complement — 48 Engine — Two Twin 16 cylinder diesel giving 5000 kW at 1000 rpm Weapons — One 76 millimetre OTO Melara Cannon, Two 1.27 mm machine gun and four 7.62 mm machine guns Commissioned — Sept. 18 2001
Executive officer Mick Kennelly of the Irish navy ship L.E. Niamh says he and the ship’s compliment of 48 crew see bits of home in St. John’s. The crew, those whot aren’t on duty, will be heading off to George Street to take in some of the local nightlife on the legendary strip. Named after a mythical Irish character, the patrol ship was in port to promote Irish business ventures abroad. Before coming to St. John’s, they had visited Boston and Toronto. A reception was held on board the ship Saturday night. The ship arrived Friday and was scheduled to leave port Monday.
For one thing, the place is a lot greener than it used to be. Since 1995, the town’s beautification committee has overseen the development of 17 hectares of additional green space and the planting of more than 1,000 trees. The town’s green spaces have been enhanced by the addition of new walking trails and the improvement of existing ones. Gorgeous murals portraying Newfoundland heritage and history now adorn some of the larger public buildings on base. Private property owners have taken it upon themselves to give facelifts to many other structures. As with most Newfoundland communities, some people continue to litter. Yet, in 2001 Stephenville won the provincial Tidy Towns competition in recognition of its well-kept streets and green spaces. Meanwhile, the local Business Improvement Area Committee has spruced up the downtown with trees, hanging plants and interlocking brick sidewalks. Stephenville improved the quality of its drinking water by switching from surface water to well fields in 2000. And last year it
received funding approval for a new sewage treatment system. It is currently considering using a wetland technology that uses plants, bacteria and fungi to break down contaminants in the water. Such a system would add even more green space to the community. The past 15 years have not been kind to municipalities. Government cutbacks eventually made their way to communities in the form of reduced grants. It is a testament to the will of the people of Stephenville that they have achieved so many improvements during this era. Frank Carroll is a journalism instructor at the College of the North Atlantic’s Stephenville campus. He can be reached at frank_carroll_nf@yahoo.ca
July 11, 2004
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French naval marines participate in Bastille Day celebrations.
‘Blending of cultures’ So close to Newfoundland, so far from Europe, St-Pierre-Miquelon has obvious ties to this province — yet remains very French
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first-time visitor to St-PierreMiquelon might not know what to expect. The islands are 25 kilometres off the coast of the Burin Peninsula. How French can they be? Perhaps the islanders would be eating boiled dinners and watching the NTV evening news in their saltbox houses perched out in the middle of the icy North Atlantic — just like any community in Newfoundland, only everyone is speaking French. That assumption could not be further from the truth. Despite its physical proximity to Newfoundland, StPierre-Miquelon is as French as can be. Nevertheless, visitors from Newfoundland only need to spend a little time on the islands to discover some surprising similarities to their own. The people are extremely friendly and love to see a new face. Children are remarkably polite and greet you with “bonjour” and the nod of the head that you often see in Newfoundland. Valentine Ihmof, from Lorraine in
Although the archipelago was first the northeast of France, was quickly claimed for France by Jacques Cartier smitten by the beauty of the islands in 1536, permanent settlement did not when she moved here four years ago. begin until 1604. By 1662, St-Pierre“I was taken immediately,” she says. Miquelon was under the administra“My first night, I woke up at five in tion of Plaisance (Plathe morning because centia), Louis XIV’s of the time differ“You become capital of Newfoundence, and there was a different here. land. sunrise on the harThe rhythm is With the Treaty of bour and it was bright different … it’s Utrecht in 1713, the orange. It was wonFrench lost the islands derful.” Valentine more hectic on and Plaisance to the and her partner were the other side. English, beginning a so delighted with the Everybody knows tumultuous period in place they recently each other and which St-Pierrepurchased a house, it’s very safe … Miquelon was razed making their stay more permanent. everybody says hello. to the ground and rebuilt each time a “Every morning Kids are raised I’m amazed by it. conflict arose between more freely.” There’s no place I’d the feuding nations. — Valentine Ihmof rather be than here in Finally, with Saint Pierre.” That Napoleon’s defeat at sentiment is shared by many of the Waterloo and the second Treaty of islanders who leave their home to Paris in 1815, Saint-Pierre-Miquelon study in France. “They do all they can became French territory once and for just to come back to Saint Pierre,” all. says Ihmof. For the most part, the origins of the
population of the islands are France’s Atlantic regions of Brittany and Normandy and the Basque Country of France and Spain. A number of residents of Miquelon are of Acadian descent, their ancestors having arrived in Miquelon from 1816 on, declining the “invitation” on the part of the British to return to Acadie after their deportation in 1755. A few inhabitants are of Newfoundland descent, as there is a long history of Newfoundland women being so charmed by the men of the islands that they decide to endure the notorious French bureaucracy and become citizens. Still others, the Gendarmes (police) for example, are from Metropole, as France is often referred, and only intend to stay temporarily. Formed volcanically, the islands are geographically quite diverse and similar to parts of Newfoundland. Miquelon, at over 200 square kilometres, has about 700 people. The people of Miquelon are warm, friendly and
Photos by Paul Daly (2003) / Story by Natalie Spracklin
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‘You become different here’ From page 11 extremely proud of their town, which vaguely resembles Placentia. The southern part of Miquelon, what many in Newfoundland refer to as Little Miquelon, is actually called Langlade. Miquelon and Langlade, once two separate islands, are now linked by the Dune, a beautiful 25 kilometrelong isthmus of fine sand built on centuries of shipwrecks. Here many people let their horses graze during the summer and locals come to bask in the sun and play Pétanque, a French game similar to horseshoes but played with balls. Although the curious horses roam about freely together like mischievous children and have been known to occasionally pilfer snacks or entire lunch bags from surprised picnickers, they are generally harmless and magnificent to behold. Unlike the islands of St-PierreMiquelon, Langlade is heavily treed and populated with deer imported from the United States in the 1950s to provide the 10 per cent of the islanders who hunt with targets larger than rabbits. Many islanders spend their holidays here, either in summer homes or on campsites on the west side of the island. Like many parts of France, the campsites feature running water and toilets that rival those of the Louvre in Paris. Nestled in Saint Pierre’s harbour is Isle aux Marins, or Isle aux Chiens as it was once called. At its peak, this tiny resettled community had a population of 600. Nowadays, the island is preserved as something of a museum with the church, the school and a sail loft open for tours during the summer and some of the houses are maintained as summer homes. Saint Pierre itself boasts a population of about 6,000. Despite the fact that the island is a mere 26 square kilometres with only 25 kilometres of road to drive on, there are some 4,000 automobiles. Everywhere you look there are cute little Peugeots and Renaults winding around the narrow, sidewalkless streets at break-neck speeds. As in France, lunchtime is particularly treacherous, with everyone rushing home so they don’t miss one moment of a two-hour lunch break. In 2001, the situation became so serious that the Gendarmes purchased their first radar gun. The blur of French vehicles is only one indication that a visitor is on French soil. The architecture is a blend of French styles with some North American influences and the tri-colour national flag hangs everywhere. The Euro is the currency of choice and here, as in most everywhere else in France, locals prefer to buy their bread fresh from the boulangerie, their pastries from the patisserie and their paté from the charcuterie. The standardized French curriculum taught in the schools is identical to that taught in Paris. Ihmof,
who currently teaches school in Saint Pierre, believes that’s precisely what maintains the French identity on the island. “The school system is 100 per cent French and there is no allusion to the local culture,” she says. “Even in history or geography … we study the Alps. Most of the 10 to 20 year olds don’t know anything about even their own recent history.” She does say, despite France’s influence, there is a cultural identity and a way of life that is distinct. “You become different here. The rhythm is different … it’s more hectic on the other side. Everybody knows each other and it’s very safe … everybody says hello. Kids are raised more freely.” Though the ties between France and St-Pierre-Miquelon remain strong and the cultural identity is undeniably French, the Newfoundland influence, though not nearly as blatant, is as significant. Jean-Pierre Andrieux was born in Montreal of Saint Pierre parents. He returned to Saint Pierre to take over the hotel business his great grandfather founded. Today he divides his time between Saint Pierre and St. John’s, where he recently opened The Harbour View Inn. By marrying a Newfoundland woman, he has carried on a Saint Pierre tradition, he says with a laugh. “My grandmother was from Harbour Grace; she was a Parsons. Everybody else in Saint Pierre has either a Newfoundland cousin, or grandmother. There was a lot of mixture, especially during the prohibition era, a lot of people came from the south coast to work in Saint Pierre … many of them got married.” One obvious Newfoundland tradition that has caught on over the years as a result of what Andrieux calls “a blending of the cultures” is the fondness for tea. “That’s the Newfoundland influence with the Irish and the English, the people that came from (Newfoundland), they were used to cups of tea, and that continued.” According to Andrieux, the ties to Newfoundland are significant and ever juxtaposed with a link to their French heritage. “It’s not that long ago that people came here … so the links with France are still very strong. If I go to France, I can take you to the house of my great grandfather in Brittany.” Make no mistake, these islands are proudly French and offer the visitor a chance to explore France’s culture at a fraction of the cost of a European vacation. One warning: Once you’ve discovered a few of its charms, you may fall in love with St-PierreMiquelon and never want to leave. Natalie Spracklin is a French major who spent the fall, 2001 semester, in St-Pierre-Miquelon while studying at Memorial University’s Frecker Institute.
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
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Gallery
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
Craft council annual members’ exhibit
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he Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, formed in 1972, is a non-profit network of craftspeople and artists — currently numbering around 300 — from across the province. All members are invited to submit work for the annual members’ show. This year, pieces from nearly 50 individuals were selected by a jury to take part. Gallery co-ordinator Sharon Leriche says the exhibition focuses on diversity and innovation — and there’s plenty of that to choose from. The works on display are a testament to her words. From jewelry to paintings, hooked rugs to coats, pottery to woodcarvings, there is hardly a medium that isn’t explored. From those pieces on display, a jury selected winners for the craft council’s annual awards for excellence in craft. This is the fifth year for the awards, initiated to recognize achievement in design, technique and contribution to craft in the province. This year’s winners include: • For innovation and design, Bonnie
Johnstone’s felted representation of Ragged Beach Point. • For technical mastery, Jerome Canning’s wooden chair. • For personal expression, Rachel Ryan won for her textile collage, Harbour Town. Play, a ceramic sculpture by Reed Weir, received an honourable mention. Selections from the exhibit, showing until Sept. 3 at the Craft Council Gallery in Devon House Craft Centre, clockwise from top left: Petra the Defiant, by Susan Furneaux, naturally-dyed silk, hand-embroidered; Why Father? by Eamon Rosato, mixed media; In Gardens Deep, Cara Kansala/Pam Dorey, hand-carved wood with mixed media; Play, by Reed Weir, stoneware sculpture; Kitchen Party, by Cara Kansala/Pam Dorey, hand-carved wood with mixed media; Harbour Town, by Rachel Ryan, fabric collage; Chair, by Jerome Canning, cherry and mahogany; Moses — The Sea Prophet, by Carolyn Morgan for Yuletide Collectibles. — Paul Daly photos; Stephanie Porter, text
The Gallery is a regular feature in The Sunday Independent. For further information, or to submit proposals, please call (709) 726-4639, or e-mail editorial@theindependent.ca
July 11, 2004
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The Sunday Independent
BUSINESS & COMMERCE
Photos by Leon Farrell/For The Sunday Independent
Premier Danny Williams signs the visitors’ book at Government Buildings (Ireland’s equivalent to this province’s Confederation Building) in Dublin, alongside Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’ Danny Williams pulls a page from Ireland’s play book on how to get ahead By Alisha Morrissey The Sunday Independent
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here’s a major lesson this province can learn from Ireland in regards to getting ahead: When caught in choppy waters a crew must come together and “pull the same oar.” That’s Premier Danny Williams’ lesson anyway. Williams, who recently returned from a brief visit to Ireland, says he’s “enthused” and prepared to make changes after picking up a few tips from the Irish economic model. “They were very similar to us 20 years ago — they had out-migration, their economy had bottomed out, they had tough fiscal situations, they had just got in the wage freezes, the same thing we’re going through right now, nearly identical.” Williams says the most important lesson he picked up was that Ireland’s public had a “single-minded” will to succeed. The Irish Development Authority explained to him that with each successive government — regardless of political stripe — the common goal was a better Ireland, which is all that matters. “So there’s this master plan that’s in place for Ireland and its future
and the politicians support it and encourage it and stimulate it,” the premier says. “But there are no major differences of opinion so when it comes to dealing with matters that are going to bring the country forward the opposition parties realize that it’s in their long-term interests, as well, because when they get a government they will then inherit a good situation.” Newfoundland and Labrador has inherited a “bad situation,” but it’s up to the current government, opposition and people to turn things around. When asked if he could picture the Liberals or NDP pulling the same oar, Williams says it concerns and frustrates him that the opposition points out weaknesses — not strengths. “I’d like to see people like Jack Harris and Roger Grimes onside. Rather than come out and criticize an issue like the Atlantic Accord and trying to find things that are wrong with it, they should be finding things that are right with it and encouraging us all to go together and get on with it.” Williams says he plans to try and implement some of the same economic principles here that Ireland used 20 years ago — before the province’s economic position deteriorates further.
RECLINING SOFAS
Premier Danny Williams and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern.
“The way they (Irish Development Authority) described it to me is that it’s a marathon not a sprint. You’ve got to look at the end of a long race before you can turn this around. Don’t look at sort of a short-term burst that’s going to take you out of this financial doldrums that you’re in. You got to have a long-term strategy.” Williams points out the willingness of the Irish to open their doors to foreign businesses, providing an appealing tax regime as an incentive. He says the Irish Development Authority actively recruits outside
businesses and invites them to work within the now booming Ireland. “The lesson is that you have to open your doors and encourage competition and then everybody benefits from it because as new companies come in and as the standard comes up in Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador then it helps grow the economy and … of course more money to be available for social programs.” Williams says he’s considering a new economic strategy, including new legislation, although he wouldn’t elaborate. The purpose of the premier’s trip to Ireland was to sign a memorandum of understanding with the European country. The original memorandum had lapsed and Williams says he wanted to renew interest in the ties between the two. “We intend as a government to try and put some more money into that now in order to try and up the ante and show good faith to the people of Ireland because I think the partnership has been a little imbalanced,” Williams says. “I think we’ve got more in finances from Ireland than we’ve actually put into the partnership and we intend to give something back and see if we can’t grow this.” The memorandum covered a range of topics, including marine
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and ocean technology, which Williams says is of particular interest to Ireland. “It’s something that Newfoundland and Labrador is already a world leader in and, of course, we have the infrastructure and facilities here.” Williams says other points of the understanding include cultural ties, as well as communications and information technology. During an extended meeting with the Taoiseach, the prime minister of Ireland, Williams discussed the issue of foreign overfishing, among other topics. “He’s a person with a lot of clout so I raised our concerns there. I’ve also raised an issue with him on the possible air link between Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador.” Travellers currently stop-over in England when traveling back and forth between the two destinations. “That would establish a real direct presence.” Williams’ trip was not all business. The premier enjoyed a reception, unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and settled in with a few pints before returning home. “The Guinness was lovely, I happen to love it. I won’t tell you how many, but I certainly buried a few pints of Guinness while I was over there.”
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BUSINESS
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
Reel benefits
Head of province’s film development corporation made eight trips last year in search of business By Alisha Morrissey The Sunday Independent
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Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Leo Furey is head of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation.
he executive director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation rubbed elbows at major film festivals around the world last year, racking up $32,000 in travel expenses, The Sunday Independent has learned. “We brought in over $4 million in production last year and that’s a pretty good return on a $30,000 investment,” says Furey, whose expenses were obtained by The Independent through the Freedom of Information Act. Furey, for his part, insists the public has a right to know what he’s spending taxpayers’ money on. He says he went on a total of eight trips, attending the Cannes Film Festival in France, The Toronto Film Festival and the Los Angeles Locations Expo. Furey says travelling and networking is vital to building an
Summer jobs Young people struggle to find work to pay for school By Jen White For The Sunday Independent
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ennifer McCarthy sits with an employment officer in the Student Employment Centre in St. John’s, relentlessly going over every shred of information that could possibly brighten her resume. She’s fresh out of high school, new to the Avalon Peninsula, and in need of work. McCarthy, 18, recently moved to Conception Bay South from Corner Brook with her family. She hopes to attend the College of the North Atlantic in the fall, but needs a job to pay for tuition. Her mother, Margaret Parsons, patiently awaits her daughter as she perfects her resume. “There was no such thing as resumes,” Parsons says, reminiscing of her time as an unemployed student. Back then, she says all a student had to do to land an interview was ask an employer if they were hiring. “It was much less frustrating,” she says. “(Today) it depends on who you know, who you are, and what kind of work is involved.” Parsons says it’s important for her daughter to get a job to pay for school because student loans just don’t cut it. “What chance do you stand when you’re so far in debt?” According to the most recent statistics for May, almost 13,000 of the 72,000 young people in the province aged 15 to 24 were out of work. The unemployment rate works out to just over 30 per cent. The Student Employment Centre is open from May to the end of August, offering young people help with resumes and cover letters, holding mock interviews, and giving free access to a fax machine, the Internet, long distance phone calls, photocopying, and printing. “Basically, anything you
need,” says Danny Abbass, an employment officer. Before high schools closed for the summer, about 30 to 40 students visited the centre a day. Since then, the number has jumped to about 80. “We get some students back here four or five times a week,” he says. “They’re the ones who are having some trouble, and we give them as much help as we can.”
“There’s lots of jobs out there, you just have to be willing to do the work … You won’t find a job by staying home and waiting for them to fall in your lap.” — Danny Abbass, employment officer Abbass is positive about the possibilities for youth summer employment. “There’s lots of jobs out there, you just have to be willing to do the work to go out and look,” he says. “You won’t find a job by staying home and waiting for them to fall in your lap.” Human Resources and Development Canada, which runs the student centre, offers wage subsidies to private, public, and notfor-profit employers to create summer jobs for students. Last year, the department recorded almost 5,300 summer career placements involving 361 students. An estimated 3,300 jobs were posted at the province’s 14 employment centres last year. Another beneficial program available to students is the Student Work and Services Program
(SWASP), which is available through three sanctions: The private sector, Memorial University, and the Community Services Council. “The whole concept of SWASP was to create opportunities for young people in post-secondary education or those interested in pursuing post-secondary education in the future,” says Penelope Rowe, CEO of the services council. SWASP positions with the services council offer a tuition voucher of $1,400, with a weekly cash amount of $50, for working 280 hours in an eight-week period with a not-for-profit organization. Ranging from heritage sites to hospitals, the placements offer valuable work experience for young people. While the program receives high praise from students and organizations alike, funding from the government has gone down, placing restraints on the number of positions available. “We always have many more applications than positions,” says Rowe. “We could have placed twice as many positions.” This summer, approximately 650 students received placements in 480 organizations across the province. Rowe notes the program is beneficial both for students in St. John’s and in smaller communities, where jobs may be scarce. Often, SWASP is able to steer young people towards job opportunities they weren’t aware existed. The experience is also good for resumes, where students are involved in a broad range of activities, and develop many skills, especially leadership qualities. Parsons says her newly graduated daughter is somewhat overwhelmed and nervous. “She’s entering a new world — the job force,” says Parsons, who’s been encouraging her daughter to do little jobs along the way to build up her resume.
industry here. While all of Furey’s travels are well documented and preapproved by the board of directors, he says the film corporation always looks for a bargain. “If I’m going to Halifax, Toronto or B.C., which I don’t go to very often, I have relatives there so I stay with my relatives,” says Furey, adding he shares hotel rooms with the director of New Brunswick’s film corporation when they’re in town together and the airfare is always a seat sale. “I never fly first class,” Furey says. Furey spent $3,700 on entertainment, including liquor and meals — spending he says is critical to that networking. Most of the $32,000 went to pay for airfare and hotel accommodations. “Our budget is very fixed,” says Furey, adding the corporation holds quarterly meetings so the board knows where every dollar is spent.
“What keeps us on the straight and narrow is a predetermined budget, a clearly defined and outlined use of that budget,” he says. “We lay out everything in our strategic planning, every single thing for the year. “If I spend anything over $200 I have to get special permission from the chair and the committee or we have to call an emergency meeting,” he says. “I have to get permission in advance and I have to justify it on my return.” Furey doesn’t mind reporting to the board when it comes to spending public money. In fact, he says he agrees with the policy. “I think it should be like that because it keeps you honest and it shows you where every dollar of public money is going.” Of the $1 million spent last year by the province’s film development corporation on 20 projects, four documentaries and three television series made it to the screen.
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
BUSINESS
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Business Briefs
Taxis charged in conspiracy ST. JOHN’S Six Newfoundland taxi companies and seven individuals were charged Friday by the federal Competition Bureau for allegedly conspiring not to compete for contracts. The bureau says a group of companies agreed not to compete with one another for contracts to supply taxi services to institutional and commercial facilities in St. John’s. The bureau did not name the facilities and institutions affected.
It is a criminal offence under the Competition Act for business competitors to conspire to prevent or lessen competition, the bureau said in a news release. Bugden’s Taxi, Dave Gulliver’s Cabs, Lockey Haven Ltd., North West Taxi, St. John’s Taxi Co-operative Society and The Mall Cabs face charges along with seven individuals. None of the companies or individuals contacted returned phone calls Friday. — The Canadian Press
Courts limit Aliant pickets ST. JOHN’S The courts have limited the number of pickets at most of the strike-bound Aliant Inc. sites in Newfoundland and Labrador to four at each entrance. The judge made two exceptions in his ruling, allowing up to 12 picketers at one St. John’s location, and 30 at a second location in the city. Chuck Shewfelt, a spokesman for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union, said the union members will abide by the ruling. Aliant sought unimpeded access to its buildings and equipment following several union demonstrations in St. John’s and Corner Brook, which interrupted operations.
The union has been protesting Aliant’s use of employees from its subsidiaries, claiming the practice is equivalent to using outside workers. Company spokeswoman Brenda Reid says the ruling is what the company was looking for. About 4,300 employees at Atlantic Canada’s biggest phone company have been on strike since April 23. Aliant employees are demanding better health-care and pension benefits, higher wages and limits to contracting out. The company provides telephone, Internet and other services to about two million residential customers and 80,000 businesses in Atlantic Canada. — The Canadian Press
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Signs like this one are becoming a rare sight in St. John’s.
Cost of living One-bedroom apartments may cost up to $1,400 a month in St. John’s some day soon; vacancy rate lowest in years By Alisha Morrissey The Sunday Independent
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he law of supply and demand doesn’t exclude apartment hunters. The demand for apartments in St. John’s has created a predicament for those looking for suitable living accommodations while on a tight budget. Low rent apartments are increasingly difficult to find. Geraldine Lush was homeless before working with the Carew Lodge and Resource Centre, a shelter that provides 14 self-contained apartments for the homeless and working poor in the capital city. Lush says there are currently 120 people on a waiting list, all looking for a suitable place to live. “It’s virtually impossible to find clean, decent, affordable housing,” she says, adding she’s one of the province’s working poor and understands all too well the shortage of moderately-priced accommodations. There’s a general shortage of rental units in St. John’s, says Brian Mullett, a real estate agent and president of the St. John’s Real Estate Association. He says the vacancy rate — listed at less than two per cent — is the lowest it’s been in 15 years.
Listings for apartments can often range from a few hundred dollars a month to a few thousand, depending on the size, location, and proximity to amenities. Specific parts of St. John’s are more expensive than others when it comes to renting, and Mullett says there’s no way to cap prices. He speculates that apartment seekers may one day soon be paying $1,200 to $1,400 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. “We haven’t seen that yet but who knows,” he says, adding the provincial government subsidizes mid-priced apartments through the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation. Gerry Kennedy, the corporation’s director of programs, says there are programs in place for mid- to lowlevel income earners. Yet another program began recently to provide incentives to builders who construct low-rent housing units. Kennedy says the so-called affordable housing program is a 50/50, cost-shared program between the provincial and federal governments that provides builders with a capital grant allowing them to “get away with” a lower mortgage, which, in turn, allows for lower rent for the eventual tenant. Under some programs, Kennedy
says the average renter can be subsidized for about half the cost of their monthly accommodations. “Most of our clients pay up to $300 or $325 brackets, that’s what their incomes can afford and then, of course, we pay the difference.” The problem with that system, he admits, is the waiting list. As of The Sunday Independent’s press deadline, the list stretched 550 people long. According to Statistics Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador has had the lowest number of renters over the last 40 years. Statistics show young people and the elderly are more likely to live in apartments because they have the lowest incomes. As a real estate agent, Mullett, of course, would want you to buy a house. Despite the taxes, repairs and other homeowner expenses, he says it may be cheaper in the long run to invest in a house rather than a rental unit. “With interest rates the way they are right now it’s cheaper to purchase than it is to rent,” he says. Easier said than done for some, says Lush, who sees society’s down and out every day at the Carew Lodge. “The people on low incomes are being crushed.”
Terror warning drives oil price up NEW YORK Crude oil prices in New York have surged above $40 US a barrel for the first time in more than a month after the Department of Homeland Security signaled terrorists were scheming to disrupt the
U.S. elections this fall. The rally reinforced the market’s pattern of buying whenever terrorism worries surface, despite government data showing across-theboard builds in petroleum inventories last week.
“Credible reporting now indicates that al-Qaida is moving forward with its plans to carry out a large-scale attack in the United States in an effort to disrupt our democratic process,” Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says. August crude futures jumped $1.25, or three per cent, to settle at $40.33 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The rally was fed by a technical rise earlier as prices neared the $40 benchmark, as well as a slimmer-than-expected rise in U.S. commercial oil inventories and the highest gasoline demand in four weeks. Crude inventories rose only slightly on an uptick in refinery utilization, despite imports holding above 10 million barrels a day for the seventh-straight week, staging a record. — The Associated Press
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July 11, 2004
The Sunday Independent
INTERNATIONAL
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Marketplace in China.
‘This year is different’ PennyLee Biggin, halfway around the world, struggles to maintain her identity in a foreign culture Voice from Away By PennyLee Biggin In China
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he smell of the Ziggy Fries truck. My mom’s kitchen, and the way her skin feels. Hugging my father. Taking the dog out in the rain. Sherry’s hamburgers, and the way she walks. Watching movies with Leona, and the way she holds her spoon. Miki’s mothering and her laughter. The way Mark holds his fingers to his face when he is thinking, or listening. Dinner at Tara and Kennedy’s house. Anything and everything about the people I love. Ham sandwiches, pickles, pizza, fresh milk, cold cereal, feta cheese, Spaghetti-o’s, anything edible from home. Salt fish and potatoes. The sound of seagulls. Our cabin on the pond. Lying in the long grass on the hills. The air on the Great Northern Peninsula. I miss everything. But more than anything on God’s green earth … I miss the
ocean. I’m not sure how it is for townies, but for those of us from small communities, around “da bay,” it is everything that is majestic and glorious. Even the smell of a stinky old wharf makes me feel at peace. Seriously, like the way your skin feels after walking on the beach, or the slow creaking sound of pack ice in winter. The beautiful bluegreen-white colour of it. Isn’t it a pity that you have to step away from these things to truly marvel at them? Why is it that so many Newfoundlanders can leave our home so easily, only to regret it later? The regret hits some people within a minute, with others it could take years, but it does come. I’ve lived in China for almost two years now, in a small city in one of the poorer regions. My main reason for leaving was that I wanted a change. I didn’t want to save the world; I didn’t want to make a difference. I wasn’t lured to Asia by the mystery of
it all. I wanted to make some money. I wanted to get as far away from Newfoundland as possible. Man, was I dumb. The past 10 months have been made easier by the presence of another Canadian. Everyday we shake our heads, and wonder why we left in the first place. China and the Chinese people are as much a mystery now as they were when I first got here. Last year, fresh off the turnip truck, I took all of our differences in stride. I kept telling myself that I am a visitor in this country, and I have to adapt or I will have no chance of any sort of life here. When I walked down the street and everyone stared, I just pretended not to notice. I hid my disgust when men, women, old and young alike spit various things on the floors of restaurants, inserted fingers into facial orifices (while you were talking to them), or allowed their children to urinate and defecate on the floors of public buildings.
I chalked it up to cultural differences, and tried to wipe the image from my brain. I accustomed myself to the squattie-potties. I tried to keep an open mind when I heard disparaging remarks about American people, not their government, but the people themselves. (Jo and Ethel on the farm in Nebraska are much the same as George and Ettie in the fishing village, if you ask me.) When people scoffed at our beliefs, such as God, the afterlife or having a soul, I stifled the urge to scream about the ridiculous nature of Communism, and merely asked them to consider my feelings, and not to speak of my beliefs in such a fashion. I even had Chinese people who have never been out of this area inform me about my own culture. In trying to settle in here, I let the most beautiful parts of me slip away. My beliefs, my love, my faith, everything. It happened so fast. The ability to stand up for myself, to be heard, to express my
thoughts and beliefs, to show my pride in who I am as a Newfoundlander and a Canadian just slipped out the back door as I became as docile and timid as those around me. That was last year. This year is different. I began to ask: Why do they even want us here if we can’t express who we are? If America is such a terrible place to live, why does everyone want to move there? (America being the U.S. and Canada lumped together.) What is the point of teaching grown adults about our history and culture, without being able to speak of politics and religion? One can only teach the wedding ceremony lecture, without speaking of religion, so many times. I could be removed from the school for teaching about religion or politics, but what happens after class when I talk to my students outside of the classroom is no one’s concern but ours. Continued on page 19
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The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
INTERNATIONAL
Page 19
Pubs defeated
Irish ale houses drop out of rebellion against smoking ban DUBLIN, Ireland The Associated Press
M
ore pub owners rebelling against Ireland’s threemonth-old ban on smoking admitted defeat late last week after facing a range of legal sanctions. Four pubs in County Cork, southwest Ireland, had decided to permit smoking on their premises in support of the first pub to do so publicly, Fibber Magees in the western city of Galway. Health Minister Michael Martin promised to punish the owners of Fibber Magees, a Galway pub claiming it has lost two-thirds of its business since the ban became law three months ago. “You can take it from me that there’ll be no holds barred in terms of taking this head-on and upholding the law,” says Martin, who led a two-year campaign to outlaw smoking in enclosed workplaces. He called the protest “an affront to the Irish people and an unacceptable defiance of the law.” Fibber Magees owner Ronan Lawless gave in to Martin and the
law, and the four County Cork pubs — Paddy the Farmers, Connie Doolan’s, The Loft and Ozzie’s Bar — followed suit the next day under threat of heavy fines, High Court injunctions and the eventual loss of their business licences. “We got a lot of support from both smokers and nonsmokers. And for 24 hours at least we brought back the atmosphere that has been lost,” says Gareth Kendellan, owner of Paddy the Farmers, one of the biggest pubs in the city of Cork. His pub permitted smoking recently and was almost immediately busted by plainclothes environmental health officers. Much the same happened to Danny Brogan, owner of Connie Doolan’s in the nearby port of Cobh, which had been quietly breaking the ban since its March 29 introduction. Brogan went public after visiting Fibber Magees this week, and almost immediately was visited by health officers too. Both Brogan and Kendellan say they were disappointed that more pub owners didn’t join the protest.
Brogan says the government might have been forced to back down, and permit smoking sections in pubs, if hundreds of pubs had rebelled. The rebel pubs law-breaking has divided Ireland as much as the ban itself. A phone-in poll this week on RTE, the state broadcasters, attracted 22,000 callers, 54 per cent of whom opposed the rebellion. Pub owners insist the ban is harming their business and threatening the viability of many bars, particularly in rural areas. The Vintners Federation, which represents more than 700 pubs in Dublin, published a members survey Friday that claimed their
‘We are still alien to one another’ From page 18 How can I say I’m a teacher, if I don’t teach them the things that are really valuable, and that they really want to know about? I am proud of who I am and where I come from, just the same as they are. Once we both understood that there would be no judgment between us, we are free to discuss anything. We are still alien to one another when it comes to everything, but both parties can respect that. And now, God have mercy on the one who spits or flicks anything from their body anywhere near me! I give them the same look they give me when I go out wearing spaghetti straps. A pizza shop opened in our town the other day (not the best in the world, but it’s cheese), and as we sat eating, like gulls, Eric turned to me and said, “Ya know, of all of the things we will take from our stay here, perhaps the best thing is that we will always appreciate our homefood.”
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I think it’s this way with everything, not just the food. The way we treat each other in Newfoundland is beautiful. We look at our waiters when we order our food, we hold the door for each other, we say thank you, you’re welcome, and excuse me to total strangers. The little things about our culture matter more here than they ever did when we were home. When you stop reading, just take a look around you, whether you are at home, in a restaurant or on the street. Just watch the people around you and how they behave, admire the food you are eating, and appreciate the next conversation you have with anyone. Take every chance to sit by the ocean and look at the ocean, even if it is from an old stinky wharf. We have everything and everyone we need all around us, but we never take enough time to appreciate the beauty of where we are. The Chinese have a saying, “If the orange tree bloomed everyday, who would notice the fragile beauty of its blossoms?”
Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland
A smoke and a pint: A God-given right?
I’ve thought about it, and I disagree with this idiom. I think I could manage to look at orange blossoms and admire them endlessly … once I understand how their presence changes the day. Then again, maybe I’m just a sucker for fresh air and Ziggy Fries, eh? Writer’s note: The purpose of this essay was to show a Newfoundlander’s thoughts while away from home. China has a beauty all its own, and I have made friends and memories that I will carry with me until the day I die. The people are kind, warm and giving, the school is very willing to take care of us, real Chinese food is delicious. I just wanted to show the things about our culture that you would miss if you had to do without them. I’m sure if you ask a Chinese immigrant in Canada, they would have many of their own culture shock stories to share. Do you know a Newfoundlander or Labradorian living away? Email editorial@theindependent.ca
income had slumped by 16 per cent since the ban began, and that 2,000 bar staff had been laid off. But the major union representing bar staff, Mandate, immediately accused the pub owners of inventing those figures. Mandate union organizer Danny Cassidy said its union membership had remained steady and called on pub owners to lower their drink prices if they wanted more business. Ireland’s anti-smoking measure is a close copy of anti-smoking crackdowns in California and more than a dozen Canadian and U.S. cities. Toronto introduced a smoking ban in bars that kicked in June 1.
But the countrywide ban provoked strong opposition from owners of the country’s 10,000plus pubs, who complained roughly half of their usual customers were smokers. Until this week, however, no pub had publicly defied the government, partly because opinion polls show strong support overall in this country of 3.9 million. Ireland’s success in imposing such a sweeping social change has impressed leaders across Europe, most of whom are pursuing less severe restrictions on smoking. So far, only Norway has followed Ireland with its own ban on lighting up in the workplace, with Sweden set to do likewise next year.
Coca-Cola opens plant in Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya After a 15-year absence, Coca-Cola Co. returns to Somalia with the opening of an $8.3 million bottling plant. The new Coca-Cola plant opened in Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu and is owned by United Bottling Co., formed by a consortium of 399 Somali investors, the Atlanta-based company said from its Nairobi office in neighbouring Kenya. “It has taken six years to build up the necessary goodwill and to raise the capital invested in this project,” Abdirisak Isse, United Bottling Co.’s chair and chief executive says. The plant has 130 employees and will operate at 70 per cent of its production capacity for the time being, producing three Coca-Cola brands:
Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite. When at full capacity, the plant can produce 36,000 bottles an hour. Somalia, which has a population of seven million, has not had an effective central government since the 1991 ousting of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Much of the country’s infrastructure has been destroyed by more than a decade of banditry and clanbased fighting. The country is controlled by heavily armed militias, and businessmen employ their own gunmen for security. A 21-month-old peace process intended to end the chaos is supposed to be in its third and final phase, but the negotiations have been dogged by disputes and walkouts by Somali delegates. — The Associated Press
Page 20
July 11, 2004
The Sunday Independent
LIFE & TIMES
Andrew Younghusband’s Crank it up airs Saturdays on CBC Radio (am) at 4:35 p.m. and Sundays (fm) at 4:35 p.m.
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
‘Foolish little habit’ By Clare Marie Gosse For The Sunday Independent
W
hen a DJ opens his radio show with the lines, “I’ve got a fresh needle in my arm and there’s some good gear on the platter. Oh man, all week long I’ve been jonesin’ for this hit,” a listener probably wouldn’t expect what comes next — theme music by 1940s crooner Guy Lombardo. Unless, that is, you’re familiar with DJ Andrew Younghusband’s unusual hobby. The Newfoundland born and bred entertainer — well-known for his stand-up comedy, political satire, and stints on TV shows such as Tall Ship Chronicles — has a new 10-week radio show on CBC’s Performance Hour called Crank it up. The show was inspired by Younghusband’s huge collection of 78-RPM records spanning the 1930s to 1960s, and incorporates his own comedic banter with jazz, country (hillbilly), rock and roll, show tunes, and big bands. Younghusband first started his hobby after an LP-collecting friend bought himself a wind-up gramophone. The friend lost interest in playing the music, but Younghusband had so enjoyed searching out the old records as
Andrew Younghusband has heavy-duty records from his turned his collection home in New Melbourne, Trinity Bay, of 78s into a CBC to the CBC studios in St. John’s. “It sounds clumsy on the radio gig show, because you hear me
gifts, that he decided to hold on to a few. Now, years later, he has a few thousand. The interview starts off in his truck. As Younghusband drives to investigate a crate of 78-RPMs at the home of the father of a friend, he explains the angle of the radio show and the draw of his collection. He says he uses music he enjoys listening to, such as early rock and roll and rhythm and blues, but is also just as likely to play tunes for their hilarity factor. Younghusband recites the bizarre title of a Gloria Wood song, “When Veronica plays her harmonica on the pier in Santa Monica.” “If it has a funny title I’ll buy it, but if I play it, it might suck. There was this song by Johnny Desmond, who was this big crooner guy, and it was called My yiddishe momme, and it’s God awful, but that moment when he goes, (warbles loudly) ‘My Yiddishe Mommeeee!’ is funny, right?” Younghusband explains that he likes to give each show a theme. Last week’s show was all about women. “The first show last week was like, ‘You think rap music is bad? Listen to this. You think rap
music’s misogynistic? Well I’ve got a record by Arthur Godfrey called Slap ’er down again, pau.” Younghusband uses a real windup gramophone, and carts his
“If it has a funny title I’ll buy it, but if I play it, it might suck. There was this song by Johnny Desmond, who was this big crooner guy, and it was called My yiddishe momme, and it’s God awful, but that moment when he goes, (warbles loudly) ‘My Yiddishe Mommeeee!’ is funny, right?” — Andrew Younghusband
picking up the record and dropping it again and winding up the machine. We made a performance decision to play that up.” At the house of his friend’s father, he’s hoping to find some groovy numbers squirreled away in the basement. Rarely are 78RPMs valuable, and it’s quite common for people to give them away or sell them for $1 a piece. Unfortunately this time, Younghusband ends up leaving relatively empty handed, finding mostly classical records and some Gilbert and Sullivan. He says he just doesn’t have room for more show tunes. He does come away with some Spike Jones, however, calling him, “fantastic and relatively comic.” Younghusband reads a title aloud: “Chinese mule train… now that’ll be funny.” With so many strange track titles, it’s hard to imagine the songwriters were completely sober, and Younghusband says that quite often they weren’t. “Young people think that they were the first people to ever dis-
cover drugs and that’s f—-in’ bullshit. Billie Holiday was found f—-ing dead with heroin and a needle and money taped to her leg, right? All those great jazz people from the ’30s were all whacked on smack every night. The country guys weren’t doing so much drugs, they were just drinking themselves to death.” He mentions Hank Williams, who was found dead in the back of his truck from alcohol poisoning, at the age of 29. Younghusband is knowledgeable and passionate about his hobby, even though he affectionately dubs some of his record collection “litter in my life.” Throughout his expansive career in entertainment, he’s mastered the art of turning his interests into viable job opportunities. He’s renowned for his political satire, and recently presented some election pieces on The National with Peter Mansbridge. Successfully approaching producer Glen Tilley with the idea for Crank it up has finally enabled him to use the spoils of what he calls “a foolish little habit.” “It’s damn funny, so listen to it,” demands Younghusband. And as an afterthought, “and send me your records.” No more Gilbert and Sullivan though, please.
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
LIFE & TIMES
Page 21
Standing Room Only
I
by Noreen Golfman
Where is the public art?
t’s summer — at least in other parts of the world — and I have been travelling. Being a tourist means being willing to be led by the visiting country’s idea of what you should see and do. Almost everyone I know wants to achieve that delicate state of being a graceful spectator in someone else’s national home. It’s a balancing act. You want to check out the vulgar attractions but you also want to discover the secrets of the place on your own, allowing for spontaneity and as wide and as deep an encounter with newness as possible. Tourists come to Newfoundland for a variety of reasons: Someone else has raved about the place and they need to see for themselves; it’s the only province they haven’t visited; they’ve seen The Shipping News and they want to see a house chained to a rock; there are unique natural attractions in spite of the weather, such as hiking, whale watching, sea kayaking, and trying to stay warm; smoking is permitted indoors almost anywhere; the people are alleged to be funny and hospitable; the arts community is thriving. When you travel away from home you think about these things. You can’t help but live the role of a tourist, and so you think about tourists visiting your own town, hoping they’ll see the best of it. I was in Israel last week, quite literally baking in over 30-degree temperatures, the Middle Eastern sun and sky as white and blue as the national flag. Needless to say, Israel is not a prime tourist destination these days. Hotels are practically empty. Many shops are boarded up. The once bustling ancient streets of old Jerusalem are eerily quiet. The country is standing at attention, on guard for its own survival and about as skittish as a soldier at a checkpoint. Israelis are watchful, suspicious of strangers and poised for the next catastrophe. Needless to say, there was much to see and learn. This is a country at war and so one’s tourism experience is especially heightened. Everywhere you go there are young green-uniformed teenagers carrying large pointy weapons of considerable destruction. Many restaurants maintain security checks and it’s practically impossible to avoid feelings of dread every time you see people lining up for a bus. But all that said — and there is
a lot to feel anxious about — the tourist cannot help but notice the ubiquitous presence of art. It’s uncanny, but in a climate of fear and hostility art is pervasively on public display as if in defiance of rage and terror. The tourist who arrives at Ben Gurion airport notes a massive steel and iron sculptural installation just outside the terminal, the first indication that this is a country that honours, respects, and pays for public art. In the ancient city of Jerusalem, the most fear-ridden of all, public art is large and gorgeous, chic, sculptural and modern. You confront these almost always magnificent objects of creative inspiration at City Hall, at various open sites on university campuses, in public squares, among olive trees, in gardens, squares, and street corners. Tragically, an entirely new creative industry is evolving, one dedicated to the installation of memorials at various sites of terrorist bombings, but even here one notices how much thoughtfulness is being brought to bear on the artistic representation of these horrific events. The calculated exhibition of so much modern art, most of it predating the recent years of terror, brilliantly underscores an entire nation’s faith in human resilience.
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Remember the fiasco around Don Wright’s Red Trench?
Of course, Israel is a nation beset by contradictions, the celebration and exhibition of art being symptomatic of such. Money finances tanks and it finances art. It is also true that much of this art, although deliberately situated in open public display and subject to the relentlessly punishing sun, is supported by private donors from all over the world.
Millions of dollars from these rich and generous benefactors have been dedicated to such creations. The truly astonishing fact is that not only is art being produced in such a climate of dread but that it is hugely supported and conspicuously displayed all over the country because of a natural partnership between public and private monies. Art is not an issue in Israel; it’s a fact of the landscape. For the tourist contemplating there and here comparisons are inevitable. One cannot help but mentally scan the horizon at home, searching for similar displays of public statement. What evidence of public art confronts the tourist here? After you’ve identified the oldfashioned stone heroics of the War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, you run out of thoughts. Perhaps the last time any discussion was aired here on the subject of public art was the ’80s. Remember the Red Trench fiasco? That large and apparently suggestive installation by the late artist Don Wright sat in storage for eight embarrassing years while everyone waited for sanity to return to the open line shows. It never did, of course. Too many influential civil servants thought it was simply too reminiscent of a female body part to be on pub-
Into the cool
lic display. Enough said. Mercifully, the piece ended up gracing the walls of the addition to the Arts and Administration building at Memorial University. Coming home is always good, rain, drizzle, and fog notwithstanding. But on this re-entry, after feasting my eyes on so much rich modern material in ancient Jerusalem, I also lamented the conspicuous lack of public art, the almost complete absence of our own commitment to urban signs of beauty and wonder. If there are any rich townies out there wondering what to do with your money, the suggestion is first to make a pilgrimage to the cities of Israel where you will see glorious objects of human effort. Then, once you’ve kissed the tarmac in Torbay and developed your photographs, please donate some of your spare change to the public good. Help beautify this place. These days the tourists need all the help they can get. Noreen Golfman is a professor of literature and women’s studies at Memorial. Her next column appears July 25.
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
The Creaking Tree String Quartet, from Toronto, played in St. John’s Friday night as part of the third annual St. John’s Jazz Festival. The Festival concludes July 11 with a show by Thom Gossage Other Voices, from Montreal, and a closing party with The Shuffle Demons from Toronto. For event information, visit www.atlanticjazzinitiative.com
Page 22
LIFE & TIMES
On the shelf
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
by Mark Callanan
Mild Northwesterly However Blow the Winds Edited by J. Ennis et al Scop Productions/ Waterford Institute of Technology, 2004
I
n 2003, the Waterford Institute of Technology released an anthology of the poetry of Newfoundland & Labrador and of Ireland under the title The Backyards of Heaven. While The Backyards of Heaven focussed entirely on contemporary verse, However Blow the Winds, the companion anthology released this year, according to its introductory note, is “intended to provide a crosssection of poetry, song and verse written in Ireland and Newfoundland over the past 225 years or so.” The resulting anthology, while not without significant fault, is nonetheless a necessary step towards the wider dissemination of the literature of Newfoundland and Labrador and a wider appreciation of the poetry of Ireland within this province. Like its predecessor, However Blow the Winds is organized into thematic sections in which the work of Newfoundland and Labrador writers is often placed beside that of their Irish counterparts. For to fit you out for sea, the first section of the book, contains an Innu narrative as told by Edward Riche, traditional songs such as The Wreck of the Steamship Ethie and The Banks of Newfoundland as well as a number of other well-known Newfoundland songs of the sea and several poems in Gaelic (with accompanying English translations). The anthology is broken into 15 such sections. I am of two minds about this editorial decision to position poems according to theme — while it has potential to highlight certain affinities between our two traditions, it often results in a confusing mass of stories and perspectives only loosely knit together. In many cases, suggested similarities between individual writers within these sections are superficial at best. The lack of an editorial introduction to these thematic groupings is a missed opportunity to
To include the folksongs and poetry of two nations for the last 225 years is more than a little ambitious. Irish and Newfoundland songs alone could have filled a fair-sized book. At 612 pages, However Blow the Winds is still not long enough to do justice to its subject. comment on what cultural or stylistic interplay the editors see as going on within. In order to explain this deficiency, the introduction states that “[i]t would be too facile, and too early, to generalise or talk extensively of shared affinities and parallels between two distinct traditions,” but by that logic, is it not equally facile to suggest any comparison at all between the two traditions (a campaign in which the anthology has necessarily engaged itself)? A further problem presents itself when one consults the textual notes at the back of the book. For an anthology whose purpose is to introduce the Irish poetic tradition
to readers of this province and vice versa, there is a lack of explanatory notes that might help to contextualize historical events within narratives for the uninitiated reader on either side of the Atlantic Ocean. The section Notes on the text (Newfoundland & Labrador) in its brevity seems a half-hearted gesture, Notes on the ballads and songs of Ireland even more so. Would it have been entirely inappropriate to preface the collection with a short essay on, for example, the migration of Irish folksongs to Newfoundland? I hardly think so. Another issue I have with this collection is in the roll call of names it excludes or only partially covers.
On my list of notable absences, I would include Agnes Walsh, Robin McGrath, Carl Leggo and Richard Greene from Newfoundland, although there are others. On the Irish side of things, one name leapt out at me (or didn’t leap out, as the case seems to be) – Eavan Boland. For whatever reason, despite her prolific engagement in her craft and her great influence on the practice of contemporary poetry in Ireland, she is nowhere to be seen in However Blow the Winds. Similarly, Louis MacNeice escapes mention. And if Al Pittman gets 12 entries in the anthology (and he does), then why are there only two for Seamus Heaney, by far the more accomplished poet? To my mind, this collection raises far more questions on the editorial process than it does on the tradition of song and poetry in either Ireland or Newfoundland & Labrador. It seems to me that the editors could have done a great deal better by limiting their focus. To include the folksongs and poetry of two nations for the last 225 years is more than a little ambitious. Irish and Newfoundland songs alone could have filled a fair-sized book. At 612 pages, However Blow the Winds is still not long enough to do justice to its subject. That being said, a flawed anthology is better than none. Barring the aforementioned collection, The Backyards of Heaven, this is the first time such an anthology has been attempted. To my knowledge, there is no significant body of scholarship on the relationship between the Irish and Newfoundland traditions of poetry and perhaps in the past this comparison has been little invited. However Blow the Winds extends such an invitation, and for that it is notable. Mark Callanan is a poet and writer living in Rocky Harbour. He can be reached at callanan_ _@hotmail.com. His next column appears July 25.
Otto Kelland dead Otto Kelland, best known for writing the hauntingly beautiful song Let Me Fish off Cape St. Mary’s, died Thursday at the age of 99. Born in Lamaline, Newfoundland, in 1904, Kelland spent his working life as a policeman and prison warden — often rough and violent work for a man known for being down-to-earth. At the time of his retirement he was Superintendent of H.M. Penitentiary in St. John’s. In his spare time, he composed a volume of songs, wrote five books of poetry and stories, and became a master model ship builder. Tourism minister Paul Shelley offered his condolences to the Kelland family last week. “Mr. Kelland wrote the beautiful song Let Me Fish off Cape St. Mary’s in 1947 and it has been recognized and enjoyed worldwide as a true Newfoundland classic,” he said. “Mr. Kelland’s legend will continue to live on for centuries.”
Poet laureate nominated The Writers’ Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador has nominated local poet Tom Dawe to the position of Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Dawe has been writing and publishing poetry, as well as fiction, plays, children’s books and other prose, for more than 30 years. His poetry collection In Hardy Country, published in 1993 by Breakwater Books, received positive reviews across the country. Dawe was born and grew up in the community of Long Pond, Manuels, where he still lives. For many years he taught English at Memorial University while continuing to write. The Poet Laureate receives a stipend of $12,000 annually, as well as a maximum of $10,000 for travel and living expenses. The first Parliamentary Poet Laureate was George Bowering, who was appointed for a twoyear term in November 2002.
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
LIFE & TIMES
Page 23
Gypsies Band of
“When you’re on the road sometimes the only real place is on the stage.” — Beni Malone
By Alisha Morrissey The Sunday Independent
S
ometimes the stage is literally a stage, as in a wharf, and sometimes the show is performed without spotlights and sometimes the beam is provided solely by a flashlight. The Wonderbolt clown car will bring its one-ring circus to kids of all ages throughout the province this summer. Circus music, acrobats and fire eaters will bring oohs and ahhs, but don’t look for any lion tamers or other animal acts. Beni Malone, head clown and founder of Wonderbolt Productions, says the oldworld charm of a “gypsy family kind of circus” is what this event is all about. The first show is slated for St. John’s on July 21 when Malone and his quirky cast will perform the Clown Burst show, and provide a clown school to teach the art of making people laugh. In August, the show will travel to Stephenville, Corner Brook, Grand Bank, Trinity and Wesleyville. “So we really are going to be a band of gypsies,” Malone told The Sunday Independent. St. Bon’s school gym in the city has been transformed into a one-ring big top as Corey Tabino, originally from Staten Island, New York, and formerly of Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco, balances himself on one arm and spins like a top. Jocelyn Wilson of Vancouver and Kat Finck, from Nova Scotia, stretch and tumble while well-known Newfoundland musician George Morgan flits over the piano keys pumping out circus music. The troupe, including three other silly characters, has come together to perform Clown Burst, the latest in a long line of shows created by Malone. He’s been clowning around ever since graduating from the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey clown college in 1979. “There’s something to be said for 25 years experience,” says Malone with a chuckle. Every show is a challenge and few go as planned, and Malone’s years of experience have taught him a few important rules — “knowing when to freak out and when not to freak out.” Looking around the grounds of St. Bon’s, where the circus will debut and clown school will hold class, Malone says the memories flood back. He and his father attended the school. This time, however, clowning around at his alma mater won’t get him sent to the principal’s office. Malone says he rented the space for a month because of the architecture, which
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adds to the old-fashioned feeling of the circus he’s trying to create. Every artist must be a businessman, says Malone with a stern look. “As an artist you have to promote and produce your own work in order to survive.”
Malone says that’s why he’s done comedy shows, children’s birthday parties, and more recently, clown school for children of all ages. Despite the business aspect of his job and the repetitive nature of his shows, Malone says he’s lucky to be able to perform
and light up the faces of young and old alike. “You’re always surprising yourself and surprising the audience,” he says. “When you’re on the road sometimes the only real place is on the stage.” alisha.morrissey@theindependent.ca
Page 24
LIFE & TIMES
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
I’se the girl
by Deborah Bourden
How does your garden grow?
E
veryone admires a beautiful garden and I’m no exception, although I didn’t inherit my grandmother’s green thumb. In fact, I seem to be more skilled at forgetting to water and care for the precious floras and faunas than I am at nurturing them into a healthy existence. A recent incident at my parents’ home clearly illustrates my lack of knowledge. I commented to my sister on how pretty a yellow rose was in a floral arrangement. “Yes,” she replied, “it would be if it wasn’t a tulip.” Lucky for me the ability to admire doesn’t hinge on knowledge. A pretty flower is a pretty flower and I still maintain that I love a pretty garden. The thought of having a lovely garden was actually the driving force behind a recent decision to hire a landscape company to perform a backyard make-over. We had a lot of our own ideas and we sat down and put our thoughts on paper. “How exciting,” we thought. Like any project, this one was a slow evolution. We discussed placing flower boxes here and rock walls there. I was already planning the wonderful barbeques that we
would have once our courtyard retreat was completed. In support of grassroots capitalism, we hired a small landscaping company that I had stumbled upon a few months earlier. So far so good, right? Well, over the next six weeks our dreams of a glorious courtyard retreat turned into a nightmare. It all started well enough. The fence was tackled first — straightened, scraped and painted. It took a little longer than we expected but we were patient. The next couple of weeks saw a corner garden and rock wall constructed. Nice, but the fence wasn’t the height we had asked for. By that time we had been waiting four weeks and my birthday barbeque that was supposed to be our first celebration in our new courtyard retreat came and went with everyone saying how nice it would be once it was finished. “Once it’s finished,” became the project’s theme. Nailing down a completion date was harder than nailing jell-o to the fence. It was always only going to be a couple of more days. At that point, my spider senses were telling me we had a problem. It was then all the questions I
should have asked at the start of the project came rushing to me. What’s the company’s track record? We hadn’t even asked for references. Sure we had a quote in writing, but when I reviewed it so much was open to interpretation. I suddenly realized that my inexperience had probably contributed to making a bad decision. It’s confusing to deal with a project that’s new to you, which I’m sure most readers would relate to in dealing with a contactor. I had no idea how much a bag of “top” grade mulch should cost and I definitely had no idea how much plant material you could buy with $100 bucks. To be truthful, by the time we were five weeks into the project the only thing I was certain of was that 18 inches isn’t two feet, the height the fence was supposed to be. The rest was very cloudy and getting cloudier. By week six everyone was feeling the stress. Patio stones were laid and our troubles grew. I watched from the sidelines, feeling more uneasy each passing day. You know that sinking feeling that comes when you know something just isn’t going to get any better and you have to take action? Knowing that frustration can often
lead to even worse decisions, we sought the advice of someone more knowledgeable (a little late I know). All our concerns were confirmed, especially regarding the patio stones. Our first course of action was to try and negotiate with the company we had hired. We were shocked when our concerns were met with confrontational language. After several attempts to resolve our issues we were forced to discontinue the contract and take a loss financially. We are now licking our wounds and have turned our attention to some other renovations that we had planned. Needless to say, we
hired a qualified project manager that negotiated with the contractors on our behalf and everything is going great and on schedule. We are still planning to finish our courtyard retreat but for now I’m content to look out our window and admire the beautiful roses in our neighbour’s garden. Or is that tulips? Whatever — they really are pretty. deborah@theindependent.ca
Local doc wins in NYC The Man who Sang Goodbye, a feature documentary produced by St. John’s-based Battery Radio, won the Bronze World Medal in the Community Portraits/Profiles category at the International Radio Festival of New York. The documentary is a biography of late folksinger Omar Blondahl. Once a star of regional radio and TV with over a dozen albums, Blondahl suddenly dis-
appeared at the peak of his career four decades ago. The program first aired on CBC Radio’s Performance Hour in 2003. The Radio Festival is a global competition, founded in 1957. This year, it attracted 494 entries from 18 countries. Battery Radio, an independent audio production company, was founded by award-winning producer Chris Brookes.
Created for The Sunday Independent by John Andrews
THIS WEEK’S THEME:
Cooper’s CrissCross is a typical search-a-word puzzle except you must first decipher the word list based on the clues provided before searching. All of the clues will have a Newfoundland and Labrador flavour. Good luck! The word list and Answer grid can be found on page 26.
THE ODE (part 2) When ____ storm ____ fret thy ____, And ____ waves ____ thy ____, thro' sprindrift ___ and ____ roar, we ____ thee, wind-____ land... As ____ our ____, so we love, Where once they ____ we ____, Their payer we ____ to heav'n ____, God ____ thee, ____ ...
July 11, 2004
Page 25
The Sunday Independent
SPORTS
Photo by Paul Daly/The Sunday Independent
Goaltender Jason Churchill, selected in the NHL draft, makes a summer save. He’s training on ice in St. John’s three times a week during the off season.
‘Like a dream’
Backup goaltender for Halifax Mooseheads earns starring role; taken by the Sharks in NHL draft … now that’s perseverance By Darcy MacRae For The Sunday Independent
J
ason Churchill fulfilled a childhood dream June 27. The Hodge’s Cove native was sitting amongst hundreds of young hockey players at the RBC Centre in Raleigh, North Carolina when he was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round of the 2004 NHL entry draft. The 18year-old goaltender will never forget the emotions he felt upon hearing his name announced. “It was unbelievable,” he says. “Sitting in the stands and seeing guys like Wayne Gretzky and Pat Quinn walking around was like a dream. Just hearing my name called was icing on the cake. There isn’t a word to describe what it’s like to go down to the table and put the jersey on.” Getting selected in the NHL draft was a fitting end to a remarkable year for Churchill. Not only was the 2003-04 campaign his rookie season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, it was also
a year in which he was expected to star selections. Clarenville minor hockey grad be the team’s back-up goalie. All of this success may have drafted. Heading into training camp, surprised some, but not Churchill. “Pro teams see a lot of potential Tampa Bay Lightning draft choice He says that he never saw himself in him because of his size and and third-year net minder as a back-up goalie and worked mobility,“ says MacKenzie. “But Jonathan Boutin was expected to hard to ensure plenty of playing the mental aspect of his game is handle most of the goaltending time. also one of his biggest strengths. chores for Halifax. But as the sea“I knew they had a good goalie He’s an honest kid about his son progressed, Churchill took in Jonathan Boutin, but I wasn’t strengths and weaknesses and he’s over the No. 1 job and went on to satisfied being No. 2,” says got excellent work habits.” post a 3.73 goals-against-average, Churchill. “I always pushed MacKenzie says Churchill has and .886 save percentage in 53 myself in the gym and on the ice made great improvements since games. so I could be the No. 1 guy.” he first appeared at a Moose“On paper, he was in the head’s training camp in the backseat at the beginning of fall of 2002. Although the “It’s a lot different than the season,” says Mooseheads’ team sent him to play Junior head coach Shawn MacKen- playing Midget AAA or Junior A. A in Antigonish that season, zie. “During training camp The skill level alone is a lot higher, MacKenzie said it was obviJonathan was away at Tampa’s ous that with a little work, so you have to be prepared.” camp and Jason really played the young Newfoundlander well. He had an opportunity to had a bright future. — Jason Churchill start the season as our No. 1 “For a big guy, he was out goaltender and he played well of control in the net. He was right away.” At six-foot-three and 175 overplaying a lot of shots and getBoutin was eventually traded to pounds, Churchill possesses the ting himself in bad second-shot the Prince Edward Island Rocket, size NHL scouts and general man- position,” says the head coach. leaving Churchill as the club’s agers love to see in their goal- “He uses his size better now and undisputed No. 1 goalie. He went tenders. As far as his coach in doesn’t get caught out of position. on to win team awards for most Halifax is concerned, the combi- That’s going to help him get to the improved player and accumulat- nation of size, skill and mental pro level.” ing the most points from the three- toughness is what got the Churchill continues to work on
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his game during the off-season, training hard both on and off the ice with Andrew McKim’s hockey program in St. John’s. Churchill participates in weight training and cardiovascular workouts five times a week, as well as three on-ice sessions. Churchill says that while such a program is challenging, the effort is necessary in order to succeed in a league such as the QMJHL. “I’m trying to build muscle and get stronger and quicker. You need to do that to be ready for the long seasons in major junior,” says Churchill. “It’s a lot different than playing Midget AAA or Junior A. The skill level alone is a lot higher, so you have to be prepared.” While Churchill is unsure when he will take to the ice for the first time with the San Jose Sharks, he knows a lot is expected of him in Halifax this season. He’s slated to leave for the Nova Scotia city in late August to attend training camp and hopes to lead the Mooseheads to their 10th playoff appearance in 11 years.
Page 26
SPORTS
The Sunday Independent, July 11, 2004
This Sporting Life
by Shaun Drover
Spouting off about East Coast Trail
I
tem: The East Coast Trail is a day morning hiking for three hiking experience that stretch- hours in pouring rain. It was all es a total of 220 kilometres worth it once we reached the end from St. John’s to the Southern — exhausted but rewarded. Shore. ••• Comment: If you’re looking Item: Canadian pitcher Eric for outdoor adventure this sum- Gagne had his record setting save mer, consider the beautiful East streak broken. Coast Trail. I had the pleasure of Comment: We’ve been a long hiking a portion of the trail recent- time waiting for this to happen … ly and would recomso long that some of mend it to anyone totally lost sight of I had the pleasure us who enjoys the great the accomplishment. of hiking a outdoors. Now that all is said The trail has a portion of the trail and done, Gagne can number of entry recently and would take a bow and be points, but my group praised for an recommend it to impressive record. and I started in Goulds in the anyone who enjoys Two years ago, extreme west end of the great outdoors. after blowing a save St. John’s. The first to the Arizona Diaday was a total of 11 mondbacks, Gagne km to our campsite at the Spout. began a streak that saw him save The Spout is a natural geyser every game in which he was given directly on the shoreline where an opportunity to do so. Now two there’s a designated campsite with years later, that same team has tent flats and fresh water. The sec- stopped the streak and proved that ond day was another 11 km hike Gagne is human just like the rest down the shore that ended in Bay of us. Even though he blew the Bulls. This is a popular, but chal- save, his home-town fans gave lenging portion of the trail that him a standing ovation and may seem difficult at times, but acknowledged the feat. the scenery makes up for it. The record should hold for a The trail is cut for hiking with long time, as Gagne shattered Tom some sections in better condition Gordon’s previous record of 54 than others. The hike is filled with straight saves by 30 additional sea stacks, fjords, and cliffs. Keep saves. Gagne’s steak ended at 84 an eye out for wildlife as my consecutive saves at a major group spotted two eagles, whales, league level, landing him safely in and numerous sea birds. the record books. The best advice I can give is to ••• be prepared. While it’s beautiful, Item: Dominek Hasek has the hike is a long one that takes joined the Ottawa Senators in proper hiking gear and an emer- hopes of solving their playoff trougency first-aid kit. And check the bles. weather forecast; I spent my SunComment: Ottawa has put a lot
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of pressure on their goaltending situation over the past two seasons. After finishing atop the league two seasons ago, who wouldn’t want to start in goal for Ottawa? Well, it’s not that easy when you get all the blame for the team’s poor playoff performance. So is The Dominator going to solve the problems? First off, his groin needs to hold up. He’s been bothered by groin problems, which have kept him off the ice quite a bit. Plus, at age 39, his groin may not be the only health risk. Considering the risk factors, I’d bet Martin Prusek (Ottawa’s backup) will be playing a lot of regular season games in a bid to rest Hasek for the playoffs. Hasek will be rejoined with GM John Muckler, whom he spent
time with in Buffalo. Muckler is excited about the fact Hasek may be what it takes to push the Sens over the top. Hasek has done it before in both NHL and international arenas. Patrick Lalime, who is quite capable of competing at this level, seemed to have a mental block with the Senators’ organization. They should have no such trouble with Hasek, as his experience and fierce competitive nature will enable him to stand up to any challenge. The biggest impact Hasek should have is his ability to speak up and lead the team. Ottawa has been accused in the past of not having enough heart and determination in the locker room or in the big games. Hasek has been in tough situations, and has led teams
both vocally and by example. The move has a few big risks involved for the Sens. But, if healthy, Hasek should go a long way towards solving Ottawa’s biggest roadblocks. The next questions to be answered are — was the goalie their roadblock, or are they too focused on their own net? shaundrover@hotmail.com
Solutions for puzzle on page 24 BLINDING GUSTS SHORE WILD LASH STRAND SWIRL TEMPEST LOVE SWEPT
LOVED FATHERS STOOD STAND RAISE ABOVE GUARD NEWFOUNDLAND
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Page 27
Events JULY 11 • Family day at Memorial’s Botanical Gardens, St. John’s, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 737-8590. • St. John’s Jazz Festival final day: Thom Gossage Other Voices, The Studio, 8 p.m.; The Shuffle Demons, Grafenberg’s, 10 p.m. For more, visit www.atlanticjazzinitiative.com • Sound Symposium XII continues: International festival of new music and the arts, day and night, at various locations throughout St. John’s. For information and a schedule of events visit www.soundsymposium.com or call 754-3819. • MUN Botanical Garden floral art show. Arrangements created by the floral art group of the Newfoundland Horticultural Society on exhibit at MUN Botanical Garden, Mount Scio Rd., St. John’s, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • Redécouvrir Plaisance/Rediscover Placentia festival continues, celebrating 500 years of French presence in the province, Placentia, 227-9078, plan2004@nf.aibn.com. • Mary Dalton will read poems from her book Merrybegot, St. Peter and Paul Parish Hall, Harbour Main, 2:30 p.m. • Pride at MUN 2004, runs until July 18, presented by the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered Resource Centre, 737-7619, lbgtmun@mun.ca, www.mun.ca/lbgt/pride/ JULY 13 • Weekly healthy garden workshop series, facilitated by Dr. Wilf Nicholls, 737-8590. • Goods Bingo, fundraiser for Buckmasters Circle Community Centre, Knights of Columbus, St. Clare Avenue, St. John’s, 7 p.m., 757-0146. JULY 14 • Folk night at the Ship Pub, St. John’s, 9 p.m. • Live! On the Lawn Theatre, Hawthorne Cottage, Brigus. Plays are performed Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 3 p.m. • Susan Chalker Browne reads from her soon-to-be-published children’s book and Thomas Doucet, Hero of Plaisance tells the story of D’Iberville, Placentia Public Library, 1:30 p.m. • Cool jazz for hot nights with the Louis McDonald Quartet, Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre, 637-2580. JULY 15 • Salvage: Story of a House, written by Michael Crummey,
presented by Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, 8 p.m., Commissariat House, St. John’s, (709) 739-5091. JULY 16 • My Way: A musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, Stephenville Theatre Festival, 7:30 p.m., Stephenville Arts & Culture Centre, 643-4553. • Seniors’ day at MUN Botanical Garden, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 737-8590. • Salvage: Story of a House, written by Michael Crummey, presented by Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, 8 p.m., Commissariat House, St. John’s, (709) 739-5091. JULY 17 • Concert in the Square: Vishten, The Fables, Bernard Felix and The Visions perform in the Town Square next to the RC Church, the Town Hall and St. Edward’s School, Placentia. Begins mid-afternoon. • The Domino Heart, Stephenville Theatre Festival, 10:30 p.m., Stephenville Arts & Culture Centre, 643-4553. OTHER: • Theatre Newfoundland’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival features eight shows this season. For show information or tickets, visit www.theatrenewfoundland.com or call 1-877243-2899. • Rum, Romance and Rebellion, cultural and literary walking tour of St John’s, Tuesday-Thursday, 6:45 p.m., LSPU Hall, Victoria St., 364-6845. • Where once they stood, O’Boyle’s historic walking tours, daily 10 a.m. at the Fairmont Newfoundland Hotel, St. John’s. Reservations required, 364-6845. IN THE GALLERIES: • Travelling Light, with works by Doug Buis, Catherine Kozyra, Ryan Barrett and more, all inspired by the Pouch Cove environment. James Baird Gallery, Water Street, St. John’s, until July 27. • Artist Statement by Stephan Kurr and Bad Ideas for Paradise by Emily Vey Duke and Cooper Battersby, Eastern Edge Gallery, St. John’s. • Annual Members Exhibit, Craft Council Gallery, Devon House, St. John’s, until Sept. 3. • Summer Songs featuring the work of 15 artists at the Leyton Gallery of Fine Art, St. John’s, 3-5 p.m.
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