2005-09-25

VOL. 3 ISSUE 39 — ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR — SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2005 — WWW.THEINDEPENDENT.CA — $1.00 HOME DELIVERY (HST included); $1.50 RETAIL (HST included)

IN CAMERA 20 AND 21

SPORTS 32

The Independent profiles the top 10 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians

Fog Devils light fire under Mile One during home opener

A survivor’s story Bernard Dyke spent four hours in the North Atlantic in his T-shirt and underwear after the fishing boat Melina and Keith II went down Sept. 12 off Cape Bonavista.

Four men were lost in the tragedy; four others made it home.

The 17-year-old survived by clinging to an overturned lifeboat.

He also held tight to a piece of rope, ready to lash himself to the boat if need be — so his mother would at least have his body.

Paul Daly/The Independent

STEPHANIE PORTER EASTPORT, BONAVISTA BAY he ashtray in front of Marg Dyke is full of butts. She’s about to add another, taking long, slow drags off the cigarette, looking towards the ceiling — or somewhere further away — and blinking. Shaking herself back to the present, Marg’s eyes become warm, engaging. She has no problem welcoming strangers into her home, putting the kettle on without asking. She answers questions easily, unprompted and honest.

Marg is waiting for her son, Bernard, to come home. It’s a miserable rainy day, but he’s out cutting wood with a couple of buddies. Bernard is on the go all the time these days, she says, always trying to keep busy.

“Bernard used to come in here, blast the stereo, and I’d always be yelling at him to turn it down,” she says. “Now I don’t mind, he can play it as loud as he wants, I’m glad to hear it.

“I’ve got my second chance with him.”

Seventeen-year-old Bernard is Marg’s only child. And she almost lost him — indeed, there was a point during the long evening of Sept. 12 when she was told she had — when the fishing boat he was working on, the

T

Melina and Keith II, capsized and sank.

Bernard was the youngest of the eight men on board. He and three others — including the skipper, Shawn Ralph — survived. Four others, Ivan Dyke (no relation), Justin Ralph, Joshua Williams and Anthony Molloy, were lost.

This is Bernard’s first year fishing, and it was his third trip offshore. Marg says she supported his desire to go work — she believes in her child with all her heart — but found him being away difficult.

The nights he was gone, she says, she’d crawl into his bed and sleep there.

“I used to sit here some nights, hear about thunder and storms in the area, or coming up, and I’d hope, oh God, that they’re OK,” Marg says.

“But I never thought once that night it was going to happen.”

Marg doesn’t have a telephone or a television, so it was a knock on the door and a concerned friend that brought her news of the boat’s accident that night.

It was about 9:30 p.m.

By then, though she didn’t know it, her son had spent over four hours in the North Atlantic, in his T-shirt and underwear, clinging to an overturned aluminum boat. She didn’t know he was one of the heroes of the tragedy.

And she didn’t know he had been rescued.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I would say it was most appropriate.

He was a graduate of St. Bon’s.”

— Father Vernon Boyd on former Archbishop Alphonsus Penney giving mass at the school.

Bernard finally returns home, soaked to the bone and telling stories of the bears he and his buddies just saw — they didn’t get so much wood after all, they were so busy trailing out the animals.

He changes into dry clothes and baseball hat, takes a seat at the table beside his mother, and lights up a cigarette. There’s a plastic supermarket tray of muffins and squares near him, a gift from a sympathetic friend of the family.

Bernard had gone to Marystown looking for work earlier the summer,

with no luck. When he returned, his friend, 21-year-old Justin Ralph, got Bernard work beside him on his older brother’s (skipper Shawn Ralph) boat, fishing shrimp and turbot.

Bernard says he didn’t mind the work, the days were long, but the money good. On his first trip out, he cleared $1,100 in four days. Had his last trip not ended prematurely, he’s sure he would have pulled in $2,000.

The day the boat went down, Bernard says the sea was fairly calm.

“There was a bit of water on the go, but we didn’t mind that,” he says. The hold

Timeline 3:30 p.m. Beacon sounds, signalling the capsizing of the Melina and Keith II. Canadian Coast Guard begins communications search (calling family, boats at sea, etc.). Satellite system searches for sunken vessel.

4:15 p.m. Melina and Keith II located. Alerts issued to Department of National Defence, coast guard and fishing vessels in the area.

5:35 p.m. Cormorant helicopter takes off from Gander airport.

5:45 p.m. Hercules aircraft leaves Greenwood, N.S. 6:30 p.m. Fishing vessel Lady Charlotte Star arrives on scene of sunken vessel.

7:30 p.m. All four survivors on board the Lady Charlotte Star. Cormorant helicopter arrives on scene.

8:30 p.m. Hercules aircraft arrives on site.

Throughout the evening the fishing vessels Midnight Challenger, Catalina Commander, Seasons II and the coast guard auxiliary vessel Martin Main arrive on scene.

2 a.m. First coast guard vessel, Leonard J. Cowley, arrives on scene.

OPINION 3

Ray Guy on why people cling to Jesus

was full of shrimp, and the fishermen were hard at work pulling in the turbot nets.

“Everything seemed perfect. We had about 23 turbot nets in, then she took a weird list,” Bernard says. “The captain run up to see what was going on, by the time he got there it was like this.”

Bernard tips his hand on a near 45degree angle.

“We ran over, cut the life raft off and poof, she was gone. That fast.”

He estimates about 50 seconds between when the boat started to list and when she completely overturned.

“I didn’t panic at all, it was just taking a dive. I knew how to swim. And when you hits the water, you’ve got to swim.

“I mean, lots went through me head, a lot about the buddies, well there was two fellows who couldn’t swim, that’s what I thought about first.”

No one had time to put on a life jacket; the captain was the only one with a survival suit on, and Bernard says they all headed for him. Bernard thinks all eight on board survived the boat turning over; he’s not exactly sure when and how the four who are presumed drowned (as of press time, only Molloy’s body had been retrieved) let go of life.

They spent the first bit of time sitting on the bottom of their overturned boat.

The life raft nowhere in sight, one of See “The observer,” page 2

OPINION 11

Michael Harris says North America open for business — fraud

Life Story . . . . . . . . 10 Paper Trail . . . . . . . . 10 Voice from away . . . 13 Livyer . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Gallery . . . . . . . . . . 18 Movie review. . . . . . 19

2 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

Emergency response ALISHA MORRISSEY

A

fter locating the site where the fishing vessel Melina and Keith II sank Sept. 12 off Cape Bonavista, it took the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Leonard J Cowley more than nine hours to travel 133 miles to the scene.

It took the Department of National Defence three and a half hours — once they pinpointed the vessel’s location — to get a Cormorant helicopter from Gander to the site of the tragedy.

The response times weren’t fast enough to save crewmembers Anthony Molloy, Ivan Dyke and Justin Ralph, all from Eastport, or Joshua Williams, a Seawatch observer from St. John’s.

The Melina and Keith II — an 18metre fishing vessel — sank late in the

afternoon in calm seas. Four of the eight men on board survived.

David Stone, superintendent of marine search and rescue with the Newfoundland and Labrador region of the Canadian Coast Guard, says locating the Melina and Keith II caused a delay.

Stone says coast guard was alerted to the downed fishing boat at about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 by an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), which automatically sends a mayday signal to coast guard when submerged in water. The EPIRB doesn’t have a Global Positioning System (GPS) — which would automatically relay the vessel’s location to the coast guard.

It took roughly 45 minutes for the international satellite system to locate the sunken Melina and Keith II. “There was no mayday message or anything else … it could have been anywhere in North America,” Stone tells The Independent. He says the reason it

took so long for coast guard vessels to arrive on scene was a simple matter of distance. The closest coast guard vessel to the Melina and Keith II was the Shamook (99 miles), which took 11 hours and 15 minutes to arrive on site.

MANDATORY DEVICES While EPIRBs are mandatory on most vessels, they don’t have to have a GPS attached because of regulations stating a VHF one-touch mayday button (often hooked into a GPS) must be on most vessels.

“In this case the EPIRB saved their lives, the four of them, because that was the only indication that search and rescue got that there was anything going on,” Stone says. Without a position, he says, the coast guard begins searching immediately but repositioning a satellite can take between 20 and 40 minutes to identify a beacon.

He says the primary search and rescue

vessels on Sept. 12 were the Cygnus and Leonard J. Cowley.

“They both responded immediately because they were already at sea and all they had to do was change their course and go full speed ahead,” says Stone, adding all other coast guard vessels also headed toward the area, though the Sir Wilfred Templeman took 15 minutes to get underway.

“Now the military in Gander … during working hours the aircraft must be airborne within 30 minutes. Outside of working hours, it’s two hours — same with Greenwood, N.S.” A Cormorant helicopter, dispatched from Gander, and a fixed-wing Hercules, dispatched from Greenwood, N.S., were airborne within an hour and a half of locating the sunken vessel.

Fishing vessels made it to the location throughout the evening to help with search and rescue efforts.

The Transportation Safety Board

investigation is continuing into the tragedy. Lead investigator Captain Chris Morrow says he’s still collecting paper data on the vessel and completing interviews.

“Seeing as we have no physical boat to deal with we’re looking for everything we can in terms of any drawings, plans any kind of documents at all where a lot of time is being spent now is trying to gather up all this data,” he says.

“Without having everything here we haven’t really sat down and figured out which way this is going to take us.”

As for whether stability issues may have led to the sinking of Melina and Keith II, Morrow says there’s an obvious answer.

“I don’t want to sound coy but we know it’s a stability issue if a boat flips over. If a boat flips over it was unstable, but I don’t mean that to sound smart or anything, but how it got to that point that’s the question.”

‘The observer thought I was dead’ From page 1 Bernard’s co-workers held him by one arm while he went underwater to cut a small aluminum boat free. That aluminum boat became the men’s only life preserver.

Bernard says he was the only one with a knife, “though everyone was supposed to have one.” He used it to cut off his jacket, sweater, and jeans, fearing clothes would weigh him down. “I took everything off as fast as I could,” he says.

“We were on top of the boat, on the bottom of her, for two hours. Then we were two-and-a-half hours in the water, three hours, something. I don’t know how long I was in. I was in shock when they took me aboard.

“When we were on the top of the boat we sang a lot, we sang 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall all the way down and then we sang something else. Then we were just huddled up. Justin and I were huddled up there for an hour, having a laugh.”

Even there, floating in the north Atlantic in his underwear, 150 kilometres from shore, Bernard says he didn’t think it would be so bad; he figured they’d be rescued in no time. But an hour turned into two, into three, four …

The Melina and Keith sank after a couple of hours. The surviving men

hung on to the overturned aluminum boat — there was a hole in it, so they couldn’t attempt to turn it over and crawl in.

Bernard used the hole as a handhold, to make sure he didn’t go under. “I stuck that hand there first,” he puts his right hand forward, but pulls the sleeve to cover the wounds. “Until that hand got all cut up, then I worked the other hand, cut he up, then I worked the arm.”

He had a piece of rope with him too, which he held tight to. He would have lashed his arm to the boat if he’d felt himself starting to go.

Marg, listening intently, eyes wide, filling with tears from time to time, interrupts. “He told me he had the piece of rope there, so he could tie himself on, so at least they’d be able to bring the body back to me.” She fumbles for another cigarette.

Brendan rolls his eyes. He and his mother are close — especially since his father died a few years back — but he’s got the independent spirit of a 17-yearold who’s had enough of high school, slightly cocky and ready to head out on his own.

According to reports, the boat overturned at 3:30 p.m. The four survivors were rescued between three and four hours later by another fishing boat, the Lady Charlotte Star.

“I was so cold, they said I was in shock,” says Bernard. “When the observer came out, and saw me just laid there with all the blood everywhere, the eyes were rolled back into my head. The observer thought I was dead.”

He was told it was a couple of hours before he responded to his name or opened his eyes. He doesn’t remember the rescue; just waking up in the bunk.

“I made two ship-to-shore calls,” says Marg. “The first time he was asleep, the next, I got him, about 3:30 in the morning.” Though the tears didn’t stop, Marg says she finally felt a huge weight off her shoulders.

Bernard sighs again.

“I didn’t really want to hear mom’s voice, but I wanted her to hear mine,” he says. “I was in no big rush, you know, I tried to get them to take us to Catalina to get our cheques but they wouldn’t.”

The days after the accident have been a series of ups and downs. The Dykes’ home was filled with wellwishers the day Bernard came home — his buddies even bought him some clothes to replace the ones he’d cut off.

“They all pull together, I must say.

Most of Eastport, St. Chad’s, Burnside, it’s all fishermen, they all understand,” says Marg.

“That night, holy Christ, you couldn’t get through the door for young people. The community pulled together pretty good, did a lot for Bernard, did a lot for me, the families, getting good support.”

“Yah, too much,” Bernard says with a sarcastic laugh.

Eastport, a community of a little over 1,000, is tight-knit, and the tragedy has hit hard. The boat went over that quickly, on a relatively calm day — there’s no shortage of questions swirling around.

But most — neighbours, other fishermen, community members — are reluctant to go on the record with opinions to the press, it’s too soon, too many things don’t seem right. All the men on board are praised for their strength of spirit.

A neighbour in St. Chad’s, where the

Brendan Dyke with his mother Marg.

boat was berthed, says the fishermen were “good, hard working people.”

One man at a diner in Glovertown, like many, can’t help drawing parallels to the tragedy of the Ryan’s Commander, from nearby St. Brendan’s. That was almost exactly a year ago, almost exactly the same kind of boat, in similar conditions. He’s got some concerns about the 18-metre boats these crews are heading out in, but won’t say more, he’s waiting for an official report too.

Another skipper from the area declined comment, saying “it’s too fresh for us all, there’s too much I don’t know.”

“Oh, it’ll come,” Marg forecasts.

“When (the survivors) really open their mouths, the shit’s going to hit …

They’ve got some stories to tell.”

Bernard has already had two interviews by the marine safety board, as investigators try to piece together what happened.

For now, Bernard can only tell his own story, what he remembers. He wants the truth out there, and he wants to go back to normal life — enough with the official interviews, the sympathy. He’s ready to get back out and fish.

“I do want to wait around and see if

May cause an adrenaline rush.

Heart may skip beats. Sudden gasping for air is also common. Effects may reduce slightly over time, but will persist.

Tag Heuer watches start at $850.

Main Floor, Terrace on the Square, Churchill Square Store Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00am to 5:30pm Phone: 754-9497 diamonddesign.com

Paul Daly/The Independent

they find any more bodies,” he says.

“That might be closure for the experience.

“Maybe it hasn’t hit me, maybe by and by it’ll attack. There always used to be me and Justin and Stephen kicking around, everybody else was working. Now Stephen’s up in Manitoba and Justin’s gone.

“I saw him just floating away.”

Bernard plans, “by and by,” to go to trade school for carpentry. “Fishing, I’d never do it for a career for the rest of me life … I’d go for now, until I got unemployment and then quit.

“But I’d always have a vest on me, one of them little vests that blows up with the CO2 button. I’d have one of them,” he says. “I’d know everything on the boat … and I’d have my own survival suit on the bottom deck or the top deck wherever I was working, I’d tie it on so I wouldn’t have to run for it.”

Marg changes the subject. Having heard enough about her son’s return to the water, she asks for a picture to be taken of the two of them together.

She’s working on a scrapbook for Bernard, with pictures and articles and anything else she can find.

“You know I get up now, 20 times a night, just to look and make sure he’s in bed, still breathing,” she says, laughing self-consciously. “I want to get in there and cuddle right up next to him … but he’d have me killed.”

She pats her hair into place and crouches down, giving Bernard a warm hug from behind. She kisses his cheek and proclaims her love for her son.

He stiffens as the camera clicks.

“Jesus mom,” he says, rolling his eyes again. “If you keeps this up, I’ll drown meself.”

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 3

By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

O

ne of comedian David Letterman’s favourite topics to joke about is New York’s massive rat population. Although St. John’s doesn’t quite have problems on par with rats holding up 7/11s and pulling carriages through Central Park, it doesn’t mean the nocturnal Norway rat isn’t alive, well and breeding locally at an alarming rate.

David Evans, arborist with the City of St. John’s, says two rats could potentially multiply into one million in three years.

“They basically breed when the weather is favourable and when food is favourable,” he tells The Independent.

“All these new subdivisions, I don’t want people to get alarmed or whatever, but inspection is everything … the most favourable spots are where habitat is most abundant and habitat is most abundant in these smaller building lots in the city where everybody has a privacy fence and everybody has a patio and everybody has a little out building because those are all areas of harbourage.”

Although the city isn’t responsible for rodent pest control — other than in cityowned buildings — Evans often gets calls from concerned residents and offers consultations to help people prevent or eradicate infestations.

Unlike mice, which only breed through the winter months, rats can produce up to six or seven litters in a single year (eight to 12 in a litter), as long as food, warmth and water are plentiful.

Despite the fact people may assume downtown and the harbourfront to be the larger breeding grounds, Evans says subdivisions are just as, if not more, tempting.

It turns out rats like our modern-day lifestyles as much as we do.

“They’re not native to Newfoundland and North America; they were brought over by our forefathers when they came over on the rat-infested ships. So they originated from the harbourfront, but as the population moved out, the rats followed.”

He says rats like nothing better than a cozy back yard with a protective fence, a shed full of grass or birdseed, garbage and water access. Homes exposed to rivers are particularly susceptible to rats, who are excellent swimmers.

They’re also excellent climbers, jumpers and burrowers/chewers. They can survive 50-foot leaps and gnaw through lead piping, brick and even glass, especially if a small hole is present.

Although the Norway rat grows up to 10-inches long, excluding its slightly shorter than body-length tail, they can wriggle through openings no larger than

Rat attack It’s rodent moving-in season

a half inch square.

“I’ve known rats to climb up a twostory building to get at a patio or garbage bags,” says Evans. “The No. 1 problem in the city are bird feeders. That is their natural food source, seeds … we create our own problems because we have a lot of things they like, from lawn seed stored in a little out shed or the birdseed; our garbage stored on our patios, feeding pets outside. Usually when someone’s got a rat problem it’s self inflicted.”

Evans says the most important method of control is prevention. He advises blocking up all holes around gardens and properties, especially after the winter

thaw, and keeping rubbish and food out of reach.

Many people, especially those with old houses with dirt basements, may have even noticed tunnel holes around the edges of their homes.

Although it’s impossible to pin down exact rat numbers in the city, it seems 2005 has been particularly rodent friendly.

At Gaze Seed, a farm supply store in St. John’s, clerk Barbara Mundon says the sign-out book for customers buying deadly boxes of rat poison shows a significant increase in purchases.

“I think it must be pretty severe this

summer because we’ve sold a lot of Rat Attack, which is something we don’t usually start selling until fall comes, but this year we’ve been selling it all summer.

“Just this morning I’m after selling about five boxes. Now there’s eight packs in a box, so that’s quite a few. Only one feeding of that would kill them because they don’t have to eat much.”

She blames increased construction and excavation in the city, as well as poor home-made composting, which if done correctly shouldn’t attract rodents, but if not, makes for ideal breeding grounds.

Rod Squires, owner of Complete Pest

Control, agrees rat numbers seem to be up.

“I know this year we were busier with rats, probably back in June and July months … in the 18 years of my experience, this year was probably the most calls we got for rats.”

Evans says he hasn’t noticed a specific rise in the number of complaints to the city, but he does note with a population increase, there’s bound to be a rat increase.

One area of particular concern is the city dump. Stories of giant rats the size of small children being beaten to death are somewhat far fetched, but Evans says the animals do have a “potential to be fat and they could be bloated up on diseases (from) eating all kinds of foul foods.

“There is a control program in place on that particular site. We have that contracted out to a pest control company and they’re obligated to spend 10 hours at the dump in a two-week period and put out 200 pounds of rat poison.

“It’s control, not eradication. It’s impossible to eradicate.”

‘When in doubt cling to Jesus’ S

omewhere in the United States a jailed convict picked up his breakfast tray. On it he found only one and not the usual two eggs.

When Danny Williams was put in the light of this he said he was “appalled.”

Well, I should jolly well think he was! Otherwise his blessed mother, we must believe, would have given him a slap upside the big square head. I mean, did Jesus and his late Holiness go into jails snatching eggs from the lips of poor prisoners?

Danny was “appalled” and that should mean a large measure of hope, joy and reassurance to each and every Newfoundlander and Labradorian alive today.

What happened was this. A few years ago when he stepped into politics, Danny was required to show us what he had in the bank. When you’ve got as much as Danny’s got it all takes time.

But as time passed the commissioner of members’ interests commenced to get a little peevish until finally the details of Danno’s tasty fortune appeared, his assets were declared.

It was then that someone (maybe Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition) noticed

RAY GUY

A poke in the eye that some of Mr. Williams’ loose change came from a company that was deeply into private prisons, a terrific growth industry in the land of the free and the home of the brave. So it is that we may reasonably suppose that every time corners or eggs were cut for the sake of private-pen profit, Danny Millions might benefit.

Mr. Williams’ story was that he hadn’t known. When you’ve got so much, this is perfectly understandable. And as soon as he knew about the private jails he was “appalled” and disconnected himself from the business and the opposition from their Mr. Ouch stick.

I take Danny’s being “appalled” as an outward and visible sign of his inward and spiritual grace. Just the thing we’re looking for, says you. Even more than that, could there be a hint that the Dear Leader, like Saul on the road to

Damascus, sees that privatization, multi-nationalism, the end of history, the new world order and globalization have struck a dead end?

Is it really possible for a Townie to be that intelligent? For all our sakes we must hope so. Because once before we had one of our Great Navigators try to drag us “kicking and screaming into the 20th century,” a future that was already dead.

Of poor Smallwood it was said that he couldn’t even run a pig farm. But as time passed and the circle of nodding heads surrounding him became more impenetrable, Joey was convinced that he was a supreme economist. Alas, his notion of the future was already 30 years out of date.

“Great new industries” was the Smallwoodian cry. There came a string of enterprises so bizarre and disastrous as to make Peckford’s cucumber factory look almost sensible. All this even as the industrialized northeastern U.S. was turning into a rust belt.

I didn’t realize that Latvians had any particular sense of humour until someone reported an anecdote about Joey’s

FALSE RELIGION So it is today that we can only hope for someone at the helm who realizes that the false religion of Bush, Cheney, Halliburton, et al is in its twilight; that politics and not economics is still the better guide for humanity; that leadership and not management will come out on top after all.

Lord Black and the lords of Enron and their ilk will crumple and the condition of the people of Africa and such places won’t depend on whether or not they sit on something profitable. The great god, Profit, is now on the reverse swing of the pendulum.

Watch out for the “shock and awe” while the billionaire managers go down ungracefully … but hope for the best.

There’s a state of denial among many.

Some point to the gargantuan rise of China and India and credit the good ol’ profit motive. Last time anyone looked China was a communist state and India, the world’s largest democracy, has fewer maharajas than the U.S.A. When in doubt cling to Jesus.

Especially in the States, all those diehard profit-idolaters tend to latch on to the old rugged cross. This is what used to be called ironic since I seem to recall that the instruction was not “make a profit off one another” but “Love one another.” Gee, I hope those pension cheques don’t make you mushy.

Anyway, in our own poor case it was such a relief to hear that Danny Williams was “appalled” that he may have been increasing his fortunes by squeezing prisoners in private U.S. jails. I don’t know about you but it did my poor heart worlds of good. Yes, sir, worlds.

Now, if Danny Boy doesn’t stay on the onward and upward track perhaps we can arrange for him to have three nocturnal visitors just before Christmas.

Oh, what the Dickens! Has that been done already?

2006 Ridgeline * from $ ,

Kenmount Road 579.1999 / 800.667.9900 www.cityhonda.com

34 800 Quadruple 5-Star Safety

Reportin

g for Wo

All Honda vehicles are delivered with a full tank.

economic development minister, Dr. Alfried Valdmanis, when Joey came up with a particularly outlandish scheme.

“Mein Premier!” exclaimed Valdmanis, clicking his heels the way Smallwood liked. “You haff done a new thing! You haff invented a brand new economic concept!”

rk!

†

r o f y d a e R !

N O I T C A D 4W www.honda.ca

*MSRP based on new 2006 Ridgeline LX Automatic (model YK1646E). Freight and PDI, license, insurance, taxes and registration are extra. †: Quadruple 5-star safety rating based on crash tests by NHTSA on 2006 Ridgeline for driver, front passenger and rear seat passengers in both front-impact and side-impact crash tests, www.nhtsa.com. See dealer for full details.

4 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

OPP completes one investigation, no charges laid; second investigation ongoing

By Alisha Morrissey The Independent

A

n Ontario Provincial Police task force has concluded one of two internal investigations into the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

No charges have been laid against the three high-ranking RNC officers who were the subject of the six-month investigation. Allegations the three were involved with “corruption or criminality” were cleared by the Ontario force last week.

The investigation may be over, but it’s still not clear who or what was being investigated and few details will be released, says Detective inspector Dave Truax of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

“I’m not going to be divulging the specific allegations. The reason being that they were unproven and it would be unfair to those that were accused to give further credence to those allegations,” Truax tells The Independent.

He explains the investigation in the same way he has for months: “It was into allegations of criminal wrongdoing against some members of the Constabulary.”

The seven-member OPP task force was called in by RNC Chief Richard Deering to conduct investigations into the two internal matters.

The investigation cleared up last week was the criminal investigation into three unidentified high-ranking members of the RNC and possible criminal activity committed by them

in the past year.

The other matter centres around evidence and testimony presented at the Lamer inquiry into the wrongful conviction of Randy Druken. Officers with the OPP are scrutinizing the inquiry as it relates to the Constabulary.

That investigation is expected to be completed by October’s end.

Truax says he handed over his final report to Deering on Sept. 22. Deering apparently didn’t have any follow up questions on the investigation.

“Chief Deering … was provided a detailed report yesterday and he feels reassured that the men and women of the Constabulary are working hard to serve the people of Newfoundland,” Truax says.

He refused to identify the complainant, saying he wouldn’t want to discourage any future complainants from coming forward. Truax did say there will be no charges of false accusations laid against the complainant.

He says the investigation was thorough, independent, and fair.

“I stand by that and if there was wrongdoing where evidence would support criminal proceedings then that obviously would be the outcome of our investigation, but it’s not the case. So it’s reassuring for the public, it’s reassuring for the Constabulary that that is not the case.”

A long-standing memorandum of understanding between the OPP and Constabulary allows for the Ontario force to be called in to carry out independent investigations.

SHIPPING NEWS

K

eeping an eye on the comings and goings of the ships in St. John’s Harbour. Information provided by the Coast Guard Traffic Centre.

MONDAY, SEPT. 19 Vessels arrived: Maersk Norseman, Canada, from Hibernia; Mona Lisa, Bahamas, from Iceland; Burin Sea, Canada, from Terra Nova.

Vessels departed: Oceanex Avalon, Canada, to Montreal; Ann Harvey, Canada, to sea; Ocean Concorde, Canada, to Long Pond.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 20 Vessels arrived: ASL Sanderling; Canada, from Halifax; Atlantic Eagle, Canada, from Terra Nova.

Vessels departed: Zuiho Mary 88, Japan, to fishing; Maersk Norseman, Canada, to Hibernia; Gulf Spirit 1, Canada, to Orphan Basin; Matthew, Canada, to Labrador Coast; ASL Sanderling, Canada, to Halifax; Mona Lisa, Bahamas, to Charlottetown.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 21 Vessels arrived: Sea Princess; Bermuda, from Greenland.

Vessels departed: Sea Princess, Bermuda, to New York.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 22 Vessels arrived: Maersk Challenger, Canada, from White Rose; Leonard J. Cowley, Canada, from Conception Bay; Cabot, Canada, from Montreal; Atlantic Osprey, Canada, from White Rose; Maersk Chignecto, Canada, from Bay Bulls; Polar Star, Barbados, from St. Anthony.

Vessels departed: Atlantic Eagle, Canada, to Terra Nova Field.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 23 Vessels arrived: Burin Sea, Canada from Terra Nova; Maersk Placentia, Canada from White Rose; Anticosti, Canada, from Orphan Basin; Cicero, Canada, from Halifax; Maersk Nascopie, Canada, from Hibernia; Atlantic Kingfisher, Canada, from Terra Nova.

Vessels departed: Maersk Challenger, Canada, to White Rose; Cabot, Canada, to Montreal; Taurus, Estonia, Canada, to Flemish Cap; Anticosti, Canada, to Orphan Basin; Polar Star, Barbados, to Trinity.

GENERAL MANAGER John Moores john.moores@theindependent.ca AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1C 5X4 Ph: 709-726-4639 • Fax: 709-726-8499 Website: www.theindependent.ca

OPERATIONS CONSULTANT Wilson Hiscock wilson.hiscock@theindependent.ca

CIRCULATION MANAGER Derek Frampton derek.frampton@theindependent.ca

PRODUCTION MANAGER John Andrews john.andrews@theindependent.ca

sales@theindependent.ca • production@theindependent.ca • circulation@theindependent.ca

Johanna Ryan Guy

Paul Daly/The Independent

‘Still numb, still numb’

One year later, sinking of Ryan’s Commander remains fresh wound

By Alisha Morrissey The Independent

J

ohanna Ryan Guy says there are more questions than answers in the year since her two brothers died on the Ryan’s Commander while fishing off Bonavista.

“Horrible — just the year of things … every week you’re finding out something new or you’ve unveiled something that you didn’t know,” Ryan Guy tells The Independent.

The federal Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has yet to release a final report into the Sept. 19, 2004 tragedy.

Ryan Guy says she and her family won’t have any relief until they have answers.

“I’ve discovered with the TSB that sometimes you have to provoke, you have to know what questions to ask, you have to dig and they will tell you things … because if you ask a question they have to answer you.”

The Ryan’s Commander sank near Bonavista a year ago, taking the lives of brothers David and Joseph (June) Ryan. Captain Ronald Furlong and three crewmembers were rescued — Richard Brown, Don Brown and Jamie Aylward.

In the months following the tragedy, the family questioned the safety of the Ryan’s Commander — a snub nose, 64 foot, 11-inch vessel. The snub nose is a vessel class created by federal regulations that stipulate a length of less than 65 feet. Fishermen have long questioned the design of the vessels, built outwards and upwards. The result is a top-heavy, box-like boat.

Months after the sinking, the federal Transportation Department released a safety bulletin that suggested the sinking of the Ryan’s Commander was, at least in part, the crew’s fault for having a stabilization tank they didn’t know

how to use. The department is now looking at creating new rules that will see all vessels mandated for stability in all conditions.

Ryan Guy says the final report will include a list of safety recommendations. She says some changes have already been made to make life on the water safer. She says she’s happy about that, adding she still has to put up with the occasional phone call telling her to “shut-up.

“You would hope, but no matter what you do some people never learn.

“A year is really not going to make any difference because you’re still going to miss them as much.

You’re still going to be as angry as you are about the circumstances around it.”

Johanna Ryan Guy There’s some risk takers and there’s some naysayers — there’s a lot of people over the period of time who’d wished I’d shut up and some even called me here.”

Ryan Guy says it was only last week she discovered more information about that day.

“They were out there — they were out there a little bit better than an hour, but it is just things,” Ryan Guy says, starting to cry into the telephone. “I don’t want to belittle in any way the bravery of the SAR (Search and Rescue) techs and what they did

because one really doesn’t have anything to do with the other, but there were things that happened that should not have happened.”

She says she’s not allowed to discuss the “things” until the investigator’s report is released. Ryan Guy says the report was supposed to be finished four months ago, but it’s been reviewed and changed several times.

Ryan Guy says the family comes together for “the b’ys” birthdays, anniversaries and other holidays.

“Still numb, still numb. They say after one year the next year is a year of rebuilding, but we’ll have to see.

Nobody seems to be coping extremely well.”

She says some of the family went to Bonavista after the memorial service last week and the wives of Dave and Joseph leased a new boat this year — Ronald Furlong (captain of the Ryan’s Commander) runs it for them.

“One of the big things he said was ‘This is my life and I’ve got a lot of things invested in it’ … he said to turn your back on this now with everything invested I really don’t think that’s what the boys would want.

“I can’t imagine what he felt when he first went around Bonavista.”

Ryan Guy credits her brother’s widows with being the strongest women she’s ever met.

“A year is really not going to make any difference because you’re still going to miss them as much. You’re still going to be as angry as you are about the circumstances around it. Can you imagine being in that life raft and thinking someone’s coming, someone’s coming, any minute, any minute, any minute, any minute?

“We will always be eternally grateful for who survived but we will always question why couldn’t they have gotten at the others and the timing.”

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 5

Accused of covering up Mount Cashel, Penney again holding mass in St. John’s

By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

A

Alphonsus Penney

lphonsus Penney, who resigned from his post as Archbishop of the diocese of St. John’s in 1991 amidst accusations of covering up sexual abuse at Mount Cashel orphanage, is once again celebrating mass in the capital city.

Penney — who still holds the title Bishop Emeritus and lives in St. Patrick’s Mercy Home in St. John’s — presided over a mass earlier this month to celebrate the new term at St. Bonaventure’s College, a private school.

Penney disappeared from public view after he was criticized by an internal church commission for failing to respond to multiple complaints of sexual abuse of children within his diocese.

During the 1990s nine Christian Brothers, the order running Mount Cashel, were convicted of sexual and physical abuse of boys at the orphanage. At least 60 claims for compensation against the order remain active.

Penney was later found liable of negligence by the Supreme Court of Canada in another abuse scandal, which occurred in St. George’s diocese on Greg Locke/Straylight the island’s west coast.

In a 2000 civil suit he was accused of failing to Penney is still “active” in the diocese, Davis report abuse by a priest convicted of sexual says, conducting mass on a regular basis for the assault, after learning about it in 1979.

Sisters of Mercy and occasionally in St. Patrick’s Father Vernon Boyd, principal of St. parish when extra help is needed.

Bonaventure’s College, says he asked Penney to She says Penney conducted mass at St. preside over the school mass Bonaventure’s as a former with “full permission” from student, under the request of current St. John’s Archbishop, the principal.

Brendan O’Brien.

“He wasn’t there represent“ … there are all kinds “I would say it was most ing the archbishop or the dioappropriate,” Boyd tells The cese in any official capacity.” of reasons for feeling Independent. “He’s a graduate Geoff Budden, a St. John’s that he wasn’t a fit and of St. Bon’s.” lawyer representing many Maxine Davis, a spokesvictims of the Mount Cashel proper person to lead woman for the archdiocese, abuse scandal, says although the archdiocese …” says although Penney left St. he didn’t realize Penney was John’s for a short while after active as a priest, he did know he resigned in 1991, he soon he was still residing in St. Geoff Budden returned and took up resiJohn’s. dence in St. Patrick’s Mercy “The archbishop position is Home for retired members of a leadership position and the church. there are all kinds of reasons for feeling that he “After he resigned, he took some time and did wasn’t a fit and proper person to lead the archdiosome spiritual development courses,” she says. cese, but I don’t think it necessarily follows that “(He) spent some time in the United States and he’s not a fit and proper person to conduct a relithen came back here.” gious service.”

‘Best process they ever had’ Mail-in ballot system defended; province would never adopt it

By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

F

orget the mail-in ballot argument about potential security breaches and votes going astray, for as St. John’s Mayor Andy Wells says, “No system is fool proof.”

Perhaps what city residents are really irritated about is the lack of choice surrounding their 2005 local, municipal election votes.

“I think the opportunity of not being able to vote in any other way, other than by mail, some people are finding frustrating and even distasteful,” Wayne Green, the province’s chief electoral officer, tells The Independent.

He adds Newfoundlanders and Labradorians often view polling day as a social occasion.

“A lot of people like to get out on voting day and vote the old fashioned way … they’ve been doing it for years and years and years and no matter what other options might be available to them, they don’t want them.”

The current mail-in system, which has been used twice previously in St. John’s (in the 2001 election and a following by-election), has been under constant attack in past weeks. Claims of ballots turning up for dead or absent people — or not turning up at all — have been rife.

“I think a lot of the controversy around the mail-in ballots are much ado about nothing,” says Wells.

“I believe that we have, probably, the most accurate enumeration system of either of the two other levels, federal or provincial.”

CENSUS YEAR The city acquired its ballot list from Elections Newfoundland and Labrador.

The province’s listing system was recently changed and Green says the information is constantly being updated through various means such as Revenue Canada’s income tax records, motor vehicle registration records, and birth, deaths and marriages. He adds 2006 will be a “census year.”

Despite the greater simplicity and cost savings of the mail-in system (Wells hazards the city has probably saved around $100,000), Green says the province will never adopt it.

“We sense no groundswell of support for a total mail-in ballot system. I think if we announced that as a provincial initiative it would not be well received … I think there would be strong objection.”

That said, Green admits he found the method of voting to be convenient and unproblematic.

Breathe through a straw for 60 seconds.

That’s what breathing is like with cystic fibrosis.

No wonder so many people with CF stop breathing in their early 30s.

Please help us.

1-800-378-CCFF • www.cysticfibrosis.ca

“Mail-in ballots provide that convenience. It’s worked fine for me.”

Wells says out of the 75,000 ballots mailed to the residents of St. John’s, roughly 4,000 have been returned to sender. He estimates, overall, a 10 per cent margin of error in the process.

“The only reason the mail-in ballot is there is because I drove it,” he says. “I mean, I thought it was a great idea when the post office crowd came to me back in ’98 or ’99 … our staff looked at it and thought it was a great idea and we took it to council.”

DISTURBING PHOTO Canada Post was disturbed by a recent photograph, headlined Votes for the taking?, in last week’s Independent, however. It showed mail boxes in the lobby of a downtown apartment building with a neatly stacked wad of ballot forms resting on top. The forms were placed there by residents who had received them incorrectly.

Eugene Hughie, a Canada Post collections and delivery supervisor in St. John’s, says “that’s the normal process.

“There is an argument for mail being left out in the open, because you could have taken that down, ticked off the people you wanted to vote for and put it back in the system and it would have gone back and nobody would be any the wiser. But the percentage of that, to cause harm, would be miniscule.”

He adds he thinks the mail-in system is “the best process they ever had.”

Neil Martin, City Clerk, agrees. He says although participation (as of Sept.

22) has not been as strong as hoped so far, the city is anticipating a last minute influx.

Down to the wire: candidate for councillor at large Patrick Hanlon does last minute campaigning in St. John’s.

He says the first mail-in ballot election in 2001 garnered extensive criticism and he expects the same issues will be raised in 2009.

“It’s like any process. We’ll do a full post election review and where we have

clearly identified needs for changes, we will implement the changes.”

Wells says he’s not worried about mail-in fraud allegations or fingerpointing occurring as a result of any close races when the winners are

Paul Daly/The Independent

announced.

“In this day and age, you’d have to have some brass to actually deliberately try to counsel or organize a fraud on the voters, because the penalties are very extreme.”

6 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

Perspective A

bout a year ago, we sat as the management of The Independent and sketched out a vision of what we wanted the newspaper to become. Through format changes and the added editorial and features, we planned to make the publication a part of our reader’s weekly routine.

Whether it be on Sunday, or saved for reading sessions over the week, we wanted The Independent more than anything else to be an entertaining and informative look at what’s happening in Newfoundland and Labrador, and give our circulation base a number of different perspectives from which to view our province.

A year later I am pretty happy with what we have been able to create.

There were some added bonuses in there, not the least of which was the highest honour in Canadian journalism, a Michener nomination, earlier this year, and some Atlantic Canadian accolades, and even a chance to sponsor a group of young rowers who upset the established crews to win the St. John’s Regatta — thereby giving us a

BRIAN DOBBIN

Publish or perish

chance to stand on the podium and celebrate without attending any early morning practices, and giving us a medal from North America’s oldest sporting event to hang on our office wall.

Slowly but surely we have been able to work our way into the new emerging culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, and although we still have a way to go, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel towards becoming a standalone, profitable, provincially owned newspaper. We have planned quite a celebration for our break-even party, and are looking at venues to book before the year’s end.

Last spring a group of four young men took the time and commitment to create a huge pink, white and green tri-

colour and erect it on a large pole on the southside hills overlooking St. John’s harbour.

Given that we look out of our office window every day at these same hills, we decided that our new ads this fall would feature those young men and their motivation.

PRIDE AND OPTIMISM When I heard the comments that they made in the taping of our commercial, it became apparent to me that their biggest motivation was pride ... pride and optimism. Not pride at what we have accomplished to date, but pride in what we are capable of accomplishing. Optimism that they may not have to leave this province to make successful careers and lives. As one said — “I want to fight like hell to stay here.”

I saw in our paper last week that there is now an online petition to change the provincial flag to the Pink, White and Green (www.pinkwhitegreen.ca). There is no argument from me on that one — does anyone really

get stirred at the geometric patterns and colours that are now our official flag? I believe also that the tri-colour is not as much a statement on the history of the banner, but rather on the future of this place. Ten years ago I started my business here to invest in the future and our ability to create successful industry. A decade later I have lost a small bit of the naiveté that is so important to any real change, and have gained a lot of perspective from outside of the country on what we could become.

This column has been my effort to put some of this perspective in the public domain, and over the last year I have had efforts that I felt did a good job of expressing these viewpoints. I have found, however, that having a deadline to meet each week leads to throwing every opinion I have into a column, and to be perfectly honest, not all of my opinions need to be expressed every week. I actually regret writing the CBC column. Not that my opinion has changed dramatically given the feedback I have received, but

rather that I was insensitive to people worrying about their job future, and if I had a list of 100 things I wanted changed, restructuring the CBC would not be on it. That column and its effects were a good reminder to me about the power of the media, and how valuable this space can be to bring different perspectives to the people of this province.

So faithful reader, I have decided to open this page up to other opinions. I will continue to write irregularly about issues, but we will be asking guest columnists for well written and presented perspectives on topics that are of interest to us as a people. The only caveat we have is that if you are going to put the words on paper, put your face next to it.

The paper also receives every week a number of well-written letters that we would like to highlight. We welcome submissions, and given they have some time on their hands, I would hope someone at the CBC can give us a well prepared opinion of less than 1,000 words.

YOUR VOICE Canadian Idol: ‘It’s hard not to feel like you don’t count’ Dear editor, If no one here in Newfoundland will take the risk of being called a sore loser, I will.

I’m not from the Rock. I’m not even Canadian.

I know Newfoundlanders are strong enough to fend for themselves, but I’ve witnessed too much fear around me of being mocked for not taking defeat gracefully that I thought I could step up and take the blame. I don’t care.

God forbid that I should take sides in the Canadian Idol contest, I mean express a preference for Melissa (O’Neil) or Rex (Goudie) — they’re both fine young people I’m sure, and good singers, too. I didn’t follow the whole season. In fact, I don’t even care much for that kind of show. So who I prefer or not is not the point at all.

But Melissa O’Neil is the viewers’ choice ? Well, well...

A group of friends and I congregated in St. John’s on Sept. 13 to watch the show and vote for our favorite contender, Rex Goudie, of course. When the time to vote came, everyone took their phones, cellular or home phone and punched in the number for Rex. We tried and tried and tried again.

None of us got through. Ever.

At 12:30 a.m., we all went home, and tried again on the way back, but no luck.

When we met the next evening to watch the final show, everyone recounted their late voting endeavours, and total lack of success.

In all fairness, one of us did get through at exactly 12:57 a.m. the night before and voted for Rex. That’s one in 12 people who tried consistently for two hours. The whole city was abuzz with similar stories.

Statistically, it’s pathetic. Bell Canada was pitiful. But for Sexy Rexie, it’s downright outrageous.

When (Ben) Mulroney said it was the closest vote ever on Canadian Idol, everyone in the room prayed secretly that their lost vote had not done Rex in.

What if he lost by 10 votes? I guess we’ll never know the figures, but we’ll forever be under the impression that he didn’t get a fair chance of winning and that we failed him, somehow, however unwittingly.

If Newfoundlanders can’t even vote for a Canadian Idol, well, it’s hard not to feel like you don’t count.

Jacques Cezanne, St. John’s

‘At the CBC where I work …’

Dear editor, Boy, would I like to work at the CBC described by Brian Dobbin and Ryan Cleary — the one where employees get 14 weeks holiday per year, and are home every night in time for supper with the kids.

At the CBC where I work (or at least did, before the lockout) we get three weeks holiday a year. After eight years of employment, we get four weeks of holidays. And after 20 years on the job, we are rewarded with five weeks of holidays. Of course, if CBC management gets its way and begins to hire mainly contract employees, in the future very few people will last eight years at the corp.

As for getting home each night in time for supper with the kids … yeah, sure, if supper is at 9 p.m. or later. After round after round of budget cuts and layoffs, regional broadcasting has been cut to the bone, and the quality of our pro-

grams has been maintained only through the dedication of employees who believe strongly in public broadcasting. And this means all too many are working long hours without claiming the overtime to which they are entitled.

If they do manage to get home the odd time for supper with the kids, it probably means they will have to go back to the station after supper, or spend several hours on the computer at home.

And another thing: Ryan Cleary is wrong when he implies that lockedout workers were told they could not write for The Independent. This is not true. However, there may be individual picketers who have chosen not to write for the paper, in light of the recent editorials ... as they have every right to do.

Kathy Porter, Locked out CBC employee St. John’s

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1C 5X4 Ph: 709-726-4639 • Fax: 709-726-8499 www.theindependent.ca • editorial@theindependent.ca The 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.

PUBLISHER Brian Dobbin MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Cleary SENIOR EDITOR Stephanie Porter PICTURE EDITOR Paul Daly

All material in The Independent is copyrighted and the property of The Independent or the writers and photographers who produced the material. Any use or reproduction of this material without permission is prohibited under the Canadian Copyright Act. • © 2005 The Independent • Canada Post Agreement # 40871083

The 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 Independent, P.O. Box 5891, Station C, St. John’s, NL, A1C 5X4 or e-mail us at editorial@theindependent.ca

Pain and prosperity T

his new Newfoundland and Labrador is no easy place to live in.

Yes b’y, it’s great that we’re trying to do more for ourselves, demanding more from the Canadian federation and the private corporations that do business here, but there’s a price to be paid for such maturity.

Just ask the people of Stephenville and Grand Falls-Windsor — who got their comeuppance this week. They’ll tell you tales of worry and woe, of uncertainty and change. They’re the ones paying, at this particular moment, for our newfound airs and attitude.

Four hundred well-paying jobs aren’t easy to come by beyond the overpass (tell a bayman something he doesn’t know).

It would be so easy for government to give in to Abitibi’s demands and keep the Stephenville mill up and running and a second paper machine going full-tilt in Grand FallsWindsor.

No problem at all: simply hand over the $455 million the company was looking for in the first place and move on. Let our kids worry about paying the price for our present day prosperity. It’s not like that hasn’t been done before.

There are some — fathers trying to feed their families, for starters — who would have government do just that. And who can blame them?

(Imagine the pressure on local politicians. Bets are Stephenville’s MHA and cabinet minister Joan Burke has her boss on speed dial.)

Our history is littered with giveaways and give-ins, but the buck apparently stops with Danny. Abitibi asked for the moon and the premier wasn’t prepared to give it (at least not the kind of moon that hangs in the late September sky).

More power to him — jobs are sacred here, but they’re not priceless.

It’s not worth selling the shop for a job in the shop — that makes no sense.

Can you believe it: the day finally came when little old Newfoundland

RYAN CLEARY

Fighting Newfoundlander fought off a rape.

What must Abitibi think of us at all?

We’re supposed to be easy — at least that’s the reputation that precedes us.

Danny’s standoff with the prime minister changed that. Now it’s Abitibi’s turn to be taught, although there’s more to it than that.

The Stephenville operation began as a linerboard mill in 1972 with a breath of life in the form of $140 million from the Newfoundland government. The venture failed, closing five years later. Soon after Abitibi picked it up for a song and converted it into a newsprint mill.

Our history is littered with give-aways and give-ins, but the buck apparently stops with Danny. Abitibi asked for the moon and the premier wasn’t prepared to give it (at least not the kind of moon that hangs in the late September sky) That’s all well and good, except for the small detail there’s no wood supply for Stephenville and the price of electricity is through the roof. The question must be asked: is the Stephenville mill an artificial industry?

The jobs and people most definitely aren’t artificial; neither is the pay or the bread and butter in the middle of the table or the tears that fall for the future.

But is the industry a sustainable

one? If it’s not, how far should government go to prop it up? Should life support, in the form of an expensive taxpayer subsidy, be hooked up to its arm?

It’s one thing for Danny to say Abitibi is being unreasonable in demanding too much but — from a strictly business perspective — is Stephenville worth saving? Are our efforts best directed towards keeping two paper machines going in GrandFalls Windsor?

Forget facing facts — that’s getting ahead of ourselves. Do we have the nerve to pose the questions?

Another one: is Danny right to hold timber rights over Abitibi’s head? Is that the way to attract business — do what Newfoundland says or else? Is that the right message to send to the world?

It’s one thing to face off against the prime minister — to tell the federal government where to go — quite another to tell the business community to screw off. Especially when there are opportunities elsewhere; paper mill towns — ones whose mills have closed — are a dime a dozen.

Newfoundland and Labrador may be 500 years old, but it’s immature for its age — primarily because our growth was stunted. (Livyers were shot on sight for the first few hundred years.)

This fall, while Danny takes on Abitibi, another fight is brewing with Ottawa over the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board and who gets to control it.

At the same time, hundreds of make-work projects — the brush cutting and fence painting, rock lifting and cemetery shining — continue on as they have for decades.

It takes a long time for a nation/province to mature and the growing pains are intense. Are we strong enough to survive them?

Ryan Cleary is managing editor of The Independent. ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 7

‘Hey St. John’s, laugh this off’ Between mail-in ballot and candidates not doing their homework, capital city politics hurting

P

retend you are Paul Martin.

Things are looking so much better these days. Stephen Harper is more and more a walking joke. The Gomery scandal is a ho-hum issue with most people in the country. You’re riding high in the polls and looking forward to an election that you might — just maybe — survive. Life is good.

And, like any good politician, you have a good memory. Your mind drifts back to a time when things weren’t so good.

Like last winter. Just when things couldn’t get worse, some puffed up little nobody from an obscure part of the country held you public hostage over a resource deal you had made in haste.

The guy lowered the Canadian flag.

The TV was full of images of cheering Townies. This guy humiliated you in front of your cabinet. He humiliated you in front of your party. He humiliated you in front of the country. They loved every minute, those folks in St. John’s. You had to give in. It wasn’t any fun.

Now you get this wicked idea. So those people in St. John’s cheered as they let their premier humiliate me, eh?

YOUR VOICE ‘What’s in the Tetley Teapot?’

Dear editor, Let’s privatize the CBC, The Independent says. The private sector can do it better.

Agreed. What have we need of CBC Radio’s local Weekend Arts Magazine when we can have James St. James, the real Jimmy Hollywood? Why do we want On The Go, Radio Noon and the Fisheries Broadcast, when we can have Radio Biography and American Top 40?

Why would we wish to listen to Ideas, As It Happens, Between The Covers, Quirks and Quarks or a host of awardwinning documentaries when we can challenge ourselves intellectually by trying to determine What’s in the Tetley Teapot?

What do we want with CBC TV’s history of Land and Sea, Random Passage, All Around The Circle, Ryan’s Fancy, Up At Ours, CODCO, Wonderful Grand Band, Where Once They Stood and the rest when we can have all the quality Newfoundland historical programs, documentaries, art, literature, music and variety shows, dramas and comedies that have been produced by Geoff Stirling over these many years?

The programming of VOCM, CHOZ and NTV are shining examples of what the private Newfoundland broadcasters, so committed to this place, have done for Newfoundland radio and television.

How can the CBC possibly compare? It boggles the mind.

David Benson, Tors Cove

IVAN MORGAN

Rant & reason I’ll show them. Revenge is a dish best served cold. You get on the phone, and you phone the capital city’s mayor, and you make him an offer he can’t refuse.

You offer to overrule any selection committee and directly appoint him the chair of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board, a position he covets. But you add a condition: he has to resign from the mayoral campaign. Today.

Guess who that makes mayor? For four years. You smile an evil smile to yourself, “Hey St. John’s, laugh this off.”

OK, so thank God I’m not prime minister. The fact remains that St. John’s municipal politics shouldn’t be a joke. And it is.

Municipal politics is the breeding ground for future provincial and federal politicians. Many famous politicians

got their start in municipal politics. Just as important, a lot of people’s political careers are mercifully ended in municipal politics, before they can do any real damage.

But with the deplorable state of municipal politics today, the future for politics in Newfoundland looks bleak.

It’s like the fishery. How can we rebuild the stocks if we keep destroying the breeding grounds? To mix my metaphors, who will be our sleek and fat provincial and federal politicians in 10 years if we kill the small fry today?

And those fry who do survive — such an obviously undersized and sickly lot.

I, and 12 other people, watched the St. John’s Candidates Forum recently on Cable 9. Even by our standards it was a dismal showing. Where to start?

First off — Rex Goudie is a tough act to follow.

In deference to the egos and feelings of the individuals who participated, I will use no names, but for those who didn’t see it, let me recap. Some of the candidates were well spoken and bor-

ing. That, as it turned out, was the best you could hope for. Some of the candidates tanked. I sat in my little home, alone (no one would watch it with me) squirming in embarrassment. I do not enjoy seeing other people choke in their moment of truth. Some of the candidates were so terrified that they were actually kind of sweet. Not so sweet that anyone in their right mind would ever vote for them, but sweet in a thanks-for-coming-out kind of way.

One or two candidates promised to change the way things were done at City Hall, and then went on to use as examples things that are already done — and done very well — at City Hall.

One candidate showed up late, for Pete’s sake! That doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Why would you run for office if you are afraid of public speaking? I don’t take flying lessons because I have a deathly fear of up. Why would you rail about changing things that don’t need changing? Shouldn’t candidates do their homework? Andy Wells didn’t even show up. Who could blame him?

What a mess. Add to that the fact the

mail-in ballot is a disgrace. It is based on the kind of voters’ list you’d expect from a bureaucracy. It is a clear violation of the basic democratic rights of the electorate of St. John’s. It even discourages political debate — an essential for democracy.

And where are the women candidates in St. John’s? Could it be possible that 52 per cent of the population is just endowed with more sense? It is beginning to look that way.

This would all be funny if it wasn’t so serious. Democracy is a precious thing to me. Between disinterest and disgust, a lot of people are opting out of the process.

This is very, very bad. We need people to be involved in the democratic process. It might be a tired cliché to invoke the brave men and women who fought in the Second World War, but the fact remains that they had a clear idea of what they were fighting and dying for.

I’m guessing this wasn’t it.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com

REX, YOU DEVIL

Rex Goudie sings the Ode to Newfoundland before the Fog Devils’ home opener at Mile One Sept. 23. Premier Danny Williams (left) and team owner Derm Dobbin (right) applaud his performance — and the start of a new hockey season.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Need for Quebec-style change

World Wildlife Fund: good intentions but misinformed

Dear editor, Whenever a dispute occurs with Ottawa, it generates a knee-jerk reaction among certain people here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Without analyzing certain facts, there are a few of us who call for acts of defiance and threats for us to sever our ties with Canada.

However, the reality indicates the hopelessness of such thoughts. We entered Confederation without a cent of public debt. Actually, we had $40 million in our public treasury and Newfoundlanders had cash at home and in banks and owed little.

On the verge of Confederation, Newfoundland was invaded by the media of central Canada to explore ways to exploit this naïve province and the preaching and brainwashing has never ceased to use more and more consumer credit and buy more and more Canadian manufactured goods.

Now our provincial government

Dear editor, I attended the World Wildlife Fund press conference at the Delta in St. John’s on Sept. 20.

It was as I suspected. This is a world-recognized organization that has taken on a project without any real knowledge of the depth of the problem — why groundfish stocks such as cod have failed to recover.

Firstly, they talked about a bycatch problem but when asked how they arrived at their conclusions or the extent of their research, they really didn’t have an intelligent answer.

It’s a real shame that this wellknown organization has been misled and misguided. The WWF has such a narrow view of what is the most serious problem facing Newfoundland and Labrador today. Never mind the fishery problems around the world that federal Fisheries Minister Geoff Regan talks about rectifying with a world crusade — Canada can’t man-

owes billions of dollars; individuals are buried in debt; our own investments are sent abroad while we beg for foreign capital to exploit our natural resources.

Therefore, it’s not a break away from Canada we need, but a dramatic cultural change similar to that through which Quebec went in recent times. We need a concerted effort to build up savings and equity capital under the umbrella of an indigenous and comprehensive corporation that would be the engine of economic development supported by governments, local institutions and the general citizenry.

It is my fervent prayer that the local media would encourage financial literacy among our people, avoid empty sensationalism and political rhetoric toward an impossible dream, when there is one concrete objective that is practical, feasible and desirable, requiring a refined vision and a developed common will.

Nelson Bennett, Pasadena

age Gulf cod stocks.

To talk about restoring fisheries in 45 years time has to be some kind of sick joke. Bycatch is one thing — what about the fact that every Canadian and foreign trawler landing in our ports is trans-shipping every pound of turbot, redfish and yellowtails in a round state to markets around the world — and between 50 and 80 per cent is undersized, too young to reproduce.

Permission is actually granted by the province to trans-ship. Worse, DFO — the fishery manager — allows the practice to continue. What about continued seismic blasting that every fisherman knows is affecting fish stocks? What about foreign owners paying bonuses to shippers and crews who catch moratoria fish?

What about NAFO’s objection procedure that allows member countries to ignore quotas and set their own?

What about the lack of appropriate

regulations, enforcement and punitive measures against foreign vessels that commit infractions? What about seals?

Why didn’t the WWF present its findings to the NAFO meeting in Tallinn, Estonia — which is being held as far away from Canada as DFO and NAFO could get it. Ask yourself this: why aren’t NAFO meetings held in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, where the pirate fishing practices NAFO condones are destroying a way of life.

During the news conference, the suggestion was made to the WWF to get its facts straight and stop taking advice from ill-informed sources, ones with other fish to fry. No doubt, the WWF is doing some good around the world, but when they’re misled they look like lame ducks.

Gus Etchegary, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s

8 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

Dare to compare John Crosbie says province has few things in common with Alberta Editor’s note: John Crosbie, career politician and Independent columnist, was scheduled to deliver a speech on Saturday (Sept. 24) in Calgary to alumni and friends of Memorial University. The following are statistics and excerpts from his speech, entitled: The Calgary/Newfoundland and Labrador Connection and some not so well known facts about the History of Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Newfoundland and Labrador accounts for about 12 per cent of Canada’s crude oil production. Oil production accounts for about 17 per cent of the province’s gross domestic product (GDP), the sum of all goods and services produced.

• Alberta is the leading producer of crude oil, accounting for almost 70 per cent of Canadian production. Oil production accounts for about 13 per cent of Alberta’s GDP. • Newfoundland and Labrador’s total remaining oil reserves are estimated at almost 1.5 billion barrels, with a current estimate of about six billion barrels in undiscovered oil resources.

• In Alberta, there are an estimated 174 billion barrels of heavy oil remaining in established reserves, with the ultimate potential of the oil sands reserve estimated at about 310 billion barrels.

• In 2004, employment in “mining and oil and gas extraction” in Newfoundland and Labrador peaked at all-time high of 6,100 jobs, accounting for 2.8 per cent of total provincial employment.

• In Alberta, employment in “mining and oil and gas extraction” last year peaked to an all-time high of 106,800 jobs, accounting for 6.1 per cent of total provincial employment.

• Since the first well in 1966, 287 wells

have been drilled on the Grand Banks (including development and side-track wells at Hibernia, Terra Nova and White Rose). Of those, 130 have been exploration wells.

Exploration expenditures have totaled over $4.5 billion to the end of 2003. Some $800 million in exploration commitments are on the books.

• Alberta has had record levels of drilling activity in recent years. Total wells drilled (including development, exploratory and dry and service wells) exceeded 20,000 in 2004.

In the period 1997 to 2004 about 110,000 wells were drilled.

• During the 15-year period from 1989 to 2004, Newfoundland and Labrador had a net loss of 65,931 people due to inter-provincial migration. Of those people, 21,070 or 32 per cent migrated to Alberta.

• “Newfoundland has some similarities to Alberta today as a result of the oil and gas developments off the east coast of Canada on the continental shelf … which would mostly not be a Canadian resource if Newfoundland had not joined Canada in 1949.”

• Under the old Atlantic Accord, 12 cents of every tax dollar from the oil sector went to Newfoundland and Labrador, while 88 cents went to the rest of Canada.

Under the new arrangement, Newfoundland and Labrador receives half of every dollar, with the other half going to the Government of Canada.

• “We can understand where Alberta and the west comes from and the attitudes they have with respect to the way in which the Government of Canada sometimes works in responding to the centre of Canada in Ontario and Quebec with their preponderance of power because of numbers, geographical location and economic circumstances.”

Crab plan no more?

Fishermen say changes coming for next year’s crab fishery

By Alisha Morrissey The Independent

YOUR VOICE ‘Do we have to privatize … everything?’

Dear editor, Why do even so-called humanitarian capitalists — as your publisher professes to be — feel such a strong desire to abolish public institutions? It appears to be at the top of their hierarchy of needs (well, at least in second place). After the desire for wealth, perhaps — created, of course, to benefit society as a whole. They see public health care, public parks, public broadcasting, etc., as obstacles to their making more and more money. Your publisher’s particular animosity is toward the CBC. While your managing editor has tried to distance himself from this right-wing view, for the sake of journalistic integrity, I suppose — I see little difference between his view and his publisher’s. Brian Dobbin, quite simply, wishes the CBC dead; Ryan Cleary, in living up to his epithet, Fighting Newfoundlander, would like to see it drastically, violently changed —not quite dead but “beaten to within an inch of its pompous life and left to die in a ditch.” He envisions (I think) some new and improved version resulting from this application of what you might call “market forces” — leaner, meaner, and wiser.

Some would say this assault on the CBC’s life has been going on for the past 20 years, beginning with the Mulroney government in 1984. And why does Mr. Cleary’s approach sound so familiar?

Perhaps it reminds me of the present foreign policy of a certain country to the south (referred to by Mr. Dobbin as “the democratic light in the world,” though he has serious reservations about both its domestic and foreign policies.) Democracy

Paul Daly/The Independent

I

is coming to a ditch near you, whether you want it or not. If The Independent were to become a country (not an entirely fanciful notion), Mr. Cleary would surely be its secretary of state.

Please look around you, Mr. Dobbin and Mr. Cleary: most commercial radio and television is a wasteland. CBC TV itself has been seriously undermined, having to depend on advertising revenue for over 40 per cent of its operating budget. Even Mr. Cleary admits this. “The quality just isn’t there,” he says — the understatement of the month. And he sees the CBC as a model in other ways: journalists are paid “close to what they’re worth.” They’re even given time to eat lunch and supper! In fact, I think that at heart Mr. Cleary admires the CBC, and would love to work there. Indeed, his views overall are contradictory and illogical. As are those of Mr. Dobbin, who would like his CBC tax dollars used to support health care and education. Is not the sort of quality broadcast journalism provided almost exclusively by the CBC — in-depth, investigative reporting, informed opinion — educational? Not to mention its broad and excellent arts programming.

In conclusion, I would like to ask (financial innocent that I am): do we have to privatize, to corporatize, everything, even public institutions? I applaud the CBC workers for drawing a line in the pavement to oppose this dispiriting ideological agenda. I, for one, am behind them all the way.

Paul Bowdring, St. John’s

t appears Richard Cashin, former head of the province’s largest fishermen’s union, won’t be writing a glowing review of the controversial Raw Materials Sharing plan (RMS).

In a Sept. 7 meeting with east coast fishermen and their union, Cashin reportedly recommended against the use of a RMS plan for next year’s crab fishery.

Cashin was appointed chair of a group tasked by the provincial government with evaluating the plan. His report was expected by the end of October, although a delay may mean it won’t be ready until the end of the year.

Under the controversial plan, crab prices are determined by an independent firm and the amount of fish processed at each plant is capped.

Fishermen say the new system gives total control to processors, while government says the plan will create stability.

OPPOSITION TO PLAN Harvesters have opposed the plan since it was unveiled by the province on April 7 and staged protests — including blocking off the entrances to several harbours around the island’s east coast and selling their catches to Nova Scotia.

Ross Petten, a shrimp and crab fisherman from Port de Grave, says he attended the Sept. 7 meeting with a group of fishermen representing the eastern region of the province. According to Petten, during the meeting Cashin said he would be submitting his review to the province suggesting the RMS plan be changed to find a compromise between fishermen and plants.

“I don’t know what he (Cashin) is going to find that’s going to make everyone a little bit happy between the processor and the harvester, but I mean as far as he’s concerned RMS didn’t work and he’s not going down that road if he can find some happy medium,” Petten tells The Independent.

“Not to go putting words in his (Cashin’s) mouth, but I mean he’s going to write a pretty damning report on this RMS point of view.”

Cashin didn’t return The Independent’s numerous messages by the paper’s press deadline.

Ron Sullivan, a shrimp and crab fisherman in Ferryland, calls the RMS “the worst thing that was ever even dreamt up.

“The first thing he (Cashin) told us there’ll be no Raw Material Sharing no more and he said now… there’s going to be a committee set up,” he says.

Sullivan, who also attending the meeting with Cashin, was one of the fishermen charged for blocking entry to St. John’s harbour during a spring protest of the RMS plan.

“These politicians were playing games with people’s livelihoods right. You know they’re the guys that issues the licences and they should mind their own business.”

Sullivan says the bigger processors have also given up on the plan because they want more product than the cap allows for.

“I think the processors sees now it was a bad idea — they were behind it to start off with but then when it fell apart … competition has to be there for this fishery to survive,” Sullivan says.

“It’s going to be an interesting winter … we’re all very curious.”

David Decker, secretary-treasurer for the Fish, Food and Allied Workers’ (FFAW) union, says the meeting with Cashin was a “blunt discussion.

“It was absolutely fair that from an industry perspective that this could not work and would not work,” Decker says. “I think it was pretty clear in terms of discussion between the committee and our committee and Richard that he understood the problems with this program.

“A solution can only be there if they develop a consensus within industry and this (the RMS plan) was a solution that the industry was not prepared to take it was totally one sided.”

More meetings with representatives from other areas of the province — as well as the processing sector — have been scheduled, but Decker says the position of fishermen is “pretty well unanimous.

“Anybody who looks back at this year can see nothing but devastation left in its wake and it was at a time when what we needed was to work together,” he says.

“It’s time to put this to bed … it’s never going to be accepted by harvesters and it’s time to get on with it and get some stability back in this industry.”

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 9

‘Our true colours’ Kristopher Drodge doesn’t look at a calendar when he’s aboard the offshore supply vessel where he works, but he does enjoy watching the Pink, White and Green

By Darcy MacRae The Independent

T

he time away from home can be long and sometimes strenuous, but Kristopher Drodge is proud to be working on the only Newfoundland and Labrador-owned offshore supply vessel.

The native of Torbay has been the chief officer aboard the Anticosti for six months. The ship supplies two seismic vessels, the Geco Diamond and the Western Patriot as they perform a seismic survey on the Orphan Basin, a project that could be an integral part of the future of the Newfoundland offshore.

The Anticosti brings frozen goods (groceries), engine parts, deck supplies and seismic gear to the research vessels and also fuels the ships.

Being at sea for a week at a time can be gruelling, says Drodge, especially when the crew (there are 12 on the Anticosti) begin missing their families.

One aspect of the job that keeps Drodge’s spirits high is the fact that the Anticosti is the only locally owned offshore supply vessel.

“It is unfortunate that we have to rely on non-Newfoundland companies to supply our offshore industries. I know that the Newfoundlanders that work on other offshore vessels are some of the most skilled in the world, and it would be nice to see local professionals working for locally owned vessels, and hopefully this will happen in the lifetime of our offshore industry,” Drodge tells The Independent.

“I feel that by working on the Anticosti, I am in someway contributing to the growth of Newfoundland’s interest in the offshore.”

The Anticosti has exercise equipment on board, as well as a television and radios to keep the crew occupied during down times. Drodge says crewmembers enjoy watching movies and listening to open-line radio shows and the local news to pass the time when they’re not working.

He says the close confines and long stretches at sea help crew members become good friends, a fact that makes the trips go by quickly.

“I think that with every vessel, not just the offshore, crewmembers become part of a family onboard,” Drodge days. “Sure, there are differences from time to time, but those are only part of being in confined spaces for long periods … those instances are outweighed by the times when we share stories, laugh at jokes, talk of families at home, and work together as a team.”

Even with their closeness, time at sea often seems to drag by, says Drodge.

When that happens, he refuses to even look at a calendar.

“Personally, I hate calendars. I don’t have one on the bridge and I don’t have one in my cabin,” he says. “If I need to know the date, I look in the logbook. I don’t like looking at the dates until I know I’m due off, then the countdown clock in my head starts running.”

Not only is the Anticosti the only locally owned offshore supply vessel, it is also the only ship to fly the Pink,

The Anticosti in St. John’s Harbour

White and Green. Watching the flag blow in the wind pleases Drodge, who says he couldn’t be prouder to have such a flag on the Anticosti.

“I believe that this flag is quickly

Paul Daly/The Independent

becoming part of our collective pride as Newfoundlanders,” he explains. “The Anticosti shows those colours with pride knowing that we represent hard working Newfoundlanders in an indus-

try that belongs to us.

Flying this flag is a choice that we have made to show our true colours, those of Newfoundland, its people and its future.”

star. It just doesn’t work out the same way if you’re a woman. You need stubble, sweat, danger and most importantly — groupies.

Despite attempting to be politically correct, there was never any way in hell INXS was going to appoint a woman to fill Michael Hutchence’s dearly departed, testosterone soaked shoes in their recent reality show to find a replacement. I’m just glad the spot went to J. D. Fortune, an appropriately talented, screwed-up guy from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, who before Rock Star INXS had been living in his car.

Who would have thought a boy from New Glasgow would end up heading one of the biggest bands in the world?

Maybe INXS’ upcoming tour might actually make an East Coast stop now, although hoping they might continue

past Halifax to St. John’s is probably stretching it.

One thing I really miss about no longer living in a big, central city is the concerts. During one 18-month stint in Vancouver, I must have seen at least 15 major acts perform; from Sting to the Smashing Pumpkins.

At least Pearl Jam will be at Mile One this weekend.

If you’re reading The Independent on Sunday, know that I’m flaked out somewhere in a blissful post-concert state from the night before, with raw vocal chords and sore feet, hopefully reliving a one-on-one, back stage conversation with Eddie Vedder.

It all depends if I manage to wrangle a press pass. There has to be some perks to working a normal, non-rock star job.

I want to be a male rock star

A

perfectly sane, good friend of mine from high school used to say he often felt the urge to run into the middle of a field, naked and screaming.

Just for the hell of it because it would feel good.

The funny thing (apart from the instant visual image) was I completely understood what he meant. I’ve had a few similar, irrational compulsions of my own and I’m sure (at least I hope) I’m not alone. Those times when you’re standing, staid and reverent in a serious, group situation (church, assembly, conference) and you begin to wonder what people would do if you just jumped up and started running around, yelling or singing or turning somersaults. Sometimes my feet have actually twitched and I’ve envisioned myself, hanging, poised and contemplative, over the line between normal and certifiable behaviour.

Maybe the overwhelming desire to act out once in a while is an inevitable result of living in a reserved society, full of codes of conduct and expectations of normalcy. Plus, giving vent to your lung capacity is almost like a form of therapy in itself. I’ll bet at least 50 per cent of rows between friends or family, stem from a need to let rip after a crappy week — or month, or year —

Foreign trawler cited

T

he Denmark-Faroese trawler Havborg was issued a citation earlier this month for a fishing violation on the Grand Banks.

Canadian inspectors boarded the trawler Sept. 9 while she was fishing shrimp near the nose of the Banks, handing out a citation for use of an “unauthorized device.”

A spokesman for the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans in St. John’s says the Havborg was using socalled “matting,” a piece of gear attached to the trawl that could make the net smaller than regulation size.

Thirteen foreign vessels have received 25 citations to date this year for fishing violations — surpassing the total for all of last year, which stood at 15.

Under NAFO rules, Canada cannot arrest ships for breaking the rules. Rather, it’s up to the home country of a vessel charged with illegal fishing to follow through with court action.

Over the past decade, more than 300 citations have been issued against foreign vessels. Most of the citations were issued without publicity, often against boats that have been cited frequently but face no penalty in their home country.

Fishing advocates in this province have repeatedly called for Canada to take custodial management of the Grand Banks, a move Ottawa has been reluctant to make.

Foreign fishing outside the 200-mile limit impacts fishing in Canadian waters in that groundfish stocks, which are migratory, don’t recognize the imaginary dotted line.

— Alisha Morrissey

CLARE-MARIE GOSSE Brazen of just grinning and bearing it.

I once read that Bjork goes for bracing walks, during which she hollers at the top of her lungs, sustaining notes at different pitches. I suppose it’s a way to release tension and loosen up her vocal chords. She really is crazy, but because she’s a famous singer, her many quirks are put down to eccentricity and genius.

That’s why I envy rock stars.

Aside from the money and the adoration, both quite nice, rock stars get to regularly let rip under completely acceptable circumstances.

If Joe Bloggs from down the street walked into work and started writhing his pelvis, curling his pouty lips and singing about having sympathy for the Devil or bedding David Bowie’s wife, he’d quickly be labeled crazy.

If, during a marketing conference in Regina, he trashed his room at the Holiday Inn and threw a television out the window, he’d get fired and people would talk about him in hushed tones for months.

If Joe Bloggs happened to get arrest-

ed for possessing a Billy Boot bag of heroin, he most certainly would not get let off with a trip to rehab and a court order to perform two concerts for charity.

Almost everybody at some stage must have had a secret — or not so secret — desire to be a rich, universally adored and inhibition-free rock star.

It’s why people sing in the shower (the acoustics are better) and shows like Rock Star INXS and Canadian Idol are so popular — because Joe Bloggs actually does get to have a shot.

As a kid, I never minded doing the dishes after supper because it meant I could close the kitchen door, flick Queen into the cassette player and belt out Bohemian Rhapsody with the satisfaction of excellent acoustic feedback.

If I had a choice, I’d be a male rock

10 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

LIFE STORY

‘Oh the pitiful sights’ FRANCES CLUETT 1883-1969

By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

L

etters written by 33-year-old Frances (Fannie) Cluett to her mother Martha are like reading modern-day correspondence from a friend or sister, except Cluett’s experiences span four years during the First World War. With a fluid, easy style, she describes all the wonder and misery of leaving her small community of Belleoram, Fortune Bay, to serve as a nurse in the Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD) in Europe.

Her two dozen letters, beginning in 1916, convey the eye-opening experiences of a young woman, leaving home, probably for the first time in her life. From her departure in St. John’s, to New York, London, France and even Constantinople, she writes of the amazement of big cities and the horrors of the front line.

“Some of the misery will ever live in my memory: it seems to me now as though I shall always have sad sights in my eyes.”

Senator Bill Romkey is currently working to have Cluett’s letters — which are housed in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies’ archives — published by next July, the 90th anniversary of the tragic battle at Beaumont Hamel in which so many Newfoundland men lost their lives.

“When I started reading them I thought they should be published. They’re wonderful letters and I think that she is an outstanding person,” he says over the phone from his Ottawa office.

“What she shows in her letters, all the way through, is a lot of courage and a lot of strength, but also she’s a person with a great sense of humour.”

Cluett had an effortless way with words.

Through her travel anecdotes, she never loses an opportunity to crack a joke or poke fun at herself and she writes with overwhelming honesty through both the good and bad experiences.

Upon arriving in New York City for the first time, she immediately sends a letter home, describing what someone living in a tiny community of 500, like Belleoram, could

Frances Cluett

Centre for Newfoundland Studies

hardly grasp.

“We have seen some of the skyscrapers, Boston seems like nothing now … I was in one store today, really I thought to myself that the floor we were on was nearly as large as half of Belleoram. I never could in all my life imagine anything like it.”

Romkey — who was born in Belleoram — says he would like the published letters to

bring attention to what Cluett did for countless soldiers during her grueling days at the 10th General Hospital in Rouen, France.

“She never had any award of any sort and I don’t know what we can do about that now.

I guess the only award we can give her is to publish her letters … there’s been a lot of attention given to men who served in the First World War, but not enough attention

YEARS PAST “New York-Herald Tribune, in an editorial, cited the newly discovered iron ore deposits along the Quebec Labrador border as a possible source of supply for the United States steel industry should its own resources in the Mesabi Range become exhausted.”— The Twillingate Sun, Jan. 24, 1948.

FROM THE BAY “It is reported that several persons residing in Carbonear and Harbour Grace are heirs to a considerable amount of money from the estate of the late Mr. Hippesley, who died in Boston several months ago. Mr. Hippesley was

a native of Harbour Grace, but lived for many years in the U.S.A. He wrote the play Rothschild and Co. which became very popular.”

The Bay Roberts Guardian, March 27, 1937.

AROUND THE WORLD “When the Washington Monument had reached a height of 160 feet an adventurous and patriotic cat had ascended the shaft … pussy took fright, and springing to the outer edge, took a header of 160 feet to the hard earth below.

“She had prepared to leave the grounds and had proceeded almost beyond the

has been given to the Newfoundland women who served.”

Cluett writes one particularly heart-rending letter to her mother on Easter Sunday morning, 1918.

“I am going to church at 11:15 a.m., but I am so terribly tired. We are awfully busy, nearly killed since this last rush: if this war does not soon end there won’t be a man living on the face of the earth. It is brutal; it is coldblooded murder; it is hell upon earth. Ah! If you could just see and go through what we do mother; it is enough to drive one mad.

I am on night duty in the compound. I shall never forget these days.”

She describes the never-ending casualties; so many young soldiers maimed, blinded, broken and in shock. She describes how she must cut off blood and mud-soaked clothes and wash and shroud dead bodies.

“Next evening I was told to watch a man until his last breath went. I never thought mother that I could do what I have done. I went behind the screen and stayed with him until he died. Oh the pitiful sights.”

Romkey, who once met Cluett as a young boy and has since spoken to many people who knew her, says she had “a great sense of service.”

She had a strong devotion to the church, the men she nursed at the front and her own family (she sent many letters and gifts home to her brother, sister and her widowed mother).

Upon her return to Belleoram in the 1920s, Cluett became a qualified teacher and was often called upon to nurse the sick in the local community as a result of her war experience.

She never married, but through her letters, photo album and autograph book, comes across as a woman who easily made friends.

Romkey says her students described her as “a wonderful teacher” who was “strict” with a “great sense of humour.

“I think if I were to choose one word it would be spirit,” he says. “She was a spirited woman and the spirit was one part courage and one part joy … (in her letters) she describes the terror and the awful suffering and yet it never dampens her spirit; this never gets her down.”

Her spirit is best summed up in the last line of her expressive Easter Sunday letter — the darkest one she wrote to her mother since leaving home for the war.

“Nothing would induce me to give it up.”

shadow of the monument when a dog belonging to one of the workmen pounced upon her and killed her. One of the men … turned it over to a representative of the Smithsonian Institution who mounted the skin and placed it under a glass case.”— The Times, July 15, 1891.

EDITORIAL STAND “Questions are being asked about the future possible income from Gander.

As we see it this is all so vague that it is doubtful if the government can make any better guess than anyone else. The commissioner has given a rough estimate of what landing fees will be … a maximum of $130,000 annually.”

— The Newfoundland Trade Review, Jan. 26, 1946.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR “I wish to inform the public that the land situated at Wild Cove and belonging to the late Bennett Guy is still in our private property. Any person found trespassing on this land will be prosecuted.”

Signed Mrs. Sidney Watkins.

— The Twillingate Sun, Feb. 21, 1948, printed one day after Guy’s obituary was published.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The greatest challenge for any speaker is not only to be impartial, but to seem impartial.”

— Former Speaker of the House of Assembly from the Daily News, Nov. 26, 1983.

INDEPENDENTWORLD

SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2005 — PAGE 11

Prime Minister Paul Martin

Chris Wattie/Reuters

PM offers hope — but no plan Martin’s latest speech familiar as ‘a favourite sweater’

By James Travers Torstar wire service

B

efore becoming Prime Minister, Paul Martin wore thin an anecdote about rock giant and Africa activist Bono. After meeting the then finance minister, Bono declared Martin, expletive deleted, “cool.”

What Bono saw in Martin — and what Liberals hope voters see in him again — is a clairvoyant who first forecasts and then changes the future. At his best cruising high in the idea stratosphere, Martin has an ability rare among politicians to grasp complex patterns unfolding below.

Martin’s problem is that it’s a long way from up there to down here. Sweeping strategies too often trip over the tactical flotsam and jetsam of gritty political life.

It was in that awkward way that three consecutive Liberal majorities morphed into a minority. It was in that way, too, that the carefully managed expectations of the

Jean Chrétien era grew impossibly large from despair and, of course, repairing the during Martin’s leadership canter and are crumbling icon of public health care are now listed among this administration’s dis- only parts of an agenda heavy enough to appointments. buckle muscular knees.

Still, Martin is nothing if not game. With Even if the details do come later, as Parliament resuming Martin promises, it’s hard next week and another to imagine how a conelection not far away, fused and demoralized It’s hard to imagine the Prime Minister is civil service will find the again thinking boldly road to success through how a confused and out loud. such mountainous terrain.

Engaging as those To better understand demoralized civil musings are, they have how difficult that travel the queasy overtones of will be, consider just two service will find the an optimist and dreamer of many obstacles to be declaring his profession overcome. One Martin road to success … as underwater-surgeonstressed (immigration) at-law. At a time when and one he did not (the Canadians and the mandarins he spoke to democratic deficit). this week are waiting for this government As important as immigration is in counto do something, Martin is again talking tering a falling birthrate and strengthening about doing everything. the national skill set, it’s also vital for reMeeting the rising economic challenge electing Liberals. from China and India, lifting aboriginals And the sudden disappearance of even

the usual lip service that Ottawa will change the way it works is the strongest signal yet that it will be dirty business as usual here long after Justice John Gomery reports on the sponsorship scandal.

While this week’s wrist slap for convicted ad executive Paul Coffin suggests no one of consequence will be held accountable for a scam that riveted the country, there’s still time to force full disclosure on the full implications of higher immigration. Soon to be announced, the plan to swell the population with bright minds from abroad also disguises systemic problems and a determined Liberal effort to hold the ethnic vote.

This is another of those busy intersections where the Prime Minister’s oftenprofound ideas crash into political pragmatism. Concerned that Conservative attacks on same-sex marriage are making inroads in high ethnic big city ridings, Liberals will See “Bono wasn’t,” page 12

Open for business … fraud

You have to look hard amongst the worms to find any apple in corporate North America

S

o their little piggy went to jail and our little piggy is about to hit the lecture circuit? Hmmm.

This week, former Tyco International chief Dennis Koslowski and his partner-piglet Mark Swartz, suffered a reversal of fortune.

Koslowski, who thought Tyco’s shareholders wouldn’t miss the $600 million he looted from the company to pay for $2-million toga parties and booze-dispensing statues is on his way to jail for between eight and 25 years.

Not to worry Dennis, Attica State Prison may not have $6,000 shower curtains, but it does have showers. Just

MICHAEL HARRIS The Outrider watch out for Bobo from the Bronx.

This is getting to be a Time-honoured tradition for “businessmen” in Bush Land — from magazine covers to the sallyport of federal and state prisons.

Free enterprise has morphed into grand, grander and grandest larceny. American business apparently operates under The Eight Commandments: as for lying and

stealing, they’re now part of being “dynamic,” the adjective Business Week bestowed on their cover shot of Koslowski before his pig-fest at the Tyco trough ended in handcuffs and tears in a New York courtroom.

This Klepto-Kojak is not alone. E. Kirk Shelton of Cendant Corp. — 10 years on a $500-million fraud.

Homegrown ex-pat Bernie Ebbers of Worldcom — 25 years for a companywrecking $11-billion accounting fraud.

(A lot of pensioners will be chowing down on cat food after that one.) Don’t forget the father and son tag-team of corporate rape and pillage from

Adelphia Corp., John and Timothy Rigas — 20 and 15 years respectively for gentrified looting of the cable company they ran. Add Jamie Olis of Dynergy Inc. — 24 years for falsifying financial statements, Andrew Fastow — 10 years for cooking the books at Enron Corp., Sam Waksal of ImClone Systems — seven years for insider trading, and Martha Stewart — 10 months in camp for fibbing to the G-Men, and you get the picture. You have to look hard amongst the worms to find any apple in corporate America.

And then there is the Canadian connection. David Radler, larcenous valet

to the as yet uncharged Conrad Black, got 29 months in jail and a fine of $250,000. Not bad when you consider he was charged with looting $32 million from Lord Black’s former newspaper empire.

How did Hatchet Man Dave get off so lightly? By pleading guilty to a single count of mail fraud and co-operating with U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald as he continues his investigation into mega theft at Hollinger International. This time we are dealing with epical numbers. According to See “Even Bush,” page 12

12 • INDEPENDENTWORLD

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

CBC lockout shakes Liberals

Constituents voicing concerns to their MPS; overwhelmingly in support of broadcast employees OTTAWA

By Susan Delacourt Torstar wire service

F

rustration with the 40-day lockout by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. is on the rise within Prime Minister Paul Martin’s government, with the parliamentary secretary for Canadian heritage, Sam Bulte, now warning she can no longer defend management’s position in the dispute.

“I’m sick about this,” Bulte says.

“I’ve said to the CBC management ... I can’t defend you any more.”

Bulte’s criticism comes after the CBC’s board of directors met and endorsed management’s position in the lockout negotiations as “reasonable and prudent.”

What’s more, Bulte and some other senior Liberals are now saying it may be time to take a harder look at the whole CBC operation and even look at radical solutions to making it viable and vibrant as a public broadcaster.

“Maybe it’s time to go back to the

drawing board,” Bulte says. have also been experiencing high volOfficially, the federal government’s umes of complaints about the lockout, position is that this is a labour dispute according to an ongoing, informal surin a Crown corporation that must vey the Toronto Star has been conductremain at arm’s length ing among federal from its political maspoliticians. ters. But some of those Off the record, politicians are getting for fear of being an earful from conseen interfering in A spokesman for the stituents, with the sencabinet ministers’ Prime Minister’s timent almost univerdepartments, sally on the side of the some Liberal Office says no radical 5,500 CBC workers politicians are getwho have been locked ting more blunt overhauls of the CBC out of their jobs since this week about Aug. 15. their frustration are being seriously The dispute revolves with how managemainly around what is ment has handled considered. turning into an ideothe lockout. logical tug-of-war over One suggests the place of contract the whole CBC employees within the public broadcast- management slate should be swept er. clean and replaced with managers who “People are angry. People are so would approach the broadcasters’ angry,” Bulte says. future more creatively — cross-polliOther MPs, especially those in heavy nating its work, for instance, with other urban or remote rural communities, cultural agencies such as the National

Film Board or, instead of filling the schedule with U.S. imports, putting more translations of Radio-Canada work on English CBC and vice-versa.

Patrick Watson, former chairman of the CBC, provocatively suggests his former corporation simply be shut down and rebuilt from the ground up.

In The Globe and Mail, Watson wrote: “So yes, let’s put public broadcasting out to tender ... remove this totally inappropriate competition with the private broadcasters for ratings and commercial revenue, and declare that the licence will be given to the lowest bidder whose proposal convincingly meets the requirements.”

Bulte called Watson’s argument “a good opening” for a serious debate on the CBC’s future.

At least for starters, she says she would like to see the CBC have no advertising on TV, as is the case now with radio, and believes that no one has been making the case strongly enough within the CBC for more government support.

As a member of the government, Bulte said she’d be open to that appeal.

“Let’s give them the money to be a real public broadcaster,” she said.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said yesterday that no radical overhauls of the CBC — in terms of management or funding or structure — are being seriously considered right now and referred all questions to Labour Minister Joe Fontana “because this is a labour dispute.”

Fontana, for his part, said now is not the time, in mid-negotiations, for people to start redesigning the CBC. “The fact is that they’re at the table and they’re discussing the hard issues,” Fontana said in an interview yesterday, acknowledging that some of his colleagues and Canadians were getting frustrated.

Asked about the more radical ideas circulating out there, Fontana said: “I’m not sure it’s appropriate to think about things like that because we’ve got to keep everybody focused on the main issue.”

Bono wasn’t wrong From page 11 offer, along with broadly higher immigration targets, the humane but costly social policy prize of more family reunification.

Instead of simply admitting that integrating new immigrants is increasingly difficult, as Martin did last week, the government needs to support a pivotal decision with much more detail and an informed debate. But those debates have a way of stripping visions of their sheen.

Liberals share with the Wizard of Oz a keen appreciation of the importance of perception. They need skeptical voters to believe that what the Prime Minister says is driven by high ideals and national interest, not partisan advantage. And they need to reassure the country there is a connection between Martin’s grand objectives and what his government can achieve.

Bono wasn’t wrong about Martin the finance minister and heir-apparent. But the rocker-with-a-conscience has yet to be proven right about Martin the Prime Minister.

Familiar as a favourite sweater, Martin’s speech last week offers hope that his dreams for Canada have survived some pretty hard knocks. But uplifting words and good intentions are the stuff of campaign promises; they are not a plan.

Even Bush realized old laws a joke From page 11 Hollinger International’s own audit committee, somebody looted the company to the tune of $425 million.

Lord knows who. But perhaps Ratting Radler can shed some light.

Why the tough sentences and the jammy plea bargains south of the border? It all comes down to the D-word, deterrence. In the past, the U.S. justice system trivialized white-collar crime, often sentencing mega-thieves to probation or slapping them with meaningless fines that came down to the cost of doing funny business. It didn’t work.

There was Ivan Boesky (insider trading), who served just 22 months of a three-year sentence, Michael Milken (the Junk Bond King) 22 months of a 10-year sentence, and finally Charles Keating (the Lincoln S&L collapse).

It was their trivial sentences that in part encouraged the Rigas/Olis/Fastow/Ebbers/Koslowski era.

Even President Bush realized the old laws were a joke.

He created the Corporate Fraud Task Force to investigate big-time business thieves and wants the prison terms for wire and mail fraud to be doubled to minimum 10 years.

NONSENSE And then there is Paul Coffin, the Montreal adman who stole $1.5 million worth of taxpayers’ money in the federal sponsorship scandal. Coffin pleaded guilty to 15 counts of fraud between 1997 and 2002, pocketing an illegal dollar for every buck he legitimately sucked out of Adscam’s $250-million debacle. Not the same thing as corporate fraud, you say? Nonsense. He stole from the shareholders of Canada, with the collusion of our board of directors and employee group.

Instead of going to federal prison for 34 months as the prosecution requested, this little piggy will be going on the lecture circuit to speak on a subject he knows absolutely nothing about — corporate ethics. This, after all, is the guy who billed Canadians for fictitious employees, charged for meetings he never attended, faked invoices, and inflated his costs.

Some might argue it was a spur of the moment meltdown, except that he did it systematically over a fiveyear period. His court-ordered speaking tour is part of his traditional sentence — two years less a day, (a provincial offense), none of which will be served behind bars since he was given a conditional sentence. It was more of a pat on the back than punishment.

With the Coffin decision, the Canadian justice system has put up the Open for Business Fraud sign on our national front lawn — something the FBI already knows about when it comes to our hopeless laws on telemarketing fraud. Mr. Justice Jean-Guy Boilard remains locked in pre-Michael Milken thinking on the subject of whitecollar crime.

Sentences in the U.S. are now calibrated to the enormous damage these rapacious thieves cause hundreds of thousands of pensioners, shareholders, and average citizens. Our sentences are determined by the notion that white-collar crime is trivial, that people like Coffin are no real threat to the system, and that taxpayers’ money is nobody’s money.

Vive le voleur libre, eh?

Michael Harris’ column will return Oct. 9.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTWORLD • 13

VOICE FROM AWAY

‘More here than meets the eye’

St. John’s-native Chris Morrissey enjoys Whitehorse and his job as general manager for the 2007 Canada Winter Games

By Stephanie Porter The Independent

N

ewfoundlander Chris Morrissey has, as he puts it, been “travelling from event to event for quite some time.”

At each step along the way, Morrissey has picked up techniques and experiences that have prepared him to be general manager of the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse — his current position and one of the most interesting places and jobs of his career.

Morrissey was working in the entertainment industry in his native St. John’s for years when he landed his first contract with a sporting event.

Although a purely recreational athlete — hockey, rowing and skiing being some of his pastimes over the years — sports was, and is, his passion. Having the national winter games in Corner Brook in 1999 proved the perfect opportunity for a career switch.

Morrissey was facilities co-ordinator for those games, which he says “are still on record as being some of the best … There was a great atmosphere, down-to-earth, no egos thing, which portrayed itself well to all the visitors.”

He also met his future wife in the city.

Inspired by the games experience, Morrissey immediately took on another contract, this time for seven months, in Winnipeg. He was responsible for readying five sport venues for competition for the 1999 Pan American Games.

“That was a completely different level,” he says. “It’s an international, bigger event, with different anxieties.

“It was prior to 9/11, but there were still some security issues — the baseball team, for example, there were some rumblings that some members of the Cuban team planned to stay in Canada after the competition.”

And with 15,000 volunteers and a large host city, one of the biggest challenges was to make those games as intimate and friendly as possible.

Then it was on to London, Ont. for two years as sport and operations man-

ager leading up to the 2002 Canada Summer Games. His then-girlfriend also worked for the event.

London being a larger city than Corner Brook, Morrissey found it was difficult, at times, to get the community to pay attention. “We were no longer the only game in town,” he says. But he found he was starting to settle in nicely to his field of work.

“Every time you go through a different event you pick up some tools of the trade that are transferable … relationship building, and having good partners on board, good sponsors, good broadcasters are very important.”

Next up: the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

Surprisingly, Morrissey felt less culture shock in England than he had in Ontario and out west. “It was getting back to some grass roots cultural similarities,” he says. “The Commonwealth Games are getting very large (10 times the budget of the Pan Ams in Winnipeg). There were 5,000 athletes and post-9/11, the security needs were astronomical.”

After the Manchester Games, Morrissey got married — and spent some time in eastern Canada as a consultant on the New Brunswick winter games. Meantime, his wife had gone back to school to study occupational therapy.

“Having somebody to share some of the anxieties of moving to different cities, making new friends, new relationships,” Morrissey says, “that was very good to have.”

The next contract brought the couple to St. Catherines and Hamilton, where Morrissey began a position with the world road cycling championships in 2003. It was the first time the event had been held in Canada for “20 or 30 years,” and it will probably be that long again before it returns.

“We wondered if the cycling community in Canada would buy into it … it was successful at the end of the day and Canada stepped up to the challenge again,” he says.

“But cycling is bigger among the European community than it is here.”

Northern lights over the Canadian arctic.

The Morrisseys have now been in Whitehorse for almost two years.

Although a move to the north might not be everyone’s first choice, the location of the next winter games was actually the big drawing card for Morrissey.

“If it were anywhere else, I would look at the event a little differently,” he says. “This is the first time the Canada Winter Games will be held north of 60th parallel, the first time in the territory, and it’s the last Canada winter games before the Olympics in Vancouver/Whistler.”

Reuters

Morrissey says his experience in Corner Brook — a community of about the same size, with similar attitudes — is proving useful.

“Like Newfoundland, this is a part of the country a lot of people don’t know about,” he says.

The Whitehorse team is beginning a national advertising campaign to change that — to promote the massive diamond mines, the oil and gas developments, the bicycle and hiking trails, the cultural and economic strengths of the region.

“There’s more here than meets the eye,” says Morrissey. “From the outside looking in you probably go ‘Wow, this is a big event to bring here’ and there’s going to be some major challenges but they’ve proven before they’ve hosted big events and there’s capacity to do it.”

Morrissey says the organization will need about one in every five Yukoners to volunteer for the winter games.

“Whether they like it or not, when the games are on, the city will for all intents and purposes shut down; this will be all-encompassing. Getting people prepared for that will be a challenge.

“I think this will be very special for the athletes … but we do have to manage expectations and capacity issues.

Our capacity is OK but we won’t be able to bring in thousands and thousands of tourists.”

He’s enjoying the Yukon experience so far — even the dark, northern winters.

“In December, we get six hours of sunlight. Which is not as bad as some perceptions — and it pays off in the summer! Then, you can do just about anything you want 24 hours a day. You take the good with the bad.”

Morrissey isn’t yet talking about the next contract — though there are those Olympics in Vancouver — but he’s still enjoying the adventure of moving about from project to project. He can see a time, though, when he’d like to settle down and get involved with a sport organization at a national level, like the Canadian Olympic committee or Commonwealth Games.

“Every place has something different. Would I move back to Winnipeg?

Probably not. Would I stay in Whitehorse? I don’t think so, but time will tell.

“Preferably I’d like to be by an ocean … I’d like to get back to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland because I think that’s a great place to live and work and play.”

Do you know a Newfoundlander or Labradorian living away? E-mail editorial@theindependent.ca.

14 • INDEPENDENTWORLD

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTWORLD • 15

ST. JOHN’S PORT AUTHORITY MANAGER ACCOUNTING & BUDGETING Reporting to the Vice President, Finance and Administration, you will manage full cycle accounting operations and develop annual budgets. Other responsibilities include preparing financial reports, forecasts and analysis; updating financial policies and guidelines and managing IT resources.

As the preferred candidate, you will have a university degree and an accounting designation, as well as a minimum of five years experience in progressively responsible accounting and budgeting functions. Excellent analytical and computer skills, with superior proficiency in Microsoft Excel, are required.

Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative manner are essential.

Please forward a résumé and cover letter, in confidence,

by September 30, 2005 to: Vice President, Finance and Administration St. John’s Port Authority P.O. Box 6178 1 Water Street St. John’s, NL A1C 5X8 Fax: (709) 738-4769 Email (Microsoft Word format only): bscott@sjpa.com

St. John’s Port Authority is committed to employment equity.

We appreciate the interest of all candidates; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.

Ad #: 200509-971-CB

16 • INDEPENDENTWORLD

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

WEEKLY DIVERSIONS ACROSS 1 Pesky insect 5 “Caught ya!”

8 Canadian-born actor (“Gilda”): Glenn ___ 12 Boast 16 Indian exercise discipline 17 Garden party?

18 First Nations people in Quebec 19 Nimbus 20 Astronaut Garneau 21 Iron or lead, e.g. (2 wds.)

23 Shakespearean king 24 Stadium snack 26 Western tie 27 Frostily 29 Quintuplex 31 Peru’s capital 32 Fasten down (before a storm) 35 Pan cover 36 Regaining consciousness (2 wds.)

40 Cry out 41 Father 42 Engender 43 Knock 44 Have a life 45 Small swallow 47 Speeder snagger 48 Black: comb. form 49 Puffed up 51 N.B. island: Grand ___

52 Bloodsucker 53 ___ du jour 54 Cheroot 55 Governor General Michaëlle ___ (2005 - ) 56 Panache 58 Victoria’s Empress 59 B.C. poet murdered by her husband (1975) 62 Old stringed instrument 63 B.C./N.W.T. river 64 Guitarist Liona 65 French goose 66 Like some French verbs (abbr.)

67 Monet’s world 68 Fireplace shelf 69 Makes a mistake 70 Small box for pekoe (2 wds.)

72 Earth: prefix 73 Baby’s hat 75 Stead 76 Standards of selection 78 Gems 81 Self-righteously moral one 82 Spanish conquistador 85 Eye part 86 Athletic contest 89 K.D. ___ 91 “Tres ___, monsieur!”

92 Aid and ___

See solution on page 31

93 Portable shelter 94 Sicily’s high point 95 Yodeller’s range?

96 Go by horse 97 Tofu bean 98 Long nap?

DOWN 1 Workout spot 2 Early animal conservationist 3 Prefix referring to farming 4 Opposite of blunt 5 Saying 6 Possesses 7 Like a one-celled life form 8 Ballpark 9 Not fooled by 10 Part of a gene 11 Stringed instrument 12 Clara ___ (Richard B. Wright) 13 Was sorry about 14 Kind of history 15 Cautious 17 At a higher place 22 Shape (var.)

25 N or S 28 Drop out 30 Banner 31 Our highest mountain 32 Strikebreaker 33 ___ Grey tea 34 Queen of Egypt, once

36 Fragrant wood 37 New recruit 38 Powder 39 Moonfish 41 Part of verb “to do” 42 Commonplace 45 Distant sun 46 Mad as a ___ hen 47 Threw a tantrum 48 Barbecue focus 50 “I cannot tell ___.”

(2 wds.)

51 Square clerical cap 52 Obscene 54 She wrote Saints of Big Harbour 55 Author Kogawa (Obasan) 56 Move like a butterfly 57 Seduce 58 Certain Indian 59 Hit high 60 Cork’s country 61 Repose 63 Guide in the sky 64 Kick 67 Letters 68 Elevations 69 Makes possible 71 Wipes off 72 Pluck 73 Mohawk chief who fostered relationships between the British and the Iroquois 74 Wildcatter’s find

76 Slatted wooden box 77 Key colour 78 Ukrainian mayor of

Winnipeg, 1957-77 79 Wickedness 80 Shed tears

81 Francine’s foot 83 Swear an ___ 84 Tolstoy’s Karenina

87 Baseball stat.

88 Sun sign 90 Joke

WEEKLY STARS ARIES - MAR 21/APR 20 There's no time like the present to get your finances on track. Take a day to sit down and go through your checkbook and assess your income and expenditures. You'll be glad you did.

TAURUS - APR 21/MAY 21 How much fun you have this week depends upon your outlook, Taurus. If you act glumly, you're certain to have a miserable few days. Keep your chin up instead.

GEMINI - MAY 22/JUNE 21 The next few days will be uneventful, Gemini. Use the time to catch up on some chores you've let slide. If you were planning a vacation, now's the time to devote your attention to it.

CANCER - JUNE 22/JULY 22 A health scare leaves you feeling shaken. Don't worry, it is nothing serious, and you'll recover rather quickly. Aquarius lends support

during these trying times.

LEO - JULY 23/AUG 23 A fight with a family member is something unavoidable. You've been clashing for a long time now, and you can no longer hold your tongue, Leo. Don't worry; it's justified.

VIRGO - AUG 24/SEPT 22 Stop going above and beyond to please everyone, Virgo. You do enough already, and family and friends certainly know it. Pamper yourself for a change.

LIBRA - SEPT 23/OCT 23 Don't keep secrets from family members. It will only put you in hot water, Libra. Confide your feelings to a friend in order to get advice on how you should proceed.

SCORPIO - OCT 24/NOV 22 A quick temper will get you in trouble, Scorpio. Don't lash out

with your venom. Rather, think cool and calmly on the best way to handle tricky situations.

SAGITTARIUS - NOV 23/DEC 21 A blast from the past has you feeling shaken, Sagittarius. This person knows about all of your skeletons in the closet. Keep an eye on him and his motives.

CAPRICORN - DEC 22/JAN 20 Don't expect all of your plans to go off without a hitch this week, Capricorn. Something is bound to go awry when you least expect it.

You'll rebound quickly, however.

AQUARIUS - JAN 21/FEB 18 It's time to get motivated on your fitness plan, Aquarius. Leo offers a helping hand to get you started.

Don't pass up the opportunity to make fitness a team effort.

PISCES - FEB 19/MAR 20 A scammer is looking to take advantage of you, Pisces. You'll

certainly recognize all of the signs of wrong-doing when they present themselves.

FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS SEPTEMBER 25 Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress SEPTEMBER 26 Jim Caviezel, actor SEPTEMBER 27 Francesco Totti, athlete SEPTEMBER 28 Gwyneth Paltrow, actress SEPTEMBER 29 Andrea Daley, singer SEPTEMBER 30 Jenna Elfman, actress OCTOBER 1 Julie Andrews, actress

Fill in the grid so that each row of nine squares, each column of nine and each section of nine (three squares by three) contains the numbers 1 through 9 in any order.

There is only one solution to each puzzle. Solutions, tips and computer program available at www.sudoko.com SOLUTION ON PAGE 31

INDEPENDENTLIFE

SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2005 — PAGE 17

Statue of John Cabot in front of Confederation Building.

Paul Daly/The Independent

History and heritage

Newfoundland Historical Society has spent 100 years promoting our history; on Sept. 29, they will celebrate their own

By Darcy MacRae The Independent

T

he Newfoundland Historical Society has endured good times and bad, and has changed its mandate on more than one occasion, but they have managed to persevere for an entire century while many similar organizations fell by the wayside.

On Thursday, Sept. 29, the society celebrates its 100th anniversary with festivities at Hamton Hall at the Marine Institute in St. John’s. The night will include guest speakers, a slide show commemorating the association’s past, and the usual spirited banter from some of the 500 members who have enabled the historical society to remain strong for so long.

“We thought we should have one evening when the society looked at its own history rather than everybody else’s,” says James Hillier, past-president of the Newfoundland Historical Society.

“If that lobbying had not taken place, Newfoundland and Labrador history would not be in schools today.”

Past-president David Bradley Founded in 1905, the society’s objective has always been to encourage knowledge and public discussion of Newfoundland’s history and heritage. The society publishes books, newsletters and biographies of provincial history and hands out Heritage awards each year.

The awards are not only given to people or organizations who have contributed to the publication or discovering of

Newfoundland and Labrador history, but also to those who simply share their knowledge.

“They key is always the level of community service,” says David Bradley, also a past-president of the Newfoundland Historical Society. “The extent to which they have been able to turn their own knowledge and skill out to benefit the community is important.”

The society’s greatest achievement may be creating the initial push to have provincial history courses re-introduced into high school classrooms around the province.

They formed a coalition with other heritage groups in the late 1990s and convinced the provincial government of the importance of such a course. Hillier says the society can take some of the credit for that, but Bradley says he is just being modest.

“I think the society has to take quite a lot of credit,” Bradley says. “If that lobbying had not taken place, Newfoundland and

Labrador history would not be in schools today. The provincial government had absolutely no intention of ever re-introducing Newfoundland and Labrador history into the school curriculum again — it never would have happened.”

Although the organization did not start out with any political agendas, it is a role they have embraced over time. Current president Terry Bishop Stirling says the change in mindset came about because somebody had to led the charge.

“It was a time when there was very little of this in schools,” she says. “People often called upon the historical society for intervention on things. It was at a time when it filled a void that we are now sharing with other institutions.”

The Newfoundland Historical Society meets once a month in St. John’s, and periodically in other regions of the province, to discuss various topics of interest concerning See “Plenty of history,” page 19

LIVYERS

Making movies Young filmmaker making a go of it in St. John’s

By Alisha Morrissey The Independent

J

ordan Canning can’t name just one favourite movie. The 23-year-old filmmaker and Jane-of-all-trades at Pope Productions in St. John’s says it’s too hard to name names and can’t even pick a genre to describe her favourites.

“I just like a good story,” Canning tells The Independent. “If they can tell it in a humorous way or in a really depressing way, as long as I find it intriguing and an important story to tell then it works for me.”

Her first film, selected as one of this

year’s films at the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, is called Pillowtalk.

The film, a nine-minute short, focuses in on a couple lying in bed one night having an argument.

“And their frustration and anger grows and then at the end you kind of realize that it’s what they aren’t saying that’s really bothering them,” says Canning, not giving much more away.

“I think it was based on something that happened to me once with an exboyfriend it’s … a really kind of common problem between couples in relationships that you keep your mouth shut when you

should just say what’s on your mind.”

Canning laughs when she says everyone who has seen the film has admitted they’ve been in the same situation or even the same fight.

As for the screening of Pillowtalk, Canning says she’s nervous. It was shown for the first time earlier this year at the Nickel Independent Film & Video Festival in St. John’s but she didn’t pay attention to the film — “just the sounds that other people were making and when people laughed.”

Canning graduated from Concordia See “Not as glamorous,” page 19

Jordan Canning

Paul Daly/The Independent

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

18 • INDEPENDENTLIFE

GALLERYPROFILE

D

avid Blackwood’s latest exhibition is full of colour, life and the comforts of home — monotypes and watercolour paintings of big, blooming flowers, scenes of the back garden, and comfortable still life from inside the rooms of his house.

It’s a departure from Blackwood’s dark, blue-black etchings — most set in Newfoundland and Labrador, inspired by trips down the Labrador with his father — people in this province are familiar with.

The current work, Flowers for Siromani, now on display in Emma Butler Gallery in St. John’s, emerged out of tragedy: the loss of Blackwood’s only son, David Blackwood Jr. or, as he was known in his own artistic circles, David Judah.

The younger Blackwood, 33, passed away earlier this year after a battle with cancer. A Buddhist and respected painter and musician (www.davidjudah.com), he spent his last months in India and

Israel.

Faced with such profound loss, Blackwood says he could have shut down. Instead, he threw himself into art, creating a large body of peaceful and inspiring work. By the very nature of the media he chose, he had to be extremely focused and work quickly.

Monotypes are painted on glass.

Blackwood says he had between two and three hours to work with the paint; at that point, paper was laid on top of the image, pressed, and the print lifted off.

Blackwood works seven days a week.

“It’s abnormal for an artist I suppose, but it’s not really work,” he tells The Independent.

“You might work all day and then you may want to go back and do more.

Drawing and painting is a wonderful thing, you can see why they do art therapy in mental hospitals …

“It’s never something you don’t want to do. So you’re busy all the time.”

Blackwood also devotes large pieces

DAVID BLACKWOOD Visual Artist

of time to drawing and oil painting.

“Printmaking is always there,” he says of the work he’s best known for. “But can you imagine doing the same thing over and over, year after year?

“Picasso had the right idea, one (art form) revitalizes the other.”

Blackwood has lived in Ontario since the age of 16, when he moved from home to train as an artist. He still has a studio in his native Wesleyville, and gets back there about once a year. For the rest of the time, the home is maintained by his brother, and often in use by visiting artists, writers and filmmakers.

Blackwood and his wife live in Port

Hope, an hour’s drive from Toronto — though they’ve just purchased a house in the big city.

Apart from being a working artist, Blackwood is heavily involved in the art community, particularly in his role as chair of the board of trustees at the Art Gallery of Ontario. It’s the first time the board has been led by an artist, and is proving a “wonderful education.”

Blackwood has had a chance to tour The Rooms, and is “really quite impressed.

“It could not have happened in P.E.I., in New Brunswick, never in Nova Scotia … they’re too cautious. Here, anything goes, there’s a sense of ‘let’s go for it!’

“When I first saw it, I thought my God, what an incredible vote of confidence, self-confidence, of pride in heritage and culture, some sort of confidence in your future. There’s nothing understated about it …

“You can be critical of certain aspects,

and I can understand why they were afraid to open it perhaps, maybe it was just too much, when you’re closing schools and hospitals and trying to save money here and there. But really, it is impressive.”

Blackwood says he entertains thoughts of moving back to Newfoundland from time to time, but it sounds likely he’s in Ontario for the foreseeable future.

Being from Newfoundland and Labrador still informs his work; his experiences in the province still fire his imagination, he says.

“We’re looking forward to spending more time here,” he says. “It will be interesting to see what happens from that.”

David Blackwood’s Flowers for Siromani is on display at Emma Butler Gallery until Oct. 1. For more, visit www.davidblackwood.com — Stephanie Porter

The Gallery is a regular feature in The Independent. For information, or to submit proposals, please call (709) 726-4639, or e-mail editorial@theindependent.ca

POET’S CORNER Loss of Melina and Keith II Off Cape Bonavista, piteous cries; unremarkable swells; unforeseen, this moment.

Our people cry once again; another time of torment.

is oft’ a day of dread.

Tears not yet dry from just one year; nearly to the date; eight fishermen, who last year mourned, selected now; same sea; same dismal fate.

Vulnerability is a constant theme; calm sea false source of comfort.

At any time the unexpected might toll bells in a hushed homeport.

Placid little Eastport towns count husbands, sons and brothers flung into the bottomless with generations of hapless others.

Eight men who pulled together; some of them were kin.

Cling side by side in chilling waters; only four of them would win.

The chosen await their scoopingup, arms raised; hauled over side; search words to tell; but there are none; it is hopeless to describe.

For one poor soul, the second time the thought beyond belief; courage found to fish again; his family left to weep.

Stop on any fish plant wharf; plucky men lingering with pride beside their home away from home, talking catch hauled over side.

Someone has to do it; isn’t that what’s always said?

The price of seafood on our plates

But some are born to do just that; they’d have it no other way.

Plucking resources from unruly seas is just another day.

We decry a floundering fishery; didn’t teeming waters bring us here?

Prosperity is an easy talk; just that, were there none to dare.

Those who already harbour grief now agonize once again. for this much they do know well: it’s bound to happen once again.

Three families racked with further pain no dear ones lie at rest.

As hard may be, to see one last time brings truth, not ceaseless quest.

Search scaled back; now called off; no signs of three stout-hearted men; just passing ships to keep an eye.

As the hardy mill ’round Happy Adventure wharf it is their turn to cry.

Another date; another place another tragedy to face.

— Marilyn McGrath Howard Sept. 14, 2005

The dance of death Dancing in the Palm of His Hand

By Annamarie Beckel Breakwater Books, 2005

I

n our modern context, the phrase witchhunt has come to signify any campaign against supposed subversive people or groups, waged at the expense of personal freedom, characterized by religious intolerance or ideological persecution.

The historical witch-hunts — specifically, the witchcraft persecutions in 17th century Germany — are the subject of Annamarie Beckel’s second novel.

Beckel’s self-styled “cautionary tale” begins by introducing readers to Eva Rosen, widow, owner of her late husband’s bakery and mother of one daughter, Katharina.

Named after the Christian mystic, 11-yearold Katharina sees visions, both of the devil and of angels; a fact which her mother quite rightly attempts to suppress amid a climate of fear and self-righteous moral judgment.

Public witch burnings are rampant in Eva’s Würzburg. At the novel’s start, the latest group of the accused is executed for having: turned away from God and signed a pact with the Devil, attended the Sabbath where they fornicated with the Devil and his demons, caused illness and death among their neighbours, curdled milk and caused grain to spoil, raised up fierce storms with lightning and hail to ruin the crops, caused men’s members to go limp and women’s wombs to close or their babies to die within, dug up the graves of unbaptized infants to make a flying ointment from their flesh.

It is a list that would be laughable in its petty obsessions and preposterous accusations were it not for the deadly resolve with which the accusers mete out punishment.

Historically the victims of the witch trials in Germany, in wider Europe and in the New World, were, for misogynistic reasons, largely women. Beckel quotes the following from Der Hexenhammer (more widely known as the Malleus Maleficarum), the now infamous authority on the hunting and

MARK CALLANAN On the shelf prosecution of witches: All this comes to pass because of the carnal appetite that is insatiable in women … and this is why they have dealings with demons, so that their lust may be satisfied … Hence it is but logical to speak of witchcraft as a matter of female witches, and not of men …

Not long after the latest execution, the story takes an inevitable turn for the worse: Eva herself is accused of witchcraft and taken into custody to be tried.

The only “evidence” at hand seems to be the death of her husband, her daughter’s foot which had been crippled at birth (birth defects being a purported sign of witchcraft passed on to offspring), the testimony under torture of three confessed witches, and Katharina’s collection of feathers and rocks presumed to be for use in Eva’s unholy rituals.

At this point, two of the novel’s main characters become of interest to us. Herr Doktor Franz Lutz is a civil lawyer enlisted to serve on The Commission of Inquisition that will determine Eva’s fate and that of her fellow accused. Father Herzeim, final confessor to those condemned to die for the practice of witchcraft and friend and spiritual advisor to Lutz, plays the minority role of moral compass in a time of gross immorality masking itself as piety and virtue.

One of the most interesting features of Beckel’s book is Lutz’ slow conversion to Herzeim’s personal tenet: “The protection of the innocent must be utmost in our minds, and in our hearts.” Lutz’ initial endorsement of the witch trials is frustrating in its singlemindedness and in its refusal to confront its own moral shortcomings.

Ultimately, this is where Beckel’s book shines: in its treatment of ordinary people faced with a disparity between their reli-

gious beliefs and their own moral sense; the necessary friction cause by this disparity.

The only element in Dancing in the Palm of His Hand I have reservations about is the author’s inclusion, at intervals throughout the book, of first-person monologues narrated by Lucifer himself. These are commentaries on the progress of the trials and amused reflections on the self-destructive tendencies of humankind. “It is their fear that brings me here,” says the Devil; elsewhere: “They conjured me into being.”

This concept would not have been lost on most readers whether Lucifer’s summation had been included or not. Beckel’s narrative style is otherwise well suited to undertake the onerous task of guiding us through the terrible reality of her subject matter.

Of course, it is pointless to examine historical atrocities without drawing presentday analogies. The warning implicit in Beckel’s text is that similar persecutions persist and will continue as long as there are those so afraid of being harmed that they are willing to harm others unjustly in the name of self-preservation. If there is a Devil or a God, in the symbolic sense of both those words, then as Beckel suggests, the two “dwell in the same heart.”

Mark Callanan is a writer living in Rocky Harbour. His next column will appear Oct. 9.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTLIFE • 19

‘Not as glamorous as it looks from the outside’ From page 17 University in 2004 and returned home to St. John’s with the intention of staying a few months and moving on.

Before she started at Pope Productions she did any job she was hired for.

Painting houses, making bagels and bartending got her through the fall, but it was when she began doing contract work for Pope Productions in February that she realized she could make a career for herself here in the province.

“It’s not as glamorous as it looks from the outside,” Canning says with a laugh.

“It doesn’t look like hard work when everyone is standing around on a set, but it’s really long hours and high stress, but there’s just amazing people working in film.”

Her mother, Pam Hall, has been a production designer and art director on many Newfoundland films. Canning remembers spending plenty of time on sets as a child — but that’s not where she caught the film bug.

She says a six-week class provided through the Newfoundland Independent Filmmakers Co-operative made her realize the business is for her.

“I just love that medium of telling a story because in a short story or a novel you have a lot of room for words … in a film you’ve pretty much just got the visuals and what the character is saying,” she says, curling her hands around an imaginary ball as if she were forming a story inside.

Canning says she’s writing another script — this one about 17 minutes long — but is finding it hard to make time for writing with her busy schedule at Pope Productions.

“Nights and weekends. You go home and you have dinner and you work on the computer more and you wake up early on a Saturday,” she says.

Canning says she’s enjoying the process of making a film more and understands the technique and skill

From page 17

A still from Jordan Canning’s Pillowtalk.

required to put together big-budget Hollywood movies.

She says not many people will notice “a weird shot, or a weird pop of colour” when they go to a movie and not many can notice it even when they are looking for it unless they see the movie several times.

“The best thing to do, I think, is to turn off the sound and watch because

EVENTS SEPTEMBER 25 • 15th Annual AIDS Walk for Life at Quidi Vidi Lake, beginning at the Marquee. Registration 12:30 p.m., walk 2 p.m., 579-8656.

SEPTEMBER 26 • Songwriters on Tour with Barry Canning, Chris LeDrew, Paul Lamb, more. Holiday Inn, Corner Brook, 8 p.m., 726-6497.

SEPTEMBER 27 • Tai Chi Chih, gentle, easy movements for greater aliveness in body, mind and spirit, 753-8760.

SEPTEMBER 28 • Songwriters on Tour with Barry Canning, Chris LeDrew, Paul Lamb, more. Hotel Gander, Gander. 8 p.m., 726-6497.

• Flanker Press’ official launch of Easton’s Gold by Paul Butler 4-6 p.m., Bianca’s, 171 Water Street, 739-4477.

Plenty of history to go around

• The Irish Tenors at Mile One Stadium, 576-7657.

SEPTEMBER 29 • Magnus Rising CD release party, Club One. Doors open 9 p.m., $5 cover. With special guests Cyprian and Silverseed.

SEPTEMBER 30 • The Novaks CD release, Club One, 9 p.m.

OCTOBER 1 • The Independent Artists Cooperative is offering a free workshop in graffiti art, 754-662.

OCTOBER 2 • The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure begins at The Royal Canadian Legion, Quidi Vidi Lake. To register, visit www.cbcf.org or drop by Running Room, Churchill Square before Oct. 1.

that’s when you notice.”

Her favourite part of making a film is being on set.

“A movie shoot is always exciting because it’s this group of people thrown together and it’s almost like summer camp in a way and everything is exciting and new and you’re making all these friendships and yes, it’s going to end, but nobody thinks about that.”

people’s love for this part of the world and their desire to know its roots for provincial history. Debates often the Newfoundland Historical ensue, but they are always controlled Society’s longevity. and well researched discussions.

“The 20th century was a time where The society also hosts at least one there was a huge interest in regional symposium each spring. Some of the history throughout Atlantic Canada,” more popular symposia have been says Hillier. “A lot of historical sociCabot and His World, History of eties have survived. They have Sealing, Encounter with the Wolf become a vehicle where people meet (Confederation with to talk about history.”

Canada) and History There will be plenof the Bank Fishers. ty of history discusThe symposia are sions on the night of “A lot of historical held throughout the the 100th anniversocieties have surprovince so the sociesary. ty can reach as many New and old memvived. They have people as possible. bers alike are encour“We take a specific aged to get involved become a vehicle topic — like Confedwith discussions and eration, or the Cabot where people meet to to share memories of voyage — and we try the society’s past. to focus an event “We’re hoping talk about history.” around it,” says there’s going to be Hillier. “We somesome fun stories,” James Hillier times bring in speaksays Bishop Stirling. ers from outside the “We have some longprovince.” term members who The Newfoundland Historical have been coming for many years, so Society uses its various publications to we’d like to hear from them.” reach many of its 500 members — a Unlike the regular monthly meetgreat number of whom live as far ings, the anniversary celebrations will away as the United States, Europe and feature multiple speakers and topics Western Canada. Such popular books — it won’t be the usual lecture about as Hillier’s Confederation: Deciding one issue.

Newfoundland’s Future, 1934 to 1949 The society wants to cover as much and Alan Williams’ John Cabot and of their history as possible, says Newfoundland have helped the soci- Melanie Martin, program chair. ety’s remain a strong association for “We’re going to try to get as into the such a long period of time. time period as possible so members The fact the organization has sur- can take it home with them,” she says. vived for 100 years is not lost on current members, says Hillier. He credits darcy.macrae@theindependent.ca

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

20 • INDEPENDENTLIFE

With the aid of nominations from readers, a team of Independent judges has chosen Our Navigators, a top-10 list of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. The 10 have been profiled, one a week, since late June. Vote for a No. 1 by visiting The Independent’s website — www.theindependent.ca. The final decision will be made by the judges, with the No. 1 to be revealed next week.

WILLIAM FORD COAKER 1871-1938 Politician and union leader changed face of Newfoundland fishery

D

escribed as a magnetic and tireless leader, William Coaker’s work stands as the first great movement to organize fishermen — and sealers, and loggers — in the province in the early 1900s.

He sought strength in unity and pride, aiming to lead the workers out from under the thumb of the merchants, traders, and government. He is remembered as a creative thinker, a tireless fighter for the working class and a Newfoundlander of great depth and vision.

Over his lifetime, Coaker formed the 20,000-strong Fishermen’s Protective Union, the Union Trading Company, the Union Export Company, the Union Shipbuilding Company, Union Light and Power and The Fishermen’s Advocate, a weekly newspaper.

In the 1913 election the Union party ran under what became known as the Bonavista Platform — 23 reforms, including a standardized cull of fish, hiring of trade agents, weekly publication of overseas fish prices, educational reforms, old-age pensions and the establishment of cold storage bait depots.

In 1919, Coaker’s men, in coalition with Liberal Sir Richard Squires, were successful and became the ruling government.

While many of his fisheries regulations were implemented, they were later repealed.

Coaker was knighted in 1923 for his work as a leader, businessman, and founder of Port Union.

MOSE MORGAN 1917-1995 Memorial president changed face of post-secondary education ose Morgan was president of Memorial University for nine years, and also held the honourary title of president emeritus. From his first days at the institution as a student in the 1930s, to his death in 1995, he was, in the words of former president Art May, “an integral part of the university’s very fabric.”

Morgan was born in 1917 at Blaketown, Trinity Bay and spent his childhood in Harbour Deep, Garnish, Pool’s Island and Salvage.

In his career at Memorial, Morgan was influential in, if not responsible for, establishing new facilities such as the medical school, the Ocean Sciences Centre, the Queen Elizabeth II Library, the School of Music (which was named after him) and the division of junior studies.

Morgan was a Companion of the Order of Canada, the recipient of eight honourary doctorates, and a Rhodes Scholar. He helped establish the J. R. Smallwood Heritage Foundation and subsequently ensured the completion of the Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador.

M

VERA PERLIN 1902-1974 Pioneer for education and rights of mentally disabled

V

era Perlin started the first school for children with special needs in St. John’s in 1954, and became a pioneer in education within the province and throughout North America.

In the face of apathy and much misunderstanding, Perlin offered an opportunity for people with mental and physical disabilities to become proud, productive and contributing members of society. She became a leader in advocacy for the rights of the mentally disabled — rights that are still being fought for, and met, by the Vera Perlin Society. Perlin influenced the entire school system of Newfoundland and Labrador, and broke new ground on a national scale with her vision and accomplishments.

By the early 1950s, her schools operated around the island and in Labrador. In 1957 the Newfoundland Association for the Help of Retarded Children was incorporated; in 1966 a bigger, all-purpose building was opened on Pennywell Road in St. John’s.

In 1971, when the provincial government finally assumed responsibility for the education of mentally disabled children between ages six and 18, the association had a dozen branches and classrooms in the province.

In the early 1970s, the association — which has since been renamed the Vera Perlin Society — began offering services for preschool children, and then, later, adults.

ROBERT ABRAM BARTLETT 1875-1946 Captain of the ice; the greatest explorer

R

obert Abram Bartlett may well have been one of the greatest ice captains of all time. He was skilled, fearless and worshipped by his crew, but there was more to Newfoundland and Labrador’s famed arctic explorer than brawn and strong leadership. He was a writer, reader, lover of music and gardening, even a one-time actor; a man driven by his passions.

Bartlett was a sealing captain and explorer, a man who sailed to reach the elusive North Pole on several occasions with Robert Peary. Numerous shipwrecks and grueling slogs for survival failed to stop the boy from Brigus from conquering unknown northern plains. He undertook 20 arctic expeditions — more than any other explorer before or since.

Bartlett, one of nine living children, was born in 1875 into a true seafaring family. He commanded his first ship at the age of 17.

Captain Bob Bartlett left behind a legacy of work and knowledge, including his memoirs, numerous articles written for National Geographic and many esteemed awards.

He also left behind an unfulfilled wish to retire to his home in Brigus. A memorial stands there today in remembrance of his achievements.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTLIFE • 21

SIR ROBERT BOND

BISHOP MICHAEL FLEMING

1857-1927

1792-1850 He built the Basilica, brought in the nuns and changed life in Newfoundland

Father of Newfoundland nationalism

A

lot of Sir Robert Bond’s political successes were gained outside Newfoundland, in highlevel negotiations of foreign policy and treaties — but he is equally remembered, and applauded, for his strong Newfoundland nationalism.

Bond was born in 1857 in St. John’s to a wealthy family. A lawyer by trade, he stepped into the world of public service in 1882 and stayed for 32 years.

Bond took a keen interest in attempting to solve the struggle over the French shore (this finally happened in 1904 under his prime ministership) and in lobbying for a reciprocity agreement with the United States. He did negotiate what was basically a free-trade arrangement, known as the Bond-Blaine Convention — but his triumph was short-lived, as Canada vetoed the deal.

In the mid-1890s, Newfoundland faced major upheaval and near-bankruptcy with the failure of two main banks. Searching for a solution, Bond led a delegation to Ottawa to discuss confederation; unimpressed with the terms offered, he went to financial institutions for another solution.

In a complex arrangement, Bond backed a loan for the savings bank with a personal guarantee of $100,000.

It was Bond’s good fortune to be prime minister of Newfoundland through the first decade of the 20th century, one of the most prosperous periods in its history.

ichael Anthony Fleming, a young Irish priest, transformed the political and religious — not to mention physical — landscape of the colony of Newfoundland. Serving as bishop for two decades, Fleming developed a strong, organized Catholic presence across Newfoundland, building new churches, opening chapels and cemeteries, restructuring parishes, and recruiting Irish priests.

He also paved the way for the education of thousands of young girls, and envisioned one of the first large-scale, permanent buildings in St. John’s. The Basilica of St. John the Baptist was more than a place of worship, it was an imposing statement that the people of Newfoundland were there to stay.

Fleming was born in Ireland in 1792. Encouraged by his uncle, the young man entered the religious life, and was ordained in 1815. Eight years later, he was asked to cross the ocean to work as a priest in St. John’s.

Although he was never actually a Canadian, Bishop Fleming has been designated a person of national historic significance to Canada by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

ARMINE GOSLING

WILLIAM J. HERDER

1861-1942

M

1849-1922

Advocate helped Newfoundland women land the right to vote

Founder of The Evening Telegram started a dynasty

hile Armine Gosling didn’t burn her bra in the street, she and a group of like-minded women may have given Newfoundland its biggest boost for women’s lib — the right to vote.

Gosling wasn’t just involved with the suffrage movement. She founded the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), was a staunch advocate of child welfare groups, supported a home for elderly women and still found time to raise enormous sums for her church.

Originally from Quebec, Gosling moved to St. John’s at the age of 21, where she worked as the principal of the Church of England Girls’ School.

It was at her boarding house where she met her husband-to-be, William Gilbert Gosling, who later served as mayor of the city from 1916 to 1920 — in part because of his wife’s support.

Her first victory allowed women to vote in the city’s municipal elections in 1920. Women won the right to vote in Newfoundland elections in April 1925, although Gosling was taking care of her sick husband in Bermuda at the time of the announcement.

In 1930, the year of the death of her husband, Gosling donated his collection of books to Newfoundland, which led to the founding of the Gosling Memorial Library, once located on Duckworth Street in St. John’s.

T

W

JUDGE D.W. PROWSE

he odds were against William James Herder when the first issue of The Evening Telegram rolled off the presses on April 3,

1879.

There had already been eight other attempts to launch daily newspapers in the province.

At the time, there was at least one tri-weekly paper and seven bi-weekly papers competing in the limited marketplace — the population of St. John’s was about 30,000; the entire island held about 175,000.

But The Evening Telegram (now The Telegram) bucked the trend and is now celebrating its 126th birthday. It remained in the hands of William Herder and his direct descendants until 1970.

Herder was born in New Perlican, Trinity Bay, in 1849. At about age 14, Herder started as a printer’s apprentice at The Courier, a St. John’sbased weekly paper. The paper printed for the last time in 1878 and Herder purchased one of its presses for his own operation.

Through those years, The Evening Telegram often functioned, not only as the paper of record, but as an unofficial opposition to the government.

Even if the Herder family no longer owns The Telegram, their legacy lives on in the Herder Memorial Trophy, the prized cup of senior hockey in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Tely 10 road race.

JOSEPH SMALLWOOD 1900-1991

Scholar, hunter, character; Prowse pioneered Newfoundland history

T

Politician, Father of Confederation, writer — Smallwood was loved and hated

hough Judge Daniel Woodley Prowse’s A History of Newfoundland has been discredited time and again since his death in 1914, his book remains a staple in collections of Newfoundland literature, considered one of the most complete and meticulous colonial history books in existence.

Born in Port de Grave in 1834, Prowse was known not only as a historian, but as a “real character,” an outdoorsman and hunter, a stickler for detail and a passionate Newfoundlander.

Called the “30-day judge” (his favourite prison sentence) by some, and “old curmudgeon” by others, few Newfoundlanders haven’t heard the name Judge Prowse. Most people are more likely to know Prowse’s work than the man himself.

The circuit court judge was known as an advocate against alcohol smuggling from StPierre-Miquelon, and aside from being the sole author of his life’s work, A History of Newfoundland, he was the sole salesman. Prowse has been praised for his patience for the information he compiled for his famous A History of Newfoundland. In Prowse’s time it took six weeks alone to get a letter overseas.

J

oseph Roberts Smallwood, the Father of Confederation, was loved, hated, feared and admired. He achieved his dream of joining his homeland with Canada and changed the economic face of Newfoundland and Labrador during an astonishing all-powerful reign as premier of almost 23 years.

Joseph R. Smallwood was born in 1900 in Gambo, the eldest of 13 children.

Smallwood was passionate in his mission to modernize and advance Newfoundland and Labrador. He improved infrastructure, hospitals and most notably further education in the form of Memorial University. He also enforced resettlement, the grand plan to resettle the outports, transferring people to where the jobs were said to be, spawning an epidemic of ghost towns and displacement.

He had dreams of creating industry in the province and he courted the interests of foreign capitalists amid tales of bribery and corruption. Larger projects such as an oil refinery at Come

By Chance and Churchill Falls hydro-electric development followed, but with disappointing results and at incredible costs to taxpayers.

Smallwood’s reign eventually came to a drawn-out end in the early 1970s. He threw himself into cultivating his love of history, by developing and publishing the first volumes of the Newfoundland and Labrador Encyclopedia.

Judges for Our Navigators are John Crosbie, Ray Guy, Noreen Golfman, John FitzGerald, Ivan Morgan and Ryan Cleary.

Make your voice heard! Vote online for the top Navigator at

www.theindependent.ca See next week’s paper for the results

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

22 • INDEPENDENTLIFE

Heaven a fantastic fairy tale TIM CONWAY Film Score Just Like Heaven (95 min.)

Starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo (out of four)

W

hen David Abbott’s realtor scoured San Francisco for the perfect furnished apartment for her client, it would have helped if he had informed her his main goal wasn’t so much a designer’s dream come true as much as a comfortable place to park his butt.

Despite the numerous and varied choices of accommodations available to him, all were vetoed because the couch didn’t feel right.

With all possibilities seemingly exhausted, luck — or more accurately, fate — intervenes, and David and his realtor find the perfect spot. It’s a tastefully decorated sublet that boasts a terrific view, and most important, a comfy couch.

In jig time, David’s life is back to normal, or what’s constituted normal for the last year — camped out on the couch, feeling depressed.

His self-indulgent funk is interrupted one day by a young woman who finds her way into the apartment, claiming that he is trespassing on her property.

She leaves the room on the pretext of calling the police, and when David follows her, he turns a corner to discover she’s gone.

Similar incidents over the next little while convince David he’s really beginning to go over the edge. Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, he resolves to approach the problem by keeping his mind open to all possibilities and solutions. He never could have imagined where this would take him.

Based on Marc Levy’s debut novel If Only It Were True, Just like Heaven features Mark Ruffalo as David, and America’s unofficial sweetheart, Reese Witherspoon, as Elizabeth Martinson, the woman David is seeing. Directed

by Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday), the film skillfully manoeuvres around and through moments of comedy and drama in a fashion that is inexplicably rare these days.

Ruffalo and Witherspoon, both capable of much more demanding roles, still approach these characters with the attention they deserve. Given the room to move here, both leads create a scenario that we can accept, and we’re with them all the way.

Well, most of the way, but that only applies to some of us, and neither the actors, nor the director can be held accountable for the film’s major speed

BEST SELLERS MATTRESS SALE 2 pc

set

Sale $169.99 2 pc

Summit

A luxury mattress you can flip!

set

Sale $199.99 832 Pocket Coils (Queen) 2 layers 1.5” Convoluted Foam and 1 oz. Fibre Quilted to Typar & Fabric 1” Uph. Foam Quilted Borders Semi-Flex Foundation

Sale $259.99

Sale $329.99

Sale $389.99

2 pc. Queen (60”) Mattress & Foundation Compare at $1299.

Sale $

999.99

2 pc. Twin Mattress Set

Sale $799.99 2 pc. Double Mattress Set

Sale $899.99 3 pc. King Mattress Set

Sale $1699.99

Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo star in Just Like Heaven.

bump.

In the final third of the film, the issue of euthanasia, specifically, “pulling the plug,” comes into play. If you’re looking to deflate a big pretty balloon of a story that’s really started to soar, this is the kind of issue that’s going to take some of the wind out of it.

Moreover, in a year that has seen the western world divided into two very emotional halves on a similar subject, the timing could only have been worse if the picture had been released when the battle lines were drawn.

Fortunately, the film doesn’t present itself as the source of the final answer to the issue, although by using the situation in the story for lightweight comedy and romantic drama, it does set itself up for criticism from another direction, that of trivializing the topic. One would guess that in France, novelist Levy’s home country, the catch phrase “Don’t go there …,” hasn’t worked its way into the language.

Encumbered as it is, Just Like Heaven is the kind of fantastic fairy tale

Hollywood does better than anyone, and some would argue, correctly, that they’ve made better films based on similar stories. Hollywood and others have done far worse with a lot more, as well, and this film shouldn’t be dismissed on the basis that 15 or 50 years ago, someone made a superior one. It’s engaging, it’s entertaining, and it’s here, now.

Lord of War (122 min.)

Starring Nicolas Cage and Jared Leto (out of four) Hailing from New Zealand, writer/director Andrew Niccol appears to be unafraid of taking on serious topics for motion pictures. Uninterested in stamping out variations of recent hits to generate coin for the big studios, his work suggests someone who locks onto an important idea and strives to explore it in commercial cinema.

Unfortunately, when Niccol directs his own screenplays (Gattaca, Simone) the results aren’t as polished as when a more experienced and detached filmmaker takes the reins, as we find with Peter Weir directing Niccol’s screenplay for The Truman Show.

So it is that Niccol’s latest effort, Lord of War, is a valiant, well-intentioned attempt to explore the world of international arms smuggling.

Unfortunately heavy-handed and pedantic, almost to the point of condescension, the film begins to feel like an educational exercise masquerading as entertainment. As Nicolas Cage narrates, those of us without notebooks and pens at the ready are likely to feel unprepared as shocking facts, figures, and observations are cavalierly tossed our way.

Cage easily fits the skin of slick Yuri Orlov, one of the world’s most successful gun runners. Assuming he’s above or detached from the violence wrought by his clients, Orlov pursues his work as though it were some noble profession that has yet been appreciated by modern man. He sees no right or wrong, just supply, demand, and profit margins.

While Cage does attempt to bring a few subtleties to his character, Niccol works even harder to remove them.

Likewise, in a motion picture that can boast a number of poignant scenes, Niccol strives to minimize their effectiveness, mostly through the narration.

In a better motion picture, all of the information the writer/director wants to impart to us would be presented in a matter that we could discover and understand. As it is delivered here, however, our role is simply to sit and memorize what we’re told.

Tim Conway operates Capital Video, in Rawlin’s Cross, St. John’s. His next column appears Oct. 9.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENT SPECIAL SECTION • 23

24 • INDEPENDENTSPECIAL SECTION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

A wonderful addition

It has started. The days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning their colorful dance, the air is crisp and clean. Following Mother Nature’s lead, many people’s thoughts are drifting towards fall home improvement.

If you spend a little time redoing your home atmosphere in the fall, you’ll have less time to worry about the impending winter season and all the harshness that entails. You’ll also have a great new space to admire.

Autumn is a fine time for some

home renovation projects. Distract yourself from the thoughts of impending snow, sleet and slush by redecorating your home and grounds. That way when the harsh elements come rapping at your doors and windows, you’ll be able to relax with a nice hot chocolate, or hot toddy, whatever your fancy, while enjoying your spruced up space.

Going about home upgrading does not necessarily mean that you have to break the bank in order to achieve something beautiful and personal.

Your home is an expression of your own unique preferences and style.

How you decorate your home says a lot about you. Your own imagination should be the only limit on your stylistic reins, and there are many unique ways to express yourself in and around your home.

Stained glass is a wonderful addition to your home decor project. It provides privacy without eliminating light, and with so many options to choose from, antique, modern or even custom designs, it

is an interesting way to turn a boring room into a majestic area. It can be used to turn a busy street or a lazy meadow into a kaleidoscope of color.

Stained glass overlay can be used throughout your house to introduce some color and texture to otherwise dull rooms.

A great way to add a little whimsy to your living area, and come the winter, wouldn’t it be better to look at all that snow and ice through a stained glass window?

Just imagine; blue snow, orange

ice, purple drifts!

On the other hand, if you are not that color crazy, or just can’t commit to one shade for a window or cabinet door, why not go with clear glass? You don’t need color to create glorious results. You can create dramatic scenes in your home with textured glass through beveling and design intricacy. It makes the home uniquely yours.

David Pye is owner and operator of SGO Designer Glass, located at 835 Topsail Road in Mount Pearl.

They offer a truly spectacular range in stained glass overlay

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

options for your home. Stained glass overlay is a modern approach to an ancient art.

Regular stained glass comprises several different pieces of cut glass, whereas stained glass overlay can be installed right over your existing glass.

Films are cut and applied to a single sheet of glass with lead strips on both sides, resulting in a product that looks and feels like traditional cut glass, but at a much more affordable price. SGO’s products typically cost 30% to 50% less than regular cut glass.

There are countless design

INDEPENDENTSPECIAL SECTION • 25

options, which means you can have total artistic freedom, or even custom work, based on a beloved family pet, a precious photo or a favorite fairytale.

Stained glass overlay is not simply a great accent to any room in your home, it also provides privacy. Bathroom windows and shower areas are a popular choice among customers of SGO Designer Glass, as well as porches and entryways.

“Hard to decorate windows, like the rounds, the octagons, the archtops, these are typically windows that are hard to get draperies for,

so this is a really viable alternative for that,” says Pye. As well, there is no need to rip out your windows. Pye goes on to say “If it’s an existing home with an existing window, I just take a template of that window, get another piece of glass cut and I just clip it right into that window.”

Another plus is that if you move, you don’t have to leave your glass behind, it’s just a matter of taking out a few screws and taking the piece with you. Truly timeless.

The designs can be used to complement or accent many areas of your home. SGO Designer Glass

To quote Robert Frost; “Good fences make good neighbors.”

Truly, it is much easier to deal with some neighbors if you don’t have to deal with peeling paint or a yapping dog. So, the next thing you know, you are staring at a thoroughly boring expanse of woodworking.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case.

Many people overlook this very important aspect of home decoration or renovation. All attention is focused on the house itself, interior and exterior, while your grounds do little to meas-

offers a wide range of options; front door sidelights, skylights, ceiling light panels, shower and tub enclosures, mirrors, table tops, room dividers, the list is limitless.

Another attraction is that the product provides glare reduction and UV fading, keeping your furnishings and wall hangings safe from the rays of the ever elusive Newfoundland sun.

With more than 300 different colors and textures to choose from, as well an artist onsite to help with custom work, SGO Designer Glass is a fine way to add beauty to your home. And they do free

ure up. Your lawn, garden or backyard can be a great place to add a little oomph to your atmosphere.

There are of course a few things that spring to mind: gnomes, trolls, flower beds, and beware of dog signs, but there are other options. You can have your premises adorned in such a manner that they are a true reflection of your personality.

Wooden structures may be the most common fencing, but they are not the only choice. A unique fence is a great way to add a decorative touch to your home’s exteri-

estimates! Pye is committed to providing you, the customer, with a design that will fit your needs and the style of your home. They can work with builders and remodelers on new construction and also on restoration of historic buildings.

Also, what a spectacular Christmas gift idea. Never mind socks, ties, or perfume, why not give the gift of illustrious stained glass overlay this holiday season through SGO gift certificates.

Give the gift of beauty and distinction.

or. It is more than a boundary marker after all. The fence may well be what first greets you or your visitors.

The difficult thing to figure out is what material to use when constructing your perimeter. The price of lumber is going up every day, and no matter what kind of wood you use, it is going to decay.

Wouldn’t it be a fanciful idea to have a fence that lasts as long as your house does? Well, that is not such a far-fetched idea.

European Fence Supplies, located at 9 Riverview Avenue in Mount Pearl, offers a cost-effective alternative to a wooden fence without having to resort to chicken wire.

In operation since earlier this year, owner and operator Michael Mcgarry is confident that his product is the future in fencing. His company designs and constructs concrete fences, which add a great deal to your backyard or front lawn.

“Lumber prices are going up, we’re looking at climate, we’re gonna get more hurricanes, we’re gonna have a shortage of lumber, and we have to look at another alternative, and that is what I am trying to provide,” says Mcgarry.

At European Fence Supplies, the goal is to provide a solid structure that you can put on your grounds and forget about it . No painting or maintenance ofany kind is required.

With that kind of claim, you would almost expect that the price of such a construct would be a put off, but according to Mcgarry, that is not the case at all. “Joe Average can come and afford our fences.

We’re actually cheaper than a wooden fence.” And that is not the only benefit. Your yard or garden, once encompassed by a concrete fence, seems much larger. That’s because the fence posts are so much closer together, giving the illusion of more space.

Even though it is a new company, in operation since May of this year, business is already thriving.

You may have, in fact, even seen some of the work done without knowing it. Have you ever heard of The Ultimate Dream Home giveaway? Of course you have.

That’s the contest where you buy a ticket and enter to win a new home and a new car. The home is fully furnished and comes enclosed by a fence designed by European Fence Supplies, one of the official Dream

26 • INDEPENDENT SPECIAL SECTION

Home suppliers.

If you aren’t lucky enough to be living in a Dream Home and would like to see what a concrete fence entails, drop by their Mount Pearl location, off Park Avenue.

There are displays outside the building, but none inside, as the owner doesn’t believe that any pushy salesperson is needed. The product sells itself.

“Come down, have a look at the

product, see which one you like, email me with your linear footage...you don’t even have to speak to me, I’ll email it to them.

At the end of the day as long as every customer is happy, I’m happy.”

Basically, you are looking for a way to mark your land, contain the kids and the dog, and you end up getting a radical landscape product that goes well beyond just fencing in the little ones. It

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

changes the way your yard or garden looks.

This fall season, when Mother Nature blows the leaves from the trees and onto your ground, you won’t want to delegate the task of raking the leaves. You will want to do it yourself, because you will want to be in the grand atmosphere created by European Fence Supplies.E-mail the linear footage for a quote on line. mmcgarry@nl.rogers.com

INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 1, 2005 — PAGE 27

Fleet manager Ralph Evans at Avalon Ford in St. John’s

Paul Daly/The Independent

Hybrid hype Sales of environmentally friendly cars picking up in wake of rising fuel costs

By Clare-Marie Gosse The Independent

H

ybrid cars are generating interest in Newfoundland and Labrador — just as they are around the world in the wake of brutal gas prices.

Toyota, Honda and Ford, which currently lead the hybrid market, all carry environmentally friendly models on a local level.

Trevor Bradley, sales manager for Toyota Plaza in St. John’s, says ever since gas prices started to skyrocket, “interest has gone through the roof.”

Toyota carries the best-selling mid-size hybrid in America — the Prius. Bradley says his dealership has sold roughly half a dozen this year. It can be hard to get the $31,000 vehicle as a regular stock item in the show room on Kenmount Road because demand is so high in the United States.

Hybrid vehicles are the next step towards creating hydrogen powered, clean emission cars at realistically affordable prices. The technology com-

bines a small gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery. Some models can cut back as much as 50 per cent of harmful emissions and reduce pollution by up to a third.

The gas and electric systems work in tandem, melding seamlessly, depending on speed, acceleration and heat, and they’re just as comfortable and effective to drive — if not more so — than regular vehicles.

The upfront costs are higher and, at the moment, advantages in fuel savings by comparison are more relevant to the environment, rather than consumers’ wallets, but car manufactures are consistently working to produce more cost and fuel-efficient models.

Currently, there are only a handful of hybrids on the market, but at least two dozen models, including sports cars, delivery vans and scooters are expected within the next two years.

Bradley says Toyota aims to halve the cost of developing hybrid technology by 2007 and is pushing to have 15 per cent of its sales made up of

hybrids by that time.

“This is the next step,” he tells The Independent.

“Bridging the gap between gas and what the next big thing will be.”

He adds Toyota recently developed a $42,000 hybrid SUV Highlander and Bradley has already sold two, which are scheduled to arrive in St. John’s within the week.

Ford was the first manufacturer to put a hybrid SUV on the market. Fleet manager for Avalon Ford in St. John’s, Ralph Evans, can’t say enough good things about the Ford Escape Hybrid, which has enjoyed similar rates of sale, locally, as the smaller Toyota Prius. Both the provincial Environment Department and the RCMP own models.

Apart from its virtually noiseless, yet powerful operation, Evans (who admits to being used to driving large gas-guzzling trucks) says the most surprising element of operating the spacious Escape is how much the vehicle changes motoring habits.

See “New hybrids,” page 28

The lure of the Pink, White and Green

D

uring the recent visit of the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister), Premier Danny Williams cheered the large crowd gathered by suggesting, perhaps musing, that maybe we should bring back the Pink, White and Green.

He was speaking in jest, I’m sure, as the current flag of Newfoundland and Labrador is well established. His comment, however, reflected the growing lure of the old tri-colour and the restlessness of wanting to see change, growth and equality for the province within the Canadian federation.

The Pink, White and Green has an interesting history and has become a symbol of Newfoundland and Labrador’s bygone independence. A time when we were self governed. A time before Canada was even conceived.

SIOBHAN COADY

The bottom line The Pink, White and Green was a widely-flown flag in Newfoundland from the 1840s into the 20th century.

According to Memorial University’s heritage website, the story goes that during annual wood hauls for the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals, which took place while sealers were in town in the spring, considerable rivalry developed between the two groups.

The Protestant English marked their woodpiles with pink banners, while the Catholic Irish used green. The threat of violence was such that Bishop Michael

Fleming intervened, and persuaded the sealers to adopt a common flag, on which the pink and green were separated by a white stripe to symbolize peace, taken from the banner of Scotland.

It is alleged the current Irish flag finds its origins in Newfoundland’s tricolour.

While there were many challenges with the old flag, it has emerged as a new symbol of the province — a symbol of growing awareness of the strength, capability and potential of Newfoundland and Labrador. To some, it represents a departure from past perceptions. For me, the flag represents a recognition of our collective character, the development of our culture, pride of our people and hope for our future.

It stands for overcoming adversity, putting aside the ‘why we can’t’ and tak-

ing up the ‘yes we can.’

I watched this past week as a young, bright, articulate native son climbed a ladder in downtown St. John’s and proudly raised the old Pink, White and Green on his home. He didn’t think of the original development of the flag, nor did he reflect on why it no longer is our provincial ensign. Instead, he showed the pride he holds for this province and his hopes for its future.

The Pink, White and Green is being interpreted as a symbol of the strength and intelligence of our people, the depth of our resources and the potential for this province.

I strongly believe there is a new Newfoundland and Labrador.

Whatever symbol we take to represent our vitality and our potential is not as important as ensuring that we do the right things to achieve success.

We must ensure we have a vision and a plan to make Newfoundland and Labrador everything we want it to be.

It is not enough to rely on the potential of our resources or on happenstance.

We have to engage in debates as to how we make this province everything it should be. Ireland did it, so did Iceland, and yes, they are countries — but so did Alberta and Saskachewan. We can and will transform our province into what we want it to be. We’ve started something.

The bottom line is we are a phoenix rising. Newfoundland and Labrador is looking to the horizon and is setting its course for the future. And we look to our past, to the perception of the Pink, White and Green, to help us set sail. To all bright, articulate native sons and daughters, the wind is at our back, let’s chart the course.

SAVINGS THIS GOOD ONLY COME ONCE A YEAR.

THE 2005 VOLVO SENDOFF. WE’RE MAKING ROOM FOR OUR 2006S. SAVINGS ON EACH AND EVERY 2005 VOLVO MODEL PUT LEGENDARY SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN WITHIN YOUR GRASP. DON’T WAIT. DRIVE THIS SUMMER IN A VOLVO.

2005 VOLVO S40

2005 VOLVO S60

2005 VOLVO V50

2005 VOLVO V70

2005 VOLVO XC70

2005 VOLVO S80

2005 VOLVO XC90

VOLVO OF NEWFOUNDLAND 934 Topsail Road, Mount Pearl (709) 368-7683 www.volvoofnf.com ©2005 Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. “Volvo. for life” is a registered trade-mark used under licence by Volvo Cars of Canada Ltd. Always remember to wear your seat belt. Visit volvocanada.com

28 • INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

DEAD DEAL

A delegation of senior officials with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. met at Confederation Building in St. John’s Sept. 17. Prior to the meeting, Premier Danny Williams expressed optimism a deal could be done to prevent the closure of the Stephenville mill and keep a paper machine in Grand Falls-Windsor.

Hopes were dashed this past week when Williams announced the two sides had reached an impasse.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Are good times about to end?

Experts warn cost of oil, 85-cent loonie threaten Canada’s sizzling economy

By Steven Theobald and Sharda Prashad Torstar wire service

579-STOG 77 Harv Harvey ey Road

Stoggers’ Pizza The“best The “bestpizz zzain intown” town”is is

BACK!

Y

ou might think Canadians had rarely had it so good. Our dollar is at a 13-year high, Canada’s benchmark stock index just hit its best level in five years and is within sight of breaking its record, and the housing boom continues unabated.

But economists caution that our recent prosperity is a double-edged sword.

Manufacturing jobs are in jeopardy, interest rates are heading marginally higher and housing construction is expected to slow, they say.

And average consumers are going to be squeezed by higher energy prices.

“It’s a mixed story, that’s what it is,” said University of Toronto economics professor Peter Dungan.

The dollar surged last week for the highest close since January 1992, passing a threshold many economists say will begin to threaten more manufacturing jobs as Canadian exports become increasingly expensive.

Meanwhile, Canada’s premier stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, closed at 11,024.73, the highest since September 2000.

Both were boosted by the price of oil, which in turn was driven up by fears that tropical storm Rita could hit the energy industry in the Gulf of Mexico in the midst of attempts to recover from the devastation of hurricane Katrina.

Indeed, crude oil futures soared more than $4, marking the biggest one-day jump on record. Benchmark light, sweet crude for October delivery rose $4.39, or seven per cent, to settle at $67.39 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The Canadian dollar has become a foreign-exchange speculator’s currency of choice when oil prices surge.

And the “petro-loonie” could keep driving higher.

“If energy prices continue to escalate and the Bank of Canada doesn’t sound any alarm bells, the Canadian dollar could go toward 90 cents,” says Steve Saldanha, chief foreign exchange strategist at TD Securities.

Big gains in real estate and stock markets are helping keep consumers spending by making them feel wealthier. And borrowing has never been easier, thanks to ultra-low interest rates and flexible loan schemes.

But consumers will start feeling the

Approximately 85,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since the beginning of the year because of the high dollar.

pinch of skyrocketing energy prices this winter when home heating bills start rolling in, warns Andrew Pyle, senior financial markets economist at the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The high dollar and soaring energy costs will probably stop the Bank of Canada from raising its trend-setting interest rates much this year, perhaps only one more quarter-point increase, Pyle says.

Adds senior economist Benjamin Tal of CIBC World Markets: “The economy will not be as strong as last year.

Basically, there will be marginally higher interest rates, a strong dollar, high energy prices, and the housing

market will level off.”

Tal also believes the labour market is softening.

“At the beginning of the year, there were close to 20,000 to 25,000 new jobs being created (per month), and now there’s about 15,000 new jobs,” he says.

Canada is an exporting country, Tal adds, so a strong dollar hurts the manufacturing sector.

Approximately 85,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost since the beginning of the year because of the high dollar, as one of Canada’s competitive advantages is its low dollar, he says.

Higher energy prices also threaten both consumers and central Canada’s manufacturers. The strong currency, which tends to rise when interest rates increase, is also a big problem for exporters facing intense competition from Asian rivals.

“This is clearly, clearly a double-barrelled challenge for the Ontario economy to have the dollar at a 13-year high and oil prices taking off again,” says Doug Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Nesbitt Burns.

National Bank Financial chief economist Clément Gignac points out Canada is alone as a net energy exporter among the Group of Seven nations, and the only one with a balanced budget.

“So suddenly the country looks like a safehaven.”

He says lower demand for oil from Asia will bring the oil price down to $50 a barrel and the dollar to 83 cents next year, “but in the short term, God knows.”

Underscoring the impact of energy prices on Canadian equity markets this year is the fact Calgary-based energy producer EnCana Corp. slipped past the Royal Bank of Canada to become the country’s largest company by stockmarket value.

New hybrids to hit market From page 27 “It makes you want to get the vehicle to work on electricity and so you’re always conscious.”

Evans explains the technology of the hybrid Escape during a test drive. He demonstrates how the electric part of the engine works solo until reaching speeds over 64 km, at which time the gas part of the engine smoothly kicks in; any further power needed is taken from an electrical engine assist. A dial on the dashboard shows the engine’s transitions.

The one-mechanism, “constant variable transmission” engine (which basically means no separate gears) allows for smooth control up steep hills and a saving on energy usually lost through gear shifting. When the vehicle comes to a halt, it seems as though the engine has died. Although it’s completely silent, it’s actually running at full electric capacity which means no fuel is wasted when idling.

The $35,000 Escape — which costs

roughly $3,500 more than the standard Ford Escape — is ideally suited to everyday, inner city driving as well as extended road trips. Evans, who drives a show-room demo outside of work — says he consistently gets about 600 km from every tank of gas and a conscious driver can keep the car running on electricity at least 60 per cent of the time.

The system is regenerative, so the action of braking actually re-energizes the battery.

“Every time you put your foot on the brake, it engages the electric engine, which generates friction, which creates heat, which will then convert to electricity and store it back into the battery, so you never have to plug the vehicle in,” he says.

Because braking is done primarily through the engine, Evans adds wear and tear is minimal.

He says Ford is already in the process of introducing more hybrid models into the market place.

The leaders in the hybrid market are Honda, which introduced the first ever model five years ago — the Honda

Insight.

Today, the company carries three hybrid models and recently became the first to put a completely hydrogen powered car on the regular, consumer market.

The Honda Fuel Cell FCX emits only water from its tail pipe. Fuel cells generate power when hydrogen mixes with oxygen in the air and the cars have to be refilled in a similar way to gas-powered vehicles. Shell has already opened small commercial hydrogen stations similar to gas stations in Iceland and Japan.

Bob Gullage, sales manager for City Honda in St. John’s, says he’s sold out of the Honda Civic hybrid model and expects to be stocking the powerful hybrid Honda Accord in his showroom within a month; the company is also considering introducing a hybrid compact utility vehicle.

Other manufacturers are currently poised to release new hybrid models on the market, including Mercedes and Nissan and Chevrolet already offers two hybrid pick-up trucks.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTBUSINESS • 29

Oil execs admit profits O

Paul Oram, chair of the Red Tape Reduction Task Force.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Where to cut?

Red tape task force sharpens its scissors

By Darcy MacRae The Independent

T

he provincial government’s plan to reduce red tape by 25 per cent over three years is underway. The process started the week of Sept. 11 when each department began taking inventory of its regulations and statutes.

Departments were given 30 days to finalize their counts, with each and every question on government forms being reviewed.

After each department finishes its inventory, the cutting of red tape will begin. Individual government divisions then have 45 days to axe the most obvious forms of red tape, says Paul Oram, Tory MHA for Terra Nova and chair of the Red Tape Reduction Task Force.

“The quick regulations — the ones you can get rid of fast — the easy ones will go first,” Oram tells The Independent.

The easy ones Oram refers to are the regulations and statues that are outdated or no longer enforced. The best example Oram can think of is a question on many provincial government forms asking for a telex number.

“It’s so funny because one of the employees in the room, they didn’t know what a telex was,” Oram says.

Telex machines, commonly used in the 1970s, are a communications system consisting of teletypewriters connected to a telephonic network to send and receive signals. Basically, an individual could type a message on a typewriter in her office and have it print out in the location of the desired recipient. Considering how long it has been since such technology was used, Oram was amused to find forms still asked for such information.

“It seems immaterial, but still it’s another blank that somebody has to scan through and make a form even longer,” says Oram.

Another quirky finding thus far is the repetitive nature of certain government forms. Oram says there are documents that instruct people to fill out another form if their answer to a particular question is yes or no. The second form, however,

often contains almost exactly the same questions as the first.

“It was like asking for the same information again,” Oram says. “You could eliminate maybe 30 blanks right there.”

As well as taking inventory of the regulations and statues of each department, the task force is also speaking to people and businesses around the province to determine exactly what they would most like to see cut.

“We’re travelling around the province to get feedback from people on what slows them down,” Oram says.

“We’ll work on those right away. That way when departments are counting their regulations, they’ll be required to look at what we’ve done through consultations to be sure we get the ones that really mean something to businesses and individuals.”

While Oram says the first cuts will be easy, as time goes on he expects it will become increasingly difficult for ministers and deputy ministers to do away with red tape.

“That’s a part of this process,” Oram says.

“There’s going to be a situation where they’re going to say ‘I can’t do this.’ That’s where the rubber hits the road and it comes down to saying do we actually need this regulation on the books?

Do we actually enforce this regulation?”

The province’s red tape reduction task force is based on a model first put in place by the British Columbia government in 2001. The B.C. model recommends government do an inventory of all regulations and statutes — everything on the books in terms of anything a business has to do in order to access government. Each department then eliminates all regulatory requirements that are not essential. The model helped the B.C. government cut 40 per cent of its red tape — their original goal was to cut 33 per cent.

Oram anticipates similar results here. In an August interview with The Independent, he predicted red tape could be cut up to as much as 30 per cent in Newfoundland and Labrador. darcy.macrae@theindependent.ca

A rich ad campaign

M

eet Will Bryant, the new face of the National Hockey League. A 27-year-old former college player from Albert Lea, Minn. who never made it to pro hockey, Bryant is the centerpiece in what the NHL says is its biggest advertising campaign ever.

The NHL is a business worth $2 billion US a year and its future is still uncertain. A report prepared by former U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission head Arthur Levitt said the league lost a combined $273 million in its 2002-03 season, and that 19 teams had operating losses that averaged $18 million.

But, armed with a new labour agreement that includes a salary cap the league believes will make teams profitable, the NHL has produced the TV ads to tell consumers that the sport is back.

Several sports sponsorship executives questioned whether the league made a misstep by not

featuring its young, marketable stars in the ads.

“The NHL needs to promote its stars to drive public interest in its sport, not generic hockey players,” says Wally Hayward, an executive with marketing company Relay Sports in Chicago.

Tom Decabia, president of TSD Marketing in New York, says, “it’s definitely not a good idea to use non-marquee names to re-launch a sport.

Look at the PGA Tour. They’re crazy about promoting a new player named Jason Gore because they realize that they can’t rely on Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson every weekend.”

Ed Horne, president of NHL Enterprises, says NHL players would be used in other facets of the marketing campaign.

“The campaign is supposed to symbolize every NHL player; it would have been difficult to identify one player” for the spot, Horne says.

— Torstar wire service

il and gas executives say there is no short-term fix for soaring energy costs — even after admitting their companies are pocketing 80 per cent of the increase from the rising price of gasoline.

Some slack-jawed MPs expressed outrage last week as petroleum executives told a parliamentary committee they are powerless to ease financial pain at the pumps.

“I feel angered, frustrated and to some extent helpless,” says Tobique-Mactaquac Liberal MP Andy Savoy, who prompted the Commons industry committee to hold an emergency meeting on energy prices.

Savoy wrung admissions from Ultramar and Petro-Canada executives they reaped more than 40 cents a litre from the 50-cent hike in gasoline prices shortly after Hurricane Katrina.

“Nobody should be trying to argue any more that taxes are responsible for the increase in gas prices,” Savoy says.

“We know it’s a situation with competition in the U.S. and their need to compete with U.S. refineries, but let’s be very clear: they’ve admitted the increase comes at the refinery level.”

Petroleum officials were quick to offer that the post-Katrina spike was short-lived — driven by panicked major consumers prepared to pay dearly for fuel, and traders who would have drained

Canada’s gas and oil supplies if prices here didn’t rise in lock-step with the United States.

“I understand why politicians are concerned,” Alain Perez, president of the Canadian Petroleum Products Institute, says. “But they should not take a six-day event and turn it into the basis for some kind of new public policy.

“The policy should be ‘Conserve,’ and we’re going to keep repeating it.”

Officials with Ultramar and Petro-Canada point out they have long endured slim returns on their refining operations, adding that their average six-month profit is just under two cents a litre.

Frank Scharf, a Petro-Canada vice-president says the problem facing North America’s integrated oil-and-gas industry is that demand is perilously close to outstripping supply, and that there is no sign of relief from high energy prices in the short term.

In the meantime, he argued, Canada trails only the United States for having the lowest gasoline prices in the industrialized world. The only reason Americans enjoy lower prices is because gasoline isn't taxed as heavily south of the border, he added.

“It’s been that way for the last 10 years,” Scharf says.

— Telegraph-Journal

30 • INDEPENDENTSPORTS

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

OF THE

DEVIL WEEK DEVIL STATS

Wes Welcher, center Age: 18 Hometown: Paradise School: Mount Pearl Senior High Favourite hockey player: Mario Lemieux Favourite hockey team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favourite movie: Prefontaine Favourite band: Goo Goo Dolls Best thing about playing major junior at home: “Just playing in front of your friends and family every night is quite a privilege.”

NAME

POS.

#

GP

G

A

PTS

Luke Gallant Scott Brophy Marty Doyle Matt Fillier Philippe Cote Wesley Welcher Sebastien Bernier Maxime Langlier-Parent Anthony Pototschnik Nicolas Bachand Brett Beauchamp Matt Boland Jean-Simon Allard Ilya Ejov Zack Firlotte Olivier Guilbault Josh MacKinnon Pier-Alexandre Poulin Kyle Stanley Steve Tilley Brandon Verge Pat O’Keefe Oscar Sundh Nicklas Bergfors

D C RW LW RW C D LW RW RW D D C G D RW D C D RW G D LW RW

6 12 43 27 22 14 44 16 24 23 2 26 4 30 5 21 8 18 3 25 29 11 10 9

3 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 1 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 -

1 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

3 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

4 3 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

HOMEGROWN “Q” PLAYER Robert Stanley Colin Escott Ryan Graham Justin Pender Brandon Roach Mark Tobin Sam Hounsell

HOMETOWN Carbonear St. John’s St. John’s St. John’s Terra Nova St. John’s Pound Cove

TEAM Cape Breton Gatineau Gatineau Halifax Lewiston Rimouski Victoriaville

GP 2 2 2 N/A 3 -

G 0 0 0 N/A 2 -

A 0 0 0 N/A 1 -

PTS 0 0 0 N/A 3 -

GOALTENDERS Roger Kennedy Ryan Mior Jason Churchill

HOMETOWN Mount Pearl St. John’s Hodge’s Cove

TEAM Halifax P.E.I. Saint John

W 1 1

L 1 1

GAA 3.00 3.01

S.PCT .923 .902

SEPTEMBER 25, 2005

INDEPENDENTSPORTS • 31

Who was the toughest of them all?

From Bob ‘Knobby’ Lambert to farmer Johnny Lester and Dick Hancock, the Caps teams of the ’70s were hard as nails

Rick Babstock

Second of a three-part series on the hockey days of Don Johnson.

By Darcy MacRae The Independent

T

he St. John’s Caps of the mid1970s are remembered for a lot of things, but team toughness may have been their best-known trait.

Don Johnson was an assistant to head coach Bob Badcock during the team’s four consecutive Herder Memorial Trophy wins starting in 1973, and remembers vividly the fear the Caps instilled in their competition.

“We were the Philadelphia Flyers of Newfoundland senior hockey,” Johnson tells The Independent.

Johnson’s comparison of the Caps to the Bobby Clarke-led Flyers of the same era is a fair assessment, says Bob “Knobby” Lambert.

“Don’s reference to the Philadelphia Flyers is probably the best analogy anybody could ever give us,” Lambert says.

“If you tackled one guy on our team, you had to take on the whole team — there were no ifs, ands, or buts. Man for man, we were as close as you could get.”

In the seasons prior to the Caps Herder dynasty, Johnson says St. John’s senior hockey teams had a reputation for being pushovers. The Caps had skill, he says, but were easily scared off once the opposition turned up the physical play. Lambert again agrees with his former coach.

“I used to follow senior hockey when I was young, and there was no doubt about it, on the road the St. John’s teams were cream puffs,” says Lambert.

“They just didn’t have any backbone.”

The Caps of the mid-’70s were no bunch of softies, however. Johnson says with enforcers such as Lambert, Rick Babstock, Johnny Lester, Dick Hancock, Donnie Quinn, Nigel Facey,

Set the standard From page 32 gold medal in the 1998 Olympics, adding even more merit to Sauvageau’s case.

The trophy could also be called the Brenda Richard Cup. Richard was a member of the Team Canada squad that captured the inaugural women’s world championship in Ottawa in 1990 before suddenly passing away shortly after.

Calling the award after her could be a fitting tribute to a player who was part of a club that set the standard for future national teams.

I’m sure there are other women out there who have made significant contributions to hockey, women who deserve to have their name on a championship trophy. Then again, they really wouldn’t have had to do much to contribute more to the sport than Clarkson.

TOUGH START FOR LOCALS AT NHL CAMPS While it could be a big year for several Newfoundland and Labrador hockey players hoping to make their way in the NHL, a trio of young men are off to a rather tough start.

Michael Ryder injured his ankle before the Canadiens played so much as an exhibition game; Dan Cleary finally got an invite to an NHL camp when Detroit came calling, but it’s without a guaranteed contract; and Mark Tobin couldn’t attend Tampa Bay’s training camp because he hasn’t been able to come to terms on a contract with the defending champs.

There’s no need to worry, however.

Ryder is lucky the injury happened now instead of a few days before the start of the regular season; he should be fine by the time the calendar turns to October.

With new rules promoting free-wheeling, offensive hockey, Cleary will crack a Red Wings’ lineup which is more than a little long in the tooth. Tobin, meanwhile, should benefit from one more year in junior. Given his resume, I expect Tobin will end up playing for another Memorial Cup contender before the year is over. darcy.macrae@theindependent.ca

Campbell Feign and Ford Metcalf on board, the days of bullying the Caps were over.

“One time, if you went to Grand Falls, or if you went to Buchans, you were going to get the shit beat out of you,” Johnson says. “But this team changed all of that. We were tough. We became the bullies. Badcock would put out a line of Darren Langdons and the other team got the message.”

Having eight players capable of going toe-to-toe with anybody in senior hockey kept the opposition in line, says Johnson. In fact, the group very well may have been the eight toughest guys in the provincial league at the time.

“We were that all right,” Babstock says. “We were one of those groups who weren’t afraid to go into a visiting arena.”

But just who was the toughest player on the Caps was an often debated question back in those days. Johnson suspects Badcock felt Hancock was probably the premier heavyweight on the team, while an argument for Lambert and Lester could also be made.

During a radio interview in Corner Brook one night, Johnson was pressed on the issue repeatedly. Reluctant to answer, he eventually let it be known his opinion of the top dog in the Caps’ locker room.

“I was trying to avoid the answer, I didn’t want to get into it, but they kept pressing me,” Johnson says. “So they said ‘All right, if you were in an alley in Toronto and some guys jumped you, who would you like to have with you?’

So me and my big mouth, not able to stop talking, I said ‘Johnny Lester.’”

Johnson’s reason for picking Lester was simple.

“Johnny Lester is a farmer. He milked 20 or 30 cows every day, lugged hay, worked hard every day,” says Johnson.

“I was trying to make the point that here was this day to day farmer, big muscles,

a strong guy.”

At first, the radio announcers thought Johnson was kidding about Lester being a farmer. They asked him if he was serious, and Johnson’s comeback eventually led to a series of comical discussions amongst the Caps — and their wives.

“They asked ‘Is he a real farmer?’ I said ‘Farmer, Johnny even smells like a farmer,’” Johnson says. “A few nights later at practice, Johnny smiled and said ‘What the hell did you say on the radio?’ Then it dawned on me what I said. But Johnny said ‘I don’t give a shit, but when my wife gets a hold of you, she’s going to kill you.’”

A strong case could also be made that Lambert was king of the hill when it came to dropping the gloves. His explosive strength often meant disaster for his opponents, such as the night Clarenville’s Wills Wiseman ran Caps’ goalie Tolson Chapman. Lambert, a defenceman, was first on the scene and promptly tossed his gloves to the ice to go a round with Wiseman. The fight was one-sided, with Lambert knocking Wiseman unconscious.

“He didn’t know it was me, had he known it was me, he might not have done it,” says Lambert. “He was unconscious for about 20 minutes.”

Lambert was also at the centre of the Caps’ biggest brawl, the Barrie riots of 1976, although his role was that of victim. After winning the Herder that year, the Caps challenged the Barrie (Ontario) Flyers in the Allan Cup playoffs. During the first game in St. John’s, Lambert was on the receiving end of a vicious cross check to the back of the neck, a blow that left him unconscious and bloodied.

“That’s a very sore subject with me,” says Lambert. “They crosschecked me from behind — I was knocked unconscious, broke my nose. I had a loss of memory for six months. I was in really bad shape.”

The second Lambert hit the ice, hell broke loose at Memorial Stadium.

“With the team we had, that was it,” says Johnson. “They just went over the boards and started grabbing guys. It was a riot. It went on for over an hour.”

Both benches cleared, players from each side started throwing punches — even the goalies got into the fray.

“Everybody picked a partner and went smack for smack. And for some reason we were winning all the fights,” Facey says. “They thought they were fearless, but they realized they were in trouble.”

Tom Watt, former head coach of the St. John’s Maple Leafs and current member of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks organization, was in town running a hockey clinic and attended the game. He spoke to Johnson shortly

Solution for crossword on page 16

Solution for suduko on page 16

Paul Daly/The Independent

after, and told him “It was the first time I ever saw 22 fights going on with the 22 players from one team winning every fight. There was one Newfoundlander whose braces broke, so he held up his pants with one hand and beat the shit out of the guy from the mainland with the other hand.”

The Barrie eventually fled the ice and barricaded themselves inside their locker room and refused to finish the game.

They left with a police escort to their team bus, but upon arriving at the bus realized Caps fans had slashed the tires.

It was a night that players, coaches and fans would not soon forget, and according to Lambert, a night the Barrie Flyers learned a lesson.

“They thought they were going to come in here and thought they were going to run us out of the rink, but they didn’t,” Lambert says.

Although they are very much remembered for their toughness, Johnson points out that the Caps of the mid-’70s were also highly skilled. Players such as Randy Pearcey, Glen Critch, Charlie Babstock, Jimmy Heale, Bobby Hutton, Eddie James paced the offensive attack and played just as big a role in leading the team to greatness.

Says Johnson, “It’s nice to have five Dave Shultz’s, but we also had three or four Mats Sundins.” darcy.macrae@theindependent.ca

Look to the Hill For Inspiration ON MAY 24, 2005, four young men braved the elements to install a flag on the Southside hills. Many were curious as to why they would do such a thing.

Simple – they want people to take notice and to make a difference.

Find out what inspired them to undertake this feat.

Subscribe to The Independent for information.

HOME DELIVERY: 726-4639 OR 1-888-998-4639 ~ WWW.THEINDEPENDENT.CA

INDEPENDENTSPORTS

SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25-OCTOBER 2, 2005 — PAGE 32

Fog Devils goalie Ilya Ejov takes to the ice prior to the Sept. 23 homeopener at Mile One.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Opening night

By Darcy MacRae The Independent

U

pon entering Mile One Stadium even half an hour before game time, the excitement in the corridor and in the seats is obvious. Young children litter the hall, dressed in red and sporting Fog Devils’ tattoos on their faces.

Inside the seating area, the lights dim with a spotlight circling the ice. A sea of red sweaters fills the seats, as fans anxiously await the debut of not only the Fog Devils, but the team’s mascot, Scorch.

Moments later with sirens blazing and storm troopers dropping from the rafters, Scorch makes a triumphant entrance, dropping from behind the scoreboard and onto centre ice.

His appeal to young fans is instantaneous, as their high-pitched screams and cheers echo from the seats.

With the crowd in a frenzy, the introduction of the home team begins. On hand for the introduction is Hockey Hall of Famer and the voice of Hockey Night in Canada, Bob Cole.

“It’s a great night for hockey in St. John’s, and I wouldn’t miss this game for the world,” Cole tells the crowd. “I guarantee you will love this brand of hockey.”

Fans applaud each player, but when the first local name is called — Paradise’s Wes Welcher — the cheering picks it up a notch.

By the time team captain and Southern Shorenative Scott Brophy is called to the ice, it feels as if the roof of Mile One may actually lift.

“It was the loudest I’ve heard it,” says Matt

Boland, a 16-year-old rookie defenceman from Paradise who stood next to the captain during introductions but was not dressed for the game. The hulking blueliner is disappointed not to be in the lineup, but realizes that as one of the team’s youngest players, he has to wait his turn.

“My time will come,” Boland says later from the Bob Cole Media Centre.

Once the players are introduced, Premier Danny Williams — sporting a Fog Devils’ jersey with his name printed across the back — makes his way to centre ice with Devils’ owner Derm Dobbin for the ceremonial faceoff between Brophy of St. John’s and Lewiston captain Brandon Roach, a Bay Roberts native.

Once Con O’Brien of the Irish Descendants completes the national anthems,

the 6,000 plus in attendance stand and cheer as Canadian Idol runner-up Rex Goudie strolls to centre ice for a stirring rendition of the Ode to Newfoundland.

When Brophy back hands a rebound past Lewiston goalie Jonathan Bernier early in the second period for the first home goal in team history, fans and players (on the Fog Devils’ side, anyway) alike let out the type of thunderous applause usually reserved for overtime winners in the playoffs.

By night’s end, the home team wins 3-2, via a shootout goal from Anthony Pototschnik. The crowd stands and cheers as Devils’ goalie Brandon Verge throws his gloves to the ice and joins his teammates in mobbing Pototschnik. In case it’s not obvious already, the goal solidifies the fact that major junior hockey is a hit in Newfoundland.

Clarkson Cup a farce Y

ou’ve really got to hand it to Adrienne Clarkson. First, she lands the sweetest of sweet jobs when she’s named Canada’s Governor General, a position that has no real meaning yet entitled her to vacations around the world and endless shopping sprees courtesy of Canadian tax dollars. Then, just so we don’t forget her, she goes out and donates a trophy to women’s hockey in the country … and names it after herself.

While the idea of coming up with a grand award for excellence in women’s hockey is a wonderful one, the move by Clarkson is self-serving. Why on Earth would a hockey trophy be named after

DARCY MACRAE

The game Clarkson? The classy thing to do would be to name the trophy after someone who has actually made a contribution to women’s hockey.

Clarkson says she got the idea from former governor general Lord Stanley, who donated the biggest prize in men’s hockey while in office. It’s not a bad premise, but it is outdated.

Let’s face it, the Stanley Cup means

more today than it did when it was first presented by Lord Stanley. It’s means so much because of the players and teams who fought for it for decades — not because a governor general donated it.

If such a trophy was to be created today, it would not be named after a politician. Instead, names such as Gretzky, Howe, Bowman or Lemieux would get the nod, representing excellence in the sport.

Since we are in the year 2005, I think it’s fair to say we can stop naming hockey trophies after appointed government officials. If Clarkson wants to honour women’s hockey with a trophy,

fine, but name it after a worthy person.

I’ll admit I don’t follow women’s hockey closely enough to list off a dozen names to name the trophy after.

But even as a casual observer, it’s not difficult to think of a pair better suited than Clarkson.

First of all, how about the Daniele Sauvageau Cup. Sauvageau was the head coach of the Canadian women’s hockey team that won gold at the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Anyone who watched the gold medal game victory over the United States witnessed one of the greatest coaching performances of all time.

Throughout the contest, Sauvageau

kept her team composed and focused despite being repeatedly victimized by possibly the most biased and one-sided refereeing in the history of the Olympics.

Time after time Canadian players were sent to the penalty box in a blatant attempt to steal the gold medal. But not once did Sauvageau lose her cool and flip out at the officials. She maintained her composure and convinced her team they could win the game even if they had to play shorthanded. The win also gave Canada its first gold medal in women’s hockey after dropping the Continued on page 31