2007-10-19

VOL. 5 ISSUE 42

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ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR — FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007

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BUSINESS 15

SPORTS 33

Organic veggies from a Bay Bulls bog

Gander’s Mark Tibbo hopes to make national splash

No signal

MANDY COOK

A

plan by the CBC to change the way it transmits its TV signal around Newfoundland and Labrador may mean an end to free television in rural areas, The Independent has learned.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has applied to the regulatory body governing Canadian television, the CRTC, to exchange 700 existing analog television transmitters for approximately 44 digital ones by the year 2011.

In all likelihood, the 44 digital transmitters will be located in urban centres,

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CBC to slash number of transmitters; outports may lose free TV leaving rural communities to pay for the privilege of viewing the public broadcaster’s free programming, says Lise Laureau, president of the Canadian Media Guild, the union representing the CBC employees.

Currently, there are 80 analog trans-

mitters in Newfoundland and Labrador, which — as it stands now — would be replaced by one digital transmitter. TV viewers in St. John’s and vicinity would continue to receive the CBC signal for free, but rural viewers would only pick up the station on cable.

“People in rural Newfoundland, if the plans go as scheduled, will have no choice but to get their TV from cable or satellite … these are the people who can least afford it,” says Laureau. “That’s wrong. And secondly … you’re getting your news and information from very far

away. It’s not local. It’s Toronto or, worse, Detroit.”

A national spokesperson for the CBC says the corporation has yet to decide where the new transmitters will be located, but it is thought digital transmitters will only be installed wherever a CBC television station currently exists.

St. John’s is the only location in the province with a production facility.

The changeover from analog to digital is a worldwide movement, similar to when original television transmitting infrastructure went up across the country in the 1970s. At the time, the Government of Canada provided a one-time payment to ensure all communities of See “A climate,” page 2

Brothers “Jack” and “Darren,” both methadone users, talk with their mother.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Drug trade-off

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

Addicts, officials dispute logic and ethics of offsetting one narcotic with another BRIAN CALLAHAN (The names of the brothers have been changed to protect their identities.)

J

ack was 15 when he popped his first Oxycontin pill; his brother, Darren, was two years older.

“Me and me buddy, we were doin’ Percs (pain reliever Percocet) for five bucks each,” says a hyper Jack, now 20,

in between sharp inhales of his cigarette.

Darren’s smoking, too, as their mom sits, listens and watches across the kitchen table.

“Then one day someone came along with the Oxys. We tried them and went from there. They were way better.”

And way more expensive. At $50 a pop, give or take $5 or $10, you’d need a decent job to feed the habit. Or you steal.

Darren was making good money as a roofer, but Jack did the latter.

“You’d do anything to get the money

for ’em,” says Jack, who has a slew of break and enters on his record.

But the money and luck ran out, the buzz wore off and the dark side of drug abuse hit home — hard.

Mom took matters into her own hands, taking the difficult steps to get her troubled sons admitted to the Opioid Treatment Centre, better known as the methadone clinic in, ironically, Pleasantville.

More than a year later, Jack and Darren say they’re better off on methadone — which has been used for

decades to treat narcotic withdrawal and dependence — but also wonder if they’ve traded one vice for another.

“There’s something to that,” says one health official familiar with the clinic, who requested anonymity. “We trade the addiction from one to the other.”

Methadone clinic program manager Barry Hewitt can appreciate that argument, but doesn’t buy it.

“It’s a drug, yes. It’s a narcotic,” Hewitt tells The Independent from his

“We come from a tradition of storytellers … we need to nurture and respect this legacy, to read poetry, to listen to music, to seek out fringe theatre and films, to buy original paintings by unknown artists.”

— Pamela Morgan. See page 6.

STYLE 25

Time to head to the pumpkin patch

See “Chemically dependent,” page 2

Ours to lose

Trail association questions whether NL coastline under threat by development STEPHANIE PORTER

E

ast Coast Trail Association president Randy Murphy looks at a map of the Avalon Peninsula, the coastline dotted with small yellow circles. Each one represents a problem, or “case,” for the association — a development that blocks, or may block, the public’s access to both the coast and the trail that Murphy and thousands of other volunteers have built up over the past 13 years.

“There’s 46 of them right now, and that number is growing,” says Murphy, running a finger along the outline of land. He refers to cases like the socalled “castle” in Logy Bay, which

abruptly blocks 300 and 500 metres of traditional right-of-way; a possible rezoning of 80 acres of land near Pouch Cove for coastal estates; a proposal a couple of years ago for nearly 200 acres of large-lot houses and a golf course north of Bay Bulls; countless other examples of towns and private developers snapping up pieces of prime seaside property for homes or commercial endeavors.

In other words, Murphy says, the wilderness and unspoiled beauty of the province’s dramatic coastline — the very things that draw hikers, tourists, berry pickers and nature lovers — are under increasing pressure. The association is lobbying the province to enact legislation now to preserve that resource into the future.

“The challenge is very serious,” Murphy says. “It’s growing exponen-

Paul Daly/The Independent

tially each year and demand for our coastline and wilderness land for developments such as housing is one of the greatest … threats to the trail’s continued use.”

It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how

much of the coast is being eyed by developers from the province or elsewhere — records are scattered, many proposals quiet, community research not always easy or ordered — but the association has estimated up to 60 km of its developed trail may have a tenuous future.

Murphy brings up the example of Nova Scotia: only five per cent of that province’s coastline is still Crown land and publicly accessible. Murphy says the Nova Scotia government is now trying to buy back some of that private land to return it to locals and visitors.

Similar things are happening all over the world, as available seaside property becomes increasingly rare and lucrative.

See “We’re not,” page 21

IN CAMERA 10-11

The Holloways: 50 years of capturing history John Rieti returns . . . . . . . . .

Paper Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Noreen Golfman . . . . . . . . . .

Movie review. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

12 13 21 24

2 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

‘Pregnant with opportunity’ Randy Simms says Liberal party is poised for renewal; forget about a Brian Tobin revival

M

emo to the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador: in light of the recent defeat at the hands of Danny Williams and his Progressive Conservative team, it may be timely to offer some thoughts on what has to be done to regain your former glory.

The current political climate does not lend itself to being the opposition.

Let’s be honest, the province’s situation has certainly improved of late and for the first time in our history we actually have money to spend. The last provincial budget is a testament to that.

Budget 2007 was the highest spending budget in our history and it is expected that we will have a surplus at the end of the year of more than $300 million. Given the increasing price of oil it may be even more. Despite protestations over government taking too much of our money, such surpluses are viewed as being in the people’s interests, giving the governing party lots of options.

When there is a problem that needs immediate attention the dollars are there to address it. The Tories have been effective in using this method to maintain and grow support. They will continue to do so because a surplus is believed to be an indicator of a successful government. By way of example, when the Harper Conservatives were in opposition they constantly criticized the Liberals for their huge surpluses. Just this week the Harper administration rolled out their own $14-billion surplus and bragged that it was proof our public finances are in good hands. Yes, it’s a complete reversal of position, but complaining about it now seems to fall on deaf ears.

There is an old saying that goes the enemy of my enemy is my friend and the Williams administration has

RANDY SIMMS

Page 2 talk exploited the axiom to maximum benefit. The premier’s ongoing battle with the Harper government enjoys wide support among local voters and is one of the reasons for your devastating loss last time around. The people of the province view Harper as an enemy and as long as Williams is able to alienate him the Tories will continue to enjoy strong support for the premier’s position.

So the political landscape looks harsh for Liberals at the present time, but there are things to be done that I believe could improve your chances. A series of moves that if adopted would be positive for the grand old party.

First of all, you have to redefine what your party stands for. Please don’t get angry, but it seems people are more inclined to define the Liberals as the group always saying no. People say you are taking the word opposition too literally — opposing for the sake of opposing. Defining your party as the opposite of the Tories is not working for you. Unfair? Perhaps so, but no less true.

You are in need of some new voices.

The last opposition was really made up of former cabinet ministers and it’s a long fall from being the minister to being the critic. People considered your elected MHAs to be demoralized and unmotivated. We know this was to be expected and it’s understandable, but the time to change that is now.

People need to see you are a real alternative to government. Instead of being the opposition all the time, try

being the alternative. In other words, never criticize a government program or policy without a constructive suggestion for change. It’s not enough to simply say the Tories are wrong; you have to tell people why your new and more creative approach is right.

You have to let people who are interested in politics know about the opportunities that exist with the Liberal party right now. This is something to be exploited to its maximum. The Tory ship has sailed and every berth is taken. People with political ambitions are going to find it hard to get a seat at the Tory table, but the Liberal table has plenty of room for new people and new ideas. Get the message out that the grand old party is pregnant with opportunity and you might be surprised who shows up.

The question of leadership is always tricky, but one thing is for sure. You cannot go backward and hope to advance your cause in the future. So forget about a John Efford return or thinking that you can revive a Brian Tobin. You have to go for something new. Given the four-year mandate of this PC government you don’t have to be in a hurry, but the need to start looking for a new leader should begin right now, and for God sake don’t go looking for a Danny clone. Advertising that you have found a reasonable facsimile will get you nowhere. Think outside the box. The Liberal Party is facing some daunting challenges in the next couple of years. For some people this kind of challenge may be just what they’re looking for. Your next big job is to go out and get them.

Randy Simms is host of VOCM Open Line radio program. rsimms@nf.sympatico.ca

Debbie Cooper on the set of Here and Now in St. John’s

Paul Daly/The Independent

‘A climate of under-funding’ From page 1 500 people or more had access to overthe-air television transmission. Free CBC, in other words.

This time, Laureau says the CBC is not pushing for federal funding.

“The CBC has made the decision early in the game … to write off, albeit a small percentage, of the population. It has been living in a climate of under-funding for about 20 years. CBC management probably has decided there’s only so many wars we can fight with the government to get money and probably decided this isn’t going to be one of them.”

The decision to switch to digital is expected to be formally approved at next year’s CRTC licence renewal process.

Laureau says representatives of the CBC union will fight the reduction, but says their voice largely goes unheard in an

organization geared towards commercial broadcasters whose bottom line is underscored by millions of dollars’ worth of advertising.

Meantime, people in rural areas who rely on public broadcasting for local content and local news in situations of crisis or severe weather will become part of a two-tier television system. In a time of major industrial change and economic upswing, Laureau says now is the very time people in remote locations need a free televised connection.

“This is a country that needs over-theair broadcasting, it’s got (six) time zones … and we’ve got a booming economy in the outposts of the country. Newfoundland is a great example. Newfoundland, the North, needs strong broadcasting potential.” mandy.cook@theindependent.ca

‘Chemically dependent’ From page 1 office at the clinic, which falls under Eastern Health’s division of addiction services. “Yes, you are providing a narcotic to a person to offset another. But the biggest part is, it actually stabilizes that person so they can make life changes.

“Addiction is not just about giving up the drug. That’s one small part of it. It’s about finding employment, making social changes. So once they’re stabilized on methadone, they can actually make the changes to move on with their life.”

Hewitt acknowledges it’s been necessary to increase staff and the overall budget at the clinic and detox centre.

That wouldn’t be the case if drug prevalence was decreasing.

When the clinic opened in July 2005, Hewitt had one physician and an addictions counsellor on staff. Since then, the clinic has added an addictions nurse, a licensed practical nurse, a second addictions counsellor, an on-site pharmacist and a medical secretary.

“We’ve gone through lots of changes.

Our numbers skyrocketed when we first opened our doors and we reached a peak of around 200 on methadone then,” Hewitt says, adding the budget for the centre is about $500,000 a year.

He estimates the clinic has served about 350 people since its doors opened in 2005. The clinic now sees between two and four new cases a week, half as many as last year.

But some “clients” moved on with their physicians, opening up spaces for more.

“When (those doctors) went into the community, our numbers were cut in half. They tend to follow their doctors.”

Darren, now 22, agrees methadone has a stabilizing effect. But he thinks he’s becoming addicted to it.

“I’m thinking about trying to quit the methadone cold turkey, but you can’t, right? There’s no other drug that can take you off it. And the withdrawal from methadone is worse that the Oxys, I finds.

“The pain and stuff is worse. With the Oxys, when you’re jonesin’ (coming down) there’s aches and pains and shivers, and ya throws up, but it’s a week and you’re off it — it feels like it’s out of your system. The methadone … it’s two or three weeks for sure. If I went a day without methadone, I’d be sick as a dog for a week.”

And the brothers say something else is happening. Cocaine, they say, is becoming more popular as a replacement for the high from Oxycontin, commonly used as a pain reliever for cancer patients.

“When I got on the methadone, I had an Oxy in my pocket … kept it for about two days. And when I took it I couldn’t get a buzz,” Darren says.

He’s says he’s not alone. Others were, and are in the same boat, but have turned to cocaine to get the buzz back.

“You won’t do Oxys when you’re on the methadone, ’cause you don’t get the high anymore,” Jack says. “And it’ll make you sick (to try it). But the methadone makes you feel normal, so you can turn to coke for the high.

“That’s why everyone’s going there.”

They also say there’s more cocaine on the street, feeding that demand.

Police also raised that alarm this week,

and Hewitt confirms it.

“It’s definitely out there on the streets.

There is a lot more cocaine out there.

And yes, admissions to the recovery centre have been higher for cocaine lately,” Hewitt says.

“But I want to make this clear: alcohol is still No. 1 by far for admissions. It’s legal, accessible and cheap.”

Cocaine is becoming easier to find, Darren says. But it’s also poorer quality and cut “with everything.

“I sees more and more people comin’ around with their arms blown up … with the shitty stuff that’s on the street.

They’re just shootin’ it up. First they were doin’ the Oxys, then the methadone, and now every second house down there is sellin’ coke,” he says, naming one centre-city neighbourhood.

Jack and Darren say crime rates will only rise as cocaine replaces Oxycontin as a drug of choice because it tends to be more expensive.

“On the Oxys, I’d walk into Sobeys or whatever, go right to the meat department, and walk out with $200 worth in my arms … not even try to hide it,” Darren says.

Adds Jack: “The coke is gettin’ pretty bad now. I knows people who would walk right in on ya, kick the door in, steal your TV right in front of ya. Whatever they got to do for it.”

Hewitt is asked if patients become addicted to methadone.

“They are chemically dependent.

Meaning, if they don’t have methadone, they will go through withdrawal. There’s no ifs, ands or buts. So, are they going to get addicted to methadone? They’re not going to get the high from it, or the pleasure from it. What it does, it takes away withdrawals.

“And there’s a harm-reduction philosophy. If you’re looking at the cost measure, it actually costs less to have a person on methadone than the cost to society of that person not receiving treatment.

“What they’re doing in the community, to get drugs, you have to look at that cost for policing, health care … ” The brothers admit they’re better off on methadone than not.

Darren has resumed regular employment with a security company; Jack hopes to join him soon.

Darren has also begun to reacquire goods — legally — that he once sold off to feed his Oxycontin habit. He’s also more conscious of the repercussions a setback would have on his girlfriend and two-year-old daughter.

“I’d have to say it’s a step in the right direction, right? I mean as far as the Oxys go,” Jack says.

Asked if he believes the methadone program is a success, Hewitt says the definition of the word is entirely subjective.

“For us, it means the person is still engaged in the program, and still working toward a goal. But have they quit all drugs and are moving on in life? For many people that’s not realistic. It’s all very subjective. Success is measured different for everyone.

“People will come in with a picture of themselves, and say ‘This is who I want to be again.’ And they remember who they were. They turned into someone they never thought they ever could be.

“We work to get them back.” brian.callahan@theindependent.ca

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 3

SCRUNCHINS A weekly collection of Newfoundlandia Newfoundland was all over the news again this week, from The Hockey News, the bible of the NHL, to Canadian Business, Bay Street’s bible.

The Hockey News released its 2007-08 Yearbook, featuring a ranking of the top 50 players in the National Hockey League. A Newfoundlander may not have made it to the exclusive list, but Newfoundlander Ryan Clowe was mentioned as one of the Top Young Guns.

“Shark’s power forward, 26, doesn’t mind scrapping and has a nose for the net,” read the write up. As for that nose, Clowe, a left-winger, had 34 points (16 goals and 18 assists) last year for San Jose, and has two goals and an assist so far this season. Keep an eye out for Sharks in waters off Fermeuse on the Southern Shore — a.k.a. Clowe country …

JOCKS AND FROCKS The September issue of Canadian Business had its own list — the Top 40 Places to do Business in Canada, with St. John’s placing 7th, ahead of such cities as Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver.

Sherbrooke, Que. topped the sixth annual ranking, which is based on five factors reflecting soci-economic wealth, including operating costs. In other news, according to an economic update published by the St. John’s Board of Trade, the capital city area ranks 7th in a list of 15 similar sized cities with the highest number of PhDs per 1,000 population.

Turns out we’re not just jocks after all …

PASSING GRADE The Globe and Mail published its University Report Card 2007 magazine this week, and Memorial did quite well, thank you very much. In a ranking of universities with an enrolment between 12,000 and 22,000, MUN’s report card read like this: A- for most satisfied students; A- for quality of education; B for quality of technology; B for academic reputation; B+ for quality of teaching; B for student-faculty interaction; B+ for campus atmosphere; an A for its library; B- for class size; and a B- for buildings and facilities.

In terms of its campus bar, the Breezeway, Memorial scored a B, which was still better than its lowest mark — a C for food services.

Food for thought, I’d say …

TEACHER TAKE-HOME The Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association has released its fall newsletter, The Bulletin, which contained an interesting chart on salaries versus workers’ compensation benefits.

Effective Jan. 1 of this year, a teacher at the top of the provincial pay scale earns $70,161, although their workers’ comp benefits only work out to $48,425, for just over 44 per cent of their take-home pay. The union’s provincial executive amended its policy earlier this year so that a teacher injured on the job and required to be off work on workers’ comp for more than two weeks no longer has to pay NLTA dues. Bonus …

HANDY HANDBOOK Of course, the most interesting publication released this week was the MHA Members’ Handbook, riveting reading for any political junkie. No doubt, a member of the House of Assembly has a hard job, but they do have hired help.

Every MHA is entitled to hire a constituency assistant at a salary of between $34,743 to $45,155. Cabinet ministers are also entitled to hire an executive assistant in addition to a constituency assistant. Good work if you can get it.

An MHA loses $200 for each day they’re absent from the legislature, but the Speaker will give them a break for good reasons, including illness in the family, bereavement, and attending an outside engagement or any “exceptional circumstance” approved by the Speaker.

Public servants can only dream of having it so good …

DRESS CODE Did you know MHAs also have a dress code? Members must be “properly attired” in the House. Men should wear a business suit or jacket and tie, and women

should wear “appropriate” business attire.

The Speaker is not obligated to recognize members who are “improperly dressed.”

It isn’t known whether an official San Jose jersey would be out of line …

PAY DAY MHAs are paid a basic salary of $92,580. But there’s extra pay for specific jobs, including Speaker, $52,497; deputy speaker and chair of committees, $26,246; deputy chair of committees, $13,123; leader of the Opposition, $52,497; Opposition House leader, $26,246; deputy Opposition House leader, $17,919; leader of the recognized third party, $18,367 (Lorraine Michael may miss out on that cash since her party may not be officially recognized); party whip, $13,123; caucus chair, $13,123; chair, public accounts committee, $13,123; vice-chair, public accounts committee, $10,032.

Great work, if you can stomach it …

SEVERANCE PAY MHAs who find themselves out of work aren’t exactly left high and dry.

They’re eligible for one month’s pay for each year of service, up to 12 months.

No doubt it must be hard to lose a seat or retire from office, but a cool $90,000plus should ease their adjustment back to normal life. MHAs are also entitled to a $7,000 annual allowance for office accommodations and $15,000 as an office operations and communications allowance. How do they make ends meet? Every MHA is entitled to a constituency allowance of $3,000. They may not be allowed to buy fridge magnets, booze, raffle tickets, gifts or make donations, but they can claim memorial wreaths on Veteran’s Day. Oh, and by the by, MHAs can also claim newspaper subscriptions.

It’s all good …

CAPTAIN KIRKE Lt.-Gov. Ed Roberts unveiled a plaque this week commemorating Sir David Kirke, the first governor of Newfoundland (1638-1651). According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage website, Kirke had quite the career before his days in Newfoundland.

When war broke out between England and France in 1627, Kirke was commissioned by King Charles I to attack the French in Canada. Kirke made two successful expeditions, culminating in the surrender of Quebec in July 1629. He remained in Canada until 1632 and was knighted the next year.

Kirke arrived in Ferryland in 1638 with his family and more than 100 settlers and seized the property and mansion of Lord Baltimore. Kirke had problems from the start, and was accused of reserving the best fishing rooms for himself and his buddies. He was also accused of opening taverns and keeping taxes collected for government for himself. Kirke was eventually jailed in England and it’s believed he died in jail.

Wonder if he got any severance from his years as governor …

RILED REX In his weekly column for the Saturday Globe, Newfoundland’s own Rex Murphy wrote about the 1972 election, Joey Smallwood’s last as premier, that ended up in a near tie: Liberals 20, Conservatives 21, New Labrador Party 1.

“To add to the tangle,” Murphy wrote, “several individual districts were won by extremely narrow margins — the narrowest by one vote. In that district, there was a polling station in a village roughly halfway between Cow Head and Baker’s Brook by the name of Sally’s Cove. By the morning following the closest of elections, it was learned that all 106 Sally’s Cove ballots had been burned.

“The fate of the whole government hung on incinerated ballots, atoms of ash swirling in the fog-choked winds over the wild coastline of the Great Northern Peninsula. Democracy cremated.” Murphy wrote how he couldn’t remember a wilder farce. Although he did remember another close election in which a Liberal candidate won a tight race on the strength of a story about “losing the family rosary beads.”

God help us one and all … ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca

Sound Symposium presents the first annual World Sound ’07, a feast of world music, Oct. 18-20. This year’s featured artist is Celso Machado of Brazil. For event details, visit www.soundsymposium.com.

Paul Daly/The Independent

4 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

‘A lot of speculation’ Investigation into shooting of Andrew Freake ongoing; family declines comment

By Brian Callahan The Independent

P

Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier.

Hillier’s job appears safe — for now

By Brian Callahan The Independent

I

t appears a Newfoundlander will continue to lead the Canadian Forces for some time yet, despite recent reports to the contrary.

Frosty personal relationship or not, Prime Minister Stephen Harper denied a CTV report that said Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier was on his way out.

“I just approved a pretty good rating for the Chief of the Defence Staff,” Harper told Ottawa media after initial reports of Hillier’s demise surfaced in early October.

“He is an outstanding soldier.”

But that hasn’t silenced others from picking up the story first reported by CTV News Ottawa bureau chief Robert Fife, who said an unnamed source told him Hillier would be gone when his term expires in February 2008.

Fife suggested Hillier would be replaced because he undermined his political bosses and failed to change public opinion on the war in Afghanistan.

An Oct. 15 Maclean’s magazine article also seized on the subject with the headline: Blame Hillier — How we got roped into Afghanistan.

The article was based on interviews

with two “expert commentators” and their book, The Unexpected War: Canada in Kandahar.

Eugene Lang, a former chief of staff for two Liberal defence ministers, and Janice Gross Stein, director of the Munk Centre for International Studies at the University of Toronto and one of the country’s top academics, argue Hillier is the main man responsible for getting Canada bogged down in Afghanistan.

“Hillier also persuaded the Martin government to set Canada on the path to a war in Afghanistan which no one, least of all Paul Martin, wanted or expected,” Lang and Stein wrote.

INDEPENDENTCONTACTS

Ryan Cleary, Editor-In-Chief ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca, Ext.29

MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box 5891, Stn.C, St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, A1C 5X4

NEWSROOM Stephanie Porter, Managing Editor stephanie.porter@theindependent.ca, Ext.28 Ivan Morgan, Senior Writer ivan.morgan@theindependent.ca, Ext.34 Mandy Cook, Reporter mandy.cook@theindependent.ca, Ext.26

PHONE 709-726-4639 FAX 709-726-8499 Canada Post Agreement # 40871083

A spokeswoman for Hillier, however, tells The Independent that authors Lang and Stein are not completely satisfied with the tone of the Maclean’s article.

“From what I understand, the coauthors have expressed the fact that the article does not reflect their views of what they actually wrote in the book,” she says.

Meantime, the spokeswoman said Hillier would not be able to do an interview “at this time.”

She did not say when the Cambellton, Notre Dame Bay native would be available for comment. brian.callahan@theindependent.ca

Brian Callahan, Reporter brian.callahan@theindependent.ca, Ext.62 Paul Daly, Picture Editor paul.daly@theindependent.ca, Ext.30 Nicholas Langor, Photographer nicholas.langor@theindependent.ca PRODUCTION John Andrews, Production Manager john.andrews@theindependent.ca, Ext.61

olice investigating the shooting death of Newfoundlander Andrew Freake say people should be wary of information being shared on social networking web sites such as Facebook.

“At this point, we don’t have any sure signs that it’s having an effect one way or the other on our investigation,” Waterloo Regional Police spokesman Olaf Heinzel tells The Independent.

“But … the negative side is it can cause rumours to start and to multiply.

We want to caution people that when they go to these sites they need to look at the source of the information, and make sure it is official information versus someone’s opinion or someone who’s getting a rumour going.”

Freake, 19, was found unconscious on the night of Oct. 11 in a park near Cambridge, about an hour west of Toronto. He had been shot once in the chest.

Police responding to the scene say he had no vital signs and, after a 10-15 minute ambulance ride across town, Freake was pronounced dead at Cambridge Hospital.

Two people — Yousanthan Youvarajah, a 21-year old Cambridge man, and a 16-year-old male who cannot be named, were arrested Oct. 14 and appeared in court the next morning to face charges of first-degree murder.

A third man was arrested Oct. 17 in connection with the shooting, but police now say he was likely not involved.

“The third person was wanted by us on unrelated offences. He was arrested (in this case) … but at this time we’re not charging him in the homicide,” Heinzel says.

Freake was a student at Conestoga College, as well as a musician and former competitive figure skater from Mount Pearl. He and his skating partner Caitlin Coady of the Ice Crystal Skating Club in Marystown were Canadian Juvenile Pairs champions in 2003. Freake moved to Cambridge with his parents, Baxter and Gloria, and sister Ashley several years ago and was in his second year of the college’s advertising program.

“We’ve really chosen not to make any statements about this … so I’ll have to give you the same answer that I’ve given the Globe and Mail, CTV and the National Post — we’re just asking the media to respect our privacy at this time,” Baxter Freake told The Independent from the family’s Cambridge home.

“Andrew, I miss you so much,” Ashley Freake wrote in the pamphlet distributed at the funeral at a Salvation Army Citadel in Cambridge. “I can’t believe someone would do this to you.”

Heinzel says police are still trying to piece together the events of that night in an area known for shady activity and drug use.

“We know there were a number of people present in the park that night, and there’s a lot of speculation. Having said that, the community has been very responsive in assisting us. Certainly, we can thank the community to a large degree in helping us make the initial arrests so quickly after the incident occurred.”

He says it remains unclear if Freake knew his attackers.

“The sequence of events will be part of determining what the relationship was between the victim and (shooter).

We believe that because of the amount of activity that occurs in that park, that others may have information.”

Heinzel does acknowledge sites like Facebook and MySpace can assist an investigation.

“They also alert a lot of people, get them talking. There may be valuable information in some of those chats that go on. We always want to stress that the smallest tidbit could be useful … so something could come out of a chatroom, yes.

“So if we ever became aware of that, that might be useful to us. The fact that people are talking can be a good thing, as long as they’re talking about the right things. But rumours and misinformation are generally not a good thing.”

It’s believed a small-calibre handgun was used in the shooting but no weapon has been recovered. brian.callahan@theindependent.ca

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OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 5

Anonsen vows to bring Scademia back to St. John’s, with or without permission

By Josh Pennell For The Independent

D

espite an active lawsuit against the St. John’s Port Authority and earlier plans to sell his schooner, Charlie Anonsen is determined to bring the Scademia back to the capital city’s harbour next summer after two years in Petty Harbour.

Anonsen hasn’t been able to obtain a licence from the port authority to work out of St. John’s Harbour for the past two summers. Next year, licence or no licence, he says he’ll work out of the capital city.

“I have every intention of operating out of St. John’s Harbour and I will until they throw me in jail,” Anonsen tells The Independent.

In the summer of 2005, while he was operating out of St. John’s, the port authority introduced a head tax of $1.25. All tour boat operators had to pay the fee for every person that boarded their boats.

It was the first time such a tax was issued in St. John’s. With thousands of customers every season, Anonsen says the amount was too much for him to pay. And so he didn’t, appealing to the Canadian Transportation Agency that the port authority had no right to issue such a tax in the first place.

While his appeal was ongoing, the local harbour master detained

Anonsen’s boats for not paying the tax.

Anonsen ignored the detention and continued to take tourists in and out of St. John’s.

“I didn’t owe them any money and I didn’t have any agreement with them to pay the tax,” he says.

Ten months later, Anonsen was charged with violating a detention order not to sail.

Anonsen, who moved his business to Petty Harbour in 2006 because there was no room for him in St. John’s, has been trying to return ever since. He has been told each year by the port authority that St. John’s harbour is at its capacity for tour boats.

Anonsen says the explanation is ridiculous, pointing out only two tour boats worked out of the harbour in 2006 and only one in 2007. He has applied for a spot next summer, but hasn’t received a response.

Disagreements have strained his relationship with the port authority, he says, and Petty Harbour, while a lovely port, just isn’t working for him — it’s like starting over.

“I spent 30 years developing a market at Pier 6 and 7 on the waterfront in St. John’s. That’s where people come to look for me and I’m not there. I’m not allowed to be there.”

Sean Hanrahan, CEO and president of the St. John’s Port Authority, declined comment on why the

Charlie Anonsen with his tour vessel Scademia on the wharf in Petty Harbour.

Scademia has been refused a licence, saying he can’t speak while the case is before the courts. He did say the port authority decides how many tour boat licences to issue based on a post-season review of the previous year. The decision of how many licences to issue next

year hasn’t been made.

Anonsen planned to sell the Scademia last summer. In an article in The Globe and Mail in July, Anonsen said he had lost the schooner to the bank once before, but managed to buy it back at auction. There has been inter-

Paul Daly/The Independent

est from buyers in several provinces, he says, but he hasn’t hired a broker to seriously look at selling the schooner.

The case between Anonsen and the port authority is to resume before the courts in January. josh.pennell@yahoo.ca

‘ABC’ not easy as one, two, three: Tories Liberals lining up, hoping to take advantage of local anti-Harper sentiment in next federal election

By Brian Callahan The Independent

H

istory has shown that this province has a habit of bucking the national trend, and the next federal election may be no different, particularly if Premier Danny Williams has his way.

Williams has been waving the “ABC” (Anything But Conservative) banner for months and accusing Prime Minister Stephen Harper of breaking his promise on the Atlantic Accord.

Williams has even reportedly said he might campaign for Nova Scotia MP Bill Casey, who was turfed from Harper’s government after voting against the budget in June, also over the Accord.

It’s not clear how much of a role Williams plans to play in the next federal election campaign. (The premier was taking “a few days of personal time” and unavailable for an interview.)

But it’s a good bet it won’t benefit potential and incumbent Conservative MPs. It’s not something St. John’s East MP Norm Doyle will have to worry about, since he has decided to retire after 24 years in elected politics, the last 10 at the federal level.

There has been no word yet on who might carry the Tory flag in his place.

“The nomination has not been called; that could be two years off, and not too many people want to be out there that far in advance,” Doyle tells The Independent, adding he knows of one “very credible man” interested in succeeding him, but declined to name names.

Doyle doesn’t believe Williams will play a significant role in the election.

“Now that the provincial election is over, I think he’ll put all the rhetoric aside and get down to business with Ottawa.”

There are several names being bandied about in St. John’s East, including businesswoman Debbie Hanlon, who tells The Independent she is “definitely interested” in seeking the Liberal nomination. Others rumoured to be waiting in the wings are former Liberal MHA and cabinet minister Walter Noel and businessman Paul Antle, who lost to Doyle by almost 5,000 votes in 2006.

NDP riding association president Bill Kavanagh says the party will hold a meeting within a few weeks to assess potential candidates. Mike Kehoe, who polled 7,190 in 2006, says he remains undecided after recently undergoing a medical procedure.

The party is said to be talking to former provincial NDP leader Jack Harris about running.

In St. John’s South-Mount Pearl, where Loyola Hearn has comfortably held court since squeaking out a byelection victory in 2000, a rematch is expected with Liberal Siobhan Coady, who lost by more than 4,000 votes in 2006.

Sources say, however, that real estate agent Steve Saunders might challenge Coady for the nomination.

Peg Norman polled a respectable 8,073 for the NDP, but tells The Independent she will not run this time.

Activist and actor Greg Malone, who

lost to Doyle by 300 votes in 2000, could be back, given the political climate. Former United Church of Canada moderator Marion Pardy has also been mentioned in NDP circles.

“With Danny’s ‘ABC’ approach, it does seem to be a liability to be with the Tories,” says NDP riding association president Rick Boland.

Hearn sees no reason for the three Conservative MPs to be concerned.

“The big question is why? If (the premier) is going to get involved and advise them how to vote just so he can get his pound of flesh (from Harper), that’s a different story,” the federal Fisheries minister says.

“If the people are going to vote against us because the premier doesn’t like me, or doesn’t like Stephen Harper, or doesn’t like Fabian Manning, that’s not a good reason to vote us out.

“The betting is the next government will be a majority Conservative government. So you can wipe out all the Conservatives in the province, and then say, ‘I’ve sent a message.’ But who will be there then? It is extremely important that our province be represented around the cabinet table in Ottawa. If not, who’s going to look after us? Because that’s where the wheeling and dealing will occur.”

In Avalon, where Conservative MP Manning defeated Liberal Bill Morrow by 5,000 votes in 2006, Manning will be back but Morrow won’t.

“As far as the immediate future is concerned, no, I won’t be seeking the nomination,” Morrow tells The Independent from his Bay Roberts law office which he runs with his wife.

“We have our 20th wedding anniversary coming up, and … there are a lot of professional commitments that I can-

not get clear from.”

But that doesn’t mean the Liberals will be hurting for potential candidates.

A party source tells The Independent at least three others have expressed some level of interest in seeking the nomination in Avalon (formerly Bonavista-Trinity-Conception), a Liberal stronghold in recent years under MPs Fred Mifflin, Brian Tobin and John Efford.

Those said to be lining up are longtime party organizer and co-chairman of the federal Liberal election campaign Norm Whalen, party executive member and C.B.S. town councillor Scott Andrews, and Wanda Dawe, who ran an unsuccessful provincial campaign for the Liberals in 1999. She is also Efford’s former campaign manager. Of course, Efford himself told The Independent recently he is interested in a return to politics, but “would love to be premier.”

The NDP is said to be wooing retired provincial court judge Gerald Barnable, who is believed to be considering a run in Avalon.

The four Liberal seats, meanwhile, are considered safe by most pundits.

Bill Matthews may be retiring in Random-Burin-St. George’s, but longtime Liberal MHA and cabinet minister Judy Foote has already secured the nomination in that riding, defeating former provincial labour minister Oliver Langdon and businessman Roger Jamieson.

Foote will be up against Conservative Herb Davis, a former host and producer of CBC’s Fisheries Broadcast and most recently special assistant for the Atlantic provinces for Hearn.

In Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls,

Conservative Andrew House, a lawyer and Gander native who ran unsuccessfully in Halifax in 2006, will be in tough against Liberal incumbent Scott Simms.

The same can be said for whomever challenges Liberal Gerry Byrne in

Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte and Liberal Todd Russell in Labrador where challengers have yet to be nominated.

The NDP has yet to hold nomination meetings in the ridings. brian.callahan@theindependent.ca

6 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

On Oct. 12, singer, musician and composer Pamela Morgan was awarded an honourary doctorate of letters at Sir Wilfred Grenfell College in Corner Brook. This is an excerpt from her address, reprinted by The Independent with permission.

I

know precious little of the world of academia, and to be among you, who have worked so hard for this moment, is humbling indeed. I offer heartfelt congratulations to you all.

My late father, Ray Morgan, always wanted me to go to Memorial University.

I had other ideas, and the sight of a Chevy van full of longhaired hippie musicians dragging his youngest daughter off to play in bars obscured his vision of what I was really trying to do. But he would love this …

It is difficult to express fully the significance of the riches bestowed upon me by the generous, wise and benevolent people of Newfoundland and Labrador who shared their wealth of songs and stories with me, even as they watched their own way of life melt and fade into memory.

Those years were bittersweet, as these were the elders of a vanishing breed who watched as their songs and stories were drowned out by TV and radio, and their gardens ran to ruin in abandoned outports.

In honouring me, you are honouring them.

We thank you.

I have been travelling most of my life, and would like to share a few of my observations with you. I graduated from Grand Falls Academy in 1974, and was swept up in a movement to rebel against the stereotypical image of Newfoundland and Labrador as being backward and inane, and redefine our identity. This has become a lifelong project for me, with much work still to be done.

I think about the “modernization” of our province, and lament the fact that we were just 50 years or so away from being true leaders in what, out of necessity, has become a world-wide crusade. Before people were forced out of their homes, we were recyclers and organic gardeners, growing vegetables nourished by seaweed and caplin. We heated our homes with wood, and lived in harmony with the environment. I have a treasured memory of the late great master fiddler Emile Benoit, also an honorary graduate of MUN, helping on our house renovations by taking nails out of used lumber and straightening them for re-use.

We still have at our fingertips some of the most unspoiled country in the world, with fresh water, berries, fish, game, clean air and wild spaces. It is little wonder that many people from away are discovering this paradise and buying property here.

My father was fond of saying that without the winter, we would not appreciate the

Pamela Morgan

Rhonda Hayward/For The Independent

‘This place is your birthright’ Pamela Morgan offers her prescription for saving the culture and communities of rural Newfoundland summer. I believe this holds true in many aspects of life. We in Newfoundland and Labrador are known for our fun-loving ways, our ditties, jokes and good humour. I believe that this humour has survived because we also sang the tragedies, we lived them, we knew hardship, and we needed the relief that the joyous music gave.

However, if our dark spirit dies, we become a shell — a caricature of ourselves, the tragic clown. Artists are often the ones who attempt to establish a balance by espousing the dark side, and we are frequently ignored by an increasingly shallow society with an ever-decreasing attention span.

It is a mistake to think that any government policy will look after artists by pledging money. We are repeatedly expected to justify our cause, and are obliged to stand at the mercy of juries who have their own contexts and agendas. The only real way for art and artists to survive in this society is for the general population to take a real interest in and to support art forms that go

beyond mere entertainment.

How often have I heard people say that they want mindless escapism after a hard day, that they don’t want to be forced to concentrate or think. I understand this, and I read my share of murder mysteries, but we must be aware that escapism can become its own prison, and much of what is offered in this day and age is voyeurism in the extreme, preying upon the basest of human emotions.

While people are glued to their TVs watching the latest Idol hopeful be humiliated, or the weakest link voted off, senior artists are struggling to pay their bills at a time in their life when they should be realizing their finest work.

We in Newfoundland and Labrador come from a tradition of storytellers, of strong community spirit and close families.

We need to nurture and respect this legacy, to read poetry, to listen to music, to seek out fringe theatre and films, to buy original paintings by unknown artists, to talk with one another. Does Martha Stewart know

more about the art of gracious living than our own mothers and grandmothers? Is Dr. Phil better equipped to advise us on relationships and matters of the heart than our own community elders?

Our own lives, our hopes, our dreams, our families, and our traditions should not be permitted to languish while we live vicariously through American television.

To the graduates from foreign parts, please bear with my strong Newfoundland and Labrador sentiment. You have the excellent judgment to be here, and I include you among us. To all of you, once again I offer heartfelt congratulations, and every good wish for success in whatever it is you choose to pursue.

And if I may presume to offer a suggestion, it is this — go, see the world.

It will help you see Newfoundland and Labrador more clearly, and in a global context. But please remember; this place is your birthright, and we need our best and brightest to help re-build rural Newfoundland and Labrador. We need

visionaries who realize that the truly important things in life cannot be bought or sold — young people who are willing to teach, practise medicine, or start small businesses and families in relative isolation with relatively little pay.

When communities lie empty, it is only a matter of time before what little is left of our pride and our culture will be lost forever. It is only when a culture is whole and strong that it can embrace tourism and immigration, and withstand domination by foreign powers.

I leave you with a few lines from a traditional song from Cuslett on the Cape shore: There is one thing that do grieve me, to be called a runaway To leave where I was borned in, may kind heaven pity me And gold is the root of all evil, it do shine like the glittering dew It’s the cause of a lad and a lass for to part though their hearts be ever so true.

Former prison land not for sale

R

esidents and cabin owners in the Deer Park ment until 2004 when the province decided to only area of the Salmonier Line fear the provin- maintain Class 3 roads or better. Deer Park resicial government intends to sell off the near- dents then formed a service district and took over by 2,200-acre former prison proproad maintenance on their own. erty, although a government offithe prison land is developed, “We’re feeling now if IfByrne cial says the land isn’t for sale. says road repairs will still Pat Byrne, a member of Deer they put in all these be the onus of the Deer Park disPark’s local service district, tells trict committee, despite the The Independent rumours are new sites, we’re going increased traffic. rampant that the former minifeeling now if they to have all these cars put “We’re mum-security prison property in all these new sites, we’re known as “the farm” had been going to have all these cars going going through our sold and is to be cut up into highthrough our community and community and we’ve we’ve got no way of trying to get end building lots.

Byrne says the service district is got no way of trying some help to cover our costs.” concerned that increased traffic Government sold off lots sevto get some help to caused by such a development eral years ago in another nearby would stress the local road sysdevelopment on the Salmonier cover our costs.” tem, which they maintain without Line called Bull Pond. Governfinancial assistance from government put in nine kilometres of Pat Byrne ment. road for people to access those Government has told the servlots, says Byrne, but it’s up to the ice district it doesn’t have any current plans for the people who bought lots in the area to keep up road land. Inquiries made by The Independent confirm repairs. All buildings and structures that made up the land is not currently for sale. the former Salmonier Correctional Institute have Government shut down the Salmonier prison in been demolished and the site is undergoing remedi2004 as part of its plan to reduce the deficit. The ation. road through Deer Park was maintained by govern— Josh Pennell

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 7

‘Not trying to dodge you’ Donation lists and expense claims to be released though formal channels

By Stephanie Porter The Independent

D

etails about donations and expenses claimed under MHAs’ constituency allowance funds will be made available to the public — but the information won’t come from the members themselves.

Instead, anyone who would like to see the information has to file a request according to the province’s Access to Information procedure. Each application for information costs a minimum of $5, and the province has 30 days to respond.

In the past weeks, The Independent has made numerous attempts to obtain and publish details of how MHAs — especially incumbents — spent their allowances.

Auditor General John Noseworthy released dollar values in September, but donation lists and receipts have remained out of reach.

Tory MHA Dianne Whalen publicly pledged to hand over her information, but later said she “was too busy trying to get reelected” and wouldn’t do so until after the vote.

Contacted again after the Oct. 9 election, Whalen’s assistant directed The Independent to the office of the clerk of the House of

Assembly.

“The Speaker (of the House) has talked to Miss Whalen and others and his suggestion is they send the media or interested citizens, that they send all requests to him,” clerk of the House of Assembly William MacKenzie tells The Independent. “We’ll run it as if it were an ATIPP (Access to Information and Protection of Privacy) request.

“It’s not to get your five bucks or to cause you trouble, it’s just to get a consistent approach,” says MacKenzie. “Because if some members do it without ATIPP, as soon as another member says ATIPP, he’s vilified for not being open and transparent.”

As well, the clerk says, members may not have complete and correct records in their files. They also may not be “conscious enough” to protect the identity of certain individuals, particularly when it comes to receiving donations.

“So the Speaker said, ‘look, we’ve got an ATIPP co-ordinator hired in anticipation of a lot of requests. Why don’t you just send it to us and we’ll do it speedily but it’ll take the burden off the members and make it much more accurate.’”

The co-ordinator, Don Hynes, is just one of a number of new hires in the House of

Assembly department — there are 12 new people (either new employees or staff seconded from another department) in the chief financial officer’s office, and five in the clerk’s office.

MacKenzie says organizing past constituency allowance claims will take some work.

“We’re not trying to dodge you, we’re trying to be as open and accommodating as we can,” he says. “But I knew this donations one was coming, because of Ms. Whalen’s comments. When they file these expense claims, donations are not a separate category … we have to go through every claim and set the donation ones aside.”

In accordance with recommendations by Chief Justice Derek Green, MacKenzie continues, current and future claims will all be entered into computer databases by category “and you can track matters by almost anything you wish.”

Green also recommended MHAs make disclosure statements regarding their allowances every six months. At a news conference Oct. 17, House Speaker Harvey Hodder offered his own recommendation: that MHAs file disclosures more frequently, every three months, or even every month.

GEMINI WINNER

Head.

Heart.

Hands.

Health.

Help Wanted.

Right now, 4-H needs volunteers to work with youth in your area. We also need you to encourage neighbours and co-workers to do the same. Join for the projects, for the competitions, for everything that helped you get where you are today.

St. John’s native Bob Cole has won his first Gemini Award in the Best Sports Play-by-Play Announcer category. Cole, a six-time Gemini Award nominee, was recognized for his work during Game 3 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final series between Carolina and Edmonton on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.

Paul Daly/The Independent

4-H-Canada.ca/join_again

8 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

For love of country A

part of me would like to see John Efford in the premier’s office.

Not the brain — that particular part of me doesn’t want him there.

Efford wasn’t mentally tough enough to shake off an Ottawa hypnotism. The Government of Canada pulled a Reveen on the proud Bayman. Efford was barely on the national stage before he was on all fours, mooing like a mad cow and chewing his federal cud.

The hypnosis wore off the instant Efford returned home to Port de Grave and the federal government snapped its fingers. For the longest time Efford had no memory of what he had done. His political hide has since been tanned; he’s learned the error of his ways (and been shown the TV tapes).

Efford had two kicks at the political can — which, for him, was the size of a barn — and missed both. First he lost the Liberal leadership, and the premier’s office with it, to Roger Grimes. Efford couldn’t have looked more shocked and stunned if someone had cow-tipped him over. Then, fatal mistake No. 2, he sided with the feds over the Atlantic Accord.

Until that point Efford had Newfoundland in the palm of his ’and.

Anyone who believes Danny is invincible should be forced to hang an 8 by 10

RYAN CLEARY

Fighting Newfoundlander glossy photograph of Efford above the kitchen table next to the Sacred Virgin.

Efford was a Newfoundland force to be reckoned with before he chose the wrong side and turned his people off.

Efford tried to work within the federal system and failed miserably, as did so many federal MPs before and after him.

The simple fact is it’s impossible for Newfoundland and Labrador to get ahead within the confines of Confederation, not the way it’s set up. Ontario and Quebec have all the power and we have none, that’s the long and short of it.

The system isn’t geared to help Newfoundland and Labrador get ahead.

The few promises that have been made to us have not been kept, not when there’s a chance Quebec or Ontario might come out on the losing end.

It’s a lesson we’ve been slow to learn, but we’re finally catching on.

It’s the Newfoundlander in me that wouldn’t mind seeing Efford as premier.

Efford is the son of a fisherman’s son; he

is a Newfoundlander to the core. He wanted the eighth floor Confederation Building office so bad he could taste it.

His heart was in the right Newfoundland place; for that reason alone I feel for the guy.

But he’s the wrong guy for the job.

We have to do a better job of picking champions to send upalong. No, that’s not right either. Our heroes, for the most part, are decent enough as heroes go, but they’re put in can’t-win situations. It’s either work within the Canadian federal party system and, as is more often the case than not, against the province’s best interests, or work outside the system, which won’t do the province much good either.

Not so far it hasn’t. We have to pick politicians smart enough to know that, to think outside the Confederation box if need be.

If Danny wasn’t at war with the PM before his appearance this week on This Hour Has 22 Minutes, he is now.

Here’s a joke he made while taking on the role of funnyman Mark Critch: “Knock, knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Steve.”

“Steve who?”

“Steve Harper who breaks promises

and can’t be trusted.”

And another funny in the role of Rex Murphy: “History provides us with a list of infamous traitors. Benedict Arnold, Judas, Cassius, Brutus and now, et tu Steve.”

All of Canada laughed at the jokes.

They didn’t laugh at Danny. If the premier doesn’t single-handedly bring Harper down in the next federal election he will most definitely do damage.

Danny is becoming the symbol for anti-Conservatism in this country. Notice I didn’t say anti-Progressive Conservatism because, as the premier is quick to point out, there’s a world of difference between a traditional Tory and a Conservative.

Thing is, if Danny doesn’t support the Harper crowd, what happens if the Conservatives win the next federal election? God help us Newfoundlanders and Labradorians one and all if there’s a majority government. Danny is already blacklisted in the hallowed halls of Parliament. He won’t be getting any favours from Uncle Ottawa if and when the Conservatives are re-elected.

NL will be dead to them, if we aren’t already.

Danny has a decision to make: does he publicly support the Liberal candidates

who run in the three big Conservative ridings of St. John’s South-Mount Pearl (Loyola Hearn), St. John’s North (Norm Doyle, who is retiring), and Avalon (Fabian Manning)?

Loyola Hearn has shown where his allegiance rests — with the Conservative Party, and not his people. His handling of the fishery file has been an abject failure. His boasts that NAFO has been reformed and the Grand Banks are safe from foreign fleets are bull.

Manning, for his part, is loyal to his homeland but tied to Hearn, an allegiance that may be his downfall.

But then the question becomes how can the premier support Grit candidates — and so far it’s the same old faces, same old candidates — when the federal Liberal party hasn’t exactly been a friend to NL either? In fact, no federal administration — other than a few Mulroney years — has been good to us.

The truth is we don’t have much to show for 58 years of Confederation.

A part of me would like to see Danny in the PM’s office. That’s my brain speaking, not my heart.

And of course I mean PM of Newfoundland. Not Canada. ryan.cleary@theindependent.ca

YOUR VOICE Nova Scotia’s ‘disgraceful spectacle’ Dear editor, I see that Stephen Harper and Peter MacKay have managed to bully and brow beat Rodney MacDonald into signing a “compromise” deal on the Atlantic Accord. This disgraceful spectacle should remind the people of Newfoundland and Labrador that they are not the only ones who have suffered in this so-called Confeder-

ation of Canada. Nova Scotia, for instance, is a place that has gone, in a little over 100 years, from a place that produced Samuel Cunard, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Bank of Nova Scotia and Cyrus Eaton to a “culture of defeat,” The Trailer Park Boys and a provincial debt of $11 billion.

Joe Butt, Toronto

Tories should change name to Newfoundland Party Editor’s note: the following letter was sent to Premier Danny Williams, with a copy forwarded to The Independent.

Dear premier, The election is over. All the polls and pundits were right, and you won in a landslide. But why did you campaign so hard when you knew it was a cakewalk? I believe you let us know in your very first post-election speech. To paraphrase: “This is not about the party, this is about Newfoundland. If Steve thinks he’s gonna push me around, then let me remind him — he’s not fighting Danny, he’s not fighting the government, he’s fighting all of Newfoundland.”

So premier, if your Conservatives are not the same as Steve’s Conserva-

tives, before it gets to the point of campaigning against Steve in an imminent federal election, why not change the name of the party to The Newfoundland Party? That’s what you’ve already said it is.

Then, when the federal Conservatives win a majority in Ottawa and Steve thumbs his nose at us (as he is apt to do), we won’t be confused by the inconsistencies and absurdities of “party politics.” In all likelihood, the ragtag trio of Grits will throw in their lot with you. They surely would not want to be considered anti-Newfoundland. I wouldn’t count on Lorraine Michael, though, but you said you wanted a real opposition.

Roy Babstock, Eastport

National Post loves to hate us Editor’s note: the following letter was written to the National Post, which ran an Oct. 12 editorial, Re-electing a clown, critical of Danny Williams’ tenure as premier. A copy of the letter was forwarded to The Independent.

Dear editor, Regarding the editorial, Re-electing a clown, it strikes me once again that the National Post loves to hate Newfoundland and Labrador. This particular letter is unfortunately void of any research, or thought for that matter.

Premier Danny Williams is a popular leader in Newfoundland not simply because he is a fighter. There are many voters here who cringe at some of his public comments. However, if one

takes an even moderately informed look at our premier’s leadership over the past four years, one will see an extremely effective, broad, and inclusive set of policy decisions and initiatives.

I beg, once again, that Canadians look past their pre-conceived notions of the Newfoundland political landscape and take note of the advances we are making that any province or nation would be proud of at any level of development.

Also, I’ll point out that we can’t buy the National Post in Newfoundland to read such editorial comments. Poor us.

Dave Lane, St. John’s

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE FOR NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

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by Independent News Ltd. in St. John’s. It is an independent newspaper covering the news, issues and current affairs that affect the people of Newfoundland & Labrador.

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sales@theindependent.ca • production@theindependent.ca • circulation@theindependent.ca 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. • © 2007 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

Bank hangs fisherman ‘out to dry’ Dear editor, I’m a fisherman who got caught up in a bankruptcy that could also possibly put me under. I bought a vessel through Daley Brothers Ltd. with an agreement to pay so much a year for five years until the amount was paid in full. That was completed on May 6, 2006.

Daley Brothers went bankrupt that same month, but my bill of sale was not completed before the bankruptcy because the paperwork was not done properly.

After months of wrangling between the receiver and the company the receiver kindly told me that I had to make a proof of claim statement. I did that, and the receiver eventually told me my claim had been approved. My happiness was short lived. The Bank of Nova Scotia notified me several weeks

later that they were appealing the claim and I had better hire a lawyer, which I did.

The irony of it all is that while preparing for the court date my lawyer called wanting to know if I was prepared to make an offer to the Bank of Nova Scotia to buy the vessel I had already paid for. If that wasn’t bad enough, the bank was willing to loan me the money to do it. That was strange, considering the bank refused me a loan when I went to purchase the boat in the first place. Now they were going to give me a loan without even making an application and in the absence of a business plan. Go figure.

At the end of the day we got our hour in court and a decision was made. The court granted me the boat on July 18, plus court costs. After losing three

months of fishing time and an estimated $100,000, I was contacted last week by my lawyer to inform me that he had the bill of sale.

To add insult to injury, my lawyer also notified me that he isn’t prepared to release the bill of sale until his bill is paid in full. While the court awarded me costs, the bank would only pay $3,000 of a $23,000 invoice. I’m between a rock and a hard place, I guess.

There should be something done with large banks that have large law firms on retainers. People’s lives don’t matter. I hope you will print this letter to show what is wrong with our fishery today.

I’ve been hung out to dry.

Kevin Slaney, Chapel’s Cove

‘A new Newfoundland joke’ Dear editor, Can you believe it! Little Johnny Efford still thinks he can be premier of Newfoundland. I really thought I was hearing a new Newfoundland joke when I listened to a local television news program on Oct. 10th and heard little Johnny say, “I will be there helping to rebuild the Liberal party … and if and when a leadership is called I will be interested in taking a run at it.” The Everly Brothers had a record out in the late 1950s whose title song was Poor Little Fool. I suggest that could be his

campaign theme song. Someone should take this guy aside and tell him, once and for all, that Newfoundlanders don’t want him. Can’t you just hear him on radio and television now: “Take me or leave me Newfoundland — take me or leave me Labrador.” Doesn’t that sound so familiar? Wake up Johnny — try running for dogcatcher in Port de Grave. That’s as close as you will get to the Confederation Building.

Don Lester, Conception Bay South

John Efford

Post should be ashamed of itself Editor’s note: the following letter was written to the National Post, with a copy forwarded to The Independent.

Dear editor, When in the name of God are you fellows going to hire an economist on staff so that you can start printing accurate economic information.

Your Oct. 12 editorial made a statement that “it’s hard to see how Premier Danny Williams could agree to the same deal as Stephen Harper offered to Nova

Scotia” even though it is a better deal for our province than the one we presently have, because he had backed himself into a corner.

Analysis of the offer by responsible economists subsequently concluded we would be much worse off if we accepted the same offer for our province.

I know that the National Post may be strapped for finances, but I would be only too pleased to start a collection here in Newfoundland and Labrador to assist you in hiring a good economist so

that you discontinue printing misleading information.

The headline of your editorial read Re-electing a clown, implying that 70 per cent of the electorate in our province who elected the Williams government must be idiots. When was the last time you wrote such a demeaning editorial against a premier of Ontario or Quebec?

You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Burford Ploughman, St. John’s

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 9

A study in contrasts

Quebec controlled its fisheries for 85 years; feds yet to follow through on joint management

W

hen the province of Quebec wanted to take over management of its fisheries in 1922, the federal government snapped to attention. It was no sooner said than done.

When Newfoundland and Labrador wanted merely to share management of its fisheries, the federal government ignored the province for nearly three decades (to date).

And when it didn’t simply ignore the province, it laughed. That was the case in 2003 when the people of Newfoundland and Labrador — through their House of Assembly and provincial government — asked for a constitutional amendment providing for joint management.

Stéphane Dion, at the time the federal minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Liberal administration, chose to focus on the wrong point — the amendment, not the desire for joint management. “No constitutional amendment will bring back the fish,” Dion told the House of Commons.

And Liberal backbenchers roared with laughter.

In other words, aren’t Newfoundlanders and Labradorians silly?

Imagine thinking a constitutional amendment would bring back the fish!

In short, the treatment of the two provinces with regard to fisheries management constitutes a study in contrasts.

Dion, who today serves as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, must

JOAN FORSEY

Guest Column surely have known — but didn’t see fit to mention — that a constitutional amendment is not necessary in order for Ottawa even to transfer fisheries management to a province (or take it back), let alone merely share it.

It wasn’t necessary when Quebec took over management of its fisheries in 1898. It wasn’t necessary when the federal government resumed management in 1921. It wasn’t necessary when the federal government handed over management to Quebec in 1922.

Nor was it necessary when Ottawa resumed management in 1983.

Far from it. Quebec administered its own fisheries for 85 years, despite three Privy Council decisions that said authority over fisheries lay exclusively with the federal government, under the British North America Act. Quebec ignored a 1898 decision, interpreting it as meaning the province could administer its fisheries because of rights it had before Confederation.

It ignored a 1913 decision because it contended the decision was based on the Magna Carta, which did not apply to Quebec because the province followed French law. In both cases the federal government acquiesced, saying Ottawa and the province had

reached a “modus vivendi.”

In 1920, a third Privy Council decision reiterated the federal authority over fisheries, and in 1921 the federal government decided to exercise control of the fishery in the tidal waters of Quebec. Quebec, ignoring this, continued to issue its own licences to fishermen, who then had to buy licences from two governments. Many complaints followed.

In 1922, Ernest Lapointe, federal minister of Marine and Fisheries, invited Quebec to send representatives to Ottawa to discuss the problem.

That’s all it took: one meeting. The federal government immediately transferred to Quebec responsibility for the administration of coastal fisheries in the province, with the exception of those around the Magdalen Islands.

By contrast, Newfoundland and Labrador has been asking for a greater voice in fisheries management since 1949 and for some form of joint management since the late 1970s.

Two provincial royal commissions (1986, 2003), two panels established by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (1989, 1998), and innumerable reports and pleas by the provincial government throughout nearly three decades have recommended joint management.

But, as Roger Grimes said in 2003 when he was premier, the federal government met them all with “rejection, dismissal, inaction, or silence.” (Not to

YOUR VOICE Joan Morrissey story ‘enthralling’ Dear editor, A full audience was treated to an excellent evening of drama, humour, music and song on Oct. 11 when Donna Butt’s Rising Tide Theatre troupe lived The Joan Morrissey Story. I say “lived” because the performance was so enthralling the audience became the unseen guest in her life as it played out on stage.

For me personally, it brought back the memory of having seen Joan Morrissey actually perform at the Grand Falls Stadium during one of the annual Kinsmen Fairs. I cannot recall the exact year, but in my mind I vividly recall Joan dressed in her white fringed western outfit and lustily belting out the lyrics. If I am not mistaken, the same event featured a native Indian knife-throwing act in which a wife was placed on a spinning board and her husband threw knives.

But the memories of the knife act and Morrissey herself will be a little more crowded now with my memory of Petrina Bromley surrounded by a group of professionals such as actor/musician Kelly Russell and Frank Holden, a mature actor whose very presence on stage was a treat for anyone who appreciates good acting.

From Joan’s early debut reminiscent of The Honeymooners television show to her tragic suicide on Jan. 10, 1978, the script showcased a Joan of compassion, humour and true grit, all tied together by pieces of her career and family life, and all hurtling toward her demise.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford the fee Ned Pratt photo to view a piece of our culture. Why government Petrina Bromley would heavily subsidize the arts and be content to deny the experience to all school kids is beyond participation program to permit all our kids to my comprehension. We take great care to feed fully participate when such performances come their bodies; we should take equal care to feed to town. their minds and souls. Maybe some of our more avant garde teachers in our schools could try to Aubrey Smith, acquire government funding and set up an arts Grand Falls-Windsor

NAFO points overlooked Dear editor, Ivan Morgan’s report (No ‘magic bullet’ to NAFO problems, Oct. 5 edition) on the recent Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization meeting held in Lisbon from Sept. 24-28 overlooked a couple of key points.

They include the joint proposal presented to NAFO by Canada and the European Union (EU) with the full support of the United States. The proposal recommended that all countries be required to conduct environmental assessments of their bottom-fishing activities and close areas where cold-water corals and other sensitive deep-sea species are likely to be found. Such proposals require consensus for approval, but this was not forthcoming. Instead, NAFO members agreed to close areas deeper than 800 metres with particular emphasis on the southwest slope

of the Grand Banks.

This latter area was one of three identified as critical ocean diversity habitats by both DFO and independent scientists over the past few years — the others being the northeast edge of the Grand Banks in the Funk Island Spur/Tobin’s Point area and southeast of Baffin Island on the southeast Baffin shelf.

As NAFO moves ahead with its new mandate of ecosystem management the challenge will be to protect these areas from the destructive effects of bottom trawling, thus supporting the renewable capacity of the marine environment to regenerate ocean habitats and fish stocks.

Fred Winsor, Chair, Atlantic Canada chapter Sierra Club of Canada

7e love celebrations too.

Quebec administered its own fisheries for 85 years, despite three Privy Council decisions that said authority over fisheries lay exclusively with the federal government, under the British North America Act. mention laughter.)

Instead, as Clyde Wells put it when he was premier, the federal government has left the province “at the mercy of mandarins in Ottawa who know little or nothing — and probably care less — about what happens to the fisheries of Newfoundland.”

Is there any likelihood that the federal government will give Newfoundland and Labrador (where the fishery is a major part of the economy) as much consideration as it gave to Quebec (where the fishery is a minor part of the economy)? Will Newfoundland and Labrador continue to be — as former premier Brian Peckford once noted — “the only province whose major industry is not controlled

by the people of that province?”

Well, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in December 2005 when he was leader of the Opposition that he favoured joint management for the province.

In fact, under Policy Declarations 2005, the Conservative Party of Canada stated: “A Conservative government will adopt, with any interested coastal province or territory, a system of increased provincial management over fisheries through a system of joint management and joint fisheries councils modeled on the system proposed by unanimous resolution of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly in May 2003 and as detailed in the government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s white paper on the subject as released in 2003.”

Wow. Newfoundland and Labrador providing a model!

The question is this: will Harper break with federal tradition and do what he said he would do, or will he break his promise?

Joan Forsey, a Newfoundlander living in Toronto, is a former journalist who has been researching and writing about Canadian economic and political affairs for more than 30 years, including seven years as a writer on the staff of the late prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

Ivan Morgan’s column, Rant and Reason, returns next week.

OCTOBER 19, 2007

10 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 11

IN CAMERA

The way things were A

Newfoundland’s first family of photography, The Holloways, both captured and made history during the 50 years that father Robert, son Bert and daughter Elsie documented the province’s inspiring landscape, culture, people and significant moments. Reporter Mandy Cook visited the exhibit at The Rooms and its curator, photographer Mannie Buchheit, for a history lesson in the Holloway’s photographic contribution. The exhibit will remain on display at The Rooms into the new year.

Sealer John Abbott, with gaff and gear (before 1916) The Rooms Provincial Archives, VA 137-57/Robert “Bert” Palfrey Holloway

s Mannie Buchheit moves among the photographs he has spent literally hundreds of hours poring over with a magnifying glass, his manner is reminiscent of an archaeologist unearthing artifacts of a long lost culture.

The images, found on the third floor of The Rooms in St. John’s, document events like the first 500 Newfoundland volunteers sailing across the Atlantic to defend their mother country and the 10,000-strong crowd gathered to receive the bodies of sealers lost on the SS Southern Cross.

“The Holloway family has provided us with an awfully large look at the way things were,” Buchheit, a renowned photographer and curator of The Holloways exhibition,

Summer haze, Bonne Bay, west coast (1898?)

says. “You can see them — you’ve got this visual history.”

Between them, the Holloways — father Robert, daughter Elsie and son Bert — captured half a century of Newfoundland and Labrador history on film. Robert first came to St. John’s to take up the position of principal of the Methodist College as a young man of 24. A scientist as well as an educator, Robert was perfectly suited to the relatively new innovation of capturing still images.

The work adorning the lamp-lit glass shelves in the exhibit tells the story of Robert’s travels around Newfoundland’s coast and harbours, camera in hand, during some of Newfoundland’s most culturally significant moments. His children, carefully

schooled in the art of photography by their father, were often present.

Robert’s beautiful 1898 compositions of schooners gliding on the still waters of Bonne Bay in what is now Gros Morne National Park and the moody hush of fishermen jigging squid near Burin’s south coast in 1903 were just the beginnings of what his family would contribute to the province’s visual collection.

Young Bert is credited as the first photographer to accompany the men out to the Front during the annual seal hunt, documenting — with crystal clarity in some cases — the faces, oilskins, rigging and perilous conditions

the sealers faced. Besides her 30year-career as an esteemed portraitist, Elsie was on the ground in Quidi Vidi when Alcock and Brown assembled their Vickers Vimy bomber and flew off into history.

“She starts out photographing the crate the entire aircraft came in, being dragged by two horses,” says Buchheit. “Her photographs went from horsepower to flight in an essay.

We would now call it a photo essay.”

The provincial archives have more than 2,000 Holloway photographs.

What is most remarkable is that all the holdings of Robert Holloway’s images are post-1892 — the

The Rooms Provincial Archives, G 6-2/Robert Edwards Holloway

Holloway Studio, where the family worked and stored their equipment, was lost in the Great Fire that decimated St. John’s. Although suffering from tuberculosis Robert began photographing in earnest again, most likely returning to sites he had already visited to ensure their images lived on.

Bert received a commission as a lieutenant in the war as a sniper and intelligence officer.

“He probably had a very good eye and was a good observer, but unfortunately he died in the war and his body wasn’t found,” says Buchheit.

Of the three photographers, only

Elsie was left to carry on the family legacy. She enjoyed the distinction of being Newfoundland’s first professional female photographer and immortalized decades’ worth of classes of graduating nurses, Salvation Army bands and St. Bon’s boys’ choirs — all in front of the same indistinct backdrop, lit naturally by a giant skylight and floor-toceiling window. It is these details that have enabled Buchheit to deduce which artist is behind what photograph.

“The puzzle has always been is it the father, the son or the daughter?

Now we’re starting to be able to seg-

regate them and find out who is doing what. Elsie, of course, had the longest run, operating the business until 1940 or a little thereafter,” he says.

And which picture does Buchheit wish he had taken himself?

“Lots of them,” he says, laughing.

“I can’t even point to one, (we’re) standing at this iceberg view from the Battery, the way (Robert) grouped it all in his camera, it’s perfect. I wouldn’t do it any different … when you look into them with a magnifying glass, they’ve got stories.” mandy.cook@theindependent.ca

Sealers with gear, preparing to disembark from sealing steamer (before 1916).

The Rooms Provincial Archives, VA 137-51/Robert “Bert” Palfrey Holloway

Capt. John Alcock, pilot, and Lieut. Arthur Whitten Brown, navigator, by wing of their Vickers Vimy plane prior to transatlantic flight, 14 July 1919.

The Rooms Provincial Archives, E 49-19/Elsie Holloway

Sealers on ice with gaffs; sealing vessel in distance (before 1916).

The Rooms Provincial Archives, VA 137-24/Robert “Bert” Palfrey Holloway

Squidding near Burin, South Coast (between 1898 and 1903).

The Rooms Provincial Archives, G 21-4/Robert Edwards Holloway

OCTOBER 19, 2007

12 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

Off the reading list

Class is great, but the best experiences aren’t on the syllabus

I

consider myself to be an average student — which my GPA attests to — but I’ve gotten pretty good at stumbling into opportunities.

This year, my fifth at Memorial University, is completely different for me. I need to finish six courses (you have to get special permission to suffer this much) this semester and five the next to get a bachelor of arts degree in April. That’s 26 papers, projects and exams before December. I’m afraid to add up the word count. I’m not complaining, but I’ve gotten used to only taking three courses a semester.

It wasn’t slacking off. I was working over 40 hours a week as editor-in-chief of The Muse, Memorial’s student-run newspaper. That led to an internship at The Independent, a dream gig for a young journalist — but more importantly, it was a job that made me feel closer to this province.

When I signed up for a class on Newfoundland literature this fall, taught by professor and poet Mary Dalton, it wasn’t just to fill the Cana-

JOHN RIETI

Notes in the margin dian literature requirement of my English major. It was also a chance to see how great writers have penned their thoughts on this place, and how they took on its issues. From E. J. Pratt to Kenneth J. Harvey, the course has already been a great source of discovery.

It’s often difficult to find inspiration on the pressure-, stress- and germ-filled campus. Slipping into a mundane routine of studying all day and going home without ever looking up is the easiest thing to do.

Inspiration was the second book on my Newfoundland literature reading list. Hard Light by Buchans-born Michael Crummey was the writing I wish I could’ve produced during my summer at The Independent. The book

of poems and short narratives is immediate, gripping and unafraid to take on the harshness and humour life in outport communities required.

Reading isn’t enough for me anymore. It’s been drilled into my head — the better something is, the more questions should be asked. Question everything. After the first lecture on the book I begged my professor to let me base my 3,000-word term paper on an interview with Crummey instead of one of the assigned topics.

STYLE AND INK The hour-long interview with Crummey was better than any class I’ve been to this semester. That comment may cost me 10 marks, but it’s true. What I learned will impact my own writing and I feel more strongly than ever that student writers have a responsibility to preserve this province in their own style and ink.

Crummey told me he sometimes felt like an outsider when he traveled to Western Bay, only belonging because

of his dad. The book, largely based on his father’s stories, records traditions that lived for hundreds of years, but are mostly gone today. As a Townie, and son of two professors, I also felt like an outsider when given assignments on things like lobster fishing, but Crummey gave me hope that writers can overcome that.

What scares me about Memorial is that many students wouldn’t have looked for that opportunity. Too many stick to the syllabus. I don’t blame them, and I’m guessing many have better marks than me. I almost didn’t bother asking about the option of doing an interview.

Students really need to take a hard look at their curriculum. If it doesn’t motivate them and expose them to great thinkers, they need to search out these experiences for themselves.

Memorial is doing its part. I was delighted to hear Crummey will be taking up office as the university’s writerin-residence this winter, and programs routinely bring in experts to teach

courses or give lectures. Andy Jones is teaching a theatre class, some of the province’s top journalists have been tapped to teach writing courses, and I’m sure other faculties have similar stories.

The people on campus I respect most are the ones who think differently and are already making a difference — something you don’t need a degree to do.

It won’t just be academics either.

Let’s face it: higher education is low on the list of entertaining topics. There will be music and dancing, sports and business, probably beer, science experiments and just about anything else that looks fun to me.

But now I have to go cram for a midterm exam. john.rieti@theindependent.ca

Centre has convenient and flexible payment plans for those thinking about purchasing a musical gift either for themselves or for others,” says Bishop.

For the young beginner, the St. John’s Music Centre carries juniorsized drum kits, guitars, complete violin kits, and hand percussion instruments. For pre-teens and teens, there’s a great selection of guitars, amps, drum kits and effects pedals. There are recording units for those who would like to make a CD for family, friends or professionally.

“No matter what instrument you play, the important thing is that you

enjoy yourself,” says Bishop. “It doesn’t matter if you play only three chords, as long as you have fun. Music is a personal thing, and playing an instrument is a rewarding experience — yet it’s when you share it with others that it can really make a difference.”

To find out more about St. John’s Music Centre, visit their location at 279 Portugal Cove Rd. (across from Tim Hortons), phone 579-3011 or check out www.stjohnsmusiccentre.com.

The store is open for business Monday through Saturday.

John Rieti is a fifth-year student at Memorial University majoring in English and minoring in Geography, aiming to do journalism after graduation. His column returns Nov. 2.

Music with a difference S

t. John’s Music Centre is the newest music store in town, offering a variety of musical instruments in all price ranges.

Owner Albert Bishop — who has three other stores on the Avalon — says St. John’s Music Centre’s logo “Music with a difference” reflects the variety, brands and types of instruments the store carries.

Although the store’s focus is on acoustic and traditional instruments such as mandolins, banjos, mandolas, six- and 12-string guitars and bouzoukis, Bishop also stocks whistles, accordions, bodhrans, autoharps,

violin kits, drum sets, PA equipment, electric guitars and amplifiers.

Bishop says his store focuses on traditional, Irish, gospel, bluegrass and blues/jazz. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, student on a budget, seasoned musician, rock star or a “passthe-time musician” — St. John’s Music Centre has something to suit your taste, skill level and pocketbook.

St. John’s Music Centre also provides a host of services and products, including instrument repairs, set ups, and string changes.

“Our PA lines range from beginner to pro,” Bishop says. “Our different

instrument lines include a selection of left-handed guitars as well as banjitars, six-string banjos, mandjos, dulcimers, electric autoharps, dobros and omnichords.

“We are very proud of the product lines we carry including Blueridge, Goldtone, Dean, Vintage, Behringer, Johnson and the Hofner line of guitars, which were made famous by Paul McCartney (Hofner Beatle Bass).”

Part of the store’s service and focus, the layaway program, is now in place for Christmas.

“Now is the time to begin thinking about Christmas and St. John’s Music

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTNEWS • 13 bour of Burin. Sad the fate, to be launched into eternity without a moment’s warning.

— The Mercury and General Advertiser, Carbonear, Oct. 15, 1846

AROUND THE WORLD On this day two years ago the First Contingent of the Nfld. Regiment and numbering 525 officers and men sailed on the Transport Florizel to join a fleet of Canadian transports off Cape Race, all bound for the Mother Country, to help defeat her Hunnish aggressors.

Right nobly this splendid force, reinforced on occasions has acquitted itself both in the arduous campaign in Gallipoli and in the splendid service which the British have performed on the Somme front in France. Heroes all, their names will be treasured in the hearts of their fellow countrymen and embossed in letters of gold in the records of an invincible Empire, the name of which is synonymous with Liberty, Justice and Truth.

— The Mail and Advocate, St. John’s, Oct. 4, 1916 AROUND THE BAY In the gale of the 19th ulto. we regret to record the loss of eleven boats and forty five Human beings from the har-

YEARS PAST The Agricultural Society’s Annual Show is to take place on the ground in front of the Colonial Building tomorrow. The Society met yesterday to appoint the Judges, and we doubt not competent and impartial ones were selected. We would bespeak a full attendance at the interesting Exhibition tomorrow.

— The Morning Post and Shipping Gazette, Oct. 24, 1860 EDITORIAL STAND The only aid which our fishermen and Mariners in the prosecution of their adventurous calling can derive from the Government would be by the establishment of Light Houses in such places as are the most suitable, and where the greatest necessity exists for such establishments; and when we consider the great number of Sealers and Labrador men which annually sail out of this Bay, and the important position which our representatives hold in the General Assembly, it appears to us almost unaccountable that no Light has yet been, or

Angelo Schiavone, Nicholas Welsh, Jaxon Gallant, and Aden Howell at St. John’s Music Center.

is about to be, erected on the Island of Baccaloo.

— The Conception-Bay Man, Harbour Grace, Oct. 15, 1856 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Ron — My one and a half hours as a guest on your open-line show were most enjoyable and enlightening. As Minister, it is heartening to have the chance to hear the views of the people most affected by the Government’s new social policy directions. You are performing a valuable service by encouraging your listeners to present their views, and at the same time you are providing much needed clarification and information. Yours truly, Monique Begin, Minister of National Health — Village Voice, St. John’s, Oct. 7, 1978 QUOTE OF THE WEEK A most disgraceful scene was witnessed between 7 and 8 o’clock last night near the foot of Barter’s Hill. One of those fungus growths known as a “maneen” about 17 years of age was pummeling away at an old grey-headed man of 60, until some passersby, with a little manhood in them interfered.

— The Daily News, St. John’s, Oct. 5, 1895

YOUR VOICE Definition of K.I.S.S. Dear editor, Forty years ago author Cassie Brown coached me when writing to remember the acronym K.I.S.S — keep it simple stupid. Someone should tell pollster Alan Greg that. When asked by the CBC National’s Peter Mansbridge this week to comment on the budget speech, Greg began the interview by saying, “It was a cornucopia of instrumentalism Peter.”

My first reaction was, huh?

Bill Westcott, Clarke’s Beach

Cassie Brown

NL Studies

‘Blatant disregard for the safety of residents’ Dear editor, The incessant hammering of heavy machinery and dawn-to-dusk banging of steel upon dump truck tailgates is unavoidable. The contaminated filth seeping through closed windows facing Water Street in downtown St. John’s is cause for concern.

Having two blocks of Water Street

east of Prescott in total darkness over the weekend, despite calls to senior construction management, the councillor for this area and quick-to-respond 311 operators is dangerous. Lack of action reflects negligence and a blatant disregard for the safety of residents.

Bruce Parsons, St. John’s

OCTOBER 19, 2007

14 • INDEPENDENTNEWS

‘The Newfoundland Fishery for Dummies’ DAVID BOYD

Guest Column Twillingate

T

hose of my age and time will be the last generation of fisher folk to experience an inshore, communitybased fishery.

A door has been quietly closing on our way of life for some time now, nudged ever so deceitfully by those who preach that a bitter pill must be swallowed for the greater good, but whose real mission is the nurturing of an ego that knows no bounds.

In a recent Navigator article, Jim Wellman lauds the praises of Bill Barry as a prophet who should be listened to because, “Not many other people have the guts to tell it like it is.”

And what is Barry’s message? The same old story: too many plants, too many fisher people. The message has been repeated so often that it has become almost axiomatic — no proof required.

Of course, for individuals who have fish plants themselves, there are too many. But then two is too many.

But what about the fishermen in Change Islands and hundreds of small communities who cannot sell their blackback, their 500 pounds of squid, or their 1,000 pounds of mackerel because there are no community plants left and fly-by-night processors are interested only in the lucrative crab or pelagics in tractor-trailer quantities?

Take, for example, a concern raised this week on the Fisheries Broadcast by some fishers on Newfoundland’s west coast. From listening to the show’s moderator and a very concerned and depressed fisherman from Lark Harbour, I got the message that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) — that wonderfully gifted group in control of our fish resources — had granted Barry, a processor, the right to use a mackerel or herring seine 480 feet deep by 2,000 or more feet in length, using a vessel that is able to carry, at one time, a million pounds of fish.

David Boyd leaves his family homestead in Tizzard’s Harbour.

It takes no knowledge of the fishery, just a little common sense, to appreciate the firepower of this technology and how many small fishermen can and will be displaced by such technology.

The question remains: How is a fish processor able to secure a licence to catch fish using the same type of technology that destroyed the cod stocks in the 1960s and ’70s, as well as the pelagic stocks in certain bays during the ’80s?

Were I to write a book entitled The Newfoundland Fisheries for Dummies, I would expect my readers to know almost nothing of fishery issues. Yet I am confident they would give more common sense answers to these vital questions than any politician or DFO official.

QUESTION NO 1: For the future of outports does it make more sense to: (A) Allow one processor and five crewmembers to land five million pounds of fish, or (B) for 25 fishermen to land 200,000 pounds apiece, allowing their families stay in Newfoundland?

DFO chooses answer A; the dummies choose B. QUESTION NO. 2: If a young person chooses the fishery as a career, he/she has to complete 120 credits and fish full time for five years to graduate from

DFO chooses answer A; the dummies choose answer B.

And what is Barry’s message? The same old story: too many plants, too many fisher people. apprentice to level II. The young person is then qualified to buy a core enterprise costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The first time the young person takes charge of his/her vessel to fish pelagics or crab, should they have to compete with a much larger, better equipped fishing vessel owned by a processor: (A) yes or (B) no?

DFO chooses answer A; the dummies choose B. QUESTION NO. 3: If a processor is permitted to fish commercially using larger vessels, bigger quotas and more sophisticated fishing gear than professional fishers, should fishers be permitted to have processing licences to level the playing field? (A) No — processors can fish, but fishers can’t process, or (B) Yes — what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

QUESTION NO. 4: Should a processor be permitted to fish such large quantities of any species to the point that he has no need to buy from fishers to keep his plant operating? (A) yes, or (B) no.

DFO chooses A; the dummies choose B. QUESTION NO. 5: Should a processor be permitted to dump his own cheaply caught fish on the market at such a low price that it has the effect of driving market prices down, thus making it uneconomical for commercial fishers to fish? (A) yes, or (B) no?

DFO chooses A; the dummies choose B. Because the real dummies sit in our elected chambers and behind their desks at DFO, I fear the only fishing vessel passing the empty houses of Tizzard’s Harbour in the not-too-distant future will be the vacuum cleaners of the oceans, owned by the absentee processor, fanning himself to the pounding of the surf on the white Caribbean sands. I know, too, the wind through the vacant fields will tell the story of a people so apathetic that they abandoned their heritage and their legacy to their children and grandchildren.

David Boyd is a fisherman and the owner of Prime Berth Fishing Museum in Twillingate.

INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007 — PAGE 15

Mark Wilson holds up a pair of daikon radishes he grew organically in a bog in Bay Bulls.

Paul Daly/The Independent

Out of the bog Farmer Mark Wilson says organic produce is a growing business in Newfoundland

By Josh Pennell For The Independent

N

ewfoundlanders and Labradorians may think there’s no way to improve on Jigg’s dinner, but a farmer with crops in Bay Bulls and Kelligrews says his organic veggies will do just that.

Kneeling on the acre-and-a-half of bog that he rents in Bay Bulls, Mark Wilson pulls a vegetable out of the ground.

“That’s a beautiful turnip,” he says.

Rows of vegetables line the bog, one of two sites where Wilson grows crops for his newly formed business, NL Organics. He says bog organics are superior — besides being chemical free, Wilson says the slowgrowing environment and minimum fluctuations in temperature and moisture give great texture and flavour to his product. He’s planted everything in the bog, from 3,000 heads of lettuce to exotic edibles including Asian daikon radishes.

But when dealing with Newfoundland organics, the crops have to be tailored to suit local tastes.

“Newfoundland isn’t as daring in food

choices,” says Wilson, adding that the importance of growing all the organics needed for a traditional cooked dinner can’t be overrated.

Wilson’s main market is home delivery.

He brings boxes of in-season fruits and vegetables to the door for $30 a week. He had 40 customers this past summer, his first in production. But there’s more to Wilson’s business plan. He sells some of his more exotic vegetables like fennel and diakon to health and high-end restaurants around St. John’s.

He plans to expand into the large grocery store market next year, and is even thinking about trying to supply Japanese fishing boats that pull into St. John’s harbour with fresh Asian-style vegetables.

Wilson says the organic food business is a great one to get into, even in Newfoundland and Labrador where many people are skeptical about organics and their cost. The global organic market is growing at around 20 per cent per year, says Wilson, which is reflected in this province as well.

“The market is good here,” he says.

“There’s not very many organic farmers.

People want this and there’s not enough sup-

ply.”

There are only about half a dozen organic farmers provincewide selling their veggies.

Wilson says the biggest challenges to the business are the labour and the machinery.

The fruits and vegetables are generally harvested the same day they’re delivered, which can sometimes be an arduous schedule. Wilson recalls a tough weekend three weeks ago: he finished a late gig downtown (Wilson also plays in a local reggae band), went into a local restaurant at 5 a.m., ate a moose burger, went home, changed and went immediately out to one of his sites to harvest.

He has volunteers who help him; they get paid in food and free lessons in organic farming as they pick crops. Since Wilson isn’t in a position to buy his own machinery, he coordinates times to work when the people he rents the land from are using their tractors — they work his crops too.

The other challenge is getting people to look beyond the misconception that organics are too expensive to buy.

“I think that’s crap, basically,” says Wilson.

He admits that organic foods tend to cost 15 to 20 per cent more than non-organics but says the initial cost doesn’t show the whole picture. Supporting organic farming supports a chemical-free environment, he says, and there is direct financial benefit to buying local.

“The thing you have to take into consideration is every dollar you spend in a local economy makes you richer,” says Wilson.

The experience has been a great one so far.

“I feel that it’s been very, very successful.”

An Ontario native, Wilson could go home to his family’s 45-acre organic farm. But it’s in Newfoundland he wants to stay.

“I love it out here.”

This is an exciting time to be producing organics, says Wilson. The business is hot right now, with lots of young blood getting involved. There are more and more people learning to appreciate the health benefits of organic food, as well the importance of shopping local. The potential for more people to switch from regular to organically grown produce is growing.

“The capacity for change here is coming,” he says.

Prepare for the next battle

John Crosbie on the oil beneath the Grand Banks, the signing of the Atlantic Accord and the volatile nature of Confederation Editor’s note: John Crosbie delivered an address in mid-September to a meeting of the Canadian Law Foundation in St. John’s. The following is an edited version of that speech.

T

o understand the ferocity of the feelings in Newfoundland and Labrador with respect to the administration of offshore oil and gas and to the division of the spoils, you must know something about our history We have often been the sport of historic misfortunes. Joey Smallwood’s

JOHN CROSBIE

Guest column greatest failure was his handling of economic development — the upper Churchill in particular. The Government of Canada was also at fault for failing to force Quebec to allow the transmission of power across its territo-

ry, which the Government of Canada had the constitutional authority to use for the transmission of electric power and energy just as it had used that authority to allow the transmission of oil and gas across provincial territory.

The markets were on the other side of Quebec, in western Canada and the New England States.

Instead, NL was forced by Quebec to sell the power first at the border for a pittance. Quebec, in turn, resells the power for a much higher price. To the end of 2006, the net revenue split is $19

billion for Quebec, $1 billion for us.

The 65-year contract doesn’t expire until 2041. Newfoundland and Labrador’s take is actually going to decline at the end of the first 40 years.

While Smallwood was to blame for allowing the contract to be signed by Newfoundland’s agent, Brinco, there was no doubt the Government of Canada was also greatly to blame for sacrificing NL’s bargaining position and interests to Quebec, in the interest of national unity.

The economic disaster that was the

upper Churchill contract has coloured the feelings of NL towards natural resource development ever since.

Premier Danny Williams has properly used that feeling of failure and anger in his present differences with the federal government over the 2005 Accord.

The administrations of Frank Moores and Brian Peckford took an aggressive approach with Ottawa claiming that when offshore resources were eventually found they should be NL’s exclusive See “Is the future,” page 20

16 • INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

Opportunities Engineer III

(Temporary) Pollution Prevention Division, Department of Environment and Conservation, St. John’s

Fisheries Field Representative

Grand Falls/Windsor Seasonal (9 months) Regional Services Division, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Grand Falls-Windsor.

DUTIES: Responsible for ensuring the protection of the provincial environment from pollution to the air, soil and water from Hydrocarbon Storage Systems (HSS); ensures that environmental policies, guidelines, standards, codes of practice and legislation are fully implemented; reviews, develops and proposes amendments of legislation, manuals, policies, guidelines and codes of practice; advises industry on the development of contingency plans for hydrocarbon storage systems and assess these plans; administers and develops licensing program under the Heating Oil Storage Tank System (HOST) Regulations; performs site inspections of new and existing HSS to ensure compliance with environmental legislation; develops, monitors and maintains databases under HSS; provides technical advice and regulatory interpretation to internal/external departments/agencies and the general public; meets with local industry to review and provide guidance regarding the environmental aspects of their activities which fall under the regulations; supervises staff for special projects; keeps abreast of current activities and concerns relating to the hydrocarbon storage systems; performs other related Divisional duties as required. Travel may be required in the performance of these duties.

DUTIES: Under the supervision of the Regional Director the position will be responsible for: aquaculture site inspections to ensure compliance with the finfish and shellfish licencing requirements under the Provincial Aquaculture Act; conducting inspections onboard vessels and transports and in processing establishments to assess the quality of fish and determine compliance with provincial regulations governing the marketing of fish; initiates investigations including collecting evidence, taking statements, preparing and serving legal documents and participating in court proceedings; prepares reports on all inspections and investigations; and provides instruction to the industry on the implementation of approved quality control measures and husbandry techniques. Identifies and promotes fisheries and aquaculture development; assesses special assistance grant applications for funding to improve fisheries infrastructure; evaluates and reports on requests for fish processing and aquaculture licences; attends meetings with stakeholders on fisheries and aquaculture related issues. The successful candidate must posses a valid Newfoundland and Labrador Class 05 drivers licence.

QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of Hydrocarbon Storage Systems; Storage & Handling of Gasoline & Associated Products Regulations, 2003 (GAP), Heating Oil Storage Tank System Regulations, 2003 (HOST), & Used Oil Control Regulations (UOC), environmental legislation, regulation & controls and report analysis is required. Strong written and oral communication skills, computer proficiency (with emphasis on MS Access, Quattro and Excel), analytical and organizational skills and good judgment are also required. Candidate must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and be able to work independently.

These qualifications would be acquired through a Degree in Engineering combined with considerable related experience pertaining to Hydrocarbon Storage Systems, with an emphasis on environmental protection. Membership or eligibility for membership in PEGNL is required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge of the fishing and aquaculture industries, fish quality control standards, techniques and processes, fisheries and aquaculture development opportunities, departmental jurisdictional roles and responsibilities and inspection/enforcement procedures are required.

Candidates must be able to work independently and demonstrate strong oral and written communication, analytical, organizational and interpersonal skills. These qualifications would normally have been acquired through graduation from a recognized post- secondary program with major course work in Aquaculture supplemented by recent work experience in the field of Aquaculture. Experience in the operation of vessels up to 25 feet in length and knowledge or training in the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and/or navigational charts in coastal waters would be an asset. Combinations of experience and education will be considered.

SALARY: $50,577.80 - $56,583.80 (GS-40) COMPETITION #: EC.EIII. (T)07.212 CLOSING DATE: October 30, 2007

SALARY:

Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet all of the above qualifications. Failure to do so may result in a candidate being screened out.

$41,059.20 - $45,718.40 per annum (GS-34) COMPETITION #: FA.C.FFR(s).07.229-P CLOSING DATE: October 31, 2007 INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS: This competition is open to both male and female applicants.

INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS: Applications must be submitted to: Applications, quoting competition number, should be forwarded to: Mail:

Fax: E-Mail:

Recruitment Centre Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 709) 729-6737 pscresourcesresumes@gov.nl.ca

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date – either by mail, fax or e-mail. Late applications with explanations may be considered. This position is open to both male and female applicants. A separate application must be submitted for each competition. For additional information on this position, please call (709)7292561.

October 15, 2007

Mail:

Fax: Email:

Manager of Strategic Staffing Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block Confederation Building St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 (709) 729-6737 pscresourcesresumes@gov.nl.ca

In order to ensure your application/resume is processed appropriately, the job competition number MUST be indicated.

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date either by postal mail, fax or e-mail. (If faxing, DO NOT send a duplicate copy). Late applications with acceptable explanation may be considered.

A separate application must be submitted for each competition. For additional information on this position, please call (709) 729-3736.

October 15, 2007

Student Educational Assessments Program Development Specialist Temporary Student Support Services Division, Department of Education 3rd Floor, West Block, Confederation Building, St. John’s, NL DUTIES: The successful candidate would ensure the development and implementation of a standardized service delivery model for student educational assessments; establish guidelines for educational assessment practices; review and evaluate current practices related to student educational assessments; provide consultation to the school districts in the implementation of the service delivery model; provide professional development to all personnel involved in student educational assessments; consult and support training in the use of appropriate testing materials; in consultation with Information Technology personnel, develop an electronic database for managing student educational assessments; review and recommend more equitable management of services; monitor status of the implementation process and ensure that student data to inform programming are reviewed and revised as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, Psychology, or other related fields supplemented by a minimum of five years teaching experience. The successful candidate must have experience in policy, planning and program development; training and proficiency in managing electronic databases. Knowledge and experience in assessment is essential. Candidates must demonstrate initiative, independence and creativity, together with strong oral and written communication, facilitation, presentation and organization skills. A commitment to quality service is essential.

SALARY:

GS 42 salary scale or in accordance with the NLTA Collective AgreementSecondment considered COMPETITION #: E.C.PDS(t).07.08.144-P CLOSING DATE: October 30, 2007 TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The candidate will be expected to work the public service year with annual leave based on years of teaching service.

Applications, quoting competition number, should be forwarded via mail, fax or email: Mail:

Recruitment Centre Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Fax: (709) 729-6737 E-Mail: pscsocialresumes@gov.nl.ca For additional information on this position, please call (709) 729-2354.

Applications must be received before the close of business on October 30, 2007 – either by e-mail, mail or fax. Late applications with explanation may be considered. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their applications that they meet the above qualifications; only those applicants who demonstrate such qualifications will be considered for further assessment.

Director, Policy and Planning Temporary, until return of permanent incumbent

Occupational Health and Safety Officer I (2 positions)

Director of Municipal Finance

(Temporary for six months)

Department of Municipal Affairs: Financial Services Division.

Occupational Health and Safety Division, (Western Regional Office), Department of Government Services, Corner Brook, NL

LOCATION: West Block, Confederation Building, St. John’s

DUTIES: Under the direction of the manager and senior officers, assists in performing technical inspections of industrial, commercial, construction and government operations to ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations; promotes awareness of health and safety issues in workplaces; investigates workplace incidents; recommends preventative measures; issues directives and stop work orders; investigates complaints and mediates between management workers; prepares reports and recommendations; responds to inquiries. Physical demands for this position are moderate to high, requiring climbing, access/egress from confined spaces and the use of life lines and respiratory equipment. Extensive travel and use of a private vehicle is required.

DUTIES: As a member of the Department’s Senior Management Team, this position is responsible for ensuring that municipal finance programs are developed, implemented and maintained. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and analyzing financial statements, guiding municipalities in implementation of the Public Sector Accounting Board Standards and ensuring compliance with the new standards; providing analysis, reports and strategic advice and direction on the municipal fiscal framework; developing and implementing best practice programs, policies and procedures for municipal finance programs including the Municipal Operating Grant Program, Debt Servicing Grant Program, and the Gas Tax Program. The incumbent assists municipalities in maintaining sound budget management policies, financial control practices and legislated accountability requirements.

The incumbent will lead the day-to-day management of the division and supervise staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: A knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, safe work procedures, hazard recognition and control, investigative techniques and computers is required; effective oral and written communication, organizational and conflict resolution skills are essential; candidates must also demonstrate good judgment, have the ability to work independently and establish and maintain effective working relationships. The required knowledge would normally be acquired through completion of a Certificate Program in Occupational Health and Safety, or a related training program, supplemented by considerable related experience working with occupational health and safety issues.

SALARY: GS-32 ($38,456.60 - $42,751.80) COMPETITION #: GS.OHSOI(t).07.08.149-P – Please quote when applying CLOSING DATE: October 29, 2007 APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY MAIL, FAX OR E_MAIL TO: Mail:

E-mail: Tel:

Recruitment Centre Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block, Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Fax: 709-729-6737 pscsocialresumes@gov.nl.ca (709) 729-0570

Applications must be received before the close of business on October 29, 2007 – either by mail, e-mail or fax. Late applications with explanation may be considered. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their applications that they meet the above qualifications; only those applicants who demonstrate such qualifications will be considered for further assessment. For additional information on this position, please call (709) 729-0570. This position is open to both male & female.

QUALIFICATIONS: The position requires an extensive knowledge of accounting and financial principles and practices, Government’s financial legislation, regulations and authorities, Municipal financial management systems, and micro computer applications in financial management. A knowledge of Municipal programs including applicable legislation and policies. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable independence and initiative and must possess effective organizational, analytical, problem solving, interpersonal and oral/written communication skills, and the ability to work in a service-oriented environment. These qualifications would normally be acquired through extensive experience in financial management, considerable supervisory experience and graduation from a University with a Degree in Business.

SALARY: HL- 25 ($61,368 - $79,778) COMPETITION #: MA.C.DMF(p).07.08.083-P (Quote this number when applying) CLOSING DATE: October 29th, 2007 APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY MAIL, EMAIL OR FAX TO: Mail:

Fax: Tel: Email:

Manager of Strategic Staffing – Social Sector Public Service Commission – Recruiting Unit Confederation Building, 4th Floor, West Block P.O. Box 8700 A1B 4J6 (709) 729-6737 (709) 729-6832 pscsocialresumes@gov.nl.ca

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date – late applications with explanation may be considered. This position is open to both male & female.

For additional information on this position call (709)7296832.

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, Confederation Building, St. John’s DUTIES: The incumbent is responsible for initiating and directing the analysis and development of provincial policy on Aboriginal issues and providing advice and assistance to provincial departments and agencies on Aboriginal issues and intergovernmental agreements. This includes analysis of the implications of a comprehensive range of policy issues relating to Aboriginal people within and outside the Province, including land claims, self-government and programs and services. The incumbent will be required also to initiate relevant research and provide policy assessment of all land claims and self-government proposals as part of a multitiered government review process and be responsible for the negotiation of intergovernmental agreements and agreements with Aboriginal organizations. For additional information on the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, please visit our web site @ www.laa.gov.nl.ca/laa/.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have strong knowledge and experience in policy development and analysis in a broad and complex work environment, preferable with knowledge of or experience in Aboriginal issues. Candidates must also have proven analytical, communication and organizational skills, along with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. The required skills and abilities would normally be acquired thorough completion of a related Masters degree in the Social Sciences with significant work experience in policy development and analysis. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.

SALARY: $66,833 - $86,883 (HL 29) COMPETITION #: LAA.C.DPP(t).07/08.107-P CLOSING DATE: October 31st, 2007 Applications, quoting Competition No., should be submitted to: Mail:

Fax: E-Mail:

Recruitment Centre Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block Confederation Building P. O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 (709) 729-6737 pscecresumes@gov.nl.ca

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date - late applications with explanation may be considered. For additional information on this position, please call (709) 729-4665.

October 10, 2007

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTBUSINESS • 17

Opportunities 5 Liaison Social Worker Positions 4 Permanent and, 1 Temporary until March 31, 2008 Regional and Program Services, Department of Human Resources and Employment, St. John’s Metro, Carbonear, Clarenville, Corner Brook and Stephenville DUTIES: Engages directly with frontline service delivery staff, regional management teams and key community agencies/partners to ensure high risk clients receive appropriate services. Provides professional intervention and support to individuals and families through the completion of psycho/ social risk assessment, advocacy, and referral services to other programs and services. Is a key resource to Client Services Officers and Career Development Specialists in the delivery of both the Income Support and Career Employment and Youth Services Programs to clients with complex social issues. Serves as a liaison with community agencies and other government departments in the assessment and development of programs and services to address a range of complex social issues. Co-ordinates and participates in multi disciplinary teams to determine appropriate short and long term interventions, providing crisis counselling as required. Serves as a key advisor to management and program specialists in developing, assessing and modifying programs and services to better meet the needs of vulnerable client groups.

QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge and understanding of complex social issues related to poverty, persons with mental illness and disabilities, violence, women and youth is essential with a demonstrated ability to work with and support vulnerable clients with extremely challenging needs. Experience in forming and maintaining positive partnerships with community agencies and other government departments is essential. Knowledge of community resources, government programs/services and departmental policy and programs is desirable. Demonstrates skills in psycho/social risk assessment, community needs assessment, counselling, mediation and advocacy and critical analysis. Excellent planning, presentation, and organizational skills with an ability to work independently. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. A Masters in Social Work with a minimum of 3 years experience working with individuals, families, and community development is preferred. A Bachelor of Social Work with a minimum of 5 years experience working with individuals, families and community development may be considered.

Registration with the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers is mandatory. Travel throughout the Region is required for this position.

SALARY:

$ 49,012.60 - $ 54,836.60 (GS-39)

COMPETITION #: HRLE.C.LSW(p).07.08.181-P (St. John’s) HRLE.C.LSW(p).07.08.182-P (Carbonear) HRLE.C.LSW(p).07.08.183-P (Clarenville) HRLE.C.LSW(p).07.08.184-P (Corner Brook) HRLE.C.LSW(t).07.08. 194-P (Stephenville) CLOSING DATE:

October 29, 2007

APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE FORWARDED BY MAIL, Fax or Email to: Manager, Corporate Services, Department of Human Resources Labour & Employment Metro Place, 261 Kenmount Rd, P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 OR Email: kaygillingham@gov.nl.ca Fax: (709) 729-3018 This competition is open to the employees of the Public Service including those on lay-off status, as specified by the applicable collective agreements or Personnel Administration Procedures, but does not apply to students. This position is open to both male and female applicants. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their resumé that they meet all of the above qualifications. Failure to do so may result in a candidate being screened out. Internal applicants need not re-apply.

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date – late applications with explanation may be considered. For additional information on these positions call (709)729-0037.

Separate application must be submitted for each competition number.

Tender DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders will be received up to the date and time indicated below for the following projects: A/PROJECT # 200052003 – Short term electrical repairs, Harriott Curtis Collegiate, St. Anthony & Our Lady of Labrador, West St. Modeste, Labrador, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2007 @ 3:00 PM B/PROJECT # 200069011 – Short term electrical repairs, Sacred Heart Elementary & Humber Elementary, Corner Brook, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: OCTOBER 31, 2007 @ 3:00 PM Upon receipt of the purchase price indicated above, (NON REFUNDANLE, HST INCLUDED) plans and specifications may be obtained from Tendering and Contracts, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6, Ph# 709-729-3786, Fax# 709-729-6729, and viewed at the offices of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association. Tenders addressed to the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Works must be delivered to Tendering and Contracts at the address above and submitted on forms and in sealed envelopes provided, clearly marked as to the contents. Tenders will be opened immediately after the tender closing time. The Department does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.

Hon. Joan Burke Minister Dept. of Education

Senior Policy, Planning and Research Analyst A Best Practice Approach for School Based Substance Abuse Prevention Temporary until March 31, 2008 with possibility of extension Student Support Services Division, Department of Education 3rd Floor, West Block, Confederation Building, St. John’s, NL DUTIES: Foster the development and ongoing work of regional networks to address substance abuse prevention and education; Facilitate an action planning process by supporting the information and planning needs of the regional networks; Plan and coordinate regional youth forums and a provincial Youth Forum; Foster the development of a provincial youth advisory team; Research Best Practices in the area of substance use/gambling prevention for youth; Plan and coordinate a provincial Best Practices in Prevention Forum; Under the guidance of the provincial consultant for Safe and Caring Schools, influence the development of school curriculum related to substance abuse and gambling prevention to incorporate best practices; Contribute to the development of a provincial school-based prevention strategy.

QUALIFICATIONS: The Provincial Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating, developing and implementing provincial activity as it relates to the implementation of a provincial substance abuse education and prevention strategy. This will be accomplished through collaboration with the Provincial Committee for Substance Abuse Prevention / Education and the partner Departments and agencies. This position requires comprehensive knowledge, experience, and skills related to the prevention of alcohol / drug and gambling problems. Candidates must possess considerable networking, facilitation, coordinating, strategic planning, project management, and analytical skills. The ability to establish and maintain close working relationships with inter-agency, community, and youth partners is extremely important. Required qualifications would normally be obtained through graduation from an approved University with a degree in the Health, Education, or Social Sciences disciplines, supplemented by experience in the addictions field. Travel will be required for this position.

SALARY: GS 40 ($50,577.80 - $56,583.80) COMPETITION #: E.C.SPPRA(t).07.08.201-P CLOSING DATE: October 30, 2007 Applications, quoting competition number, should be forwarded via mail, fax or email: Mail:

Fax: E-Mail:

Recruitment Centre Public Service Commission 4th Floor, West Block Confederation Building P.O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 (709) 729-6737 pscsocialresumes@gov.nl.ca

For additional information on this position, please call (709) 729-2354.

Applications must be received before the close of business on October 30, 2007 – either by e-mail, mail or fax. Late applications with explanation may be considered. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their applications that they meet the above qualifications; only those applicants who demonstrate such qualifications will be considered for further assessment.

Highway Maintenance Equipment Operators (Seasonal - Winter Maintenance) TO CREATE A TEMPORARY CALL-IN LIST FOR SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE Temporary Call-In positions of Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator, Department of Transportation and Works, Avalon Region, located in Placentia.

DUTIES: This is skilled work in the operation of a variety of heavy equipment used in highway maintenance work. The incumbent will be required to operate such pieces of heavy equipment as a grader, front-end loader, backhoe, etc.; the incumbent will be required to prepare and maintain work records on the operation of assigned equipment; in winter plows, sands and salts roads; performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of High School; possession of the appropriate operator’s licences as issued by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (Class 03 license with 08 and 09 endorsements) considerable knowledge of the regulations and practices utilized in the operation of heavy equipment; or any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

SALARY: $15.76 - $17.36 per hour (MS 24) COMPETITION #: TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.240-P CLOSING DATE: OCTOBER 30, 2007 NOTE: THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST RESIDE IN THE AREA. Applications should be forwarded to: Mail:

Fax: Email:

Mr. Gary Kendell Regional Administrator Dept. of Transportation & Works P.O. Box 21301 St. John’s, NL A1A 5G6 (709) 729-0219 kendallg@gov.nl.ca

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date - either by mail or fax. This competition is open to both female and male applicants. Late applications with explanation may be considered.

A separate application must be submitted for each competition. For additional information on this position call (709) 729-2383.

Highway Maintenance Equipment Operators TO CREATE A TEMPORARY CALL-IN LIST FOR SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE Temporary Call-In positions of Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator, Department of Transportation and Works, Central Region, located in New World Island, Northern Arm, Victoria Cove, Baie Verte and LaScie.

DUTIES: This is skilled work in the operation of a variety of heavy equipment used in highway maintenance work.

The incumbent will be required to operate tandem truck, grader, front-end loader, backhoe, etc.; the incumbent will be required to prepare and maintain work records on the operation of assigned equipment; in winter - plows, sands and salts roads; performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of High School; possession of the appropriate operator’s licences as issued by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (Class 03 license with 08 and 09 endorsements) considerable knowledge of the regulations and practices utilized in the operation of heavy equipment.

Applicants are required to provide a driver’s abstract.

SALARY:

$15.76 - $17.36 per hour (MS 24)

COMPETITION #: TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.223-P (New World Island) TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.234-P (Northern Arm) TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.235-P (Victoria Cove) TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.236-P (Baie Verte) TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.237-P (LaScie) CLOSING DATE:

October 30, 2007

NOTE: THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST RESIDE IN THE AREA. This competition is open to both male and female applicants.

Applications should be forwarded to: Mail:

E-Mail: Fax:

Ms. Daphne Bouzane Regional Administrator (A) Department of Transportation and Works P.O. Box 10 Grand Falls-Windsor, NL A2A 2J3 BouzaneD@gov.nl.ca (709) 292-4364

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date - either by mail, email or fax. Late applications with explanation may be considered.

A separate application must be submitted for each competition. For additional information on this position call 709-2924306.

Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Police Constable Recruit Training Program The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is currently inviting applications from women and men interested in a career as a Police Officer. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is headquartered in St. John’s with detachments in Corner Brook, Labrador City/Wabush and Churchill Falls.

Successful applicants may be assigned to any of these locations or to any other location that in the future, may be within the jurisdiction of the RNC. The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is committed to gender and cultural diversity in the workplace and will be actively seeking applications from identifiable groups.

Applicants must be a graduate of a degree program or have completed university level courses in English (2 Courses), Psychology (2 Courses) and Sociology (1 Course) by the end of the Winter Semester, 2008; Applicants must be of high moral and ethical character and be capable of projecting a positive police role model to the community. Applicants must meet employment standards as stated in the RNC Act and participate in a selection process which involves screening, physical fitness testing, selection board interviews, polygraph, visual acuity, medical and psychological assessments.

Positions within the Department of Justice are considered “Positions of Trust”. Successful candidates will be subject to a background investigation through police/court data banks and other sources.

Pre-selected candidates will be required to enrol in and complete the Police Studies Diploma Program offered by Memorial University of Newfoundland beginning in September, 2008. The program consists of two academic semesters followed by several months of practical training at the RNC. Applicants must also meet the standards set by Memorial University of Newfoundland for entry into the Police Studies Diploma Program. Further details on the diploma program and on admission criteria to Memorial University are available at the following: http://www.mun.ca/regoff/calendar/ sectionNo=ARTS-0307. Upon successful completion of the Police Studies Diploma Program, candidates will be eligible for employment at the RNC. CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: November 9, 2007 Information for Applicants: Further information and application packages are available on-line at www.gov.nl.ca/rnc, at the nearest RNC Detachment or by contacting the RNC Recruiting Unit at (709)729-8729 or by E-Mail at rncrecruiting@gov.nl.ca. Applicants must fully complete the RNC Application Package and clearly demonstrate that they meet all of the above qualifications. Failure to do so may result in an applicant being screened out of the competition.

Completed applications should be forwarded in person or by mail to: Recruiting Unit Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Headquarters 1 Fort Townshend St. John’s, NL A1C 2G2

18 • INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

Opportunities Crown Land Public Draw for Cottage Lots

Highway Maintenance Equipment Operators (Temporary - Winter Maintenance)

Dinney’s Pond

TO CREATE A TEMPORARY CALL-IN LIST FOR SNOW CLEARING OPERATIONS AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE

Ten Crown land cottage lots at Dinney’s Pond are being made available for sale to the public.

The access road to the cottage lots is located approximately five kilometers east of New Harbour, Trinity Bay via Route 73. See attached maps.

Temporary Call-In positions of Highway Maintenance Equipment Operator, Department of Transportation and Works, Eastern Region, located in Clarenville and Boat Harbour.

Individuals interested in obtaining a lot must submit an application to the Eastern Regional Lands Office, 5 Mews Place, St. John’s on or before 4:30 p.m. Friday, November 2, 2007.

Applications will not be accepted after that deadline.

The allocation process requires two public meetings. The first meeting will determine applicant selection order through a random draw of applicants’ names. This meeting will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at the Eastern Regional Lands Office.

Applicants may attend this meeting but attendance is not necessary.

Following this meeting, applicants will be notified by registered mail of their draw ranking. A second meeting will be held at a time and date to be determined during which applicants will select lots in the ranking order established at the first meeting. Attendance by each applicant or their designated proxy is required at the second meeting.

Applicants are strongly advised to visually inspect the lots and to view the on-site water and septic system evaluation reports (available on the Lands Branch web site and the Eastern Regional Office) in order to draw up a list prioritizing their choice of lots. Each lot is surveyed and certified for on-site septic system installation but some lots may require ground work such as filling and leveling. Applicants should be aware that government will not be responsible for maintenance of the cottage access road.

Application forms can be obtained from any Crown Lands office or the form below can be used. Please note: An application fee of $114.00 must be submitted with your application. The application fee will be refunded to those who do not select a lot at the lot selection meeting.

Prices of the lots, which shall be sold as grants (outright ownership), range from $7,700.00 to $9,800.00. These will be sold with the full price to be paid upon signature of the grant document. A non-refundable document fee of $200.00 must be paid at the time a lot is selected. This fee will be charged towards the cost of preparing title documents. Please note: Upon selecting a lot and paying the $200.00 document fee, neither the $114.00 application fee nor the $200.00 document fee will be refunded under ANY circumstances.

Any lots remaining after the lot selection meeting will be available for sale to the public on a first come, first served basis on the next usual business day. Information on individual lot location and individual lot prices can be obtained from the Eastern Regional Lands Office at the address and web site shown below.

DUTIES: This is skilled work in the operation of a variety of heavy equipment used in highway maintenance work. The incumbent will be required to operate such pieces of heavy equipment as a grader, front-end loader, backhoe, etc.; the incumbent will be required to prepare and maintain work records on the operation of assigned equipment; in winter - plows, sands and salts roads; performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of High School; possession of the appropriate operator’s licences as issued by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador (Class 03 license with 08 and 09 endorsements) considerable knowledge of the regulations and practices utilized in the operation of heavy equipment; or any equivalent combination of experience and/or training.

SALARY: $15.76 - $17.36 per hour (MS 24) COMPETITION #: TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.238-P (Clarenville) TW.C.HMEO.(t).07.08.239-P (Boat Harbour) CLOSING DATE: October 30, 2007 NOTE: THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST RESIDE IN THE AREA. Applications should be forwarded to: This competition is open to both male and female applicants.

Mail:

Fax: Email:

Ms Jennette Reader Regional Administrator Dept. of Works, Services & Transportation 3 Duffitt Place, Clarenville , NL A5A 1E9 (709) 466-3927 readerj@gov.nl.ca

Applications should be received before the close of business on the closing date - either by mail or fax. Late applications with explanation may be considered.

A separate application must be submitted for each competition. For additional information on this position call (709) 466-4121

Submit application forms by mail or in person to: Eastern Regional Lands Office Department of Environment and Conservation 5 Mews Place P. O. Box 8700 St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Envelopes must be clearly marked:

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & WORKS INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders will be received up to the date and time indicated below for the following project:

Public Draw, Dinney’s Pond For further information call (709) 729-2654, or visit our Website: http://www.gov.nf.ca/env/lands/lm

CROWN LAND COTTAGE LOT APPLICATION Dinney’s Pond, November 2007 Name: __________________________________________________________________________ (Please print first, middle and last names.)

Complete Mailing Address: _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ Tel: Home: ___________________ Bus: __________________ Cell: _____________________ Note: Failure to provide a complete mailing address as well as telephone number(s) and postal code will result in the cancellation of your application.

An application fee of $114.00 must be submitted with this application. This fee will be refunded to those who do not select a lot at the lot selection meeting. Anyone who selects a lot will be charged an additional $200.00 document preparation fee. Note that upon selecting a lot, application and document fees will not be refunded under any circumstances.

DECLARATION I hereby request that my name be entered in the public draw for cottage lots Dinney’s Pond. I hereby declare my eligibility as follows: 1. I am of legal age (19 or older).

2. I am not the holder of a Crown land cottage lease or grant at Dinney’s Pond.

Note: A false declaration will result in the cancellation of your application.

____________________________________________________________ Applicant’s Signature

Tender DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION & WORKS INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders will be received up to the date and time indicated below for the following project: PROJECT # 410605119 – Mechanical & electrical upgrades, College of the North Atlantic, Port Aux Basques, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: October 31, 2007 @ 3:00 PM Upon receipt of the purchase price indicated above, (NON REFUNDABLE, HST INCLUDED) plans and specifications may be obtained from Tendering and Contracts, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6, Ph# 709-729-3786, Fax# 709-729-6729, and viewed at the offices of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association. Tenders addressed to the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Works must be delivered to Tendering and Contracts at the address above and submitted on forms and in sealed envelopes provided, clearly marked as to the contents. Tenders will be opened immediately after the tender closing time. The Department does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.

Hon. John Hickey Minister Transportation & Works

Tender

A/PROJECT # SNLS09118 – Snow clearing, Forestry Station & Nature Park, Salmonier, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $ N/A CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 05, 2007 @ 3:00 PM B/PROJECT # SNLS09116 – Snow clearing, Nurse Abernathy Clinic, Trepassey, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $ N/A CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 05, 2007 @ 3:00 PM C/PROJECT: 111-07PSR – Rehabilitation of Colinet River Bridge, R91, km 14.2, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 06, 2007 @ 12:00 NOON D/PROJECT # 110-07PHR – Minor upgrading of R214, Monkstown Road, from Davis Cove intersection toward Monkstown, km 20.5 to km 27.0; Replacement of a culvert with an aluminum arch culvert on R212-10, St. Bernard’s Road, at km 0.7; and widen a section of R211 in English Harbour East, km 33.6 to km 33.7, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 06, 2007 @ 12:00 NOON E/PROJECT # 112-07PHS – Supply and installation of a type “G” modified sign on R1 TCH km 903 near Grand Bay interchange, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 06, 2007 @ 12:00 NOON F/PROJECT # Leasing 4969 sq. ft. of office space for the Dept. of Government Services & Human Resources, Labour & Employment to be located within the Town of Lewisporte, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $11.40 CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 01, 2007 @ 3:00 PM G/PROJECT # 110705024 – Hazardous materials removal and building demolition, former Janeway Hospital, St. John’s, NL. PURCHASE PRICE: $22.80 CLOSING DATE: NOVEMBER 05, 2007 @ 3:00 PM Upon receipt of the purchase price indicated above, (NON REFUNDABLE, HST INCLUDED) plans and specifications may be obtained from Tendering and Contracts, Ground Floor, East Block, Confederation Building, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6, Ph# 709-729-3786, Fax# 709-729-6729, and viewed at the offices of the Newfoundland and Labrador Construction Association. Tenders addressed to the Deputy Minister of Transportation and Works must be delivered to Tendering and Contracts at the address above and submitted on forms and in sealed envelopes provided, clearly marked as to the contents. Tenders will be opened immediately after the tender closing time. The Department does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.

Hon. John Hickey Minister Transportation & Works

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTBUSINESS • 19

Fighting for small business

S

mall Business Week (Oct. 14-20) is just wrapping up for another year. It’s an annual week to acknowledge the invaluable contributions our small businesses and entrepreneurs make to our communities; the provebial engine that drives the economy.

It’s true small businesses create the jobs and supply the products and services on which we all rely. Small business owners and entrepreneurs are risk-takers, visionaries and innovators. They deserve to be recognized and rewarded.

The reality, of course, is that small businesses labour year-round to make a living, and we have to remember (even outside of Small Business Week celebrations) the sacrifices they make.

But more than that, we need to work diligently to create the conditions under which our small businesses and entrepreneurs can compete, grow and succeed at generating jobs, wealth and economic activity.

About 95 per cent of the almost 2.5 million businesses in Canada employ fewer than 50 people (which defines them on the national scale as being “small”). In Newfoundland and Labrador there are more than 16,000 registered companies with fewer than 50 employees, or 96 per cent of all businesses operating in the province. A full 90 per cent of the St. John’s Board of Trade’s members are small businesses.

Just because small enterprises handily make up the bulk of our business base in Newfoundland and Labrador doesn’t mean we can take the continued stability and growth of the sector for granted.

We need to actively encourage small business success. Our small business community faces stiff challenges and it needs support and nurturing to work through them. Small businesses need assistance in order to innovate and expand. They need guidance in any number of areas such as financing, operations, marketing, export readiness, human resources and succession planning. And they need effective public policy at all levels åin order to be competitive.

When St. John’s Board of Trade members were asked in a mid-year survey what factors most impact current business and economic growth, the three most common responses were the tightening labour supply, high taxes and government red tape and overregulation.

These same issues were echoed in a meeting I had this week with several board members representing small businesses.

Clearly, those issues are of concern to all businesses and smaller-sized firms have an especially difficult time dealing with these types of constraints.

As competition for available labour intensifies, effective recruitment, retention and training of workers become increasingly troublesome challenges for small businesses in particular. A recent Statistics Canada report projects that in 2031, less than half of all residents of this province aged 15 and older will be participants in the local workforce.

Government, educational institutions and other groups are working with business to come up with some responses.

Provincially, for example, a multi-stakeholder skills task force released its recommendations earlier this year, and there are various other initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador aimed at labour market assistance and development.

But we can’t stop now. The problems aren’t going to be solved easily and our small businesses need help finding and implementing solutions. Small businesses need better access to human capital, while at the same time learning to cope with the thinly spread pool of available labour.

Likewise, we cannot stand pat on the issue of taxation. We can’t afford to, as other jurisdictions continually look to move ahead with improvements to their own tax regimes.

The provincial government deserves credit for cutting personal income taxes

CATHYBENNETT

Board of Trade this year to the lowest level in Atlantic Canada, which not only relieves some of the burden on the average Newfoundlander and Labradorian, but also helps small business by encouraging start-ups, saving small business owners money that can be reinvested (into wages, training, capital, etc.) and increasing consumers’ spending power.

However, there is clearly more that can and should be done to lighten the load on local businesses and enhance Newfoundland and Labrador’s tax competitiveness. The board of trade continues to hear from businesses frustrated with the sales tax on insurance, for example, which has long been a thorn in the side of business owners and individual insurance consumers.

Newfoundland and Labrador is one of only a couple of provinces in Canada that levies a tax on the purchase of insurance, and ours is a whopping rate of 15 per cent.

It’s time to take a long, hard look at how our tax regime can be improved.

Then there’s the uncompetitive and inequitable health and post-secondary education tax, better known as the payroll tax. This is a tax on job creation, levied on employers with total payrolls over $600,000. Government claims the tax only applies to the largest employers operating in the province, but the reality is that an increasing number of our own small and medium-sized homegrown businesses are captured by the tax, particularly as wages and compensation levels rise over time.

At the municipal level, property and water taxes are on the rise, and businesses are shouldering a disproportionately large share. In St. John’s, for example, council set mil rates this year such that taxpayers have higher bills, and businesses were given a more substantial hike than the residential sector, despite receiving fewer municipal services.

It’s time to take a long, hard look at how our tax regime can be improved to help our small businesses succeed, as opposed to acting as barriers to their growth.

Similarly, our provincial government has taken steps to reduce red tape and the regulatory burden that weighs small business down. Those efforts have already reduced regulations by 10 per cent, according to the government, and the aim is to lower the regulatory burden by at least 25 per cent in total. The board of trade will continue the call for an impact assessment of government’s regulatory reductions to ensure they’re making a real difference to small businesses. We’ll advocate for new regulations to be adequately justified and an overall regime that is efficient, flexible and transparent.

Only by tackling the main constraints to small business growth will Newfoundland and Labrador position itself to become more knowledge-based, innovation-driven and entrepreneurial over the long-run.

Cathy Bennett is president of the St. John’s Board of Trade. Her column returns Nov. 2.

20 • INDEPENDENTBUSINESS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

‘Is the future for NL one of prosperity and self-reliance?’

From page 15 property, just as if those resources had been found on land, as is the case in other provinces.

The case made its way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which ruled in 1984 that the oil and gas beneath the Grand Banks is actually owned by the Government of Canada.

It took 13 years, from 1972 to 1985, for the Atlantic Accord — an agreement between Canada and NL on revenue sharing and the management of the offshore industry — to be reached and signed. That breakthrough occurred when the Mulroney government took office. It was then, for the first time, that the province was stated to be the “principal beneficiary” of the offshore revenues. NL would only agree to the accord if the province were the principal beneficiary of offshore revenues.

When Brian Mulroney signed the Accord in 1985 he made it clear that “it was important that there should be no dollar-for-dollar loss of equalization payments as a result of offshore revenues flowing to the province.”

On Feb. 7, 1986, Canada and NL introduced legislation to implement the Atlantic Accord, and issued a joint press release stating, “there will not be a dollar-for-dollar loss of equalization payments as a result of offshore revenues accruing to the province.”

But that is just what happened once the Hibernia field started to produce oil and revenue on Nov. 17, 1997.

There is no doubt that both the Trudeau and Mulroney governments agreed that the primary or principal beneficiary of the offshore oil and gas resources and revenues clearly were to

be NL and its people.

That didn’t happen.

NL did not become the principal beneficiary because of the federal government’s use of the claw-back mechanisms in the federal equalization program, which resulted in a dollar-fordollar loss of equalization payments as a result of the offshore revenues flowing to the province or to a loss of 70 cents of every dollar of the offshore revenues under the so-called “generic alternative” with respect to equalization.

Premier Williams has been a strong and effective leader in this continuing struggle to ensure that NL is the primary beneficiary of the great East Coast offshore natural resources. The premier has not only found “(Paul) Martin the PM the premiers cannot trust,” but also since the 2007 budget has found Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper completely untrustworthy.

The situation with the Atlantic Accord today is still in doubt as a result of this year’s federal budget. NL and the rest of the Atlantic provinces did not receive such fair or equal treatment from Canada as did the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec from 1889 to 1930 when their underland mineral and oil and gas resources were turned over to their ownership by the Constitution Act. As Vic Young, chair of the 2003 royal commission into our place in Canada, put it: “Our participation in Canada has come nowhere close to reaching its full potential which explains the vehemence and bitterness of the recent confrontations with Ottawa.”

As he wrote, “Our hydroelectric

Danny Williams

resources in Labrador have been developed for the benefit of Quebec; our oil resources have been developed in a manner that makes Canada the primary beneficiary; our fishery has all but disappeared under the stewardship of the federal government; double-digit unemployment has persisted for the last 35 years; and in the last decade 12 per cent of our population has been lost to outmigration.”

This history explains Canada has certainly not met the reasonable expectations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians since Canada’s leaders such as Pierre Trudeau, Jean Chretien and Paul Martin had promised us and induced us to believe would happen.

Fifty-eight years after Confederation our relationship with the Government at Ottawa is under great strain.

Is the future for NL one of prosperity

Paul Daly/The Independent

and self-reliance achievable within Canada today or not? Can the present pattern of confrontational federalism be changed and improved upon? Is the Government of Canada going to continue to be the beneficiary of 75-80 cents on every dollar of government royalties and taxation revenues generated by the existing oil projects off NL or not? For the years 2003-2004 and since 1997, the fiscal capacity of NL per capita had still reached only 68.5 per cent of the allprovince national average. Alberta, which received equalization payments from 1957 to 1965, had in 2002-03 an estimated per capita fiscal capacity equal to 151.4 per cent of the national average.

How can we expect to build a longterm sustainable and growing economy as predicted by both levels of government during the long negotiations on

the Atlantic Accord when the “principal beneficiary” of its only foreseeable nonsustainable natural resource revenues is Canada?

For NL to become the principal beneficiary of the offshore revenues and a “have” province, there must be eliminated the claw-backs taken from the solely federally controlled program of equalization. We were told that after we became a “have” province, the sharing of benefits with other Canadians was to start then. But that sharing of benefits started long before NL became a “have” province because of the unfair application of the equalization program, which has prevented the achievement of the objectives and purpose of the accord.

Finally, in my view, the economic and fiscal disparities among the 10 Canadian provinces and three territories are an ever-increasing threat to our political social and economic survival in this nation. We are all citizens of the same nation. How can our country permit provinces such as NL and Nova Scotia not to receive the benefits from their own depleting natural resources while most other provinces were given the right to their natural resources by Canada and so prosper as they receive and enjoy the benefits from their own depleting natural resources?

That is the issue.

With the apparent change in the commitments made by Stephen Harper leading the Conservative Party in the last election, the stage is set for the next battle to erupt over the Atlantic Accord.

It is 10 years since first oil was produced at Hibernia. How many more decades must pass before a lasting settlement is reached in this bitter and disruptive national unity issue?

Opportunities Notice

Notice

Notice

Notice of Application

Notice of Application

Notice of Application

TAKE NOTICE that NATURES SEA FARMS INC. has applied under the provisions of the Aquaculture Act, RSN, 1990, Chapter A-13, for the issuance of an Aquaculture licence to OPERATE A COMMERICAL ATLANTIC SALMON AQUACULTURE SITE, near DOG COVE, GREAT BAY DE L’EAU in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

TAKE NOTICE that NATURES SEA FARMS INC. has applied under the provisions of the Aquaculture Act, RSN, 1990, Chapter A-13, for the issuance of an Aquaculture licence to OPERATE A COMMERICAL ATLANTIC SALMON AQUACULTURE SITE, near SALMONIER COVER, FORTUNE BAY in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

TAKE NOTICE that NATURES SEA FARMS INC. has applied under the provisions of the Aquaculture Act, RSN, 1990, Chapter A-13, for the issuance of an Aquaculture licence to OPERATE A COMMERICAL ATLANTIC SALMON AQUACULTURE SITE, near STEAMERS HEAD in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

More specific information about the location and general nature of the proposed aquaculture project is available from the Aquaculture Registrar, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 58 Hardy Avenue, P.O. Box 679, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, A2A 2K2.

More specific information about the location and general nature of the proposed aquaculture project is available from the Aquaculture Registrar, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 58 Hardy Avenue, P.O. Box 679, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, A2A 2K2.

More specific information about the location and general nature of the proposed aquaculture project is available from the Aquaculture Registrar, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 58 Hardy Avenue, P.O. Box 679, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, A2A 2K2.

Unless the Aquaculture Registrar receives written objection to the application within 20 working days from the date of this publication, no further public consultation will take place.

Unless the Aquaculture Registrar receives written objection to the application within 20 working days from the date of this publication, no further public consultation will take place.

Unless the Aquaculture Registrar receives written objection to the application within 20 working days from the date of this publication, no further public consultation will take place.

Dated St. John’s, this 9th day of October, 2007.

Dated St. John’s, this 9th day of October, 2007.

Dated St. John’s, this 9th day of October, 2007.

Thomas G. Rideout Minister

Thomas G. Rideout Minister

Thomas G. Rideout Minister

Provincial Court Judge Applications

THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE PROVINCIAL COURT OF NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR Invites applications for the position of PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGE Minimum legislated requirements are found in s.5(2) of the Provincial Court Act 1991 No person shall be appointed as a judge unless he or she a) has been a member in good standing of the bar of one or more of the provinces of Canada for a total of at least 10 years; and

Request for Proposals

Notice

Review of Government Procurement Legislation, Policies and Processes

Notice of Application

The Government Purchasing Agency, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, invites proposals from consultants to review and evaluate Government’s procurement legislation, policies and processes.

TAKE NOTICE that MARINUS BIO RESOURCES INC. has applied under the provisions of the Aquaculture Act, RSN, 1990, Chapter A-13, for the issuance of an Aquaculture licence to OPERATE A COMMERICAL BLUE MUSSELS AQUACULTURE SITE, near CLATTICE HARBOUR, PLACENTIA BAY in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Proposals shall be received at the Government Purchasing Agency, Petten Building, 30 Strawberry Marsh Road, St. John’s, NL A1B 4R4, no later than 4:00 p.m., November 19, 2007.

The complete Terms of Reference for this project is available on the Government Purchasing Agency website at www.gpa. gov.nl.ca or you may request a copy by contacting the Government Purchasing Agency directly at (709) 729-3348.

b) is at the time of appointment a practicing member in good standing of the Law Society of Newfoundland & Labrador

More specific information about the location and general nature of the proposed aquaculture project is available from the Aquaculture Registrar, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, 58 Hardy Avenue, P.O. Box 679, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL, A2A 2K2.

Unless the Aquaculture Registrar receives written objection to the application within 20 working days from the date of this publication, no further public consultation will take place.

Dated St. John’s, this 9th day of October, 2007.

Applications must file with the Chief Judge a written formal application not later than Wednesday, October 31, 2007.

Currently there are no vacancies on the court but this competition will be used to update the eligibility list for appointment.

Previous applicants who wish to maintain their eligibility must indicate in writing their continued interest. Applicants who have been interviewed within the past 2 years need not be re-interviewed unless they specifically wish to be.

Any candidates considering an appointment in Labrador should indicate an interest in making a long-term commitment to the area.

This eligibility list will remain current for 2 years. The Judicial Council reserves the right to update this list at any time.

Interviews will be conducted in St. John’s on a date to be arranged.

Application forms and further details are available from: Office of the Chief Judge Box 68, Atlantic Place 215 Water Street St. John’s, NL A1C 6C9 Phone: (709) 729-7399 Fax: (709) 729-2161 or on-line at: www.court.nl.ca/provincial/judiciary.htm

Request for Proposals REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO CONDUCT AN ISSUES SCAN STUDY OF NORTHEAST NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture is requesting proposals from a consultant to conduct an “Issues Scan Study” of coastal and oceans areas of Northeast Newfoundland and coastal Labrador.

The consultant will be expected to visit with various groups on the Northeast Coast of Newfoundland and coastal Labrador to identify issues of importance. The consultant will be required to conduct a detailed literature review and analysis of existing technical papers on the issues identified; including environmental, social, cultural and economic components of each issue. It will be expected for issues to be prioritized and recommendations made to the department in responding to priority areas.

The Terms of Reference for this project is available by contacting Patrick Shea at 709-729-1140 or patrickshea@gov. nl.ca.

Proposals must be received by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture no later than November 13, 2007.

Electronic proposals are not acceptable and will not be considered.

Thomas G. Rideout Minister

INDEPENDENTLIFE

FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007 — PAGE 21

Randy Murphy, president of the East Coast Trail Association, on the Sugarloaf trail near Quidi Vidi.

Paul Daly/The Independent

‘We’re not anti-development’ From page 1 “We’re not anti-development,” says Murphy, “and we’re not trying to take a hit at anyone. All we’re asking for is to define the rules, manage the rules, define expectations within the communities and the marketplace: if you want access to the coastline, this is how it happens.

“It’s not there right now. Existing legislation does not provide adequate protection.”

The association is looking for a “trail corridor” on hikeable land (current laws forbidding development within 15 metres of the high-water mark are quite often not enough), preserving viewscapes, traditional land use, and an inland buffer “to keep wilderness look and feel.”

Under a mandate of building and maintaining “a trail that’s free, open and available to all,” the East Coast Trail Association has already opened about 230 km of fully developed trail hugging the cliffs and crossing the beaches from Logy Bay to Cappahayden on the

Southern Shore.

There is another 320 km under development, including segments from Cappahayden south to Trepassey, and north of St. John’s to Topsail Beach.

There are also two major overland trails in the works.

According to an economic impact study commissioned by the association, there were an estimated 26,500 hiker trips to the trail in 2004, generating $2.3 million in gross expenditures at bed and breakfasts, restaurants and other attractions and services. The report estimated that by 2011 the number of hiker trips would reach 56,900.

Murphy says they’re on track to reach that benchmark by 2009.

With trail segments ranging from one- or two-hour easy ambles to daylong (or overnight) strenuous hikes, and attractions including sea stacks, sea arches, the Spout (a wave-driven geyser), stunning vistas and plenty of wildlife, the trail has found support at the community, provincial, and federal levels.

The federal government has invested

more than $5 million in the project — for trail construction only; maintenance and operations are done by volunteers — and the province has added between $70,000 and $80,000 and its support.

While the trail was started by hiking enthusiasts, there’s a deeper motivation behind the organization than plotting scenic walks along the shore.

“The whole idea behind the trail is how can we effectively support our rural communities?” Murphy says, pointing out the association was born in the wake of the cod moratorium.

“How can we work with communities and the various agencies to build a piece of tourism infrastructure that we value for years and years and have for future generations? That’s what we’ve been doing and we’re actually succeeding.”

The association actively works with the communities along the trail, and is currently refocusing on drawing more members. Annual fees are $25; the association currently has 500 members, but would like to see 2,000 or more.

More than the money, the group

needs proof of commitment from people up and down the coast to upkeep the trail and help in land-use negotiations and lobbying efforts.

“We’ve been dealing with landowners and towns now for the last 10 years,” Murphy says. “Every time there’s an amendment to a town plan or a town plan comes up for renewal, we’re intervening … and it’s constantly changing. You may have a council that favours you one year, and the next election, there’s new councillors, different mandates.

“It’s a huge effort for a volunteer organization. We know we’re not going to win here. The solution has to come from the province.”

So far, Murphy says, the province has been open to working with the association, though change comes slowly.

There is a meeting set up in November between the association and the departments of tourism, justice and municipal affairs, which Murphy hopes will begin a solid dialogue — and result in action.

Tourism Minister Tom Hedderson says the meeting is “to facilitate a

process that would look at the options” to overcoming “the main obstacle (of) gaining more access.

“It’s not an easy one to legislate. I don’t know what kind of strategies we could use there, but that’s something we would certainly try to facilitate.”

Hedderson supports what Murphy and the association are doing.

“I would hope the public in general would have public access to the hundreds of kilometres of coastline around Newfoundland and Labrador,” he says.

“I think that’s a reasonable expectation.”

The East Coast Trail, and other trails around the province, are “a very important part of our tourism product.

“The East Coast Trail as an example, it’s a trail that covers a great distance, great landscape, it’s the kind of depth and distance which appeals to a certain segment of the hiking marketplace.”

Murphy is hoping to see some solid commitments from the province sooner rather than later. The changing face, and

was also some smug dismissal, right out of the cheap-shot department, of some current and risky art shows attracting attention in some of the world’s most famous galleries.

All that led Murphy to start asking his callers whether abstract art was actually better than representational art. The question is so silly it’s embarrassing, and some callers had the good sense to refuse to answer it. Those without such sense declaimed that it was finally all about “personal taste.” Yeah, that settled it — the way Archie Bunker summed up women and African-Americans.

Get real: personal taste is what you acquire after you’ve been socialized.

And if you’ve been socialized to know something about the history of art, pay some attention to trends and the history of

taste itself, then your “personal taste” would be cultivated and informed, however it inclined. Is that being a snob or being knowledgeable?

If you come to an exhibition without such knowledge, you are likely to be reacting in a vacuum of sensation. No wonder people find much modern art intimidating. A little, not to mention an absence of, knowledge is a dangerous thing.

It is a bit surprising that Murphy would pander to the popular and embrace the anti-intellectual when he spends so much space in his columns dismissing popular culture, or using Oprah as a reference for all that is shallow and contemptible in contemporary culture. But then he is

See “You can’t,” page 24

The eye of the beholder …

Having an informed opinion of art is more than a matter of ‘personal taste’

L

ast weekend on the CBC Radio open-line show Cross-Country Checkup, host Rex Murphy chose to toss out that old chestnut — what is art? The topic was a refreshing change from his usual political orientation and the show’s so-called debates about whether the Liberals are in a period of transition or sinking faster than the Edmund Fitzgerald. But the way Murphy framed the question hinted at the kind of debate he intended to generate: “Does popular art get a bad rap? Are some art critics out of touch?”

When you put the question out there like that, you are already defining the terms of the discussion, not to mention reaching for the sympathies of a conservative audience. It’s the familiar pitch to the open-line mentality, after all, even at

NOREEN GOLFMAN Standing Room Only the more refined CBC. The assumption therefore is The People know what they like and therefore what they like is good; The Critics (although note the self-protecting use of “some”) are self-serving snobs and so what they like can’t be good.

What drove the topic in the first place was the fact hugely popular wildlife artist Robert Bateman was being featured in a show with the prestigious McMichael Canadian Art Collection north of Toronto.

You might not know much about

Bateman but you probably know his calendar art and expensive reproductions: immaculately drawn images of northern birds, wolves and other denizens of nature. The hoo-ha surrounding the opening was all about whether what Bateman makes can really be called art, or art-worthy, because it’s not only so popular but it’s also, well, not much more than an excellent representation of what’s already out there. Many ask: where’s the inspiration?

In other words: Degree of difficulty: 7.

Creativity: 0.

First, Murphy interviewed Bateman about the whole debacle. After a while they concluded that the art establishment doesn’t take the painter seriously because he’s just too popular, as if popularity were a measure of good or bad anything. There

See “Vacuum,” page 23

OCTOBER 19, 2007

22 • INDEPENDENTLIFE

GALLERYPROFILE

Bill Rose flatters Vincent van Gogh.

Jim Shebib interprets Andy Warhol.

Shane Dwyer, inspired by Holloway and Gerry Squires.

Anita Singh does Vincent van Gogh.

Scott Goudie interprets Claude Monet.

Gerry Squires’ take on Hans Holbein.

Local art stars flatter the masters T

he annual Flattering the Masters exhibition and live auction at the RCA Visual Gallery at the LSPU Hall in downtown St. John’s has been so popular in past years, some of the locally painted, masterpiece-inspired works have resulted in bidding wars.

“Gerry Squires’ piece last year had one,” says RCA Gallery co-ordinator Craig Francis Power. “No surprise there. It makes the event more exciting and good for everyone — the artists and the gallery.”

The fourth Masters show opens Oct. 22 and culminates in an auction Nov. 4. It includes works by prominent and emerging Newfoundland artists inspired by pieces from antiquity to modern times. With notables such as Grant Boland, Scott Goudie and Will Gill participating, there is sure to be a classic — and unique — piece to suit everyone’s tastes.

Fifty per cent of the proceeds from

the show fund the visual gallery and upcoming exhibits — including Kym Greeley’s February solo show — while the other half goes to the artists.

Power hopes to top Flattering the Masters’ first year record of $30,000.

A festive, pre-Christmas atmosphere is assured with music by Boyd Chubbs, hors d’oeuvres and a fasttalking auctioneer. Power says the show always makes for a great mix of entertainment and art appreciation.

“It’s totally fun. Angela Antle will be hosting and donating a piece, I don’t know what yet but I trust her,” he says. “Mack Furlong will be the auctioneer … and I’ll have my little minions bringing out the work and showing it off.”

Artist Shane Dwyer has contributed a mixed media piece flattering a local master of Newfoundland art: Gerry Squires. Favouring frosted Mylar glass for his canvas, Dwyer has layered not only sheets of the transparent

“All this was running through my mind as I did it. It’s a fake Holbein — I didn’t sign it.”

Gerry Squires

material, but sourced two local artists for his creation. Newfoundland photographer Robert Holloway’s iconic images of sealers on the ice are traced in red and pink crayon in the back and middle ground of the blinding white ice fields, while a section of Squires’ somber Resettlement sits in the bottom right-hand corner. A man in a bowler hat wraps his arm around the back of

Joseph Smallwood’s tombstone; the result is a double shot of two lasting, historically significant Newfoundland events.

For his submission, Squires has created a bust in graphite on paper aged by, of all things, frying in a wok.

Riffing on a portrait by Henry VIII’s court painter, Hans Holbein, Squires has taken the creative liberty of adding breasts to a portrait of Sir Thomas More. Betting Holbein “never saw a nude in his entire life,” was one part of Squires’ inspiration, in addition to the German painter’s tendency to enhance — or flatter — his subjects’ aesthetic appeal.

“All this was running through my mind as I did it,” he says. “It’s a fake Holbein — I didn’t sign it.”

And how does it feel to be flattered as a master by another painter?

“I’m flattered — definitely flattered,” Squires says, laughing.

Another piece up for auction is

Scott Goudie’s homage to Claude Monet — one of his favourite artists.

Pale blue morning light swirls and reflects on the river Seine, while the cloying branches of an impressively sized tree droops over the glassy water. It is one of several Monet works the artist has replicated; he says he shares the famous Impressionist painter’s attachment to water scenes.

“I love his paintings,” says Goudie.

“He did 20 studies of the same river in different colours, times of day. This one was done in the morning. He’s had a lot of influence over my life, not just with water (scenes). He really knows how to use light.”

Power says pairing classic works of art with local artists’ unique vision is an alluring draw for local art lovers.

“It’s like Monet and Scott Goudie are having a conversation, playing out on the paper.” mandy.cook@theindependent.ca

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

OCTOBER 19, 2007

Vacuum of sensation From page 21 hosting an open-line show and all that comes with that genre.

I wonder what he’d make of the current shows on display at The Rooms.

Hot Wax, perfectly timed for Halloween, showcases 10 artists who work with wax — from the chemically mixed versions of the material to the real beesin-honeycomb thing. The diversity of the show also underlines the sheer foolishness of separating the art world into the representational or abstract. Most of the entries draw on familiar images and objects and then transform, manipulate or distort them to produce something entirely new, fresh, alive and exciting.

Everything starts with the representational, doesn’t it?

Like so many thousands of artists before him, sculptor Louis Fortier uses his own head as a starting point. He makes a cast of his mostly bald cranium and then produces a series of wax versions of it, stretching his expression into endless variations, sometimes playing with only parts of his face, which in turn suggest other body parts, and so on. His installation is at once playful and disturbing, inviting the spectator to reflect on the malleability of human flesh itself, just for starters. This is self-portraiture for the 21st century.

See Aganetha Dyck’s room full of closet hangers that have all been coated with the amazing wax work of honeybees, her “collaborators,” as she puts it, busy creatures that have produced a stunningly beautiful lattice work of order and design.

It’s enough to make you believe in the naturalness of order itself.

You can also wander to the gallery space housing Annette Manning’s fantastical creations born out of dollar-store materials and a vivid imagination. Her show, Melancholia, is a delight of whimsy and beauty, but informed by a serious confrontation with the culture of antidepressants. Science and art rarely looked as if they were having this much fun together.

Let the world enjoy Robert Bateman and his overpriced posters, sure, but that world would probably be a far better place if it learned to appreciate more than the obvious and the banal. Surely Murphy wouldn’t argue with that?

Noreen Golfman is a professor of literature and women’s studies at Memorial.

Her column returns Nov. 2.

INDEPENDENTLIFE • 23

Something strange happened …

As Halloween approaches, local ghost guru shares stories of St. John’s most haunted

By Josh Pennell For The Independent

B

elieve it or not, Dale Jarvis is a skeptic. The local ghost guru and host of the Haunted Hike says he isn’t easily taken in by poltergeist parables, ghoulish gags and evil epics.

Behind his cynicism lies an open mind, though, and there are places around St. John’s with tales spooky enough to open the eyes of any nonbeliever.

Take the downtown building known as Victoria Station, on the corner of Duckworth and Cathedral Streets — a location notorious for its tales of demonic delight.

Rumoured to have once been a funeral parlour (a story Jarvis dismisses), the building was in fact a doctor’s surgery before becoming an inn and restaurant.

The otherworldly incidents there have been plentiful.

Jarvis says he’s heard first-hand reports of people encountering deathly cold spots within the building, objects moving of their own accord and dishes smashing in the kitchen. A woman who once worked in the establishment told Jarvis about the ghost of a man that would appear, leaning against a fireplace in the building’s upper levels.

Guests of the inn were known to leave in the middle of the night because of the things they saw and heard. A St. John’s city archivist told Jarvis about a couple who came to ask for historical information on the building — strange things had happened to them in the middle of the night during their stay at the inn.

As the site of specific incidents described by many unrelated people,

Dale Jarvis in from of the Anglican Cathedral, St. John’s.

Victoria Station is the type of place most likely to impress Jarvis.

“The more stories I hear, the better I get at picking out the stories that are potentially more truthful,” he says.

Another St. John’s tale with some merit for Jarvis concerns a demolished house that once stood on the lot beside Theatre Pharmacy on Queen’s Road.

“That house apparently was very haunted and by not a particularly pleasant spirit,” he begins.

According to rumour, a maid who worked in the house years before had hung herself in an upstairs closet — but her spirit never left the premises.

A man in his 30s told Jarvis about growing up there. One night, while his

family was gathered together downstairs, a trapdoor down the hallway started banging up and down of its own accord. Other such incidents eventually drove the family out of the house. An uncle who scoffed at the family’s tales moved in.

“The uncle didn’t believe in ghostly activity until he woke up one morning and found that something had left claw marks down his back while he was sleeping,” says Jarvis.

The house was demolished in the ’80s, but that part of town has never been freed from the ghostly grip of the unexplained. It still has an evil reputation, says Jarvis, fuelled by stories of ghostly dogs, floating heads, hovering bodies

Paul Daly/The Independent

and strange spirit-like fires.

As for the story of the maid, Jarvis says it sounds too familiar to have much truth. Tales with common characters and reoccurring motifs — such as suicidal servants — are a little too perfect for him. On the other hand, Jarvis says the man who spoke about growing up there was obviously convinced of what he had experienced.

While the tale of the maid is questionable, the man’s demeanour may even have been serious enough to bring around a skeptic.

“When I’m confronted with that I tend to be a bit more believing,” says Jarvis.

“Because it did seem like something strange had happened in the building.”

OCTOBER 19, 2007

24 • INDEPENDENTLIFE

Blanchett makes Elizabeth golden TIM CONWAY Film Score Elizabeth: The Golden Age Starring Cate Blanchett, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush 114 min. (out of four)

W

hen we left her nine years ago, Elizabeth I, having gotten off to a rocky start, transformed herself into an icon, which seemed to be her best means of asserting herself as Queen of England. One would assume the “happily ever after” scenario to apply thereafter, but such was not the case. So it is that we revisit the court of Elizabeth in the year 1585.

By now she’s supposed to be over 50 years old, but as we learned in the first film, facts and figures are going to be fudged and smudged. These aren’t motion picture history lessons as much as they are attempts to understand the human being under the wigs and behind the make-up. In this case, it’s more important to realize Elizabeth has been doing the Queen thing for quite some time with no days off, and it’s getting a little old.

Her one reprieve from duty seems to be the company of her ladies-in-waiting, especially young Elizabeth “Bess” Throckmorton (Abbie Cornish). Behind the scenes, the Virgin Queen lets her façade drop a little, relishing a more relaxed “one of the girls” role. In particular, she lives vicariously through Bess, whose future exploits are to provide the monarch with a window into a world she would otherwise never know.

When the famous explorer Walter Raleigh (Clive Owen) appears on the scene, Elizabeth becomes more than distracted. Smitten by his roguish charms, the queen is equally enchanted by his tales of adventure. The isolation and loneliness that accompany the role she has assumed for the good of her country makes for a heavier burden. She longs for freedom and excitement, yet must be content with experiencing them through another’s eyes.

Meanwhile, plots are afoot, with Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) forever busy trying to stay ahead of conspirators.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age is as visually stunning as the first picture, and for that matter, so is Cate Blanchett in the titular role. While the sets, costumes, and cinematography provide an almost overwhelming feast for the eyes, it’s Blanchett’s radiance and her brilliant performance that makes the experience worthwhile.

Otherwise, the story is leaner than that of the previous film, with fewer complexities, which seems to have led to some unwarranted criticism. The costumes are fabulous, Clive Owen is dash-

Cate Blanchett is Queen Elizabeth I in Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

ing, Geoffrey Rush is a little more subdued, and Abbie Cornish doesn’t have much to do. The numerous attributes of Elizabeth’s reign that have led to its being dubbed The Golden Age are not addressed.

None of this matters in the grand scheme of things, for the focus of the film is on Elizabeth, and the inherent difficulty of being the Virgin Queen.

Thanks to a superb performance, once again, by Blanchett, we get to entertain the notion of what it might have been like for Queen Elizabeth, an endeavour well suited to the movies. If you’re looking for accurate historical details, however, your best bet is to seek out the other sources available.

We Own the Night Starring Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg 117 min.

1/2 (out of four)

The year is 1988 and the place is the El Caribe nightclub in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach district. Manager Bobby Green (Phoenix) has risen from the ranks of bartender and now runs a successful operation, much to the satisfaction of the owner, a Russian immigrant furrier who lives across the street. Bobby is like a son to him, and when the opportunity arrives to expand the business, he’s more than willing to let Bobby lead the way.

Bobby has his own family, however, and the decision to strike out on his own path has created some friction between them, especially his use of his mother’s maiden name to dissociate himself from his roots.

His father is the local deputy chief of police (Robert Duvall), while his brother, Joseph (Wahlberg), is a fast-rising star on the force. While Bobby’s approach to life has been live and let live, his kin have more serious matters to contend with as drug-related violence is on the verge of getting out of control.

It’s an “us and them” world, and Bobby’s family worries he’s drifting a little too close to them.

As much as Bobby tries to avoid all of this, the time comes when he can no longer live in the middle and must choose sides, or have them chosen for him.

Some interesting choices of locations and sets, as well as the occasional creatively shot scene, offer some variations from a familiar storyline. In addition, Phoenix’s performance adds a dimension to Bobby that elevates the character above the familiarity of the material.

Following on the heels of Eastern Promises doesn’t help this picture, considering the organized crime angle.

There haven’t been that many police dramas playing lately, though, so while there’s nothing exceptional about the film, it does offer a couple of hours of solid entertainment, and a bit of variety to our movie choices.

Tim Conway operates Capitol Video in Rawlins Cross, St. John’s. His column returns Nov. 2.

‘You can’t be a Newfoundlander without hope’ From page 21

focus, of the province demands it.

“Over the past 500 years in Newfoundland, we’ve had very strong traditional rights of ways,” Murphy says. “People allow people across their property for berry picking or hunting, and didn’t lay down obstacles to keep

them out.

“Now, take what’s happening in our rural communities. You have the youth exiting, the older people staying and dying off or moving away, and you’re getting new people coming in. What was traditionally understood in terms of how to use land is changing. If we don’t understand that and try to manage it bet-

ter, we’re going to lose access to our coastlines and wilderness areas.

“With the value of hope in our lives, and you can’t be a Newfoundlander without hope, within the next year we’ll start seeing a difference in terms of how the province and towns are working together with us to manage this.” stephanie.porter@theindependent.ca

INDEPENDENTSTYLE

FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007 — PAGE 25

Boo-tiful Jack o’lanterns are a timeless Halloween favourite

By Mandy Cook The Independent

H

alloween enthusiasts know well the instant curb appeal of a flickering orange jack o’lantern.

Ringing the doorbell and chanting, “Trick or treat!” with goody bags stretched open, kids decked out in pirate costumes or pink princess gowns delight in the carved pumpkin faces of

All Hallow’s Eve. Whether it’s the twisted expression of a tortured ghoul you’re after or an elaborately detailed double-decker number, Mary Lester of Lester’s Farm on Brookfield Road in St. John’s says you must first size up your pumpkin canvas. She recommends finding a sturdy one with a flat side, and to embrace odd-shaped gourds to stimulate the imagination. And she should

know — she learned the hard way.

“When I grew up, we carved turnips,” she says. “After that, I only did the one.”

Lester estimates her farm produced between 9,000-11,000 pumpkins last year, some of which were smashed in their pumpkin-a-pult. Others were roasted and puréed into filling for See “I like,” page 26

Pumpkin carving by Mandy Cook

Paul Daly/The Independent

OCTOBER 19, 2007

26 • INDEPENDENTSTYLE

On the cheap P

enny pinching is such a harsh word — it sounds, well, cheap.

When I was living at home, my mother would throw out the word “frugal.” My dad has always hated the word frugal, except he would drag out the syllables to lengthen it (“froooooooogal”) to sound a bit like a foghorn. It always made me laugh.

Don’t get me wrong — spending a week’s pay on a good dinner is something I could do in a heartbeat. Give me the right menu and wine list and if my credit card can hold out, I can go for broke.

But now I’m clutching every cold nickel and dime I can grab hold of and putting it in a bank. Pennies and dimes that used to collect dust are growing in nice neat piles to be rolled and banked.

Every penny helps when you’re on the hunt for a house.

Yeah. I’ve made up my mind I have to move before Premier Williams turns

NICHOLAS GARDNER Off the Eating Path the city into an East Coast Calgary, a booming metropolis with sky-high housing costs to boot.

Tightening the financial belt can be a good exercise and it can shake you out of your everyday routine.

Just because I’m not going to go out bingeing on foie gras, truffles and champagne doesn’t mean I’m going to suffer on a bread-and-water diet either.

Good food doesn’t have to cost a fortune. It just takes more time.

Since I’m not going out to eat as frequently now, I can add several hours during the week when I have time to cook, above and beyond the regular household cooking duties.

Here are some of the helpful hints I am using to maximize my spending dollars.

Make a food plan. This includes planning a weekly food menu complete with shopping list.

Poor planning wastes more time and money — if there is nothing planned, it’s easier to go out and spend money than find a solution. With a set menu, there are no questions, only great results.

Get the family involved. If there are things on the weekly menu that the kids don’t enjoy, invite them to help out in the kitchen. More often than not even the youngest children feel like they are helping when they are offered a little cutting board and knife (make it a butter knife). Then they’re having fun and are more willing to have a taste of what they’ve helped make, especially if they are picky eaters.

Invite your friends to join you.

There’s something to be said about a potluck supper. Sure, we’ve all been there when every other person brings either lasagne or chili in a crock pot, but that’s the fun of the event. Plan a get together around ethnic foods. Set a budget and ask each person to cook for a specific number, say, four to six servings only. By sharing the cost over many people, you get the excitement of new foods without all the big budget spending.

Try cooking with TVP. Texturized vegetable protein is a high-fibre, highprotein meat substitute made from soy flour and available in a variety of different sizes, from large chunks to small flakes.

Because TVP is a dry product, it needs to be reconstituted (two parts water to one part TVP). It can be substituted, like tofu, wherever an animal protein is used.

When I was studying in the U.K. I

Nicholas Gardner is a freelance writer and erstwhile chef living in St. John’s. nicholas.gardner@gmail.com

TASTE Salt cod fritters

‘I like making faces’

Y

From page 25 pumpkin pie, and still others had their seeds spat in spitting contests at their yearly Pumpkin Fest. This year, Lester’s outside deck and farmhouse floor are lined with many of this year’s crop, awaiting selection for Halloween’s haunted carvings.

On an unseasonably mild fall day, students from St. Peter’s Elementary in Mount Pearl pick out five perfect pumpkins to take back to their classroom. Asked what he likes about carving jack o’lanterns, eight-year-old Noah Williams first says “candy.”

When pressed again, he thinks for several seconds before responding.

“I like picking up the weird stuff and putting it in the garbage,” he says while munching on a caramel apple. “I don’t eat the seeds, but I plant them.”

His classmate, Robin Murphy, gets straight to the point.

“I like making faces,” he says.

Although the boys won’t wield the carving tools necessary to create a traditional toothy grin and triangular eyes, their teacher Mr. March says going to the farm to get their pumpkin teaches the children about the food chain and the important role nature plays in their lives.

“It’s all about exploring,” he says.

“We’re doing the unit on plants and farming in social studies so this gets them real-life experience by being involved, hands on. We’ll carve the pumpkins and use leaves and moss to decorate them and toast the seeds.”

But if you’ve a fondness for fancy jack o’lanterns, like the 10-hour job shown on page 25, a professional pumpkin carver has a few tips for you.

Woodcarver Vince Jones has given spectacular jack o’lanterns to the Janeway Children’s Hospital in St. John’s for kids who can’t get out to trick or treat. He says if you need to carve your pumpkin early, you can keep it from rotting by placing the carved side down in a bowl of cold water and keeping it in the fridge. Jones pares away the flesh of the pumpkin — instead of cutting all the way through — to reveal gargoyles and even Shrek faces, and suggests leaving the innards inside to keep the gourd fresh.

And if you hear shrieks of excitement accompanied by the smash of your pumpkin upon the toll of midnight — the witching hour — don’t despair.

Take it as a compliment the wild creatures of Halloween night fulfilled your jack o’lantern’s destiny. mandy.cook@theindependent.ca

used TVP exclusively to make all beef dishes, from curry to chili. The best part is that it’s cheap: one kilogram costs less than $3 and makes nearly three kilograms of edible product.

As I have mentioned before, buying in bulk reduces both your carbon footprint on the city as well as the strain on your wallet. Five kilogram bags of rice from a bulk food store; “Club Pack” portions of beef, pork and chicken; and in general buying bigger sizes of everyday food staples help cut the average portion cost to where meals cost literally pennies per serving — not heaping wads of cash.

Eating on the cheap is not that difficult when you have family, friends and a good imagination on your side.

ou get two for one today: fish fritter and tartar sauce recipes, traditional and basic. Keep the sauce recipe for other fish, too — poached, baked or fried.

SALT COD FRITTERS WITH CAPER TARTAR SAUCE SAUCE • 2 tbsp capers, rinsed, drained, minced • 1 small shallot, minced • Finely grated zest of one small lemon • 2 tbsp lemon juice • 1/4 tsp dried chili flakes • 1 cup mayonnaise • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 large, hard-cooked egg, chopped • 1 tsp finely chopped parsley • 1/4 tsp sea salt • Freshly ground pepper to taste

Author Margaret Atwood points to a camera as Conrad Black signs a copy of his latest book from his study in Florida via the LongPen device.

Tara Walton/Torstar wire service

LongPen lets Black see fans Author appears at Word’s Biggest Bookstore thanks to tool that lets writers autograph works from afar

By Philip Marchand Torstar wire service

P

erhaps the oddest book signing in Toronto literary history occurred Oct. 15 at the World’s Biggest Bookstore. It began with an appearance before some 70 spectators by Margaret Atwood, Canada’s best-known novelist and inventor of the LongPen, a device that enables authors, via the Internet and video conferencing, to meet book buyers and sign their books without being present at the event.

“We’re going shortly to connect to Florida where Conrad Black will be sitting in his study and that moment should be ... now,” Atwood proclaimed, shortly after 7 p.m. The screen failed to respond. “This moment is not now,” Atwood said.

Suddenly Black appeared on the screen. “There we are,” Atwood said.

“Hello, Conrad!”

“Hi, Margaret,” Black responded.

The spectators applauded, as the cameras swung around the room so Black could see his audience.

Seamus O’Regan, host of CTV’s

Canada AM, conducted an onstage interview with Black.

He began by making clear he was going to stick to the subject of Black’s new biography of former U.S. president Richard Nixon, The Invincible Quest. “We’re here to talk to you as an author,” O’Regan said.

Near the end of the interview, however, O’Regan alluded to Black’s recent trial in Chicago. “Given everything that’s been going on in your life, where in the name of God did you find the time to do this book?

And how did you do it?”

“I found it an absolutely perfect occupation in that situation ... it’s quite good as a pastime for someone as beleaguered as I was, when I was doing the book,” Black replied.

An atmosphere of sympathy for the “beleaguered” Black permeated the room, despite visible ironies.

“By taking LongPen instead of an airplane to this event, Conrad Black will save 1,764 lbs. of CO2 emissions,” stated a LongPen poster. In reality, as a LongPen press release delicately put it, “legal complications” made it impossible for Black

to appear in person. Black isn’t allowed to leave the U.S. because of bail restrictions following his conviction on fraud and obstruction of justice.

“Great talk,” novelist Graeme Gibson, Atwood’s partner, said to Black after the interview.

“Graeme, I know how much you both admired Mr. Nixon,” Black replied with dry wit — both Atwood and Gibson were famous for their Canadian nationalist and anti-war views during the Nixon administration. Still, Atwood was the first to have her Nixon bio signed by Black.

Other book buyers lined up to have their books signed, including Toros Djerdjeian, who called himself “Mr. Canada,” and was dressed in white and red, with maple leaf icons on his face and his chest.

“Do you feel hurt by politicians?” he asked Black.

Black paused. “Mmmmmm. Not particularly, no,” he said.

“Why?” asked Mr. Canada.

Black’s reply was simple: “They have not really been the cause of my current problems.”

FRITTERS • 1/4 lb (120 g) boneless, skinless salt cod • 1 large Yukon Gold potato (1/2 lb /225 g) • 1 large egg • 2 shallots, minced • 1 green onion, minced • 2 tbsp chopped cilantro • Finely grated zest of one small lemon • 2 tbsp lemon juice • White pepper to taste • 1 tbsp each: flour, baking powder For sauce, stir together capers, shallot, lemon zest and juice, and chili flakes. Let stand five minutes. Stir in mayonnaise, sour cream, oil, egg, parsley, salt and pepper until blended.

Transfer to tub, cover and refrigerate.

For fritters, put cod in large pot.

Cover generously with cold water, refrigerate. Soak at least one day, changing water several times. Drain.

Cook potato in small pan of water until tender but firm. Peel. Shred in large holes of box grater. Flake and chop cod into small pieces. Place in large bowl with egg, shallots, green onion, cilantro, lemon zest and juice, and pepper. Blend with fork. Add potatoes. Sprinkle in flour and baking powder. Blend well with fork. Divide into 10 portions. Using moistened hands, form into oval fritters. Refrigerate, uncovered, until oil is hot.

Fill large skillet one-inch deep with oil. Heat on medium until shimmery.

Fry fritters in two batches until golden brown and crispy, turning once, about five minutes total. Reduce heat to medium-low if fritters are browning too fast. Drain on plate lined with paper towel.

— Torstar wire service

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTSTYLE • 27

Magically, the drop-crotch trouser returns

By Derick Chetty Torstar wire service

G

et ready to send your skinny jeans into storage. A new pant is coming to town — the baggy, drop-crotch trouser.

Snicker all you want now, but it was one of the hottest trends that emerged on the streets in Paris and New York during fashion week.

Editors, stylists and devoted fashion hanger-ons — always the ones ahead of the curve — were seen wearing these pants where the crotch billowed and hung down to their knees. Called Zouave pants, after the baggy pants worn by French infantry troops in the 19th century, we last saw them as a fashion item in the ’80s on bump and grind rapper MC Hammer.

The reappearance was first noticed in

March in the fall collections of Stella McCartney, Philip Lim and Balenciaga.

And they seem to be gaining momentum as a hot trend cropping up in collections for next season.

They have already acquired a lot of fans, judging from what was seen on the streets of Paris.

“It’s the coolest pant. It’s new and sexy.

It’s the new jean,” declares Barbara

Atkin.

The vice-president of fashion direction at Holt Renfrew says she first noticed them in March and she has ordered them for next spring.

Since jeans have reigned for some time now, and have seemingly exhausted all permutations, from skinny leg to wide leg to high waisted, the time seems right for a new and cool alternative.

Worn with attitude, they look fresh and sexy, says Atkin. Slung low on the hip, in supple jerseys and soft washed twills, they go best with little booties or sexy stilettos.

They can already be found in small quantities at fast fashion stores, such as H&M, where they are calling them harem pants.

After a good night’s sleep Confrontation happens in subtle ways in Pam Pardy Ghent’s outport

T

he dog woke me with a whine. I opened one eye, peeked at the clock and damn near died. I had just slept 11 hours. No wonder Jack was stressed — if his bladder felt like mine, then the dear had my sympathies.

How very unlike me, I thought as I rolled out of bed to let the dog out to do his thing (after my own relief, of course). I usually manage between four and six consecutive hours of sleep a night (with a few cat naps, or what I call “creative pauses,” throughout the day and early evening as needed).

Eleven hours is simply unheard of.

I’ve never been this rested and written anything, so let’s see how this goes.

My husband gave me my first kiss at the church the day we got married. It was beautiful.

Now, if you believe that, I have some oceanfront property in my neck of outport Newfoundland — that hasn’t been bought up by tourists, mind you — with your name on it.

Yeah, right.

Note: seems I am still a tad saucy even after a good night’s rest. What comes by nature costs no money, I suppose.

PAM PARDY GHENT

Seven-day talk Truth be told, a fella named Steve gave me my first kiss and while I didn’t exactly lose my heart, I did lose my chewing gum. When we were done with the face sucking, I asked for my gum back. What did I know? I was in Grade 7. I remember thinking it still had some flavour left and it was my last piece. He chuckled at my request and kept it for himself.

We dated for a bit, that gum-stealing fella and I, but he did eventually dump me. The girl he ditched me for had boobs larger than mine and an arse a fair size smaller. I wasn’t that broken up about it. I mean, what kind of boyfriend keeps your bubble gum anyway?

The truth is always much stranger (and a heck of a lot more entertaining) than fiction.

My point? Well, I sometimes find my arse in a sling around these parts for

telling truthful (or at least my version — as honest as one person’s account can ever be) tales from this outport. I am never confronted directly, as no good outport lady or gentleman would ever confront an issue head on.

Goodness no. The way the experts do it in small places like this is much more subtle.

One of my favourites is the “people say” technique. You’re supposedly getting a second-hand account of how someone doesn’t like you much and some vague description of why that is, yet you know damn straight the one who likes you least of all is standing right before your eyes.

The funny part about this particular strategy is the teller must always protect his or her source. You never find out who it is that doesn’t feel that kindly towards you, nor do you ever find out why — since telling you that might lead you to the who.

Another strategy is the “nice-to-yourface-but-up-yours” sidestep. In this one, you’re called darling and sweetie when encountered, but when you ask for a favour or for some type of involvement in a community event,

Wrap now, mulch later

Some steps for getting your garden ready for winter

K

im Thistle, owner and operator of The “Say good-bye to what you have in your planters Green House in Little Rapids, says — and that includes the soil,” she says. Hanging knowing what to do this season is impor- on to soil doesn’t save you money, it will cost you tant — but so is knowing what not to do. next year’s plants.

“Do not fertilize,” she states firmly.

“Unlike plants in the ground, planter plants Fertilizing after Aug. 10 (give or take a day) can’t seek out nutrients, they take everything out will only confuse, or maybe even of the soil they’re in and there seriously harm, outdoor plants. usually isn’t anything good left “Plants are beginning to go over,” she says. Add the planters “Plants are beginning to the compost pile, and use that into a dormant state at that point and if you let them do so naturalinstead. to go into a dormant ly that will help keep them Now is the time to wrap trees rugged so they can survive the and shrubs, Thistle says, but winter without injury,” she says. state at that point and adds that many go a little overAdding fertilizer in the fall is like in this regard. “Some if you let them do so board having a cup of coffee before bed wrap things that just don’t need time — it keeps you alert when naturally that will help to be wrapped,” she says. And you should be preparing for rest. many are also bundled too Mulching, on the other hand, is keep them rugged so much. something gardeners tend to start Thistle advises checking with they can survive the a professional, but she has a few too early in the season.

“Wait until December before general rules. you add any mulch, the ground winter without injury.”

“Wrap cedar, juniper, and needs to be frozen,” Thistle says. rhododendrons, but don’t wrap Kim Thistle Adding it early will only keep the deciduous trees — unless they roots of the plant warm, preventare young or newly planted,” ing them from going into their she says. dormant winter state.

You also should wrap the bark on trees like “Plant life needs to follow their natural cycle … cherry, crab apple, honey locusts, linden, maple, so try not to mess too much with that.” mountain ash and plum. The proper materials can What can be done is garden clean up. be picked up at any garden centre.

“Old leaves and blooms left around can cause Some bulbs have to be lifted this time of year disease and invite insects,” she says. The tidier and stored in a cool, dry place. “Things like begoyou can make your lawn and garden, the better. nias and dahlias need to come up,” she says. “But While you’re cleaning up, consider starting a the good news is other bulbs can go down.” compost area in your yard.

The bulbs that go down, Thistle says, should be “You don’t need to spend a lot for one of those the most rewarding work of all for any gardener. professional compost bins, just make a pile in an “You can plant tulips and daffodil bulbs up until area and keep turning it,” Thistle advises. The November and then you have the pleasure of more the compost pile is turned, the quicker it can waiting to see what the spring will bring,” she be used. “If you are diligent in turning the pile, says. this year’s pile can be next seasons fertilizer.”

If you take care of the little things now, you can Thistle says Newfoundlanders and have a garden that has you smiling again in no Labradorians need to know that a damp, cloudy time. fall doesn’t mean a wet one when it comes to “After winter is done, there’s nothing like seeplants, trees and shrubs. Water everything, she ing life come up through the ground once more.” says. “If roots go into the winter dry they might For more, visit The Green House at 1 Strawberry not make it,” she warns.

There are a few other things gardeners should Loop in Little Rapids or online at www.thegreenbe getting ready to do before winter’s arrival. house.ca

they are just much too busy or — better yet — much too ill.

Not long ago, I was looking for volunteers to help out with a cold-plate supper, but many were just too feeble to help. Well, I caught sight of some selfproclaimed invalid-like lassies slipping into darts the evening before I needed their services. They seemed mighty able-bodied to me. I hear one lady — whose body was too sore to scoop taddie salad — threw darts that evening that would bring down a bull moose.

Oops, here I go again, being saucy and all. I suppose I need not wonder why I’m not always liked by one and all out here, what with a mouth like mine. Besides, if that missus can fell a bull moose, I could easily flunk in an ungraceful heap with one well-placed dart.

Truth is, despite the occasional incident or odd encounter with ways I haven’t quite yet adapted to, this is an amazing community to live in.

I had to drive through a neighbouring town one evening not long ago. I headed home grateful for where my ancestors settled. Kids — much too young to be at it — were saucily puffing and

dragging on smokes as they defiantly sauntered along the roads that winded through their town. One truck almost put me off the road. I snuck a look at the driver. He was not much older than my own lad, definitely not old enough to be driving, let alone with a slew of buddies on board.

No one would get away with that stuff where I live, I thought as I drove home.

The locals would use their “people say” and “sidestep” tactics until everyone behaved or gave in and left town. In this harbour, folks just want to get along and live in quiet comfort. Dealing with rotten out-of-control kids is not something we have to face here because no parent wants to be on the receiving end of tried and true outport methods of keeping things going on an even keel, without the stress of ever having to deal with confrontation head on.

Interesting.

I can see the value of those methods after all. Must be all that sleep.

Pam Pardy Ghent lives in Harbour Mille on the Burin Peninsula. pamelamichpardy@yahoo.com

OCTOBER 19, 2007

28 • INDEPENDENTSTYLE

EVENTS

Submit your events to Kayla Email: kayla.joy@theindependent.ca Phone: (709) 726-INDY (4639) Fax: (709) 726-8499

Filmmaker Catherine Mullins takes audiences to Sheshatshiu, Labrador in her documentary Being Innu, playing 10:30 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Majestic Theatre, as part of the St. John's International Women's Film Festival. The festival closes Oct. 20. For a full schedule of events visit www.womensfilmfestival.com.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 • 10,000 Villages Craft Sale, St. David’s Presbyterian Church, 98 Elizabeth Ave., St. John’s, 12-6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

• World Sound ’07 presented by Sound Symposium, tickets available at LSPU Hall box office, 753-4531, www.soundsymposium.com, until Oct. 20.

• MADD Scientist and the Quest for Power, MADD Canada’s multi-media production, Cowan Heights Elementary, St. John’s, 9:30 a.m., and St. Edward’s School, Kelligrews, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 • Gospel concert featuring David Chafe, Accent, Right Now, St. Michael’s Choir and other artists, St. Michael and All Angels Church, St. Clare Ave., St. John’s, 7:30 p.m. Free-will offering to be received in aid of choral scholarships.

• Tely Hike and official opening of Sugarloaf Path, hikes starting throughout the morning, opening ceremony 2 p.m., Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 56, The Boulevard, Quidi Vidi, 738-4453.

• Messy Church, fun, fellowship, and faith for families, St. Michael’s Parish Hall, 6 St. Clare Ave., St. John’s, 2-4 p.m.

• Duo Concertante, Beethoven’s The Kreutzer and Spring Sonatas, D.F. Cook Recital Hall, MUN School of Music, St. John’s, 8 p.m.

• Robert Munsch, Holy Heart Theatre, 55 Bonaventure Ave., St. John’s, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 • Cape to Cabot Road Race, 20K athletics northeast road race, Cape Spear, 8 a.m.

• Book signing, Happiness of Fish by Fred Armstrong, Costco, St. John’s, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

• Shallaway, Newfoundland and Labrador Youth in Chorus annual fall choral concert, Cochrane Street United Church, St. John’s, 3 p.m.

• SPCA silent auction and dessert party, Fluvarium, St. John’s, 7 p.m.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 22 • The 11th Hour, documentary on the state of the global environment including practical solutions for restoring the planet’s ecosystems, with narrator, writer and producer Leonardo DiCaprio, Majestic Theatre, St. John’s, 7 p.m.

• The Invisible Girl, presented by Green Thumb Theatre, St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, also showing at Gander Arts and Culture Centre, Oct. 26, and Grand Falls-Windsor’s Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts, Oct 30.

• Food Not Bombs, free healthy meals, Bannerman Park, St. John’s, 1:30 p.m.

• Flattering the Masters IV exhibition opens, RCA Visual Gallery, LSPU Hall, 3 Victoria St., St. John’s, until Nov. 4. Live auction Nov. 4, 2-5 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 • Terra Nova Toastmasters can help you learn to speak clearly and confidently, meeting at the College of the North Atlantic, Prince Phillip Drive campus, St. John’s, 7 p.m., www.activetnt.org • Just for Laughs Comedy Tour 07, St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, 7 p.m.

• The Golden Leg: and other ghostly campfire tales by Dale Jarvis, book launch and night of storytelling, Masonic Temple, 6 Cathedral St., St. John’s, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24 • Your cancer diagnosis, a holistic approach for

when life becomes unbalanced, a seminar to help individuals to use tools such as spirituality and relationships to overcome the challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment, Health Sciences Centre, room 2866, St. John’s, 2-4 p.m., 777-7611 to register.

• Mary Barry and Paddy Barry at Folk Night, The Ship, 9:30 p.m.

• The Art of William Hind, lecture, The Rooms, St. John’s, 7 p.m.

• David Drinkell plays the great Casavant organ, varied programs of sacred and secular works, Anglican Cathedral, St. John’s, 1:15 – 1:45 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25 • George Canyon, In a Quiet Room, Labrador West Arts and Culture Centre. Also showing at Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre, Oct. 26, Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre, Oct. 27, Grand FallsWindsor’s Gordon Pinsent Centre for the Arts, Oct. 28, Gander Arts and Culture Centre, Oct. 29, and St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, Oct. 30.

• Weaving the Wind, celtic harp recital by Ed Kavanagh, Basilica Museum, Military Road, St. John’s, 1-2 p.m.

• Alzheimer support focus group for families and caretakers of people with the disease, L.A. Miller Centre, off main cafeteria, St. John’s, 8-10 p.m., 576-0608.

• Dancer/drummer Awal Alhassan, from Dagomba tribe, Ghana, working with Dzolali Drum and Dance Ensemble to present two concerts, Princess Sheila Nageira Theatre, Carbonear, 8 p.m., Oct. 25, and LSPU Hall, St. John’s, 8 p.m., Oct. 26.

Workshops on dance and drumming to be hosted at The Dance Centre, Queen’s Road, St. John’s, 10-11 a.m., and 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 • Baby’s day at the library for parents and their babies, newborn to 12 months old, register baby for his/her first library card, receive a free Book’s for Babies tote bag with goodies, A.C. Hunter Children’s Library, Arts and Culture Centre, St. John’s, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Story sessions at 10:30, 11:30 and 2:30.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 • Wesley United Church’s fish cake sale orders can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., 579-3682 or 368-3941.

• Alzheimer Society Halloween Gala, Knights of Columbus, 49 St. Clare Ave., 7 p.m., 576-0608 to purchase tickets, Alzheimer_eventsplanner@nf.aibn.com.

• Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra Big Ticket Gala, hosted by Mark Critch with guests Crush, Heather Bambrick, Shelly Nelville, Barry Canning and Isabelle David, St. John’s Arts and Culture Centre, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 • Indian music concert, Sitar and Tabla, Petro Canada Hall, MUN School of Music, St. John’s, 6 p.m.

UPCOMING • St. Michael’s Printshop invites submissions from printmakers to apply for a one-month residency at St. Michael’s Printshop, 72 Harbour Dr., St. John’s, application deadline Oct. 31.

• Psoriasis connections, free information session on psoriasis, the Battery Hotel and Suites, 7-8 p.m., Nov. 1.

• Women on Wheels, workshop for women on learning the necessary information to build the confidence needed in visiting the garage for vehicle repairs or buying or trading a vehicle, 1-5 p.m., Nov. 3, 693-1624, www.lifeonfire.ca.

• Faces of Pain, annual chronic pain conference marking National Pain Awareness Week, Health Sciences Centre, medical school auditorium, MUN, St. John’s, 7-9:30 p.m., 747-0744, www.paincantwait.ca.

• The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador Fine Craft and Design Fair: Come and Meet Your Maker, St. John’s Convention Centre, Nov. 9-11, opening gala Nov. 8, 7-10 p.m.

• Just Try It, lifelong learning symposium for the 50+, day of photography, gardening, fitness, genealogy, tai-chi, computers, and more. Holiday Inn, St. John’s, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Nov. 14, 737-2333 to register, seating is limited.

• Gerald Squires celebrates 70 years, night of

Newfoundland magic, music, storytelling and poetry, 7 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth St., St. John’s, Nov. 17, 579-3023 to reserve tickets.

• St. John’s downtown Christmas parade, Water Street, Nov. 25., still in need of volunteers, contact Gaylynne, 726-8244, gaylynne@downtownstjohns.com.

• Corner Brook Christmas bird count, Saturdays, Dec. 15-Jan 5. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lois Bateman, 634-7206, lbateman@swgc.mun.ca.

ONGOING • Travel Writing, with award-winning writer/broadcaster Marjorie Doyle, Thursdays, until Nov. 8, 737-7979, www.mun.ca/lifelonglearning.

• Extension of operating season of the visitor centre at Signal Hill National Historic Site of Canada, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., regular admission fees apply, 772-5367 to book tour.

• Chant and drumming, Lotus Centre, 52 Prescott St., Sunday nights, 7:30 p.m., everyone welcome, donations accepted.

• Historical walking tours, Tuesday and Friday mornings until Nov. 30, 75 minutes, 364-6845, www.boyletours.com.

• The Rooms, St. John’s, free admission Wednesday nights, 6-9 p.m., www.therooms.ca.

• Occupied St. John’s (book), wartime St. John’s oral history project, sponsored by the Paul Johnson Family Foundation, interviewees needed, contact 747-4113, or email k_ohare@alcor.concordia.ca.

• The Anna Templeton Centre for Craft Art and Design now offering a variety of adult evening classes and weekend workshops, registration also ongoing for Young Artist Program, 278 Duckworth St. Pre-registration required for all classes, 7397623, annatempletoncentre@gmail.com.

• The St. John’s Women’s Centre is in need of women’s and children’s outdoor coats and jackets, shirts, pants, underwear and socks, children’s and babies snowsuits and winter wear, winter footwear in all sizes, and blankets and towels. The clothing bank items are given to clients free of charge as needed. Call 753-0220 for additional information.

IN THE GALLERIES • Uh Oh Canada, a suite of works by artist Bill Rose, Christina Parker Gallery, 7 Plank Rd., St. John’s, until Oct. 19.

• After-School Animation Club, ages 12-15 learn how to blend the art of storytelling with creative skills to make digital animation, 3-5 p.m., The Rooms Art Gallery Classroom, Wednesdays and Fridays until Oct. 26.

• New works by Anita Singh, Michele Stamp and Louise Sutton, The Leyton Gallery of Fine Art, reception 3-5 p.m., Oct. 6, show continues until Oct. 27 • Speaking Out of Turn, Upstarts on the Make, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador display of the fine quality of art and craft emerging from the under-30 demographic, 59 Duckworth St., until Oct. 27.

• Expressions of the Gardens, collection of abstract photographs embracing an early fall theme by local photographer Nicholas Langor, MUN Botanical Garden, until Oct. 28.

• Defiant Beauty: William Hind in the Labrador Peninsula, The Rooms, St. John’s, until Nov. 10.

• John MacCallum’s exhibition of fine furniture inspired by Newfoundland themes, created in a style using both traditional and contemporary methods and decorated with inlay and woodcarving, Craft Council Gallery, Devon House Craft Centre, 59 Duckworth St., St. John’s, reception Oct. 14, 24 p.m., exhibition until Nov. 10.

• Deux Terroirs, collection of new jewelry by Don Beaubier, exploring the nature of two distinct landscapes, opening in the Annex Gallery, Craft Council Gallery, Devon House Craft Centre, 59 Duckworth St., St. John’s, until Nov. 10.

• The Prints of Albrecht Durer, 53 works from the National Gallery of Canada’s fine collection of Durer prints, The Rooms, St. John’s, until Nov. 25.

• Hot Wax, The Rooms, St. John’s, until Jan. 6.

• Melancholia, first project of the Spaced-Based series, The Rooms, St. John’s, until Jan 6.

• Tilting: Rugged Landscape, Strong People, Fragile Architecture, The Rooms, St. John’s, until Jan. 13.

What’s new in the automotive industry

OCTOBER 19-25, 2007

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No such thing as bad (Hummer) publicity R

ight in the middle of my sum- sial vehicle that GM ever sold, resultmer vacation I spent an after- ing in both a huge fanatical backlash noon tearing around in a 2007 and equally opposing adoration.

Corvette Z-06, the fastest People either loved it or production vehicle you can loved to hate it. buy off the lot. Period. The There’s an old adage in guy who gave me the keys, marketing: there’s no such Tom Lambert at the thing as bad publicity. It Hickman Automotive doesn’t really matter if a Group in St. John’s, told me portion of market share is to come back when I had missing, as long as there’s some time and take out a brand recognition you can Hummer. I took the time last re-jig the product and work MARK weekend and I’m ready to on image and perception.

WOOD set the record straight, dis(Kind of like where Britney pel popular myth, and make WOODY’S Spears is right now.) light of a dark-coloured 2003 GM introduced WHEELS theInH2, vehicle. the kinder, gentler In 1998 General Motors version of the Hummer. In bought the brand name Hummer and 2005 the H3 was introduced, the took over marketing and production cutest little Hummer you ever did see from AM General, which basically with a 3.7-litre, five-cylinder engine, manufactured industrial and military a light yet capable combination. The vehicles. It was the most controver- 2008 H3 Alpha has a 5.3-litre, 300

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30 • INDEPENDENTSHIFT

OCTOBER 19, 2007

Silver still tops for new cars It’s the most popular car colour for the seventh straight year, reflecting money, success and prestige

By David Graham Torstar wire service

P

icking out your silver car in a downtown parking lot is like finding your black suitcase on a crowded luggage carousel.

As you wander an endless maze of silver-coloured vehicles you make a mental promise: your next car will be puce, fuchsia, lilac, anything but silver.

But it isn’t.

Silver has been the most popular car colour for the past seven years, outpacing all other colours including heavy hitters like black, white and grey. And although car manufacturers have courageously introduced different hues over the years, they never unseat the famous colour of granny’s sterling tea service and Anderson Cooper’s hair.

Statistics reveal that silver entered the top three preferred car colours in 1999 and became No. 1 globally in 2001.

According to PPG Industries, the

world’s leading manufacturer of transportation coatings, silver is a top performer because it shows off a car’s shape and design features better than other colours.

GLOBAL SHINE This week PPG unveiled the results of its annual “colour popularity survey” and according to Jane HarringtonDurst, the company’s manager of colour styling, “silver is still No. 1 in North America as well as globally.”

While silver continues to dominate the car colour market, there are whispers it may be losing its grip.

“Silver is starting to decline and other hues such as blue and black are emerging to take some of silver’s market share,” Harrington-Durst says.

And the “new” silvers “will be tinted with colour or moved more to a charcoal range,” she says. Some combinations of silver and colour will give the car an iridescent effect and could actually change colour as you view the car

from different angles.

U.S. market forecaster Bob Prechter says silver suits our “social mood,” a culture enamoured of technology and cool, high-tech gadgetry. They like the chic minimalist colour because it’s futuristic and space-age, he says. He also suspects that silver — as a commodity, currently trading vigorously on the stock market — is perceived as a colour reflecting money, success and prestige.

Ask silver car owners about their colour choice and they’ll offer a rainbow of reasons.

Most will say they prefer silver cars for pragmatic reasons, suggesting it stays relatively clean against the backdrop of a gritty urban environment.

Silver is also good at hiding tiny scratches and dents.

Buy black and you’ll spend every weekend at the car wash, says Sue Georgas, owner of the dog grooming salon Shampooches in Thornhill, Ont. Georgas says she buys silver because

it’s the easiest colour to maintain.

Her 1997 Ford Escort was “frosty” silver. Now, her 2005 Ford Focus is “metallic” silver. Her mother likes red cars while her father prefers blue.

And while it’s yet to be proven, some people believe silver cars are safer.

Back in 2003 a study published in the British Medical Journal suggested, “silver-coloured cars are 50 per cent less likely to get involved in serious accidents than cars of any other colour.”

CRASH DANGERS And more recently, the Vehicle Colour Study conducted by Australia’s Monash University Accident Research Centre, confirmed black cars are more likely to be involved in a crash than any other car colour.

But lead researcher Dr. Stuart Newstead isn’t so sure silver is the safest colour. The Monash study “demonstrated that white-coloured vehicles had the lowest crash risk in all

types of light conditions.”

While there seems to be a strong association between car colour and accidents, a clear-cut cause and effect relationship has yet to be established. It may be that white and silver cars are more conspicuous. It may also be that the drivers of white and silver cars are better drivers.

Fernando Lopez, sales manager at Somerset Chevrolet in Toronto who watches a steady stream of silver vehicles leave his lot, is convinced silver is safe. “It is the top seller,” he says.

“Buyers like them because they don’t get dirty and they think they are less likely to get in an accident.”

One insurance broker, who represents seven insurance companies, says the link between the cost of insurance and car colour is the stuff of urban legend — like the one that implies drivers of red cars get more speeding tickets.

It may simply be that red cars stand out and therefore catch the eye of police officers.

FERRARI F1

Ferrari's F1 team mechanics work in the pit-lane in Sao Paulo October 17, 2007. The final F1 race of the season, the Brazilian Grand Prix, will take place on October 21.

REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTSHIFT • 31

New course an automatic fit for car fan

By Mike Funston Torstar wire service

“I’m absolutely happy.

I couldn’t imagine a better job for someone as young as me, just graduated from college.

It’s a tremendous opportunity.”

Matt Finbow

M

att Finbow has a talent for art and an interest in cars, so the thought of a career in automotive design excited him.

“As a career, I thought this was for me,” says the Halifax native.

But the only schools he could find that offered such a program were in the U.S. and Europe and far too expensive for him to afford.

“So when I graduated from high school in 2002, I took some art courses in Nova Scotia and worked to save some money,” he says.

It was some time later that Finbow heard about a new four-year bachelor of

applied technology program in industrial design offered by Humber College in Toronto. It included the option to specialize in automotive design during the final two years.

Some Ontario community colleges, including Seneca, Sheridan, George Brown and Centennial, were given approval by the province in 2003 to offer applied degrees in certain fields, independent of universities.

Until then, many colleges had offered some degree programs in conjunction with universities, as well as their regular diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs.

Applied degree programs differ from general arts degrees by offering occupation-specific teaching, including a work

placement.

“I was very excited about it, applied and got accepted in 2003,” Finbow says.

In his fourth year, students in the program entered an automotive design competition sponsored by the Canadian International Auto Show.

“I had to design a vehicle to appeal equally to people aged 16 and 60 years,” he explains. “It was quite a challenge. I was stumped for a long time, but ended up coming up with a design that came in third.

“There were 50 entries from 18 design schools around the world. That brought me to the attention of Magna (the auto parts giant).”

Manfred Gingl, founder and CEO of Magna Marque, a new consumer prod-

Set harsh household rules MORE THAN POLICE OR POLITICIANS, PARENTS ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE FIGHTERS OF STREET RACING

A

re big fines and car confiscations going to end street racing? Or dangerous driving, reckless endangerment, or whatever LORRAINE it gets called by the SOMMERFELD time it gets brought to the checkout? I doubt it.

The fact is, over 300 cars have been i m p o u n d e d already. And the miserable brat that lives nearby is still racing his car out of here at warp speed every day. How do you change the mindset of someone who doesn’t realize you’re talking to him?

There has been the expected outcry that police now have too much discretion; I think if you’ve managed to blast through a 50-km-over-the-speedlimit window of warning, it’s not the cops’ discretion you should be questioning.

I will take the new laws; they’re better than nothing. But the fact remains that with any societal problem, you’ll only find a long-term solution if you first smoke out the root causes and vested interests. In some cases, someone has a vested interest in selling high performance cars and parts to anyone who can afford them.

Politicians have vested interests in getting re-elected, which can produce talk long on angst but short on action.

And the biggest root cause? Parenting.

When the biggest transgressors still have mom doing their laundry, I need to know if they were taught flagrant disregard for human life along with potty training and picking up their socks.

Ford, Mazda expanding to ‘B’ cars in Thailand

F

ord Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. says their Thai joint venture will invest more than $500 million (US) in a new small-car production plant.

The investment, split evenly between Ford and Mazda, adds a new dimension to manufacturing now focused on pickup trucks. Production capacity at the AutoAlliance Thailand joint venture will increase to 275,000 vehicles from 175,000, the companies said in a joint statement yesterday.

Ford and Mazda plan to start production at the plant in 2009, with the lowcost compact cars destined for domestic sales and export markets in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Up to 80 per cent of the production will be exported, according to Robert J. Graziano, executive vice-president at Mazda.

Thailand is already a major production and export hub for pickup trucks.

The new models will be so-called B cars.

— Torstar wire service

The Hummer mystique From page 29

POWER SHIFT

MORE EXPLICIT Most parents have finally wrapped their heads around demanding their kids not drink and drive, but how about becoming more explicit about driving and killing? And be honest — if you get in a car with your child driving, you’ll have signs if they’re a safe driver or not. Someone doesn’t have to be going 160 clicks to display a breathtaking disregard for laws and other people. Blowing off stop signs, cutting off other cars or speeding up to red lights are pretty good indicators of

ucts division, saw some of Finbow’s drawings and hired him after graduation.

“I thought, ‘This is the kind of guy Magna needs right now,’” says Gingl, describing Finbow as gifted.

As a result, he will now be looking even more closely at Humber’s industrial design grads “to get the cream of the crop.”

“I’m absolutely happy,” says Finbow.

“I couldn’t imagine a better job for someone as young as me, just graduated from college. It’s a tremendous opportunity.”

Starting salaries for industrial design range from $32,000 to $55,000. After five years, they can jump to as much as $70,000 and, after 10 years, $95,000, according to Humber officials.

Movies like The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift popularize illegal street racing.

what they’re doing when you’re not in the car.

So what can you do? Here’s an idea.

Establish a zero tolerance condition for your child to be included on your insurance policy.

Get a driver abstract. Ordinarily you wouldn’t be aware of this except at your auto insurance renewal date.

See if Junior has been caught at things that have slipped his mind when asked.

If there are charges you consider dangerous (yes, speeding is one of those), obtain an excluded driver form from your insurance company. Cut

him off. If he stays on your policy, your rates are going to skyrocket.

Make him get his own coverage.

Don’t pay for it.

If the charges deal with racing or reckless and dangerous driving, he will be an untouchable in the insurance world. He’ll spend three years in insurance purgatory. Leave him there.

You don’t have to wait for manufacturers to make slower cars, or politicians to make better laws, or cops to enforce them — as a parent, you have more power than all of these forces put together.

This doesn’t address all the offend-

ers (and I’m not cutting the girls a free ride here by using “he”), but if we started here we might be able to stop creating new ones. Think of it as your own private photo radar — “if you do this, you endanger yourself and others, and it is contrary to the code of this household. You will be held accountable.”

Harsh? Maybe. But for the families of two women killed by reckless driving in Toronto recently, it’s a household rule that may have made a difference. www.lorraineonline.ca

of experts, comprised mostly of kids, who all had great expectations.

That’s why I drove it into a pond, but I’ll come back to that.

My kids really got off on the H3 Alpha, especially the screen that pops out of the rear-view mirror when it’s reversing.

There’s a camera mounted in the back bumper for no-excuse, perfect parking. The high-sided doors give the appearance of smallish windows, which I assured the kids were bullet proof (they’re not). It only added to the Hummer mystique as we cruised through the non-war-torn streets of our town, unless municipal bickering counts.

The H3 Alpha actually handles quite well, even for the size of it, with a close turning radius and firm but comfortable suspension. Even though it’s a luxury vehicle the H3 Alpha stays true to its heritage and has some serious off-road capabilities. You know I’m not the kind of guy who drives around in shiny new four-wheelers and doesn’t get them dirty. We got that point out of the way as soon as I picked it up — it’s coming back muddy.

I was encouraged to do whatever I wanted. If I did lose it somewhere, I was instructed to press the Onstar button to dispatch the appropriate response team. Whether I needed a crane to pluck me out of the woods or the Canadian Coast Guard to pick up my emergency locator beacon at sea, I was in good hands. The smooth, quiet ride belied the fact the H3 can scale 16-inch vertical obstacles and wade through two feet of water. It would appear even more impressive in metric and sound more difficult in French, but I’m just a dirty, four-wheelin’ kinda guy. After I got it muddy I backed it out into the pond until the backup camera submerged and little fishes known as pricklies or sticklebacks appeared on the screen.

Here’s something you won’t read in the brochure: the H3 Alpha is equipped with a fish finder.

Mark Wood of Portugal CoveSt. Philip’s doesn’t usually drive in ponds but the brochure encouraged it.

32 • INDEPENDENTFUN

OCTOBER 19, 2007

WEEKLY DIVERSIONS ACROSS 1 X marks the ___ 5 Blue flag 9 That woman 12 Big wingding 16 Not taped 17 Void 18 Note ___ 19 One of twelve 20 Not very bright 23 Like a creak in the night 24 Bureaucratic stickiness (2 wds.)

25 Come to a head 26 Trojan woman 27 Crater 28 Box to train 29 Canadian who developed first cardiac pacemaker (1950’s) 30 Toronto’s Royal York 33 Thirst quencher 34 Temper control number 35 Web page code 38 Not a copy (abbr.)

39 Couple 40 Widely spoken native language 41 Debt letters 42 Insane 43 Letter opener, once 44 Garish 45 Warm and cozy 46 Sent to the House 48 Brigitte’s bear

49 Calls on the intercom 50 Nonsense!

54 Bloom from a bulb 57 Like the universe 58 Comes to 62 Like “Ben Hur” 63 Jagged parts 65 Kind of cell 66 Tibetan gazelle 67 Big flap 68 Adjutant 69 White-tailed ___ 70 Jose’s house 71 Hawaiian coffee 73 Glob end 74 Eric Peterson’s hometown: Indian ___, Sask.

75 Passover meal 76 Canadian astronaut MacLean 78 Fossil fuel 79 ___ voyage!

80 Give consent 81 “All you ___ is love ...”

82 Procession 86 Lag behind 87 Sympathetic 89 Seizure 90 Disloyal one 91 B movie genre 92 Not for 93 Those folk 94 TGIF part 95 Puts on 96 Live on

CHUCKLE BROS

DOWN 1 Pronounce sloppily 2 Alta.’s official tree: lodgepole ___ 3 Roman poet 4 Camping necessity (2 wds.)

5 Maladroit 6 Hand down a decision 7 Not up to par 8 P.E.I.’s official flower: lady’s ___ 9 Farthest east point of Canada: Cape ___, NL. 10 “Corner Gas” doofus 11 Shawinigan summer time 12 Ont. hometown of “In Flanders Fields” author 13 Striking 14 Tender cut 15 Don’t just seem 19 Army vehicle 21 End of a spine 22 Equipment 26 Apiarist’s reward 28 Six (Span.)

29 Pay attention to 30 It’s where the heart is 31 Kind of thermometer 32 Moon-caused movement 33 Old minstrel poets

34 Confidence 36 Pouting grimace 37 Totes 39 Bridge support 40 Gemstone weight 43 Prepare to smell the roses 44 Legendary Winnipeg band: The ___ Who 45 Prov. with lots of potash 47 Smart 48 Old enough (2 wds.)

49 English baby carriage 51 Get out of 52 Despised 53 Washstand item 54 Tropical wood 55 Coiffure with height 56 Vancouver bridge (2 wds.)

59 Gent’s oath 60 Jerry’s ___, NL. 61 German river 63 First woman GG 64 Egypt’s river 65 Tight closure 69 Blind alley (2 wds.)

70 ___ America 72 Skylit lobby 74 Weeded 75 Rail bird 77 Snaky fish 78 Hundredths of a loonie 79 S. African colonists

80 Foot part 81 In apple-pie order 82 Goatee’s locale

83 Sicilian smoker 84 Obtains 85 Fine-tune a

manuscript 86 Small bird 87 Start of a threesome

88 Aussie hopper Solutions page 34

Brian and Ron Boychuk

WEEKLY STARS ARIES (MAR. 21 TO APR. 19) You’re eager to ram headfirst into that new project. But before you do, find out why some of your colleagues might not appear to be as gung-ho about it as you are.

TAURUS (APR. 20 TO MAY 20) All that dedicated hard work you’ve been putting in pays off better than you expected. So go ahead, reward yourself with something befitting a beauty-loving Bovine.

GEMINI (MAY 21 TO JUNE 20) It’s a good time to take on that new challenge. And if your selfconfidence is sagging, instead of telling yourself why you can’t do it, list all the reasons why you can.

CANCER (JUNE 21 TO JULY 22) This is one time when you might

want to put some distance between you and the job at hand.

It will give you a better perspective on what you’ve done and still need to do.

LEO (JULY 23 TO AUG. 22) Resist that occasional lapse into Leonine laziness that sometimes overtakes the Big Cat. Don’t cut corners. Do the job right at this time, or you might have to redo it later.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 TO SEPT. 22) You know how you like to do things. And that’s fine.

But watch that you don’t impose your methods on others. A current financial crunch soon eases.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23 TO OCT. 22) Someone might try to take advantage of your generosity.

But before your sensitivity

toward others overwhelms your good sense, check out his or her story carefully.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23 TO NOV. 21) Your strong Scorpian sense of fairness lets you see all sides of a dispute. Continue to remain impartial as you help each person work through his or her particular grievance.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 TO DEC. 21) Trust your keen Sagittarian insight to help you see through an offer that might not be all it claims to be. A closer look could reveal disturbing elements.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 TO JAN. 19) With the Goat exhibiting a more dominant aspect these days, you could find it easier to make your case in front of even the most

skeptical audience.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 TO FEB. 18) Aspects favour relationships, whether platonic, professional or personal. On another note: Be a mite more thrifty. You might need some extra money very soon.

PISCES (FEB. 19 TO MAR. 20) Recent news from someone you trust could help you make an important decision. Also, be prepared to confront an upcoming change in a personal situation.

YOU BORN THIS WEEK You can be firm in your own views, but also flexible enough to welcome the views of others. (c) 2007 King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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 34

INDEPENDENTSPORTS

FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007 — PAGE 33

Mark Tibbo at the Memorial pool in St. John’s. Nicholas Langor /The Independent

A final push Gander swimmer Mark Tibbo trains for 12 months to shave half a second off his 50-metre butterfly time

By Don Power For The Independent

M

ark Tibbo takes his left hand and chops his right arm halfway between the wrist and elbow.

“That was the margin of defeat,” he says, matter-of-factly, about his 50-metre butterfly race.

The approximate 12 inches Tibbo describes meant the difference in him qualifying for the Canadian Interuniversity Swimming (CIS) championship and missing it.

The time difference was 0.4 seconds: the qualifying time was 26.09 seconds; Tibbo swam 26.5. It’s such a miniscule differential, but to get rid of it takes a monumental effort. For the fifth-year MUN Sea-Hawks

swimmer, those four-tenths of a second represent 12 months, hundreds of hours of training in and out of the pool and a 6,000 kilometre journey to Vancouver, the site of the 2007-08 CIS swimming championships.

“I need to work a full year to shave off half an arm,” Tibbo told The Independent during an interview last week at the Aquarena, after one of his seven weekly training sessions. “That’s what I’ve got to look for.

“I try not to dwell on (missing) it.

You wipe the slate clean from last year. But yes, I have one goal in mind.”

That goal is qualifying for the CIS. It’s what’s driving the Gander native.

Drive is one thing Tibbo has, and

“I made close friends in residence that I will probably have for the rest of my life. I made friends in swimming that I will have for the rest of my life. I like that balance.”

Mark Tibbo

as is the case with so many teenagers who mature into adulthood, it was self-discovered.

A hockey player all through high school, Tibbo joined the Gander Lakers swim team in high school because several “close friends” were there. (“I was a late bloomer,” he says. “I think that’s helped out a lot because I haven’t experienced burnout or anything, like a lot of people do.”)

In very short order, he was on the competitive team, and competing well. During his first year at MUN, he made the Sea-Hawks traveling team, and his focus was set on swimming … sort of.

Tibbo trained with the Sea-Hawks and enjoyed moderate success in meets, but he also enjoyed the uni-

versity life while living in residence.

During that time, swimming was never a 100 per cent commitment.

Not that Tibbo regrets a moment of it.

“My first three years, I don’t blame anyone but myself,” he says.

“I was living in (residence) and I kind of experienced res life. I didn’t take swimming into my own hands and take it seriously enough. I moved out, and — not that I regret residency life — but I have my own goals and focus. Last year was a huge improvement for me.

“My level of discipline and dedication has increased tenfold. I would say my first three years I’d make three (out of seven) practices a See “You have to,” page 34

From trike to six-seater Paul Smith wonders where the ATV evolution will end

I

vividly remember my first ATV ride. It was in the fall of 1985 and my buddy bought a chain-driven 175 cc Yamaha TriMoto. It was yellow with three wheels and no shocks. All that cushioned your butt from bumps and rocks was the foam in the seat and the low-pressure tires.

I took it for a test run across a spot of barrens. “I’d rather walk than ride that thing,” summed up my feelings.

However, we did get some work out of that now vintage three-wheeler, or trike. My buddy and I knew a droke of logs and the trike was ideal to get them out on dry ground. We were no longer dependent on the snows of winter to move logs and firewood. I remember the old TriMoto rearing up like a surly horse the first time I attached it to a loaded cart. This particular breed of

PAUL SMITH

The Rock

Outdoors trike had its engine a little too far aft and wheelied with the slightest provocation from a heavy load or steep upward gradient in the trail.

Luckily the engineers at Yamaha did their homework and improved upon their inaugural off-road product before I bought my Yamaha trike in 1986. It was also yellow, but had shocks in front, a reverse gear, shaft drive, improved balance and a 200 cc engine.

It was a wiener compared to today’s monster ATVs, but that little piece of

Japanese engineering did mountains of work and gave me miles and miles of recreation.

Over an eight-year period it hauled reams of firewood and enough logs to build two houses. It took me ice fishing, duck hunting and beaver trapping, and hauled out several moose and caribou. Unbelievably, it required no repairs, just an annual oil change and the odd spark plug.

Eventually three-wheel ATVs were banned due to issues with stability, safety and handling. But those relatively cheap and ultra-dependable machines can still be seen all over Newfoundland, working and playing despite not being manufactured since 1988.

There wasn’t a whole lot to go wrong with them: one wheel in front, a

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straight axle behind and a dependable Japanese four-stroke engine in between.

Today’s quads have many more moving parts: tie rod ends, constant velocity joints, etc. Nevertheless, ATVs remain very dependable lowmaintenance machines. And from a performance perspective, the modern quad is light years advanced from the trike.

Two weeks ago Rob and I hauled a caribou 15 km over some very rough boulder-encrusted terrain. There is absolutely no way my old yellow trike could have made the journey, at least not with me in the saddle. After years of bouncing around on backwoods trails and rocky roads, I’m a fourwheel, independent-suspension man all the way.

So what are the ATV engineers up to these days? According to the number of full-page ads in outdoor magazines, there’s a big push to market a new breed of ATV. Side-by-side ATVs are being manufactured and marketed by just about all the big players in the industry. The recent crackdown here in Newfoundland on double riding on quads will certainly help popularize side-by-sides, which carry two people legally and comfortably. They’re much more like a jeep than my old yellow trike.

All side-by-sides have roll bars or cages and are likely safer than quads with respect to roll-over. I’ve been pinned under a quad — no fun. But side-by-sides are generally wider, See “Where will it end,” page 34

34 • INDEPENDENTSPORTS

OCTOBER 19, 2007

‘You have to pick up for yourself’ From page 33 week. It’s almost like you’re maturing a little bit. I’m really excited about what’s going to happen this year.

“I made close friends in residence that I will probably have for the rest of my life. I made friends in swimming that I will have for the rest of my life. I like that balance.”

Ironically, it was during a return trip to Gander that Tibbo discovered what he already knew: that he enjoyed competitive swimming, and that he was good at it. While on a work term back home (he’s doing a bachelor of commerce degree), Tibbo began swimming

once again with the Lakers. Except this time he was on his own.

Coach Gord Wheeler allowed Tibbo to swim with the team, and even offered pointers from time to time. (“I was very grateful for that,” Tibbo says.)

But by and large, it was up to Tibbo whether he showed up, how hard he worked and what he wanted to get out of it.

“Gander was good for me,” he says.

“It made me realize how much you’ve got to do things on your own. Swimming with Gord, there was no pressure to make a certain level of attendance, so it was all on me.

“I had to drive myself to practise.

There was nobody there to push me in practice, like the teammates here.

That’s when I realized I could do this, when you have to pick up for yourself.”

FLASHPOINT That fall, he competed for MUN at Dalhousie. His times were impressive.

It was the flashpoint for Tibbo, now 22: if he were to be successful at this sport, he would have to put the effort in. And with his natural ability, he knew that effort would translate into results.

And it has, just not enough of them.

Tibbo has AUS swimming medals and has competed at Eastern Canadian championships. But he’s never gone to

a CIS. Now that he’s in his fifth year of eligibility, and about to retire from the sport in April (and hoping to land a fulltime job with Xerox), he hopes this is his year.

However, to get there he’s had to make changes. There’s a saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.” To Tibbo, that describes competitive swimming perfectly.

So this year, he’s focusing on his “underwater efforts,” mainly the start and turn. In a short race like the 50 fly, the start and push off the wall on the turn can mean the difference between first and fourth. To improve in those

areas, he’s relying on MUN teammates like Nicholas Smith and Tim Rusted.

“Nick’s strong point is off the dive and off the wall,” Tibbo says. “I have a tendency to catch him in the stroke portion, but it’s the starts and turns I need to focus on. That’s where the speed boosts are. Coming into the wall, pushing off and keeping it as fast as far as you can. That’s going to result in that half of an arm length.”

If he’s successful, when he touches the pool wall for the last time this season, it will be in Vancouver.

Who knew 50 metres could be such a long trip? donniep@nl.rogers.com

Where will it end?

From page 33 which enhances stability but will make it difficult to navigate trails that are predominantly quad-oriented. That said, if these machines take off in popularity, the trails will certainly enlarge to accommodate.

Most side-by-sides have a small pick-up style box behind the seats, ideal for transporting gear, game and — where legal — passengers. Some have enclosed cabs as options and a few are equipped with heat and air conditioning. A nice touch for those cold winter mornings.

Arctic Cat’s new Prowler model has a 700 cc engine, fully digital instrument panel, glove box and tilt steering.

That’s pretty fancy. I’ve put many miles on trucks and cars without tilt steering.

The Yamaha Rhino has been on the market for some time now and is probably the most popular side-by-side ATV. It’s the only one I’ve ever seen

out in the woods. It has a 660 cc engine, fully independent suspension and can be purchased in a sport edition with metallic silver paint and aluminium sport wheels. Robert and I could dirt and dent them up pretty fast.

Even John Deere is getting in on the ATV action. The boys in green are manufacturing a side-by-side ATV powered by a three-cylinder diesel engine. It will tow upto 1,300 pounds and has cup holders — no problem hauling out a moose with this one but you just might spill your coffee.

There’s more. Kawasaki, Polaris, even Kubota are in the side-by-side market.

For 2008, Polaris has introduced a crew model that transports six people on two bench seats and all their gear behind in the rear box.

Where will it end? And it all started with the lowly trike.

Paul Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and freelance writer living in Spaniard’s Bay. flyfishtherock@hotmail.com

Paul Smith photo.

Leafs don’t know who they are

By Damien Cox Torstar wire service

W

hat we have here is massive organizational failure. Making the early season woes of the Maple Leafs about one player, one executive, one coach or one member of the ownership coterie will only allow the other elements to avoid detection.

Obtuse or inattentive ownership hired an inexperienced GM several years ago

in John Ferguson, then saddled him with an uncooperative veteran coach who was also his embittered predecessor.

This season, ownership has put the proverbial axe over Ferguson’s head, forcing him to think only short-term.

While learning the ropes, Ferguson has made several questionable moves, particularly giving large, long-term deals to veteran defencemen and sacrificing, essentially, two valuable firstround picks for veteran goaltenders who

aren’t bona fide starters. He hired coach Paul Maurice who, after vowing to cut the team’s goals-against this season, guides a club that plays defence like the New England Patriots lose football games.

Rarely and very reluctantly.

The team’s highest-paid, most important players, almost none of whom have competed for championship teams as professionals, have chronically underachieved, and the Oct. 15 disaster in Buffalo was a classic, micro-example.

Clearly, all these symptoms of massive organizational failure can’t be quickly fixed in one or two flamboyant moves, whether it be trading Pavel Kubina, moving Bryan McCabe to wing, firing Ferguson, replacing Maurice or tricking Larry Tanenbaum into selling his shares to Lou Lamoriello.

So you start small, and with a teambased approach that emphasizes the crest rather than individual nameplates.

This is a squad that desperately needs to carve out an identity, and that’s doable.

The fact the Leafs, as of yesterday, had scored the most goals in the NHL and allowed the most was indicative of a club that simply hasn’t the first clue what it is.

It’s very much like the flashy, idiosyn-

cratic 1989-90 Leafs under Doug Carpenter, who scored a ton of goals but couldn’t keep their crease clean.

Generally speaking, when the Leafs have had blips of meaningful success over the past 40 years — the 1967 Stanley Cup championship, the 1978 run to the semifinals, the 1993 push to within one victory of a return to the Cup final — it has been with grit, goaltending and defence under coaches like Punch Imlach, Roger Neilson and Pat Burns.

Those teams weren’t perfect, but they knew who they were.

PIZZAZZ This current organization seems to believe it can win solely with pizzazz.

Tellingly, when minor-league reinforcements were summoned to help last week, both were offensive-minded players.

Outside of Hal Gill, there isn’t a single player on the roster who is in the NHL primarily on the basis of defensive prowess. Even fourth-liners like Bates Battaglia are really failed offensive players.

This is an organization that would never develop and promote a Jay Pandolfo or a Sammy Pahlson. Mike Peca sure didn’t last long.

Currently, there’s just not enough real

skill on the roster to go showtime, all the time. But when the Leafs did play like a Neilson-type team in the first two periods on Monday, they suffocated the Sabres’ attack. They just couldn’t do it for three periods.

In the short term, battening down the hatches and demanding close-to-thevest, shot-blocking hockey is a way to cover up a slow-footed blue line and uncertainty in goal.

It also could provide a means of cementing a meaningful team personality, with the Minnesota Wild as a useful example. Those who won’t follow the program sit or join the minor-league affiliate.

It wouldn’t be pretty, would likely produce big-name casualties and is thus unlikely to happen, given that doing whatever it takes to win is simply not a culture that runs through this franchise deeply.

But blowing it all up today in one spectacular explosion really isn’t viable.

Starting small is.

Don Power’s column will return next week Solutions for crossword on page 32

Solutions for sudoku on page 32

OCTOBER 19, 2007

INDEPENDENTSPORTS • 35

Top Euro Cup contenders feeling the heat

By Cathal Kelly Torstar wire service

I

n international soccer, the World Cup is a wedding. A non-stop month-long party featuring a lot of teams that are just happy to be there. It hardly matters to most if they get to be the bride or bridesmaids. Third-orfourth place in a World Cup actually means something. Ask South Korea or Turkey or Croatia.

The Euro has more in common with a funeral. Teams go there to get buried.

With only 16 spots available, many don’t even make the trip. In recent years, we remember the high-profile victims better than the almost-rans – hosts Portugal in 2004, unfortunate Italy in 2000, England’s penalty kick loss to eventual champions Germany in 1996.

Unlike a World Cup, the quality of a Euro is constantly high. Ten of the top 12 FIFA-ranked teams come from Europe, 15 of the top 20. Every match is basically an elimination test. You don’t really win a Euro. You survive it.

We’re nearing the end of qualifying for Euro 2008 next summer in Austria and Switzerland and they’ve started lining up the caskets. Already being

lamented: Ukraine, Denmark and Ireland (sob). Greater teams still are backing toward the cliff’s edge.

Yesterday, the penultimate round of play was completed and it was a bad day for the British Isles.

After taking an early lead, England allowed two late goals and succumbed 2-1 to Russia. Once more, Russian manager Guus Hiddink, who’s already led Korea and Australia to unlikely glory, looks like a genius. As one of my colleagues likes to put it, England now has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. They must hope the likes of Andorra and Israel take down Russia for them – a fairly forlorn hope.

Then the English must also beat a surging Croatian side who thrashed them a year ago. For all intents and purposes, the English are out.

Also, Scotland, who were shaping up as the Cinderella story of the tournament, got hammered by one of soccer’s ugly stepsisters, Georgia. Playing for nothing but pride, the Georgians fielded three teenagers, including 17-yearold debutant goalkeeper Giorgi Makaridze.

Nevertheless, the Scots could barely muster a shot on net. Scotland’s deflating 2-0 loss leaves the doors open for favourites Italy and France to advance

from Group B. The group will be decided in a month’s time in Glasgow as Scotland tries to topple world champion Italy.

Defending European champions Greece not only booked their ticket to Euro 2008 yesterday, but they did it at the expense of their greatest rivals. The Greeks’ 1-0 victory in hostile Istanbul puts fading powerhouse Turkey on the brink of elimination.

Beyond that several other questions will be answered on the last two days of play — Nov. 17 and 21. Will it be Serbia or Poland? Norway or Turkey?

Finland or Portugal?

The good news is that several of the world’s more interesting sides are coasting toward the Alps: Spain, Sweden, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Romania.

England is a real loss, since their inclusion pushes sky-high interest that little bit higher.

But the glory of this sort of highstakes elimination tournament is that it creates its own dramas. It doesn’t require any to be imposed on it. As wonderful as a World Cup is, the heat never really starts getting uncomfortable until halfway through, when the elimination round begins.

INDEPENDENTCLASSIFIED FRIDAY THROUGH THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19-25, 2007 — PAGE 36

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