Face to Face
Premier Danny Williams was in Washington D.C. on Monday to participate in a governor’s conference
I’m not the most photogenic smiler on the face of the planet. Show some teeth, as my mother would say.
Premier Williams asked to meet with me between meetings on Wednesday, where he reiterated his thank-you to the Fair Deal community. He was extremely appreciative of our support of his fight with Ottawa, and I am extremely appreciative that he took time out of his demanding schedule to tell me this in person.
Let anyone who wondered about whether we made an impact in the offshore oil revenue debate put their doubts to rest. We helped keep focus on the issue. We helped by sharing our views with those we put in office. We helped by being vigilant advocates for the best possible future for Newfoundland and Labrador. We have a Premier who fully understands the value of this movement, and the power of grassroots mobilizing on the internet.
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I am glad Kevin and proud of what we did to help. I love this province too.
“We have a Premier who fully understands the value of this movement, and the power of grassroots mobilizing on the internet.”
I hope Mr. Williams will respond in here regarding the portions of this blog we have called Ad-Gate. That would demonstrate to me that we are receiving consideration for the tough issues we raise that aren’t as popular or fun for Mr. Williams to answer.
I’m not overly large on lip service and think it would please more than just me if we got a clear and concise reason as to why there is anecdotal evidence that there was not a bidding process or tender applied to the mini sponsorship scandal discussed throughout at least three (3) Blog headings since notification of the AD contact award was announced.
Was there a tender/bidding process or was there not? And why?
Answers please…
Fred from CBS
Comment by Fred Harris — 3/3/2005 @ 11:01 pmHi Fred;
Yes, I must agree with you. I think this entire exercise was a valuable lesson for us all. It was quite satisfying to be part of the Fair Deal movement. Coupled with a minority govenment, how could we fail?
That said, I would like answers not only to Ad-Gate but also as to why another senior civil servant is given the flick? ANOTHER FEMALE CIVIL SERVANT I MUST NOTE. I am beginning to feel very uncomfortable about the recent decision making of the present premier. No, I’m not sorry I voted out the Grimes Reaper but I’m not jumping for joy about what Grimes termed “the one man show” either.
I do believe Fred that we both will be waiting quite some time before we receive any answers to alleviate our concerns.
Comment by Brenda S. , St. John’s — 3/4/2005 @ 10:31 amHi Kevin, I was just wondering if you had ever considered trying to initiate a similar type of campaign against foreign over-fishing, or is that even feasible? I moved away from home back in ‘98, and have never fished, so I don’t even know what the current deal is with the 200 mile limit right now. I am in the oil and gas industry, but I do know that fishing obviously was critical to NL, and losing it was detrimental to a lot of families. Anyway, if you think this is a waste of time, or not practical, so be it, I just thought I would mention it. Congrats on the Fair Deal campaign, I check your sight daily to see what is happening, and I thank you for your effort with Fair Deal.
Regards,
RO
Comment by Rodney — 3/4/2005 @ 3:16 pmYou don’t have to smile to be cute Kevin…just like your big brother…he doesn’t smile, yet he too is very good looking!
I am so glad to have played a part in getting a fair deal for Newfoundland and Labrador
Comment by Krista — 3/4/2005 @ 3:23 pmRO,
There are certainly more issues we can tackle in this community; nothing clear has emerged yet in terms of immediate action, but these things are on my mind:
- Over fishing
- Lower Churchill
- Combatting the negative worldview of the sealing industry
- Other oil projects that could use advocacy help
These four gleaned from the readers of this site and my own background. The truth is we have a community of people here who are willing to act and organize in order to improve the lot of our province. Can’t let that go to waste now can we? Thanks for checking daily; I hope to ramp up my blogposts as this has been a slow week.
Comment by Kevin McCann — 3/4/2005 @ 3:24 pmThanks Krista, I’ll never smile again. I’m great at the stern disaffected look. No more pictures of me on this web site.
Comment by Kevin McCann — 3/4/2005 @ 3:49 pmI find that as time passes I check this site less frequently than when we were active promoting the future of Newfoundland and Labrador. The fact that it has turned into a whining page by JWM has not helped.
I would love to participate in a campaign for financing a proper transportation link to the province. Basically that means a highway from Ottawa to the Northshore and a tunnel across the strait of Belle Isle. Nothing less is acceptable if we are truely going to be able to ship our goods cost effectively to North America.
The 200 mile limit is the most destructive issue affecting this province today. We should not delay in lobbying government to correct it. The destruction has gone on to long. We should also be building steem for a protest campaign for the upcomming fisheries meetings taking place this spring in St. John’s. While on the fisheries issue we should bombard the federal government regarding COSEWICK attempt to declare the cod endangered. Its the rural way of life that is endangered not the northern cod.
Educating the world to eat seal and wear seal needs to be done but it is one big job. Then again what did they say to the ant that had to eat an elephant? Lets take a collective bite.
Comment by Rick P — 3/4/2005 @ 5:38 pmI like the pic, Kevin… nice to see appreciation shown your way.
Although we had an advantage of a minority government, I think this site was quite a motivator. The PEOPLE OF THE PROVINCE were speaking, too. That matters, and it was noticed throughout Canada. I don’t really care HOW they viewed it. The point is that the issue was recognized.
I am now a full believer in the power of the net. I will fight hard for anything I believe in, now.
Pauline
Comment by Pauline — 3/4/2005 @ 6:04 pmKevin:
Just to let you know that I, too, am visting this site less and less. It has become too self-congratulatory and weighed down by the same old whiners who argue symantics. It has lost any apparent purpose beyond Sonny’s Dream.
I hope it will regain focus on one or all of the issues you posted. Otherwise it’s time to delete this site’s bookmark.
Comment by Artie — 3/5/2005 @ 7:19 amArtie,
I totally see your point, but I’ve got to put out there that this is not a full time gig. I’ve got to balance Fair Deal, paid work, and time away from a computer. Also, I felt a little odd by posting recent pics as it did seem self-congratulatory, but in the end I decided it would be better to do so and show folks that our movement got the attention of real decision-makers in Ontario and NL.
If you do “delete the bookmark", don’t tune out of any future advocacy battles we might be able to engage in here. I think there’s an ebb and flow to this work, and much of what I think we can do here will be reactionary, depending on what’s in the news what’s current.
Comment by Kevin McCann — 3/5/2005 @ 11:15 amKevin if youre not married,I have a pretty blonde green eyed daughter.She has a year old son,but shes unattached.If you want me to,I’ll send you her picture:) hehe:) Im serious,you 2 would be cute together.
Comment by Linda — 3/5/2005 @ 7:38 pmOk now an invitation for you,If you ever come to New jersey (on the beach) we would like to extend an invitation to you,to come visit us.a homemade newfoundland supper is included in the invite,and then a good old fashioned kitchen party.
I think what Danny williams did,in asking to meet with you,shows,what a profession he is.It’s nice to see a premier,who appreciates newfoundlanders.