Dear Editor,
I’m more than a little disappointed in Shawn Graham. Disappointed is the right word for how you feel when a child doesn’t live up to your expectations, right? Now, it’s not just his decision to shut down the Gagetown Ferry that’s got me feeling this way – but that plays a big part. Nothing I write here will change his decision. What do I hope to accomplish, then? I just want to complain a little and if you end up a little angrier at the Premier then all the better.
But first: A few weeks ago the Minister of Transportation, Denis Landry, was quoted in The Daily Gleaner referring to a small convenience store in Gagetown that might be inconvenienced by the termination of the ferry service. I can’t recall his exact words, but it was something along the lines of, “oh they have a corner store there, I think.” Perhaps he would like to speak with someone at N.B. Liquor, because the store in question, K & W Meats, is the licensed outlet for the area. They are also much more than a corner store: they sell gas, groceries and even rent movies. I know it’s a small point to pick on, but it seems ridiculous that the people making these decisions don’t even bother to learn about the communities they are affecting. In fact, it’s outright stupidity. The Premier needs to make sure his cabinet is fully informed on a situation before they speak with the press. This is just common sense, if not part of a basic propaganda toolkit.
The main reason I’m upset with the Premier is how he’s handled the public outcry to his decision. “Like a child” would best describe his behaviour at the legislature last week when members of the opposition directly challenged him. He stuck to his talking points extremely well, but I epically fail to see how spending more money on health care and education (which traditionally means zilch by the way, other than being a tasty sound byte) gets people across the river. Gagetown has had a ferry in one form or another for almost 200 years. The province has seen harsher times than these, yet it has continued to be a part of our heritage. Never mind that the Premier has spend thousands of our tax dollars promoting a scenic drive that, by the time you read this, likely won’t exist.
Am I frustrated? You bet. Surprised? Of course not. We elected this child, how could we expect him to act like an adult?
You may have noticed that throughout this letter I’ve referred to the decisions made as belonging to the Premier. Too often in politics one or more of those a bit lower down on the ladder take the blame. I want the Premier to stand up and be accountable for the decisions he has made. As top dog in the house, he is ultimately responsible for those decisions.
So when the time comes for his re-election, please remember that the Premier has the power to make, or unmake, the decisions that directly affect you. If you couldn’t care less about the ferry situation in this province, think of something else that’s bugged you over the last two or three years and lay the blame squarely at the Premier’s door. Where it belongs.
In closing, and to paraphrase the great Jon Stewart, I’d like to ask the Premier to stop hurting New Brunswick. Please. Just stop.
Brendan Doyle
Post new comment