Wednesday, January 27, 2010

How about some solutions for a change...

I took a look at a number of comments "posted" following this CBC story and if I could sum them up it would appear that Islanders perceive Olive as a bit of a "whiner" and as one person put it "I think Olive would complain at a free lunch" probably sums it up best.... I'm thinking people might take Olive a little more seriously if she spent more time on the "issues at hand" than trying to grandstand on petty issues like where the Premier is... just where are her solutions for rural Prince Edward Island as Islanders might like to know what the alternatives are.. we've certainly haven’t heard any new fresh ideas from her nor will you find anything new on the PEI Conservative web site... when the media interviewed her for this sound bite she had a perfect opportunity to give us a preview of her solutions or add some construct criticism on the Ghiz plan for rural PEI but she seems more preoccupied with giving the Premier advice on where he should be.... maybe she should take some of her own advice and show up at a few events as well if she ever thinks Islanders are going to take her seriously... just in January alone, no one seen her or any of her Caucus at the Farmer's Market, the Lebanese New Years, or the QEH Foundation dinner or at a host of other events that are happening in our Island Communities... was she or any of her Caucus at the PEI Music Awards, the Charlottetown Driving Park or even West of Summerside for any social events? ...in fact she's a bit of a hermit when it comes to "getting out and about" supporting Island social events and that's where you have to be if you want to get elected "out there pressing the flesh" with a smile on your face... and how about some "solutions for a change" when you're out there pressing the flesh...
Premier's no-show insult to rural Islanders: Opposition
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
CBC News
Opposition leader Olive Crane says the premier's absence during Tuesday's announcement of the government's new Rural Action Plan is an affront to rural Islanders.
Most of the Liberal caucus was on hand for the announcement, but Premier Robert Ghiz is vacationing in Mexico.
It was Deputy Premier George Webster who released the five-year rural economic development strategy in Tignish Tuesday, following almost two years of work and consultation with more than 1,200 Islanders.
"Do you remember when we had a hog industry? Do you remember when we had a tourism industry for the whole island? This is an insult to Prince Edward Island," said Crane.
"The premier should have been there. And on top of that, if he really cared what was in the document, he should have demanded they work around his schedule," she said.
But Robert Henderson, who represents the rural district of O'Leary-Inverness, wasn't bothered by the premier's no-show.
"Well I would say the premier's stamp is on the whole rural action plan...because he, as premier, has been emphasizing the demand on all the other members and departments to focus more on rural issues," he said.
Paula Biggar, who also represents a rural district, Tyne Valley-Linkletter, agrees. "In terms of the premier not being on deck for the announcement, we had our deputy ministers there who represent a big part of rural Prince Edward Island."
A spokesperson for Ghiz said the premier had booked his trip some time ago.
He also said the premier does take a deep interest in the Rural Action Plan, and that he's confident people realize how serious government is about the plan, based on how many MLAs showed up for the announcement.
The Liberals say the plan, which will cost $10 million a year to implement, will lead to a more vibrant and healthy rural P.E.I.
It sets out 40 recommendations and attempts to stem opposition criticism that the Liberal government is ignoring the province's small communities and primary industries.
Plans include establishing centres to be used as a source of information for businesses, supporting regional tourism associations, and diversifying agriculture.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

In January I have seen Crane at early childhood education meetings, school rezoning meetings, watershed organization meetings, not to mention getting her party organzied for a leadership and an election.

No need for her to be at swanky dinners. She is doing the behind the scenes hard work that some day will pay off for her.

Tim Banks said...

I get a charge out of these people who hide behind the "Anonymous handle" especially when they try and throw a backhander at great events like Lebanese New Year and QEH dinners (events that Pat Binns never missed). Was she or any of her Caucas at the PEI Music Awards, the Farmer's Market, Charlottetown Driving Park or even West of Summerside for any social event... bottom line is you can't always be "whining" if you ever expect to win...

Anonymous said...

Caucus:
cau·cus·es or cau·cus·ses
1.
a. A meeting of the local members of a political party especially to select delegates to a convention or register preferences for candidates running for office.
b. A closed meeting of party members within a legislative body to decide on questions of policy or leadership.
c. A group within a legislative or decision-making body seeking to represent a specific interest or influence a particular area of policy: a minority caucus.
2. Chiefly British A committee within a political party charged with determining policy.

Anonymous said...

It wouldn't hurt Olive to get out a little more and they could also do a better job with their policies on the web as there aren't any?

Anonymous said...

Tim...Funny how I never recall you suggesting that Robert Ghiz offer solutions when he used to scream and yell like a schoolgirl when Pat Binns was in power.

If I recall on your blog in those days you just continued to attack Binns.

Ever hear the saying about something being good for the goose?

But I doubt you would ever post this...you like the ability of be able to censor the comments on here...says something about you.

Tim Banks said...

And I didn't like it either when Robert Ghiz was screaming back then but he seems to be maturing.

I never had a blog when Pat Binns was in power and as much as I liked Pat Binns there were always times when I didn't agree but I can say the same about this Government occasionally.

Anonymous said...

What makes Olive appealing to many is that she lacks the social pretension you seem to value.

Being a winner does not mean wasting time at a Farmers Market or some music award with so many of those people we know to be "out of touch".

Tim Banks said...

Here's another "anonymous" with their head stuck in the sand... you and Olive may think the market and music people are "out of touch" but she needs their vote if she ever thinks she's going to be elected... I like Olive as a person and I believe she has her heart into the job but you have to have your head into it (by being out and about) if she wants votes... remember the old saying "out of sight out of mind"...