Sue's Blog

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Stephenville deserves better...

On the heels of Jim Hodder's resignation - a cord of Tories are lining up to take their rightful place in Newfoundland and Labrador politics.

There is some sense that PC's in Ferryland - Kilbride - and now Port au Port - will be on the winning side of a by election.

Sadly it appears the town is divided over the mill and the significant industrial assets. There are pockets of union support - pockets of mayoral support - and some of simple resignation and move forward.

"Not on my watch" - and "I'm sorry I might have been politically naive" - has been put on the back burner in deference to infighting.

There has been very little said by Minister Kathy Dunderdale - less by Joan Burke - and I don't recall hearing Hodder publicly on the issue. CEP Local 1093 has put forth a request for provincial funding to hire consultants that have expressed an interest in attracting an industrial replacement. The PC Members could not deliver - and more and more skilled tradespeople are heading west to Alberta.

Sue's Blog has written numerous stories on the potential for Stephenville - and listed many opportunities that could have been pursued. The Union has asked for a public meeting with Burke - that too was rejected.

So what's new?

Multimillion-dollar Boost at UBC to Help B.C. Pulp Industry Cut Energy Costs by 20 Per Cent.

That's what is new - and the feds are contributing a 1.3 million dollar grant for the undertaking. This is where Newfoundland and Labrador is behind the pack again - to the detriment of Stephenville - Grand Falls - and Corner Brook and potentials in Labrador.

We need to be on top of these opportunities for research - diversification - and growth. Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro in conjunction with the Union - towns in the Stephenville Region Memorial University and the College should work together to attract federal bucks.

Read this Release from the University of British Columbia


Sue's Blog has also contacted the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) - the Federal Agency responsible for the grant to get further information on this project.

Stay tuned for the update - and come on Premier and Minister - do your jobs.

To the voters of Port au Port - you have some questions you might want to ask...

No comments: