Tory Turmoil Continues - Legacy of Williams?

Here we go again. Back to square one. A new leadership process for the Tories begins as it did the last time.

Same group of people who may run.

Each day brings word of one of the list saying no.

Each day brings another Kent musing.

Media covering the same nonsense once again with almost the same panting breath.

The best we have so far is John Ottenheimer has announced he is running. Whoopee!

Is he how we describe renewal? Is he how we get new ideas? Is he the definition of fresh?

Nice fellow - John - despite his agreeing to do many things we have problems with. Is this the result of the Danny Williams leadership legacy?

Surround yourself with weak followers - surround yourself with obedient "colleagues" and voila you get leadership potential deficit.

A real leader surrounds him/herself with strong people - those with ambition and drive - those who strive to learn - listen - and lead.

One would figure there would be clamouring to get the top job after Williams left. He appointed Kathy Dunderdale to be an "interim" leader - while all other potential "new" leaders came to the for. Who did we get? We got lots of mumblings, whispers, and speculation. We had Brad Cabana try to run - but was determined "ineligible". So after all the fumbling, bumbling, and mumbling - Kathy was appointed.

Then Kathy the "interim" left - we should have expected the door to the candidacy locker to be kicked down - charged - and jammed with leadership hopefuls.

I woke-up one day and the media had a dozen or so waiting to come forward. Inside caucus - outside caucus - a retired army general, retired politicians, defeated politicians, a lobbyist, a retired fellow from the west coast, a fish merchant, and a grocer.

Day by day - the media plucked one off the list. We were down to three. Coleman, Bennett, and Barry. Danny did not like Barry and declared who he would not support. Delegate meetings were taking place before the actual campaign started. Bennett was thrown out of the race - Barry was procedurally crippled by the process and all we had left was one. No race again.

So the Premiership was Coleman's - the party had a leader and an election should have been called. Marshall stood in the House of Assembly and basically said his good-byes as he prepared to move over and let Frank take the helm. Sure before the handover occurred the Premiers Office staff went through a gutting putting Coleman's people in before he himself arrived.

Joan Shea quit so there was one seat open. Nope - Frank was not taking that one - so it became obvious that Tom Marshall was leaving his seat and Coleman could run at home.

Before a by-election could be called in St. George's - Stephenville East - the Premier appointed was gone - as quick as he came - with all his staff at the ready in the office he would never take over.

One clear sign of a good leader is that he/she has a reasonable succession plan. Draw your own conclusions.

Regardless, call an election now - your party mess is not our mess and is not the mess of government.

MandaTORY Muskrat Material

What a difference it makes if you are a PC Opposition in Manitoba or a PC Government in Newfoundland and Labrador.

On the heels of the Quebec review of hydro project potentials - Manitoba Conservatives are asking the government there to put the brakes on hydro projects in that province.

But oh no - wait - that's Manitoba Hydro - didn't they do a review for us?

A quote from a story in the Winnipeg Sun

Progressive Conservative leader Brian Pallister said a recommendation made to Hydro-Quebec last week highlights a bleak economic outlook for such investments. A Quebec commission called on government to postpone or cancel a $6.5-billion, four-dam Romaine River hydroelectric project. The commission claimed a boom in cheap natural gas means the energy created by the project would sell for less than it costs to produce.

“This Quebec report should be a clear cause for reconsideration,” Pallister said.

Pallister labeled Manitoba Hydro’s expansion plans “a mega gamble” that would triple the Crown corporation’s debt. (emphasis added)

And yes it gets worse - the Manitoba government in its response to Opposition concerns said:

Stan Struthers, the minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, was not available for comment Tuesday.

In a statement on his behalf, a spokesman said Manitoba continues to profit off export sales and secured more than $9 billion in such contracts since 2010.

“This means that from the first day (of the proposed $6.2-billion) Keeyask (generating station) goes into operation, U.S. customers will be paying down the debt on an asset that will generate clean electricity for a century — keeping rates low for Manitoba families and businesses,” (emphasis added) the statement said.

So the Manitoba Conservatives see the issue and the only comeback from the government is - who cares - because Americans will pay the bill and our customers will get cheap power.

So let's see now, we have weak markets, we are paying the bill, and out power rates will soar.

The Muskrat Falls development must be stopped. We cannot keep exposing our children and grandchildren to this disastrous legacy.

Take the time and read the story HERE - become engaged in this most important issue and let the leaders know how you fell.

But one last thing - the story says this: (please read carefully) Manitoba’s Public Utilities Board has hired eight independent firms to review the value of Hydro’s plans and ensure they’re economically viable.

Our project is the most studied in the world - right? Oh and yes - it's not Manitoba Hydro calling the shots it's their Public Utilities Board.

PC Leaders in wait?

This is the shortest post I will probably ever write.

A leader does not wait to see who's in the race before they enter it. 

Next up - the words to watch from Bill Barry. There were some real indicators from Barry when interviewed by David Cochrane last week.

What do Bill, Darin, Keith, Derrick have that Kathy does not?

So Bill 29 is getting inspected  - but why unelected Premier Marshall?

Was elected Premier Kathy Dunderdale so vicious that you and your colleagues could not stop her?

Thousands of people yelling and screaming protest on Bill 29 - and you unelected Premier Marshall and your colleagues just ignored that? But why?

It took the loss of the first woman elected Premier of our province and who had a majority government for you and the other fellas to say - maybe we should review this.

On the strength of that - why after we were on rolling blackouts for obvious reasons of incompetence - did you not fire Ed Martin?

On that note - if you are going to "review" Bill 29 - why not "review" the Muskrat Falls deal?

Every identifiable Tory willing to speculate has been hauled out as a potential candidate for your upcoming (whenever) leadership contest. The only one left is Brian Peckford - can you manage to politically resurrect him - in your spin to demonstrate real interest in taking over the 20% party?

Is Dunderdale's seat being held for a new Townie leader and yours unelected Premier Marshall for Bill Barry?

The same old twitter backbench rats continue to attack and mock citizens. They continue on the same old path.

Then there is this - the people and the media are to blame for the loss of our Premier Dunderdale. "She was not understood" "people did not know her like we did". Sure - your the ones who booted her out. "She was not a good communicator" - yet you now are reviewing Bill 29 - not trying to re communicate the virtues of the Bill.

I've been around politics long enough to know that the PC's are in real trouble and are in panic mode. Even PC's - Bill Barry - thinks a revolution is needed - for him to even support you. So the one and only leadership candidate basically thinks the party needs to be blown up (figuratively speaking) in order for it to survive.

Tell me what do Darin King, Steve Kent, Derrick Dalley, or Keith Hutchings think they have that Kathy does not? Oh no never mind - the glass ceiling thing again.

One final question - if Bill 29 is changed - will the changes be retroactive?

As the unelected Premier overseeing the internal election of another unelected Premier - please remember you should not proceed with any major deals or developments. Time to go to the electorate - not PC's in a panic.

PC Convention - putting more lipstick on a pig

For a Party that has avoided a real leadership contest in almost two decades - 19 years - the choice of a delegate style event seems underwhelming.

In a country where provincial and federal parties are opening up the leadership process to all but children - the Newfoundland and Labrador Tories are determined to keep this in their controlled house.

The question is why?

When the Party was at its height - in popularity - somewhere holding on to the coattails of Danny Williams - people were kept at bay from challenging the "I don't want this job" interim Premier Kathy Dunderdale.

At first there were rumors that several caucus members would throw their hats in - then some speculation on outside interests. Brad Cabana paid his money - but was blocked from even a challenge - to what the party interests wanted. In the end - no takers.

So now the field has become wide open (so to speak) for any select individuals to step forward. As mentioned in an earlier post - I believe this process is taking on such flurry now because particular corporate interests wee unsuccessful in getting their chosen Liberal leader.

Such as all this is - why shut the people of the province out? Why not allow all to vote who want to vote? Why use delegates on a floor instead of the more progressive and open approach of letting everybody cast their own votes?

Instead of over 20,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians casting individual votes - as was the way with the Liberal Party - late last year - we are going to see about 500 district delegates and some ex-officio's engage in some good old backroom politics and deals.

For a party that says it wants to listen to people more, engage them more, and be more open and accountable - their first act of contrition - is to control the party once again from within.

The slight of hand thing has already been set in place with wannabe - really wannabe - Cabinet Minister - Sandy Collins - referring to the Liberal Convention this way "we should strive to repeat your process. I really liked the sounds of crickets in the half filled room. Tumble weed nice touch."

Sandy has taken over from Minister Kent who used to do the useless hacking until he was placed in Cabinet. Of course like children - if they see another child being rewarded for bad behavior - similar behavior may follow.

In either case - what the Liberal process did was allow everybody to cast their own private vote and to choose a second third and fourth choice. The fact is over 20,000 people participated directly in that democratic process.

Collin's instructed position is that we would rather stuff 500 in a room via delegate selection - so the optics would be better. He likes the sounds of cheers and wants to be taken to a room and be smoozed into voting for one or another.

The 500 or so who attend may well represent only 1000 or less people. You and I will never know unless we attend each and every district association meeting.

In our democracy you don't get a separate vote for the Premier - so a leadership contest is the only inclusion there is. When you strip that to a delegate convention - you may party hardy and hoop and holler - but you are doing nothing to directly involve tens thousands of people.

So here we go again - the method of communications - is key - not the message. That's why they say Dunderdale was dumped. Pile people in a room - they are delegates - therefore they should have their expenses paid.  Pile people in a room - looks like the party is growing in its enthusiasm. Pile people into a room and feed the media cameras.

Let's not forget - not that long ago people piled into a room for now former Premier Kathy Dunderdale. The media reported that all was happy in Toryland. In fact Telegram reporter James McLeod headlined "Support for Premier rock solid at convention". This was September - just 4 months ago.

Now after 19 years of no leadership contest - after appointing and anointing the chosen - the Tories are going to the backrooms to pick a leader.

The message has not changed - the Tories are putting more lipstick on a pig.

New PC leader will come from Outside

The PC race - so to speak - is remarkably active.

A party at 20% in the polls usually finds it tough to grab serious interest from the outside - but this time it's different. There's significant cash and wealth on the line.

The Liberals have elected a competent, successful, professional - who just happens not to be one of the backroom elite. The money - old and new - and the political establishment in Newfoundland and Labrador were not successful in electing their candidate for Liberal leader. As I've said before - Dwight Ball is a people's leader and will be a people's Premier after the next election.

So - the boy's club - thinking they could count on taking over the Liberal Party in the wake of a disastrous performance by the current government - were left surprised. Up until a few months ago - if all else failed they might have gone the Jack Harris/NDP route.

There is no doubt the boys will be very careful this time around. They need somebody who can make corporate resource giveaways look like the people just won the lottery. Considering most of the current PC MHA's don't have that "X"factor - most not even considered Cabinet material - the new leader has to be a savior.

If the boys had managed to own the Liberal Party the PC's would be doing the usual government on the way out thing - where a few sitting members would run as caretaker while they sit out a new Liberal rule.

So what's likely then?

Inside we can see possibly:
                             Team King
                             Team Dalley
                             Team Davis
Commoners
Outside it may be the:
                             Team Barry McDonald Tobin
                             Team Powers Penney Sullivans
Establishment
I suspect Danny may be either  - as either can meet his needs - as a citizen.

Marshall - who has always been there - just in case - oops correcter is now the Interim Premier leaving him to stay neutral - so to speak - that is continue to help usher for the feature film. Marshall - interim of everything (thereby confirming the lack of depth in the back bench) gets to have the title - be the boss - and protect the boat until a new skipper can be found.

Powers - who so coincidentally was introduced as a guest VOCM talkshow host over the past year - is now known more broadly by the electorate. He's well known in the lobbyist and corporate masters arena.

Barry - is a provincial character - fish merchant - I believe is a Gates type individual - wherein if we give him all the money - all the fish - all resources - he'd be happy to give some back to what he considers worthwhile causes and people. Competition not needed.

Both have enemies and both represent the establishment.

Question is which one can they sell to the people? Maybe neither - so they will be looking further afield for a back-up just in case.

At this time I predict - the new leader will come from the outside - in order that the resource giveaways keep a coming.

This is going to be a real test for the people of the province. Do they support the establishment  merchant or the leader of the people?

Dunderdale's Tribalistic Box

When the current Government of Newfoundland and Labrador look out across the land they are not expecting to find signs of intelligent life. They treat the population with disdain and with an arrogance unbecoming their collective intellect.

Russell Wangersky's opinion piece in the Telegram yesterday is well worth a read and some considerable thought.

"Drunk on power" speaks of the current political fiasco in the US starring Governor Christie and compares the actions of causing traffic disruption for political reasons to our government paving roads in Tory districts. There are some other comparisons and I encourage you to read it.

I'm going to go a step further. This government is no doubt engorged with partisan zealots who have one mission - keep themselves in power. There are others who mistakenly believe they work for multinational corporations - not the electorate. Then there are the ones like Ed Martin and Gilbert Bennett. Ed just thinks hey I'm the CEO "the buck stops with me" (your right and too many of them for my liking) so I'm the CEO yeah I am - got awards to show for it. The province might be dark - but I'm the bright light of energy planning. The man spends money like it belongs to really generous, not so cautious, frankly negligent shareholders and Board members.

Gilbert Bennett the crossover Cable Atlantic guy is very arrogant to ordinary citizens who want to question his decisions. I'd swear that when I appeared in front of the Environmental Assessment hearings on Muskrat - he acted like he was still working for Danny Williams in the private sector - not me - or us - collectively as people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

There is no doubt that Dunderdale's PR and Policy handlers spend more time studying human behavioral patterns that they do putting out real and complete information. The study of which rural community to obliterate - or which plant to let close - or service facility to eliminate - and in what order - is far more important than being creative, industrious, and forward thinking.

The bad news comes in dribs and drabs so that not too many people will be upset at a given time - while the "good" news of re-announcing spending initiatives are mass released based on polling periods or as an offset to bad news.

The fact that the money they are spending is ours and they are only choosing what to spend it on - appears to escape the partisan zealots who act like it's coming from their personal bank accounts. That more so as they attempt to train the electorate that support for their government or for that matter Harper's zealots is the only way to cash-in. We are faced with - vote for me to be on the Government side. Then we witnessed the separate and inappropriate behaviors of Peter Penashue and Kevin O'Brien.

In my opinion this Williams Dunderdale government has and continues to confuse the Newfoundland and Labrador people's trustworthy nature with a lack of intelligence. There is no doubt that we have suffered and do suffer the consequences of abuse of that trust by many politicians.

That brings me to the title of this post "Dunderdale's Tribalistic Box". First and foremost when this government looks to seek independent local expert review, ideas, or opinion - they determine what they think that person's political persuasion is. If that person does not pass the PC BOX test - they are dismissed outright - regardless of their background and professional credentials. They are called naysayers and conspiracy theorists. Demonstrably this government are what they call their critics. Paranoia appears to abound, secrecy is the order of the day, rigging unscientific polls is a matter of a duty for backbenchers, naysayers of alternate thoughts to their own and absolutely conspiracy theorists. In my opinion they would have us believe that the actions of a number of citizens who question the Muskrat Falls deal has caused the population as a whole to move their political support away from them and therefore what is necessary are bunches of News Conferences, mass and expensive advertising, incessant calls to talk-shows, and the production of any number of "independent" reviews. 

The journalists in our province need to step to the plate and begin the process of discovery. They should never allow - unchallenged - the use of the words naysayers and conspiracy theorists - when used by politicians on productive, intelligent, and engaged citizens. It speaks volumes that when the province seeks experts to recheck the work of our employed "experts" that they seek people, corporations, and organizations outside the province. How refreshing it would be to have local experts with opposing views review the work of government - on matters such as the Muskrat Falls development deal or ferry building - or international trade agreements. The American media will chase their politicians down until they expose necessary information - and the ruling side of the House will adopt - from time to time - policies that were hatched on the other side.

This government has been without societal authority to make big decisions for a significant period of time - based on a continuing "crisis" in the polls. When they were in Opposition they had no problem asking then Premier Roger Grimes to make no significant resource deals as he did not - in their opinion - have the support of the people.

Stop confusing misplaced trust with a lack of intelligence. Stop doing things for "our own good" when we clearly do not want it. Stop manipulating the whole picture through ommission of information, propoganda, and cherry picking statistics. Stop politically threatening us or attempting to buy us with our own money.

Above all else remove overpaid executives in Crown Corporations - where it has been demonstrated that the person did not do their job. Further eliminate from Crown corporate Boards people who are not comparable in expertise to Crown corporate Boards in other provinces.

Next post will be on the PUB - What is government doing to it?

NL Media take heed of the Rob Ford Principle

Another short post:

I like many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are listening to everything we can on the current crisis in our electrical system.

I like many others are also noticing the careful wording and spin being used by the Premier, Minister Dalley and Ed Martin.

I have noticed that many of the predictable questions asked by the media already have predictable answers at the ready.

Remember the Rob Ford Principle: you didn't ask me the right question.

So either the media gets down and at it or we will have to wait for Kathy and Ed to do a Rob Ford.

I do not expect Kathy or Ed to do that so - can we have the media up the ante or at least keep pace with the tweeters and bloggers? You have direct access to the people responsible - use it to get all the information - not just what they want you to have.

A Battle to the Bottom? Muskrat Nightmare!

All - every bit - bad news for us. 

Below please read this story in the Nova Scotia Chronicle Herald (Business):

Acquiring cheaper power essential as Maritime Link costs loom Nova Scotia’s Liberal government is about to hold discussions with Quebec about the possibility of acquiring hydroelectricity.

Energy Minister Andrew Younger told me Friday the talks were supposed to happen before the start of the holiday season but conflicting schedules didn’t allow it. Instead, the tete-a-tete is to occur in the coming weeks.

“The purpose of this is to look at what import options may be available (and) if they benefit ratepayers,” Younger wrote in an email.

As mentioned in Friday’s column, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois has decided to use cheap electricity as the centrepiece of a new development strategy for her province. Before Christmas, her Parti Quebecois government announced it would be offering cut-rate electricity to new manufacturers and industrial users in exchange for job creation.

Quebec’s economy has been sputtering for the last year, and the minority PQ government has been under pressure to do something to spark an economic revival.

Observers in Nova Scotia also believe Quebec’s plan is to become aggressive before the completion of the Muskrat Falls hydro project in Newfoundland and Labrador. If Newfoundland decides to follow Quebec’s lead and use electricity as a loss leader to attract new development, it could be a battle to the bottom.

In the meantime, Nova Scotia ratepayers are paying about $1.5 billion to build the Maritime Link undersea cable to bring Muskrat Falls power to Nova Scotia in exchange for 20 per cent of the power generated there for 30 years. The issue for ratepayers here is the cost of that electricity.
The price of the Nova Scotia block of power under the Maritime Link deal, according to the province’s consumer advocate, John Merrick, is about double the current market rate. It is essential that Nova Scotia gain access to additional power from Newfoundland and Labrador at market rates, which could be blended with the higher-priced Maritime block.

The Maritime Link arrangement was not approved by the Nova Scotia regulator until there was some kind of deal securing access to the additional market-rate electricity from Newfoundland’s Crown-owned utility, Nalcor. The blending of the two rates is supposed to make the acquisition of Muskrat Falls electricity more palatable to Nova Scotia ratepayers.

The sputtering Quebec economy, along with some of its hydroelectricity being replaced with low-cost natural gas by U.S. customers, has meant Hydro-Quebec has excess capacity. Nova Scotia may be hedging its bets if it can acquire some of Hydro-Quebec’s surplus electricity.

Nova Scotia’s energy minister told me he believes Nova Scotians are protected despite Quebec’s aggressive marketing plan. Younger said in his email that the Maritime Link deal is based on the market price of electricity, and if the market price drops, it will also be reflected in the price Nova Scotians pay for the energy.

While in opposition, Younger and the Liberals encouraged the former NDP government to investigate acquiring power from Quebec as an alternative to the Newfoundland and Labrador arrangement. Now that he is in authority, Younger said he was interested when Quebec first made contact about a possible meeting to talk about electricity rates.

He said he was told by Quebec representatives that the NDP government wasn’t interested in meeting. Although there isn’t any evidence to prove the Dexter government refused, Younger said it is “interesting they never met.”

It appears Quebec wants some kind of deal, and blending the Quebec price with the Maritime Link price could have a dramatic impact on Nova Scotia power rates.

At the very least, from a Nova Scotia perspective, it is an opportunity worth exploring. But it may also ruffle the feathers of Newfoundland and Labrador.

POISON don't CUT Christmas trees on side of road

So the Department of Natural Resources is warning all you Newfoundlanders and Labradorians that if you are going to get a Christmas Tree - do NOT cut one on the side of the road. They tell you to measure out 102 metres from the centre of the road and then cut one.

You can however spray poison on everything on the side of the road - so you can see moose better - but you bad people don't dare cut one. Unless of course you have one of those giant whipper snippers that we see wiping out tracts and tearing up the ditches everywhere in the province.

For years Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who use wood for heat have been warned - not on the side of the road. No No No - naughty people. Yet poison away.

If you told people they could cut all trees on the side of the road - then we might not need to poison the land. All that wood that people could have used to heat their homes has been reserved for poisoning and ripping up by commercial operations.

Yes - it is time to warn the people who want a Christmas tree - mind you rules.

Poison a lake, a river, a forest, or a bog - but at no time can you cut a Christmas tree on the side of the road.

Does anybody notice the absurdity of this. Wake-up Minister Dalley - give me a break.

While you are at it - fix your regulations - they represent a paradox. Take some time and read the legislation and regulations you are responsible for as a Minister.

Premier Prepared to Punish People of Marystown?

Watching Kathy Dunderdale threaten Kiewit on the news the other night would be laughable if not so terribly serious.

The Premier suggested that she or "we" would not be held hostage to a company - and if the company did not back off - she would shop the contract outside the province.

If she punishes Kiewit and builds a ferry or ferries outside the province - who does she think will hurt?

How much did Kiewit pay for the shipyard?

Yes how much indeed - that was after Friede Goldman Newfoundland filed for bankruptcy protection after themselves buying the yard for a buck from the province.

This government seems hell-bent on punishing our people or at other times local companies.

Where was this punitive position when Kiewit dropped our chance at 20 billion in work from the feds?

As I recall the government particularly the Premier and Minister for Business thought it was wonderful as that meant Kiewit was so busy with work in the province that they could not entertain billions of dollars in federal work.

The Premier now seems determined to get rid of that problem and maybe move that work offshore.

From the Hansard April 12th 2011 

MR. DALLEY: Mr. Speaker, the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy has been ongoing for a number of years. Our government and my department have been fully engaged with Peter Kiewit Sons through a series of meetings, discussions, and very open communication. We were advised late last week that Peter Kiewit Sons has decided to withdraw from the process.


They have cited publicly that their reason for withdrawing is the fact that they have too much work. They are not in a position right now to focus on the bid. As a result of securing some recent contracts and as a result of opportunities that are coming up in the Province, Peter Kiewit Sons feel they want to focus on that work, focus on hiring Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and, Mr. Speaker, we are very pleased with the decision. 
PREMIER DUNDERDALE: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was a young woman growing up in Burin when Marystown Shipyard was constructed. I understand the importance of that facility to all of the people on the Burin Peninsula.

Mr. Speaker, is it not a wonderful thing that Kiewit can walk away from a thirty-five year contract bidding because they are so overwhelmed with work? There is so much going on right here in this Province that they do not have the capacity to take on more work.

What happened to all that love I wonder? Now it's a threat and she may very well remove the work from Marystown.

We are being ripped apart rural community by rural community, industry by industry, resource by resource. 

ICU OCI - When People of Good Will Disagree

So a Picture is worth a Thousand Words - Good then this will be a short post.

Funny - Minister Kennedy is not this receptive with all citizens who want a chat or give an opinion. That is particularly the case when he does not like commentary against government - except? It's all good - keep on exporting raw energy or whole fish - right?

Ches Penney and Jerome Kennedy Luncheon Carbonear January 27th 2012

 

Not sure what Derrick Dalley is thinking.

Photo was taken by Bill Bowman - The Compass