Once again we are slipping back into apathy - turning our cheek - and saying we forgive you Ottawa.
A 14 year old young man from Makkovik died on the ice - trying to get home - while people who should have rescued him - did not.
Do we really care if this is a combination of federal and provincial entities? No! We care that this should not have happened and we should do what is necessary so it will not happen again.
Do not stop - carry the torch - and walk the rest of the way for this young brave Labradorian. Do not let this journey end without a permanent solution. Do not allow these bureaucrats, officials, and politicians to wait for the noise to let up.
The sound of our voices must grow stronger each and every day. Easter has come and gone and the only thing I see is that Gander should maintain its capabilities.
I see no commitment to keep the sub-centre in St. John's to remain open.
I see no commitment to a rescue centre in Labrador.
I see politicians - spinning and whining.
I see people like Merv Wiseman being punished.
This is not good enough - think about it. Put yourself in Burton's shoes - put yourself in his families shoes. Do not desensitize. Think about it. Get active and do not allow the people to be walked over - let the politicians know - they must deliver this time. This is not optional. Don't turn your head and walk away.
Together we can walk the rest of the way.
Press HERE to get involved.
Showing posts with label makkovik. Show all posts
Showing posts with label makkovik. Show all posts
Monday, April 09, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Let Newfoundlanders and Labradorians Worldwide Unite for Burton
There is a movement in Newfoundland and Labrador and it involves the loss of a young man's life from Makkovik.
It is the belief of our people that this young man did not have to die on the ice - trying to get home.
On Facebook there is a Group called "The Burton Winters' Rescue Center IN Labrador".
Our people are uniting and we need the voice of EVERY Newfoundlander and Labradorian as well as support from people in all Northern and Maritime jurisdictions.
Please remember Burton as the young man who walked 19 km's on the ice - bravely to try and find his way home. Please remember Burton by joining this group and its call for action.
It is the belief of our people that this young man did not have to die on the ice - trying to get home.
On Facebook there is a Group called "The Burton Winters' Rescue Center IN Labrador".
Our people are uniting and we need the voice of EVERY Newfoundlander and Labradorian as well as support from people in all Northern and Maritime jurisdictions.
Please remember Burton as the young man who walked 19 km's on the ice - bravely to try and find his way home. Please remember Burton by joining this group and its call for action.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Walk a Kilometre in Burton's Shoes - Demand Change!
This post is for Burton Winters and his family.
You did not walk that 19 km's in vain - we cannot allow that.
You were a young man who - on the day you went missing - was snowmobiling. You were enjoying northern life and were not causing harm to anybody.
The stories about you by those close to you - help relate the tragedy of your loss to all parents.
You were living life and then fought for life and you were not wrong - when you were hoping somebody would find you - when you were hoping somebody would help you.
Your community of Makkovik and the greater community of Labrador were all looking for you. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador wanted you to be found safe and sound and wanted you to return to the comfort of your home and family.
When politicians have been around too long - they can become desensitized - detached - and in some cases appear aloof. They listen to people tell them sad and tragic stories everyday. If that is the case for any politician - they should quit - their time in public service is finished.
When bureaucrats spend one moment on spinning or downplaying neglectful policy - where a life is lost - they need to move on.
Because you Burton - were instantly wrapped in the arms of the Newfoundland and Labrador people - from the moment we heard you were missing - you will not be forgotten. That means that the circumstances surrounding your loss must be written about, examined, studied, and spoken of. That means that Newfoundland and Labrador must not accept anything short of a real solution to this obviously flawed system.
I watched the DND News Conference that was shared by local media. One point stuck in my mind - and it made me angry. When asked the question - why was a private company able to operate in the weather while the DND could not - the person responding said that local pilots knew the terrain, the mountains, and the local area.
This is simple - people - why would anybody who is NOT familiar with the local terrain be responsible for Search and Rescue of that area? Why?
This is a message for Minister Penashue, Minister MacKay, Premier Dunderdale and provincial MHA's - make this your number one priority. Fix this!
Newfoundland and Labrador is a massive geographic territory which is the easternmost part of Canada. See how many times you can put Nova Scotia in our physical footprint. Look at our coastline and understand that this province needs its own dedicated Search and Rescue service. Not only the marine communications sub-centre but a full fledged Search and Rescue Centre. Move the assets of Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador including the home dock of SAR and DND ships. If Nova Scotia feels it needs to maintain these assets - so be it - and then the federal government can build new infrastructure and assets for our province.
Regardless of who you are - you can look at the maps and understand that we cannot be serviced from Halifax.
Burton Winters died and that is not acceptable.
The Winters' family has lost Burton and that is not acceptable.
This young man walked 19 km's on terrain that federal and provincial politicians should experience.
This death on the ice will not happen again because our politicians shall be forced to make the changes necessary to protect our people.
Rest in Peace Burton - let us walk the rest of the way.
To the family of Burton - we are with you in your search for answers and are with you in your fight to ensure the safety of our people.
You did not walk that 19 km's in vain - we cannot allow that.
You were a young man who - on the day you went missing - was snowmobiling. You were enjoying northern life and were not causing harm to anybody.
The stories about you by those close to you - help relate the tragedy of your loss to all parents.
You were living life and then fought for life and you were not wrong - when you were hoping somebody would find you - when you were hoping somebody would help you.
Your community of Makkovik and the greater community of Labrador were all looking for you. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador wanted you to be found safe and sound and wanted you to return to the comfort of your home and family.
When politicians have been around too long - they can become desensitized - detached - and in some cases appear aloof. They listen to people tell them sad and tragic stories everyday. If that is the case for any politician - they should quit - their time in public service is finished.
When bureaucrats spend one moment on spinning or downplaying neglectful policy - where a life is lost - they need to move on.
Because you Burton - were instantly wrapped in the arms of the Newfoundland and Labrador people - from the moment we heard you were missing - you will not be forgotten. That means that the circumstances surrounding your loss must be written about, examined, studied, and spoken of. That means that Newfoundland and Labrador must not accept anything short of a real solution to this obviously flawed system.
I watched the DND News Conference that was shared by local media. One point stuck in my mind - and it made me angry. When asked the question - why was a private company able to operate in the weather while the DND could not - the person responding said that local pilots knew the terrain, the mountains, and the local area.
This is simple - people - why would anybody who is NOT familiar with the local terrain be responsible for Search and Rescue of that area? Why?
This is a message for Minister Penashue, Minister MacKay, Premier Dunderdale and provincial MHA's - make this your number one priority. Fix this!
Newfoundland and Labrador is a massive geographic territory which is the easternmost part of Canada. See how many times you can put Nova Scotia in our physical footprint. Look at our coastline and understand that this province needs its own dedicated Search and Rescue service. Not only the marine communications sub-centre but a full fledged Search and Rescue Centre. Move the assets of Nova Scotia to Newfoundland and Labrador including the home dock of SAR and DND ships. If Nova Scotia feels it needs to maintain these assets - so be it - and then the federal government can build new infrastructure and assets for our province.
Regardless of who you are - you can look at the maps and understand that we cannot be serviced from Halifax.
Burton Winters died and that is not acceptable.
The Winters' family has lost Burton and that is not acceptable.
This young man walked 19 km's on terrain that federal and provincial politicians should experience.
This death on the ice will not happen again because our politicians shall be forced to make the changes necessary to protect our people.
Rest in Peace Burton - let us walk the rest of the way.
To the family of Burton - we are with you in your search for answers and are with you in your fight to ensure the safety of our people.
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