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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Saturday, 08 December 2007 |
"This issue is really all about the health and well-being of our community."
The above quote comes from a council member in Bridgewater Nova Scotia this week in a town on the verge of enacting more anti-smoking laws.
Similar statements have been issued every time a region enacts anti-smoking laws. The foremost justification cited for stripping the rights from a specific group of people is "to protect the health of our citizens".
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Tuesday, 04 December 2007 |
The recent passing of Evel Knievel invoked in me a memory of an event some three decades ago.
Atlantic Speedway on the Lucasville Road, and the site of today’s Atlantic Playland, was the top racing speedway in the region. And the owners were very aggressive promoters.
Knievel first caught the world by surprise by vaulting his motorcycle 45 metres over the fountains of Caesars Palace in Vegas. Unfortunately the 1968 event ended in a bone-shattering crash. Nevertheless, he had our attention. And for the next 12 years, until his 1980 retirement, he was a household name.
“Knievel’s showmanship, skill and disdain for death were so admired that he became a folk hero,” wrote Richard Severo. Those sixteen words captured this truly unique human being.
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Written by Alex J. Walling
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Saturday, 01 December 2007 |
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(Expect gains by News95.7)
 Let the spinsters begin. The kind that ‘spin’ their take on an event.
Yes, the BBM’s come out Monday December 3rd and the spinning will start. The BBM’s of course are the ratings and they will come out for radio. TV ratings will be later this month or early in January.
Let’s stick to radio.
And let’s divide the radio stations into those who play music and much more music and those that don’t. The music stations are the easiest to look at. |
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Written by Alex J Walling
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Wednesday, 28 November 2007 |
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MEDIA COLUMN:
The Vanier Cup game was held last week featuring the Saint Mary’s Huskies and just how did the media coverage do?
The quick answer is, it was terrible to egregious.
First of all I’m of the belief that the Vanier along with the CIS men’s basketball finals are the two most prestigious college events in the country and we are, by all claims, the college capital of Canada.
Media outlets surely talk a good game. They promoted the Uteck Bowl held the week before when Saint Mary’s hosted Laval at Huskies Stadium.
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Sunday, 25 November 2007 |
Andrea Kelley was a career civil servant. For nearly three decades she served her province with loyalty and distinction. The majority of this service came as the Administrative Assistant to the Minister of Labour. On November 15, she lost her battle with cancer at a much too young 56.
For a two-year period, I worked closely with Andrea as the Director of Communications for Labour. She was a pure delight. A thoughtful and caring individual, her smile literally lit up the room. I close my eyes and I can see that smile and hear the lilt in her voice. She never lost her Cape Breton accent nor her love for the Island. |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Wednesday, 14 November 2007 |
It is often said that the two things we cannot escape on the road from the womb to the tomb are death and taxes. True. Most of us, however can, add a line to that truism, referring to the crosses many are called upon to bear during that interval.
Some, like Tory Government member Michael Baker, end up with more than their fair share. I am certain the 50-year-old cabinet minister must have privately whispered “why me Lord?” on more than one occasion. I say privately, because his public persona is always positive and upbeat, despite an ongoing battle with cancer since 2006. And now word comes that Baker has had hip replacement surgery and is currently facing a period of recovery. |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Wednesday, 07 November 2007 |
A friend of mine, a lifelong Liberal, recently reflected on the state of the Grits, at both the federal and the provincial level. “It’s not the party of my youth,” he lamented. How true.
In some ways, political parties have improved over the past five decades. No longer do they buy your vote on election day.
Coming from a family who cared greatly about politics and government, they encouraged me to become involved in the system. The entire family was deeply rooted in the Progressive Conservative Party, and I’m sure they felt I would, through genetics, follow suit. Wrong. |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Sunday, 28 October 2007 |
Rodney MacDonald gave his old friend and biggest supporter, Angus MacIsaac, a break when he shuffled him from Transportation to Economic Development. As Transportation Minister he would have had to sign off on one of the most contentious issues in Antigonish County, the route for the twinning of Highway 104.
Since Angus came back to the House of Assembly in 1999, the twinning of 104 has been a black cloud, hanging over his head. The Antigonish people are divided on the issue and, quite frankly, the outcome of the next election could be determined by where the pavement is laid. |
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Written by Al Hollingsworth
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Saturday, 20 October 2007 |
It is easy to side with Bill Casey and his battle with the Conservative Party of Canada. Bill has become the people’s champion, not only here in Nova Scotia but right across this vast land. I dare say, if the provincial Progressive Conservatives were to toss Rodney MacDonald and draft Bill Casey, he would probably sweep the Tories back into office with a majority government.
It’s not often that an individual of his caliber, dripping with integrity, comes along. Most, while applauding his stance, do not totally understand what he has sacrificed.
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Written by D.L. McCracken
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Monday, 15 October 2007 |
 One of the hot topics among many Haligonians this past summer and fall was the "problem" of large and ever-growing feral cat populations and the damage they can do to one's gardens and lawns. Not only were the ferals being debated in council meetings but also on the agenda were cats that have homes but with owners who allow their felines to run freely outside. And cats being cats whether they have a warm home to go back to or not will ultimately discover their next door neighbour's pristine flower garden and....methodically deflower it leaving little packages in their wake.
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