Archive for January 2009
Development and corruption in small islands
Hans Connor makes some interesting points about the informal decision making in small jurisdictions which may to some extent explain what happens on PEI. Economic Development and Small Islands: the risk of corruption.
“The propensity for small-scale corruption. We’ve seen that here on PEI, too. Yes, the downside of the close-knit communities for which islands are known is that it is easy for interested parties to access decision-makers. Bureaucratic checks and balances found in continental jurisdictions don’t exist.”
The article is one in a series he has presented on Island Studies and Island issues in a Prince Edward Island context which are well thought out and presented.
Campbell Webster on Gordon Cobb boulevardier
By Stephen Pate
January 18th, 2009
Campbell Webster’s description of Gordon Cobb as a boulevardier is one of the best comments on the “Cobb affair”, Guardian Gordon Cobb: King of the Gruntlings . As an aspiring boulevadier myself, I instantly knew Webster was absolutely right. Gordon is “an eminently gregarious conversationalist, spreading good cheer and stimulating conversation up and down the boulevards of his community.” I can’t think of a single instance when meeting Gordon on Victoria Row, at Churchill Arms or walking along University Avenue didn’t put a smile on my face. Last summer things seemed a little strained and now we understand why. Gordon was conflicted. Thankfully for him and the good cheer of Charlottetown’s social set, Gordon has shed the Ghiz Liberal shennanigans and we can expect more good cheer in 2009.
As for Ghiz’ opinion, does anyone care? I’ve never seen a Premier go from hero to goat in such a short time. I experienced his poor treatment within months of the election and personally warned him he as turning supporters into critics. He didn’t seem to care. Ghiz may have power for awhile and he may have absconded with money but he has few friends in town anymore. Robert just has the ones he bought and even they will abandon him at the right moment. What did he say on Compass “I know who my friend are.”
I can’t wait for my turn
Innovation Minister Allan Campbell gave Master Packaging CEO Mary Jean Irving $725,000 for each new job (CBC)
CBC reported that Mary Jean Irving is getting 75% of the cost of expanding the box plant in Borden as a loan New jobs coming to box plant in Borden-Carleton
“Master Packaging launched a $19.3-million expansion to its plant at the foot of P.E.I.’s Confederation Bridge on Wednesday.P.E.I. is putting up a $14.5-million loan to help pay for the expansion.”
That’s $725,000 per job. Pretty expensive jobs.
I’m thinkin’ of starting a new business this year but I’ll only need about $100,000 for one job – me.
Guess they’ll be ready for me arms and cheque book wide open. The government treats everyone the same.
They can give the rest of the money to someone else, like you.
Does Auditor General want to know the truth?
Statute of Liberty, Send me your rich, Robert Ghiz
By Stephen Pate
NJN Network
January 12, 2009
The story in Saturday’s Guardian, Probe widens into PNP, has the Auditor General ice fishing in the cold, dark night when he has the fish in his freezer.
Theresa Wright, Guardian reporter, reports
“He’s (Auditor General) putting the word out to any immigrants who fit this bill he’s interested in hearing from them if they would like to provide information. Younker’s office has placed ads in local newspapers to get the word out.”
If that’s true, I guess he’s hoping not to hear much from the Chinese Immigrants.
Wake up Olive! Demand an inquiry
Opposition Leader Olive Crane calls for public inquiry, photo from CBC News
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 9, 2009
with story from the Guardian
The Guardian reports Olive Crane is calling for public inquiry in to the PNP Immigrant Scam. She made that comment on CBC Compass but in both cases she seems hardly awake.
Is she sick with that flu?
She’s going to let Ghiz slip through her fingers with all that Kings County “I’m-just-a-country-girl” charm.
Just in, sports score Cobb 5 Ghiz 1
Premier Robert Ghiz’s attack on whistle blower Gordon Cobb as a “disgruntled employee” backfired. Islanders are coming to Cobb’s defense and calling Ghiz everything but a liar.CBC Reader comments are running five to one for Cobb and against Ghiz.The same story at the Guardian is running five to one for Cobb and against Ghiz.The numbers are identical which is amazing.Ghiz couldn’t get elected dog catcher on PEI we surmise.
Why is CBC burying the PNP scandal?
Senior adviser quits controversial immigration program
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 9, 2009
with CBC story
Not only is CBC Charlottetown last to report the Gordon Cobb big break in the story, they put it as the last item on Wednesday’s news. After 2 bits on school closing, a silly story on curling (wow that’s earth shattering, a cartoon company (silly willy or chilly willy) and after a commercial break, we get kind of a loopy coverage without an on camera interview of Cobb. That’s like putting your headline next to the classifieds in the newspaper. You have a headline: it’s on page one. CBC is trying to deep six the PNP story.
Cobb drives nails in Ghiz government’s coffin
Gordon Cobb, aide to Innovation Minister Richard Brown, forced to tell all
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 8, 2009
The revelations this week from Gordon Cobb, Innovation Minister Richard Brown’s aide, are driving nails in the Liberal government coffin.The latest Guardian story Guardian: PNP adviser quits over ‘bad decisions’ is another nail in the Liberal coffin. Cobb is essentially saying the program was as bad or worse than the rumours.Ghiz is whistling past the graveyard with his attempts to disparage Cobb “It’s unfortunate that we have a disgruntled employee who is upset basically because his advice wasn’t taken,” Ghiz said.” Expect worse comments to come.
Graphic jumps into lead on PNP, CBC lags way behind
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
The Guardian has been doing an improving job of covering the PNP Immigrant Scam; however, this week the Eastern Graphic and publisher Paul MacNeill made a giant leap ahead of everyone with the exclusive coverage of Richard Brown aide Gordon Cobb’s resignation. CBC is not engaged yet and we still wonder why.In one story, the Eastern and West Prince Graphic, both owned by MacNeill’s Island Press, blew the lid off the the Robert Ghiz cover story about the PNP. We expect the new Liberal Big Lie real soon: Mr. Cobb didn’t work on the file, we never hired him and who is Gordon Cobb anyway?
Guardian learns manners and freedom of speech
Happy to report the Guardian printed two comments today without any rough shod editing, Hotel project may move to new locale and Primary industries must lead economic recovery, pre-budget forum told
How lovely to have things return to their former state of grace.
Liberal budget forum breakthrough strategy
100 people attended a pre-budget consultation meeting in West Royalty Tuesday night listen The meeting was hosted by Murphy and Malpeque MP Wayne Easter on the upcoming federal budget should contain. Guardian photo
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
The participants at the Liberal pre-budget forum Primary industries must lead economic recovery, pre-budget forum told gave MP’s Shawn Murphy and Wayne Easter some good advice.I had the flu so couldn’t attend: here’s what I intended to say.We need to look back at what the world needs. It doesn’t need more cars or plasma TV’s. A world food crisis is at our doors. The farmers are right. It’s not chic or trendy to be a farmer. It’s just more important.
No MLA shall steal from the public purse, but they do
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
It’s pretty clear that the government controlled the PNP funds through IEI and not Billy Dow. It’s also supposed to be clear that MLA’s are forbidden from doing business with the government by various laws of the Province.That means the MLA’s that took money from the PNP program should be charged.The logical conclusion is the Conflict Commissioner is a waste of taxpayers dollars. I don’t think he could see a conflict if it whacked him across the side of his face.The Conflict Commissioner is a white wash painter. Show him something that stinks like horse manure and he will start painting it lilly white.He was the same way under the Conservative Pat Binns government.
Gordon Cobb refutes Ghiz big lies
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 6, 2009 10 PM
with story from Eastern & West Prince Graphic
Gordon Cobb, the aide to PEI Innovation Minister Richard Brown has admitted the Ghiz government was hiding the truth from Islanders.Premier Ghiz has proven himself to be a smooth talking, lying used-car salesman. That’s not fair: there are lots of honest used-car salesman. Joke: how do you know when Premier Ghiz is lying? When he opens his mouth.
Eastern Graphic cracks PNP egg, Gordon Cobb spills the beans
By Paul MacNeill
Eastern and West Prince Graphic
January 6, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Richard Brown aide quits over mishandling of PNP
A senior aide to Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown has left the department citing concerns over management of the controversial Provincial Nominee Program. And Gordon Cobb confirms he is discussing those issues with the provincial Auditor-General.
“I raised my objections verbally(with Minister Brown) over and over again. Very strongly,” Mr Cobb said in an exclusive interview with The Graphic. “This was a really big disappointment.
PEI MLA’s – The Devil Made Me Do It
File under: silly things our MLA’s tell us
The comedian Flip Wilson had a famous joke “The Devil Made Me Do It”, the excuse for all our own sins and foibles. Seems like that’s going to be the joke around the Legislature and Public Accounts Committee. The devil made me take that PNP money.
Dr. McKenna said his partners, those devils, made him do it.
Isn’t McKenna rich enough without dipping into the public purse?
Well the devil is in all of us but the honest people know we to give him the boot.
No snow job
Charlottetown, just another June day (CBC News photo)
By Stephen Pate
We are not writing stories about the weather. Too many writers without a thought in their heads are writing stories about weather all the time. You can search Google for weather stories until your brain is numb and then watch “Survivors”.
We think weather only clutters up a story. Does it really matter to music if the night was dark and cloudy?
The chances are 100% that the night will be dark and cloudy isn’t that far behind.
Take the raise if you dare
The Guardian editorial reports Take the raise, take the grief and we agree with them.
“Island MLAs no doubt feel they deserve their recently approved salary increases, but they shouldn’t be surprised if they get grief from the public. MLAs and cabinet ministers are paid much more than many Islanders.
The Indemnities and Allowances Commission recently approved salary increases of 2.5 per cent, pushing the premier’s annual salary to $136,438, cabinet ministers’ and Opposition leader’s salaries to $111,032, and MLAs’ salaries to $65,344.”
On December 2, 2008, we wrote Money is the new ecstasy for the Liberals
“Today the Liberals vote themselves big raises for the spring.
Considering the Federal government is taking all measures to save money during the coming depression, what is going on in the heads of Robert Ghiz and his band of Merry Boys and Girls?
Don’t tell me they gave up lucrative jobs in the private sector to serve the public. The current salary earned by Ghiz and the band of Merry Boys and Girls is at least double what they earned before they got elected.”
The Liberal Millionaires Club don’t deserve more money but it is their drug of choice.
Guardian censors letter, what are they hiding?
Letter Censored but not for space reasons
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 3, 2009
The letter below re-printed from the Dec. 26, 2008 Guardian is a highly censored version of the letter submitted to the Guardian. It completely removed my argument in the second paragraph that the Liberal government has the money to cover seniors wheelchairs but uses it for patronage. It also removed a call to Christian charity during the Christmas season and specific details about the promise from Ghiz’ government.
We strongly protest the revision which changes the fundamental meaning of the letter. This censorship is an abridgement of our fundamental freedoms under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Section 2 which states,
2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
…b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression including freedom of the press and other media of communication
The very same sentence that guarantees freedom of the press guarantees freedom for all citizens to express their thoughts, beliefs and words.
Ghiz sends in the clowns
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
Janaury 2, 2009
The hockey game is going badly. Down 2 to zip, the fans are getting rowdy in the stands. Team manager Ghiz looks around and sees a tired bench. Desperate, he sends in the clowns to waste ice time until his best players are rested.
Minister Allan Campbell falls flat on the ice over Aliant deal
Premier Ghiz’s game is going badly. The Public Accounts shut-down smells like a week old mackerel. The Eastern Graphic and Guardian say taxpayers might be on the hook for $400 million. NJN News calls the PNP scandal money laundering.
And the Cynthia Dunsford’s riding president quits over an $8 million patronage deal with Aliant that his employer EastLink didn’t get to bid on.
CBC reports Minister broke the law
Allan Campbell says Eastlink submitted an unsolicited proposal to provide rural high-speed internet service. (CBC)
By Stephen Pate
NJN News
January 1, 2008
with story from CBC
CBC reported December 30th, 2008 - No RFP required for Internet deal: minister which means Minister Campbell has broken the law on PEI.
The CBC did not report the illegality of the no tender contract or even question the Minister’s statement which is somewhat unusual. Their story just blandly reports the Campbell’s claim as though he is correct with no research or other opinion.
Rural Development Minister Campbell is reported as saying “There was no need to issue a request for proposals for high-speed Internet service to rural areas of P.E.I., the province’s rural development minister says, because all the major service providers had already submitted proposals.”
The rookie minister is obviously unschooled in public sector procurement policies, the law and the specific laws of Prince Edward Island. Some of the CBC readers apparently know more than Campbell.
According the the PEI Public Purchasing Act and Regulations sections 3 and 4, all goods and services for the Province must be purchased by public tender. Contracts valued at greater than $50,000 must be advertised across the region to comply with Maritime Procurement agreements. NAFTA requires international bidding on contracts worth $8 million such as the Aliant telecom sweetheart deal.
Staying upbeat despite all
By Stephen Pate
PEI Disability Alert
January 1, 2009
Being a social advocate is not the easiest job. You are constantly prodding a reluctant government and society to change.
What keeps me going is the progress we have made in just a few years. Certainly the recent passing of Kay Reynolds and thinking about her life’s work spurs me onward. She and others who worked tirelessly for the benefit of others are examples to us even after they pass on.
We have made great progress even in the past two years. When I tried to get anyone interested in the $1 million cutback in disability support spending in 2006, there was nothing but a wall of indifference. Today people are discussing disabilities and other social issues regularly in the paper and in public. Yes the Liberal government has tried to deep-six disability reform but they will not succeed. Ghiz will be gone and we will have significant reform.
Two years ago, people tried to belittle my letters to the Guardian an Graphic about disabilities and seniors without wheelchairs. Today, those are recognized social problems. Poverty is moving from a charity case to a problem we can solve.
