Potpourri
I’ve been heavily involved with the Lifestyle Expo lately, but I’ve decided to write an Editors piece here this week, because my days aren’t quite busy enough I guess. However, rather than concentrate on one area of concern this time around, I would rather just throw a few tidbits into the pile and hopefully something will resonate with you. Let’s begin with the great news that the RCMP made a really significant drug bust in town recently. I can’t say how wonderful it is to know that meth and cocaine is getting off our streets. We all know that illegal drugs are a serious problem in the area, so kudos to the RCMP for a job well done.
Now onto a bit of sadder news.
More homes damaged by Fiona are coming down, and on Wednesday morning a small crowd gathered to watch the crews work. Most of these houses have been around since I was a kid, and I got a bit misty eyed watching them being removed. But I have to hope that there is finally a sense of closure for the family, who at last can know that the painful reminder of that brutal day is no longer there to torment them. We all know that the homes had to come down, for the sake of safety if nothing else, but to have it all finally happening all over town prompted a strong flashback to September 23rd. To everyone who is watching this happen to your home, know that the people of Port aux Basques are here for you.
I have lived in a lot of places in Canada. And there is something odd about Newfoundland that I hope someone can explain to me. Pedestrians and bicyclists both travel on the side of oncoming traffic. Nowhere else that I’ve lived does this. It might make you feel safer seeing the traffic coming, but for a motorist on the city streets, or the highway, it drastically changes your perception of how quickly that person on the side of the road is approaching. Travelling towards a vehicle can alter how that vehicle responds to the distance between you because the time to get to you is changed. Please, stay on the side of pursuant traffic. It really might save your life.
And while I’m on the topic of traffic, let me put this out there too. Why do so many motorists drive 80 or 90 KPH on a single lane highway, and then speed up to WAY over 100 kph when they hit a passing lane? Is there a secret race they are trying to start? Is this the new normal? Why hold traffic behind you for what feels like an hour, only to have a laugh when they try to pass you in a designated zone? There is nothing that irks more than experiencing this every time I travel the TCH.
Recently my sister and I spent a week in Halifax for the Atlantic Journalism Awards. We were very honoured to win three gold awards for the work we did during Fiona, but I confess, I got a little choked up during my little speech moment. Rosalyn was eloquent and great. I was a little less so. I managed to choke out a few words of thanks, but neglected to detail anything about the pieces I won for. If I’m ever lucky enough to win again, I’ll do my best to be a bit chattier at the podium.
It was a wonderful night of ceremony, and we got to meet several excellent journalists, but it was also a little bittersweet. We went to Halifax in order to visit family there and take in the sights. And despite having a spectacular time, I feel a bit of regret at not having attended the simultaneous ceremony in St. John’s. It would have been nice to meet our local Newfoundland colleagues who we know, trust and admire.
René J. Roy is an award winning photojournalist and editor-in-chief of the Wreckhouse Weekly news. He has no spare time to go fishing anymore.
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