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Wednesday, June 28, 2006

What you know for sure...

posted by Amanda @ 2:10 p.m. Comments: 9

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Stora Enso:
Shenanigans and Swashbuckling

Stora Enso workers voted to accept the company's final contract offer yesterday. 54 percent voted in favour of the offer ending a lock out nearly 168 days long. (Which is nearly six months CBC not “over four”)

Despite this, Stora won't budge another inch (as if they've ever budged at all) until they win yet another battle with Nova Scotia Power for "more competitive electrical rates".

Hopefully they weren’t so excited about another concession that they failed to notice any of the other news headlines on Tuesday. Such as this one:

Helping poor not utility board's mandate, court rules
Nova Scotia's Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday that the province's Utility and Review Board has no mandate to help low-income power customers.

The Affordable Energy Coalition was seeking a rate-assistance program for low-income families after provincial residents power-rates increased 8.9 percent this past spring. But according to the board, that’s not within their abilities.

Well, both Stora Enso and Bowater Mersey pulp mills, the two largest power consumers in the province have been operating under a recent 12-15 per rate hike this year. And that is nearly half the amount NSP requested from the board to begin with.

The board initially gave the company until 2007 to come up with a new rate for the mills and now NSP is expected to apply to the board… immediately for revised rates for it’s industrial consumers.

I’m confused. This province is bending over backwards for this company. A company that is unwilling to negotiate with employees, the county, and the province. And demands it’s… demands be met on their own schedule. A company which blames Nova Scotians for their not turning a profit in 8 of 10 years and complains that it’s sister company in the United States has energy costs 15 percent lower than this province.

Well manure! I don’t care if the Mill has been an "economic mainstay" in Nova Scotia for 20 plus years. The company is making unreasonable demands on a province which clearly needs to reassess it’s priorities. If the Utility Board won’t help residents deal with the power hike than it would be ridiculous for them to help Stora. And frankly this province could really do without the shenanigans and swashbuckling of "the high and mighty" Stora Enso.

posted by Amanda @ 11:59 a.m. Comments: 6

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Capturing the Mood

Another one of Aaron's photos.

Beautiful.

posted by Amanda @ 2:22 p.m. Comments: 10

NDP to Victory!

I could scarcely handle the anticipation. Last night surrounded by friends at the Westin I had to leave the room in a fit of impatience and frustration. CTV and CBC were showing unbelievably good NDP numbers and both had yet to confirm Halifax Citadel's results. In the Woman's washroom I ran into another woman who was finding the suspense to be a bit too much.

"I'm scared that I'll start crying." she said.
"But we're doing so well!" I exclaimed.
"That's what I mean, I'm just that happy."


Last nights Nova Scotia election results are cause for much NDipper celebration and joy. The NDP are up from 15 seats to 20! Youth candidates, women candidates and even valley candidates found an amazing amount of support and votes thrown in their direction. And of course, my highlight of the evening, Leonard Preyra's victory!

Leonard is such a deserving man. Kind and intelligent beyond true explanation. I am "tickled" (to steal Liam's word) to have him as my MLA and I'm really proud of the work everyone put into getting him elected.
Thank you Halifax Citadel.

It's been a wonderful campaign. Perhaps boring to the public but always interesting to those of us involved. (Check out our YND blog) From ridiculous promises to hilarious postcards there have been many memorable moments.

One being yesterday while I was out pulling votes with Alexa in the "deep south"... in a bright orange rental car! She swore it was just a fluke but I think the man at the airport couldn't resist himself a good giggle.

And my other favourite was seeing Darrell hold open an umbrella over a group of shaking and shivering little gymnastsin the puring rain while we all waited in the Apple Blossom parade line. Aaron is so fantastic that he thought to snap a photo. Much thanks to him.

I look forward to the next campaign but more so right now I look forward to a slower pace for the rest of the summer and of course, the eventual sitting of the brand new and improved house!



Photo: Aaron Rowlands

posted by Amanda @ 1:29 p.m. Comments: 10