A contrary view of bridge hoopla

Islanders should be constantly trying to get a year-round ferry service from Wood Islands to Caribou

To quote Winston Churchill — “History is written by the victors.”

In your newspaper’s paean to the Confederation Bridge, truth and lies trip over themselves. Yep, the cleverly named bridge is handy; but try to get accurate information about the studies, the correspondence, the promise of a Grade 7 curriculum package to be used in schools, the old railway station in Charlottetown at Strait Crossing head office — the list goes on.

If you don’t believe me, call the Strait Crossing’s office and ask. After all, we were partners. Better still, ask members of the former ‘Islanders for a Better Tomorrow.’ They certainly had all the answers in your article.

In my modest opinion, Islanders should be constantly trying to get a year-round ferry service from Wood Islands to Caribou. Belt and suspenders, yes, but useful and potentially necessary.

Forget the tolls fight, Senator Downe; we were out-manoeuvred at every turn by savvy lawyers.

Concentrate on the possible, not the impossible.

The numbers spoke for themselves: Friends of the Island total budget — $250,000. To fight for the bridge, using taxpayers’ and (other?) monies — $12,500,000.

That’s twelve and a half million dollars. Goliath won.

If you can find one, read the final draft of the Environmental Assessment Review Process (EARP) report published by the federal government.

Good luck on finding it, although I suppose one could eventually get a copy through the ‘Freedom of Information

Act.’

I did donate one copy to the P.E.I. Public Archives, which, impossible to believe, had not a shred of paper on the biggest project that has, and likely will affect our province.

Of course I use the bridge — of course I pay the tolls.

In addition I go out of my way to chat with the booth attendants.

Why not? They have a difficult job and yet remain cheerful to all of us. I say this sincerely.

On the other hand, remember ‘Sweater Man’ Paul Giannelia’s pledge: “The bridge will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Close, but no cigar. Fight for Northumberland Ferries — not because of an obsession with ferry crossings, but because we deserve them.

That’s our new Montreal Bridge.

Enjoy the summer.