Cheers & Jeers
JEERS: To the predictions of gloom and doom being expressed in P.E.I. about the one cent per litre (cpl) net increase for gas and diesel prices under the federal carbon reduction plan announced Tuesday. Ottawa imposed a 4 cpl carbon price on P.E.I. — an increase that was off-set by the province decreasing its excise tax by 3 cpl. Ottawa agreed to the compromise in recognition of the province’s multi-point plan to reduce carbon through incentives and green investments. If this is the most that Islanders will pay over the next two years to help battle climate change, we got off very easy. The public criticism is hard to understand when five days earlier, IRAC announced an unscheduled 5 cpl drop in gas and 2.2 cpl in diesel prices. True, this is a temporary market-based decision, but there wasn’t a peep from those same critics about the money they will save from these rollbacks.
JEERS: To the driver of a Jeep Cherokee who ignored flashing red lights and a stop sign on a stopped school bus last week in Albany. The vehicle narrowly missed striking a child who was crossing the road to get on the bus. East Prince RCMP are seeking the public’s help to identify the owner/ driver of the vehicle. There is no excuse for such dangerous habits, whether because of distracted driving or rushing to get to work. All drivers should be prepared to encounter buses picking up and dropping off children before and after school. The driver should come forward and contact police.
JEERS: To the idiot(s) who broke into Maritime Electric’s Dingwells Mills substation this month to steal copper ground wire. The thieves could easily kill themselves vandalizing the high voltage area, or injure workers checking on the substation. Then there’s the power disruption for thousands of customers while repairs were completed, and also the cost of those repairs. Anyone trying to sell copper wire should raise red flags; it’s time to call police.
CHEERS: To organizers and volunteers involved with the 32nd annual Y’s Men Club food drive this evening in Charlottetown and Cornwall. This is the time of year when inventory at the food bank starts to dwindle and today’s major effort boosts supplies prior to the heavy demand over the upcoming holidays. Volunteers will be out this evening between 6-8 p.m. throughout the two communities collecting nonperishable food items or monetary donations.
CHEERS: To the Charlottetown Airport Authority for completing major $18 million renovations to the main runaway on time and on budget. There were some travel disruptions over the past six months while the main runaway was closed for the major upgrades. The secondary runway didn’t have all the navigational aids and some flights since April were diverted because of bad weather, especially fog.