Cheers & Jeers
CHEERS: To the province’s maintenance enforcement program. An official told a legislative committee Tuesday that staff have implemented all eight recommendations in a 2016 audit after thousands of hours of work. They can now enforce collection of child support arrears through bank garnishes, suspending a driver’s licence or seizing assets owing from federal programs. It is sad, however, to hear more than $10 million is owed to children/spouses across the province.
CHEERS: To the community for stepping up to support the 20th annual Holland College Golf Classic. The event attracted 37 teams to the Belvedere Golf Club and raised about $67,000 to support student financial aid, varsity athletics and alumni initiatives. Despite the uncertain time, it is great to see the Island community, both businesses and residents, continue to support worthwhile events when they can.
CHEERS: To the Charlottetown Film Festival for screening, showcasing and celebrating talent in Atlantic Canada this weekend, not to mention for bringing in professionals, in person and via Zoom, to take part in industry sessions. Giving burgeoning filmmakers access to the pros is a huge step in the right direction for local talent. With the cheap dollar and the low numbers of coronavirus infections in the region, more and more productions are coming to this part of the country, which can only mean good things for the Atlantic film industry.
CHEERS: To the young Charlottetown band Moment of Eclipse for speaking about the need to create more chances for teenagers in high school to see live music. Most of the bands in this age group play the bar scene, but kids this age can’t get in. Rather than just use the interview as an opportunity to promote their new single and video, which debuted last week, the band members spent much of the interview time with The Guardian reporter talking about how there needs to be more opportunities for young people to see live shows. Let’s hope it happens.
CHEERS: To Charlottetown’s planning committee for agreeing to listen to the residents of a north-end neighbourhood who have concerns about a proposed development that would see three apartment buildings built. Planning committee originally recommended council turn down the developer but council ignored the recommendation and approved the project. The committee’s decision to take another look at things means it might be reconsidered by council. Sober second thought never hurts.
CHEERS: To the Curley family, owners of Outlaw Paintball in Donagh. This year has already been tough for small, family-owned businesses as it is, so to be looted twice and have your storage building burned to the ground on top of that is heartbreaking. But, during media interviews on the second incident this week, your strength of character was on full display — thanks for modelling your fortitude to P.E.I. and hang in there.