Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS: to paths being paved with good intentions. While many people prefer to see city walking trails left more natural looking, a proposal being considered by the City of St. John’s to pave the trail around Kenny’s Pond in the east end of the city has merit. The 780-metre gravel trail circles the pond and is used by residents of the two retirement living complexes in the area. A paved surface would make it more accessible for people who use mobility aids, such as walkers, allowing them to more easily get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

CHEERS: to hitting us with the best shot. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization gave the OK last week to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines. That means if you had a first dose of Astrazeneca, Moderna or Pfizer, it’s OK to have a second shot that wasn’t the same as the first. That news might dispel some of the hesitancy some people have been feeling about their second shot, particularly if they felt compelled to have a second shot of AZ, which has been linked in rare cases to a specific type of blood clot. With news on Friday that second shots of vaccine are being made available in this province sooner than expected, there should be plenty of people willing to roll up their sleeves now with greater confidence.

CHEERS: to making the cut and taking the cut. It was announced last week that Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro president Jennifer Williams will become the new interim CEO of Nalcor Energy when Stan Marshall retires June 15. Williams will make less a year (roughly $395,000) in both roles than Marshall made in one, but she isn’t balking at the reduction. “We all have seen the (provincial) budget and what the government will expect of us. We’ve got some significant fiscal realities to face, that’s made very clear,” Williams said on Thursday. “I’ve accepted this role with no bonus. I have accepted this role at a reduced salary. Any person who would have taken this role would have had to take it at a reduced salary. We are doing our part here.” Good on Williams. If only salaries at Nalcor had been more realistic and within what the province could afford from the get-go.