Cheers &Jeers
CHEERS to 100 years of women voting in P.E.I. On May 3, 1922, the long, slow march to having women properly represented in this province's halls of power began. The right to vote was not extended to all women on that date; First Nations women could not vote in provincial elections until the 1960s.
It is still taking far too long for true equaliy, but recognizing the strength and courage of those who started it all 100 years ago should not go uncelebrated just because successive generations thereafter have not moved fast enough to reach their goal. After many years of fighting, advocating and lobbying, on May 3, 1922, women in P.E.I. were granted the right to vote in provincial elections and to hold public office here.
CHEERS to the Summerside D. Alex Macdonald Ford Western Capitals on winning the 2021-22 Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) championship on May 2. The Capitals went into this season with high expectations, and the team lived up to the hype. The Caps were the class of the regular season, and equally impressive in the playoffs, winning 12 of 14 games. Summerside's only two post-season losses both came in overtime. The Capitals went a combined 43-4-3-2 (won-lost-overtime lossesshootout losses) in the regular season and playoffs. The Caps were back to work last week beginning preparations for the Centennial Cup Canadian junior A hockey championship in Estevan, Sask., from May 19 to 29. The Caps' first game is May 20.
JEERS to Charlottetown Coun. Mike Duffy for an inappropriate comment made in an email and his subsequent non-apology. In an email related to a performance review of CAO Peter Kelly, Duffy made a reference to “the rat in the woodpile.” A Google search of the term gives a clear indication of why using the term is a problem. Duffy later sent another email saying he “inadvertently” made a statement that caused Coun. Julie Mccabe concern. When he then said the statement was determined to be inappropriate, the words “sorry” or “apologize” were notably absent. Whether Duffy was personally attacking someone or not, the comment was unacceptable. Just saying someone determined it was inappropriate is about as far from an apology as you can get.
CHEERS to Lesley Quinn, a Charlottetown sommelier, who will be off to Portugal in June to compete in a Master of Port competition. The process involves an enormous amount of studying beforehand, which she has to balance with running her own business, Stellar Somm Wine Experts, and volunteering as a firefighter with the Charlottetown Fire Department. Quinn describes herself as an adrenaline junkie who wants to serve her community and make wine more approachable for people going out to restaurants and the liquor store. Best of luck.