Cheers &Jeers

CHEERS to the newest members of the P.E.I. Sports Hall of Fame: Katie Baker (field hockey); Rickey Burns (bowling); the late Ray Moore (rugby) and the 1969-70 Charlottetown Junior Islanders. Not only are they excellent choices by the selection committee but they demonstrate key values of sport. Baker, who represented Canada 114 times in field hockey, and the Charlottetown Junior Islanders, who faced off against the Quebec Remparts in an improbable Memorial Cup semifinal series, clearly show how far determination and talent can take you. Burns is an example of the importance of coaching – someone whose dedication has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of young people through Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) program and Special Olympics P.E.I. Moore’s tireless efforts as a builder, working with coaches, officials and schools, helped establish a solid foundation for the sport that’s now played at many levels across P.E.I. Congratulations to all.

CHEERS

to the thousands of people who flocked to western P.E.I. to watch the total solar eclipse on April 8. It was a once-in-a-lifetime event for many people who took in the stellar spectacle. Excitement about the eclipse could be felt in P.E.I. leading up to the event that drew in not only Island residents but people from around the world. Although the crowds caused some traffic issues, including long lines of vehicles heading first west then east, the excitement made for a unique experience that many will never forget.

CHEERS

to the competitors in a recent speedcubing event held in Charlotetown. Speedcubing involves solving a Rubik’s Cube as fast as possible. The speeds at which competitors move their fingers and manipulate the toy can seem mind boggling to anyone who has fumbled with a Rubik’s Cube. About 100 people attended the event at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre. It was Speedcubing Canada’s first competition in P.E.I. and brought some excitement to the library with the unusual event.

JEERS to the P.E.I. departments of Finance and Health and Wellness and to Health P.E.I. for refusing to release an internal report about the province’s health hiring process. On March 12, Green MLA Matt Macfarlane released a page from this report, written by Halifax consultant Davis Pier, which appeared to show 20-step process for hiring health workers in the province. Saltwire requested a copy of this report that day and repeatedly over the next four weeks. There have been crickets from all three public bodies. Most health challenges in the province are often traced back to shortages of health staff. It is actually a positive thing that the King government contracted Davis Pier to come up with ideas on how to make the hiring process faster and more efficient. But these ideas belong in the public domain. Ease up on the departmental hand-wringing and release the Davis Pier report already.