To have and have not

There

are times that you really have to wonder about what’s going on at the Confederation Building and with its management of an army of department workers there and throughout the province.

For example, let’s take the Department of Rust, Scrapers, Paint and Brushes and its minister, the hard-headed Jolting Jack Hammer.

Jack, people were absolutely dunderstruck to find out that you didn’t even have a measly amount of money for your renovation and maintenance budget. Shameful, shameful, shameful! And tourists complaining too, that our onceupon-a-time cultural heritage buildings are now falling into disrepair and dishevelment. It seems that it takes just too long for the Department of RSPB to get a few scrapers, a few cans of paint, brushes, and a few good workers to get the job done. It could take months, even years before they hear back from the layers of worker ants that their request is being denied or granted.

In the old days, that would have been a weekend project. Times, they are a changing, aren’t they?

It’s also obvious that the Department of Bridges, Bolts, Nuts and Concrete is not far behind. It seems that Minister Jill Steel has requested on numerous occasions funding to complete just one or two bridges a year but was told that her department is no more important than any other. One official was heard saying: “Let them get dories.”

Off the record, some speculate that the Department of BBNC has been given the old dundershaft and must wait like everyone else for their piece of the almighty pie.

Then there is the Department of Spraying, Insecticides, Pesticides and Who Knows What. The depart-

We must tighten our own belts and help out our government in these difficult times. You know what they say: ‘Tory times

are hard times.’

ment, under the leadership of one Flora Thistle Fauna, is trying to convince the public that its roadside spraying strategy, in the long run, is worthier, healthier and much cheaper than employing operators and cutters for four months of the year. Minister Fauna added that they were especially careful not to go over their miniscule budget, especially now that wages are a hefty $10 per hour.

At a recent news conference and photo opportunity, she beamed with delight that her department had saved the public untold thousands of dollars.

So what’s going on at the Big House? Why isn’t there enough dollars for departments to do the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly work that has to be done? Everyone must realize by now that every department is being cut back severely and that every possible dime is being gathered and diverted to complete Dunderdale Falls, which is expected to cost on the low side $6.2 billion and possibly $8 billion, $10 billion or $12 billion on the high side. No one quite knows for sure at this point in time. That may take another 35 years to access. Therefore, there is little left for anyone else to paint a historic building, replace or fix a bridge or to cut a few roadside bushes and shrubs.

What can we do about this have- not position we are in? As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have done for generations, we must help our neighbour. We must tighten our own belts and help out our government in these difficult times. You know what they say: “Tory times are hard times.” We are requesting that everyone dig deep into their pockets and gather every cent that they possibly can. The departments mentioned above and others need our immediate financial help.

Believe it or not, we are still a have not province. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians living in other provinces, please send money home ASAP — we’re desperate. Send what you can to The Office of the Newfoundland and Labrador Exchequer. Just say it’s for Jack and Jill.

Please, no pennies by request.