New Waterford construction will have to wait

I would like to comment on Barb Sweet’s article, “Waiting for the new Waterford,” Telegram, Sept. 2, 2016; the Editorial: “Wait times,” Telegram, Sept. 3, 2016 and Barb Sweet’s article, “Hospital overrun with mice,” The Telegram, Sept. 16, 2016.

All the Ball Liberals did during the last provincial election is “promised” their way into power.

Promises that they know they could not realistically fulfill!

What did the new Waterford Project get? A mere $2.5 million dollars for planning. We don’t need more planning, the previous P.C. government under Jerome Kennedy and Steve Kent already spent millions on the “NEW WATERFORD REPLACEMENT PROJECT” architectural designs, public consultations (which I participated in) and planning. $2.5 million is a small pittance I say!

I say save the $2.5 million and put in where it is needed the most in our public mental health care system!

Premier Ball, Cathy Bennett, John Haggie and the whole provincial Liberal Party should read my comments about warning the public and voters about the dubious Liberal pre and post 2015-election promise concerning the new Waterford!: “Dubious Pre-Election Promise,” The Telegram, October 15, 2015 and “OUR FINANCES ARE IN A MESS,” The Newfoundland Herald, January 31-February 6, 2016.

Yes the old 19th Century relic — the Waterford is being overrun by mice!

But, the Liberals, and their Conservative predecessors are more concern about another creature — the $11 billion dollar muskrat than the Waterford mice!

I support the current, and future, Waterford Hospital cooperating and collaborating with the non-profit volunteer mental health sector — and consumers — but, as far as “Public-Private (for Profit)” partnerships, NO!

Unless the Ball Liberal government can do magic and create the $250 million dollars needed for the New Waterford Project (or if the oil revenues increase or if the Federal Equalization payments and the original federal health transfers are reinstated soon), I am afraid, we may have to wait till Muskrat Falls is completed, whenever, before the Liberals or their successors will be able to build a New Waterford and other much needed public facilities. Edward Sawdon St. John’s