Too busy to care?

Over the past week the air ambulance issue has risen its ugly head once again.

When it was announced in March the aircraft would move from St Anthony to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, people along the Northern Peninsula and in Southern Labrador were livid.

There were protests, letters of disgust flying to the health minister and premier, and allegations of political payback being bandied about.

Then it all went to court — we’re still waiting to see what will happen there.

Recently The Straits-White Bay North MHA Marshall Dean produced emails questioning the independence of the report that resulted in the air ambulance’s move. He’s called for an inquiry and health minister Jerome Kennedy’s resignation.

But Mr Kennedy seems to have decided it’s over and done with, telling the Telegram recently that he’s not going anywhere.

“There’s nothing new to any of this,” he said.

“I’ve got a multibillion dollar department to run,” he said.

Yep, he’s a busy man.

Far too busy to meet with constituents after he announced the move.

Too busy, it seems, to be bothered with a thing like an in-depth and detailed report into moving an air ambulance that the people of rural Newfoundland and Southern Labrador depend on to, you know, save lives.

It seems he’s also still far too busy to speak with the Pen about anything to do with the removal of the service including an email sent from an air ambulance pilot to his department in January, indicating that an aircraft in Goose Bay would mean everyone from Deer Lake to Southern Labrador would be further from medevac help.

But he’s not so busy that he can’t take time out and call open line.

Indeed, it’s a busy old thing to run a multibillion dollar department that’s supposed to look after the health and well-being of the people of the province.

Mr Kennedy, we still have that list of questions we would like answered. In fact it’s growing. So how about it?

Remember now

Sometimes ordinary people do amazing things.

Some become famous, their names plastered on bill posters the world-over.

Some serve their country and make the biggest sacrifice.

Others touch your life, and the lives of those around them, in a way that you may never notice — or appreciate — until it’s too late to thank them.

In this week’s Pen we remember a few of those people.

There’s the world-renowned fiddle player Rufus Guinchard who made his home in Hawkes Bay. His music was re-discovered when he was in his 70s, leading him to tour the world, delighting audiences until his death at age 91.

There’s Cpl Brian Pinksen — the soldier who gave his life in the line of duty.

With family up this way it’s only fitting to remember his life. At age 21 he died a lifetime earlier than Mr Guinchard and contributed to the world in a completely different way.

There’s Madeline Acreman who helped shape Mary’s Harbour — half of that community turned out to her funeral after she died of cancer at age 79.

Then there’s Raymond Bartlett and his workmates from theThor Trawl, whose lives were cut tragically short 20 years ago.

They weren’t famous, their faces weren’t on posters, their deaths didn’t draw the attention of the Governor General and defence minister.

They were ordinary people doing what they loved only to die in a plane crash after an 80-day stint at sea.

Raymond was an everyday guy from Griquet — by all accounts a friendly, down-to-earth, intelligent and fun-loving guy who loved his family and his work.

It’s no comfort to say death’s a part of life, but we think it’s important to remember the not-so-famous just as much as the famous, to respect accomplishment in life and in death.

Too often we only hear about the negatives we’ve done — never the positives — so if you know someone who deserves acknowledgment for the work they’ve done, give them a pat on the back, shake their hand, smile and say thanks.

Before the chance is gone.