Dear Editor,
This might be a topic that is out of season, but in light of the up-coming election season, I would like to reignite the "Snowmobile Trail Grooming" issue as a means of bringing to light the treatment we as taxpayers are getting from our elected representatives.
In mid-April last year I wrote MHA Terry French requesting information as to the financial activities of the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation. On March 1 I wrote again asking for the same information. Again on March 8 I wrote, and was this time informed that I would get a reply with a few weeks. On August 29 I wrote Mr. French again reminding him that I was still alive and that I still wanted answers to my questions. He replied that he had the answers drafted in a letter to me and he would check it out and see what happened. I haven't heard from him since.
While I am not a politically active person I do keep my ear to the ground as to the activities of government around the province. I would like to remind the citizens of the province of the type of treatment you can expect to receive if you feel you need to debate a decision of government with a government minister:
1. Minister Kennedy during the Air Ambulance debate did not and would not consult with the people most affected by the decision to move the Air Ambulance from St. Anthony to Goose Bay. That issue is in court.
2. Minister Kennedy refused to meet with pharmacists on the changes to the drug plan. That issue is in court.
3. Personal Care Home Owners were repeatedly refused meetings with government.
4. I have heard of numerous complaints on the Open Line shows of other ministers who fail to meet their obligations to the public by refusing to meet with, or reply to citizens who object to decisions made by government. I'm not naive enough to think that all of these people have valid complaints, but, on the other hand, I am sure some of them are speaking the truth.
I have to wonder whether or not this administration is lofty enough within themselves to believe that they are not accountable to the people or they feel that we the people don't deserve an answer to our concerns. I don't know if they realize it or not so they might stand to be reminded that a lot of them were elected on Danny's coat-tails. As long as Danny was in charge everything was humming along just fine but it appears now they've been cut loose to fend for themselves, a lot of them are not very impressive representatives of the people.
I am still expecting a reply Mr. French, actually now that this letter is being published, I'm expecting it more now than ever before.
Again, respectfully submitted,
Dwayne Cull
St. Anthony
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