The family from Mabou caught smoking on a Sunwing flight from Halifax to the Dominican Republic were fined in a Bermuda court yesterday but the MacNeil's may have a bigger problem on their hands. Sunwing says it plans to sue the family to recover costs that could total as much as $50,000 after the flight was diverted to make an emergency landing in Bermuda Friday. 54 year old David MacNeil pleaded guilty to behaving in a disorderly manner and using abusive words while his 52 year old wife Donna pleaded guilty to disobeying lawful commands. Both were fined $500 or 10 days in jail. There's no excuse for their behaviour. They disrupted an airline flight and cost the company money. The MacNeil's deserve whatever Sunwing can throw at them.
A group's been formed with the aim of seeing power rates lower in the province. Calling themselves the Lower Power Rate Alliance, the group is calling for a better look at alternatives to the Muskrat Falls Hydro project like wind, natural gas and hydroelectric power from Quebec. They've set up a website, www.lowerpowerrates.ca and hope to become a voice for both residential and business power consumers. Considering we're getting most of our information about Muskrat Falls and the Martime Link from the company directly involved in the project, Emera, their voice will be welcomed as the debate heats up heading into hearings by the Utility and Review Board.
Have you tried to find a parking spot downtown lately? Parking in the downtown core has always been a issue, but with work underway on the new convention centre it's even worse these days. Parking restrictions over the past couple of weeks have seen no parking along parts of Argyule, Sackville, Market, Prince and Grafton Streets. There's some grumbling about lost business, but those affected believe the convention centre is critical to the downtown and they're willing to put up with the restrictions. We'll see how they feel come the summer months when business picks up and there's still no parking.
Yesterday saw the end of the penny. The Royal Canadian Mint stopped distributing the one cent coin Monday. The penny was killed for financial reasons. It cost 1.6 cents to make each one cent coin. Some businesses are already cashing in with collectors. You can now buy a roll of 2012 pennies, a 50 cent value, for $6.95 at Citadel Coins. Owner Gerard Feehan says they could be worth 50 cents to a dollar each someday. And now there's talk about getting rid of the nickle. A dime for your thought?
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
