The MacNeils of Mabou are on their way home. The family flew out of Bermuda yesterday to return to Canada after their Dominican vacation was cut short because of an incident on the plane ride from Halifax. The aircraft was diverted to Bermuda amid accusations the MacNeils were smoking on board and were being abusive to the crew. 54 year old David MacNeil pleaded guilty to behaving in a disorderly manner and using abusive language. His 52 year old wife Darlene pleaded guilty to disobeying lawful commands. Both were fined $5000. Darlene MacNeil tells CBC News they will tell their side of the story but first the family wants to return home. I can't wait to hear how they explain their actions, afterall smoking has been banned on airplanes for over two decades now and residents of Mabou say David MacNeil's a regular air travellor so he knows the rules. Stay tuned.
Sunwing does plan to sue the MacNeils to recover their costs after the plane was diverted to Bermuda. Those costs are now estimated to exceed $50,000. CBC also reports UN figures indicate there's been nearly a 700% increase in air rage incidents in recent years. Another reason I don't like to fly.
Dalhousie and Saint Mary's universities are teaming up to build a new two-pad arena. Dal tore down its rink last year rather than spend millions to fix it. The men's hockey team plays out of the Forum now as do the SMU Huskies. The two schools are looking at a property on South Street. They've asked the province for a million dollars to cover design work, part of a 10 million dollar request for the project. The city's being asked for a $7 million contribution toward the $30 million estimated cost of the project. Joining forces would seem to give the project a better chance of success, but so far neither the province nor the city have committed to the new rink.
CTV's supper hour news last evening reported the city issued over 100 warning tickets yesterday to residents who hadn't yet shovelled off their sidewalks after the latest storm. It gives them 24 hours to get the job done or city crews will do it for them and they'll be billed for the work. But what about city-owned sidewalks and pathways. Resident Chris Poulain told my News 95.7 radio show yesterday afternoon he came across an elderly woman who'd fallen on an icy city pathway Monday afternoon and couldn't get up. He helped her, then called the city only to be told they were focusing their efforts on city streets and roads and would get around to the sidewalks and pathways later. Poulain says that's simply not acceptable and suggests the city's inaction is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
