Wasn't that a weekend. I spent much of it digging out from the 30 cm's or more of snow that fell Friday night through Saturday. Up to 50 cm's fell in some areas of the province, Debert recorded 66 cm's. On top of the snow we had wind gusts of 150 km/h or more. The south shore reported gusts of over 169, something you'd see in a category 2 hurricane. A storm surge also resulted in some damage along the south shore, especially in the Liverpool and Shelburne areas. It wasn't White Juan, but it was bad enough. And there's more wicked weather coming, this time rain. Up to 30 mm's is forecast tomorrow that could result in flooding issues in some areas. Don't you just love winter?
Halifax police chief Jean Michel Blais will present his first budget to council's police commission today and it could include job cuts. There's talk of 20 beat cops getting the axe along with 4 senior officers and as many as 8 civilian workers. Those are the possibilities if the chief hold's the line at last year's 70 million dollar budget, however. another scenario could see the chief simply ask council for more money. Job cuts could lead to a fight with the union representing the rank and file, indeed a large number are expected to show up at today's police commission meeting. It should be an interesting session.
2 teens will be in court today after Thursday afternoon's scary incident onboard a Metro Transit bus. The two young men and a teenage girl got into a scrap when one of the teens hauled out a gun and fired. Fortunately no one was hurt. Police later arrested a 16 year old boy who faces charges including discharging a gun with intent to endanger a life. An 18 year old, John David Marsh, faces charges of assault and causing a disturbance. Back in my day disputes were settled with fists. These days they resort to guns. Very scary.
The MacNeil's of Mabou haven't spoken publicly yet, but a lawyer for the family is denying accusations they were smoking on a Sunwing Airlines flight that was diverted to Bermuda last Friday. The statement says, "At no point did any member of the MacNeil family smoke on the airplane," suggesting there's been a great deal of "misinformation" about the family's actions that prompted the emergency landing and charges against them. No member of the family was actually convicted of smoking. One passenger on the jet says the MacNeil's showed no consideration for the rules after the plane took off and described the flight as "a trip to hell." I can't wait to hear the MacNeil's side of the story.
Questions are now being asked about yet another senator's living arrangements. Senators are required to be residents of the province they represent. Now Pamela Wallin's claims she's a resident of Saskatchewan are being challenged. Similar accusations have been made against fellow Conservative senators Mike Duffy and Patrick Brezeau and Liberal Mac Harb. Wallin was appointed senator for Saskatchewan even though she hasn't lived in that province for decades. If these senators are flaunting the law, or even the spirit of the law, they must face the music and pay back the money received or even get booted from the senate.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
