If they stole our money we should have the ability to get it back. So says the Canadian Taxpayers Federation's Kevin Lacey who says if Russell MacKinnon or any other convicted politician stole our money we should be able to recoup those loses from their very rich MLA pensions. Right now the law prevents those penions from being touched in any way. While Lacey's bang on with his call, unfortunately in the MacKinnon case the money has already been paid back, sort of. MacKinnon returned the money, nearly $11,000, to the people who were actually owed it but never received it, members of his staff. Disgraced Tory Richard Hurlburt paid back taxpayers over $25,000 and ex-Liberal David Wilson was ordered by the court to pay restitution for the over $61,000 he scammed from the taxpayers. Independent MLA Trevor Zinck, the last of the four charged in the MLA expenses scandal, goes to trial in June.
There is some anger over the sentence handed out to Russell MacKinnon after his guilty plea Friday to a charge of breach of trust. The remaining charges were dropped. MacKinnon was given 4 months house arrest followed by a 4 month 9pm-6am curfew. Many thought he should have received some jail time. Both the Herald's opinion column Saturday and Metro Halifax's Stephen Kimber yesterday felt jail time was deserved in this case. David Wilson has been the only one of the three ex-politicians convicted to serve a prison sentence. He was given 9 months in jail and is now out on probation.
We've all been shocked lately by our power bills. For some people paying the cost of power is a real struggle. CTV's supper hour news last evening told us the story of a Sydney woman's struggle with the cost of electricity. Arlene MacIntyre pretty much lives in her apartment living room, the only room she can afford to keep warm. A YouTube video about her struggle has now had over 8,000 hits. Shot by one-time Liberal candidate Patrick Doyle, who insists this isn't a political video, it is critical of the Dexter government's power policies including Muskrat Falls. But Arlene insists it is her story. "I want government to listen," she says. "They're not listening."
A dress code at the Canada Games Centre means no more short shorts or slinky tops. The rules were posted at the facility recently warning folks if their shorts are too short they'll be asked to changes. Shorts must be mid-thigh or longer while shirts have to cover the upper body. Apparently some provincial volleyball championships are scheduled for the facility. Wonder if those rules will be in force for that event?
Did you see the front page of the Globe and Mail yesterday? Oops. It featured a colour photo of 17 year old Kaetlyn Osmond, Canada's young phenom figure skater who in her first world championship finished 8th. "A leg up.." says the caption over Kaetlyn's photo, her leg kicked high in the air in a rather revealing crotch shot. She apparently tweeted she didn't mind the photo but the Globe and Mail's apologizing, saying the picture was rather inappropriate.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
