I think a lot of people would agree with you, Ron. 

The situation with Vale Inco certainly has taken a bad turn considering how nice things were going when they first bought the company. I guess the government didn't do their homework to find out what the downside would be. Right now, I don't even know if the government can do anything, legally. They are not just taking on any old "company". It is a company that is ultimately owned by the Government of Brazil. How do you deal with that kind of pressure when a whole country like Brazil that has unlimited resources and perhaps the support of the global economic community behind them?

I think it is disgusting that the Bank of Montreal in Val Caron was robbed on Friday, January 22, 2010 in the middle of the afternoon by two masked men. 

How are employees ever going to feel safe about going to work anymore when this kind of thing could happen at any time of day and in broad daylight? 

Your concerns are well-founded, Norm, but we cannot live our lives in fear just because of a couple of bullies who have no respect for the law. 

The fact is that we never know where danger is going to come from. It is all around and could come from the least expected places. There are many people in society today who feel that they are being forced into a life of crime because of their circumstances. They get themselves into a way of life that involves violence, crime and disrespect and they simply fall into a pattern which they feel is much safer than trying to become a responsible member of society. The only way to fend off bullies is to show them that they cannot make us live in fear. We must simply continue to live our lives in a way which is acceptable and contribute in a positive way to our community. 

EDITOR'S RESPONSE…

Thank you for your questions, Natalie. I have gone on record in the past as supporting the development of the Barrydowne extension. That being said, I also realize that the process of planning the road, holding public meetings and convincing City Councillors to vote to make this a top priority project will be long and drawn out. Once we convince City Council to put aside the $10 million to $15 million dollars that will be our share of the costs of constructing this road, we then have to make a case to the Provincial and Federal governments for them to fund the remaining 2/3 of the construction cost. Even before we apply for the funding, we have to expand the infrastructure in Hanmer to support the development of new houses and apartments that will result from such a highway. This means more money to upgrade the sewer and water system in the area. It will take a few years to get this upgrading in place and I am sure that the Provincial and Federal governments will not give money for a highway until the infrastructure is in place to support the projected growth. One of the greatest obstacles to the Barrydowne Extension is the Maley Drive Extension which has already been approved by the City but for which funding has not been approved yet from the other two levels of government.

Because of all of the above, I am convinced that it will take a good 8 to 10 years before the infrastructure is in place in Hanmer, the City Councillors are convinced to move the project to the highest priority, the local money has been set aside to build the road, and the Provincial and Federal governments approve the funding. Construction will then take another five years to complete. 

Therefore, with perhaps up to 15 years before we can realistically expect this highway to be complete, I really do not think the Barrydowne Extension will be a threat to any of the businesses in Valley East . In fact, the resulting increase in population will greatly benefit the businesses in the Valley and we should even see more businesses being established. Unfortunately, anyone who thinks that we can "fast-track" the Barrydowne Extension is living in a dream world and must come back to reality. Personally, I would love to see it in place tomorrow. But I just know that won't happen. All we can do is continue to do whatever we can in the background to get the project in a better position so it can be moved forward as soon as possible. As soon as possible, however, won't likely be for well over 10 and closer to 15 years.

Submitted by A Hockey Mom:

 "As a mother with two boys in competitive hockey, I have now learned a few of the rules and enjoy watching my kids play.  I am one of those parents who cheers loudly.  I am only positive and compliment good plays and often yell go go go to all of our players!   Although I sometimes yell keep it clean when I see players both ours or opposing team being unsportsmanlike or checking from behind.  My oldest is in Major Atom so there is no checking till next year.  My oldest has played competitive for the last three years.   Last year we won our division and made it to the semis in the Championship. His team this year did not fair well in regular season and we are last in the playoff list.  Both the kids and parents are becoming more and more frustrated and disappointed.  There is only so many times a parent can share the sunning side of a loss before your own child states his own disappointment.

   Our coach had a parent meeting at the beginning of the year and claimed that if we had questions or concerns he had an “open door policy”.  I recently took advantage of this policy and emailed him with a question concerning one of our goalies.

   I thought the proper protocol would be to ask the coach to address my concern regarding the goalie.  I also asked what the competitive hockey playoffs rules are regarding shortening lines and benching goalies.  He used to be a house league coach and became a competitive coach only this year.  It appears that he gives equal ice time yet at the beginning of the year he claimed not all kids would play equally because it was a competitive team and the objective was to win.   

   This coach asked me to attend a meeting with the other three coaches to address my concerns. I was mortified!!   He chose to get the other coaches involved in something that I thought would remain confidential. Also if he had a problem with it he could of simply picked up the phone and spoke to me directly.  

   I guess my question is was I wrong to ask these simple questions??   I replied to him and said I was not interested in participating in a reprimand type of meeting and told him I would just refrain from asking any more questions.  I have not heard a reply. 

   I look forward to your thoughts or insight.  

EDITOR'S RESPONSE…

Dear Hockey Mom:

If you are going to remain in competitive hockey, unfortunately you are going to have to deal with team politics as well as organization politics. The only way to beat them is to "join" them. I think you should look at a meeting with the coaching staff as an opportunity to influence the "coaching team". It is possible, based on what little that I know about your situation, that the "coach" was actually reaching out to you for support. He could have easily dealt with the matter himself, but if he is actually being "outnumbered" by the other coaches, your opinions may have given him the support he needed to change the policy of the team. I suggest that may be one of the reasons why he called you in to meet with the whole staff instead of meeting you on his own. 

Think about it for a moment. If he was going to agree with your position, he would then have to convince the other three coaches to change their way as well, so it would make sense for them to hear what you had to say so that he would not have to "translate" for them.

If on the other hand he was going to oppose your position, and if he thought he would have the support of the rest of the coaching staff, he may have wanted to have their support to back him up. However, from all of my years of experience, I can honestly say that if you had a chance to present your case to four "4" coaches, you would find "at least" one, and perhaps "two" assistant coaches who would be more inclined to agree with you. By you coming out with the concerns, they might then have the courage to speak up against the "head coach" and the other assistants.

Realistically, no coaching staff is all on the same page when it comes to coaching philosopy. The assistants are usually going to follow what the head coach says. If the coach was truly in charge, his best move would have been to meet with you one on one and then pacify you by saying that he would bring it up with the rest of the staff. That is why I tend to think he was "one against three" and was bringing you in for support so that he could change the minds of the other assistant coaches. After all, he was from the house-league before. He may not know the way of "competitive" hockey.

In any event, you have nothing to lose by going to the meeting and stating your opinion about how the team should be run or to question the coaching philosophy. Put them on the spot and make them justify their positions.  After all, it is a competitive team, not a house league team. You may not be any further ahead, but you won't be any further behind either. Just be civil and if possible bring in another person with you who also feels the same. After all is said and done, it is almost the end of the season so it really isn't going to change much. But it will make you feel good and it will demonstrate to the four coaches that they will be held accountable for their actions, at least by one mother.

Another suggestion I would make is that you put your name up for election to the Board of Directors for next season. The best way to initiate positive changes is to be part of the decision-making team.

Good luck.