Some things never change.
I don’t have much of a garden, mostly weeds, but there are raspberries and peas. Berries and peas were always a favourite with my boys when they were small. I have a picture of S#2 in the garden picking — and eating — peas for his breakfast. The current batch of little ones also go for the berries and peas. They scarf down the berries but they seem to like opening the pea pods as much as they do eating the contents.
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Liberal leader Justin Trudeau is getting slammed for speaking out on the issue of legalizing marijuana. I’d like those critics to explain in a way that makes sense what makes drugs such as tobacco and booze good while marijuana is bad?
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The last time around I attended all but one of the Prosperity Mine panel hearings held in Williams Lake, and followed the rest on the Internet. This time I’ve gone to two; July 25, a general hearing that covered many issues, and July 27, the all-important geology and hydro geology section. It featured duelling experts.
July 25 saw new presenters, different words to the song, but it’s still the jobs/economy people versus the folks with environmental, social, First Nations concerns, and a different reading of the economy. The one difference this time is that the Harper government has a majority.
I probably won’t attend any more sessions. I’m truly interested but the chairs provided in the Gibraltar Room are designed for younger bottoms and backs than mine.
Question: Are our municipal leaders exaggerating the dire state of the Cariboo economy? Is it really so bad? The lumber industry is far from dead. Ditto for ranching, mining, tourism etc. There are “hiring” signs in downtown windows and the newspaper’s help wanted ads offer a wide variety of opportunities. Are we not holding our own?
Diana French is a freelance columnist for the Tribune. She is a former Tribune editor, retired teacher, historian, and book author.
