Well, of course I went, and of course I offered a question regarding dwindling rural population along with a gentle pry for a strategy to combat it, although I think a couple of them just didn't get it. Maybe that was my fault, but I digress. Hey, I even bought a membership and registered for the convention! But mostly, I did exactly what I planned on doing...I listened intently to what each of the candidates had to say. Many of the answers I heard, I liked, some I didn't like. There were even a couple that I thought were a ...

The new roundabout, according to The Guardian newspaper, "has been a big hit with motorists" and city officials say city businesses are telling them they "wouldn't mind seeing more of them pop up around the city" ("Belvedere roundabout gets finishing touches" Aug' 13 Guardian). Uh oh... these things aren't cheap, but can speed up traffic when used properly. Trouble is, many Island motorists see a stop sign and think "yield sign". They see a yield sign and think it means "give 'er!". Take the new roundabout on Mt. Edward Rd. Drivers are supposed to take turns at the yield signs, similar to ...

Parking in Charlottetown has never been great, but I think most people will agree that there are a few more metered spots available in the downtown core now than before the big crackdown on all-day parking. The thing is, where did all those cars go? Sure, some went to the parkades, but downtown workers have complained that there weren’t many vacancies in them. Some probably went a little further out, to the two-hour spots (or no time-limit sports) not quite downtown. But with complaints I’ve heard from provincial civil servants, I’m guessing a lot of them migrated to the large provincial building ...

This week I had my first experience at an Island Regulatory And Appeals Commission (IRAC) hearing. In it, were 14 people dressed in nice suits discussing the possibility of adding 2 new gas stations to Stratford. These 14 people impact whether the third largest town on PEI can handle 2 new gas stations for a total of 3 retail outlets. The hearings have been going on for 10 days now for at least 7 hours a day. That's a whooping 70 hours per person in these hearings. Multiple that number by 14 people and they've clocked in over 980 hours. ...

I received this note yesterday and ask that if you are a foodie, as I am, then consider nominating your favorite PEI chef who you feel has been promoting local growers and producers.  I nominated my client and friend, Chef Stephen Hunter of the Victoria Village Inn, and he won first place last year!!  He is an amazing chef and takes great care and pride in buying the majority of his ingredients for his 2 diamond restaurant from local farmers and fishermen.   ...

This week in O’Leary, our overlords within the Shaw Building opened a new healthcare clinic. Let’s be clear, this step from ‘hospital’ to ‘clinic’ is being billed by the Minister of Voids and Vacuums, Carolyn Bertram, and the Premier, as a step toward the future of healthcare in Prince Edward Island. I guess that’s true enough, especially given the fact that under this government, the future holds little hope for healthcare services in rural PEI. The words of the Premier spell it out, albeit in a poorly masked code... ”that similar population sizes in the province have equitable access to primary health care ...

I wonder how the brain trust in the Department of Tourism will quantify the value of Regis Philban literally turning his nose up at Island shellfish.  The co-host of America's 23rd highest rated syndicated show will be on the Island in a couple of weeks, courtesy of Island taxpayers. We're spending a million bucks in the dilusional belief that having Regis and Kelly film four shows here will some how help tourism. Part of government's justification is the opportunity to promote Island seafood. Maybe PEI Tourism should have asked Regis if he likes it before committing a cool million. If they had ...

I was brought up in a house full of conversationalists - prolific, engaging, worldly people who, by their very nature, are compelled to draw out from anyone in an exchange of conversation, a common interest.  Although it wasn't necessarily in my genetic make-up (because I am adopted) to possess what I consider to be such a wonderful trait, it became inherent in me by nurture and subsequently a learned behavior that is being magnified through the use of social media. ...

 Stylin’ with Buell Designs Shorts Written by Billie-Jane Buell Ready or not here I come- “Shorts Season!” What do shorts have to offer us this fine 2010 summer?  Ladies before gentlemen- We are all familiar with the usual suspects-             ...

 After reading Rob Paterson’s blog yesterday about the lack of jobs on PEI on for young people, it reminded me of my recent trip to Indonesia and touring the International School where my brother and sister-in-law teach. To say that I was a bit jealous of the facilities and resources available to the students of JIS is fairly accurate, however, it was more so of a wake-up call to what can be available to children, educators and parents if only they KNEW of the resources that are available. ...