In Search of a Leader and Hope

(During the Ukrainian Parliamentary Elections in 2012 I served as Long Term Observer for two months.  I was also given the privilege of acting as group leader for the immediate election.  These are members of my four teams and their translator and drivers.) I have just completed an assignment as an international observer in the […]

Peace – What price Tag?

My niece recently introduced me to the government’s Arts and Letters Awards competition and its various opportunities for artists.  It is an excellent source for artists and writers to share their work.  The theme of this year’s essay contest is the “Promotion of Peace and Harmony in the World: Does Peace have a Price Tag?  […]

Restoring Trust – the greatest challenge

As the second decade of the 21st century begins a universal mistrust appears to be the greatest challenge facing humankind.  A global social deficit, it is not limited to any political philosophy or religious belief.  Indeed, it appears to be approaching endemic proportions, transcending all levels of governments, religions and institutions; despite their assertions of […]

Cut Adrift – Changing our fate

We continually hear about the ways and means that Newfoundland an Labrador is ill treated by the feds, other provinces, of our lack of ability to get just rewards for our resources, the lack of concern for our near dead fishery and about each new tactic that will curtail development of our vast hydro potential.  […]

Lost in Time-looking back

(The picture is the house referred to in this article. I purchased it in 1979 as a summer house.   I started a new house in 2010 – this one will be relocated by someone else and utilized as a  B&B) Much of my time over the past few months has been spent living in […]

Motivating and Engaging People – a development necessity

(Participants at a CED workshop on the Lower North Shore in Quebec – rural remote communities along the coast without a road network) At a recent working session in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland entitled “Bonne Bay a Treasure and a Resource” there was much discussion on the way forward for Bonne Bay in light of it […]

Bonne Bay fishery – deja vu

It appears from what you read, hear and see that humanity is on a path of self destruction intent on destroying the very environment that allows life to sustain itself.  This was most evident these past few weeks in BonneBay. Most nights presented a light spectacle that would rival the glow of some of the […]

Renewing Democratic Governance-a societal imperative

The recent trials of elected government representatives (MHA’s) inNewfoundlandover the abuse of funding allowances are symptomatic of a broader issue that appears prevalent in many democratic countries.  Funding abuse within governments was expected in less democratic countries, but today it appears wide spread in democracies as well.  It is, perhaps, part of the cultural shift […]

Rebuilding a Culture of Responsibility

Preamble: In a recent article on the sale of the Venture Centre in Pasadena, my main point related to the lack of democratic decision making and the resultant diminishment of good governance.  There has been much speculation on the reason for the sale. One suggestion is that council felt that it wasn’t operating as it […]