Some time ago, the PC Voice published my letter in which I applauded our newly elected MP, Pat Stier, for openly communicating with the electorate . I had several conversations with him using his Facebook page. Then he published his goals for the upcoming legislative session:
* The Police Training Facility in Fort Macleod
* Seniors lodges
* The Water Co-Op Funding & Licensing
* South Saskatchewan Regional Plan
* Calgary Metropolitan Plan
* Bill 202 (Amending Public lands Act)
* Alberta Land Stewardship Act
* Logging
* Windpower
* Proposed Power Transmission Lines
After some time, I asked him to report on the progress he was making relative to the above. After some time, he reported that he had had some meetings on a few of the subjects. When I responded, that I felt meetings were not the same as progress, things changed. He was far less open to communicating with me. The end came, when I told him, he should be looking after the PC fellow who was having problems with WCB at Christmas time instead of letting David Swann do his heavy lifting. I am now blocked from Pat's FaceBook page and he doesn't respond to my emails asking him to explain.
The PC Voice has published a few of my comments. Last week, I expressed my opinion around the Chief Spence hunger strike, Canada's involvement in Mali, and Alison Redford's state of the province address. The Voice refused to publish.
Now there are two reasons one gets blocked from these forums. The first is that those in control disagree with the opinions expressed (censorship), the second is that the writer uses inappropriate language. Now in my posting to Pat Stier, I did call David Swann a 'useless SOB' and in my letter to the Voice, I did accuse Chief Spence of trying to commit Soup-icide. However, I feel in both cases I was censored because of disagreement with the opinion expressed and the colorful language gave them and excuse. If I write again, I will be much more careful with my words.
It's possible Mr. Stier doesn't manage his own facebook account. You should ask him if you're lucky enough to spot him in the constituency.
ReplyDeleteSo the Wildrose isn't right wing enough for you and the Pincher Creek Voice isn't either, I guess. Good luck with that.
ReplyDeleteI believe that all MLA's are there for us no matter what party they belong to. It is great that people are writing letters expressing concerns. But anyone whether an MLA or not appreciates a good professional conversation and for the most part MLA's are very busy to manage their own FB page as they may have done at some time before becoming an MLA. That being said on my FB page if someone is calling others names and being derogatory in any way it is up to me and my level of tolerance as it is with the Voice or anyone else for that matter. The switch to the tv is in our hands. When a conversation degrades to the point of name calling than why should anyone have to listen to it or even print it or put up with it. Hopefully you will be able to get over your feeling of being ignored as it is probably not that way at all but as you said your wording needs to improve in order to carry on an intelligent conversation with others as we all know you are capable of. Thank you for having the courage to write letters and express concerns. Out of thousands of letters sent to editors of various papers only a small percentage is printed at any one time. Keep hanging in there and keep writing to express your concerns as you have done this time and as you mjay notice this letter was published expressing your concerns. Oh here is the contact information that I looked up on the Internet for you in case you happen to be in Nanton one day when MLA Pat Stier's office is open or you could probably call ahead and make an appointment that would probably work as well. When one wants to accomplish a goal there are many doors to choose from and if those doors seem closed than there are many more windows letting the light in.
ReplyDeletePat Stier
Wildrose Member of the Legislative Assembly for Livingstone-MacLeod
Street Address
Suite A, 2019 20 AVE.
Highway #2 North
Nanton, Alberta
Mailing Address
Box 1209
Nanton
Alberta
T0L 1R0
Canada
livingstone.macleod.pr@gmail.com
1-800-565-0962
1-403-646-6250
1-403-646-6257 or 1-403-646-6256
http://www.patstier.com
Hey folks, our Office is Officially Open! Location, phone numbers and mailing address are all updated, thank you for your patience.
Monday 8:30-4:30, Tuesday 8:30-5:30, Wednesday 8:30-5:30, Thursday 1:00- 5:30, Friday 1:00-5:30. Closed Saturday and Sunday and Statutory Holidays. Thanks!
~source
http://www.patstier.com/contact
Hope that helps adress your conerns to be able to contact MLA's in the Alberta Legislature.
Have a great day and keep on writing as time passes we can only improve or fade away in obscurity by doing nothing.