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| MP Ted Menzies addresses Canada Day Crowd Behind him, Mayor Ernie Olsen and Reeve Bjorn Berg C. Davis photos |
Macleod MP/Federal Finance Minister Ted Menzies was one of the guest speakers at Pincher Creek's Canada Day celebrations, held earlier today at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. Born and raised in Claresholm, where he also farmed for 30 years with his wife Sandy and their two children, Menzies spoke to the crowd assembled about the recent flooding that has had such a devastating effect on areas of southern Alberta.
"It's been a very interesting and challenging week for the people in south western Alberta," he said. "Forgive me if I dwell on that for a few moments. This country is 146 years old today, but it came together in the last twelve days."
"I have never seen community come together so strongly as I have seen in these last 12 days. Forgive me, it may be 13, I've actually lost track. I have seen communities and families devastated. I know that some people say down here we dodged a bullet."
"But we've got some sad, sad stories. We've got people that won't even be able to see the inside of their home for 5 to 7 weeks in High River. You all know the distance between Turner Valley and Black Diamond. It's a three minute drive. It now takes two and a half hours to get from Turner Valley to Black Diamond."
We have bridges out that have lasted and been there for years. We have communities cut off. We have communities that have no cell phone service, no landline service, and no power, no internet. They couldn't even call out for help."
"I still worry that some of these ranchers way out there, we haven't even contacted them yet."
"It's troubling. It's been a real struggle."
"Our first responders, they need to be thanked. They were incredible. They put their lives at risk to help get people out. We NEVER should forget those people."
The applause following that statement was considerable and heartfelt.
"I gained a whole new respect," Menzies continued, "Not that I didn't respect our RCMP, our Provincial Sheriffs, you folks have been incredible. I have spoken to RCMP Officers all the way from Lloydminster to Peace River that came down to help, to pitch in, to help protect the property that was at jeopardy. Thank you, and please pass that on to your leadership. Thank you for all of your efforts."
"Our first responders were there tirelessly, day and night, helping these people."
"So if we celebrate nothing more today than a strong country, a strong community, remember that in a disaster like this, it's brought us together. It's brought people out with buckets and mops and shovels, helping people they don't even know."
"That's my Canada. Happy Canada Day."
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| Canada Day 2013, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village |
Macleod MP Ted Menzies to step down from federal politics in 2015
Missing in Action
ReplyDeleteTed Menzies
Yesterday, our local MP Ted Menzies finally made an appearance and speech at the Pincher Creek Canada Day Celebrations after being missing in action since June 20th when the floods began, as people literally died by way of drowning in his riding, where most communities were seriously impacted with High River being the worst.
Local MLA Pat Stier made every effort possible in touring those communities hit by the floods. From what I understand he was tireless in meeting with people and doing everything he could to help in whatever way he could. Kudos go out to MLA Pat Stier!
On the other hand our federal MP was no where to be found until yesterday when waving from the confines and safety of his car as he drove in the parade followed by a blowhard speech that did little to nothing to convey he had any actual first hand experience with what people in his riding had and were still going through. That's because he didn't. He hadn't been on hand to tour with the Prime Minister when he was here, or our premier, or even with our local MLA. He was missing in action! This elitist MP couldn't be bothered getting his hands dirty or his feet wet, and in not doing so sent a clear message to voters in his riding how little he really relates or cares with respect to to their hardships and suffering. Which has been quite clear to me for some time as our riding has little to show for his years as our man in Ottawa, except for the big bills we get charged and must pay for for the privilege of having him and his kind serve us, year after year.
http://blog.johnprince.ca/2013/07/letter-to-editormissing-in-action.html