So here we are in another week and as I open my daily paper there is that reoccurring, tiring subject rearing its head up again. The issue of the Seaway International Bridge spanning from Cornwall to Cornwall Island to Rooseveltown in the USA. Ever since the day the Canadian Border Guards were issued side-arms, our bridge has gone through several steps...downwards. Now since this past summer there isn't a week that goes by that the bridge subject is not featured on the front page of our local newspaper. It is certainly getting tiring.
After a few outstanding issues were resolved a few years ago, all focus was on the future of the bridge crossing as it was time to replace it with a low level bridge since the empty threat of creating an all Canadian Seaway has long passed. Many citizens believe that all this mess was caused by the Natives of Akwesasne...any who think that certainly are not informed people that's for sure. I have a few friends who are border guards, the responsible respecting ones, not the new young "chip on their shoulders" ones. They gave me an account of why this mess happened and why we have that traffic disaster between St-Hubert's and Harvey's restaurants.
Apparently one resident of Cornwall Island decided he would show up at the Customs house and threatened to run a bulldozer through the building if the guards got their handguns that night. A complaint was made to the guards' union and their rep was advice to abandon the building. In solidaridy the entire staff walked out of the Customs House and have yet to return. It was a very empty threat, everyone knew it, but someone paniced and a decision was made. To me and many others it was a bad one. Apparently not one of the guards wants to go back, but that isn't true at all. It's a select few who don't want to go back and unfortunately the majority who believe otherwise are stuck because a united front must be shown publicly.
And in an odd event, together keeping their communities as partners and maintaining the friendly relations that has exisited here since 1784, the Cornwall Mayor and the Akwesasne Chief are united on the front of finding a solution ASAP. They even have a couple of ideas. Things is, who is listening? Oh we certainly are, us citizens of Cornwall and Cornwall Island, but the ones who count, the ones who can easily fix this problem refuse to listen to the voices of those affected by this problem. The MP for our riding refuses to speak his own mind and take action, to actually do what he was voted in to do....represent the people of SD&G and their concerns on Parliament Hill. Instead he is taking the stance of every other Conservative (REFOOOOOORM!!!!!) Party caucus member and their leader (dictator).....ignore it and either it'll go away or just forget about one stupid crossing since the Ogdnesburg/Prescott one is easier to access. The newest public relations release by the Ministry and our MP is that behind closed doors all personel related to the bridge issue are working hard to a resolution. Ok, so why is it that every municipal political person, the Mayor and Chief as well, are NOT involved? I mean, they are concerned parties in this problem BUT they are on record as saying nothing is being done. Guess what, me and MANY others don't believe you, Mr. MP, concerning those negotiations.
Before I am accused of being a Liberal supporter, let me lay something down at your feet. I don't believe in political parties. Both Liberal and Conservatives have several views that I agree with and both support issues that I don't agree with. I vote for who would best represent my views and will help my community. I could never always support Conservatives nor support Liberals if they are taking up causes that I don't believe in or feel are important.
So what sould solve this dilema? I like the idea of building the new bridge from Power Dam Drive across the Cornwall Canal and St. Lawrence River to Massena Point. As for the American Custims, just build a road with a concrete barrier/fence from the Point around the aluminum plant to the new building. Of course i already heard local politicians saying that is out of the question because we can't divert traffic from Brookdale. OMG, far be it from Cornwall to have more than one street that features hotels and restaurants. That is why the east end is not building up, no one wants to take a stance at building Cornwall as a whole rather than one condensed district. Besides, just make sure that highway 401 still shows Brookdale as the way to the USA and put a sign at Brookdale and 2nd Street saying "Bridge to USA ----->"...problem solved!
Now after all the cloak and dagger, towing the party line, false statements and outrageous complaints....can we PLEASE just solve the problem head on? Arm the guards...oh, they already are as per the law....get them properly trained, have the guards with attitude problems take anger courses or other classes on how to treat people with respect and let's all live in peace. This crossing has been around since 1900 and when the railway first opened it up until 1962 when the original bridge was closed up there was never a problem like there is today. Look at the past and see what worked and do it again. No one seems to learn from history, they just like living the moment or look to the future.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Highway 138 - Damn Lucky I Am Alive
The day started out ok. I woke up and decided to take my family to Ottawa for a surprise. First my wife said she wasn't in the mood, then my son started pulling his usual grumpiness when he is forced to do something. In the end everyone did want to go so we got things together and off we went.
We had just passed a part of Highway 138, just north of St. Andrews West, where the husband of a former high school classsmate of ours was tragically killed in a three vehicle accident. The driver in the wrong survived. I made a comment about how it must be hard for our classmate to go pass that point like we still get a bit of jitters at the corner where we were hit by a drunk driver. Then just a bit north of Bonville, a speeding silver Mazda driven by an women in her 50s attempted to pass me. That's when everyone on the road at that point and time all had heart attacks. Why you say? Here are points on the whys:
#1 - It was a double line, therefore no passing is allowed according to the Highway Traffic Act
#2 - I was travelling at a comfortable 90 kph....yeah, that's 10 over the speed limit BUT the Mazda was going at least 110 for it to quickly come up behind me and then overtake me so quickly.
#3 - We were approaching a small hill in the road, therefore we can't see the oncoming traffic, hence why there was a double line on the road.
#4 - THE BIGGEST reason why we were all nearly crapping bricks....there were a line of 6 oncoming vehicles coming at us with absolutely no time to allow a pass.
It is amazing how in just a few seconds several thoughts went through my head. What the hell was wrong with that stupid broad??!! OMG, I'm going to be in a multi-vehicle accident!!! I'm speeding up so the bitch has to get back behind me before she collides head on to the on-coming traffic!!! Holy crap, she's not slowing down and we're just feet away from the cars!!!! I have to protect my family and do what I can to lessen the accident!! Those poor people coming towards us are doomed!!! I'll get us out of this! All those thoughts went through my brain immediately.
Obviously I survived since I am writing this, but it was damn close to another accident on Highway 138 over a stupid driver. With seconds to spare I watched as the on-coming traffic moved to the shoulder of the road, horns honking as well as my own joining them. The "lady" never showed any signs of regrets of pushing everyone over and almost hitting my front bumper as she shoved her way in front of me. Just before she did I heard a slight bang. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the first car of the on-coming traffic was in the ditch and from I think the last car in the line-up was missing their driver's side mirror. It was rolling down the highway. As I drove, keeping an eye in front of me and looking back quickly over and over, I saw people leaving their vehicles. I think everyone had a load of bricks in their pants.
I took the cellphone out of my coat pocket and handed it to my wife so she could call the Ontario Provincial Police about a possible accident behind us and to report the bitch in front of us. It was disappointing. The dispatcher was no help and my wife was so angry with the conversation that she said we would NEVER call to report a dangerous driver again then hung up. We watched as we continued on to the Highway 417 interchange as the Mazda continued to drive like a maniac, passing several vehicles even once passing in the left hand turning lane at Monkland. Then the gates at the train crossing near the road to Maxville went down. I saw her brakelights and it appeared she was stopping. I think she did....but then she wiggled around the barriers just as a VIA train nearly took out her back bumper, the engine's whistle sounding loud and longer than usual. I kind of wished she was hit as there were no other vehicles in the other lane to be involved in a crash. Last time we caught a good sight of the Mazda was when she suddenly flew into the distance and became a speck on the horizon when we were in front of the transport truck inspection station on Highway 417. No OPP vehicles in view and I did not see her pulled to the side by one between that point and Ottawa.
I blogged about it before, but after that experience I just had to speak up again. It is absolutely crazy that a person like that could even fanthom driving in such a manner. I was apalled, angry and ready to overtake the broad and throw one of our juice bottles at her car, but that would make me no better than her.
There needs to be more police presence on Highway 138 and people need to stop flashing their brights to other drivers after they pass cop doing speed checks so to warn them. it;s behaviour like that which is making our roads unsafe. If any of you think otherwise, go read my last blog about this issue. I am sure my recount of a dead baby in the car from an accident cause by recklessness will make you rethink your driving habits.
So yeah, I am kissing the ground I walk on. I am praying to God and thanking Him and whatever guarding Angel has been by my side several times in my life, especially then for protecting my family and other drivers.
We had just passed a part of Highway 138, just north of St. Andrews West, where the husband of a former high school classsmate of ours was tragically killed in a three vehicle accident. The driver in the wrong survived. I made a comment about how it must be hard for our classmate to go pass that point like we still get a bit of jitters at the corner where we were hit by a drunk driver. Then just a bit north of Bonville, a speeding silver Mazda driven by an women in her 50s attempted to pass me. That's when everyone on the road at that point and time all had heart attacks. Why you say? Here are points on the whys:
#1 - It was a double line, therefore no passing is allowed according to the Highway Traffic Act
#2 - I was travelling at a comfortable 90 kph....yeah, that's 10 over the speed limit BUT the Mazda was going at least 110 for it to quickly come up behind me and then overtake me so quickly.
#3 - We were approaching a small hill in the road, therefore we can't see the oncoming traffic, hence why there was a double line on the road.
#4 - THE BIGGEST reason why we were all nearly crapping bricks....there were a line of 6 oncoming vehicles coming at us with absolutely no time to allow a pass.
It is amazing how in just a few seconds several thoughts went through my head. What the hell was wrong with that stupid broad??!! OMG, I'm going to be in a multi-vehicle accident!!! I'm speeding up so the bitch has to get back behind me before she collides head on to the on-coming traffic!!! Holy crap, she's not slowing down and we're just feet away from the cars!!!! I have to protect my family and do what I can to lessen the accident!! Those poor people coming towards us are doomed!!! I'll get us out of this! All those thoughts went through my brain immediately.
Obviously I survived since I am writing this, but it was damn close to another accident on Highway 138 over a stupid driver. With seconds to spare I watched as the on-coming traffic moved to the shoulder of the road, horns honking as well as my own joining them. The "lady" never showed any signs of regrets of pushing everyone over and almost hitting my front bumper as she shoved her way in front of me. Just before she did I heard a slight bang. I looked in my rear-view mirror and saw the first car of the on-coming traffic was in the ditch and from I think the last car in the line-up was missing their driver's side mirror. It was rolling down the highway. As I drove, keeping an eye in front of me and looking back quickly over and over, I saw people leaving their vehicles. I think everyone had a load of bricks in their pants.
I took the cellphone out of my coat pocket and handed it to my wife so she could call the Ontario Provincial Police about a possible accident behind us and to report the bitch in front of us. It was disappointing. The dispatcher was no help and my wife was so angry with the conversation that she said we would NEVER call to report a dangerous driver again then hung up. We watched as we continued on to the Highway 417 interchange as the Mazda continued to drive like a maniac, passing several vehicles even once passing in the left hand turning lane at Monkland. Then the gates at the train crossing near the road to Maxville went down. I saw her brakelights and it appeared she was stopping. I think she did....but then she wiggled around the barriers just as a VIA train nearly took out her back bumper, the engine's whistle sounding loud and longer than usual. I kind of wished she was hit as there were no other vehicles in the other lane to be involved in a crash. Last time we caught a good sight of the Mazda was when she suddenly flew into the distance and became a speck on the horizon when we were in front of the transport truck inspection station on Highway 417. No OPP vehicles in view and I did not see her pulled to the side by one between that point and Ottawa.
I blogged about it before, but after that experience I just had to speak up again. It is absolutely crazy that a person like that could even fanthom driving in such a manner. I was apalled, angry and ready to overtake the broad and throw one of our juice bottles at her car, but that would make me no better than her.
There needs to be more police presence on Highway 138 and people need to stop flashing their brights to other drivers after they pass cop doing speed checks so to warn them. it;s behaviour like that which is making our roads unsafe. If any of you think otherwise, go read my last blog about this issue. I am sure my recount of a dead baby in the car from an accident cause by recklessness will make you rethink your driving habits.
So yeah, I am kissing the ground I walk on. I am praying to God and thanking Him and whatever guarding Angel has been by my side several times in my life, especially then for protecting my family and other drivers.
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