Cornwall Bridge - What's Up With Dat??

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.