Members of the provincial government met with the citizens of Placentia in early March to tell them about government’s plans for the Sir Ambrose Shea lift bridge, and to provide a timeline for the work that would be done. They also explained the need for restrictions on the bridge, where weight is now limited to 13 tonnes, because of work that needs to be done to bring the bridge back up to it’s normal status.
One important thing Ministers Hedderson and Collins told the people of Placentia at this public town meeting was to let them know your own needs in relation to the bridge, to write down your suggestions and make sure they are passed along to town chief administrative officer Ed O’Keefe, who will forward each and every one along to the appropriate department, which will take them all into consideration.
This is perhaps one of the most important parts of this process.
Everyone in Placentia who will be affected by the bridge restrictions should inform government of their needs and suggestions.
In fact, Placentia-St. Mary’s MHA Felix Collins mentioned at the meeting that he’s already heard from some individuals about their ideas and concerns, and he’s pleased with what he’s been hearing. He said some ideas he has heard were new to him, and were very good ones.
If we leave things like this to the powers that be, and don’t provide input, then we really don’t have a lot of room to complain when things don’t work out how you’d like.
It is important for every person with something to say on the matter, and in this town, that’s almost everyone, to say it in a letter and send it along to the appropriate person, Ed O’Keefe.
The Ministers did not say they would come back again to discuss the matter further, but they would let the town know their decision in a couple of weeks, so it is important your opinions on the issue be raised and dealt with.
Any suggestions government gets will be considered and it might just be yours that provides the most sensible solution to the issue of when the bridge may be closed for the repair work to get completed.
So please, Placentia, let your voices and opinions be heard.
Elizabeth MacDonald, Editor, The Charter
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