Happy New Year to everyone!! It is hard to believe that 2006 went by so fast. It is also hard to believe that it is mid-January and it is +5 degrees Celsius. Unlike many others, I would not say it is great but that perhaps we should start paying more attention to our environment. I recently watched the movie, "An Inconvenient Truth" and would recommend it to everyone. It is a real eye opener.
The first week of January was fairly slow with regard to meetings and work as I found that a lot of people took extended holidays. However, due to the ongoing renovations in my basement I could not go away for very long. They actually finished on January 6th which was exactly two months since the flood took place. Two of my tenants have returned and settled back in while I still have two open spots if anyone knows of any Community College Students looking for a place for this semester. I must admit the basement looks very good but I still would not ever want to go through this ordeal again. The City of Saint John has still not accepted liability for water main break.
I have been busy working on my term paper for my management course which is due at the end of January. I have also been trying to decide whether to go back into French this semester or take one semester off and begin again in April. By that time my management course will be done and I will not be juggling two courses and my job.
Last Tuesday, I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative at the Delta. It was my third year attending and this year I really enjoyed the speaker, Claudette Bradshaw. She spoke passionately of the need to help young children living in poverty, especially those with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome or Fetal Alcohol Effects. She believes that these two conditions are the greatest social challenge facing Canada today and that there needs to be much more education and help. She was a very inspirational speaker.
On Thursday, I had a P.R.O. Kids Meeting. We had several new board members appointed and are currently beginning planning for our largest fundraiser, the annual dinner. I have been selected chair of the committee so if you have anything you want to donate for our silent auction or if you want to sponsor the dinner feel free to give me a call (643-2044). All the money raised goes to the wonderful cause of helping kids participate in recreation opportunities where money is a barrier.
I also attended a meeting last Wednesday on early psychosis and how the numbers are increasing with time. The group is looking at creating an early psychosis program in Saint John which would be very valuable to the community. Again, as with most things I write about, education is the key. We have to open society's eyes to the many social needs in our community if we are to become a productive and positive community.
On Tuesday of this coming week I have my FUSION Community Engagement Committee Meeting and I am always looking for new members so if you are interested in attending them please get hold of me (dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca).
Have a great week!
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