SEE UPDATE BELOWHere we go again - those Capers keep coming out of the woodwork - watch out when a Caper (and one from the Bay to boot) storms Parliament Hill - way to go girl!!!!
THEY'RE WAITING FOR ME TO DIEWidow says clerical error has denied her pension for 39 years
GLACE BAY, N.S. - The elderly widow of a Cape Breton soldier says the Department of Veterans Affairs is waiting for her to die so her fight for her husband's pension will disappear. Annie May MacKenzie, 83, says she's been denied the pension for 39 years because of a clerical error. She says it's time the federal government paid up. "I'm going on 84 years old, and I have a few good years left in me yet, and I think the Department of Veterans Affairs is playing a waiting game," Mrs. MacKenzie said yesterday. "They're waiting for me to die." Mrs. MacKenzie's husband, Cpl. Melvin MacKenzie, was an air force mechanic during the Second World War, stationed at Gander, N.L. When he died in 1968, he was receiving a veteran's disability pension. But his widow was denied the money. Two reviews have supported Mrs. MacKenzie's claim, although the government disputes how long she was eligible to get the money. And although Veterans Affairs says a clerical error is responsible for the denial, it still hasn't paid up. "I'm not getting any younger. I was wanting things to be ... that I could give back to my children. But so far, I guess, the DVA doesn't agree with me," Mrs. MacKenzie said She will be in Ottawa tomorrow to take her fight to Parliament Hill. She says she hopes her battle receives a lot of attention.
UPDATE: Mrs. MacKenzie has been informed that she will receive the pension she deserves.
Allowing a 84 year old CAPER from the Bay to storm Parliament Hill would not have been a pretty sight!!!!
Thursday, November 08, 2007
CAPE BRETON RANKED ONE OF WORLD'S 10 BEST ISLANDS BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHICSYDNEY — The scenic beauty of Cape Breton Island has once again caught the attention of National Geographic Traveler magazine. Among the world’s 10 best islands, Cape Breton tied for 10th with Corsica, France in the publication’s November/December 2007 issue. A total of 111 islands and archipelagos were ranked in six categories: environmental and ecological quality; social and cultural integrity; condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites; aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management; and outlook for the future. The Destinations Rated feature examined islands as appealing places that are often prone to tourism overkill. With 100 being the best score for avoiding that danger, Cape Breton scored 75. “Let’s celebrate where we’re from, we’re so fortunate, we really are. We’re fortunate to live here, we’re fortunate to raise our families here. Everyone else recognizes it and we should celebrate it ourselves,” said Sandra MacDonald, general manager of Destination Cape Breton. Quotes from the panel’s 522 experts in sustainable tourism and destination were posted anonymously on the magazine’s website.“Aesthetic appeal is very high with small unique fishing villages, Celtic music and dancing, and with beautiful scenic drives,” is one of the postings for Cape Breton.
Comments also warn of the island’s tendency for outmigration, high unemployment, pollution and short tourist season. To measure island integrity, National Geographic Traveler and the National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destination conducted the fourth annual Destination Scorecard survey, aided by George Washington University and panellists.
Cape Breton is no stranger to tourism accolades from the magazine. It placed second on a scorecard of more than 100 of the world’s greatest destinations in 2004, and Highlands National Park placed second of 55 North American national parks in 2005.
(You can tell as a proud "Caper" I am not prejudice - ya think???)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Brrrr - it's cold - not the weather but the people in Ottawa. A lot of controversy regarding this city lately and well deserved me thinks. When I first came to Ottawa in the 50's (oops aging myself again) I found it to be so very beautiful and clean - one could walk the streets at anytime of the night or day and feel safe but I found the people to be quite cold and uncaring as compared to the folks from Cape Breton where it is the people themselves who make it a beautiful place an even more wonderful place to live (no prejudice there?). Having been here for "eons" the people have I think become even more uncaring and the city itself is now being titled "crack city". It is not safe on the street anymore or indeed in the shopping malls or on the buses. I have taken more interest of late in the actions of people around me and with some exceptions have found them lacking common courtesies, show little respect for others, and some who are downright rude (especially some immigrants who think God granted them special rights). Come on folks, it does not take a lot of effort to be kind, courteous and respectful of others.
So glad to hear about the smoking ban at bus depots and stops, etc. I travel quite a lot by bus and often find myself amid smokers catching a last puff before boarding. I have been exposed to second hand smoke for many years and enough is enough!!!