Fight the good fight

Dear Editor,

I am writing about the proposed changes to the medical facilities in this town. I have two questions: Why is it that when something is working well, there are those who want to change it? And why is it that when a person gets elected to a position in our government they seem to lose their common sense?

I assume that when someone enters politics they do so because they want to make life better for the citizens. I fail to see how this proposal that's up now is going to make things better. Rather it is taking us back to the 1960s. We have one of the best situations as far as medicine is concerned.

A number of doctors who can be reached by a phone and a short trip to the clinic to see them. If we lose them we will have to travel to Grand Falls-Windsor or Gander. As anyone knows that's fine in the summer but given our winters you can be sure that rushing to take someone to the hospital is going to end up, sometime in a loss of life. Two things come to mind - an accident during the winter months because of bad driving conditions - or someone dying because they didn't get immediate attention.

As things stand now, doctors are within easy reach for most people in this area ... 10, or at the most 15 minutes. Whereas to go to Grand Falls-Windsor or Gander is going to take 45 minutes at least. In those circumstances there is a chance that one or two things might happen. 1) An accident because of road conditions 2) or death because the patient didn't get attention soon enough.

The age old cry of politicians is - "We cannot afford to make the complete change now" or "the money just isn't there". Anyone who believes that is very easily fooled. You never hear about a lack of money when they are asking for your vote before an election. I say put aside the rooms for North Haven Manor for another time. Build something that will meet the needs of all the citizens.

In closing, let me say that I have always admired the spirit of Newfoundlanders. So, fight the good fight. I pray that you win. The spirit of "The fighting Newfoundlander" is alive today, as it was over 400 years ago. "More power to the people."

Marie Noble