An Intriguing Tale Of Being An Owner

When you work for a huge company – you get all sorts of benefits – from a blackberry to medical health insurance and even dental insurance – some gets travel plans depending on their designation and what their jobs entailed.  The benefit of working for a huge and reputable company is definitely different when you work for a small business like us.  Even though we can’t pay you as much as they do – our work is a lot easier – and we don’t demand as much as the big company does.  Having said all that – I do miss working for a big firm and enjoying all the benefits – but for now – I have no choice but to stay back and help the spouse with his – and take care of our kid.

Charges was laid for several previous MLAs in Nova Scotia for expense scandal that was found out by the General Auditor last year.  But our Premier is now saying that the outcome will make it harder for ordinary people to want to enter into politics!  what that hell does he mean?  so MLAs shouldn’t be charged if they stole from the taxpayers?  An MLA is like a Minister of Parliament back home – and it was clearly cheating the tax payers’ money the things they did – not just one MLA but almost all – including our dear Premier – who had bought a camera to be used in the office for over $1000!  yes! ordinary people cannot afford that kind of money for a camera – ordinary people cannot afford $3K for a laptop.  We don’t get a pension – while crooks like Richard Hulburt gets one ?  what justice is that?

So the people from Scotia Prince came and did their presentation – they are looking for a loan first of $15million from the Province and more money from different municipality of this area to fork up a start up investment for them of up to more than half a million – to bring the ferry here and Maine.

Yes – they promised work for the people here but the ship hands will be foreign and yes – they will bring the tourist in but it sure doesn’t make sense to me that they are asking so much money upfront.  It’s not good business plan as far as I can see  and yes  – some might say – we have to see the big picture.  But the big picture in my humble opinion is they are just here for our money – and they just make the money and not foot out a cent.  That’s not good business sense in any way  – to me it’s not a win-win suitable at all.  To me – it’s like the people from the Ferry are trying to rob us – while we are already down there.  This Province has a deficit of $222milliion in April 2010 – so now – we are going into another debt of $15 million?  that doesn’t make any sense – that the Province will help us.    $3 million as compared to $15 million and more from the municipality?  how can we justify this?

I wanna write to the Premier – and even though I’m just a resident in Canada – I cannot help but feel that him and his cabinet was wrong not to give us a helping hand with the ferry – to bring back tourism to this town.   It was a very sad day for the town and the people of this town – and even though I don’t eat or stay at the Rodd Colony Harbor Inn that much – I know what this means – with it’s closing down its 65 rooms and the lounge.

How can the Premier think that this town do not need a ferry service – it’s beyond me and my capacity to understand.  It’s not a rationale decision in my humble opinion – many business were already affected by the decision last year – and with no tourist – a lot of businesses suffered here.  And even till now – the Premier is still jerking us around – as far as I can see.

With the Rodd Colony gone – completely – it will be a real disaster – so my question is – is the town going to let Percy Paris come on the 1st of February just for a discussion? or is this town – going to show Mr Percy and the Premier – how upset we really are?   No more discussing please!  I want some action and some help from the Premier – after all we are also paying our taxes right?

Hello, Mr Dexter!  We are still HERE!

And a Happy New Year to you too!  and what a busy start of a new year for us – but like I always tell people – we can’t complained and yes! we are opened on New Year’s day – have been since the day we started and for me – since I came to Canada.  The spouse is a slave driver alright!

This year – would be a very interesting year for us – for the Ferry will not be here for the tourist season this summer – and the competition for the movies just closed down.  Throughout our years in business – whenever a new business start up – some old customers would leave and flock to the new one while loyal customers continue to support us.  But we are very resilient as you can see – we survived many big stores and even game stop that is in the mall.  What else can come in to deter us and get our customers from now on?  I doubt many – but without the ferry for another year – we’ll have to see how we fair this year.  But we are grateful for any and all the business we are getting thus far.

I was at the doctor’s today – for my princess – she was taking her second flu mist at our family doctor’s and I had asked if the Zhu’s were accepted at the clinic as well – because I had submitted their application on the first day when the ballot was out.  I was really happy to find out that they were accepted. Woohoo!!  can’t wait to tell them about it – I bet they are going to be very happy – health care careers are aplenty in this town – just look at the doctors – we can’t get enough of them.  And when we do get them – they don’t stay to long, but yes ! if I could turn the clock back I would definitely take up a career in health care that’s for sure.

Of late – we`ve been seeing some high end computer come in for repair.  This particular one cost as much as $12K – doesn`t belong to a local here though – it was someone from out of town – and here on the boat.  But yes!  even though he wasn`t from town – he found us.

I had asked the customer how he found us – and he told us that he was recommended by someone he was visiting here.  In fact, he said he did check at the competition but they had wanted $55 just to look at it – and about another $120 to scan for viruses – and cannot guarantee that it will work still.   Yes! 11 years in business and we are getting some good recognition I tell yer.  I`m so happy we stuck at it – and made it work.  A few years ago, we were ready to throw in our hat.

So the ferry looks really gloomy for next year – according to reliable sources that came into our store today.  With all the promises made by some people in this town – now I don’t hear a thing about the ferry at all coming for 2011.  So what does it mean for this town?  I still see the people in this town spending for Christmas like they usually do – I am guessing that those who are currently employed are not worried about losing their jobs since they can go on unemployment – but for how long?  a year?  then what?   And those that are not employed – well – it doesn’t really bother them does it?

But what about some business owners like us?  what about the gift stores?  the restaurants, the hotels?  I think the small business owners are the ones who are going to be hit hard first – and that includes the restaurants and the hotels – they just write it off – as a tax credit.  But eventually, the people will suffer and ultimately the tax payer? because the government gets their unemployment money from tax and they owe more money and no reserve?  well, well! JOY!

We don’t own a RV but would love to own one because seriously when i moved to Canada – I thought I would be doing so many road trips – after all – Canada is the place of lots of land right?  But darn! i was so wrong *sigh* – with a business – not mine !  mind you! but the spouse – we can’t even get into the city – unless I go crazy on the spouse.  But yes! ultimately we would like to own one – like the one his uncle has – and then take many road trips.  Last week, while RV hunting with the uncle – we also checked out the  rv insurance quote just to be sure we can afford it when we are ready to get one.  Like anyone in business we always plan our finances properly – can’t buy something we can even afford its insurance right.  So yes!  we are looking forward to owning one soon – i hope by next summer – hopefully, the spouse have fun driving it as much as his uncle.

Poor Zach Churchill – the new MLA for this town – after watching the video on Friday during the Question Period – where he tabled numerous facts how the leading party’s decision on not funding the boat from Maine to Yarmouth is affecting this province more than dear Mr Dexter is trying to tell everyone – may indeed need some  anti aging product for Christmas presents.  Why?  well dear Mr Dexter is not letting up on his story either – and kept saying that tourism is up – while we all know here – that tourism is not up – people are not out looking for jobs because they are hopeful nor are rooms occupied in the hotels here.

I certainly applaud Mr Churchill’s attempt to bring the truth in plain English and facts – and like i said – he is not having it easy either.  The NDP’s are bringing him and all of us on a merry-go-round – when will this end.  In fact, if we don’t see a boat coming in Yarmouth next summer – we all know that not only Mr Churchill will need anti-aging products – a lot of us here will be needing it as well.  Already lots of local business men are packing up and closing shop because of the lost of ferry/boat -  so how can the Premier said it isn’t affecting us?  We certainly didn’t elect the wrong MLA – Zach Churchill – keep up the good work!

A Supreme Court jury has found a Yarmouth man not guilty of first degree murder. 29 year old Ian Huskins was accused of killing 34 year old Neil Blades Jr. with an aluminum baseball bat outside a home in Deerfield on July 11, 2009. After two days of deliberations, the 11 person jury reached its verdict this morning. The defence tried to convince jurors that Jermaine Middleton killed Neil Blades Jr. Alicia Anderson had testified that Middelton said to her..it’s done are for me or against me. Anderson said she did not see who struck Blades with a baseball bat. Middelton and Alicia Anderson were previously convicted of accessory to murder after the fact.

A few months ago – an ex-employee was at our store – she tried to make conversation with us – and I tried to be polite too.  She mentioned that my kid was growing up – and I smiled and agreed with her.  The reason why the spouse and I didn’t wanna say too much was because 10 yrs ago – we strongly suspect that she and another ex-employee called immigration on us. Why?  saying that the spouse hired me the “illegal” immigrant.  Too funny right?

Yes!  and I am guessing she thinks that we don’t know about it? or forgotten about it?  It’s hard to forget someone whom we’ve treated so well and didn’t even fire them – but laid them off – when they didn’t do their job.  It’s shocking how wicked people can get – it’s shocking how vindictive people can be.  The main reason why we didn’t want to say so much was, we are too afraid of people like that.  When we didn’t want them to work anymore – it’s only because we feel that things just weren’t working out.  We felt that it was better – to let them go – then to agonize anyone further but instead – they wanted revenge and revenge in the worst way.  I feel very sad for them – because 11 yrs later – I’m still here in Canada.

So I watched the House debate about the town’s tourism with the new MLA and several issue and cannot helped but shake my head.  I’m guessing being a politician with the opposition party do not need any top weight loss supplements because the answers that the current party is giving the opposition can make one lose their appetite instantly.  I feel bad for our MLAs in the Western county to be honest – that they are been given the merry-go-round answers for every questions they asked the leading party.  If I were the opposition party right now – I bet I’m going to lose a lot of sleep and a lot of weight – there is just no winning situation where the NDP’s are concern is there.  Are the Nova Scotians in this end of town going to have to tighten their belts for the next year’s tourism season?  Even following the debate already makes me lose my appetite for a few days – what about you all out there?  have you watched the debate?

As I sit and watch the Premier’s interview about the flooding just a few days ago – costing this town millions of dollars in the years to come – to repair the bridges and whatever road damage the rain caused – I cannot help but feel sad for the people of this town and the neighboring ones.  The Premier had said they would do everything they can to help – but isn’t this what he said about tourism for this region a year ago?  Till today – we still haven’t heard anything positive about the ferry nor the extra airplane that was planned and shelved.  How much more bad news can this town take?  It is going to be hard on some businesses next year.  I really hope that this town will get some support from the NDP.

A few posts ago – I had written about a witch hunt that ended in early November – sponsored by the downtown merchants – meaning us included.   So we are happy to announce that one of our customer/s won one of the prizes ! woohoo!!  glad they won – and glad i asked them to take part and helped them out some.  But the boys did do the hunting by themselves – so that was cool.  Congrats guys!

The people back home said that there is no political freedom of speech at home – but let me tell you dear fellowmen from home – even though there is freedom of speech in Canada – the reports fall short here.  As I sit here after listening to 3 full days of question period in the House of Legislature for our town – I’ve yet to see a lot of report on it.  Back home – this would be covered – even though – the leading party would be getting all the excitement.  So if you think that the grass is greener at the other side – think again.   The big news on the local papers here is how a hockey team won – a hairdresser won big and about the local food economy.  What about  the serious business?  what about the livelihood of the Nova Scotians?  what would next year bring?  where is the media on that?  I’m disappointed – that is an understatement!

Yes!  Halloween is over !  and here comes Christmas! the biggest season in all businesses!  every Christmas we said we are gonna to be prepared – will we be this year?  This year – we don’t even have a sitter to keep our kid busy – but we didn’t have her too last year and we survived.  So yes! I think we will too this year.  But this year – I foresee us doing a lot better because of the bad economy and smart parents and grandparents are going to try and stretch their money instead of going into debt with Zeller’s card or credit cards.  We spend within our means – and never buy presents that we have to pay on credit cards – no matter how convenient – what about you?

A customer came in to bid us goodbye and close his movie account this morning – for he found a new job out of this province – because he haven’t been able to find any construction jobs here.  He is moving with his entire family – and although he is sad to leave – his hometown – he needed to go where there is work.  We know exactly how he feels – for I left my hometown for other reasons – but it’s the same feeling.  Can’t do without a job – like they all tell us – and they go where there are plenty of jobs – to support their family and give them a better life.

It’s a pretty common move around here – the spouse’s cousins moved away many years ago – to look for jobs – and greener pastures.  And even though they missed home – they needed to do it – for the future of their family.  I’m sure the spouse don’t hope to move anytime soon – but if the need ever arises – I’m sure we will do the right thing.

I’m currently watching LIVE!  the Nova Scotia Legislature for almost an hour thus far – and am almost falling asleep – for all the notices of motion – except for 2 – seems to be something that requires immediate attention.  Besides welcoming friends – and introduction of family/girlfriend  plus recognizing someone dead or paralyzed  – I’ve yet to see something that will impact our situation here in Y-Town.   *roll eyes*

Alright !  at 3.30pm – we are finally seeing – some action – Question period! our MLA just came up in the house – and Percy Paris claimed that tourism is up in Nova Scotia – 2010!  BULLL SHITTTT!!!  maybe everyone else in Nova Scotia – but not on this end!

So I’ve just heard that our new MLA  met up with the Economic Development Minister and some out Director from Team Southwest and Team West.  And the only project that they are pushing is cranberry production.  Someone on Facebook had said that if we wanted cranberries – we could get them at our local grocery stores and with the $200K that was allocated for them to promote economic growth in West Nova – then I think they are failing big time.

I certainly agree with what some people are saying that Team SouthWest and Team West are a big joke and what great planning Mr Paris has for us after terminating the ferry – which is a very important source of income for the people here in Nova Scotia.  So what was his “BIG PLAN” after all?  Cranberries?  oh come on!!!