Calling the Politicians (Part Two)

Today is Tuesday, December 16, 2008 and I am sad to say that we did not receive a phone call or even an email message from the Premier, Shawn Graham.

Ana called yesterday and was told that the Premier doesn’t take phone calls from "just anybody". The impression she got was that it would be a miracle if the Premier actually phoned us. I guess he was too busy yesterday with the Prime Minister to call ordinary citizens like us, two mothers who are asking for a Coroner's Inquest into the deaths of our children.

I remember him and his wife at our sons' funeral at the KC Irving Arena in Bathurst. He flew in from Fredericton and we met him downstairs. He spoke to each one of us and gave us his condolences. I remember seeing him on television, he said this was a sad day for New Brunswick and that his heart went out to the parents.

Now he cannot even pick up a phone and talk to us for two minutes to assure us that Greg Forestell, the Acting Chief Coroner is doing his best and will come to a decision soon. We aren't asking for much. We know he can't tell us when the decision will be made. I guess we are not important enough to warrant a call from him.

At least John Foran, the Minister of Public Safety, called us back and even though he didn't give us an answer about when Greg Foresteall, the Acting Chief Coroner, will make a decision, we felt better knowing that one of the most senior politicians in our province cared enough to pick up the phone and take five minutes out of his busy schedule to assure two grieving mothers that a decision will be coming soon.

We are grieving mothers, yes, but we are also concerned citizens who want a Coroner's Inquest to make recommendations for higher standards for extracurricular activities.

I cannot understand why the Premier could not make a simple phone call to us. Except for John Foran, none of them called us back. We called Kelly Lamrock, Minister of Education, Thomas J. Burke, Minister of Justice, Denis Landry, Minister of Transport and our own MLA Brian Kenny and none of them returned our calls.

At least that that one person, Minsister John Foran, left us with the impression that he is a concerned individual who took the time to call and at least listened to our concerns for a Coroner’s Inquest. It meant a lot to us and we appreciate that he took the time out of his busy day to at least pick up the phone and talk to us for five minutes. I don't think that's too much to ask of the others.