2 posts tagged “frank morrison”

The last day of my first (I say that hoping there won’t be a second) full month on site proved to be a lively one.  First off, I was able to get on the net, al-be-it briefly.  There are still some kinks, but it is looking very possible to get hooked up, via dial-up, to the world.

About 50 interested supporters showed up for the community meeting, which will continue every Sunday at 1 p.m.  An agreement is in place and the monitoring team will begin work tomorrow.  They will be doing a baseline survey to record where the exploration company is currently, so that they can come in two or three times a week and check the progress.  No date has been set for the mediation with the province and the feds, but the mediator has been agreed upon.  It is unclear whether the twelve-week period before drilling will begin starts tomorrow, or on the date of the first meeting.

I’m very pleased with Janice Kennedy’s column in today’s Ottawa Citizen.  Not only is it well written, but it also very well researched.   As to, “She gets under the skin of people put off by the implied arrogance of her action, by the suggestion that one ordinary person should make a difference,” the way I see it, everything starts with one person, but never in isolation.  For example, Ryan’s Wells Foundation www.ryanswell.ca is a huge and growing organization that has built 319 wells in fourteen countries because one six-year-old saw a need.  It’s ever been thus.  I’m a firm believer that changing the world happens one person at a time and somebody, ordinary or extraordinary, whatever that means, has to start.  In fact, in this situation it was Frank and Gloria Morrison, local landowners who were not willing to sit by and let the status quo reign supreme.  My action is one more cog in a wheel that they set in motion well over a year ago.

Donna and Frank Morrison

put it in your window, in your car, on your lawn

New numbers to report:  BP 109/66; Pulse 77; Weight loss 15 lbs.  (I continue to feel blessed that I had an extra layer to work with there.)  I’m still feeling very positive about achieving our goal and grateful for a good night’s sleep.
Love
Donna

After a quiet start to another t-shirt and shorts, beautiful day, (can this really be Oct 22?) we were pleased to greet a film crew from The National this a.m.  After my interview, they spent time with Bob Lovelace before heading to Frank Morrison’s to film the staked claims on his property.  It will likely have aired by the time you read this, as it is scheduled for Tues. at 9 and 11 p.m. on News World, and at 10 on The National. 

It feels very strange to me to be in the ‘limelight’ having been content to be the major support person, behind the scenes, for so many years.  During the filming and throughout the day, the site was abuzz with folks milling about, meeting new people, talking about yesterday’s meeting, this a.m.’s filming and various strategies to insure a moratorium.

Long distance visitors included a family from England, a couple from Killaloe, who brought along firewood, warm clothing and other gifts; Green Party representatives from Renfrew County; and Eric Walton, who is the Federal Green Party Candidate from Kingston – and a personal friend. The Greens and NDP representative, Ross Sutherland, who has been at the site several times over the duration, continue to take an interest in what is happening here.  Our new MPP, Randy Hillier would be most welcome, as would Liberal Party reps. Perhaps they need more letters and phone calls to encourage them.

I’ve not mentioned that Mike is off on book tour in Montreal.  He and I have spent most of the last year and a half on the road with his latest book. Before my life took a turn and I ended up here, I had planned a Vipassana Retreat south of there.  Mike was to spend the ten days doing discussions in the area.  When my plans changed, he consolidated his and is away for just a week.  At the same time, Kassia and her family, having been in a car accident (they are all fine) on their way to spend a day with me a week ago Saturday, decided to go to Nova Scotia, while her car is in the shop being repaired.  They are visiting with her older sister, Terra Nova, in Halifax and helping celebrate Eliza’s 9th birthday.  All to say that I’m missing family, so it’s really great to be seeing so many community members, from near and far, that I have come to love and admire over the years.

Again today, I was fatigued by midday.  I actually considered a nap, but that time will come soon enough.  I’ve a letter to get off to Premier McGuinty today, and, as well, one to our new MPP to advise him of what I am up to out here in Robertsville, just in case he has not heard.

Love
Donna