An Interview with Charity and Matthew at Special Olympics

Joey:(Q) Who started the PEI Chapter of Special Olympics ?

Chairty: (A) Special Olympics will be 30 years old in February 2017and it was Cecil Villard in Alberta. He had accepted a position out here for the Hospital and our national office said," Hey, why don't you try to start a chapter on PEI?" So when he came out here 30 years ago, he met with the different groups and we started the PEI chapter of Special Olympics. We were under the umbrella of "Sports and Recreation for the Disabled" at the time. In 1987 we broke apart to become our own acceded chapter of Special Olympics.

Joey: (Q) How many Special Olympians are there currently on PEI?

Charity: (A) Right now we have 249 registered athletes in our data base and we also have 170 or so that are in schools that aren't registered. So we are getting near the 500 mark!

Joey: (Q) Where did the Special Olympics Start?

Charity: (A) SOPEI started in 1968 in Chicago in Soldier Field where Canada and the US compete.  In 1969 it came to Canada.

Joey: (Q) You have an "Athlete's Oath". Why is it important to Special Olympics?

Matthew: (A) In Special Olympics we have an Athlete's Oath and its very important. It encompasses all athletes involved with disabilities and the oath is, "Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." The emphasis is on giving your best effort, not to focus on the glory of winning a medial or a trophy. The focus is on just being proud of who you are and the effort you put forth.

Joey: (Q) How many Coaches are there volunteering on PEI? Do you need any others?

Matthew:(A)We are very fortunate to have 53 trained coach volunteers t o support our 57 programs. But we are in need of 

additional support for the younger generation. We could use support all over the island. In Summerside we can use support in ten pin bowling and curling and in Kings County we could use support in our Community Sport Program, our basketball program, and walking programs and in central, we can use support at our youth program's community sport program floor hockey program and swimming program. 

 

An Hour With Ryan Gallant

Joey (Q)

Ryan, what are three experiences or qualities about you, that you believe are responsible for you being the person you are today ?

Ryan (A)

Well, I'm kind, I'm honest, I have a lot of determination and I love music.

Joni (Q)

What is your definition of Community? And how would you like to see the community of Summerside grow?

Ryan (A)

I would define community as a group of people together living in the same place. For Summerside's future, I would like to see more music and food and equal opportunities for jobs and/or careers.

Joey (Q)

Tell us about Goingon. What is it that you do ?

Ryan (A)

I help find, promote, and list events and activities for the goingon.ca website

and also for what's going on pei and what's going on's Summerside facebook pages. I keep an eye on all the pages. That would include the twitter, instagram and the instagram pictures.

So basically, what I do is help with the social media moderators as well as doing short interview podcasts through youtube. These are called, “Whats going on with little Ryan.”

Joni (Q)

Tell me how you came up with the podcast idea?

Ryan (A)

I always had a passion for the radio business. I was always doing little videos in high school and then I heard about podcasts I saw a podcast that was called “The Joe Rogan experience.” They were talking about podcasts. It was very cool so that's how I got the idea.

Joey (Q)

What are your top three goals for the next five years ?

Ryan (A)

Well, with Goingon media I have been able to achieve many goals. I am still working towards podcast interviews, band promotions, working more on music and writing vocals, journalism, band management which I am already kind of doing with booking and promoting bands, promoting local musicians and promoting local musicians all around.

Joey (Q)

Tell us about goingon.ca

Ryan (A)

Absolutely, goingon.ca is a event promoting website which allows people to list events and check for events and activities for free. We are a social-media, multi- media company.

Joni (Q)

Thank-you for the interview and all the best with future endeavours! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c89_XKvEd4U

4 Questions for Don Quarles About Summerside's 2016 Lobster Festival

1. What activity/event are you most excited about for this year's Lobster Festival? Musical entertainment (paper Lions. Hillsburn, ten strings and a goat skin, Nathan Wiley, Andrew Waite and the Firm and much more)‎; TriLobster Triathlon ; Sandjam Beach Volleyball Tournament, Kids Summer Fun Zone, LEGO Lobster zone.
2. What is the theme for this year's parade? Earth, water, air
3. Would you ever be open to Summerside residents making suggestions and then having a vote? Yes
4. For Summerside's more traditional loving folks, what can they depend on re-experiencing again this year? Cardboard boat races, Lobster trap challenge, midway, amazing food / lobster, celebrity chef cooking demoshttp://summersidelobsterfest.com/

On behalf of the EOV Team, Joey Blacquiere and Joni Miner, we would like to thank Mr. Quarles for taking time for this interview and to wish him and the whole City of Summerside a successful Lobster Festival! 

Some Words from Deputy Mayor, Brent Gallant 2016

EOV - A campaign desire was to lower electrical rates for Summerside. Can you share with our readers what the progress is on this? And is the City heat for less program now consumer your response to lowering electrical rates for Summerside? 

Brent - Okay. That's a great question. The Summerside electric utility is owned by the community so I am not sure that I said that I was going to lower rates because I know that there is going to be a cost for operations that have to be maintained. We could go and lower the rates. That is possible. We do own the utility so we could do that. The consequence would be to raise the taxes because it's all part of the general revenues that come in to the City needed to opperate a City this size. One of the reasons that a City this size is so well equipped with the amenities we have is because the electric utility pays for them. 

EOV -  What are your personal priorities for Summerside during 2016 ?

Brent - Well I really have one. It's a three letter word "Jobs!" Everyone would like to have more jobs and that's something we have been working on right from the time we came in here and that's starting to come together. Across the street here where we are at, the IOS Call Centre is going to be there providing 130 jobs. The library is opening up expanding the library. And another business that is opening here is the spa and there will be more jobs there.

EOV - In your opinion what is Summerside's greatest asset?

Brent -  I think that Summerside's greatest asset is the ability to be flexible to fight above its weight and to bring creative solutions to the challages that the city may encounter.

EOV would like to thank Mr. Gallant for taking time for this interview.  We wish you well with all your endeavours.

Some words from a future Summerside Deputy Mayor (2017), Norma McColeman

EOV - One of your campaign initiatives for Ward six was to foster collaboration with the City's faith community on hosting initiatives and events in the City of Summerside. In your opinion,how successful has this initiative been thus far?

Norma McColeman- In response, I'm finding it is important to develop good working relationships within the City's faith community. This has been my focus in my role as Councillor as a starting point. Simply to find ways to work with and foster a good rapport and by showing support of their initiatives or at least announcing them at Council. Secondly, I have attended various events that have taken place at the local church's at different times of the year whenever I can, whether it is a concert, a special presentation, a guest speaker, or providing an information session to groups such asthe Summerside Christian Council. I believe the effort has been somewhat successful as there have been partnerships and working relationships developed for any future initiatives hopefully, as time permits.

EOV -  During your election campaign your passion to be present and represent those in need wasmade obvious. One of your desires mentioned was to review affordability of community events and services for Summerside residents on limited resources. Can you share with our readers how you have already and how you continue to work towards this goal?

Norma McColeman - One thing I have found being on Council is sometimes it takes a number of efforts to get people involved. I frequently work with people who live in poverty and are the working poor just trying to make ends meet. Understanding the reality of the way they live is based on the comments they have shared. In advocating on their behalf, I try to be mindful of such things within the City when anything is offered in the community. In discussions at Council it is important to remind people not everyone can afford fees, and ask questions around what can be provided so families and individuals on limited sources of income can also enjoy family outings on a limited budget. I believe the City tries to provide inclusion for our residents enjoy and participate with such things as the Boardwalk, outdoor skating rinks, and walking trails at Rotary Friendship Park and Heather Moyse Park & Gardens. At Credit Union Place there have been specially priced bracelet days for children and youth to use the facilities which have been very popular cost saving endeavors. Three other very well attended cultural and recreational initiatives offered in the heart of Summerside at Wyatt Heritage Properties are the "Old Fashion Carnival" with amazing attendance for families and individuals as a kick off to the summer season; as well, the regular weekly musical concerts held at the Wyatt Heritage Properties grounds is another opportunity to enjoy affordable and inclusive entertainment for our residents. The numbers prove how successful these events are and what they mean to our community and residents. The third initiative is "Nature Fest" taking place in the fall at Heather Moyse Heritage Park & Gardens to celebrate nature's beauty and harvest season and free family fun in the heart of the community. As well, the City has been working with the folks of"Age Friendly City" and looking at the measurements and benchmarks we need to meet. To make our community welcoming to our residents and visitors. This has been an important initiative to work as a municipality. We are a work in progress. It is the great staff and creative team efforts of the City of Summerside departments working together that makes them happen. My role is to continue to support and attend them, promote them and make sure I advocate for them at City Council. Mayor and Council are very supportive of these great events! They are very important to our residents of all ages, and promote an active vibrant community.

EOV - What are your current hopes for the Summerside Downtown Area?

Norma McColeman - There are many downtowns across the Maritimes and within Canada that are struggling to define themselves, and foster a vibrant and thriving area to meet, eat, and shop. Our downtown core has really been working hard to establish initiatives and an active community place. Through the BIA* (Business Improvement Area) many downtown business people have worked hard to establish themselves and create a niche to draw people down to them. It takes time, but I do feel collectively we are really working hard to make our downtown viable and people friendly. Through such wonderful initiatives once again such as: the Lobster Festival, Summerside, Farmers Market, Culture Summerside, Downtown initiatives / free concerts, and other summer cultural events hosted at Green's Shore and the Boardwalk, all contribute to our Downtown core.One hope I have is that our downtown area begins to experience a turn around as so many people want to see it revitalized with unique shops, public activities, and the businesses there thriving.

EOV - In your opinion, what is Summerside's greatest asset ?

Norma McColeman - Certainly it is Summerside's people! The creativity, the talent and gifts our people have to offer is amazing! They love their community and its events and support it in many ways. Secondly,we have the most beautiful assets that sell our seaside community naturally: The Boardwalk, the amazing beach, and green spaces and parks we have just minutes away from us as residents, the legacy of our heritage homes and the fact that as a community we have an entrepreneurial spirit to always want to make our City of Summerside a better place to live, work, and play. I love my community and am very proud of it and it's people !

We need to always believe in our community and its possibilities!

EOV would like to Thank Ms. McColeman for making time for this interview. We wish you well with all your endeavours! 

Guitar in the Parlour Concert for Summerside Trinity United Church's "Feed My Sheep" Breakfast Mission.

Jim Dickson will be performing a Classical Guitar Concert with a Spanish Flavour this Friday, April 15th at 7pm in the Parlour at Summerside Trinity United Church.  The cost for the concert is $10 and ALL proceeds go to the "Feed My Sheep" initiative. Come out for a unique musical experience and support "Feed My Sheep."

"Feed My Sheep"

Joining up with St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Trinity United Church provides a free breakfast on the second Saturday of the month for those in need of a hearty meal and fellowship. 
The breakfast is held 8:30am – 10:00am (second Saturday of the month) and is served in the Auditorium. Food items will be collected on the first Sunday of each month to support this project. For further information or if you would like to contribute to "Feed My Sheep" you can call the office at Trinity United Church - 902 436 3155.

2016 Interview with Mayor Bill Martin

Joey: Mayor Martin, Thank you for meeting with us today. To start, we'd like to ask you what your experience has been like as the Mayor of Summerside? Is it what you expected it to be?

Mayor Martin: No, it has not been what I expected it to be. My experience has been fun, frustrating, surprising, and insightful. And I have discovered that as Mayor, you have no authority. You attend council meetings but you don't get to vote unless there is a tie. I do get to speak but I rarely do unless I feel strongly about something.

Joni: Can you tell us what the average day is like for you as the Mayor?

Mayor Martin: There is no such thing as an average day. There is no such thing as predictability. I have committed to being accessible. For example, I answer my own phone. It tends to shock people. However, I can tell you about today. Basically I got here a little later then normal, about 9:15am. I had 2 or 3 messages and a bunch of cheques to sign, a bunch of emails to deal with, had lunch with a company that is potentially bringing 300 jobs to Summerside, now I'm being interviewed by you,  I have a 2 pm meeting with some folks that want to do some promotional work for the city, at 3pm I am being called by some folks from the university they want to do a 1 hour interview me as an entrepreneur and at 7pm this evening I am going to the bowling ally because the Lions Club are hosting their annual bowling for the blind so there is no such thing as an average day.

A thing that is a bit surprising is what people think the Mayor can do. I can't make parking fines go away and I can't help you with your neighbors other than to direct you to police services. It's amazing what people think you can do.

Joni: Has transparency been what you thought it would be?

Mayor Martin: No, it has not. We have a transparency policy and a set of recommendations and are working within that. We are far more transparent then we use to be. Most things take place in public session.

Joey: What is a project that the city is currently working on that you are personally exited about?

Mayor Martin: There are many projects in the works and there is one that is to be announced in a matter of days. I I am exited about the Prince Alex Spa. It's a 31million dollar 5 star resort that is scheduled to open. I believe it is going to be a game changer for the city.

Joni: What do you think are the city's greatest assets? What are some weak areas?

Mayor Martin: I would say our greatest assets would be our Credit Union Place, our Boardwalk, our water treatment facility, a beach that you can swim in, a beautifully protected harbor, a state of the art hospital, 31 electric charging stations free of charge, the air base, and our work as a City towards becoming age friendly city.

Joey: What do you in vision for the city over the next 25 years?

Mayor Martin: Wow, really good question. I think this city is a hidden gem. People come to community's and jobs follow people, so I think the city will likely expand its borders. I think it's reasonable to assume that some bordering communities might become part of Summerside which will be serviced by 'water and sewer' as opposed to 'well and septic' which will enable new subdivision growth, will enable more green space, bike lanes, walking lanes, and green spaces. I also think that the city in 25 years will be 100 % reliant on wind energy, no fossil fuels.

Joni: Thank you so much Mayor Martin for the interview today. We wish you well.