SIGNS OF SPRING

Cathy had her covenanting service Sunday afternoon at St. Matthew's church here in Belleville. Pastor Larry Doyle from Faith United in Courtice preached and reminded the congregation that Cathy was called not only to be priest and pastor but also prophet.

It was especially encouraging to see the youth and adult leaders from her previous church, St. Paul's United Church in Bowmanville, in attendance. The group are quite social media savvy. They were eager to take down my blog address.  I appreciated their enthusiasm for what I have to say.

Whatever warnings there might be about virtual identities and Facebook depression and so on, the upcoming generations do use the media to connect and to learn in a way that was not possible in past. I've also noticed articles about the "Silver Surfers." Senior Canadians, the cresting boomer generation, may have been initially slow on the uptake, but are now becoming tech friendly.

Politics. I have the opportunity this month to learn in an intensive fashion about our Canadian political issues and to witness how an election campaign is carried forward. Cathy and I went out walking on this crisp, sunny day and saw the signs. I'm not talking about the signs of the change of season. Rather I mean the politicians' signs. Darryl Kramp, Conservative has the most signs out at the moment. After all, he had them stored and ready to go since the last election. For the Conservatives this is a riding that they believe they should own.

Peter Tinsley, Liberal is just getting his effort underway. The Liberal office on Dundas West in Belleville has its campaign poster as a temporary identification for the location. Tinsley is considered by the CBC to be a "star" candidate for the Liberal party. He headed the inquiry into the torture of Afghan detainees.  He is a sharp critic of the Harper style of governing. It will be a challenge for him to become known to the broader community in the riding. I meanwhile am observing and learning.

Michael McMahon, who has run in a number of previous elections, is the NDP candidate.

Alan Coxwell, who has been the Green Party candidate in past, has issued a letter indicating that he had consulted with Michael McMahon to suggest that they both withdraw in favour of Peter Tinsley.  When McMahon did not agree to that, Coxwell decided that he himself would withdraw in support of Peter and the Liberal campaign to replace Harper.  A letter to that effect was read at the opening of Peter Tinsley's Belleville office Saturday April 2. 

The Green Party candidate is now Patrick Larkin.