To the editor,
The mayor and councillors of New Glasgow must be jumping for joy: Maritime Steel is closed again. It's a fact the Town of New Glasgow has succeeded in having Abbas Jafarnia blacklisted – as have governments from the town, to the NDP in Halifax, the Tories in Ottawa and apparently all the banks. Mr. Jafarnia's property is worth more than $4 million. Would that not be enough collateral to borrow $1 million?
The NDP government and the federal Tories are always giving money all over. The American railway gets millions every year. Peter MacKay, I notice, is also handing out lots of bucks. So why not lend some of that money to Mr. Jafarnia? Mr. MacKay, there are 20 to 25 employees who need these jobs. Mr. Jafarnia has asked for a loan, not a handout. These employees, with the start of school just around the corner, need help to buy school supplies.
The union had a meeting with Ross Landry, who, I read, was waiting for them. He fed them the regular NDP bull. So Mr. Jafarnia and employees, it's plain you are playing against a stacked deck.
In answer to Diane MacMillan's letter in the Aug. 11 edition, if she had read the paper carefully, Mr. Jafarnia asked for a loan, not a handout. It seems the ones who are retired and well off do not care about the workingman.
Clarrie MacKinnon did not take long in running to the people when he found out he might be losing his job. Well people, tell him what the government of Nova Scotia told the employees of Maritime Steel – you're too big a risk.
Mr. Jafarnia should be congratulated, spending his own income trying to keep jobs for his employees.
Mr. Landry is saying that Maritime Steel is holding back economic potential in Pictou County. I think the NDP government and New Glasgow are the problem. Mr. Landry also talked a while ago about the smell in the area near Maritime Steel. If the smell is so bad why did they put the new farmers market there? My husband and I walk that area quite often. The air quality is good. My husband has asthma and has no problem breathing in that area.
At least one politician backed the employees – Westville's deputy mayor. Where are all the Nova Scotia Liberals and Conservatives now? I guess they won't say anything until election time.
Diane Perry
New Glasgow
