Just some random thoughts

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There's been a lot of burning issues around the community, region, province, nation and world over the summer. Here's "," on some of them – both big and small.

Burning issues can be taken literally in the Woodstock area, with a couple of major fires over the past week. To repeat something I've said before in this column – I have great respect and admiration for the region's volunteer firefighters.

Woodstock firefighters jumped out of bed early Tuesday morning and a few minutes later they were battling an inferno at Duane's Furniture, Appliances and Electronics. While they couldn't save the store they did save surrounding homes.

It's good to hear store owner Duane Wortman say he plans to rebuild. Whether it's on the same location or at another spot in town, the community will welcome his return.

It is not only the town's firefighters who find themselves out in the wee hours working to avert disaster. Last Sunday evening and Monday morning, public works crew members in Woodstock, Nackawic and other towns and Department of Transportation road crews were kept on the run, trying to stay ahead of torrential rains.

Mother Nature usually wins these fights and last weekend was no exception. Still, the hardworking public crews kept abreast of the situation, closed roads where necessary and put up warnings for passing motorists of potential dangers. The following day they were on the job doing repairs, if possible.

Some washouts, like the "Grand Canyon" created on Old Bridge Road in Nackawic, will require months, if not longer, to repair. It will also place a major burden on the town budget. Hopefully, the provincial and federal government will offer some financial support. From past experience, that will only happen if those respective governments can get enough positive spin to make it worthwhile politically. Otherwise, they will simply let Nackawic taxpayers carry the burden.

On the provincial front, Education Minister Kelly Lamrock somehow saved face by delivering a compromise position on French immersion that apparently is acceptable to most of his critics. Regardless of what happens in the classroom, few students will learn more than Lamrock did during the immersion debate.

First of all, he learned the meaning of the word consultation in any language. It took a court judge to show him that saying you consulted does not mean people actually had a say in the decision making.

While Lamrock's getting praise for his compromise and he himself says it's a better plan, he seems to forget that none of this would have happened if his previous decision had not been challenged in court. Therefore, by his own words, he would have forced a less-effective plan on New Brunswick parents.

Federal politics is far from the minds of most Canadians as they try to enjoy what few days of summer sunshine we seem to be getting. But come fall, it looks like federal politicians will be everywhere campaigning for your vote. You've heard it here. We will be going to the polls this fall.

It will be wall-to-wall elections on news programs as Harper battles Dion, Layton and the others north of the border and Obama battles McCain south of the border.

I wonder if policy, platforms and planks will get any discussion, or will the race deteriorate to mudslinging. If you're a betting person, put you're money on the lowest level of debate.

Globally, of course, the Olympics in China will be the big story over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the exploits of the athletes will take a back seat to drug cheaters, secret politics and greedy corporate pitchmen.

And finally, back on the local front. This Saturday is National Peacekeepers Day. Drop by the Woodstock Court House at 10 a.m. Saturday for a special ceremony.