Welcome to the first instalment of In My Backyard, a monthly feature in which we will discuss issues and ideas that are important to Nova Scotians. The first order of business is to thank Acadia Broadcasting for inviting me to be part of this impressive website.
I never pass up the opportunity to talk about this wonderful place we call home so when they asked if I was interested in contributing, I immediately said yes, as the site provides an excellent vehicle through which to communicate with Nova Scotians.
The subject matter for In My Backyard will only be as limited as our imaginations and the topics must deal with Nova Scotia. However, as we begin this journey, the one stipulation I make is that the topics must be of a positive nature because, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of all the doom and gloom we see in the news or read on social media these days.
So let’s keep it light and let’s be positive because, from my perspective, I think there is so much in the world and in our province for which we should be grateful, most of which we take for granted. However, trough In My Backyard, we’re going to change that perspective.
On that note then, this week I want to talk about the unsung heroes of our roads and highways -the snowplough operators and salt truck drivers who go largely overlooked in our day-to-day existence. If the major snowstorms that hit Nova Scotia a few weeks ago taught us anything, it’s that these men and women, who brave the elements in some of the worst weather conditions imaginable, are the real heroes of winter and they deserve to be recognized for their actions.
In the interest of full disclosure, I must be perfectly honest here, I do not like winter. Never have. And no, I am not being negative because it’s a known fact that I truly despise it. With that being said however, I applaud all those who enjoy the snowy season. I may not be one of them, but good for anyone who embraces winter.
This isn’t about me, though. It’s about the people who keep us moving. Despite my personal hang-ups about winter, I have the absolute deepest respect for anyone whose job it is to keep our main transportation routes open so that traffic can keep flowing.
While you and I are hunkered down in our warm and cozy homes during the brutal storms of the Atlantic winter season, a small army of road warriors spread out across Nova Scotia, sometimes in extreme conditions, to push the snow aside so that when we need them, the highways are passable. We mostly take that work for granted as we drive along the paths they’ve cleared for us.
Yes, it’s their job, but let’s not take them for granted any longer. Instead, let’s thank them and applaud them for the work they do. If I have one complaint about snowplough operators, however, it’s that they always seem to wait to plough my street until after I shovel out my driveway. If only they could lift their blade at everyone’s driveway, then they we’d be really talking.
Just kidding folks. Seriously though, thank you for doing what you do, which is helping to make our backyard a safe place to travel. You will find nothing but respect from me.
