Moose FM CKAP 100.9 - Kapuskasing

Can someone please explain to me why some people just don't get it?  I mean really, what could be more plain than IT'S ILLEGAL TO DRIVE AND USE YOUR CELL PHONE!!!  In this province, in this country, we are constantly faced with legislation that the average person finds contentious, ridiculous, poorly thought-out.  Everyone complains that the government has their own agenda with many of the bills and laws that they pass.  Well, to their credit this time around, the only secret agenda on the table is personal safety.  Making sure that you get from point A to point B without crashing into something, or even worse, someone.  How novel...once in a while, it looks like they get it right.  The reasons behind it are backed up by many major accidents, injuries, and fatalities.  In Toronto alone, dozens of pedestrians are being run down by vehicles, because they aren't paying attention...they're texting, fiddling with an I-Pod or some other gadget, and simply aren't paying attention.  They walk right into traffic with no notice of what's going on around them...and they're walking!!  Imagine that lack of attention transferred to a motor vehicle, and you have a disaster in the making. 
I'm not preaching.  I've made calls in my vehicle.  But the evidence points to the fact that we just can't concentrate properly on our driving when we're distracted by a cell phone.  Even hands-free isn't perfectly safe, but it's a huge improvement over using a hand held phone.

So I won't do it anymore.  I believe in this law.

Please...put the phone away when you're driving if you're not set up for hands-free.  Not only will you be a safer driver for it, you won't get busted for a) a fine, and b) demerit points that could have both been easily avoided.

Think about it.  The law is there to protect all of us.  For a change, I don't think the law needs any further justification than that.  I hope the police do what they can to enforce this new law.  When word gets around that they're writing people up for it, that may be just the deterrant that's needed to get us all on the same page with this.

Call me on this if you want, but please, not from your car.

Kapuskasing has undergone many changes in the last several months.  Our profile has changed with the addition of the new water tower and the recent dismantling of the old one.  One fixture for another you might say, but it's a new perspective on the town to be sure.  We will all benefit from major repairs done to the roadways in town that were disrupted by the construction of the new water delivery system.  We should never have to worry about running out of water while fighting a major fire, and we've had a couple of very serious fires in the last few years.  We may suffer some   short term pain while work is ongoing but plans remain to develop the infrastructure of Kapuskasing.  We have a new health center, the new OPP station is still slated to be built in the old Kap Inn location.  Raising new on the ashes of the old.  Many new businesses have opened in the last couple of years, and they are not only encouraging to see, they are doing well.  Why?  Kapuskasing is looking to the future, and is doing it's best to adjust to the changing times.  In some cases, it's a brave face, but in most it's a new face and appearance to meet the coming social and economic climate.  I'm looking forward to seeing what's on the horizon in the next few years.  Over 20 years ago I picked Kapuskasing as the perfect place to start our family, and I'm still convinced I'm in the right place.  I don't think my optimism is misplaced and it saddens me when I hear people harping about the inevitable demise of this great town.  My children have been happy here, my wife and I are happy here, and this community has offered us opportunities that could never present themselves in places that have mass transit, skyrocketing crime and murder rates, and blatant bigotry.  Yes Kapuskasing has faced some bleak days, and has survived some close calls.  But ultimately, Kapuskasing will be here for many years. 

So the hustle and bustle of Christmas is behind us and the New Year is here.  Hope your holiday was restful and you got a chance to spend some time with your loved ones.  What have you planned for 2010?  Set any goals, make any resolutions?  I've set a few...but like most people, a New Year's Resolution is good for a couple of weeks...I hope to succeed this year.  I intend to complete some home projects that I've been putting off.  Little things, but it's about time.  I also intend to get into the pool and get a bit of regular exercise.  And I am determined to make this the best year ever for spending quality time with the family.  If you spot me around town, don't be shy to ask how I'm making out...I'm the kind of person who needs to be gently pushed from time to time.  Hope your resolutions are as simple as mine...and if you need my help to remind me of yours, I'll be happy to help out.

Happy New Year to all our friends and listeners.

Brent