Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down

THUMBS Up to Thunder Bay police “for the care and compassion shown when we called. The Palliative Hospice Unit at St. Joseph’s Care Group was in need of help. Early morning a patient was is need of family at their side. Other family and staff were unable to contact immediate family after numerous attempts. Staff called 911 in hope police could help. The 911 operator was compassionate and understanding and dispatched police who quickly contacted and escorted family to the hospital. With this, hospice palliative staff give a respectful Thumbs Up! We are a community working together.”

THUMBS Up from a Montreal trucker to the post office in a small north-side Thunder Bay plaza “for the best service you can have. I’m a long-distance driver and I have to use a post office often. I always use small, out-of-the-way outlets; usually there is not a line up. The service at this one is impeccable. Last time it was packed. It was not a burden to be in line. I observed the staff to be efficient, trying their best to accommodate the needs of the patrons. Places like this one is what makes a community worth living in. I even have room to park my rig. Keep up the good work.”

THUMBS Up to “our Christian neighbour who took me and my dog in on the -40 C night when both my regular key and my spare key broke off in the lock to my door. She welcomed us both with a hot cup of tea and a phone to get some help. Thank goodness for good neighbours in the country, especially on cold, dark nights.”

THUMBS Down to the driver “who hit a beautiful three-year-old German shepherd on Lakeshore Drive last Saturday afternoon and did not have the nerve to stop. I hope you feel proud of yourself. By the way, the dog died. You can pick up your headlight at the side of the road. You know where it is.”

THUMBS Up to the Royal Bank “for sharing a special guest speaker who was in Thunder Bay for a short time. Phil Fontaine, one of Canada’s most influential and sought-after aboriginal speakers, took time from his very busy schedule to speak to a group of individuals, students and staff at the Ontario Works Employment Resource Centre in Victoriaville. He inspired and motivated individuals working to improve their education, training and life situations. The time truly inspired the group of 46.”

THUMBS Up to Shaw Cable “for finally listening to its customers. Minneapolis TV stations are much more relevant in our lives than those from Detroit.

A READER offers Thumbs Down “to me for allowing myself to get caught up in the obnoxiousness of others at my son’s recent hockey game. Instead of enjoying watching my son and his team play a great game, I let myself get bothered by the words and actions of the spectators (parents?) of the opposing team. An apology to my son and his team (who thankfully weren’t aware of this) and to the others who were sitting nearby. In future, I will ignore the rudeness and stupid comments of others and instead just enjoy watching a great game of hockey!”

THUMBS Down to the thief (thieves) who “stole the 3 1/2-foot hard plastic snowman from the front of my house on McGregor Place, Jan. 13. Since my grandchildren grew up and no longer build real snowmen for me in the front yard, I began putting out the plastic ones each winter. In all I had five and lit them up for the Christmas season. The one you stole was the oldest and largest, with a black top hat, red scarf and yellow broom. I would appreciate his return. He is of no monetary value to anyone, but was a seasonal pleasure for me and my neighbours.”

THUMBS Up to the city planning department “for bringing in IBI consultants to help map out the future of the Golf Links-Junot corridor. They have been listening to the public — refreshing! But, Thumbs Down to the decision to cut down two acres of trees across from the new EMS centre on Junot. Wouldn’t it have been better to have left that land treed as a noise barrier for Picton Street residents? Bye-bye birdies! Apparently, no one has bought this land yet. The city is hoping a residential developer will buy it. Who in his right mind would build homes on that piece of noisy land?”

THUMBS Up to Thunder Bay’s Portuguese Association executive and all the tradespeople involved with the renovation of their hall on Mapleward Road. The project has been ongoing since the fall and is now near completion. “What a jewel this new facility will be,” says a reader. “Congratulations to all the workers as well as the many volunteers who’ve been helping out, both in big jobs and small ones. We can’t wait for its grand opening.”

THUMBS Down to the car full of young people in a red Honda (plate ending in -220) who were throwing eggs out the windows at traffic and pedestrians on North Edward Street Wednesday evening. “The egg will wash off my jacket but what if it was my eye? Think about that! You may have thought that it was just fun, but now that you have been exposed it may not be fun, fun, fun when mommy and daddy take the Honda away!”