A resident of Pasadena notes in the weekend edition of the Western Star that it is “disrespectful for provincial government project signs, with the late Diane Whalen’s name on it, to be left up months after the work has been completed.”Indeed it is.Minister Whalen died last fall after a lengthy battle with cancer.The concerned resident’s story in the Star continues (emphasis added):
He wanted his concerns made known to the department, so made a call to suggest having the sign removed. The response he received from a staff member was even more ludicrous, in his opinion.
He says the person he spoke to said the Department was ordering overlays, but Parsons said the project is finished and the sign should be removed. He also said the person would not clearly answer his questions, even deflecting responsibility.
Not only is the Minister deceased, but the project is apparently finished. The Department, in its wisdom, will order “overlays” to remind us who is now filling the seat once filled by the late Minister Whalen, to ensure that local commuters can be reminded which politician now bestows such great things upon them.The project may be finished, and the previous Minister deceased, but it remains an election year. The sign will be maintained and updated accordingly. It’s probably due to be polished and shined (at our expense) in October.The real matter of disrespect isn’t the lingering of the sign lamented by Mr. Parsons. No, it’s that the sign – an item of pure political vanity – was ever erected at all.With due respect, it’s not the deceased minister who is being disrespected.It’s the rest of us.
