It began with a rule. Union members only!
After a few years, they added friends of Union employees.
Until the last couple of years, they told the public everyone is invited.
My God? And show up they did! I had a little chat last evening over the phone with a Union organizer.
Tim Smith and I showed up at this event and unfortunately many didn’t forget me…lol….Anyhow Tim and me took a lot of pictures and talked to a few members about some different issues
I was concerned of the amount of people who showed up for this event but it seemed to have a friendly open atmosphere so this is good!
Hundreds were lined up for free hamburgers and Hotdogs.
A person could tell there were poor families among the crowd. The picnic began at 12:00pm and ended at 3:00pm? The line was still long!!!
The Union members told me that they served 1,000 hamburgers, 1,000 hotdogs, 300 litres of pop, 400 ice creams < ran out early > 1,000 cups < also ran out until someone ran to his car and brought beer cups from the Rolling Stones concert >.
They had Face painting, rides. I might add they also had pony rides.
The cost is well over $2,000.00.
A labour member told me that many of these poor families never get out from Saint John and this was a great way to finish the summer. It was worth the time and money!!!
Abel LeBlanc was the only elected official who made a presence.
The waiting line for food was close to 45 minutes and many took 3 or 4 hamburgers with them for the people that were with them to save time in line.
Can you imagine if the picnic would have been held in the South Side of the City?
Yes, I now truly understand the reason why a few weeks ago Bernard Lord held a B-B-Q at Fort Latour and he never invited the public.
It was a gathering for the elite only!
I don’t believe that Bernard Lord or the P.C. Party would have the heart to feed the poor families in the Saint John area.
Which might be one of the many reasons why the P.Cs haven’t held the south side seat in a very long time!
