Official Luthiers Forum!

Well I have been away from the Forum for the last week and for good reason. As most Canadians may be aware Nipigon has been in a state of Emergency for the past week with our Major, and only Industry burning to the ground, our water system running dry and being without potable water until yesterday and the entire town being on alert for immediate evacuation. When I ran for Mayor this isn't what I signed up for but it has certainly forced me to earn my keep. With temperatures dropping to -30 and -40 it was a tough fire to fight and their are still some smoldering piles. We were very fortunate though, if the wind had shifted in the slightest bit the fire would have moved into town and with no water in the water system it would have been had to fight. Even the smoke would have forced evacuation. As it turned out we just had to evacuate the street closest to the Mill. Amazingly as well, no one was injured or even hurt, a full shift was on when the fire broke out and everyone got out, Fire fighters were pulled off the roof just minutes before it collapsed and everyone was safe. For me there were a lot of tough decesions (Declaring a state of emergency, Deciding to let the fire go, calling to the region for help etc. but we made it through and I certainly learned what it means when The Bible says Pray without ceasing. I won't be around much for the next while as We are still in a state of emergency (I hope to lift it tomorrow.) As has been pointed out to me, very fell politicians will ever have to deal with a crises like this especially just 2 months into their term. Priemier Dalton McGuinty phoned to discuss the situation with me and gave me a great quote. "People are like Tea, You don't know how strong they are until you put them in Hot Water." The people of Nipigon have shown and will continue to show their strength as we continue through this crises

Hang in there Richard. Thoughts, hopes and prayers have been heading your way since news of the disaster. We're behind you spiritually and emotionally if not physically to pitch in.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

I am sure you are headed for Heaven because it sounds like you have spent you fair share of time in Hell. my prayers are with you and your town-folk!

Wow, Richard, what an initiation. We're keeping you and the town in our thoughts.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Richard--

I'd like to echo JJ's statement. I grew up in a small lumbering town in central Idaho and I have a small (very small) inkling of what you are going through. Mercifully no one was injured either in the blaze or in the fighting of the fire. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.

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Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Richard,
From another Canuck on the West Coast, good on you for taking on the
often thankless job of Mayor. On the positive side, disasters like this do
have a way of pulling a town together. With the town behind you the Feds
won't have a choice but to help out. In the meantime hang in there and a
great job on dealing with it so far.

BTW. Cool to see a Mayor who's a luthier. Ours is a coroner. Necessary
but not nearly as cool.
Cheers,
Danny Vincent

Prayers are with you guys!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Hang in there Richard. I'm glad to see that they have a good man in charge of the situation . Glad to hear that no one was hurt, the rest can be rebuilt with enough determination.      

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Richard, it sounds to me like the voters made the correct choice. My thoughts are with you as you struggle through this situation.

It seems like every job has unexpected changes, but man!!!....

Richard, thanks for your testimony my friend, keep the faith and keep praying, i will continue praying for you and your folks to roll up sleeves and rebuild with strength and courage.

Best regards

Serge

Literally baptism by fire.

We're thinking about you.

A few of the news stories here

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D..

I read this Richard..Said by your MP ( Member of Parliment)

''While this appears to be a devastating blow to the people of Nipigon, l am heartened by the optimism and determination shown by the mill owners, management and employees as well as Mayor Harvey and his council to rebuild the mill. "

Good luck to you, hang in there, ..and a big well done..

Richard I listened to you on the cbc this morning, you wre great.

How are you holding up Richard? Unfortunately this isn't an emergency you sprint through. Things are going to take too long for everyone because it can't be done yesterday. Hang in there, pace yourself and know you and the community will be in our thoughts and prayers. I have faith in you and so do a lot of other people.

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Aoibeann

Hang in there Richard, still praying for you guys up north, how is the situation these days?

Serge

Now the tough part sets in, over 50% of Nipigon's workforce is now unemployed, most of whom don't have even a high school education. Prospects look tough but we are still moving towards rebuilding, Looks like we will be 10-20 million dollars short after insurance so I am heading down to queens park this week with my hat out. At the same time we are very hopeful and I am so impressed with the spirit of people in this town. Aprently the Toronto star had a front page story about us today which is neat and will help keep our needs in front of the politicians here
We apprciate continued prayers as this will probably take years to recover from.

WOW Richard, that oughta give your community the attention that you deserve in such a critical time, i'll continue praying for your folks up there to keep the morale and good spirit of courage in front of adversity.

You're doing a great job Richard, keep the faith and keep working hard, your citizens need the leader that you are now, God bless you bro.

Serge