It’s happened to Burin Peninsula resident Madeline Broydell and many others with chronic illnesses. Here’s how it usually plays out. Mrs. Broydell is low on the medications she uses to control her diabetes and high blood pressure, but her doctor is out of town and is unavailable to write her a new prescription.

Physicians in Newfoundland and Labrador have been providing safe rides home for newborns at hospitals around the province for more than 20 years and plan to do the same as 2010 arrives.

The provincial government’s Community Enhancement Employment Program (CEEP) will invest another $236,703 in four municipalities in Grand Bank District.

	MP Judy Foote

Random-Burin-St. George’s MP Judy Foote described 2009 as an “interesting, exciting and rewarding year.” However, the Grand Bank native, who was elected to represent the riding back in October 2008, making the past 12 months her first full year on the job, acknowledged 2009 wasn’t without its share of disappointments.

	Minister Clyde Jackman

Despite an economic crisis that threatened to bring much of the world to its knees in 2009, Burin-Placentia West MHA Clyde Jackman suggested Newfoundland and Labrador managed to hold its own this past year. And while the fishing industry in particular was hit hard, he acknowledged he remains hopeful of a turnaround in 2010.

	Minister Darin King

Grand Bank MHA Darin King cited mining and shipbuilding as two key industries to keep an eye on in 2010. The MHA acknowledged news regarding the possible reactivation of the fluorspar mine in St. Lawrence has been positive since the process began.

The new year is upon us as 2009 closes out, with the outlook for 2010 at least a little more promising. 2009 opened up hitting most people between the two eyes with the worldwide recession. Most everybody was impacted in some way because of this phenomenon.

A recent Digital Journal article reports Canada as one of the top three countries in the world with the highest cell phone rates. Paying anywhere from five to 25 times more per month ...