21inc. - Day 3

We spent a good part, well all of the morning at JDI today. Discussion on its business, then tour of the mill followed by another discussion which revolved around self-sufficiency, energy, the environment... what are JDI's plan? Vision? It was a good opportunity to ask questions and discuss. I'm reading a book on the Irving Family dinasty in NB right now, so it was timely for me and very interesting. I was mostly interested in knowing how they form their unshakable internal commitment with staff, while having large parts of the community be unhappy with their presence. We didn't get there. Many in the group are very focused on green matters so the discussion is often directed that way, and I do also have an interest, and do not mind it, but I discuss it enough elsewhere and everywhere. I like discussing the interal culture, process, leadership styles and relationships. The history, how they got there, how they address challenges. Something different.

We then had lunch at a microbrewery, Big Tide Brewery and had beer tasting... it did smell good!! 2 more months... 2 more months... ;) If in SJ, definately give it a try, lunch was outstanding.

Then we had another tear jerking session which was very effective in getting the message out. We had a tour of the neighborhoods greatly affected by poverty in SJ. SJ has quite a unique challenge with this compared to the rest of the NB, I never realized this. Many affordable housing units. Many. Many. Many buildings borded up, condemned... or that should be. And a great NGO in the middle of it all which works towards decreasing the percentage of the population affected by poverty, the North End Community Centre.

Then we had a great walking tour of SJ to see its history and how its municipal policies on maintaining historical real estate, architecture and the image of their corresponding neighberhoods work for SJ. Wonderful old buildings and properties. I wish I had tones of money to invest in real estate.

Then off to Moncton where we had dinner at the U de M and had a panel discussion with 4 great women about women in position of leadership. My new hero, Aldéa Landry... she's done so much, and her comments this evening were brilliant and inspiring.

I'm at the hotel now... spent time with my feet in the hot tub relaxing... and now I really need to get to bed. We have breakfast at 7:30am with the Premier. I should really be thinking of my possible questions... not writing on the blog... ah, I'll try to think something up over coffee at 7am.

Bonne nuit...

cdg