Academy Performances

February 25, 2008

"The envelope please," pleaded the well coiffed, well known presenter dressed in shimmering blouse and sleek skirt.  The audience held its collective breath.  The nominees tried to appear nonchalant but couldn't breathe at all.

We never seem to get used to the sound of 'The Envelope' being torn open, the teasing Drama Queen or Drama King innocently pausing after expectantly uttering the words “…and the winner is...”.  Then, with the sudden announcement comes the whoosh of applause as exclamations of delight fill the air and one of the (apparently) surprised nominees leaps forward towards the stage as the hapless non-winners also applaud and smile while inwardly asking the painful question “Why wasn't it me?”

Why was it that this particular Awards Night seemed so genuine? When some of the winners were choked with emotion trying to thank their families or producers or nominators nobody thought they were faking it.  When the impeccable emcee said of one group of young performing starlets "Aren't we lucky to have the most beautiful women in the world right here with us tonight!?" nobody doubted his sincerity and all applauded his misty-eyed assessment.

I think the reason for all of the heartfelt reality was the fact we weren't in Hollywood and it wasn't the Oscars.  I was attending the Annual Community Awards of Excellence on Saturday evening in beautiful downtown Summerland.  The ceremonies match in excitement and goodwill similar annual events we go to all around the constituency from Merritt in the Nicola Valley down to Westbank and all through the South Okanagan.

We see local heroes who work 14 hour days running small businesses but finding time to donate hard earned dollars for well deserved local causes.  These are the local residents who think nothing of volunteering untold and 'un-bragged-about' hours to help others, getting well deserved thanks from grateful citizens.  This is the stuff that truly binds and builds the neighbourhoods in which we dwell.

Though of course I appreciate the deference that is shown to us as politicians being introduced as 'Special Guests' or 'Dignitaries' at these events I fully recognize who the truly 'Special' people are.

It's the ones I've just mentioned, along with the service groups, agencies and faith associations who do the quiet but so needed labours of love which keep the 'soul' of our communities vibrant and human.

So allow me the honour of extending the famous line "And the winner is..." to each of you who give so unselfishly in so many ways.  You may never make the headlines or walk the well lit red carpet stage but your efforts will light up more hearts and inspire more hope than a whole trunk-full of Oscars ever could.

On that note, I should thank everyone who worked hard with me and many others to finally make the case that we need a Passport Office in the Okanagan.
We got the good news this week. Once it's built and staffed (approx 30 new full time jobs!) there will be no more need for anyone (who doesn't want to use the mail) to drive to the coast to get their passports.

It was also exciting this week to announce $7 million going to local agencies that help the unemployed to get back into the work force and assist others who are working to upgrade their skills and opportunities. Even though we just announced the lowest rates of unemployment in 33 years and the strongest dollar in 50 years there will always be those who need a hand up.

That was made clear to me in Merritt this week as I joined the provincial Liberal MLA in a joint announcement granting the dollars to modernize a church facility which runs a local Soup Kitchen and substance abuse program.  At that event, once again I got to meet the local hero volunteers who give daily star performances in supporting roles for people who will be forever changed because of them.