Halfway through term, local MLA prepares to tackle next two years

He's been on the job for two years and as Mike Olscamp prepares to head back to the provincial Legislature this week, he says he's ready to tackle the second half of his term as Tantramar's MLA.
"It's been a real eye-opener so far," said Olscamp from his constituent office in Sackville last week. "I've enjoyed my ride . . . and I make it a point to learn something new every day."
Olscamp, who served as opposition critic for the Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport for his first two years as MLA, will now take on the role of critic for fisheries and tourism under new Tory leader David Alward.
"Dave's a solid guy. He's very down to earth," said Olscamp, who added he believes the newly-elected Alward will bring a new decorum to the Legislature. "He has a fine balance of professionalism and experience."

Potential for tourism, fisheries
Olscamp, a retired school teacher and administrator, said he's ready to engage in serious discussions about how to move New Brunswick tourism forward, with a focus on the southeast region.
"There's so much potential in the Tantramar riding . . . but there are a lot of missed opportunities," he said.
The MLA said he realizes there are a lot of tourism stakeholders hard at work in southeastern New Brunswick trying to tap into the tourism market, but believes they could use more financial support.
And with the current economic conditions, gas prices and this summer's wet weather, he knows it's been an uphill battle to attract tourists to the region.
Olscamp said fortunately Sackville was able to draw on its Cultural Capital of Canada designation this year, which "opened up some new avenues."
"And I'd like to continue working with the town of Sackville to look at new ways to keep that energy going."
He said he'll also be looking to increase the number of camp sites at Murray Beach provincial park and ensure further development of the Cape Tormentine campground.
He plans to continue meeting with local fishers and will bring their concerns to government. He said the provincial fisheries department must continue working with its federal counterpart to ensure a strong future for the industry.
"We want to make sure fishers can go out there and make a decent living."

Plenty on agenda for new session
Olscamp said the Conservatives have plenty on the agenda as they head into a new legislative session - including hitting the Liberal government with plenty of questions over their proposed tax reform, their lack of movement on the post-secondary education agenda, and their health-care restructuring.
"We've got all kinds of things to hit them with . . . there's a lot of unfinished business."
He said the government's proposal to raise the HST, a recommendation made in the discussion paper on New Brunswick's tax system, would prove damaging to local business.
"That would have very detrimental effects on our small businesses," he said. "I think raising taxes, given the economic state we're in, would be foolhardy."
Olscamp said he also plans to voice his concerns over the direction the government is taking on the restructuring of the health care boards.
"Sackville has lost its voice in health care."
He said he's "peeved" at the elimination of the eight boards that were made up of volunteer members in favour of only two boards, with members who receive a per diem of $500 per meeting (plus expenses).
Olscamp said he's also concerned over the new role the Health Minister has suggested the hospital foundations could play in health care, by not only continuing to fundraise for more money but also adding administrative responsibilities to their mandate.
"If foundations are given more responsibility, then the small foundations are at a disadvantage."
He noted this latest move seems to be another step the Liberals have been taking towards downloading responsibilities onto non-governmental agencies.

Rural New Brunswick being
ignored, says Olscamp
Olscamp said he was pleased to see Port Elgin Regional School and Marshview Middle School receive designations as 'community schools' earlier this month by the Education Minister, an initiative that will help make those schools the centre of their respective communities. But although the MLA applauded the move, he did stress that community schools are not necessarily a new concept, at least in the Tantramar region. He said educators have always drawn on local resource people in the riding for their expertise and knowledge; and community volunteers step up to the plate on a consistent basis.
Olscamp added smaller schools are at a disadvantage under this initiative, however, because larger schools have greater funding opportunities from a wider selection of businesses in their communities.
"This government seems to be ignoring rural New Brunswick," he stated.
Port Elgin School's designation also came with the announcement that the community's health clinic will be relocated from its present site at the Westford Nursing Home to the school, although no funds have been committed by the government for this project, said Olscamp.
"I realize that some money will have to be raised locally but the government should be willing to contribute as well," he said, noting the anticipated costs are estimated at $117,000.

Patience, persistence required
Olscamp said he has learned a lot in the last two years, most importantly that the MLA's job takes a lot of patience and persistence. He said he doesn't close a file on any issue until all avenues have been explored and explained the toughest part of his job is when he hits a brick wall.
"You need to prepare yourself to win some and to lose some," he said.
Olscamp said he has enjoyed meeting with constituents over the past two years on a variety of issues and insisted he will continue to work hard for the residents of the Tantramar riding.
"For me, meeting with people at their kitchen tables is what provincial politics is all about."