Governmentium

How not to write a press release:

Executive Council
November 7, 2007

Citizens and Government Come Together
at Visions to Actions – A Roadmap to 2020

Visions to Actions – A Roadmap to 2020 marks an important step in the Provincial Government’s strategy to build strong, sustainable rural communities. The conference will provide the forum for citizens, through the regional and provincial councils, with the opportunity to collaborate with the key decision-makers to help build a roadmap to enhance sustainability of the province’s rural communities.

"This government is committed to working with citizens to build strong and sustainable rural regions," said the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. "Engaging citizens to create a shared vision and a clear pathway to regional sustainability is a key step in achieving our goal. I am confident that this forum will enable us to identify the appropriate actions required to address rural challenges and maximize opportunities."

The conference, scheduled for November 7-9 in Gander, will expand upon the Rural Secretariat’s Dialogue Days previously held in Port Blandford in 2004, Marble Mountain in 2005, and Rocky Harbour in 2006. Participants will include 14 Cabinet mnisters, three MHAs, all regional and provincial council members of the Rural Secretariat, senior public officials, community stakeholders, and youth from across the province. Discussion will include, but not limited to, how best to attract, retain, and engage youth, along with economic, labour market, social and demographic issues facing rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

Nested infinitives... Buzzwords out the whazoo ("stakeholders"? "2020"? Oh, come on!)

"Strong"? Where, oh where, have we heard that word, ad nauseam, lately? Are "we" perhaps going to collaborate with the key decision-makers to help build a roadmap to enhance "proud" and "determined" communities, too?

And grammar, grammar, grammar.

It's hard to tell whether this press release is a sorrier comment on the state of education, or on the state of provincial government incompetence generally.

(And you have to love how these Dialogue Days are being held all across the province from Victoria to Halifax - er, Rocky Harbour to Port Blandford.)