Your View

To Jeb in Sherbrook: Any money that was deemed (by a independent judge) to be bad was given to the province and applied to the debt. Please get your facts straight as it makes anything else you say seem like a bias attack.

As for the Premier--I was worried when Rodney won the leadership. I thought that he would be run by the older and wiser clan within the party for their own needs. Allowing Fage back into cabinet was poor given the potatoe loan, and it has now come back to haunt him.

Had Fage not been returned to cabinet Rodney would come out looking great in the light of recent events. However, in order to lead you need people around you to be honest with you. He doesn't have this. I think his mismanagement of this will divide the party.

Ernie Fage should do the honourable thing and resign his seat. For an educated and bright individual, he should have stayed at the scene of the accident or should have made a decision not to drive in the first place.

Premier MacDonald should demand the resignation of Ernie Fage, Mr. Chisholm and Ms. Irving. The latter two knew from the onset of the situation and the implications for keeping this information from the Premier.

If Mr. MacDonald is old enough to be our Premier, I am sure he is old enough to handle information that is detremental to his caucus and to make his owned informed decisions.

Circling the wagons and keeping the Premeir in the dark is no way to run the Office of the Premier and our government.

The truth will set you free Rodney!!!

Roddy Macdonald has to show some leadership. He must start to make some hard decisions. He must feel he has to be loyal to people like Ernie Fage who helped him win the leadership.

However , the people of Nova Scotia were the ones who elected him to this position and he must be loyal to them. He must show that loyalty by taking a stand and making those tough decisions.

It is all well and good to be loyal to your friends ,but he is not the leader of your local mens club , he is the Premier of Nova Scotia . That means making tough decisions and putting Nova Scotia and the integrity of our Govt First

I think he will find that the people of Nova Scotia appriciate tough decisions . Look at the way they responded to to Education Minister Karen Casey when she made the difficult decision to abolish the school board. So come on PREMIER MacDonald make some decisions and put Nova Scotia first and Politics second

The cloud moving across NS are leaving a stench in the air, can you smell it? Is that why Mr. Chisholm was flying to New York the next day, to get away from the smell? Doesn't the chief of staff accompany the Premier, and don't you think Chisholm would have told him on the plane? Many had high hopes for Mr. MacDonald, myself included. You know what they say...high expections, low returns. Next time I'm voting for someone else - and not because of what Mr. Fage did.

Enough already! The only reason this is getting any press time is because the other individuals who supposedly were involved are connected with the media. The very minor traffic incident was reported shortly after it happened - end of story. That a person "smells of alcohol" says nothing. That the police thought so little of it at the time to not follow through by investigating says it all. Do us all a favour and give it a rest.

as someone familiar with government operations, it is absolutely inconceivable to me that Rodney MacDonald's staff did not tell him about this. There are only two conclusions to draw here. one: he was told and he is a liar. two: he was not told and his staff is practicing the "plausible deniable" method of protection ala George Bush. either way it smells. this incident clearly illuminates a government in free fall. I guess integrity walked out the door with John Hamm and Ron Russell. Sad.

I am very concerned with the view that this is a minor problem. This is a major issue and should be dealt with as one. This whole fiasco is defined by many important concerns. I will focus on just three.

The first is the issue of those who believe they are above the law and do not feel they have to follow it. This was changed with the Magna Charta in 1215 and was not modified for political leaders of any stripe. Lying and misleading the public to avoid the truth is not acceptable behavior for public servants such as the Premier and his colleagues.

Secondly we have the issue of leadership. If the man and his loyal followers cannot run their office they cannot run the affairs of the Province. As a leader Rodney should clean house but he is defending his staffers for their "fine" work on his behalf and that of taxpayers. Would this be the lying and misleading part?

Thirdly we have the role of government and who they represent. The Premier is to act decisively on behalf of entire electorate not the minority who voted him in. Remember a larger majority voted against the Tories. Government is to act in the interests of the people not the party. We must get rid of the patronage system, and perhaps the party system. Proportional representation would solve this and is long overdue.

To change this "culture of entitlement" we cannot ignore it. Exposing it to its roots and digging it out is necessary... just like any bad weed.

If it is minor to any reader I would suggest they are part of the problem not the solution

I haven't heard about Mr. Fage being charged with anything yet. Mr. Fage is a representative of the public.

He has broken our laws. He needs to resign immediately not take an "indefinate leave" which I assume we the taxpayers will continue giving him a salary for during his "leave".

MacDonald and his chief of staff should quit dithering and make an immediate apology to the citizens of Nova Scotia and rectify the situation.

They need to quit sticking their heads in the asphalt and hoping we'll all go away and forget about it. Terrible politics guys!!

I am amazed by the individuals who think this issue has been blown out of proportion.
If Rodney Mac wants to play with the big boys, he'd better learn to act like one and get a handle on his political posse.

If I was him and I "found out" that the majority of the people I've hired to make me look good (at which I might add they've never appeared to be particularly good), I would be incensed by their actions.

I'll admit, the Fage fender bender in itself would not have been a big deal had he not left the scene (regardless of whether or not he may have been DUI),

The only person I feel bad for in this case is unwitting spokesperson Joe Gillis who came on the job after the fact and was used as a mule through which employees of Rodney's office could lie with a straight face.

Mr Fage obviously did the wrong thing likely before, during and after that accident and it would seem that he has a penchant for doing the wrong thing.

He seems to be one of those people who always wants to get away with something without suffering the consequences of his actions. There are a lot of people like that in this world.

It would have been nice to see him apologize for his behaviour and own up to what he did, regardless of a police investigation, but I guess his lack of character won't allow that and I suppose he's holding out hope that the police will find in his favour and he will still be able to get away with his wrong-doings until the bitter end.

I'm not sure what everyone expects MacDonald to do about the dishonesty in his own party. You can really only ask someone to be honest and forthright, you can't force them to be and lets face it, it's not as though he hand-picked these people, the voters did.

Voters gave him what he's got to work with so if anyone wants to play the blame-game I suggest every PC voter should start the festivities in their own homes.

Mistakes were made, no doubt. Keep in mind, however, it wasn't just Mr. MacDonald who put his trust in Mr. Fage during the last election.

If I recall the people also had enough confidence in him and re-elected him by a significant number of votes.

Before demanding that the entire Convervative government become the scapegoat for an unfortunate judgment call, perhaps Nova Scotians should wait for the police investigation to be completed (which it would be in the best interests of government and the public to be expedited) before making further demands for resignations.

Remind me again why the opposition parties in Nova Scotia think this is the most important and flameworthy issue on the agenda in that province . . .

Get real people. This is a big story only for those people who have neither the maturity nor the intelligence to discuss real issues facing Nova Scotia.

It's a sucker-punch british tabloid bit of nothingness where ridiculous amounts of time are wasted by political opponents of the government trying to pin down who knew what and when on something that isn't even a government issue.

Yes, there are blameworthy issues here; yes, I'm sure they'll be dealt with by authorities and others. NO, this is NOT something that should hound a premier who is trying his best to to his job.

The motivations of those people who are parroting NS opposition parties on these issues is crystal clear to anyone with eyes, ears, and a brain. It's really quite a ridiculous and ultra-political use of an unfortunate incident.

Now we can truly see what the problem is in Nova Scotia. Incompetent leaders whose loyalty is tied to the old boys club and not the people.

We elect governments not parties but the Tories and Liberals never see it that way. Rodney should fire Chisholm and Irving, get rid of Melvin Foley and demote Angus MacIsaac.

This circus must end in Nova Scotia. He should also adopt federal guidelines for political donations instead of cooking up a deal with the Liberals who are well known for their crooked politics and their slush fund which was amassed by illegal means.

Perhaps then we can see our future for our families. No change means more outmigration as the young will not stay in a province mired in the past, run by old men who are focused on patronage and self interest.

The Premier should fire Fage and all who conspired to cover up for him. Then he should quit the party and call an election. Moral, clean, and honorable...

The Premier should rid himself of the muppets Ernie, Bob, Sasha and Angus; unless of course, he has the arrogance of Chretien and the intellect of a goat.

The Premier is giving the second impression that his conduct is sneaky. He should disclose the fact the coverup took place and accept responsibility for the mess. Kicking Fage out of caucus is also required as the man's second chance has now also turned to a smelly incident. He is clearly unsuited for a position of public responsibility.

If Rodney MacDonald had any brains whatsoever, he would send Bob Chisholm and Sasha Irving packing for withholding info, and send a stern message to Fage and Angus MacIsaac that the withholding of information was not appreciated and will not be tolerated.

Not that I'm saying Rodney is by any means an innoncent in this. He obviously wouldn't win any intelligence prizes for his choosing of his inner sanctum, but if he has any hopes of salvaging any modicum of credibility in this situation, heads better start rolling.

Of course, the heads that should be rolling are likely the same ones that could talk about what really led up to the separation of Rodney and wife Lori Ann this past summer.
Think about it!

Doesn't anyone find it strange that Fage just happened to '' run into'' a photographer?? It's well documented that the Nova Scotia Tories aren't really on the same page as the federal Tories. What else but a scandal like this to help out the federal tories.

The witness story doesn't even make sense either. Why would he get out of his car and allow the other driver to smell alcohol on his breath if he was planning to drive away??

I mean if he did drive away, my guess is he would not have gotten out of his car at all don't you think?? I'd like to hear his side of the story before accusing him of anything.

I for one, was hoping that having a premier who is a younger man would provide the provincial "old codgers club" with much needed new blood and ideas as well as the strength and energy to truly bring about some change in how things are run. Sadly, it seems that the old guard is instead running the premier!

MacDonald is doing just about everything except for leading and that is what is necessary here. Time to clean house Rodney. Get rid of the old men who cut their teeth in times of patronage. They had their day and didn't do much.

While you're at it, how about choosing people to run provincial organizations based on ability instead of favors. I hate to say it but you're not in Cape Breton anymore. I was in your corner at the beginning but you are seriously making me slide toward the NDP.

I think the whole thing just represents a lack of accountability on the part of our government. If people on staff are withholding information from the premier in this case, what else doesn't he know?

As much as the government is trying to avoid an election, I think it may be time this spring to hit the campaign trail.

The whole MacDonald government has been about withholding information (remember "Our families, our future" just before his divorce) and now the twice retired Fage has just demonstrated how poorly the government is operating -- not just in the fact that he was in a car accident, but also how the government has handled the information.

Wow, talk about a rock and a hard place! What CAN the Premier do? How humilliating for the guy. I'm not a Tory voter, but I sure feel for him. I wish he'd shown some real 'tough love' and fired somebody, to show the people of this province he means business. Unfortunately, his soft approach only further hurts his credibility.

Let's call it a delayed Christmas gift for the Opposition parties.

Oh, and please journalists, don't forget to hammer away at Mr. Fage and his alleged offenses...I'd hate to see him escape the fire storm.

We here in B.C. have a Premier (Gordon Campbell)who was busted for impaired driving in Hawaii a few years ago.(at least I think he is still Premier?...we don't see him very often!)He didn't resign either, but he should have if he wanted to send the right message!I am equally sure there are probably some sitting cabinet ministers around somewhere that have also been busted for impaired at some point.

It just shows us how little control we really have over our politicians.They are safe in the snuggly little world they have created for themselves.

When these guy's break the law,they should be removed without question!Are they not the people who actually MAKE the laws in the first place? A setting great example eh?

The premier should resign his post as he seems completely oblivious to what his cabinet ministers are doing right under his own nose.

Premier MacDonald has also demonstrated his judgement is questionable on several occasions, most notably...TAKING BACK ERNIE FAGE!

Mr. Fage should be facing criminal charges, as most of us "commoners" would be by now. If he does not, the Conservatives will feel the backlash at the next polls (which I'm sure they will anyhow).

Future Headline...Nova Scotian's elect first majority NDP government!

I think the premier should resign. He is obviously totally incompetent. He can't even demand honesty from his staff and then lack the courage to fire those who lie to him. Amateur.

This province hasn't had a decent leader in decades and MacDonald is no different. This latest scandal is only a symptom of the disease of backward thinking, ineffective policies and small town politics that seems to plague Nova Scotia to no end.

In a province where upwards of 80% of intelligent, ambitious graduates end up living and working in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver for example, perhaps this should not be a surprise but the current government is especially buffoon ridden.

I sincerely hope that MacDonald and the rest of his cabinet can somehow reach past their apparent lack of ability and move NS forward but somehow I doubt it will happen. But perhaps I am asking too much from a former gym teacher anyway.