Now when He had left speaking, He said unto Simon: "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught."
And Simon answering said unto Him: "Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at Thy word I will let down the net."
And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
Luke 5: v. 4-6
Provehito in altum.
"Launch forth into the deeps", or in some translations "reach for the heights."
It's the motto of Memorial University which chose the words from Luke to set a goal for students seeking knowledge.
The motto is also an admonition to strive for seemingly unattainable goals, to abandon the comfortable and the secure.
By any translation, that pretty much describes what Simon Lono has decided to do.
Lono announced today that he will be seeking the Liberal nomination in the provincial district of St. John's North in the October 9 general election.
St. John's. Traditionally deep blue Tory country.
Launching into the deeps is nothing knew for the guy who tried for a seat on St. John's city council two years ago n a shoe-string budget and with a call for greater accountability for council and investment in basic municipal infrastructure.
Lono didn't win a seat, but he finished in the middle of a large pack; not bad for an unknown. Dismissed by Mayor Andy Wells as a nitwit who didn't know what he was talking about, Lono was vindicated with the attention Wells and his newly elected council paid to investments in roads, sidewalks and water and sewer projects.
As the author of Offal News, Lono has been taking some shots and offering some insights. When the House of Assembly spending scandal broke open last summer, he spearheaded a call for a public inquiry into the mess.
So far we've been jokingly referring to this pre-election period as the Summer of Love. Well, something says that as of tomorrow, there'll be a few people who will be showing something other than love for candidate Lono.
All their personal attacks will do is show how much a particular crowd are worried Lono will get elected. The louder they howl, the more you know Lono has scored a point.
Here's Lono's news release as he launches once more into the deeps of local politics:
Simon Lono Declares for Liberals in St. John's North
Simon Lono today declared his candidacy for the Liberal Party nomination in the provincial district of St. John's North.
"The people of St. John's North deserve strong, vigorous representation in the House of Assembly," said Lono. "They deserve more than the attitude that St. John's can take the hit in elder care, education and the economy."
This was not a decision taken lightly, Lono said. "It was not an easy choice; I have been thinking about this for a while. I'm running because I'm concerned about the direction the province going."
"The Williams government has neglected important issues and has misplaced priorities," said Lono. "They've taken no action to address the needs of our aging population. In education, they've decided to break up Memorial University without counting the cost to the public purse, the effect on post-secondary education or even if this is the best option for our students.
"As for the economy, we can't be satisfied to accept mere crumbs of information on a project as important to our future as Hebron; we need more information than government has revealed so far, so we can judge for ourselves. Secret deals are not acceptable."
Lono notes that it takes a strong representation to make the difference. "The people of St. John's North have had no voice. We have too many silent, passive members sitting on the government side of the House," he said. "This government has taken St. John's North for granted and it shows."
"Public service has always been important to me, and I know I can contribute energy and new ideas to this province as a member of the House of Assembly working for the people of St. John's North."-30-
Contact:
Simon Lono
689-0809
Simon@SimonLono.ca
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