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07:58 - 31.12.05 Training has continued on apace and the phones have been ringing off the hook as more people receive their voter information cards. A lot more strange stories as they call in asking for changes. More non-Canadians or non-residents of the district appearing. That has happened in the past of course and we have always documented and reported those things to Ottawa. The difference is that Ottawa is actually hearing what we say and responding. What is frustrating though is that I am being told to fix all those imported and pre coded problems that originated from their offices in addition to all the other responsibilities I have and they want it done yesterday. My tech returned from dealing with a family emergency just yesterday so the assistant tech and my son and I have been working toward determining what the problems were and where they stemmed from as we waited for the tech's return. It is obvious where the problems are and we can almost create a map showing the pattern of damage inflicted - it isn't random. Thursday the top gun from Ottawa called along with some of his subordinates. Could we send them extensive documentation on each and every instance we have detected. Well certainly if we are given another 24 hour in a day. A raise for the specialized analysis and the detailed work might be nice too. The four of us went through the data last night and the conclusion was that to really clean it up would likely take about six months as long as the right resources and access were included. The question becomes, what needs to be done to minimize problems for voters and election day staff so we can get through this election with the least amount of of anger and tension for those two groups. One really interesting voter came through our special ballot process yesterday. Canadian Army. They have their own special arrangements for their people but this soldier has been in transit for months. There was no mechanism within their system to allow him to vote and he is due for active duty in one of the very hot spots of conflicts shortly. Not appropriate todeny him a ballot. I called Ottawa and talked with both our specialists and theirs. Finally came up with a way to make it work. He was a very patient individual and I lerned a lot from him about international issues as we chatted while we waited for the wheels of bureaucracy to grind through to a solution. That was fascinating. Time to go though now. Talk with you later. � � |