NOVEMBER 20, 2006

Fishing for trade in Florida successful for Queens County firm...  Florida might be a vacation spot, but Mersey Point Fish Products recently went to Miami to get work. This was Mersey Point’s first time participating in a trade mission to Florida.
     Over 40 Bluenose companies took part in the Florida trade mission as part of Team Canada Atlantic, from October 29 to November 2, said Mersey’s president, Robert Mutsaers.  >>> NS Business Journal. 

Shelburne Club sailors rescued successfully... Relief washed over the family and friends of four southwestern Nova Scotia residents following a successful rescue on the high seas last Thursday night.  >>>NovaNewsNow  >>>Royal Gazette - Bermuda

New "blog" says it "is a site for Truth, for the Town of Shelburne" ... and is designed to "open the dialog for the wrong doings about the people and organizations of Shelburne".
     First items on "Shelburne's Dirty Secrets" include stories about Mayor Parker Comeau and the Shelburne Fire dept. SCT

Celebrating an “Olympian” partnership... Our House Youth Wellness Centre in Shelburne is inviting the public to help celebrate two important events 3-5 pm Nov. 15. >>>NovaNewsNow

Sealers protest lack of hunting opportunities to federal panel... an a meeting of the Commons standing committee of fisheries and oceans in Shelburne on Thursday, seal hunters and processors told the committee, chaired by area MP Gerald Keddy, that they need more access to hunt and harvest the grey seal population in the area. 
     According to government scientists, the seal population has increased 1300% over the past decades and now stands at 250-350,000. department of fi >>>The Herald  >>>NovaNewsNow 

Nursing beds in Barrington part of campaign propaganda?... Health Minister Chris D'Entremont said Thursday yesterday that a Tory candidate's commitment for more nursing home beds in Middleton was not binding to the government, but was likely "campaign propaganda."
     Asked by SCT to comment on a similar campaign promise by Tory MLA candidate Eddie Nickerson and the Minister regarding long-term nursing care beds in Barrington, community health-care activist Sean Hatfield said, "We have a firm a commitment in writing for 40 beds from the Minister and we expect it to honoured." Hatfield added that "sooner would be better than later."
     Shelburne MLA Sterling Belliveau, who ran and won in part on a platform committing to the 40 beds says, that the Minister's comments cause him great concern and are "misleading the public of Nova Scotia." Belliveau added, "This issue has been the leading issue raised by the NDP several times in the House and we are determined to see that the commitment for 40 beds is kept." SCT

New Brunswick Lobster season to be delayed for right whales?... Canada's Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has informed industry officials in News Brunswick that there may be a delay in Tuesday's opening of the lobster fishery in areas 36 and 38 off the New Brunswick Coast due to possible danger to right whales feeding in the area. (see DFO photos)
     The "unusual presence" of the whales (numbering 30 to 50), which normally feed in the Bay of Fundy and are long gone by this time concerns those charged with protecting the dwindling species., now protected under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA)
     At the just-ended annual meeting of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, the issue was one of great interest. SCT has been informed that Consortium members have begun to mount a campaign designed to put pressure on Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn to halt the season opening.
     Less than twelve hours after the onset of the campaign, DFO apparently issued its warning. Greg Thompson, of the Fundy North Fisherman's Association told SCT that such a delay would be "very unpopular with our members." Thompson said that the first month of the season amounts to perhaps a third of a year's earnings for a license holder and the potential danger to whales "just doesn't add up to losing income."
     DFO plans a helicopter fly-over on Friday and a fixed-wing view on Sunday to assess the danger to the precarious right whale population. The SARA regulations prohibit the endangerment of protected species, causing Canadian whale scientist and researcher Moira Brown to ask whether, in the current situation, fishermen might be required to apply for an "endangerment permit", per the SARA regulations. SCT  

Nova Scotia ACOA-basher appointed to senior policy advisor post... Brian Lee Crowley, an outspoken Halifax economist, will take a leave from his job as the president of the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies, a Halifax think-tank, to serve as the Clifford Clark Visiting Economist, participating in the federal budget and policy-making process.
    Crowley has consistently trashed the ACOA program, calling it a program run by dead-end bureaucrats, making references in critical articles to the Soviet Union... >>>2003   calling it in 2004 a  program mistaken in principle and in early 2006 saying "a review would show ACOA grants do little to help the economy"
     Several projects in this project have recently benefited from ACOA funding, including Osprey Arts Centre, Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club and Marina, Terry Hawkins Industries, Shelburne Waterfront Development projects, Shelburne Business Development Centre, Cape Sable Island Important Bird Area  and others.  >>> more from The Herald

Where are the doctors?... Belliveau asks Health Minister... claiming government inaction on a 2003 promise to  create bursaries for Dalhousie medical school graduates who practice in rural Nova Scotia, Shelburne MLA Sterling Belliveau challenged Health Minister and Argyle MLA, Chris D'Entremont in the legislature Wednesday to tell the members when there will be more doctors in rural Nova Scotia.      
     Belliveau asserted that "there are currently 3,000 people without a family doctor," in Shelburne County and added that the government "...needs a strategy to recruit more doctors to rural areas of the province."
     A Dalhouise Medical School spokesperson said that no funding program for rural practice was in place. Ian Bower, Nova Scotia department of health director of physician services, told SCT that he was unaware of any progress in those discussions, but that the department had in place "several mechanisms" for financial support to attract rural physicians.
     In reference to a recent request by Dalhousie for an additional 20 seats for medical students, Bower said that the government was "looking very closely at the proposal" and that if it appeared that additional physicians were in the best interest of Nova Scotians, the government would likely move in that direction. SCT

Port Mouton fish farm protest meeting planned for November 15...  "Friends of Port Mouton Bay” is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday, November 15 to "demand answers" from the provincial government about a proposed 70 acre fin fish aquaculture project in Port Mouton Bay near Liverpool. 
     The meeting, according Darlene Norman, Queens County Councilor and group member, is to discuss the "unprecedented" scale of the proposed fin fish project and the government's failure to weigh the risks of such a project on the existing fisheries and tourism businesses in the area. The group also says the project poses a considerable risk to the environment. 
     The Region of Queens Council has taken a position opposing the project. Vicki Conrad, MLA for Queens testified in the Legislature November 1 about the lack of government interest in local concerns about the project. Conrad said that "Council is very concerned," and added that "...we are not impressed with the presentation given (to Queens Council and the community). It just didn't provide enough information."
    The meeting will be held at 7:00 pm at the community hall in Port Mouton ( West Queens Recreation Centre, Riverhead Road).    >>> more

NOVEMBER 14, 2006
Local groups are million-dollar winners in ACOA funding... Shelburne and Yarmouth county organizations will receive more than $1 million in the current funding cycles for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The Southwest Shore Development Authority will receive $157,000 to promote tourism in the Yarmouth Region and the Yarmouth Business Development Centre will receive $280,000, while its Shelburne counterpart was afforded $240,000. The Osprey Arts Centre receives $178,000 for phase three of its development plan. Shelburne-based THI Composites recently announced a $200,000 ACOA loan for marketing and factory expansion. >>> The Herald

Prime-time CTV visit a huge success for Shelburne.... When CTV's Steve Murphy lumbered out of the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club Thursday night well after 9:00pm, it drew to a close an extended day of prime-time television coverage for Shiretown.
     The day began with a luncheon for civic leaders, at which Shelburne Mayor P.G. Comeau, Warden Paulette Scott, Lockeport Mayor Darian Huskilson and others discussed with CTV executives the positives and negatives of the station's news programming. The execs, producers and on-air personalities encouraged locals to send story ideas to the station.
     The newsmagazine show "Live at Five" starring the ever-handsome Bruce Frisko, was filmed on the waterfront and featured spots about the the town's rich genealogy resources, historic buildings, Prince of Wales re-enactment association, boat builder Milford Buchanan, Loyalist Landing 2008 Celebrations, Chamber of Commerce "in-migration" program, Osprey Arts Centre and the many festivals which populate the area.
     The CTV News at Six with Steve Murphy was filmed at the Muir-Cox Shipbuilding Centre and featured an interview with Mayor Comeau, who extolled the recent increases in tourism (which he jestfully attributed to his being mayor) and the historic district. Much to the surprise of many, the Mayor also assured Murphy that the Boston-to-Shelburne ferry was still very much on-track, that ships are being reviewed and that he was in regular contact with the Boston-based consortium. 
      After the news shows, Bruce Frisko shared a beer or two and cheezies with some folks at the Yacht Club and the evening closed with a greatly successful book signing of Murphy's new memoir. Hosted by the Yacht Club, Whirligig Book Shop and Destination Shelburne, the event saw long lines of locals queing to have their books signed by the affable Murphy. SCT  

NOVEMBER 11, 2006...

375,000 tax windfall for Pubnico farm?... under the provisions of new tax legislation tabled in the legislature Monday, the Pubnico Point Wind Farm Inc., would see an 80% tax reduction, according to a story in The Herald

 $1.5 million government welcome package for Liverpool call centre...  Liverpool is slated to become home again to dozens of call-centre jobs as a customer care contact centre was announced today for the Queens County capital. On-Line Support Inc. (OLS) will open the centre, designed to exclusively support two Rogers Communications products. 
      Some of the staffing for the centre is already in place, due in part as a result of public information sessions recently sponsored by The Region of Queens economic development department under the direction of Marg Cartwright. "Our community has so much to offer a company like On-Line Support," says Region of Queens deputy mayor Doug Adams, "and we are delighted that we can play a part in its tremendous growth across the province." 
     The expansion is expected to create up to 200 jobs and generate $14 in payroll to the local economy, according to sponsors, Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI). 
     The centre will be supported by a $440,000 infrastructure upgrade and has be assigned the $1.161 million payroll rebate previously offered to Lightbridge, the previous call centre tenant. OLS is a PEI-based company and the financial incentives are offered by NSBI, the "investment attraction" arm of the province. SCT 

Black Loyalist Newsletter published.... the spring/summer 2006 issue of the newsletter for the Birchtown-based Black Loyalist Heritage Society is now downloadable online By CLICKING HERE

Digby Hospital closed due to illness... Effective immediately, the Digby General Hospital is closed to visitors due to an increasing number of individuals with gastrointestinal symptoms, affecting patients and staff, according to a news release from Southwest Nova Health Authority. This restriction is a precautionary measure and will be in place until further notice. For more information: Judy LeBlanc, Site Manager Digby General Hospital, at 245-2501 SCT  

NOVEMBER 7, 2006...

The town that time forgot?...  100-plus Shelburnites, including former SRHS principals, teachers and board members attended an unveiling ceremony of the 55 year-old time capsule from the now demolished former high school. The meeting was hosted by Mayor Comeau.. Also in attendance, but not introduced by the Mayor, were current SRHS principal Kim Morrison, local Tri-County School Board member Nick Pippy and the entire Town Council. The capsule contained stamps, coins, lists and newspapers from the era. >>> see Herald story here

911 - Hello Kitty!... A Shelburne man is off the hook for a $675 fine for calling 911 about his kitty trapped under the washing machine in Ohio    >>> The Herald

Heritage matters.... with a roomful of concerned citizens looking on, Shelburne Town Council Wednesday night voted unanimously to refuse the recommendation of the Planning Advisory Committee regarding the Committee's recent decision not to seek provincial heritage status for the historic waterfront district.
     The Council asked that the matter be tabled until December's meeting and Town Clerk Wilmont Hardy opined that the Committee would most likely re-visit the issue and plan public participation sessions and public meetings before bringing the matter back to Council.
     The Committee vote last week to spurn the prestigious designation was led by Mayor P.G. Comeau, wife Dorothy Comeau and Waterfront Development Committee chair Doug Langley, whose long-time proposal to erect a gazebo on the waterfront has met with resistance at Council and elsewhere. SCT

Throwing the garbage out with the bathwater... Ditch joint services, says Shelburne Mayor...  In a series of comments during the Shelburne Town Council discussion of garbage pick-up service Wednesday, Mayor P.G. Comeau was emphatic in his feelings that the Town should remove itself from the Joint Services Board (JSB) arrangement it shares with the Town of Lockeport and the Municipality of Shelburne, which pays the loin's share of the Board's operation costs.
      "Joint Services [board] has been a disaster from the beginning," the Mayor said emphatically, an opinion not seconded by his Council or shared by other local officials. "He is absolutely wrong," said Municipal Councilor and JSB member Raymond Davis. "This is the one thing the municipal units do together and it saves us money." 
      During the discussion about belt-tightening and cost assessment needed for the efficient operation of the Board, Mayor Comeau stated that the Municipality was "notorious for over-staffing" and that "some of this may be happening in Joint Services."
     "Nothing could be further from the truth," says Municipal Warden Paulette Scott. "In fact," says Warden Scott, "our Council, through the work of our chief administrative officer and financial chief have worked closely with the JSB coordinator to provide the critical assessments needed by the Board to adjust to the pressures placed on the Board by the addition of waste collection services."
      In a recent comprehensive organizational study of the Municipality by Jack Novak, Dalhousie professor and noted Canadian municipal government expert, including public input sessions, there was no mention of overstaffing as one of the issues confronting the Municipality. SCT

Editorial... Can't we just get along?...  Shiretown Mayor Comeau's very public rant Wednesday eve against the Municipality of Shelburne and the Joint Services cost-sharing between the town and the Municipality was notable in a couple of aspects.  
     First, during the necessary discussion  by Council of the issue(s) regarding waste pick-up costs and schedules, and quite contrary to the elemental principles of Robert's Rules of Order, Mayor Comeau hijacked the discussion, inserting himself  at will several times to launch ad hominum claims about the "disaster" of the Joint Services Board and the "notorious overstaffing" by the municipality, suggesting this combination was at the root of the budgetary difficulties of the board.
     Notwithstanding that these claims, according to research and interviews done by this editor, appear utterly without merit, not one member of Council - even including JSB members - stood to correct the Mayor and set the record straight. The bully pulpit is called that for a reason, but we all know that bullies are encouraged by lack of resistance to their antics.
     I have to admit to being a sometimes unwilling witness to many instances of similar shenanigans by the Mayor at Council and they are often as not treated by Councilors like we would the precocious child at a Thanksgiving Dinner who pours gravy in the ear of old grand-dad. They chuckle among themselves and roll their eyes - but offer encouragement through their silence. 
     In the past months the Mayor has publicly attacked or embarrassed the federal MP for the region, the Minister of ACOA and the head of the regional redevelopment agency, just to name some. Little wonder that the Mayor has found that financial support for his port development project is not forthcoming.    
     An ironic counterpoint to this shameless - but passively encouraged - behaviour is the article in Thursday';s Herald in which political observer Marilla Stephenson wonders aloud whether taxpayers are being punished for the inability of their elected officials to get along with each other.  
      It is no secret that these are perilous times for the future of this town and region and it should be the responsibility of elected civic leaders like Mayor Comeau to stop the sniping now and, as Stephenson suggests, "to work together co-operatively to attract new investment to the area, create future development plans and possibly share costs" - if that is what will have us save tax dollars and perhaps even prosper. T Gillespie

OCTOBER 29, 2006...

Smith wins Barrington by-election... >>> NovaNewsNow

$8 million announced for local harbours project in Shelburne County.... Clark's Harbour, West Head and Newellton to benefit. >>> The Herald   >>> NovaNewsNow

John Risley on globalism (good), communism (bad), weeding out bad teachers and a health care system that is... er... um... how do you say... "f---ed!... or, why business leaders should have speechwriters...>>> editorial.

Oprah calling... please hold... Black Loyalists send video invite to TV queen bee...  two years after sending a package to America's Oprah Winfrey about coming to visit Birchtown, Elizabeth Cromwell of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society got a call Wednesday from the producers of the wildly popular Oprah Winfrey Show. "They told us to put together a video invite about why she should bring the show here - and to have it in FedEx the next day!" says Mrs. Cromwell, founding director of the Society.
     Cromwell and her staff and volunteers enlisted the help of more than  two dozen community members and the video - featuring members of the town and municipal council, chamber of commerce, arts council, tourism association and others was shot that day.
     "We drove to Yarmouth and got it into FedEx on time," Cromwell reported. The Oprah Winfrey Show is the highest rated talk show in history and is in its 21st season and has daily audiences in the millions. Shelburne Town Councillor Alan Delaney, who participated in the taping, said that a visit from Oprah "would be a great shot in the arm" for the area. SCT >>> NovaNewsNow

Hospitals gearing up to wind down for strike... in preparing for the the looming (October 31) CUPE (hospital; workers) strike, the CEO of the Southwest Health Board has sent out a memo to all staff and volunteers about service cuts expected. They include: cosing some hospital inpatient beds at all three hospitals (9 beds at RH, 10 beds at DGH and 33 beds at YRH), closing mental health beds and detox unit and cancelling elective surgeries, elective lab, elective x-ray (diagnostic imaging) testing.  >>> see memo text

Black Bull to cease production....  in a suprising announcement Monday, Black Bull Resources announced the "temporary" suspension of white quartz mining from their Kemptville (Ohio Road) location effective October 27, as well as elimination of several staff positions, "restructuring" of compensation for remaining positions and closing of their Halifax office. 
     15 workers at the mining site and two in the Shelburne office will be affected, according to CFO Robert Cudmore. Mr. Cudmore will also take on the role of interim CEO, while Joseph MacDonald, appointed interim president & CEO in May after the resignation of Barry Grundy, will assist in development of "alternative strategies".
     According to Cudmore, the early August announcement about the restructured sales and marketing arrangement with U.S. Silica Company is not affected by the current situation.
     On August 4, Black Bull announced an $880,000 loss for 2Q2006 and on September 5, the firm announced to investors that it expected to "ramp up to full, 250,000-tonne-per-year capacity in the next 2-3 years". The Black Bull mine, bordering the Tobeatic Wilderness 45 kilometers from Shelburne, also contains mica and kaolin. SCT 

OCTOBER 21, 2006
Nude fisherman calendar big hit for cancer charity... All kinds of people have pictures of naked lobster fishermen from southwest Nova Scotia hanging on their walls — and that makes Sue Hutchins very happy.
      Ms. Hutchins, Lobster Calendar Association chairwoman, said the group has already raised $60,000 by selling the calendars featuring nude fishermen holding strategically placed buoys and lobster traps. >>> The Herald

Shelburne gets online radio...  Shiretown is getting a new community radio station. This month ShelburneRadio will begin broadcasting music and community news. ShelburneRadio is an Internet radio station. Listeners will tune in on their computers or cellphones.
       Ed Cayer, the executive director of Our House Youth Wellness Centre, told Becky Atkinson of The Coast Guard that the station will provide entertainment and information on social and economic issues, weather and local sports. He said it’s also a way to empower youth, improve literacy and help put a stop to "infrastructure drain" in the area. >>> The Herald

OCTOBER 14, 2006

Full house at Liverpool premier of "People of the Dawn"... An engaging documentary about the collection of 20,000 Mi'kmaq artifacts unearthed in 2004 from the drained Mersey River played at The Astor Thursday eve to a packed house which included the Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Queens Mayor and local MLA. 
     Acadian Band Chief Deborah Robinson also announced the development soon of an interpretive centre on the Mersey River to house the artifacts and detail the 6,000-year history and culture of the Mi'kmaq Nation. >>> about the artifacts from The Herald

ERMES walk-to-school day a great success... more than 175 students from Evelyn Richardson Memorial Elementary School (ERMES) celebrate their successful National Walk-to-School Day event with a brisk walk, followed by a health breakfast of apples, cereal and milk. The day was a grand success, according to principal Mary Manning. "Part of the celebration," says Manning, "was recognizing the new, healthy food policies adopted recently." The former "Sugar Bear" was re-named "Fibre Bear".

OCTOBER 7, 2006

a Frenchies letter from Nova Scotia makes the New Yorker... famed New York author and part-time South Shore denizen Calvin Trillin has a great "Fact - Rag Time" column about Frenchies in the September 25 issue of the New Yorker  >>> read more in the New Yorker

Bayside Home expansion by-passed by Tories?? a letter from Shaun Hatfield wondering of the election promises of the government will go the same route as the Rodney MacDonald Memorial Highway in Barrington...   >>> more

$6 million pledged to save Digby ferry service. While  Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Liberal MLAs and industry folks were midstream in a "standing room only" rally and news conference Wednesday to pressure the Tory government to action to save the threatened Digby-St. John ferry service, Premier Rodney MacDonald announced an infusion of "up to $2 million, with the federal government adding $4 million to the pot."
     Liberal pols find the funding "questionable" and worry that the short-term fix will not guarantee the vital transportation link. Liberal party leader Michel Samson told SCT in an interview that, although he "appreciates the efforts by the government to finally address this crucial issue," the vagueness of the commitment makes him think that perhaps the government "hasn't done its fiscal homework" about an overall plan to stabilize the service. Tune in more for this breaking story.

$5,000 national grant to Black Loyalists... A tragedy like the early spring fire that consumed the offices of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society doesn't often generate as many positive responses as did the suspicious blaze that also destroyed much of the archival material collected by society staff, volunteers and curators over the years.
 >>> Coast Guard

Lobster fishery needs stronger penalties... Fisheries enforcement is being watered down by a lack of deterrents say fishermen. To curb illegal lobster fishing activity, fishermen say not only should deterrents be clearly spelled out upfront as part of a fisherman's licence conditions, but penalties must carry strong weight. >>> The Vanguard

Digby Ferry rally Wednesday... A rally and media conference is planned at noon Wednesday, September 27 at the Digby Ferry Terminal. 
     After the conference, politicians and supporters will make a round trip on the ferry and meet with New Brunswick elected officials while the ferry is docked at the Saint John terminal, between approximately 4 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. 
     In addition to the Liberal MLAs from the area, representatives from the fishing, trucking and tourism industries will be attending the media conference and rally.   Hal Theriault; Chair of the Digby Area Tourism Association, Norm Lockear; Manager of O'Neil Fishery and Ray Francin; owner of Francin Trucking will make brief statements on the economic impact the closing of the ferry service would have on their respective industries. SCT

$15k pay raise for MLAs = apathy & cynicism...   >>> The Vanguard

More municipal units needed for Shelburne County...  >>> Coast Guard

Harper and RCMP to Arar... pound sand! Despite calls from Canadian citizens, lawmakers and media, plus Amnesty International, Stephen Harper and the RCMP have refused to apologize for their shameful role in the unlawful arrest and torture of Canadian Maher Arar   >>>The Herald

Animal shelter to open soon?... Shelly Hipson says if the Beulah Burman Memorial Animal Shelter reopened tomorrow, it would be inundated with pets that need loving homes. "We would probably have 70 cats — just like that," Ms. Hipson said Saturday, snapping her fingers. >>>The Herald

Big fight over White House treasure trove on NS shipwreck...  A stash of loot possibly stolen from the White House in the early 1800s is at the centre of an international dispute over who owns the bounty that now rests in a watery grave off the Nova Scotia coast.  >>>CBC

Dog killers on the loose in ShelCo... In just four months, two dead dogs have washed up on the shores of Shelburne County and four others poisoned on CSI... >>>The Herald

NDP & Grits lack courage on softwood vote says Keddy... South Shore-St. Margarets MP Gerald Keddy slammed Liberal and NDP pols for "face-saving" softwood lumber vote... >>> News Release

SHAME, SHAME... The Arar Commission Monday announced that Maher Arar was an innocent man caught in a nightmare – thanks largely to the incompetence, and subsequent attempts to cover up mistakes, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  >>>The Herald editorial   Globe & Mail

Fish plant workers get politicians' attention... Keddy & Belliveau lobbied on EI benefits change for seasonal workers... >>> Coast Guard 

When snipes were in vogue.... history of snipe sailing in Shelburne (part 1) (part 2) >>> Lewis Jackson, Coast Guard

They're back-k-k-k...   Our erstwhile internet scammers Carmen and Kevin Blinn, (formerly of Antigonish) are at it again selling Barrington swampland over eBay to unsuspecting furriners. SCT has received two plaintive notes this week spelling out the dire woes of two folk having been had by this dubious duo. More to come... SCT

 TENDER EMERGENCY IN SHELBURNE TOWN GOVERNMENT!!!...   The Shelburne Town Council held an emergency council session Thursday night to discuss an issue of such drastic consequences that it could not suffer the requirement for two days public notice offered by the law in Nova Scotia.
     SCT inquired of Town staff as to the nature of the meeting... was it a severe water crisis? a potential terrorist attack? a flu epidemic? a sudden illness of the mayor?... well, no, it seems it was none of these things. 
     What happened was that the Mayor and Council got cold feet about holding a rush-rush meeting Thursday night about the SRHS demo tender (see below) after being reminded by SCT that it was illegal, that the rush became an emergency and, well, we got to have a meetin' about an emergency, don't we? Yeah, gotta have a meetin' and gotta have it now!
      When a project which has taken interminable months to move along to suddenly becomes a big emergency once the tender envelopes are rent, it makes a guy wonder "what's goin' on here fellers?"
     If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.... somewhere it probably smells like a duck. SCT

They're back-k-k-k...   Our erstwhile internet scammers Carmen and Kevin Blinn, (formerly of Antigonish) are at it again selling Barrington swampland over eBay to unsuspecting furriners. SCT has received two plaintive notes this week spelling out the dire woes of two folk having been had by this dubious duo. More to come... SCT

Shelburne Council says no foul in food fight...   The Shelburne Town Council decided Wednesday night that the Shelburne Harbour Yacht Club does not appear to be in violation of its lease with Shire Town by operating a restaurant at the facility.
     Councilor and Seadog Saloon owner Alan Reid had appeared at Council last month with a petition from eateries hereabouts claiming unfair competition and the SHYC responded with a letter to Council.
    Reid took a drubbing the previous night at a SHYC meeting where several members took him to task for an hour or more about his claims and his interpretation of the original funding proposals for the Yacht Club/Osprey/Marina project.
    In both instances, it seemed the testimony of David Huddleston opposing Reid's contentions won the day. Huddleston was one of the primary architects of the pitch to the project funders, which included ACOA and other agencies. SCT

Black Bull reports 3Q loss of $884k. Seeking new marketing arrangements...  Shelburne-based Black Bull Resources announced recently less-than-anticipated sales from phase one of their White Rock Quartz production efforts and "efficiency and capacity limitations" which will likely affect the timeline of phase two.
     Additionally, in an August 10 news release, the company announced its intention to alter the marketing arrangement with West Virginia-based U.S. Silica, which would have Black Bull providing much more of its marketing efforts from the home base in Shelburne and also to sell the American firm's products in eastern Canada. SCT

Lighthouse Coast forms as tourism area for Shelburne & Queens counties...  Based on the results of a series of strategy meetings between tourism stakeholders and professional and civic leaders in Queens and Shelburne counties, and taking into account the evolution of Destination South West Nova Scotia Tourism Association, the Lighthouse Coast tourism area was recently formed. >>> read the news release here 

 July 29 Femme-fest... Harmony Bazaar coming to Lockeport...  described in The Herald as a "new cultural event", Harmony Bazaar Festival of Women and Song is an all-day, music-based exploration of women's talent in the region. Read Herald story HERE  
     The show stars Madviolet, Shelley Meisner, Christine Crawford, Judi Cleveland and others. Lyrics writing workshop by E. Alex Pierce, plus performances by Kim Atwood, Lulie Balish, Lisa Buchanan, Cathy Cook, Pat de Molitor, Merrie Howe, Tiffany Smith, Lily & Avery, Manu Poire, and others...  For a review of Madviolet, read HERE. For SCT event poster click HERE.
     Local songstress Judi Cleveland will launch her new CD, By the River Broad, at the concert. (see poster here)
     $20 ticket good for entire day and evening. At 875-1117 and at the gate.

We're #1!!!... Barrington lad rolls over the competition...  For the second year running, Barrington native Darren Hudson is the best darn log-roller in the world. (his mum is Pat Hudson, a top-notch kayaker and birder in her own right). He beat a lumberjack renowned for his speed — and with the hometown advantage — July 23, in Stillwater, Michigan.  >>> The Herald

New arts centre for Yarmouth... The Yarmouth Arts Regional Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to build a new arts centre.   >>> The Herald

Jazz + Blues Fest great success for local folk... The 4th Annual Waterfront Jazz + Blues Festival saw yet another successful year, according to the Festival promoters. The Festival featured a greater proportion of local artists this year, including stellar performances by Shelley Meisner and her Jazz Trio and the Bob Vacon Blues Project. Chett Buchanan was the star of the first-ever free outdoor concert, which also included performances by his wife, Lisa Buchanan. Saturday's Jazz Brunch featured local favourite and master bassist Chris Churchill sitting in with guitar virtuoso, Shan Arsenault.

South Shore harbours getting $1.3m in overhauls... Seven commercial fishing harbours in southwestern Nova Scotia have been approved for upgrades worth $1.3 million, including five in Shelburne County.
    South Shore-St. Margarets Bay MP Gerald Keddy made the announcement Thursday in Woods Harbour. The projects will be implemented by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as part of its Small Craft Harbours program in co-operation with the local harbour authorities that manage and run the wharves for local users.
     "These projects will provide our fishers with safe and efficient facilities," Mr. Keddy said.
    In western Shelburne County, the Falls Point wharf at Woods Harbour, will have an expanded haul-out slipway built there, allowing vessels to be taken out of the water for inspection and repair.
     On Cape Sable Island, dredging will be done to the harbour and approaches at Stoney Island and at Cripple Creek. At Gunning Cove, on the western side of Shelburne Harbour, work is expected to begin soon on a two-year project to increase berthage by adding four floating wharves, the news release said.  The Coast Guard  >>> DFO release

Shelburne company has B.C. over a beer barrel...  Workers at the Shelburne Barrel Factory are busy making a different kind of barrel this month. Instead of holding fish, these barrels are destined for the brewery. >>>The Herald

July 8: Editorial: Shelburne should post its "Closed for Business" sign immediately. If the July 5 Town Council meeting is any reflection of the attitude prevailing in local government - and it appears to be - then we should just stop pretending and hang up the "closed" sign now. 
     In no fewer than three agenda discussions at the July 5 meeting of Council, discussions ensued which would give the definite impression that we really don't want new businesses or people coming here to muck up our tranquil lifestyles.
     Just at the beginning of what could be a desperate tourism season, the beautiful entry sign into town from exit 25 has been removed. Let's Hope it's back up before the snow falls.
     When a request was brought before the Council to help pave the way for town sewage connects for a small housing development just over the municipal line, some councilors and the mayor voiced objections, with his worshipness raising the bar on negativity regarding development on this one.
    When, after hearing testimony of the jobs, retail sales, investment and other benefits of such a development, the Council agreed to consider the matter at a future meeting, mayor Comeau was adamant that he absolutely opposed the project and would lobby and vote against it.
     In a far more pressing and disturbing development, the Council refused the request of the South West Shore Development Authority for an invitation to Council and Port Authority meetings in order to better serve the Town's development needs.
     In a familiar litany, Mayor Comeau denounced SWSDA, Frank Anderson and "that crew" for their previous and numerous betrayals of the Town and for "stealing" business ideas and clients from the Port. 
     The Council, in a spate of self-described paranoia about the SWSDA evil empire, decided against such an invitation for assistance to the admittedly most powerful funding source in the region. More than one Councilor pointed out that meetings were open so SWSDA could attend any time they wanted. Oh yeah, they'll be standing in line.
     SWSDA rep Alan Reid, who brought the item to the Council,  and whose recent work with the agency was recently lauded in a report to the Shelburne & Area Chamber of Commerce, was understandably dejected by his colleague's intransigence, but seemed to put on a brave face in spite of it.
     Even if they were not coupled with the near-collapse of the CFB Shelburne/Youth Centre deal from a questionable appraisal and conflict of interest and the umpteenth cancellation of the umpteenth "sure thing" ferry scheme by our Boston pals, these misadventures would be enough to cause anyone to wonder what, if anything, is being done to attract and retain credible, talented, ambitious people to invest in Shelburne? SCT 

July 8: What's the secret to good government?.... In yet another instance of inappropriate - if not patently illegal - actions by the Port Authority, the agency held yet another secret meeting behind closed doors this past week.
     At the July 4 meeting, all media were apparently asked to leave the chambers and a discussion was held in secret, with no announcement of the subject or action by the agency members. 
     The Authority, mayor and Council have been reminded repeatedly that Nova Scotia law strictly limits closed door sessions to just four specific topics and requires strict reporting procedures.
     This secret session was not even mentioned in Authority chair P.G.Comeau's report to Council and the meeting minutes don't even begin to approach the reporting requirements.

July 8: Base deal likely torpedoed by questionable appraisal.... In what could be the final chapter in one of the most bizzare real estate sagas ever in or around Shiretown, the Utah-based buyers of the former CFB Shelburne, film studio and former Youth Centre have told SCT in an exclusive interview that that are still hanging on to hopes that the multi-million dollar deal will close shortly.
     Max Fiez told SCT late Friday that when the respectable European-based financing partner discovered major irregularities with the appraisal done on the property by Shelburne mayor P.G. Comeau. The property price was inflated by more than $10 million, according to informed sources. 
     The added fact that Comeau did not inform the buyers that he sits on the board of directors of the seller (South West Shore Development Authority), "raised more red flags than a Spanish bullfight," according to a party to the deal.
     Comeau's colleagues on the SWSDA board insist he never informed them that he had the obvious conflict-of-interest, something which, if prosecuted, could result in a jail term of one year or fine of $25,000.
     Fiez says that he has called SWSDA CEO Frank Anderson to apologize for the delay and is working feverishly to rectify the problems created by the now-useless appraisal. Fiez also said that the visit he and partner Jim Dixon made to Shelburne to visit the site and meet with Warden Paulette Scott, Frank Anderson, other officials and former partner Justin George revealed may inconsistencies in the project plans.
     "Let's just say," said Fiez, "that we were never given the whole picture about the property or project." One factor which disturbed both Fiez and Dixon was the $5 million price tag on the very small Ocean Produce  property abutting the base, as it would make it appear to some that the base was worth many times in excess of what the buyers have estimated.
     Fiez expects that the project could close in two weeks, but he says he could not blame Anderson taking a "cash buyer" at this point. Several weeks ago it was reported that two or more interested parties from Houston Texas were eying the base as a site for an international dive centre. SCT

July 8: Buried Treasure?? After receiving a call Saturday morning from a concerned citizen regarding strong oil smells emanating from the demolition site on Water Street, SCT arrived on the scene to see a backhoe shoving tons of rocks and boulders on building debris, including a crushed oil tank, car tires and old fridge parts. The burial of such items is blantantly illegal, according to an inspector for the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, when queried by SCT.
     The job foreman, when asked about the oil tank, replied, "What  oil tank?" Minutes after SCT began taking photos, the backhoe operator was instructed to start hauling the illegaI prizes out of the hole.
      Property owner and Shelburne mayor Parker G. Comeau was seen at the site later in the day taking photos of the project. The project has been the subject of an article in the Coast Guard and of some controversy earlier regarding appropriate permits for such a job. For photos of the project>>> click here.