Speak up... our readers write...  Nickerson way off-base on SWSDA money? 15mar08

Unfortunately Deputy Warden Pat Nickerson's (see Speak Up column here) private and personal thoughts on the issue of SWSDA and its activities and operations now and in the past appear to have been reflected in her present and past municipal capacities as Warden and Deputy Warden of the Municipality of the District of Shelburne. She also seems to have forgotten the obligations she assumed when elected and sworn in as an official of our Municipal Government. I believe the oath she took makes it clear that her first obligation is to the municipality and its residents and taxpayers.

Clearly the Deputy Warden is better at English literature than she is at bookkeeping. Otherwise, how could she persist in arguing that "... the money is not....mis-used..." I think Frank Anderson's affidavits submitted for the court hearings in Yarmouth in November and December are clear So are the statements at court by Mr. Anderson's lawyer at the November hearing... The money is gone. 

If one reads Mr. Anderson's affidavit it becomes abundantly clear that a considerable part of the original $600,000 provided by the Province, solely for the maintenance of the school property, was actually spent on activities other than maintenance. In fact, not only the original $600,000 is no longer there. The $550,000 from the sale of the school is gone too, Based on Mr. Anderson's affidavit's exhibits. Further, I believe that these monies as well as the $200,000 in guarantees provided by the municipalities of Shelburne County is gone too.

Deputy Warden Nickerson says that all Team Shelburne needs to do is put forward projects for SWSDA to finance. She claims that SWSDA could then use "... those funds plus use them for leverage with other levels of government." Unfortunately, we know from Mr. Anderson's affidavit that the money is gone and as he and his lawyer have said very clearly,, the monies are only a book entry. As I see it, the only way for SWSDA to finance projects put forward by the municipalities would be to "borrow" money from other projects, core funding, the bank or some other source...possibly with additional guarantees from the municipalities. 

Seems to me that the municipalities of Shelburne County have already put their money where their mouth is (to borrow Deputy Warden Nickerson's phrase) and that money is also gone, according to Frank Anderson. What part of that doesn't Deputy Warden Nickerson (speaking on her own behalf) yet understand? 
Ed Cayer
Shelburne

Team Shelburne should stop wasting time and put their money where their mouth is... This nonsense about missing funds from the sale of the Youth Centre has got to stop. SWSDA (South West Shore Development Authority) is operating as the provincial body that it is, according to all RDAs. The money is not stolen, not mis-used, not in the hands of the CEO. It is there where it should be, ear-marked for projects in Shelburne County. 
     Team Shelburne, when they come up with a project for the county will be able to access those funds, plus use them for leverage with other levels of Government. An RDA cannot put funds "In trust" or divide up the proceeds of the sale. It is project funded and very much a creature of the Provincial Government. 
     "Team Shelburne" was set up by the Province in 2003 when the closure of the Youth Centre was announced. The four Ministers came to the Municipality and explained how Team Shelburne would operate - it is an advisory body only and under the auspices of the Dept.of Economic Development. 
     Minister MacIsaac has explained to Team Shelburne that the money is available for Economic Development PROJECTS in Shelburne County. What part of that don't they understand? Instead of wasting time and money, Team Shelburne should be working on a project for the County -- such as a Tourism officer. 
     Yarmouth County have always put their money where their mouth is and have at least two tourism officers -- and how the money flows in. 
Pat Nickerson  10mar08
Ms. Nickerson is not writing as member of Shelburne Municipal Council, but as former Warden, first Co-Chair of Team Shelburne and former vice-chair of SWSDA. 

Editors Note: On February 21, 2008, based on a motion by Warden Paulette Scott, Team Shelburne voted unanimously to defer the request from Discover Shelburne County Tourism Assoc. for funding for a tourism coordinator to individual councils. 

EDITORIAL... It is no secret that SCT has been among many vocal critics of the role that SWSDA and CEO Frank Anderson have played in economic development in this region, but let's give credit where credit is due.
     Anderson and company are often excoriated by local officials in private and public for doing little, if anything, to bolster projects in and around Shelburne and SWSDA's role in the controversial sale of the former Boy's School and the status of the $700,000-plus from the sale remain a topic of concern for many.
    One would think then, that the announcement of SWSDA's role in the largest single grant to a Shelburne-based heritage event in recent memory would generate enthusiasm among locals pols, but not so.
     The announcement at Shelburne Town Council recently of a SWSDA-negotiated $50,000 grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development for the Loyalist Landing 2008 Celebrations resulted in not one word of comment or congratulations from the mayor or Council.
     Shelburne Councilor Al Delaney, chair of the Loyalist Landing 2008 Society and prime mover behind the grant explained to Council that it was only through the hard work and concentrated effort of Anderson and SWSDA that the crucial monies came to be,  but not a peep from Council ensued.
     Delaney has explained recently in other venues that he believes that this Loyalist grant success may be a perfect example of SWSDA's "bring us workable projects and we'll find the funding" mantra oft repeated over the last few years.
     Whatever the true genesis of the grant success, and whatever misgivings we have about economic development strategies in the region, we need to give credit where credit is due. Congratulations to SWSDA, Frank Anderson, Economic Development, Councilor Delaney and the Loyalist Landing Society for a job well done! 22feb08 Timothy Gillespie

Tourism dept sees top-down changes... executive director Lloyd Banfield has left to pursue "a new opportunity" and marketing guy John Somers is now acting ED. Bob Book, former development director is now with Tourism Atlantic and Darlene MacDonald is currently acting director of product development and planning. Lisa MacIsaac, former tourism development officer, has assumed Darlene's former duties. Doug Matthews has taken on new responsibilities within the tourism marketing section. Doug is currently in an acting role as a marketing events coordinator on a pilot basis  11MAR09

Shelburne aquaculture programme tanked... saying that there is no real need for a physical location for an aquaculture program, Nova Scotia Community College has terminated the aquaculture studies programme at the Shelburne campus, and auctioned the equipment as surplus and is converting the former hatchery space to workshops for the "rotational trades", such as plumbing, electrical and refrigeration.
      "We are moving to a different educational mode," said NSCC academic chair Kevin Henderson. "The blended learning system will combine online studies with face-to-face classes. We really don't need physical space for the program." Enrolment in the program has dwindled, according to Henderson, and the changes were requested by the industry due to shifts in the employment needs over recent years. 
     Toby Balch, development manager for the Nova Scotia Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture says that, during the peak industry growth in the 1990's, many thought staffing needs would continue to grow. The fluctuation of salmon prices, the consolidation of ownership and other factors, he added,  create peaks and valleys of employment needs. 
     "The industry is poised to grow again," says Balch. "We have 350 aquaculture licenses in the province, with 12 active salmon and trout farms and new applications waiting approval."  Cooke Aquaculture, who describe themselves as the largest integrated salmon farming company in North America, is reported to be considering a substantial increase to their operation in Shelburne Harbour. sct5mar08

Bowood mortgage increases to $836,000... according to documents recently filed with the Nova Scotia registrar of deeds, CVN Holdings has increased its mortgage on the former Shelburne Youth Centre property by more than $200,000 and extended the interest-only payment schedule until the end of 2008.
     CVN, which is controlled by Halifax financier Besim Halef, financed the $550,000 purchase of the property in 2007 by Ralston MacDonnell. MacDonnell, his wife Charlene MacDonnell and Bowood Corporation are listed as mortgagees on the loan.
     The security training centre, seniors day care and conference centre planned for the site site have yet to materialize and the condominium units recently put on the market for sale are now being advertised as rentals.
     A concert of the very popular Simon and Garfunkle review played at the new performance space there last week to a small group of paid audience and local officials, who were guests of the promoter, hired by Bowood to produce entertainment shows there. Steve Antle has ambitious plans for the site, including shows in the 150-seat theatre, 800 seat former gym and 5,000-person outdoor square off Commission Street.
     Bruce Guthro, Lennie Gallant, Jill Barber have been named as possible acts and tentative plans are underway to have a Francophone/Acadian-flavoured event, featuring big-name regional performers..  
     According to the registrar filings, the $8,158 monthly payments cover the 12% interest only and the full amount of $836,000 is due and payable on November 1, 2008. sct5mar08

Davis urges action on Acker field... Municipal Councilor Raymond Davis is upset at the recent decision by his council to absent themselves from any responsibility for Albert Acker Memorial Field.     
   The field was created through student labour and donations almost 40 years ago as a memorial to high school basketball star Albert Acker, who was killed in a car wreck enroute to a game. It has been jointly owned by the Municipality and Town for 38 years.
     In an interview with SCT, Davis decried the decision to turn over 52% of the ownership of the field to the Town of Shelburne. "I feel strongly about this," Davis said. "A memorial field is something that is to be maintained as such forever, like the cenotaph."
     The Town has yet to be informed of the Municipal decision and Davis is urging local residents who share his concerns to call and write to councilors to voice their concerns. sct5mar08

Big plans for former navy base... The saga continues surrounding Shelburne’s former base with a new set of buyers recently signing an agreement to purchase the site. 
     According to Jim Kendrick, he and his business partner Mary Barstow from Vermont, have been researching the site for three years since the first time he stumbled across the site while searching for a vacation property. >>> more

US Counsel General visits Yarmouth council, mayor, SWSDA... officials recognize the importance of having a good flow of traffic across the Canada-U.S. border but they acknowledge too the reality of new travel regulations, American Consul General Harold Foster said during a visit to Yarmouth last week.
    Referring to the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, he said the hope is that the implementation of the land and sea passport rule...  >>> more 

Digby new home for US-based cruise ship?... The 100-metre liner is being built for Pearl Seas Cruises of Connecticut, which describes the new vessel as the “optimum ship, small enough to sail to intriguing places unavailable to most of the larger vessels while also providing a smooth, comfortable ride in deep-water cruising.”   >>> more

Mackay not impressed after Digby wharf tour... Peter MacKay drove all morning Sunday from Pictou County so he could walk once again on the Digby wharf and what the federal cabinet minister saw once he got there didn’t impress him much.
     "I was here about a year ago and it’s deteriorated further," he said after viewing the dilapidated structure. Mr. MacKay said it was tragic and inexcusable that money designated for wharf repair and upkeep was never used for those purposes. "We know where the money wasn’t spent," he said. "I’d like to know where it was spent."
     In 2001, it was reported by CBC that more than $2 million of federal monies were directed to a firm controlled by Ralston MacDonnell, owner of Bowood (Shelburne Boy's School). At the time, CBC reported MacDonnell as says he was not required to "... account for what it spends to anyone." "What we spent.... was out affair."   >>> more

Film deal "hijacked", says Gilmour in Shelburne County Coast Guard... in a front-page story Tuesday about the new players at the Shelburne Film Studios, film producer Steve Gilmour accuses the new investor group of "hijacking" his proposal to SWSDA.
     Reg Ridgley, out-going CAO for Shelburne Municipality, is quoted as saying the lastest developments in the Film Studio saga are 'encouraging."     
     Vermont-based James Kendrick and Pennsylvania-based Mary Barstow say they have all of the financing in place to meet the February 29 and March 31 deadlines imposed by the current purchase-and-sale agreement. sct26feb08

Movie moves & movers... follow-up story by Chronicle Herald on new Shelburne Film Studio buyers... op-ed in Nova Scotia Business Journal Buzz by Steve Gilmour on the state of film industry in Nova Scotia... 

Highest week, day, month in SCT readership... this week's readership of  South Shore and Shelburne County TODAY surpasses all previous weeks and Tuesday's readership passes the previous daily mark by 40%, according to web site stats.  Friday's readership was the second highest since SCT was launched 14 months ago.
     "The level of local interest in our kind of news has truly surprised me," says editor and publisher Timothy Gillespie. "Our readership this month will be more than 200% that of last year at this time." Unique visitors for the year ending February 29 will approach 40,000, the highest visitor volume of any website in the region by far, according to Gillespie.
     At 20,000 visitors a year, Gillespie's regional tourism website, ShelburneNovaScotia.com, generates more visits and direct room night bookings than all of the other similar webs in the area combined.
     He has also designed most of the high-traffic web sites for the region, including:

• HistoricShelburne.com (for the Shelburne Historical Society)
• DiscoverShelburneCounty.com (for the local tourism association)
• ShelburneChamber.com (for the Chamber of Commerce)
• LoyalistLanding2008.org (for the Grand Reenactment Weekend)
• and many other local webs. sct22feb08

Pushed and pulled at Sandy Point... new U.S. buyers for soundstage property... in one of Shelburne's most long-lasting business melodramas, Australian film maker Steve Gilmour says he and his Atlantic Films Studios have been "pushed out" of the deal he spent five months crafting to purchase the Shelburne Film Studios at the former navel base at sandy Point near Shelburne from the South West Shore Development Authority (SWSDA).
    The new buyers, according to Gilmour and Shelburne Municipal warden Paulette Scott, are Jim Kendrick and Mary Barstow of Vermont. 
     "I am sickened by this trickery," Gilmour told SCT, " and, besides the loss of five months time, we've lost over $100,000 trying to put this together."  Gilmour told the The Herald Thursday that former partners Kendrick and Barstow were to have transferred funds to his account to cover a deposit check, but failed to do so. 
     SWSDA board members were told Wednesday that Gilmour's check had bounced and that he had sent a letter to SWSDA's attorneys removing himself from the deal. "Absolutely not," says Gilmour. "Our intention was to sever our ties with Kendrick and Barstow, but stay in control of the offer and sale agreement which we worked months to create." Gilmour told The Herald that he had the money to complete the deal.
  The SWSDA board voted to continue the deal with Kendrick at least until February 29, when he is required to prove that he has the resources to complete the deal. The Board also voted that, should Kendrick not meet the deadline, CEO Frank Anderson could proceed with another offer in the wings, reportedly from a U.S.-based film company. 
     Fergus Ford, who was the attorney representing the recent "mystery buyer" of the former Boys School (now Bowood, owned by Ralston MacDonnell), apparently has a client interested in the project and SCT has been told that MacDonnell himself may be forming an investment group interested in the base and studio. 
     "We have all of our financing in place and, as far as we are concerned,  this deal is going to happen," Kendrick told SCT. "Frank Anderson, the SWSDA board and Shelburne Municipality have all been extremely welcoming and gracious to us." The U.S.-based pair are currently in Shelburne for meetings about the project and to secure office space and staffing. The municipality has allowed them use of the Council chambers for some meetings.
     Kendrick and Barstow toured the property three years ago and were apparently told by Frank Anderson that the selling price was $11 million. The former publisher, who owns an entertainment firm and construction company, among others, was introduced to the property by a local real estate broker, who also let them know recently that there might be a place for him in Gilmour's deal. The current price on the property is $2.75 million.
     The Herald  reported that a radio station and candle factory were planned for the site and Kendrick says he has plans for many uses at the property. Mary Barstow has a custom candle manufacturing form which will relocate to the site. "Of course," says the self-described entrepreneur, "film production will be top on the list. We are meeting with Anne MacKenzie of Film Nova Scotia on Tuesday to discuss that."
    Kendrick described a current "three-pronged plan", which also includes the creation of "Shelburne Enterprise Park", which he hopes will attract partnerships with local and other firms to build additional business enterprises in the area. "If this sort of thing was easy, everybody would be doing it," Kendrick added. "We want to work with others in creating the next 'right' thing for the area." 
     Kendrick's Seacoast Entertainment firm specializes in multi-media, including web design and music production and distribution. Citing a strong interest in the educational community, he has been is discussions with Nova Scotia Community College about utilizing the aquaculture facilities which are included in the base purchase. 
     Steve Gilmour plans to continue producing films in Nova Scotia - including the Clare Bourke Jones-penned Moon Harvest slated for a start March 1 - but says he has grave concerns that "the only working film studio in Nova Scotia will be plowed under."  sct22feb08  

Catch of the day... fisherman grounded for 10 years... The captain of a groundfish vessel who pitched a childish fit while federal fisheries officers were overseeing the unloading and seizure of his catch last fall has been forbidden to set foot on the deck of any groundfish boat for 10 years.
     Gary Lee Nickerson, 36, of South Side, Cape Sable Island, must also pay several big fines and is on probation for the next year. >>> more

SWSDA makes pitch for Shelburne County tourism role... at a meeting Thursday convened by the Discover Shelburne County Tourism Association, local political leaders heard a lengthy presentation about the recent successes of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Destination by manager Larry Peach.
    South West Shore Development Authority CEO Frank Anderson told the assembled group that SWSDA would be able and willing to use its expertise gained in developing the Yarmouth destination group to oversee the administrative functions of a tourism plan in Shelburne County.
    The meeting ended without any commitments to a future plan by local politicians. sct22feb08  

Yarmouth Council surprised by possible tourism events pullout by development corp... The Town of Yarmouth will ask the Yarmouth Development Corporation (YDC) to hold off on their plans to stop running area festivals and events. >>> more

Sharks doing it on Georges bank?... Marine scientists in Halifax believe they may have found a new breeding ground for sharks off the coast of Nova Scotia, but they have run into trouble trying to retrieve all the data they need to verify their suspicion that porbeagle sharks are mating around Georges Bank. >>> more

Rural Mailboxes to be abandoned??... 73,000 mailboxes in Nova Scotia are under review in "safety" assessment   >>> more

Shelburne's favourite "songbirds" coming to Osprey for Women's Week show... Merrie Howe, Pat deMolitor, Lisa Buchanan, Kathleen Glauser and ShellyMacIntosh slated for Buchanan-produced show March 1. >>>see poster here   >>> Osprey we here 

Bridgewater man appeals ruling after beating by Mountie.. A Mahone Bay man who suffered a "severe beating" from a Mountie is appealing his conviction for assaulting the officer, calling the ruling unreasonable.. >>>more

Province sued by broadband firm... the now-defunct tech firm which built then abandoned the broadband service for Caledonia in Queens County is suing the province for using their "exclusive property" in designing the model fort he recent province-wide broadband initiative. >>> more

Hospital bracing for loss of another doctor... Roseway Hospital and many of her patients will be struggling after physician Ruby Lewis closes her practice and moves to Ontario at the end of April.  >>> more

Bridgewater angry at police in teen murder case... Frustration and anger has gripped this South Shore Nova Scotia town as residents look for answers in the killing of 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau >>> more

Barrington funeral on Tuesday for Karissa Boudreau... Funeral arrangements have now been made for 12-year-old Karissa Boudreau, the little girl who was found murdered in Bridgewater last weekend. >>>more

Mom and dad questioned in Bridgewater teen murder?... The tragic killing of Karissa Boudreau remains unsolved, at least for the time being.
     Police arrested two people Thursday in the death of the 12-year-old Bridgewater girl but released them Friday without laying any charges. By law, an arrested person can’t be held for more than 24 hours unless charges are laid.  >>> The Herald 
Grandparents say they know who was arrested, but were told not to divulge who suspects are... >>> The Herald  Mom's boyfriend shaken by murder... >>> The Herald  >>> Canadian Press video   >>> National Post  sct16feb08

Enough is enough in the Digby Neck quarry fight... divide and conquer strategy not welcome in Bilcon's fight to overturn panel decision  >>> more

More court time for eBay land sellers... lawyers for Carmen & Kevin Blinn and Jon and Sadie Smith faced off in Supreme Court Friday at a hearing before Justice Susan Hood about who was representing the mysterious Mr. Blinn in the proceedings.
     The Smiths have sued the Blinns and a numbered company for fraudulent and deceptive sales practices in at least three eBay land deals in Yarmouth and Cape Breton. 
     The Blinns lawyer, Stephanie Atkinson of Burchell MacDougall, says she no longer represents Kevin Blinn and will file documents with the court to that effect. The Smith's lawyer, Michelle Kelley of Cox Palmer, says she now hopes that the case might go to trial in the fall. The suits began in late 2006. 
     Another Burchell MacDougall lawyer, Gary Richard, is on record as representing Kevin Blinn in a series of one year-old defamation allegations and suits relating to the couple's eBay real estate sales in Port Clyde. Richard has not filed any notice with the court that he no longer represents Mr. Blinn in those actions.
     None of allegations in any of the cases has been proven in court.  sct16feb08

Not enough evidence for  trial in Black Loyalist firebombing... A Shelburne County man who was accused of setting fire to the headquarters of the Black Loyalist Heritage Society in in Birchtown near Shelburne will not go to trial.
     The Crown entered a stay of proceedings Thursday on a charge of arson against Gaylord Avery Perry. Local RCMP did not accumulate adequate evidence to pursue charges, according to Crown prosecutor.
     "Considering the evidence that was available, I wasn’t satisfied that it was appropriate to continue at this stage," Jim Fyfe told The Herald after court on Wednesday.  >>> more   sct16feb08

Dishing dirt in Barrington.... land developer Ken Anthony is waiting to see who will take the lead in clearing up the contaminated soil from near his new apartment development on the former High School site in Barrington Passage.
    "I've cleaned up two smaller messes myself to the tune of $45,000, but enough is enough," Anthony told SCT. The Municipality of Barrington recently rejected a request from Tri-County Reginal School Board to cost-share the cleanup. 
     "Under the law, we have a right to presume that the District was giving us uncontaminated land when they turned the site over," said a muni official. 
     The contamination is likely to be fuel oil, according to Anthony. If the matter is not resolved soon, the builder said, "It will be going to the lawyers."
     Anthony has signed deals for 16 of the apartments to be occupied within a couple of months and is also adding commercial space to the project sct14feb08 

Energy Minister pursues Georges Bank oil exploration... Energy Minister (and Yarmouth MLA) Richard Hurlburt told meetings of the Tory faithful and oil and gas executives that the fishery could coexist on Georges Bank and that "It’s safe to do drilling in our offshore," Mr. Hurlburt said.
    Hurlburt says he will spearhead the government's push to overturn the current exploration moratorium, while the Ecology Action Centre and Shelburne County MLA Sterling Belliveau have protested the "new policy direction" for the energy department and government.  >>> The Herald
    Georges Bank is part of the Gulf of Maine and is off the southern tip of Nova Scotia near Yarmouth. The US Geological Survey describes parts of the Georges Banks as "important habitat for the spawning and survival of several fishery species".
     The New England-based Conservation Law Foundation has warned that, despite the moratorium, the region "continues to be targeted by the oil and gas industry and other pro-drilling interests".    

eBay land sales team buys back foreclosed lot... Wednesday's Sherrif's auction in Shelburne saw Carmen Blinn buy back a foreclosed lot from her Seaside Breezes development in Port Clyde for close to $2,900. Blinn's numbered company had foreclosed on Stephen Rowe from the USA after he explained to them that he could no longer meet the payments.
    Prior to the auction, Blinn argued in the courtroom with the Sheriff about who was the rightful owner of the land, with the Sheriff saying the numbered company and Blinn saying the mortgager. In the end, it was disclosed that the the mortgager is the same numbered company.
    Blinn's attorney Stephanie Atkinson wrote to the Sheriff claiming that there was no HST due on the sale. According to provincial records, the numbered company is headquartered in Burchell MacDougall law offices in Truro.
    The 2.3 acre lot originally sold for $10,000, with $15,000 now being sought for similar lots on the Blinn's web site. The numbered company and Carmen Blinn are plaintiffs in two defamation suits and, with husband Kevin Blinn, are defendants in two defamation and one consolidated fraud suit regarding sales practices over eBay for the Port Clyde land and other properties. sct14feb08 

49 more jobs to go at Bowater Mersey?... A move to cut 49 positions at Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. is literally rolling along the employee line with probable job losses at the end, says Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada Local 141 President Courtney Wentzell  >>> more

Farmed salmon killing wild species...  Salmon farming operations have reduced wild salmon populations by up to 70 per cent in several areas around the world and are threatening the future of the endangered stocks, according a new scientific study.  >>> more

Politics and law trumping growth for SouthWest Nova... lawyers, godfathers, government money, hangups and politics... Clarks Harbour mayor says Shelburne County is getting the shaft again... more on the disappearing $750,000 from Jim Meeks at The Herald   >>> more

Yarmouth area gets $150,000 in tourism boost... the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores tourism area will get a big boost from ACOA, the Nova Scotia government and SWSDA to develop a long-term tourism plan for the region.
     "The federal government, through ACOA, recognizes the potential for tourism in Yarmouth and the Acadian Shores region as well as the contribution this industry makes to the economy of southwest Nova Scotia. A long-term strategy [will] ensure a vibrant future for communities," said Peter MacKay, Minister of the Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA).
     The provincial government and ACOA are each contributing $67,500 to the $150,000 project. The South West Shore Development Authority (SWSDA will contribute $15,000.
     "This funding is a continuation of our support for the tourism industry in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores region," said Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "The long-term plan we're funding will be strategic and customer focused, and it will draw on the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful part of Nova Scotia to bring more visitors here."
      Recent news stories have detailed the challenges the Yarmouth and the South Shore have faced with the past year's dwindling tourism numbers, and modified ferry service and some operators in the area have high hopes that a long-term plan will add to the region's tourism viability.
     Bob Benson, owner of Churchill Mansion appreciates the need and wisdom of long-term planning, but also sees the need for immediate action. "Lots of places are for sale and tourism workers are leaving the area," Benson told SCT. "We are losing our tourism infrastructure and we need help now."    sct11feb08

Base instincts.... The purchase and sale agreement has been signed, money has changed hands and producer Steve Gilmour is set to begin production on Moon Harvest there in March...  Gilmour and Jim Hendrick of New Hampshire met with SWSDA execs today to discuss the timelines involved in the $2.75 million real estate transaction and, from all reports, it was a veritable lovefest.
    Gilmour, head of Atlantic Film Studios, is eager to begin production on the film written by Clare Bourke-Jones. "We're off to the races now," Gilmour added, "and we expect smooth sailing after some earlier bumps in the road." sct11feb08

Nova Scotia Music maven to program concerts at Bowood... former TV host and East Coast Music Awards chair Stephen Antle, has been solicited by Ralston MacDonnell to produce a series of events at Bowood (former Boy's School).
     Muscian Antle, one of the founders of the famed Stan Rogers Folk Festival, has ambitious plans for the site, including shows in the 150-seat theatre, 800 seat former gym and 5,000-person outdoor square off Commission Street.
     Folk hero Bruce Guthro is slated for two shows this season, with possible appearances by Lennie Gallant, Jill Barber and others. The affable Antle also discussed tentative plans to have a Francophone/Acadian-flavoured event, featuring big-name regional performers.
    Antle will be meeting with community and cultural groups as he works to integrate the Bowood programming into the existing cultural landscape. One possibility discussed was the reprise of the former Shelburne Jazz & Blues Festival, turned away by The Osprey in 2006 after four years of operation.
     "With the surprising and unqualified success of StanFest," said Antle, "there's no reason Shelburne couldn't have a similar experience with the right programming and promotion." sct11feb08

I'm in!!... Mayor's race sees first salvo with announcement by P.G. Comeau...  in a somewhat surprising announcement in the middle of Wednesday's Town Council meeting, Mayor P.G. Comeau announced that he would offer again as mayor of Shelburne in October elections.
     The early announcement by the savvy politician is seen by some pol-watchers as a preemptive strike at any number of others who seemed poised to take on the veteran campaigner.
     Also rumoured to be considering a run to be named "his or her worship" are councilors Al Delaney and Elizabeth Acker, deputy mayor Tony Mahaney, former port boss Donnie Acker and former Chamber prez Elizabeth Rhuland. A crowded field is generally seen as plus for the "no holds barred" style of Comeau's electioneering.
     Past elections have been fraught with no little controversy, including claims of polling booth irregularities and a series of "sure thing" ferry announcements, which turned to dust in post election. sct07feb07 

Councilor and warden rants hallmark (again) of Municipal Council meeting... During a discussion of the proposed move by the Muni offices to Ralston MacDonnell's charming wooded glen of Bowood, councilor Rayond Davis raged that it was "those crazy meetings" that made him agree not to consider the move until fiscal 2008-2009 budget discussions.
     Davis was reminded by former deputy warden John Roscoe that  councilors  had promised rate-payers to hold off on any move votes until this spring. "I will be voting against it," said Roscoe. Davis is on record as having made previous votes just to "shut up" certain councilors.
     The move to Bowood is the brainchild of out-going CAO Reg Ridgely, who, some months ago,  had invited MacDonnell to an unagended and unannounced visit with the Council to give his latest slide show pitch about the move. Ridgely's presentation last week was mostly an amalgam of MacDonnell's slides, with a smattering of largely unreadable and not-too-very-relevant-to-the-circumstances-here news clippings tossed in. Middle school book report grade = C-.
     In a common tableau reminiscent of Thanksgiving dinners long past, and as is often the case at council meetings, Davis was being gently (and sometimes covertly) nudged into some semblance of public self-control by Ridgely and tablemates. 
     The Council requested staff to re-visit the issue and prepare a solid report. The previous report more than a year ago by a staff committee had the decaying buildings falling in on themselves and suffering the ignoble fortune of being razed by dozers if the Munis did not move into the site immediately. 
     Not to be outdone and apparently being incensed by the lack of respect afforded her in her role as warden, Paulette Scott took her council to the collective woodshed. Citing behaviour at Council and elsewhere, warden Scott had at 'em. 
     In what would be reserved for a more private and guarded down-dressing of her wards and colleagues by a more politic and statesmanlike headmistress, Scott openly criticized the real or imagined  transgressions of her councilmates. Given the consistently egregious behaviour of Davis, it came as a surprise to many in the room that the usually-composed and decidedly civil  Sherm Embree was singled out for the dastardly crime of "eye-rolling" during one of Davis' oratorial expostulations. 
     The public attending, nor her fellow councilors (with possibly two exceptions) were not amused.  (story based on Coast Guard reports and interviews with attendees).sct5feb08