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VOLUME : 03 ISSUE : SEP/2016

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News
Exploring Nature with Kids at the Deanery Project
By Richard Bell

In 2018, the community will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Railway Station
in Musquodoboit Harbour. Most rural stations have been torn down, fallen down or
become part of a redevelopment. First opened in 1918, the station is operated by the
Musquodoboit Harbour Heritage Society.
It has been, and continues to be, an important gathering place where residents
celebrate special occasions, hold meetings and participate in group activities. As a
museum it provides an essential link with our past by collecting and preserving our
heritage for future generations. It is also be a rallying point for a renewed community
vision for Musquodoboit Harbour and brings together various interests, service groups
and community resources to ensure a vital, living centre for the Harbour.

A few days earlier, teachers met at


the Deanery to learn how to teach
children about water from experts
with the international environmental
group, Project WET (Water Education
for Teachers). The Montana-based
organization has been developing
and delivering educational resources for teaching about water for more than three
decades, working with groups around the world to solve some of the worlds most
pressing water issues.
And on September 16th and 17th, the Deanery Project is joining forces with Halifaxs
Heartwood Centre for Youth and Community Development to offer an environmental
adventure weekend for kids ages 14-18. There will be campfires, stargazing, an Acadian
Forest workshop, and native tree planting, all for only $5. To register, contact Taylor
at the Deanery Project, 902-845-1888, or by email at thedeaneryproject@gmail.com

@escooperator
easternshorecoooperator

Managing
Editor/
Distribution:
Gina Dunn
escsubmissions@
eastlink.ca
Senior Writer/Editor:
Richard Bell
richardbelldc@
hotmail.com

easternshorecooperator.ca Advertising Mgr:


902-281-2345
The Eastern Shore Cooperator is published
by The Eastern Shore Cooperator
Publications Cooperative Ltd.

The Musquodoboit Harbour Railway Station:


100 Years in the Making
By John Verlinden

Theres a growing body of evidence


that getting young people off their cell
phones and into the woods promotes
both physical and psychological health.
The Deanery Project in Ship Harbour has
been offering an ever-expanding range
of activities that get kids out into the
beautiful environment of the Eastern
Shore, like this years Sealight/Skylight
festival, August 12-13. Many families
took advantage of this opportunity to
give their young children a look at the
Perseid meteor shower overhead, and
the bioluminescence on the Deanerys
waterfront on Ship Harbour.

Eastern Shore
Cooperator

The preservation of the station as a focal point of the community is all our responsibility.
We must work to preserve what we have. That includes coming together to raise money
to maintain the building, update our facilities and preserve our displays.
The Musquodoboit Harbour Heritage
Society is holding a fundraising gala
on September 10th in support of the
Museum at the Petpeswick Yacht
Club. The evening will include a threecourse meal prepared by Ray Bear,
wine, a silent auction, a live auction
and a trip down memory lane as we
remember what it was like in the early
days of rail travel along the Eastern
Shore.
Tickets are only $65.00 and can be purchased at the Railway Station or by calling 902889-3395. Help us get ready for 2018.

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Arts

4
Rex Trasker: The Mirror and the Sea
By Deirdre Dwyer

What do Caribbean fishermen,


Icelandic settlers, and a pioneer
forester have in common? They
are all subjects of films made
by Rex Tasker, a documentary
filmmaker,
editor,
writer,
producer, and director who
worked for the National Film
Board of Canada for thirtytwo years. Over the course of
his career, he was involved in
over 200 films, and received a
number of awards, including a
Genie, and a nomination for an
Academy Award!
Rex is most pleased with the
Grierson Award from the
Academy of Canadian Cinema,
as it was for an outstanding
contribution to Canadian film
in the spirit and tradition of
John Grierson. Rex says that
he holds to Griersons belief
that documentary film has
two main functions: one was
to be used as a hammer, to
help bring about social change;
and the other was to provide a
mirror, in which people --and
entire communities- could see

themselves as others saw them.


Raised in Devonshire, England,
Rex studied film at the Heatherley
School of Art, now the London
Film School, in London, England
after attending a film festival
where he saw some National
Film Board documentaries. I
mentally said wow, says Rex.
And in 1958 he came to Canada,
he says, with a strong desire
to work at the institution [the
NFB] which Grierson had helped
found.
Making films in Toronto and
Montreal, Rex promoted the
idea of decentralization in the
early 1970s and the Trudeau
government of that time
supported it. When the NFB
commissioner Sydney Newman
asked Rex where he wanted to
go, Rex said Halifax. The work
Id been doing in film had mainly
been on the Atlantic coast,
Trasker said. Im from the sea
and I wanted to go back to the
sea.
So Rex established the NFBs

Atlantic Studio in Halifax in 1973.


He helped set up independent
film co-operatives. We helped
lot of filmmakers develop their
skills and a lot of films got
distribution, he said.
It was also around this time, on
a drive out to the Eastern Shore,
that Rex discovered an old clam
factory, which he renovated
into a comfortable home. For
our interview, Rex and I sit in
the dining room looking out at
the water and islands. The clam
factory operated from 1943 to
1952. Later I would watch his
film Mill Cove which Rex made
in 1998 about the clam factory,
and the nearby brook where
Rex set traps for eels, which he
would later smoke.
After his retirement from the
NFB in 1992, Rex continued to
make films. Travelling to Belize,
Rex made, among others, a film
about a fishing co-operative
there. Back in Canada a few
years later, Rex partnered with
my father, David Dwyer, to make

films focusing on local history.


One is about the Icelandic
immigrants who came to Nova
Scotia in the 1880s. Another is
about Dr. Wilfrid Creighton, who
at the age of 100 was tromping
through his woodlot --and
discussing his blueberry and
maple syrup productions. Rex
and my father also documented
the Kents of Kent Island, at
Pleasant Point. A Kent ancestor
had been navigator to Lord

Nelson at Trafalgar, and legend


has it that his ghost haunts the
Kent family home.
Rexs local films can be found
at the Musquodoboit Harbour
library. When he finished each
of these films, there were
screenings at the library with
discussion following. Those
screenings remind Rex of the
early NFB days, when film was a
catalyst for social discussion, and
ideally, for action and change.

Community

Sober Island Brewing Ltd. provides local craft beer


By Janice Christie

Rebecca Atkinson spent the winter of 2015 in Wales,


where the local pub is a staple of community life. An
idea came to me last winter when I was in a Cardiff pub
and saw an oyster stout on tap, Atkinson says. It said
brewed with fresh oysters, and my immediate thought
was, Wow, why dont we have something like that at
home in Nova Scotia... especially with access to great
oysters in our province? That was at the end of January
2015. I came home from Wales in May and called my
friend Jonathan Primack and said Were opening a
brewery!
At age 27, it took Atkinson seven months to write her
first business plan. Sober Island Brewing Ltd. is a team
of three. Atkinson is the owner; Jonathan Primack is
the brewer and purchaser; and Ron Haigh takes care
of quality management and procedures as well as
brewing. Atkinson and Primack pitched the business
to Farmworks, a CEDIF program, where they were
successful in raising funds for phase one, converting
a horse trailer into a mobile beer truck which theyve
been driving to events all over the province.

Sober Island Brewing, offers three styles of beer. We


are currently brewing on a pilot system called the SabCo
BrewMagic, with 1/2bbl (50L) capacity. We produce
three styles: English Golden Rye Ale, Oyster Stout and
a Henley House Private Ale, which is an Ordinary Bitter.
Atkinson is planning to keep on expanding, with a
long-range vision of building a destination-focused
microbrewery on Sober Island. People will be able to
come to the brewery and sit on the deck overlooking
some of the Wild Islands, Atkinson says. They can
kayak from Taylors Head, or hike the trail behind the
brewery to the rock beach where you can see the
lighthouse-occupied island known as Sheet Rock. We
envision having outdoor movies, horseshoes, and a
dock for people to tie up their boats. I want this building
to be as culturally and environmentally sustainable as
possible.
In building the full brewery, the company plans to pay
special attention to its environmental impact. Atkinson
says she would like to use geothermal heating, have

windmills to help power some of the utilities and possibly


a green roof that will provide non-potable water. She
emphasized the companys commitment to doing things
right: When people come to experience the Island and
our Eastern Shore, we want them to share in the sense
of pride in the place they are visiting.
For more information, email: Rebecca@soberbrewing.
ca, or call 902-719-9463.

Middle Musquodoboit Exhibition

Over 40 years Experience serving the Eastern Shore! Specializing in Drilled wells, Pump installs,
Clean and surge processes for all Drilled and Dug Wells, and trouble-shooting all well problems.
When Well Driller A provides you with a quote that is much lower
than Well Driller B you might think you are getting a great deal,
but a great deal does not necessarily equal great value.

2371 Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown NS


Phone 902-829-2474 / Fax 902-829-2795
Email: Bluenosewelldrilling@hotmail.com
Website: bluenosewelldrilling.ca

Community

Opposition to Frontage Bylaw Growing Rapidly


By Richard Bell

HRMs planners have stirred up a hornets nest of opposition


with their surprise decision this spring to begin denying
building permits for certain rural lots, citing a regulation
that had been on the books since 1996 but never enforced.
The regulation requires that a building lot, regardless of
size, have at least 100 feet of frontage on a public road.
For many years, the department routinely issued permits
for lots without such frontage. And the department now
claims that each and every one of those nine decisions was
a mistake.
If this decision stands, local builders and property owners
stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not
millions. Local builders have already been forced to start
laying off workers because of denied permits. And people
who once thought that they would pass on large lots to
their relatives are now discovering that properties are
virtually worthless because HRM will no longer issue
building permits for their land.
Opposition to enforcement of the 100-foot frontage bylaw
is growing rapidly. Local builder Mike Young and his wife
Kim Young called the first emergency community meeting;
attendance at the 2nd of such meetings doubled the first,
and attendance at the 3rd meeting doubled the 2nd. The
group now has a name, Save Rural HRM, and a Facebook
page.
The group sent Mayor Savage and all HRM Councillors

an invitation to attend their 3rd meeting. Since Regional


Council is not scheduled to meet until September, they
asked the Mayor to call an emergency Council meeting
to deal with the frontage bylaw problem, by repealing it
or suspending it. Back in April, Council passed a motion
from Councillor David Hendsbee ordering the Planning
Department to prepare a report on the implications of
enforcing the 100-foot frontage bylaw. Planning was
supposed to submit the report to Council on July 28th,
but the delivery date has slipped to at least November.
The Mayor has refused to call an emergency meeting of
Council, and he did not show up for the Save Rural HRM
meeting.
Regional Council has since agreed to hear from two
representatives of Save Rural HRM, Andy Robbins and
Kim Young, for five minutes each at the next scheduled
meeting September 6th. The group continues to reach out
to new allies: attendees at an August 29th strategy meeting
included Jim McIntosh, President of the Association of
Nova Scotia Land Surveyors and Suzanne Gravelle, the
Regional Director for Halifax/Dartmouth of the Nova Scotia
Association of Realtors.
On September 8th, the group will be holding a public
meeting at the Petpeswick Yacht Club starting at 6:30
pm. Organizer Kim Young sent out an email with a broad
agenda:

If you are concerned with HRM council making decisions in


isolation, with a complete lack of stakeholder consultation
in creating future policy, with bylaws that strangle growth,
with property values that have plummeted because of
this latest bylaw enforcement, with the steady erosion
of services, or the lack of adequate representation in
HRM Council, please take this opportunity to voice your
concerns at our meeting!
And finally, Save Rural HRM is planning a protest march
on City Hall before the upcoming municipal election
in October. [Note: The Cooperator will be covering this
fast-moving fight with regular articles and updates on its
Facebook site and its website. You can also comment on
the issue on the Cooperator Politics Facebook page.]

Sheet Harbour Seaside


Festival Parade

Community
First baby expo created by Eastern Shore Local
By Samantha Holmes

Hollie Quick (West Chezzetcook), is launching Atlantic


Canadas first major baby expo! The Happy Baby Expo will
take place on October 1 at the Dartmouth Sportsplex.
Quick saw the need and opportunity to help new and
expectant parents make informed decisions during their
pregnancy and early child-rearing years.
I remember during my first pregnancy how excited and overwhelmed I was, says Quick,
founder of The Happy Baby Expo. I thought if I could bring together local experts in
pregnancy and baby health along with an assortment of products I could help parents
through that very enjoyable, yet sometimes stressful, part of the parenthood journey.
Her vision quickly became reality when more than 40 exhibitors and eight speakers
signed up to showcase their products and expertise.
The Expo is expected to be rich in both products and information. The jammed-packed
seminar schedule includes sessions on Overcoming Common Sexual and Relationship
Challenges for new parents; tips on how to take baby photos; and fall trends on
maternity and nursing wear. There will also be free music classes for babies and
toddlers on-site.
Quick admits it hasnt all been easy. Most notably she speaks of the recent loss of her
father, Wayne Faulkner, a well-known resident of Jeddore. It was hard to think about
the expo when my family was going through such a sad and difficult time, says Quick.
She credits her dads unwavering support and confidence in her as the driving force
that kept her moving forward.
Dad loved babies and was an amazing grandfather, says Quick. From the moment I
thought of the idea, he was one of my biggest champions and gave me the confidence
boost I needed. I know he wanted to see me succeed at this. Im dedicating the event
to him.
Tickets are $10/ person and can be purchased at the door (cash only). For more
information visit happybabyexpo.com.

SMS Property Services and Cleaning


Need your Home or Vacation Rental Property
Cleaned and Maintained. We provide quality
services, and use all natural cleaning products
Weekly and Monthly Residential Cleaning
Home Watch
Home Maintenance
Move in Move Out Cleaning
smsmpropertyincomes.com
902-440-6731
Holly Gould

Art and Crafts Fall Workshops


Adults: Three-hour workshops, $40 + $5 materials charge
Children and Teens: Two-hour workshops, $30
Sign up for four workshops adult and/or child and
receive five dollars off per workshop!
Pre-register at least a week in advance by email:
OldSchoolMH@outlook.com. For more info, visit www.TheOldSchool.ca
Saturday, September 17
10-12 Painting (Upper Elementary) Tobbi Dyer
1-4 Composing with Colour (Adults) Mary Doane
Saturday, September 24
10-12 Painting (Lower Elementary) Tobbi Dyer
1-4 Intro to Water Mixable Oils (Adults) Betty Anne Gaetz
Saturday, October 1
10-12 Craft (Upper Elementary) Tobbi Dyer
1-4 Intro to Water Mixable Oils Intermediate (Adults) Betty Anne Gaetz
Saturday, October 15
10-12 Plaster Mask Making (age 13 and up) Karen Schlick
1-4 Painting with Craft Tissue Paper(adults) Cailin Green
Sunday, October 16
10-12 Plaster Mask Making #2 Paint the plaster mask (incl.with above) Karen Schlick
1-4 Art as Meditation (adults )Cailin Green
Saturday, October 21
10-12 Paper Mask Making in 3 D (age 9 and up) Karen Schlick
Friday, October 28
1-4 Halloween activities; games and crafts for all ages;
children must have an adult with them; $5 per child.

Part Time Office Manager


The Old School in Musquodoboit Harbour is seeking a part time Office
Manager to be responsible for the administration and co-ordination of
the office and our programs. This position will work Tuesday through
Friday from 11am until 4pm. (20 hours per week).
This is a permanent position, paying $ 14.00 per hour plus 4% vacation pay, with a threemonth probationary period and a start date of October 4, 2016.
Qualifications:
Excellent verbal and written skills. Proficiency in computer applications - MS Office,
Internet, Spreadsheets. Ability to update website and Facebook. Experience using social
media to develop relationship outreach. Strong organizational and time management skills
Initiative and ability to work both independently and as a team member.
Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate: Experience working in a
community setting and/ or with volunteers. Awareness / experience of the social and
economic impact of community hubs in a rural setting. Experience / knowledge of heritage
research.
Position summary:
Reporting to the Board Chair, this position will be responsible for the daily function of the
office, including, but not limited to, assisting walk-in enquiries, room bookings, program
registration, updating social media, maintaining files, communicating with volunteers
and assisting with projects. A key project for this position will be the implementation of
a volunteer recruitment strategy and volunteer data base. The continued expansion of
the data base and identified skills will produce an asset data base of community skills.
Additional daily responsibilities of this position include: ensuring that the building is secure
at all times, maintenance issues are reported, rooms set up for programs and routine
cleaning is done to provide a clean, safe environment for all users of the premises.
Qualified applicants should forward a resume demonstrating their experience and
qualifications by email to: oldschoolMH@outlook.com by end of day on Sunday, September
11, 2016 and interviews will be held the week of September 19th.

News
Nova Scotia Fights Swedish Lobster Ban Bid
By Richard Bell

y=9
"

Nancy Lobban CPA, CGA

- Chartered Professional Accountant


Tel 902-476-8765 Fax 902-889-3363
Email:nlobban@eastlink.ca

Office and Mailing Address:


# 8005 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour NS B0J 2L0

In a move that would severely impact Nova Scotias


lobster industry, Sweden has asked the European
Union to ban the import of all U.S. and Canadian
lobsters (homarus americanus). Sweden claims that the
imported lobsters are an invasive species that threatens
the smaller European lobster (homarus gammarus).
Sweden filed its claim this spring, invoking the
precautionary principal that the EU should act before
any real damage has happened. The EUs scientific forum
is expected to rule by August 31. Live lobster exports to
the EU from the US and Canada are an estimated $200
million, so a EU ban would create significant hardships.
In a statement on August 23, 2016, Fisheries and Oceans
Minister Keith Colwell said that Nova Scotia was fighting
back hard: Nova Scotia is working aggressively with the
Federal Government and industry to ensure live lobster
shipments to the EU continue. We are also working
jointly with our American neighbours who are affected
by the same potential EU ban. Global Affairs Canada is
the lead agency on this, but Nova Scotia is supporting
their efforts along with DFO, the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency and the Canadian lobster industry.
Canada and the U.S. have submitted comments on the

lack of scientific evidence outlined in Swedens risk


assessment and are actively engaging with decisionmakers and importers in the European Union.
The Swedish claim is based on the capture of 32
American lobsters in Swedish waters between 2008
and 2015. Norway caught 29 between 1999 and 2015,
including two females with hybrid eggs.
Tangier lobster exporter Stewart Lamont is very
skeptical of the Swedish invasive species claim. Theres
more here than meets the eye, Lamont said. The
presence of a few North American lobster escapees in
Swedish waters does not represent a calamity and the
Europeans know it. However there are some European
interests who would find this a very helpful, non-tariff
barrier going forward.
In the event that the EU agrees to ban lobster exports,
Minister Colwell said that Canada would appeal the
decision to the World Trade Organization (WTO). If the
vote supports Swedens request, the issue would then
move to further consultation, including notification of
the World Trade Organization, before a final decision on
a ban is made.

Syrian Family Settling In Nicely


By Richard Bell

Adrien Blanchette, one of the founders of the


Musquodoboit Harbour St. Philip Neri Cath. Church
& United Church of Canada Refugee Sponsorship
Committee, reports that the Abdurrahman family have
been settling in nicely since they arrived in late June
from a Syrian refugee camp in Turkey.
Were all very happy that there havent been too many
bumps in the road so far, said Blanchette. Salah and
Menal are excited about shopping for school clothes
and supplies to get little Melak ready to start going to
OPA. And like all young parents, theyve also got mixed
feelings about their first child going off to school on her
own.

www.zareskilaw.ca

DENISE E. ZARESKI
BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

EMAIL: denise@zareskilaw.ca

MICHAEL BRINE

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

EMAIL: michael@zareskilaw.ca

7782 HWY. 7 MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR


NOVA SCOTIA B0J 2L0
TEL: 902 889 3437 FAX: 902 889 3541
EMAIL: admin@zareskilaw.ca

Blanchette said the sponsorship committee was


especially pleased with the work that so many volunteers
have put into giving the family a head start in learning
English over the last two months.

Salah will be going into Halifax every day to take English


as a Second Language classes this fall through the
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS),
Blanchette explained. But our education team has
done a wonderful job this summer. So many people
came forward that theyve been able to have an English
class every day for an hour or so right here in the village,
at the library or at the HRM office.
Blanchette said he continues to be amazing at the
outpouring of support for the family. Were still getting
new volunteers. People come up to me and ask if
they can take them to the beach, or shopping, or out
fishing in a dory, he said. Weve also been getting
offers of work, although both the archdiocese and the
immigration people have asked to hold off a bit. You can
imagine what a daze they might be in sometimes; being
here is almost like being dropped on a different planet!

Opinion
Back to the Future
By Wyn Jones

The Halifax Regional Municipality came into being on April 1st, 1996 after a torturous
and, at times, acrimonious birthing. It brought together the cities of Halifax and
Dartmouth, the town of Bedford, and the Municipal County of Halifax. At the time,
the Canadian media were portraying the process as an example of how not to proceed
with the amalgamation process. The initial costs of the amalgamation were forecast
to bring in big savings when in actual fact the costs proved to be close to triple the
budgets allotted.
Of course, the big winner was the cash-strapped City of Halifax, which has seen its
benefits increase since day one at the expense of the remaining partners. But the
biggest mistake made was, and has always has been, the forced inclusion of the rural
areas, particularly the communities along the Eastern Shore.
In any amalgamation process, the largest and most dominant partner will always end
up basically running the whole show with the crumbs left to the junior partners to
scrabble for amongst themselves. This is just how the world works and the politicians
at the time well knew the outcome.
The neglect of the concerns of the communities all along the Eastern Shore from
Lawrencetown to Ecum Secum has shown how City Halls blinkered view of its mandate
is reflected in our ongoing problems. That we do not receive fair and adequate funding
for infrastructure, schooling, transportation and development initiatives is painfully
obvious. The accompanying articles on the proposed C&D dump and the denial of
building permits are proof of the heartless lack of understanding of life on the Eastern
Shore.
We need development and we need a chance to grow to become an integral part
of the so-called HRM. The not so benign neglect shows that our mayor, council, and
the administrations senior management hold very undemocratic views on how HRM
should be governed. Our voices must be heard and decisions made on our behalf
should not be made by uncaring politicians and nameless bureaucrats tied up in their
own downtown world, who seem to be deciding our lives for us while ignoring the
concerns of the local population.
With an election coming in the Fall and possibly a provincial vote in the Spring, we
should take advantage of the times and start thinking of that word that strikes fear into
the hearts of many HRM politicians and bureaucrats.De-Amalgamation!
It has happened before. After amalgamation took place creating the Regional City
of Winnipeg, the rural community of Headingley suffered from exactly the same
problems that we are experiencing. They voted by more than 86% in a plebiscite to deamalgamate. After a period of sorting out the technicalities with the City of Winnipeg
and, with the approval and consent of the Government of Manitoba, Headingley took
its own path. Contrary to dire predictions of failure and financial loss, it has become
an innovative and fiscally healthy community whilst at the same time preserving the
enjoyment and the concept of rural country living.
Think about it: wouldnt we be more likely to take care of our own interests as a
community of communities within a sensible and workable amalgamation involving the
whole of the Eastern Shore? We could concentrate our many resources to supporting
our own way of life, free from the demands of the big city, and be able to channel our
tax dollars directly to our own needs without seeing them disappear into the gaping
maw of HRM.
Revolution is in the air. It is time to question the status quo.

9
Surfs Up
Sheet Harbour has its own online radio station.
Blueberry Express Railway is celebrating 100 years since
completion.
St. Genevieves Catholic Church in East Chezzetcook
celebrates 100 years.

Surfs Down
Harbour Cafe in Musquodoboit Harbour has closed.
Conrod Settlement Road is a mess.
Property owners of large rural lots in HRM upset over
HRM sudden enforcement of obscure bylaw after 20
years.

10

Adventures

A Bike Trip through the Hebrides


By Richard Bell

Eastern Shore cyclists Lynn Pascoe and Jude Major took


an epic eight-week trip this summer through parts of
Wales, Cornwall, and the Hebrides, stopping along
the way to research their respective family histories
and enjoying almost every minute. Pascoe flew over,
but Major, who dislikes flying, took a train to Miami,
Florida, and then boarded a cruise ship that docked in
Of
course, the true strength in any
Southampton.
business is its people and M-A and
Wally
been
overwelmed
I love have
a challenge,
said
Pascoe, who has by
beenthe
leading
quality
of
their
staff.
As
M-A
puts
bike trips around the Eastern Shore through Women on
it,We
managed
build
a great
Wheels. have
The two
carried and to
used
camping
gear, but
team,
with
a
good
mix
of
our
part
time
they did stay in inns and hostels from time to time,
as

Opening

well as using trains to get from one part of the British


Isles to another.
Their tour through the Hebrides was magical. Every
island was different, Pascoe said. One was totally flat;
another looked just like the bare rocks in 2001: A Space
Odyssey. They took advantage of the hop-scotch
students
our
excellent
full timers.
ferry tickets and
that gave
them
a months worth
of ferrying
Even
when
the
pressure
is
on
duringfour
the
around the islands. The Hebrides Trust operates
rushes,
they
manage
to
maintain
their
hostels, all old thatch-roofed crofts with low doorways:
sense
of only
humour
not
panic.
Itin,
can
I was the
one whoand
didntto
have
to duck
to get
be
very
stressful
and we appreciate their
Pascoe
said
with a laugh.
cheerful, lets get to it, attitudes!

Jude Major (L) and Lynn Pascoe (R)

Waiting for a call (sheep in the phone booth)

Callanish Stones from the Neolithic age on


the west coast of the Isle of Lewis

Adventures
Rocking the Eastern Shore
By Mitchell Brinton

Winding down Bayers Mill Road in my friends van, I


voiced the question: Do you think many people in this
area know that some of Nova Scotias best rock climbing
is in their own backyards?
We were on our way to a crag (literally meaning a
steep or rugged rock face) just off of the Musquodoboit
Trailway known in the climbing community as G[ood]Spotone of the more recent crags to be developed in
the area, first climbed back in 2009.

11

Seven Bays is an offshoot of rock climbing where no


ropes are used, but there are mats under the climbing
area and the wall isnt very high. This type of climbing
focuses on executing difficult and powerful movements.
Climbing at Ground Zero focuses on top rope climbing,
though they have a small bouldering wall as well. Top
rope climbing helps with endurance and overcoming
the fear of heights. The difficulty of climbing on top rope
is generally lower than that of bouldering.
With the sports induction into the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,
climbing will become an increasingly popular activity.

The most recent crag in the area was put up just this
year, a short hike from the end of Rookery Way, dubbed
The Castle. There are also two classic crags on Paces
Lake, Mainface and Firstface, which have been in
development since the late 1970s and still to this day
see new projects every spring.
If youre interested in getting into the sport of rock
climbing, a good place to start would be at one of the
two public gyms in the Province: Seven Bays Bouldering
in Halifax or Ground Zero in Dartmouth. Bouldering at

Home comfort for less

WE SELL
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Kitchens
Bathrooms
Flooring
Heat Pumps
Countertops
Renovations
Windows
Paint
...and more

We also FINANCE

INTEGRATED
MOBILITY
Residents are invited to attend public workshops for
the municipalitys Integrated Mobility Plan.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
Confirm their vision for sustainable transportation
Explore ways to achieve the Regional Plan transportation objectives
Develop key priorities or bold moves in creating an Integrated Mobility Plan for the region

Following a brief presentation, a variety of mobility-related themes will be explored in smaller group
sessions led by municipal staff. Attendees can also view information displays and comment on
characteristics of existing transportation systems and the types of transportation policies and projects
that may shape the Integrated Mobility Plan.
Sessions will be held at the following locations with one session in the afternoon (3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and
one in the evening (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).
Wednesday, Sept. 21 - Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills Parkway
Thursday, Sept. 22 - Sunnyside Mall, 1595 Bedford Highway
Wednesday, Sept. 28 - Halifax Exhibition Centre, 200 Prospect Road
Thursday, Sept. 29 - Alderney Landing, 2 Ochterloney Street
The Integrated Mobility Plan will create a regional vision for mobility and help direct the future investment
in transportation demand management, transit, active transportation, and the roadway network.
For more information about the Integrated Mobility Plan visit halifax.ca/IntegratedMobility

Halifax DiSTRiCT 2 COUNCillORS COMMUNiQUE


SEPTEMBER 2016 iSSUE #226 WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL
BACK TO SCHOOLBE CAREFUL!

Id like to welcome all students back to school.


Your education is important for you to succeed
in life. I hope everyone has a successful and
healthy school year. Remember, by following
simple hygiene protocols like hand washing
we contribute to maintaining a healthy environment. Also
all motorists need to be extra careful with students walking,
cycling or travelling by school bus.

36TH ANNUAL TERRY FOX RUN

This year will mark the 36th anniversary of the Terry Fox Run.
Back in 1980, Terry took his Marathon of Hope through
our communities along Highway #7. Now we can keep his
dream alive that cancer can be beaten. There will be 2 local
runs on Sunday, September 18th: One at the Musquodoboit
Harbour Railway Museum from 10 AM2 PM, with a BBQ
& Bake Sale, and the other one at the Sheet Harbour Lions
Centre from 14 PM. This year the Lake Echo run is being
merged with Musquodoboit Harbour. If you cant make it
to a run please sponsor someone who will be participating
or you can text terryfox to 45678 to donate $5. Also it
will be Terry Fox National School Run Day on Thursday,
September 29th. If your school wants to get involved please
check out this link for more information: www.terryfox.
org/SchoolRun/index.html.

CRAIGS CAUSE 10TH ANNUAL TREK

Craigs Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society is proud


to announce the 10th Annual NS Pancreatic Cancer
Awareness WalkRunBike Trek in support of Pancreatic
Cancer education, awareness and research. Come out to
the Porters Lake Provincial Park on Saturday, September
24th. Registration opens at 9 AM and event starts at 10
AM. This bike tour trek event is for all ages and abilities. For
more details go to www.craigscause.ca.

RECREATION & RURAL TRANSPORT

The RTA (Rural Transportation


Association) is a collaborative
group of rural transportation
service
providers
across
Nova Scotia. Our own MusGo Rider is a member of this
organization. Their services are open to anyonewith
priority given to seniors, persons with disabilities, and
low-income community members. This survey is meant
to gain a broader understanding of the issues surrounding
transportation in rural Nova Scotia from those who
understand it bestrural community members and ruralserving community organizations. Go to the survey at:
www.recreationns.ns.ca/recreation-and-transportationaccess-in-rural-areas-survey/.
For more information about the RTA member organizations
services or the RTA network, visit www.ruralrides.ca.

SHEET HARBOUR MOBILE HSW DEPOT

There will be a mobile Household Special Waste (HSW)


Depot at the Duncan MacMillan High School parking lot on
Saturday, September 10th from 9AM4PM. For a complete
list of items that can be accepted please visit: www.halifax.
ca/recycle/hhw.php#mobile or call 311.

Councillor David Hendsbee

H.R.M. District 2
PrestonChezzetcookEastern Shore

HRM SUPPORTS 100 WILD ISLANDS

HRM Council has voted to contribute $300,000 to the


NS Nature Trusts (NSNT) 100 Wild Islands Legacy
Campaign. Heres a link to that report: www.halifax.ca/
council/agendasc/documents/160802ca1418.pdf. This
commitment helps reach their $7 million fundraising goal
the funds needed to complete the critical first phase of the
campaign, securing the 100 Wild Islands. Opportunities to
protect vast coastal wilderness areas like these islands
are increasingly rare across the planet. This is a great
ecological, environmental and economic opportunity
for the Eastern Shore. Our municipal contribution plus
other generous public and community support help the
NSNT with its goals to protecting the entire 100 Wild
Islands archipelagoover 100 islands and over 7000
acres of landa unique natural legacy for our children
and grandchildren for generations to come. The NSNT has
protected 85% of the land within the archipelago to date.
The $7 million raised will ensure continued securement
of the remaining islands through purchase, donations and
conservation easements. However, the NSNTs work in the
100 Wild Islands is not over yet. The critical first step has
been raising funds and doing the work needed to secure
the islands. The NSNT is creating an exciting new initiative
that provides the opportunity for Nova Scotians to support
and shape the next big step in the campaignthe longterm stewardship and public enjoyment of this amazing
coastal wilderness. For more information and to donate
please go to: www.100wildislands.ca or www.nsnt.ca or
call (902) 425-5263.

LOCAL FIRE STATION UPGRADES

HRM has done some improvements and upgrades to


several fire stations in our district. The following work
has been undertaken to keep our stations functioning and
ready for service: Stn.#19 East Lawrencetown: vehicle
exhaust system installed, roof and door repairs, driveway
apron extended and paved. Stn.#20 Lawrencetown
Beach: vehicle exhaust system installed, roofing shingles
repaired, driveway apron extended and paved. Stn. #21
Lake Echo: new septic disposal system, driveway apron
extended and paved. Stn.#22 North Preston: tarmac was
repaired. Stn.#23 Chezzetcook: engine bay doors fixed,
exterior painted, plumbing repairs, interior renovations to
accommodate the full-time day crew complement. Stn.#24
Musquodoboit Harbour: new windows and blinds installed,
flooring, overhead doors and soffit repairs and storage
space added. Stn.#25 Ostrea Lake: exterior painting
done. Stn.#28 Sheet Harbour: oil tank replaced, doorways
fixed, some ventilation repairs, interior renovations done
to accommodate the full-time day crew complement.
Stn.#29 Moser River: oil tank replaced. Stn.#30 Tangier:
new hot water heater. Stn.#34 Mushaboom: new oil tank
installed.

come to light with the closure of various churches in our


district. Under Provincial regulations there are provisions
whereby a church congregation or community group that
has a cemetery can appeal to the municipality to assume
ownership to ensure perpetual care is carried out into the
future. Hopefully this will pass in order to provide greater
certainty for our rural cemeteries. As well, it will help us
preserve, protect and promote our communities ancestral
genealogical history.

25 ACRE LOT BUILDING PERMITS

Representatives from the Musquodoboit Harbour Chamber


of Commerce and I met with the NS Minister of Municipal
Affairs, Honourable. Zach Churchill on Tuesday, August 9th.
We apprised him of the issue of HRM not providing building
permits for construction onto lots 10 hectares/25 acres or
more in size that do not have sufficient road frontage on
a public road. The Minister was asked if a case could be
made for him to issue a Statement of Provincial Interest
to HRM and instruct the municipality to approve permits
for lands subdivided in accordance with Provincial rules.
Various Statutes, Legislation and Acts are being scoured
to see what regulations or authority can be exercised
by the Province to intercede with this situation. There is
the HRM Charter, the revised HRM Regional Plan and the
Regional Subdivision Plan, the local Eastern ShoreWest
Municipal Planning Strategy (MPS) and Land-Use Bylaws,
the Municipal Government Act, NS Planning Act, NS Land
Registration Act, and possibly others that may come to bear
on this matter. The HRM staff report that Regional Council
has asked for will require a similar exercise to explain what
this decision of non-issuance of permits is based upon and
whether there are any provisions that could override this
impasse legally. Was it the recent interpretation of the
local MPS or is it policies within the revised Regional Plan
that has created this situation? Permits issued in the past
were apparently done so in error. The Minister needs to
know what can be done by legislation and not based on
conjecture or emotion. Is there is a mechanism that could
be put into place to overrule this situation? Is it possible
to put in place an Interim Growth Measure that would
override HRM for a period of time in order to allow permits
to be granted in the meantime. This has been a frustrating
ordeal for so many in rural HRM. Hopefully we can find
a way that can correct this problem legally. An order to
overrule must be based upon law and defendable in court
if a challenge should arise. Im hoping that all people being
impacted by this will hear something on this matter, and
that a resolution will be found in the near future. For more
information on this subject, go to: www.halifax.ca/As-OfRight-Development/index.php.

CERTAINTY FOR CEMETERIES?

HRM Regional Council has directed staff to draft an


Administrative Order that will define a process for the
consideration by the municipality to adopt and accept
any old, abandoned or orphaned cemeteries in HRM. That
Council report can be found at: www.halifax.ca/council/
agendasc/documents/160802ca14111.pdf. This issue has
Office Phone:
Cell Phone:
City Hall:
fax:

902-889-3553
902-483-0705
902-490-4050
902-829-3620

311

david.hendsbee@halifax.ca
david@hendsbee.ns.ca
www.hendsbee.ns.ca
@david_hendsbee
facebook.com/david.hendsbee

Deadline for October issue is September 15


escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

14

Brunches/Suppers
Musique Royale Concert
& Dinner at Memory Lane
Heritage Village
September 10 at 5:00pm
La Tour Baroque Duo Concert
5435 Clam Harbour Rd, Lake
Charlotte, 1-877-287-0697
Evening includes a concert
and a Mediterranean threecourse dinner by guest chef
Tarek Kostek. Reserve tickets
in advance. Seating is limited.
Harvest Brunch at St. Davids
Church, Lake Echo
September 17 at 10am, $8
Hot Roast Beef Supper at
St. Andrews United Church
September 24, 4:30-6:30pm
36 Elderbank Back Road,
Elderbank. For info, call
Michele Flemming at 902384-3041
Baked Beans, Cod Fish Cakes,
Bread/Rolls & Dessert
September 24, 4-6pm
St. Barnabas Church, East
Chezzetcook Rd.
Take out available. Adults, $12
children 6 - 12, $6.00, under
5 Free. For info, call Phyllis
Keizer at 902-827-2796.
HOOK-In and Folk Art at the
Fishermans Life Museum
September 14, 10am-2pm in
Jeddore/Oyster Pond. All
welcome. Barry Colpitts will
be attending. More info at
902-889-2053.

Cindy Church & Susan Crowe


In Concert
September 15 at 7:30pm
ROCA House 147 Glasgow
Road, East Preston. More info
at 902-406-6460.
Atlantic View Trail
Appreciation Day
September 17, 10am 1pm
(rain date September 24).
Trail Entrance, West
Lawrencetown Rd. Everyone
is welcome to come celebrate
this wonderful trail! Hot
dogs and water will be
served. T-shirts available for a
donation of $10.
Garden Party at The Birches
Nursing Home
September 17, 1-4pm (rain
date September 24). Musq.
Harbour. Help celebrate
Homes for Special Care
Month. Live entertainment
and light refreshments.
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Fundraising Event
September 17, 5:30pm
Petpeswick Yacht Club
Event supports the Wetlands
Conservation. Tickets $35.00.
Contact Ray Scoggins at
902-889-2389, Heather Elson
at 902-889-3426, Marilyn
Murphy at 902-889-2764 or
ducks.ca
Merchandise Bingo
September 18 at 1:30pm
St. Denis Hall, East Ship
Harbour. (Canteen open.)

Yacht Club Fall Dance


September 24, 8pm 1pm
Petpeswick Yacht Club...
featuring Ruckus. For
tickets, call Paul at 902-8892435. $10 for members and
$15 for non-members
Coffee House at the Old
School
September 30 at 7:00pm
featuring Rusty
Swinehammer
Coffee Party
October 1, 11:30am 1pm
Petpeswick Yacht Club
All welcome, $15/person
Info & table reservations, call
Marilyn at 902-889-2764.

ONGOING EVENTS
Porters Lake Seniors Group
Wednesdays at 1:30pm
Porters Lake Community
Centre. 902-827-2814
TOPS
Tuesdays at 7pm
St. James Hall, Jeddore
The Eastern Shore Players
A community theatre group
open to all ages. Info at
www.easternshoreplayers.ca
Sheet Harbour Lions Centre
Bingo. Mondays at 7:30pm,
183 Pool Rd.
Wool Fibre Work Group
Lawrencetown Comm.
Centre, Thursdays 9am-3pm,
$5/day. 902-404-7095

Farmers Markets
Musquodoboit Harbour
September 4, 11, 18 & 25
9am 1pm, ES Arena

Sheet Harbour
September 3 & 17
9:30am 1:30pm

Eastern Shore makers and


bakers, farm fresh produce,
meats, and organic products.
For more information: www.
mhfarmersmarket.ca, call
902-220-9114, or email
info@mhfarmersmarket.ca

Eastern Shore Wildlife Assoc.


Lodge at the Wildlife Assoc.
Campground at 200 Pool Rd.

Alzheimers Support Group


Meets third Thursday of the
month at Twin Oaks from
7-9 pm. More info, call Dee
Dwyer at 902-889-2429.
Eastern Shore Garden Club
Meets second Tuesday of the
month at the Lions Club, 89
East Chezzetcook Rd. 7:00pm
More info: easternshoregardenclub@outlook.com
Royal Canadian Legion,
Branch #58, Sheet Harbour
Sundays at 7:30pm - 45s card
party. $4pp, 50/50 & more.
Tuesdays at 7:30pm - Seniors
45s card party. $3 per player,
50/50 and other items.
Wednesdays from 9:3010:30am - Muffin Morning.
All welcome for coffee,
snacks, and socialization.
Thursdays - Bingo: Earlybird
at 6:45pm, regular at 7:30pm,
$5 a book, toonie jar, $1
specials, canteen open.
Thursdays/Fridays, from
6-9:30pm 9-ball pool
downstairs, no cost, open bar.

Facebook Sheet Harbour


Farmers & Craft Market

Yard Sales/Flea Markets


Lions 50 Mile Yard Sale
September 10 at 7:30am
Eastern Shore Arena
To book a table, contact Lion
Ken White at 902-889-3160.
Tables $12 for 6 ft, $15 for
8ft. Admission $1.00.
Annual 50 Mile Yard Sale
September 10 & 11, 7am
6pm. Starts in Musquodoboit
Harbour and goes throughout
the Musquodoboit Valley.
Hwy 207 Loop Annual Yard
Sale
September 17 & 18, 7am5pm
The Cancer Society Flea
Market
September 17, 8am 1pm
Porters Lake Superstore.
Book spots, 827-2203/
827-4072, $5.00. Donations
appreciated. More info, call
Darlene Hart at 902-827-4072.
St. Marks Church Flea Market
September 17: 8:30am
Porters Lake Community
Centre, 4693 Hwy # 7.

Community
The Eastern Shore Players
By Sue Higgs

Beating the Blue Bag Blues


By Richard Bell

A recent rash of more than a dozen blue bag rejection


notices along East and West Petpeswick in Musquodoboit
Harbour got Cooperator readers wondering whether
HRM Recycling was targeting the area. Coming home
and finding your trash still sitting there is bad enough,
but people reported that although there were rejection
tags on their bags, in many cases there was no indication
of what was offensive in the bag (see photo).
Adam Richardson, a senior communications advisor in
HRMs Public Affairs, told the Cooperator by email that
while haulers got a reminder at the end of June to pay
more attention to ensuring proper materials were in
the bags, this reminder was for all areas and not specific
to a single area of location. There have been no memos
sent specific to rural areas.
The Players got together in 2012 to bring much needed
local theatre to our community. The Players have been
making people laugh and cry ever since, performing
mostly at Memory Lane Heritage Village in Lake
Charlotte.

As to the blank stickers, Richardson wrote that it is


a requirement that personnel of the recycling truck
affix a sticker to any rejected recycling bags, and that
proper correspondence (either a checked box or written
explanation in the other category) be provided.

Earlier this summer they performed Radio 1942


at Memory Lane. This was a live recreation of a 1942
radio show set over 4 days, complete with commercials,
songs, readings and an original 1940s play about the
Gillans family.

If you have received a blank rejection sticker with no


information on it, Richardson offered two options: first,
call 311 and let HRM know about the problem. The
second option is more direct: The education sticker
placed on rejected bags has the contractors direct
customer service contact if there are any questions
from the resident about why the material was stickered
and left uncollected at the location.

The group has now been invited to perform this show


again at The Bicentennial
Theatre in Middle Musquodoboit in November just after
Remembrance Day.
But before that, following in the successful footsteps of
last years promenade theatre production, A Grooms
Folly, the Players will be performing their new play,
A Ghostly Encounter at Memory Lane. This play is
a comedy based on a fictional visit to the village by
Helen Creighton, the renowned folklorist who collected
and published traditional music and lore of Maritime
Canada. But of course, her visit doesnt go according to
plan.
Performance dates will be September 29th & 30th,
and October 1st and ticket information will be found
at heritagevillage.ca, or by telephoning 902-845-1937.
If you want to find out more about the Eastern Shore
Players, please go to easternshreplayers.ca. New
members are always welcome.
Sue Higgs is Secretary of the Eastern Shore Players.

There are two major reasons for rejected recycling:


1. the mixing of paper and boxboard with containers in
a blue bag, called co-mingling;
2. the presence of Styrofoam and other garbage not
accepted in the recycle program.

15
15

16

Blast from the Past

Saving a Pill Box Hat


By Maelissa Watson

direction. That pill box hat was light pink and difficult to
see on the snow.

[I heard the story below from Gerald Webb, a naturalborn Shore storyteller who reminds us of how much
life has changed since the 1950s.This story was told at
Gerald and Joyces 50th -year Anniversary Party, and the
laughter and applause brought the house down.]
Prior to their marriage on February 7,1959, at Holy Trinity
Church in Tangier, Joyce Webb started planning her
honeymoon. Joyces heart was set on Newfoundland,
Geralds on a warmer clime. Joyces first choice was
Newfoundland. Gerald reminded her that there was 15
ft. of snow ton the ground in February in Newfoundland.
Her second and last choice was Winnipeg. Gerald said,
Their discussion just substituted 15 ft. of snow for 27ft.
Joyce then added and we are flying there. Gerald had
a fear of flying. But he didnt want his Bride to think
he was a wimp. He pointed out all the significant
architecture and beautiful scenery they would miss
in flight, as opposed to traveling by train. Joyce finally
agreed to go by train.
They set out on their honeymoon trip from Halifax to
Winnipeg by train. Joyce left in style, wearing her going
away-suit, gloves, and a pill box hat.
After the train pulled out, the porter came and started
to make up the seats. Joyce asked, What is he doing?
Gerald, very careful to use the best word, said the porter
was making up the berth, to distinguish from bunk a
term used for camping.

He finally picked it up and risked his life to re-cross the


10 lanes of traffic.
The joy and gratitude on Joyces face made it all
worthwhile, he said.

Joyce said, I am not going to sleep up there!


Gerald responded, Its either there or on the roof. He
snapped the curtain closed for privacy and they both
got in their berths. Gerald went to sleep and when he
woke up later, he was all alone; this is our honeymoon,
was is wrong? If she got off at the last stop, I better get
off at the next one. In panic he walked up and down the
train and found Joyce in a compartment, asleep with
her head bobbing up and down. He sat beside his bride
for hours until she awoke, and all was well.
Touring Winnipeg was fun, until walking down Port
de Prairie St. the wind caught Joyces hat and away it
sailed. Joyce cried out Save my hat! Gerald, acting
like a macho newlywed, started crossing the lanes of
traffic. Brakes screeched, fists arose, horns beeped,
Gerald said. The more lanes I crossed, the harder the
wind blew, carrying the hat further and further. Then
it started crossing the lanes coming in the opposite

But Joyce then announced that as soon as they got to


Montreal, she was not going another inch on a train:
We are flying home. Gerald had no option but to hide
his fear of flying and succumb to her wishes. He held
his breath all the way home. As soon as they touched
down on land again, he thought of the Pope, and why
he always kissed the good earth when he landed.

St. Genevieves Catholic Church Celebrates 100 Years

Thinking of starting or expanding a business?


The Self Employment Benefits Program can help!

To be eligible, you must be


unemployed and thinking about
starting a new business. You
must also:
have a current Employment
Insurance (EI) claim or one that
ended within the last three years,
or
have had an EI claim for
maternity or parental benefits
within the past five years, then
remained out of the job market.

The Program:
Supports new business or an
existing one in which you had no
prior ownership.
Provides up to 40 weeks of
funding to cover living expenses
(78 weeks if you have a disability).
Requires you to devote at least
35 hours each week to develop
and carry out your business plan.
You mus also show proof of
personal financial investment in
the business.

CBDC Blue Water is proud to


be the coordinator for the Self
Employment Benefits Program.
For further information, contact
Sheila Spicer, Self Employment
Benefits Coordinator, at
902-827-5564 or toll-free at
1-800-565-2773.

Letter to the Editor

17

Letter to the Editor: Supporting the public good - denied, disavowed, rejected by local politician
By Richard Buggeln

[Note: this letter exceeds our usual word


limit. But because the author addresses
an issue that has come up frequently in
the controversy over rezoning a parcel of
land on Route 7 in Porters Lake for use as
a C&D recycling plant, we are running his
whole piece. The title is the authors.
In a separate investigative piece, we
report on the legal limitations from the
Supreme Court and the HRM Solicitors
office on Councilors taking public
positions on issues before Council, advice
that runs contrary to Buggelns position.]
The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
Code of Ethics (13 September 2011)
states, in part: No member [Councilor]
shall grant any special consideration,
treatment, or advantage to any citizen
or group of citizens beyond that which
is accorded to all citizens. A group of
citizens, namely, The Coalition for safe
and healthy Communities of Preston,
Mineville, Lake Echo and Porters Lake, has
been acting for a year as a spokesperson
on behalf of several thousand signatories
on a petition against Kiann Managements
rezoning proposal on Hwy7.
Kiann Management seeks approval to
deposit and process construction and
demolition materials on that property, to

the detriment of the environment, and


with concurrent adverse effects on the
health and safety of the citizens of the
communities noted above.
The Coalition and its thousands of
petitioners are part of the HRM Region
2 body politic who democratically
elected Councilor Hendsbee as their
HRM
representative.
Councilor
Hendsbee has obligations in law, as well
as morally, to do all he can to protect
the environment, health and safety
of the people in his electoral districts,
including their respective homes and
properties. Councilor Hendsbee must
represent the wishes of this body politic!
Councilor Hendsbees role is to channel
the public sentiment as a moral and
ethical commitment to his representative
function in the HRM government. By
doing so, he is not providing any special
consideration, treatment or advantage
to the community of citizens who elected
him; a community only seeking the
greater public good!
Citizens have rights to a safe, healthy
environment as part of the public good
that their elected councilor must work
to uphold. It is an obligation of elected
representatives at all levels of government
to avoid bending laws or giving special

interpretations of by-laws for special


business interests, i.e. vendors, for their
financial gain.
Kiann Management is a vendor of a service
that was neither exclusively needed nor
requested by citizens in the geo-political
domain circumscribed by the Coalitions
eponymous title. It is the job of Councilor
Hendsbee to support the desire/decision
of the huge majority of citizens who have
only the collective public interest of their
communities safety and health in mind,
and reject the vendors proposal.
On one occasion, Councilor Hendsbee
had the supercilious temerity to tell the
Coalition Executive and the community at
large, during an open forum meeting, that
he must remain neutral regarding his
electorates wishes versus the vendors
proposal, whose entrepreneurial selfinterest directly and robustly conflicts
with the communities values of well being
and broad environmental protection.
Where does the HRM Code of Ethics
entitle Councilor Hendsbee to abdicate
his responsibility to represent and support
the wishes of the property tax paying
citizens of the communities who elected
him? What entitles Councilor Hendsbee
to seemingly elevate the vendor (one

Vote for Gail McQuarrie


Re-offering after a second place finish in 2012. Same issues, four years later!
Whether it is the C&D Processing Plant proposal, water and sewer, transit
or development, I look forward to your vote so I can represent your voices
at city hall. Make a difference this Election by voting for a new face and
new voice ------your voice!!!!
Facebook - gailmcquarrieforcouncilhrmdistrict2 | Phone: 902-829-3937

person) to the stature of the body politic


(several thousand citizens) that soundly
reject the vendors proposed service?
The community overwhelmingly does not
want what the vendor is trying to sell.
Surely, for a councilor, it cannot be any
clearer than that.
In the words of John Ralston Saul (1995
Massey Lecture), lobbyists [i.e. vendors]
are in the business of corrupting
peoples representatives and servants
away from the public good such that we,
the electorate, have become alienated
citizens - the minority in favour of a
single, one-member, self-serving interest
group.
Where is government of the people,
by the people and for the people, the
fundamental tenet of all democratic
societies, including Region 2 of the HRM
one would hope, enunciated by the
famous elected official, Abraham Lincoln
in 1863?
Richard Buggeln lives in Lower Three
Fathom Harbour. He is a member of
The Coalition for safe and healthy
Communities of Preston, Mineville, Lake
Echo and Porters Lake.

News

18

Down in the Weeds: Must Councillors Avoid Bias? Bellefontaine Ordered to Clean Up #7 Dump Site
By Richard Bell

In a letter-to-the-editor in this issue,


Richard Buggeln, a member of Concerned
Residents of Porters Lake, Lake Echo,
Preston, and Mineville, argues that
the role of a city councillor should be
to channel the public sentiment as a
moral and ethical commitment to his
representative function in the HRM
government.
Given this definition, it is perfectly logical
to expect politicians to publicly support
or oppose projects that have strong
public support or opposition. Buggeln
is unhappy with his Councillor David
Hendsbees claim that Hendsbee must
remain neutral regarding his electorates
wishes versus the vendors proposal [to
rezone land in Porters Lake for use as a
C&D recycling plant].
However, both the Supreme Court of
Canada and Councils attorney have
warned councillors that statements
of support or opposition that exhibit
too much bias can be grounds for
overturning a council vote.
But how do you determine the difference
between statements raising questions
about the viability of a project, and
statements that exhibit unacceptable
bias?
For all practical purposes, bias is in the
eye of the beholder. So there is no way
for a councillor to know, when he or she
makes a statement about a particular
project, whether a court will decide in the
future that that statement demonstrated
sufficient bias to lead the court to
overturn the vote of the legislative body
in which that councillor participated.
If the courts were to apply such a standard
strictly, councillors would be extremely
constrained in what they could say.
However, the Supreme Court of Canada,
in a widely-cited 1990 case, created a
rhetorical loophole: what matters is that
the councillor make it clear that he or
she remains open to being persuaded by
information presented during the official
process, including public hearings. The

By Richard Bell

correct test is therefore:


one which requires that the objectors
or supporters be heard by members
of Council who are capable of being
persuaded. The Legislature could
not have intended to have a hearing
before a body who has already made
a decision which is irreversible. The
party alleging disqualifying bias must
establish that there is a prejudgment
of the matter, in fact, to the extent that
any representations at variance with the
view, which has been adopted, would be
futile. Statements by individual members
of Council while they may very well give
rise to an appearance of bias will not
satisfy the test unless the court concludes
that they are the expression of a final
opinion on the matter, which cannot be
dislodged. (Old St. Boniface Residents
Assn. Inc. v. Winnipeg (City), (1990), S.C.J.
No. 137.) [My emphasisRB]
This court decision is one of several cited
by M.E. Donovan, Director, Legal Services
for HRM in an October 9, 2007 memo to
then-Mayor Kelly and Regional Council in
which he specifically warned Councillors
about making their positions known if
questioned by the media. After reviewing
court rulings, Donovan concluded:
Therefore, in [the] future, it is highly
recommended that councillors decline
any request to respond to a poll on how
they intend to vote on an issue involving
a public hearing.
Donovans recommendation of simply
refusing such requests is a virtually riskfree, small-c conservative way of avoiding
any possibility that someone disappointed
with a Council decision could sue by
alleging bias. But a Councillor could still
signal his constituents that he is listening
to their complaints, that he has really
heard their concerns, while still staying
within Donovans letter of the law
approach. When voters have a grievance,
what they need first of all is an assurance
that someone is listening. No court will
ever overturn a Council vote because a
Councillor said, I hear you.

The Department of the Environment


has issued a Litter Order to Lawrence
Bellefontaines
Kiann
Management
to process and/or dispose of all the
construction and demolition debris (C&D)
materials that the company dumped in
2015 on a parcel of land the company
owns on Highway 7 in Porters Lake.

pose a risk to the environment but C&D


materials were found including rebar,
rebar in concrete and minor quantities
of scrap metals. Under the Environment
Act, Kiann Management has been issued
a Litter Order to process and/or dispose
of all C&D materials before January 20,
2017.

Kiann Management filed an application in


2015 to rezone this parcel of land in order
to build a construction and demolition
debris (C&D) recycling plant there. While
waiting for the rezoning approval, Kiann
Management dumped material onto the
site from the demolition of HRMs Gordon
Bell School in Cole Harbour.

In a comment on the Concerned


Residents Facebook page, Mike Thomas
thanked Miller and DOE for reopening the
investigation, and said the Litter Order
sends a strong message to demolition
companies that the dumping of C&D
debris on private property will not be
tolerated. It will be another great day
when we can watch the trucks leave
our community full of the garbage that
should have never been dumped there in
the first place.

According to a report in the Chronicle


Herald on June 20, 2015, Kiann
Managements bid for the Gordon Bell
demolition site was about 45 per cent
below the next lowest bidder. Opponents
of the companys rezoning request
pointed out at the time that dumping
the Gordon Bell material in Porters Lake
provided Kiann Management with a
substantial competitive edge against
companies that were paying tipping fees
at legal dumps.
The companys contract with HRM
required the company to dispose of the
debris legally. When the community
protested about the dumping on the
Route 7 land, both HRM and the province
initially agreed that Kiann Management
was not guilty of any illegal activity.
However, opponents submitted a
subsequent request to Environment
Minister Margaret Miller asking her to
reopen the investigation. Deb Day, the
chair of Concerned Residents of Porters
Lake, Lake Echo, Preston, and Mineville,
emailed the following summary of a letter
in mid-August from Environment Minister
Margaret Miller:
The Coalition has received a response
from Minister Miller stating that the
investigation was reopened and several
test holes 6 feet deep were dug. No
waste materials were found that could

In a telephone interview, HRM Rural


Planning head Thea Langille said that she
had a copy of the Litter Order, and had
been in discussions with the landowner
about possible municipal implications of
the order. Langille said that in removing
rebar and other materials, Kiann
Management would not be allowed to
use a crusher.
As to the Planning Departments ongoing
work on a report and recommendations
to Council on Kiann Managements
rezoning application, Langille said that
the rezoning process was completely
separate, and that the Litter Order would
have no impact on the departments
work on the application.
Annual Fundraiser for
Hope for Wildlife

Travel
The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music

Thanks!

By Deanna Wilmshurst

The hills are indeed alive with the sound


of music in Austria. As are the streets,
cafes, parks, theatres and opera houses.
In fact, it feels like music and culture
permeate the very fibre of being. As you
move about the cities and towns you
know you are walking in the footsteps
of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn and Julie
Andrews! Wigged Mozarts congregate
around the popular tourist destinations
arranging tickets to nightly classical music
performances and multiple operators run
daily Sound of Music tours.

Visitors from all over the globe come


together to belt out Climb Every Mountain
and Edelweiss while touring sites made
popular by the 1965 movie. Yes, a movie
made fifty years ago still resonates
enough with people to warrant daily
tours. The gorgeous Mirabell Gardens
in Salzburg were used in the Do-Re-Mi
sequence with Maria and the children.
The house used for many of the outdoor
backyard scenes is now the swanky Hotel
Schloss Leopoldskron. You can visit the
Gazebo but dont expect to recreate the
dancing scene inside as it remains firmly
locked. Folklore states it was locked after
an American tourist suffered a broken
hip while attempting to jump from bench
to bench. A short drive from Salzburg
takes you to the popular summer resort
area of Monsdsee where you can visit St.
Michaels church the site of the wedding
scene.
Extraordinary churches of many styles can
be found throughout Salzburg and Vienna
but the Baroque and Gothic architecture
always awed. Huge in stature and ornately

decorated, it was always worth a peek in.


We also visited museums dedicated to
Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn. There was
something so inspirational and powerful
about sitting in the same room where
Beethoven wrote his 9th symphony,
or seeing where the famed, acclaimed
Mozart was born or listening to Haydns
music in the concert hall where it was first
performed.
Music was certainly an important part of
our visit to Austria, with a classical piano
concert in Mozarts former wine cellar in
Vienna and a Mozart dinner theatre in
Salzburg topping a few of our favourite
things list. Not only was the food delicious
(think schnitzel, sptzle and street side
sausages), the history significant, and
the coffee strong, but also the city of
Vienna was modern and vibrant while still
keeping its ancient foundation. Streets
with lovely old buildings are now home
to chain clothing boutiques like H&M,
Forever 21, Esprit, and Desigual.
Other Vienna highlights included: Gustav
Klimts Kiss at the Belvedere Art Gallery
so much gold leaf; the Naschmarkt- a
little piece of the Istanbul complete with

overzealous vendors and the smell of


saffron; Caf Neko a cat caf, a trendy,
totally millennial, spot where one of the
resident rescue cats joined us at our table
for treats and a chin rub; and cocktails
coupled with delicious Sachertorte in the
Das Loft roof top bar at the Sofitel Vienna
Stephansdom.

19

Reliable, frequent and safe transportation


meant we didnt have to stay within
The Ring to feel part of the action. The
Innere Stadt district, centre, of Vienna is
found within the Ring Road, which was
constructed in the mid-19th century after
the fortification walls were dismantled.
The city radiates out from this area and
accommodations are priced accordingly.

A subway stop just outside the front


door of our hotel allowed us to move
about the city quickly and easily. Only a
few stops took us to Schloss Schonbrunn,
the summer palace of the Habsburg
imperial family. We opted for the Grand
Tour which guided us through 40 of the
spectacular rooms that included the state
rooms and private apartments of the
imperial couple. This is the site where
reportedly a six-year-old Mozart wowed
the empress with his exceptional playing,
climbed into her lap after his performance
and then asked for one of her daughters
hand in marriage. Always a charmer, but
unfortunately a bit of a gambler later in
life which left his family destitute at the
time of his untimely death at thirty-five.
Vienna is an easy two-hour flight from
London, England and intercity train travel
within the country and from neighbouring
Germany was a snap. If you visit I Have
Confidence you will find Austria as
charming as we did. We may have said So
Long, Farewell for now but would love to
return soon.

The Trunk 7 Music Festival Association


Committee wishes to thank all of the
generous sponsors that made the 2nd
annual festival a reality! Wed also like to
thank our wonderful volunteers who we
couldnt have done a festival without!
Thanks also to our main vendors, East
Coast Lifestyle, Sober Island Mussels,
Musgo Convenience and Dobbit
Bakehouse. Special thanks to the Lions
Club, Musgo Rider and the Eastern Shore
Community Centre staff. Also special
thanks to TourTechEast and HRM Events.
Our lineup from The Stanfields to
Josh Smith to Andrew Hunter and the
Gatherers to our youth talent was
exceptional. Almost to a person, our 400
weekend attendees all sang the praises
of the talent displayed and were very
pleased and grateful for that. A quote
from one festival attendee echoed by
many others after the Stanfields Saturday
night, This was the most fun Ive ever
had at an event on the Eastern Shore.
Well be back next year with more of our
friends.
The Eastern Shore has incredible
potential and its imperative that various
organizations and events work together
for the continued growth of all events.
Our committee intends to have a public
meeting in early spring and we encourage
feedback to help improve the festival for
local businesses, local artists and Eastern
Shore events. We would like to include as
many artists and supporters as possible
next year on the Trunk 7 highway from
Lake Banook to Antigonish!

Featuring

The Stanfie

Showcasing mus
Eastern Shore a

Our committee has worked hard on


this event since last summer and were
anxious to start planning for next year. We
learned a lot from this year and we are
planning on improvements and exciting
surprises for next! Stay tuned!

Mitch Roberts, VE
Dave Roberts
Raeleigh
Doyle
Chair, Trunk7
Music Festival
Ostrea Lake, Dave

Burn safely in your backyard

Use a commercially manufactured wood burning


appliance with a spark arrester.
Always burn seasoned, dry wood.
Burning is allowed until midnight unless a fire ban is in place.
For more regulations, visit: halifax.ca/fireprevention
Only call 911 for fire emergencies

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