From Peter
It’s a wonderful time of the year to be a “foodie” here in Annapolis Digby, with burgeoning crops filling our fields, and the roadside stands and local farmers’ markets bursting with fresh produce. For the past week or so I’ve been gulping down more fresh local berries and vegetables that a foraging brown bear. We make a habit at “Chez MacLellan” of visiting the markets and subscribe to a local Community Sustainable Agriculture initiative, so I can pursue a healthy indulgence without fear of stepping on the scale.
Outstanding in their Fields
Another tune that dances through my fertile, if often unfocused, mind at this time of the year is Murray McLauchlan’s “The Farmer’s Song”, a lyrical tribute and heartfelt thank you to those hard working folks who make sure we have this gift of plenty. Last week a report out of Halifax suggested that the amount of local food being purchased by consumers had declined over a ten year period. But the good news was that this trend seemed to be reversing markedly due to determined local marketing and more access. One of the initiatives introduced by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture was its “Meet Your Farmer” campaign, which featured a local farm family from Lawrencetown.
Savour the Flavour
You can “cultivate” your own summer countryside experience this month in a number of ways, whether you live in Annapolis Digby or make the smart decision to come and visit with us. There are always the excellent agricultural exhibitions for the counties of Annapolis (August 16-21) and Digby (August 25-28) of course. And you can share the home grown taste of our region at a zesty upcoming event in Annapolis Royal later this month. If you want to also indulge your creative juices in support of our agricultural endeavours Annapolis Highland Vineyards, an award winning local winery, has announced a contest looking for submissions for their 2010 vintage label designs.
A “Cornucopia” of August Offerings
Whatever gets you moving around Annapolis Digby this month – and wherever you find yourself in our area – there’s equal abundance in things to see and do. Annapolis Royal has an ambitious program of events celebrating the 300th anniversary of the renaming of the town; and at the other end of the Annapolis Basin the town of Digby has an equally impressive array of activities, beginning of course with this week’s annual Scallop Days festival. And to experience a special cultural treat, don’t forget that our neighbours in Clare are hosting the Festival Acadien de Clare, the oldest Acadian festival in the world, which continues until August 15. Keep checking the Upcoming Events section of our web site for information on these and other offerings.
Crafting A Framework For Success
While August is undeniably a great time to kick back and enjoy our region’s fresh foods, fine wines, and fun events, a talented team in our local workforce is celebrating in a slightly different way, with a business success story. Lewis Mouldings of Weymouth is anticipating a banner year for its global woodworking enterprise. The Digby County manufacturer of finger-pointed pine mouldings has announced solid sales projections and the accompanying financial support of the province’s economic development agency.
Sharing Our Blessings
It is indeed a good time to celebrate the good fortune and good times that come with living where we do. But it’s also rewarding to know that folks in our area can take a moment to remember that there are other parts of this world that don’t share in our abundance of resources and opportunities. Over the weekend Annapolis County supporters of a school in Thailand held a “Gigantic Bake and Yard Sale” as part of their ongoing campaign to support young Burmese refugee children. The project was started by a Canadian journalist originally from Middleton, and let’s hopes that this event, and all future endeavours, will see their goals met.
“Fore” Warned
With all the activities going on this week, I’ll be close to home celebrating the Digby Scallop Days festival. Especially the street parade on Saturday, where I hope to share the event with the first of my two grandsons born over the past year. But before that, I’ll be participating in the Tartan Classic golf tournament , a charity event for the Digby Area Learning Association, and where all the participants are encouraged to wear kilts (and yes I will) or at least some regalia of Scottish correlation. Now even after all these years I remain the ultimate “duffer” so if you see me – stand clear. No matter where - because I can spend so much time in the woods that I risk the moniker of the “Smiths Cove Sasquatch” (better than the” Yarmouth Yeti” one supposes). And after all that activity, golf, parades, etc., there’s the prospect of a feed of those delicious, world famous, Digby scallops. Join me – figuratively speaking – and Bon Appétit!
Till next week;
Peter
Peter MacLellan
Annapolis Digby EDA
86 Atlantic Avenue
PO Box 271
Cornwallis, Nova Scotia
Canada B0S 1H0
Tel: (902) 638-3490
Fax: (902) 638-8106
E: communications@annapolisdigby.com
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Community Events
Aug. 28 2-6 pm
Fundraiser for the Foodbank. FOOD!!! MUSIC!!! It'll be a great time! Admission: Free will donation or a non-perishable item or items
Directions to the Hillgrove Baptist Church Hall:
coming from Annapolis...GOING TOWARDS DIGBY .... take exit #26...MAKE A LEFT TURN at stop sign on exit ramp.
Drive straight for about 2 kms and there will be a church on the right hand side of the road...on a sharp corner. The Hall is right next door to the church. Parking is to the left of the Church.
Fundraiser for the Foodbank. FOOD!!! MUSIC!!! It'll be a great time! Admission: Free will donation or a non-perishable item or items
Directions to the Hillgrove Baptist Church Hall:
coming from Annapolis...GOING TOWARDS DIGBY .... take exit #26...MAKE A LEFT TURN at stop sign on exit ramp.
Drive straight for about 2 kms and there will be a church on the right hand side of the road...on a sharp corner. The Hall is right next door to the church. Parking is to the left of the Church.
Halifax Airport Has Plans
NS: Airport unveils 10-year capital plan, raises fees
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Aug. 5/10
[HALIFAX, NS] – As part of its planning for the next phase of improvements to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Halifax International Airport Authority is developing its next 10-year Capital Plan (2011-2020) to improve passenger safety, help reduce flight delays, develop new revenue streams and continue to upgrade its facilities to expand current services and enhance the passenger/visitor experience.
“Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) is one of the most critical pieces of transportation infrastructure in Atlantic Canada,” says Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). “Over half of all the air passengers and air cargo that move in our region pass through our airport. We’ve accomplished a lot since the airport was transferred from the federal government 10 years ago, but there is more to be done to ensure HSIA continues to be a key driver in regional economic growth.”
HIAA’s comprehensive new 10-year capital plan will be finalized this fall, although its development has already identified several major infrastructure improvements, including:
• the purchase of several new pieces of state-of-the-art snow and ice control equipment to significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this crucial element of airfield safety management;
• terminal building expansion of domestic/international check-in hall creating a higher volume, more efficient check-in process;
• expansion of the terminal building at the north end in anticipation of additional flights from European Union nations under Canada’s liberalized air access agreement with them, and additional U.S. preclearance flights;
• expansion of the south end of the building to accommodate additional jet bridges;
• expansion of retail/food & beverage locations post-security; and
• the phased development of commercial, revenue-generating lots on airport property between the terminal building and Highway 102.
“These improvements are required to meet the needs of our current and future passengers and visitors, allowing us to compete effectively for new business anticipated from Canada’s ‘Blue Sky’ initiative with the European Union, and to adapt to the long-term needs of our airline partners,” Ruth says.
There are three ways major Canadian airports like Halifax Stanfield can fund necessary capital improvements – reinvest operating surpluses, borrow and use the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF). Like other airports, HIAA uses all three. Operating surpluses will continue to be reinvested; a bond issue is planned for later this year; and the AIF is being changed to $20 from $15, effective January 1, 2011. This change will be reflected on airline tickets sold on or after October 1, 2010 for Halifax passengers whose flight departs on or after January 1, 2011.
Like 50 other Canadian airports, HIAA uses the revenue from the AIF to help fund its airport improvement program. Projects at HSIA to be funded by the AIF are determined through a consultation process with the airlines that serve Halifax. The AIF, which is added to the price of each originating airline ticket, is collected by the airlines.
“Responsible, effective management of the growth and development of the airport is essential to ensure its long-term financial health,” Ruth says. “We’re committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, both as Nova Scotia’s principal air connection to the world and as a huge economic engine for our community. This new 10-year capital plan will help us fulfill these responsibilities.”
“Management of this critical asset requires that we budget and manage our resources to create modest annual surpluses, allowing us to maintain moderate aeronautical fees charged to airlines to enhance our competitive position; maintain our A+ credit rating; and maintain a debt per enplaned passenger ratio that is below the average of the other major airports in Canada,” Ruth adds.
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Aug. 5/10
[HALIFAX, NS] – As part of its planning for the next phase of improvements to Halifax Stanfield International Airport, the Halifax International Airport Authority is developing its next 10-year Capital Plan (2011-2020) to improve passenger safety, help reduce flight delays, develop new revenue streams and continue to upgrade its facilities to expand current services and enhance the passenger/visitor experience.
“Halifax Stanfield International Airport (HSIA) is one of the most critical pieces of transportation infrastructure in Atlantic Canada,” says Tom Ruth, president and CEO of Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). “Over half of all the air passengers and air cargo that move in our region pass through our airport. We’ve accomplished a lot since the airport was transferred from the federal government 10 years ago, but there is more to be done to ensure HSIA continues to be a key driver in regional economic growth.”
HIAA’s comprehensive new 10-year capital plan will be finalized this fall, although its development has already identified several major infrastructure improvements, including:
• the purchase of several new pieces of state-of-the-art snow and ice control equipment to significantly increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this crucial element of airfield safety management;
• terminal building expansion of domestic/international check-in hall creating a higher volume, more efficient check-in process;
• expansion of the terminal building at the north end in anticipation of additional flights from European Union nations under Canada’s liberalized air access agreement with them, and additional U.S. preclearance flights;
• expansion of the south end of the building to accommodate additional jet bridges;
• expansion of retail/food & beverage locations post-security; and
• the phased development of commercial, revenue-generating lots on airport property between the terminal building and Highway 102.
“These improvements are required to meet the needs of our current and future passengers and visitors, allowing us to compete effectively for new business anticipated from Canada’s ‘Blue Sky’ initiative with the European Union, and to adapt to the long-term needs of our airline partners,” Ruth says.
There are three ways major Canadian airports like Halifax Stanfield can fund necessary capital improvements – reinvest operating surpluses, borrow and use the Airport Improvement Fee (AIF). Like other airports, HIAA uses all three. Operating surpluses will continue to be reinvested; a bond issue is planned for later this year; and the AIF is being changed to $20 from $15, effective January 1, 2011. This change will be reflected on airline tickets sold on or after October 1, 2010 for Halifax passengers whose flight departs on or after January 1, 2011.
Like 50 other Canadian airports, HIAA uses the revenue from the AIF to help fund its airport improvement program. Projects at HSIA to be funded by the AIF are determined through a consultation process with the airlines that serve Halifax. The AIF, which is added to the price of each originating airline ticket, is collected by the airlines.
“Responsible, effective management of the growth and development of the airport is essential to ensure its long-term financial health,” Ruth says. “We’re committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, both as Nova Scotia’s principal air connection to the world and as a huge economic engine for our community. This new 10-year capital plan will help us fulfill these responsibilities.”
“Management of this critical asset requires that we budget and manage our resources to create modest annual surpluses, allowing us to maintain moderate aeronautical fees charged to airlines to enhance our competitive position; maintain our A+ credit rating; and maintain a debt per enplaned passenger ratio that is below the average of the other major airports in Canada,” Ruth adds.
Some of the Highest Taxes in the Country
NS: Comprehensive tax review needed
By Darrell Cole, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Amherst Daily News, Aug. 5/10
[AMHERST, NS] – Reducing the HST alone will not solve the cross-border shopping issue that exists between Cumberland County and neighbouring New Brunswick, says Liberal leader Stephen McNeil.
Responding to questions during a town hall-style public meeting at Amherst Regional High School, McNeil says he would not have increased the HST by two per cent to fight the deficit, but would have looked at the province’s entire tax system.
“We have some of the highest taxes in the country. To raise the HST from 13 to 15 per cent actually created a larger problem in this community (than the one) the NDP said they were going to fix,” McNeil says. “Now people aren’t just leaving for the price of gas, they’re leaving for every commodity and everything you want. It absolutely makes no sense.”
McNeil says his party has been calling for a comprehensive tax review for several years. In many cases, he adds, government adjusts one tax without thinking of its impact on other taxes.
“It’s no good to look at one tax because you can’t understand the unintended consequences of changing that tax two or three years down the road if you don’t look at the totality of our tax system,” McNeil says. “What we would encourage this government to do is instead of waiting a few years down the road and being thrown out of government so we can do it, steal our idea now and have a comprehensive tax review.”
This tax review should include extensive consultations across the province in which government actually listens to Nova Scotians instead of holding talks similar to what Finance Minister Graham Steele did during his Back to Balance tour.
By Darrell Cole, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Amherst Daily News, Aug. 5/10
[AMHERST, NS] – Reducing the HST alone will not solve the cross-border shopping issue that exists between Cumberland County and neighbouring New Brunswick, says Liberal leader Stephen McNeil.
Responding to questions during a town hall-style public meeting at Amherst Regional High School, McNeil says he would not have increased the HST by two per cent to fight the deficit, but would have looked at the province’s entire tax system.
“We have some of the highest taxes in the country. To raise the HST from 13 to 15 per cent actually created a larger problem in this community (than the one) the NDP said they were going to fix,” McNeil says. “Now people aren’t just leaving for the price of gas, they’re leaving for every commodity and everything you want. It absolutely makes no sense.”
McNeil says his party has been calling for a comprehensive tax review for several years. In many cases, he adds, government adjusts one tax without thinking of its impact on other taxes.
“It’s no good to look at one tax because you can’t understand the unintended consequences of changing that tax two or three years down the road if you don’t look at the totality of our tax system,” McNeil says. “What we would encourage this government to do is instead of waiting a few years down the road and being thrown out of government so we can do it, steal our idea now and have a comprehensive tax review.”
This tax review should include extensive consultations across the province in which government actually listens to Nova Scotians instead of holding talks similar to what Finance Minister Graham Steele did during his Back to Balance tour.
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