from the Digby Courier
Looking back at 2010
Kelly Tidd with four-year-old Sara and 14-day-old Gabriel Roderick Tidd. Leanne Delong photo
Published on December 29th, 2010
Published on December 29th, 2010
John DeMings Part 1: January - June
Topics : General Hospital , J.D. Irving Ltd. , Digby Regional High School , Digby County , Bear River East , Kentville
JANUARY
Jan. 7
Woodworker John Welch took on the challenge of restoring the historic Rebekah Lodge building in Bear River. “It’s a great community,” he said. “I love the architecture of this town. It’s kind of got like a bit of an edge to it, I like that.” The building holds a bike shop, Bare Canvas Studio and Gallery and an entertainment area upstairs.
Store manager Carthal Hall feels Digby has become an undesirable town to have a business because of continuous vandalism. A window of her Digby Treasures Gift Shop was smashed, the sixth time in six years the business had to replace one of its large windows.
Jan. 14
About 100 CUPE members at Digby General Hospital were among those who would be off the job if the union went on strike across the province. South West District Health Authority spokesperson Fraser Mooney said the authority was looking at reducing services.
A petition over possible cancellation of Acadian Coach Lines bus service between Digby and Kentville had 285 signatures so far at Needs Convenience Store. The bus lines’ owner, Groupe Orleans Express Inc. of Quebec, has filed a proposal to end services from Kentville to Digby.
Elsie Charles Basque, 93, of Saulnierville, was named to the order of Canada for her pioneering contributions as an educator and volunteer work on behalf of aboriginals and seniors in Nova Scotia and the United States.
The provincial government used up to $40 million to purchase about 31 parcels of land from J.D. Irving Ltd. in Digby, Yarmouth, Annapolis and Cumberland counties.
The season ended prematurely for the senior boy’s basketball team at Digby Regional High School because too few students committed to play.
Annapolis County council was reviewing options for the future of Lifeplex Wellness Centre at Cornwallis Park.
Jan. 21
Kelly and Gregory Tidd of Little River welcomed baby boy, Gabriel Roderick, just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, one of the province’s first babies of 2010.
The existing Digby ferry would likely still be the number one option for seafood shippers in southwestern Nova Scotia even if a ferry to Boston was available, said Denny Morrow, executive director of the Nova Scotia Fish Packers. Weather would make the service unreliable, he warned.
T&C Motors on Hwy. 101 turned off its gas pumps after 42 years.
Digby’s James Hazelton took 11th at the Can Skate Junior National championship in London, Ont. Hazelton. He was the only Nova Scotian to qualify for the event.
Municipality of Digby warden Jim Thurber said he remained hopeful nurse practitioner Karen Snider will someday be employed again at Islands Health Clinic. Snider, who was fired from her Islands job in October, was in Thompson, Man., on a contract position.
Jan. 28
Nova Scotia education partners asked the province for a 3.6 per cent increase in 2010-11 school budgets to avoid cuts throughout the education system.
Bay Ferries was keeping mum about security arrangements at terminals of the Bay of Fundy service between Digby and Saint John. New regulations to enhance the security of domestic ferries and Canada's marine transportation system took effect Dec. 23.
Bear River Board of Trade president Bob Benson has stepped down after six years at the helm, and handed over the position to Kelly Foxton.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 4
Geoff Irvine, executive director of the recently formed Lobster Council of Canada says the Atlantic Canada lobster industry faced significant challenges. “This is a billion dollar industry where nobody likes each other, where sectors don’t trust each other.”
One night each week of emergency department coverage at Digby General Hospital was added by the recruitment of Dr. Kathryn Diefenbach.
About 90 per cent of the rails-to-trails project in Digby County was complete but the fate of old bridges in Clementsport, Bear River and Weymouth was yet to be determined. Cost of removing the bridges, which are owned by the province, is estimated at $10 million.
Lightning struck a transmission structure on Lansdowne Road and left more than 4,700 county residents in the dark.
Digby Ravens captured the Western Valley Minor Hockey Midget B championship at home, downing West Hants 6-2 in the second of a best-of-three series.
Feb. 11
Barton and Digby Neck schools dodged the bullet on a school review, and a consultant’s report on area schools hinted at replacement of Islands Consolidated.
An archeological assessment was scheduled on Crown land near the Tideview seniors home to determine whether aboriginals once occupied the area.
Emera, the parent company of Nova Scotia Power, purchased Scotian Windfield’s 50 per cent share of the Digby wind farm project, giving it full ownership.
Vince Stuart and Clare Machine Works Ltd. won the regional I-3 Technology Start-Up prize, earning $100,000 in a combination of cash and in-kind business building
Feb. 18
Roughly 500 people attended a fundraiser for Philip Halliday, his wife Sheree and their two children, and raised just over $13,000. Halliday was arrested by Spanish authorities just before Christmas after cocaine was found on the ship in which he was crewing.
New France was one of the 31 parcels of land sold by J.D. Irving to the province in January and playwright Hal Theriault, author of the play ‘Lights in the Forest’, said the government’s purchase presented the possibility of preserving the site.
Digby Regional’s Lady Mariners moved into a three-way tie for second place in Western Region Division 3 senior girls’ in their final league game of the season and were waiting for a decision on which would host the Regional championship.
Feb. 25
Former Digby-Annapolis MLA Joseph Casey, who died Feb. 16 at age 91 in his Annapolis County home, was remembered at a memorial service, especially for his humour and love of storytelling.
Digby firefighters delivered their spare rescue truck to North Sydney to be ferried to Baie Verte, Nfld., where the fire department there had lost its equipment to fire early.
Conway was to get a left-turning lane from Hwy. 101 at Exit 26, north to the Digby town line, announced the province. As well, Hwy. 101 from the Mary Jane Riley Road overpass to the west end of the Bear River bridge would be repaved.
St. Mary’s Bay Academy basketball Stingrays won the Regional championship and the DRHS senior girls’ basketball team learned it would host the Division 3 provincial championships. Regional playoffs took place at Kings-Edgehill in Windsor.
MARCH
March 4:
Finance Minister Graham Steele was in Digby to discuss the province’s deficit, which he said could reach $1.4 billion by 2013. He said there was a reluctant willingness across the province to accept an increase in the Harmonized Sales Tax.
The former wildlife park at Upper Clements is to become the Upper Clements Adventure Park, complete with zip lines, elevated canopy tours, and suspension bridges. Completion of the project is expected in time for the 2011 season.
The Glooscap rink from Kentville won the Nova Scotia senior women’s championship at the Digby Curling Centre. The curling centre is hosting the 2011 men’s and women’s national championships, using ice surfaces in the centre and the adjacent hockey rink.
Acadian Lines applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to discontinue service between Kentville and Digby and reduce its service between Kentville and Halifax.
A proposed move of the Crown Attorney’s office from Middleton to Digby provoked protest from police advisory boards in Annapolis County as well as the RMCP detachment there.
March 11
The federal budget set aside $28 million to be shared by ferry services in Atlantic Canada. Aside from the Digby-Saint John ferry, those services include ferries between Woods Island, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., and between Iles de la Madeleine, Que., and Souris, P.E.I.
St. Mary’s Bay Academy Stingrays successfully defended their provincial championship title by downing Hants North Flames 67-54 in the final game of the Division 3 senior boys’ provincial championships at Dalbrae Academy in Mabou, Cape Breton.
March 18
Lifeplex Wellness Centre was closing its doors March 21, and Annapolis County council was looking at the YMCA as future managers of the facility.
March 25
A home and two outbuildings were destroyed in Tiverton after a grass fire got out of control. The fire was one of 18 grass fires during the week to require the attention of area firefighters. Spring had arrived with early dry conditions.
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The 152-year-old Trading Post in Weymouth will be closing its doors at the end of May, said owner Louise Mullen, who with her husband bought the store in 2001 and became the third owners of what was among Canada’s oldest rural general stores.
APRIL
April 1
A search and rescue Cormorant helicopter on its way to CFB Greenwood made an emergency landing in Ashmore after a warning light showed on its instrument panel.
Digby and Annapolis counties put out a virtual welcome mat for new immigrants when the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency launched an online immigration portal, looking to boost the area’s population and stimulate economic and social well-being.
April 8
After two decades, Wilson’s Gas Stop in Bear closed its doors, but the company was looking for a new owner.
Police in Nova Scotia joined forces to reduce the number of firearms in communities across the province and were offering a month-long gun amnesty during April.
April 15
A new family physician was recruited for Digby and could start a practice in the area as early as September. Dr. Gerhard Beukes was also expected to provide some coverage in the Digby General emergency department.
Finance Minister Graham Steele presented the provincial budget and one of the measures announced was a hike in the HST to 15 per cent.
Tri-County Regional School Board’s finance department was crunching numbers to see what impact the provincial budget would have and found school boards wouldn’t be getting as much money as hoped.
Barton Consolidated School planned to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary on May 1. The school first opened in January, 1960, with 217 students
April 22
Eric Locke of the Digby Golf Club was one of three Nova Scotia junior golfers in Vancouver for a weekend training camp and a competition in the CN Future Links Pacific Championship. The three received a special invitation from the British Columbia Golf Association.
April 29
A full-time nurse practitioner was recruited to serve residents of Long and Brier islands at the Islands Health Centre. Nurse practitioner Constance Day was relocating from Alberta and succeeded Karen Snider, whose contract was not renewed the previous fall by South West Health.
The 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Naval Service was kicked off by celebrations at the former naval training base at Cornwallis, one of the oldest naval training bases in Canada, and the largest in the British Empire during the Second World War.
The Tiny Tattler, a small Digby Neck newspaper printed in the 1930s and ’40s, found new life online thanks to a campaign to digitize the province’s historical newspapers. The Tiny Tattler, begun by teenager Ivan Shortliffe on a small press supplied by the then-Courier publisher, recorded the doings on Digby Neck for 10 years, from 1933-43.
MAY
May 6
Fire resulted in the loss of Sean Wallace’s S&S Custom Cycle Supply on Fort Point Road in Weymouth North.
The Bay of Fundy gained worldwide attention by becoming one of 28 finalists in the New7Wonders of Nature competition. The bay was one of 441 locations originally entered. The winner will be named in 2011
May 13
Digby General Hospital received a new x-ray unit to replace one used since 1979. Digby and Area Health Services Charitable Foundation provided $170,000 for the equipment that was officially welcomed in a recent ribbon cutting ceremony.
The new Digby Elementary School playground would be named after Keith Trimper, a 14-year-old former DES student who died two years earlier, announced the DES Home and School Association.
May 20
Firefighters from six local departments were called to Havelock and Corberrie for what turned out to be two close calls. Shortly after 9 a.m., Havelock firefighters were responding to a chimney fire in Corberrie when they found their fire hall full of smoke after a compressor caught fire. Other departments went to Corberrie and two Havelock firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation.
The DRHS Envirothon team of Rebecca Alexander, Jamie-Lee Berends, Stacy Comeau, Marley Gidney and Kayla Tidd, came second at the provincial competition at Acadia University. They were just edged out by winner Northumberland High.
Digby figure skater James Hazelton was named male individual athlete of the year by Skate Canada Nova Scotia.
May 27
Freeport firefighters, residents and area officials gathered for the opening of the village’s new fire hall, marking the end of a project that began six years earlier.
Bear River Board of Trade held a public meeting to discuss the future of the community’s iconic windmill after an examination found deterioration that posed health and safety risks in the structure that housed the visitor information centre.
Digby Regional High School’s track and field team ignored wet conditions and for the third year in a row won the Annapolis-Digby District competition in Bridgetown. The 48-member team captured four divisions—intermediate boys, junior boys, senior boys and senior girls.
JUNE
June 3
Canada Post was planning to start its rural mailbox traffic safety review in Digby in mid-July, assessing 766 mailboxes in rural routes 2, 3 and 4.
At the Apple Blossom Festival coronation, Digby Scallop Queen Josie Zakhour was selected as first lady-in-waiting to the newly crowned Queen Annapolisa LXXVIII, 19-year-old Emily Elizabeth Lynn Rafuse of Windsor.
The third annual High Cs and Digby Choral Festival ended on a high note with a choral concert featuring a mass choir of 120 singers at the acoustically renowned Saint Bernard Church in St. Bernard.
Kings Transit Authority offered free bus rides on Clean Air Day, June 2.
Records were set in Digby as over 30 power lifters from around the province and Prince Edward Island took part in the provincial powerlifting and bench press championships. Culloden Powerlifting hosted the championships.
A project looking at a new way of capturing energy from waves earned a gold medal at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Peterborough, Ont., for Chantal Surette, a grade 9 student at École secondaire de Clare.
June 10
A parade of 96 cancer survivors in yellow shirts walked around Dan Brown Memorial Baseball Park in a ‘victory lap’ at the Relay For Life. More than 500 participants raised $60,076 for cancer research.
Annapolis Highland Vineyards of Bear River East became the first winery in southwestern Nova Scotia to bring home gold and silver medals from the All-Canadian Wine Championships.
Digby Regional Airport’s first fly-in breakfast raised about $400 for Digby Area Minor Baseball, and attracted about 110 people and 14 aircraft.
June 17
A crowd watched the demolition of Bear River’s windmill visitor information centre. It took only about a half-hour a crew to tear down the windmill that was built in the mid-1970s for use as a tearoom and gift shop.
Lightning blew out part of the steeple of the Baptist Church in Westport. Three and a half years earlier, the same steeple was struck by lightning just before Christmas.
June 24
Acadian Intercity Coaches’ request to discontinue its Kentville to Digby route and other routes was denied by the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board.
Over 50 people gathered at the Freeport Fire Hall to discuss a fish farm Cooke Aquaculture has planned for St. Mary’s Bay and what it meant for the local lobster and ecotourism industries.
Digby golfer Anne Balser took first place in the university college championships women’s individual competition and then placed 12th at the World University Games. The 22-year-old studies physical education and history at University of Victoria in British Columbia.
Karate athlete and two-time grand champion Gary Sabean of Weymouth was named as one of six athletes who would be inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame on Oct. 30 in Halifax.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Storms in the East
Atlantic Region: Economic damage rising from storms
By Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press, December 23, 2010
[ATLANTIC CANADA] — The economic toll is mounting after the third Atlantic storm in a month crashed through seawalls, flooded wharfs and damaged homes on Wednesday.
Ernie MacGillivray, director of emergency services at New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization, said the three storms might be among the most costly disasters in recent history in the province.
He said the total cost of the three floods — ranging from a deluge in southwestern New Brunswick to storm surges this week on the eastern coast — is difficult to estimate.
“As a whole this could well be the second-largest event since 1973,” MacGillivray said, referring to the massive flooding of the St. John River and its tributaries.
The flooding of the St. John River in 2008 ended up costing New Brunswick about $100 million for government disaster relief, private insurance and other costs to citizens, he said.
“This event could be half as big as 2008 but we don’t really know yet,” he said.
All across the province, there’s also the cost of lost business days and damage not covered by insurance.
In Shediac, Home Hardware manager Ricky Babineau said retail outlets struggle when they’re on the wrong side of flooded streets.
His business evaporated during the crucial pre-Christmas period when rising sea waters blocked the usual local routes to his store.
“I would dare say a day like yesterday we would have lost $15,000 to $25,000 in sales,” he said in a telephone interview.
Along the eastern coast of the province, businesses were closed when winds reached over 100 kilometres an hour, roads crumbled and residents hunkered down.
Tourist attractions, such as the boardwalk structure of the Irving Eco-Centre on Bouctouche Bay were badly damaged.
A spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd. said about half of the walkway — used to view rare Northumberland Strait sand dunes — was damaged.
By late afternoon, the Emergency Measures Organization in New Brunswick said that more than 600 reports of property damage had been received as a result of the coastal flooding and from the extreme rainfall on December 13 and 14.
Thirty-five residents of the Indian Island First Nation were evacuated on Wednesday. Four people were taken out of homes in Rexton, N.B.
There were reports of 160 homes and businesses being damaged by the rising waters in communities ranging from Petit-Rocher and Brantville to Escuminac and Miramichi.
Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, public safety officials reported less severe incidents of coastal flooding, but storm surge warnings remained in place for coastal areas along the Northumberland Strait and in Cape Breton.
Environment Canada said Cape Breton had received 317 millimetres of rain so far this month — three times higher than historic averages over the past three decades.
The northerly storm barrelled on through Prince Edward Island, where it toppled trees onto cars, caused rivers to overflow and impeded travel.
David Ganong, a business leader in New Brunswick whose family has operated a chocolate factory in St. Stephen for more than 100 years, said the cumulative impact on the region’s economy includes both damage and lost opportunity.
Ganong, 67, said he watched from the high ground of his offices as the retail areas of the community of St. Stephen were flooded.
“By my estimate something well north of 50 per cent of the retail volume in the town was flooded out and closed,” he said. “In the biggest sale week of the year, it’s devastating to be shut down.”
MacGillivray said his officials have been troubled by the land erosion that has accompanied storm surges.
“We’ve seen backyards of properties that have lost tens of metres of land,” said MacGillivray.
MacGillivray said higher sea levels combined with warmer sea temperatures lead him to believe similar events will continue to arrive on the region’s coasts.
“We’re all going to have to adapt as a region, as a jurisdiction, and communities will have to take into account the increased risks from climate change,” he said.
By Michael Tutton, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press, December 23, 2010
[ATLANTIC CANADA] — The economic toll is mounting after the third Atlantic storm in a month crashed through seawalls, flooded wharfs and damaged homes on Wednesday.
Ernie MacGillivray, director of emergency services at New Brunswick’s Emergency Measures Organization, said the three storms might be among the most costly disasters in recent history in the province.
He said the total cost of the three floods — ranging from a deluge in southwestern New Brunswick to storm surges this week on the eastern coast — is difficult to estimate.
“As a whole this could well be the second-largest event since 1973,” MacGillivray said, referring to the massive flooding of the St. John River and its tributaries.
The flooding of the St. John River in 2008 ended up costing New Brunswick about $100 million for government disaster relief, private insurance and other costs to citizens, he said.
“This event could be half as big as 2008 but we don’t really know yet,” he said.
All across the province, there’s also the cost of lost business days and damage not covered by insurance.
In Shediac, Home Hardware manager Ricky Babineau said retail outlets struggle when they’re on the wrong side of flooded streets.
His business evaporated during the crucial pre-Christmas period when rising sea waters blocked the usual local routes to his store.
“I would dare say a day like yesterday we would have lost $15,000 to $25,000 in sales,” he said in a telephone interview.
Along the eastern coast of the province, businesses were closed when winds reached over 100 kilometres an hour, roads crumbled and residents hunkered down.
Tourist attractions, such as the boardwalk structure of the Irving Eco-Centre on Bouctouche Bay were badly damaged.
A spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd. said about half of the walkway — used to view rare Northumberland Strait sand dunes — was damaged.
By late afternoon, the Emergency Measures Organization in New Brunswick said that more than 600 reports of property damage had been received as a result of the coastal flooding and from the extreme rainfall on December 13 and 14.
Thirty-five residents of the Indian Island First Nation were evacuated on Wednesday. Four people were taken out of homes in Rexton, N.B.
There were reports of 160 homes and businesses being damaged by the rising waters in communities ranging from Petit-Rocher and Brantville to Escuminac and Miramichi.
Elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, public safety officials reported less severe incidents of coastal flooding, but storm surge warnings remained in place for coastal areas along the Northumberland Strait and in Cape Breton.
Environment Canada said Cape Breton had received 317 millimetres of rain so far this month — three times higher than historic averages over the past three decades.
The northerly storm barrelled on through Prince Edward Island, where it toppled trees onto cars, caused rivers to overflow and impeded travel.
David Ganong, a business leader in New Brunswick whose family has operated a chocolate factory in St. Stephen for more than 100 years, said the cumulative impact on the region’s economy includes both damage and lost opportunity.
Ganong, 67, said he watched from the high ground of his offices as the retail areas of the community of St. Stephen were flooded.
“By my estimate something well north of 50 per cent of the retail volume in the town was flooded out and closed,” he said. “In the biggest sale week of the year, it’s devastating to be shut down.”
MacGillivray said his officials have been troubled by the land erosion that has accompanied storm surges.
“We’ve seen backyards of properties that have lost tens of metres of land,” said MacGillivray.
MacGillivray said higher sea levels combined with warmer sea temperatures lead him to believe similar events will continue to arrive on the region’s coasts.
“We’re all going to have to adapt as a region, as a jurisdiction, and communities will have to take into account the increased risks from climate change,” he said.
Labels:
Atlantic global warming storms
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Bear River Health Clinic
Acupuncture - Traditional Chinese Acupuncture by Joe Kubinec. Traditional Chinese Acupuncture by Joe Kubinec is available on Wednesdays unless otherwise posted. This treatment is good for back pain, arthritis, menopause, headaches, insomnia, stop smoking and many other conditions. Appointments are booked through the Clinic. For those who don't like needles, Joe now offers treatments using lazer.
Audiology - Neil Hackett is in every other Friday to help with your hearing needs. Please call 1-866-299-2016 to book appointment.
BodyTalk System -Jocelyn incorporates balancing techniques using muscle testing. Your body determines healing priorities. Book appointments through the Clinic. For further information call Jocelyn at 467-0771 or visit www.bodytalksystem.com
Counselling/Clinical Hypnotherapy - Gayle Allen offers help with concerns such as phobias, bed-wetting and stress just to mention a few. Call the Clinic to book appointments and for more info. You can also call Gayle for more info at 526-2850.
Electrolysis - Ronda Best is in twice a month for all your hair removal needs. Call 1-902-791-0953 for more information or to book your appointment.
Esthetics -Charlene Decker is in monthly for waxing, manicures and pedicures. To book an appointment or for more information, call 1-902-874-2454 or email: estheticly_pleasing@yahoo.ca
Juniper House Outreach - Lori is available to see clients at our Clinic. Please call 245-4789 to book your appointment.
Nurse Practitioners - Dianne Corbett, RN specializes in concerns specific to the elderly, such as memory loss, complicated medical conditions and poor coordination/balance. Dianne will continue to see a limited number of patients at our Clinic. She will be in once a month.
Connie Day, RN is a general nurse practitioner. Connie is in on Wednesdays.
Physician Services - At this time, Dr. Harding is unable to take on any patients he has not already seen at our Clinic, due to high patient volume.
Reflexology/Massage - Deb provides quality reiki and reflexology services, along with Indian Head Massage, chair massage and Scalp Massage. Need to de-stress? Book your appointment today and relax!
Times and dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Bear River Historical Society
Next meeting will be on the third Wednesday in January. Location TBA.
Upcoming BodyTalk Events
Join Jocelyn for a BodyTalk presentation on Monday, January 10 at the Women's Resource Centre in Cornwallis at 7:00 pm.
BodyTalk workshop
Saturday, January 15 from 9am to 5 pm at the Women's Resource Centre in Cornwallis.
Cost: $175
Discount coupons are available on request at the Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic
Yoga Classes
Thursday, 6 pm at the Oakdene Centre with Julie Palmer 467-3151 www.yoga4all.ca
Learn to relax, breathe, meditate, stretch and strengthen. $100 for 10-week session or $13 drop-in.
The next Board Meeting is Tuesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. All are welcome!
Audiology - Neil Hackett is in every other Friday to help with your hearing needs. Please call 1-866-299-2016 to book appointment.
BodyTalk System -Jocelyn incorporates balancing techniques using muscle testing. Your body determines healing priorities. Book appointments through the Clinic. For further information call Jocelyn at 467-0771 or visit www.bodytalksystem.com
Counselling/Clinical Hypnotherapy - Gayle Allen offers help with concerns such as phobias, bed-wetting and stress just to mention a few. Call the Clinic to book appointments and for more info. You can also call Gayle for more info at 526-2850.
Electrolysis - Ronda Best is in twice a month for all your hair removal needs. Call 1-902-791-0953 for more information or to book your appointment.
Esthetics -Charlene Decker is in monthly for waxing, manicures and pedicures. To book an appointment or for more information, call 1-902-874-2454 or email: estheticly_pleasing@yahoo.ca
Juniper House Outreach - Lori is available to see clients at our Clinic. Please call 245-4789 to book your appointment.
Nurse Practitioners - Dianne Corbett, RN specializes in concerns specific to the elderly, such as memory loss, complicated medical conditions and poor coordination/balance. Dianne will continue to see a limited number of patients at our Clinic. She will be in once a month.
Connie Day, RN is a general nurse practitioner. Connie is in on Wednesdays.
Physician Services - At this time, Dr. Harding is unable to take on any patients he has not already seen at our Clinic, due to high patient volume.
Reflexology/Massage - Deb provides quality reiki and reflexology services, along with Indian Head Massage, chair massage and Scalp Massage. Need to de-stress? Book your appointment today and relax!
Times and dates are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Bear River Historical Society
Next meeting will be on the third Wednesday in January. Location TBA.
Upcoming BodyTalk Events
Join Jocelyn for a BodyTalk presentation on Monday, January 10 at the Women's Resource Centre in Cornwallis at 7:00 pm.
BodyTalk workshop
Saturday, January 15 from 9am to 5 pm at the Women's Resource Centre in Cornwallis.
Cost: $175
Discount coupons are available on request at the Bear River & Area Community Health Clinic
Yoga Classes
Thursday, 6 pm at the Oakdene Centre with Julie Palmer 467-3151 www.yoga4all.ca
Learn to relax, breathe, meditate, stretch and strengthen. $100 for 10-week session or $13 drop-in.
The next Board Meeting is Tuesday, February 1 at 7 p.m. All are welcome!
Scanned Documents
Hope I'm not repeating myself here, but scanned documents cannot be posted by this blogger, so don't send. Text files and regular text emails are fine, folks. No scanned documents please.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tidal Turbine Blades Missing
NS: Blades missing on experimental tidal turbine recovered from Bay of Fundy
By John Lewandowski, the Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - December 17, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The strength of the currents in the Bay of Fundy may have been too much for an experimental tidal-power turbine that quit working shortly after it was deployed over a year ago.
All 12 blades from the unit’s core were missing when the 400-tonne turbine was lifted from the floor of the Minas Basin about a kilometre off Parrsboro, N.S., around noon on Thursday.
However, officials from Nova Scotia Power Inc. and Ireland’s OpenHydro, who have partnered for the demonstration project, said they’ve already learned a lot from their cursory look at the recovered unit.
“The blades have failed and we need to understand why,” said James Ives, OpenHydro’s chief executive officer.
“But the rest of the turbine, all the generator sections all look to be in very good condition.”
Ives said it’s early in their analysis but they think they overloaded the one-megawatt capacity turbine by underestimating the strength of the tidal current running through it in the Minas Basin.
“We’ve potentially underestimated how much energy is in that site,” said Ives, who calculated that the turbine’s capacity should have been doubled.
“We always thought that the Bay of Fundy was an extremely good tidal resource, but those flows are even stronger so that makes it all the better.”
Mark Savoury, NSP’s vice-president of technical and construction services, said of the six objectives set for the two-year demonstration project, three have been met including deployment, recovery and unit stability.
Early data suggests that the gravity base didn’t shift “a millimetre” during a full year of submersion.
And he said they’re well on their way to understanding more about tidal velocities, the environment and the ruggedness of the machine.
Savoury said they remain committed to the project but it’s too early to know whether they will redeploy the recovered unit or go with an entirely new one.
“The vast majority of the technology and the engineering is not in the blades but the outside diameter and that all looks like it’s in good shape, from what we can see so far,” he said.
Ives said OpenHydro engineers will inspect the turbine once it arrives in Halifax harbour some time in early January.
As to whether to fix and reuse or deploy a new unit, he did express a personal preference.
“We’ve moved on a couple of generations in technology since we built this machine. I would always be keen to be testing out latest technology on a site.”
The 10-metre diameter turbine looks like a giant jet engine and stands on a tripod-shaped base.
Data from its underwater cameras and acoustic monitoring equipment stopped flowing about a week after it was lowered into the water in November 2009.
Clean Current Power Systems Inc., a British Columbia-based firm, and Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. Ltd. of Hantsport, N.S., have also outlined plans to install experimental turbines in the bay.
By John Lewandowski, the Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - December 17, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The strength of the currents in the Bay of Fundy may have been too much for an experimental tidal-power turbine that quit working shortly after it was deployed over a year ago.
All 12 blades from the unit’s core were missing when the 400-tonne turbine was lifted from the floor of the Minas Basin about a kilometre off Parrsboro, N.S., around noon on Thursday.
However, officials from Nova Scotia Power Inc. and Ireland’s OpenHydro, who have partnered for the demonstration project, said they’ve already learned a lot from their cursory look at the recovered unit.
“The blades have failed and we need to understand why,” said James Ives, OpenHydro’s chief executive officer.
“But the rest of the turbine, all the generator sections all look to be in very good condition.”
Ives said it’s early in their analysis but they think they overloaded the one-megawatt capacity turbine by underestimating the strength of the tidal current running through it in the Minas Basin.
“We’ve potentially underestimated how much energy is in that site,” said Ives, who calculated that the turbine’s capacity should have been doubled.
“We always thought that the Bay of Fundy was an extremely good tidal resource, but those flows are even stronger so that makes it all the better.”
Mark Savoury, NSP’s vice-president of technical and construction services, said of the six objectives set for the two-year demonstration project, three have been met including deployment, recovery and unit stability.
Early data suggests that the gravity base didn’t shift “a millimetre” during a full year of submersion.
And he said they’re well on their way to understanding more about tidal velocities, the environment and the ruggedness of the machine.
Savoury said they remain committed to the project but it’s too early to know whether they will redeploy the recovered unit or go with an entirely new one.
“The vast majority of the technology and the engineering is not in the blades but the outside diameter and that all looks like it’s in good shape, from what we can see so far,” he said.
Ives said OpenHydro engineers will inspect the turbine once it arrives in Halifax harbour some time in early January.
As to whether to fix and reuse or deploy a new unit, he did express a personal preference.
“We’ve moved on a couple of generations in technology since we built this machine. I would always be keen to be testing out latest technology on a site.”
The 10-metre diameter turbine looks like a giant jet engine and stands on a tripod-shaped base.
Data from its underwater cameras and acoustic monitoring equipment stopped flowing about a week after it was lowered into the water in November 2009.
Clean Current Power Systems Inc., a British Columbia-based firm, and Minas Basin Pulp and Power Co. Ltd. of Hantsport, N.S., have also outlined plans to install experimental turbines in the bay.
Convergys and ADEDA
NS: Convergys loss sparks renewed push to save ADEDA
By Lawrence Powell, Transcontinental Media
Source: Annapolis County Spectator, December 20, 2010
[BRIDGETOWN, NS] — Another business organization has come out in support of the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency, singing its praises and emphasizing the need for a united voice for economic development especially now in light of the pending March closure of the Convergys call centre in Cornwallis.
The Bridgetown and Area Chamber of Commerce issued a media release following a recent directors’ meeting.
“The board of directors of the Bridgetown and Area Chamber of Commerce urges all the municipal partners to work together to resolve the issues that have put ADEDA in the perilous position that it is in now,” it said. “With no agreement in place, the hiring of (former managing director) Mike Gushue’s successor cannot be done.”
The chamber said Gushue and his staff have done a lot for the area, and it is unfortunate that the disagreement between the other funding partners and the County of Annapolis has resulted in Gushue’s resignation.
Annapolis County and Annapolis Royal both gave one year’s notice that they were pulling out of ADEDA. However, an ADEDA working group has been meeting with the county to try to resolve governance, process, and funding issues.
“It is the BACCS’s desire to see things resolved quickly so that economic development in Annapolis and Digby counties can get back on track,” said chamber president Kirk Lycett. “The Convergys announcement makes this so much more important.”
The chamber said it is adding its voice to the already announced support of ADEDA by the Central Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“The region has been through this before, with the demise of the WVDA (Western Valley Development Authority),” the chamber said. “The subsequent years without an RDA did not allow the region access to provincial and federal funding for economic development. The region’s businesses do not want to see this happen again.”
It said the loss of the governments’ investment monies puts the already hard-pressed local economy at a disadvantage when competing with other regions of the province and Atlantic Canada.
By Lawrence Powell, Transcontinental Media
Source: Annapolis County Spectator, December 20, 2010
[BRIDGETOWN, NS] — Another business organization has come out in support of the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency, singing its praises and emphasizing the need for a united voice for economic development especially now in light of the pending March closure of the Convergys call centre in Cornwallis.
The Bridgetown and Area Chamber of Commerce issued a media release following a recent directors’ meeting.
“The board of directors of the Bridgetown and Area Chamber of Commerce urges all the municipal partners to work together to resolve the issues that have put ADEDA in the perilous position that it is in now,” it said. “With no agreement in place, the hiring of (former managing director) Mike Gushue’s successor cannot be done.”
The chamber said Gushue and his staff have done a lot for the area, and it is unfortunate that the disagreement between the other funding partners and the County of Annapolis has resulted in Gushue’s resignation.
Annapolis County and Annapolis Royal both gave one year’s notice that they were pulling out of ADEDA. However, an ADEDA working group has been meeting with the county to try to resolve governance, process, and funding issues.
“It is the BACCS’s desire to see things resolved quickly so that economic development in Annapolis and Digby counties can get back on track,” said chamber president Kirk Lycett. “The Convergys announcement makes this so much more important.”
The chamber said it is adding its voice to the already announced support of ADEDA by the Central Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“The region has been through this before, with the demise of the WVDA (Western Valley Development Authority),” the chamber said. “The subsequent years without an RDA did not allow the region access to provincial and federal funding for economic development. The region’s businesses do not want to see this happen again.”
It said the loss of the governments’ investment monies puts the already hard-pressed local economy at a disadvantage when competing with other regions of the province and Atlantic Canada.
Labels:
call centre ADEDA
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Neighbourhood Renewal
Neighbourhood Renewal, Urban and Community Renewal Training
The Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal has re-launched and re-vamped its popular training programme for 2011 to include new venues and new training topics. Training Sessions run from February and are now planned for locations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Canada. Training Session topics for 2011 include:
How to Evaluate Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
Ho to Develop Projects and Programmes to Implement the Big Society Agenda.
How to Appraise Neighbourood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
How to Manage Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
How to Engage Community Groups in Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
Evaluation Masterclass to Assess the Softer Outcomes of Projects and Programmes.
Evaluation of Public Health Improvement Programmes.
Details of the trainings sessions, including course info, dates to be held and training venues can be found here For 2011 the cost to attend a training day is £125 plus VAT which represents excellent value for money. There are also opportunities for Sponsorship of these events which priced at £299 plus VAT per annum. To book your place, take up a sponsorship package or enquire about the event please just click here to send an email and we will make the necessary arrangements. We look forward to seeing you at our training sessions. If you cant make our training sessions, we can do the training In-House for you. Please just get in touch by clicking here. We also run an Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony in London and New York,
The Journal of Neighbourhood Renewal has re-launched and re-vamped its popular training programme for 2011 to include new venues and new training topics. Training Sessions run from February and are now planned for locations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Canada. Training Session topics for 2011 include:
How to Evaluate Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
Ho to Develop Projects and Programmes to Implement the Big Society Agenda.
How to Appraise Neighbourood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
How to Manage Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
How to Engage Community Groups in Neighbourhood Renewal Projects and Programmes.
Evaluation Masterclass to Assess the Softer Outcomes of Projects and Programmes.
Evaluation of Public Health Improvement Programmes.
Details of the trainings sessions, including course info, dates to be held and training venues can be found here For 2011 the cost to attend a training day is £125 plus VAT which represents excellent value for money. There are also opportunities for Sponsorship of these events which priced at £299 plus VAT per annum. To book your place, take up a sponsorship package or enquire about the event please just click here to send an email and we will make the necessary arrangements. We look forward to seeing you at our training sessions. If you cant make our training sessions, we can do the training In-House for you. Please just get in touch by clicking here. We also run an Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony in London and New York,
Call Centre Closing
NS: Search begins for Convergys replacement
By John DeMings, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Digby Courier, December 17, 2010
[CORNWALLIS, NS] — Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency has issued a statement expressing concern and disappointment over the decision by Convergys to cease operations and close its Cornwallis Park facility by March.
Convergys has operated in Cornwallis since 2004 and currently employs about 290 people at its site there.
“Obviously, this is a huge blow to our area, and an extremely difficult situation for Convergys employees and their families,” said Dan Harvey, ADEDA’s acting managing director.
Harvey said that he would meet with Convergys management as soon as possible to discuss the situation and garner further details, and that the agency will work with all levels of government and other related businesses on the resulting transitional plan.
“We’d like to see quality employment being offered in that same facility as soon as possible to minimize the income lapse for any affected employees,” Harvey said.
Annapolis County warden Reg Ritchie said his council received word Wednesday that Convergys will be shutting its doors in March.
News of Convergys’ closure “has saddened all of us,” Ritchie said. “This is a tremendous blow to our region and to the people who depend on this company for their livelihood.”
He said municipal council and staff will work hard to find another tenant for the building, and will be looking for partnership with other government agencies to help in this effort.
By John DeMings, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Digby Courier, December 17, 2010
[CORNWALLIS, NS] — Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency has issued a statement expressing concern and disappointment over the decision by Convergys to cease operations and close its Cornwallis Park facility by March.
Convergys has operated in Cornwallis since 2004 and currently employs about 290 people at its site there.
“Obviously, this is a huge blow to our area, and an extremely difficult situation for Convergys employees and their families,” said Dan Harvey, ADEDA’s acting managing director.
Harvey said that he would meet with Convergys management as soon as possible to discuss the situation and garner further details, and that the agency will work with all levels of government and other related businesses on the resulting transitional plan.
“We’d like to see quality employment being offered in that same facility as soon as possible to minimize the income lapse for any affected employees,” Harvey said.
Annapolis County warden Reg Ritchie said his council received word Wednesday that Convergys will be shutting its doors in March.
News of Convergys’ closure “has saddened all of us,” Ritchie said. “This is a tremendous blow to our region and to the people who depend on this company for their livelihood.”
He said municipal council and staff will work hard to find another tenant for the building, and will be looking for partnership with other government agencies to help in this effort.
Labels:
Digby Convergys call centre
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Could Lose Major Employer in Digby- Hope not
NS: Government considers possible sale of three provincial resorts
By Staff, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - December 16, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The government of Nova Scotia is considering several options - including the possible sale - of three resorts it owns.
The management contract with New Castle Hotels for Digby Pines, Keltic Lodge and Liscombe Lodge expires in January 2012.
Tourism Minister Percy Paris says all three properties are in need of major repairs that could cost as much as $22 million.
Paris say they are significant economic and employment generators in their communities and important to the province’s tourism industry.
His department has issued a request for expressions of interest to develop a range of options for the future operation of the properties.
Paris says previous governments have ignored the resorts for years and as a result, a lot of their amenities are in need of costly upgrades.
By Staff, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - December 16, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The government of Nova Scotia is considering several options - including the possible sale - of three resorts it owns.
The management contract with New Castle Hotels for Digby Pines, Keltic Lodge and Liscombe Lodge expires in January 2012.
Tourism Minister Percy Paris says all three properties are in need of major repairs that could cost as much as $22 million.
Paris say they are significant economic and employment generators in their communities and important to the province’s tourism industry.
His department has issued a request for expressions of interest to develop a range of options for the future operation of the properties.
Paris says previous governments have ignored the resorts for years and as a result, a lot of their amenities are in need of costly upgrades.
Call Centre Closing
Convergys closing call centre
By Leanne Delong, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Digby Courier - December 15, 2010
[CORNWALLIS, NS] - The company informed Convergys its employees Tuesday.
“It really was an emotional day yesterday. A lot of people were pretty upset, nobody wants to hear this just before Christmas,” said one employee.
The employee added the closure is blamed on the Canadian and American dollars at near par.
Convergys offered its employees the opportunity to relocate to other locations in Halifax and New Glasgow, and employees in the work-at-home program would not be affected, said the employee.
“It’s really going to hurt this area, Convergys did a lot locally and pumped millions of dollars into the local economy.”
Digby mayor Ben Cleveland said with the loss of Convergys he wishes “people would stop saying no to development in this area because we’re not going to get ahead if we continue resisting change.”
“We’re going to continue working hard to find replacements for those jobs. We’ll talk to various levels of government to see what we can attract to the area,” he said.
Convergys opened the Cornwallis location in 2004. The facility is an inbound call centre offering customer service for a large U.S. wireless provider.
When the facility opened, Convergys signed a five-year renewable lease for the building with the Digby-Annapolis Development Corporation. The lease was renewed but expires in April.
Convergys has roughly 65,000 employees in 68 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
By Leanne Delong, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Digby Courier - December 15, 2010
[CORNWALLIS, NS] - The company informed Convergys its employees Tuesday.
“It really was an emotional day yesterday. A lot of people were pretty upset, nobody wants to hear this just before Christmas,” said one employee.
The employee added the closure is blamed on the Canadian and American dollars at near par.
Convergys offered its employees the opportunity to relocate to other locations in Halifax and New Glasgow, and employees in the work-at-home program would not be affected, said the employee.
“It’s really going to hurt this area, Convergys did a lot locally and pumped millions of dollars into the local economy.”
Digby mayor Ben Cleveland said with the loss of Convergys he wishes “people would stop saying no to development in this area because we’re not going to get ahead if we continue resisting change.”
“We’re going to continue working hard to find replacements for those jobs. We’ll talk to various levels of government to see what we can attract to the area,” he said.
Convergys opened the Cornwallis location in 2004. The facility is an inbound call centre offering customer service for a large U.S. wireless provider.
When the facility opened, Convergys signed a five-year renewable lease for the building with the Digby-Annapolis Development Corporation. The lease was renewed but expires in April.
Convergys has roughly 65,000 employees in 68 locations throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
ADEDA News
Ferry Follow Up
There was active and positive follow up to the recent announcement the federal government would make an additional three year commitment to providing investment funding for the Digby to Saint John ferry service across the Bay of Fundy.
West Nova Member of Parliament Greg Kerr meet first with area business and government leaders to further outline the decision by the federal government to extend the funding. Kerr urged the communities affected by the service to be open to new ideas and to look at all options for the future of this service as well as other investment opportunities.
Immediately after that public meeting our MP met with the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition to further specify the context and future implications of the announcement.
That meeting was organized by the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) at the behest of the Coalition.
Among many topics Kerr discussed the issue of governance, stressed the need to look at different models, and to make the business case for the ferry going forward, adding that economic development was key to this.
He particularly credited the Coalition planning group for their past efforts and for being prepared to immediately start strategically thinking about how the ferry service should be sustained in the future.
Our Global Positioning As A World Leader
A recent feature story in the Saint John Telegraph Journal outlined how use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was radically changing forest management. The article described GIS as merging “statistical analysis and data base technology into a set of tools that allow the user to interpret and understand data in a visual format”.
It immediately brought to top of mind (at least to the top of my mind) the fact that right here in Annapolis Digby we have a post secondary institution that is increasingly being recognized as a world leader in this technology.
As part of the Nova Scotia Community College’s Annapolis Valley Campus, the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) provides basic and advanced training in a variety of Geomatics technologies. Check it out at www.cogs.ns.ca., particularly its One-year Advanced Diploma Program Geographic Information Systems for Business Formerly the College of Geographic Sciences located in Lawrencetown, COGS has become one of the largest technical trainers of students in the geomatics field in Canada. Training technicians and technologists in the fields of surveying, mapping, land-use planning and related computer programming has earned the campus an international reputation.
The Lawrencetown site also houses post-degree Geomatics programs in marine geomatics, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and business geographics. Two COGS programs, Applied Geomatics Research and Geomatics Programming, are delivered in Middleton.
All in all it’s a world class learning centre located in our very proud community.
Tom and the Turbines
Any day now I half expect to see one of my boyhood literary idols, Tom Swift, Jr. touring about Annapolis Digby in his ‘Triphibian Atomcar’. Always interested in ways the frontiers of science could be advanced, Tom would be happy here. He would certainly have hopped on the bus and joined the many folks who were able to tour the wind turbines at NSP’s Wind Farm Open House. The impressive facility overlooking the Bay is proudly being described by the operators as “on track and probably ahead of schedule”. Using his amazing “Diving Seacopter “ Tom could also be right in on the action taking place these days exploring the Fundy’s tidal turbine energy potential. Especially in a little over a year when French energy giant Alstom plans to install and commercialize its industrial scale Beluga 9 tidal energy turbine in the Bay. Ah yes, Tom, Frank and Joe Hardy, Nancy Drew, the Rover Boys - and even you too (two) Bobbsey Twins –where are you now? Anyway, thank you good folks at the Stratemeyer Syndicate for a wonderful childhood!
Arts Kudos
First, congrats to Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie of Annapolis Royal’s Lucky Rabbit Pottery who were recognized in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine in a piece entitled Five Great Canadian Artisans. Well deserved recognition for one of my favourite studios. And a heartfelt seasonal thank you to Annapolis Digby’s prolific playwright Hal Theriault for his creative adaptation and staging of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and the popular performance by the Digby Area Theatre Society team.
A Community Salute
And we at ADEDA want to join with our entire community this week to “salute” Community Program Officer Rodena Renaud of the Annapolis RCMP for her recognition with The RCMP Foundation’s Golden Spur Award for Outstanding Commitment to Community. At the recent ceremony in Toronto the award citation stated in part, “Her focus on youth at risk, offering support and activities to set them on the right path, are but one of the areas of her focus”. A hearty “well done’”, and thank you, from all of us.
There was active and positive follow up to the recent announcement the federal government would make an additional three year commitment to providing investment funding for the Digby to Saint John ferry service across the Bay of Fundy.
West Nova Member of Parliament Greg Kerr meet first with area business and government leaders to further outline the decision by the federal government to extend the funding. Kerr urged the communities affected by the service to be open to new ideas and to look at all options for the future of this service as well as other investment opportunities.
Immediately after that public meeting our MP met with the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition to further specify the context and future implications of the announcement.
That meeting was organized by the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) at the behest of the Coalition.
Among many topics Kerr discussed the issue of governance, stressed the need to look at different models, and to make the business case for the ferry going forward, adding that economic development was key to this.
He particularly credited the Coalition planning group for their past efforts and for being prepared to immediately start strategically thinking about how the ferry service should be sustained in the future.
Our Global Positioning As A World Leader
A recent feature story in the Saint John Telegraph Journal outlined how use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was radically changing forest management. The article described GIS as merging “statistical analysis and data base technology into a set of tools that allow the user to interpret and understand data in a visual format”.
It immediately brought to top of mind (at least to the top of my mind) the fact that right here in Annapolis Digby we have a post secondary institution that is increasingly being recognized as a world leader in this technology.
As part of the Nova Scotia Community College’s Annapolis Valley Campus, the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) provides basic and advanced training in a variety of Geomatics technologies. Check it out at www.cogs.ns.ca., particularly its One-year Advanced Diploma Program Geographic Information Systems for Business Formerly the College of Geographic Sciences located in Lawrencetown, COGS has become one of the largest technical trainers of students in the geomatics field in Canada. Training technicians and technologists in the fields of surveying, mapping, land-use planning and related computer programming has earned the campus an international reputation.
The Lawrencetown site also houses post-degree Geomatics programs in marine geomatics, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and business geographics. Two COGS programs, Applied Geomatics Research and Geomatics Programming, are delivered in Middleton.
All in all it’s a world class learning centre located in our very proud community.
Tom and the Turbines
Any day now I half expect to see one of my boyhood literary idols, Tom Swift, Jr. touring about Annapolis Digby in his ‘Triphibian Atomcar’. Always interested in ways the frontiers of science could be advanced, Tom would be happy here. He would certainly have hopped on the bus and joined the many folks who were able to tour the wind turbines at NSP’s Wind Farm Open House. The impressive facility overlooking the Bay is proudly being described by the operators as “on track and probably ahead of schedule”. Using his amazing “Diving Seacopter “ Tom could also be right in on the action taking place these days exploring the Fundy’s tidal turbine energy potential. Especially in a little over a year when French energy giant Alstom plans to install and commercialize its industrial scale Beluga 9 tidal energy turbine in the Bay. Ah yes, Tom, Frank and Joe Hardy, Nancy Drew, the Rover Boys - and even you too (two) Bobbsey Twins –where are you now? Anyway, thank you good folks at the Stratemeyer Syndicate for a wonderful childhood!
Arts Kudos
First, congrats to Deb Kuzyk and Ray Mackie of Annapolis Royal’s Lucky Rabbit Pottery who were recognized in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine in a piece entitled Five Great Canadian Artisans. Well deserved recognition for one of my favourite studios. And a heartfelt seasonal thank you to Annapolis Digby’s prolific playwright Hal Theriault for his creative adaptation and staging of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, and the popular performance by the Digby Area Theatre Society team.
A Community Salute
And we at ADEDA want to join with our entire community this week to “salute” Community Program Officer Rodena Renaud of the Annapolis RCMP for her recognition with The RCMP Foundation’s Golden Spur Award for Outstanding Commitment to Community. At the recent ceremony in Toronto the award citation stated in part, “Her focus on youth at risk, offering support and activities to set them on the right path, are but one of the areas of her focus”. A hearty “well done’”, and thank you, from all of us.
Labels:
ADEDA news
Polar Bears Could be Saved?
Polar bear could be saved if emissions are cut, says new studyIce caps not likely to face rapid, irreversible melting as previously thought, researcher claims – meaning polar bears could survive
from guardain.co.uk
Shanta Barley guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 December 2010 17.46 GMT Article history
A polar bear and her cubs in Alaska. Photograph: AP
The polar bear can be saved from extinction – but only if action is taken quickly to make deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, a new study shows.
The study, published today in journal Nature, conflicts with previous research, which suggested that Arctic temperatures are already on track to exceed the threshold required to trigger rapid, irreversible ice loss.
Researchers from Polar Bears International said sea ice in the Arctic, which polar bears use as a platform on which to hunt seals and breed, is unlikely to undergo a rapid and irreversible decline when temperatures rise beyond a certain threshold.
"It's widely believed that nothing can be done to save the polar bear," said author Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International in Winnipeg, Canada. "But that's not true."
According to Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada who was not involved in the study, Amstrup's study is the first to assess whether a campaign to slash emissions will benefit polar bears. "Mitigation [of carbon emissions] was not considered by any of the analyses to date," he said.
Amstrup's team used global climate models and five scenarios of the level of greenhouse gas emissions to estimate sea ice loss in the Arctic over the next century. The paper suggests that there will be a linear relationship between temperature and sea ice: as temperatures rise, the amount of sea ice will decline smoothly.
If emissions continue to rise at today's rate, two-thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050, the models suggest. Populations in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, the Southern Beaufort Sea and Barents Sea will be hit the hardest. In addition, the amount of optimal polar bear habitat in the Arctic will fall by 50%, according to Amstrup.
But stringent emissions cuts of 70% by 2100 would limit habitat loss to just 20% – saving the polar bear, says the study.
"Reduced emissions would yield greater abundance and wider distribution of polar bears than the 'business as usual' emission scenario," said Derocher of the paper.
Derocher is sceptical that policymakers will act to curb emissions in time. "There are few indications that such policies will be implemented in a timely manner. Globally, 25% of mammalian species are threatened with extinction and, in this context, the plight of polar bears is sadly typical," he said.
Loss of habitat isn't the only threat to Arctic species such as the polar bear, according to a separate paper published in Nature this week.
As sea ice melts, species that have been separated for thousands of years are expected to start to interbreed, generating novel hybrid species and driving existing rare species extinct.
"When human activities abruptly alter environments, it can increase the frequency of hybridisation, which can have negative effects, including pushing some species toward extinction," said lead author Brendan Kelly, who is based at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Juneau, Alaska.
Kelly conducted a survey of published literature on hybridisation. He counted 34 hybridisation events between distinct populations, species and genera in marine mammals living in or near the Arctic.
The review was not focused on a specific period but is biased toward the most recent decades when research in the Arctic increased, and focused on the Arctic Ocean, where ice forms a diminishing barrier between marine mammals.
Of the 22 species that had hybridised, 14 were listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in more than one country.
For example, a white bear with brown patches of fur was shot by Inuit hunters in 2006. DNA tests revealed that it was a half- polar bear, half-grizzly hybrid – also known as a "grolar" bear. In the late 1980s, a hybrid narwhal-beluga was seen off the west coast of Greenland, and last year, a hybrid bowhead-right whale was photographed in the Bering Sea.
from guardain.co.uk
Shanta Barley guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 15 December 2010 17.46 GMT Article history
A polar bear and her cubs in Alaska. Photograph: AP
The polar bear can be saved from extinction – but only if action is taken quickly to make deep cuts to greenhouse gas emissions, a new study shows.
The study, published today in journal Nature, conflicts with previous research, which suggested that Arctic temperatures are already on track to exceed the threshold required to trigger rapid, irreversible ice loss.
Researchers from Polar Bears International said sea ice in the Arctic, which polar bears use as a platform on which to hunt seals and breed, is unlikely to undergo a rapid and irreversible decline when temperatures rise beyond a certain threshold.
"It's widely believed that nothing can be done to save the polar bear," said author Steven Amstrup of Polar Bears International in Winnipeg, Canada. "But that's not true."
According to Andrew Derocher, a polar bear expert based at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada who was not involved in the study, Amstrup's study is the first to assess whether a campaign to slash emissions will benefit polar bears. "Mitigation [of carbon emissions] was not considered by any of the analyses to date," he said.
Amstrup's team used global climate models and five scenarios of the level of greenhouse gas emissions to estimate sea ice loss in the Arctic over the next century. The paper suggests that there will be a linear relationship between temperature and sea ice: as temperatures rise, the amount of sea ice will decline smoothly.
If emissions continue to rise at today's rate, two-thirds of polar bears will disappear by 2050, the models suggest. Populations in Hudson Bay, Baffin Bay, the Southern Beaufort Sea and Barents Sea will be hit the hardest. In addition, the amount of optimal polar bear habitat in the Arctic will fall by 50%, according to Amstrup.
But stringent emissions cuts of 70% by 2100 would limit habitat loss to just 20% – saving the polar bear, says the study.
"Reduced emissions would yield greater abundance and wider distribution of polar bears than the 'business as usual' emission scenario," said Derocher of the paper.
Derocher is sceptical that policymakers will act to curb emissions in time. "There are few indications that such policies will be implemented in a timely manner. Globally, 25% of mammalian species are threatened with extinction and, in this context, the plight of polar bears is sadly typical," he said.
Loss of habitat isn't the only threat to Arctic species such as the polar bear, according to a separate paper published in Nature this week.
As sea ice melts, species that have been separated for thousands of years are expected to start to interbreed, generating novel hybrid species and driving existing rare species extinct.
"When human activities abruptly alter environments, it can increase the frequency of hybridisation, which can have negative effects, including pushing some species toward extinction," said lead author Brendan Kelly, who is based at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Juneau, Alaska.
Kelly conducted a survey of published literature on hybridisation. He counted 34 hybridisation events between distinct populations, species and genera in marine mammals living in or near the Arctic.
The review was not focused on a specific period but is biased toward the most recent decades when research in the Arctic increased, and focused on the Arctic Ocean, where ice forms a diminishing barrier between marine mammals.
Of the 22 species that had hybridised, 14 were listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in more than one country.
For example, a white bear with brown patches of fur was shot by Inuit hunters in 2006. DNA tests revealed that it was a half- polar bear, half-grizzly hybrid – also known as a "grolar" bear. In the late 1980s, a hybrid narwhal-beluga was seen off the west coast of Greenland, and last year, a hybrid bowhead-right whale was photographed in the Bering Sea.
Digby Municipal Council Minutes
Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole Minutes
November 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia
1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:15 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Linda Gregory, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, Councillor David Tudor, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryAgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asdistributed.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsSave Our Bay – Dr. Guy MelvilleMOVED and seconded that Dr. Guy Melville come beforethe committee to make a presentation on Save Our Bay.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Sheldon Dixon began the presentation by giving an update regarding the desire of Cooks Agriculture to put twonew fish farms in on the Islands. They would like to put intwo more sites which would cover 208 acres. This is a concern to the local lobster fisherman as this is where theycurrently fish. The local fishermen are also concerned withthe pollution that the fish farms are producing. Dr. Melville demonstrated what the bottom of the oceanlooks like next to the fish farm in Westport. He isconcerned with the diseases that will spread to the sea lifethat is being harvested in this area. There was a question and answer period following thepresentation. It was brought up that the technology was out
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia2there to have the fish farms on land. The tracking of lobsters is coming which will enable the seller to trackwhere the lobsters are coming from that are not fit toconsume. Warden Gregory thanked them for their presentation andnoted that this topic will be discussed at the next meeting. MinutesOctober 12, 2010It was noted that under New Business #3, it should read Loop ofthe Old 217, not Culloden Road.MOVED and seconded that the minutes of October 12, 2010be approved as amended.MOTION CARRIED
Business Arising/OldBusiness#1 County of Annapolis – Requestfor FundingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbyprovide funding for the YMCA in the amount of $100,000over the next four years which would be $25,000 per year. It was noted that this would begin in the 2011/2012 budget. It would be budgeted for in either the grants toorganizations or economic development accounts. It was mentioned that the Kings Transit board feels that thedecline in numbers for the Weymouth to Cornwallis routecould be due to the closure of Lifeplex. It appears that thedecline dates back to that time period. It was discussed whether the project will move forwardwith the funding from the Municipality of Digby. Thepresentation indicated that they would do a communitydrive for the rest of the funding. It was mentioned that recreation is a vital part of anycommunity. There was a concern that they would come back to get morefunding at a later date. It was noted that it was made clearat the presentation that this was a capital request only.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia3#2 Dr. Bob Mahar –Request for Funding It was agreed by Council to send a letter to Dr. Mahar stating that Council is not interested in pursuing this project.#3 Digby Ground Search & Rescue –Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the funding request fromthe Digby Ground Search and Rescue. Council alsodiscussed the Ground Search and Rescue located on theIslands, who do work with Digby on occasion. This group has recently moved into a cube van. Digby Ground Search and Rescue are looking to purchase a new vehicle. MOVED and seconded that the request for funding from Digby Ground Search and Rescue be tabled until the nextCouncil meeting so that Council can obtain moreinformation.MOTION CARRIED
#4 TLC AnimalShelter – Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the possibility of putting aprogram into place where the Municipality would charge afee for a dog license, which would be forwarded to the TLCAnimal Shelter. It was noted that some municipalities havethis program in place. There would have to be changesimplemented to the bylaw first in order to accommodate afee for dog tags. There were concerns raised with the amount of moneybeing sought by the TLC Animal Shelter. Another concernraised was the practice they have in place of getting petsinto homes.MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 to carry themover the winter. There was a discussion regarding where the funds wouldcome from as the grants to organizations budget has been fully utilized. It was agreed by the mover and seconder to amend themotion as follows:
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia4MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 that wouldcome from future revenue received from Dog Licenses afterthe Dog Control Bylaw has been amended. MOTION CARRIED1-OPPOSEDOther BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Province of NovaScotia – HerringWorkers ProgramAgreementMOVED and seconded that the Herring Workers ProgramAgreement that way brought forward to Council be signed.There was a short discussion on how the decisions get made inregards to this agreement. The Province of Nova Scotia willmake those decisions. There are only two people in this areathat don’t have enough stamps.MOTION CARRIED#2 Councillor Tudor –Alders – Little River to Whale Cove & LongIsland Councillor Tudor brought forward several letters of concernregarding the alders from Little River to Whale Cove and on Long Island. It has been four years since the alders havebeen cut. Councillor Tudor has brought this concern to theDepartment of Transportation, and Mr. Foote indicated thatno work will be done unless he receives a number ofcomplaints from the citizens in these areas.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia5MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent along with theletters of concern received to the Department ofTransportation expressing Councillor Tudors concernsregarding alders from Little River to Whale Cove and onLong Island.MOTION CARRIED# 3 Weymouth WaterfrontDevelopmentCommittee – Requestfor Donation of Old Weymouth LibraryBuildingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbydonate the old library building to the WeymouthWaterfront Development Committee. MOTION CARRIEDThe Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee has alsoasked for a tax exemption for the property. This can take placeafter they take ownership of the property. The Tax ExemptionBylaw will have to be amended to grant this request.Chief AdministrativeReport The CAO report dated November 8, 2010 was included in the COTW Package. Annapolis County has been successful in getting $50,000 funding and they are currently in the process of getting aconsultant for a transportation study. The By-law and Policy meeting scheduled for November15, 2010 will be held upstairs at the Arena.Request for Decisions/Direction NILDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for October 2010 was included in themeeting package. Warden Gregory noted that she was pleased that Mrs. Bremner and Mrs. Turner were able to attend the AMTC Fall Conference.Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for October 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia6Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for October 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There is a new format for theAirport/Dispatch reports which is easier to read.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for October2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopment The Coordinator Program Development report for October8 to November 8, 2010 was included in the meetingpackage.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdate The strategic priority update for October 31, 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGallery Mr. Dixon advised Council that Dr. Melville has asubmission to Government that they would like Council tosign their names to.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the committee go in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia7AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:43PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK
November 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia
1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Warden Gregory in thechair at 6:15 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Linda Gregory, Warden Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, Councillor David Tudor, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Cora Lee Bremner, Executive SecretaryAgendaMOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asdistributed.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsSave Our Bay – Dr. Guy MelvilleMOVED and seconded that Dr. Guy Melville come beforethe committee to make a presentation on Save Our Bay.MOTION CARRIED Mr. Sheldon Dixon began the presentation by giving an update regarding the desire of Cooks Agriculture to put twonew fish farms in on the Islands. They would like to put intwo more sites which would cover 208 acres. This is a concern to the local lobster fisherman as this is where theycurrently fish. The local fishermen are also concerned withthe pollution that the fish farms are producing. Dr. Melville demonstrated what the bottom of the oceanlooks like next to the fish farm in Westport. He isconcerned with the diseases that will spread to the sea lifethat is being harvested in this area. There was a question and answer period following thepresentation. It was brought up that the technology was out
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia2there to have the fish farms on land. The tracking of lobsters is coming which will enable the seller to trackwhere the lobsters are coming from that are not fit toconsume. Warden Gregory thanked them for their presentation andnoted that this topic will be discussed at the next meeting. MinutesOctober 12, 2010It was noted that under New Business #3, it should read Loop ofthe Old 217, not Culloden Road.MOVED and seconded that the minutes of October 12, 2010be approved as amended.MOTION CARRIED
Business Arising/OldBusiness#1 County of Annapolis – Requestfor FundingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbyprovide funding for the YMCA in the amount of $100,000over the next four years which would be $25,000 per year. It was noted that this would begin in the 2011/2012 budget. It would be budgeted for in either the grants toorganizations or economic development accounts. It was mentioned that the Kings Transit board feels that thedecline in numbers for the Weymouth to Cornwallis routecould be due to the closure of Lifeplex. It appears that thedecline dates back to that time period. It was discussed whether the project will move forwardwith the funding from the Municipality of Digby. Thepresentation indicated that they would do a communitydrive for the rest of the funding. It was mentioned that recreation is a vital part of anycommunity. There was a concern that they would come back to get morefunding at a later date. It was noted that it was made clearat the presentation that this was a capital request only.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia3#2 Dr. Bob Mahar –Request for Funding It was agreed by Council to send a letter to Dr. Mahar stating that Council is not interested in pursuing this project.#3 Digby Ground Search & Rescue –Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the funding request fromthe Digby Ground Search and Rescue. Council alsodiscussed the Ground Search and Rescue located on theIslands, who do work with Digby on occasion. This group has recently moved into a cube van. Digby Ground Search and Rescue are looking to purchase a new vehicle. MOVED and seconded that the request for funding from Digby Ground Search and Rescue be tabled until the nextCouncil meeting so that Council can obtain moreinformation.MOTION CARRIED
#4 TLC AnimalShelter – Request for Funding There was a discussion regarding the possibility of putting aprogram into place where the Municipality would charge afee for a dog license, which would be forwarded to the TLCAnimal Shelter. It was noted that some municipalities havethis program in place. There would have to be changesimplemented to the bylaw first in order to accommodate afee for dog tags. There were concerns raised with the amount of moneybeing sought by the TLC Animal Shelter. Another concernraised was the practice they have in place of getting petsinto homes.MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 to carry themover the winter. There was a discussion regarding where the funds wouldcome from as the grants to organizations budget has been fully utilized. It was agreed by the mover and seconder to amend themotion as follows:
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia4MOVED and seconded that Council provide funding to TLC Animal Shelter in the amount of $8,000 that wouldcome from future revenue received from Dog Licenses afterthe Dog Control Bylaw has been amended. MOTION CARRIED1-OPPOSEDOther BusinessArising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Province of NovaScotia – HerringWorkers ProgramAgreementMOVED and seconded that the Herring Workers ProgramAgreement that way brought forward to Council be signed.There was a short discussion on how the decisions get made inregards to this agreement. The Province of Nova Scotia willmake those decisions. There are only two people in this areathat don’t have enough stamps.MOTION CARRIED#2 Councillor Tudor –Alders – Little River to Whale Cove & LongIsland Councillor Tudor brought forward several letters of concernregarding the alders from Little River to Whale Cove and on Long Island. It has been four years since the alders havebeen cut. Councillor Tudor has brought this concern to theDepartment of Transportation, and Mr. Foote indicated thatno work will be done unless he receives a number ofcomplaints from the citizens in these areas.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia5MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent along with theletters of concern received to the Department ofTransportation expressing Councillor Tudors concernsregarding alders from Little River to Whale Cove and onLong Island.MOTION CARRIED# 3 Weymouth WaterfrontDevelopmentCommittee – Requestfor Donation of Old Weymouth LibraryBuildingMOVED and seconded that the Municipality of Digbydonate the old library building to the WeymouthWaterfront Development Committee. MOTION CARRIEDThe Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee has alsoasked for a tax exemption for the property. This can take placeafter they take ownership of the property. The Tax ExemptionBylaw will have to be amended to grant this request.Chief AdministrativeReport The CAO report dated November 8, 2010 was included in the COTW Package. Annapolis County has been successful in getting $50,000 funding and they are currently in the process of getting aconsultant for a transportation study. The By-law and Policy meeting scheduled for November15, 2010 will be held upstairs at the Arena.Request for Decisions/Direction NILDepartment ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for October 2010 was included in themeeting package. Warden Gregory noted that she was pleased that Mrs. Bremner and Mrs. Turner were able to attend the AMTC Fall Conference.Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for October 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia6Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for October 2010 was includedin the meeting package. There is a new format for theAirport/Dispatch reports which is easier to read.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report for October2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator ProgramDevelopment The Coordinator Program Development report for October8 to November 8, 2010 was included in the meetingpackage.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial ProjectsUpdatesN/AStrategic PrioritiesUpdate The strategic priority update for October 31, 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package.Notice of MotionN/AComments from theGallery Mr. Dixon advised Council that Dr. Melville has asubmission to Government that they would like Council tosign their names to.In CameraMOVED and seconded that the committee go in camera to discuss a contractual issue.MOTION CARRIEDRegular session resumed.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesNovember 8, 2010Tiverton, Nova Scotia7AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:43PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK
Labels:
Digby Municipal Council minutes
Municipal Council Agenda
Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateDecember 13, 2010
Meeting LocationAcaciaville Baptist Church HallCall to OrderWarden Pause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the Agenda Additions/DeletionsPresentations Rodney O’Neil and Jeff Nickerson, CookeAquacultureApproval of Minutes November 8, 2010Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0Street Light request – 38 Old Route # 217 Loop# 2.0Crosswalks on Hwy 303-Letter to Ministerfrom Harold Theriault# 3.0# 4.0Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor TudorWarden Gregory
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#12011 FCM Planning Committee FCM Farewell to NS Breakfast#2Digby Area TourismAssociation Proposal to Dept of Tourism-Municipal Contribution to project $ 10,000 (As included in 2010-2011 operatingbudget)#3Digby Municipal and Town-Tidal PowerMaintenanceOpportunity Proposal to hire person to work on Tidal Power Maintenance Initiative#4Bear River Board ofTrade Request for donation or use of property#5 ADEDA Request for support-$ 3,300#6 Weymouth Board of Trade Request to cost share new camera to tapeMunicipal Council Meetings#7 Brook Smith & Sarah Whitenect Youth Grants Policy RequestCorrespondence ReceivedInformation Only# 1 EmergencyManagement Office Notice of annual grant from 911 CostRecovery Fund# 2Minister Bill Estabrooks, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Response to petition from Cullodenresidents regarding condition of CullodenRoad# 3Clean Nova Scotia Retire Your Ride-Vehicle RecyclingProgram
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda#4Gilberts Cove & DistrictHistorical SocietyDecember 2010 NewsletterChief AdministrativeReport December 13, 2010Request for Decisions/Direction Tender Award-Weymouth/Smiths Coveexpansion of Waste Water Collection Bear River Waste Water Treatment Plant–Expansion OptionsMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationDecember 13th@ 6:00 pmCOTWAcaciaville Baptist ChurchDecember 27thNo meetingJanuary 3rdNo MeetingJanuary 10th@ 6:00 pmCOTWCouncil ChambersJanuary 17th@ 5:00 pmMeeting with TIR Municipal BoardroomJanuary 17th@ 6:00 pmBy-law & PolicyMunicipal BoardroomJanuary 24th@ 6:00 pmCouncilCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for November 2010 Administration Taxation Building Department Building Permit Municipal Fire Inspector Airport/Dispatch Dispatch Call Report Airport Statistical Dog Control Activity Dog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from Previousmeetings
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateNotice of MotionIn-CameraAdjournment
Meeting LocationAcaciaville Baptist Church HallCall to OrderWarden Pause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the Agenda Additions/DeletionsPresentations Rodney O’Neil and Jeff Nickerson, CookeAquacultureApproval of Minutes November 8, 2010Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0Street Light request – 38 Old Route # 217 Loop# 2.0Crosswalks on Hwy 303-Letter to Ministerfrom Harold Theriault# 3.0# 4.0Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor TudorWarden Gregory
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#12011 FCM Planning Committee FCM Farewell to NS Breakfast#2Digby Area TourismAssociation Proposal to Dept of Tourism-Municipal Contribution to project $ 10,000 (As included in 2010-2011 operatingbudget)#3Digby Municipal and Town-Tidal PowerMaintenanceOpportunity Proposal to hire person to work on Tidal Power Maintenance Initiative#4Bear River Board ofTrade Request for donation or use of property#5 ADEDA Request for support-$ 3,300#6 Weymouth Board of Trade Request to cost share new camera to tapeMunicipal Council Meetings#7 Brook Smith & Sarah Whitenect Youth Grants Policy RequestCorrespondence ReceivedInformation Only# 1 EmergencyManagement Office Notice of annual grant from 911 CostRecovery Fund# 2Minister Bill Estabrooks, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Response to petition from Cullodenresidents regarding condition of CullodenRoad# 3Clean Nova Scotia Retire Your Ride-Vehicle RecyclingProgram
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgenda#4Gilberts Cove & DistrictHistorical SocietyDecember 2010 NewsletterChief AdministrativeReport December 13, 2010Request for Decisions/Direction Tender Award-Weymouth/Smiths Coveexpansion of Waste Water Collection Bear River Waste Water Treatment Plant–Expansion OptionsMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationDecember 13th@ 6:00 pmCOTWAcaciaville Baptist ChurchDecember 27thNo meetingJanuary 3rdNo MeetingJanuary 10th@ 6:00 pmCOTWCouncil ChambersJanuary 17th@ 5:00 pmMeeting with TIR Municipal BoardroomJanuary 17th@ 6:00 pmBy-law & PolicyMunicipal BoardroomJanuary 24th@ 6:00 pmCouncilCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for November 2010 Administration Taxation Building Department Building Permit Municipal Fire Inspector Airport/Dispatch Dispatch Call Report Airport Statistical Dog Control Activity Dog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from Previousmeetings
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateNotice of MotionIn-CameraAdjournment
Friday, December 10, 2010
Power Rate Hikes
Delusion one: wind turbines were going to lower our power rates
Delusion two: wind turbines on Digby Neck are going to supply power to Digby Neckers and that power will never be "down"
Delusion three: wind power is an effective method of reducing greenhouse gases and climate change
Delusion four: that the turbines would be hidden from view
Delusion five: that Digby Neck, on the migratory bird flyway, will not sustain damage and loss to its precious wildlife
Delusion six: that tourists from other countries who have learned that wind turbines do not reduce the use of fossil fuels will find our turbines attractive, when they have come here to see a pristine area free from these things
NS: UARB gives NSPI increase
By Peter Clarke, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz - December 8, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The Utility and Review Board has given Nova Scotia Power its rate increase.
For the immediate future, commercial customers will be charged over six per cent more on average on their rates in 2011 and industrial customers will see their rates rise by nearly seven per cent on average. However, after the 2011 hikes, additional increases will be spread out over three years.
The 2011 increase will cover 5o per cent of the total increases with 2012 and 2013 seeing 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. This would mean that there would be two smaller increases in the coming years to make up the difference, but those figures are yet to be determined according to David Rodenhiser, spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power.
“We’re pleased that the board accepted all fuel costs as submitted,” he said.
Fuel costs are recalculated each year under the fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM) and there are various other operational costs that are subject to change over the next three years that could alter upcoming rate hikes.
2011 rate increase percentages by class:
Total Commercial: 6.19
Small General: 4.55
General Demand: 6.52
Large General: 5.15
Total Industrial: 6.97
Small Industrial: 5.60
Medium Industrial: 6.02
Large Industrial: 7.27
Total Residential: 5.66
Delusion two: wind turbines on Digby Neck are going to supply power to Digby Neckers and that power will never be "down"
Delusion three: wind power is an effective method of reducing greenhouse gases and climate change
Delusion four: that the turbines would be hidden from view
Delusion five: that Digby Neck, on the migratory bird flyway, will not sustain damage and loss to its precious wildlife
Delusion six: that tourists from other countries who have learned that wind turbines do not reduce the use of fossil fuels will find our turbines attractive, when they have come here to see a pristine area free from these things
NS: UARB gives NSPI increase
By Peter Clarke, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz - December 8, 2010
[HALIFAX, NS] - The Utility and Review Board has given Nova Scotia Power its rate increase.
For the immediate future, commercial customers will be charged over six per cent more on average on their rates in 2011 and industrial customers will see their rates rise by nearly seven per cent on average. However, after the 2011 hikes, additional increases will be spread out over three years.
The 2011 increase will cover 5o per cent of the total increases with 2012 and 2013 seeing 30 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. This would mean that there would be two smaller increases in the coming years to make up the difference, but those figures are yet to be determined according to David Rodenhiser, spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power.
“We’re pleased that the board accepted all fuel costs as submitted,” he said.
Fuel costs are recalculated each year under the fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM) and there are various other operational costs that are subject to change over the next three years that could alter upcoming rate hikes.
2011 rate increase percentages by class:
Total Commercial: 6.19
Small General: 4.55
General Demand: 6.52
Large General: 5.15
Total Industrial: 6.97
Small Industrial: 5.60
Medium Industrial: 6.02
Large Industrial: 7.27
Total Residential: 5.66
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Health Care Promises
NS: Premier promises better healthcare soon
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Dec. 7/10
[HALIFAX, NS] – Premier Darrell Dexter and Minister of Health Maureen MacDonald have unveiled the government’s latest plan for improving this province’s medical system.
The strategy, dubbed the Better Care Sooner Plan, was announced today and promises to improve the quality of emergency care, reduce overcrowding and wait times for patients in emergency rooms, and provide better health care for families.
To accomplish all this, the government is leaning heavily on the report submitted by Dr. John Ross on the state of Nova Scotia’s emergency care delivery and what needs to be done to fix it. Taking its cue from Ross’ recommendations, the new strategy focuses on several over-arching themes:
• Improve access to primary care, especially in smaller communities. The goal here is to lessen the burden on emergency rooms and provide better care.
• Make emergency care more patient-centred and streamlined, thus shortening wait times and improving the quality of care across the province.
• Provide care that’s better tailored to those whose needs are more complex (i.e. seniors and people with mental illness).
• Increase public awareness of 911 and healthlink nurse line 811.
“This plan keeps emergency rooms open and gives communities access to emergency care day and night,” Dexter claims. “Communities that once had closed doors will soon have services matched to their needs. It will ensure people in this province get the level of care they need and deserve.”
Keeping ERs open was a key plank in the NDP’s election platform. To finally deliver on the promise, Dexter is announcing the formation of new collaborative emergency centres, which will match the level of services with the needs of residents in the community. Patients will have access to a team of health-care professionals including nurses, doctors and paramedics to provide the level of care that’s required. That will enable patients to get same or next day appointments.
“We want patients to be able to see their doctor more quickly and get better care from health care teams, so they can avoid going to an emergency room,” MacDonald says. “For those who do require emergency care, we want their journey through the emergency department to be as short, safe and comfortable as possible. That’s what Better Care Sooner is all about.”
Cape Breton District Health Authority CEO John Malcom welcomes the province’s effort to unclog crowded emergency rooms.
“In order to improve emergency care in Nova Scotia, we need to enhance things outside of the hospital – primary care, access to 911, access to 811 – so there’s a variety of options to respond to patients needs,” Malcom says.
Other planned actions under the new strategy include:
• Every regional hospital must develop a plan to shorten time frames for moving patients from ambulance into hospital and from triage to a hospital bed or departure.
• Health professionals will be supported in working to the full extent of their training, abilities and experience.
• Patients will get more information and be made more comfortable as they wait.
• More nurse practitioners are being hired to work in nursing homes and paramedics will provide more care for seniors in nursing homes and at home so they will not have to got to emergency.
• A public education campaign will be launched so people will have a greater understanding of 811 nurse line and 911 paramedics.
• Paramedics will get additional training and equipment to enhance their life-saving skills. This includes training to deliver a clot-busting drug for heart attack patients.
• Dedicating a plane and a new two-stretcher ambulance to save valuable driving time for paramedics and transport patients comfortably and cost-effectively.
• Health-care funding will be changed to reward better health results for patients.
By Staff, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Dec. 7/10
[HALIFAX, NS] – Premier Darrell Dexter and Minister of Health Maureen MacDonald have unveiled the government’s latest plan for improving this province’s medical system.
The strategy, dubbed the Better Care Sooner Plan, was announced today and promises to improve the quality of emergency care, reduce overcrowding and wait times for patients in emergency rooms, and provide better health care for families.
To accomplish all this, the government is leaning heavily on the report submitted by Dr. John Ross on the state of Nova Scotia’s emergency care delivery and what needs to be done to fix it. Taking its cue from Ross’ recommendations, the new strategy focuses on several over-arching themes:
• Improve access to primary care, especially in smaller communities. The goal here is to lessen the burden on emergency rooms and provide better care.
• Make emergency care more patient-centred and streamlined, thus shortening wait times and improving the quality of care across the province.
• Provide care that’s better tailored to those whose needs are more complex (i.e. seniors and people with mental illness).
• Increase public awareness of 911 and healthlink nurse line 811.
“This plan keeps emergency rooms open and gives communities access to emergency care day and night,” Dexter claims. “Communities that once had closed doors will soon have services matched to their needs. It will ensure people in this province get the level of care they need and deserve.”
Keeping ERs open was a key plank in the NDP’s election platform. To finally deliver on the promise, Dexter is announcing the formation of new collaborative emergency centres, which will match the level of services with the needs of residents in the community. Patients will have access to a team of health-care professionals including nurses, doctors and paramedics to provide the level of care that’s required. That will enable patients to get same or next day appointments.
“We want patients to be able to see their doctor more quickly and get better care from health care teams, so they can avoid going to an emergency room,” MacDonald says. “For those who do require emergency care, we want their journey through the emergency department to be as short, safe and comfortable as possible. That’s what Better Care Sooner is all about.”
Cape Breton District Health Authority CEO John Malcom welcomes the province’s effort to unclog crowded emergency rooms.
“In order to improve emergency care in Nova Scotia, we need to enhance things outside of the hospital – primary care, access to 911, access to 811 – so there’s a variety of options to respond to patients needs,” Malcom says.
Other planned actions under the new strategy include:
• Every regional hospital must develop a plan to shorten time frames for moving patients from ambulance into hospital and from triage to a hospital bed or departure.
• Health professionals will be supported in working to the full extent of their training, abilities and experience.
• Patients will get more information and be made more comfortable as they wait.
• More nurse practitioners are being hired to work in nursing homes and paramedics will provide more care for seniors in nursing homes and at home so they will not have to got to emergency.
• A public education campaign will be launched so people will have a greater understanding of 811 nurse line and 911 paramedics.
• Paramedics will get additional training and equipment to enhance their life-saving skills. This includes training to deliver a clot-busting drug for heart attack patients.
• Dedicating a plane and a new two-stretcher ambulance to save valuable driving time for paramedics and transport patients comfortably and cost-effectively.
• Health-care funding will be changed to reward better health results for patients.
Labels:
Nova Scotia health care
The Sunset Falls on Digby Neck
Poppy Balser Fine Art
Poppy Balser - Work Detail: Digby Windfarm Sunset
<< Previous All Next >>
Digby Windfarm Sunset
Watercolor on Paper
7" x 10"
$285.00 USDAvailable
Click to zoom in
Contact the artist about this artwork
I was asked to paint the Digby Neck Windfarm, a new development of renewable energy. This was one of my preliminary studies. It shows only 7 of 20 absolutely HUGE turbines that have been erected facing the Bay of Fundy. There was no way to portray all of them in one painting.
Poppy Balser - Work Detail: Digby Windfarm Sunset
<< Previous All Next >>
Digby Windfarm Sunset
Watercolor on Paper
7" x 10"
$285.00 USDAvailable
Click to zoom in
Contact the artist about this artwork
I was asked to paint the Digby Neck Windfarm, a new development of renewable energy. This was one of my preliminary studies. It shows only 7 of 20 absolutely HUGE turbines that have been erected facing the Bay of Fundy. There was no way to portray all of them in one painting.
Via NSP
Digby Neck Wind Farm Open House Event
by Robin 5. December 2010 05:27
Earlier today, several NS Power employees including myself, CEO Rob
Bennett and Project Manager Sean Brennan welcomed local residents to an open house event at the Digby Neck Wind Farm.
The Wind Farm consists of 20, 1.5 megawatt General Electric turbines that can power 10,000 homes at full capacity. A 17 km transmission line was constructed to connect the Wind Farm to the electric grid along with a 7 km on-site collector system that collects energy from the turbines and transmits it to a substation.
The Wind Farm has been of interest to local communities since it was proposed several years ago and has attracted greater attention as construction progressed, especially since turbines began rising over the last few months. With the Wind Farm’s formal commissioning coming soon, 16 of 20 turbines already producing electricity and colder weather on the horizon, it was about time to invite residents in for a tour.
Over 100 people joined us today to learn about various aspects of the Wind Farm such as how the turbines were erected and how much energy they produce. Bus tours stopped at various locations to chat and review information about the Wind Farm and provide the opportunity to engage with attendees and hear their questions, comments and concerns. It was great to have so many people spend part of their day with us at the event. I was also pleased to see representatives from Scotian WindFields – the company originally involved with the project – also come out for the event. I suppose it didn’t hurt to see the weather hold out for us as well.
To commemorate the construction of the Wind Farm, local artist Poppy Balser provided us with a wonderful watercolour painting of three of the turbines, titled Winds of Change: Leaving a Legacy of Cleaner Energy. Open house attendees were each given a post card with an image of the painting as a thank you for lending us part of their Saturday afternoon at the event. The Wind Farm watercolour is only one example of Poppy’s talent, so be sure to check out her web site at www.poppybalser.com to see other paintings in her portfolio.
We’ve uploaded some photos from today’s event to our Flickr page, so feel free to browse through the album to the right. You can also check out photos from the Nuttby Mountain open house event a few weeks ago, along with artist Janice Guinan’s rendition of that Wind Farm, titled Dawn of a New Day.
As a final note in this post, I’d like to congratulate Sean and the entire project team for working safely on an important project that will truly benefit all Nova Scotians for years to come.
Thanks for reading.
- Robin
Digby Neck Wind Farm Open House Event
by Robin 5. December 2010 05:27
Earlier today, several NS Power employees including myself, CEO Rob
Bennett and Project Manager Sean Brennan welcomed local residents to an open house event at the Digby Neck Wind Farm.
The Wind Farm consists of 20, 1.5 megawatt General Electric turbines that can power 10,000 homes at full capacity. A 17 km transmission line was constructed to connect the Wind Farm to the electric grid along with a 7 km on-site collector system that collects energy from the turbines and transmits it to a substation.
The Wind Farm has been of interest to local communities since it was proposed several years ago and has attracted greater attention as construction progressed, especially since turbines began rising over the last few months. With the Wind Farm’s formal commissioning coming soon, 16 of 20 turbines already producing electricity and colder weather on the horizon, it was about time to invite residents in for a tour.
Over 100 people joined us today to learn about various aspects of the Wind Farm such as how the turbines were erected and how much energy they produce. Bus tours stopped at various locations to chat and review information about the Wind Farm and provide the opportunity to engage with attendees and hear their questions, comments and concerns. It was great to have so many people spend part of their day with us at the event. I was also pleased to see representatives from Scotian WindFields – the company originally involved with the project – also come out for the event. I suppose it didn’t hurt to see the weather hold out for us as well.
To commemorate the construction of the Wind Farm, local artist Poppy Balser provided us with a wonderful watercolour painting of three of the turbines, titled Winds of Change: Leaving a Legacy of Cleaner Energy. Open house attendees were each given a post card with an image of the painting as a thank you for lending us part of their Saturday afternoon at the event. The Wind Farm watercolour is only one example of Poppy’s talent, so be sure to check out her web site at www.poppybalser.com to see other paintings in her portfolio.
We’ve uploaded some photos from today’s event to our Flickr page, so feel free to browse through the album to the right. You can also check out photos from the Nuttby Mountain open house event a few weeks ago, along with artist Janice Guinan’s rendition of that Wind Farm, titled Dawn of a New Day.
As a final note in this post, I’d like to congratulate Sean and the entire project team for working safely on an important project that will truly benefit all Nova Scotians for years to come.
Thanks for reading.
- Robin
Monday, December 6, 2010
ADEDA News
Ferry Funding
There was finally some good news last week with regard to the continuance of ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Government of Canada announced an investment funding program that would support specific ferry services in Atlantic Canada for a three year period to March 31, 2014.
Among the services to receive that support was our vital Fundy service.
The decision by the federal government was welcomed by the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition’s Chair Jim Thurber who said “This is a very encouraging decision that will allow us the time we need to make the business case, garner the support and pursue our ultimate goals of a longer term commitment and the new vessel this service needs”.
The Coalition is comprised of businesses and organizations representing fisheries, trucking, tourism, economic development, local government, boards of trade and environmental stewardship located in southwest Nova Scotia, and has been pushing hard for a long term commitment for the ferry service.
The Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) has been the coordinating organization for the Coalition since its inception and ADEDA Managing Director Mike Gushue expressed his appreciation for the government’s decision, saying “This shows what can be achieved when everyone in the community works diligently and responsibly towards a common purpose”. He also cited the strong support given at all levels by the area’s Member of Parliament, Greg Kerr. Commendably, Kerr moved quickly to meet with business and public representatives – and then with the Coalition – over the weekend to provide further background on the announcement and discuss the community’s “go forward” strategy. (And a “shout out” of appreciation to Bay Ferries’ Mike Adams for helping to make the facilities at the ferry terminal available and so pleasant for the meeting).
The Coalition has particularly emphasized the importance of the Digby to Saint John service to our region’s $600 million annual seafood industry.
Across the Bay the federal funding decision was also being hailed by supporters in Saint John, led by Mayor Ivan Court who has maintained that “The ferry system is part of the transportation system of Canada” and adding “it should be considered in the road system, the bridge system whatever else”.
Switched On
In his 1963 classic “Blowin’ In The Wind” iconic folkie Bob Dylan ambiguously suggests the answers to some of life’s key issues might be obviously in front of our respective noses, or as ephemeral as the wind.
Well, there’s nothing ambiguous about the effects of the breezes blowing through Nova Scotia Power’s Digby Neck wind farm. It’s now open with 10 of the 20 turbines in operation. I had a chance to tour the facility last week with NSP’s genial and very knowledgeable Project Manager, Sean Brennan, and was honestly impressed with the scope of the project – and the environmental as well as operational foresight that went into its planning. NSP also hosted a public open house at the site over the weekend to allow the community to see firsthand what’s taking place.
Riding The Renewable Energy Wave
The opening of that 30 megawatt wind farm on Digby Neck was just part of the renewable energy news that continues to focus on our area and the Fundy region in general. The provincial Energy Department has announced that it had received five responses to a call for expression of interest looking for a fourth tidal power developer in the Bay of Fundy. The bids came from companies in Canada, the United States and the UK.
The Sports Page
And, hey, we’re not all transportation analysts or renewable energy wonks around here. We like our recreational opportunities as well. And a national near miss and a national sure thing highlighted Annapolis Digby doings from the world of sports this past week. In their new book “Lawrencetown is ‘Our Hockeyville’”, veteran authors Dave and Paulette Whitman document the charming story of how a long shot community from the Annapolis Valley came “this close” to earning the title of Canada’s “Hockeyville” for this year. If there’s a wonderful holiday read to be had – it’s here – and by the way the Whitman’s will be at the Lawrencetown fire hall this weekend, December 11th, to sign copies of the book. Meanwhile at the other end of our coverage area, the folks in Digby are getting ready to host the event that didn’t get away. In a few months teams from across Canada will be “hurrying hard” to the Digby Curling Club for the national mens and womens senior championships. The event is already causing excitement within the local curling communities – and with sports buffs in general. But volunteers are still needed to help make it the success we all want. There’s more information available and a number to call if you want to be part of this national bonspiel.
Ah Shucks!
I know I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions my admiration for the hard work ethic exhibited daily by my doughty small band of coworkers here at ADEDA. However, if they have a failing perhaps it’s their intrinsic modesty in the performance of their tasks – something not shared, of course, by “moi”. That’s why I think it’s great when their work gets recognized by the local business community.
Playing with a Full House
They may have to consider replacing the winter storm doors with revolving doors at the ADEDA office on December 16th when we host two major workshops at our facilities. There’re two wonderful opportunities to develop your business communications acumen for artists and crafters at the ACTS workshop; and hone yourself in the craft of business writing at the business writing basics workshop. Hmmmm…probably should consider enrolling in that one myself.
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
We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby
There was finally some good news last week with regard to the continuance of ferry service between Digby and Saint John, New Brunswick.
The Government of Canada announced an investment funding program that would support specific ferry services in Atlantic Canada for a three year period to March 31, 2014.
Among the services to receive that support was our vital Fundy service.
The decision by the federal government was welcomed by the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition’s Chair Jim Thurber who said “This is a very encouraging decision that will allow us the time we need to make the business case, garner the support and pursue our ultimate goals of a longer term commitment and the new vessel this service needs”.
The Coalition is comprised of businesses and organizations representing fisheries, trucking, tourism, economic development, local government, boards of trade and environmental stewardship located in southwest Nova Scotia, and has been pushing hard for a long term commitment for the ferry service.
The Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency (ADEDA) has been the coordinating organization for the Coalition since its inception and ADEDA Managing Director Mike Gushue expressed his appreciation for the government’s decision, saying “This shows what can be achieved when everyone in the community works diligently and responsibly towards a common purpose”. He also cited the strong support given at all levels by the area’s Member of Parliament, Greg Kerr. Commendably, Kerr moved quickly to meet with business and public representatives – and then with the Coalition – over the weekend to provide further background on the announcement and discuss the community’s “go forward” strategy. (And a “shout out” of appreciation to Bay Ferries’ Mike Adams for helping to make the facilities at the ferry terminal available and so pleasant for the meeting).
The Coalition has particularly emphasized the importance of the Digby to Saint John service to our region’s $600 million annual seafood industry.
Across the Bay the federal funding decision was also being hailed by supporters in Saint John, led by Mayor Ivan Court who has maintained that “The ferry system is part of the transportation system of Canada” and adding “it should be considered in the road system, the bridge system whatever else”.
Switched On
In his 1963 classic “Blowin’ In The Wind” iconic folkie Bob Dylan ambiguously suggests the answers to some of life’s key issues might be obviously in front of our respective noses, or as ephemeral as the wind.
Well, there’s nothing ambiguous about the effects of the breezes blowing through Nova Scotia Power’s Digby Neck wind farm. It’s now open with 10 of the 20 turbines in operation. I had a chance to tour the facility last week with NSP’s genial and very knowledgeable Project Manager, Sean Brennan, and was honestly impressed with the scope of the project – and the environmental as well as operational foresight that went into its planning. NSP also hosted a public open house at the site over the weekend to allow the community to see firsthand what’s taking place.
Riding The Renewable Energy Wave
The opening of that 30 megawatt wind farm on Digby Neck was just part of the renewable energy news that continues to focus on our area and the Fundy region in general. The provincial Energy Department has announced that it had received five responses to a call for expression of interest looking for a fourth tidal power developer in the Bay of Fundy. The bids came from companies in Canada, the United States and the UK.
The Sports Page
And, hey, we’re not all transportation analysts or renewable energy wonks around here. We like our recreational opportunities as well. And a national near miss and a national sure thing highlighted Annapolis Digby doings from the world of sports this past week. In their new book “Lawrencetown is ‘Our Hockeyville’”, veteran authors Dave and Paulette Whitman document the charming story of how a long shot community from the Annapolis Valley came “this close” to earning the title of Canada’s “Hockeyville” for this year. If there’s a wonderful holiday read to be had – it’s here – and by the way the Whitman’s will be at the Lawrencetown fire hall this weekend, December 11th, to sign copies of the book. Meanwhile at the other end of our coverage area, the folks in Digby are getting ready to host the event that didn’t get away. In a few months teams from across Canada will be “hurrying hard” to the Digby Curling Club for the national mens and womens senior championships. The event is already causing excitement within the local curling communities – and with sports buffs in general. But volunteers are still needed to help make it the success we all want. There’s more information available and a number to call if you want to be part of this national bonspiel.
Ah Shucks!
I know I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions my admiration for the hard work ethic exhibited daily by my doughty small band of coworkers here at ADEDA. However, if they have a failing perhaps it’s their intrinsic modesty in the performance of their tasks – something not shared, of course, by “moi”. That’s why I think it’s great when their work gets recognized by the local business community.
Playing with a Full House
They may have to consider replacing the winter storm doors with revolving doors at the ADEDA office on December 16th when we host two major workshops at our facilities. There’re two wonderful opportunities to develop your business communications acumen for artists and crafters at the ACTS workshop; and hone yourself in the craft of business writing at the business writing basics workshop. Hmmmm…probably should consider enrolling in that one myself.
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
We invite you to visit us anytime at www.annapolisdigby
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Our Whale Resource
What whales are telling us about the Earth
By reese halter
Posted: 12/02/2010 11:27:31 PM PST
Updated: 12/02/2010 11:27:34 PM PST
Last year, Iceland and Norway killed 688 whales while Japan, under the guise of "scientific research," slaughtered 1,000 whales. In the 20th century humans decimated the whale populations around the globe by 1.5 million animals.
Interestingly, the message from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" -- that to save the Earth, whales must be protected -- seems more valid now than ever before.
Reports from the last couple of months clearly showed that the whales are helping researchers determine atmospheric science, Arctic oceanography, the extent of global warming, marine food-web nutrition and record-breaking migration patterns. Incidentally, all of these fascinating discoveries are taking place on frugal scientific budgets.
Workers from the Zoological Society of London and Queen Mary University recently examined 156 blue, fin and sperm whales swimming in the Gulf of California -- a United Nations World Heritage site. The whales are showing the scientists that the hole in the ozone layer is getting worse, allowing lethal UV radiation to penetrate Earth's protective ozone shield and cause skin cancers and cataracts.
From high-resolution photographs and studying whale skin samples, they have concluded that the whales are becoming sunburned during the time they are spending at the surface.
Blue whales, which have fairer skin than most whales, suffered significantly more than the much darker fin whales. And sperm whales, which spend a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
considerable amount of time on the surface breathing and socializing for hours at a time, were also vulnerable to sun damage.
The study found that the lesions and sunburnt cells on blue whales had worsened considerably from an earlier survey in 2007.
Since the hole in the Antarctic ozone layer was first discovered in the 1970s, ozone levels have shrunk by up to 70 percent in the worst seasons. Although the CFCs, which damage the ozone level, were banned in 1987, ozone levels are not expected to recover until about 2050.
In fact, UV radiation is expected to increase by 4 percent in the tropics and 20 percent in the poles over the next few decades. At this point in time scientists are not clear whether various life-threatening cancers will develop on whales exposed to high levels of UV radiation.
One thing is for certain: People spending time outdoors must wear sunscreen and protective eyewear.
Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Vermont have found that humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine carry massive quantities of nitrogen from the deep sea, where they feed, to the surface, and release it in their liquid-like feces. Essentially, humpbacks function as an "upward biological pump."
It turns out that humpbacks contribute more nitrogen to the Gulf of Maine than all the local rivers combined, an estimated 25,000 tons, annually.
In turn, these nutrients allow more phytoplankton to grow, which increases the food supply at the base of the marine food web, therefore promoting bigger fisheries and higher abundance where whales occur in greater densities.
Clearly, it is erroneous to claim, as the three whaling countries tout, that whales compete with their commercial fisheries; rather, they enhance them.
Last month, scientists from the College of the Atlantic in Maine, browsing the photo-sharing site Flickr, found identification markings on a humpback tail or fluke in a photo taken by a Norwegian tourist whale-watching at the breeding grounds near Ile Sainte Marie off the east coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, in 2001.
Two years previous, that female was pictured in the breeding grounds off Abrolhos, an area of small volcanic islands along the southern Brazilian coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
The female humpback whale swam at least 6,125 miles, or nearly a quarter of the globe; it was the longest documented movement by a mammal ever recorded.
Until now, humpback migration patterns were believed to be north/south rather than east/west. Was she responding to a distant complex song, following prey, exploring new breeding habitats? Or was she simply wandering as whales are so perfectly engineered for? We have a lot to learn from our cetacean friends.
The iconic, spiraled tooth (or tusk) narwhals, permanent residents of the high Arctic, possess brain-to-body sizes just slightly smaller than humans. These extraordinary beauties of a beast dive greater than one mile in pitch-dark icy Arctic water, relying upon echolocation or sonar to hunt Greenland halibut during the winter. They spend up to three hours a day at least a half a mile from the surface, exquisitely adapted to over 80 atmospheres of pressure.
Oceanographers from the University of Washington and Greenland's Institute of Natural Resources tagged 14 adult narwhals with sensors and determined that the temperature of the Arctic Ocean was almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than previously thought.
The Arctic is warming at an unprecedented rate. In the 1980s, the Arctic contained about 386,000 square miles of ice that was at least five years old. At the end of September 2010, only 22,000 square miles of such older, thicker ice remains. The Arctic has lost 97 percent of the thicker year-round ice that existed just three decades ago.
Not only are the whales helping us determine how quickly global warming is occurring, they're also helping to determine the extent of the hole in the ozone layer. In addition, since 40 percent of the ocean's phytoplankton is missing from warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, the whales are crucial in their role to fertilize the oceans and replenish phytoplankton -- the base of the entire marine food web.
In 2008, 13 million people from 119 countries paid $2.1 billion to see the whales. Around the globe, whale-watching tourism is growing at 10 percent per annum. It's time now to end the whale hunt and grant amnesty to magnificent creatures that are helping us survive on our blue planet.
Reese Halter is a conservation biologist at Cal Lutheran University, public speaker and founder of the international conservation institute Global Forest Science. Follow him at twitter.com/DrReeseHalter
By reese halter
Posted: 12/02/2010 11:27:31 PM PST
Updated: 12/02/2010 11:27:34 PM PST
Last year, Iceland and Norway killed 688 whales while Japan, under the guise of "scientific research," slaughtered 1,000 whales. In the 20th century humans decimated the whale populations around the globe by 1.5 million animals.
Interestingly, the message from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" -- that to save the Earth, whales must be protected -- seems more valid now than ever before.
Reports from the last couple of months clearly showed that the whales are helping researchers determine atmospheric science, Arctic oceanography, the extent of global warming, marine food-web nutrition and record-breaking migration patterns. Incidentally, all of these fascinating discoveries are taking place on frugal scientific budgets.
Workers from the Zoological Society of London and Queen Mary University recently examined 156 blue, fin and sperm whales swimming in the Gulf of California -- a United Nations World Heritage site. The whales are showing the scientists that the hole in the ozone layer is getting worse, allowing lethal UV radiation to penetrate Earth's protective ozone shield and cause skin cancers and cataracts.
From high-resolution photographs and studying whale skin samples, they have concluded that the whales are becoming sunburned during the time they are spending at the surface.
Blue whales, which have fairer skin than most whales, suffered significantly more than the much darker fin whales. And sperm whales, which spend a
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
considerable amount of time on the surface breathing and socializing for hours at a time, were also vulnerable to sun damage.
The study found that the lesions and sunburnt cells on blue whales had worsened considerably from an earlier survey in 2007.
Since the hole in the Antarctic ozone layer was first discovered in the 1970s, ozone levels have shrunk by up to 70 percent in the worst seasons. Although the CFCs, which damage the ozone level, were banned in 1987, ozone levels are not expected to recover until about 2050.
In fact, UV radiation is expected to increase by 4 percent in the tropics and 20 percent in the poles over the next few decades. At this point in time scientists are not clear whether various life-threatening cancers will develop on whales exposed to high levels of UV radiation.
One thing is for certain: People spending time outdoors must wear sunscreen and protective eyewear.
Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Vermont have found that humpback whales in the Gulf of Maine carry massive quantities of nitrogen from the deep sea, where they feed, to the surface, and release it in their liquid-like feces. Essentially, humpbacks function as an "upward biological pump."
It turns out that humpbacks contribute more nitrogen to the Gulf of Maine than all the local rivers combined, an estimated 25,000 tons, annually.
In turn, these nutrients allow more phytoplankton to grow, which increases the food supply at the base of the marine food web, therefore promoting bigger fisheries and higher abundance where whales occur in greater densities.
Clearly, it is erroneous to claim, as the three whaling countries tout, that whales compete with their commercial fisheries; rather, they enhance them.
Last month, scientists from the College of the Atlantic in Maine, browsing the photo-sharing site Flickr, found identification markings on a humpback tail or fluke in a photo taken by a Norwegian tourist whale-watching at the breeding grounds near Ile Sainte Marie off the east coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, in 2001.
Two years previous, that female was pictured in the breeding grounds off Abrolhos, an area of small volcanic islands along the southern Brazilian coast in the Atlantic Ocean.
The female humpback whale swam at least 6,125 miles, or nearly a quarter of the globe; it was the longest documented movement by a mammal ever recorded.
Until now, humpback migration patterns were believed to be north/south rather than east/west. Was she responding to a distant complex song, following prey, exploring new breeding habitats? Or was she simply wandering as whales are so perfectly engineered for? We have a lot to learn from our cetacean friends.
The iconic, spiraled tooth (or tusk) narwhals, permanent residents of the high Arctic, possess brain-to-body sizes just slightly smaller than humans. These extraordinary beauties of a beast dive greater than one mile in pitch-dark icy Arctic water, relying upon echolocation or sonar to hunt Greenland halibut during the winter. They spend up to three hours a day at least a half a mile from the surface, exquisitely adapted to over 80 atmospheres of pressure.
Oceanographers from the University of Washington and Greenland's Institute of Natural Resources tagged 14 adult narwhals with sensors and determined that the temperature of the Arctic Ocean was almost 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than previously thought.
The Arctic is warming at an unprecedented rate. In the 1980s, the Arctic contained about 386,000 square miles of ice that was at least five years old. At the end of September 2010, only 22,000 square miles of such older, thicker ice remains. The Arctic has lost 97 percent of the thicker year-round ice that existed just three decades ago.
Not only are the whales helping us determine how quickly global warming is occurring, they're also helping to determine the extent of the hole in the ozone layer. In addition, since 40 percent of the ocean's phytoplankton is missing from warming ocean temperatures and ocean acidification, the whales are crucial in their role to fertilize the oceans and replenish phytoplankton -- the base of the entire marine food web.
In 2008, 13 million people from 119 countries paid $2.1 billion to see the whales. Around the globe, whale-watching tourism is growing at 10 percent per annum. It's time now to end the whale hunt and grant amnesty to magnificent creatures that are helping us survive on our blue planet.
Reese Halter is a conservation biologist at Cal Lutheran University, public speaker and founder of the international conservation institute Global Forest Science. Follow him at twitter.com/DrReeseHalter
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Craft Fair
Digby Neck fire hall Dec. 11, 9 am to 3pm Come one come all! Get your Christmas shopping done!
Labels:
Christmas craft fairs Digby Neck
Communications Technology
Telecom companies look to profit in 2011
By Staff, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - Decemer 2, 2010
[OTTAWA, ONT] - The introduction of new consumer technology and cost cutting will lead Canada’s telecom industry to a profitable 2010 but earnings are expected to stagnate in 2011 as competition heats up, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada.Industry profit is expected to increase 11.6 per cent this year to $7.5 billion, but more competition will limit the ability of wireless providers to raise their prices, the report released Thursday said.
“All in all, telecom providers are benefiting from strong demand from both consumers and businesses but their pricing power is growing steadily weaker as competition increases,” conference board economist Maxim Armstrong said in his report.
The sluggish economic recovery made it harder for telecom providers to attract new clients or convince existing customers to expand their service, he said.
But lower costs and continued demand for products like digital TV and smartphones helped to keep the telecom industry growing when most other industries were in recession, Armstrong said.
The report noted that four new wireless players - Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Public Mobile and Quebecor’s Videotron - entered the wireless market.
“The result for the industry as a whole is that increased competition will bring prices and profit margins down,” the report said. “In reaction to the new entrants’ arrival, most companies have eliminated network fees and made new types of packages available.”
The report also noted the influence of the Internet and improved networks with traditional telecom providers trying to adapt by adding content and more flexibility to their on-demand services.
“In the coming years, demand for telecom services is expected to continue to increase at a solid pace.”
By Staff, The Canadian Press
Source: The Canadian Press - Decemer 2, 2010
[OTTAWA, ONT] - The introduction of new consumer technology and cost cutting will lead Canada’s telecom industry to a profitable 2010 but earnings are expected to stagnate in 2011 as competition heats up, according to a report by the Conference Board of Canada.Industry profit is expected to increase 11.6 per cent this year to $7.5 billion, but more competition will limit the ability of wireless providers to raise their prices, the report released Thursday said.
“All in all, telecom providers are benefiting from strong demand from both consumers and businesses but their pricing power is growing steadily weaker as competition increases,” conference board economist Maxim Armstrong said in his report.
The sluggish economic recovery made it harder for telecom providers to attract new clients or convince existing customers to expand their service, he said.
But lower costs and continued demand for products like digital TV and smartphones helped to keep the telecom industry growing when most other industries were in recession, Armstrong said.
The report noted that four new wireless players - Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, Public Mobile and Quebecor’s Videotron - entered the wireless market.
“The result for the industry as a whole is that increased competition will bring prices and profit margins down,” the report said. “In reaction to the new entrants’ arrival, most companies have eliminated network fees and made new types of packages available.”
The report also noted the influence of the Internet and improved networks with traditional telecom providers trying to adapt by adding content and more flexibility to their on-demand services.
“In the coming years, demand for telecom services is expected to continue to increase at a solid pace.”
Mink on the South Shore
NS: Land use committee raises stink over mink farm
By Greg Bennett, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Coast Guard, December 2, 2010
[CLYDE RIVER, NS] — A controversial mink ranch in Clyde River is again on the radar of the Municipality of Barrington in the wake of a recent presentation.
Lee Keating, a spokesperson for the Clyde River Land Use Committee, told council that despite monitoring and inspections by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment, the mink facility operated by Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. continues to be a major irritant to many citizens of Clyde River, noting that residents in the area of Brown’s Pit Road were particularly affected.
Keating told council that residents in the area have complained about odors from the mink farm, describing them as so noxious that homeowners at that vicinity are unable to enjoy their property, hang laundry, or open their windows.
After much discussion, and one defeated motion, three motions were made and accepted; including that letters be written to the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Agriculture and the Premier, requesting them to appear before council to explain why Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. was instructed to install a lagoon system to deal with waste, a system they believe does not work, and to explain their plan to correct the problem.
A motion, pending legal advice, to provide Clyde River Land Use Committee $287.50 to cover an application for its complaint to the Farm Practices Board, was also approved.
An earlier motion by councillor Shaun Hatfield that the Municipality of Barrington file the complaint directly to the board was voted down.
After the meeting Hatfield expressed his frustration with the decision.
“It seems like a strange way for us to lead, resisting an acquisition of knowledge and a clear determination by the Farm Practices Board with which to help the farm, the citizens and the municipality all move forward on this issue,” he said.
By Greg Bennett, Transcontinental Media
Source: The Coast Guard, December 2, 2010
[CLYDE RIVER, NS] — A controversial mink ranch in Clyde River is again on the radar of the Municipality of Barrington in the wake of a recent presentation.
Lee Keating, a spokesperson for the Clyde River Land Use Committee, told council that despite monitoring and inspections by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and the Department of Environment, the mink facility operated by Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. continues to be a major irritant to many citizens of Clyde River, noting that residents in the area of Brown’s Pit Road were particularly affected.
Keating told council that residents in the area have complained about odors from the mink farm, describing them as so noxious that homeowners at that vicinity are unable to enjoy their property, hang laundry, or open their windows.
After much discussion, and one defeated motion, three motions were made and accepted; including that letters be written to the Minister of Environment, the Minister of Agriculture and the Premier, requesting them to appear before council to explain why Maranatha Fur Farms Ltd. was instructed to install a lagoon system to deal with waste, a system they believe does not work, and to explain their plan to correct the problem.
A motion, pending legal advice, to provide Clyde River Land Use Committee $287.50 to cover an application for its complaint to the Farm Practices Board, was also approved.
An earlier motion by councillor Shaun Hatfield that the Municipality of Barrington file the complaint directly to the board was voted down.
After the meeting Hatfield expressed his frustration with the decision.
“It seems like a strange way for us to lead, resisting an acquisition of knowledge and a clear determination by the Farm Practices Board with which to help the farm, the citizens and the municipality all move forward on this issue,” he said.
Wind Farm Open House
Industry and art meet on Digby neck
Posted on December 1, 2010 by admin
Artist Poppy Balser, from Digby, was invited to do a commissioned watercolour with the local windfarm as the subject. She created Winds of Change; Leaving a Legacy of Cleaner Energy, a 14 x 21″, watercolour.
There will be an open house of the windfarm complete with bus tour of the site on Saturday December 4 from 12 to 2 pm. Poppy will be there signing postcards of the completed commissioned painting of the windfarm. Because of the logistics of accessing the windfarm, it is necessary to register in advance. Please read the text of the invite from Nova Scotia Power below:
“Nova Scotia Power is proud to be part of your community as we work to provide more clean energy across the province. To celebrate this commitment, please join us at the Digby Neck Wind Farm for an open house event on Saturday, December 4 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. There will be a bus tour of the site, and refreshments will be provided. Because of limited parking space at the wind farm site, bus transportation will be provided to and from the open house. To reserve your seat, please register by emailing stacey.pineau@nspower.ca or call 1-855-545-9463 (WIND) or 428-9463 (WIND) by December 2.”
To see more of Poppy’s work visit: www.poppybalser.com/blog
Posted on December 1, 2010 by admin
Artist Poppy Balser, from Digby, was invited to do a commissioned watercolour with the local windfarm as the subject. She created Winds of Change; Leaving a Legacy of Cleaner Energy, a 14 x 21″, watercolour.
There will be an open house of the windfarm complete with bus tour of the site on Saturday December 4 from 12 to 2 pm. Poppy will be there signing postcards of the completed commissioned painting of the windfarm. Because of the logistics of accessing the windfarm, it is necessary to register in advance. Please read the text of the invite from Nova Scotia Power below:
“Nova Scotia Power is proud to be part of your community as we work to provide more clean energy across the province. To celebrate this commitment, please join us at the Digby Neck Wind Farm for an open house event on Saturday, December 4 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. There will be a bus tour of the site, and refreshments will be provided. Because of limited parking space at the wind farm site, bus transportation will be provided to and from the open house. To reserve your seat, please register by emailing stacey.pineau@nspower.ca or call 1-855-545-9463 (WIND) or 428-9463 (WIND) by December 2.”
To see more of Poppy’s work visit: www.poppybalser.com/blog
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