Anchors aweigh The CAT’s departure ushers in new possibilities for the Ocean Gateway terminal
By ROBERT M. COOK
Mainebiz Staff Reporter
Today
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When Jan Beitzer, Portland’s downtown district director, gazes out at the open waters of Portland harbor, she sees more than containers stacked for transport, bobbing lobster buoys and the prospective home of a new mega berth for visiting cruise ships. She sees all kinds of potential.
“When you bring 70,000 people to town, the ship is here for eight to 12 hours and people fan out and patronize all sorts of businesses,” Beitzer says. “It is an economic development cluster that is significant for the city and we must do all we can to promote it.”
That includes picking itself up and dusting off the disappointment that followed the departure of The CAT high-speed ferry service from the Ocean Gateway International Marine Terminal in December. The ferry service was the anchor tenant in the $20.7 million, state-of-the-art terminal that opened in 2008. Long term, the city sees the terminal as a vital component in its growing cruise ship industry, regardless of whether The CAT or other ferry service is restored. Enhancing that industry — which is projected to grow 32% in ship visits in 2010 versus 2009 — is a priority.
City Manager Joe Gray found out Feb. 17 that an application requesting $8 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to complete a second mega deep-water berth on the eastern side of the terminal was denied. He says he intends to meet with city councilors and Maine’s congressional delegation to seek other funds. If completed, the second mega berth would allow the terminal to accommodate larger vessels, such as the Queen Elizabeth II, which is scheduled to visit Portland in 2011, says Nicole Clegg, a spokeswoman for the city. It could also be a potential home for the USS John F. Kennedy, a decommissioned Navy aircraft carrier.
The second berth would allow the city to host three cruise ships in one day, she says, significantly expanding its ability to welcome tourists.
Last year, the city saw 48 cruise ships that brought 70,000 visitors, and in 2010 the city expects to see 71 cruise ships that will deliver 80,000 visitors, Clegg says.
“Every year we’ve set a record,” she says.
When the city hosted 31 cruise ships in 2008, visitors pumped $6 million to $8 million into the city and other Maine communities when they boarded tour buses and traveled elsewhere, according to Clegg, citing the most recent statistics available.
Pining for the Scotia Prince Ironically, revenues from the growing cruise ship industry and The CAT ferry pale by comparison to the local revenues generated by the Scotia Prince, The CAT’s precursor that stopped service in 2004 after suffering some financial hardship. Mark Hudson, a former vice president of finance and communications for Scotia Prince cruises, told Mainebiz in 2004 that the ferry pumped $53 million a year into the Greater Portland region.
Don Haggett, sales director of Bangor-based Lafayette Hotels, believes it. He says his three hotels in Portland saw much more business from visitors who used the Scotia Prince than The CAT.
The Scotia Prince — regarded by many as a harbinger of spring — gave travelers more options than The CAT, he says, allowing people who traveled from Nova Scotia to stay in the city for a few days or travel to Lafayette hotels in seaside communities like Wells and Ogunquit.
Unlike The CAT, the Scotia Prince was also capable of transporting buses and trucks to and from the Canadian Maritime province.
“We need a ship like that,” he says. “The Scotia Prince was an attraction and a floating hotel,” that featured a casino and live entertainment.
Haggett says the cruise ship business has been great for the area, but it doesn’t fill his 600 hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn by the Bay, the Holiday Inn West and the Best Western Merry Manor Inn.
The greatest benefit he derives from the cruise ship industry is that it brings people to the city and makes them want to come back and vacation here. “We give them the sample and hopefully they buy the box of chocolates,” Haggett says.
The CAT’s departure The CAT’s impact was much more subtle and, therefore, harder to measure, says Barbara Whitten, president of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Portland. Unlike cruise ships that yield thousands of visitors who descend on the Old Port all at once and spend money, Whitten says some CAT passengers stayed at a Portland hotel before or after they used the service, while others arrived in the city a few hours before they headed to Nova Scotia.
George Driscoll, vice president of marketing and sales in The CAT’s Portland office, said more than half of the 76,000 CAT passengers in 2009 took the ferry out of Portland; the others boarded in Bar Harbor. By his estimates, The CAT pumped $7 million into the Greater Portland economy in 2009.
But the high-speed ferry service (a one-way trip to Yarmouth was five and half hours versus 11 hours on the slower Scotia Prince ) failed in its quest to get a $6 million to $7 million subsidy from the Canadian government to operate in 2010. Mark MacDonald, president and CEO of Bay Ferries Limited, owner of The CAT, announced the service was discontinued on Dec. 15.
The loss of the service means more than just fewer options for travelers to get to Nova Scotia. According to Clegg, Bay Ferries Limited leased the Ocean Gateway terminal for $103,000 in 2009. Unless another ferry service is found, she says the city will not recover that money.
By comparison, cruise ships paid the city $33,000 in berthing fees in 2009 whenever they tied up at Ocean Gateway, she says. The city also logged $59,000 in revenue during fiscal year 2009 from weddings and events held at the terminal. She says the facility, which has a maximum occupancy of 500 people, is expected to generate $65,000 in this fiscal year.
All tallied, the city received about $195,000 in revenue from the terminal last year, $85,000 shy of its $280,000 annual debt service on the structure. Portland ponied up $4.1 million to build the terminal, with the federal government contributing $4.5 million and the state paying more than $12 million. Clegg says the city is scheduled to pay off its portion of the Ocean Gate terminal project by 2028.
Seeking other tenants The decision to develop the Ocean Gateway International Marine Terminal was well-thought out and a decade in the making, an innovative use of a former Bath Iron Works dry dock that had been used to repair Navy ships, says Clegg.
But not everyone was on board with the decision or the cost.
As much as his business has benefitted from cruise ship visitors, Steve DiMillo, whose family owns DiMillo’s restaurant on the waterfront, says he never liked the city’s decision to spend so much money to build a facility that will never generate revenue year-round.
Besides the cruise ships and a ferry service, DiMillo says, “I don’t really have another use for it.”
Like Haggett, he would prefer to see the city get another vessel similar to the Scotia Prince or the Prince of Fundy to serve Portland because they generated more business for him than The CAT.
Haggett says better still, landing the USS Kennedy would create a year-round tourist draw at the Ocean Gateway terminal. Such an attraction would bring plenty of military reunions and visitors who would stay in the city for two or three days, he says. A group supporting the effort to bring the warship to Portland, JFK for ME, recently announced its application passed the Navy’s first round of testing.
Beitzer, whose group represents 485 businesses, including 154 retail shops and more than 100 restaurants in the Old Port and the Arts District, says she’s looking forward to the completion of the second mega berth so larger cruise ships will be able to be in port, rather than in the harbor where they have to use launches to taxi visitors to and from the city.
Some of those tourists will likely find their way to the convention bureau’s visitor information center at the Ocean Gateway terminal, which is maintained from March to October and will continue to be staffed regardless if The CAT service is restored, Whitten says. The Ocean Gateway terminal provides tour buses and individual travelers with a place to park, stretch their legs and get information about the city.
Like Beitzer, many hope those visitors will be captivated by the Ocean Gateway terminal’s views of Portland harbor, the impressive sight of large cruise ships in port and the terminal building’s architecture, which features towering glass windows.
“It’s a beautiful, unique space,” Beitzer says.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Premier Dexter on His Trips
This following is an op-ed piece by Premier Darrell Dexter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week has been a busy and exciting one for Nova Scotia, and I am happy to say that there is still more to come. I have just wrapped up what I would describe as one of the most important trips that I have taken since becoming premier last June.
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver was an ideal opportunity to promote Nova Scotia and all of its opportunities to the world. I am proud to say that we had overwhelming participation in the Atlantic Canada House, and the enthusiasm for our Bluenose province on Nova Scotia Day was through the roof.
I now plan to carry that momentum on to Washington, D.C., where, this weekend, Canada’s premiers will participate in the Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association.
It was Nova Scotia that last summer urged the Council of the Federation to conduct a Premier’s Mission to Washington to promote the advantages of the Canada-U.S. trade and energy relationship. This is a rare chance to meet with high-ranking American officials to highlight the unique opportunities available in Nova Scotia, particularly tidal power. To help in that regard, I will be joined for part of the trip by Scott Travers, president of Minas Basin Pulp and Power, an energy and environmental leader in Nova Scotia.
Throughout the mission, my fellow premiers and I will meet with members of President Barack Obama’s administration, governors, senators and members of Congress. We will explain the significant mutual benefits of fair and open trade and a more efficient border. We will also promote the importance of the two countries collaborating on our approach to climate change and green energy, because working together will help reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions, while maintaining energy security in our countries.
After the National Governor Association meetings, I will meet with business representatives and other government leaders to help ensure Nova Scotia remains an energy leader, and to see how we can work to create the secure jobs Nova Scotia’s economy needs.
I am doing this because I think it is important to learn more about the energy supply needs of our American neighbours. I am doing this to gain a better understanding of how their policy will impact our potential tidal and wind energy business opportunities in American markets. I am doing this to develop new business relationships with the United States, and nurture existing ones.
We need to shine a light on our province. We need share our many examples of innovative leadership, particularly our ability to harness the Bay of Fundy tides. There are tremendous opportunities for us to grow our economy through renewable energy sources and high-value green-technology jobs, right here at home.
These discussions with key political leaders help demonstrate Nova Scotia’s commitment to finding new and leading-edge solutions to boost our economy so all Nova Scotians share in a better future.
-30-
Media Contact: Jennifer Stewart
Premier’s Office
902-424-0007
Cell: 902-497-7198
E-mail: stewarjl@gov.ns.ca
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This week has been a busy and exciting one for Nova Scotia, and I am happy to say that there is still more to come. I have just wrapped up what I would describe as one of the most important trips that I have taken since becoming premier last June.
The 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver was an ideal opportunity to promote Nova Scotia and all of its opportunities to the world. I am proud to say that we had overwhelming participation in the Atlantic Canada House, and the enthusiasm for our Bluenose province on Nova Scotia Day was through the roof.
I now plan to carry that momentum on to Washington, D.C., where, this weekend, Canada’s premiers will participate in the Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association.
It was Nova Scotia that last summer urged the Council of the Federation to conduct a Premier’s Mission to Washington to promote the advantages of the Canada-U.S. trade and energy relationship. This is a rare chance to meet with high-ranking American officials to highlight the unique opportunities available in Nova Scotia, particularly tidal power. To help in that regard, I will be joined for part of the trip by Scott Travers, president of Minas Basin Pulp and Power, an energy and environmental leader in Nova Scotia.
Throughout the mission, my fellow premiers and I will meet with members of President Barack Obama’s administration, governors, senators and members of Congress. We will explain the significant mutual benefits of fair and open trade and a more efficient border. We will also promote the importance of the two countries collaborating on our approach to climate change and green energy, because working together will help reduce global greenhouse-gas emissions, while maintaining energy security in our countries.
After the National Governor Association meetings, I will meet with business representatives and other government leaders to help ensure Nova Scotia remains an energy leader, and to see how we can work to create the secure jobs Nova Scotia’s economy needs.
I am doing this because I think it is important to learn more about the energy supply needs of our American neighbours. I am doing this to gain a better understanding of how their policy will impact our potential tidal and wind energy business opportunities in American markets. I am doing this to develop new business relationships with the United States, and nurture existing ones.
We need to shine a light on our province. We need share our many examples of innovative leadership, particularly our ability to harness the Bay of Fundy tides. There are tremendous opportunities for us to grow our economy through renewable energy sources and high-value green-technology jobs, right here at home.
These discussions with key political leaders help demonstrate Nova Scotia’s commitment to finding new and leading-edge solutions to boost our economy so all Nova Scotians share in a better future.
-30-
Media Contact: Jennifer Stewart
Premier’s Office
902-424-0007
Cell: 902-497-7198
E-mail: stewarjl@gov.ns.ca
Labels:
Premier Of NOva Scotia Dexter
New Road Work Projects
Conway, Hwy. 101 paving projects announced
by John DeMings/Digby Courier
View all articles from John DeMings/Digby Courier
Article online since February 19th 2010, 11:44
Conway, Hwy. 101 paving projects announced
Conway is about to get a left-turning lane from Hwy. 101 at Exit 26, north to the Digby town line.
Repaving of 2.3 kilometres of Route 303 is included in the project, one of two announced today by the provincial and federal governments.
The second project will see repaving of Hwy. 101 from the Mary Jane Riley Road overpass to the Digby County end of the bridge across Bear River.
No start date was announced for the work, but federal financial support under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is for construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.
The projects are being paid for by a $2.79-million joint investment by the province and Ottawa. Nova Scotia is contributing $1.39 million to the projects, with a matching contribution from the federal government.
by John DeMings/Digby Courier
View all articles from John DeMings/Digby Courier
Article online since February 19th 2010, 11:44
Conway, Hwy. 101 paving projects announced
Conway is about to get a left-turning lane from Hwy. 101 at Exit 26, north to the Digby town line.
Repaving of 2.3 kilometres of Route 303 is included in the project, one of two announced today by the provincial and federal governments.
The second project will see repaving of Hwy. 101 from the Mary Jane Riley Road overpass to the Digby County end of the bridge across Bear River.
No start date was announced for the work, but federal financial support under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is for construction-ready infrastructure projects that can be completed by March 31, 2011.
The projects are being paid for by a $2.79-million joint investment by the province and Ottawa. Nova Scotia is contributing $1.39 million to the projects, with a matching contribution from the federal government.
Nova Scotian Great Reading
The Clockmaker: The Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville (Forgotten Books) Review
Series of short stories written originally for The Nova Scotian in the early 1830s. The narrator while riding through Nova Scotia meets an itinerant clock seller - Samual Slick of Slickville, Connecticut. The stories concern the views and opinions of Slick about - well, almost anything. And, for the most part, they are funny. A great deal of the book is a satire or parody of the moralizing story popular at the time: although occasionally, the stories themselves do fall into the moralizing trap themselves. If nothing else, great history as told by a contemporary neighbour of a young United States. The period is equidistant between the revolutionary war and the civil war. In one story, Sam Slick expounds on the great freedoms of the American people: all men created equal. The narrator points out that it is the British Empire (and hence Nova Scotia) where slavery is abolished. Maybe, says the narrator, the American constitution meant all white people are created equal. The humour is often of this type where paradoxes and false syllogisms are revealed.
The Clockmaker: The Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville (Forgotten Books) Overview
"Sam Slick was a character created by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a Canadian judge and author. With his wry wit and Yankee voice, Sam Slick of Slicksville put forward his views on "human nature" in a regular column in the Novascotian, beginning in 1835. The twenty-one sketches were published in a collection titled The Clockmaker, or the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slicksville, First Series in 1836, supplemented by an additional 12 unpublished or new sketches. The book was Canada's first international bestseller and was hugely popular, not only in Nova Scotia but also in Britain and the United States.
Slick's wise-cracking commentary on the colonial life of Nova Scotia and relations with the U.S. and Britain struck a note with readers, leading to a second series in 1838 and a third in 1840. The satirical sketches, mocking both Canadians and Americans, made Haliburton one of the most popular writers of comic fiction in English of that era. The Clockmaker (which was also translated into German) established Haliburton as one of the founders of North American humour." (Quote from wikipedia.org)
About the Author
"Thomas Chandler Haliburton (December 17, 1796 - August 27, 1865) was one of the first major Canadian authors.
Haliburton was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia to an upper class family. He attended University of King's College in Windsor and became a lawyer, opening a practice in Annapolis Royal. While in England, he met Louisa Neville, whom he married in 1816 and brought back to Nova Scotia. Louisa died in 1840.
Haliburton became noted local business man and a judge, but his great fame came from his writing. He wrote a diverse number of books on history, politics, and farm improvement. He rose to world wide fame with his Clockmaker serial that first appeared in the Novascotian and was later published in book form
Series of short stories written originally for The Nova Scotian in the early 1830s. The narrator while riding through Nova Scotia meets an itinerant clock seller - Samual Slick of Slickville, Connecticut. The stories concern the views and opinions of Slick about - well, almost anything. And, for the most part, they are funny. A great deal of the book is a satire or parody of the moralizing story popular at the time: although occasionally, the stories themselves do fall into the moralizing trap themselves. If nothing else, great history as told by a contemporary neighbour of a young United States. The period is equidistant between the revolutionary war and the civil war. In one story, Sam Slick expounds on the great freedoms of the American people: all men created equal. The narrator points out that it is the British Empire (and hence Nova Scotia) where slavery is abolished. Maybe, says the narrator, the American constitution meant all white people are created equal. The humour is often of this type where paradoxes and false syllogisms are revealed.
The Clockmaker: The Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slickville (Forgotten Books) Overview
"Sam Slick was a character created by Thomas Chandler Haliburton, a Canadian judge and author. With his wry wit and Yankee voice, Sam Slick of Slicksville put forward his views on "human nature" in a regular column in the Novascotian, beginning in 1835. The twenty-one sketches were published in a collection titled The Clockmaker, or the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick of Slicksville, First Series in 1836, supplemented by an additional 12 unpublished or new sketches. The book was Canada's first international bestseller and was hugely popular, not only in Nova Scotia but also in Britain and the United States.
Slick's wise-cracking commentary on the colonial life of Nova Scotia and relations with the U.S. and Britain struck a note with readers, leading to a second series in 1838 and a third in 1840. The satirical sketches, mocking both Canadians and Americans, made Haliburton one of the most popular writers of comic fiction in English of that era. The Clockmaker (which was also translated into German) established Haliburton as one of the founders of North American humour." (Quote from wikipedia.org)
About the Author
"Thomas Chandler Haliburton (December 17, 1796 - August 27, 1865) was one of the first major Canadian authors.
Haliburton was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia to an upper class family. He attended University of King's College in Windsor and became a lawyer, opening a practice in Annapolis Royal. While in England, he met Louisa Neville, whom he married in 1816 and brought back to Nova Scotia. Louisa died in 1840.
Haliburton became noted local business man and a judge, but his great fame came from his writing. He wrote a diverse number of books on history, politics, and farm improvement. He rose to world wide fame with his Clockmaker serial that first appeared in the Novascotian and was later published in book form
Other Ferries Part of Highway System
LOCAL NEWS
Last updated at 6:14 PM on 20/02/10
Transport Minister John Baird, left, speaks with veterans Cecil MacLeod, middle, past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 19 in North Sydney and branch president Carl Wall at the Marine Atlantic terminal building in North Sydney, Saturday. Baird was in town to tour the Marine Atlantic facilities and announce the continuation of the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare for 2010. T.J. Colello - Cape Breton Post
Marine Atlantic funding to be considered for budget: Baird
The Cape Breton Post
NORTH SYDNEY — Transport Minister John Baird said further infrastructure funding for Marine Atlantic will be discussed with his fellow cabinet ministers heading into the March 4 budget.
“There’s no doubt that the age of the fleet and the cost for keeping it in operation is significant, so I did a lot of listening and I’ll be reflecting on that with my colleagues in the weeks and months ahead,” said the Conservative MP for Ottawa West-Nepean. “Obviously, this is not only important for the region, it’s really part of the national highway system, it’s part of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s important for both Nova Scotia and particularly for Newfoundland, so I don’t need to be convinced of its importance.
“We have to measure this with the other demands on our budget. That’s why it’s important for me to come first hand to see the need, see the story face to face.”
Baird was in North Sydney Saturday for a tour of the Marine Atlantic facilities, meet with company representatives and to announce the continuation of the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare for this year. The fare gives travel discounts to current and former members of the military and their families, which was first launched last year.
Last updated at 6:14 PM on 20/02/10
Transport Minister John Baird, left, speaks with veterans Cecil MacLeod, middle, past president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 19 in North Sydney and branch president Carl Wall at the Marine Atlantic terminal building in North Sydney, Saturday. Baird was in town to tour the Marine Atlantic facilities and announce the continuation of the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare for 2010. T.J. Colello - Cape Breton Post
Marine Atlantic funding to be considered for budget: Baird
The Cape Breton Post
NORTH SYDNEY — Transport Minister John Baird said further infrastructure funding for Marine Atlantic will be discussed with his fellow cabinet ministers heading into the March 4 budget.
“There’s no doubt that the age of the fleet and the cost for keeping it in operation is significant, so I did a lot of listening and I’ll be reflecting on that with my colleagues in the weeks and months ahead,” said the Conservative MP for Ottawa West-Nepean. “Obviously, this is not only important for the region, it’s really part of the national highway system, it’s part of the Trans-Canada Highway. It’s important for both Nova Scotia and particularly for Newfoundland, so I don’t need to be convinced of its importance.
“We have to measure this with the other demands on our budget. That’s why it’s important for me to come first hand to see the need, see the story face to face.”
Baird was in North Sydney Saturday for a tour of the Marine Atlantic facilities, meet with company representatives and to announce the continuation of the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare for this year. The fare gives travel discounts to current and former members of the military and their families, which was first launched last year.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Being Discussed At Municipal Council This Monday
Council Agenda
Meeting Date February 22, 2010 Meeting Location Municipal Council Chambers
Call to Order Warden
Jim Thurber Reading of Mission Statement Warden
Jim Thurber Pause to Seek Guidance Warden Jim Thurber Documents Subject Area Approval of the Agenda Additions/Deletions
Council Staff Special Presentations Presentations & Hearings
Friends of Point Prim-Doug Brown
Minutes Approval/Amendments January 25, 2010 Public Hearing January 25, 2010 Regular Council
Council Agenda
Business Arising from Minutes
1. Solid Waste By-Law Second and Final Reading
2. Integrated Community Sustainability Plan Resolution for approval of Final Plan
3. Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Warden Thurber
New Business # 1 Bear River & Area Health Clinic Request for funding $ 1,800 # 2 Councillor Amero Letter to Dept of Education # 3 TIANS 2010 Annual General Meeting Request for co-sponsorship # 4 Councillor Gregory Cell phone coverage # 5 Letter of Support Hanse Society-Adventure Park # 6
Council Agenda
Administration Requests for Decisions/Directions
Approval of tender for 3 geo-thermal wells and 1 domestic well for Weymouth Library
Appointment of Todd Hall to Planning Advisory Committee
Extension of Glenn Dunn’s appointment to ADEDA for six months as per policy.
CAO Report Meeting Updates Project Updates Payables- January 31, 2010 $ 750,154.65 Financial Report January 31, 2010 Correspondence
1. Environment Canada Recovery Strategy for Eastern Mountain Avens in Canada
2. PVSC 2010-2011 Budget 3. SNSMR ICSP 4. SNSMR Municipal Services Division Survey
Council Agenda
Council Committees 1. COTW Motions That Council support Le Transport de Clare’s expansion of service up to and including Barton in the amount of $7,000 for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. 2. By-law & Policy Motions That Digby Salvage & Disposal be awarded the Solid Waste Contract for 2010-2015 Youth Grant Policy Amendment Human Resource Policy Amendments Low Income Tax Exemption Policy Advisory Committees
# 1 REMO Management Planning Committee Warden Thurber/ Deputy Warden MacAlpine Minutes Nov 2009
# 2 Heritage Advisory Committee Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Minutes Jan 2010
# 3 Planning Advisory Committee Warden Thurber Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Advertisement for 3 new citizen members due Feb 20th..
# 4 Police Advisory Committee Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Next meeting April 20th
# 5 Tri County Housing Authority R Fitzgerald Last reported in October 09
Council Agenda
Regional/Joint Committees # 1 Airport Working Group Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Adams Minutes Dec, 2009 # 2 Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency Warden Thurber Minutes Dec 2009 Managing Director Report Jan 2010 #3 Digby Annapolis Development Corp Warden Thurber Councillor Amero Met Jan 21st Next meeting April 14th #4 Digby Area Learning Association Councillor Adams #5 Digby Area Tourism Association Councillor Gregory Minutes-Jan 2010 #6 Digby Area Recreation Committee Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero
Minutes Jan 2010 Managers Report Feb 2010 Community Links Bulletin Active Kids E-Bulletin #7 Digby Harbour Port Association Councillor Gregory #8 Fundyweb Broadband Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Amero No meeting # 9 Industrial Commission Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Amero Met Feb 23rd # 10 Kings Transit Authority Councillor Amero # 11 Senior Safety Committee Councillor Adams Councillor Gregory Minutes Nov 2009 # 12 Tideview Terrace Councillor Gregory Warden Thurber & Councillor Adams Minutes Dec 2009 # 13 Waste Check Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Minutes Dec 2009 Report Feb 2010 # 14 Western Counties Regional Library Deputy Warden MacAlpine Meeting scheduled
Council Agenda
Council Reports Warden Thurber Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Wharf Rat Rally Buy Back Nova Scotia Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Notice of Motion In Camera Personnel Issue Adjournment
Meeting Date February 22, 2010 Meeting Location Municipal Council Chambers
Call to Order Warden
Jim Thurber Reading of Mission Statement Warden
Jim Thurber Pause to Seek Guidance Warden Jim Thurber Documents Subject Area Approval of the Agenda Additions/Deletions
Council Staff Special Presentations Presentations & Hearings
Friends of Point Prim-Doug Brown
Minutes Approval/Amendments January 25, 2010 Public Hearing January 25, 2010 Regular Council
Council Agenda
Business Arising from Minutes
1. Solid Waste By-Law Second and Final Reading
2. Integrated Community Sustainability Plan Resolution for approval of Final Plan
3. Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Warden Thurber
New Business # 1 Bear River & Area Health Clinic Request for funding $ 1,800 # 2 Councillor Amero Letter to Dept of Education # 3 TIANS 2010 Annual General Meeting Request for co-sponsorship # 4 Councillor Gregory Cell phone coverage # 5 Letter of Support Hanse Society-Adventure Park # 6
Council Agenda
Administration Requests for Decisions/Directions
Approval of tender for 3 geo-thermal wells and 1 domestic well for Weymouth Library
Appointment of Todd Hall to Planning Advisory Committee
Extension of Glenn Dunn’s appointment to ADEDA for six months as per policy.
CAO Report Meeting Updates Project Updates Payables- January 31, 2010 $ 750,154.65 Financial Report January 31, 2010 Correspondence
1. Environment Canada Recovery Strategy for Eastern Mountain Avens in Canada
2. PVSC 2010-2011 Budget 3. SNSMR ICSP 4. SNSMR Municipal Services Division Survey
Council Agenda
Council Committees 1. COTW Motions That Council support Le Transport de Clare’s expansion of service up to and including Barton in the amount of $7,000 for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. 2. By-law & Policy Motions That Digby Salvage & Disposal be awarded the Solid Waste Contract for 2010-2015 Youth Grant Policy Amendment Human Resource Policy Amendments Low Income Tax Exemption Policy Advisory Committees
# 1 REMO Management Planning Committee Warden Thurber/ Deputy Warden MacAlpine Minutes Nov 2009
# 2 Heritage Advisory Committee Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Minutes Jan 2010
# 3 Planning Advisory Committee Warden Thurber Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Advertisement for 3 new citizen members due Feb 20th..
# 4 Police Advisory Committee Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Next meeting April 20th
# 5 Tri County Housing Authority R Fitzgerald Last reported in October 09
Council Agenda
Regional/Joint Committees # 1 Airport Working Group Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Adams Minutes Dec, 2009 # 2 Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency Warden Thurber Minutes Dec 2009 Managing Director Report Jan 2010 #3 Digby Annapolis Development Corp Warden Thurber Councillor Amero Met Jan 21st Next meeting April 14th #4 Digby Area Learning Association Councillor Adams #5 Digby Area Tourism Association Councillor Gregory Minutes-Jan 2010 #6 Digby Area Recreation Committee Councillor Gregory Councillor Amero
Minutes Jan 2010 Managers Report Feb 2010 Community Links Bulletin Active Kids E-Bulletin #7 Digby Harbour Port Association Councillor Gregory #8 Fundyweb Broadband Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Amero No meeting # 9 Industrial Commission Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Amero Met Feb 23rd # 10 Kings Transit Authority Councillor Amero # 11 Senior Safety Committee Councillor Adams Councillor Gregory Minutes Nov 2009 # 12 Tideview Terrace Councillor Gregory Warden Thurber & Councillor Adams Minutes Dec 2009 # 13 Waste Check Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Minutes Dec 2009 Report Feb 2010 # 14 Western Counties Regional Library Deputy Warden MacAlpine Meeting scheduled
Council Agenda
Council Reports Warden Thurber Deputy Warden MacAlpine Councillor Gregory Wharf Rat Rally Buy Back Nova Scotia Councillor Amero Councillor Adams Notice of Motion In Camera Personnel Issue Adjournment
Gordon Lightfoot Lives!
The National Post, Globe and Mail and other media are reporting this afternoon that Gord Lightfoot is alive and well.
The National Post and other Canwest newspaper websites including the Vancouver Sun, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette and Calgary Herald all erroneously reported today that Lightfoot was dead, quoting his longtime musician-friend Ronnie Hawkins.
Now, the Post is attributing the report to an Internet hoax that was started on Twitter, reportedly by someone from Ottawa.
CP24.com has traced the story back to Canwest political reporter David Akin, who "made a well-circulated post on Twitter that the singer had died, quoting anonymous sources close to Lightfoot."
However, Canwest reported late this afternoon that Ronnie Hawkins says that someone claiming to be Lightfoot's grandson left a message for him, indicating that his grandfather was dead.
"Hawkins said he then told his wife Wanda, who sent out e-mails to some of their close friends and contacts in the music community, where the false news spread further," Canwest says.
Bernie Fielder, Lightfoot's longtime publicist and manager, told the Globe and Mail this afternoon that Lightfoot visited his dentist today and then proceeded to his office.
The Toronto Sun got through to Lightfoot himself. "I’m in great health," he told the newspaper. "I’m doing fine. I’m running around right now, doing my errands."
The National Post and other Canwest newspaper websites including the Vancouver Sun, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette and Calgary Herald all erroneously reported today that Lightfoot was dead, quoting his longtime musician-friend Ronnie Hawkins.
Now, the Post is attributing the report to an Internet hoax that was started on Twitter, reportedly by someone from Ottawa.
CP24.com has traced the story back to Canwest political reporter David Akin, who "made a well-circulated post on Twitter that the singer had died, quoting anonymous sources close to Lightfoot."
However, Canwest reported late this afternoon that Ronnie Hawkins says that someone claiming to be Lightfoot's grandson left a message for him, indicating that his grandfather was dead.
"Hawkins said he then told his wife Wanda, who sent out e-mails to some of their close friends and contacts in the music community, where the false news spread further," Canwest says.
Bernie Fielder, Lightfoot's longtime publicist and manager, told the Globe and Mail this afternoon that Lightfoot visited his dentist today and then proceeded to his office.
The Toronto Sun got through to Lightfoot himself. "I’m in great health," he told the newspaper. "I’m doing fine. I’m running around right now, doing my errands."
Labels:
Gordon Lightfoot music Canada
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
