Monday, November 8, 2010

ADEDA News

From Peter at ADEDA

All In The Fundy Family
ADEDA’s Managing Director Mike Gushue was in Saint John last week to speak to a gathering of the mayors from the major municipalities in Atlantic Canada. Over 20 mayors listened as Mike made the case for the continuance and upgrading of the vital ferry service between Digby and Saint John. Not content to just get in front of this key audience, Mike spent the earlier part of the day meeting with senior port officials, talking to local and regional government leaders and doing a CBC TV interview.

And he had support from the top in the “Loyalist City”.

Saint John Mayor Ivan Court related how “on the very first day I was elected, I welcomed an early morning call, on my cell phone, from a guy named Mike Gushue who wanted to talk about the Digby to Saint John ferry. Since that time it has been a pleasure to work with Mike and to be part of the Transportation Coalition that is ensuring the future of this important service. Through this association I feel the bond between our two regions is stronger than ever and why my office is open to my good friends in Annapolis and Digby. The future is bright for both our communities as we build on the resources of the Bay of Fundy”.

Mayor Court went on record as well with the major print media to strongly call for a new funding formula for the ferry service.

Senior Surfers
Like so many people my age I often feel that I’ve free fallen into cyberspace like Alice into the rabbit hole. I’ve had some horrible experiences with computers – I don’t know what I’m doing a lot of the time, had some incredibly embarrassing encounters, and blindly try new stuff. But I’m usually awed and entranced by the outcomes. It’s sort of like reliving my first dating experiences. And like Alice I’m ultimately more fascinated than frightened by my journey. Doors open daily on whole new worlds of knowledge and communication that I would never have imagined. So I was reassured to learn that this intrepid willingness to venture into new technology in my advancing years is a trait shared by the residents of Digby’s Tideview Terrace, whose residential community will create the opportunity to be the first long term care facility in Nova Scotia to venture into the cyber world.

Resuscitation Prognosis For Wellness Centre
Active efforts are still very much underway to restore the vital community health and recreation services that had been provided by the former Lifeplex facility in Annapolis County. The popular community healthy living facility was forced to close recently as its fiscal requirements and program offerings were placed under reassessment. A positive development in the chances for its reopening was evident in the willingness of the Council of the Municipality of Digby to consider a request for major funding support. The facility is being presented with a new business plan and receiving strong endorsement from area adherents such as ABCC General Manager Marc Phillips who in his presentation underlined the importance the facility plays in the marketing strategy of that international conference and training centre.

This Week’s Tip of the Hat
Can’t sign off on this week’s updates without a congratulatory “shout out” to two folks in Annapolis Digby who received the honoured recognition of their peers. Congratulations to filmmaker, writer and photographer Tim Wilson of Bear River who received a prestigious national media award for his film “Griefwalker”, a feature documentary for the National Film Board.

And also to Jim MacAlpine, the Acting Warden for the Municipality of Digby who was elected as Vice President of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities at their meeting in Sydney. It continues to be obvious that, whatever the field – the leaders can be found right here.


From ADEDA

Buying Local

"If the 391,000 households in Nova Scotia shifted 10% of their existing purchases from non-local businesses to Local Independents (locally owned and independent businesses), we would see the creation of new jobs and millions of dollars of new economic activity in Nova Scotia, all without raising taxes or spending a dime more than we planned. The elegance of the 10 percent shift right now is that it doesn’t ask people to expand their budgets and spend more. It asks people to be more conscious about where they spend what they’ve already budgeted for." - http://www.ballens.ca/

Nova Scotian for Prime Minister

Ninth-grader gets chance to run Canada... for a bit
By: Mia Rabson / Hill Talk

Posted: 8/11/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

OTTAWA -- For at least a few minutes last week, a Grade 9 student from Nova Scotia was running the country.

Melanie Lynn Renn won the Ultimate Dream Job Contest by the Learning Partnership and ScotiaBank.

For her grand prize, she got to go to work with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

She started the day at 24 Sussex Drive, drove in the prime minister's motorcade to Parliament Hill, got a personal tour from Harper of the House of Commons and had a meeting with him in his Centreblock office, where she sat at his desk.

"He let her run the country for a few minutes," joked one of Harper's staffers.

Melanie Lynn, however, doesn't have aspirations to be prime minister. She'd rather be Indiana Jones and her career plans don't include Parliament Hill unless it is to excavate the site as an archaeologist. The Hill was alive with youth all day Wednesday as Melanie Lynn was joined by scores of other ninth-graders, who held reporters' tape recorders, learned how to use boom mikes, scrummed MPs, sat in on press conferences and glimpsed the daily ins and outs of life on Parliament Hill.

Melanie Lynn is not the only one whose day likely brought on some serious envy.

National Post columnist John Ivison brought his nephew with him to work that day and scored a trifecta.

In the span of one afternoon, 14-year-old Adrian Burger interviewed Harper, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP Leader Jack Layton. Adrian is now in a pretty exclusive club of journalists granted a one-on-one interview with this PM.

-- -- --

It was a great day for students to be on the Hill because last Wednesday was also the day government announced its decision not to allow a foreign company to take over Saskatchewan's PotashCorp.

No matter that most in Ottawa probably couldn't tell you exactly what potash is (one national reporter remarked it was the first time he'd ever written the word potash in a decades-long career on the Hill), the resource was all the rage in the nation's capital last week.

At least until Environment Minister Jim Prentice stunned everyone with his resignation.

The big question was whether or not the government was going to allow the hostile takeover of PotashCorp by Australia's BHP Billiton or whether it would deny a foreign takeover for only the second time in the last 25 years.

The answer was yes.

Although Industry Minister Tony Clement didn't really give the reasons for the rejection Wednesday, most knew it was done mainly for political reasons. Saskatchewan, where the minority Conservative government holds 13 of 14 seats, was soundly against the takeover. Say yes to the deal and Harper risked losing some of those seats.

The decision was surprising enough the opposition wasn't sure how to handle it, having spent the greater part of the last few weeks thundering at the government it should say no.

So all those students spending the day on the Hill will be able to tell their grandchildren they were there when the Harper Conservatives shed their fiscal-Conservative ideals rather than risk losing the next election by allowing foreigners to buy Saskatchewan's biggest company.

-- -- --

Nothing screams Friday on Parliament Hill like a late-afternoon dumping of government documents.

Not just any documents mind you, documents the government knows the opposition and the media desperately want to see.

They did it earlier this year with Afghanistan detainee documents.

They did it Friday with the long-awaited specifics of where Canada spent more than $860-million on the G20/G8 summits last June.

Hosting world leaders certainly costs money. Nobody expects Prime Minister Stephen Harper to feed foreign leaders peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on paper plates or make them sleep at the Super 8.

But when the government is constantly preaching about spending restraint at a time when the deficit is at record levels, at a time when thousands of Canadians are still out of work, it's really hard for any government to justify some of the more opulent-looking expenses.

Like a $20,000 ice sculpture, $12,000 for tablecloths and $11,000 for 24 place settings.

Or the loot bags handed out to delegates such as $2,559 on eight Hudson's Bay blankets for political directors, $2,362 for crystal CN tower replicas, $1,260 for stained glass, $3,039 on woven shawls as gifts for leaders' spouses and $17,955 for 30 bowls given as gifts to the leaders.

mia.rabson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 8, 2010 A4

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Municipal Council Minutes

Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia1Call to OrderThe meeting was called to order with Deputy WardenMacAlpine in the chair at 6:10 pm.AttendanceCouncillors present: Jimmy MacAlpine, Deputy Warden Linda Gregory, Councillor Randall Amero, Councillor Maritza Adams, CouncillorStaff present: Linda Fraser, Chief Administrative Officer Gordon Wilson, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Pat Stevens, AdministrationPrayerDeputy Warden MacAlpine asked everyone to pause to seek guidance for the meeting.AgendaCouncillor Gregory added concerns regarding activity onCulloden Road as New Business #3, street lighting on CullodenRoad as New Business #4 and advertising in the Coastlineregarding speed issues when an Emergency Vehicle is presentas New Business #5.MOVED and seconded that the agenda be approved asamended.MOTION CARRIEDHearings & PresentationsNILMinutesSeptember 13, 2010MOVED and seconded that the minutes of September 13, 2010 be approved.MOTION CARRIED
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia2Business Arising/OldBusinessTeam Weymouth –Request for Letter ofSupport There was a discussion regarding the letter of supportrequested by Team Weymouth. Funding was obtained elsewhere by Team Weymouth. MOVED and seconded that a letter of support be sent toTeam Weymouth.MOTION CARRIEDOther Business Arising NILDeputy WardenMacAlpine  No Business ArisingCouncillor Gregory No Business ArisingCouncillor Amero No Business ArisingCouncillor Adams No Business ArisingNew Business#1 Western ValleyPeeWee AAA Tournament The request for the Municipality to place an advertisement in their program for the tournament was forwarded toAdministration.#2 Digby LibraryRepairs The total cost for the interior/exterior repairs for the DigbyLibrary is $8,855.00. The Municipality’s share of the costwould be approximately $4,500.00.MOVED and seconded that Council approves the funding request for the repairs to the Digby Library. MOTION CARRIED# 3 Culloden Road Councillor Gregory advised that she had complaints regarding twelve red tandem trucks travelling on theCulloden Road unsafely. The complainants want Council
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia3to find out what is going on in the area as these trucks posedanger for other drivers in that area.MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to the MLAregarding safety issues of tandem trucks traveling on theCulloden Road.MOTION CARRIED#4 Street Light on Culloden Road Councillor Gregory advised that between the last twohouses on the Culloden Road there is a sharp corner that hasno street light which makes the corner involved a danger todrivers. This matter was referred to the street light policy.#5 Speed Limit when Emergency Vehicle is present There was discussion on the need to advise drivers to lower their speed limit to 60 kms or less when an Emergencyvehicle is present. MOVED and seconded that a letter be sent to the MLAregarding concerns the Municipality of Digby has with the safety issue of drivers not lowering their speed to 60 kms orless when an Emergency vehicle is present. Also that anadvertisement be placed in the next edition of the Coastlineadvising of the safety issue involved.MOTION CARRIEDCorrespondence#1 Municipality of theDistrict of Barrington– Local Fish Plant Workers - EI A discussion on the requirement for hours needed to file forEI was held. The consensus was that anyone that needshours should also fall under this petition as well as the local fish plant workers.#2 Phil Barrett, RCMP – False Alarm Strategy A discussion on the issue of false alarms was held. AllMunicipal units have the same issues with false alarms. Itwas requested that the Dispatch find out the alarmcompanies input on false alarms. It was questioned if thiswas to be dealt with by the Bylaw and Policy Committee.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia4#3 Harold (Jr)Theriault – Copy of letter to MinisterEstabrooks, TIR Waiting for response.#4 Conway Workshop– Letter re: signage in Conway It was noted that the Bylaw does not allow for this sign to be installed.#5 Nova ScotiaGaming Commission –2009-10 Social ResponsibilityCommunity Report No discussion on this matter.#6 Nova ScotiaDepartment of Justice– Request for feedback to possibleamendments to the Police Act No discussion on this matter.Chief Administrative ReportMaud Lewis Site –SignageNovember MeetingDatesAMA Fall Conference The CAO report dated October 12, 2010 was included inthe COTW Package. Councillor Adams stated that she had a meeting with Rob Hersey and Joy O’Neill from ADEDA. She and Mr. Herseyheaded to the Maud Lewis site with Ms. O’Neill to meet them there. Ms. O’Neill did not show up.  It was noted that Council would be meeting at the TivertonCommunity Hall on November 8, 2010 as the placeoriginally scheduled didn’t have wheelchair accessibility. The CAO gave a brief report on the conference. Theconference had the highest number of registered delegates in its 40 year history. The silent auction raised $4500.00 for Jumpstart Digby. The new AMA logo was unveiled.Request forDecisions/Direction NIL
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia5Department ReportsTaxation The Taxation report for September 2010 was included in themeeting package. Building Inspection Report/Fire Inspection Report The Building Inspection report for September 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. Airport/Dispatch The Airport/Dispatch report for September 2010 wasincluded in the meeting package. The Deputy CAO notedthat he asked a Senior Dispatcher to develop a report for the Airport/Dispatch that is easier for Council to understand.Dog Control Activityand Financial Report The Dog Control Activity and Financial report forSeptember 2010 was included in the meeting package. Coordinator Program Development The Coordinator Program Development report forSeptember 9 to October 7, 2010 was included in the meeting package.Other BusinessN/AUpdates fromPrevious meetingsN/ASpecial Projects UpdatesN/AStrategic Priorities UpdateN/ANotice of MotionN/AComments from theGallery There were two spectators in the audience. Council and staff introduced themselves. Questions were asked regarding the Maud Lewis site, the Dangerous and Unsightly Act and the previous discussionabout the speed limits.
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Municipality of the District of DigbyMunicipal Committee of the Whole MinutesOctober 12, 2010Sandy Cove, Nova Scotia6AdjournmentMOVED and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 7:09PM. MOTION CARRIED____________________________________________________________WARDENCLERK

Special Council Agenda

Special Council MeetingAgendaMeeting DateNovember 8, 2010Meeting LocationTiverton CommunityCentrePause to Seek GuidanceDeputy Warden Jimmy MacAlpineReading of Mission StatementDeputy Warden Jimmy MacAlpineWelcome and IntroductionsDeputy Warden Jimmy MacAlpineDocumentsSubject AreaApproval of theAgendaAdditionsDeletionsCouncilStaffDeclaration ofCandidate Elected for District 4Linda Fraser, CAOSwearing in of NewCouncillor for District 4Linda Fraser, CAO Election of WardenLinda Fraser, CAOElection of Deputy Warden (if required)Linda Fraser, CAOAdjournmentWarden

Municipal Council Agenda

Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaMeeting DateNovember 8, 2010Meeting LocationTiverton Community CentreCall to OrderWardenPause to Seek GuidanceWardenApproval of the AgendaAdditions/DeletionsPresentationsSave Our Bay – Dr. Guy MelvilleApproval of MinutesOctober 12, 2010Old Business /Business Arising from Minutes# 1.0 County of Annapolis request for funding - LifePlex$ 100,000 over four years# 2.0Dr. Bob Mahar request for funding –Mapping Project$ 10,000 over two years# 3.0Digby Ground Search & Rescue request for funding-New vehicle# 4.0TLC Animal Shelter request for funding$ 12,000Deputy Warden MacAlpineCouncillor GregoryCouncillor AmeroCouncillor AdamsCouncillor Tudor
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaNew Business#1Province of NovaScotiaHerring Workers Program Agreement#2Councillor TudorAlders-Little River to Whale Cove#3#4#5#6# 7# 8CorrespondenceReceivedInformation Only# 1Municipal Fire AssociationRequest for information# 2Town of Annapolis RoyalNotice of Withdrawal from ADEDA # 3#4
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Municipality of the District of DigbyCommittee of the WholeAgendaChief AdministrativeReportNovember 8, 2010Request for Decisions/DirectionMeeting Dates/RemindersDate & TimeMeetingLocationNovember 15th@ 6:00 pmBy-law & PolicyDigby Curling ClubNovember 22nd@ 6:00 pmCouncilBarton SchoolDecember 13th@ 6:00 pmCOTWAcaciaville Baptist ChurchDecember 27thNo meetingJanuary 3rdNo MeetingJanuary 10th@ 6:00COTWCouncil ChambersJanuary 17thBy-law & PolicyBoardroomJanuary 24thCouncilCouncil ChambersDepartment Reports for October 2010AdministrationTaxationBuilding DepartmentBuilding PermitMunicipal Fire Inspector Airport/DispatchDispatch Call ReportAirport Statistical Dog Control ActivityDog Control Financial Coordinator Program DevelopmentUpdates from PreviousmeetingsSpecial Projects UpdatesStrategic PrioritiesUpdateOctober 31, 2010Notice of MotionIn-CameraContractual IssueAdjournment

Saturday, November 6, 2010

I Wonder What This Means? lol

NS: NSLC earnings on the rise
By Staff, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Daily Business Buzz, Nov. 5/10

[HALIFAX, NS] – The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) had a 3.8 per cent increase in net income and 4.1 per cent increase in sales compared with the same period last fiscal year.

The NSLC released its year-to-date financial performance, which because of adjustments to fit the fiscal year-end, includes six more selling days when compared with last fiscal year.

Earnings before depreciation and amortization for the six months was $129.6 million, an increase of 4.3 per cent compared with $124.3 million last year.
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