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The Shoreline Journal is a monthly community newspaper based in Bass River, Nova Scotia, and serving the Fundy Shore/Glooscap Trail from Truro to Parrsboro. See submission deadlines...
Established in 1994, the paper was originally published as the West Colchester Free Press by Ken Kennedy Publications, and later renamed to The Shoreline Journal. In January 2008 The Journal changed hands and is now under the management of Maurice Rees. He initiated a redesign of the paper, with the addition of several colour pages in each issue. Each monthly issue concentrates on the many community events which involve residents of all ages, from the elderly to the very young, and those young at heart. A primary focus is those activities which involve students, whether it be school or 4-H club activities.
Maurice has extensive experience in the community newspaper & advertising field, and has been running several businesses in Maitland for the past few years.
On-line issues: This Month Issue Archives - April 2009 to last month
Advertising
Interested in advertising? Click here to view all the details on our adAtlantic Classified Network Program or email the publisher for more details at maurice@theshorelinejournal.com
The Shoreline Journal is proud to be a member of The Atlantic Community Newspaper Association; let us book your ads for you and customize your campaign!
Click on the image at right to view the Shoreline's advertising rates & deadlines in pdf...
Features
The Shoreline Journal understands that rural communities want to know about news and events in their communities, so that's our focus, the things that directly affect our subscribers, sponsors and customers. Watch for regular items:
| Rees' Pieces (Publishers) | Letters to the Editor | Community Calendar |
| Heritage Notes | Sports Events | Classified Ads |
| Senior Affairs | Nature Notes | Credit Union News |
| MLA Activity Report | Community Centres | Fire Brigade |
| Favourite Pet Photo | Parish News | 4-H Clubs |
| Kitchen Korner | Poems & Photos | Obituaries |
| Front Page Briefs |
plus notes from many communities and organizations such as:
Bass River, CCJS Student Council, Chiganois, Debert Elementary, Debert Legion, Great Village, Londonderry Council, MacCarell Villa, Masstown, Onslow Belmont, skating clubs & other groups
Rees' Piece
s June 2010 - The Next StepWe have four months dealing with CoVid-19. Trudeau, McNeil and other leaders have been successful implanting forever the "do’s" and "don’ts" in our minds.
I don’t want to minimize any sector, or where we should prioritize our efforts, but we must prepare for the future. A lot of work is needed to help those at the bottom of the economic ladder. More assistance is necessary for employees in the service sector, hospitality and retail, who suddenly lost their livelihood.
Retail and the service sector, regardless of how much is invested will only come back in the proportions, which the general public is comfortable. One person I spoke with suggested within two years, there might not be much in the way of "fast food" sit-down restaurants. In fact it was suggested, as an example, McDonald’s will have none.
Gloade and Casey Concur "bias and distortion"
By Maurice Rees
Bob Gloade, Millbrook chief and former MP, Bill Casey agree Millbrook was cheated out of relocating the Truro-based 911 Emergency Call centre to lands owned by the band located six kilometers to the westerly side of its current location. Chief Gloade is reported to saying, "Competition for new N.S. RCMP dispatch centre 'falsely stacked' against First Nation's bid" while former Liberal MP Bill Casey says "They cheated Millbrook First Nation out of a chance at this".
Using words like "distorted and biased," to express his disappointment, Chief Gloade wants the site selection process to be re-done. Casey maintains the RCMP manipulated the competition to get a pre-determined outcome and make the centre operational at the 80 Garlands Avenue, Dartmouth location in 2021.
The battle over relocation has been ongoing since the Nova Scotia RCMP announced in 2019 that it had decided to move its communications centre from Truro, N.S., to the RCMP's provincial headquarters in Dartmouth.
Chief Gloade wrote Public Safety Minister Bill Blair on March 25th pointing out according to information in an RCMP internal report, the RCMP added $1.6 million to Millbrook First Nation's proposal while listing zero rent for its preferred option — the headquarters in Dartmouth. He added, "Millbrook First Nation provided a proposal in good faith, but we now know that the competition was falsely stacked, which creates a situation of distortion and bias".
The centre handles 911 calls, calls from the public and handles dispatches for 54 detachments and districts. The RCMP reviewed six options before deciding on its headquarters, according to an internal 2017 report, but opponents to the review outcome claim the RCMP report assigned an extra $1.6 million to every relocation except its headquarters option.
While the RCMP claimed "zero" rent for the Dartmouth location, according to Public Works records the cost of rental space in the building housing its headquarters is $547 per square metre. Total current annual rent is $10.5 million.
Casey is bewildered, why the Millbrook proposal only met minimum standards on human resource sustainability - the ability to staff the centre from the local population when the centre has operated in Truro for a decade and has never had a problem staffing. The RCMP estimated the cost of staff relocation would be $1,800,000.
He added, the cost of Millbrook’s proposal ($6,421,750) would be more comparable if the RCMP had also added the same $1,641,00 for space rental costs to its cost estimates as it did with the other five options. In rating the Millbrook proposal, the RCMP evaluation added $3,319,750 for estimated property rental, while no value was listed in the Dartmouth analysis. A charge of $600.000 for estimated Fitup OCC operation was applied to Millbrook, while no value was listed for Dartmouth. All figures are categorized as 10 year cost estimates.
Ironically, if the estimates for the Dartmouth location had entries for three items: space rental costs, estimated property rental and fitup OCC operations, which were included in Millbrook and not in Dartmouth the Dartmouth 10 year estimate total would have been $9.105-Million compared to Millbrook’s $6.421-Million.
A 2004 RCMP report that initially led to the centralizing of communications at the centre in Truro specifically recommended against placing it in Halifax because it posed a risk that one event could undermine the communication centres of both the regional police and the RCMP.
Several emergency organizations, including the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, recommend placing emergency operations centres in separate locations.
Gloade’s
March 25th letter was also sent to Indigenous Services Minister
Marc Miller and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett. All
three receipent department’s referred questions to the RCMP.
It is well known the RCMP considered six options which included doing nothing, upgrading the existing Truro centre, moving to a new location in the city, building a new location in the city or moving the centre to Millbrook First Nation.
Small gestures can mean so much in times of crisis. The Little Free Library in Great Village was temporarily repurposed with food items during the Covid-19 pandemic. (Harrington Photo)
Basket Handle Steel Arch Bridge may cost $6-5-Million
An artist conception of a Basket Handle Bridge submitted by COWI engineering is shown in place spanning 110 meters over the Salmon River from the Fundy Discovery site, former Palliser Property, to the dyke across the river. (Submitted)
By Maurice Rees
A basket handle steel arch bridge design to cross the Salmon River at the Fundy Discovery Site was the choice of councillors during the resumption of a Special Council meeting on May 7th. The chosen design is pegged at $6.5-Million compared to the alternative Single Steel Arch design which was estimated at $7.2-Million.
The item presented by Paul Smith was originally slated for the April 30th meeting, but was deferred to May7th, when the meeting exceeded agreed time limits. Smith’s intention was to provide Council with an update and recommendation on a recent presentation and report to the Bridge Steering Committee by COWI engineering on the preliminary design and Class "D" costing of two potential bridge designs for the Fundy Discovery Site.
At their regular monthly meeting in March of 2020, Council agreed with the recommendation of the Bridge Steering Committee to award a contract to COWI Engineering of Halifax for the design of the pedestrian bridge planned for the Fundy Discovery Site. The bridge is a major infrastructure investment at the site and is intended to become an iconic landmark that serves a multitude of purposes.
The Bridge Steering Committee is comprised of Deputy Mayor Stewart and Councillor Masters who have served on the masterplan committee since its inception in 2016. Staff members include Michelle Newel, Crawford Macpherson, Hilary Paquet and Paul Smith. The budget had been developed through a previous scoping study prepared by Harbourside Engineering in 2015 which outlined probable costs for several structure designs spanning 110 meters over the Salmon River.
Smith reported the preliminary design options have been developed and based on several criteria that includes: architectural design respecting the vision for the site; potential for the bridge to become an iconic landmark; durability with low maintenance costs, safe and separated pedestrian and cyclist traffic, lighting options, accessibility, structural capacity to allow maintenance vehicles cross, and constructability with consideration given to local capabilities to do the work.
Among the advantages highlighted by Smith in his presentation to council he hailed the Basket Handle Steel Arch which is slated to cost $6.5-Million as: Less expensive than Option 2, $700,000 less; Flexible deck space for events and programs; Ease of snowclearing and Excellent lighting options.
He did list shortfalls such as: No integrated viewing platforms on sides; 1 meter narrower than Option 2; Fewer seating and interpretive opportunities on the deck; 25% higher maintenance costs and Cables can impede views.
In other matters relating to a choice of designs, Smith said there are no cost implications at the present time. The design selected may have an impact on the construction costs in the future when the design is tendered. Engineering design costs are the same for both designs. The engineering design of the pedestrian bridge is a key element of the masterplan which has also emerged as an important project for external stakeholders and potential funding partners.
Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society
By Maurice Rees
Establishing "Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society" a non-profit organization will happen soon, if Tiffany Ward, Economy achieves her aspirations. Ward, Economy was the inspirational leader whose efforts resulted in "Nova Scotia Remembers" going from a thought to reality. Along the way she gathered support from Cee Van den Hoek, Great Village Antiques Exchange and Jonathan Torrens who lives in Onslow and became famous for his role in Trailer Park Boys.
When the trio got started they reached out to colleagues and friends, resulting in a national CBC-TV broadcast inclusive of many leading Canadian artists, the Prime Minister, Premier and host of other dignitaries.
But Ward, with her vision, compassion and effort wasn’t done. Soon she was working on and achieving almost instant success to establish a non-profit organization tentatively called, Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society. The purpose of the organization will be to receive donations and raise funds in other ways to be managed and used for the benefit of (and in honour of) the families and communities affected by the tragic shooting event in April 2020, in and around Portapique, Nova Scotia.
A group of interested citizens is working with a Colchester County law firm and accounting firm to legally establish the organization and apply to Canada Revenue Agency to have the organization recognized as a registered charity.
While the exact uses of the funds will be further discussed and determined, a steering committee has been formed to discuss the priorities listed below. These ideas may be modified, changed and/or added to:
- Educational: Financial support for children of those lost, in the form of payment toward their post-secondary education, the creation of scholarships in memory of the victims to support youth in the affected communities as well as other scholarships, bursaries and educational supports.
- Community Development: Financial support for organizations in and around the communities most affected by the tragedy for activities and programs aimed at growing the social, economic and identity of the community. This element would focus on the West Colchester area but could also include the other affected communities.
- Memorial: Develop and construct one or more permanent memorials.
- Coordinated Wellness, Emotional and Grief Support: For families of the victims as well as other affected individuals and communities. This would ideally involve collaborating with community and other agencies or entities to provide grief counseling support, group services and other services and events to support the long term needs of those affected.
The organization will be managed by a volunteer board composed of recognized and respected community and business leaders primarily from Colchester County but not limited to such and may also include members of the victims’ families.
Ward says, "It will take some time to establish the
organization and obtain charitable status. As a result, we are accepting and
seeking commitments or pledges to make donations, to be paid once the
organization is formed and has obtained charitable status. Pledge forms can
be requested by email from:
novascotiaremembers@gmail.com
County of Colchester Emergency /
Grief Line / Help Line Numbers
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Families of victims may contact Kelly Gratto-McCarthy at 902 843-4193 or 902 893-0677 for details on how to access the funeral support funding. Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or someone concerned about them. Call (toll-free) 1-888-429-8167. Kids Help Phone is available 24/7. Call (toll-free) 1-800-668-6868
Morneau Shepell
has opened its 24/7 bilingual crisis support line to help
anyone in need of emotional support as a result of these
tragic events. Call (toll free) 1-844-751-2133. HOSPICE Colchester East Hants is also available for grief support by calling 902-893-3265. For any community member requiring assistance finding the support they need contact Jennifer or Kaitlyn at the Municipality by calling 902-897-3185 |
Page One Briefs - June 2020
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Stress Relief: A recent study
has found women who carry a little extra weight live longer than
men who mention it. Each July we publish photos of area elementary students (Debert, Chiganois, Great Village, Bass River, Parrsboro, and Advocate, who will be transferring to Junior High School. Since the schools are closed obtaining photos of graduating students will not be possible. We wish to continue the annual tradition and encourage parents to send photo of their family member and we will publish free-of-charge in the July issue. Please submit photo, with name by June 10th to: maurice@theshorelinejournal.com After a lengthy discussion on May 21st Colchester council, at the urging of Councillor Tom Taggart, agreed any funds it receives as relief funds for the mass murder victims on April 18 & 19th will be held in trust and then passed on to the Nova Scotia Remembers Legacy Society once it completes its formalization and has obtained charitable society status. Debris from the houses, buildings and vehicles which were torched in Portapique on April 18th has been cleaned up. Area Councillor Tom Taggart provided an update to council on May 21st and also stated a large refuse container has been placed in the area for local residents to dispose of any items connected with the tragic situation. The container was donated by one of the Recycling companies and will be hauled away at no charge. Repaving of the entrance roads into the Fundy Discovery Site has been completed. Councillor Bill Masters commented on the vast improvement accessing the iconic site. The Village of Bible Hill's 66th annual public meeting of
electors will be held virtually at 8:00 pm on Monday, June 1.
The proceedings of the meeting will be recorded, and the minutes
posted at
www.biblehill.ca within 24
hours of the meeting. Further, reports of Commissioners will be
circulated to residents in the next issue of Action on the Hill
newsletter. Xplornet will erect 19 new towers within 100 days to bring highspeed broadband to Cumberland and Colchester Counties as part of the provinces initiative to invest an additional $15-Million to speed up broadband service in various contracts throughout the province to combat the CoVid-19 pandemic. The province wants to complete the installations this summer in the event students are not permitted to return to the classroom in September and a more comprehensive on-line education system is required. Two Village Commissioners will be elected for the Village of Bible Hill three-year terms ending June 2023. Nominations were accepted until May 14, 2020. Further information is available from the Returning Officer and online at www.biblehill.ca A new consortium, Dexter Nova Alliance has been awarded a contract to twin 38 kilometers of Highway 104 between Sutherland's River, Pictou Co. and Antigonish. Dexter Nova Alliance, led by local contractors Dexter Construction and Nova Construction, with BBGI as an equity partner, outbid two other companies shortlisted for the $717.9 million project. Construction will start in June and will be completed no later than the end of 2023. The project includes 28 kilometres of new two-lane twinned highway and 10 kilometres of new four- lane twinned highway. There are two new interchanges and about 24 new bridges. Dexter Nova Alliance will also upgrade the existing section of highway, which will include repaving the entire section of old road and replace seven existing bridges. The Salvation Army Maritime Division has implemented a new food bank delivery service across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island as community needs change due to COVID-19, Those in need who are unable to find safe, reliable transportation to a Salvation Army food bank are now able to call ahead, place an order, and the items will be delivered to their homes. The service is offered at all Salvation Army locations across the Maritimes. The Salvation Army continues to offer essential services in the midst of COVID-19: shelter services; emergency disaster services; emotional and spiritual care and food bank pick-up and delivery. Those who are in need, or those who wish to support the services by donation, are encouraged to visit: https://salvationarmy.ca/maritime/yourarmy/ A 55-year-old Salmon River man will appear in court on June 3rd on charges of Assault; Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm; Unsafe Storage of a Firearm and Possession of Explosive Device. Colchester District RCMP responded to a disturbance call at a home on Salmon River Rd. in Salmon River during the evening of May 3. While police were investigating the disturbance, firearms and explosives were located inside the home. As a precaution, police evacuated the building which contained a total of four units. Police obtained a warrant, and seized 17 firearms and a large amount of ammunition from the home. In addition, explosive materials, including a commercial detonator, a grenade, a smoke grenade, flares, and gun powder. Nobody was injured, and once police had secured the firearms and explosives, the residents were allowed to return to their homes. The victim of the assault and the accused are known to one another. As of May 12, Nova Scotia RCMP has charged 15 people for offences under the Nova Scotia Health Protection and Emergency Management Acts. To date, the RCMP has charged a total of 220 people with offences related to the current provincial State of Emergency in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotians are requested to educate themselves on the directives and enforcement measures at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/Nova Scotians who annually include the Canadian National Exhibition on their "must attend" list were disappointed to learn the event will be cancelled for 2020 due to anticipated long term affects of CoVid-19. The CNE has an annual economic impact of more than $128 million on the province of Ontario and $93 million on the Greater Toronto Area, and helps to employ more than 5000 seasonal workers over its 18-day fair, which was slated August 21 to September 7, 2020. |
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| June 2020 issue | |
| THE SOUTH CUMBERLAND NEWS June 2020 issue | |
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