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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 the husband and wife team of Maurice & Dorothy Rees. They 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. Dorothy is a lady of many interests who added new features to the Journal in particular her Kitchen Korner. Since November 2008 she has operated her own business, Dorothy’s T-shirt Factory, later renamed to “tshirtsrus.ca”. The energetic couple have a busy schedule as they are also sales agents for Nelson Monuments and also travel frequently to annual Nova Scotian festivals selling t-shirts.
On-line issues: This Month Issue Archives - April 2009 to last month
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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 |
| Dorothy's 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
The Shoreline Journal
June 2019 Issue follows:
Rees' Pieces - June 2019
June 2019 - Congratulations Cumberland-Colchester for Great Collective effort
First things first.
Congratulations to Cumberland and Colchester Municipal governments for a high level of co-operation and a lot of planning and detailed work on to put together a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) for a massive Rural Broadband and Connected Communities Collaboration.
The RFEI was issued on May 24th and interested applicants must reply by June 7th. Timelines are tight but Mark Austin, the project coordinator for the two counties is adamant he will have a strong proposal submitted by June 28th to align with Develop Nova Scotia’s (DNS) deadline for applications.
The project has been in the works for just over a year, since senior representatives from each Municipality, along with selected provincial representatives, met at the Peg to explore working together and to learn about how such a massive undertaking could become reality.
Staff from Wilson’s get ready for their 19th Annual Community Fair held on Friday May 17 at the corner Arthur and Pleasant Streets. The rain held off and a huge crowd stopped in for good food, face painting, games and entertainment. (Debbie Brown Photo)
Is Future of Shubenacadie River at Risk?
By Maurice Rees
Although Alton Gas’ multi-$-Million project to create several storage sites for natural gas in the Alton area has been ongoing for several years, concerns about the future of the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke Rivers continues.
The Shubenacadie is famous for it’s tidal bore and as a result six businesses by local entrepreneurs have been created to offer the world’s only, "Up River White Water Rafting". During the summer, when tides are running at their most turbulent as many as up to 300 tourists show up daily to ride the tidal bore with up to 8-10 people in a Zodiac.
Many are concerned the river’s made be change forever with the addition of salty brine over a period of several years.
An article in The Weekly Press, Enfield, May 1 edition by Zack Metcalfe states "as much as 3,000 tonnes of salt daily in the course of coming years".
The project is being done by Alton Gas. Documents obtained by Sipekne'katik First Nation (Indian Brook) from Alton Gas through a Freedom of Information request indicates salinity would be as high as 290 Parts per Thousand (PPT). Metcalfe's article says anything over 40 PPT is considered a "deleterious substance" (harmful or dangerous) by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
The Shoreline Journal contacted Mike Dadswell (retired) who spent approximately 20 years as a biologist at Acadia University. Dadswell replied, "
Optimum salinities for eggs and larvae are 0-2 parts per thousand for eggs and larvae. This should be in the Masters thesis (woman) from Truro and the Dunston et al 2018 paper. The larvae can survive higher salinity after a few days (10-20 ppt)".The Striped Bass spawning site is near the railway bridge on the Stewiacke upriver from Alton’s outflow pipe. We asked Dadswell about the rate of salinity and dilution rate. He replied, "I have not seen the detailed consultant work on the dilution rate at the Afton site. My guess is the salty brine will dilute rapidly because of the high river tidal flow. Down the river is not so important. Up the river is what counts. The bass spawn below the railway bridge on the Stewiacke. Salt penetration upstream would be the problem. They spawn at the bridge because it is freshwater there".
"The brine would only effect spawning if it penetrates upstream any distance. I was under the impression they would release it during falling tide and not at all during spawning season", Dadswell concluded.
Darren Porter, an outspoken weir fisherman and consultant from Bramber, Hants County has studied several aspects of the fishery in the Bay of Fundy and its estuaries for years. He is concerned about the future of the Striped Bass as it’s an important part of the economy as a recreational fishery along the Bay from Parrsboro to Truro, then down through hants County to the Annapolis Valley. His concern is Alton Gas salt brine could destroy the habitat of many species. "If you change the eco-system, you will destroy the Shubenacadie and Stewiacke Rivers forever", he stated.
Several biologists at Acadia University have done a multitude of studies over the years. Trevor Avery, an associate professor of biology, mathematics and statistics at Acadia, is also involved with the Striped Bass Association, is well versed on the situation. Avery is also quoted of saying, Alton gas have been using legal remedies to move their initiative forward.
Refer to additional article in this issue concerning several studies of the Shubenacadie River. Zack Metcalfe, author of the article can be reached at:
zack.metcalfe@gmail.com"Let’s Talk Tidal Power" – a Great First Step
By Darren Porter
Thanks to Chris White for pulling together "Let’s Talk Tidal Power", the first ever public forum on tidal power at Halifax Public Library on Monday, April 1st. This talk brought together a diverse group of important players and their perspectives, the panel consisted of top figures, who often have opposing views of this industry.
Tidal power has been plagued with controversy for many years in Nova Scotia. This forum provided the arena for the public to listen to and navigate the diverse perspectives around this industry.
For years the fishermen have been actively lobbying both the provincial and federal governments as well as the tidal power industry, scientist and Force to meet publicly, all attended with the exception of the provincial government both NS Environment (regulator) and NS Energy (regulator) which declined to participate.
First Nation by way of the APC also joined the panel. DFO was commended by the fishermen for attending such a public forum, as it can be a very hard environment for them to put themselves in. DFO has recently assumed a regulatory role for in-stream tidal power by way of authorizing in-stream tidal power projects.
This move by DFO although not publicly understood well yet, is a positive step in the right direction for the tidal power industry as the province lacks the marine expertise to properly regulate marine projects such as tidal power.
Before authorizing these in-stream tidal power projects DFO was in a advisory role to the province and not in a regulatory role. DFO over the past 4 years has built up their capacity and team on tidal power, advancing needed change and over-sight to this industry.
This meeting was the beginning step to resolving issues and start the process of moving forward for the fishermen, who have felt they are not listened to, nor respected enough.
Fishermen unarguably have a magnitude of knowledge in the marine environment and its extremely complex inner workings that not only needs to be taken into account, but if listened to will eventually assist any chance tidal power has of being successful. Fishermen and the entire fishing industry are the leading knowledge holders in the marine environment.
For too long the different parties surrounding tidal power have stood in Silos. Everyone in different sand boxes not playing well with each other. This must stop, and these meetings must continue otherwise the conflict will persevere.
Only when traditional, local and Academic knowledge holders as well as regulators, bureaucrats, and industry learn to respect each other and value each other will any progress be possible. We have hope this can be achieved though more events such as this one. We have broken bread, now it’s time to move ahead.
DFO has shown its willingness to engage as well as listen, they have proven their ability to take the first steps to reconcile and perhaps even lead the way in paving the road forward with their latest achievement in making the decision to bring NSPI into compliance at the Annapolis tidal power plant.
The Annapolis Tidal Power Plant is currently not operational and will be required to get ministerial authorization before being potentially able to continue to operate in future. This gives the public and the fisheries hope, we are going to see this industry regulated with the seriousness that the fisheries is and if the effects of one of these operations such as the Annapolis tidal plant is too much it will be dealt with by DFO.
The authorization of the Annapolis tidal plant to resume operating will be no easy task for NSPI. It will also require conciliation with First Nations.
Often the fisheries finds themselves frustrated with DFO, but now we feel like we have a responsible big brother out there ensuring our industry’s future success, as well as, our marine ecosystem is protected, as it needs to be.
Now let’s find a way forward so all can prosper and feel like our waters and the life within them will be there for generations to come. Thank you to all that attended the meeting on April 1st. I’m sure it was far from easy to do so. This should bring forward a new chapter if everyone continues to come together.
Darren Porter is Spokesmen for the Fundy United Federation. He can be reached at:
darrenporter1@hotmail.com
Ashlyn Johnstone, Julie Johnstone, and Morgan Patriquin performed with talent and skill favourite fiddle tunes at the Senior Dinner performed at the Wentworth Learning Centre. (Linda Patrriquin Photo)
Onslow Rocks for Charity supporting Lundie family
By Maurice Rees
After four years of success and a growing annual event, Onslow Rocks for Charity will be held June 22nd, 2019 at CCJHS in Central Onslow starting at 9pm with No Where Road performing. Last year, directors of the Lower Onslow Community Centre developed a Hero family program, whereby funds raised are shared each year to try and help make someone's life just a little bit better.
Last year's event raised approximately $13,000 which half went towards helping to sent Miranda Pickrem, her son, Maverick, and members of her family to Disney World. Miranda had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and Maverick’s wish was to see Disney World with his Mom.
This is the fifth year and it grows each and every year. The directors hope to be able to help families, individuals and non-profit organizations in their time of need.
The fundraiser has earmarked half of the funds raised will go to the Lundie’s - the 2019 Community Hero Family. They are an amazing family who has raised three grown boys and whose monarch stays at home raising six foster children, four of which they have adopted as their own. All six foster children have been diagnosed with diverse needs such as autism, global development delay, complex trauma, turrets, alopecia or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Several of these children have multiple diagnoses.
Tragically, the family lost their third born son, Marshall, due to a motor vehicle accident in Masstown nearly four years ago. Mr Lundie operates a machine tool sales business located in the heart of Lower Onslow and this is the family’s main source of income.
Doug MacInnes, chair Lr. Onslow Community Centre board of directors says, "Onslow Rocks for Charity is now in its fifth year of operating. Our focus has turned from raising money to maintain the Community Centre to raising money to help out deserving community members. This year we have chosen the Lundie family as our Community Hero Family and will be donating half of the profits of Onslow Rocks for Charity 2019 to them".
MacInnes continued, "Their wish is to go on a family vacation that they would otherwise not be able to afford. We will hopefully bring joy to children that would otherwise not be able to go on such a trip and reward a deserving family with incredible memories to last a lifetime".
Chad MacPherson, CCJHS principal says, "We believe the Lundie’s "deserve a medal" and this is a way our community can come together to reward such honorable people".
The board of directors and other volunteers, who are helping organize the event are looking to community members and businesses to help out with donations for the silent auction. They are asking, "If you have anything we could auction off, it would be greatly appreciated".
Questions or information about donations should be directed to: Doug McInnes, President, Lower Onslow Community Centre, 902-986-3182, or Jennifer McKay, Vice President, Lower Onslow Community Centre, 902-986-0677.
Page One Briefs - June 2019
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Stress Relief: A thief broke into my house last night. He started searching for money... so I woke up and searched with him. Former customers of Nova Scotia Power may apply for Maritime Link Rebate. Former customers may be eligible for a rebate based on their 2018 energy usage. The rebate is for certain Maritime Link costs that were included in 2018 power rates. If you were a customer of Nova Scotia Power last year, but are no longer, you may be eligible to receive the Maritime Link Rebate based on your 2018 energy usage. Former customers may apply for the rebate at www.nspower.ca/ratestability Qualified current customers have already received the rebate as a one-time credit on their bill and do not need to apply. There are many benefits and joys from publishing a small community newspaper like the Shoreline Journal. One such joy is talking to subscribers, particularly those of senior age, who moved away many years ago. One such person was Bertha Gaudet, who would call from her Cape Breton home, two or three times a year if for no reason that to chat. Unfortunately, those enjoyable calls will be no more. This week, I learned Bertha suffered a series of strokes and the fifth one sent her to hospital. She is now a victim of several serious strokes. Residents with private wells are encouraged to test their drinking water against new national guidelines for the acceptable level of manganese. The acceptable level is 0.120 milligrams per litre. Well water should be tested twice a year for bacteria and every two years for chemical contaminants. People drawing water from lakes and rivers should always filter and disinfect it, and test twice a year for bacteria and once a year for chemical contaminants. More information is available at www.novascotia.ca/well-water-testing Premier Stephen McNeil announced a by-election will be held in the constituency of Sackville-Cobequid on Tuesday, June 18 to replace Dave Wilson, who resigned last November. |
Read the Journal on-line!
The entire issue is available on line in pdf format - browse through the paper page by page, read as little or as much as you like. Click for Issue Archives...
| June 2019 issue | |
| THE SOUTH CUMBERLAND NEWS June issue | |
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