Music festival begins

Transcription

News • P3
New venue for Relay for Life
Arts & Entertainment • P8
Makem & Spain at deCoste
Sports • P10
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PICTOU COUNTY'S WEEKLY SINCE 1893
Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Vol. 123, No. 16
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David and Donald Sobey give $2 million to StFX
ANTIGONISH – The
Mulroney Institute of
Government at St. Francis Xavier
University has grown by $2 million, thanks to a donation from
two local business leaders, David
F. Sobey and Donald R. Sobey.
“We are extremely grateful
for this investment,” Dr. Kent
MacDonald, university president
says.
“David and Donald Sobey
are true champions of education.
Theirs is a long history of support for higher education,
including some of the great work
being done on our campus. This
gift will provide tremendous
financial support to the
Mulroney Institute, providing
pathways and opportunities for
outstanding and deserving
young men and women who
wish to attend StFX.”
The Sobey Scholarships have
been established to support fulltime undergraduate students
who are academically focused
and socially engaged and
enrolled in courses that will be
associated with StFX’s Mulroney
Institute of Government.
The endowment will support
two annual scholarships of
$10,000 each, renewable for three
additional years, and is part of
the Xaverian Fund for
Scholarships and Bursaries,
established by MacDonald with
a goal of raising $50 million for
scholarships and bursaries.
Both David and Donald
Sobey have a long friendship
with StFX. In 2010, they were
awarded honorary degrees in
recognition of their contribution
as corporate leaders and philanthropists. This gift is a continuation of the support they have
been providing.
“We are pleased to recognize,
support and share in Dr. Kent
MacDonald’s important vision
for the Xaverian Fund and the
Mulroney Institute at StFX. With
this gift, we are proud to support
the initiative to ensure a high
quality post-secondary education is accessible to all deserving
students, regardless of their
financial background,” says
David Sobey and Donald Sobey.
“Canada needs future leaders
with the skills and knowledge
required for good government;
the Mulroney Institute will further StFX’s leadership in this
field of study,” they added.
MORE honouring
Curley and Paris
Dragon's
Den for
fermenters
By Debbi Harvie
debbiharvie@pictouadvocate.com
Four years of hard work may
be paying off for a Nova Scotia
couple living in Ontario.
Alex Currie of Pictou and his
partner Jenna Empey are preparing to meet the Dragons.
Pyramid Farm and Ferments
will be pitching their product for
taping with Dragon’s Den next
month.
“They were doing a tour, coming to smaller towns and they
came right into Picton, Ont.,
which is only a few minutes away
from us so we decided on a whim
to go. Why not?” says Currie.
During the initial pitch, Currie
and Empey met with two producers from the show and went
over their product and were
invited to return to pitch in front
of the Dragons.
“One of the producers is going
to help us come up with the pitch
we will do on TV.”
The recording is taking place
in May and after that, they are not
allowed to speak about what
transpired until the show airs.
“We don’t know when it will
air or even if it will air. There are
a lot of people who get deals and
don’t make it on television,” he
says.
Currie says they want to dazzle with their presentation so they
make it to TV. “The exposure is
crucial.”
Pyramid Farms and Ferments
makes five different types of sauerkraut, two types of kimchi,
three types of kombucha and are
currently getting into small batch
subscription so they are testing
lots of new recipes.
Continued on page 2
Pierre, 12, and Katey Aucoin, 10, of Stellarton practise for the New Glasgow Music Festival which
began yesterday. It is being held over two weeks at various venues.
(Harvie photo)
Music festival begins
By Debbi Harvie
STELLARTON – Spring
means the school year is soon
ending and many students are
focused on their studies. Pierre
and Katey Aucoin, Stellarton siblings, are taking a slight break
from their studies to focus on
other disciplines.
The pair have been involved
in the New Glasgow Music
Festival for seven and five years,
respectively, and are gearing up
for this year’s competition which
began yesterday.
Katey, 10, is competing in fiddle, violin, piano and voice for a
total of nine classes, while Pierre
is participating in the piano and
band portion of the festival for a
total of five classes.
Pierre has been taking piano
lessons for many years, and when
he was in Grade 1, he learned
about the music festival.
“My piano teacher made me
aware of the festival and since
then, I stuck to it,” he says.
Having seen her brother compete, Katey wanted to take part in
the event as well.
"It’s a little bit nerve wrecking,
maybe at first, but it feels good
getting it over with,” laughs
Pierre.
“It’s fun,” adds Katey. “I get
nervous but I feel like my nerves
do help me perform in front of an
audience.”
Katey began with the fiddle
and felt she did really well with it
so she challenged herself to try
piano.
“Pierre did piano and I knew
some kids in piano in my age
group so I tried piano. I always
wanted to do voice because it’s
kind of cool to do in front of an
audience and the violin I picked
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up last year. I’m still kind of new
to it, but I like the classical, it’s fun
to learn new stuff and get new
ideas.”
The Aucoins have chosen one
piece per class in the festival;
some pieces are required per class
and some can be chosen from a
set list.
“I had my piano teacher play
them so I could hear them before
choosing,” says Pierre. “I’m most
excited about the contemporary
piece, Positively Swinging.”
Katey is most excited to perform Minuet by Johann Sebastian
Bach for the violin.
For many, the grueling hours
of practice required prior to the
festival and the nerves of performing in front of people may
turn them away, but for the
Aucoins, it’s something they look
forward to every year.
Continued on page 2
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so much for their community;
we could not have two better
people to encourage others to be
their best and, most importantly, to be themselves,” White
said.
This year’s MORE, which
when combined with the 20-year
Run Against Racism will be the
27th consecutive run of its kind
here, will take place in Pictou
County on May 5.
The proclamation ceremony
in support of this year’s marathon will take place today, April
20 at 10:30 a.m. at GR Saunders
Elementary School in Stellarton.
Addison Lowels had her face painted at the Frank H. MacDonald
school’s spring fling on Saturday. The event included a bouncy
house, games and a barbecue.
(Harvie photo)
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Henderson Paris and Terry
Curley are the honorary cochairs of the upcoming 2016
Marathon of Respect and
Equality (MORE).
Paris is the founder of the
Run Against Racism and a
nationally recognized human
rights advocate. Curley is a
well-known and respected organizer of many local fitness
events, including the Johnny
Miles Marathon. Both have long
histories of volunteer and community involvement.
Peter White, chair of the
MORE
2016
Organizing
Committee, says his group is
very proud and excited to have
the two as co-chairs for this
year’s event, which has as its
theme, Everyone is Someone.
“Both Hennie and Terry are
recognized as athletes and as
role models who care for and do
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Community
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Music festival ...
Continued from page 1
Sherry Blinkhorn,
left, and Pamela
Magee review next
steps on a mental
health action for
Pictou County.
(Goodwin photo)
Local group set to meet
mental health needs
By Steve Goodwin
steve@pictouadvocate.com
STELLARTON – A local
group is a step closer to delivering
better service for those with mental health issues.
The group, that includes Pictou
County mental health advocate
Sherry Blinkhorn, met Friday in
Stellarton with executive director
Pamela Magee from the Canadian
Mental Health Association’s Nova
Scotia Division to review the
development of a Pictou County
addiction and wellness action
plan.
“It’s exciting,” Blinkhorn said.
“I’m really pleased for us to have
started this. I’m looking forward
to getting our feet on the ground.
There is hope.”
The group is preparing activities in Pictou County to coincide
with Mental Health Awareness
Week May 2 to 8.
The group has secured funding to hire a student to work for 18
weeks from May through the end
of August. The plan is to assess
relevant groups, organizations
and individuals to support a community vision for delivering mental health and addictions services.
Ten groups were represented
at Friday’s meeting. The next
meeting is scheduled for April 28
with a goal to have the job description for the summer student completed.
“We’ll be working with the
community and other organizations assessing how we can create
better synergies so we can share
all our expertise to support addiction and mental wellness,” Magee
said.
“There is a broad representation of support in Pictou County,
but it’s how to establish seamless
support that is augmenting and
complementary. We will be building a wellness approach in the
community with the hope to have
a navigator in place.”
Blinkhorn said the grassroots
support to deliver better mental
health care is evident, but more
people need to know about it. She
estimates there are 15 to 18 groups
concerned with mental health
issues.
“They all interconnect, but
community data is missing,” she
said. “We need to establish if people need help or didn’t know help
existed. Some people just need a
listening ear.”
Mental health in county getting a boost
By Heather Brimicombe
heatherbrimicombe@pictouadvocate.com
Three groups in Pictou
County are looking forward to
taking on new projects thanks
to funding they received
through recent grants through
Pictou County Community
Grants.
This year's recipients are
Pictou County Roots for Youth,
Pictou County Centre for Sexual
Health and Mental Health and
Addictions–Pictou
County
Nova Scotia Health Authority.
In all, more than $17,000 was
given out to the local organizations.
This is the second year for the
grants which, although given out
by the Mental Health Foundation
of Nova Scotia, are funded by the
local Models for Mental Health
fundraiser that features Pictou
County residents modelling
clothing from a local consignment shop.
The Pictou County Mental
Health and Addictions portion of
the NSHA will be using its grant
of $7,075 to fund the Headstrong
initiative which focuses on mental health for youth.
“The proposal that we sent
in to the Mental Health
Foundation is a program called
Headstrong,” said Ashlie
Cormier, Prevention and Health
Promotion specialist at the
NSHA. ”It provides us with the
opportunity to host a summit
in Pictou County next fall.”
Without the grant, Cormier
said the summit would not
have been able to happen.
Pictou County Roots for
Youth has some plans of their
own for what they hope to use
the funding for. The organization applied for the grant on
behalf of the youth mental
health subcommittee of Pictou
County partners.
“We are going to create three
videos that will alert the youth
in the community what resources are available to them,” said
Stacey Dlamini of Roots for
Youth House.
The project directly relates to
the youth focus that their organization takes as well as the fact
that some of their clients deal
with mental health issues. In all,
Pictou County Roots for youth
was awarded $5,000.
The Pictou County Centre
for Sexual Health was the other
grant recipient, receiving $5,062
for their Impacts on Mental
Health and Sexual Health proj-
ect.
The organizers of the Models
for Mental Health fundraiser
are pleased with the results.
“The success of our fundraiser proves that mental wellness is a community priority.
We are especially pleased that
the funds are targeting youth in
their challenges to navigate the
system and eradicate stigma,”
said Shawna Coleman and Lily
DeYoung.“
All of the chosen recipients
promote high-impact solutions
to high risk youth. "So, with
this, we are glad that we,
together with our community
supports, are able to fill in any
gaps in our mental health system. This is a good news story
for all of Pictou County and we
are happy to be part of that
story."
Dragon's Den...
“We also sell kombucha
scoby, the mother culture, so
people can make it on their own
at home. That’s something we
ship across Canada.”
Currently Pyramid Farms
and Ferments is in 30 stores
across Ontario, including some
Sobeys locations, but the goal is
to move further east in their
offerings.
“We built our own building
so we have a production facility
here on site but we want to
expand more in the stores across
Canada and get into shipping as
well,” says Currie.
Their products have a shelf
life of six to eight months but
must be refrigerated, which is
where shipping gets tricky.
The idea for the business
came from Empey and her love
of foods.
“I worked in farming since I
was 19 ... and it wasn’t until I
moved to Nova Scotia that I
missed working with food,” she
recalls. “I had an interest in preserving so I started fermenting. It
was just a hobby in Halifax but
in 2012 I wanted to do it more
seriously.”
Fermenting is not an easy task,
but it is something Empey enjoys
doing and does it well.
“It’s also really good for your
digestion,” she says.
In the last four years, Empey
says they have scaled up the
operations about as far as they
can go, but they are ready to go to
the next level and for that, they
require help.
“There are only two national
companies that do fermented
sauerkraut. We literally had to
invent everything as we went
along, there were no books to follow. But now we want to scale up
and become a flagship fermenter
for Ontario and even Canada.”
Y
HAPP
44 TH
!
Katey says, “I like meeting
new friends and playing in front
of an audience. Sometimes you
don’t get an opportunity to do
that and see how people enjoy it.
You learn a lot from it, like good
sportsmanship and the adjudicators tell you things you can work
on no matter how old or how
good you are.”
Pierre adds, “I like meeting
new friends and having competition and some plain old fun on
Family Night. (It) is like a concert
with a ton of family duets, trios,
solos, from families that perform
in the festival.”
In the past, the entire Aucoin
family has performed, but this
year, Pierre and Katey are preparing a duet on piano and violin,
Orange Blossom Special.
Both Aucoins have won
awards at the Stars of the Festival
concert and Katey received top
marks in fiddle and had the
opportunity to perform at the
concert.
Although they don’t do it for
the awards, the pair admit that
the accolades certainly make the
work feel well worth it.
They are the children of Jillian
and Guy Aucoin.
TUNED UP
Voices and instruments are
all tuning up for the 78th annual New Glasgow Music Festival
which runs until April 28.
The event began Tuesday
with strings competitions at St.
George’s Anglican Church.
Bands, strings, choirs, sight
reading, piano and vocal competitions are also part of the
festival. Aside from St.
George’s church, other venues
for 2016 include North Nova
Education Centre, Trinity
United and First Presbyterian
churches in New Glasgow.
Adjudicators
include
Jennifer Hart, who will judge
the choral and folk song competitors; Dr. Kevin Watson,
band and instrumental categories; Timi Levy, who will adjudicate the violin and strings
competitions; Shelley Neville,
vocal and family classes; Lynn
Johnson, senior piano; and
Barbara Long, who will adjudicate junior piano classes.
The festival will culminate
in the annual Stars of the
Festival taking place at the
deCoste Centre on May 1.
She’s Beautiful When She’s
Angry screening locally
The Pictou County Chapter of
Silent Witness NS is hosting a
public screening of the critically
acclaimed documentary, She's
Beautiful When She's Angry.
This film is being screened
across the globe and the Pictou
County Chapter fundraiser viewing is the only venue east of
Montreal to offer it.
She's Beautiful When She's
Angry resurrects the buried history of the women who founded
the modern women’s movement
from 1966 to 1971. It takes viewers from the founding of NOW,
with ladies in hats and gloves, to
the emergence of more radical
factions of women’s liberation;
from intellectuals like Kate Millett
to the street theatrics of W.I.T.C.H.
(Women’s
International
Conspiracy from Hell!). The film,
being screened here May 7,
recounts the stories of women
who fought for their own equality, and in the process created a
world-wide revolution.
The film does not try to romanticize the early movement and
does not shy away from the controversies over race, sexual preference and leadership that arose
in the women’s movement. She's
Beautiful When She's Angry captures the spirit of the time – thrilling, scandalous, and often hilarious.
That story still resonates today
for women who are facing new
challenges around reproductive
rights and sexual violence, as the
film shows present-day activists
creating their generation's own
version of feminism.
Pictou County Chapter Silent
Witness Nova Scotia has been
giving voice to Pictou County
women silenced by violence since
April 2013.
The presentation will take
place May 7 at North Nova
Education Centre. Doors open at
6 p.m., show begins at 7 p.m.
Donation at the door. Beginning
at 6 p.m., there will be information tables available highlighting
services of the Pictou County
Interagency
on
Domestic
Violence. There will be a 50/50
draw, tickets on a Mother’s Day
basket, popcorn and water for
sale.
Since 1990, more than 80 Nova
Scotia women have lost their lives
due to violence. For 36 women,
their deaths came at the hands of
their intimate partners, forever
silencing their voices.
The Pictou County Chapter is
a group of individuals working
together to raise the voices of
women who have lost their lives
at the hands of their intimate
partners. Through community
involvement and support, the
Pictou County Chapter will create free-standing, life-size, red,
wooden silhouettes, each one
bearing the name of a Pictou
County woman whose life ended
violently as a result of domestic
violence.
Silent Witness is funded
through private donations, fundraising and small grants.
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They are very excited about
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April 20, 2016
Community
3
NEWS BRIEFS
♦
Shannon MacLean, centre, logistics co-chair of
the Pictou County Relay
for Life, holds this year’s
site map showing how
the new layout will work.
Pat MacLean, logistics cochair, left, and Vicki
Moore, relay leadership
chair, are excited about
the new set up for the
event this year.
New year begins for Lunch
and Learn in Caribou River
CARIBOU RIVER – The planning committee of the Caribou
River Lunch and Learn program
is embarking on another year of
informative and interesting sessions at the Caribou River
Community Hall, beginning at
the end of this month.
Building on the great response
from the four sessions held in
spring and fall of last year, they
are hoping to attract many of the
participants from former sessions
as well as interested newcomers.
The first session will be held
on Thursday, April 28 from 11
a.m. to 1 p.m. The topic is “Pests
in your Garden: From Deer to
Deer Flies” and the speaker is
Angie Vankessell from West
River Greenhouse, Durham. She
will speak on pests, how to deal
with them and what to plant to
deter them. Questions are always
welcome.
A light lunch will be served
after the talk so participants are
asked to call 902-485-5820 to register. The sessions are free and
organizers are hoping to hold
three sessions this spring on April
28, May 26 and June 23. Topics/
speakers to be determined and
posted. The group is grateful to
the Seniors Outreach program as
well as to grants from the
Municipality of Pictou County to
help plan the sessions.
Roots Society offering $500
prize in essay contest
Students in grades 10, 11 and
12 have an opportunity to win a
$500 prize in the Clyde
Macdonald Annual Culture
Prize, from The Pictou County
Roots Society.
The group will offer this prize
annually to a student in Pictou
County who writes the best essay
about any notable event in Pictou
County.
The essay should be mailed to
The Pictou County Roots Society
prior to May 13.
The best essay will be selected
early in June so the Culture Prize
can be awarded at the school's
closing ceremony.
The Pictou County Roots
Society has donated copies of
Judge Clyde Macdonald’s books
to the school libraries with the
intention of helping the students
learn more about the notable
people and events in the history
of Pictou County.
Submissions can be mailed to
Pictou County Roots Society, 182
Dalhousie St, PO box 276 New
Glasgow, NS, B2H 5E3 or by
email to lloydgtattrie@gmail.
com.
(Brimicombe photo)
RELAY FOR LIFE
New year, new venue
This year's Relay for Life is
promising to be a close-knit
event for participants.
With a new venue and time
change for the event, the Pictou
County Relay for Life 2016 will
be a bit different than previous
years but is promising to bring
just as much fun to the table.
The site map for this year's
event has just been released and
it is boasting Glasgow Square as
its main venue with entertainment taking place on the stage
and the walking track cutting
through the Glasgow Square
parking lot and creating a loop
by going onto Riverside Parkway
and back into the parking lot.
“We really want to reassure
people that it’s not going to
change the event,” said Vicki
Moore, leadership chair of the
Pictou County Relay for Life.
Rather than the “tent city”
that participants have set up in
the past few years, this year the
teams will be giving a picnic
and reward excellence, during
graduation, as a result of monies
that have been provided in several
ways. Funds are received annually from businesses, organizations, individuals and fundraisers
and from interest earned on the
investment of memorial and other
gifts. All are distributed based on
the contributors’ criteria.
Those wishing to help acknowledge or reward deserving students by contributing to the NRHS
Educational Society may do so
through: a one-time donation, an
annual donation, estate planning,
a memorial tribute, or by attending a fundraising event.
Culloden service postponed
KNOYDART – The 35th annual Battle of Culloden will be celebrated at a later date to be
announced in May.
The ceremony will begin at 11
a.m. with a procession along the
lane from Route 245 to the cairn
located along the Northumberland
Strait to commemorate the battle.
The service was to take place
last Saturday, but heavy snow that
fell over Friday and early Saturday
forced the event’s postponement.
A spokesman said conditions
made it impossible for the several
hundred people who usually
attend the service to gather at the
cairn.
Rotary re-design tendered;
town ahead of budget
PICTOU – The rotary redesign project is one of three provincial projects out for tender.
The project is now under the
auspice of the province and
once tender is complete, work
may begin this year.
Council was also notified
they will receive one third of
the $5.1 million water project
from the government. They
have received the contract and
financing agreement for the
project.
AHEAD OF BUDGET
Town accountant Eldon
MacDonald informed council
they are currently $7,000 ahead
of budget, thanks to the mild
winter and lack of snow removal services required.
“I expect to continue this
trend to the end of the (fiscal)
year,” he said.
RCMP PERFORMANCE
RCMP are working on their
annual performance plans and
requesting public input on
important matters to citizens.
Sgt. Kevin Dunlevy, acting
district commander for Pictou
County District RCMP, told
council the last few years they
have focused on safer roads,
safe communities and getting
to know the community, which
are in line with the RCMP’s
provincial goals.
If the residents of the town
feel there are more important
issues to be focused on, now is
the time to let those be known.
Officers will also be putting
an increased focus on school
zones with the warmer weather
coming.
County Relay for Life goes
toward a number of different
aspects of cancer care.
“Some of the money goes to
Camp Good Time,” said
MacLean about the camp for
children who have been touched
by cancer. “We also fund research
projects.”
Before the big event itself, the
committee for Relay for Life is
hosting a fundraiser for the event
at the North End Recreation
Centre on April 30. It will be a
Mardi Gras theme dance to
match this year's relay theme.
For those hoping to attend, tickets are $10 and the dance goes
from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets can
be found at several local venues
or by contacting committee
members.
Queens mayor offers
tips on amalgamation
Fundraising dance planned
by education society
Put on your dancing shoes, the
Northumberland Regional High
School Educational Society is holding a dance next month to raise
funds.
The registered charity's purpose is to promote and reward
excellence in academic achievement, effort and/or citizenship for
students of NRHS.
The society will be holding an
adult dance featuring the popular
Usual Suspects on May 7, 8 to 12
p.m. Tickets at $15 each are available at several local venues or by
calling 902-485-6644 or 902 4858358.
The society is able to support
table as a home base in the middle of the track like usual and
can decorate their space however
they like.
“It’s just really a freshening
up of the event,” said Shannon
MacLean, logistics co-chair.
This years event will be taking place June 11 and, due to the
venue
change,
Riverside
Parkway will be shut down from
6 a.m. on. The hours for the
event have also changed this
year turning the event into a sixhour one, from 6 p.m. to midnight.
“This way, you still have the
whole Saturday to spend with
your family,” said MacLean.
For those who are not familiar with the event, the money
that is raised from the Pictou
By Steve Goodwin
Kay Desborough works on pillowcases that she will be donating to the Aberdeen Hospital. Desborough has been involved
with Ryan’s Case for Smiles, an organization that makes
vibrant pillowcases for children with life altering illnesses in
the hospital. There will be an assembly day on April 29 at
(Harvie photo)
Pictou United Church.
Case for smiles
By Debbi Harvie
PICTOU – An act of kindness
is all it takes to brighten someone’s
day.
Just ask Kay Desborough.
Desborough has been making
vibrant pillowcases for children in
local hospitals since 2002 and says
the joy the pillowcases bring to
these children is more than she
could have ever imagined.
“(Ryan’s) Case for Smiles was
started by a mother whose 15-yearold son had cancer in the U.S. and
was in and out of hospital many
times. After visiting him one day,
she noticed that he hadn’t smiled
in a while and wanted to do something to bring a smile to his face.
She was a quilter and went
through her stash and made a
bright, colourful pillowcase. When
she showed it to (her son) a smile
came to his face.”
The cause has grown from a
pillowcase for one child, to more
than one million pillowcases for
children across North America.
Desborough makes pillowcases for the Aberdeen Hospital, the
Cape Breton Regional Hospital
and the IWK Children’s Hospital.
“The Aberdeen is doing something
unique,”
explains
Desborough. “They are using flannel pillowcases for the bassinettes
for newborn babies so I have been
collecting more flannel for that
project (whereas the regular pillowcases are made from 100 per
cent cotton).”
A former nurse in the pediat-
rics unit, this cause is close to
Desborough’s heart.
On April 29, she is hosting an
assembly party at Pictou United
Church for anyone wishing to
volunteer some time.
“There are nine steps involved
in the process so we basically set
up an assembly line and, based on
your skills level, you choose which
step you want to be involved in.”
The event runs from 9:30 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. and a light lunch is
provided by the volunteers.
Desborough says there will be
enough fabric to make up to 300
pillowcases.
“Myself and a friend in Little
Harbour, Jane Williams, collect
the fabric throughout the year.”
A pillowcase requires approximately one meter of fabric, with
two complementing fabrics. They
do not accept fabric donations, but
do accept monetary donations to
pay for fabric.
“Each pillow costs around $11
based on U.S. statistics.”
There will be 10 sewing
machines as well as irons and
ironing boards and the pillowcases will be set up into kits prior to
the day. After the items are made,
they are washed in scent-free
detergent and packaged in Ziplock
deli bags provided by Sobeys.
Twice a year, Desborough
hosts these events and she also
makes pillowcases for the two
winter months she spends in
Tucson, AZ, donating them to the
local hospital there.
Continued on page 4
NEW GLASGOW – Pictou
County will benefit from amalgamation, Region of Queens Mayor
Christopher Clarke says.
Last Thursday during a lunch
and learn session hosted by the
Pictou County Chamber of
Commerce, Clarke said it will be
worth the work and debate from
each side of the issue once amalgamation is achieved.
“I understand the angst you’re
going through. The rewards are
huge,” he said.
Four local municipalities have
undergone a process with a memorandum of understanding that
would lead to them holding combined elections this fall and officially amalgamating next year.
The Municipality of Queens
County and the Town of Liverpool
agreed to amalgamation in 1995
and are marking its 20th year after
they officially became the Region
of Queens in April, 1996.
“It’s still the only voluntary
amalgamation in the province,”
he said. “We’re looked on with a
certain amount of admiration.”
Clarke outlined what the
region has accomplished over
its 20 years. It saved $750,000 in
its first year on a budget of
nearly $11 million. Staff was
reduced by 26 per cent, while
the staff spent 23 per cent less
time negotiating between the
two original units.
Liverpool was able to reduce
its tax rate by 15 cents. Each unit
was responsible for its debt and
Liverpool has paid off its debt.
Clarke downplayed people’s
concerns with communities’ lost
identity. “They haven’t in
Queens,” he said.
The region has retained the six
fire departments in the county
before amalgamation, which he
said is vital to the communities
they served.
“I personally believe fire
departments do much more than
fight fires,” he said.
Clarke stressed how difficult
and how important it is to consolidate bylaws. He also recommended having a new CAO in
place before amalgamation occurs,
which the four local units plan to
do if they amalgamate. He also
cautioned the units not to cut too
much staff.
“Leave a little fat,” he said.
“You need to give taxpayers value
for money, but don’t be greedy
with it.”
He said it’s crucial for the new
mayor and councilors to constantly communicate engage with the
electorate and make themselves
known in the community.
“When you think you’ve done
enough, communicate again,” he
said. “Be as forthright as you can.
I call myself the apostle of amalgamation. I continue to preach
that gospel.”
Clarke recounted setbacks in
Queens, the biggest one being
when the Bowater pulp mill
closed, taking $600,000 out of the
region’s revenue stream, and the
loss of deed registry and other
provincial jobs.
“Every provincial job you lose
is $100,000 a year,” he said.
Most of Liverpool’s downtown
storefronts were closed.
“We’ve turned that around,”
he said.
Converting the Bowater site
into an industrial park has attracted new business.
From left, Diane MacConnell Cameron exchanges thoughts on
amalgamation with Andy MacGregor and Region of Queens
(Goodwin photo)
Mayor Christopher Clarke.
4
Community
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
MOU discussions heat up
By Steve Goodwin
RIVER JOHN – A resident of
Seafoam and former county
councillor is viewing the MOU
process with trepidation.
Bonnie Allan says she is concerned over how divisive the
discussion of the memorandum
of understanding that may lead
four municipalities to amalgamate has become. She was among
those who attended the MOU
session last week in River John.
“To me, it looks as if the community is getting very divided,”
she said. “I don’t like that. It’s
dividing communities, families
and friendships. There are those
who are strongly opposed and
those who are strongly in favour
(of amalgamation). It’s going to
depend on people getting out to
vote.”
Allan said amalgamation has
been discussed for a long time
and she recalled the last time it
was considered in the mid-1990s.
She said the discussion is different because of how the consequences are being laid out if
amalgamation is not achieved.
“Twenty years ago, we looked
at the pros and we looked at the
cons of amalgamation,” she said.
“This time, we’re looking at the
pros and cons of the here and
now.”
Allan said she wonders why
the province is so keen to offer
millions in infrastructure money
to the four amalgamating units:
the Municipality of Pictou
County and the towns of New
Glasgow, Pictou and Stellarton.
“I question the province’s
involvement – did someone ask
for this?” she said.
Deputy
Mayor
Andy
Thompson, who moderated the
meeting in River John, said the
infrastructure funding was negotiated.
“That was negotiated between
two levels of government,” he
said. “The purpose of the money
was to put on a firm footing for
the first five years (of amalgamation).”
Marshville
resident
Bernadette Romanowsky reiterated her concerns about what
people understand all the process.
“People don’t understand the
implications of amalgamation,”
she said. “I have a big problem
with (the lack of) consultation.
My bigger concern with the new
municipality is that’s the end of
rural government.”
Thompson also addressed
Romanowsky’s objection that
the MOU contract among the
four participating units is not
binding.
“The MOU is a framework
agreement,” he said. You can’t
bind a future council to a future
decision. We don’t know what
will happen five, 10 or 15 years
from now.
“I’d like to be optimistic that
it will work. I don’t think people
trust if we get in, can we get
out.”
SCOTSBURN
The moderator at the MOU
session last week in Scotsburn
says he anticipates growing
intensity at future sessions.
“It’s going to be interesting,” said Coun. David Parker,
who represents District 7 on
Pictou County Municipal
Council.
The session took place at
Scotsburn Fire Hall on April 11.
It is one of several Parker
has moderated recently in an
effort to keep order and encourage speakers to identify themselves and be respectful to other
speakers and presenters.
He said he called on speakers to pose questions after
allowing several minutes of
comment.
“I’ll moderate when they
ask me to,” said Parker, a
retired school teacher. “It’s a
certain skill set you get from
years of teaching. Some people
just want to hear their own
voice. It’s hard to deal with
sometimes. There’s emotions
on both sides. That’s not a bad
thing.”
Parker said he noticed the
number of younger people speaking at the session.
“We’re seeing the next generation of politicians cutting their
teeth,” he said. “It’s a watershed
moment, one way or the other.”
Amanda Hill, who previously
addressed the Nova Scotia Utility
and Review Board in March, was
among those who spoke in
Scotsburn.
She said she asked people to
consider who they are voting for
during the plebiscite scheduled
for May 28.
“I asked them who needed a
doctor or will in the next few
years, and that we need to come
together to grow and market our
community as an attractive place
for people to move,” she said. “I
commented that we have seen
the forecast – and it is rain – and
this is our chance to do something about it.”
She declined comment on an
incident at the meeting when she
was confronted by someone with
opposing views, except to say “it
is evident this is an emotional
and important issue for all who
are engaged by it.”
Case for smiles...
“When children are admitted,
staff or a volunteer take a handful
of the pillowcases and bring them
to the child so they can choose
which one they would like to
have,” she explains. “When a child
is hospitalized, there is often not
much opportunity for them to
make choices. It gives them that
feeling.”
There are currently 38 regis-
tered volunteers for April 29, however, more are welcome to attend.
“Everyone leaves the day with
a smile.”
To date, Desborough believes
she has made approximately 800
pillowcases.
“It’s wonderful to see how
many people come out and volunteer and the folks at the church
(Pictou United) have bent over
backwards to make this a successful event.”
RCMP investigate
suspicious fire
LITTLE HARBOUR – Pictou
County District RCMP are
investigating a suspicious fire in
Little Harbour on Sunday.
Just before 10:30 p.m., officers responded to a structure
fire on Black Point Extension
Road. Upon arrival, officers discovered Little Harbour Fire
Department on scene fighting a
fire that destroyed a vacant cottage and shed on the property.
No one was hurt.
The Nova Scotia Office of the
Fire Marshal examined the scene
Monday and the cause of the
fire remains under investiga-
tion.
RCMP are asking anyone
who may have information
about this incident to contact the
RCMP non-emergency line at
(902) 755-4141, Nova Scotia
Crime Stoppers by phone at
1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting TIP202 + your message to
'CRIMES' (274637) or by using
Secure Web Tips at www.
crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to
Crime Stoppers are not taped or
traced and if police make an
arrest and lay charges based on
a tip, callers could qualify for a
cash reward of $50 - $2,000.
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The Advocate
April 20, 2016
• MOU SESSIONS •
STELLARTON – Some tense
moments, but hardly what was
anticipated, interspersed the
MOU information session in
Stellarton.
More than 150 people, slightly
below capacity, attended the
meeting in the cafeteria at the
Nova
Scotia
Community
College.
Coun. Denise Taylor, who
with Mayor Joe Gennoe represents Stellarton on the steering
committee struck to lead the
MOU process, outlined the work
done so far on a proposal to lead
the memorandum of understanding among Stellarton and three
other municipalities to amalgamation.
Taylor followed by providing
answers to four questions raised
by Stellarton resident Brian
Atkinson at a recent town council
meeting regarding each unit’s
debt.
The Municipality of Pictou
County, Stellarton the other
towns of New Glasgow and
Pictou in the MOU process are
paying off their individual debts.
The county has no external
debt, only the sum it borrowed
internally from its reserves to pay
for its new municipal building.
Atkinson wondered why the
debts would not be shared among
the four units. He also said there
should have been citizen input on
the steering committee.
Pamela Canning raises an issue on Thursday at the MOU session
in Stellarton.
(Goodwin photo)
Gennoe read a statement once
again opposing the process, saying the steering committee has
gathered only limited information and amalgamation would
give Stellarton one council member instead of a mayor and four
councilors it has now.
“If it’s a good idea, it should
not need marketing and half
truths,” he said. “In my opinion,
this amalgamation is grasping at
straws.”
Both John Baker asked if the
steering committee considered
the social impact of amalgamation, and Arthur Sinclair asked
what options besides amalgamation were considered.
“I just want the best for the
people of Pictou County and not
get into something we can’t get
out of,” Sinclair said.
Warden Ronald Baillie said
the option to amalgamation is
“status quo.”
Taylor was joined on the
MOU panel by Baillie, Pictou
CAO Scott Conrad, Coun. Jack
Lewis of New Glasgow and
Deputy
Warden
Andy
Thompson, who moderated the
session.
Thompson cut off Union
Centre resident Mike Schwartz,
who went off topic with a protracted preamble without asking
a question about the MOU.
“Please ask a question or sit
down,” Thompson said.
Ed Stewart wondered why the
local units abandoned the planning
commission and shared services in
favour of the current arrangement.
Conrad said they went with a sales
and services model.
5
ON GUARD
FOR THEE
Variety of questions raised in Stellarton
By Steve Goodwin
Community
Stellarton resident Patty Lloyd
asked what plans were in place to
provide jobs for young people.
Lewis said infrastructure projects through and agreement with
the province will provide job
opportunities.
Taylor said the municipalities
need to provide the environment
to create more jobs.
Pamela Canning suggested the
steering committee’s One Pictou
County title is misleading without
the towns of Trenton and Westville
as part of the amalgamation. She
wondered if the workload for the
new council and staff would
increase, and that only retired and
independently wealthy people
would have time to be councillors.
Baillie said people could still
have day jobs, given the regimen of
evening meetings and reduced
committee work.
Both Baillie and Lewis grew
testy from remarks by Ken Fraser
over the population of districts.
“We’re trying to do something,” Lewis said. “I have one
chance to keep my children here.
If I can do it for mine, I can do it for
others.”
Coun. Simon Lawand asked
what the committee will do to heal
the hard feelings on each side of the
amalgamation issue and to establish public transportation.
“CHAD is more than willing
to expand if we pay for it,” Baillie
said.
Conrad also said an amalgamated municipality qualifies for
more shared funding.
General support for process in Thorburn
By Steve Goodwin
THORBURN – Some questions minced with general support
formed the MOU was the theme
of the information session on April
12 at the Thorburn fire hall.
Nearly 70 people attended the
session regarding the proposal by
the Municipality of Pictou County
and the towns of New Glasgow,
Pictou and Stellarton to amalgamate and conduct combined elections in 10 districts in October.
Coun. Debi Wadden was
among those who addressed the
gathering on behalf of the MOU
steering committee. She said there
was mutual agreement on amalgamation and the multi-milliondollar deal the four units struck
with the province to leverage
infrastructure funding and freeze
the level of equalization funds.
“They are not forcing us to do
this,” she said. “It was negotiated.
They (the provincial government)
believe we can do it. We know we
can do it. A stronger Pictou County
means a stronger province. They
know that.”
Wadden shared a time line
that includes the Nova Scotia
Utility and Review Board issuing a preliminary order in late
April to trigger a plebiscite in the
four units on May 28, council
decisions on amalgamation in
June and combined municipal
elections on Oct. 15.
She reiterated that fire departments were not part of the MOU
discussions because the units
support the current structure
and mutual aid provisions.
“There will be no changes,”
she said. “They work well
together.”
There is also agreement to
examine police services over the
next five years.
Wadden also drew a distinction
between the Albion Business Park
and New Scotland Business
Development Inc., formed to locate
clients on land straddling the New
Glasgow and county line.
“We’re looking at New
Scotland as an industrial park as
opposed to Albion as a retail
park,” she said. “The way I see it,
we benefit each other.”
In response to a question from
local
businessman
Nick
MacGregor, County CAO Brian
Cullen said lots sold in New
Scotland could be sized from one
to 17 acres.
Deputy
Warden
Andy
Thompson responded to questions about how work to extend
sewer lines in MacLellan’s Brook
was prioritized as part of the infrastructure project list. He said it
would be seven to 10 years before
the work could be done without
the funding from the infrastructure agreement.
“It’s been bandied about for
decades,” he said. “The only way
we can get that project done is to
cost-share.”
He said the portion of lines laid
several years ago in MacLellan’s
Brook and Plymouth was not costshared and subject to when the
province wanted to rebuild and
repave the road once the lines
were laid.
“We had to pay 100 per cent of
the dollars on that project because
(at the time) TIR wanted to pave
it,” he said.
Tyler Cameron said he knows
classmates from when he attended
university who need the opportunity for growth the steering committee claims will come from its
proposal for amalgamation.
“If we don’t do something to
attract economic development, we
are in trouble,” he said. “I’m not
saying the MOU is perfect, but it’s
something.”
Pictou County Chamber of
Commerce executive director Jack
Kyte shared his experience in the
same role with the defunct Pictou
Regional Development Agency to
express his support for the MOU.
“We spent all our time keeping
the mayors and warden happy,”
he said. “We were hamstrung. We
are not together here. This is an
opportunity to change that.”
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pictou County Military
Museum and The Advocate are teaming up to
present 'On Guard for Thee',
a series of profiles of some of the local men and
women who have served this country in times of
conflict. The project is the brainchild of Vincent
Joyce, founder and president of the Pictou County
Military Museum, who has generously supplied
all of the photos and military records
of the individuals who will be featured weekly
in The Advocate.
This profile and many others are available
for purchase as a fundraiser for
The Pictou County Military Museum. Discs
of the military profiles that have already
appeared in The Advocate can be purchased
for $25. Each CD contains 80 pictures and
profiles, 40 unit pictures and military
poems. Contact The Military Museum at
396-2194, 2020 Queen Street, Westville.
Sadie O’Hearn and
Laurena Greencorn prepare
potato salad for the ham and
salad take-out lunch last
week. The lunch was a fundraiser for the Pictou Lobster
Carnival with assistance from
the Stella Maris Catholic
Women’s League.
(Harvie photo)
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Rebecca McKenna (Phone: 902-485-1417). Email: r.mckenna@ns.sympatico.ca. Facebook: www.facebook.com/CAIRNCommunitiesAssistingRefugeesNow
Alta Munro, al.alta@bellaliant.net
Nanda Shirke, Pictou County Multicultiral Association (Phone:
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6
Opinion
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Queens shares
lessons learned
I
t is educating for those
who support or oppose
amalgamation of four municipalities in Pictou County to
learn from the one place in
Nova Scotia where it has been
done voluntarily, and where
after 20 years it has worked
well.
Region of Queens Mayor
Christopher Clarke spoke last
Thursday at a lunch and learn
session hosted by the Pictou
County
Chamber
of
Commerce. It was an opportunity to hear what has worked,
what has not and to generally
consider another place in the
province where the region’s
citizens, elected members and
staff have owned the process
and see hope for the future.
Clarke did two things that
were good for everyone who
attended the event. He made
people laugh and he made
them think.
He quoted the great wordsmith Oscar Wilde, saying,
“To give advice is silly; to give
good advice is absolutely
fatal.”
He asked people to listen
but to not put too much into
how things have gone in
Queens. It has been a success
on a much smaller scale than
what the Municipality of
Pictou County and the towns
of New Glasgow, Pictou and
Stellarton have agreed to in
their memorandum of understanding and are promoting
through their One Pictou
County initiative.
That said, what Clarke
shared is pertinent in many
ways to what is being considered here. None of the three
urban fire departments and 18
rural ones in the four local
units faces closure. The way
FLASHBACK
♦
YOUNG TWITTER
they are supported and how
they offer mutual aid are
upheld as reasons for keeping
a good thing.
By comparison, Queens
had six separate fire departments before regional government was formed and still
does.
Like Pictou County, Queens
has lost industrial and provincial government employment.
The Bowater pulp mill closed
in Queens, while Scotsburn is
no longer based in Pictou
County, the giant factory floor
for TrentonWorks and DSME
is vacant and Michelin’s workforce in Granton was also
reduced.
There have been savings in
Queens that MOU participants
anticipate in terms of spending and reduced tax rates.
MOU sessions have been
marked by grave concerns
expressed for the future of
rural Pictou County. But the
potential is there to achieve
things that do not exist now.
A more robust delivery of recreation programs and the possibility of forming an authority to protect the ecology of
Pictou County’s head waters
are just two examples.
People who are suspect
about amalgamation say there
has been too little consultation
and information sharing.
Every MOU session is a chance
to gain more insight: this week
at a meeting that took place on
Tuesday in Blue Mountain,
plus future ones today at the
deCoste Centre in Pictou and
on Thursday at the Linacy and
East River Valley fire halls.
Now is the time to learn
lessons.
Twitter Johnston (1889 – 1962) accomplished a
great deal in his career as a clown, acrobat,
slight-of-hand artist, sculptor, poet, master
story teller, and an all-around entertainer.
Inspired by clowns performing at a Wild West
show when he was five years old, he practiced
on the soft tanbark, discarded by the 1870s
leather tannery near Bark Street.
(Submitted by the Pictou Historical Photograph Society. Go to
www.pictouphotos.ca/NovaStory.ca to view these and 1,800 more
Pictou photos.
Check out their Facebook page.)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
u
Negative consequences must
also be part of MOU discussion
To the Editor:
None of our concerns are
based on fear, but on frustration with the lack of time, consultation and minimal number
of options offered as a solution. That's unacceptable as
well as presenting only a partial view and optimistic forecasts without acknowledging
the reality that the negative
consequences must also be
discussed and be part of the
equation.
The trust issue is not one
that the 'Yes Amalgamate' side
can lay any firm claim to, bless
their little hearts for trying!
They say they have the
answers, just ask, but when
pressed with a probing question they have shrugged or
even said 'don't know'. I do
hope that changes. An instructor once told me there are no
stupid questions. If there is a
mystery it is the responsibility
of the steering committee to
de-mystify their own creation
with understandable answers.
There's no pot of gold at
the end of this rainbow. By
the end of the 'Five Year Plan'
when the money's been spent
and very likely much more
besides, and we're further in
debt, if the jobs and business
still remain at a low ebb,
what then? At that time when
the provincial equalization
drops nearly $2 million and
we're left with even less provincial money than we had
originally and the bills are
coming due, what's the plan
Steve Goodwin
VISIT US ON
The Pictou Advocate
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EDITOR
Jackie Jardine
902-759-0307
editor@pictouadvocate.com
REPORTER
Steve Goodwin
(902) 301-0724
REPORTER
Debbi Harvie
(902) 301-5997
for 'Year Six and Years
Beyond'? Isn't there a 'Plan
B' or 'C' to turn to or did we
just not entertain the thought
that it might be worth consideration?
Contingency
planning makes sense!
So, in effect you're saying,
"It's all in, we'll spin the wheel
and you take your chances?"
Sorry, but we'd like a proposal with firmer assurance that
doesn't make us feel stressed
out with uncertainty.
Financial stability is
essential to the survival of
any corporate or government
entity and the numbers that
have been presented by many
experienced Pictou County
number crunchers are factual, correct and undisputed at
this time. The NSUARB also
see these facts as significant.
Please refute them if you can!
It's not 'smart' to assume you
have all the answers.
We don't fear New
Glasgow; we're dismayed
that it isn't more open about
its full financial position.
Please produce the facts of
what is guaranteed and certain
about the benefits we're buying into. It now seems more
like a Christmas package
bought for ourselves, not a
real gift at all.
What I see are expensive
blue sky dreams which have
no more certainty than next
week's weather forecast, and
we're expected to stake our
future on those slim odds?
Jobs! You chased away
REPORTER
Heather Brimicombe
902-301-1653
good jobs in your own town
not that long ago for the sake
of a $1 million show of good
faith. Not much money these
days in the recent state of
things!
Co-operation? What have
you done to help Trenton save
its industry and jobs? It's a real
shame what industrial Trenton
has been put through for the
past number of years. I hear
you didn't even want them to
have their own farmer's market since you already had one.
Not much of an example of
our Pictou County Family
sharing and generosity! When
Trenton was booming the
county hummed with energy,
New Glasgow certainly shared
big time in its prosperity.
Fighting amongst ourselves? Many disputes have
one common antagonist. Who
do you suppose that is?
It is my opinion that the
other five communities get
along very well, thank you.
But you are certainly entitled
to your perception.
You have industry here
now that is moving away, ask
yourself why? And what are
you doing to find out what it
might take to keep them?
Show them your strategy!
Seems like you can't keep what
you already have under your
nose and you're out trying to
find new business? Maybe the
problem is leadership not location!
Ken Fraser
RR#2 Hopewell
To the Editor:
I have been reminded a few
times over the past month that we
have tried many times to be “One
Pictou County”. Some say we
tried that 10 years ago, some recall
battles from the 1970s, others say it
goes as far back as 1800s! Dan
Currie’s recent letter to the editor
describes a different day in age
when the facts and visioning supporting the why was not as readily
available as it is today. Dan goes
on to compare present state, to former state, his former position and
his new position. He concludes we
need to amalgamate in 2016.
I whole heartedly agree. In no
other time has the time been as
right as it is in 2016. We need to
capitalize on the opportunity and
the momentum. We cannot wait
even another four years. We need
to amalgamate in 2016. The time is
now.
The MOU Steering Committee
is doing a good job of presenting
the facts. I attend as many meetings as I can. I read the reports. All
very logical, fact based and validated by professionals. I asked a
lot of questions and got a lot of
factual answers from people I
trust. I believe there will be no
change in tax burden if we amalgamate. Contrast that to the state
of Pictou County if we do not
amalgamate: With decreasing
commercial assessments, flat residential assessments, decreasing
population, depreciating infrastructure, considerable turf wars
precluding attraction for companies from outside Pictou County
to invest within our County, I
believe there will be an increase in
all county taxpayers tax burden if
we don’t amalgamate.
Continued on page 7
REPORTER
ADVERTISING SALES
ADVERTISING SALES
aaroncameron@pictouadvocate.com
silviaschaff@advocatemediainc.com
blakeross@advocatemediainc.com
Aaron Cameron
902-759-7141
Timing is
right to
amalgamate
Silvia Schaaf
902-301-2554
Blake Ross
902-759-5054
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u
Regional gov't a blessing
in Queens County
To the Editor:
I am watching earnestly as I
see the process of amalgamation
being examined in Pictou
County. My parents were both
native to Pictou County, and
located in Liverpool in 1968,
shortly before my birth.
The amalgamation process
can indeed seem a daunting one
as the unknown creates unease.
Communities feel they may lose
identity. Looking back on 20
years of our regional government here in Queens County, I
must say that it has been a blessing. Together as one, we have
consistently moved in a forward
direction, in spite of a severe
downturn in the paper industry
which cost us the former Bowater
Mersey plant.
Our infrastructure is strong,
our decisions made on a prompt
basis and the efficiencies created
by streamlining are abundant.
The former town of Liverpool is
strong and vibrant as the economic hub of our community. I
have grave concerns that it
would be in such great shape
had amalgamation not taken
place. Our six fire departments
operate like one big professional
team, with co-operation that
should be the envy of the province.
Just as Liverpool is 'still
Liverpool', our other communities maintain their strong individual identities.
Festivals,
breakfasts, community dances
and more continue throughout
our municipality, and people
remain as proud as ever of their
neighbourhoods and villages.
Here in Queens we still face
many challenges, and certainly
each proposal for amalgamation
must stand on its own merit.
That said, I think I speak for
most residents when I say that
we are in a better place for taking
that step. If you are able to make
this work to the benefit of everyone, please try your hardest to
get it done. Waiting until others
dictate your path for you might
not be as appealing.
Bruce Inglis
Liverpool,
Region of Queens
Ticks: Know how
to reduce the risk
To the Editor:
The word is there are more
ticks out in the ‘green’ world this
year. Summer is coming and most
people want to spend time outdoors. Ticks can be found almost
anywhere any time of the year so
it is important to know what to do
to avoid getting bitten. The blacklegged tick that carries Lyme and
other infections is now the predominant tick species found.
The first step to protecting oneself from ticks and tick bites is to
be aware and do everything in
your power to protect yourself,
your family and your pets. There
is always a risk even if it is a small
risk. Think about crossing a street:
there is always a risk of being hit
by a car even when precautions
are taken.
There are things you can do
when out in nature. When hiking,
stay on well-worn paths and out
of tall grass or bushy areas. Proper
dress can help; wear closed-toe
shoes, long-sleeved shirts, pants
and tuck long hair under a hat.
Cover up as much as possible and
wear light coloured clothing to
make it easier to spot ticks. Tuck
your pants into your socks to
reduce the amount of exposed
skin so ticks cannot crawl up your
legs. It is not about making a fashion statement while out in nature
but rather about reducing risk.
It is recommended to use an
insect repellent. According to
Thomas Mather, a public health
entomologist at the University of
Rhode Island, evidence suggests
the common bug spray chemical
N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide
(DEET), is not useful against ticks.
According to Mather, it’s not toxic
to the ticks; they still can scurry
across a DEET-treated surface
and get to places where the DEET
is not, such as a warm human leg.
Another recommended repellent
is Icaridin (also known as
Picaridin). Picaridin is made to
resemble the compound piperine,
which occurs naturally in black
pepper plants and interferes with
their receptors thus repelling
ticks. There are natural tick repellents such as vinegar and some
essential oils, rose geranium, yarrow, lavender, eucalyptus and
others.
When you come back indoors
it is recommended to remove your
clothes in the garage or somewhere you're avoiding the inside
of your home. Shake out those
clothes and try to remove any
ticks that might be stuck on your
garments. A lint roller can pick up
unattached crawling ticks. Place
clothes in a hot dryer for 10 to 15
minutes to kill any missed ticks as
washing will not kill ticks; they do
not drown. It is recommended to
shower or bathe within two hours
of being outdoors to wash away
any unattached ticks as it takes
time for attachment. Daily “full
body” checks for ticks should be
performed: ticks attach themselves
to the skin so they can be found
and removed, which usually prevents infection if this is done early
enough. Check your children’s
head/hair as if you were looking
for lice. Remember the ticks can be
very small so look carefully.
It has been said the tick needs
to be attached for 24 to 36 hours
but current research shows that
time required for transmission is
much less. It has been said that
there is really ‘no safety window’.
It would be difficult to say exactly
how long a tick may have been
attached; they do not have a time
clock. It has been found that the
tick can start to transfer the bacteria as soon as it bites the host, little
or no time lapse required although
the longer it is attached the likelihood of infection increases.
The way the tick is removed is
also important. Do not touch a tick
with your bare hands; you can use
a tissue, leaf, piece of plastic or a
removal device. In a laboratory
setting ticks are considered biohazards. If there is a tick bite and
the tick is there, do not apply anything (Vaseline, a hot match, dish
detergent etc.) to the tick as you do
not want to “tick off a tick” and
cause it to regurgitate into the bite
site. Carefully remove it by grasping it with a pair of fine point
tweezers or a tick removal device
at the point closest to the skin. Pull
it out slowly and steadily. Be careful not to squeeze the tick when
removing it as you will possibly
inject bacteria into the bite site. It is
important to note that it is also
possible to become infected by
handling infected ticks, such as
when removing ticks from a pet,
especially if the tick is ruptured
and the infected body fluids are
introduced into a wound or mucus
membrane.
After the tick is removed, disinfect the bite area and wash your
hands. Lyme disease is carried by
blacklegged ticks and exposure to
the bacterium results from tick
bites or contact with fluids from a
ruptured infected tick. There are
other ways of having contact with
the bacteria: congenital, ie in utero,
breast milk, blood transfusion as
well as being a potential STD.
Not all ticks are infected but
risk is risk, even a small risk.
Carefully check children and
pets for ticks. Ticks can come into
your home on your pets and if
they are unattached can crawl
from your pet onto you and attach.
It is possible for a tick to transmit
disease organisms three times
during its life cycle when it takes a
blood meal.
Risk is risk! Lyme is the fastest
growing epidemic worldwide.
Please be aware. Education is
key!
Brenda Sterling-Goodwin
New Glasgow
Opinion
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Negativity on MOU
has got to stop
To the Editor:
Stellarton's citizens have no
problems. Stellarton borrowed
to finance Albion Centre, at no
cost to others, New Glasgow
complained, we cut into their
turf. We built facilities for all
Pictou County on our dime. Is
that not co-operation?
We didn't complain or ask
for the Wellness Centre. Our
mortgage-free rink worked for
us, everyone is welcome to use
it. Our town maintains and
polices the ball fields; we didn't
complain about others using it,
we are happy to see all kids
having fun.
We have a small market in
Blue Acres before New Glasgow,
no one complained when New
Glasgow received federal funding, but they complained about
Trenton's market. No complaining when three auto dealerships
moved to New Glasgow/
County from Stellarton. When
Central relocated to New
Glasgow from the county, no
crying, crying when they moved
to Stellarton. Stellarton's Theatre
moved to New Glasgow, no
complaining. Sumner Plumbing
supply moved to New Glasgow,
no complaints. They called for
volunteers, Stellarton volunteered at the Riverfront Jubilee,
didn't complain it was in New
Glasgow. There is an attitude of
entitlement in New Glasgow.
New Glasgow council complained about Maritime Steel, a
home-grown industry creating
jobs, feeding families, giving
them taxes. New Glasgow didn't
try to keep it open.
DSME closed, no cry to help
save the plant or march of concern by the MOU. Where is this
labour of love for these people?
The government brought out
the Manitoba bill, shortly thereafter Michelin downsized. There
was no march of concern. Where
is the unity, where is the co-operation? Just trust and obey and
believe in what I say.
Showing their unity by building the industrial park competing with the Stellarton Park.
Showed unity with Pictou by
building Glasgow Square competing against the deCoste. The
New Glasgow /Westville Police
contract, it was never a problem
with the officers, the councillors
complained. Westville is home
for Canada Day. New Glasgow
has the pre-Canada Day
Celebration, no one complained.
Pictou built a marina, New
Glasgow built one. The pool in
Pictou, where kids learn to swim
– New Glasgow needed one bigger and closer. (They) complained saying Pictou is too far to
travel, expecting everyone west
of the causeway to travel east.
Do you see a pattern forming?
We have no complaints.
7
Timing ...
Stellarton has a few councillors
complaining. Who are the
defeatists, naysayers, complainers with negative attitude?
Who opposes progress?
I moved here because of
progress, and the individuality
of the communities. New
Glasgow prefers luxury, rural
you supplied services lowering
taxes, Stellarton smaller, frugal,
some say tight, Pictou by water
away from resource. New
Glasgow complained about
county people using their service without paying them
taxes.
Westville and Trenton
where miners and steel workers live, hard working, my kind
of people. Past councillors
shake their heads in disbelief.
We need councillors engaged
with the people.
One councillor against 11.
Important number ONE. When
council reduces fire departments, decides who polices
you, remember ONE.
When council increases
taxes, attaches user fees,
installs water/sewer meters –
remember ONE. Sorry, just an
observation. We will save
money and taxes will not
increase. Have they considered the hidden cost? For
example – all signs need to be
changed costing money. CAO
costs money. Who will police
- RCMP, local police? Paid fire
departments, volunteer, paid/
volunteer? County roads,
Councillors salaries – all costing money.
Bryan Knight
Stellarton
Certainly amalgamation is a
big change for us, but wow. What
a proud moment for us all when
we are truly One Pictou County.
Amalgamation is definitely part of
that journey. Amalgamation will
make the administration of our
county office more efficient and
effective. Cost savings and focused
attention to build our county and
keep the great things about our
county intact, such as our community identities.
We will not lose our individual
community identities. Scotsburn
will be Scotsburn, River John will
be River John, Big Island will be
Big Island and so on. Further,
ONE council focusing and implementing county initiatives such as
attracting/retaining business and
individuals, building transit,
working with the local hospitals,
developing/maintaining recreation, developing intergenerational initiatives and so on.
I am excited about the opportunities we will have if we amalgamate – what we can keep, drive
for and build together!
I talked to one of my childhood
friend’s moms last week. She lives
in the county and had some concerns about what amalgamation
means for seniors. She had great
questions. I believe I had good
answers and set her mind at ease.
Just before I hung up the phone,
she agreed I could quote her comment, “Ultimately Diane, we hope
for the best for our kids and grandkids, so the success of this county
really does really matter to us.”
Amalgamation is one more step
towards a successful One Pictou
County. The time is now. Vote Yes
on May 28.
Diane MacConnell Cameron
New Glasgow
Additional letters to the editor page 13
• MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING •
A fair and transparent process
EDITOR'S NOTE: Over the
next several weeks, The Advocate is
happy to bring a series of
information columns from the MOU
Steering Committee
on a variety of topics related
to the proposal.
Whenever municipalities want
to change governance structures
or boundaries, they must make an
application to the Nova Scotia
Utility and Review Board.
The board typically holds a
preliminary hearing and tells the
applicants what studies and “evidence” are required. Then, it holds
a formal hearing where the evidence is presented and the public
is invited to share their views.
The Municipality of the County
of Pictou, together with the towns
of New Glasgow, Pictou and
Stellarton submitted an application to the board to amalgamate.
Our application is voluntary and
conditional, allowing any of the
four municipalities to withdraw
on or before June 20, 2016 if the
evidence we gather shows that
amalgamation is not feasible,
and/or consultation with citizens
shows that they do not want
amalgamation.
The Utility and Review Board
held a preliminary hearing in
October 2015 and ordered us to
produce numerous pieces of evidence. They included analysis on
council size and proposed electoral districts, a proposed staffing
plan for the New Municipality, a
five-year infrastructure plan, and
five-year financial forecasts for
two scenarios – one if amalgamation happens and one if it does
not.
This evidence we gathered
and filed with the board shows
that amalgamation will ensure
we achieve our factors for success, thereby meeting our first
condition noted above.
The Utility and Review Board
held a formal hearing on the
merits of this evidence from
March 7-9. It was an opportunity
not only for us to present our
evidence, but also to consult with
citizens. There were 38 public
submissions and numerous written submissions, which the board
will take into account when making its decision.
The board also heard evidence from a chartered accounting firm that is a registered
municipal auditor, which independently reviewed our financial projections. The firm stated
that “... from a financial perspective, the residents of the applicants would appear to be best
served if the application to amalgamate were approved by the
Board.”
Over the next several weeks,
as we hold community meetings
to provide information and seek
input from citizens. On May 28,
each municipality will hold a
plebiscite to determine public
opinion. There will be regular
paper ballot polls and electronic
voting. Citizens will be asked to
answer “Yes” or “No” to the following question: “Do you favour
the amalgamation of the
Municipality of the County of
Pictou and the towns of New
Glasgow, Stellarton and Pictou
into one municipal unit?”
Each council will consider all
of the information gathered
through public consultation,
including the plebiscite results.
By June 20, each will decide
whether to continue with the
amalgamation process.
The board will issue a preliminary order, likely in early
May. It will not issue a final decision until after our councils have
made their decisions.
If our councils and the Utility
and Review Board agree to proceed with amalgamation, citizens will elect a new amalgamated council in the October 2016
municipal elections.
To read the detailed application rationale and process, visit
the Evidence and Exhibits page
of our website, onepictoucounty.ca.
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8 Arts & Entertainment
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Helping, learning
in supportive space
Makem &
Spain are set to
play the
deCoste Centre
stage in Pictou
this Friday,
April 22.
(Submitted photo)
Makem & Spain taking over
deCoste Centre stage
PICTOU – “America’s top
Irish folk group” Makem & Spain
play the deCoste Centre on
Friday night.
This ensemble has taken the
international stage with incredible
vocal power and stage presence,
capturing the essence of their
genre while standing out as something quite unique. They have
honed their craft over nearly two
decades of international perfor-
mances and are considered one of
the truly stalwart, road-tested Irish
vocal groups available.
Makem & Spain have played
before thousands of people from
Canada to Texas and all over
Ireland, highlighting national PBS
specials and popular Irish talk
shows along the way.
Utilizing a host of instruments,
three male vocals, and three-part
harmonies, Makem & Spain blend
Blues to the Max
From karaoke to cruising the
country, Johnny Max will be making a stop this spring at the
Whitetail Pub and Grill in
Westville.
The Johnny Max band will be
making its way from Ontario to
the Atlantic for the first time to
play a few shows fueled by fun
dance type New Orleans blues.
Blues isn’t the only music on
the roster, though; for those who
might be unsure about the blues
,Max and his band bring forward
influences from all types of music
mixed with smart storytelling
song writing.
“A good danceable roadhouse
show,” is how Johnny Max himself describes the style of show
attendees can expect to see. Max
and his band are also currently in
pre-production for a new album,
Roadhouse Soul, that he said will
likely come out in a few months,
although during the April 30 show
at the Whitetail a live album they
have will be available. Tickets for
the show can be found at H&R
Music or the White Lotus.
Max, who does a radio show,
regularly runs into all types of
music during his work and as a
result has all kinds of influences,
although he named Stan Cook, the
Rolling Stones as well as Howling
Wolf and anything else around
that era as influencing his music.
“We play a style of blues that’s
more New Orleans,” said Max.
“They can see some singing and
dancing by the monkey in the
front — that’s me,” he laughed.
He noted that his band in par-
ticular can have mixes of New
Orleans blues as well as inspiration from R&B, other styles of
blues and country in there.
As a radio host and musician,
Max has come to notice that the
Canadian bands have a different
feel of blues than the American
bands of similar genres.
“There’s a bigger mix of styles,”
he said. He finds the Canadian
bands more focused on putting
out great story telling songs; songs
that not only have a great tune but
a great original story behind the
words.
“If you like really good songs
with a story, that’s the Canadian
guys,” he said.
As this is his first time with the
band on the East Coast, Max is
excited to make his way into a different scene as he has been focused
on playing more of the western
provinces lately.
“In essence, what I want to do
is travel,” he said, later noting that
he was excited to spend some time
seeing the sights of Nova Scotia.
“It’s very hard to do shows in
Canada because it’s so freaking
big,” Max laughed. He also talked
about the different scenes of
Canadian music mentioning that
it can sometimes be tough to crack
into a different region that may
have not heard of you yet.
He is hoping to see a crowd of
all ages out to the show but noted
that he would also like to see some
younger people come out to see
what the blues is all about.
“You don’t really hear this
music on the radio,” he said, noting that many younger people are
into a different type of music.
“I’d just love to see everyone
out there,” said Max.
Want to see Johnny Max live?
Answer this question for your chance to
win two tickets!
Q: Who are some of Johnny Max’s influences?
Email your answer to: heatherbrimicombe@
pictouadvocate.com by noon on April 27 for
the chance to win 2 tickets!
Murray McLauchlan
An Evening In Concert with...
Farmer’s Song,
Whispering
Rain,
Down by the
Henry Moore ...
Friday, May 6
Pictou deCoste
Centre
Box Office:
(902) 485-8848
Showtime: 7:30 pm
www.shantero.com
perfectly for what many be
described as a wall of sound. The
three are at their best onstage
where their talent and enthusiasm draws in fans who have
never experienced the joy of folk
music.
Folk songs are engrained in
both families and their songwriting contains the timeless qualities
of folk classics, songs of the worker, songs of the sea and Irish cul-
ture. They tell the tale of Ireland
and its people—a culture that has
undergone terrible strife, but
remains strong.
With Rory Makem on banjo,
Mickey Spain on guitar and Liam
Spain on bouzouki, community
members are encouraged to come
out for a night of Irish folk music
not to be forgotten.
Tickets on sale at the deCoste
Centre box office and at the door.
ECMAs time of his life
Having attended the East
Cost Music Awards gala
awards was the opportunity of
a lifetime for this county man.
Jake Chisholm took it all in
last Thursday on the red carpet
as musicians from across the
Maritimes strode past in style.
“It was phenomenal, really
good. There was such a variety
of different genres of music
from traditional Cape Breton
fiddle to rappers and contemporary. It was a good mix,”
says Chisholm.
The highlight of the night
may have been walking the
red carpet and taking a selfie in
front of the EastLink TV backdrop.
“It’s so nice to celebrate East
Public libraries, big or small,
play an important role when connecting others to what they need
when they need it the most.
With April as National Autism
Awareness Month, we’re pleased
to announce a special collection of
resource books generously donated by Autism Pictou County. This
collection related to Autism and
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
can be easily accessed with your
free library card. Most of the collection is located at the New
Glasgow library, but as with all of
our materials you can request they
be sent to your preferred library
for pick-up.
An example of what you will
find in this collection is The
Asperkid's Game Plan: extraordinary minds, purposeful play –
ordinary stuff (2014), written by
Jennifer Cook O'Toole. In addition
to writing this book and many
others, Cook O'Toole was also
diagnosed with Asperger syndrome in adulthood, and is the
mother of three young Asperkids.
She is the founder of Asperkids
LLC, a multi-media social education company, is an international
speaker and previously worked as
a social worker and a teacher.
Another book in this collection
is The Good Enoughs Get in Sync:
a story for kids about a tough day
when Filibuster grabbed Darwin's
rabbit's foot and the whole family
ended up in the doghouse (2004),
written by Carol Stock Kranowitz
and illustrated by T.J. Wylie. This
nicely illustrated chapter book,
geared for eight-to-12 year olds,
tells the tale of five family members and their naughty dog (each
with a different sensory processing challenge), and how they get
in sync after a tough day. The
book is designed with the action of
the story in larger print for younger readers to read. To learn about
Autism Pictou County, visit www.
autismpictoucounty.ca.
At the Library
HOLLY MACLEAN
is community outreach
assistant for Pictou County
ALTERNATIVE FORMATS
For those struggling with traditional print books, there are alternative reading formats that might
be a better fit depending on the
individual. They include large
print books, audiobooks in CD,
eBook formats and Playaways ®
which are self-contained, portable
audiobooks. Public libraries with
PARL, through NNELS (National
Network for Equitable Library
Service), can also provide downloadable audio and electronic
book formats (DAISY, MP3,
e-text), to Nova Scotians living
with a print disability as defined
by the Canadian Copyright Act.
SUPPORTIVE SPACE
We also have a variety of programs at public libraries throughout Pictou County that often connect people with each other, and
unite them over a common interest. They range in age and abilities, from babies and preschoolers,
to those interested in learning how
to knit. When the space is not
being used for regular library programming, the opportunity may
exist for other non-profit community groups to use it. To learn
more about the space available,
visit www.parl.ns.ca.
JAKE CHISHOLM
Coast talent; we have so much
of it, we need to celebrate it in
a big platform. (The ECMAs)
was a very positive environment, good cheer and good
fun."
From the left: Cristal Van de Pol, branch assistant with the New
Glasgow Library and Greg Hayward, PARL technical services
librarian with Wanda Capstick and Rachel Casey from Autism
(Submitted photo)
Pictou County.
Pictou County Playhouse, which began two months ago, hosted a
barbecue as a means of raising funds and awareness of the organization as well as a membership drive Saturday at the Aberdeen
Sobeys. Pictured are Belle, from Beauty and the Beast (Alannah
MacDonald) and Elmer the Elephant (Jamie Carrigan) greeting passerby Mitchell Sobey. Pictou County Playhouse is a non-profit community theatre group for all ages and abilities imagined by Shaun
Bond. There will be another membership drive on April 23 at the
Highland Square Mall. For more information about the group visit
the Facebook page: Pictou County Playhouse.
(Harvie photo)
CAPSULE COMMENTS
with David Rowan
If losing weight was one of your New Year’s resolutions, how are you doing? One good suggestion to
aid in weight-loss is to not eat any food in the evenings
until breakfast. Hard to do? Here’s a suggestion: good
oral hygiene compliments good health. Do your bedtime brushing right after the evening meal. It may discourage you from eating anymore that day otherwise
you’ll have to brush and floss again.
You don’t hear too much about the “eat your blood type” theory anymore.
There is no scientific evidence that if you eat the foods you are told to eat
according to your blood type, you will have a healthier life. The real solution
is a diet rich in vegetables, red meat at the most twice weekly, fish and minimal
processed foods. And the true answer to weight-loss? Take in less calories than
you burn.
Have trouble swallowing pills? Try this. First take a deep breath and exhale
to help you relax. Swallow a sip of water then place the tablet or capsule far back
to the back of your tongue. Drink a little water and as you swallow, tilt your head
a little down toward your chest. Throwing your head back doesn’t work as well.
Some drugs (antihistamines, blood pressure, anti-Parkinson’s, decongestants and water pills) can cause dry mouth. A regular amount of saliva in our
mouth is important to rinse food debris from the teeth and gums and help
protect the mouth from disease. Talk to our pharmacists if you are concerned
about dry mouth.
FULMORE’S
Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 8:30 pm;
Saturday 9 am - 5 pm; Sunday 12 - 5 pm
Front Street, Pictou
902-485-1600
Pet of the Week
The Advocate is pleased to present this feature
starring YOUR pet! Email us a photo of your pet, along with
its name, age and who its owners are and we'll do our best to
make him/her a newspaper star!
Today's pet is Chaos, a seven-year-old chocolate brown cocker
spaniel who owns Sheila Dempster of New Glasgow. Chaos
loves snow – and the mail carrier loves Chaos!
To have your pet featured email editor@pictouadvocate.com.
sharon's
BREAKFAST
LUNCH • DINNER
DINE IN • TAKE OUT
PLACE
NUFF SAID
12 Front Street, Pictou
OPEN Monday to Sunday
902-485-4669
Brought to you by:
YOUR HOROSCOPE
for the week of
April 17 to 23, 2016
THE LUCKIEST SIGNS THIS WEEK:
CAPRICORN, AQUARIUS AND PISCES.
ARIES
You improve your health by making some
changes to your diet. In matters of love, a
gentle conversation will help you avoid a
conflict in your relationship.
Daily Specials
Soups, Salads
Sandwiches
Breads, Rolls
Cookies, Squares
and more
CROSSWORD
TAURUS
You’re seen as a hero for saving someone
from a predicament, even if it’s only by
listening to him or her for a few minutes.
GEMINI
If you’re planning on moving soon, you
start taking some concrete steps. You find
a home that suits you perfectly.
CANCER
Your words are scathing and you don’t
beat around the bush in order to express
your disagreement. As a result, you’ll be
both feared and respected.
LEO
It is important to break the routine of your
romantic relationship or else you’re going
to be unhappy. You may also consider the
idea of living together, if you don’t already
do so.
VIRGO
There’s no lack of stimulating action this
week. You’re sure to be offered a new challenge, which motivates you in terms of your
career and your personal development.
LIBRA
Sometimes you have to take a step back
before you can go forward. By taking a
few initiatives, you manage to put some
balance back into your finances or your
love relationship.
SCORPIO
At work, your customer base grows dramatically to give you a much bigger
income. Where romance is concerned,
your lover or a suitor surprises you.
SAGITTARIUS
You may have a flash of inspiration that
shows you the path to achieve your goals.
You may also take the first steps in setting up your own business.
CAPRICORN
Whether it’s to broaden your personal
or professional horizons, you undertake
some sort of training that transforms you
completely and brings you a lot of happiness.
AQUARIUS
Emotions are running high. You may
experience some pleasurable excitement,
or if your relationship is quite new, you
will be given a pretty clear sign of commitment.
PISCES
Consider the consequences before making a decision that changes your life and
the lives of your loved ones. Your generosity engenders a real feeling of harmony.
Coffee Break 9
The Advocate
April 20 , 2016
HOURS:
Mon - Wed: 9 am - 3 pm
Thu - Fri: 9 am - 4 pm
31 Front Street, Pictou
902-382-3002
ACROSS
1. Great Dane,
e.g.
4. Went first
7. Made crow
sounds
12. Be obliged
to pay
13. Iron source
14. ____ and
beyond
15. Bitter rivals
17. Thick soup
18. Story starter
19. Wait on
20. Retail
establishment
23. Horses’ gaits
26. Supply
28. Surface, as
a road
29. Have a looksee
32. Military unit
34. Concert
conclusion
36. Existed
37. Meadow
mother
39. Sheet of
plywood
40. Garnish
42. ____
Enter for a chance to win a weekly prize from Canapé Cafe & Bakery.
This week’s prize: 2 daily specials
WINNER: Fraser Currie, Lyons Brook
Complete this week’s crossword puzzle and mail or drop it off at
The Advocate office with your name, address and phone number.
The first correctly completed puzzle drawn wins the prize.
Entries must be received no later than Monday at 12 noon.
Prizes may be claimed at The Advocate office, 21 George Street, Pictou, NS B0K 1H0.
parmigiana
43. Slanderous
remark
46. Brood
48. Heats
50. Separate
54. ____ food
cake
55. After taxes
56. Polite
address
57. Impoverished
58. Superman’s
initial
59. Part of mpg
DOWN
1. Buck’s
companion
2. ____ up to
(admit)
3. Golly!
4. Cut of pork
5. Construct
6. The Sahara
____
7. Baseball
player’s
headwear
8. Borders on
9. Had on, as
clothes
10. Balanced
11. House
document
16. Theme
20. Kitty’s sound
21. Bluish green
22. Furrows
24. Clod
25. Expedition
27. ____ Piper
29. Clearthinking
30. Reason
31. Shriek
33. Pair number
35. Bellybutton
38. White-coated
weasel
40. Bearing
weapons
41. Smelling
organs
43. Graceful
waterfowl
44. Swimmer’s
path
45. Impulse
47. Pasta
cookers
49. Tricky
51. Cleopatra’s
snake
52. Gift for Dad
53. Mess up
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE ANSWERS:
10
Sports
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Pictou County
SPORTS
Send scores, reports and sports items to Steve Goodwin at 485-8014
or email steve@pictouadvocate.com
•
It's Hockey Night
in United States
GOLF
Affleck buoyed about future
I
By Steve Goodwin
MOUNT WILLIAM – Brian
Affleck says he’s looking forward to golf’s continued
growth in Pictou County.
Affleck owns and operates
the Eagles Chance facility that
was recently awarded the 2015
CN Future Links Facility of
the Year for delivering the top
junior golf programs in
Canada and leads the way in
growing the game of golf.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for me,” he said. “When
I bought Eagles Chance in
2014, the goal was to win the
award in three to five years
and we won it in our first full
year. It shows we’re growing
golf in the county.”
Eagles Chance includes a
par-3 course, a driving range
and a practice sand trap and
green.
A major part of its thrust is
its multiple junior programs
that are conducted from May
through September.
The programs are based on
the Future Links player development process. Players are
taught fundamentals that
include grip, stance, alignment and swing.
Part of the junior program
Affleck operates includes
membership at Abercrombie
Country Club, which he said
is important for those golfers
who need a full course to utilize and raise the skills they
are learning.
More than 30 golfers who
have registered at Eagles
Chance have already taken
advantage of the offer
“It’s really beneficial to this
development,” he said. “It’s
the same as having an
Abercrombie junior membership so they can play there.”
Top left: Chad Lumsden shifts
his weight on a practice iron
shot at Eagles Chance's driving range in Mount William.
Top right photo shows his
follow-through. The driving
range has been open periodically when weather and
ground conditions permit.
Bottom left: Eagles Chance
owner Brian Affleck holds the
2015 CN Future Links Facility
of the Year award he recently
received.
(Goodwin photos)
WOMEN;S SOCCER
Rams adds offence with Langille
BIBLE HILL – It’s a simple
fact in the sporting world; you
must score to win.
Kaileigh Langille should
help
the
Dalhousie
Agricultural Campus Rams
with that next fall.
The 17-year-old Stellarton
resident recently committed
to the Rams women’s soccer
team and enrolled at the
Dalhousie
Agricultural
Campus for September.
Coach Jackie Fitt-Ryan
couldn’t be happier.
“I’m very excited to add
her to the team,” Fitt-Ryan
said. “She’s a very skilled
player and I expect her to
make an immediate impact.”
The excitement is mutual
for Langille, a striker who
plays for both the North Nova
Gryphons high school team
and is a member of the XFC
under-18 girls’ side which
competes on the Nova Scotia
Soccer League circuit.
“It’s going to be a lot of
fun,” Langille, who plans to
work toward a Bachelor of
Science degree for at least two
years at the Bible Hill campus,
said. “I love that it’s a smaller
school and it’s close to home
and I’m glad that I’m going to
be able to play soccer.”
Langille has a knack for
putting the ball in the back of
From left: Dal Ag Rams women's soccer coach Jackie Fitt-Ryan
and Kaileigh Langille are looking forward to the female soccer
season this fall.
(Submitted photo)
the net by using speed, skill
and a dogged work ethic on
the pitch.
“That’s what every coach
loves to see,” Fitt-Ryan said.
“I think she’s going to fit in
well with the program we
run.”
Fitt-Ryan is especially
excited about adding a dynam-
ic striker to an attack that
already includes Sian Rankin.
Rankin topped the Rams and
was second in the Atlantic
Collegiate Athletic Association
last season in goals (12) and
points (24) and her 41 shots on
target led the seven-team
league.
In spite of Rankin’s efforts,
the Rams lost a lot of close
decisions due to a lack of scoring depth en route to a 3-8-1
(W-L-T) record to finish in
sixth place.
But with the addition of
Langille, suddenly, an area
that has given the Rams problems in the past looks to be
one of its strengths on paper.
“I think they can make a
deadly combination,” FittRyan said. “It’s going to free
both of them up on the field.”
Finding Langille was easy
for Fitt-Ryan, who lives in
New Glasgow.
The pair played winter
league soccer together and
also joined forces to coach a
youth team in the Northern
Nova winter program.
“Knowing Jackie really
helped with my decision,”
said Langille, who has played
soccer since she was a toddler.
“She is a good coach and I
know I’m going to get a great
experience out of it.”
couldn't help it.
I just had to laugh aloud
last week as I read NHL
commissioner Gary Bettman's
comments on the eve of the annual two-month marathon that,
sometime in early summer, will
see the crowning of a Stanley Cup
champion.
The commish, in an obvious
unprecedented plea, said he was
hoping Canadian hockey fans
would tune into the league's postseason. Imagine being concerned
whether Canadians will watch
hockey. Yet there is such anxiety
regarding the 2016 post-season.
If you're one of those so-called
fans who wait each year for the
playoffs to begin, you're in for
quite a surprise when you turn to
the sports channels.
It's an all-U.S. Show.
No Montreal Canadiens. No
Toronto Maple Leafs. No Ottawa
Senators. No Winnipeg Jets. No
Edmonton Oilers. No Calgary
Flames. No Vancouver Canucks.
Just American teams.
It might as well be the National
Football League. Or the NCAA's
March Madness. Or, worse yet,
the American political system
that takes months and months to
select an occupant for the White
House.
Back to Bettman.
At least he recognizes the
importance of Canadian-based
teams when it comes to deciding
the best club in Canada's game.
Imagine if we didn't have the
opportunity to shop at places like
Sobeys and Canadian Tire, if we
had nothing but the big U.S. box
stores in our towns and cities.
I certainly have nothing
against the nation to our south. I
really believe they're good neighbours. Heck, many of the things I
wear come from L.L. Bean's.
But this is hockey we're talking about. Our game. Born right
here in Nova Scotia, in fact. In
Windsor, the gateway to the
beautiful Annapolis Valley.
Very seldom in the century of
NHL hockey has there been a
post-season without at least one
club from north of the border.
Even in the old Original Six days,
the Canadiens and Maple Leafs
did a bang-up job of ensuring that
the big on-ice showdown had
some Canadian content.
As in years past, the good
folks at the CBC will be doing the
best they can at promoting its
most-viewed program. A nightly
greeting: “Hockey Night in
Canada – from an American city
near you.”
That doesn't sound right.
Will I spend every night in
front of the big screen, week after
week after week, watching the
on-ice performances? I doubt it,
Mr. Commish.
I'll be watching baseball.
Oh, I'll keep track of how the
various series are going, from
now until the middle of June. I
just won't be glued to every passing play, every shot on goal, every
score.
My biggest interest will be
keeping track of the Pittsburgh
Penguins and, primarily, Sidney
Crosby, the young man who
grew up in our Colby Village
neighbourhood and became
known everywhere as the best
hockey player in the world.
So far, his marvellous career
includes only one Stanley Cup
championship. It would be great
to see him double that figure.
And there is a chance he and his
teammates can come out of the
16-team battle as winners. The
odds, though, just aren't great.
It would be nice, too, if our
other young Cole Harbour star,
Nathan MacKinnon, would be
around. But he and his Colorado
Hugh's Highland View
HUGH TOWNSEND
A New Glasgow native and
Nova Scotia sports journalist
for almost 60 years.
ght1967@gmail.com
mates didn't qualify for the tournament despite winning as many
games as they lost.
Then there's our third star
from
Halifax
Regional
Municipality – Brad Marchand.
He had a fabulous year with the
Boston Bruins – the team leader
in goals – and his side won 11
more games than they lost. Yet
that didn't get them a ticket to the
dance. He was the best player on
my fantasy team, another reason
I'd like to have him around.
Hockey fans and everyone
else in Pictou County don't have
to be reminded how great it is to
have local players in the big
show.
Colin White and the New
Jersey Devils won the prize in
2000 and 2003, and it was exciting
times when he brought the cup to
the county. The same was true
when Jon Sim was with the winning Dallas Stars in 1999 and displayed the silverware in his
hometown.
But even without a local player on the roster, at least one
Canadian club would have made
this year's marathon more appealing.
To have one or more entries at
the starting gate was all it would
take to retain hockey interest in
this country. A Stanley Cup win
wouldn't be necessary. We've discovered that for the last umpteen
seasons.
When it comes to going all the
way, it's getting that an entire
generation doesn't know what it's
like to see a Canadian city stage a
Stanley Cup parade.
As a lifetime Leafs fan, I'm
constantly reminded of how long
it's been without a Toronto winner. And before anyone tries to
butt in, I admit that next season
will mark 50 years – yip, half a
century – since the Leafs last won.
Ouch, ouch and ouch.
Heck, even the Canadiens,
who have had two dozen cup
celebrations in their grand history, will next winter be marking 24
years since their last triumph.
Hard to believe, eh?
I must survive on memories.
As a small youngster, I wore
my first Maple Leafs sweater with
pride when the blue and white
won Lord Stanley's mug in 1947,
1948, 1949 and 1951. More than a
decade later, when the Leafs won
in 1962, 1963, 1964 and 1967, I
was in the dressing room for
three of the four celebrations.
That was a long time ago. A very
long time.
Being at Stanley Cup victory
parties wasn't limited to Toronto.
My old pal, the late Sterling Bain,
and I were drenched with champagne during the Canadiens' revelry in 1965. At least it was a
Canadian team.
When you've been present for
those kinds of things, you just
don't forget.
But now? It's time to cheer for
the Jays.
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The Advocate
April 20, 2013
Sports 11
JR. A HOCKEY
Crushers tie series
with Commandos
By Steve Goodwin
Top photo: Members of the
Northern Storm celebrate
their tying goal with one second left in the third period
on Saturday during their 2-2
draw with the P.E.I. Xtreme
in the Atlantic Hockey Group
minor hockey tournament.
Right photo: Storm goaltender Cole Battist covers the
short side during a shot on
net. The Storm reached the
final, but the Xtreme edged
them 4-3 to win the championship.
(Goodwin photos)
MINOR HOCKEY
Northern Storm bow
in gold medal match
The Northern Hockey
Storm fell short of winning
the championship tournament
at the Atom Spring Hockey
League at the Pictou County
Wellness Centre.
The P.E.I. Xtreme held off the
host Northern Storm 4-3 on
Sunday in the championship of
their Atlantic Hockey Group
tournament at the Pictou County
Wellness Centre.
The Extreme outshot the
Storm 23-16 and held off a late
rally to win the game.
Lane Lochead scored for the
Storm, who trailed 4-1 entering
the third period. Goals by Colby
Nichol and Jake Henderson
made for a dramatic finish.
The Storm, which includes
players from Pictou County,
went undefeated in its four
games in the preliminary
round that included a thrilling
2-2 tie with the P.E.I. Rocket.
MacGillivray was credited
with a goal with one second left
on a floating shot from the point
that handcuffed the Rocket goaltender.
Storm players were serving
two penalties and the team
kept Cole Battist in goal, but
the Storm got the play into the
Rocket’s end maintained pressure until the goal.
Dawson MacKay rang a hard
shot off the goalpost seconds
before MacGillivray’s goal.
Ben Wallace gave the Storm
a 1-0 lead in a power-play
goal with 14 seconds left in
the first period. The Rocket
tied the game in the second
period and took the lead late
in the third with just their
10th shot of the game.
Seth Gallant scored twice
as the Storm opened with a
5-3 victory over the Freeze.
Wallace, MacKay and Lane
Lochead also scored.
Lochead, Gallant and Scott
Mosher each tallied twice in
the Storm’s 7-2 victory over
P.E.I. Xtreme. MacKay got the
other goal.
Battist recorded the shutout
as the Storm stayed unbeaten on
Saturday with a 5-0 victory over
the Nova Scotia All-stars.
Scott
Mosher,
Battist,
Lochead, Cory MacGillivray
and Henderson got the Storm’s
goals.
RUNNING
Linthorne finishes
Boston Marathon
WALTER LINTHORNE
Walter Linthorne has completed
the
2016
Boston
Marathon.
Linthorne finished the suburban and downtown course in
three hours, 22 minutes on
Monday amid unusually warm
weather that hit the area after a
period of cool conditions.
A budding distance runner
who has excelled at other sports,
Linthorne’s credits in 2015
include second in the Nonnie
Morgan five-mile race at the Joe
Earle Memorial Day races, eighth
overall and second Pictou
County finisher in 3:01:31 at the
Dr Lynda Munro & Dr Chris MacDonald
and the team at Mountain Road Dental Group
have welcomed
Johnny Miles Marathon and
third overall and first in his age
group in the Westville Hawboldt/
Lays five-mile race.
ALLAN
Slaunwhite, CFP
allan.slaunwhite@investorsgroup.com
CHARCEY
Henderson
charcey.henderson@investorsgroup.com
CRAIG
Mercer, CFP
craig.mercer@investorsgroup.com
JERRY
McGuire, CFP
jerry.mcguire@investorsgroup.com
ǡ
ͻͲʹǦ͹ͷʹǦͳͲʹͳͻͲʹǦ͹ͷʹǦʹͶ͸Ͳ
Crushers' Cole Murphy, 91, controls the puck behind the Dieppe
goal on Sunday at the Pictou County Wellness Centre. The
(Goodwin photo)
Crushers won the game 4-1.
lead when the teams meet again
tonight in Dieppe.
“We played well but they’re a
good hockey team,” he said.
“They’ll come back hard on
Wednesday, so we have to be
ready for that push”
The Crushers will host the
fourth game of the series on
Thursday, while the teams will
play the fifth game in Dieppe
on Saturday.
The Crushers will host the sixth
game, if necessary on Monday.
BASKETBALL
Local group keeps growing,
earns sports volunteer award
PLYMOUTH – Minor basketball has become an extraordinary
success story in Pictou County.
The Pictou County Basketball
Association was formed three
years ago and in that time has
grown from two teams to 20
teams registered with Basketball
Nova Scotia.
The association’s teams are
all called the Pictou County
Lightning, which won medals
in all the divisions it contested
and had teams in the top tier of
Division 1.
“We have more than 400
players and we’re growing,”
said Brian MacLeod who
accepted on the group’s behalf
the sport award last Saturday
during the annual volunteer
gala hosted by the Municipality
of Pictou County.
MacLeod coaches three teams
over the basketball season – one
school team, a mini team and a
bantam team.
Players pay a BNS registration to join the Lightning. There
is no club fee.
(Continued on Page 12)
From left: Haileigh MacLeod and her father Brian MacLeod hold
awards they accepted on behalf of the Pictou County Basketball
Association last Saturday at the Municipality of Pictou County’s
(Goodwin photo)
annual volunteer awards.
MANAGING YOUR MONEY
ėĒĆēĉĆĎđđ
Dr Hill has been practicing dentistry for eight years
and is pleased to see both new and familiar patients
for all services of general dentistry.
The Pictou County Weeks
Crushers have seized the
advantage in the MHL championship series.
Benji Curtis scored three goals
as the Crushers answered a 4-1
loss on Friday in Dieppe with a
4-1 victory on Sunday at the
Pictou County Wellness Centre.
Curtis gave the Crushers a 1-0
lead in the first period and tallied twice in the second period to
widen the Crushers’ lead.
Michael Dill snapped a 1-1 tie
in the first period.
The Crushers put a lid on the
Commandos, outshooting them
33-11 before 985 fans. Their shot
advantage was 11-1 in the second period and 10-3 in the third.
The win and the Crushers’
performance stood in contrast to
their game on Friday. They outshot Dieppe 32-29 but already
trailed 3-0 in the third period
before Taylor Davis scored their
only goal of the game.
“We finally played pretty
good in the first period,”
Crushers head coach and assistant general manager Doug
Doull said. “Our penalty killing,
then though we were scored on,
was outstanding.”
Doull expects the Commandos
to be eager to retake the series
Avoid the clawback
Seniors receive a variety of benefits and tax credits from the
federal government that are not available to others, however
some benefits are income-tested and can result in clawbacks from
Old Age Security (OAS) payments and the Age Credit.
OAS is a monthly benefit available to most Canadians age
65 or older. You will be required to repay 15% of the amount by
which your net income for 2015 – inclusive of your OAS benefit
– exceeds $72,809. When your net income exceeds $118,055,
your entire OAS benefit is clawed back. July 2015 to June 2016
payments are based on 2014 net income, while July 2016 to
June 2017 payments will be based on 2015 net income.
Age Credit is a non-refundable tax credit available to
Canadians age 65 or older at the end of the year. For 2015, the
maximum amount you can claim for the Age Credit is $7,033.
This amount is reduced by 15% of your net income in excess of
$35,466 and is reduced to $0 when your taxable income reaches
$82,353. The value of the credit is calculated using the lowest
federal tax rate of 15% multiplied by the amount claimed.
You can avoid OAS and Age Credit clawbacks by keeping
your net income to the absolute minimum required to meet your
needs. Here are some strategies for doing just that:
Pension income splitting
You can allocate up to 50% of ‘eligible pension income’ –
including payments from your investments held within a
Registered Pension Plan (RPP) (at any age) and Registered
Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) (at/after age 65) to your lower
earning spouse, which usually reduces your family’s overall tax
bill and clawbacks.
Reduce the amount of income received as Canadian source
dividends, since these amounts are “grossed up” for the purposes
of determining net income (although there is a dividend tax
credit which will reduce the amount of tax paid, it does not
reduce the amount of net income);
Withdraw the minimum from your RRIF
Withdrawals from investments held within a RRIF are fully
taxable, so consider withdrawing only the minimum each year. If
you have a younger spouse, base your withdrawals on their age
– this will produce a smaller minimum withdrawal.
Invest in TFSAs
Contributions to investments held within Tax-Free Savings
Accounts (TFSA) generate tax-free investment income. TFSA
withdrawals are not taxable, so do not result in clawbacks.
Seek non-registered investments that offer preferential
tax treatment
Only 50% of capital gains are included in income, and
equity investments often don’t distribute other types of investment income. Less net income results in less of your income
tested benefits being subject to clawbacks. Another strategy to
consider is tax-advantaged or switch funds that allow you to buy
and sell investments without paying capital gains taxes until you
leave the fund structure – so you can choose to defer tax payments to a year when your income is lower.
You can avoid clawbacks, reduce your tax burden and preserve your wealth. But don`t run afoul of complex tax rules by
using inappropriate strategies for you situation. Talk to your
professional advisor first.
This column, written and published by Investors Group Financial Services Inc. (in Québec – a Financial Services Firm), and
Investors Group Securities Inc. (in Québec, a firm in Financial
Planning) presents general information only and is not a solicitation to buy or sell any investments. Contact your own advisor
for specific advice about your circumstances. For more information on this topic please contact your Investors Group Consultant.
MIKE
MacKean, CFP
michael.mackean@investorsgroup.com
JOHN
McLean
john.mclean@investorsgroup.com
LARRY
Turner
larry.turner@investorsgroup.com
TRUDY
Vince
trudy.vince@investorsgroup.com
P: 902-752-2390
F: 902-752-2370
GERRY
Mercer
gerry.mercer@investorsgroup.com
535 East River Road
New Glasgow
12 Sports
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
HOCKEY
Sim to manage
Major Bantams
Team awards were presented recently to members of the Pictou County Scotians of the Nova
Scotia Junior Hockey League. Front row, from left: most valuable player co-winners Brandon
MacDonald and Bradley MacEachern, who was also top scorer, top defenceman Austin Donlevy
and top forward Riley Cameron. Back left: unsung player Ryan MacEachern, Jordan Yochoff,
Darryl Wheadon, character player Ryan MacDonald and top rookie Ryan Dunfield. (Goodwin photo)
Hines, Murray,
Parker earn
honours
BEDFORD – The Halifax
Highland Open Championship
and Citadel Open Premiership
and Spring Competition were
held April 2-3 at Basinview
Community School.
Judges were Sandra Bald Jones
and Kelly Biduke of Ontario and
Leah Sutton Knowles of
Saskatchewan. The piper was
Robyn Whitty of Nova Scotia.
The results from April 2 are:
Beginner 8 – Penelope Brown:
Fling 5th, Sword 4th, Sean Truibhas
2nd, Lilt 5th. Abigail White: Sean
Truibhas 4th.
Beginner 10 – Lauren Hiltz: Fling
1st.
Premier 10 and Under 12– Annika
Murray: Fling 1st, Sword 1st, Sean
Truibhas 1st, Reel 3rd, champion.
Amelia Parker: Sword 5th, Sean
Truibhas 5th, Reel 6th, 5th runnerup trophy winner.
Premier 16 and Under 18 – Emma
Hines: Fling 3rd, Sword 5th, Sean
Truibhas 3rd, Reel 3rd. 2nd Runner
up trophy winner.
continue to do so for the Major
Bantam program.” said Weeks
President Wade Sullivan. “He
will be a great fit and the Weeks
Organization is excited to see
what he can do with the program.”
Current coach Jeff Green will
be staying on board with the
team as Sim takes over effective
immediately. Spring camp has
been scheduled from May 4 to 6
at the Pictou County Wellness
Centre.
Any questions can be directed
to Wade Sullivan at 902-7520377.
u
Stingers start
practising
STELLARTON – The 2016
Subway Stingers fastball season is
fast approaching and with that
the coaching staff has started conducting spring workouts and
scheduled tryouts for the Stingers
U-14 Rep team.
The workouts are optional but
athletes must attend at least two
of the three tryouts to be considered for the 2016 U-14 team.
The schedule started with
workouts at New Glasgow
Academy from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on
April 13 and April 20.
They will follow at 6 p.m. on
April 22 at Thorburn Consolidated
and continue on April 27 at 6:30
p.m. at NGA and April 29 at 6
p.m. at Thorburn Consolidated.
BASKETBALL
Lightning association
experiences growth
From left: Pictou County Sports Heritage Hall of Fame curator
Barry Trenholm recently welcomed Nova Scotia Sports Hall of
Fame personnel Katie Wooler with museum and communications and Christina Brien with education and special events to
the local facility. Wooler and Brien stopped in to view the
many artifacts at the county facility and expressed their surprise at the large array of sport history that Pictou County has
(Submitted photo)
produced.
April 3
Premier 10 & 11 – Amelia Parker:
Barracks 5th, Earl 6th, Lilt 5th, Jig
6th, 4th Runner up trophy winner.
Premier 16 and Over – Emma
Hines: Barracks 4th, Earl 4th,
Scottish Lilt 4th, 4th Runner up
trophy winner.
The association has been
receiving registrations for its current spring league.
MacLeod’s daughter Haileigh
MacLeod is a bantam player who
enjoys the game. The team she
played on won the D5 provincial
title.
“I like how we meet new people, get to grow more and prepare better for other teams,” she
said.
Lightning teams won medals
on April 12 during the four
championship tournaments in
which they were involved.
The Lightning captured the
gold medal in the boys D2 Under16 Division on Sunday in Alma
with a 95-71 victory over the
Antigonish Junior X-Men.
The U-18 AA Lightning boys
settled for silver medals after a
71-60 loss to the Cumberland
Sonics in their gold medal match.
Team MacInnis defeated the
Valley Blue Devils 39-38 in the
Bantam Boys Division 3B gold
medal match, while Team
Johnson/Fast outscored Kentville
44-35 in overtime to win the
Bantam Girls Division 5 title.
Novice hockey
open house
The Pictou County Female
Hockey Association is hosting
a novice open house today,
April 20, at 6 p.m. At the Pictou
County Wellness Centre. for all
development and intermediate
novice age girls.
The on-ice session will
involve skills for the girls, followed by a brief parent meeting afterwards for those wanting to find out more about an
all- female novice team in the
upcoming season.
Full gear is required.
There is no pre-registration.
No fee will be charged.
Those interested can contact
female@pchma.com for more
information.
www.gocleangetgreen.ca
Pictou Volunteer
Garbage Pick Up Day
The Kate Gaddess Memorial
Highland Dance Competition was
held in Fredericton, N.B. on April
9. The event was judged byAnne
Sutherland, London, Ont.
Three dancers from Pictou
County attended and all placed in
their categories.
Beginner –Hannah Fleury: Pas
de Bas 5th.
Novice All Ages – Cassie Moser:
Sword 5th, Sean Truibhas 3rd, Lilt
5th, Novice Special Event Fling 4th
Place Trophy.
Premier – Kiara Sutherland:
Sword 5th, Special Event Jig 10th.
The
Highland
Dance
Association of Ontario held its
spring competition on March 12th
in Toronto. Judges were Tracey
Walton of Michigan and Kaye
Spiller of Newmarket, Ont.
Premier 11 – Annika Murray: Fling
2nd, Sword 3rd, Sean Truibhas 3rd,
Reel 5th.
Former NHLer Jon Sim is taking over management of the
Major Bantam program.
The
Weeks
Hockey
Organization, which has been
involved in the Major Bantam
program since the Nova Scotia
Major Bantam Hockey League’s
inception in 2010, sought a different direction for the team and
felt it could be taken to greater
levels and have more of a presence within the league with Sim
taking over.
“Jon has done great things for
hockey in Pictou County over
the years and we feel he will
SPORTS BRIEFS
BBQ
11–12 no
on
Saturday, April 23rd
9:00 am – 11:00 am
(You don’t have to work two hours)
Headquarters: Pictou Fire Hall
These three members of the Pictou County Gymnastics club are
among those who earned first and second place awards during
a recent invitational meet in Amherst. From left: Brooklyn
Chaisson, Enja George and Hayley Oakley. All eligible athletes
qualified for the Gymnastics Nova Scotia championships that
took place recently in Dartmouth. From there, qualifying athletes will be picked for Team Nova Scotia and travel to the
Atlantic championships in St. John's N.L. and possibly for the
Eastern Canadian championships in Quebec City.
Volunteers are supplied with rubber gloves,
garbage bags and a map of a specific area
to clean up or make a choice of your own.
COME OUT & LEND A HAND
to help keep our community clean.
For information call
Pictou Recreation and Parks 485-4372
(Submitted photo)
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Aeroplan and the Aeroplan logo are registered trademarks of Aimia Canada Inc.
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
u
Status quo no longer working
To the Editor:
Pictou County currently has
an unprecedented opportunity.
History has already been made
by submitting a conditional application to amalgamate, to become
stronger before our towns are
forced into dissolution. Our county is currently forging the way for
other towns facing similar obstacles. The mere action of filing an
application voluntarily speaks to
the leaders we create and nurture
here in Pictou County. If we have
such intuitive leaders during our
current state of decline, imagine
what our leaders could look like
in a stronger, more sustainable,
united Pictou County. Pictou
County has more to offer than
just great pizza.
Our Town of Pictou, although
full of rich history and charm, is
heading for a crisis; by no fault of
anyone. Pictou is surviving, but
won’t for long as a separate entity. Our current municipal struc-
ture once successfully served
thousands of people spanning
Pictou County in the form of six
separate municipalities. This
structure was warranted when
the population was growing, and
the economy was healthy. There
comes a time to evaluate status
quo, and make changes to help
move forward in a positive direction.
After the careful consideration
by the MOU steering committee,
the best option is amalgamation
under a new municipal structure
represented by 11 elected officials
rather than 31. Elected means our
voices would continue to be heard
and we would still have equal
representation.
Because the
reduction of elected officials
causes concern to some, the MOU
steering committee drafted a
boundary review to be scheduled
for two to three years after the
proposed amalgamation to ensure
this model works effectively for
Pictou County.
Change is scary, but status
quo is no longer working. No
one knows what the outcome will
be, or the answers to all the questions. How could we? We haven’t
amalgamated before. But, it is
our responsibility to be informed.
After attending presentations by
the committee, attending the
hearing, reading information on
the website, and asking many
questions, I am confident amalgamation is our next logical step.
We have been offered an amazing opportunity which will offer
numerous benefits for our communities. Not only do I appreciate the hours the steering committee have spent researching,
questioning, educating, and presenting, I appreciate that they
have put our needs first.
The majority of people who
have worked on this initiative
might also work their way out of
a job. Why? Because they love
Ceasing support of the NDP
To the Editor:
The lunatic left of the New
Democratic Party has pre-empted
the possibility of the NDP forming
a national government. The adoption of the Leap agenda with its
damnation of the energy industry,
is typical of the egghead approach
of Stephen Lewis and his ilk, who
have no conception of the reality
of life for the average worker, who
have had no need to toil to put
bread on the table, and who are
safely insulated behind their
boards and sinecure appointments.
Rachel Notley, faced with
thousands of constituents who
have lost their jobs in the energy
industry, must have been appalled
by the naiveté and cruelty of this
ill-fated policy. Mulcair did not
have the courage or conviction to
face this direct threat to the viability of the NDP, no doubt encouraged by the thought that it would
appease his fellow Quebecor’s
who are against pipe line develop-
ment.
The reality of Alberta’s oil
patch is that it has kept Canada
afloat for decades pumping billions into our national economy
including all the have-not provinces which includes Quebec. It is
time for the rubber to hit the road,
the federal government should
immediately place on urgent
agenda the construction of the
west to east pipeline. If Quebec
doesn’t agree, enact the emergency authority of the government
MOU discussion turning ugly
To the Editor:
Recently, Hilary Amit was
quoted describing the pro-amalgamation group as the “Silent
Majority” and I could not agree
more.
I truly believe most residents
support One Pictou County and
that undecided citizens will do
so once properly acquainted
with the facts. Some may have
assumed that the May 28 result
will be a “Yes” to amalgamation,
regardless of their input, and
others may fear lending their
voice to such an emotional
topic.
I felt compelled to write this
letter based on the negativity I
have been hearing from a vocal
minority in the community, the
spreading of misinformation as
fact, and the bullying of those
who oppose that view. What
should be an open and honest
discussion about the future of
this county is turning ugly and
becoming personal.
Change is hard. It is uncomfortable. And it’s human nature
to avoid being uncomfortable at
all costs. And all ideas, including amalgamation, are open to
criticism and debate. Being
against amalgamation does not
automatically make a person
anti-progress nor does it mean
you do not love your county –
but there comes a time where the
facts can no longer be ignored.
The MOU is the result of countless hours of work by the Steering
Committee and its experts. There
has been ample opportunity
throughout the process for community input. The facts are overwhelmingly on the side of amalgamation. Conversely, the arguments against are deeply rooted
in mistrust and misinformation.
The focus is on the fear of the
unknown, how the claims cannot be 100 per cent proven to
work, how it is not truly “One
Pictou County” if Trenton and
Westville are not involved, and
that our communities are somehow being threatened.
We all love Pictou County. I
may be a “come from away” but
I have lived and worked here for
a decade, married a man from
Merigomish (a direct descendant
of the Ship Hector people), and
we have a beautiful young son
who I hope will have the opportunity to choose Pictou County
when he’s older. I’ve planted significant roots here. Born and
raised in Sydney, where I lived
for 22 years including during the
formation of CBRM, I saw firsthand how our community identities did not change with amalgamation. Our schools, our sports
teams, and our hometown pride
remained intact. No one is going
to tell someone from Glace Bay
they are from Sydney (or vice
versa) and get away with it – our
respective histories are too strong.
The process was not perfect, there
was resistance and some bitterness remains, but it was the right
decision and I think the majority
does see that now. And for Pictou
County it will be better, as we
have been given this great opportunity to be leaders in the province by choosing to move forward
together before we have no other
choice. And while I certainly
agree Trenton and Westville
should be involved, I hope the
residents of those towns take up
the issue with their councillors,
who voted against their involvement in the MOU and effectively
removed themselves from the
decision making process.
Put bluntly, our way of life is
only at risk if we do not vote for
change now. The status quo simply will not do. We will continue
to see tax increases as we struggle
TRANSFORMATION / CHANGE / INFLUENCE
100 Women Who Care
PICTOU COUNTY
We have the power to make a difference in our community
Join us Thursday April 21, 2016 at the
Pictou United Church, James Street, Pictou
5pm Social
6pm Business Meeting
Always accepting new members. You can register on-line at
www.100WWCPC.com or in person at the April meeting.
Pictou County, and they see our
potential to thrive, not just survive.
My husband and I have spent
the last 12 years trying to provide
our children with the opportunities we were so lucky to experience growing up here. They have
forged
lasting
friendships
throughout our county thanks to
sports and school. Our children
across the county have already
united. This is what they know.
As our children grow, we want
them to be enticed to stay in
Pictou County, to have employment opportunities with competitive salaries, to keep their entrepreneurial skills and talents here,
to start families here, and to reminisce with their children and
grandchildren about the wonderful life experiences they enjoyed
in our county.
On May 28, I will be voting
YES on the plebiscite for a sustainable Pictou County.
The anticipated benefits of the
amalgamation far outweigh the
risks of the status quo.
Jennifer MacMillan
RR 2 Pictou
and expropriate the necessary
rights of way.
Either we have a country or we
do not. I for one am totally appalled
by the continual blackmail by
Quebec of the rest of us. Lewis
and his colleagues have put the
New Democratic Party back
decades. Social programs cannot
be supported by a bankrupt country. As a lifetime supporter of the
New Democratic Party I am relinquishing my membership in the
party, and hope that out of the
ashes of the federal NDP will
hopefully arise the phoenix of a
true socialist agenda.
Michael Pierce
Three Brooks Road
to fund each independent unit
and our competitiveness for provincial funding and business
opportunities will continue to be
compromised. No one is claiming
that amalgamation will be a cureall for our economy or outward
migration, but I am confident this
is the right step forward. We can
stop the in-fighting and become
stronger together. Amalgamation
is just the beginning and then it
continues to be up to us, the people who love this county and
want to make it a better place for
our children, to ensure it is a
place our families can continue to
choose to live.
Discuss your fears, share them
if you like, but get informed and
leave the personal attacks at the
door. I strongly urge anyone considering a “No” vote in the
upcoming plebiscite to re-evaluate your position and reflect on
why you feel this way. To those
disengaged or undecided, we
cannot afford apathy. And to
those of us in the “Silent Majority”
who want to see a unified Pictou
County, it’s time to break that
silence. Do not be afraid to have
these conversations with your
peers and please, take the time to
say “Yes” on May 28.
Jessica Muir, CPA, CA
New Glasgow
Pulse Pictou County –
Leadership Team
Community
13
Make lemonade
from lemons
To the Editor:
Both I and my husband have
been avidly following the ongoing debate over the MOU in
Pictou County.
We are both concerned over
the lack of job growth and
shrinking population, thus have
been feverishly brainstorming
for ways to boost the county’s
economy. In fact, just today we
had to travel to Dartmouth, and
passed the Atlantic Cirque
School. It hit me like a ton of
bricks that that might be the
answer!
I said, “ Why don’t we enroll
in their program, and we could
start our own circus in River
John?”
Sadly, John informed me that
he didn’t think his shoulder
could handle it, due to an injury
he sustained last year while
working on his barn. I believe it
would actually help my arthritis, but can’t see myself as a solo
act.
Therefore, on to the idea I
have been contemplating for
some time; a six-pad athletic
centre. This would be a huge
boost to the local economy, as it
would not be the run-of-the-mill
type currently being built in
places like Bridgewater or
Truro.
Ours would be floating! The
river is rapidly filling in with
sand, and we have been told
there is no point in dredging,
even though it was government
road work done back in the day
that caused the problem.
Why not make lemonade
out a body of water becoming
non-navigable? The view of the
sun setting behind the rink, as
one traversed the bridge, would
be breathtaking.
Of course, there would also
have to be a place for the hordes
of visitors to stay, as I don’t
believe the local B and B industry could handle the influx. So
the next logical step is a convention centre.
I have no opinion on whether
it should be built floating, or
not. A focus group would have
to be formed to consider that,
preferably of young professionals as they seem to have superior
knowledge of the tax system,
etc.
I don’t envision any ordinary
building, either; this one must
be world class in order to draw
the hordes. No Canadian
designer will suffice, we can
probably get the one from
Finland who designed the new
regional library on Spring
Garden Road in Halifax.
Something to be featured in
Architectural Digest at the very
least.
Not to be selfish with this
idea, I would like to throw it
open to other stakeholders. The
residents of Thorburn come to
mind. Why settle for just one
rink, with its books in the black,
when you could have a multiplex, and several Olympic-sized
pools? They could have their
own convention centre! Maybe
the two communities could
partner and have a joint steering
committee.
In closing I have found at
least one of the statements from
the MOU committee to be faulty.
There can never be too many
rinks in Pictou County, else,
why would they have built the
Wellness Centre in the first
place?
It's time for the rest of us to
throw off the shackles of reality
as the self-proclaimed leaders
have done. Go big or go home.
Elizabeth Baillie
Cape John
Too good to be true?
To the Editor:
What were the “chances”
of selecting a committee of 10
councillors and mayor from a
pool of 31 and having all eight
on the committee in favour of
amalgamation?
My concern is after five
years what if my taxes have to
go up to cover the cost of
operation? Will land use be
changed? i.e. cannot keep certain animals or birds within
said boundary? Will each of
the 10 councillors and mayorsneed an assistant? This will
not come cheap.
The federal government
appears to have a hand in
amalgamation of all Pictou
County. At a recent MOU
information meeting it was
disclosed that, if we amalgamate, policing will be frozen at
present rate for five years. If
we do not amalgamate, policing will increase by $120,000
next year. If bigger is better
why didn’t the county and
towns buy their salt, gravel,
pavement, fuel and possibly
vehicles in bulk? It appears
the county and New Glasgow
partnered on a business park
– never heard of it until April
6, 2016.
If it sounds too good to be
true, maybe it is.
Ira Grant
Three Brooks
Additional letters
to the editor are on
page 20
14 Community
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
In the lead up to the 200th anniversary
of Pictou Academy this year,
The Advocate is pleased to offer a series
of stories about former PA students who
have made a difference.
Readers may
forward a story about a
former PA student who has done well
to pictouphotos@gmail.com.
MUNICIPALITY OF
PICTOU COUNTY
PROMINENTLY PA
BARB (BEATTIE) MORTON
I was in the class of 1950 at the
Pictou Academy. We were coming out of an explosive time in
history, the big depression was
over, a world war had ended and
things would never be the same
again for any of us.
I, pictured above in the centre,
had moved from a two-room
school in Malagash to a grade 5
class in Pictou in 1943 during the
war. Families came here from all
over the province to live and to
work in the shipyard which was
bustling. School classes were filled
with children, all new to one
another and to the challenges of
war time living. By the end of
Grade 9 we had to write an
entrance exam to go on to Grade
10 at the Pictou Academy.
It was considered a privilege to
go on to this highly respected high
school, one of several Accredited
High Schools in the Province. We
all looked forward to learning new
subjects and preparing for making
our way in a new world. Many
friendships were made during
these years that lasted for a life
time.
We were all reminded of the
importance of education, and told
of the History of the Academy,
and of the struggles that the founders endured to give us a chance to
be exposed to learning. We were
encouraged at home to work hard
at school and achieve good grades,
so to better prepare us for life and
work ahead.
As president of the Student
Council in Gr. 12 (first girl president), debates were a common
occurrence between classes.
Occasionally we challenged
schools in the Upper Towns (New
Glasgow, Stellarton and Westville).
There were also lots of competitions between the schools in hockey, rugby and basketball. The
Student Council made decisions
about having dances, plays, graduation, yearbooks and special
assemblies.
Students from outside Pictou
would come to school each day on
the milk train or a bus which travelled around Scotsburn, West
Branch area picking up pupils at
their homes. Some students boarded in town as well. I walked a mile
to school and went home for lunch
and back.
High school was a happy time
for most of us. We walked everywhere, didn’t have TV, I –phones
and made our own fun A real
treat was to go to MacDonald's
Ice-cream parlor for a soda or
float, meet up with our friends, or
go to a movie across the street.
My siblings all went to, and
graduated from the Academy,
and are all still living today. All
went on to college, university and
to interesting jobs and careers.
Barbara - Provincial Normal
College 1952, St. Mary's University
BA, BEd 1982 (Education)
Mary -- Mt. Allison, 1954 (Fine
Arts)
Donald -- Mt. Allison 1958 , &
TUNS 1960 ( Civil Engineering)
Jean -- V.G. Hospital, (Nursing),
Univ. of Alberta 1980 (BSc.
Nursing)
Clark -- Mt. Allison 1967,
U.N.B. (Survey Engineering) 1969
After graduating from Normal
College in 1951 , I went on to teach
in several different places all very
different experiences and all learning years. I was married in 1955
and for the next 10 years was busy
with my family and doing some
substituting. In 1967 I went back to
teaching children who couldn’t
cope with the regular classroom.
For the next 25 years I taught special children, a rewarding experience.
When I was 40, we were
encouraged to upgrade our teaching licenses through courses given
at the Teachers College in night
school courses offered from St.
Mary’s University. It was a long
haul, but I was able to graduate in
1982 with a BEd. Degree.
I retired from teaching in 1992
and have spent a lot of time in
genealogy, doing family trees,
wrote a history of the Bible Hill
schools and of gardening, spent
summers at our cottage on Caribou
Island and I have been involved in
church groups and garden clubs
and enjoying my grandchildren.
– Submitted by Beth Henderson
NOTICE NOMINATIONS OPEN
Municipal Election
TAKE NOTICE that the undersigned will
accept nominations for the following office
in the Municipality of Pictou County for
which an election will be held on the 28th
day of May, 2016.
One Councillor for District 3
AND TAKE NOTICE that a nomination
shall be filed at the office of the Returning
Officer, 2nd. floor of Municipal Building, 46
Municipal Drive, Pictou between 9:00 am
and 5:00 pm on nomination day which is
Tuesday, May 3rd. 2016 or by appointment
during office hours in the 5 business days
preceding nomination day.
THE 200TH
PICTOU ACADEMY
ANNIVERSARY
CELEBRATION WILL
TAKE PLACE JULY 1-7
DURING LOBSTER
CARNIVAL WEEK
MUNICIPALITY of the COUNTY OF PICTOU
and the TOWNS of NEW GLASGOW,
PICTOU and STELLARTON
REVISIONS TO THE PRELIMINARY
LIST OF ELECTOR
Municipal plebiscite and special election
May 28TH, 2016
The preliminary lists of electors have been prepared for
the upcoming elections. The revising officer(s) may make
additions or corrections to the lists upon application by
telephone, e-mail, mail or in person. Electors may find out
if they are on the list of electors by:
(1) Visiting the returning office between the hours
of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. from April 19, 2016 to
April 28, 2016
Returning office
2nd floor of Municipal Building
46 Municipal Drive, B0K1H0
(2) Contacting the returning office between the hours
of 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. from April 19, 2016 to
April 28, 2016.
Telephone: 902-485-2248
E-mail: returningofficer@munpict.ca
You will be asked for your name, your
address and your date of birth.
Josephine Macdonald
Returning Officer
Josephine MacDonald
Returning Officer
To Build a
Stronger
Community
with Doug Griffiths
Free Public Event
Monday, April 25, 6:30pm
DeCoste Centre, Pictou
Dramatic demographic shifts, increasing expectations of citizens and the globalization of
how we do business are putting new pressures on municipalities all over North America.
Many are struggling to keep up with these fast-paced changes.
onepictoucounty.ca
..................................
Chamber of
Commerce
LUNCHEON
with Doug Griffiths
April 25, 12:00 noon | $20
Author and four-term MLA from Alberta, Doug Griffiths is a dynamic and powerful
speaker. Using his vast experience talking with municipal and organizational leaders
from across North America, Doug’s mix of frightening examples and humorous stories
inspires communities to find answers to questions that have hindered them as they
try to reach their full potential.
Summer Street Industries
His presentation illustrates how working together is the key to building a successful
community and includes the entire spectrum of regional collaboration – from shared
service agreements to amalgamation.
Co-presented by
The MOU Steering
Committee and
Pre-registration required. Please RSVP to:
info@pictouchamber.com
Notice of Community Information Meetings
to the Residents and Ratepayers of the Municipality of
the County of Pictou and towns of New Glasgow, Pictou
and Stellarton regarding the proposed amalgamation.
District 14
District 2
Blue Mountain, Moose River,
Garden of Eden, Eden Lake,
Rocky Mountain,
East River St. Mary’s
Blue Mountain Fire Hall
Tuesday, April 19th – 6:30 pm
Pictou Landing
Pictou Landing Fire Hall
Tuesday, May 3rd – 6:30 pm
Town of Pictou
deCoste Centre, Pictou
Wednesday, April 20th – 6:30 pm
Ward 3
Westside New Glasgow
Westside Community Centre
Tuesday, May 10th – 6:30 pm
District 7
Linacy, Hillside, Pine Tree,
Woodburn
Linacy Fire Hall
Thursday, April 21st - 6:30 pm
Loch Broom, Sylvester, Alma,
Greenhill, Union Centre,
White Hill
Northumberland Regional
High School
Wednesday, May 11th – 7 pm
District 14
Ward 2
District 10
Springville, Bridgeville,
Glencoe, Sunny Brae
East River Valley Fire Hall
Thursday, April 21st - 7 pm
North End New Glasgow
North End Recreation Centre
Thursday, May 12th – 6:30 pm
District 2
Little Harbour, Chance Harbour,
Kings Head, Melmerby Beach,
Black Point
Little Harbour Community Centre
Thursday, April 28th – 6:30 pm
Learn more by attending one of our upcoming events or visit our website.
Creating a better future for the residents of this county is the goal of our
request for amalgamation. We are pursuing a stronger, more efficient
governance and operational structure that is in the best interests of our
residents and businesses. We’ve made a choice to lead change that will
make our communities strong and sustainable, rather than being stuck
reacting to inevitable challenges.
There was a time when several municipalities in this area made sense.
But that time has passed. By coming together as one united municipality,
we will improve our odds of attracting new businesses that will bring new
jobs and families to our communities. Amalgamation means we can deliver
services to citizens more affordably and efficiently. With the stability of
improved finances, the New Municipality can focus on plans to ensure
greater quality of life for everyone.
Please make a point to vote. A plebiscite will be held May 28, 2016, with
an advance paper poll on May 21 and 24. Electronic voting will also be
offered May 9-18. All electors will receive a PIN for voting in early May.
onepictoucounty.ca
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Community
15
Thank you volunteers!
Top left photo: Volunteer of the year Muriel Palmer talks to New Glasgow Mayor Barrie MacMillan during this year’s volunteer week reception. Top right photo: Joe Hawes, Pictou mayor, congratulates Sadie O’Hearn who was chosen as Pictou’s Volunteer of the Year, during the volunteer reception at the deCoste Centre. Second row left photo: Lisa McGrath accepts the Francis “Bud”
MacKay volunteer of the year award from MacKay family representative Greg Rodgers on April 11 during the Town of Stellarton’s annual volunteer recognition night at town hall. Second row
right photo: Volunteers were recognized on April 11 during the Town of Stellarton’s annual volunteer recognition night. Front row, from left: Brenda Butler, Jean Kenney, Geraldine Bennett and
Helen Cruickshank. Back left: Tina Waller, Patrick Ward, Dave MacLennan, Carrie MacCallum and Joyce MacPherson. Third row left photo: Allan Best, winner of the 2016-2017 Volunteer of the Year
Award for Westville, left, cuts the cake with Westville Mayor Roger MacKay and Reid Sutherland, winner of the 2016-2017 Youth Volunteer of the Year Award. Third row middle: Stan Robinson
from Little Harbour Fire Department, Brian MacLeod on behalf of the Pictou County Basketball Association and Paula Murray from Pictou County 4-H received volunteer group awards from Warden
Ronald Baillie. Third row right: Doris Jollymore and Rose Daley enjoy the Pictou volunteer reception last week in honour of Sadie O’Hearn, Pictou’s Volunteer of the Year. The reception took place
at the deCoste Centre with musical entertainment from Pictou Elementary School and the Northumberland Jazz Band. Bottom left photo: Dawn Gouthro, left, talks with Barb Burns, Trenton’s
Volunteer of the Year, and Steven Cotter, deputy mayor of Trenton at the town’s volunteer reception. Gouthro later presented Burns with the Florence Gouthro Memorial Award for Trenton’s
Volunteer of the Year. Bottom left photo: Pictou County 4-H members were among those who received awards on Saturday during the annual Municipality of Pictou County volunteer awards
presentations. Front row, from left: Khanittha Jankob, Yukiko Kako, Chloe MacGregor and Pictou County 4-H president Brenda Sharpe. Back left: Emma Falconer, vice-president Paula Murray,
Emaleigh Murray and Graicen Murray.
(Photos by Heather Brimicombe, Aaron Cameron, Debbi Harvie and Steve Goodwin)
16
Classifieds
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION: BULLETIN
Branch #16, Pictou, NS
Legion Entertainment for Members and invited guests.
N.S.L.C. ID’s upon request
Every Monday Night Bingo:
Mini Bingo
Reg. Bingo
Starts at 7:00 p.m.
Starts at 7:45 p.m.
JACKPOT $500 in 48#’s or less
General Meeting: Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Karaoke: Thursday 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. Admission - $3
Chase the Ace: Friday at 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Music by Jarred Poirier
Steak Darts: Saturday 2 - 4 p.m. Meat Roll: Sunday 2 - 4 p.m.
TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT:
Quiet country setting, central
Pictou County, five minutes from
town. Includes FSWD. $560,
plus utilities. Call 902-456-4594
or 902-861-1537.
CAREER
TRAINING
H E A L T H C A R E
D O C U M E N T A T I O N
SPECIALISTS are in huge
demand.
Employers
want
CanScribe graduates. A great
work-from-home career! Train
with Canada's best-rated program. Enroll today. www.canscribe.com. 1.800.466.1535.
info@canscribe.com.
FOR SALE
LOBSTER TRAPS FOR SALE:
For sale, 42 ready to fish steel lobster traps. Phone 902-456-4594
REFORESTATION NURSERY
SEEDLINGS of hardy trees,
shrubs, & berries for shelterbelts
or landscaping. Spruce & Pine
from $0.99/tree. Free shipping.
Replacement guarantee. 1-866873-3846 or www.treetime.ca.
To place a classified ad in the
advocate call 902-485-8014.
SAWMILLS from only $4,397MAKE MONEY & SAVE MONEY
with your own bandmill- Cut lumber any dimensions. In stock
ready to ship. FREE info & DVD.
w w w. N o r w o o d S a w m i l l s .
com/400OT 1-800-566-6899
Ext:400OT
APARTMENT
FOR RENT
One bedroom apartment
in Pictou in adult security
building. Includes fridge,
stove, heat and hot water.
For info call 902-485-8539
or 902-754-1095.
FOR RENT
Pictou: One bedroom, heated
furnished, centrally located.
902-921-0468
Apartment for Rent
ABERDEEN SHOPPING CENTRE, NEW GLASGOW
(Former Central Supplies Building - 72,000 sq. ft.)
INDOOR/OUTDOOR
- EVERY SUNDAY -
BONANZA $925 in 50#’s or less. BOTTLE $752+
APARTMENT
FOR RENT
GIANT FLEA MARKET
Vendors 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. • Shoppers 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Private and commercial vendors welcome. Vendors may leave goods on site.
ALL TABLES $12
For info and booking: (902) 695-5631
Thank You
HEALTH
CANADA BENEFIT GROUP- Do
you or someone you know suffer
from a disability? Get up to
$40,000 from the Canadian
Government. Toll-free 1-888511-2250 or www.canadabenefit.ca/free-assessment
TRAVEL
I’d like to thank my family & friends for all the 90th birthday
wishes, cards, phone calls etc. Special thanks to Nancy Langille
for hosting a birthday celebration at the Coffee Club and also
to Kevin and Darlene for hosting a family get together at their
house. All very much appreciated.
Eunice Sutherland
SAVE 30% on our Heart of the
Arctic adventure. Visit Inuit communities in Greenland and
Nunavut aboard the comfortable
198passenger
Ocean
Endeavour. CALL FOR DETAILS!
1-800-363-7566 or visit: www.
adventurecanada.com
(TICO#04001400)
HOUSE
FOR SALE
MAPLE
AVENUE,
NEW
GLASGOW: Three bedroom, one
bathroom, fireplace and heat
pump. Kitchen, bedroom and living room renovated 2015. New
deck and new roof 2015.
$129,000. Please call 902-7555796.
WANTED TO BUY
ANTIQUES: Pantry cupboards,
tables, old furniture, military
items, musical instruments, old
books, old toys, ship paintings
and other old paintings and old
advertising signs, etc. John
Marshall Antiques. Call, write or
visit 65 Provost St., New
Glasgow, NS. B2H 2P5. 902755-4055. Email: john.marshall.
antiques@gmail.com
G&G Music Store
Dealer for New & Used
Music Equipment
• Drums • Guitars • Amps • Pianos • Celtic Instruments • Fiddles
• PA Equipment • Brass Instruments • DJ Equipment... and much more!
EXCLUSIVE DEALER
for Lakewood, Martin
Guitars and much more
902-863-1657
In Memoriam
In loving memory
of a dear husband,
father, grandfather,
great-grandfather,
Charles Haslam,
who passed away on
April 19, 1995.
Happy 20th Birthday
to my Best friend
& the Love of my life.
I hope you have a great day!
- Em xo
NOW RENTING
Newly ReNovated
towN Houses
with decks
ONE MONTH FREE
2 and 3 Bedroom units
availaBle
laundry facilities on site
ReNt staRtiNg at $525
FoR moRe iNFoRmatioN
Contact 902-485-4997
LAWN MOWING
Need your lawn mowed
this summer? Small town
lots at $20.00 which
includes cutting, trimming
and raking if necessary.
Pictou and surrounding
areas. Call 902-485-8391.
www.thegeorgetownconference.ca
Be a part of shaping
a
prosperous
and dynamic future.
proved
You’ve just
that ads work.
Western Mountain Region! We offer exciting career opportunities,
experiences, and rewards for our employees from around the world.
Chef Michael Smith
CANADA’S
WESTERN
MOUNTAIN
REGION
PERKS INCLUDE:
• Competitive
pay rates
• Subsidized staff housing
• Duty meals
Extraordinary happens every
day at Fairmont
Resorts
in Canada’s
• Comprehensive
benefits
package
• Duty meals
Western Mountain Region!
offer exciting
career opportunities,
• We
Employee
travel program
• Comprehensive benefits package
experiences, and rewards• for
our more!
employees from around the world.
Much
YOUR FUTURE AWAITS
PERKS INCLUDE: • Competitive pay rates
FIND OPENINGS AND APPLY TODAY AT
• Employee travel program
meals
YOUR FUTURE FAIRMONTCAREERS.COM
AWAITS •• Duty
Comprehensive
benefits package
CANADA’S
WESTERN
MOUNTAIN REGION
very day at Fairmont Resorts in Canada’s
• Employee
program more!
•travelMuch
n! We offer exciting career opportunities,
• Much more!
Currently
offering
exciting
career
opportunities and experiences.
CANADA’S
WESTERN
MOUNTAIN
REGION
s for our employees from around the world.
• Duty meals
• Much more!
PERKS
INCLUDE:
· Employee
travel program
FAIRMONTCAREERS.COM
FIND
OPENINGS
AND APPLY
TODAY
AT
· Duty meals and much more
· Competitive pay rates
· Subsidized housing
FAIRMONTCAREERS.COM
FIND OPENINGS AND APPLY TODAY
Extraordinary happens every day at Fairmont Resorts in Canada’s
Western Mountain Region! We offer exciting career opportunities,
experiences, and rewards for our employees from around the world.
· Comprehensive
benefits package
• Competitive pay rates
PERKS
GS AND APPLY TODAY
AT INCLUDE:
REERS.COM
AT FAIRMONTCAREERS.COM
• Duty meals
Lifetime Roofing Systems
®
Offer Expires
May 15, 2016
We can help
One individual. One idea. One community at a time.
sell your product.
Call us.
Town of Pictou Notice on Spring Cleanup
1-866-447-5116
Proud Sponsor
Food Network Canada Host
and Rural Entrepreneur.
STERN MOUNTAIN REGION
Phone: 902-752-4172
Toll Free 1-888-377-WELL (9355)
Sutherland Harris Memorial Hospital Foundation
Grant Program
P.O. Box 504
Pictou, NS B0K 1H0
Apply at
Keynote
YOUR FUTURE AWAITS
PERKS INCLUDE:
AWAITS
Application may be obtained by contacting the
address below. All applications must be received
by May 31, 2016.
• Geothermal Drilling
• Pump Sales & Service
• Residential & Commercial
• Guaranteed Workmanship
• Free Estimates
Stellarton, N.S.
June 2 - 4, 2016, Georgetown PEI
Extraordinary happens every day at Fairmont Resorts in Canada’s
NGS AND APPLY TODAY AT
AREERS.COM
Well Drilling Co. Ltd.
• Over 20 years experience
Apply Today!
Phone 902-485-3491.
experiences,
and rewards for our employees from around the world.
• Much more!
C & J MARTIN
When applying for the grant please attach a description
of your program, proof of your enrollment with latest
transcript, curriculum vitae and two letters of reference
to your application.
Variable hours, June to
September. Experience
preferred but not
necessary.
Phone 902-485-1433.
CANADA’S WESTERN MOUNTAIN REGION
Monetary grants are available through the Sutherland
Harris Memorial Foundation Grant Program. Recipients
must be from the Pictou West Area, and be in a specific
field of human health and wellness.
Announcing
ards for our employees from around the world.
POST SECONDARY GRANT PROGRAM
Just Wait.
CLEANERS
REQUIRED
FOR INN IN
PICTOU
s every day at Fairmont Resorts in Canada’s
• Duty meals
SUTHERLAND HARRIS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
If you thought The Georgetown Conference created buzz...
egion! We offer exciting career opportunities,
To be held July 1-7, 2016
All former students can register online at
pictouacademy200.ca or call 902-382-2116
As life unfolds
another year,
Treasured memories
keep you near.
Silent thoughts
of times together,
Are memories that
will last forever.
Lovingly remembered
by wife Muriel,
daughter Sherry,
grandson Charcey
and family.
ANTIGONISH - OFF HWY 7
Two
bedroom
apartment,
YOUR
FUTURE
AWAITS
ideal for a senior, in a
one level building on
CANADA’S
WESTERN
MOUNTAIN REGION
Palmerston St.,
Pictou.
E AWAITS
Four appliances included.
WESTERN MOUNTAIN REGION
Rent $700/month plus
security
deposit.
Noevery
pets.
Extraordinary
happens
day at Fairmont Resorts in Canada’s
Available
April
1. We offer exciting career opportunities,
YOUR FUTURE
AWAITS
Western
Mountain
Region!
E: • Competitive pay rates
Register now for
Pictou Academy
200th Anniversary!
HASLAM
TO PLACE
Call
Mark Aat
CLASSIFIED
AD CALL
485-8014, ext.
1106
MARJORIE TODAY!
The Spring Cleanup offered by the Town of Pictou WILL NOT take place this year. To
assist homeowners and occupants with other options, the following information is
being provided by Pictou County Solid Waste.
902-485-8014
• Much more!
FAIRMONTCAREERS.COM
HOW TO PLACE YOUR
CLASSIFIED AD
PLACE IT IN PERSON! at 21 George Street, Pictou
PLACE IT BY MAIL! to PO Box 1000, Pictou, NS B0K 1HO (Att: Classifieds)
PLACE IT BY PHONE! call 902-485-8014, ext. 1101.
PLACE IT BY EMAIL! to marjorie@pictouadvocate.com
Classified Advertising Rates
Up to 25 words - $9.64 (plus HST) for one issue, $12.62 for two issues and $16.06 for three issues.
Over 25 words - add 21¢ (plus HST) per word, per issue.
ERRORS & OMISSIONS
Importantwhich
detailsinand
dates to residential
and of
occupants
for curbside
Should an error be made by The Advocate
its judgement
materiallyhomeowners
affects the value
the advertisement,
collection of spring cleanup items and leaf and yard waste.
a corrected advertisement or portion thereof will be inserted upon demand without further charge “Make good”
insertions are not granted on minor errors which do not lesson the value of the whole advertisement.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY CLAUSE
The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements
beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error
occurred, whether such an error is due to the negligence of its servants or otherwise, and there shall be no liability
for non-insertion of advertisement beyond amount paid for such advertisement. The publisher reserves the right to
edit, revise, classify or reject any advertisement.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE: 5 PM Friday for Wednesday’s Publication
CLASSIFIEDS DEADLINE: 12 PM Monday for Wednesday’s Publication
Classified Ads must be paid in advance of publication. Visa, MC & Debit accepted.
w w w . t o w n o f p i c o u . c a
( 9 0 2 ) 4 8 5 - 4 3 7 2
Spring Cleanup in the Town of Pictou
(picked up on regular garbage collection day)
W e d n e s d a y, M a y 1 1
Rules:
 Maximum of 20 items per household
 An item means an object, bag or container (5 loose
toys = 5 items; 5 toys in a clear bag = 1 item)
 Items placed in cardboard boxes will not be
accepted as cardboard is banned from the land fill
 Bagged garbage must be in clear bags
 Bundles must be securely tied and less than 4 ft
 Place items out prior to 7 am on collection day
 If you miss your collection date, these items can be
delivered year round to the Pictou County Solid
Waste site in Mt. William
Items that will be collected:
 Items less than 75 lbs and 4ft in length, provided
they are not listed in the table on this document; for
greater clarity visit www.pcwastemgmt.com
 Some examples (table barbeque, toasters, toaster
ovens, microwaves)
Leaf Collection
Pictou
in the Town of
(picked up on regular garbage collection day)
W e d n e s d a y, J u n e 8
Leaves must be in large brown paper, clear, or
orange bags and must be kept separate from
regular garbage.
Still not sure where items go? Check out the new
“Waste Wizard” at www.pcwastemgmt.com, an
online waste sorting tool that provides
information on how to properly handle and
dispose of waste items.
Items that will not be collected
during PC Solid Waste Cleanup
How to dispose of items
Metal items (bicycles,
barbeques, car parts, strollers,
other metal items)
Must be taken to PC Solid
Waste site – fees apply
Large furniture (mattresses,
box springs, sofas); large carpet
Large working fridges and
freezers older than 10 years –
during same visit, will also take
window air conditioners, minifridges and mini-freezers
Call Efficiency NS at 1-888303-2103 to schedule pickup
at your home and to receive
a rebate
Large appliances (fridges,
freezers, washer, dryer, dish
washer, water cooler); air
conditioners; dehumidifiers
Leaves, brush and yard waste
will not be collected on May 11
Must be composted or
placed out for pick up during
leaf collection on June 8
Paint, batteries and electronics
(TVs, computers, monitors,
printers, audio and video
playback, recording systems,
telephones)
Take to John’s Bottle &
Recycling Depot at 28 Depot
St. or other ACES drop off
locations
Small batteries only
Drop off at the Pictou Town
Office, 40 Water St. or other
municipal offices
Household Hazardous Waste –
(CFL and florescent bulbs,
propane tanks, asphalt sealer,
cleaners, gasoline, antifreeze,
other chemicals)
Waste Household Hazardous
Depot – no fees (keep
separate from other
materials)
Tires, oil, oxygen tanks
Return to retailer
Scrap metal, asphalt shingles,
construction and demolition
materials
w w w . p c w a s t e m g m t . c o m
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The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Community
17
Council considering
extra library funds
The Aberdeen Hospital
Auxiliary has purchased a
bench for the main entrance
of the hospital. Auxiliary
members Anne Royles, provincial liaison, and Al Murray,
treasurer, are shown on the
bench that will provide a
comfortable and safe seating
area for patients and visitors
.
By Steve Goodwin
(Submitted photo)
Building a winner
Students in the Nova Scotia
Community College Pictou
Campus cabinet making workshop put their skills to the test
last week while competing in
the
annual
Architectural
Woodwork
Manufacturers
Association
of
Canada
(AWMAC) national contest.
The Atlantic portion of the
competition this year was
judged at the Pictou Campus on
Friday with submissions from
all over coming in to compete
against the winner of the oncampus competition.
“It’s been a couple years
since we’ve held it here,” said
Wayne MacDonald, cabinetmaking instructor for the Pictou
Campus.
This year there were four
students from the campus competing against one another to
get the spot in the Atlantic competition.
MacDonald said the competition put all of the skills the students learn throughout the course
of the year to the test by having to
build a uniform cabinet.
“They use all of the skills that
they learned this year,” said
MacDonald.
The winner from the Atlantic
NSCC's Peter Vangurt works on some of the details of the cabinet he built for the competition
last week.
(Brimicombe photo)
division this year will move on
to the national competition
hosted in Winnipeg this year
where it will be judged by at
least three people to determine
the winner.
“It’s a great opportunity for
students to get a full days work,”
said MacDonald about the com-
petition which has the students
begin work at 8 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. with the
exception of a lunch break, the
same as a normal day of work
might be.
So far, the students have only
been working a few hours at a
time during class sessions and
may have not had the chance to
experience a full day working
on one project.
MacDonald said that a student from NSCC Pictou Campus
has won the Atlantic competition before and he was wishing
good luck to all the competitors
as well this year.
Five air cadet units took part
in Highland Regional Directed
Activities at the Pictou
Armouries recently. The drills
and sports competitive weekend involved more than 100
cadets and staff and saw
cadets learn orienteering and
marksmanship skills, pace
through precision drills and
take part in floor hockey, basketball, soccer, and touch
football. Directed activities
have taken place at the
Pictou Armouries for the past
three years and this year's
weekend tied into the 75th
Anniversary of the Air Cadets
League of Canada. Pictured is
Flight Corporal Emma
Henderson of the 374 F/L
Chisholm Royal Canadian Air
Cadets during marksmanship
testing.
(Cameron photo)
Main Street getting additions
TRENTON – Town planning
and development officer Roland
Burek gave a presentation recently about the future of Trenton’s
Main Street and what the next
steps in the process will be.
He outlined the plan and what
has been done so far, including
the installation of the axle hammer and ladle that have been
installed. The next step is the
installation of the Hawker
Siddeley caboose that was origi-
nally made at the car works when
the plant was still in operation.
Before Burek's presentation,
council approved $9,840 to re-allocate the caboose from where it
sat on the railway in the town to
Main Street beside what will soon
be an open air market. The town
is hoping in the future to finish
the project off with a walking trail
as well as a commemoration near
where the first pouring of steel
took place.
Northumberland Fisheries Museum
Presents
21st Annual Fisherman’s Concert
Brenda Hutchinson speaks on her Ship Hector research on
Tartan Day at the McCulloch House Museum and Genealogy
Centre in Pictou. Festivities began with the raising of the
Scottish flag and were capped off with a haggis and Scotch
tasting. The celebrations also included a pipers welcome,
Scottish music and dance. Hutchinson has been formulating a
spreadsheet of Hector families which includes 2,500 names.
(Cameron photo)
FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016
Caribou Fire Hall at 7:00 p.m.
BAR, ENTERTAINMENT,
LUNCH & PRIZES
ADMISSION $7.00
All proceeds to the museum.
Sea you there.
PICTOU – County council
will consider allocating extra
funds for the Pictou-Antigonish
Regional Library (PARL).
Council agreed to refer the
request by PARL Chief Librarian
Eric Stackhouse to its 2016-17
budget deliberations in May
after Stackhouse’s address on
April 4 at its regular meeting.
Stackhouse said the PARL
board directed him to write to
the six municipal units in Pictou
County and the two in
Antigonish County regarding
provincial funding issues and to
ask for more money in the next
fiscal year.
The board is asking for a
municipal increase in funding,
including a one per cent cost of
living increase for staff, as well
as asking the municipalities to
voice their disapproval of the
funding freeze to Premier
Stephen McNeil, Communities
Culture and Heritage Minister
Tony Ince and the local MLAs.
He said the board is entering
its seventh fiscal year with no
significant increase in provincial
funding.
“This is not the fault of any
government,” he said. The funding freeze has occurred under
Progressive Conservative, NDP
and Liberal governments, he
said. “I’ve spent 16 years fighting this fight. But I don’t see how
three
governments
have
improved the situation. This is
about fairness.”
He said the board employs 45
people, or 34 full-time equivalent
positions and has dropped three
positions through attrition. It has
also found other efficiencies and
funding sources to avoid asking
for more municipal funding.
Coun.
Robert
Parker
expressed incredulity as to how
libraries do not garner the same
sympathy as other causes. He
referred to his previous time on
school board to draw a parallel
with how programs, such as
libraries and music departments
face cuts before others do.
“Libraries, for some reason,
don’t attract the support they
should,” he said.
The board has considered
reducing open hours at its
branches. Closing the libraries
one day a week would save
about $50,000, but for some staff
it would be reducing hours
below the threshold for benefits.
Stackhouse said the board
would spend less money on
books and materials to maintain
the current hours to coincide
with more municipal money.
“While the board has little
choice but to request an increase
from municipalities, it does recognize this as provincial downloading of costs to municipalities,” he said. “This board has
been the most vocal of all
library regions in the province
regarding this situation but
believes there will be little
action unless supported by
municipal councils and our
communities.”
Stackhouse said the governments have not adhered to their
71 per cent portion of library
funding, while the municipal
portion is 26 per cent and the
library boards are expected to
raise three per cent.
“Most raise three per cent,”
he said. “We raise six to seven
per cent.”
Traffic light
repairs delayed
STELLARTON – Town engineer Bob Funke said he expects
an insurer to pay the estimated
$10,000 to repair or replace a
traffic light at the corner of North
Foord Street and Bridge
Avenue.
He reported at the Stellarton
Council 1 meeting on April 4
that police located the tractor
trailer that struck the light.
“Within a month is a safe
bet,” Funke said regarding how
long the repairs will take.
Council agreed to purchase a
sidewalk sander for nearly
$15,000.
REMO ADDRESS
Council heard an address
from John Davison, the new
director of the Regional
Emergency Management Office
(REMO).
Davison
replaced
Don
MacKenzie last October but officially assumed the role in
January.
Davison is also a former
president of the Pictou County
Fire Fighters Association and
helped in the mid-1980s to
design the mutual aid system
the county fire departments
employ.
He said it’s important to have
a system in place for emergencies, such as those associated
with extreme weather events.
He cited one snowstorm that
left some residents without
power for more than a week
and prompted establishing comfort centres.
He described how Pictou
County’s counterpart crews in
the Annapolis Valley and South
Shore helped here when it was
known the weather event would
not affect those areas.
UNSIGHTLY PREMISES
Coun. Ken Francis asked
council to once again deal with
the profusion of motor vehicles
parked on two properties on
Emmanuel Street in Lourdes.
It stems from a previous complaint by residents in the area
about vehicles accumulating for
mechanical work at 25 and 27
Emmanuel Street.
“This has been going on in a
residential area where they
haven’t permission to do so,” he
said. “The residents are very
concerned.”
Senior planner Roland Burek
agreed to look into it.
DEFERRALS
Council deferred several
agenda items at both its Council
I and II meetings, including a
decision on how to fill a town
vacancy on the Eastern Mainland
Housing Authority. No one
responded to advertised requests
for applicants. Members agreed
to approach people they feel may
be interested in serving.
CHAD Transit’s financial
request for $18,000 was deferred
to council’s budget deliberations,
as was the Pictou-Antigonish
Regional Library’s financial
request for $39,928 for the same
2016-17 fiscal period.
Discussion regarding a
$38,000 expansion at the Pioneer
track facility was deferred until
the next meeting on April 18 of
the mayor and warden council to
consider cost-sharing.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Kenney & Ross Limited is a Marine Extraction Plant located on the South Shore, NS and manufactures
food grade Fish Gelatin and Collagen. Applications are being accepted for an immediate opening
for a Junior Engineer with a background in manufacturing and/or food processing.
Responsibilities Include but not limited to:
• Leading and supervising the development of new processes and installations.
• Provide Autocad drawings of existing and new processes.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures for new and existing equipment.
• Provide assistance to maintenance personnel with Technical Equipment and instrumentation,
such as VFD, PLC Displays, etc.
• Develop & Implement Preventative Maintenance Programs and Systems.
The ideal candidate requires the following qualifications:
• Possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 1-2 Years Experience in a Manufacturing/Food Processing Environment.
• Experience with Auto Cad Software.
• Experience with Processing Equipment and Design.
• Experience with calibration and installation of process instrumentation.
• Possess excellent problem solving, organizational, and supervisory skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with identifying and purchasing process equipment.
Kenney & Ross Limited offers a challenging career with a benefit package
including Group RRSP, potential profit sharing, Health and Life Insurance.
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume to: jcrook@krltd.ca or
Kenney & Ross Limited, 6493 Shore Road, Port Saxon, NS, B0T 1W0.
No phone calls please. All applications must be received by April 22, 2016.
We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
18
Obituaries
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
RIVER JOHN NEWS
By Anne Patriquin
River John correspondent
Hi everyone, hope you all
had a wonderful week. Mine
was very busy. We had some
lovely weather and I enjoyed
as much of it as I could.
Just a few reminders: Chase
the Ace and the weekly Jam
sessions are still being held at
the River John Legion every
Friday night.
On every
Tuesday there is the Cafe at
the HUB (the River John
MEMORIES
Memories are golden moments
Plucked from days gone by
Of growing up in River John,
Beneath the eastern sky.
Of swimming in the river
And strolling along the shore
Of sitting round pot-bellied
stoves
And listening to folk-lore.
Memories of the star-lit sky
And dancing northern lights
Of skating on the river
On clear, cold, moonlit
nights.
School); come and enjoy the
company and the food.
I went to the meeting for
the proposed amalgamation of
the Municipality of the County
of Pictou, which was well
attended. A lot of concerns
were raised and people were
needing answers on where
they all stand if the amalgamation is passed. I, myself, will
be doing some searching to
find out which way I will
vote.
Here is part of a poem I
would like to share with you:
This is part of a poem written
by Carol MacLeod Daggitt.
Any news you would like to
share feel free to contact me any
COMMUNITY EVENTS
u
time by calling 902-351-2898. I
would be happy to include it in
my weekly article.
Have a wonderful week
everyone and stay safe!
u
CONNOLLY, Tanya Margaret –
43, of Scotsburn, passed away
peacefully April 9, 2016 at the
Victoria General Hospital, in Halifax.
Born in Halifax she is a daughter of
Shaun F. Connolly (Doreen), Scotch
Village and the late Joan (nee
Oldfield). Tanya was very gifted in
tole and oil painting, she also loved
to get her hands in soil for gardening. She is survived by son Steven
Dwyer, Dartmouth; daughter
Baileigh Dwyer, Toney River; former husband Randy Dwyer; companion John Robinson, Scotsburn
and his parents John and Helen
Robinson; brothers Derek (Carolyn)
Davis, Timberlea; Darrell (Mel)
Davis, Sackville; sisters Lynn (Tom)
McCormack, Sackville; Brenda
(Bob) Reesor, Dartmouth; Karen
(Charles) Drysdale, Sackville; several aunts, uncles, nieces and
nephews. Besides her mother she
was predeceased by paternal
grandparents James L. and
Margaret Connolly. Donations may
be made to the Canadian Cancer
Society or the Heart & Stroke
Foundation. A memorial gathering
was held April 17, 2016 at the
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch
16, 130 Veteran’s Drive, Pictou,
Nova Scotia.
HENDERSON, Jean Emmett –
98, of Glen Haven Manor, New
Glasgow formerly of Plymouth
Park, passed away April 13, 2016
at the Aberdeen Hospital with her
family and closest friends by her
side. Born in Welsford she was a
daughter of the late John and
Maude (Langille) Reid. Jean was a
graduate of the Victoria General
School of Nursing. Jean worked as
a private duty nurse, having also
nursed at the Aberdeen Hospital
retiring in 1983. She was a charter
member of the Order of the Eastern
Star Victory Chapter 17, a member
of the First Presbyterian Church
Ladies Guild and the Golden Glen
Senior Citizens Club. Jean spent
many hours making mittens, hats
and socks for family and friends
and the children in her neighbourhood. She was well known for her
beautiful hand embroidery work.
She is survived by her son Wayne
(Dorothy), Pictou; a granddaughter
Sherri Lee (Jim) McDowell, Pictou;
great-grandchildren Kyle and Jami
McDowell, a brother Everett Reid,
Welsford; special friends Margie
and George DeYoung, Karen and
Hallett Llewellyn. She was predeceased by her husband L. Russell
Henderson, sisters Helen Logan,
Pictou; Eva, brothers James and
Merrill Reid, Welsford. Funeral service was held April 16 from First
Presbyterian Church, Stellarton.
Burial will take place at a later date
in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens.
Donations in memory of Jean may
be made to the War Amps of
Canada, the Golden Glen Senior
Citizens or to a charity of one’s
choice.
MACDOUGALL, Joseph “Joe”
– It is with great sadness that we,
the family of Joseph Gordon
MacDougall, announce his passing on April 16, 2016, surrounded
by his loving family. Born in Trenton
August 28, 1924, he was a son of
the late Alec and Margaret (Lawlor)
MacDougall. Joe is survived by his
loving wife, Alice (McGuigan); his
daughters: Janet (Roger) Savoie;
Lisa (Paul) Demetre; son, Jim
(Dawn) Hayman; and son-in-law
Bruce (Paula) Rodgers. Papa was
loved dearly by his grandchildren:
Jerry Rodgers, Jennifer MacLean,
Allison Law, Amanda McCarville,
Christopher Savoie, Freddie
MacKay, Kenda Hayman, Kelly
Underwood, Riley Bennett and
Dylan Bennett as well as 15 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived
by brother, Al MacDougall, Ottawa;
sisters: Florence Hesketh, Jarvis;
Rita Love, Riverview; Marguerite
(Percy) Hayne, Pictou Landing;
and Marie (Rupert) Moores, New
Glasgow. Besides his parents he
was predeceased by his first wife
Gwen Dorey, his daughter, Connie
Rodgers, son, Paul Hayman, sister, Hannah (Edgar) Joyce, sisterin-law, Joan MacDougall and
brother-in-law, Vern Love. He will
also be lovingly remembered by
the McGuigan and Doucette families. Joe was a well-known sheet
metal worker, starting work at age
15 at Thompson and Sutherland,
learning the trade. He worked
throughout the Maritimes and went
on to work at Glasgow Metals later
retiring from MacKay Heating and
Plumbing. After retirement, Joe
couldn't put down the shears and
continued to keep busy in his
home shop until the age of 80. Joe
was well known in the community
giving many hours to help his
friends and neighbours or even just
someone who needed a helping
hand. He was a member of the
Trenton Minor Sports Association,
involved in the former Christ the
King Church as an Usher, a member of the Parish Council, Men's
Club and also ran bingo for over
20 years. He volunteered his time
as a Boy Scout Leader in his earlier
years and his mentorship is evidenced by way of remarks still
being passed on by former Scouts
as to how he influenced their lives.
He loved spending time with his
grandchildren, whether being their
biggest fan at a sporting event,
picking berries, or having picnics.
Our hearts are left with the fondest of memories. Joe seemed to
know everyone, and always had a
handshake and a smile. In later
years, Joe could often be found
on the back step with Alice hold-
ing a cup of tea in his hand and
waving to passersby. Funeral and
visitation have taken place. Burial
at Christ the King Cemetery,
Trenton. The family would like to
thank Dr. Park and Dr. Farrell, all
the wonderful caregivers with
VON and the devoted nurses of
the Palliative Care Unit who made
it a little easier for us to say goodbye. Donations in memory of Joe
may be made to the VON or the
Aberdeen Palliative Care Unit.
MacNEIL, Natalie Dawn – 28,
Pictou, passed away peacefully
April 13, 2016 in the Aberdeen
Hospital, New Glasgow, surrounded by her family. Born in
Halifax, she was a daughter of
Debbie Marie (Hill) MacNeil, Pictou
and Kevin Neil MacNeil, Central
Caribou. Prior to ill health, Natalie
was employed with Sobeys,
Pictou, in the deli. She possessed
a “big heart” and displayed kindness to both animals and people.
Natalie embraced her artistic
nature, exploring pencil drawing
and oil painting. She lived life to
the fullest. Besides her mother,
Debbie (Doug) and father, Kevin,
she is survived by her sister,
Roberta “Bert”; aunts, Darlene
(Robbie), Denise (Mike) and
Darlene; uncles, Mike (Bridget),
Lloyd (Darlene), Bob, John
(Yvette), Raymond (Susie) and
Jimmi (Karen); many cousins.
Funeral service was held April 16
in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral
Home, New Glasgow. Interment
in Christ the King Cemetery,
Trenton. Donations may be made
in Natalie’s memory to the
Canadian Diabetes Association or
Pictou County SPCA.
MITTON, Ethelwyn Anna – 88,
of Ivey’s Terrace formerly of
Fraser’s Mountain passed away
April 11, 2016 in the Aberdeen
Hospital, New Glasgow. Born
June 9, 1927 in Durham she was
a daughter of the late Jack and
Elsie (Dowell) MacKenzie. Ethel
lived in Fraser’s Mountain and
worked as a secretary at Trenton
Works. She enjoyed painting,
travelling and her family. She is
survived by sons Wayne (Nora),
Digby; Wendell (Marcella), Fraser’s
Mountain; sisters Dorothy Wagner,
Brantford, ON; Jean Swiech,
Waterford, ON; Betty (John) Lewis;
Fraser’s Mountain; brother David
(Kay) MacKenzie, Wilmont Station;
three grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands Bill Mitton
and Bob MacPhee. There will be
no visitation by request. A graveside service will be held at a time
to be announced in Heatherdale
Memorial Gardens. Donations in
her memory may be made to
Ivey’s Terrace, Trenton.
MOULTON, Ralph James – 59,
left the Halifax Infirmary on April
12, 2016 for an extended fishing
trip. Born April 17, 1956 in New
Glasgow, NS, he was the son of
the late Catherine Livingstone Moulton of Westville and late Irving
Thomas MacKenzie of Middle
River. He attended Westville and
Hopewell Elementary school, and
West Pictou High. He worked at
various jobs in his life time, his last
being with North Nova Seafoods.
He loved fishing and every aspect
of it. He loved his road trips and
covered more ground than the
Dept of Highways looking for that
next fishing hole. Besides his love
for fishing, was his love for darts.
He was a long time member of
Branch 28 Royal Canadian Legion,
Stellarton. Ralph was a loving and
caring brother, uncle and a very
proud step-dad. He is survived by
sister, Diane Durling (Danny)
Westville; brother, Gary Moulton
(Suzanne), Three Brooks Rd.,
nieces:
Cassandra
(Squi)
Moulton, Georgina, Shauna
Crosby; nephews: Tony Durling,
Wallace, Scott, Mark Crosby and
a number of grand nieces and
nephews; step children, Kathy
and Ritchie Livingstone, Helen
19+ years to purchase tickets. Cash
only.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5), 9:30–
10:30 a.m. at the River John Library;
10:30–11:30 a.m. at the Pictou Library
and 1:30–2:15 p.m., New Glasgow
Library.
Chase the Ace, Stellar Curling Club,
Foord St., Stellarton, 6-8 p.m. with
ticket draw at 8:15 p.m.
ABC’s for Babies (0-18 months), 10–11
a.m., Westville Library and 10:45–11:30
a.m., Stellarton Library.
ToddleTime (18 months–3 yrs), 10:15–
11 a.m., New Glasgow Library.
Chair Exercises at the Durham
Community Hall (across the bridge) with
Sharon Lynch at 10 a.m. This is a
12-week program. Silver collection.
Health is wealth!
Gamers Afterschool @ Library (drop-in),
3–5 p.m., Westville Library. For children
ages 8-14, play a game on Wii or
Xbox.
OBITUARIES
HAMILTION, George Charles,
Sergeant (retired) – II RCR & II
CDN Gds. At the age of 77 years,
George Hamilton of Ottawa formerly of Pictou NS, passed away
peacefully, surrounded by family
at Maycourt Hospice on Sunday,
February 7, 2016. Born April 29,
1938 in Stanley Bridge PEI, he is
predeceased by his parents
Elmer and Ella Hamilton (Folland).
He is survived by his wife Mary
(née Chisholm) of 54 years; two
sons, Paul Charles and David
Lee (Evangeline Labonte); three
grandchildren: Joss, Kolleen and
Stacee; two great-grandchildren,
Jaylen and Aurora; two sisters,
Shirley and Rita, Ontario; many
cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is a retired (sergeant) from the
Canadian Armed Forces (Army)
after 34 years of service with the
2nd Battalion The Canadian
Guards, 2nd Battalion Royal
Canadian Regiment (RCR) and
Administration. George participated in a six-month peace keeping tour of duty in Cyprus. He
was a member of the Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 632
Orleans, ON and was active in
the Remembrance Day Poppy
Campaign, he was a member of
the Legion Dart and Horseshoe
League, he enjoyed reading, daily
walks, golfing and woodworking;
always said you missed your calling George, you should have
been a carpenter. A big thank
you to Dr.’s Sabloff and Villeneuve
and the oncology/Medial Day
Unit team at the Ottawa Hospital
and the Champlain Community
Care Access Centre (CCAC).
Friends are invited to gather at
the Hall of Colours of the
Beechwood National Memorial
Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave.
(east of Vanier Parkway) on Friday
April 29 after 12 noon. Memorial
service will be held in the Sacred
Space at 2 p.m. followed by
interment with Military Honours
at the National Military Cemetery
of the Canadian Forces. The
reception will be held at the Royal
Canadian Legion, 800 Taylor
Creek Road, Orleans. In memoriam donations to the Royal
Canadian Legion’s National
Poppy Trust Fund would be
appreciated. †
WEDNESDAY, April 20
AA’s Pictou Hr. Group meets at 8 p.m.
on the Old Pictou Road and at 8 p.m.
at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church,
Westville.
Vince; companion of 10 and a
half years, Patty Vince; and was
special Grampy to Alannah and
Johnny. He was predeceased by
sister Lillian, brother John
Garfield, beloved dog Bear.
There will be no funeral or service
at Ralph's request. Donations in
his memory can be made to the
Nova Scotia Heart and Stroke
foundation.
SHIELDS, James Brenton
(Jim) – 70, of Pictou passed
away April 3, 2016 in the
Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care
Unit, New Glasgow, with his family at his side. Born in Spring
Valley, P.E.I., and raised in
Clermont, he was a son of the
late Frank and Ruby (Champion)
Shields. Jim was a millwright by
trade, having worked with the
Department of Fisheries, and was
retired from Via Rail in Halifax. His
last few relaxed years brought
him much joy. Jim was a very
hard-working, largely self-educated man with great mechanical
abilities. He enjoyed music and
travelling to car races. Jim was a
kind man of strong character. He
was extremely proud of his three
children. He will be dearly missed
by his loving wife Theresa
(Chaulker);
daughter Margo
Shields (Ian Merrithew) Bedford;
sons Kendall Shields (Gillian
Gass), Halifax and Devin Shields
(Caitlin), Mississauga; grandchildren, Alice Shields and Emmett
Merrithew;
former wife and
mother of his children, Marlene
Shields, Bedford. He is also survived by sisters, Mary Graham
(Allan) Alberton, PEI; Rita LeDue
(John) Valley, NS; brother David
Shields, Elderbank, NS; sister-inlaw Terry Shields, Cheverie, NS;
brother-in-law Eric Brown, Lower
Sackville, several nieces and
nephews. Besides his parents,
Jim was predeceased by his
brother, Francis, in 2015. There
will be no visitation or funeral
service at Jim’s request.
Donations in his memory may be
made to the Aberdeen Palliative
Care Society.
URQUHART, James Edward
“Ed” – 68, Churchville, passed
away April 14, 2016 at home,
surrounded by the love of his
family. Born in New Glasgow, he
was a son of the late Fraser Neil
and Ann Katherine (Fraser)
Urquhart. Ed studied plumbing
and oil burner mechanics at the
former Nova Scotia Institute of
Technology, going on to receive
Red Seal certification for both.
He began his career with MacKay
Heating and Plumbing, New
Glasgow, and was employed
with various companies before
retirement from Emera in 2013.
Ed enjoyed retirement and
believed that at death, life only
changes, it does not end.
Surviving are his daughter, Cindy
Urquhart (Donna), Churchville;
son, Edward “Eddie” (Alana),
Toronto, Ont.; granddaughter,
Alyson “Aly” Pelrine, Halifax; best
friend, Joy Patton (Ronnie Quinn),
Churchville; brothers, Doug
(Karen) Urquhart, Linacy; Robert
“Bobby” (Sarah) Urquhart,
Edmonton, Alta.; David (Mary)
Urquhart, New Glasgow; several
nieces and nephews. Funeral
service was held April 17 in P. &
K. MacDonald Funeral Home
Chapel, New Glasgow. Interment
in Heatherdale Memorial Gardens.
In honour of Ed’s memory, donations may be made towards his
granddaughter’s education.
WESTON, Brent Lorne – The
family of Brent Lorne Weston, age
54, is sorry to announce his passing on April 2, 2016 in Ontario.
Brent is survived by his parents
Vernon and Evelyn; his three sons
and one daughter; siblings, Glen,
Donna, Harold, Roy, Sandra,
Andrew, Patricia and their families.
He was predeceased by his sister
Heather. No visitation or service will
be held at this time.
Afterschool @ Library (ages 5-9), 3–4
p.m., Stellarton Library. Snacks, stories,
LEGO!, songs and games. For info and
to register call the library.
Club Francais, 12–1 p.m., Stellarton
Library. Join us for delightful conversation, en francais! For more info contact
the co-ordinator Cynthia Gallager at
902-754-2682 or cynthia.gallagher@
gmail.com.
Celebrate Earth Day and National
Canadian Film Day 2016 with NFB Film
'Hadwin's Judgement', 7–8 p.m., New
Glasgow Library. Bring snacks, peanutfree please, all are welcome! Watch the
trailer: https://www.nfb.ca/film/hadwins_judgement Directed by: Sasha
Snow, 2015, 88 minutes.
THURSDAY, April 21
AA’s Pictou Hr. Group meets at 8 p.m.
on the Old Pictou Road and at 8:30
p.m. the HOW Group meets on East
River Road in New Glasgow.
ABC’s for Babies (0-18 months), 10:30–
11:30 a.m., Pictou Library.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5 yrs),
10:15–11 a.m., New Glasgow Library;
1-2 p.m. at the Stellarton Library and
1:15–2:15 p.m., Westville Library.
Jam session, River John Legion, 7-10
p.m. All welcome.
Northumberland Fisheries Museum’s
21st Annual Fisherman’s Concert,
Caribou Fire hall, 7 p.m. Adm. $7. Bar,
entertainment, lunch and prizes. All
proceeds to the museum.
'Earth Day Special' with Marla Cameron
from Pictou County Solid Waste, 2–3
p.m., Pictou Library. Cameron will share
Pattie Pitter and kids can create a Hairy
Harry or a Hairy Harriet and a dirt cup
treat!
Robot Junk Sculptures (pre-registration
required, ages 7+), 3–4:30 p.m.,
Westville Library. Come and create
robots using recycled materials. Once
constructed, the robots will be decorated using silver and gold spray paint,
glitter, sequins, wire, aluminum foil and
other recycled bits and pieces.
SATURDAY, April 23
Auction 45s, 7 p.m., New Horizons
Club, Pictou. Adm. $5 (includes tickets
for 50/50, door prize, pool and mystery).
Tatamagouche Legion #64 and North
Shore Rec. Centre presents, The Queen
of Hearts. Every Saturday afternoon at
the Legion, 2-4 p.m. Play $2 per ticket,
draw at 4:15 p.m. Everyone welcome.
AA’s Easy Does it Group meets at 8
p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian
Church, Westville.
Seniors Relay sale, 474 Scotsburn Rd,
West Branch, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. New items
weekly. Proceeds for the Fuel Fund for
district seniors.
Saturday Morning Puppetry Club,
10:30–11:30 a.m., Pictou Library. For
info and to register contact the library.
Crafty Saturday (drop-in) with a Spring
theme, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Trenton
Library.
Family LEGO time @ the Library, 3–4:30
p.m., Pictou Library. For families and
children alike.
Knitting and Crocheting Group (dropin), 3–4:30 p.m., Pictou Library. Bring
your own yarn and needles, patterns
and written instructions will be available.
Imagination Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.,
Stellarton Library; 10 a.m.–3 p.m., River
John Library and Westville Library. Play
a game, build with Lego’s and create
something inspiring.
ToddleTime (18 months–3 yrs), 6:15–
7:15 p.m., Stellarton Library.
Crib Tournament, Royal Canadian
Legion, Tatamagouche, 1 p.m. $20 per
team (2). Bar and lunch services. All
money returned as prizes. Everyone
welcome. Wheelchair accessible.
Puppetry
Club
(pre-registration
required), 3–4:30 p.m., Westville Library.
Learn how to make puppets and write
a puppet show too! For info and to
register contact the library.
LEGOs @ the Library, 3–4 p.m., New
Glasgow Library. Families and children,
all are welcome!
Kidney Cancer Canada is hosting a free
patient meeting in Halifax 2–4 p.m. in
the Bethune Ballroom, 1276 South
Park Street. Meet and Greet 1:30-2
p.m. “Present Treatments and Emerging
Therapies in Kidney Cancer” will be
presented by Dr. Lori Wood, Medical
Oncologist and Dr. Janice Howes, psychologist, will speak about “scanxiety”
and recurrence. This meeting will be
web cast live. Light refreshments available. Patients, caregivers, family, friends,
medical professionals and anyone interested in the treatment of kidney cancer
are welcome to attend, learn and mingle. To register go to www.kidneycancercanada.ca,
email:
info@
kidneycancercanada.ca or call 1-866598-7166. Registration will be held at
the door as well.
'Dragons! Dragons! Everywhere!' and
'Little Red Riding Hood and Friends'
puppet shows, 2–3 p.m., Pictou Library.
All are welcome. For info or to save your
spot please call the library.
Tween Scene (NEW!), 3–4:30 p.m.,
Westville Library. Tweens, ages 8-14,
are invited to hang out and create
together! Crafts, games, puppetry, art,
poetry, guest speakers and authors,
snacks will be provided. For info and to
register call the library.
Young Readers Club (grades 4-6), 3–4
p.m., New Glasgow Library.
National Canadian Film Day presents
'Picture Day' starring Tatiana Maslany,
directed by Kate Melville, 6:15–7:30
p.m., River John Library. Plot: A rebellious teenager forced to repeat her last
year of high school is caught between
adolescence and adulthood and
between two very different male admirers.
Book Club, 6:30–7:30 p.m., New
Glasgow Library. To find out the book
selection of the month, or to arrange a
copy call the library.
FRIDAY, April 22
AA’s Trenton 24-Hr. Group meets at 8
p.m. on Pleasant Street, Trenton and at
8 p.m. Hope Group meets at the Sister
Catherine Steel Centre, Lourdes.
Knitting circle, 10–11 a.m. with the RJ
Square Knitters, River John Library and
from 1–2 p.m. in the Stellarton Library
with the Stellar Knitters. All welcome.
Toddletime, 10–11 a.m., Westville
Library and 10:45–11:45 at the
Stellarton Library. A program for toddlers 18 months to 3 years and parents/caregivers.
Gamers Afterschool @ Library (drop-in),
3–5 p.m., Westville Library. For children
ages 8-14.
Chase the Ace, River John Legion.
Tickets on sale from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
with draw at 9 p.m. Proceeds to support the River John Legion and the
River John Community HUB. Must be
Old time dance, 7:30 p.m. at the West
Branch Community hall. Music by The
MacKinnons plus Marilyn, Alvin and
Auldie; Roger Simms will be calling the
sets. Lunch served, shared sweets.
Adm. $7. Proceeds to the West Branch
hall.
An Appreciation Night will be held
between 7-9 p.m. at the River John
Hub (school) to thank Earl Johnson for
his community service and volunteering. Everyone welcome.
'Laughter Yoga' session with Shelley
Ballantyne, Certified Laughter Yoga
Leader, 1:30–2:30 p.m., New Glasgow
Library.
SUNDAY, April 24
AA’s Hope Group meets at 12:30 p.m.
at the Sister Catherine Steele Centre,
Stellarton. There is an information meeting at 2:30 p.m. at the Pictou Detox.
The Pictou Hr. Group meets at 8 p.m.
on Old Pictou Road and the HOW
Group meets at 8:30 p.m. at First
Baptist Church, East River Road, New
Glasgow.
Earth ARC Animal Respite Centre Prize
Bingo, 1–4 p.m., Eureka Fire hall, 5222
Trafalgar Road. Wheelchair assessable.
$10 for 8 cards (no dobbers, bring your
own markers). Free lunch with coffee/
tea. Canteen available; 50/50 draw; Gift
basket draw.
MONDAY, April 25
Bingo is played every Monday 6:45
p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion,
Tatamagouche. Canteen available.
Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible.
AA’s Trenton 24 Group meets at 8 p.m.
on Pleasant Street, Trenton and the
Hope Group meets at 8 p.m. at the
Sister Catherine Steel Centre, Lourdes.
Gladstone Cemetery, Four Mile Brook
annual meeting, 8 p.m. at 14 Grandview
Dr., Greenhill. All lot owners and interested persons welcome.
A beginner rug hooking class will be
running from May 2 to June 6 on
Mondays at the New Horizons Club,
Pictou. If interested call Cindy at 902755-6209.
TUESDAY, April 26
'Frauds and Scams' talk with Barb from
PCMCPA, Cst. Barker and Sgt. Dunbar
from the Westville Police Dept., 2:30–
3:30 p.m., Westville Library. They will
also provide tips to keep your personal
and financial information secure. All are
welcome!
'Find your Sparkle - A first step in your
journey of self-discovery' with speaker
Jennifer Stewart, 7–8 p.m., New
Glasgow Library. Life has a way of
keeping us busy which often has us
functioning on auto-pilot and leaves
some of us feeling like something is
missing. All are welcome!
Community Events listings
are available free of charge for
non-profits. Deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Fridays.
Email submissions to
marjorie@pictouadvocate.com.
No phone calls.
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
SHARON ST. JOHN UNITED – STELLARTON
The Sunday morning service was under the leadership
of Rev. Carolyn Nicholson.
Greeters were Bob and Helen
(Slater) Hanes. The Christ candle was lit by Ella Skelton and
Katey Aucoin.
During the children's time
two students performed their
music festival pieces; Maya
MacGillivray sang solo, For
These Blessings and Katey
Aucoin on her violin played
Minuet by J.S. Bach. The choir
anthem was Be Unto Your
Name, under the direction of
Amanda MacIntosh.
Ron Marks read scripture
from Acts 9: 1-20 and
Revelations 5: 14. The Gospel
reading by Nicholson was John
21: 1-19.
Do You Love Me? was the
title of Nicholson’s message.
She said the disciples were on
a boat and Jesus was on the
shore. Throw your nets to the
other side of the boat so your
nets will fill with fish, Jesus
requested. When Peter jumped
out of the boat, Jesus asked
Peter three times if he loved
him. What would your answer
be? Nicholson asked. Feed my
lamb, tend my sheep. How will
we gather those lost sheep?
Those receiving the offering
were: Mark Cameron, Bob
Hanes, Graham and Irma
Fraser, Jean Girard and Greg
Giberson.
On Monday evening Joyce
MacPherson was recognized
as the UCW volunteer by the
Town of Stellarton.
A memorial donation to the
furnace fund was given in
memory of Kenny Taylor by
Peter and Gail Kay.
A spring spaghetti supper
will be held at Sharon St. John
United Church on April 23 at
5:30 p.m.
Submitted by Gail Kay
Overcoming addiction topic
of presentation at First Baptist
Stories of hope and success
are what parishioners have to
look forward to this coming
weekend.
On Sunday, April 24 at 10:30
a.m. at First Baptist Church,
the Atlantic Men’s Speaking
Team from “Teen Challenge”
will make a presentation featuring amazing stories of freedom from addiction; everyone
is invited to attend.
Teen Challenge is a
12-month, faith-based, residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program that is part
of a network of more than 15
Teen Challenge Centres across
Canada and more than 1,000
worldwide. The Atlantic centre is located near Memramcook,
NB, in a renovated monastery
on 18 acres of meadow, forest
and landscaped gardens. The
program has a strong faithbased approach and offers
spiritual, academic and vocational training that helps equip
individuals to return to society
as
responsible
citizens.
Students learn character and
leadership development skills,
health and life skills and have
the opportunity to acquire
some vocational training.
This program also provides
opportunities for students to
learn planning and decision-
making skills and to learn to
contribute to Teen Challenge
and the community.
Substance abuse is on the
rise worldwide and Canada is
not immune. The Teen
Challenge website lists some
Canadian statistics on drug
and alcohol use:
• 15.7 - the average age
drug abuse begins
• 47,000 Canadian deaths
are linked to substance abuse
annually. (Health Officer's
Council of British Columbia)
• Substance abuse has cost
our health care system $8 billion. (Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse)
PICTOU UNITED CHURCH
ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN – PICTOU
Jack Cowan and Betty Ann
Battist greeted worshipers
wearing different tartans, to a
celebration of Tartan Sunday,
conducted by Jacquie Ross.
Ross began by using several
Gaelic words taken from a
word quiz in Readers Digest.
Such words as “ken”, “Kirk”
and “barin" were familiar due
to the congregation’s Scottish
history.
Murray Hill read from Luke
10:25-37. Other scriptures were
Deuteronomy 6:1-15, Luke
14:25-35 and Psalm 31. The
choir, under the direction of
Judy Corman and Kim Hayden,
presented In the Garden with
Jesus. Ross asked what the
group thought of when hearing this hymn.
In her sermon, Ross discussed various marks or symbols such as tattoos, tartans,
even jewelry and how they are
used to identify or tell something about the person.
Through the centuries, men
have displayed different symbols
to show they are
Christians but there is a better
sign to show this, a universal
mark to last until Jesus comes
back. That was the command
Jesus gave, ”Love one another
as I have loved you. By this, all
men will know that you are
my disciples if you love one
another.”
It is possible to be a Christian
without showing the mark but
if we expect non-Christians to
know we are Christian we
must show the mark, Ross
said. We come from a long line
of Scottish Presbyterians who
came to a new land and
endured severe
hardships.
Many of them had a divine
source upon which to rely. We
do, too. So, she challenged,
“Do you carry the mark of a
Christian?”
Submitted by Betty Ann
Battist
FIRST UNITED BAPTIST – NEW GLASGOW
Pastor Gordon Sutherland
continued his sermon series, Face
to Face with Jesus, with Face of
Shame: Face of Forgiveness using
John 21:15-17 as his scripture reference.
He said on the night of the
crucifixion, the disciple Peter
denied knowing Jesus three times;
after the resurrection on Easter
Sunday, Jesus extended grace
and forgiveness to Peter by asking him three times if he loved
Him. In life we all “mess up” but
God offers everyone unconditional love through His Son.
Sutherland showed the chil-
dren a bird mobile that was crafted in Africa by a Christian who
shares the gospel message in the
marketplace. J.P. and Verna Angst
shared Verna’s journey to health
with the church family, giving
God thanks for her recovery.
Allen Morton, accompanied by
Pauline Henaut, sang The Lord Is
My Shepherd.
On Sunday, April 24 Atlantic
Men’s Speaking Team from Teen
Challenge will give a presentation featuring stories of freedom
from addiction; everyone is invited.
The
Colchester-Pictou
Association of Baptist Churches
The morning began with a
‘Second Cup’ hosted by
Carolyn Moore and Chris
Landry. Greeters were Ken
and Doris MacMillian, steward
was Bruce Wallis. The worship
committee led the service.
Ruth Mackay and Kay
Desborough spoke to the congregation of upcoming events
in the church. Carolyn Moore
lite The Christ candle. As it
was Good Shepherd Sunday,
Diane Vaughn read a story of a
shepherd to the children and
spoke to them of the importance to look out for and take
care of one another. Margibel
Jones read Psalm 23, The
Lord’s My Shepherd, and John
10: The Good Shepherd.
The morning reflections
were based upon thanksgiving
reflections on Psalm 23 by Rev.
Rebecca Voelkel-Haugen, read
by Donna Weaver; she asks
what is Psalm 23 saying to us?
The simplicity of it is we have
all we need. It tells us it is not
about what we own it is about
what we need. The Lord is my
Shepherd I have all I need,
God gives us all we need. The
sick or dying find Psalm 23
deeply comforting as they can
relate to it. Psalm 23 has a lesson for us, God is always
around and is everywhere.
Ministry of Music, The
Lord’s My Shepherd, was
offered by the church choir.
Submitted by Sharon Cheverie
Greeting at the door were
Debbie and Allan Davis.
Rev. Donna Tourneur spoke
of a baby bird falling out of a
nest and how that bird was
vulnerable. The next day, the
baby bird on the ground was
gone as were the others in the
nest. When you don’t have
what you need in life you are
vulnerable, she said.
The minister read the scripture from Acts 9:36-43 and
Allan Davis read the gospel
Mark 12:28-34.
Karen Crowley, director of
music, accompanied the music
team who chose for the special
music, Brother James’ Air.
Allan Davis introduced special guest Stacey Dlamini,
Roots for Youth executive
director who shared some of
its history and what it is.
During her reflection Dlamini
spoke of the Story of the Good
Samaritan showing love for
people and showing radical
love by loving one’s enemies.
She said Roots for Youth
helps vulnerable young people
and helps to guide them to a
better place.
The congregation welcomed
Lee Ann Dalling by confirmation to full membership, as
well as Lynn Buck and Marie
Murray as new members
through transfer of membership.
Submitted by Brenda Sterling
Goodwin
ST. ANDREW'S PRESBYTERIAN – NEW GLASGOW
Worshippers were greeted by
Pat MacKay and Wally Sutherland.
Shirley Haggart read the scriptures.
The music of the service was
enhanced by guest soloist Marcel
d’Entremont. He sang He That
Keepeth Israel, You Raise Me Up
and, during the offertory, You’ll
Never Walk Alone.
The Time with the Children
was led by Church School coordinator Lilly Morton. She asked
the children if they are responsible
for anything at home; the answers
included responsibility for pets,
their rooms and choirs. Morton
told them that when they listen to
will host a Spring Assembly at
First Baptist on April 23, 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. The church office is preparing a new directory; photos of
church family members will be
taken on April 24, May 8 and 15.
On May 1, the deacons will host a
chili/soup luncheon with a free
will offering to assist three church
youth who will be involved in
mission trips this summer. The
First Baptist WMS (Women’s
Missionary Society) has sponsor
sheets available for the 2016
Intermission SKM Walkathon to
support refugees.
Submitted by George Henaut
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN – PICTOU
we can learn. He read the story
of the sower from Matthew 13
to show how Jesus used parables to teach lessons. It is important for us to read the Bible and
learn from His stories, Tonks
said.
Readings were: Acts 9:1-6;
Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14;
John 21:1-14. In the John reading, the congregation learned
of the third time Jesus revealed
himself after His death and resurrection. Tonks asked if anyone has seen Jesus? Would we
recognize him? Even His closest friends and disciples did
not always recognize Him
• For every $5 spent on
drug rehabilitation by the
Canadian government, $95 is
spent on incarceration of drug
users. (Health Officer's Council
of BC)
• 60 per cent of illicit drug
users in Canada are between
the ages of 15 and 24. (Statistics
Canada)
• When asked about their
specific crime worries, 52 per
cent of those polled said they
were "very concerned" about
drug activity. (National Post)
• Children of addicts are up
to nine times more likely to
develop an addiction of their
own. (Web4Health).
TRINITY UNITED – NEW GLASGOW
the Gospel lesson they would
learn that Jesus told His disciples
to “feed my sheep”. The followers
of Jesus are His sheep. Our responsibility is to take care of each other,
following in Jesus’ way, she said.
Rev. Dr. Joon Ki Kim based his
sermon on John 21:1-19. He said in
the Gospels, Peter is prominent
among the disciples, always mentioned by name. Yet, at the time of
Jesus’ trial, Peter three times
denied being a follower of Jesus.
After the resurrection, the memory of denying Jesus and also denying himself must have haunted
Peter. In the gospel reading the
message of God’s grace is very
clear. Jesus asked Peter three times
if he loved Him and three times
Peter replied that he did. In
response, Jesus said, “Feed my
lambs…Tend my sheep…Feed
my sheep,” and finally “Follow
me”. God’s new resurrected life
embracing and overcoming our
human weakness is open to all
God’s people. We are blessed to
know and accept such undying
love.
Following the service, Teddy
and Ed Fairhurst, Judy and Wally
Sutherland were the hosts for
refreshments in the Fellowship
Hall.
Submitted by Shirley Haggart
when He appeared to them.
Jesus said He is in us and we
are in Him. His spirit empowers us to act and say as He
would lead us to do and say.
He knocks and makes himself
known to us when we respond
to a need... such as the community support we have shown
for Syrian refugees. Jesus'
promise to be with us is true;
God's hand is near when we
respond in faith. No matter the
situation we are in, if we press
on we can accomplish much
with God's grace. Be bold; God
is in us, Tonks said.
Submitted by Carol MacKay
Eric Ross, left, and Jack Cowan
wearing their kilts at the
Tartan Day service recently at
St. Andrews Church, Pictou
(Submitted photo)
Pictou County
REAL ESTATE GUIDE
OPEN HOUSES
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Results Realty Atlantic Inc.
902-752-7227
17 Enid Street, New Glasgow
2-3:30 pm
Florence Siddal greeted the
congregation for the service led
by Rev. Gary Tonks. The
Handbell Choir played, I Am
Not Worth" and Rejoice, the
Lord Is King. The choir sang,
Light of the Minds that Know
Him. Offering was gathered by
Gerry Davidson and Allan
Fraser.
During Storytime, Tonks
showed a Bible with an olive
tree wooden cover that he had
received from a soldier who
had been to Jerusalem. The
Bible has been called 'the greatest book ever written" and contains many stories from which
Religion 19
Sunday, April 24, 2016
902-752-7227
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1-2 pm
29 St Joseph Street, Stellarton
1-2 pm
10 Summit Avenue, New Glasgow
1-2 pm
254 Willow Ave, New Glasgow
2:30-3:30 pm
11 Kestrel Ridge, New Glasgow
3-4 pm
Sunday, May 1, 2016
902-752-7227
11 Kestrel Ridge, New Glasgow
590 Logan Road, Frasers Mountain
1-2 pm
3-4 pm
Sunday, May 1, 2016
Blinkhorn Real Estate Ltd.
902-755-7653
450 Mountain Road, New Glasgow
12-1 pm
WHERE TO FIND THE PICTOU COUNTY REAL ESTATE GUIDE
WESTVILLE – Scotiabank • STELLARTON – Scotiabank • New Glasgow – MacIvor
Realties, Coldwell Banker, Sunrise Brokerage, Central Home Improvement Warehouse,
Proudfoots, HLM Realties, Scotiabank West Side, Abercrombie Video and Convenience
• Trenton – Cornish’s Variety • Pictou - HLM Realties, Proudfoots, Sunrise Brokerage, The Advocate
Always online at www.pictouadvocate.com
To Advertise in our monthly Pictou County Real Estate Guide contact us at 902-485-8014.
20 Community
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
u
Stop amalgamation before it's too late
on one lie, let’s look a little farther. Why do you think they are
pushing so fast? The wise people
in Westville and Trenton that
voted this down, do you think
you will matter if some get their
way? I would make sure that
there was not a legal catch in
their process to force you into
their scheme. Check it out. So
look into if you have a right to
vote before you have something
forced on you.
Wow, they have already said
OK to electronic voting. Is this
fair? I have read from a wise
man by the name of Brian Knight.
This man has done some homework and does not speak with a
forked tongue like some I have
listened to. I attended a meeting
in Scotsburn on Monday. There
was a good turnout and after
To the Editor:
We have a funny saying
around my area and River John,
why do you lie so much? This
kind of reminds me of the
48-page MOU document. It
states, better roads for our people to drive on. This question
was brought up at one info session. People were told statistics
are the same.
Our county roads are the provincial responsibility. So they
will take our tax money to
improve our roads or will it go to
town streets? We actually have
some wise people that figure
young people will come back in
droves. What for – sports and
recreation? You need money for
that, which would mean jobs
which they have not addressed.
If these people were caught
listening to the reading of a
script, one page more than once,
questions were allowed, two
minutes a person. After you said
hello and introduced yourself it
was time to get off. You have
heard testimony from people in
other areas that the only people
to benefit from schemes like this
are the core towns or cities. You
have some very well educated
people out there like Elmer
MacKay and Joe Gennoe telling
you this is a bad idea. Were you
not taught to listen to your
elders? I have heard from two
Pictou mayors, past and present
that say they are afraid Pictou
will dissolve. What do they
expect? They have been giving
New Glasgow everything for
years. Soon Pictou will be like
the Fortress of Louisburg. A
tourist attraction for two months
a year. A great place to retire but
if you want a shirt that does not
say Pictou on it or a pair of
sneakers where do you have to
go?
If you can make it to an information session I encourage you
to go and by the way, don’t forget your dung fork as it gets
pretty deep under the front table.
If these people spent more money
and time on jobs, health services,
seniors care, roads and other
important issues our county
would do a lot better. Keep in
mind the money already wasted.
When asked they had no idea
how much or where. Too afraid
to disclose the cost. Let’s stop
this now before it is too late.
Gary Heighton
Meadowville
Citizen consultation should have been first
have been in favour of further
studying the concept! But long
before a committee was chosen, the
councils should have sought permission from the owners – the private land holder of Pictou County.
If the upcoming, soon to be
‘infamous’ plebiscite had been held
back at the beginning, it would
To the Editor:
This amalgamation business
has become so convoluted, it’s hard
to believe that it shouldn’t be
shelved for now. If the public had
been engaged from the moment of
the ‘vision’ to combine six autonomous regions into One Pictou
County, all six councils may well
have given citizens time to consider
all the ‘pros and cons’ of such a
union. That should have been step
number one, in my opinion! For
some unknown reason, four
councils decided to go it alone
and go straight to step number
two (or three, we’re not sure!)
One always plows before you
plant the potatoes. You don’t
plant the potatoes and then steer
the plow around the sets.
This whole amalgamation
process is like driving an obstacle
course, when it should be a pleasant Sunday drive.
Thomas Rogers
Cape John
Think twice. Vote no on May 28
The Memorandum: Evidence
based approach – Understated.
Really, a best guess based on
information gathered.
No
guesswork in tax bills.
Pre-conditions: Understated
– conveniently omitted from
the list, “the Municipality of
Pictou – Protection Clause “(no
increase in county residential
rate)” (smart).
New unit will assume Albion
Business
Park
debt:
Understated. They will also
assume the $8,000,000+ worth
of completely serviced lots.
Stellarton – BE ALERT - These
are your assets. Which reminds
me... Why would New Glasgow
and the county decide this is a
good time to develop their own
business park, within a mile of
Stellarton’s business park?
Perhaps our MOU representatives can tell us. Amalgamation
- No thank you. We’ll try to
avoid this sweet-heart deal.
Why? Perhaps some units
are looking for improvement in
their net debt per capita status.
What better place to look, than
next door? Calculations have
been presented to show the net
debt per capita will increase
two and one-half times in five
years. Do you really believe
there is a waiting list of businesses anxiously awaiting our
To the Editor:
MOU - Only six weeks to the
May 28 plebiscite, when
Stellarton residents decide the
direction that they want their
council to take for the future of
the town.
We have reached this point
by default - default of three
councillors who ignored the
input of a representative number of citizens at a public meeting held October 14, 2014.
Shame! Hopefully, they will
respond to the results of the
ballot box (plebiscite).
Information/consultation/
sell job meetings continue
through to mid-May. I’m told
that little consultation, lots of
sell job, few, if any clear,
straightforward answers are
the order of the day. No surprise there.
I refer to MOU as the
Memorandum
of
Understatement, i.e., a recent fact (?)
sheet has been prepared (at
your expense) and mailed out
with your water bill. Let’s look
it over together.
Title: One Pictou County:
Understated. We have one
Pictou County now, which
includes Trenton and Westville.
This endeavour is to split the
county in half (Stellarton being
in by default)
LEGISLATURE REPORT
u
By Karla MacFarlane
Special to The Advocate
T
he economic and social
importance of Nova
Scotia’s public libraries continues to be overlooked and undervalued by our current provincial
government.
As placement economics tells
us, large department stores in
malls generate interest and foot
traffic for the surrounding businesses. The same effect can also
be observed when we have a
well-funded public library situated in a small town.
Within our increasingly digital world, libraries have evolved
to meet the needs of their environment by becoming more than
just a place to check out books.
They have changed over time to
become the community and cultural centres we see them as
today. Despite the fact public
libraries face shrinking municipal and provincial funding, they
continue to persevere. Libraries
strive to uniquely offer us person
to person human contact as well
as customized programs that
meet the individual needs of the
communities that surround
them.
Local libraries are known for
educating and inspiring patrons
in art, music and literature.
However, they also play host to
a variety of programs and services, including after school programming, hobby and interest
groups, workshops, lectures and
guest speakers. It is in this way,
our public libraries offer assistance to young families, our
seniors, new members of the
community and, of course, new
immigrants. Local libraries help
all its members to engage in
what the surrounding community has to offer them.
Did you know, our public
libraries even offer home delivery
of books and literature, free of
charge? This is an incredible service for those living in more rural
communities or those who are
unable to easily get to their public
library nearby.
Public libraries are also known
to offer a range of services that
can be particularly helpful for
those seeking a job. Public computers and employment resources are available for use at public
libraries at no cost. As well, these
libraries offer 24-hour access to
wireless Internet. Services such as
these allow people to easily access
information and essential employment tools. Access to the informa-
here? It won't be.
And finally the important
matter of fire services – understated again. At a recent
Stellarton Council meeting a
councillor
advised
that
Stellarton lumps their area rates
into the regular rate. Not so.
We haven’t had area rates in
the past 50 years. That I can
attest to. All our operating
costs including police, fire and
street lights formed part of the
regular budget, with one residential and one commercial
rate (based on assessment). At
Stellarton’s public meeting in
October 2014), (The Meeting
That Didn’t Matter) I cautioned
those in attendance that there
will be increased demand for
service extensions under amalgamation and there will be.
Who pays? County residential
– no; user fees? Area rates? It's
all taxation.
According to the handout,
the chickens have come home
to roost! Tax rate increase?
Count on it! area rates to pretend rate has been held? No
surprise!
I have tried to not overstate
the understatements.
Stellarton voters, these are
the facts – no self-interest, no
smoke and mirrors. The rest is
up to you.
On May 28, think twice, vote
once.
Adrian Pearson
Stellarton
amalgamation? Or do you
believe there will a great influx
of residents to offset this alarming stat? I’m persuaded the
answer to both is no.
All the pre-conditions can be
met: Understated. Incomplete
information – County residential rate, no increase; everyone
else at least 6.89 per cent. (As
calculated by the MOU Steering
Committee. Seriously, who but
the county would vote for
this?
Let’s skip to Government
Structure: Understated. One
councillor for two wards. A
decrease of four. How much
effect will one councillor have
against 10? How do you expect
to receive the same level of service (timely or quality) as you
now have. Do you really want
to pay more for less?
Don’t be misled. Some units
have larger than life payrolls,
reducing their staff will hardly
be noticed; smaller units will
have no guarantee as to prioritized service. New staffing,
new titles, support staff, remodelling will more than look
after the so-called savings. And
wages are always measured
UP. Not down. This has been
the disappointing reality across
Canada and the United States
and you expect it to be different
tion and tools offered, in turn, can
be used to help improve the lives
of individuals in need.
The fact that materials can be
borrowed and technologies utilized without fee is of paramount
importance in “leveling the playing field” between socio-economic classes. Public libraries are of
unique importance to communities across Nova Scotia as they
offer us universal access to information.
Libraries build engaged citi-
zens, they educate individuals,
foster equality, and nurture
thoughtful communities. How
could institutions as intrinsic as
our public libraries not be worth
fighting for? It is difficult to think
of anything that could be more
worthy of provincial and municipal funding. I hope the provincial
government steps up and supports libraries in Nova Scotia.
Penalty for failure
will land on taxpayers
To the Editor:
In our personal life, and also
in business and government, having a good idea is the easiest part
of the decision-making process.
The implementation and development of those ideas, however,
is a far more difficult step.
Translating the good idea into a
good decision requires setting
targets, developing a plan to
achieve those targets and assessing the plans for their potential
for success.
Not following through on the
target setting, planning or assessing and simply plowing ahead
with an idea for the sake of change
is a recipe for failure. Sometimes
the impact of that failure is minor;
while at other times it is disastrous.
A business, thinking that starting a new venture is a good idea,
will first determine what the costs
will be, what the market for their
products is and then complete
plans and projections to assess
potential profits. At times, what
first seemed like a great idea
doesn’t look nearly as good when
this analysis is complete and the
business abandons the idea, while
other ideas stand up to closer
scrutiny and development will
proceed. In business, the penalty
for not setting those targets and
assessing potential can lead to
financial difficulty or even bankruptcy. Most successful businesses are good at generating,
assessing and implementing good
ideas. They have to be. Penalties
for failure are high.
Governments, on the other
hand, are generally good at generating ideas, but not nearly as
good at creating and assessing
the feasibility of targets and plans.
For governments, the penalty for
failure is often simply having to
say they tried and raising taxes to
offset the loss. At worst, the pen-
alty may involve removal from
office, but since the next group is
often no better, the hiatus is temporary. The real penalties for
failure don't land on the governments; they land on the taxpayers.
With the current amalgamation process, the MOU Committee
has a good idea - improve our
economy and job prospects. But
have they set any targets for when
and by how much this improvement should be? Have they
planned how this will happen?
Have they assessed the feasibility
of their plan?
The MOU
Committee has not provided any
targets or plans to the public.
Only with an increase in population or jobs can they claim success. With a continued decrease,
they will simply shrug their
shoulders, blame someone else,
and increase taxes adding to the
burden on an already over-taxed
people.
If this amalgamation is about
more than finances, as so many
claim, tell us what the goals are in
concrete terms, tell us the plans to
get there and show us the work
that proves the plans have at least
a reasonable chance of success.
This amalgamation, if it proceeds,
cannot be undone. We all want
and need a better tomorrow. In
all likelihood we are only going
to have one chance to make it
happen. Five years from now a
shrug of the shoulders, a tearful
apology and a larger tax bill is not
acceptable. Demand the MOU
Committee provide support for
their claimed path to a better
tomorrow. If they cannot or will
not provide it, think twice, vote
once - No - to a bad idea, and let's
start working to find the path
toward an actual good idea that
includes all of Pictou County.
Brian W. White, Chair,
Amalgamation No Thank You
Luke, 7, and Tyler MacLean, 9, get crafty at the Stellarton
Library on Saturday morning during Artcycle. The children
used recycled items to create a piece of art. Luke made a nest
while Tyler created a boat using items like pipecleaners, lids
(Harvie photo)
and corks.
Need Your
Carpets Cleaned?
Karla MacFarlane is Pictou West
MLA
MacLean & MacDonald
Barristers & Solicitors
Ian H. MacLean, Q.C., LL.B.
Leo I. MacDonald, C.D., B.A., LL.B (Counsel)
90 Coleraine Street, Pictou, NS 902-485-4347
We Can Help!
Up to 300 sq ft of Carpet Cleaning
9495plus HST
$
Stellarton, Nova Scotia
C.J. Installations Inc.
(902) 752-6762
For All Your Fresh Air Needs
HRV/ERV Systems
In
New & Existing Homes
www.cjinstallations.ca
Installations
•
Sales
•
Service
Foord St., Stellarton
902-752-1267
www.SystemCare.ca
The Advocate
April 20, 2016
Community
21
Earth Day
April 22
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
RCMP awards were presented recently to volunteers at its facility in Pictou. Left photo: volunteers at the Pictou West Food Bank
were among those to receive certificates. From the left, front row are: Elsie MacDonald, Betty Ann Battist and Bill Skrynsky. Back:
RCMP Acting District Commander Kevin Dunlevy and foodbank's Barbara MacPhail. Right photo: volunteers for several other
groups also received certificates. From the left, front row are: Kathy O'Brien, Mary Rita MacNeil, Iola Swantee from Pictou County
Crime Prevention and Sheila Wilcox from Pictou County Ground Search and Rescue. Back: RCMP Const. Paul Vanderlaan, auxiliary
constables Jeff MacDonald and Lloyd Penny and RCMP Const. Barry Camp. Missing from photo are award recipients Norma
DeCoste, Gerrie Currie, Ryan Powell, Alice Brown, Marguerite Macarthy and Mike Powell.
Karla MacFarlane
MLA, Pictou West
902-485-8958
pictouwestmla@bellaliant.com
OFFICE:
25B Front St., Pictou
(Goodwin photos)
Do your part . . .
RECYCLE!
Left photo: Mike Powell, left, is recognized for his volunteer service to the Pictou County District RCMP through his work with
Citizens on Patrol. Presenting Powell with the certificate of appreciation is Const. Paul Vanderlaan. Right photo: Crime prevention
awards were handed out to, from the left, seated: Mary Livingstone and Norma DeCoste. Back: Const. Paul Vanderlaan with Pictou
County District RCMP, Alice Brown, Iola Swantee, Mary Rita MacNeil, Jack Blakeney, Corinne Johnston, Lorraine MacLean, Janet
Keefe, Barb Smith, chair of Pictou County Municipality Crime Prevention Association, and Const. Ken MacDonald with New
(Harvie photo)
Glasgow Regional Police Service. Vanderlaan and MacDonald presented the group with certificates of appreciation.
Day of Mourning Ceremony
Thursday in Trenton Park
NEW GLASGOW – The
annual National Day of
Mourning ceremony for those
killed or injured as the result of
workplace accidents will be held
Thursday at 6 p.m. at Trenton
Park.
Mary Lloyd, president of
Pictou County Injured Workers
Association stated, “While April
28th is a day set aside for us to
respect and honour those killed
and injured in the workplace,
we must all recognize that surviving family members and
injured workers live with the
tragedy of these deaths and
injuries every day of the year,
year after year. A person’s life is
changed instantly and forever
as a result of a workplace injury.”
More than 1,000 men and
women die each year in Canada
as a result of workplace injuries.
This spring, enjoy the warmer weather, and get
ready for those April showers, with a new set of
Cooper tires. You’ll get serious traction, treadwear
and performance. And for a limited time, you’ll
get a prepaid card worth up to $70 too.
we do that
FOR MORE INFORMATION,
GO TO COOPERTIRE.CA
OR CALL 1.866.415.5543
THERE ARE 10 WARNING SIGNS
OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
SPRING SALE!
PRINTED
RACK CARDS
Get 500 for
90
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tax
Other quantities:
1000 cards .......$160
2500 cards ..... $375
5000 cards ..... $475
2-sided, colour, 4x9” | Offer good until April 30th
ASK ABOUT OUR TARGETED DISTRIBUTION!
PICTOU: 181 Brown’s Point Rd. (902) 485-1990
Learn the other nine warning signs at
www.tenwarningsigns.ca or 1-800-611-6345
HALIFAX | DIEPPE | BRIDGEWATER | SAINT JOHN | ST. STEPHEN
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22
Community
The Advocate
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
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Music festival begins

Transcription

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