Eastern Shore

Cooperator

FREE

Easternshorecooperator.ca

Volume 2 Issue 6 October 2015

VOTE
October 19
Election Coverage
Pages 4, 5 & 7
Local Sports
Pages 8 & 9
Editorial
Page 13
Community Events
Page 15

Pumpkins By Gina Dunn

And Much more...

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Support Your Local Newspaper

12 Month Mailed Out Subscription
$36 + HST = $41.40
Mail to: Eastern Shore Cooperator
14 Earl Court
Porters Lake, NS B3E 1H8
NAME: _________________________________________
ADDRESS: _______________________________________

Advertising Rates, Sizes & Layout Guidelines

New Colour pages available

Surfs Up

Eastern Shore District High School has started renovations

Bakers Eats and Treats opening soon in

Musquodoboit Harbour

Dobbits is back in business after renovations

Surfs Down

NOTE: Prices Do Not Include HST

Please contact Jacqueline Sanford for all your advertising needs.

902-414-7942 or escads@eastlink.ca

Eastern Shore seasonal businesses closing

Womens Washrooms at the ES Rink need help

New school site in Sheet Harbour - not in the village?

DISCLAIMER: This publication is owned by the Eastern Shore Cooperator and is published monthly. No part of this publication may be reprinted unless written consent is given
from the publisher. We will not be held responsible for errors or for any claims made by our advertisers. The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages
arising out of errors in advertisements, and there shall be no liability for non-insertion of any advertisement. The advertiser also agrees that once an advertisement is booked and
paid for, there will be no refund of monies paid. Ad space paid for, but not used, will be honoured at a future date. The views/opinions expressed in this publication by
contributors/letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the publishers. The publisher reserves the right to edit letters/submissions where necessary.

News

An Early End to Route 7 Rezoning Application?

By Richard Bell
An investigation by the Cooperator has revealed that
there is a legal way for the Harbour EastMarine Drive
Community Council (HEMDCC) to bring a quick end to
the increasingly hot controversy over rezoning land
along Route 7 in Porters Lake to permit a construction
and demolition (C&D) recycling plant.
Thea Langille, the Major Project Planner who is in
charge of the C&D rezoning file (Case 19800), has confirmed that the Community Council, after receiving the
staff report, can reject the rezoning application without
holding a public hearing. (This step would take place
after a Public Information Meeting, which the Planning
Department has not yet scheduled, and after the subsequent staff report was presented to the Community
Council.)

Council does have the ability at this

point to reject the application, without holding a public hearing
In a typical process, Langille said, 99% of the time,
the Community Council, will look at the staff report and
then hold a public hearing before voting. But Council
does have the ability at this point to reject the application, without holding a public hearing. I can only think
of two instances where Council took this step, but they
can do it.
Langille later provided the Cooperator with two instances of Community Councils choosing to reject applications without public hearings. Of the two, the most
recent is the most telling. In this case, the Harbour East
Community Council chose to kill an application despite
a staff report recommending the application.
Case 16898 (Prince Albert Road Development Agreement) was a rezoning application that would have permitted a massive 15-story residential building on Lake
Banook that would have dwarfed the two-story houses
in the surrounding neighborhood. The planning staff
recommended approving the application. Staff offered
HECC four options, the last of which was to refuse the
rezoning....
The HECC voted 3-3 on January 17, 2012 on a motion to
move the rezoning application forward by holding a
public hearing. The tie vote meant that the motion
failed, killing the rezoning application.
Councillor Gloria McCluskey spoke strongly against the
proposal. According to the minutes, she felt the rezoning was not compatible with the neighbourhood which
is surrounded by single family homes, it will have a
shadow effect on the surrounding properties, and will
generate traffic and wind.
McCluskey now serves on the Harbour EastMarine
Drive Community Council. She is the only member of
the HECC now serving on the HEMDCC. The other
members of this Council are David Hendsbee, Bill Karsten, Lorelei Nicoll, and Darren Fisher. In the 2013 case
on Lake Banook, Karsten, Nicoll, and Fisher were the
three councillors who voted to proceed to a public
hearing.

The chair of the grassroots group opposing the Route 7

rezoning said that an additional way to kill the Route 7
rezoning proposal earlier in the process was welcome.
Deb Day, Chair of Coalition for Safe and Healthy Communities for Preston, Mineville, Lake Echo, and Porters
Lake, said Theres no desire on anybodys part to drag
this out longer than it needs to. If theres a part of the
process that allows us to shorten it, wed be all for
that.

We support recycling C&D materials

- but in the right place.
Day was quick to point out, however, that her organization was committed to finding a way for Kiann Industries, the company owned by Lawrence Bellefontaine
that filed the rezoning request, to find a more suitable
site for its C&D recycling business. At the end of the
day, Day said, theres still a desire to see Mr. Bellefontaine open up a facility in the right place. We support recycling C&D materials.

Musqudoboit Harbour Family Practice is

Relocating

Content

Page

News...............................................................3
Federal Election Coverage
Sackville - Preston - Chezzetcook...........................4, 5 & 7
Local Sports...................................................................8 & 9
Community...............10
Community Life.................11
Councillors October Communiqu..........................12
Editorial. ...........13
Community News.............14
October Events PIN IT Up ...........................................15
The Eastern Shore Cooperator is published by:
The Eastern Shore Cooperator Publications
Cooperative Ltd.

Musquodoboit Harbour Family Practice Clinic

moved to Twin Oaks Memorial Hospital on October 1, 2015.

Managing Editor & Designer & Distribution

Gina Dunn: escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

The clinic hours and phone number for the clinic

will remain the same. To book an appointment,
please call the family practice staff at 902-8892650.

Senior Writer & Editor:

Richard Bell: richardbelldc@hotmail.com

When visiting the clinic, please use the parking lot

in front of the hospital and enter through the main
doors. The clinic will be located in the Manchester
Wing, which is the back hallway of the hospital.
The registration/check-in area will be located to
the left of the elevator on the main floor before
the Manchester Wing door. Once registered, you
will be asked to take a seat in the clinic waiting
area until your care provider comes to get you for
your appointment.

Advertising Manager:
Jacqueline Sanford: escads@eastlink.ca
Copies of the Cooperator and distribution
locations can be found on our website at:

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Sackville - Preston - Chezzetcook

Three Challenge Stoffer in

Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook

Darrell SamsonLiberal Party

By Richard Bell
Samson says that he started thinking seriously about
running for office two years ago, when Justin Trudeau
became the leader of the Liberal Party.

By Richard Bell
Long-time New Democratic Party incumbent Peter
Stoffer (in office since 1997) faces three challengers in the newly-created riding of SackvillePreston-Chezzetcook: Liberal Darrell Samson,
Conservative Robert Strickland, and Green Mike
Montgomery. Redistricting eliminated the eastern
-most part of Stoffers old riding, Sackville-Eastern
Shore.

Ive always had my eye on representing the people,

Samson. When my Dad was in office, he used to always
say, My people want.my people need..my people.my people. When Justin Trudeau started campaigning for leader two years ago, I felt like there was a
magnet pulling me into politics, that I had no choice but
to step into the ring.

Samson highlighted a couple of policies that he said

would be especially helpful for creating well-paying jobs
to support the largely middle-class families in the riding.

The following four profiles take a look at how

each person decided to become a candidate, and
some insight into what their priorities will be if
elected. For more information, check out their
websites and social media postings.
Liberal Party politics has been in Darrell Samsons blood
since he was a child. His father served for 15 years as a
councillor, and political talk was a constant around the
family dinner table.

Eastern Shore Cooperator

Twitter: @escooperator

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/
easternshorecooperator

Facebook Election Page:

www.facebook.com/groups/
cooperatorelections

Web site:
www.easternshorecooperator.ca

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Infrastructure investment is crucial, Samson said. The

Halifax airport is one of the most strategic airports in the
world for global trade, but its not operating at anywhere near its potential. Its great that Pratt & Whitney
is in there, but we should have 20 Pratt & Whitneys
there to benefit the whole region.

Much more could be done to benefit from the influx of

cruise ships in Halifax, Samson said. Weve got the bigculture center in Nova Scotia in Preston, and
I remember way back when Pierre Trudeau became the gest black
nd
the
2
oldest
French community in Chezzetcook. We
Liberal leader, Samson said. I was nine years ago, and I
should
be
booking
all those cruise ship passengers for
remember it like yesterday, watching for 6 hours and
through 4 ballots. I was hooked after that day on politics. lobster dinners in Eastern Passage.
And my Dad was so excited by seeing an energetic passionate party leader with a vision.
Samson pursued his interest in politics when he started
teaching at Eastern Shore District High School. He
started the first model Parliament, with help from nowSenator Tom McInnis. Kevin Murphy today insists it was
his participation in this model Parliament that got him
into politics, Samson said.
Samsons family has been deeply involved in the world
of public education. His mother, his grandmother, his
wife, and his two oldest kids have all been educators.
Samsons experience as an educator and administrator
are extensive. He is currently the Superintendent of
Schools for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial
Nova Scotias only French school board. He has been the
National President and Vice-President of all French
school board superintendents outside of Quebec, an active member of the National Committee for Early Years,
and a member of the Provincial Advisory Council to the
Minister of Education on Early Years in Nova Scotia.

Election Day is Monday

October 19
Please Vote!
To vote in the upcoming election,
you must be

18 years of age
A Canadian Citizen

Can prove your identity

& address

Sackville - Preston - Chezzetcook

Peter Stoffer - New Democratic Party

Robert Strickland--Conservative

By Richard Bell

By Richard Bell

A conversation with
Peter Stoffer after a day
of wallowing in national
campaign news is like
tumbling into a cool,
bubbling spring. If you
didnt ask him about
politics directly, you
might never suspect
that youre dealing with
a man whos been in
office since 1997, a man
who once held 7 different portfolios, and who
continues to be one of
the countrys most
knowledgeable legislators on his two keenest interests, veterans affairs and
shipbuilding.

In his first run

for office,
Robert Strickland cites single parenthood and his
business consulting work
as the two
most important sources
of his dive into politics.
Strickland says he has come a long way since he
started working in IT after graduating from Nova Scotia Community College. I started off being a guy who
was left in a room to fix photocopiers and cash registers, and now Im in the room with business people
who are all making more than $150,000 a year.

Stoffer comes from humble beginnings, one of 9 children. Stoffers experience in the airline industry
taught him the importance of customer service. In
the airlines, if you didnt treat people right, Stoffer
said, theyll fly another airline, and there goes my
job.

Strickland moved into consulting when he saw that

there was a need for someone who could explain to
management that the reason they were struggling to
get their software program to meet their needs was
because they needed to redesign the process itself,
not fix the software. Lots of customers would close
the door and say, I dont know why were doing it this

Stoffers constituent service is legendary. He returns

the vast majority of calls his office receives. He doesnt do email, or social media. I want to talk directly to
people, Stoffer said. Its really, really exciting when
you can help people.

When the Vietnamese boat people came, 90% of Canadians supported their coming in. I just saw a poll
that said 40% of Canadians dont want to accept more
refugees. I was shocked by that number.

But Stoffer was quick to point out that his ace in the
hole was his staff of 4, who handle the follow-up to
all of his calls.
When Stoffer joined Parliament in 1997, veterans issues were an afterthought on the standing committee
for defense and veterans affairs. Eventually in 2006,
Rob Nicholson [currently Minister for Foreign Affairs]
and I got together, and we got a standing committee
for veterans affairs, Stoffer said. Im proud of that.
When it comes to the refugee crisis, Stoffer blames
Stephen Harper from using immigration to create a
wedge among Canadians.
I take it personally, Stoffer explained. My family
were economic refugees from Holland, after the coal
industry shut down following World War II. Canada
welcomed us with open arms.

On the raging controversy over the proposed rezoning of land on Highway 7 in Porters Lake to build a
construction & demolition (C&D) recycling plant, Stoffer was unequivocal: My view has always been that if
the majority of the affected communities dont want
something in their backyard, then government should
honor that request.
And whats the secret of Stoffers success as a campaigner? Would you believe dog treats? When I go
door knocking [9,500 doors this year, with a goal of
15,000], I have a pocket full of dog treats. Half the
people arent home. But of the other half, 6 out of 10
have a dog, so after I introduce myself, I say, Would
your dog like a treat? It breaks the ice. Too many candidates treat door-knocking like some kind of business deal.

way, what is everyone else doing?

Stricklands software consulting has taken him to the
U.S. for five years, with stints in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Strickland did not marry until age 30, had his first child
at 35, and then divorced. After our marriage broke
down, Strickland said, my wife and I stuck it out in
house together, until the kids were in a school we selected together. We chose the French school system.
My wife was French. Strickland has served as chair of
the Canadian Equal Parenting Association.
On his Conservative Party website, Strickland says that
Giving families the flexibility they need to meet their
goals is how we prevent divorce, minimize excessive
abortion rates, and reduce child abandonment
which is proven to result in a high rate of criminality in
youths.
Strickland attributes his current party affiliation to his
father. My Dad left school at grade 4, Strickland
said, and he was a life-long Conservative. Im running
because first and foremost we have to protect what
we already have. Ive listened to Justin Trudeau and
Thomas Mulcair, and Im scared as hell.
On the Conservative Party website, Strickland explains
his support for the party, saying, We cannot allow life
to get more difficult here at home, we see the problems in Ontario under the Liberals. Were seeing difficulty in Alberta right now under the NDP. We cant
allow a repeat of plans that fail. A simple example is
Quebecs $15 daily daycare, which is failing.
Strickland says he has been encouraged by his doorknocking experiences. Eight of ten people are telling
me theyre going to vote Conservative, he said.
Strickland also notes that his brother runs a branding
and marketing firm, and has helped him build a
stronger online presence than the other candidates.

Sackville - Preston - Chezzetcook

Mike MontgomeryGreen Party
By Richard Bell
Nova Scotia was
where Mike Montgomery developed
his deep love for the
great outdoors, and
its that deep love
for the outdoors
that led him to decide to become a
Green Party candidate.
Although he grew
up in Ontario, Montgomery came to
love the outdoors in
Nova Scotia. My
mother was from
Springhill, Montgomery said. Her side of the family all moved back to
Nova Scotia. As a child, I used to come up almost every
summer. My grandmother in Springfield used to take us
camping a lot, thats where I started loving the outdoors.
It was this love of the outdoors that got Montgomery
voting for the Green Party, and back to Nova Scotia to
boot. It finally got to the point as an adult where I kept
coming up for vacations and feeling like I never wanted
to go back.
Montgomery and his partner and his three children settled in Lower Sackville. I wanted to be in a more urban
area for my children, Montgomery said. My youngest
son was big into hockey, we were opening a business
and we wanted to be in a larger area. Lower Sackville is a
great central location.
Montgomery didnt make the decision to run until late
August. Due to some life and personal changes years
before, Montgomery said, you have time to reflect on
what kind of impact youre going to make on the world.

Being an outdoorsman, I decided it was the Green Party I

wanted to represent, and when I checked, no one else
was running, so I jumped in feet first.
Montgomerys work background is in the security industry. His website bio mentions his having received an
award of valor for a dangerous situation encountered in
a former occupation. Montgomery explained that he
got into the private security business very young, and
had worked his way up to be the operations manager for
a company before he moved from Toronto.
While I was living in Ontario, I was trained to work for
the companys high threat unit, Montgomery said. As
we were doing a cash escort, we were held up at gunpoint. We were able to secure the cash, and keep the
person we were guarding from
injury. And the robber ended up
shooting himself in the leg.
Montgomery is currently the
security manager for the financial firm Manulife in Halifax under a contract through Northeastern Investigations.
Like fellow Green Party candidate David Hackey in Central
Nova, Montgomery is not a fan
of strategic voting.
Every individual needs to vote
from the heart, he said. You
should have beliefs in parties
and their platforms to vote. I
believe the Greens have the
best platform for the people of
Canada, for the environment,
and for the future of our children.

Deadline is
October 15
escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

Local Sports

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

Eastern Shore Mens Open Slo pitch league

The Eastern Shore Mens open Slo pitch league season has come to
an end this year. The regular season championship wasnt settled
until the last night of the regular season with Myrtles Turtles finishing just one game ahead of the Mariners and the Ringers. The playoffs are started with a round robin and then divided into A an B divisions: 4 teams in each, and then they play double elimination playoff
bracket with all teams having to lose 2 games to be eliminated from
championship contention. The B Division came down between
Benchwarmers and the Tidal Coast Hammers with the Hammers
Benchwarmers
coming out on top with the victory of 20-8 led by the Offensive
power of Dustin Arnold. 3rd place in the B division was won by the
Harbour Hillbillies. The Longest Game of playoffs was a 10 inning battle between the Abel Fuels Batters and the Ringers with the Batters
edging out the Ringers by a score of 13-12. The Batters would come
in 3rd place in the A division. The final for the A division was a defensive battle between the Defending champs Mariners and Myrtles
Turtles. With
the Turtles
Ladies Eastern Shore Slo-pitch League
Tidal Coast Hammers
escaping
with a 9-6
Just over a week ago, Baseball legend Yogi Berra
win behind
passed away at the age 90. He was one of the greatest Ball players of all time. He also left us with nuthe great
merous expressions that he had coined. One of his
defense of
most famous expressions was It isnt over till it's
Darrell Marover. Its ironic that on Yogis last weekend on
tin which
earth those words were never truer at the 2 ball
included a
fields in Musquodoboit Harbour
Sept 17th and 18th was the Ladies Eastern Shore SloHome run
saving catch pitch league playoffs. The weekend had a little bit of
everything weather-wise, from sunny skies, bad huin the late
midity and a torrential down pour. The ladies (who
innings.
are part of the largest womens slo-pitch league east
Myrtle's Turtles
of Montreal) showcased their stuff.
This year was a little different than most as all teams
that played Saturday went on to play Sunday. The
catch was the better you played Saturday the easier it
would be for you to win the championship. That is
unless your team name is the Vixens. The Vixens who
finished at the bottom Saturday won 5 straight games
to win it all. They beat Chaos twice to take the A division Championship.
At Dale Bennett Memorial ball field The Hustlers, who
had some struggles through the year and never gave
up, dominated Saturday and earned the right
of double life Sunday. The Angels fought hard and
took a game in the finals. In the end The Hustlers
would come out on top by winning the second game.
They were crowned B Champs.
Eastern Shore Oldtimers Slow Pitch League
What a weekend, Congratulations to all the teams
for their dedication, heart and sportswomanship.
Jets win for the first time in 20 years.
Yogi would have been proud, I know I was

They dedicated their win to Jerry Melvin who passed

away last November.

Will Gilligan
President of the Ladies Eastern Shore Slo-pitch league

Eastern Shore cyclists Jude Major (left) and Lynne

Pascoe won bronze and silver medals in the recent
Nova Scotia 55+ Games. Pascoe has been a driving
force behind Women on Wheels (WoW), which
focuses on building bicycle skills for senior
women.

Vixens

Hustlers

Dirty Dozen

Local Sports
Musquodoboit Harbours Mackenzie
Myatt capped her
stunning rise in mountain bike racing in
2015 by placing
29th out of 50 competitors in the 2015 UCI
Mountain Bike World
Championships in Vallnord, Andora, on September 3rd. Representing Canada in her first
international race,
Myatt started at the
back of the pack, but
moved up steadily
throughout the race.
Her coach, Andrew Feenstra of the Cyclesmith Cycling Club, attributes Myatts decision to focus on cycling as the key to her improved
performance this year. For a thoughtful first-hand account of her
race in Andora, check out Myatts web site at mackenziemyatt.com.

Another Season is complete for the Eastern Shore Golddiggers Softball Association. The
U10 (yellow shirts) and U12(black shirts) teams had a wonderful season, being active,
developing their skills, and building friendships, all while fostering team success as well
as having fun in a safe environment.
We are already looking forward to next season. If you are interested in learning to play
softball recreationally or competitively and are between the ages of 5-13 please contact
Melissa Boudreault at easternshoregd@gmail.com for more information or visit.

Eastern Shore over 30 Mens Slo -pitch league

Another Ball season has come and gone for the Eastern Shore over 30 mens slo
pitch league. Going into the playoffs the standings where quite close with only 5
games separating 1st to 5th with Faster Blasters collecting the regular season crown in the
9 team league with a 24 8 record. The playoffs would be a different story as it always
seems to be with this league. After the first
two days of playoffs regular season basement
dwellers Musquodoboit harbour pulled off
some big upsets coming in with a 3-1 record
in the first division. Rego would come in first
in the second division with a 2-1 record. With
a single elimination format for the playoff
round on Sunday the upsets would continue
with regular season 6th place finishers and
The Hitmen
league new comers The
Hitmen riding some very
hot hitting bats to a 19-6
victory over the Tidal coast
Hammers for The Playoff
crown. Rego would capture 3rd place with a 12-6
victory over the Dead rabbits.

FasterBlasters

Community

10

www.easternshorecooperator.ca

A Curmudgeonly Call for Youth to Vote

By Wyn Jones
There are days when I want to pull a serious amount of
my hair out if I had that much left. I am reminded of how
ungreen I am and the guilt is getting to me. When disposing of stuff, I now have a range of multiple options.
Which bin does it go in? Is it reusable, recyclable, garden
waste, wet garbage, dry garbage or just plain, ordinary
garbage? Blue bin, clear bag or the box for the orphans
of the third world?
Then theres the whole electronics thing. Multi media
and the social networks. It was once called the electronic
highway but its not called that any more for some reason. I seem to have mostly mastered my wretched
email, but I still feel leery about Facebook and Twitter.
And there is an app for just about everything. Even the
TV has become a lot more than a simple switch on,
switch off deal. Do I have Netflix or HBO or whatever.
and thats not to mention Hi Def and Blu-ray.
And I cant eat what I really want anymore. Everything I
like is bad for my metabolism or my natural life balance.
If the good Lord had required me to eat this much salad,
He would have made me live in a field of lettuce.
Grumpy just isnt acceptable anymore either. It used to
be that people of the age that I now am were given a
certain amount of leeway to be a bit grumpy from time
to time. I am supposed to live in a constant state of
evenly measured grace with dignity, a smile and a benign temper.
But with all this belly aching, I still am one of the chosen.
Chosen in the sense that I have an active say in how my
country is run and by whom. It is an extremely small say,
miniscule you might say, but a say nonetheless. And this
is because I am a voter. In the last general election of
2011 only 61.1% of the total population voted. But 75%
of those of us over the age of sixty-five voted and the
politicians are falling all over themselves to make sure
we are well taken care of because we are damn important.
But we really shouldnt be. We, as a generation, have
basically had our turn at the helm and if the truth were
said, we kind of screwed it up a bit. We were the now,
the me generation and we had it all. We wanted different and we were ready to lead the world to a New
Jerusalem, to ban the bomb, end all wars, and feed the
starving millions. And all this on the cheap. A university
education was only a few hundred dollars a year and we
could happily leave home, wander the world and live
cheaply with a bunch of other cool dudes like us and
celebrate the summers of love.
The current generation of under thirty fives are having a
genuinely difficult time. With the huge costs of just living, of living with the burden of never ending debt and
with scant assistance from a government that seems to
care little for the difficulties of those coping with low pay
and long hours, in a job market that is saturated with
part time work. But having said all that, one can only
remind them the generation X.. that if you dont
play you cannot win. In the last election, just 35.8% of

the under thirty-fives turned up at the polls. If the voter

numbers for your age group were anything like that of
my generation just think of the huge difference it would
make. We would have a progressive, forward looking
government with a much greater concern for the new
people coming through who, in fact, are the ones who
will be at the helm themselves within ten years.
So this is just a comment by a grumpy member of the
chosen to all you younger people out there. Take the
time to get out and vote when the day comes. And if you
dont agree with how things are in our country right now
then help to throw the rascals out. To paraphrase that
hoary old philosopher Descartes
I vote therefore I am

Reskilling for a Changing World

By Richard Bell
The Deanery Project in Ship Harbour continues to
find exciting ways to demonstrate how Nova Scotians can strengthen local communities and move
towards a more environmentally sustainable future
for the province.
Take the trees that HRM cut down at the Halifax
Commons roundabout. The trees could have gone
straight into a wood chipper. Instead, the Deanery
Project arranged for the trunks to be shipped to a
mill in Chezzetcook. Some of the wood will then go
for drying in the Deanerys solar wood kiln. Several
local artists will then turn the green wood and the
dried wood into 4 or 5 art installations on the Commons.

wood, and natural building techniques. Sharing

these skills can help make our c communities more
sustainable and more resilient in our increasingly
This project provides at great opportunity, at every environmentally stressed world.
installation, to talk about a whole range of issues,
And for kids in grades 7 to 9, the Deanery will be
said Kim Thompson, executive director of the Dean- starting up a weekly Youth Action Team one eveery Project. People can learn about solar wood
ning a week from 6 pm to 8 pm. Several generations
kilns, low impact forest management, the urban for- were members of the former Ship Harbour Youth
est, and value-added wood products. We can show Action team. There will be a wide range of activities,
how to value our heritage trees in ways the create
like hiking, biking, theatre, and art projects, deemployment in Nova Scotia.
pending on the interests of the youth.
If you want to get a better sense of the Deanery
Project, this years Rural Roots skill-sharing Festival
will take place on Saturday, October 24th, with
workshops all day and a community supper and music concert in the evening. Skilled craftspeople will
be on hand to lead you through such skills as carving wooden spoons, preserving food, spinning

For more information about upcoming events,

please visit the Deanery Projects website at
www.thedeaneryproject.com, or check out the
Facebook page.
Note: Richard Bell is the chair of the board of the
Deanery Project

Community Life
MusGo Rider Covers the Shore

Shore Active Transportation Association (SATA)

By Jessie Greenough
(Editors Note: HRMs
transportation services
have never reached
most of the people of
the Eastern Shore. In
2012, the founders of
MusGo Rider set out to
fill this gap, and have
succeeded admirably.
We asked MusGo Rider
executive director
Jessie Greenough (CPA,
CMA) to bring us up to
speed on whats happening with this exciting venture in community transit.)
MusGo Rider Cooperative Ltd. is the non-profit transit organization servicing
Eastern Shore communities from East Preston/Lawrencetown east to Ship
Harbour. The only real limitation on using the service is that your pick-up or
drop-off spot has to be within MusGos service area; otherwise we will take
you anywhere within Halifax Regional Municipality.
Community transit is for everyone; you dont have to be a senior, be in a
wheelchair, or have a disability. But if you do need an attendant to go with
you, your attendant rides free of charge.
MusGo Rider also offers charter service for weddings and parties. This is a
service that provides rides to your guests for up to four hours. Many people
use this service to get their guests safely home after wedding receptions or
parties. The cost of the service is $225 and provides
one driver and van for four hours
MusGo Rider drivers are willing to go the extra step
to make sure that you get to where you going safely.
If you are a senior or someone who requires assistance with such things as carrying your groceries,
MusGo drivers are always happy to assist without
any additional charge.
MusGo is currently supporting the development of a
Business Plan for Musquodoboit Valley/Sheet Harbour and surrounding communities. We are working
closely with a consultant and the communities to
bring the same reliable rural transportation we have
on the shore to these areas.
There are currently fourteen Community Transit organizations operating in rural Nova Scotia, with
more in various steps of the development process.
To see which communities offer rural transportation, please visit http://www.ruralrides.ca.
To arrange a ride with MusGo, or to find out more
information, please call Dispatch at (902)483-7433,
or email musgorider@gmail.com. If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors, or have suggestions, please email me at
greenough@ns.sympatico.ca. We look forward to
picking you up!

11

Update
The Shore Active Transportation Association (SATA) was busy this summer. Many of our activities and events were led by our 10-week summer student, Anika Riopel. She coordinated
our Bike Week events, Lake and Shore Days participation, and the community summer fair, as
well as working with the local recreation centers to offer Making Tracks programs to youth.
SATA and the community gained much from having Anikas energy and enthusiasm for the
summer.
We were pleased to announce that we received $20,000 through the Department of Energys
Connect2 sustainable transportation grant program, an amount to be matched with funding
from the Halifax Regional Municipality for a total of $40,000. These funds will be used to prepare a design for a greenway along the old railway line to offer a safe, accessible connection
between Gaetz Brook Junior High and surrounding neighbourhoods. This corridor is an important step in connecting communities across the Eastern Shore as part of the challenge to connect the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) in Nova Scotia by 2017.
SATA is focusing on closing the 15km gap in the TCT between Porters Lake and Musquodoboit
Harbour. We have divided this work into 3 sections:
1. The Core Greenway a connector between Blueberry Run trail and Porters Lake Elementary around the Metrox Park and ride. HRM has put the first section to tender this fall and
hope it will be awarded soon.
2. Acadian Marsh Greenway A safe trail along the 107. A feasibility study is under way for
the best routing for this section across the Chezzetcook Marsh with a completion date for
that study early this fall
3. The Gaetz Brook Connector We are seeking a Letter of Authority from DNR to work on
this section and develop an Active Transportation Route to our Junior High. The Connect2
funding will get us started on this project.
Our usual outings are on weekday mornings and are open to all. Details for all activities are
on our calendar http://shoreat.ca . Last minute changes due to weather or other conditions
will also be posted on SATAs Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ATShore/).

Editorial

13

Embracing Strategic Voting

By Richard Bell
Elections can be about many things, but the pending one
is not complicated: ABCAnybody But Conservative.
And if recent polls hold up, the voters of Central Nova
will have a clear choice if they want to defeat the Conservatives: the Liberal Partys Sean Fraser.
As we go to press, Leadnow, a national independent
group formed to encourage strategic voting, just released the results of a poll of 600 persons in Central
Nova by the firm Environics Research. Liberal Sean Fraser has a substantial lead, with support from 50% of
those polled. Conservative Fred Delorey is far behind
with 23%, NDP Ross Landry at 20%, and the Greens
David Hackey at 7%. (The poll has a margin of error of
4% nineteen times out of twenty.)
We do not mean to be nave about the uncertainties of
polling. Pollsters utterly failed to predict the NDPs recent provincial victory in Alberta.
But Leadnows results from another Conservative riding
in Nova Scotia are consistent with those in Central Nova.
In Cumberland-Colchester, Liberal Bill Casey is leading
with 54% of those polled, with the incumbent, Conservative Scott Armstrong, down at 32 percent.
We are reluctant fans of that multi-headed monster,
strategic voting. This monster is the offspring of the undemocratic nature of a first-past-the-post electoral system that allowed Harper to seize absolute control over
the country despite having received only 39.62% of the
vote.
We are skeptical of all of the parties emphasis on economic policy. Economists as a group have been no more
successful in predicting the future of the economy than
the soothsayers of ancient Rome picking their way
through chicken entrails. If economists actually knew
what they were doing, we would not have to endure
market crashes and persistent unemployment.
But, theres nothing at all confusing about Harpers assault on Canadian values. We support strategic voting
because Harpers continuation in office is a direct threat
to the beating heart of Canadian democracy.
The list is long: Harper is the first Prime Minister to ever
be held in contempt of Parliament; Harper killed the
long form census; he abused the legislative process with
omnibus bills; he conducted a book burning of the
countrys scientific libraries on fishing and oceans; he
has gutted environmental regulations, the list goes on
and on and on.
Polls are only a snapshot in time, and things could
change. But the real possibility of a Conservative loss will
draw national attention to the riding, and there will be
more polls before election day.
Frasers lead, however, could encourage those who dislike strategic voting to vote for another candidate instead. Given the vagaries of politics, such complacency
might still contribute to a Conservative victory. NDP stalwart Peter Stoffer launched his political career with a
stunning 27-vote victory. Every vote counts.

Given the urgency of removing the Conservatives from

power, the Cooperator endorses strategic voting in Central Nova. Sean Fraser has run an energetic and promising campaign, and has spent substantial time meeting
with Eastern Shore voters. Assuming that further polls
do not contradict Lean Nows results, we recommend a
vote for Sean Fraser as the most certain route to a
change of government.
In the other Eastern Shore riding, Sackville-PrestonChezzetcook, the Cooperator endorses the NDP incumbent, Peter Stoffer. He has served the people of Nova
Scotia well since he first entered office, providing what
many people believe is the best personal constituent
service of any Member of Parliament in Atlantic Canada,
if not the whole country. His experience as the Official
Opposition Critic for Veterans Affairs is a valuable asset
that will help the men and women who have served the
country in the armed forces, no matter who ends up
forming the government.

WELLNESS FUNDS CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

In the meantime, please check in with our Facebook

page, where will be constantly monitoring election polls. The Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Community
In the event that late-breaking changes radically alter
Health Board (ESCHB) invites non-profit organizathe likely outcome of either race, we will post our retions to apply now for this years Wellness Fund
sponse on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cooperatorelections/

Grants (previously called Community Development

Grants) The NEW Wellness Fund Application Package; which outlines project eligibility, selection criteria and application form is available online at
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/eastern-shoremusquodoboit-community-health-board/
documents or by contacting the Coordinator.
Deadline for applications is November 1st, 2015 at
midnight.
All eligible projects will be considered for funding,
but as a result of decreased funding the ESMCHB
will be prioritizing fund distribution to projects that
focus on our top priorities for this upcoming year
which include;
1. Access to health & community services and
information
2. Mental Health
3. Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Please contact ESMCHB Coordinator for more info:
Denise VanWychen
Eastern Shore Musquodoboit Community Health
Board
P.O. Box 31, 7907 Highway #7,
Musquodoboit Harbour B0J 2L0
Phone: (902) 889-4118
Cell (902) 891-0372 Fax: (902) 889-2599
Email: Denise.vanwychen@nshealth.ca

14

Community News

SHEET HARBOUR SEASIDE FESTIVAL

By Maelissa Watson
Sheet Harbour
(S.H.) celebrated its
60-year-old Lions
Seaside Festival
from August 5th to
August 16th with
some 79 different
events. The magnitude of these meticulously planned
events could not
have been surpassed by big city
professional management. The allArriving in their best clothes
inclusive multifor afternoon tea.
generational programs catered to
Photo by Janice Christie
diverse interests,
and owe their outstanding success to the seasoned Lion
Team management of Ruby Gammon, Tayna Malay,
Carolyn Lowe, and a host of dedicated volunteers. The
Lions Club donates all profit proceeds to local charity
organizations in need.
The unique initial event distinguishing Sheet Harbours
festival from other Nova Scotia country fairs and sporting events is the Lions English Tea, modeled on renowned afternoon tea services like that at the Empress
Hotel in Victoria. This years tea was under the stewardship of Alana Gammon, one of the younger generation
who made the event more inclusive by reducing the cost
from $15 to $10. The preparation for this tea is a Lions
Club monumental effort. The theme for decorating is
different every year: this years theme was the movies.
Members risk their delicate family heirloom china, and
arrive fashionably dressed. The main menu remains traditional, including finger cucumber sandwiches, scones,
homemade jam, and clotted cream.

But if High Tea

isnt your thing,
there
were
plenty of other
food
choices,
including the Lions supper, a
bonfire and wiener roast, a seafood
chowder
lunch, ice cream
sundaes, a bake
sale, and Eastern
Shore
seafood
samples. If you
wanted to get a
little
exercise,
you could choose
from sea kayaking, kids and adult jazz dancing, amazing
race teams, belly dancing, and mens and womens base-

By Gina Dunn
The Phys. Ed. Class hasnt used the gym since
school started but the students are ok with that
as by the end of October they will be able to use
a completely new gymnasium. It has been updated from top to bottom with new paint and a
state of the art poured floor. The stage area (for
the wonderful spring time play) is also receiving
a new floor and paint.
It was a rainy day for a parade.
Photo By Janice Christie
ball. The years fair also featured 15 events for children,
in keeping with the priority we now give children in family outings: a teddy bear picnic, a reptile zoo, seaside
sillies, and even a can you guess the gross object contest.
All in all, it was an amazing line up. Congratulations to
everyone involved for keeping Sheet Harbours summer
festival traditions alive and well.

Lions English Tea - every year is a different theme

Photo by Janice Christie

Eastern Shore District High School

Renovations are Under Way

The driveway is being redesigned to incorporate

a bus loop that will accommodate 19 buses. a
drop off loop for parents to safely drop students
off and a parking lot. Much of the centre green
space will be saved and the basketball court will
be moved to behind the school and more baskets
added.
The entrance and office space on the main floor
are both receiving attention as well and will now
include a safe entrance, teen centre and space
for other programming.
All renovations are slated to be completed by
March 31, 2016

OctoberPin It Up
Porters Lake Seniors Group
Meets every Wednesday 1:30pm in the
Porter's Lake Community Centre.
Music, games, etc. Everyone welcome!
Contact: Ruth 902 827-2814.
October 10
11:30am to 1:00pm * COFFEE PARTY* @ Petpeswick
Yacht Club
All Welcome! $12/person Call Marilyn 902 889 2764 or
Facebook: Petpeswick YC Petpeswick Yacht Club a
community place 434 East Petpeswick Road, Musquodoboit Harbour

OCT. 17 TO OCT. 31
11:00AM "ACTIVE START RINGSTARS" at the EASTERN
SHORE ARENA.
In partnership with HRM Recreation. Open to all children
ages 4 to 12 years old - 3 weeks for $12.
Skates, helmet, and warm clothes is all that's needed.
LEARN TO SKATE - BUILD CONFIDENCE - MAKE NEW
FRIENDS! Lots of extra hands on the ice to help first time
skaters.
To register, call HRM Rec office at 902-889-4050 or go
online to www.https://eservices2.halifax.ca/
recconnect/Start/start.asp.
*For more info about Ringette at the Eastern Shore Arena or to register for a team,
visit www.esringette.goalline.ca

Musquodoboit Harbour Library

Tuesdays : 9:30am Bookworms at Play
Wednesdays: 3:45pm Leading Readers ages 5-12
Fridays: 10am - Family Drop In
11am - Women on Wheels
3:30pm - Craft Club ages 5+
Oct.8 - 2:30pm - Estate Planning with Zareski Law
Oct.15 - 5:45pm - Family Movie (The Pirate Fairy)
Oct.22 - 6pm - PJ Games Night
Oct.27 - 11am - Puppet show (wear your costumes)
Oct.29 - 5:45pm - Family Movie Night (Ghostbusters)
Oct.31 - 11am - Puppet Show (wear your costumes)

October 17
9am - 4pm Trail Ride and Drive
(Nova Scotia Equestrian Federation)
Porters Lake Provincial Park
For more info contact Suzanne Killen 902827-5002 (larace1@hotmail.com)
Or NSEF Office at 902-425-5450
(nsef@sportnovsscotia.ca)

October 18
11 a.m.to 5 p.m.
Crafters Room 4th Anniversary,
47 East Jeddore Road, Oyster Pond Jeddore.
Local Quality Crafts at Very Reasonable Prices.

OLD SCHOOL Musquodoboit Harbour

7962 Hwy 7, Musquodoboit Harbour.
oldschoolmh@outlook.com or 902-889-2735
October 17 & 18
MASK MAKING WORKSHOP - Get Plastered:
Plaster mask making workshop with art teacher Karen
Schlick.
Saturday Oct 17: Mask Creation 2-4 p.m.
Sunday Oct 18: Mask Painting and Decoration 2-4 p.m.
$15 for both workshops, $10 for mask making only, all materials included
Pre-registration is required! Spaces are limited.
This workshop is not recommended for elementary school
age children, and students under age 14 should have an
adult accompanying them to assist.
October 23
HAUNTED SCHOOL HOUSE - IT'S BACK!
Our 2nd Annual HAUNTED SCHOOL HOUSE will be held for
TWO days this year: October 23rd & 24th.
On Friday, October 23rd (it's a PD day) there will be kids
activities in the afternoon from 2 - 4 p.m. as well as a nonscary tour of the haunted school house. ($5/child) Preregistration required for children's event.
The full Haunted Tours are from 7 - 10 p.m.
on Friday and Saturday nights.
PREPARE TO BE SCARED!! Live actors and
creative sets will make this a memorable
evening. We can tone it down for the
younger crowd (or faint of heart) if requested.
$5 each ($15 family)
October 30
7-9pm COFFEE HOUSE - Old School Musquodoboit Harbour
$5 suggested donation. Enjoy amazing local talent, coffee
and refreshments. New performers and all ages welcome.

15
Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market
Sundays 9am - 1pm
October 11, 18, 25 & Nov 1
67 Park Road, Musquodoboit Harbour at the Bingo Hall.
www.mhfarmersmarket.ca.
info@mhfarmersmarket.ca.
October 18
9am - 1pm: Pumpkin Carving Contest: Pumpkin pick up
October 18, pumpkin judging October 25.

October 18
2:00 to 4:00 pm Annual Variety Show featuring Eastern
Shore Local Talent
Bake Auction and 50/50 Draw
At the Chezzetcook and District Lions Community Centre
89 East Chezzetcook Road, Head of Chezzetcook
Admission: $6.00

October 24
10am - 9pm Rural Roots Festival
The Deanery Project
751 West Ship Harbour Rd.
Lower Ship Harbour, Nova Scotia
The Deanery Project is preparing for our annual
Rural Roots Festival!
We invite folks to come and take part in a day full
of skill sharing, learning, great conversations, and
delicious food on the beautiful Eastern Shore.
Rural Roots will hold a number of workshops sharing rural skills and arts. (10am to 5pm)
Stay tuned for a schedule of this year's workshops.
Registration Options:
Day pass (Includes workshops and lunch):
members $12 members
non-members $15
Stay for Supper & Live Music (5pm to 9pm)
(Baked beans and Ginger Bread):
Additional $10
Music only suggested donation $5

FREE Community Listings Page Send to escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

Deadline October 15 for paper, anytime for online. Paper & Online - more info about the event online.
Updated List of community events on our web site www.easternshorecooperator.ca