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S H O R E

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902-889-2331

VOLUME : 03 ISSUE : JAN-FEB/2017

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Community

Walking with Our Sisters Exhibit Opens in Halifax

By Michele Graveline

Starting on January 10th, volunteers started the

meticulous task of laying over 1,800 moccasin uppers,
called vamps, in the only location to host Walking With
Our Sisters (WWOS) in the Atlantic Region Mount
Saint Vincent Art Gallery, January 14 February 1, 2017.

Indigenous women have been going missing and being

murdered for decades longer.
Last year as part of his national election campaign,
Justin Trudeau promised a National Inquiry into this
epidemic, and that inquiry is currently underway. In the
meantime, families, grassroots projects, organizations,
and advocacy groups continue to raise awareness and
search for their missing loved ones.
Walking With Our Sisters is not merely an art exhibit:
its a memorial that brings together art, music, and
ceremony to honour our sisters and their families. Each
location WWOS visits reflects
the traditional practices guided
by the local Elders, so the way in
which the memorial is installed
varies from territory to territory.

The vamps, as unfinished moccasins, represent the

missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and
two-spirits (MMIWG&TS) of Canada. Vamps for this
memorial have come from across Canada, the United
States, and as far away as the UK and Australia. The
memorial is scheduled to visit close to thirty locations,
starting back in 2013 in Edmonton, AB, and closing in
Batoche, SK in 2019.
Due to various challenging factors, it is difficult to
determine an exact number, but some estimate over
1,200 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or
been murdered in the last 30 years. Yet those working
with the complex layers of MMIWG&TS know that

interested, email wwoshfxvolunteer@gmail.com

For more information visit the website http://
walkingwithoursisters.ca/ or on Facebook - Walking
With Our Sisters Kjipuktuk/Halifax.

Note: Michele Graveline is a committee member for
WWOS - Halifax and the lead organizer for V-Day on the
Shore, an annual local event to raise awareness about
violence against women & girls. If you are interested
in being involved, you can email her at megraveline@
eastlink.ca.

Everyone is welcome at WWOS

and you can find the hours on
the MSVU Art Gallery website.
WWOS Halifax will have items for
sale and you can make donations
to support the continuation of
this important work. Since all
aspects of the memorial are
done in ceremony, the organizers
ask that all guests refrain from
visiting under the influence of
alcohol or recreational drugs.
WWOS Halifax is still looking
for volunteers, so if you are

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Opinion
Asbestos Concerns at Eastern Shore District High
By Jean McKenna, Community Campus Vision Association

In advocating for a new school to replace Gaetz Brook and Eastern Shore District High,
the Community Campus Vision Association has recently obtained a coy of a hazardous
materials assessment done on the former Gordon Bell High School in Cole Harbour, in
2010 2011.
As readers may know, Gordon Bell was recently demolished, and has been replaced
by a multi-million dollar all-weather sports field. The demolition was done following
the recommendation of Eagle Project Management, who advised against any future
public use of the building. The company reported that the building contained asbestos
in the ceiling and floor tiles, the boiler room pipe lag, and a fume hood on site. Eagle
commented that airborne asbestos was linked to cancer, and depending on the level of
activity within the building, the known asbestos in floor and ceiling tiles could become
airborne and could become a health hazard. The report also noted that the current
design, operating systems, property development, shape, size, and appearance are not
consistent with modern facilities.
We obtained the Gordon Bell assessment to provide a baseline comparison to the
Eastern Shore District High assessment, which was done in 1998 and updated in 2015.
The conditions at Eastern Shore are as bad, and in some cases worse than those in
Gordon Bell. For example, a number of samples of gyproc joint compound were found
to exceed acceptable standards, (1% asbestos content ESDH samples 2.2%) The
report assumed that all gyproc joint compound within the school would be the same.
Pipe parging sampled far exceeded the 1% standard (60-70%). Some sampled floor and
ceiling tiles contained asbestos that exceeded the guidelines.

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So to be clear, Gordon Bell was built several years after ESDH; it had not been used as a
school for years, and was replaced by Cole Harbour High and Auburn Drive High (both
excellent facilities offering far more to students than ESDH ever could). Gordon Bell
was demolished because of health hazards, as well as outdated design and technology,
but at least it had a water supply and waste treatment.
Yet ESDH still stands, with those same health hazards, trucked-in water, an inadequate
sewage disposal system, and outdated design and technology. Yet for some
unfathomable reason (well, they wanted a new school), Eastern Passage has a new
high school underway, which will gut the student population of Cole Harbour and
Auburn by half.
What about our students on the Eastern Shore, the land that time forgot? We dont
just want, but need a new school. Perhaps the School Board in its infinite wisdom has
plans to bus our kids to Cole Harbour? Just saying...

1.888.835.4049
info@centralenergysystems.ca

News
Bus Buddies

y=9

By Shelley Fashan

"

Nancy Lobban CPA, CGA

- Chartered Professional Accountant

Tel 902-476-8765 Fax 902-889-3363
Email:nlobban@eastlink.ca

Office and Mailing Address:

# 8005 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour NS B0J 2L0

The Exercise Triad

By Lori Youden, Physiotherapist

There are three parts to a good exercise program. The three main
components of exercise programs are flexibility, strength and
endurance.
Flexibility exercises help to improve the range of motion or mobility
in a joint. This helps to reduce stiffness and maintain normal muscle
and tendon length. Flexibility stretches are best done when your
muscles are warmed up and can be repeated two or three times with
10 to 30 second hold. When doing range of motion exercises, only
move your joint within your pain-free range, and try to make your
stretch a smooth movement that is not jerking or bouncing.
Strengthening exercises improve the strength of a muscle and help to
improve the stability and support on a joint. Strengthening exercises
started under professional supervision help reduce the chance of
injury and ensure proper technique. Strengthening exercises are best
done every other day so that your muscles have a chance to rest and
recuperate. It is important to take a break after each set of exercises.
Endurance exercises improve your stamina so you do not fatigue
quickly by improving the health of your heart, lungs and circulation.
When you start endurance exercises, you should still be able to
talk comfortably and feel warm with mild sweating. Avoidance of
jumping, twisting, and forceful activities is recommended, as they can
be stressful and damaging to your joints. Endurance activities include
walking, swimming and cycling. Fatigue is a common complaint of
people who are not physically active. Many people dont realize that
being active will actually increase your energy level so that you get
more out of your day.
So get moving and get energized!
* Lori Youden is a physiotherapist and clinic owner at PhysioLink
Porters Lake.

Few know of, or think about, a

certain community of folks - a
not so secret society possessing
an energy and flow all its own.
These folk, the HRM Metro
Transit riders, get to know
one another as they travel. In
my region, this encompasses
travellers from the Eastern
Shore, Lake Echo, Porters Lake,
Lake Charlotte, Musquodoboit,
and West Jeddore.
Every morning, either on what we
call the Early Bus at 7:30 am, or
on the Late Bus, at 8:20 am for
the 10 route, I meet people, talk,
laugh, cry and campaign with
them, and find out about their
small home-based businesses or
who they recommend as a good
landscaper. The bus is a cache of
information, dependant upon
the day, the time and the person
sitting next to you.
Id say it takes a good month
to recognize and become part
of the bus community. By that
time, we start to acknowledge
each other with a nod or a smile.
Often, one of my bus buddies will

give me a seat if all the others

are taken.
These folks are probably
amongst the most honest youll
meet. They have no connection
to you other than sharing a
seat, so if you want an honest
opinion, youll get it - especially
if you start talking politics. This
summer, when I was running
for municipal office, many of
the folks I met from my area
loved to discuss their issues and
concerns, as long as they got
them aired before their bus stop.
Two ladies in particular were in
tune with what was happening in
their communities, and proved
helpful in connecting me with
key contacts and organizations.
I met others who were working
on an opposing candidates
campaign. I found it interesting
to hear about their experiences
on the campaign trail.
Some are willing to offer advice
on who to hire locally to meet
certain needs. As an example,
a work colleague was getting
married and planning a small,

intimate wedding. He didnt

want to pay a big ticket catering
price for his cake. I was sharing
this with one of my bus buddies
when a man off to the side said
his neighbour had an affordable
home-based cake business. He
gave me her name so I could look
her up on Facebook and told me
I could find her at the market
on Saturdays. I passed the word
along to my colleague who got
hold of her and he was quite
happy with the cake she made.
This kind of thing happens
everyday on our bus. Someone
will
start
talking
about
something, like the latest
technology to assist people
with dementia for example, or
anything else ordinary folks can
come up with, and thats what
will be the latest chat on the
bus. Maybe Im just one of those
outgoing types who likes to talk,
but I know Im not alone. The
proof is in all of the great stories
you can hear on the bus from
some pretty interesting, hardworking bus buddies.

Small Earthquake Rocks Eastern Shore

By Staff

Nova Scotia is far from the

earthquake capital of the world.
But as people along the Eastern
Shore felt on January 12 at 5:11
PM AST, earthquakes do happen
in Atlantic Canada.
The mild 2.7 quake was located
about 22 km east northeast of
Halifax according to Earthquakes
Canada, roughly off the
Lawrencetown/Chezzetcook
area at a depth of 18 km.
(Latitude 44.72 North/Longitude
63.33 West)

People reported hearing a loud

or booming noise, and many
noticed the vibrations, but
there were no reports of any
significant damage. The most
recent previous earthquake in
Nova Scotia was a 3.0 quake
on December 13, 2016 about
41km southwest of Digby. There
have not been any earthquakes
larger than 3.6 since 1981. The
largest quake in the region on
the Earthquakes Canada site was
a 5.0 way back on February 8,
1855 near Moncton.

Earthquakes Canada is still

gathering information from the
public. Go to the Earthquakes
Canada Felt report form for
Community Internet Intensity
Maps and fill out the detailed
questionnaire
about
your
personal experience of the
quake.
http://www.earthquakescanada.
nrcan.gc.ca/dyfi-lavr/
known-connu-en.
php?event=20170112.2111

Halifax DiSTRiCT 2 COUNCillORS COMMUNiQUE

JaNUaRY 2017 iSSUE #230 HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE & ALL
NS HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Provincial Heating Assistance Rebate Program (HARP)

provides help to low-income Nova Scotians with the cost
of home heating. You qualify for this program if you pay a
heating bill for oil, propane, or electricity at your current
residence and meet ONE of the following criteria:

FESTIVALS & SPECIAL EVENTS FUND

FEDERAL ARTS & CULTURE GRANTS

HRM supports events that build community, foster good The Federal Department of Canadian Heritage (DCH) has a
community relations, support culture, develop local Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage (BCAH)
economy and tourism industry, and enrich the quality of Program. Does your community organize a local festival?
life of all residents and visitors. The 2016 Festival & Event There are three intake period deadlines for applications
Grant Applications are now available for community-based under the Local Festivals component of the BCAH
events. Preference will be given to events that are free to program: January 31st, April 30th and September 30th.
live alone with an income of $27,000 or less;
the public, are run by not-for-profit organizations, and have Is there a significant local anniversary in our municipality
a broad appeal. Application deadline is 12 Noon on Friday, or your community in 2017? If the anniversary marks a
live with others and have a combined household income
January 27th. An application form can be mailed to you. 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years
of $42,000 or less;
For further details, contact HRM Civic Events Coordinator (e.g., 125th, 150th) and commemorates a significant
receive Income Assistance from the Department of
Paul Forrest by e-mail: forrestp@halifax.ca or call 902- local historical event or pays tribute to a significant local
Community Services, or;
490-6979 or fax 902-490-5950 or go to: www.halifax.ca/ historical personality, consider applying to the Community
Anniversaries component of BCAH. The deadline is also
receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement from Service events/grants/index.php.
January 31st. For details email pch.enligne-online.pch@
Canada.
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT APPEALS
canada.ca or call 1-866-811-0055. The Legacy Fund
If your personal or financial situation has changed since Property Assessment Notices will be mailed out on component provides funding for community capital
last year, you still may qualify. Examples of changes include January 13th. There is an official 31-day appeal period projects that commemorate significant anniversaries and
becoming widowed, getting divorced or legally separated, from that date, whereby property owners can review and involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation
losing your job, or having the custody of your children perhaps refute their appraisals. If you disagree with your of existing buildings and/or exterior spaces with local
change. Contact Service Nova Scotia to find out if you assessment contact the NS Municipality Agency - Property community significance. As well, the Legacy Fund
qualify. Please find the HARP 2016-17 application form at: Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) and speak with component encourages arts and heritage activities in
http://novascotia.ca/programs/heating-assistance- an Assessment Services representative. The PVSC communities, which are intended for and accessible to the
rebate-program/2016-HARP-Application-Form.pdf. Assessment Office is located at Park Place Two, 238-A general public. For more details about the Legacy Program
Rebates range from $100 to $200. You must apply by Brownlow Avenue, Suite 200, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 2B4. e-mail PCH.bcah-dcap.PCH@canada.ca or call 1-866-811Telephone: 902-720-7872, Toll-Free: 1-800-667-5727, 0055. For general information about the BCAH program
March 31st.
Fax: 902-720-7873. Property owners are encouraged visit: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1455310870059/145
to call and talk to an Assessor prior to appealing an 5310944929.
HOMEWARMING PROGRAM
The HomeWarming Low-Income Program is a free assessment to answer any questions and possibly avoid
program to help low-income Nova Scotians save money the time and expense of filing an appeal. If you still wish EXPLOSION 100 YEARS, 100 STORIES
on heating bills and feel more comfortable in their homes. to make a formal appeal, it must be in writing and must
December 6, 2017
HomeWarming offers no-charge energy assessments be received by their office on or before the deadline date.
marked the 100th
and home upgrades to income-qualified homeowners. If Appeals by e-mail are not accepted. For more details,
anniversary of the
an efficiency audit determines that upgrades will help please refer to your notice or the PVSC Appeal Guide at:
Halifax
Explosion.
reduce heating and power bills, they will be installed www.pvsc.ca/site/media/PVSC/Documents/Appeal%20
To
commemorate
at no cost to the homeowner. Clean Foundation and Brochure%20December%202012_final.pdf. For more
this tragic event
Efficiency Nova Scotia are working together to offer these information about property valuation please go to:
and ensure it is not forgotten, the NS Department of
free energy efficiency improvements. Clean Foundation www.PVSC.ca.
Communities, Culture & Heritage, in partnership with HRM
looks after electrically heated homes, while Efficiency
and other partners, have developed a year-long marketing
Nova Scotia takes care of houses with non-electric heat PROPER DISPOSAL OF ASHES
and awareness campaign entitled 100 Years, 100 Stories.
sources. The program is supported by NS Power and the HRM Fire & Emergency Service wants to remind all It will include a website with marketing and promotions
NS Government. More information is available online at citizens that numerous fires occur every year within HRM around the 100th anniversary commemoration. They
www.HomeWarming.ca, or you can contact a Service due to the improper disposal of ashes from fuel burning are collecting stories about the Explosion that will be
Advisor about program eligibility by e-mail to Sonia Smith appliances such as wood stoves, fire places, pellet stoves featured throughout the campaign. Do you have a story
outreach@homewarming.ca or by calling 902-818-1926 and wood furnaces. Never discard ashes into your green connected to the Halifax Explosion or know someone who
bin or other plastic containers or cardboard boxes. Ashes does? Stories could involve Halifax or another area of the
or 1-877-434-2136. Application deadline is March 31st.
should be placed in a metal can with a tight fitting lid province and could be stories of loss, support, assistance,
and stored outside the home, away from structures bravery, etc. Please submit story ideas to: Colin.Campbell@
GOOD NEIGHBOUR ENERGY FUND
The Salvation Army Good Neighbour Energy Fund is an and other combustibles. Ashes can smolder for several novascotia.ca. While not all stories collected through this
emergency heating program available to Nova Scotian days and re-ignite. For more helpful information about process will be used, and some may be combined with
families who meet their criteria. This program, which fireplaces, wood stoves and fire safety throughout the other related material, your assistance and contribution
is administered by The Salvation Army, receives its year contact the Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency is greatly appreciated. Visit http://100years100stories.
funds from Nova Scotia Power Inc., NSP employees and division of Fire Prevention at 902-490-5546. For more ca/ for more about the 100th Anniversary of the Halifax
customers, and the Provincial Government. Applicants Fire Prevention Safety Information tips go to: www.halifax. Explosion.
are now able to re-apply every 24 months to the program, ca/fireprevention/FireSafetyInformation.php. Please keep
which runs annually from January 15th through April 15th. warm & safe this winter.
If you are in an emergency home heating situation please
download the application form or pick one up from your FITNESS CENTRE & LIBRARY RENO
local Salvation Army church or thrift store. They are also There will be an opportunity to see a presentation about
the proposed renovations for the HRM Access Service
available at my district office and our local MLA offices.
Centre, Fitness Room and Library on Wednesday, January
The 2017 GNEF application will go online in early January.
25th from 4 - 7PM at the Village Plaza program room of
Please check this link: www.salvationarmy.ca/maritime/
the Main Library.
gnef/.

Councillor David Hendsbee

H.R.M. District 2
PrestonChezzetcookEastern Shore

Office Phone:
Cell Phone:
City Hall:
fax:

902-889-3553
902-483-0705
902-490-4050
902-829-3620

311

david.hendsbee@halifax.ca
david@hendsbee.ns.ca
www.hendsbee.ns.ca
@david_hendsbee
facebook.com/david.hendsbee

News

6
Tough Choices on Gravel Roads
By Richard Bell

Gravel roads are slowly disappearing across rural Halifax,

as HRM and the province pave their way outward from
the city core. In December, District 2 Councillor David
Hendsbee held an informational meeting on a proposal
to pave 14 gravel roads (see box).
Property owners at the meeting raised questions about
how HRM selected roads, how much it would cost,
whether they had any say, and what could people on
tight budgets do to absorb the higher taxes.

frontage, be required prior to a project going to tender.

gravel roads adjacent to the provincial projects.

But then it turns out that Council has the power, on the
recommendation of the local Councillor, to overrule the
views of the property owners: Council may initiate or
proceed with a project without this approval [the 50%
minimum], if Council determines it is required based
on consideration of HRMs best interests and the local
improvement charges will still apply.

For people on tight budgets, HRM does have hardship

provisions that allow a homeowner to apply for a
Deferral of Local Improvement Charges. With a
deferment, you can put off paying the charge without
accumulating further interest on the outstanding
amount. But each deferral only lasts one year, so you
have to remember to send in a new deferral request
every year. HRM gets its money back if you transfer the
title to another owner. And the total amount youre
allowed to defer cannot be more than 75% of the
assessed value of your property.

To begin with, HRM doesnt actually pay for the roads.

The province pays 50%, and HRM then charges the
other 50% to the affected property owners as a Local
Improvement Charge to be paid off over 10 years.

In a phone interview, Hendsbee explained that the

next step in the process will be to send out a survey to
all the property owners to find out if they want their
roads paved, and if so, which of three different methods
would they like HRM to use to assess the cost.

HRM regulations pay lip service to the affected owners.

There are two levels of project approval with respect
to local improvements namely, Council and the affected
property owners. This report recommends approval
from property owners receiving the local improvement,
who collectively own a minimum of 50% of the total

As far as deciding what roads go on the paving list,

Hendsbee said that HRM started by looking at where
the province was already planning to do work on
provincial roads. Since the province already has the
heavy equipment in place, there are significant cost
savings and economies of scale to be had by working on

Getting an advance estimate of the cost is basically

not possible. Hendsbee said that HRM does not supply
such estimates. HRM doesnt know until well after the
paving is completed what the total cost is, Hendsbee
said. Thats why people dont get their first invoice
until a year after the work is done. The best way to get a
rough estimate is to look at the cost of the most recently
completed project.

Roads to be Paved
Post Office Road, Porters Lake
Millside Drive, Porters Lake
Loriann Drive, Porters Lake
Arthur Road, Porters Lake
Tower Road, Head of Chezzetcook

Over 40 years Experience serving the Eastern Shore! Specializing in Drilled wells, Pump installs,
Clean and surge processes for all Drilled and Dug Wells, and trouble-shooting all well problems.

Conrod Settlement Road extension,

When Well Driller A provides you with a quote that is much lower
than Well Driller B you might think you are getting a great deal,
but a great deal does not necessarily equal great value.

Hawes Drive, Conrod Settlement

Conrod Settlement
Shelly Crescent, Gaetz Brook
Lakehill Drive, Gaetz Brook
Pleasant Drive extension, Gaetz Brook
Loughran Drive, Head of Chezzetcook
Mary Etta Drive, Head of Chezzetcook
Chris Cait Drive, Musquodoboit Harbour
Little River Drive, Musquodoboit Harbour

2371 Lawrencetown Road, Lawrencetown NS

Phone 902-829-2474 / Fax 902-829-2795
Email: Bluenosewelldrilling@hotmail.com
Website: bluenosewelldrilling.ca

Community

Paint Nite Benefit for Mental Health

By Richard Bell

What would you do if someone handed you $150 and told you to take it and go out and
do something good for your community?
I got a call to stop by the bank, said Taylor Keizer of Musquodoboit Harbour. I walk
in, and they tell me RBC is celebrating Canadas 150th birthday by giving young people
$150 to improve their communities.
Keizer had no idea she had been selected.
At first, I didnt know what I could do
with this. I hemmed and hawed for a
while. I thought about going to Timmys
and paying the bills for the next bunch
of orders. But then I thought I should do
something bigger and better. And I thought
about all the mental health problems we
have, like the youth suicides.

volunteers, and they just warm my heart.

Keizer finally decided to sponsor a

community fundraising Paint Nite. I
called my friend Anita [Carter-Rose] at
Eastern Shore Mental Health and asked
if theyd like to have a benefit Paint
Night. This group offers volunteer peer
support and specialized programs and
services that arent easily accessible to
members of our communities. Theyre all

Paint Nites are a form of social gathering where people get together for food and
drinks, and to make their very own copies of a painting that the host has selected. Ive
gone to a couple and I loved them, Keizer said. I emailed the Paint Nite site, and they
sent me to a Dropbox page with all the paintings you could choose from. I loved the
colours of the one I picked.
Paint Nite to Benefit Eastern Shore Mental Health, is February 4, 2017, from 6:00-8:00pm
at the Old School Gathering Place, 7962 #7 Highway, Musquodoboit Harbour. You can
sign up on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1594518727231441/

Legion Branch Elects

First Woman President
Congratulations to Irva Boutilier, who
has been elected to serve as president
of the Four Harbours Legion Branch
#120, making her the first woman to
head the organization in its 70-year
history.

Lorrie Boutilier has just joined the Sheet Harbour Sexual Health Centre team
as their new Executive Director. Many thanks go out to Vicki Rutledge for
her many years of dedicated service. Lorrie invites you to contact the Centre
anytime at 902-885-3693, for sexual health information across the life span.

Social

Halifax Solidarity Rally Planned for Womens March on Washington

By Richard Bell

On January 21, women from across Nova Scotia will be

rallying in front of Halifax City Hall as part of a world-wide
day of support for the Womens March in Washington.
These events come one day after the inauguration of
Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States.
According to the organizers of the Washington event,
marchers are standing together in solidarity with our
partners and children for the protection of our rights, our
safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our
vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our
country.
Our whole goal is to support people in the U.S., said
Jackie Barkhouse, a former Halifax City Councillor and
one of the organizers of the Halifax rally. We are making
a statement about our concerns about Trump as a
world leader and our fear of the hatred that his whole
campaign hinged around. We want to stand with sisters
and brothers.

The Halifax rally will be one of more than a dozen events in

Canada, and groups of Canadians have already chartered
buses to make the trip to Washington. Worldwide, people
have organized rallies and demonstrations in more than
25 countries.

The January 21st rally comes on the heels of the opening

of Walking with Our Sisters, an exhibit at Mount Saint
Vincent University that runs from January 14 to February
1st in the MSVU Art Gallery. According to a press
release from the organizers, Walking With Our Sisters
is a commemoration honouring missing and murdered
Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people through
ceremony, community and reflection. The exhibit
featured more than 1800 pairs of moccasin tops (vamps)
made by artists across the country to symbolize the more
than 1,180 missing or murdered women and girls over
the last 30 years in Canada and the U.S.

People everywhere are recognizing that Trumps

election is not just a problem for people in the U.S. to
deal with, Barkhouse said. This is a world view. What
Trump has said hes planning to do will have a huge
impact worldwide. We just cant afford to sit back and
take the view that Trump is someone elses problem.

For updated information on the Halifax rally, go to the

Facebook page, Womens March on Washington
Halifax. The official website of the march in the U.S.
can be found at https://www.womensmarch.com. The
Walking With Our Sisters website is at http:// http://
walkingwithoursisters.ca.

Organizers have applied for a permit to rally on the Grand

Parade in front of City Hall from 1 to 3pm on January 21.
We decided to make it a rally and not a march because
we want people of all ages to be able to participated,
Barkhouse explained. We were concerned about the
dangers of icy sidewalks.

Is Gabriel the Last Draft Horse in our Community?

By Maelissa Watson

I am a horse for a single harness, not cut out for tandem

or teamwork. For well I know that in the in order to
attain any definite goal, it is imperative that one person
do the thinking and commanding and carry most of the
responsibility. Albert Einstein
I got to thinking about the past and future of draft horses
after a visit with Gabriel, a noble Percheron owned by
Linda McCall and her husband Ernest Monk of Ship
Harbour. For over a century, draft horses played a major

role, for jobs large and small, in Eastern Shore history and
economy with dependable Horse Power transportation
for the pioneer-era industries.
Gabriel is one of the last of these gentle giant work
horses. The Percheron derives its name the French
district of La Perche in the Huisne river valley, part of the
former Perche province of Western France. In 1839, it
was the first draft breed to arrive in North America. The
Canadian Percheron Association was born in 1907.

call the birthday cake incident, McCall said. Once I was

taking a cake out to the car, and he chased me across the
yard and under the fence, he wanted that green icing so
badly!
Although most of us think of the days of working with
horses like Gabriel as long gone, we may need to think
again. These gentle giants could supply the living horse
power that will help Nova Scotia move forward into an
ecological and economical sustainable future.

Linda McCall speaks fondly of Gabriel, a white Percheron

who was born on a farm in Quebec around 1999. Gabriel
was working in Amherst, Nova Scotia, when she and her
husband saw him and decided to bring him back to East
Ship Harbour, where he quickly fell in love with the many
apple trees in his field.

Already, concerned wood lot owners and advocates of

sustainable development, emphasize the damage heavy
machinery does to the forest floor. Some enlightened
operators have reverted to the practice of using horses
for select cutting, hauling out trees with chains and
harnessed horses.

For the first ten years or so, Gabriel helped Ern haul
logs out of the woods, McCall said. She laughed about
one of Gabriels more famous logging incidents. Ern
and our volunteer firefighter neighbour Anthony Probert
had hitched him up to a cord of wood, but he was being
stubborn and wouldnt move. Then Anthonys fire beeper
went off, and Gabriel took off for the wood shed; Ern and
Anthony couldnt keep up with him!

There is no denying that a team of horses can transport

eight tons of wood a day. Draft horses tread lightly on the
earth, and can work in wetlands where heavy machinery
will sink. Horses hooves do not leave compaction dams
created by a 10,000 pound tread skidder, so wet areas
can recover unscathed.

McCall says she spoiled Gabriel by giving him cookies and

treats, which he came to love. We still talk about what I

And then theres the question Belgian horse breeder

George Rupp once humorously asked: When they will
make a tractor that can furnish manure for farm fields
and produce a baby tractor every spring?

Social

Women, Trump and Politics: Interview with MLA Lenore Zann

MLA Lenore Zann will be speaking at the Halifax rally
on January 21st in support of the Womens March on
Washington. The following is an edited version of our
conversation with Zann two weeks before the rally.
I had originally toyed with idea of going down to
Washington, taking a bus with other Canadian women
and taking part in the march. But when I heard there
was going to be a rally in Halifax, I was happy to be able
to be with my sisters here in Nova Scotia.
I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Trump is
going to turn back the clock, and not only on womens
rights. His type of rhetoric, his tone, his attitude, the
ideas he expresses, the people hes put around him,
I feel are dangerous. And if were not careful here in
Canada, it could spread. I dont want to see that happen.
As a politician and as a feminist, I take a great interest
in the presidential election in the U.S. I used to live
there, in NY, Chicago, Cincinnati, and LA. I do understand
American politics. I was hoping for Bernie Sanders to
win, but when he lost, I was still excited about seeing
the first female president of the United States.
When people talk in a particular way like Trump,
misogynistic, hateful, Islamaphobic, racist, it has a way
of infecting the entire country, and other countries
too. One of the things thats really upset me in the
last few days is the Congress trying to defund Planned
Parenthood. Which is very scary because Planned
Parenthood is how so many women get access to family
planning and abortion services. The Republicans are

starting to pick things apart, before Trumps even taken

the oath on January 20th. Whats it going to take? Some
deaths? Were going to be going back 40 years or more.
Im not normally a doomsday person but Ill tell you,
I am really really concerned about the pattern that Im
seeing, and what history teaches us about such patterns.
Im worried for our friends to the south. I dont think
they realize how bad it can be.
It really reminds me of the beginnings of Hitler in
Germany, like Trumps saying reporters are the dirty
press. Thats what they did in Italy. Next thing you know,
media people are being threatened and jailed. Or Trump
uses a tweet to attack the head of the steelworkers
union, and the guy starts getting death threats.
As a woman in politics, Ive had my own baptism by fire
when I first decided to run. This feeling of animosity, the
vehemence, that comes out towards women when we
get a step closer to the center of power, its amazing the
pushback we get.
Im not sure sexism is any worse in the U.S. than it is
here. Look at what happened when Atlantic Business
Magazines editor Dawn Chafe did a January cover story
on women in business. She thought the story would help
normalize the idea of women in business leadership
positions. She was really surprised by the hostile
reactions she got from men about this story. Someone
even proposed building a wall around businesswomen!

Thinking of starting or expanding a business?

The Self Employment Benefits Program can help!

To be eligible, you must be

unemployed and thinking about
starting a new business. You
must also:
have a current Employment
Insurance (EI) claim or one that
ended within the last three years,
or
have had an EI claim for
maternity or parental benefits
within the past five years, then
remained out of the job market.

The Program:
Supports new business or an
existing one in which you had no
prior ownership.
Provides up to 40 weeks of
funding to cover living expenses
(78 weeks if you have a disability).
Requires you to devote at least
35 hours each week to develop
and carry out your business plan.
You mus also show proof of
personal financial investment in
the business.

CBDC Blue Water is proud to

be the coordinator for the Self
Employment Benefits Program.
For further information, contact
Sheila Spicer, Self Employment
Benefits Coordinator, at
902-827-5564 or toll-free at
1-800-565-2773.

10

People

Mary Doane: Follow Your Bliss

By Deirdre Dwyer

Im sitting at my desk looking at the work of artist and

teacher Mary Doane, who specializes in realistic, still
life watercolours. She has given me cards of her work. I
look at Apple Blossoms III, at the delicate white petals,
some with a pink blush.

For many years, Mary created Pysanky, Ukrainian Easter

eggs. The precision, the patience, the limited palette of
colours, and planning the creation of detailed patterns
were all challenges that Mary met, developing the skills
that she now applies in her richly textured, detailed
watercolours.
When she found the Easter eggs too limiting, she
was determined to make time for watercolours. Her
boyfriend Frank told her to Follow your bliss, and
thats exactly what she chose to do, returning to her
love of watercolours.

Its snowing outside, but I can almost smell the fresh

scent of the blossoms and feel the flowers bursting
forth from the depths of the rich green leaves and the
apple tree. In another work called Storyline, two
clothespins, one blonde, the other gray, with a string
attached lie on a white hardcover book with a slip of
paper bookmarking a page. I can feel the presence of
someone who was reading the book--and who also used
the clothespins. With a few objects, a storyline unfolds.
Mary started drawing and making things early. All
through my life Ive experimented with many forms
of artistic expression, Mary told me. My aunt did
watercolours and I was in awe of what she did. I was always
drawn to watercolour. She worked in interior design,
where she made watercolours to render perspective
drawings. Then for 27 years she taught interior design,
teaching the concepts of colour, harmony, and balance.

Marys instructor Paul-Yvan Gagnon was a rigorous

teacher, presenting her with challenges. He would tell
me what was wrong, and told me what to do to get it
right. Mary Pratts painting was another important
influence. I identify with her domestic scenes. We dont
have to go to the ends of the earth to find beauty. There
is beauty in anything. Wonderful discoveries can be

Gallery in Musquodoboit Harbour. She is currently on

the organization committee for the gallery, and teaches
watercolours through HRM Recreation.
In her basement workspace, Mary shows me a workin-progress called When We Were Very Young, with
some bookended childrens books, a top, and a red
ball of yarn. Preliminary sketches and colour tests
allow me to work out all the problems of composition,
contrasts, light and shadow. Once these elements have
been thought through, I can concentrate solely on the
watercolour itself. Im always enthralled to see the
colours and shapes appear on the paper.
made by looking closely at a birds feather, the texture
of tree bark, or the fascinating patterns created by old
paint that peels off to let ancient wood peek through.
Mary has won numerous awards for her work, most
recently the Colours of Nature Award in the Canadian
Society of Painters in Watercolour Open Water
Exhibition earlier this year. She has participated in many
group expositions, and this past August and September,
she had a solo show, Mosaique, at the Old School Art

Marys use of the word enthralled reminds me that the

task of this artist is indeed to follow her bliss.
You can find more examples of her work on her website:
http://www.marydoane.ca.

Community

11

Volunteer Firefighters Walk for Blood Cancer Cure

By Dave Ingram

Why did you become a volunteer firefighter? Thats

a question we ask quite often around the fire hall,
and there are a variety of answers, depending on
who youre talking with at the time. But the theme
that runs through most of the conversations around
this topic is volunteers like devoting time to their
community and helping their neighbours in a time
of need.
And then there are a few firefighters in the station
who have taken this dedication to community many
steps beyond their required duties.
Each year for the past four years, an inspired crew
of volunteer firefighters have participated in the
Leukemia and Lymphoma Societys Light the Night
walk to fund research on curing blood cancers.
In the past 3 years, Halifax has been in the top 5
cities generating funds for this cause across Canada,
showing once again the generosity of Maritimers in
contributing to an important cause.

in particular a chance to see the turnout gear, to

educate them about fire safety and to let them
know what to expect a firefighter to look like if they
ever need to be rescued.
Team Liams fundraising is a partial answer to why
men and are looking for people to get involved with
them and participate in the Light the Night walk.
Please call Andrew Higginbotham at 902-221-1269
if you are interested in joining Team Liam.
And if youre interested in becoming a volunteer
firefighter yourself, please come to Station 24,
Riverside Drive, Musquodoboit Harbour, or Station
26, Oyster Pond, any Tuesday evening at 7:00 P.M.
or call 902-490-5611. Volunteer firefighters assist
career firefighters during the weekdays and staff
our fire stations nights and weekends.
Dave Ingram is a volunteer firefighter with Station
24 in Musquodoboit Harbour.

www.zareskilaw.ca

DENISE E. ZARESKI
BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

EMAIL: denise@zareskilaw.ca

MICHAEL BRINE
7782 HWY. 7 MUSQUODOBOIT HARBOUR
NOVA SCOTIA B0J 2L0
TEL: 902 889 3437 FAX: 902 889 3541

I spoke with Division Captain Gene Justason, and

Station Chief Andrew Higginbotham about why this
particular cause was so close to the firefighters in
this community. The firefighters first got engaged
with the walk after a young person in the area
was diagnosed with leukemia several years ago.
They founded Team Liam and have since raised
over $5,000.00 for research. Theyve raised funds
throughout the year by canvassing the local
community, reaching out to other firefighters in
the area, and even participating in a washer toss
tournament. Since Team Liam began, the majority
of firefighters in the area have participated in one
way or another.
I was intrigued by the fact the team completes the
Light the Night walk in full protective firefighting
gear, known as turnouts or bunker gear. This gear
includes boots, pants, coats, helmets, gloves and
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), the gear
that firefighters typically wear when at fire scenes.
This equipment adds as much as 50 kilograms (100
or more pounds) to your body weight that they
carry the length of the route. When I asked why they
would choose to wear all that equipment, Justason
replied, People who are affected by these diseases
dont have an easy journey, so why should we?
While waiting for the walk to start, the firefighters
mingle with the other walkers and give the children

The Light the Night team from October 2016

BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

EMAIL: michael@zareskilaw.ca

Deadline for March issue is February 15

escsubmissions@eastlink.ca

14

Scottish Country Dancing

Every Wednesday, 2:15-4:00 pm
Seaforth Hall, 6060 Hway 207.
Beginners welcome! For more
info call Elsie at 902-827-3842.

Turkey Dinner w/ Dessert Buffet

January 29, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
St. Genevieves Church Hall
$14 per plate
Everyone is welcome.

Introduction to Drawing for Kids

Level 1, ages: 7 - 12
Wednesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Starts Jan. 18, ends Feb. 22
Fee: $140.00 per student + $35
for additional class kit.
Artsy Fartsy, 5019 Highway 7,
Unit #4, Porters Lake
902-222-5227

Paint Nite Fundraiser for Eastern

Shore Mental Health
February 4, 6:00-8:00 pm
Old School, 7962 #7 Highway
Musquodoboit Harbour

Musq. Hbr & Area Chamber of

Commerce Town Hall
January 18, 7:00 pm
Ostrea Lake Fire Hall
Paint Nite with John Fairfull
January 27, 7:00-9:00 pm
Porters Lake Community Centre
Cash bar & complimentary
nibbles.

Snow Shoe Hike (4.5 km)

February 5, 10:30 am 12:00 pm
The Deanery Project, 751 W Ship
Harbour Rd. All ages welcome.
Prizes, optional hot beverages
and lunch ($6). Snowshoes
available or bring your own.
Merchandise Benefit BINGO
February 5, 2:00 pm
Sheet Harbour Legion
Cake Walk & 50/50 tickets. Event
will benefit for two elderly ladies
without heat or power since Oct.

Valentines Dance
February 11, 8:00 pm - 1:00 am
St. Anselms Church, West
Chezzetcook. Tickets on sale
beginning January 3. Advance
Tickets - $8.00. DJ / Cash Bar
Support the New Furnace Fund!
For more info, call 902-827-4911.
Valentines Day Dance
February 11, 8:00 pm - 1:00 am
Petpeswick Yacht Club, East
Petpeswick Road. Dance features
METROband. For tickets, call
Paula at 902-889-2435. $10/
members and $15/non-members.
Backyard Forestry
February 11-12
10:00 am, Saturday until 3:00 pm,
Sunday. At The Deanery Project
751 W Ship Hbr Rd. Cost: $190.
Meals and dorm style housing
included. To register, call
902-845-1888; or email
thedeaneryproject@gmail.com.
Musical Interlude
February 19, 7:00 pm
St Denis Church Hall,
East Ship Harbour
Refreshments will be served
Annual Seedy Sunday
February 19, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers
Market, 67 Park Road.
A seed exchange, workshops,
seed vendors, door prizes
and more! Visit us at www.
mhfarmersmarket.ca for more
information. To book a table
for this event please contact us
at info@mhfarmersmarket.ca .
Start dreaming about spring!!

Build a 4-String Guitar or Banjo

February 18 19, 10:00 am
Saturday - 12:00 pm Sunday.
The Deanery Project, 751 W
Ship Harbour Rd. Build your own
stringed instrument with Paul
Schwartz. COST $190 (member
and low-waged discounts). Great
food and dorm style
accommodation included. All
ages, all skill levels.
Radio Show March Break Camp
Learn to write, edit, and produce
your own radio show (ages 8-12).
March 13-17, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
$260/child, early dropoff and
late pickup are available for
additional $40/week. For more
info, call Adam at 902-237-1043
or visit radioisfun.ca
Rootstalk
Friday mornings, 10:00-11:30 am
Uprooted Market & Cafe, 7992
Highway 7, Musquodoboit Hbr.
Relaxed weekly meet-up group
connecting business people
on the Eastern Shore. For more

Farmers Markets
Musquodoboit Harbour
Jan. 22, Feb. 5, 19 &
March 5 at the ES Arena
Eastern Shore makers and bakers,
farm fresh produce, meats, and
organic products. For more
info: www.mhfarmersmarket.ca,
call 902-220-9114, or email info@
mhfarmersmarket.ca

Halifax DiSTRiCT 2 COUNCillORS COMMUNiQUE

fEbRUaRy 2017 iSSUE #231 HAPPY VALENTINES & HERITAGE DAY

NATION FLAG DAY & HERITAGE DAY

The Federal Government has proclaimed

February 15th as National Flag of Canada
Day. In 1965 the old Red Ensign Flag
with the British Union Jack was replaced
with the red maple leaf. To learn more about our flags
history and other heritage-related trivia go to: www.pch.
gc.ca/special/jdn-nfd/index-eng.cfm. Be sure to wave our
provincial and municipal flags too!
Heritage Day is the third Monday in February and is an
opportunity for communities to celebrate local, provincial
and national heritage. This years date is February 20th.
Enjoy the day!
Honouree for 2017 Mikmaq Heritage
As part of the celebration of Canadas
150th birthday, Nova Scotia will recognize
the Mikmaq culture and the many
accomplishments of the Mikmaq people.
https://heritageday.novascotia.ca

33RD NOvA ScOTIA AFRIcAN HERITAGE MONTH

February 2017 will mark the 33rd year Nova Scotians have
celebrated African Heritage Month. This years theme is
Passing the TorchAfrican Nova Scotians and the Next
150. The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA)
provides event listings. Check out the ANSA website for
the calendar of special events and functions at: http://
ansa.novascotia.ca/events-calendar. Events are subject to
change. To update a program date or event details contact
ansa_newsletter@gov.ns.ca or fax 902-424-7189.

REv. W. P. OLIvER WALL OF HONOUR

Each year the Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia hosts

the annual Rev. Dr. William P. Oliver Wall of Honour Night
at the Black Cultural Centre in recognition and memory of
the works of Rev. Dr. Oliver, who exemplified what it means
to be a community leader. Members of the Society are
invited to send nominations to the Selection Committee
for consideration of this distinguished annual award.
Nominations are open until the end of February. The Night
of Honour is tentatively scheduled for June 2017 at the
Centre in Cherry Brook. More information can be found at
www.bccns.com or call 902-434-6223.

REcREATION NS LUcKY DUcK DRAW

Lucky Duck Lottery is a program offered by

Recreation NS that is designed to help nonprofit clubs, groups and organizations raise
funds, and it is now in its 37th year! Who
can sell Lucky Duck Tickets? Community
organizations like school clubs, sport teams,
theatre groups, choirs, garden clubs, senior clubsany
non-profit group can sell! Recreation NS administers the
program and supplies the tickets, prizes and seller kits. All
you need to do is sell the tickets. Tickets are $1.00 with 70
cents of every dollar going back to the group. Selling period
for 2017 ends March 16th. PRIZES: 1st prize-$3,000 cash;
2nd prize-$500 cash; 3rd prize-weekend getaway; Plus 7
prizes of $100. For more information go to:
http://www.recreationns.ns.ca/lucky-duck-lotto/

Councillor David Hendsbee

H.R.M. District 2
PrestonChezzetcookEastern Shore

IcE THIcKNESS SAFETY REPORTS

HRM has an ice thickness testing

program during the winter
season, but there may still be
noticeable thin ice and open water
in many lakes across the region.
Throughout the winter months,
ice thickness reports for lakes
tested by the municipality will be available to the public by
calling 902-490-3577 or 311 for the HRM Citizen Contact
Centre. Reports are updated weekly at this website pending
weather conditions: https://apps.halifax.ca/icethickness.
More than 100 lakes, mostly in the urban core, are tested
regularly by HRM Parks and Recreation staff. There are
8 tested sites in or near our district area. They are: Lake
Loon, Lake Major, Long Lake in North Preston, Nelson Lake
in East Preston, Lake Echo by the Community Centre and
McCoys Pond by Churchlake Drive in Lake Echo, Porters
Lake and Middle Porters Lake. The municipality reminds all
citizens to ensure ice conditions are safe and to exercise
extreme caution when walking, skating or participating in
other outdoor events on frozen lakes this winter season.
For more ice safety tips, please visit the Canadian Red
Cross website: http://www.redcross.ca/training-andcertification/swimming-and-water-safety-tips-andresources/swimming--boating-and-water-safety-tips/icesafety.

HRM cOMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM

HRM is now accepting applications

for the 2017-2018 Community
Grants Program. The deadline
for applying is March 31, 2017.
Information,
application
forms
and program guidebooks are
available online at: http://www.
halifax.ca/boardscom/bccgrants/
CommunityGrantsProgram.php.
You may also pick up a copy at any
HRM Customer Service Centre or my
district office. To have a copy mailed to you send a request
to: nonprofitgrants@halifax.ca or call 311.
The HRM Community Grants Program is a centralized
program that provides annual cash grants to registered
non-profit organizations and charities located throughout
HRM.
There are two types of grants: (1) a project grant of up to
$5,000 and (2) a capital grant of up to $25,000. Grants
are one-time and project-specific within the following
funding sectors: Environment; Recreation & Leisure;
Affordable & Supportive Housing; Emergency Assistance;
Neighbourhood Safety; Community History; Community
Diversity; and Arts & Crafts.

LABATTS BETTER TOGETHER FUND

The employees of Labatts Breweries have established

a registered charity known as the Better Together
Fund. It is intended to bring aid and relief to families and
individuals with grants from $200 to $4,000. Visit www.
LabattBetterTogether.ca for grant policies, eligibility
criteria and a downloadable application form or write to
them at: 207 Queens Quay West, Suite #299, Toronto, ON,
M5J 1A7 or by email to: bettertogether@labatt.com.

ADJUSTMENT TO BUS ROUTE 370

HRM Regional Council

has
approved
my
request to make some
modest adjustments
to the Rural Express
Transit Route #370.
My proposal will only
add approximately 1.5
kms to a trip, and it is intended to be a Stop & Drop/Pickup service with an additional stop at Micmac Mall. Halifax
Transit officials have already agreed to incorporate two
additional quick stops along Highway #7 at Cherry Brook
Road and on Main Street by Smittys. I have also asked for
another bus stop by the NSCC Ackerley Campus to cater
to the student population from our area. The Micmac Mall
stop is not only for potential shoppers but for workers
trying to get there before the stores open, as well as
people trying to get into Burnside and Dartmouth Crossing
by using other bus route connections instead of going
downtown to the Bridge Bus Terminal. There will be an
added benefit of providing direct access into Metro on the
deadhead return runs from Porters Lake in the afternoons,
which are currently running back empty. This will be a trial
run for a six-month period, with the desirable outcome to
be an increase in ridership without any significant delay
to the commute time itself. More information on these
changes will be available once Halifax Transit has had the
opportunity to introduce these service adjustments into its
bus scheduling program. Stay tuned!

FEDERAL vOLUNTEER AWARDS

The call for nominations for Canadas Volunteer Awards

is now open until Feb. 3rd. Nominate a not-for-profit
organization, an individual/group of volunteers or a
business. Award winners will be recognized at a ceremony
and will be able to choose a not-for-profit organization
to receive a grant of $5,000 (regional award) or $10,000
(national award). For more info, visit www.Canada.ca/
volunteer-awards or call 1-877-825-0434

GET MY NEWSLETTER & UPDATES

Be sure to sign up and get my newsletters, periodical

updates and advisories via various social media links on
my websites, Twitter and Facebook pages and please
send me your new email addresses. Lets keep in touch!

Office Phone:
Cell Phone:
City Hall:
fax:

902-889-3553
902-483-0705
902-490-4050
902-829-3620

311

david.hendsbee@halifax.ca
david@hendsbee.ns.ca
www.hendsbee.ns.ca
@david_hendsbee
facebook.com/david.hendsbee

14

News
The 25-Acre Lot Fight: Councils Band-Aid Solution
By Richard Bell

Faced with disputes over the potential

development of more than 1,000
properties within HRM larger than
25 acres (10 hectares), HRM Council
produced a severely restricted solution at
its January 10, 2017 meeting that will only
apply to 83 of the disputed lots, granting
the owners of those lots the right to apply
for house building permits.
Kim Young, one of the organizers of
the citizens group Save Rural HRM,
expressed the groups ambivalence about
the Councils vote. Were happy that
we now have approval of those 83 lots,
Young said, but were disappointed that
all of the lots were not included.

Shore vs Shore Bantam hockey game fundraiser for Eastern Shore

Mental Health, organized by Ashley Henneberry (right), raised $757.
Also pictured (left) is Anita Carter-Rose.

Young pointed out that several

Councillors expressed concerns about
the citys plans for the more than 900
remaining lots. There was quite a lot of
discussion among the councillors about
how do we go about fixing this to get all of
the other lots included, Young said. But
Bob Bjerke [chief planner] never had an
answer. With regard to the vast majority
of the lots, it sounds like were going to
have to start the process all over again.
And to the city officials and Councillors
who were praising the Councils making a
bylaw change in only 4 months, versus the
normal 18 months, Young pointed out, If
we hadnt put the pressure on when we
did, none of this would have happened.
Councillor David Hendsbee, who led
the effort to change the citys policy,
dismissed the 83-lot proposal as nothing
more than a band-aid solution.
You heard tonight the passion and the
frustration about this ordeal, Hendsbee
said. I want to apologize to Scott Rowlings;
hes the gentleman that first brought this
whole issue to my attention. For him not
to have the opportunity to have his East
Petpeswick Hills site considered as part of
this solution tonight is a travesty.
This fight began in the spring of 2016,
when HRM suddenly stopped issuing
development permits for plots of 25

acres or more that did not have at least

100 feet of frontage on a public road.
A bylaw requiring such frontage had
been on the citys books since 1996. But
city regulators had completely ignored
this law, and had in fact been issuing
building permits for such lots in several
rural areas of HRM.
In announcing a ban on such permits
in the spring of 2016, HRM planners
said that they had issued a number
of inappropriate building permits.
Property owners and local builders who
were planning to build in subdivisions
where such permits had been issued
previously were taken by surprise, and
quickly organized a new group, Save
Rural HRM, to fight for the right to
develop these lots.
Young said that Chief Planner Bob
Bjerkes testimony did not inspire
confidence that he intended to make
dealing with the other 900 lots a top
priority. Bjerke repeatedly pointed to
the finally fully staffed Rural Planning
team as the new go-to place for rural
policy questions. The six-person team,
Bjerke said, was developing a work
plan. But Bjerke consistently avoided
a direct answer to several questions
about how fast he intended to act on
the 900 lots.Some of the remaining
lots will probably get a quick fix, Young
said, but that still leaves a large group
of people out in the cold.
Save Rural HRMs steering committee
will be meeting soon to plan their next
steps, including asking for a meeting
with Minister of Natural Resources Zack
Churchill. We want the city to know
that were here, ready and waiting,
Young said. We want to be sitting at
the table.

Call today - 2016

advertising rates
still apply!

Sports
Local Skaters Prepare for Regional Competitions
By Jacqueline Sanford

Musquodoboit Harbour cycling whiz Mackenzie

Myatt, now in her first year on the bicycle racing
team at Savannah College of College of Art and
Design (the Atlanta campus), finished 6th on January
4 in Hartford, Connecticut at the 2017 USA Cycling
Collegiate Cyclo-Cross Nationals.
On a rain-soaked muddy track that Myatt described
beforehand as a hot mess, Myatt showed in her
first big cyclo-cross race that she was a competitor to
be reckoned with in cyclo-cross as well as mountain
biking, where she won a number of collegiate races
last fall and finished third in the U.S. Collegiate
National Mountain Bike Championship on October
22.

Figure skating requires strength, stamina and precision,

as well as rhythm, dance, and interpretation skills.
Skaters train on the ice and off, complimenting their ice
time with yoga, dance, or cross-training sessions. On ice,
skaters build strength (and courage!) to tackle the big
moves the impressive jumps, spins and spirals and
practice intricate movements, edge changes, positioning,
and choreography, which they apply in dances and solo
routines.

Megan and her ice dance coach

Megan and Nina skate three or four times a week, usually

for 1 hour sessions, and also volunteer at the clubs
Canskate lessons as Program Assistants. Figure skating
takes dedication and repetition, and can be a solitary
endeavor sometimes, so the girls make sure they make

ES Hockey Bantam A team wins gold at the Riley

Sears Memorial Tournament

Myatt Finishes 6th in US National

Bike Race
By Richard Bell

February is a busy time of year in rinks all over NS,

especially for two young Eastern Shore figure skaters
preparing for two upcoming competitions. Megan
Webster of Porters Lake and Nina Thurber of Gaetz
Brook skate with the Dartmouth Skating Club, and will
be competing at the Rob McCall Memorial Competition,
hosted by their club Februrary 3 6, and the Provincial
Championships in Liverpool at the end of the month.

Nina
performing

15

the most of opportunities to have fun with other skaters

and share their love of the sport.
In fact, it was Nina who inspired Megan to give the sport
a try. After spotting Ninas sparkly figure skating jacket
at a local public skate, Megan decided to join the club.
Now the girls are now friends and teammates who love
to motivate and cheer each other on!
For more information about figure skating, visit
dartmouthskatingclub.ca or skatecanada.ns.ca.

ES Hockey Bantam B team wins gold at the Riley

Sears Memorial Tournament

In a post on Facebook, Myatt poked fun at her

experience riding in mud: There was a bit of a frenzy
about the course conditions being so ridiculous,
and Im not much of a runner, but you know you
love something when you end up grinning sliding
around in the mud when youre supposed to be ON
the bike. Although she missed the podium, Myatt
wrote, I had a hoot doing it. And thats what its all
about right? Happy legs, happy Kenz.