If you’re not happy with the speed of your Internet service, here’s a chance to get some provincial funds to improve your service. From now through December 31, 2016, municipalities and community groups can apply for funding for small-scale projects to bring higher-speed Internet service to rural areas of Nova Scotia.
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If you know someone you think is an outstanding volunteer in his or her community, here’s your chance to see the province recognize them. From now until February 24, 2017, you can send in your nominations for the following categories:
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HRM’s sudden decision to choke off development permits for 25-acre lots was not the only surprise blow against rural development this year. Regional Council also overrode the recommendation of its staff and decided to require lot-grading permits for all new buildings in the municipality. Staff had recommended these expensive permits—(up to $6,000 and weeks of additional waiting time)—only for areas serviced by municipal sewers.
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[Note: The Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest (OPDF) in Mooseland is a 1,595 acre woodland operated as a division of the Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association. OPDF is a place for all Nova Scotians to learn about forest ecology and the sustainable management of our native Acadian Forest.]
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If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you have seen the ads: a friendly looking woman, photographed against a wealthy-looking background, explains how she wants to show you how to make $100,000 in the next 3 weeks. Then the ad cuts to another person, who waives a check for $54,600 and tells you he made that much money yesterday.
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By Jean McKenna
[Editor’s note: The following article is a shortened version of a longer report that the Community Campus Vision Association has put together. Jean McKenna is one of the founders of CCVA. The complete report is on the Cooperator’s website at CCVA Report December 2016. ]
The Community Campus Vision Association has been advocating for a new school that would combine and replace Eastern Shore District High and Gaetz Brook Junior High. Our advocacy had included the concept of a shared facility concept, a “community campus,” to include a recreation complex and a senior's residential care structure. However, it has become increasingly clear that it is futile to “fight on three hills,” and it has also become clear that these two schools desperately need replacement. Our current focus is therefore entirely on school replacement.
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[Editor’s Note: This report comes from the Community Campus Vision Association. An article in the December 2016 issue of the Cooperator, "Let's Replace ESDH Now," included an excerpt from this CCVA report. All emphases are in the original report.]
As most readers know, the Community Campus Vision Association has been advocating for a new High School to replace Eastern Shore District High, and Gaetz Brook Junior High. Our advocacy had included the concept of a shared facility concept, a “community campus”, to include a recreation complex and a senior's residential care structure. However, it has become increasingly clear that it is futile to “fight on three hills and it has also become clear that these two schools desperately need replacement. Our current focus is therefore entirely on school replacement.
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[Editor’s note: The Nova Scotia Teachers Union has announced it will begin a working-to-rules job action on December 5th. as early as December 5. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) distributed the following notice to parents and guardians on November 22. The Halifax Regional School Board will post information on its website (www.hrsb.ca) and Twitter (@HRSB_Official) about what parents should expect.
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Recently, I was a guest for brunch at the unique architectural log home of Norma Prest Kennedy in Pleasant Harbour. The purpose of the brunch was a fundraiser for “The Mission of Seamen.” Joyce Webb has been the treasurer of this venerable charity organization for over 40 years. Norma and her friends knit socks, caps, and scarves for gift boxes for seamen. Since these gift boxes originated on The Eastern Shore over a half-century ago, they are “Christmas Boxes.”
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By Wyn Jones
On any given day in the year, Martinique Beach is magical. The combination of salted air and a foam-laden scent makes it a very special place. I happened to be walking along the strand one afternoon late last August, my dog Amber pounding in and out of the shallows as a warm and glowing sun set the ripples in the receding tide to a diamond sparkle. As it was mid week, we had the whole length of the beach to ourselves, or so I thought. But there suddenly just ahead of us, wading slowly, the water lapping around his knees, was a small rotund figure.
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