Dear Eastern Shore Cooperator,
No one on the Eastern Shore would disagree that a replacement school for ESDH and GBJH is long overdue. Our students, faculty and staff—who have been forgotten budget after budget—deserve a new, safe and modern building. I’m thrilled for those who will get to proudly walk through the doors.
Some, including me, disagree with the chosen location. Some, including me, disagree with the grade structure. But those are not the main issues that have caused my anger and disappointment with this government.
The problem here –and why I’m so upset over this decision –is that it’s not about a school, or the controversial location. My frustration stems from the chronic abuse of decision-making authority this government exhibits day after day after day. The announcement yesterday is another example of how the provincial Liberals hide, conceal, and mislead the public.
Here are some other examples. There’s a process to determine where schools are built. It’s new (June 2019), created by the Liberals. It’s five pages and an easy read. That process was not followed here, at all. The process calls for the Department of Transportation to evaluate potential sites, and those findings are to be made public. They were not. What is more troublesome is that three (3) Freedom of Information Requests returned nothing but the title of the document. Everything else, redacted.
It’s not right.
The bigger picture is this: It’s not about a school in Musquodoboit Harbour. It’s not about a golf course in Owls Head. It’s not about a Ferry in Yarmouth. It’s about a systemic assault on public engagement. It’s about insulting those Nova Scotians who care about what our government is doing, as well as how they are doing it. It’s about an arrogance in making whatever decisions they desire, with no regard for their own policies or the taxpayers who pay for it all.
It’s not right.
There’s no question we are having an election this year. The number of funding announcements recently indicates it will likely be sooner than later. When it is time to mark your ballot, I ask you to please consider this government’s record on transparency. Consider the evidence of blatant disregard for their own policies. Consider the selfishness of their decision-making.
It’s not right.
I am running in the next election with the Progressive Conservative Party. I have chosen to work with a Team who promise to lead differently. We expect to and will be held accountable. We will promote inclusive and consultative governance. I aim to restore public faith in our elected officials by modeling integrity and honourability.
Why? Because it’s what’s right.
--Kent Smith, Progressive Conservative Candidate for the Eastern Shore Riding.
