The Halifax school board's decision to re-name Cornwallis Junior High has certainly stirred up a storm of debate. Urged on by it's Mi'kmaq representative, the board decided it was no longer appropriate to honour the founder of Halifax by having his name attached to the school. At issue is a proclamation from Cornwallis in the mid-1700's ordering a bounty on the scalps of Mi'kmaq men, women and children. It was an attempt to exterminate the native population according to Mi'kmaq historian Dan Paul. But Halifax historian Blair Beed says that wasn't the intention at all. It was an effort he says to re-inforce British authority and control of the newly settled colony and eventually the two sides did make peace. It was also war and in those days wars were nasty affairs with atrocities committed by all sides. Beed also wonders where we draw the line. French Admiral D'uc Danville had intentions to raze the colony with his fleet before he ran into disaster and Joe Howe had issues with those who followed the Catholic faith. We have schools and other place names in their honour. Do we remove those as well? Moncton is named after Robert Monckton, a British official who played a key role in the deportation of the Acadians. Should that city's name be changed as a result? No. I agree with Beed who thinks the school board's decision was a knee jerk reaction. It's political correctness gone a step too far.
Supporters of the school name change say they now have their eyes on other Cornwallis targets, especially the statue of the city's founder at Cornwallis Park in the south end. They'd like to see it removed, but they won't find an ally in Mayor Peter Kelly who has actually taken a stand on the subject. The mayor says our history is what it is and we cannot re-write what's happened. He admits though he is but one vote on city council and if a majority of councillors wanted a change, there'd be little he could do to stop it.
The next big fight facing city council will involve a proposal to widen Bayers Road, adding an extra lane. If approved, it will see homes along the road lose portions of their property with some homes completely demolished. While the project is still years away, we got a little taste of the divisive debate at yesterday's council transportation committee meeting. The battle lines have been clearly drawn. The committee decided to defer the matter to a meeting of council's committee of the whole in the fall.
There's an interesting connection to Nova Scotia with this week's arrest of Boston mobster James Whitey Bulger. The 81 year old was picked up in California the other day after nearly two decades on the lam. He's thought to be connected to some 19 murders and there are rumours some of his victims could be buried here in Nova Scotia. In fact, in 2001, the RCMP, shovels in hand, descended on a property in Yarmouth County. Their dig didn't discover any bodies, but they were limited in the area they could actually search and much of the property went untouched. The Mounties will be watching with interest to see if Bulger provides any new revelations now that he's in custody.
What's to become of Heather Foley Melvin? The former Mazda district manager and Tory political appointee, whose qualifications to head up Conserve Nova Scotia included her ability to change light bulbs and, of course, her short term as Conservative premier Rodney MacDonald's chief of staff, sees her contract with the province expire this weekend. The Dexter government axed Conserve Nova Scotia earlier this year, leaving Foley Melvin's status up in the air. She's been on the government payroll all along but what's to become of her come Saturday is still a mystery. The NDP government's giving no indication about its plans for her. But if they do decide to cut Heather loose, her contract calls for 12 months severance, about $140,000. Who makes these deals anyway?
Have a great weekend. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
