The Thibeault file's back to haunt Mayor Peter Kelly. His handling of Mary Thibeault's estate as executor single-handedly ended any thoughts Kelly had of re-offering for a fourth term in office and it's far from resolved yet. Five of Thibeault's heirs are now asking the probate court to remove the mayor as executor amid allegations Kelly took over $175,000 and that seven years after her death has yet to settle the estate. Kelly continues to refuse to comment on the case, saying it's in the hands of lawyers. His silence from the start on this matter has been deafening.
For more than just a few motorists, it will make no difference. They were never aware Blowers Street in the downtown had been converted to a one-way street last October. It's back now to a two-way street effective immediately. Signs were actually changed yesterday along with new lines painted on the road. The about-face comes at the behest of businesses on Blowers who claimed they were losing business after the initial change.
The city's promising to paint fading crosswalk markings after Sunday's fatality that saw a 68 year old resident hit by a car. As well, a city traffic department rep was at the crosswalk at the corner of Albro Lake and Victoria roads yesterday taking measurements. He tells the CBC they might increase the length of time given pedestrians to cross the street, but he admits there really was little that could have been done to prevent the death Sunday of Alan Carpenter. But considering the alarming number of car-pedestrian mishaps in our city, the time is long overdue for action to improve crosswalk safety.
Despite opposition from environmental groups, fishing organizations, tourism industry reps and others, the Dexter government is about to pour millions of dollars into a New Brunswick aquaculture operation here in Nova Scotia. Cooke Aquaculture is hoping for $20 to $30 million in government funding for its $150 million plans for this province. An announcement is expected today in Shelburne where the provincial cabinet is meeting. Open pen fish farm opponents are there as well, but it appears their concerns have fallen on deaf government ears.
Have a great day. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
While loaning money to businesses may be a prudent thing to do, forgivable loans to businesses is ludicrous. If you’re going to give $9 million to a business that will provide 400 minimum wage jobs why is the province not receiving any of the profits in return? It's the same with the 2 paper mills which one already shut down. Taxpayers foot the bill; electric ratepayers (same taxpayers) pay more because of lost revenue when the power company reduced the rate to the paper mill. The Province didn't get anything back. Now the plant is closed and the power is no longer required but the ratepayers are still paying. Why? Who is using this power that the paper mill is no longer using? Even if the answer is no one, why is the ratepayer still paying for it? There come a time when a business whether it be a power company, paper mill, or fish farm either is profitable selling its product, or it's not. Making the taxpayer and/or ratepayers foot the bill is ludicrous for 400 minimum wage jobs. Where do I sign up for a $9 million forgivable loan? I can think of plenty of different businesses I can start with that type of backing as long as I can also get a reduced power rate to operate it too.