Batten down the hatches. We're in for some story weather today. Upwards of 150 mm's of rain and gusty winds, perhaps up to 100 km/h, are in the forecast. All of this thanks to tropical storm Leslie and a front moving from the eastern U.S. that was hammered by the strom. 100 k winds are expected tomorrow on Cape Breton with heavy rain and then Leslie moves on to Newfoundland. It's that time of the year folks, hurricane season. Hope you're prepared.
A risky venture. That's how Peter Nicholson described getting a new Yarmouth to Maine ferry running again. Nicholson chaired the gang that prepared a report released last week indicating a ferry service was doable but ridership levels would have to double and there'd have to be lots of government money involved, around $35 million. With an election on the horizon, Premier Dexter was quick to announce the province would invest $21 million and Peter MacKay has now indicated the feds are open to renovating the ferry terminal. It wasn't so long ago the Cat, the high speed catamaran ferry carried 165,000 passengers a year. By its last year of service the number had dropped to less than half that amount. The end of the ferry service has had economic impacts across the province, but especially in southwest Nova Scotia. If they can bring ridership levels back to those earlier 2000 numbers, the risky venture will have worked. If not, more taxpayers dollars gambled, and wasted.
Some quickly called-in tips from the public, and Halifax police, after releasing a photo of their suspect, Friday arrested a young man they're accusing of luring that 4 year old boy last week. The 19 year old Sackville man will be in court today facing charges of abducting someone under 14 and sexual assault. Initially police said the boy wasn't harmed when he was taken to an upstairs washroom at the Atlantic Superstore on Joe Howe Drive, but the sexual assault charge indicates otherwise.
Congrats to Tom McInnis, Nova Scotia's newest senator in Canada's upper house. I actually like Tom, he's a very affable fellow. He is a long time Conservative, a former minister in the Buchanan and Cameron cabinets and his party affiliation is the reason in the Senate. The senate a refuge for party cronies. I agree with Premier Dexter who says if we didn't have a senate, no one would miss it. And we'd save a ton of cash as well.
Have a great day, despite the weather. Get involved. And if you're not outraged, you're not paying attention.
Rick Howe
