Archives

Video clips of the week - 2011: Jan. 9, Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb 20, Feb. 27, Mar. 6, Mar. 13 [Tsunami], Mar. 20 [Tsunami].

Coast Comment: What should happen to Qaddafi? 2/27/11

At this moment, there are four possible outcomes for Muammar Qaddafi: [1] He can kill himself - probably not, because's he's too defiant and egotistical; [2] He will be killed - strong possibility, as there are thousands who cannot stand the thought of him; [3] He can get asylum in a rogue country like Cuba, Venezuela, North Korea or somewhere in Africa - certainly high on the list, and he surely has enough money to pay off a corrupt leader; or, [4], He will be captured and tried as a terrorist.

Earlier this week, a former cabinet minister came out with the revelation that it was Qaddafi who ordered the downing of Pan Am 103 back in the late 80s. If this allegation can be proven, certainly the man needs to be captured and tried as a murderer. It was Qaddafi who engineered the release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, the former 'intelligence' minister directly responsible for the horrffic act that killed 270 on that terrible day. Al-Megrahi served a little over 11 days in prison for every person he murdered. We have written a 'Coast Comment' on this below, under the heading 'BP hits a new low....'

One can only imagine what goes on in what passes for a mind in this madman, but it would appear his end is near.

And it cannot come soon enough for those tortured and for the families of those murdered by him.

Coast Comment: What should our stand be on 'Mercy Killing'? 2/25/11

Above we make mention of the story of Stephan Bolton, the Liverpool man who recently turned himself into police and told them that he had euthanized his wife to stop her from suffering stage four breast cancer. We also said that this is a very complex issue with no easy answers. Comparisons with Robert Latimer are already being made.

Mr. Bolton has said that euthanasia was never discussed with his wife, so, on the surface, it would appear that his decision to end her life was a unilateral one.  The motive, of course, will determine the outcome in any trial that may take place, and it is almost a given that there will be a trial even though Mr. Bolton has not yet been charged. However, if he played judge and jury with his wife's life, it will be difficult for him to 'walk' on this, and he has already said that he will accept whatever fate he is dealt. Certainly, at this juncture, it would appear he'll have little other choice. Responses on the News 95.7 site to this story have leaned hard on his getting his due in court.

So what can he be charged with? Probably, technically, murder, although not murder one. Generally in these cases the charge is pled down to second degree murder - still, though, a very serious charge with heavy consequences. That is what Mr. Latimer was charged with, and while now on parole, he was sent to prison, where he spent seven years. But the very word ‘murder’ is one generally reserved for those who in an evil way take the lives of innocent people. Certainly, no question, Charles Manson and Adolph Hitler fit that mold perfectly.

So, did Mr. Bolton, ‘murder’ his wife? Probably not in the evil, traditional sense of the word, although he has admitted to killing her. But there is a big difference in a well thought out, planned killing of an innocent person for some sort of gain, and that which appears to have transpired in Liverpool. Mr. Bolton admits that he has had terrible guilt over what he did, which is why he said he turned himself over to the RCMP.  In his defense we do not for a second imagine that killing his wife was a decision he comfortably made, or once made, that he carried out with any degree of ease. Whether or not the legal system will take that into account remains to be seen, although it appeared to have done that with Mr. Latimer.

Time will tell what should happen. The problem Mr. Bolton has is actually fairly clear - by his own admission, he never discussed his intentions with his wife, and he openly has admitted killing her. While it's difficult to walk in another person's shoes, it is common knowledge in a civilized country that we just can't go around killing people, regardless of the reason - unless it was self defense, which this certainly was not.  There is no question that this case will again fuel the debate on mercy killing.

Police released him on Thursday from over-night custody, but say they continue to investigate.

Coast Comment: Four disgraced MLAs heading to court....2/16/11

If you've been following the news lately, you are aware of four MLAs who have just been charged with fiscal abuses while in office. These abuses have included buying items for their own personal use, using taxpayers' money. Three of them - Dave Wilson, Richard Hurlburt and Russell MacKinnon - are former MLAs, while Trevor Zinck has been sitting as an independent after being asked to leave the NDP last year. All have come under the microscopic eye of the RCMP, and each appears to be in serious trouble, with initial court dates set for the 20th. of April. A total of 53 charges have been laid. All face charges of fraud over $5,000, and this could carry by itself a 14 year prison sentence, if convicted.

Directly below we have written a parody on what can happen when government gets too cocky and irresponsible [In the piece 'On closing Halifax International....']. But there is nothing funny in what these four have allegedly done. And these actions don't speak harshly of their parties, but rather of their own flawed characters. An elected official gets to be in power because he or she is able to convince more voters that the electorate's chosing of them will be the right move. No one ever gets to power by suggesting that he or she will drink uncontrolably from the public trough - quite to the contrary. People are elected because they seem to offer a sense of honesty and integrity to the office they aspire, and it is tragic and sad when they betray that trust and sully their position. They, in essense, are saying to their constituents - 'I don't care about you, rather your election of me is now about me, and how this office can benefit me and my family.'

So what should happen to them? At the very least, if found guilty, they should be made to repay what they took with interest and penalties. One of the penalties should be to lose their license to practise law, if he is a lawyer. If you go into a bank, hold it up, and then on the way out, have a change of heart and turn around and give back the money, you will still be charged with robbery. Depending on the severity of their crimes, prison should never be ruled out. They should be fired from office, and any pension they may have earned, be returned to the public treasury. And they should be banned from ever running for public office again. Harsh? Sure, but publicly elected officials are supposed to know better, to act better, and set examples for the rest of us. And if they know the penalties are severe going into the deal, they may think twice before they dip into that forbidden well once in office.

Auditor General Jacques LaPointe and the RCMP have done a good job of uncovering this scandal and bringing it to our attention. If convicted, these four need to apologize, and make restitution. And they need not take any more of our hard earned money in the form of salaries or pensions.

Not to diminish the seriousness of these alleged crimes, but Hosni Mubarak makes the four of them together look like rank amateurs. It is stipulated that in his 30 years of office he plundered Egypt for some $70 billion - which would make him the world's richest man. That money needs to come back to Egypt, and whatever it takes to make that happen, is being put in motion.

Incidentally, if that figure is correct, that works out to about $6.5 million per day stolen, for every day of the 30 years he was in office. If the figure is only 10% of that, it still is $650,000 per day, a staggering number by anyone's standards.

Coast Comment: Remembrance Day remembered....11/10/10

Everyone knows that November 11 is Remembrance Day. What many don't know are the specific sacrifices young Canadians have made so that we can be free. Somewhere in the Afghan theater today, there is a soldier who has sustained a horrible injury. Maybe he - or she - got in the way of an IED. Their life - or lives - will never be the same again. The physical maiming goes far deeper than losing a limb - one's whole psychological outlook on life will be changed forever.

There are parents everywhere who have loved ones in a far off land many can't even spell. They will go to sleep tonight not knowing if their child will one day return to the safety of Glace Bay, or Lunenburg, or Halifax, or wherever. Their child is on a 24/7 vigil in a deadly, hostile environment, because their child chose to protect their country instead of going to work for Home Depot or sell insurance. We are not in any way shape or form demeaning the latter two vocations - just that serving one's country from a military perspective makes the word 'job' take on an entirely new meaning.

There are soldiers who have children born without being there to comfort their wives and hold their new son or daughter. There are soldiers in freezing, vile conditions waiting for an enemy that in a very devout way, wants us dead simply because we have different beliefs than they. The enemy is relentless, they are cowards, they are prepared to fight this war with absolutely no rules. They are prepared to attack anyone, including young children. They cut people's heads off on live TV. This, of course, only makes it a much more dangerous war to fight, because we are civilized and are not used to such errant and deviant behavior.

We all remember the bumper stickers that said 'Make love, not war.' In a perfect world, that is a noble goal. In a world populated with the likes of the Taliban, we have no choice but to go over and try to kill them before they can kill us. To not do this would be totally irresponsible, and totally wrong and amazingly stupid.

Everyone knows someone who lost a son, an uncle, a father, a grandfather, or a brother in one of the many wars Canada has been part of over the past several decades. November 11 is a day to especially remember them - and those overseas - and give thanks and prayers for their safety [Although, we should remember them every day of the year....]. Please don't forget the 24 Canadians murdered by jihadists on September 11, 2001. No, they were not veterans, but they were casualties of a very different war than World War Two, and sadly, casualties of a war we will be in with very little end in sight for a very long time to come, if not forever.

Please, take a moment, and pray to bring our fighting men and women home safely. And if you have a neighbor or friend with someone overseas, pick up the phone and call them and stay in touch. They really need our support. Really, they do. And your kindness will not go unrewarded. Thank you.

Here is an excellent video produced by Lighthouse Publishing. And, here's an an equally excellent encapsulation of the day across Canada, as reported by the CBC.

Coast Comment: Did the Holocaust really happen? Some say 'Not.' - 5/30/10

At the top of the 'News' section, we speak of our not being 'P.C. friendly.' We think that 'Political Correctness' has gone over the top, and in its wake it is leaving damage that is irreversible. The following irrefutably validates this point.

We received this email today, May 30, and were going to place it in the 'Emails Received' section. However, because of its importance, we feel compelled to place it where it will won't run the risk of 'getting buried' on the back page. It said this:

     "When I was a kid, I couldn't understand why Eisenhower was so popular. Maybe this will explain why.

     "It is a matter of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said in words to this effect:

     'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the road of history some bastard will get up and say that this never happened.'

This week, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. It is not removed as yet. However, this is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving into it." Some British schools have already started dropping discussion and teaching of it [click here for story].

As a boy, I remember going to the movies in Halifax, and seeing the aftermath of the Nazi death-camps in many news-reels. There was no TV then, and while the information was a week or more late, seeing the 'News of the World' was one way we were informed. I was only about five at the time, and I believe these were being run for the Nuremburg trials, because it would have been 1947. I was not only horrified, but those memories of the remains of real people found in extermination ovens disturbed my sleep and thoughts for years. According to an article by Ayaan Hirsa Ali in the L.A. Times today, Mr. Ali explains that the reason Muslims deny this horrid piece of our history is because they are not taught anything about it in the first place. The final thought in his piece says it all: "The world needs to be informed again and again about the Holocaust — not only in the interest of the Jews who survived and their offspring but in the interest of humanity."

To eliminate an accounting of these events so as to not 'offend' some group of people, would be a tragedy of epic proportions. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This e-mail was sent as a memorial chain, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians, and 1,900 Catholic priests who were 'murdered, raped, burned, starved, beaten, experimented on and humiliated' while many in the world looked the other way. Now, more than ever with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets. To even discuss the possibility that it did not, to ignore it did not, is to make light of the millions who were tortured and murdered. It happened. It was horrid. It was hatred and prejudice taken to levels only the earth's most evil could have imagined. Executing those who did it was a walk in the park compared to what should have happened to them. If anyone thinks that it did not happen, he or she is simply not on this planet in a sane and rational manner. But to even allow thinking to go in that direction borders on treason of reason.

The problem with 'P.C.' oriented rhetoric, of course, is that in the desire to 'protect' one group from the truth, you end up offending another. It is an outrage of the highest order by U.K. 'educators' to even think of going down this road. Tens of millions were tortured, torn from their families, gassed, starved, mutilated and a group of 'educators' is afraid of offending someone by not teaching what happened? In 60 years will The World Trade Center massacre be wiped from the history books? Who can tell? But it is beyond comprehension that anyone today would even consider removing details of the Holocaust from history lessons so as not to 'offend' anyone. Absolutely, uncatagorically beyond comprehension. To forget, trivialize, or ignore what happened in Germany is to guarantee that the world will allow it to happen again - somewhere.

Those who would allow such a thing deserve to be shamed into the next century. And immediately terminated from their teaching positions.

Update, May 31: In the above commentary, there are two atrocities that have been committed. One, by the Nazis some six decades ago. And the second by ill-informed, horribly misguided individuals who are anxious to blot this out as if it never happened. If you feel as strongly about this as do we, please cut and paste the above article and email to your friends, and ask them to do the same. Any news organization that wishes to print it may, we just ask that you let us know so we can thank you. Together we can make a difference. Thanks.

Coast Comment: Who is Bridget Curran and why is she in a snit? - 5/10/10

The government's proposal to put a bounty out on coyotes has gotten environmentalist Bridget Curran in a snit. "This is a war on wildlife," she protested, and has filed a complaint with the province.

Sorry, Bridget, this is not a war on wildlife - it is specifically a war on coyotes, and the government has been very clear on this. Coyotes, incidentally, killed Toronto signer Taylor Mitchell last fall in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. In essence, Ms. Curran is saying that lives of coyotes are more important than those of people who simply want to go out and enjoy nature.

Ms. Curran went on to say that 'bounties don't work.' Well, we can betcha that if $20 per animal is paid [It's estimated there are some 8,000 out there prowling around], it will work on the 4000 or so the province wants taken out. And that will lower one's chances by 50% of being attacked by these wild, unpredictable and exceedingly dangerous animals, especially if another incident like the horrific killing of another Taylor Mitchell is to be avoided. And as to her assertion that 'a bounty is not a long term solution,' she is correct: but only if the bounty is removed. Because big coyotes like to make little coyotes, to be effective, the bounty will have to be left in place - it's that simple.

By the way, we are totally opposed to the unethical treatment of animals, and we are totally on Ms. Curran's side regarding the seal hunt. But we have to back a move that will cull down a burgeoning population of this predatory species. One can only imagine the horror if a child is attacked in a school-yard. More on coyotes in the 'Archives' section under the piece, 'What is reasonable expectation?'

Update: May 12: A female coyote has been trapped near a school in Port Hawkesbury, and coyotes have been spotted near four other Nova Scotia schools. Thanks to CBC News for this story....

Update: May 22: The Victoria Day Holiday weekend was the first big camping weekend of the season. And with the weather getting much more hospitable, many go out for an encounter in one of our parks for the weekend. But, the risk of encountering a coyote is low, said Provincial Parks Director Harold Carroll.

"We've never had major issues in our camping parks," said Carroll, adding that information is made available to campers and other park visitors about coyote awareness. "But you know you're in nature and they're certainly probably going to be out and about."

The question is: Do you want to take that risk? We can bet that Taylor Mitchell , if she had had the option, would have not taken that risk. Certainly find out what you can bring in with you for protection, and consider your mode of over-nighting. Staying in a cabin, or a travel trailer would be much safer than sleeping on the ground in a tent. Putting the coyotes aside for a sec, the most dangerous part of your trip could be the drive to your recreation area - be observant, stay off your cell phone, and watch for erratic behavior on the part of another driver, who may have been drinking.

Here's more from the CBC.

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Coast Comment: Lunenburg Councillor Peter Zwicker launches blog - 5/09/10

Lunenburg Councillor Peter Zwicker has just launched a blog. "My goal is to promote awareness of the issues, and to initiate good and respectful discussion of them." Many times people feel their elected officials get caught up in a lofty haze where they lose touch with their constituents. Unfortunately, the higher up the political ladder one rises, oftimes the more difficult it is to reach and interact with them. However, Mr. Zwicker is doing a great thing, we support it and his efforts, and encourage you to go to this site and fire away! http://zwickerblog.lunenburgns

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Coast Comment: Is $79,000 too much to give to Osprey Ridge? - 5/1/10

Is a $79,000 grant for Osprey Golf Course a good thing? "We had a lot of bad weather last year," Osprey Business Manager Bill McInnes said. "It really put us behind...."

Osprey - which is entirely membership owned - is a class act, and hosted The Royal Canadian Golf Association's Canadian Women's Senior Championship and the Nova Scotia Amateur last year. Personally, I am not a golfer, and have never had a lot of interest in the sport. Perhaps that lack of desire is based on the fact that I used to caddy when I was about 10, [the game was only about six years old then] and hated walking around looking for some guy's ball. And if I was lucky, I made a couple of bucks for a strenuous afternoon. However, having said that, I have high respect for the game as a sport, and have many friends who are insane for every opportunity to play golf. When I lived in Honolulu, I marveled at those who would fly over from Tokyo every Friday night to play because the time on the plane was less than they had to spend waiting to tee-off in their homeland [Of course many fell in love with the city and the 'cheap' real estate there {Where in Tokyo 600 square foot condos sold for $5 million, and where a bedroom was a drawer you pulled out from the wall and crawled into, a 1500 square foot two bedroom in Hawaii would have been less than half that} and bought condo after condo which pushed their already stratospheric prices even higher - but that's another story].

So, a local club that promotes a healthy life-style needs a little help? Let's give it to them, without any rancor. Osprey is one more good reason to visit the South Shore - and many do because of it. And the money they leave behind on gas, lodging, shopping and meals will more than make up that $79,000 short-fall.

'Fore!!!'

See you at the 19th. hole....Here's more from Keith Corcoran, of Lighthouse Media.

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Coast Comment: When is enough enough? - 4/25/10

One of the nice things about having your own web-site is that you get to air things that either upset you, or about which you are passionate. And you have to be careful, because there is a fine line between writing something that will be perceived as simply good, well researched work, or a rant. Rants diminish, in this person's opinion anyway, the ability of the writer to be taken seriously, even though what he's writing about might be right on the money.

We have tried, for example, not to get into a rant over the Cat story now in our 'Archives' section, but it has been difficult to be level-headed when this is such an emotional issue. And it didn't have to be. But very little due diligence [or none whatsoever] was done on the part of the government to arrive at such an errant decision, one that will literally slaughter the dreams and futures of so many in Southwestern Nova Scotia.

It is also difficult not to go into a rant over someone who has been convicted 48 times of driving without a license, and is still a free man. Scott Martell, a painter now from Dartmouth, but formerly of Bridgewater, owes some $58,000 in traffic fines, and has been caught 48 times driving on a suspended license. I remember being in a Texas courtroom many years back when a pleasant looking man in a spiffy suit stood before a judge. I was there as a character witness for an employee, and the man before the judge was present for a sentence hearing for his fifth DWI [Driving While Intoxicated].

"Mr. Smith," the judge started. "You're a successful person, own your own insurance company, you belong to the Kiwanis, the Rotary, and you're a pillar of your church, as many of your supporters have said this morning, hoping I will be lenient on you." The robed gentleman sitting up before his bench paused momentarily, pulled thoughtfully on his chin, and continued. "And this is going to be a sad day for a lot of people - you, your family, your friends. You see the problem is that you don't get it, and it appears you will never get it, and I have no other choice but to protect the citizens of the state of Texas. I have more of an obligation to do that than I have to give you yet another lecture, another chance, so to speak, and set you free." And with that, he sentenced him to ten years at Huntsville Prison. Amos Smith [not his real name], I thought to myself, church-goer, Rotarian, owner of a successful insurance agency, Amos Smith, your life is over. And it effectively was.

But the judge made the right decision - he had no other rational choice. Obviously the correct one, because Amos Smith had not yet 'gotten it,' and probably never would. He went to where Texas houses its death-row inmates - where the worst of the worst spend their last days and where the time is not easy and passes slower than a month of root-canals at the dentist.

I am reminded of another story. A man's house catches on fire, but he runs back in to save his pet rattle snake. He grabbed it out of its terrarium, and then bolted out the door for his life. Once outside he looked the snake in the eyes, tears of joy running down his cheeks that it and he were safe. Feeling a bonding moment, he said "My God, I'm glad I was able to rescue you!" With that, the rattler drew back and struck a fatal blow to the owner's left cheek. "Why did you do that?," the man cried. "I just saved your life." Without missing a beat the snake replied, "Because it's just my nature."

Well, it's just Scott Martell's nature to either not care about driving illegally, or to just be flipping the big one at the system. Frankly, it's just criminal that he is not up at Dorchester for a really long time. He is - like Amos Smith - a time bomb waiting to kill someone, because the odds are sooner than later that will happen. Clearly, Mr. Martell has lost all regard and respect for the system, and could care less if he gets 'caught one more time.'

But do you know who also doesn't get it? The judicial system, which makes the laws, or individual judges within it who are sworn to uphold them. Any system - or judge - that would have allowed this man to get past three or four convictions without major prison time is seriously flawed. How on earth can someone who cares nothing for the law be allowed to just go free - again and again and again and again and again - up to 48 times? At this point, we know Mr. Martell could give the proverbial damn, but if he kills someone it will because of the judge who sets him free again. After all, Scott Martell can't help himself, because 'It's just his nature.'

Click this for the full story on Mr. Martell, thanks to Lisa Brown. At least it is today's complete story. But we guarantee you that unless he is locked up for a very, very long time, we have not heard the end of him.

Why should he be expected to respect the law when those who had had him before them in their courts have not? And that's the real crime here.

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4/25/10 - A special cermony at the cenotaph in Mahone Bay honouring 39 fallen vets was held on Sunday, April 25. Sadly, sometimes thoughts of these heroes can be lost in the passage of time, but this was a wonderful occasion and opportunity to keep their memories alive. These men, for the most part, were not even out of their teens, yet they went over-seas and fought - and died - for the freedoms we enjoy today. God bless them, and thank-you Mahone Bay for keeping their memories sacred.

- Want to volunteer? One of Bridgewater's voluteers, Michael Graves, says that "Volunteering has helped make this town not ordinary, but 'extra-ordinary.'" We couldn't agree more. Call your local town hall to find out how you can volunteer - you'll feel better about yourself, and make your community stronger and, yes, "extra-ordinary."

- Lunenburg's Atlantic Bridge Co. [ABCO] is now doing sea trials on the 60 foot Viola M. Davidson, a sophisticated research vessel built for the Canadian Coast Guard by that company. John Meisner, ABCO's CEO said, "There's only one other like it, and we built it here." Ms. Davidson was one of the first women to do oceanic research in Canada and she carried out her studies at the St. Andrew's Biological Station in that New Brunswick coastal town, where the ship will call home. For more details, see the complete story in The Halifax Herald, and we thank them for this. By the way ABCO is one of the most innovative manufacturing companies in its field in North America , if not the entire world. Among things they build like ships and conveyor systems, they also make and sell food processing equipment to companies as far away as Australia. Their ingenuity and work ethic is endemic of that found along the South Shore. Hit the ABCO link for their truly interesting story.

- Filming started on April 19th. in Lunenburg for 13 part, $12 mil, mini-series, 'Haven.' "The impact of this multimillion-dollar production is 'substantial' to the community," Mayor Mawhinney said. "Film people will obviously be using local hotels and restaurants, and local goods and services." Thanks to the Halifax Herald for the complete story....Street closures will be in effect on May 8th., so check this out. By the way, CBS's 'Jesse Stone' with Tom Selleck was filmed in Lunenburg. Lunenburg is no stranger to the film world as many movies/TV shows have been shot in this historic town. And the HMS Bounty was built at Smith and Rhuland Shipyards in 1960 for the MGM remake of the famous classic, Mutiny on the Bounty.

- Viola Desmond would love this [long over-due] day. As a black woman traveling through New Glasgow in 1946, while waiting for a car repair to be completed, she decided to go to a movie in a local theater. She ultimately was arrested and jailed for sitting in the 'Whites Only' section. The Nova Scotia government has decided to give her a pardon, even though she died in 1965. What is sadder than her being arrested in the first place, is that it took so long for absolution to take place. But thanks to the Provincial government for recognizing that this wrong needed to be corrected. And thanks to Rogers News for the full background on this story. We have added them to the media bar at the top of this page, and apologize to you for this prior over-sight.

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COAST COMMENT: Would you cancel a service bringing in almost 80,000 tourists every summer? The government thought it was a good idea...2/4/10 - 4/17/10

"Unless there's some huge mystery I'm missing, canceling the ferry without a viable replacement is probably one of the stupidest business decisions ever. We used to take it all the time - this will be devastating for the people of the Yarmouth area." - Gene Scott, former News Director, CHUM-1050, Toronto.

"You've asked me what I think of Percy Paris' decision to cancel The Cat? You can't print what I have to say about that. This decision is so bad - you know, each person coming off that ship was subsidized by the province to the tune of $40. They would spend that before they got 30 miles out of Yarmouth. Then he publicly states that we could 'Make it up' by taking advantage of a bike rally in Digby. What on earth was the government thinking?" - Robert Newell, CEO, Newell Lobster Ltd., Yarmouth.

"Good planning requires a thorough analysis and due consideration to all options and impact of actions. The cancellation of the Maine-Yarmouth ferry without an alternative course of action lacks foresight and was not fully thought out. I am personally concerned with the impact of the ferry cancellation on rural Nova Scotia, and in particular the Yarmouth-Valley corridor. The decision [by Mr. Paris and the Premier] for all intents and purposes appears to lack any meaningful community consultation and acknowlegement of the needs of the area's businesses and citizens" - Peter Zwicker, President of the Lunenburg Constituency of the PC Party.

"I checked out your site and saw things I never knew about [regarding this story]. But this is just an awful decision..," Sharon Lloyd, owner, Yarmouth Wool Shoppe, in a comment to Coast-FM.

"I must say that I am increasingly caught up in this issue thanks for the most part to your having brought it more significantly to my attention via your site. I can't help but think that your approach to this is going to stimulate a considerable degree of reaction ...," Graham Hart, CHEX-TV, Peterboro, Ont.

"My husband and I have been taking the ferry off and on for the past twenty-two years, and are really disappointed that it will not be running this summer - he just can't do the drive all the way around. After reading your commentary on everything that's happened, we realize that stupid politicians are not just limited to the United States! This is a real shame for the people of Yarmouth, but you have done a heckuva job in covering this story...," Deanna Chase, North Carolina.

"Percy continues to scramble around on this one trying to find an out - he's the guy that's supposed to promote and support our economy and tourism industry. I know he knows in his heart that he has royally messed up his first test of competency. It's time he steps aside and let someone else pick up the pieces!" -Chris d'Entremont, MLA for Argyle, referring to Percy Paris, Nova Scotia's Minister of Tourism, on his decision to cancel The Cat.

"We are a year 'round business, but this decision certainly will have a negative effect on us...," Danny Morton, General Manager, White Point Beach Lodge, Liverpool.

The following story continues to develop, and is possibly the most important issue facing Nova Scotia today. Because tourism is such a huge part of our economy, anything that messes with its success and future is a major unknown and detrimental to the prosperity of all Nova Scotians - particularly those in the Southwestern part of the province, where this story takes place. What is so sad is this all could have been prevented, and the economic turmoil which will ensue is absolutely unnecessary and totally reflective of government policies that have no basis in reason. This, then is what has unfolded in Premier Dexter's decision to cancel the 'Cat' ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia.

One more thing....The goal of this radio station will be to try to make things better for our community. We want to do this through an interaction with its residents, and by contributing in ways that will help those who need it [At the bottom of the News section, we say how].

The following story is not designed to heap blame on a particular political party or to point fingers. Rather, it is designed to show just how incompetence at the highest level has - and really will - hurt those who have literally had their economic rug pulled out from underneath them. To have canceled this service with no alternative plan - coupled with a complete refusal to discuss this decision subsequently with local officials [or even before]- borders on very simply the government having missed some serious facts, and shown as degree of unacceptable arrogance.

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For the uninitiated, 'The Cat' was the high speed [50 mph - 80 kph] ferry that for the last ten or so summers traveled between Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. A ship capable of carrying 900 passengers and 260 cars and trucks, it was a major conduit for tourists coming into Nova Scotia. According to Canadian Border Services in Yarmouth, in 2009, some 77,000 disembarked, bringing in $33 million in dollars spent. One doesn't have to be the sharpest knife in the drawer to understand this is serious business, and the loss of this service will be an almost impossible void to fill - certainly in the short term. To understand how this economic and impending sociological disaster [because of all the turmoil it will cause families whose breadwinners' have lost their jobs] has unfolded in a time-line, read down....

February 3rd.: About 250 Canadian Auto Workers demonstrated in Halifax to protest the government's cancellation of the service. Phil Mooney, the Mayor of Yarmouth, said, in essence, "We have no train here, no bus, no airplane, and now they want to take our ferry away."

We at Coast-FM spoke extensively with Mayor Mooney. "This decision by the Minister of Economic Development, Percy Paris, is impossible to comprehend," Mayor Mooney said. "Greg Kerr [MP for West Nova] and I met with Mr. Paris this afternoon [Feb. 4th.] and asked him to reconsider his decision. 'It is not up for discussion,' he told us. We further asked him to phone Peter MacKay, Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency to discuss the possibility of finding a way out of this mess. Mr. Paris refused to do so, saying it was a 'closed matter.'"

The decision by the Provincial Government on December 15 to stop subsidizing this ferry is, in our opinion, a huge, major mistake which will have far-reaching - and cataclysmic - consequences for Yarmouth and the entire region, including all of the rest of Nova Scotia. Immediately it will terminate the employment of 500 - what will it cost to keep them on unemployment? What will it cost the Yarmouth area in diminished retail sales because 500 people do not have a full salary? How many more will this affect? Will car dealers suffer? Of course they will. Will clothing and hardware stores and restaurants not feel this decision? Of course they will. Will businesses in Shelburne, Barrington Passage, Liverpool, Bridgewater, Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Chester and every place inbetween not feel the pinch of 76,000 people not coming to Nova Scotia? Of course they will. Will crime increase in the Yarmouth area? Mayor Mooney told us the head of the local RCMP already has expressed that concern to him. The amount of the losses will far exceed the amount necessary to subsidize this run. "And, the Mayor continued, "already, the effects of this are starting: the Rodd Grand Hotel has already appealed its tax assessment - this is just the beginning of this financial disaster."

     "The Provincial Government kicked in $6.85 million to create fifty jobs at the Shelburne Shipyard. We have no problem with that. But extropolate that out to save 500 jobs here, and it translates into $68.5 million - keeping The Cat on track will cost only $6.5 million per year, less than a tenth of that. This just doesn't add up," Mayor Mooney said.

     "From Maine to Yarmouth is a sea highway - the provincial government builds highways to transport our people, goods and products. But," as Mayor Mooney stated, "this ocean highway doesn't have to be plowed, salted, paved or maintained in any fashion whatsoever. And, it's incredibly safe," he added. "The Cat has been part of this community for over a decade - Yarmouth needs this ferry, Nova Scotia needs this ferry. This just isn't a 'Yarmouth problem.'"

In an editorial, Vernon Oickle, editor of The Bridgewater Bulletin and The Progress Enterprise said this on January 5th. of this year:

     "How much subsidy is too much? The answer to that question is, potentially, millions and millions of dollars and, considering the negative impact this decision will have on the region's tourism industry and, in turn, the area's overall economy, it's a reasonable assertion to suggest that this is the NDP government's first major gaff since taking office last June.

     "Just before Christmas, the government, faced with a projected deficit of $525 million next year, announced that there would be no more money for Bay Ferries Ltd. to help keep the service in operation. In previous years, the provincial government provided subsidies of $1.3 million in 2005, $2.5 million in 2007, $4.4 million in 2008 and $12 million in 2009. It is rumoured that the company was looking for $6 million in 2010, a small price to pay for such an important piece of infrastructure. Surely the negative impact due to the loss of the ferry service will result in greater costs to the province than the subsidy itself, as the cut will not only be felt in Yarmouth, but also throughout all of southwestern Nova Scotia.

     "Immediately lost are 120 full- and part-time jobs created by the ferry service. Such a drastic job loss will have far-reaching implications for the economy. But the losses don't end there. Without the ferry service bringing the thousands of tourists to the region, there will be further residual damage as tourism-based businesses such as accommodations, campgrounds, restaurants and other attractions will be seriously and irrevocably damaged by the loss of revenues.

    "With the ferry service gone, watch for more business closures and loss of jobs as the ripple effects of this bad decision spread throughout the region. How major the impact remains to be seen, but it only stands to reason that the removal of some 75,000 to 100,000 paying customers annually looms heavily over an already struggling tourism industry.

    "This could be the death knoll for tourism in the area. We would like to know in making this decision what studies the government undertook to determine the fallout? Were there any public consultations? Did the government pursue other options? Is the government prepared to deal with the resulting economic crisis in the region? The government will argue that they did give due diligence to this process, but on the surface it seems just the opposite is true.

   "Money is short. The province is in a financial crisis. Tough decisions have to be made. We get all that. However, we don't expect a government to balance the budget on the backs of hard-working Nova Scotians with little hope of finding alternate employment in an already economically depressed region. Instead, we expect government to cut other expensive programs such as some of the silly marketing schemes that have been tried throughout the years.

    "Governments have a responsibility to maintain infrastructure and it can be argued that, although the ferry service was operated by a privately run company, that service is a vital and important link in this province's transportation, tourism and overall economic infrastructure. Surely that must be worth $6 million."

We think Mr. Oickle 'nailed it.' Coast-FM hopes there's more than one life left in this Cat, because this ferry is a huge link to the prosperity of tourism on the South Shore. Because this decision will adversely affect everyone in Nova Scotia, we strongly suggest you contact your local chamber of commerce, mayor, tourism bureau. We highly doubt Mr. Paris will reverse his decision, BUT we think it can be over-ruled from the federal level.

Brett Evans, president of the Nova Scotia branch of the Customs and Immigration union said the withdrawal of service may endanger Port of Entry status for Yarmouth. Jeannie Baldwin, Regional Executive Vice-President of the Public Service Alliance of Canada said this assault on a quality public service could have devastating implications for the workers, their families and their community.

One other note....Mayor Mooney brought up a very salient point: "Under the Premiership of Robert Stanfield, a division separate from the government, called Industrial Estates, was set up to encourage business to come to Nova Scotia. This is how Michelin Tire came to the province, setting up three major plants here. Industrial Estates was composed of brilliant people who came from the business world, ones who knew business and who could speak with their counter-parts from other parts of the world." We hear Mayor Mooney loud and clear on this - Nova Scotia needs this kind of agency back so Nova Scotia can compete on the world market for these companies that give so much to our communities.

Update: On Sunday morning, Feb. 7, Mayor Mooney appeared on local CJLS's open-line show - there are always two sides to a story, but it appears when there's a decision this stupid, there is only one side - no one phoned in for support of the government's position on this move. Mayor Mooney told Coast-FM: "The lines were lit up - we could have gone for another 14 hours!"

This story, by the way, was featured on the front page of Feb. 7th's Halifax Herald.....

Update, Feb. 8: Mayor Mooney told Coast-FM tonight that he now has the support of 55 mayors from all the towns in Nova Scotia, as well as the heads of UNSM - The Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. Coast-FM will be contacting Darrell Dexter and Percy Paris for their response to this ground-swell developing against their party's move.

Update, Feb. 11: The first casualty in the Yarmouth area regarding Mr. Paris' decision is Captain Kelly's. "This was the hardest decision of my life," Brian Rodney said, referring to closing his bar/restaurant which had been open for over 20 years. "We have to lay off nine people - they are all I can think about." Coast-FM continues to work with Mayor Mooney and Gary Nickerson of CJLS, Yarmouth in an effort to get this crazy decision rescinded.

Mayor Mooney met with Premier Dexter Tuesday night in Saint John at the Federal Atlantic Conservative Caucus, and told him that "if the ... government thinks people will give up on the ferry issue, they're sorely mistaken." If you'd like to help with the 'ferry fight,' please contact CAT CENTRAL at 902-742-7159.

Update, Feb. 12: News today that a U.S. air carrier might be seeking a route from New England to Yarmouth. This would guarantee Yarmouth continued status as a 'port of entry,' good news for an area brought to its knees by the Paris decision.

Update, Feb. 14: CJLS ran their 'Weekender' show again this morning, featuring more talk on the ferry issue. One caller [and the only one in favor of this decision in the last two Sunday shows] said that it was a 'wise decision' to cut the Cat, because it 'lost money.' With all due respect to the caller, she simply had no idea what she was talking about. Yes, the ship itself does lose money, hence the need for the subsidy. BUT - and this 'But' is as tall as the CN Tower - The Cat brings in $33 million in revenue to Nova Scotia, and its termination of service will cost the province another $30-40 million in money that will be lost to UIC benefits, an erosion of the local tax base, increase in crime, etc. etc. A video was produced yesterday in support of the Cat, but sadly, that will not sway the feds to over-ride the Dexter government's decision. What will is the huge economic devastation that will occur with the removal of this ferry service. However, the video accurately points out the passion locals have on this issue, and their desperation over this heinous decision by Mr. Paris. Another caller suggested that union members affected by this move stop paying their dues and instead kick that money into a fund to help keep the ferry running. One other said that a fund should be set up for the same reason. This is an intense issue, and to quote Mayor Mooney, "It is the most important issue facing Nova Scotia today." Mayor Mooney is dead on the mark. "We will fight to the end," Mayor Mooney added.

Update, Feb. 15: The video came out today! Here it is....And Twin Cities Air Services announced today that it will be flying between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, probably four times a week starting in March. This will preserve some jobs for Canadian Border Services.

Update, Feb. 18: We contacted Pam Birdsall, NDP MLA for the South Shore, expressing our concern over this cancellation. This is her response:

     "I think that Minister Paris' decision, in consultation with the Department of Economic development staff and Department of Tourism staff, and the owners of Bay Ferries was a timely one. I think there should be a ferry in Yarmouth, one that people can afford to use, one that has schedules that benefit Yarmouth, and one that has a commercial component.

      "The owners of Bay Ferries knew that they could not continue as they had with rising operation costs and fewer passengers using the service. The provincial government is working with the federal government to see if there can be help from that area. I think there should be a federal component with international travel. The ACOA report is being fast tracked right now and hopefully a solution for this summer will be found. That is what we are working toward."

We have known Pam for over 30 years, and she is a good, compassionate person. We thank her for responding, and hope that her party will work with the feds to get this done. We understand that a commercial component is always part of any business decision, and we don't necessarily have a problem with the cancellation of this service, but rather its cancellation before an alternative, viable one can replace it.

News also in that a Florida consortium is looking at establishing a Maine-Yarmouth link. Where the port would be in Maine is not yet clear, nor is there any commitment from the Florida group. They have said, however, that a catamaran type hull is the wrong type of hull for the crossing, and that they would be looking at a mono-hull. Obviously, more to come.

And in a late development, Premier Darrell Dexter told Gary Nickerson of CJLS news, that the ferry issue is a 'closed matter.' And in a meeting with Nova Scotia's finance minister Friday night, Mayor Mooney was told the same thing - 'It's a dead issue.'

Update, Feb. 24: Here's where the math says that The Cat has to be reinstated: Mayor Mooney and his associates have put together $2.5-3 million to give to the Province. The Province is going to have to pay Bay Ferries a $3 million cancellation fee. If they do not do that, it will have to pay Bay Ferries a $6 million subsidy. BUT, if they receive the $3 million from the Yarmouth group, then the Province will only have to subsidize it $3 million. The Province will be out $3 million either way - the huge difference of course, is that by keeping the ferry running, UIC benefits will not have to be made, a tax base won't erode in Yarmouth and adjacent counties, AND, a tremendous economic disaster will have been squashed. The Premier has NO CHOICE but to keep the Cat running. Whether the ferry is cancelled or is kept running, the Province will be out the exact same amount either way - this is truly a 'no-brainer.'

Update, Feb. 25: Premier Dexter says 'No' to the offer from the Yarmouth based group, saying 'We will not visit the issue again.' This decision made absolutely no sense in the first place, and even less with the subsidy being halved to equal the termination fee. It is difficult for us to comprehend any logic in this matter, and our hearts go out to those thousands who will be horribly affected by this insensitive ruling. Here's the latest from CJLS.

Update, Feb. 28: Danny Morton, General Manager, White Point Beach Lodge, Liverpool told us this: "What people have to understand today, is that we have to compete globally to get people to come here, and the government's role is to make it easier, not more difficult for them to do so. Many of our guests come from Ontario and the States, and they have used the Cat. Until an alternative can be found, we can pretty much assume a percentage of those people will not becoming here any more. We are a year 'round business, but this decision certainly will have a negative effect on us."

And Andy Baxter, the NDP candidate for West Nova said in today's Halifax Herald: "The ongoing local anger over the cancellation of a subsidy for the Cat ferry is giving [me] second thoughts about carrying the party’s banner. It seems like there’s just one thing after the other, and I don’t know whether I actually want to run for this group or not," he said.

Update: March 5: $203 million has been allocated in the budget just handed down for other ferry services in the Atlantic region, but the Cat is not mentioned. Unless a miracle can come in at the last minute, it appears on the surface that this will be a dead issue.

Last night, United States Consul General Anton Smith [Mr. Smith is based in Halifax] spoke to the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. He expressed ties with the consul that go back to 1830, and thoughts of establishing a pre-clearance unit for U.S. Border Protection in Yarmouth. This, of course, would be dependent on an international ferry existence, but this would add additional revenue coming into the area, of course. At the end of his talk, most of the time was devoted to discussing the ferry issue, and he said he would be happy to lead a delegation down to Maine and do whatever possible to get the Cat on track for this summer's run.

Meantime, Conservative MP Peter MacKay has said 'there is no more money for the Cat.' In the event one might think we have been down on the NDP over this issue [We have been and are], the Federal Government's stance on this issue is equally terrible. We at Coast-FM - and those in the Yarmouth area - have been hoping that the Feds would see the falacy of the Provincial position. This is just a really bad decision.

$3 million dollars - the amount needed from someone to keep the ferry running - is three-one hundreths of one percent of the CBC's annual budget, projected to be this year, at $1.3 billion. We have no axe to grind with the CBC, but cutting their budget - or that of another government run entity - by 3/100s of one percent to save this ferry - and 500 jobs, and the economic prosperity of an entire region - has to be done. We have to think that the Canadian Federal Government could find $3 million in all its money it doles out across the country. Put another way, the extra $3 million is only another one and one half percent that could - and should - have been added to the allocation for ferries for Atlantic Canada. By the way, this works out to about a dollar for every citizen in Atlantic Canada.

Again - and we hate to be redundant - but the loss to the area will be 20-30 times greater than the $3 million being sought.

Update, March 15: The unemployment numbers are out for Shelburne-Yarmouth-Digby counties, and they are grim - 15.8%. They do not, of course, reflect the damage that will occur as a result of the Cat's being canceled.

Update, March 25 : Interim Conservative party leader Karen Casey has announced that her party wants a debate on this issue, saying, in effect, that 'they [the NDP] didn't fully understand the consequences of cutting the ferry off.' Ms. Casey has written a letter to the Speaker, requesting this debate. She is the PC member from Colchester-North. Coast-FM is happy to see her stand on this important issue.

Update, March 31: It's over - Mark McDonald, President of Bay Ferries, has left a eulogy on his website. This is a blow that an area with unemployment hovering near 16% just doesn't need to have laid upon them. The economics don't make sense - and there simply has been no logic in the decision to cancel this service.

Mayor Mooney told Coast-FM tonight that Premier Dexter will be coming to Yarmouth April 7, and meeting with local officials to 'see what can be done.' What can be done? Little, as the economic devastation will start to take its course because there just isn't enough time to generate a business to replace the Cat is such a short period of time. We know from our tracking that many of you in the Yarmouth area have been following our take on this story, and we thank you for your interest. This is so important, we are going to highlight it: We strongly urge you to contact local officials who will be meeting with the Premier, that you want to have a town-hall meeting where you can speak directly with Mr. Dexter.

Update, April 1: The provincial government has just announced an early 'buyout' of the Bay Ferries contract, giving the ferry corp a one-time payment of $2.4 million, instead of six monthly cheques of $500,000 each.

Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism and Economic Development, said the following: "It's important to the people of Yarmouth that we re-allocate the savings from this agreement to help spur tourism and economic development in this and neighbouring communities."

Let's see if we have this picture. There was a viable business in place [The Cat], bringing in 77,000 tourists annually, who brought with them $33 million - already there, the infrastructure, the business model, a track record. Granted, economic conditions were showing declining numbers, but without any sort of contingency plan for a new ferry, you decided to cancel this service, and now wish to do 'studies' with the $600,000 'saved.' These 'studies' - with all due respect to Team West, the agency in charge of doing this due diligence - will look for entrepreneurs who will scramble to come up with ways to replace this $33 million. And not just replace it, but to start replacing it by June, the time when the Cat would have started running again.

The government bottom line: "Let's kill a viable business that brings in $33 million in tourism revenue with something, but we don't know what that 'something' is. Further, let's replace this $33 million with $600 thousand to try to figure out that 'something,' and in the process, let's wreck a local economy, with a ripple effect that will negatively impact the rest of Nova Scotia." Did the government say this? No. Do its actions suggest this? Absolutely.

How many families will be torn apart by this heinous decision? How much will be paid out in UIC benefits? How many businesses, businesses built up for over 100 years when there was ferry service, will close this spring and summer? How much will the towns of Yarmouth, Shelburne and Liverpool lose in tax revenues? If a hotel did five million in sales when the Cat was running, and will only do $1.5 mil this year, will it not have a good agrument to lower its tax assessment? Will this lowered tax assessment not filter down to the local garages, hard-ware stores, drug stores and every other business in the area? You get the idea.

As part of their justification for canceling the service, the government's position is that for every person stepping off the ferry, it cost the province $400. Chris d'Entremont, the MLA for Argyle, says this is 'nonsense,' the correct figure being somewhere near $55. Mayor Mooney told us that the province counts vehicles, not people, and that means a tour bus is counted as 'one.' This is ludicrous, and it is impossible to dispute Canadian Border Services, who put the number at 77,000 for 2009.

Update, April 7: Today, Premier Dexter spoke with the Yarmouth Town Council in a closed-door session. He has promised a $200,000 package to promote this part of the province, and said "My decision [to cancel the ferry service] will eventually be seen as the right one." May we respectfully ask, Mr. Dexter, "By whom?" Is there one person in Southwestern Nova Scotia who would even think of agreeing with this? The question is rhetorical.

      "There weren't a lot of people wanting their picture taken with the Premier," one resident told us. "People are really angry here, and the Premier just doesn't 'get it.'" Another said, "His reception was cold, and he wasn't welcome here."

We spoke with Mayor Mooney tonight who told us that there is now serious talk of having Grant Thornton do an audit on the true costs of this decision to kill the ferry. "They are going to look at it all - costs to the government for unemployment insurance benefits, loss of sales tax revenues, loss of tax assessments, loss of sales to restaurants, gift shops, hotels, motels, and so on. And this figure will be way more than the $33 million the ferry brought in. It will be fifteen, twenty times what it would have cost to keep the ferry running another year," the Mayor added.

      "This move is devastating to us," the owner of The Yarmouth Wool Shoppe, Sharon Lloyd, told us. "We won't cut staff, but we will be cutting hours. This is just an awful decision. And to cut the Cat? People liked its high speed - going back to the six hour crossing would be like going back to dial-up internet."

Update, April 8: Again tonight, we spoke with Mayor Mooney who said it is the Municipal Units of Shelburne/Yarmouth who have engaged Grant Thornton to do a study of the jobs lost, and to basically address the questions we have asked Mr. Paris in the letter above, at the head of this article. "This has to be done so that when we go for government assistance on this project or that, we'll have data to back up our requests," Mayor Mooney said. "We are now getting figures of 2,000 jobs that will be lost from Digby around to Bridgewater," Mr. Mooney continued. "The impact of this decision is only starting to show. The good news is that we have been in touch with five ferry operators who are interested in reinstating a service in 2011," he added.

The irony is that Bay Ferries is one of the parties that is in the running. Dave Whiting, Port Manager for Yarmouth, says he is waiting to hear from Transport Canada so terms on transfering control and ownership of the ferry terminal can be worked out. "Then we can look at funding for it," he said. "We'll also want to know where it will be flagged." 'Flagged' means the country of registry, obviously a concern to any port because of potential liability should a vessel be 'flagged' in a third-world country. This is often done for tax reasons more than anything else. As an example the former Bar Harbor-Yarmouth ferry, MV Bluenose, was 'flagged' in the Bahamas, but it's highly unlikely it ever saw that part of the world.

Update, April 17: The Cat left Yarmouth today for Bar Harbor, where it will undergo scheduled maintenance. CEO of Bay Ferries, Mark MacDonald indicates he does not know the future yet of the ship, as to whether it will be sold or leased. Meantime, Keith Ashfield, Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, met with a group of Team Southwest in Yarmouth today, along with local mayors, wardens and CEOs of local businesses in an introductory meeting to get the area 'jump started' after the decision to kill the Cat. "There's lots of opportunity and ingenuity to move the area forward," he said.

We'll keep you posted. The story is only going to get more interesting.

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Posted 4/18/10 - Sharon MacIntosh of Smoke Free Nova Scotia says that 12% of the 301 Bridgewater residents polled who smoke shows they are trying to quit after a new by-law was enacted Sept. 1, 2008, basically forbidding smoking in all outside recreation areas within the town's limits. She said "With fewer areas in which to smoke, many now are trying to stop." That's a good thing, and our hats off to those who have helped those stop, and to those trying to kick the habit. The 'haze' in the area is, thankfully, diminishing!

- The hated blended sales tax has just gone up 15.35% to 15%. In case one thinks we're playing with the numbers, the government wants you to believe it's "only 2 percentage points." Yes, it is, but a 2 percentage point increase on 13% is a 15.35% increase.

Government needs to find ways to lower taxes, not raise them. Governments don't provide and create jobs, private individuals do. Nova Scotia competes with every other province and U.S. state and other world areas for capital for manufacturing. Companies that move here don't just do it because they like it here, they do it because there are capital advantages to doing so. Everytime there is a tax increase the attractiveness of Nova Scotia as a place to do business erodes, even if ever so slightly.

Raising a sales tax by 15% will erode consumer purchasing, and that is undeniable. This increase - like any other tax increase - hurts business, and takes more from the consumer pocket. Meantime businesses in the Amherst area are fearing that shoppers will go into neighbouring New Brunswick to shop, a move that will obviously hurt them. The N.B. government has said it will not raise its sales tax, which makes an increase in cross-border shopping an even likelier prospect.

That erupting volcano in Iceland which has played havoc with trans-Atlantic flights recently, is also playing havoc with the lobster market. Getting them to Europe has been difficult - if not impossible - and now, freight flights are backed up for weeks. Lobster fishermen are getting around $4/pound for the tasty crustaceans. Colin MacDonald, CEO of Clearwater Lobster, Canada's largest fish retailer/wholesaler, says that if this had happened in a few weeks, it would have been devastating. However, he said, most of that intended for Europe will go to the States and Asia. Robert Newell, of Newell Lobster, Ltd., in Yarmouth, told us that this hasn't affected them that much, as most of their lobsters go to the U.S. and distributed from there, but that the majority go to Spain and Italy, out of the path of the eruption.

What is reasonable expectation? COAST COMMENT - 4/3/10

In this writer's view, it is the performance of a conscious act, with a known outcome. Example: You check into a first rate hotel with the reasonable expectation that you will have a good stay. And in case you wonder why we are featuring this story, you should - when you are traveling - ask your hotel what kinds of security measures they have in place - this could be done on line prior to your departure. This, unfortunately, could happen to anyone, anywhere.

So why, then with reasonable expectation of a nice, quiet evening in a first class hotel, did it turn into a night-mare for a U.S. couple? That's what happened when a woman was assaulted at the Sheraton Four Points in Halifax as she went for a vending machine drink early Saturday morning. She was smart enough to lure her attacker back into her hotel room, where her husband was able to tackle and scare off the man. The alleged perp, 21 year old Andrew Norman Wilson, an Alberta native, has been arrested and is being held on multiple charges at the correctional center in Dartmouth. Wilson appeared in court on Tuesday, the 7th., and his bail hearing began in court on Friday, April 10th. Prosecutors are opposed to his being released, and he will remain in custody until another court appearance on the 15th. He is a member of the Canadian Forces, stationed in Edmonton.

Staff Sergeant Darrell Gaudet of HPD told Coast-FM: "This is a first. Normally sexual assaults occur when someone has been stalked, or someone is on drugs. But not in a hotel like this. We found him in the stairway on the 4th. floor - it was an easy arrest, because we have a lot of units downtown on the weekend. Also, the victim kept her cool, which was very important."

We are looking into whether there is a data base where hotels can scan the IDs of suspicious people. This could be done with Social Insurance/Social Security card numbers. Wilson was a registered guest at the hotel. We had some questions about this incident for Fortis Properties, the umbrella group that owns the hotel, but Gail Tucker, Manager of Corporate Communications, told us 'We cannot comment, because this is an on-going police investigation.'

The couple, visibly shaken by the incident, cut their trip short to Nova Scotia and have returned to the U.S. This crime - unfairly - will be seen as a 'Halifax or Nova Scotia thing,' and that is unfortunate.

So what can you do to protect yourself? You carry around a spare tire and jack in your car, hoping you will never have to use them. But, they are there in the event of an emergency. Is pepper spray legal in your community? Call your local police department to see. In fact, call your local police department to see what devices might protect you and be legal.

This website is seen all over the world, and is read by many who live where pepper spray is legal. Pepper spray as a defensive item is very effective - certainly not against a gun or any other weapon that could be used from a distance. But it might have saved the life of Toronto singer, Taylor Mitchell, who was mauled to death by two coyotes in a Cape Breton park last fall. Just recently, another coyote attack occurred on a woman in Maitland, but she was able to break free with no serious injuries. And just recently, a cow and calf were attacked and killed in a farmer's field near Yarmouth. The farmer [who wishes to remain anonymous] has been given permission to carry a shot-gun during daylight hours to protect his herd. Meantime, Minister of Natural Resources, The Hon. John MacDonnell, is calling for a bounty on coyotes. Again, it's a reasonable expectation that you should be able to go for a walk or hike in a provincial or national park or simply farm cattle without putting your life on the line.

It's also a reasonable expectation that our police won't commit crimes. Yet it happens. Is this a black mark on the RCMP? Of course not. They are a fine organization with integrity and honesty built into every pore. But, if one of their own commits a crime, that person - if found guilty - should not be given a 'second chance,' or put at a desk job. RCMP officers know going into their jobs that they are to be examples, to live their lives free of under-handed activities. A 'DWI' [driving while intoxicated] is a serious crime with potentially devastating consequences, and cannot be tolerated from anyone, yet alone a member of the national police force. Again, it's a reasonable expectation that we should be able to go for a Sunday drive without worrying about a peace officer running into us because he or she's been drinking.

We live in a crazy world these days, and one can only hope for the best but prepare for the worst.