To the editor,
Re: New Glasgow first Nova Scotia town to receive Cougar.
Pictou County’s buildings, streets, and monuments communicate ideas about the region’s history and character. In Stellarton, for example, the marquee on Hector Building Supplies reminds us of a time when the town had its own movie theatre and also provides a space to celebrate/embarrass friends with sneaky birthday messages. Throughout the county, miner’s memorials and cenotaphs teach us about sacrifice and the experience of the region’s inhabitants, who played a major role in constructing and then defending Canada.
As residents of a region that relies so heavily on the economic boost of tourism, an industry that capitalizes on the friendliness of the county’s people and its rich sense of history, I think we understand that the space we live in and the objects we surround ourselves with tell a story. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to question the New Glasgow police department’s recent decision to accept a Cougar Armoured Vehicle from the Department of National Defence. Are we really comfortable with seeing pictures of the Minister of National Defence and local police officers smiling proudly as they talk about deploying an armoured vehicle used in the Balkans and Somalia in our towns? And do we really want Pictou County to look so much like a militarized zone? The price for this gift from the federal government is a radical change in the story our public space tells.
Peter Thompson
Ottawa (via Stellarton)
What on earth is the difference why this is needed or not? It's not like its going to cost anyone anything but the police department to maintain. Why does PC need 6 or 7 Tim Horton stores, 4 Sobeys stores, 2 malls and multiples of whatever in little PC? Honestly, what is the big deal? People just like to complain I guess.