NEW GLASGOW - The Wellness Centre, as it's called, has become central to the political agenda in Pictou County - and as we printed yesterday, there are more questions to this project than answers.
On more than one occasion, the current stakeholders in this endeavour: municipal councils, their senior staff, the Pictou Regional Development Commission and members of the corporate community, have touted its potential benefit to this county's economy and general well-being. What's missing is a clear picture of a $36 million building - one which will be funded almost entirely by the taxpayer.
The project is now said to be delayed, so much so that there is no time to proceed with further public consultation.
One explanation given was so the public could have more time to respond to an online community survey for a feasibility study on the project. Only 298 people eventually gave their input in this survey.
The News has obtained a copy of the final draft report study on the wellness centre, prepared by dmA Planning & Management Services and dated July 27 - the same day the mayors and warden met to review the document.
Now the PRDC board, which mainly is comprised of municipal officials, will soon review the document again. Meanwhile, councils have begun meeting to discuss their individual concerns with regard to the project and take it to the next phase.
We emphasize that the information reprinted from this report is not by any means the final say on this facility but instead the recommendations from the consultation period. But to our knowledge, it's the first time the general public has had an opportunity to view the point-by-point makeup of this multi-million dollar project as it stands today.
The information vacuum
Whether it's the perception of the general public or not, the process by which the wellness centre project has proceeded has been described as an "information vacuum."
What information is already known hasn't changed much since federal and provincial politicians announced $22 million for it in late March of this year.
Local groups like the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce - groups that stand to benefit from a new facility - say while they support the centre in principle, they have been left out of the loop.
The chamber threw its support behind the project soon after it was announced, but its members and executive say they would like to see more information become available.
Executive director Faus Johnson said that support still exists in principle, but he is concerned about a delay in the project. "We're very concerned that the project may be in jeopardy because of these delays."
And he urges the parties involved to proceed with public consultation.
"It's going to be difficult to get the public to embrace this much-needed facility if people don't know what it's all about," he said. "But right now we're dealing with an information vacuum. So, whoever's driving the ship needs to open it up and bring some people on board so they can have an intelligent conversation about this."
Mayors and staff have been briefed on the project along the way, but individual councillors say the same thing: they need more to go on.
District 6 Coun. David Parker expressed that opinion Wednesday night as his council debated the report. "It's a worthwhile project," he said in a phone interview yesterday. "Let's be up front. What is the real cost and where is that money going to come from … what is going to be in the facility?"
Local government involvement
The News phoned several town mayors in the hopes that they would be able to shed more light on the project, or to give their opinion on the draft report.
New Glasgow Mayor Barrie MacMillan has seen the study, but deferred comment to the town's CAO, Lisa MacDonald. "I think that you should call our CAO - I'm not up to speed," MacMillan said.
Pictou Mayor Joe Hawes also said he wasn't able to get into any details on the study. "We weren't happy with it, I can say that," he said Wednesday, adding he would elaborate in the near future.
Stellarton Mayor Joe Gennoe said that he's never seen a 'final' document, but did add, "We can only build what we have the money for."
The Pictou Regional Development Commission has been involved in the project from the get-go.
Its chairman, Murray Hill, was also chairman of a volunteer steering committee which provided local input during the consultation phase. Hill also presented at several public meetings throughout the spring and summer. He said more would be known as to the next steps of the project in the coming week.
As for the study, he said, "It's going to be put to a PRDC board meeting to receive it and to decide what to do with it."
Also involved is a group known as Citizens for a Healthy Pictou County Society. The Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies lists nine individuals belonging to the society and most are well-known local business leaders. It is this group that has pledged $3 million for the facility. Advocate Printing and Publishing CEO Sean Murray is listed as president.
Murray expressed a desire to speak about the project but deferred to the group's spokesperson for comment. Within a half an hour of discussion with Murray, Hill, who is also listed as a member, called The News back on his behalf.
Given that the six municipalities have become the default owners of the wellness centre, it's difficult to single out any one person as the lead - at least from a municipal perspective.
"And therein lies the problem," said Parker. "There needs to be somebody appointed here to run with this project, at least to the point where we can make a final decision. And I think one or more of those groups that stand to benefit the most need to get serious about that, or this opportunity is going to slip away."
What is impacted?
The biggest question, should this project go ahead, is how this new facility will impact existing recreation facilities.
It may not come as a surprise to anyone to learn the recommendation is to close at least two county rinks, however the study does not outline which ones. "Two existing arenas must be closed when new facilities are developed."
However, the specific mention of the Junior 'A' hockey team dressing room in the cost outline suggests that the John Brother MacDonald Stadium is one of those arenas.
It's also probable that the Stellarton Rink could share the same fate. It is the next closest arena to the proposed facility and oldest in the county.
Gennoe said there has been no talk about that possibility. But should it come to pass, "town council and the rink committee would make the decision."
The Pictou County YMCA's New Glasgow location, should the organization become the managing entity of the facility, would also be closed. As for the future of the Fisheries Training Pool in Pictou, that is less certain. The study recommends that "municipal owners and operators will need to make decisions on a county-wide basis" to determine the future of the pool.
Information, please
Information, please
- Published on August 14th, 2009
- Published on December 30th, 2009
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Sean Kelly
While its health benefits have been extolled, taxpayers still dont have a clear picture of the costs involved with the proposed Wellness Centre ...
NEW GLASGOW - The Wellness Centre, as it's called, has become central to the political agenda in Pictou County - and as we printed yesterday, there are more questions to this project than answers.
On more than one occasion, the current stakeholders in this endeavour: municipal councils, their senior staff, the Pictou Regional Development Commission and members of the corporate community, have touted its potential benefit to this county's economy and general well-being. What's missing is a clear picture of a $36 million building - one which will be funded almost entirely by the taxpayer.
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Comments
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- Arthur
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:32:50
Steps need to be take. step #1 appoint a leader, #2 get facts and figures, note ironclad expenditures and no overruns #3 hold a plebscite among the true stake holders, registered property owners and tax payers. There are several special interest groups speaking out here but the masses have been bypassed. let those who will pay the piper call the tune.
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- george
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:32:44
Dazed you mention dark ages you sound like another poster, do you work for a certain grocery chain. When you say back in the dark ages do you mean when people were in good shape and did not need a multimillion dollar facility to do what comes naturaly like going for a walk , a little work in the yard go for a swim, cross country swim, play ball, play hockey in an existing facility or a multiplicity of activities which cost little or nothing. Dazed take up Yoga clear your head and ceased to be dazed an instead be enlightened.
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- bill
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:30:54
What no tennis courts. In a recent study, tennis was the only sport that showed growth (SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH IN FACT) for participation as compared to all other traditional sports played in the USA...likely the same in Canada. The stats for all other particapating sports including hockey, golf and soccer showed declines. Tennis is becoming the go to sport for all ages including seniors who want to stay healthy and active. Talk about your wellness sport, this is it and it is affordable too.
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- faraway
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:29:59
Chris Cole reading your post makes me think you are one cold hearted uncaring individual, shame on you.
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- spookyduke
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:20:37
Why should Westville put our taxpayers money into a new rink when the town does not own or run the westville rink now.......doesnt make sense
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- Bewildered
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:19:46
As a resident of Pictou on any given day in the summer, or Friday and Saturday evenings during the school year I see a great number of children walking to the Fisheries Training Pool. I can only assume that these children have parents who work or are otherwise unable to drive them to the pool.
In this age of increasing awareness of childrens health in regards to obesity, diabetes, etc. this is a wonderful opportunity for these children to exercise and have fun.
My fear and concern comes with the possible closing of this facility (as well as the arenas. I'm sure the same thing happens here.) Will these children have the same chances? It is one thing to walk from one end of town to the other, but to walk from Pictou, across the causeway, up the highway, down the ramp to the new facility is certainly not an option! Were these issues considered?
I'm confused as to how much thinking actually went into the planning . I do believe this offers other indivuals the same opportunities, but you can't take from one to give to another! -
- charles
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:18:39
in a recent conversation with one of westville councillors i was told ''i an not in favor of it bur sobey's want it,therefore i must vote for it''.
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- Chris
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:17:33
I would suggest that Red from Pictou is entitled to his opinion. I would also suggest that Red from Pictou has the mindset that Pictou County needs, to open there eyes and realise that we are a community that complains too much and it has, as a result, left us back somewhere in 1995. I would suggest that Anne make her slandering comments relevant to the topic, since she is clearly opposed to this wellness centre and believes that children should instead play hockey in the Ship Hector (whoops .... there wouldnt be room).
Let the Pictou waterfront be a waterfront, and let it showcase to all tourists the glorious view of the paper mill. Nobody wants to take away the waterfront, and nobody wants to take away the Hector. Let the fisheries pool be closed if need be, to make way for the super pool in Stellarton. Thats evolution, the weak, slow and small are cast aside, thats not to say the pool didnt have a good run but its time to bring this county into at least the year 2000. If Pictou residents are worried about the pool closing, they may always go for a swim instead in the beautiful, tourist frequented harbour (right Anne?). -
- PictouCountyRes
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:09:15
Phil, in relation to you comment why do we need more rinks BECAUSE OURS ARE FALLING APART!! Plain and simple!!! You must not play hockey or any other sport or you would know that kind of facilities we have, the only nice one in the county is the Sobey's soccer complex in Stellarton. PC needs this bad yes rinks may close but the jobs that this new centre will offer would be 4-5 times what those two rink closers would be.
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- Phil
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:08:33
PictouCountyRes - I'm not saying don't build it with Rinks I just don't see why...Rinks can be refurbished - if the towns don't want to close two rinks fine - we can build something without rinks and move forward. Plenty of Doctors don't play hockey and it would help attract them to the town with other amenities.
As I stated there are plenty of rinks and we're still a great hockey town either way - and at least there are still RINKS there sure isn't much else.
And no I don't play sports, I used to, but I've semi retired but I am thinking forward to my kids futures in this town (hopefully)
Plus those new doctors could help you with that concussion syndrome. -
- Willis
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:05:20
the phrase that most dishonest sales people make-Buy it Now,or Lose It,will come back to haunt the ones who don't want to release all the details NOW ...
To Little-To Late thingy,mark it down on your calender folks,Today is the start of the non-wanted,non-funded wellness center,It's DEAD in the water with the force tactics of making a decision before you know what you made the decision on.
Let Sean Murray/Sobeys/and Murray Hill gather more Private funds and not our tax dollars for this so called Elite wellness center,when it's built,it will be far to expensive for 90% of pictonian's to participate in and by letting the big boys own/run it,WE small peons can do as we have for the past century or so,Renovating and patching things up in OUR rinks/swimming pools and walking trails,Show the so called Dictators that WE don't need them to make our future poorer,we can do that ourselves.
To all who think we will stay in the middle ages,Well,so what,We like our style of living,if you want it so bad,then step foreward with Your checkbook,Make Your donation,and leave us alone!!!!!!!!!!!! -
- faraway
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:03:37
Spookyduke that is an excellent observation as the Westville rink is a stand alone operation to the point where they even pay for their own snow removal which I was not aware of until last year. I guess it is hats of to coiln and his able crew. too bad we did not have someone like Colin Dorrington to head this new wellness center. But then again the people of Westville and area would lose a very valuable person.
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- RC
- - January 18th, 2010 at 13:02:16
This is very high-quality journalism on the part of The News. I am seriously impressed. They are doing a public service here. This centre seriously needs some focused leadership and much better communication with the public, who are funding the vast majority of this project. To disappointment and all the others who are criticizing people for being negative about this project - I think you need to realize that this is our tax money going to fund something that is shrouded in mystery and barely accountable at the moment. We should be more vigilant about where our money is being spent.
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- Mike from Reality
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:58:00
Instead of talking about closing rinks and pools why are we not talking about closing these useless municipal units and all their redundancy? Amalgamate this place so some decisions can be made to move us forward
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- Anne
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:56:36
I would suggest that Red from Pictou do some homework on how much the Town of Pictou spends on the Hector. I would also suggest that Red from Pictou take a walk on the waterfront to see how many tourists (and .... whoops ..... yes .... local Pictonians) are down on the waterfront showing their pride in having the icon of Pictou County in their own backyard.
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- Phil
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:55:10
I don't really get what another 36mil in ice surfaces has to do with a WELLNESS center...seems we need more day care space - or some stuff we don't have that people outside hockey, or which might lure people to the area that don't really follow hockey might care for - racketball a rock climbing wall squash courts - seems like we already are a pretty good hockey town why do we need more RINKS?
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- bridget
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:53:23
Thank you for this article it is very enlightening. I was interested in the wellness center, but more so if it brought us things we don't already have.
The example of the fishing pool and the kids walking there is a good example. Each town has their own facility, it works for the people in that area, a taxi or a walk can get you there.
but move it and these kids and adults won't be attending. how is that improvement. they don 't need fancy dwellings they just need accessibility.
a new wellness center should be providing things the public doens't have access too that will benefit their health.
not lumping what we already have in one place and making it harder to access for many. I think it definitely needs to be looked at.
If what their proposing is a new health center for the rich then make that proposal and let them pay for it out of ltheir pockets not the tax payers. -
- Willis
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:53:22
Dazed-what company has kept the minimum wage in effect for as long back as one can recall in nova scotia,especially pictou county,what multi million dollar,probably billion dollar company keeps getting tax benifits from the provincial government year in and year out--the companys log starts with an S,and ends with an S,the only thing that company is interested in,is their own pockets,don't tell us it ain't about the mucky mucks and the old school boys club,if you don't fit,then stay home.as mentioned earlier,the Wellness Center is now DEAD,let it RIP..
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- dissapointment
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:43:38
Thanks Pictou County for spreading the negative attitude around enough to either stop this from happening or tarnishing it forever.......i think those complaining should look in the mirror for the reasons to their troubles and thise of Pictou County's. These artciles and comments are just a couple of reasons why we are going to stay the way we are, keep spinning our wheels and getting nowhere.....after this there will be another issue and so on....same complainers, same small mindedness etc. But hey we will have our little towns, our little important councilors, and our people that sit back and complain..if that is how we want to exist then let's not build it!
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- JTa resident opinion
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:33:25
Good story. Now we can all start talking. I am in favour of a facility of some kind, but not sure if what is presented is the solution. These facilities lose tons of money annually. To the person that mentioned the Port Hawkesbury Civic Center, you should also mention that the small town of PH is on the hook for $4.5 million on this facility, and this increases annually because the annual operational deficit is almost $300,000 annually. Also, ask Sackville how much they lose on the Sackville Sports Center (1 rink + pool+ fitness center). I could not ascertain if there is a pool as part of the Pictou County proposal (??)
A further point: If New Glasgow budgets $300,000 annually for Stadium, why should the County residents pick up the tab for their respective operational usage in a new facility? .... or maybe somebody will tell me that I just don't get it, so to speak.
I like the ideas that a previous writer mentioned --- rock climbing, , etc.
In conclusion, sharpen you pencils and put you thinkinkc caps on. In essence, this facility may work IF .... IF it is not like all the other money-losing elephants of this sort. WANTED: Creative Planners. Apply immediately. -
- george
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:31:38
The question I would like answered is how much money have the proponents put forward to this venture on a personal basis. It is so much easier to spend the money of others and moreover there seems to be an economic divide here between the well to do and those with out any financial responsibility. How many people here remember clairtone Sound and the boom it was to be to the residents of Pictou County. As for the nay sayers looking at themselves in the mirrors I think the pushers of this project want to look at the financial aspects get the figures then come back and be agressive on an informed basis. They say ignorance is bliss well the are a lot of utopians who fall into this catagory.
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- Dazed and.....
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:30:43
to Chuck Facey...what does a Westville councillor saying Sobeys wants the new centre have to do with the whole scheme of things..It is mere here-say.But it flings more s**t at Sobeys who are not deserving of this uncalled for ridicule.....
These comments have more he said...she said rubbish that doesn,t go a long way with me.
We don,t even have all the facts yet on the new centre and maybe we should bite our tongues til,we are sure of what we are talking about.
We keep creeping further back into the dark ages.... -
- JTa resident opinion
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:29:08
Good story. Now we can all start talking. I am in favour of a facility of some kind, but not sure if what is presented is the solution. These facilities lose tons of money annually. To the person that mentioned the Port Hawkesbury Civic Center, you should also mention that the small town of PH is on the hook for $4.5 million on this facility, and this increases annually because the annual operational deficit is almost $300,000 annually. Also, ask Sackville how much they lose on the Sackville Sports Center (1 rink + pool+ fitness center). I could not ascertain if there is a pool as part of the Pictou County proposal (??)
A further point: If New Glasgow budgets $300,000 annually for Stadium, why should the County residents pick up the tab for their respective operational usage in a new facility? .... or maybe somebody will tell me that I just don't get it, so to speak.
I like the ideas that a previous writer mentioned --- rock climbing, , etc.
In conclusion, sharpen you pencils and put you thinkinkc caps on. In essence, this facility may work IF .... IF it is not like all the other money-losing elephants of this sort. WANTED: Creative Planners. Apply immediately. -
- paul
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:28:00
I think getting Sobeys name involved with this center has soured everybody and made them suspicious. I get the impression nobody trusts this company.or like the way the do business
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- Westside Boy
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:27:53
This is a complete waste of tax payer money and will result in the other local pools and rinks closing. We will all be forced to go to this new super spot. There goes your local sports leagues.
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- red
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:22:02
Stop being so negative people ,i cant wait to embrace this new project.We are finally moving into the 21 century,every go around the province and see the nice facilities ,i wonder if the people of Port Hawkesbury were so negative before they built that beautiful building.Some people complain about walking ,i dont think too many people in the upper towns will be able to walk to the wellness center either but thats the way it is folks.Maybe we should be trying to get public transportation instead of knocking the facility.I hope pictou doesnt lose their pool but if it does so be it ,if the towm didnt spend so much money on the hector we could finance the pool.
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- Faraway
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:13:38
Good point westside Boy lets park all the school buses and let the kids walt to the high schools. Darn I forgot they are too far away from where the school population lives. Now there is a sample of how to get young people in shape, drive them to school and back, great for the enviromet also and does a lot to keep the price of fuel down. Now there was a gem of an idea.
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- Kevin
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:11:39
Watch out Pictou County!!! I hope you can see the brinkmanship that is starting... We have to build it and we have to build it NOW! Any delays (such as public meeting and the releasing of facts!!) will cause the project to lose its funding...We must act now!! Naysayers be gone...you are the cause of all that ails Pictou County...
What a crock..OF YOU KNOW WHAT!!!! -
- Carol
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:09:44
I read the Evening News via the internet and was surprised to see today's headline about this wellness Centre . I don't check every day, but I was regular enough to have had a hint about this intention. My concern is the term one which will be funded almost entirely by the taxpayer. I checked the internet to find out the age demographics of Pictou County. The newest I could find was 2006. It showed that 44% of the population was over 45 (45-64=31% and 65+ was 13%). What this means that there are a lot of us who are retired and on a fixed income It also means that a lot of us go South for 6 months of the year. So the tax burden of this Wellness Centre is going to lay on the shoulders of our young people. Considering the current economic situation I am concerned that the various town councils haven't thought about these demographics. Our young people are struggling or going to Alberta for work. I don't have a solution, but I'm concerned that the County may make it a place that tax wise young people can't afford to live.
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- County resident
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:01:49
I don't see how holding a information session for the taxpaying public is delaying the project. Can anyone explain why this is? One evening to meet with the public to address questions can't be a deal breaker. After that, and after some facts they probably would have my support.
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- bewilderd
- - January 18th, 2010 at 12:01:16
To Chris Cole: Let the small and weak be cast aside! If you are going to comment, perhaps you should do your homework. The Fisheries Training Pool is the largest between Halifa and Cape Breton. It is also larger than the planned New Facility. That being said, there is more room (in water and on deck) for swim teams, and the resulting swim meets. I believe that will mean more revenue for the county as a whole as teams from away will bring more family members with them to watch. So, Chris...in your own words, Let the small and weak be cast aside !
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- Faraway
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:58:44
First I would like to thank the News especially Sean kelly for making this information available to the public. I know there are various groups with good intent but this is such a fractured and incoherent approach to cause dismay amongst the people who will bare the brunt of the cost, both known and unknown.
This is the era of people of snake oil salesmen like Bernard Madoff who are selling people investments of unbelievable returns and I am afraid this will be one more ponzi scheme. The name wellness center is so misleading, more appropriate would be an activity center. health and wellness has many aspects to it such a dietary and mental health. There are droves of people who are mentaly stressed from economic disparity and are barely making ends meet as wells as people who are leading a subsistantance living some depending upon friends and relatives and food banks. I fortunately am not one of those but none the less feel compelled to speak out on their behalf.
We have a group of people in the buisness community who are promoting this venture with out looking at the total picture and if they think their buisness is down now wait till the population begins to pay the true cost, unknown at present. it is time to consult the two levels of government and get a response from them on the funding and then proceed with caution, remember municipal governments can not by law accumulate deficits, time to take a breath and regroup. Thank you. -
- Not Concerned but
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:53:56
As a local resident and tax payer, I'd like to add my 2 cents to this proposed conundrum.
I believe that residents of Pictou County will benefit from this complex regardless of whether or not they are given every technical detail on the project -right down to the size of the bolts used to secure the scoreboards?-.
It's good to be kept in the know, especially when that know incorporates both your and my tax dollars. But those cats at the Pictou Regional Development Commission and our municipal counsellors seem to be doing a good job for us, and the Citizens for a Healthy PC won't let their contributions be vacuum ed away.
I just don't see the need for a real kerfuffle over this, it'll get built faster if we stop demanding information.
As Albert Einstein once said regarding the growth of an economy during a recession:
The wellness and integrity of a fractured economy can be mended with the following course of action.
(1) Faith in our county's representatives must be evidently expressed; the public must trust itself with dignity and stop the hate.
(2) We need to stop all the illegal downloading in the country and start buying Fords instead of Hondas, those things are overpriced anyways.
(3) Finally, we need to amalgamate the county, forming the Our Compliments Regional Municipality.
Only after these steps have been taken may peace and love return fully return to a community
-Albert Einstein, 2007
This was a delightful news story, just let me know when the facilities built and we can all go for a quick dip in the multi wellness purpose integrated high definition 30ZGB pool! -
- Stellarton
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:46:17
George from Stellarton, you hit the nail on the head when you said it is easier to spend other people's money then your own! We in Stellarton know all about this when Fitt and Megeny were acting mayors and jumped into this business park head first spending millions of tax payer's money for one hotel and a payout to another hotel!
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- Fed Up
- - January 18th, 2010 at 11:36:43
To Charles Facey from Westville....Unfortunately you can not name that counsillor in Westville....Because I am so thrilled that I voted in a whimpy follower once again that apparently has no brains to think for themself....Absolutely fantastic... I think a vote is in order...something that deals with so much of our tax dollars should be up to us!!
