"TOO OLD RESIDENTS NOT TO BE IGNORED"
by Mary Lynyak, Little River --Digby Courier Aug./02
The residents of Digby Neck finally have the answer to a puzzle as to why the public officials have so deserted them in imposing an unwanted, undeserved mammoth quarry in one of the most beautiful spots on earth. One such official has presented his own personnel opinion that the residents here are old, and therefore do not count. It is his belief, an unexpected one for a duly elected official, an amazing one! We do not count?! We have survived personal and public tragedies. Some have survived as many as two world wars, one Korean conflict, and one Vietnam. Most have experienced the deaths of dearly beloved friends and relatives. All have been educated by life's experiences, some of them in the classroom, some not. Some have university degrees, as many as four. God made each one of us. All of us count!
" AN INDICATION OF DEMOCRACY " I have been following the rock quarry debate on Digby Neck with considerale interest. In fact, this is not really a debate, but a group of citizens and their supporters making a case against an industrial project they don't want in their community. The only response from the 'other side' is vague statements about how Digby Neckers should wait for Clayton Concrete to decide what exactly it wants to do in White's Cove. This is followed by mealy mouthed statements from the provincial government urging everyone to 'give the project a chance' and others passing the buck on to the municipality. They won't say what the project is, and nobady seems to know who has jurisdiction to approve and regulate it, but it should, nonetheless, be given a chance according to the our political leaders.... ...the provincial government seems to be encouraging short=sighted development and taking an arrogant, high-handed attitude toward community opinion, which in this case is informed by historical, environmental and economic concerns and experience. One only has to read the letters to this paper to understand that. I recently completed a fairly extensive study of the communities that comprise Digby Neck. I found a remarkably resilient economy that is expanding out of the traditional fishery into tourism in a way that represents an implicit negotiation between fishing families and those who see economic potential in the area. Compared to other parts of rural Canada, the population of Digby Neck has been relatively stable and this reflects the active entrepreneurial spirit of the people both in the fishery and in other forms of getting a living. I found a resilient community of entrepreneurs struggling to survive and cut out a space for themselves in multiple ways using local resources in sustainable ways, often in the face of what they see as a government fisheries policy explicitly designed to run them out of business. Rather than a basket case, I found a vibrant community fightiing for its survival, just as it is now fighting against a form of development which could seriously jeopardize the environment ) marine and land), the economy, and the general quality of life and the social fabric of Digby Neck. Why should Digby Neckers give this kind of possibility 'a chance?'..... I applaud the people of Digby Neck for having the courage to make their wishes known and for not sitting down, getting discouraged and throwing up their hands hopelessly as too many Nova Scotians have done for generations.A lot of people around the province and indeed around the world are watching this struggle and it will go down in our history as an indicator of the state of democracy in an age of corporatism. Lets hope that , for a chage, it just might matter what the people think. The stakes are high and no doubt a host of corporate interests understand this, because a defeat on Digby will have repercussions in other communities and for other development projects.
Written to Digby Courier by Dr. Mike Corbett, Bear River
" OUARRY PROTESTORS MISLEADING PUBLIC " (?) "...I am writing to offer some facts and information as a rebutal to the rhetoric and misinformation being churned out by the 'professional protesters' of Digby Neck concerning the proposed rock quarry in Whites Cove....... I offer some information that, I believe, will provide a much more accurate perspective regarding this propose quarry..Whites Cove is an isolated spot that..tens of thousands of tourists could not see from any point...unless they were trespassing....it could not be seen from any adjoining property. The rock is to be moved by ship...making traffic by the proposed quarry would at maximum capacity account for 40-50 loads a year....the traffic is hardly going to ruin the Bay of Fundy as protesters are trying to scare people into believing.... To paraphase one of my favourite historical figures, Sir Winston Churchill -- rarely have so many been so decieved by so few.... ..the Concerned Citizens.. are spreading totally unfounded rumours...to alarm any community. It is obvious their objectives are more to do with long range benefits to the Digby Neck community... Since I am an American citizen and a half owner of White Cove property, I would like to preempt some of the inevitable accusations that are sure to follow once the contents of this letter are published. No doubt I will be charged with being an outsider willing to profit by ruining Digby Neck with the " biggest hole in Canada " " turning one of Nova Scotia's most pristine coastlines into an industrial wasteland." My answer to these will be " hogwash, hogwash, and hogwash'....Hopefully you will be able to ignore all the meaningless rhetoric spewing forth from the " chicken little " of the Digby Neck who has duped a lot of people into believing that the sky is falling. " LETTER LEFT READER GRASPING FOR FACTS " As a citizen of Little River for most of my life, I, like many others in the community, have been concerned about the recent talk of a quarry moving into our area. I have heard alot of opposition to the quarry but very little in favour of it, so when I was told there would be a letter in favor of the quarry publishd in 'The Digby Couier', I looked forward to reading it. I have always believed that in order to form an opinion you need both sides of the argument. When I began reading the lengthy letter, I must say I was encouraged that maybe the quarry wasn't as bad as I thought. But as I read further, I realized what this letter was really about -- a public bashing of Tony Kelly. To anyone reading this letter, I can tell you that Tony Kelly is not the man described in Mr. Johnson's letter. As a mother of a child attending the school where Tony is principal, I can tell you he does not impose his opinions on the students there, but encourages them to form their own opinions......He is and has been a resident of Little River for most of his life an is therefore entitled to have an opinion on issues that concern his community. Mr. Johnson is not a resident of Little River, contrary to what his letter states; he is simply a landowner. Maybe he should get his dictionary and look up the word ' resident '. My second impression of the letter was the implication that Digby Neckers are uneducated and proverty stricken. I assure you, we are not stupid! We are not being blindly led by Tony Kelly. Jobs are needed on Digby Neck and I am sure there is no one going to deny that. Show us the jobs tha are going to be created. Be specific, tell us what types of jobs are going to be created and for whom. Will it be jobs for local residents or jobs for trained professionals brought in by the company? Will the jobs created outweigh the jobs that may be lost? Will property values increase as you say, and, if so, show us the proof. Show us communities where property values have increased because of the arrival of a rock quarry. In regard to Mr. Johnson's statement about not finding one person who is opposed to the quarry, I am not sure who he has been talking to, but I am not of the same opinion. I have yet to talk to one person who is in favor of the quarry or who doesn't have legitimate concerns about it. Grow up! We are adults, let's act like it. .For our MLA and MP, Mr. Balser and Mr. Thibault, come to our community, talk to us. We would love to have you. Hear us when we speak, tell us your opinion and give us some hope in our elected officials. We, even though we are a small community, need to have our voices heard. We are more than check marks on election day. In conclusion, to Mr Johnson; if it was your intention to impress us 'simple' folk with your wit and distasteful attack of a fellow resident, may I say, " you failed---miserably!"
In response to the written letters of concern to the " Digby Courier "--(Aug.21/02)
John A. Johnson wrote an 'irate' letter meant for the committee of
Concerned Citizens. Inserts of his letter are written below...
..Mr. Kelly has been acknowledged as the chief instigator and agitor of other protests around Little River, and having no valid reason for leading this one,...As a self appointed leader of the community, he and his associates have made a large number of identical " Stop the Quarry " signs and then duped quite a few residents in the area into allowing them to post one in their yard.
...Tony Kelly's frantic alarms about all the damage that would be done simply have no basis in fact. The controversy created by the rhetoric of him and his committee has probably caused more pollution..of Digby Neck than a quarry ever would...
( John A. Johnson is a retired lieutenant-colonel from the United States Air Force.)
Written to Digby Courier by Joy Walker, Little River - (Aug.28/02)
" REMARKS REQUIRE PUBLIC APOLOGY TO KELLY"
Written to Digby Courier by Myrna Farnsworth - Little River
It's not the letters before your name, or the letters after your name, the clothes you wear, or the money you have that makes you a man -- it's what is in your heart that counts. From the letter I read in Wednesday's Courier, Mr. Johnson, it makes me wonder what is in your heart?
Mr. Kelly grew up in the area, just as I did. Digby Neck and Islands are a part of us; when you destroy it, you destroy us.
I have talked to so many from the U.S. who love it here. Some have retirement homes here, others come back every year after year for the beauty of this place and the warm welcome they get.You can't be one of them because you insist on putting a quarry here to ruin everything from Digby to Brier Island.
Use your money to beautify the North Mountain with cottages overlooking the Bay of Fundy. This would add to the beauty of the place. I am sure you would profit from this.......you should publicly apologize to Mr. Kelly. He had done nothing to you except try and stop the quarry...you should try to make friends , not enemies.
" MAKING GRAVEL FOR AMERICANS' BAD ECOBOMY " As someone whose family has lived on Digby Neck for over 200 years, I have been closely following the recent debate over the proposed quarry at Little River. I've learned how the project will threaten the local environment, hurt tourism industry, and destroy the setting of the children's novel, FOG MAGIC , a unique Nova Scotia cultural heritage site.... The operators of this glorified gravel pit are choosing to ignore these negative economic impacts. The Hon. Gordon Balser wasonce minister of economic development. He should know that this kind of project is bad for the local economy. The fact that he hasn't shared this knowledge suggests that he's putting short-term political gain ahead of the long-term interests of his constituents. It is important that we remain focused on the kind of economic development that works, the kind that creates clean, long-lasting jobs. Supporting the fishermen, supporting the tourism sector, supporting local jobs is good for the economy. Digging up our unique landscape to make gravel for American parking lots is not.
Written to Digby Courier by Brock Dickinson,-( former executive director, WVDA)
The proposed quarry is bad for the local economy, and will destroy more jobs than it creates.
The Digby economy is built on two pillars: fishing and tourism. The proposed quarry project will harm both, and enevitably cause job losses. Explosives and repeated blastiing will negatively impact sensitive lobster populations,, while the noise, environmental damage and dramatically increased polution will negatively affect the growing ecotourism industry...
"SEEKING TO ENHANCE LIFE ON DIGBY NECK " Tony Kelly, the highly respected principal of Digby Neck Consolidated School, has left the community temporarily to take his sabbatical in Montreal. With his wide educational and experential background and with his strong roots in the community, Mr. Kelly has provided the children under his care with a vast array of opportunities of the potential for living creative and fulfilling lives. He will be missed The anger expressed in Mr. Johnson's article is only matched by my sorrow that he thinks so poorly of a community that would welcome him as a visitor or a permanent resident. The concerned citizens who gather under the umbrella of an existing ...organization...state objectives to foster development approved by local communities. It is not our desire to stop development, but rather to foster development which will enhance the wonderful space and people we have been given. As I assume the chair of concerned citizens group, I do so with a strong desire to promote spiritual and moral values; to become a good steward of the gifts of time, space, and people God has given us; to seek to enhance the quality of life lived on Digby Neck an the Islands (and other local communities in which I find myself ministering from time to come). Mr. Johnson, we have worshipped together and I appeal to you to consider these spiritual and community values, which I believe you hold deep within your heart, and to act on them
Written to Digby Courier by Rev. John Dickinson, Little River
" MAJORITY DON'T WANT QUARRY " ......It appeared that the only objective you had was to disparage Tony Kelly and the Committee of Concerned Citizens. You did an astounding job! For a retired lieutenant-colonel from the United States Air Force your letter could have been much more diplomatic; but then, you are the lessor of the quarry land and will gain quite significantly....Why would you be so surprised to have difficulty acquiring citizens for a liaison committee? The majority of residents of Little River and surroundking areas do no want the quarry. After a lengthy search, you found a few who supported the quarry and were willing to be on your committee. Those people must have been the 'folks' you talked with who do not agree with Tony Kelly. You brag so much about the two other quarries in the province. In the other page, Premier Hamm says " there has never been a popular quarry in Nova Scotia." Who are we to believe? I have a "Stop the Quarry" sign on my lawn, but I was not duped as you so rudely suggested. It was my choice and only mine. For most of us, we have many different concerns with the proposed magnitude of a quarry in White's Cove. Digby Neck is a very narrow peninsula with the salt water on both sides. We rely on the fishing industry( ground fish, lobsters, and scallops), the whale watching, and the tourist industry. What will be the impact of the White's Cove project? Will it be negative or positive? Who will work the quarry, locals or imports from U.S. Large figures and big promises impress our government. The government overlooks the fact that it represents the people. The restoration of the quarry site to "usuable stepped terraces" really impresses me! We would all be so blessed if quarry would quietly go away -- perhaps the Shelburn Road would be a more suitable place.
Written to Courier by Zora Walker - Little Walker
These are only a few of the letters written about the Quarry issue here on Digby Neck and Islands. All letters were too numerous to be able to record them all here. Names of others who wrote articles are listed below and there no doubt will be many that have not been accounted for,
It is the hope that those who read these letters will understand some of the reasons for our motives in writng our heartfelt concerns down and giving them to the public sector.
but "Thanks -- Bravo! " goes to those who took the time to stand up and be heard!!
No 'HOGWASH' here!!!
-- " NAIVE OPINION BY LAND OWNER " ---"MISSING CORE OF OUARRY ISSUE " ---" SHAMEFUL BEHAVIOUR " ---"300-ACRE QUARRY PROPOSED" & ---SURPRISING SOURCE OF HISTORICAL NOTE " ---" 'NO TORY QUARRY' PARTY CELEBRATED AREA BEAUTY " ---" DIGBY NECK, ISLANDS AREA WRONG PLACE FOR QUARRY"
by Sue Davis, Weymouth
by M.A.Mathab, Ph.D,P.E., Little River
by American Lady - Centreville
"MUNICIPALITY MIFFED AT LACK OF CONTROL "
by Jeff Sunderland
by John Scott, Sandy Cove
by Mary Lynyak, Little River
by Elizabeth McCullough, retired principal of Sandy Cove DNCS.
There are others who wrote articles from all over Digby Neck and Islands Copies of Presentations given on behalf of the Quarry... Last weekend, Saturday, Oct. 26th, on behalf of the Stop The Quarry Group, I was given the opportunity to do a 10-minute presentation at the Annual General Meeting of the Council of Canadians, in Halifax. The copy of my speach below, starts with the 'introductory - mini-bio' given by the M.C. of the Session (as this will also serve as my introduction of myself to this site):
Introduction: "Four years ago, Marilyn and her husband Eugene returned to their Native Nova Scotia, to retire in her husband's birthplace in the beautiful village of Sandy Cove on Digby Neck. Marilyn brings 35 yrs. experience in administration, from her Provincial and National positions with the Blood Transfusion Service, Canadian Red Cross Society, to the anti-quarry group opposing the proposed megaquarry on Digby Neck.
Officially designated as both the Treasurer and the Administrator, Marilyn's main contribution to the group lies in providing both an office located in her home and administrative services, to the newly formed Society. Marilyn founded the increasingly popular, 'Blue Tartan Brigade', with their politically incorrect and totally relevant songs and delights in performing with the group at all public meetings about the megaquarry!"
MY REASON FOR BEING HERE TODAY IS TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE PROPOSED MEGA-QUARRY FOR DIGBY NECK. BUT, BEFORE I OUTLINE THE THREAT TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, I'D LIKE TO DRAW YOU A VERBAL PICTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
DIGBY NECK IS A NARROW PENINSULA, ABUTTED ON ONE SIDE BY THE BAY OF FUNDY AND ON THE OTHER, BY ST. MARY'S BAY, ALL OF WHICH ULTIMATELY CONNECTS WITH THE GULF OF MAINE. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PRISTINE AREA, ALMOST LIKE A "LAND THAT TIME FORGOT"; ABOUT 50 Km. IN TOTAL LENGTH, WITH LONG ISLAND AND BRIAR ISLAND CONNECTED BY SHORT FERRY RIDES. THERE IS A PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY THERE; AN OASIS IN THE DESERT OF CONCRETE AND COMMERCIAL STRIVING FOUND ELSEWHERE.
DIGBY NECK IS ALL COASTS WITH THE RIDGE OF THE NORTH MOUNTAIN SERVING AS ITS BACKBONE. THE PENINSULA IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN A KILOMETRE WIDE AT SANDY COVE AND 4 KILOMETRES AT THE 'HEAD OF THE BAY'. LITTLE RIVER IS THE AVERAGE WIDTH, WHICH IS 2.1/2 KILOMETRES WIDE.
THE PHYSICAL MAKE-UP OF THE PENINSULA & ISLANDS IS BASALT -- THE HIGHLY DESIRABLE COMMODITY THAT HAS CAUSED US TO BECOME A TARGET FOR CORPORATE AMERICA.
TWO OF THE LARGEST COMMUNITIES ON THE NECK ARE SANDY COVE AND LITTLE RIVER, ABOUT 6 KM. APART. LITTLE RIVER IS A THRIVING FISHING VILLAGE AND SANDY COVE TENDS MORE TOWARDS A RETIREMENT/SUMMER-HOME AREA, GIVING IT A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY THAN ITS BUSY NEIGHBOUR OF LITTLE RIVER. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE HIGHEST ABSENTEE LANDOWNERSHIP IN ALL OF NOVA SCOTIA IS ON THE NECK.
FISHING COMMUNITIES ARE OFTEN CONSIDERED TO BE LACKING IN EDUCATION BY THEIR URBAN NEIGHBOURS, AND EVEN BY POLITICIANS, WHO FEEL THESE COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY CRUMBS OF EMPLOYMENT, EVEN THOSE DESTRUCTIVE TO THEIR AREA. THEY TOTALLY MISUNDERSTAND THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRY THAT HAS PROVIDED FOR SO MANY THROUGH THE YEARS AND GRANTS A DIFFERENT EDUCATION THAT HAS LED TO VERY REWARDING LIFESTYLES, FROM BOTH A CULTURAL AND FINANCIAL VIEWPOINT.
FOR INSTANCE, DID OUR MLA EVER READ THAT DIGBY NECK WAS RECOGNIZED BY UNESCO AS A PARADIGM OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR NORTH ATLANTIC COMMUNITIES - IN ITS "MOST" OR " MANAGEMENT OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION" PROGRAMME??
DR. JANET EATON, MEMBER OF THE SIERRA CLUB INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED CONSULTANT IN THE FIELD OF GLOBAL CORPORATE ECONOMY SAID RECENTLY IN A POWER-POINT PRESENTATION: "A SYNERGY IS BREWING - THE NOTION THAT DIGBY NECK IS DESPERATE FOR JOBS ESPECIALLY ONES THAT JEOPARDIZE THIS HIGHLY RESPECTED DEVELOPMENT PROCESS APPEARS AS A DISCONNECT FROM THE CULTURAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REALITY WE SEE IN THIS POWER POINT!"
INTO THIS PEACEFUL HAVEN, NOVA STONE EXPORTERS LTD., WISHES TO PLACE A MEGA-QUARRY WITH A DEEP WATER PORT TO RECEIVE PANAMAX SIZED VESSELS, BRINGING A COCKTAIL OF PATHOGENS IN THEIR BALLAST WATER.. THE DOMESTIC WATER IS EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO QUARRY OPERATIONS. FRESH WATER IS SUPPLIED BY THE AQUIFERS IN NORTH MOUNTAIN. BLASTING THE BASALT AND CREATING A PIT WILL DRAIN THE AQUIFER AND LOWER THE WATER TABLE IN THE NEIGHBOURING LANDS. THE WATER FROM WASHING THE AGGREGATE WILL EVENTUALLY CONTAMINATE THE NORTH MOUNTAIN WATER SUPPLY. THE PEACE WOULD BECOME LEGENDARY; THE AIR POLLUTED BY DUST, CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS TO THOSE WITH RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS AND THE PARTICULATE WOULD POLLUTE THE PLANKTON ON THE SHORE, WHICH FORMS THE BASE OF THE RICH MARINE FOOD CHAIN KNOWN TO ATTRACT THE WHALES, FOR WHICH THE AREA HAS BECOME FAMOUS.
NOVA STONE APPEARED TO THINK THAT THEY COULD SLIP INTO THIS AREA AND SET UP AN INDUSTRIAL SITE, UNNOTICED. AFTER ALL, THE GROUP HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF 10 YEARS AGO TO BUILD UPON AND THINGS HAD CHANGED: THEY WERE 10 YEARS MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE; THE GUIDELINES FOR PITS AND QUARRIES HAD CHANGED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE NEW REGULATIONS FACILITATED DEVELOPMENT; AND ALSO, THE DEPT. OF NATURAL RESOURCES OF NOVA SCOTIA WAS ADVERTISING ON THE INTERNET: "TAKE ADVANTAGE" OF NOVA SCOTIA'S MINERAL WEALTH. IN NOVA'S VIEW, WE'D BE JUST ONE MORE GROUP OF CITIZENS, OBJECTING TO ONE MORE QUARRY, EVEN THOUGH THIS QUARRY IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT IN THAT IT BRINGS NO ROYALTIES TO NOVA SCOTIA, AS BASALT IS NOT CLASSED AS A MINERAL!
THE CHANGES PROVIDED AN 'ENTRY PATH' INTO A MEGA-QUARRY BY THE FACT THAT A 3.9 HECTARE (OR 10 ACRE) QUARRY WOULD ENABLE THEM TO ESCAPE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OR PUBLIC INPUT, WHILE GETTING "THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR"! AND, OF COURSE, THEIR PLANS INCLUDED OBVIOUS STEALTH OF OPERATIONS, BETWEEN THE GOVT AND THEMSELVES. WE LEARNED ABOUT THE PROPOSED 380 ACRE QUARRY FROM A CONVERSATION WITH RUSS PATTERSON, PRESIDENT OF PATTERSON EXPLORATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA: OUR OWN POLITICIANS AND OUR OWN PROVINCE WOULD TELL US NOTHING!!
BUT, THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS THEY OVERLOOKED: THIS TIME THEY PICKED AN HISTORICALLY IDENTIFIABLE LOCATION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF LITTLE RIVER FROM THE FIRST ATTEMPT; A PLACE WHERE THERE WAS ONCE A SMALL BUT THRIVING VILLAGE, AND THE SITE OF JULIA SAUER'S, AWARD-WINNING, CHILDREN'S STORY, "FOG MAGIC", A STORY PUBLISHED IN 1943, BASED ON THE 'CELLAR STONES' THAT ARE STILL TO BE FOUND: AND RECENTLY, WE LEARNED THE AREA WAS ONCE REFERRED TO AS 'INDIAN CAMP HILL', WHICH HAS LED TO THE FIRST NATION'S REQUEST FOR A LAND-USE STUDY..... OH YES, TWO OTHER THINGS THEY OVERLOOKED: THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE WHO HAD RETIRED IN THE AREA, BRINGING NEW SKILLS AND EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, A WILLINGNESS TO PRIORITIZE THE FIGHT OVER AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, AND THE INVOLVEMENT AND EXPERTISE OF THE SUMMER RESIDENTS, WHO WERE NOT AT ALL LIKE THE STEREOTYPE OF "ABSENTEE LANDOWNERS'!!
AND THIS TIME, BY GREAT GOOD LUCK, WE HAD MAUDE BARLOW FROM THE COUNCIL OF CANADIANS, , AS EARLY AS JUNE 11TH, TO EXPAND OUR VISION AND OUR CAPABILITY OF UNDERSTANDING IN A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, WHAT WAS REALLY GOING ON AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS SPEECH AT A LITTLE FISHING VILLAGE, MAY HAVE CHANGED THE COURSE OF HISTORY FOR OUR AREA OF WESTERN NOVA SCOTIA!
ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE HAD TO DO WAS WORK TO IDENTIFY WHAT WE WANTED TO SAVE AND CONVINCE OTHERS IT WAS WORTH SAVING TOO. FATE TOOK A BIT OF A HAND HERE, AS I HAD VERY RECENTLY BECOME A MEMBER OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE FOR A PROPOSED DISCOVERY CENTRE ON LONG ISLAND. I HAD ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THIS WAS A SEPARATE ISSUE BUT IT ISN'T. IT'S AN EITHER/OR SITUATION. THE CENTRE WOULD TEACH ABOUT AND CELEBRATE A UNIQUE WAY OF LIFE: GEOLOGICAL WONDERS SUCH AS LONG ISLAND'S BALANCING ROCK, FORMED BY THE COLUMNAR BASALT; THE WEALTH OF BIRD WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES ON BRIER ISLAND - FINAL LAND SITE FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS; THE TIDES THEMSELVES WHICH ARE THE ENGINES OF REMARKABLE BIOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVITY WITH THEIR INTRICACIES OF THE MARINE FOOD WEB - A FEEDING AND NURSERY AREA FOR ENDANGERED NORTH ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE. THERE IS A THEATRE AND A CLASSROOM INSIDE THE PROPOSED CENTRE AND FOR MILES AROUND, IN EVERY DIRECTION.
IN SIX SHORT MONTHS, WE HAVE BUILT THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CAMPAIGN: WE HAVE HELD SEVEN PUBLIC MEETINGS; A PRESENTATION OF PETITION AND PRESS CONFERENCE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE; AND PRESENTATIONS AT TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE DIGBY TOWN COUNCIL. WE PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL PARADES AND MANNED TWO WEEKLY INFORMATION BOOTHS -- ANNAPOLIS ROYAL MARKET AND THE ST. BERNARD MARKET IN THE DISTRICT OF CLARE. THE MORAL SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING, AND WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY HEARING OF YET ANOTHER GROUP WHO WISHES TO JOIN THE GROWING LIST. MARK DITTRICK, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ATLANTIC CHAPTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA HAS WALKED BY OUR SIDE THE ENTIRE TIME.
HOWEVER, WE ARE WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, AND THAT WE ARE NOW APPROACHING ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT PHASES OF THE BATTLE; THAT OF CONVERTING VERBAL SUPPORT INTO FINANCIAL AND WORKING REALITY!!
WE HAVE LEARNED THE POWER OF SONG AND LAUGHTER -- IF IT RHYMES, IT'S ACCEPTABLE -- OUTRAGEOUS BUT NOT CONFRONTATIONAL OR INCITING VIOLENCE, BUT IT IDENTIFIES FOR ALL WHERE YOUR AWARENESS LEVEL EXISTS. OUR BLUE TARTAN GROUP OPENS AND CLOSES EVERY PUBLIC MEETING.....PEOPLE ARE NOW WRITING FOR US (INCLUDING THE WOLFVILLE GRANNIES, WHO WROTE "ON TOP OF NORTH MOUNTAIN), THUS HELPING TO BROADEN THE RESISTANCE SPANNING THE COAST AT OUR END OF THE PROVINCE.
WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THE NON-PROFIT "PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGBY NECK AND ISLANDS SOCIETY" -- THIS 'PARTNERSHIP' REPRESENTS A COALITION OF COMMUNITIES ALL ALONG THIS COAST OF DIGBY NECK AND IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING THE QUARRY AND PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT.
NOVA STONE EXPORTERS LTD., PATTERSON EXPLORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA AND CLAYTON CONCRETE OF LAKEWOOD, NEW JERSEY HAVE OPENED PANDORA'S BOX: WE ON DIGBY NECK AND ISLANDS, AND ALL OUR SUPPORTERS, WILL NEVER RETURN TO THE COMPLACENT, NON-INVOLVED AND NAIVE GROUP WE ONCE WERE...........AFTER WE DEFEAT THIS QUARRY ATTEMPT, WE PLEDGE TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IN A WAY THAT ENHANCES OUR ENVIRONMENT AND OUR ECONOMY AND CELEBRATES OUR LIFESTYLE -- NOT LESSENS IT IN ANY FASHION WHATSOEVER!!
MARILYN STANTON Copy of Presentation from Rev. John Dickinson
JOHN DICKINSON, CHAIRMAN
MR. WARDEN AND COUNCILLORS OF CLARE: MERCI POUR VOTRE REPONSE DE NOTRE DESIRE A VOUS ADDRESSER DUR NOTRE PROBLEME AVEC UNE CARRIERE A LITTLE RIVER SUR DIGBY NECK.
ON THE 23RD OF APRIL, 2002, NOVA STONE MADE APPLICATION FOR A TEST QUARRY SITE ON DIGBY NECK. ON THE 30TH OF APRIL, WITHOUT CONSULTATION WITH EITHER THE LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, OR THE PEOPLE OF THE AFFECTED AREA, APPROVAL WAS GIVEN TO A 3.9 HECTARE SITE IN LITTLE RIVER. THIS APPROVED TEST SITE HAS PROVEN TO BE A CONTROVERSIAL ONE.
NOVA STONE PRODUCED A SUPPOSED HISTORIC STUDY BY A PROFESSOR FROM ACADIA UNIVERSITY WHICH SHOWED THAT WHITE'S COVE HAD NO HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR HISTORIAN CONFUSED WHITE'S COVE WITH GULLIVER'S COVE AND PRODUCED A DOCUMENT BASED UPON INFORMATION CONFUSING THE TWO SITES. LOCAL CONSULTATION WOULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS PROBLEM
HISTORICALLY IT HAS GREAT SIGNIFICANCE. AS MANY AS FIFTEEN FAMILIES LIVED THERE AND THERE WERE UPWARDS OF 80 CHILDREN IN THE COVE. AT LEAST FOUR GRAVE SITES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FOR MANY YEARS IT WAS A VIBRANT FISHING COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION A NEWBERRY AWARD WINNING BOOK, 'FOG MAGIC' WAS WRITTEN IN 1943 AND HAS BEEN IN CONTINUOUS PRINT SINCE THEN. IT IS THE STORY OF GRETA, WHO, IF SHE GOES OVER THE MOUNTAIN ON A FOGGY DAY, FINDS THE VILLAGE ALIVE AGAIN. IT IS A 'BRIGADOON' LIKE STORY.
THE COVE IS STILL A FAVOURITE PICNIC SITE FOR PEOPLE OF LITTLE RIVER, WHO GO THERE BY WAY OF THE WHITE COVE ROAD, WHICH STILL APPEARS ON NOVA SCOTIA MAPS AS HWY. 422.
THE APPROVED TEST SITE IS LOCATED ON A PUBLIC HIGHWAY, ON GRAVE SITES AND ON AN OLD VILLAGE OF SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL VALUE. BUT THIS IS ONLY OUR OWN HERITAGE: THE BEAR RIVER FIRST NATION BAND HAVE ALSO CLAIMED IT AS AN HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT SITE FOR THEM.
WHILE THE TEST SITE IS IMPORTANT HISTORICALLY THE PROPOSED MEGA- QUARRY WILL DISRUPT OUR LIVES IN A NUMBER OF WAYS. THE PROPOSAL OF CLAYTON CONCRETE OF NEW JERSEY IS TO SHIP 2 ½ MILLION TONS OF BASALT A YEAR, FOR A PERIOD OF FROM 30 TO 60 YEARS. THIS PROPOSAL ALSO INCLUDED THE PROPOSAL TO BUILD A 600 FT. WHARF TO DOCK A PANAMAX TYPE ORE CARRIER TO CARRY 45,000 TONS OF ORE PER TRIP, THIS IS PROBABLY A 75,000 TON VESSEL: AT LEAST THREE TIMES THE LENGTH OF THE DIGBY FERRY, IT WILL HAVE TO DUMP BALLAST AT THIS END, WHICH COULD INTRODUCE ALIEN SPECIES INTO THESE WATERS. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS OF TREATING BALLAST, ADDING CHLORINE FOR INSTANCE, OR HEATING THE BALLAST WATER. NEITHER OF THESE METHODS ARE FULLY EFFECTIVE AND BRING THEIR OWN HAZARDS TO LOCAL SPECIES, AND LET US ASSUME THAT NO BILGE WATER WILL BE RELEASED.
WATER MAGNIFIES THE EFFECT OF BLASTING. TRADITIONAL PATTERNS OF HERRING MOVEMENT WILL BE AFFECTED AND THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND THE NOISE OF GRINDERS OPERATING AT LEAST 16 HOURS PER DAY WILL FURTHER AFFECT THE FISHING, PARTICULARLY HERRING AND LOBSTER BUT ALSO THE GROUND FISH.
ECO-TOURISM IS DEPENDENT PRIMARILY UPON THE BEAUTY OF THE LANDSCAPE. THE PRESENCE OF WHALES AND THE FACT THAT DIGBY NECK IS ON THE EASTERN FLIGHT PATH OF MIGRATORY BIRDS. A MEGA-QUARRY IS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT. DAMAGE TO THE HERRING RUN WILL AFFECT THE FOOD CHAIN AND ALONG WITH THE BLASTING KEEP THE WHALES AWAY. THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND BLASTING WILL ALSO AFFECT THE MIGRATORY FLIGHTS AND WHILE ONE THIRD OF BRIER ISLAND IS A BIRD SANCTUARY, THE BIRD POPULATION WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE TOURISTS WILL BE REDUCED TO TAKING BOAT TRIPS TO WATCH THE ORE CARRIERS.
THE WHOLE NORTH MOUNTAIN FROM CAPE SPLIT TO BRIER ISLAND IS MADE OF COLUMNAR BASALT. A PARTICULAR TRAIT OF COLUMNAR BASALT IS THAT UNDER STRESS IT SPLITS VERTICALLY. SO, THE FIRST EXPLOSION MIGHT NOT DO IT, NOR THE SECOND, BUT EACH SUBSEQUENT EXPLOSION STRESSES THE VERTICAL FAULTS A LITTLE MORE AND WITH EACH EXTENDED FAULT THE WATER TABLE DROPS A LITTLE FURTHER UNTIL THE AQUIFERS MIX WITH THE SEA WATER. WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE PROBLEM OF MURKY WATER, WE WOULDN'T HAVE WATER AT ALL. CAN YOU IMAGINE A COMMUNITY WITHOUT WATER? OUR FISH PLANTS COULDN'T OPERATE, AND THERE WOULD BE NO DRINKING WATER OR WATER FOR OTHER USES. LITTLE RIVER WOULD BE THE VILLAGE THAT DRIED AWAY.
IF THE QUARRY REMAINS 800 M FROM THE HOMES IN LITTLE RIVER, THEN THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROCK TO MEET THE PROJECTED LIFE OF THE QUARRY. AS YOU SEE BY THE MAP, THE PROPONENTS ALSO OWN THE 300 ACRE SITE KNOWN AS 'EASTERN HEAD'. THAT SITE BORDERS ON ST. MARY'S BAY AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO WATCH THEM QUARRY THAT FROM HERE (CLARE). I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU THE EFFECTS OF SUCH A QUARRY ON THE FISHING IN ST. MARY'S BAY.
THE SURPRISING THING IS THAT NOVA SCOTIA HAS NOTHING TO GAIN FROM SUCH AN UNDERTAKING. THERE ARE NO ROYALTIES ON AGGREGATE. IT IS NOT CLASSED AS A MINERAL, SO AN OFFSHORE COMPANY GETS THE PROFITS WHILE NOVA SCOTIA LOSES ITS ASSETS!
THE COMPANY'S FIRST PRESS RELEASE ESTIMATED 60 NEW JOBS. THEIR LATEST PRESS RELEASE SAYS 31 AND THERE MAY BE LESS. WE STAND TO LOSE NOT ONLY THE JOBS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE BUT ALSO OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR HOMES.
WE ASK FOR YOUR HELP IN OPPOSING THIS QUARRY. ONLY THE CONCERTED OUTCRY OF THE PEOPLE WILL MAKE THIS GOVERNMENT REALIZE THE FOOLISH AND SHORT-SIGHTED VIEW THEY HAVE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. TALK TO YOUR FISHERMEN, THEN TALK TO MR. WAYNE GAUDET, AND PARTICULARLY TO MR. THIBAULT. WITH A STROKE OF HIS PEN, MR. THIBAULT, THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES CAN STOP THIS ILL CONCEIVED PROJECT.
ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIETY.
..concern, frustration, anger and fears are evident.
1499 WORDS (NOTE: 1500 WORDS IS APPROX. A TEN-MINUTE SPEECH)
November 2, 2002
PRESENTATION TO THE COUNCIL OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARE
PARTNERSHIP OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
DIGBY NECK AND ISLANDS SOCIETY
JOHN DICKINSON, CHAIR
OCTOBER 17,2002
