New cartoons, come and git 'em.  animated movies coming soon, plus a youtube video of the "Mink Stink Ballad"
http://www.shelburnecountytoday.com/cartoons/

From: "Timothy Gillespie" <timothy.gillespie@ns.sympatico.ca> 
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;> 
Subject: Yarmouth / Carleton and the RDA 
Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:26:38 -0400 

Dear Yarmouth County residents......

There is a great opportunity for civic involvement coming up on March 31, 2009 - just what we need... ANOTHER project!!

The issue of whether the ratepayers of South West Nova Scotia have been adequately and fairly served by SWSDA is being addressed for the first time in 14 years, as a result of the government's decision to have SWSDA and all RDAs conform to the RDA legislation (see deputy ministers letter here: http://www.shelburnecountytoday.com/communityforum/. 

This means that:

1.) SWSDA, as we know it ceases to exist after March 31, 2010

2.) each municipal unit must tell the MINISTER what they want as an RDA (could be same old swsda, could be a variety of things)

3.) RDA board can no longer be dominated by politicians

4.) new by-laws and board governance procedures must be put in place.

In Yarmouth County, folks need to ask:

1.) do you want your future in the hands of the Yarmouth Mob of Frank Anderson, Rich Hurlburt, Bob Manuel, Cliff Hood, Leland Anthony, Charles Crosby, etc etc?

2.) Why are there insufficient reports being made to Councils by SWSDA reps?

In Shelburne County there is a real discussion taking place about whether we want our economic future in the hands of The Mob: public forum meetings, politicians meeting, etc.
 

Attached is facsimile of letter sent by Frank Anderson to all SWSDA members on Nov 19. I understand that it has been withheld from Council by the Wardens/Mayors/Clerks for some of the Councils. 

-     Ask your councilors if they have seen it. 
-     Was it presented at the MODY meeting last night? If not, why not
-     Does your council have any intention of consulting citizens on this very serious decision?

One of the reasons the December 11 date is given is that a very serious report is due any day from the Ombudsman from a year-long investigation of SWSDA / Anderson / Yarmouth Industrial Commission etc etc. and Frank Anderson wants to beat that report.

In addition to the sheer vulgarity of having the letter arrive during the critical time municipal councils are considering there options, some additional points to consider include:

1.) In his May letter, the Deputy Minister asked the municipal units to write to the MINISTER, not Frank Anderson about their intentions vis-a-vis a revised RDA regime in this region dictated by  compliance with the RDA Act

2.) Mr. Anderson is asking for blind fealty to an organization that the Deputy Minister says will not exist after April 1, 2010

3.) Mr. Anderson does not address whatsoever the issues required by the Deputy Minister, including strategic plan, board composition and governance, etc.

4.) The issues of the enormous SWSDA debt and loan guarantees (by your councils!!) are not addressed

On the face of it, this attempt to bully the various councils should be ignored or resisted until Councils have deliberated on the issues at hand and consulted with constituents. Get in touch with your Councilors/Mayors/Wardens and encourage them to think this thing through - you won't get another chance for 15 years.

Forward this to anyone who might be interested.

PS: Please send me information about the mink farm debates/discussions, etc., and I will publish more about it (http://www.novascotiatoday.com/yarmouthtoday/)

Timothy Gillespie

SWSDA letter