Weekly Radio Answers Local Concerns
Following up on yesterday’s announcement of a 40-bed residence for the Springhill campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, Tory Rushton said thats been on his mind since before he ran for office. He notes that this isn’t just 40 beds for the NSCC, it potentially frees up 40 beds from the surrounding community.
With short- and long-term rentals severely constricted in the area, this announcement by the provincial government is welcomed not only by the college administration, but by all members of local government.
The MLA for the area agreed with a suggestion from Morning Talk host Bill Martin that these beds for the NSCC could have other spin-off benefits.
The Minister suggested this could create opportunities for accommodations used by local training camps and other sports-related activities in concert with the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre across the street from the campus.
Another topic under the Minister’s purview: recent hikes to fines for dumping garbage on Crown Lands. Martin observed that the fine has gone up from $352.50 to $812.50 for a first offence, topping off at $2,422.50 as a maximum fine.
Rushton added that on top of that, a judge may raise the fine and can also order the offender to clean up the mess he or she created.
He added that Crown land managers are those who have to remediate the garbage, and said that surveillance of common dumping spots has led to charges, with culprits being caught in the act.
Martin raised another matter of local contention, as residents of the Halfway River Bridge area are still dealing with a detour while that bridge is out of commission.
Rushton says he’s made frequent calls to the Public Works Department and the province’s Chief Engineer. Apparently the problem lies with the contractor hired to bring in a crane to complete the work.
Rushton said nobody wants to detour, but this was a mater of public safety, and the Department is working as quickly as possible to bring the bridge back into service.
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