Newsletter #11
Sierra Club - Chebucto Group
Welcome to the eleventh issue of Sierra News from the Chebucto Group.
In this issue: Upcoming Events
Point Pleasant Park Update
Sydney Clean-Up: Joint Action Group
Web Site
Bylaws
Shrimp Aquaculture Workshop
Chapter Excomm Elections
Excomm List
We always need volunteers. Please contact anyone on the excomm for more
information.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Tuesday, August 5, 7 p.m.
Conservation Working Group meeting, 2099 Gottingen St. (Oxfam office).
Everyone is welcome. For more information, please contact Nadia,
425-5119 or Cass
Thursday, August 7, 7 p.m.
Meeting of the Chebucto Group Excomm. For location and more information,
contact Nadia, 425-5119.
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POINT PLEASANT PARK UPDATE Contributed by Arciris Garay
and Henrietta Mann
Arciris and Henrietta represented the Sierra Club on a tour of Point
Pleasant Park with Stephen King from the Halifax Reigonal Municipality
(HRM). The HRM has been receiving many phone calls and letters from
people who are concerned about the number of fresh stumps in the park and
the removal of wood and other organic debris. The HRM took over the
management of Point Pleasant three months ago.
King said that the trees removed from the park were dead. They were
removed because the municipality was afraid of liability issues, ie.,
trees could fall down and harm someone. There has never been an official
strategy for maintaining nutrients in the soil, and the current state of
many of the trees reflects that. The HRM is planning to develop a
strategy in the fall to manage the Park. They plan to hold
public workshops in September to develop this strategy. We are still
concerned about how the municipality will maintain the health of the
trees that are still standing.
For more information about Point Pleasant and the tour with Stephen King,
please contact Henrietta, 496-8235 or Arciris, af169@chebucto.ns.ca
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SYDNEY CLEAN-UP: JOINT ACTION GROUP Contributed by Fran Morrison
On July 16, the Joint Action Group on the clean-up of the Sydney tar
ponds met. Here are some notes from the meeting:
Mark Ferris, Chairperson of Site Security (security for the entire toxic
waste site) put in a request for $70,000 for repairing existing fencing,
new fencing and security to patrol the area so that the community's
children do not continue walking through the area as a shortcut, or use it
as a play area. The monies were granted, however, I put a question to the
table: "If I own a dog which has potential to bite someone, I am
responsible to make sure that animal is kept restrained so he cannot bite
-- by the same token, should not the owners of the Country's largest toxic
waste site (fed.prov.&mun.) not be responsible for securing this site --
why should it be someone from JAG demanding security for this?" It was
stated that we would have to have the entire area declared a public health
hazard so that the owners would be forced to take responsibility and
secure the site. It was passed to have the site declared a public health
hazard.
It was also suggested that ALL members of JAG take a tour of the site (I
will extend this invite to all Sierra Atlantic members also -- if anyone
is interested, let me know and I can schedule it with those who are
arranging the tour). We all feel that this is not a Cape Breton problem,
but a Canadian problem and I feel y'all would be shocked and disgusted to
see this kind of mess right smack dab in the middle of a city/residential
and business area!!! As Sergio Marchi declared on August 12, 1996 during
his visit to Sydney "it's a national shame."
Discussion was held re nominating new Chairperson for Roundtable and
Steering Committee. Vote was taken and it was decided (18-9) that The
Chair of Roundtable should also be Chair of Steering for the sake of
consistency and to avoid confusion. Names were put forth from the
nominating committee: Sr. Peggy Butts, Elizabeth May, Charles
MacDonald, Doug MacKinlay, Fran Morrison. Fran said she would consider
accepting nomination for Vice Chair with either Sr. Peggy or Elizabeth.
Discussion was also held as to whether the Chair should be paid, or given
an honorarium or stipen. There are mixed feelings on this. I personally
feel that if the Chair is paid it takes the "community/ volunteer" aspect
completely away.
Discussion also held on health studies that are presently being designed.
Elizabeth adamantly stated the need for a door-to-door questionnaire to
serve two purposes: (1) to ask the questions necessary and get immediate
answers (2) while asking about specific diseases, the person being asked
will start associating these illnesses with toxic waste sites.
Attendees at meeting expected a DRAFT Memorandum of Understanding at this
Roundtable from the three levels of government to clinch their sincerity
in this cleanup endeavor. It was not produced and again they were asked
to produce the MOU by the next Steering Committee Meeting, not yet
scheduled. It was decided to write letters to our new Premier requesting
the immediate need for this MOU. Several have already gone out.
Next Roundtable meeting tentatively scheduled for August 23 at Whitney
Pier Memorial Jr. High School.
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NEW WEB SITE
The Sierra Club, Cape Breton Group, has a web site! Visit us at
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/fran.morrison/SIERRA.HTM
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BYLAWS Contributed by Paul Falvo
As a step towards official accreditation, Chebucto Group needs a set of
bylaws. Fortunately we have model Sierra Club bylaws to work from. A
"bylaws committee", composed of Jack Devenney, Heather Breeze, Arciris
Garay, Nadia Stuewer and Paul Falvo is reviewing the model bylaws and
adapting them for our use. If you'd like to participate in this important
project please contact Paul and I'll add you to
our email discussion group.
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SHRIMP AQUACULTURE CAMPAIGN Contributed by Angela Rickman
We are hoping to hold a public education and information evening in
Halifax in November. We are bringing a number of activists from countries
directly affected by shrimp aquaculture projects. They will share their
experiences with Canadians, and answer questions. More information on the
problems associated with aquaculture can be found on the Sierra Club
homepage on the web.
What we are hoping for help with is the on the ground coordination of the
event, including finding a venue (FREE), local publicity, and of course
coming out to the event and bringing everyone you know! Any help you can
provide will be most greatly appreciated. It will give Sierrans a chance to
get together and learn about an issue in which we, as consumers, can make a
difference.
To help out, please contact Fiona, <3fk3@qlink.queensu.ca>
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CHAPTER EXCOMM Contributed by Paul Falvo
Just as Canada is divided into national, provincial and municipal
governments, so too the Sierra Club operates on a national, chapter and
group level. Elections for the Chebucto Group [mainland Nova Scotia]
excomm will be held in the fall. If you are interested in being on the
excomm, please contact any current member of the excomm for details.
At the same time, the Eastern Canada Chapter [Ontario, Quebec, and
Atlantic provinces] is holding elections for the Chapter excomm. As shown
on page 11 of the most recent 'Sanctuary' newsletter, candidates are now
being sought. Grab your newsletter and check it out ... we need
representation from Atlantic Canada on the Chapter board!
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CHEBUCTO GROUP EXCOMM
Chair (away til Sept.) Paul Falvo 492-1995 pfalvo@chebucto.ns.ca
Vice (Acting) Chair Nadia Stuewer 425-5119 n_Stuewe@bass.stmarys.ca
Conservation Nadia Stuewer 425-5119 n_Stuewe@bass.stmarys.ca
Cass Elliott 455-3852 au361@chebucto.ns.ca
Outings Henrietta Mann 496-8235 HMANN@shark.stmarys.ca
Programme Jack Devenney 463-0090 jack.devdart@ns.sympatico.ca
Henrietta Mann 496-8235 HMANN@shark.stmarys.ca
Youth Arciris Garay 443-8472 af169@chebucto.ns.ca
Membership Allison Denning425-1379 adenning@is2.dal.ca
Derek Fenton 423-6486 derek.fenton@maritimes.dfo.ca
Secretary Allison Denning425-1379 adenning@is2.dal.ca
Publicity Heather Breeze 429-5094 aa670@chebucto.ns.ca
Treasurer Jack Devenney 463-0090 jack.devdart@ns.sympatico.ca
Fund Raising vacant
Web Master Ben Tremblay 423-8682 ab006@chebucto.ns.ca
Visit us on the 'Net!
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Environment/Sierra/
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Stay in touch with the Sierra Club ... subscribe to Chebucto Group's email
newsletter. Just send email to <majordomo@chebucto.ns.ca>. In the body
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