Rants &Raves
We discuss tourism, disrespectful neighbours, and the new PM
RAVE: For a successful cruise ship season. There were no fewer than 70 cruise ship visits to Sydney Harbour this season, which brought with them approximately 90,000 passengers and 43,000 crew. This is a nice increase over last year when 65 cruise ships docked at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, which brought 82,599 passengers and 37,834 crew. Of course, this produces positive economic spin-offs for local restaurants, retail stores and businesses such as Ambassatours Gray Line which enjoyed an “absolutely fantastic” season carting all these tourists around to popular destinations such as Louisbourg, Iona, Baddeck and, of course, Sydney. Let’s keep those ships coming and lets also keep the pressure on the provincial and federal governments to partner on the $20-million construction of a second berthing wharf capable of docking 300-metre plus vessels in Sydney Harbour. We’re positive a strong business case can be made to show that such a project would pay for itself several times over time.
RANT: For disrespectful neighbours. Hard to believe that a north end Sydney resident ran an outdoor furnace one day in August, despite the fact that the temperature was well above 30 degrees Celsius. The resulting smoke prompted at least one neighbour, who relies on an oxygen tank around the clock, to close his windows and District 5 Coun. Eldon MacDonald to once again raise the issue of coal and wood burning stoves in accessory buildings at a council meeting last week. Other smoke complaints include furnaces and stack not properly maintained, stack and chimney not high enough so that smoke and fumes will dissipate above nearby homes, and inferior coal or wood being burnt. C’mon people. We’re not asking anyone to freeze in winter here. Just put the shoe on the other foot, show some consideration and invest in some upgrades. Your neighbour will appreciate it and it could save a life. Even your own.
RAVE: For PMs who enjoy connecting with Canadians. How cool was it that hours after being sworn in as prime minister, former teacher Justin Trudeau was participating in online ‘hangouts ‘ with five schools across the country including Membertou Elementary where he spoke and answered a question. It’s all part of his obviously sincere desire to connect on a more personal level with Canadians than his predecessors and early returns suggest the positive new atmosphere in Ottawa these days is being very well received.