Proposed RDA Workshop

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QUESTIONS ... QUESTIONS ... AND MORE QUESTIONS

Mayor Delaney, Warden Embree and others at the meeting on Friday with the two Ministers had lots of questions for the new Minister of Economic Development and Rural Development.

* Mayor Delaney suggested that the Minister's department participate in a workshop here in September to respond to questions about a new RDA, and Warden Embree wanted to know what the Government's views were on a new RDA. Both reasonable questions and suggestions and I hope the answers are eventually forthcoming.....

* Personally, I would like folks in our community to have a substantive discussion about the manner in which we want to manage our future development. The meeting should talk about what organizations or personnel we should have in place to assist us here, in Halifax or elsewhere.... before we have more discussions ... with either the Provincial Government or the folks from Yarmouth and Clare.

* In the mid-90s the new Savage government was told by people across Nova Scotia that they wanted a local pool of talent to provide technical assistance and training to local populations so we could manage our own socio-economic development. That's what RDAs were supposed to provide.

Instead ..... RDAs hijacked the portfolio (and the project money) and became development czars, dictating to local populations what was going to get done and what wasn't....

*interjecting themselves between citizens and their elected officials and civil servants....

* conducting business in secret and encouraging municipal officials to do the same thing......

* and in so doing... reducing the ability of local populations to manage their own priorities, intervene with government agencies directly and get things done by ensuring those elected and hired to work for us were accountable.

1. Moreover, RDAs who were supposed to be managed by representatives from the community with a minority of seats reserved for municipal officials, were permitted to operate as Societies thereby letting municipal governments usurp the role of representatives from the general population ... stacking the Board of RDAs with politicians.

2. Compounding this problem, Municipalities who were told specifically under the MGA that they were not to divest themselves of land by giving it to RDAs, "because RDAs are not allowed to own land..."... got around the rule by operating as Societies.

3. Municipalities were further complicit in corrupting the intended role of RDAs by handing over land to groups who claimed to be RDAs but who were incorporated under the Societies Act and therefore not bound by the RDA Act. The Provincial Government did the same unloading land they owned and making municipalities responsible for the new burden ... by handing it to the SWSDAs of this world.

4. Municipal officials who enjoyed the confidentiality coverage of these societies resisted becoming RDAs under the appropriate Act because it meant they could do things in secret that the MGA and FOIPOP would not permit them to engage in ..... keep the public in the dark.

In my opinion, I think the public was right in the mid-90s.

Had their demands been answered and not corrupted by municipal and provincial governments with the complicit support of ACOA, local communities and their populations would not only have experienced more socio-economic growth.... but also would have increased their capacity to partner with government agencies to get things done.

I think our workshop on RDAs should help us clarify the role that RDAs should play in our community and who should run them.

What do you think?

Note About Meeting....

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Readers have been asking about the format of Friday's meeting between the new Ministers and Shelburne County Municipal politicians and staff.....

The public should be aware that this is a chance for municipal politicians and staff to meet and get to know these two Ministers with six portfolios that are important for the future of our communities. Let's hope participants and public observers find this to be a positive event...

My hope is that it generates more frequent and increasing opportunities for productive dialogue in the future. The opportunity for the public to observe and listen to the exchanges during this initial contact is an important breakthrough for the public and hopefully a positive sign of things to come.....

SHELBURNE COUNTY RDAs

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This morning I want to engage you in the beginning dialogue... that I believe is necessary if we are going to create the organizational structure we need to better promote the socio-economic development of our communities in Shelburne County.

As you may have noted from a review of the comments provided by readers, a number of readers have identified their preference regarding the geographic coverage of our new RDA.... One thing is clear..... no one voted for the continued participation of Shelburne municipalities in an RDA that covers Shelburne, Yarmouth and Clare.

Some voted for two RDAs.... one for Eastern Shelburne County and one for Western Shelburne County. Some suggested RDAs for each municipality..... while others suggested we didn't need an RDA ..... and that municipalities should simply deal with provincial and federal governments directly.

All of the options voted for have some merit.

Below I have briefly outlined my take on each of these options and my preference.

Option 1 - No RDA.

The primary problem with this option is that RDA's were originally established to provide technical support and training to local populations at large and municipal governments generally by providing assistance to the community in the implementation of annual strategic plans.

The view then was that RDAs could help private citizens by supporting their efforts to create and/or build businesses, RDAs would also be a local resource to help municipal governments, NGOs and others to develop the skills to manage or put together proposals for socio-economic and business development in our communities. Passing this responsibility to municipal governments would require significant budgets and the recruitment and administration of a staff complement that would be prohibitive for each community.

Option 2 - Separate RDAs for Eastern and Western Shelburne County

The primary problem with this alternative is that some of the natural advantages dictated by geography, built infrastructure, natural resources, heritage and size are lost to the separation of communities at the Clyde. As a result, I rank this option as my second choice. That said, there is not doubt that the municipalities on either side of the Clyde could effectively make use of an RDA devoted to their socio-economic development. However, it would be a more expensive solution and some common strategies for development would be more difficult to embrace and develop.

Option 3 - A Shelburne County RDA

While this option makes the most sense, it is plagued by historical tension between residents on either side of the Clyde. Creating a viable RDA without aggravating these tensions would require that the RDA stick to its technical support mandate. Not an impossible task ..... but one that would require the role of the RDA to change from the all-powerful dictator of development efforts we have experienced over the past 13 years.

In a new world, a new RDA that was devoted to supporting residents, local organizations, businesses and municipal governments achieve their development objectives instead of being a political power broker, could work well and serve all of Shelburne County. That would mean that the new RDA was not dominated by politicians or organizations but rather people who were selected by their communities for their skills and knowledge... and commitment to the development of Shelburne County. This new innovative organization would require folks to think about what they wanted the RDA to do and who might best help achieve this objective.... Takes work but I think it could be a productive effort....

For what its worth..... that's my take on it........ What is yours?

Ed

PUBLIC IS INVITED TO OBSERVE!

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THE GOOD NEWS IS......

YOUR ARE INVITED TO OBSERVE

THE MEETING OF MINISTERS PARIS AND BELLIVEAU

WITH SHELBURNE COUNTY

MUNICIPAL POLITICIANS & OFFICIALS

AUGUST 28, 10:30 A.M.

KING STREET COMMUNITY CENTRE

(FIRE HALL)

OPPS!

Dear Reader,

It appears I have made a mistake and my mother used to say if you do..... the best thing is to apologize quickly.

I made a mistake and want to apologize to Sterling Belliveau and Percy Paris for any inconvenience caused by my premature announcement of a public meeting with the Minister this coming Friday. This confusion is my fault and I am sorry.

Unfortunately, I was in error announcing a public meeting at this time....for that, I also want to apologize to my readers.

Sincerely,

Ed Cayer

Psst.... Want to Know a Secret?

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SECRET MEETING ARRANGED & CANCELLED

Just got a copy ..... and wanted to share......

----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Anderson
Cc: Frank Anderson ; Dave Warner
Sent : Thursday, June 25, 2009 3:38 PM

Subject: Invitation
Please advise your alternate of this meeting.

To all board members:

We have been able to organize a meeting with senior representatives of the Department of Economic and Rural Development (Neal Conrad) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (Mel Coombs) for Thursday, August 13 at 2:00pm. They will be able to provide some knowledge of the important role that municipalities play in the regional development authority process and how the authority will operate under the Regional Community Development Act of 1996. When the South West Shore Development Authority was established in 1995 as a not-for-profit society, it determined its structure, its operational plan, its priorities and its marketing strategy. Over the years, the authority has continued to provide support for all municipal units and many community groups and carried out their mandate to develop a strategic plan and implement the plan to create economic stability in the region. In preparation for this meeting, they have asked that we put together a list of questions so that they can be prepared with some answers. The session will be held in the boardroom of the South West Authority in Yarmouth. If there is sufficient interest expressed by municipal councils to have other councillors to attend, we will identify a more appropriate location for the meeting. Please mark this in your calendar and provide some of your questions that will help you to understand the process and the Regional Community Development Act.

Frank Anderson
Chief Executive Officer

Then on Wednesday August 12 the following message was sent out......

The meeting in Yarmouth tomorrow with Neal Conrad, Economic Development, and Mel Coombs, ACOA, Re: Reincorporation of S.W.S.D.A., has been cancelled until further notice.

When asked about the cancellation some Board members indicated ..... that Halifax cancelled the meeting because they were still preparing written answers to the questions asked by members and councilors.....

Thought you should know....

TIME TO ACT!

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BEFORE ..... OUR COLLECTIVE COUNCILS HOLD SECRET MEETINGS! BEFORE ..... WARDENS AND COUNCILLORS MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT PUBLIC INPUT!
BEFORE .... ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THINGS THEY HAVEN'T THOUGHT THROUGH!
BEFORE .... MEMBERS OF SWSDA'S BOARD MAKE DECISIONS THAT WE CITIZENS WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH!
BEFORE... ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ACOA AND SWSDA ENGAGE IN SECRET NEGOTIATIONS!
BEFORE.... OTHERS WITH VESTED INTERESTS IN OUR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARE DISENFRANCHISED!

INVITE CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INFORMED PUBLIC DIALOGUE ABOUT OUR FUTURE RDA OR RDAs.....!!!!

Join the Concerned Citizens Committee of Shelburne County and demand a meeting with councils and officals from Economic Development. To join just send me an email indicating you want to participate in the dialogue to create a new RDA for Shelburne County. Write to aacayer@gmail.com and I will add you to our mailing list and give you an opportunity to sign petitions to get your council to engage in public dialogue.

Today's Chronicle Herald Coverage of MOS Budget

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GEE... ARE WE SEEING SIGNS OF PROGRESS?

MAYBE........ This story provides some insight into what the municipality is/has been doing and fertile ground for further discussion..... http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1136490.html

We'll be doing that right here in the coming weeks as we discuss development strategies and approaches in Shelburne County.....

All ..... so that informed citizens .... can have meaningful input into the formulation of development plans and efforts in our rural community...... and the dialogue between citizens and those who work on our behalf can be engaged in constructive ways.

The Role of Media in Developing Communities

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Informed Citizens Necessary in a Free Society

Every form of media needs to play a meaningful role in empowering citizens to participate effectively in the enlightened governance of society. They perform this function by ensuring citizens are informed about issues, consider alternative viewpoints and have access to information about what government and private groups are planning, doing and/or not doing in our communities.

The communities in Shelburne County rely heavily on local and provincial newspapers and other published sources, as well as radio and television. Since the only truly local media outlet in Shelburne County is the weekly newspaper, the Coast Guard, ..... I believe ..... they have a special burden to keep informed and share news and information with the citizens of Shelburne County. Other traditional media sources that are not based in Shelburne County provide little coverage of news from Shelburne County and provide precious little analysis of news-worthy items effecting local residents in the County.

I conclude from my own review that the Coast Guard has failed in its responsibilities to our communities in Shelburne County and local citizens. That conclusion is supported in my view by their failure to publish a recent letter I'd sent to the editor. Their decision not to publish or act upon my note to them confirms my assessment of their failure to meet the obligation bestowed upon thme by their privileged position in our community. Below is a copy of the email sent to the Editor of the Coast Guard a couple of weeks ago.... you draw your own conclusions about their reasons for not publishing the letter or the Deputy Minister's letter.......

"

Adelard Cayer
Sat, Jul 25, 2009 at 11:47 AM
To: Greg Bennett

Dear Mr.
Editor:

I've read with some interest the Coast Guard's recent
stories respecting SWSDA and the review being conducted by
municipalities of their relationship with SWSDA. In my view, it would have
been helpful to your readers if you had followed the old journalists' maxim that
a good story answers six questions - who, what, when, where,why and how. Had
your reporters done so, they would have referred to the recent letter
from the Deputy Minister of Economic Development to SWSDA, its
management and its Board of Directors. In my view, his letter has prompted the
present reviews. In that correspondence the Deputy Minister made a number of
points that are germane to your articles.

First, the Deputy's
letter advises SWSDA that, if it wishes to continue to receive core funding
as an RDA, it will have to incorporate under the RDA Act before the end of
March. Second, the Deputy points out in his letter that the RDA Act provides for
the creation of RDAs at the request of a municipality or group of
municipalities. For some time now, politicians and bureaucrats have advised
folks in Shelburne that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Act, the Province
would never approve an independent RDA for municipalities of Shelburne County.
The Deputy Minister's letter dismisses this misinformation and invites requests
for the creation of RDAs. Third, the Deputy points out that, in keeping
with the intent of the Act, he is looking for proposals that would ensure the
Board provides representation from the community at large and local businesses,
pointing out that the new RDA's Board should not be composed solely of
politicians.

While there is much more that could have been
reflected in your articles to date respecting this dramatic change in the
structures that will guide our local development in the future, your reporters'
failure to even mention this correspondence or provide details about
this background information seriously reduces the completeness of your
articles on this subject.

With these points in mind I hope you
will consider providing a more complete review and report dealing
with the issues associated with these upcoming changes. This is too
important an opportunity to bring about transformative change to be left in
the hands of politicians alone without the benefit of public consultations.

Yours very truly

-- A. A. "Ed" CayerPO Box 995, # 109
Water Street Shelburne, Nova Scotia B0T 1W0Tel 902-875-3870, Cell 902-512-0052Fax
Toll Free 1-877-786-4704email: aacayer@gmail.com"

Interesting Summer So Far!

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Dear Reader:

I am back home tomorrow after a dozen glorious days in St. Andrews, New Brunswick with kids, grandkids and inlaws.... something refreshing about spending time with folks between the ages of 2 and 90!!! Great way to refresh and challenge perspectives.... recuperate from open heart surgery and more than four weeks in hospital....

I'll be glad to be back.... so much to do and write about......So lets get this blog back on track.......

This week's submission will begin with a discussion of the potential structure of organized development in Shelburne County and some of the options available to ensure public participation and accountability in the process....... We'll take a brief look at creating a functional RDA, the role that a group like Team Shelburne might play, how a properly mandated Shelburne County Industrial Commission might help and what to do with inefficient and ineffective regional provincial government agencies dealing with education, community services, economic development, health and more...... I can hardly wait! We might even ask some questions about the management of marine resources and fisheries......

SO.... WHAT IS A TROLL?

From Wikipedia....

"Do not feed the trolls" and its abbreviation DNFTT redirect here. For the Wikipedia essay, see "What is a troll?".
In Internet slang, a troll is someone who posts controversial, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum, chat room or blog, with the primary intent of provoking other users into an emotional or disciplinary response[1] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[2]

Tune in on Friday......

Confidentiality

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One of our Readers has asked a number of questions in quick succession about whether this blog is confidential..... questions and tactics similar to the ones received by the swsdaaccountability blog

I have not posted his/her subsequent comments charged with innuendo and suggestions of questionable motives by yours truly....

Not sure what the question means since everything I write is published under my name. If the question is whether anonymous comments are truly anonymous..... the answer is yes.... they are anonymous.... that is the option offered to people who want to comment when they choose to make their comment anonymous.... that part of the blog is managed by "Google" and even the courts can't force them to identify who has posted comments that I do not reject as inappropriate..... and of course..... I never know who sends comments unless they identify themselves........

Of course if you write a comment and I post it, the comment no longer is confidential since anyone subscribing to this blog can read it

HAVING SAID ALL THIS.... I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER ..... why would someone ask this question?