Thursday, January 24, 2013
More Money Needed For Maintenance: Operations Director
The director of operations for the South Shore Regional School Board is looking to increase the maintenance budget for schools. Steve Prest indicated recently they have about $7-million worth of work to do on 33 schools and the figure keeps growing. The work ranges anywhere from electrical to sprinkler systems and ventilation. Prest is proposing an increase of $330,000 for the 2013-14 maintenance budget. But, he knows, it's a difficult decision.
Prest says their three year average for maintenance spending is around $890,000, which he says is at the low end of industry standards. The board didn't make a decision on the request.
Two Companies Interested In Yarmouth Ferry
Two companies have submitted proposals to set up and run
a commercial ferry service between Yarmouth and the United States. The Nova Scotia government says that proposals were
received from Quest Navigation Incorporated and Maritime Applied Physics
Corporation. The request for proposal to restart the ferry closed on
Thursday afternoon. The proposals will be evaluated with a decision expected
on by the end of February. The province has promised to provide up to $21 million over seven years to help kick start the
defunct ferry service which hasn't been running since the government cut its
subsidy in 2009.
New Clinic To Help With Non-Urgent Health Care
South Shore residents are getting help to access non-urgent health care. A new, six hour clinic will begin running early in February to give patients dealing with issues like minor cuts, sinus problems or prescription refills a chance to see a doctor. CEO for South Shore Health, Peter Vaughan, says the new clinic is a small step towards addressing what has become an urgent need for doctors in the community. The new clinic begins February 4 at the regional hospital in Brdgewater. A doctor will be available to see patients by appointment from 3-9pm every Monday and Wednesday next month. Residents will have to book appointments with the doctor between 10 and noon on the day of the clinic for that day only.
MODL To Further Discuss Potential Skate Park
The Municipality of Lunenburg will check their finances before deciding to support a future skate park Council heard from proponents of the skate park earlier this week, who are asking for almost $6,000 towards construction design. The group is also asking for a four-year commitment from the municipality at $25,000 each year. Mayor Don Downe says they will talk more about the issue.
The park is pegged to be located near the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre. The matter will go to the municipality's budget/finance committee for further discussion.
South Shore Hockey Team Helps Food Bank
The Bantam Major
BMO Western Hurricanes hockey team played the Bubba Ray Gulls this past weekend at Queens Place-Emera Centre in Liverpool. Admission to the game was in Support of the local Food Bank.
A good turnout of fans helped the team in drumming up one hundred bags of groceries and one hundred and twenty-five dollars in cash donations. The Western Hurricanes team and management would like to thank everyone for their
support. By the way, the Hurricanes and Bubba Ray Gulls tied their game at 3-3.