COW report: elephant grass, William Hall, winery tour

 Controversy over sign 

Plans for winery-based tours

Many topics were discussed at the Hantsport's Committee of the Whole meeting but the following were most significant. No decisions were made on any of the items. That will only happen at a regular council meeting.

• In his Mayor's Report, Rob Zwicker stated talks are continuing on establishing a biofeed turbine for burning elephant grass on the Minas Basin Pulp & Power site.

• Policing is a huge concern for many Nova Scotia municipalities. CAO Rob Frost attended a session in Kentville along with 25 or so CAOs to discuss the problem and to find solutions. "It was great to hear how the Kentville Police Force works with the RCMP," he stated. 

• CAO Frost continues discussions with Service Nova Scotia about funding for the town after the closing of Minas Basin Pulp & Power.

• Councillors Faye Hill and Harold Bulger attended the budget meeting which several residents ages 60+ attended. CAO stated he appreciated the good feedback and discussion. A freeze on capital spending is not necessarily good. The town is in a good financial position to borrow money. Coun. Hill complimented Frost on his ability to organize and to keep the meeting on track.

• David Folker, president of the Hantsport & Area Historical Society, with former President St. Clair Patterson, asked the major and town council for a lettter of support to be sent to Chuck Porter complaining about the sign on the William Hall Memorial. William Hall was definitely black, not light brown. The ship, Shannon, is not the type Hall sailed on. And Cape Blomidon on the sign bears no resemblance to the real Cape Blomidon. The men stated that the image on the stamp commemorating Halll was more accurate than the sign. 

• Two prominent wine growers, Doug Corkum of Saint-famille Wines st-famille.com in Falmouth and Stuart Creaser of Avondale Sky Winery avondalesky.com, are developing a series of winery-based tours in the Avon Region. Wineries are a new draw attracting people from Metro and around the world. The Avon Region is one of the best areas in the province to grow grapes and more wineries are expected to be established in the future. The men will schedule a minimum of six events and incorporate a passport system. Their aim is to promote the area as a whole as a place to visit and to move to. The men are approaching West Hants, Windsor, and Hantsport to contribute to their advertising campaign. They need $15,000 -$20,000. The men are prepared to move on this as soon as they have the money.