It appears that once again journalists insist on prematurely writing off the Town of Hantsport, this time in an article entitled “A consolation for dissolution” (Ref: Chronicle Herald, Page A4, Monday January 26, 2015).
It sort of irks me that the media continues to present the situation as a done deal. Not surprising though I suppose, as almost no one on Town Council seem to go out of their way to say otherwise. The prevailing sentiment there, at least for some, is to simply dance around singing “Ding Dong the Witch is Dead” and to “Celebrate”. They really just want to get it over with. However, at the risk of being politically incorrect, it’s not really over “until the fat lady sings”, or at least until the UARB makes its determination.
As I understand it, at this point the Town of Hantsport, given its current financial situation, has simply applied to the UARB to consider dissolution as possibility, and has solicited (expensive) studies to evaluate and present the options as they see them. Then, once all the stakeholders have filed their “evidence”, the UARB will commence with formal hearings to consider the application and evidence starting on March 23, 2015.
One of the more recent documents of evidence has been submitted by the Formal Intervenors, “Think Hantsport”. Admittedly, I have not yet taken the time to read this 214 page report, but presumably it presents arguments against dissolving the Town of Hantsport, based on an alternative interpretation of “the facts” and other considerations. Maybe there’s a viable alternative presented in their submission. Ultimately, it will be up to the UARB to fairly consider all the evidence presented and make a decision, “in the best interests of the citizens of Hantport”.
The news media obviously need help getting it right, and those persons who are part of this process have a duty to present an accurate assessment of what’s going on and where we are at when providing commentary to the media. The citizens of Hantsport also need to critically think for themselves and not just believe the party line. If you’re curious about what’s going on and have access to a computer, check out the UARB website, which contains all the correspondence and submissions to date, including the schedule ( http://uarb.novascotia.ca/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=UARBv12&-loadframes ).
Like the mostly dismembered knight on Monty Python said, we’ve “still got our teeth”, at least for now.
Thanks,
Martin Vander Baaren
32 Main Street
Hantsport
I agree that it is not a done deal as yet but I think on its way to be so. I as well tried to read the evidence presented by Think Hantsport and that evidence is mostly copies of everything that has been said about the dissolution from public meeting to COW meeting. newspaper articles and so on and so on. The evidence if it had been presented in chronological order it would have been easier to read. If there had been a summary of all the evidence finishing up with a proposal from that evidence it would have helped. I don't think it is really evidence it is mostly copy and paste.
ReplyDeleteThanks for clarifying the facts, Martin.
ReplyDelete