It was a big year for the provinces’ provincial camping parks.

With the season closed and the numbers tallied, just under 82,500 campsite nights were booked. This is a five per cent increase from 2017 and more than 30 per cent since 2014.

The provincial government said improvements are coming to the park reservation system for next year to make it easier to book campsites.

All provincial parks are now closed for camping but can still be visited for hiking and winter activities.

For now the Region of Queens Municipality is not taking any official stance on a proposed Cooke Aquaculture expansion in Liverpool Bay.

A Previous council wrote a letter of support for citizen efforts to stop aquaculture development in Port Mouton Bay as the evidence showed it was creating too great of an impact on the environment. However Mayor David Dagley says they would need to see science based evidence that any chosen site was unsuitable before taking a position.

Dagley added he has heard little in the way of problems or complaints about the Liverpool Bay site from the community.

Any stance from the municipality would not have any impact on development, as aquaculture falls under provincial jurisdiction.

The Queens Daycare is putting in a bid to take over the Mount Pleasant School.

In 2017 The Region of Queens said the building upkeep would cost too much to taxpayers, and chose to put up the building for sale. Two years notice was given to tenants to move out, including the daycare. But after a long search, the Queens Daycare Association was unable to find a suitable space for their operations. With the building now up for sale, the association is hoping to take over the property.

Donna Dexter, board chair for the Queens Daycare, says to address any issues with the building they have partnered with a local developer.

If successful in their bid, Dexter adds they would look at expanding the facility to cover other needs for the community, such as infant care. Currently they have 31 children in their programming.

The building up for sale at $69,000, however non-profits can propose to pay a lower price.

Nova Scotia is starting a cap and trade program in an effort to lower greenhouse emissions.

The provincial government announced on Oct. 23 businesses that put more than 50,000 tonnes of greenhouse gasses into the air have four years to meet targets of 80 to 90 percent cap of current emissions. Those that don’t meet their target would have to purchase excess capacity on an open market and auction or face stiff fines of three times the cost of purchasing in the market.

About 21 businesses are covered under the new system, affecting businesses such as Nova Scotia Power, the gas and oil suppliers and Northern Pulp.

The province predicts an increase of point one nine cents for electricity costs and 1 cent more per litre of gas at the pumps.

Over the next four years, the goal is to reduce the provinces emissions by 650,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Cooke Aquaculture is looking to expand their salmon farming operation in the Liverpool Bay.

Andrew Lively, VP of global marketing with Cooke Aquaculture, gave details on the plan as well as background to Region of Queens Council on Oct. 23.

The company has initial approval to investigate the site’s suitability by the province, however that does not mean they have approval to start the expansion. Cooke Aquaculture must first gather data about the site and consult with the community.

Once all information is gathered the company will then present this to the provincial review board for a decision.

The open house will take place on Oct. 30 at Queens Place Emera Centre, from 4-7 pm.

It was curtain call for the Liverpool International Theatre Festival on Oct. 21.

After four days of performances, workshops and site seeing, the performers, stage crew and avid theatre goers gathered one final time at the Astor Theatre to be recognized for their achievements on the stage.

Jean Robinson Dexter, chair of the festival, said they were pleased with how the festival went.

“I think it was amazingly successful. We took a chance moving it to the fall, and judging by the size of the houses and the number of subscriptions sold, from the perspective of having people here it’s been fantastic.”

She added their biggest concern was weather, but despite a bit of rain on Saturday the troupes got a good taste of the fall weather and colours.

Otherwise there were plenty of volunteers, host homes and technical staff at the ready to make the festival a success.

Now with the festival over and the theatre troupes on their way home, Robinson-Dexter says they’ll go over how festival went and start planning for the next one.

See photos from the gala here.

Winners from the LITF gala:

Original Script – Vic Mills for the Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding visual Presentation – The Miser (Bangledesh)

Outstanding Supporting Female Actor – Amaranta Getino – Amandonos (Mexico)

Outstanding Supporting Actor – Md Azizur Rahman – The Miser (Bangledesh)

Outstanding Female Actor – Peta Maidman – The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding Actor – Vic Mills: The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

Outstanding Director – Eslam Awad ElNagdy: The Seven Days (Egypt)

Outstanding International Production – The Seven Days (Egypt)

People’s Choice – The Ruins of Talgarth (Wales)

It was a busy day for the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission’s cannabis outlets on Oct. 17, when Marijuana became legal across the country.

All stores across the province that sold cannabis had lineups, said NSLC spokesperson Beverly Wear, and things went fairly smooth.

First day sales amounted to nearly 13,000 transactions and over $660,000 spent.

Wear says while a few products sold out the shelves are still stocked, and shipments will continue to keep the stock in place. She added that while there may be some shortages now, as more producers come online the shortages should end.

While Queens County may not have a place to by legal cannabis, that doesn’t mean you will always have to drive to Bridgewater.

Wear said a website has been set up for secure ordering of the product, but in order to get access to the website a Pin code card is required.

Cards are available at any NSLC outlet, not just the ones selling cannabis, and must be picked up at the cash register.

The ordered product is shipped through Canada Post, and Wear says you still have to provide legal photo ID to receive your product.

A video circulating how to bypass the verification system surfaced shortly after the site went live, however Wear says NSLC has closed the gap.

A pardon may be possible for those charged with simple marijuana possession charges in the future.

On Oct. 17 the federal government announced they will move forward on a plan that will allow those convicted of having less than 30 grams of the now legal product.

The plan will also speed up the pardon process dramatically, and waive the typical $631 charge, although those convicted must have already served their sentence.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said the government said the change is a matter of basic fairness, when older laws from a previous era are changed.

The Queens ATV association is holding a memorial ATV run this weekend, to honour one of their longtime advocates.

Ted foster was a founding member of the Queens ATV association, and the longest serving club member. Foster passed away earlier this year.

The run takes place on Oct. 20 at the Port Mouton Access Road, with registration starting at 8:30 am.

The cost for the event is $20 per person, with the money going towards upkeep of the trails. Organizer Kevin Traynor says they hope to make this a yearly event for their late comrade.

For more information contact Traynor at 902-354-5544

The Liverpool International Theatre Festival gets underway tomorrow at the Astor Theatre, and the first performance will have a very local feel.

Queens County native

Al Steele plays the title role in Oliver’s Bench, written by local playwright Greg Tutty. The play is the first production to be performed at the Liverpool International Theatre Festival on Oct. 18.

Greg Tutty’s play called Oliver’s Bench will be the opening piece, and is unusual in that the entire play has no spoken lines.

He says four years ago he submitted a different play to LITF, and the feedback he was given said there were too many words. Tutty took that as a challenge and wrote a play with as few words as possible, which eventually evolved into a play with no lines at all.

The inspiration for the play itself came from a walk on the Liverpool waterfront, where Tutty met a person sitting on a bench who clearly did not want him to be in the area. Though he never found out why, the experience stuck with him wrote a play based on that experience.

As of Oct. 16 the play was just about sold out, which hasn’t happened to an LITF performance in over a decade. Tutty says he and the actors taking the stage are excited there is so much interest in the play

Oliver’s Bench will be the first play to be performed after LITF opening ceremonies, starting at 8:30 pm Thursday night.

Zombies are coming to Liverpool Nov. 3, and if you want to be on the event today is the last day to register.

The Queens Universally designed play park is hosting the event, as a fundraiser towards building a fully accessible park next to Queens Place Emera Centre.

Participants get pledge sheets and raise as much money as they can. Then on Nov. 3 come out dressed in their best Zombie gear to shuffle and moan their way through Liverpool.

More information, including how to register can be found on the group’s Facebook page. 

The walk will go from the Town Hall Arts and Cultural Centre to Queens Place Emera Centre

There won’t be a pool added to Queens Place Emera Centre anytime soon.

Earlier in September the Queens Community Aquatic Society presented a plan to add a four lane pool to Queens Place. The costs was estimated at $12 million dollars, which would require the municipality to pitch in $4 million and the remaining $8 million to come from federal and provincial funding. After crunching the numbers, the Region of Queens determined a tax increase of 8 cents per one hundred dollars of assessed value would be required to cover the costs of building and maintaining the pool.

In a written statement Mayor David Dagley said while council sees the benefits, the costs are too high for the taxpayers to bear.

“Queens Community Aquatic Society has worked passionately to advance this project since 2015, putting in many hours of research, and planning, and have collaborated with Region staff, Council, and the public. We deeply appreciate their efforts and thank them for their tireless work,” said Mayor Dagley.  “While Council agrees that there are tremendous benefits in having a large aquatic facility in our community, we must also weigh the cost to residents and their ability to pay.

“Council will now turn its attention to planning for future upgrades of the current 51-year old Milton Centennial Pool to ensure its continued operation. We also manage the North Queens Aquatic Centre in Caledonia, which was built in 1995, and is currently in good condition operationally,” Mayor Dagley noted.

The Aquatic Society formed in 2015 with the goal of adding an indoor pool to Queens Place Emera Centre. The society said they are disappointed in the decision, but recognize that without outside funding help a pool isn’t feasible at this time.

“We wish to express appreciation to the Mayor, CAO, and Director of Recreation, for their work with us and for their diligence in doing what is affordable for the Region. Without a significant contribution from a benefactor, the funding of an aquatic facility is not currently feasible.”

The province of NS has launched their annual Heating Assistance Rebate Program for Nova Scotians in need.

The program offers a rebate up to $200 for home heating. To qualify for the rebate, the income threshold for one-person households is $29,000 and $44,000 for households with more than one person. More than 42,000 people received rebates in 2017.

Applications can be done online, or Paper application forms can be downloaded from the Service Nova Scotia website picked up from Access Nova Scotia Centres, Community Services offices, and MLA offices

For more information, visit http://www.novascotia.ca/heatinghelp

With cannabis legalization across the country just around the corner the Region of queens is ready, at least policy wise.

Mayor David Dagley said the municipality updated their by-laws over the past year to include wording to ban cannabis inside municipal owned buildings and vehicles.

For now the Region of Queens cannabis policy will mirror their tobacco policy, which in addition to being banned indoors, smokers must be at least four meters away from entrances, windows and building ventilation areas.

Where cannabis use is a new issue, Mayor Dagley says they will see how the rules evolve in other jurisdictions as well, which may mean changes in the future if needed.

So far the strictest policy in Nova Scotia is in Halifax, which has implemented a full ban on all smoking and vaping on municipal property. This includes sidewalks and parks, except in designated areas. At this time Mayor Dagely says they do not have plans to do the same

If you are passing by the former Queens County Advance building in Liverpool, you may notice a plaque dedicated to one of its former editors.

Cecil Day was a longtime editor of The Advance, and owned the newspaper from 1937 to 1968 where he won many awards for his work.

Beverly Burlock, daughter of Cecil Day, said she wanted to do something to honour her father. She says he isn’t well known in the community anymore, despite the number of years he spent in the community. When the building was sold and the newspaper shut down, she contact the new owner of the building to put on a plaque dedicated to her late father.

A dedication ceremony was held in mid-September, where former employees under Day, former employees of The Advance and Burlock were in attendance among others.

A plaque dedicated to the longtime editor and owner of The Advance was unveiled mid September, on the building that formerly held the newspaper.

Pleasant Avenue just outside of the town of Liverpool limits is getting a repave, but cost overruns by the province left councilors unhappy the municipality is holding the bag.

Originally the province expected the cost to be around $50,000, however the tender came in at $79,000.

With the road heavily used by school buses going to Liverpool Regional High School, Mayor David Dagley said they have little choice but to accept the cost.

Although the road under provincial ownership and they control the tendering process, its designation means it will only get repaved if the municipality requests it and covers half of the costs.

Queens Daycare operators says there isn’t any other space in Liverpool to move to, and are asking for the Region of Queens help to keep the building that they are housed in open.

The former Mount Pleasant school that houses Queens Daycare is owned by the Region of Queens, and last year it was reported that upkeep costs for the building would have to sharply rise in order to keep the building in working order. Council decided in 2017 that a better solution would be to close the facility.

Donna Dexter, board chair of the Queens Daycare, said they have worked hard to find a space that would work, however there is nothing available that would meet all the regulatory requirements.

The daycare, along with other tenants of the building, were given two years to move out in 2017 after upkeep costs on the facility sharply rose.

The food bank, Queens Learning Network and Family Resource centre have all found new homes, and have moved or will move in the future. That will leave the daycare as the sole occupant after the 2019 deadline.

Meanwhile Mayor David Dagley says the Region of Queens will soon put out a request for proposals on the facility.

He says the request is to see what interest there is to take over the operations of the building.

A fire alarm at the post office turned out to be a false alarm on Oct. 11
The alarm went off shortly before 11 am today, resulting in the building being evacuated for 45 minutes while fire crews inspected the building.

Fire trucks arrive at the Liverpool Post office to investigate the fire alarm.

Traffic was disrupted around the three way intersection due to fire trucks parked along Market Street.
The situation has since been resolved and traffic is back to normal.

The Astor Theatre Society is looking to upgrade their Heating and cooling system, and has reached out to the Region of Queens to help fund a study.

The main issue stems from trouble keeping the building cool in summer and warm in winter.

The Astor Theatre Society needs to have the current system assessed and recommendation of what would be the best system to install, at a cost of around $20,000.

A grant is in the works that would cover three quarters of the cost, and the Astor Theatre society is asked to split the remaining quarter 50-50 with the municipality.

Several councilors questioned why an external study was needed, when the municipality is familiar with the building, however Chief Administrative Officer Chris MacNeil said they don’t have the in-house expertise to decide on the best solution for the space.

North Queens teen Zeke Westhaver is leading the way on a skate park project for Caledonia.

Westhaver attended the Region of Queens Council meeting on Oct. 9, to ask for a $750 grant to help get the project underway. The funding will go towards signage and insurance for the park. Council approved the motion unanimously.

For now the skate park will be set up in the tennis courts at Harmony Ballfield for a one year pilot project.

If successful, Westhaver hopes to expand the skatepark and move it closer to the centre of Caledonia.

The town of Bridgewater has donated surplus equipment to be used for the skate park, and it will be ready to go after some minor repair work.

It will be at least another two weeks before we know who the next deputy mayor of the Region of Queens will be.

Deputy Mayor Susan MacLeod’s term ends Nov. 1, and all councilors have the opportunity to be elected to the position for the next two years.

Two candidates, Heather Kelly and Jack Fancy, were put forward as contenders. A secret ballot was done to choose the next candidate, however despite doing the vote twice both times came back as a tie vote.

Council will make another attempt to choose a deputy mayor in their next meeting on Oct. 23

A decision to reduce the term of deputy mayor from two years to one year also proved to be a no go by council. Deputy mayors can serve one, two or four year terms under municipal rules, but council must vote to change the time frame. Currently the Region of Queens has two year terms, but a motion was put forward to change it to one.

However despite the interest by some councilors the vote was defeated in a tie.

With cottage season winding down, RCMP are reminding residents to take a few extra steps to secure their seasonal home.

RCMP say thieves tend to be attracted to portable items that they can carry and easily sell such as flat screen televisions and other electronics, alcohol and firearms. Other frequently stolen items include things kept outside or in a shed or barn, such as ATV’s, outboard motors and power tools.

Here are a few things you can do to help prevent your property from being a target:

        Remove all valuables from your cottage (including firearms);

        Lock / secure all doors and windows;

        Install an alarm system;

        Close all curtains and drapes;

        Ensure all out buildings (e.g., garage or shed) are secured;

        Don’t leave tools and items outside that could be used to break into your cottage;

        Consider using motion sensors or timers for outdoor lights;

       Photograph interior – make list of items and serial numbers; 

        Install cameras in a location pointing towards the cottage or cabin ;

        Avoid storing vehicles and their keys at a cottage or camp – this includes ATV’s and snowmobiles;

        Ask someone you trust to check on your property regularly.

“Criminals see unoccupied cottages as easy targets so the more difficult you make it for them to get in, the better,” says Nova Scotia RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jennifer Clarke. “If you discover your property has been broken in to or notice something unusual, it’s important to report it to police as soon as possible.”

The Nova Scotia RCMP can be contacted anywhere in the province by calling 1-800-803-RCMP (7267), or should you wish to remain anonymous, tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or use the P3 Tips App.

The annual fire prevention week returns across the country next week and local detachments are getting ready to spread the word.

Terriann Munroe Miller, one of the organizers of the Liverpool events says fire prevention week is an important way to remind people to be vigil about fire safety.

She adds simply changing your smoke detector’s battery and making sure electrical outlets are not overloaded can go a long way to prevent fires.

On Monday Oct. 8 the Grand street parade gets underway at 6:30 pm, starting at South Queens Middle School, traveling to Union Street down to Main Street, crossing Market to Henry Hensey Dr. and finishing at the Fire hall.

After the parade is the ever popular Little Miss and Master pageant, which takes place at the fire hall.

Other events include fire truck rides on Tuesday and a softball game at Thorburne field where the fire department will take on the Lunenburg/Queens special Olympics team.

Sunday Oct. 7

Church Parade – 11 am at Zion United Church

Little Miss & Master Tea – 1 pm at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Monday Oct. 8

Grand Street Parade – 6:30 pm

Little Miss & Master Pageant – After the parade at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Tuesday Oct. 9

Fire Truck Rides – 5:30 pm at the Liverpool Fire Hall

Kiddie Disco – 6 pm

Wednesday Oct. 10

Mutual Aid Parade, Mahone Bay – 7 pm

Thursday Oct. 11

Liverpool Fire Fighters vs. Special Olympics Softball Match – 7 pm at Thorburne Field

There is at least some good news coming out of Carter’s Beach this year on the garbage front

Robert Ross, organizer of the annual Carter’s Beach cleanup and a resident along the road, says it was one of the cleanest years on record.

Over the 13 years he has been involved, Ross says garbage pickers pack up to eight bags worth of garbage. This year that number was down to two.

He attributes the lower volume to a combination of factors. The Department of Environment had a part time student walking the beaches to educate on the sensitive nature of the dunes, and to encourage visitors to pack in and pack out what they bring instead of disposing of it in garbage cans. Visitors using the dunes as outdoor toilets also seems to be on the decline, as Ross said the cleanup crew found fewer tracks and other signs of use.

Ross also credited two Port Mouton residents that walk the beach at least once a day that also pick up garbage as they go.

However Ross says there are still challenges to be addressed such as the volume of traffic, which seems to increase each year. An informal count of cars made at the peak of the season saw over 100 parked in the parking lot and the side of the road.

Carters beach has long been a source of frustration for residents of the area, due to the high volume of visiting traffic and garbage over the summer months, and Queens Shelburne MLA Kim Masland is voicing their concern to the provincial government.

Masland, brought the issue up in legislature on Sept. 26, to remind government solutions still needs to be found.

Though the Department of Environment has been trying to discourage people from staying for long periods of time and is not promoting the beach, Masland says this strategy is not working. They also promoted a “Pack in, Pack out” approach, encouraging visitors to take any garbage with them instead of using public trash cans.

She says the power of social media has turned Carters Beach into a destination, but once there the lack of proper facilities increases the negative impacts on the beach.

For a solution, Masland points to Summerville Beach, which also has sensitive dunes and ecological importance as a piping plover nesting ground. However, with proper parking, toilets and garbage cans the beach is kept in much better shape.

The government has set up a committee to look at the issue, and to make recommendations on the best course of action.