THE BIG POND TIMES

OCTOBER 2002       VOLUME IX No.10

 WHERE IS ROUTE 4?

MIDDLE CAPE MUDDLE

Eastern District, Transportation & Public Works, continues to be a source of wonder. Tender No. 60107745, which closed on 4 September, is a survey to find out exactly who owns what in the Middle Cape-Irish Cove area.

            Many will remember the contentious right-of-way issue at the corner of Loch Lomond Road and TPW’s assurance that they had a 100’ right-of-way. A brief but solid bit of research quickly established they were wrong; the ROW there was only 66’. Oops. That was in 2001.

“During the winter of 2002, the Department discovered that there were serious difficulties with the 1933 right-of-way plans …” Their solicitor then joins in: “There exists a plan showing a ‘green line’, …dated January 1933. This green line … could represent the road constructed in 1933 and/or where the road exists today. One thing that appears certain is the green line … does not represent the center line of the highway as deeded and shown on the plans attached to the 1931-33 Deeds.”

            “To further complicate the matter information has come to light recently by way of a composite plan which shows the deeded line to be intruding significantly at points on property occupied by certain of the landowners in the area (the ‘blue line’ plan).”

            TPW then looked hard at the Registry, the deeds and the plans but, alas, remained confused. “Although the plans appear to be detailed and includes actual legal descriptions thereon, they are lacking in terms of a beginning point …  Consequently … we have been unable to determine whether the blue line represents the actual highway boundaries….”

            One final quote: “It appears certain that the Department owns a 100 foot wide strip within the Irish Cove corridor, although we have not reviewed every Deed contained within that corridor to ensure that the Crown has received a Deed to it.”

            Thus the tender/survey. Certainly suggests a “heads up” for property owners in Middle Cape and the Irish Cove corridor.

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WORKERS vs. POSITIONS

Big Pond may soon become more complicated, in an organizational sense. At the September Community Council meeting a plan that all local groups dismissed last year reared up again. This was the one that suggested a variety of managers and directors, capped by a Junta. Maybe there’s something of value there but the question is: Where are the workers to be managed and directed?

            When a general call went out for assistance at Community/Fire hall functions three individuals answered. Their contributions are appreciated. Pity there was only three. Also, when the TIMES editor mentioned at that same meeting that the paper needed someone to distribute it no stampede ensued.         

Anne MacPherson looked after distribution for the past few years but she is now operating a business year round. Distribution takes 1-2 hours a month and essentially means taking the master copy, running it off at the Glebe House and delivering them to the Post Office and to Josephine McCarron (who looks after the mailing list). That’s it.

            Those are just examples but they suggest that discussions about positions and placements are premature. The editor

 

A SPECIAL STEAK SOCIAL to celebrate the 1^st anniversary of the sod turning will be held this Saturday, 28 September from 6-8pm. A full, delicious meal is only $7. In keeping with tradition home delivery will be available. Local musicians will be on stage and for those who need the practice tarabish cards/ tables and dart boards will be supplied. Join the hard working, fun loving, community minded people who helped to build the magnificent Big Pond Hall. See you there!

 

BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE

Wednesday, 9 October:

Big Pond, 11:15; Irish Cove: 1:15 PM

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CELTIC COLOURS

Square Dance, Big Pond Community/Fire Hall, Saturday, 12 October with Jerry Holland, Kinnon & Betty Lou Beaton. 9-1am. $15. 19 and over.

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Square Dance Workshop

Prepare for Celtic Colours! 12 October, Big Pond Hall, featuring Father Joe Gillis, Flo Sampson and Melvin White. 2-4 pm. $10.

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AN APPRECIATION NIGHT for summer residents, sponsored by St. Mary’s Parish, will be held on Saturday, 26 October at 7:00pm in the Big Pond Hall. This event is simply to say “thank you” for the support and contributions of the seasonal members of the community.  Tea will be served.

 

COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Wednesday, 4 September: Mel Currie indicated that Jerod Wolfe will not be renewing his lease for the restaurant. The table that was missing was located at the concert site.

Lloyd White moved that an ad be placed in the Big Pond Times for a person to run the restaurant. Seconded by Anne MacIntyre. Dave MacKillop gave a financial report. There is $11,134.68. There is one post-dated cheque for Nov. 1 for the restaurant in the amount of $1,666.00 A cheque from the concert committee was just received for $6,000.

Norma MacDonald gave a report on the swim program this summer. There were approximately 30 children enrolled in the program. A cheque of $170.00 was given to Norma for the program.

A discussion took place on a person to oversee the running of the Big Pond Community Centre and Fire Hall.  A motion was made by Lloyd White to set up a committee to look into hiring a part-time manager. Seconded by Fred Myatt. It was suggested by the meeting that Lloyd White serve on that committee. Anne Thomas thanked the grant workers for all their help at her son’s wedding.

Rental fees for the hall are as follows-Locals $200.00 ($100.00 rebate after clean-up). Outsiders $200.00 Each renter is to sign a form regarding damages Setup and cleanup is the responsibility of the renter. For funerals any donation is accepted. The next regular meeting is Wed., October 2^nd.

 

THANK YOU

We, the family of the late Dan Angus MacIsaac wish to express our sincere thanks to the people of St. Mary’s Parish, Big Pond and Sacred Heart, Johnstown, for masses, enrollments and sympathy cards, visits and food brought to the home. Thank you to the clergy at the mass: Father Joe Gillis, Father Sandy MacNeil, Father George MacInnis and Father Albert Maroon. Thank you to the musicians: Jim & Trese MacNeil, Malcie MacPhee, Father George MacInnis. Thank you to the ladies of the community who served a beautiful lunch in the Fire Hall.

Christie MacInnis & Family, Michael MacIsaac.

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THANK YOU

We would like to thank all our family and friends who helped us celebrate our 25^th Wedding Anniversary. Many thanks for your best wishes and many gifts. Thank you,

Chris & Billy MacPhee

 

BIG POND TIMES is financially supported by the Big Pond Community Council.  Contact Don MacGillivray, 7271 Route 4, Big Pond, Cape Breton, B1J 1V2.  Don_MacGillivray@uccb.ca

“It is a newspaper’s duty to print the news and raise hell.”-Chicago Times, 1861.

For subscriptions contact Josephine McCarron, 7584 East Bay Hwy., Big Pond, NS B1J 1Y6. 

Rates: Canadian address $7.00; American $8.50; International $13.00. Please make cheques payable to Josephine McCarron. This issue was brought to you by Sharise McKeigan, Don MacGillivray, Josephine McCarron, Anne MacPherson, Cyril MacPherson.