7193 East Bay Hwy
Big Pond, NS
B1J 1V2
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COMMUNITY COUNCIL

With Community Council President Donnie MacNeil in the chair, Secretary Pat Nelder and frequent discussion participant Roy MacInnis absent and Joe Donavan present but in a pensive mood...the June meeting clicked right along with succinct readings of the regular reports.

Bev MacPherson up-dated the Infrastructure Project--NOTE: RECENT NEWS RELEASE- PROJECT APPROVED, further details in our August issue! Melvin White of the Concert Committee stated that 'everything is falling into place' and the new and improved constitution sailed through. Chris Kauffman has been hired on the summer federal grant and commenced work on 10 June. The Community Council transferred $2000.00 to the Parish Council. Within fifty minutes the agenda was completed; local historians believe this was the shortest council meeting in a decade. The next meeting is on 3 July at 7:30 pm at the school; President MacNeil assured everyone that he would definitely have a report on the structural soundness of said building at that time, presumably so we will be forewarned if it literally falls on our collective heads during one of our upcoming meetings.

THE DART BEAT

The Big Pond Dart League had another enjoyable playoff season this Spring/96. Teams are broken into two divisions 'A' & 'B' for the playoffs. The Haulers (Arnold Hall, the late Sis Williams, and Mary A.D. MacPherson) claimed victory by a narrow margin over the Kennedy's (Tom Poulette, Joan Kennedy, and Ed MacIntyre) for top spot in the 'A' division. It was an interesting finish in the 'B' division. At the end of the evening the Scraps (Jean Roche, John 'the Package' MacLeod, and Alf 'victory dance pilferer' MacLellan ended in a photo finish tie with the Ancients (John Thistle, Fred Myatt, and Pat MacKillop). An extra set of games were required to decide the winner. Alf MacLellan from Big Pond Centre was the hero as he stepped confidently to the throw line and propelled the series clinching dart that gave his team 1st place in 'B' division.

Dart League members would like to thank John MacLeod for his efforts as League President for the past 13 years. As John passes the reigns to the very competent Andrew Paul, he has opted for the package and now plans to retire. He will be building a new home on waterfront property somewhere along the Bras d'or lakes.

Terry MacPherson

FIREHALL SUMMER SCHEDULE

Tuesdays - Tarabish 8pm
Thursdays - Steak Darts 8pm
Dance 13 July featuring 'Rawhide' 9:30pm

Silver Anniversary

Everyone is invited to share a special evening with Marie and Malcie MacPhee as they celebrate their 25th Wedding Anniversary July 27 at the Firehall.

Social Commentary

The Big Pond Times would like to send birthday greetings to a regular contributor. A local crew gathered in her honor recently to pay homage to her youthfulness. Respectfully, we will not divulge the number of years she has existed on this planet (but it's more than 39 and less than 41). Happy Birthday to Pat Nelder and thanks for all the work you have endeavored to undertake on behalf of Big Pond during the past several years.

Tickets for The Big Pond Festival's Draw for 3 x $100.00 will be circulated during the first week of July. We appreciate the cooperative effort made by members of our community in regards to this fund raiser. Let's hope '96 will be the best year yet!

Announcement
On June 11, 1996 Melissa White graduated from OICE (University of Toronto) with her Master of Arts Degree in Continuing Education. Melissa (daughter of Lloyd and Christie White from Big Pond) is now working diligently on her Doctorate in Education. Congratulations Melissa.

BMP

MONEY MATTERS

Beginning July 1996, senior citizens with an annual income of $53,000.00 or more will have their old age security 'clawback' withheld at source based upon your previous year's net income. You will be notified by the federal government if you are affected by this change.
The Canada Pension Plan has been under scrutiny by a number of groups, all of which agree that the program needs major changes, however, no one can agree on the actual 'fix'. Without any changes, the CPP will exhaust all funds by 2015, 19 years from now. There are a number of proposals on the table including one by the Federal Finance Department to increase the contribution rate to 12.2% over the next six years. I guess the point I am trying to make is simple. We can no longer fully depend on government plans to accommodate us in our older years. The need to start planning your financial future has never been more crucial. The strain on CPP and OAS will continue. The simplest way to start RRSP planning is to save on a monthly basis. This capitalizes on 'dollar cost averaging' and starts you on a disciplined approach on saving for your future!

In closing I will leave you with these thoughts.

"Would you tell me please which way I ought to go from here?" said Alice.
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to", said the Cat.
"I don't care much where-" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go", said the Cat.

Lewis Carroll
Alice in Wonderland

BevMacPherson
Financial Advisor

Thank You

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have shared in our sympathy during the recent and sudden passing of Michael. Thank you Father Donald F. Campbell for administering the funeral service and Melvin White for serving this day. Thank you Terry MacPherson and Bernadette MacPherson for saying the readings and to the musicians for taking the time from their busy schedules in memory of Mike. May we extend a very special thank you to the Big Pond Community and your Ladies Auxiliary Department for the beautiful lunch served following the funeral. Finally, we appreciate the many phone calls and expressions of sympathy received from Cape Breton people as well as those from away.

The Family of the Late Michael MacLean

COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

At the May 6th Corporate Services Committee meeting, an issue paper on the Economic Development Funding was adopted. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has been receiving requests from community groups seeking funding to support specific projects. Budgetary provisions have been made to address smaller community-based recreation-oriented projects and community events. Municipal assistance for such projects would be contingent upon cost-sharing by the provincial and/or federal governments and would normally not exceed $10,000.00 for recreation capital incentives and $3,000.00 for individual community events. They are looking at a total economical development fund of approximately $250,000.00.

The Public Service Committee has expanded its service delivery to include dust control on unlisted and bungalow roads. There would be two applications per year and this service is expected to be done by the Department of Transportation. On April 29th the Mayor was in Halifax meeting with the Department of Transportation Minister Richie Mann on various transportation issues. From that meeting, the Mayor was informed that the CBRM would have to look after the cost of sanding highway interchanges at a cost of approximately $220,000.00 to our municipality (this is a 'new cost'). I was informed by the Dept. of Transportation that work on K-Class roads (abandoned) would cease. In the past, they have been doing some work on such roads - Gaspereaux, North Glen, etc. These roads have always been accessable to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking, etc. There will be an update on this change in a later issue of The Big Pond Times.

Police Issue

The following are the three options which materialized from the Police Commission Report on policing. Mr Gordon MacInnis, CA, Public Service Administrator recommended that the CBRM police Commission proceed with option 10.6

10.4
Action - RCMP Reorganize -Boundaries re-align with replacement of staff. Saving - $260,000.00 plus $14,000.00 for each new CBRMPS officer replacing an RCMP officer.
10.5
Action - RCMP Reorganize-Boundaries re-align with replacement of staff-Telecommunication Centres merge. Saving - $549,000.00 plus $14,000.00 for each new CBRMPS officer replacing an RCMP officer.
10.6
Action - CBRMPS expands and assumes rural municipal policing duties. Saving - $868,000.00 - $54,750.00 for each FTE (full time equivalent) municipal officer, if necessary hired above 40 FTE. Also $289,000.00 one time savings.

Letters of opinion on this issue can be sent to the CBRM by July 22nd.

Heavy Garbage
Will start June 24th - The pick-up schedule will be posted in the local paper.
Ivan Doncaster
Councillor District 14

Thank You

I would dearly like to thank all my friends and neighbours for sharing a great night with me and welcoming me to my new home last month. I appreciate those who sang and played music and those who brought food and beautiful gifts. Most importantly, however, I would like to thank Christie White for ensuring all was organized and smooth running. Thank you for making me feel so welcome.

Jean Roche

DON'T FORGET

Big Pond Festival Souvenirs are available through Sharise McKeigan. Stock will also be available at MacNeil's and MacLeod's general stores. New items include tartan nightshirts and Henley shirts...other Festivalwear includes T's, sweatshirts, hats, mad about plaid shorts, and tanks. The quality of this line of clothing is very good and colors are great! Check it out!

GARDEN CLUB

The Big Pond Garden Club will meet again at the beginning of September in preparation for a September Horticulture Show. All gardeners are encouraged to grow something spectacular for the many categories of fruit, vegetable, and flower contests.

SUMMER DRAMA CAMP

July 22-26, 9am-1pm at The Big Pond School
Todd Hiscock will be coordinating activities such as theatre games, voice development, acting, theatre techniques, and creative movement. There will be two age groups 9-14 and 5-8. Todd would like to concentrate on a scripted theatre study for the older group while the younger set will be involved in mask making, creative movement and voice development.
The cost will be $35.00--for more information please contact Pat Nelder 828-2476 or Susan Waldman 828-2692.

ART ACTIVITY CAMP

This two week camp will run from July 19-August 9 for ages 5-14. Planned activities will include art with guest artists, a nature walk, and baseball games. The full progam, stationed at the Big Pond School, will cost $10.00 per child.
PN

BIG POND TIMES: Founded in 1994. "It is a newspaper's duty to print the news and raise hell." - Chicago Times, 1861. Circulation : 250
Published by Big Pond Community Council
Mailing Address: c/o Don MacGillivray
Big Pond, Cape Breton B0A 1H0
E-mail: dmacgill@sparc.uccb.ns.ca
Subscriptions for non-residents are $6.00 for twelve issues ($7.50 for non-Canadian addresses). Contact Josephine McCarron, Big Pond, Cape Breton, Canada, B0A 1H0.

This issue was brought to you by Ivan Doncaster, Josephine McCarron, Don MacGillivray, Sharise McKeigan, Marge MacLean, Bernadette MacPherson, Patricia Nelder, Terry MacPherson, Bev MacPherson, Lindsay MacPhee, Viola Doncaster. Deadline for submissions for August issue is 20 July 1997

The editor for February is Don MacGillivray.
E-mail: dmacgill@sparc.uccb.ns.ca

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