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From time to time I pick up a Yarmouth Vanguard to see what we’ve addressed online before it’s published and also to see the things we’ve missed.
(We do that you know!)

So, this weeks Vanguard shows a nice picture of Bruce Hopkins of the Yarmouth Food Bank.

The article goes on to tell of how the demand this year is keeping the Yarmouth Food Bank open another month. It usually closes in May, but due to increased demand it will stay open through June this year.

The article also tells of how, despite the best efforts of the local Organizations, Churches, Service Clubs, and others, who help supply the Food Bank the supplies are at an all time low!

The Food Bank serves about 350 - 375 families every month. So we’re all being encouraged to do what we can to help. Our Food Donations can be dropped off at the Yarmouth Fire Hall or to the Price Chopper on Starrs Road in Yarmouth.

Then on Pg. 7 of the Vanguard I read the Headline “Highway plan outlined in Public Session”. This records events of the latest public session on the plan to run a road from Chestnut St. through behind the malls and connect the 101 and 103 Highways.

First of all, let me say I think connecting the 101 and 103 Highways will only hurt the Town of Yarmouth. Anytime a Highway bypasses a businesses district those businesses suffer. It’s been seen time and time again.

However, since the vast majority of vehicles that use the 101 and 103 Highways in this area are coming to Yarmouth the impact on businesses should not be that great!

So, why do we need such an elaborate and pricey road construction in this location? The construction will include not one but two roundabouts! Now, I’ll not go down that road today… but how often have we all done our best to avoid the Armdale Rotary in Halifax? Not only does it confuse and scare most people to use a roundabout (or Rotary) it will also cause more accidents!

Another Unfounded statement you say? Well only time will tell and how many lives are we willing to risk to find out?

Not only may lives be lost, but homes and businesses are going to be expropriated, as well as valuable wetlands will be laid waste!

So, what’s this marvel of engineering going to cost? You know in real dollars and sense? Not that other intangible dribble I was talking about before! After all homes, businesses, and wetlands can’t be allowed to stand in the way of progress, right!?

The price tag for the current plan is in the area of Ten Million Dollars! For a Town and County of about 10,000 homes. Are you ready to fork over your $1000! Yeah, that money has to come from somewhere, even if it is Government money it still has to come out of the Tax Payers pocket — so dig deep!

Now, I have to remain calm here, I’d hate to get off topic and have us loose all perspective and sense and sensibility! Despite that seeming to be what the proponents of this plan have done! It really makes me wonder if this elaborate scheme has been cooked up by the Town and Engineering Firm just to be a show piece for years to come!?

Though we may need a road running from the 103 Hwy to Chestnut St. I’m still undecided on that, it seems strange to me that when we can’t maintain the paved roads we have, (not to mention areas like the Canaan, Lake George, and North Ohio, not having paved roads) we’re supposed to be able to fund a $10 Million Dollar Engineering Mavel.

We do not need an Engineering Mavel, nor the $10 Million Dollar price tag. Better to have Chestnut St. extend to Hwy 103 and have an exit to it from Hwy 101. It would solve most of the problem with traffic congestion and would do so at a fraction of the price. I’m sure anyone with an ounce of common sense can see that!?

So, what I propose is we become good stewards and maintain what we do have! Once we’ve done that and taken care of the areas without paved roads; then, and only then, do we look at spending money on an unneeded Engineering Marvel.

Then we will not have to expropriate peoples homes and businesses, we will not have to destroy or disrupt valuable wetlands, and we can use the money saved to feed our areas hungry and give the Ten Million Dollars For The Yarmouth Food Bank!
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For YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!

Sincerely,

Brian Hurlburt

customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com

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Helpful Links

Feed Nova Scotia

Get Informed - Hunger In Your Community

Get Informed - RESEARCH & STATISTICS

Food Bank Needs Help (Vanguard Article)

Related Vanguard Article on Highway Situation by Michael Gorman