CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, left, speaks with councillors ahead of a recent meeting inside council chambers at city hall in Sydney. Columnist David Johnson says council made some very good decisions with respect to the allocation of $4.2 million of surplus monies, but they also made serious blunders. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POSTArticle contentA front-page Cape Breton Post story in the July 31 edition deserves to be read and re-read. And it should make people, including most Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) councillors and our mayor, shake their heads.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentArticle contentArticle contentThe story, which was written by city hall reporter Ian Nathanson, centres around the special meeting of the CBRM council on July 29 when it was reported by the mayor that for the 2024 budget year the municipality recorded a surplus of $4.2 million. Most of this extra money came via costs recuperated from post-tropical storm Fiona as well as the 2024 major snowstorm.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentSo far so good. An awaited surplus of over $4 million coming home is always good news.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentBut it is what was done with some of this money, and how, that is bewildering to the point of infuriating.Article contentArticle contentSOME WISE DECISIONSArticle contentArticle contentNow, as with all municipal council meetings in Nova Scotia, the mayor sets the agenda and here Mayor Cecil Clarke provided councillors with a list of items for how this $4.2 million surplus should be handled.Article contentArticle contentCouncillors agreed that $1.4 million of the grand total should go into reserve accounts for future use. A wise and prudent move.Article contentArticle contentThe mayor then advised that the remaining $2.8 million should be spent this year on a number of projects. And he was successful in getting a strong majority of councillors to agree to all of his suggestions.Article contentArticle contentCouncil thus agreed to spend $500,000 on the Cape Breton Exhibition building while also putting $500,000 into much-needed road and sidewalk repairs across the CBRM. A further $300,000 was allocated to community rinks in Sydney Mines, Whitney Pier and Dominion, with another $100,000 going to the Louisbourg Playhouse.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentCape Breton University was also allocated $400,000 for its capital building campaign while an additional $332,000 will be given to up to 10 community non-profits. Another $150,000 going to Cape Breton Search and Rescue.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAll of these investments are worthy, needed and beneficial and I applaud our mayor and council for making these decisions.Article contentArticle contentEXPENSIVE PARTY SENDS WRONG MESSAGEArticle contentArticle contentBut then we learn that a further $500,000 has been set aside for celebrations with respect to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality in 1995. In other words, half a million dollars in a community that is still relatively poor compared to other Atlantic Canadian urban centres to be spent (or blown or wasted) on a series of parties. And once that half a million is gone, it’s gone.Article contentArticle contentThis is something District 7 Coun. Steve Parsons noted during the council meeting.
COMMENTARY: CBRM residents deserve better
