Progress, such as the $700-million Cape Breton Regional Hospital expansion (above), is happening in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, but residents must still communicate with elected official about the community’s direction, says a reader.Article contentDriving around the Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM)_ these days is slow and congested, but I won’t complain because for the first time in 30 years we are seeing progress in our community.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 contentWhen we see new buildings and much-needed infrastructure upgrades, new roads, roundabouts and health-care infrastructure improvements, then we know that the ‘NOISE’ is working.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentFather Albert Maroun and his Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness (NSEF) board work hard to hold the government accountable for the billions they receive so we can live equally within Nova Scotia and Canada. The public is unaware of the amount of time and money he spends advocating for fairness in our municipality, and those elected continue to ignore him and the NSEF.Article contentArticle contentCharles Sampson is another example of someone who is devoted to his community. Charles spends every week working from home with other board members to seek information, request and analyze data.Article contentArticle contentFather Maroun is in his mid-90s and Sampson is in his mid-80s, yet they work hard to correct 30 years of wrongdoing in this municipality. Thirty years of decline and outmigration damaged the CBRM, but once the public realized that we were worth more to the provincial government poor and broke, and with high taxation, politics began to change here in the CBRM. Most MLAs and MPs remain silent and ignore both Maroung and Sampson, and the government data.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe community is watching the municipality and reacting to its every move. We monitor how every cent is spent, and we monitor expenses and question actions when necessary. Every citizen should also be watching the council meetings live on the CBRM website, which are usually held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. Legislature TV is also something the public should be paying attention to.Article contentArticle contentThis municipality is growing and changing fast. It has been stagnant for over 30 years and we should now embrace the growth and ensure that it changes in a way that benefits the residents of the CBRM, not just a select few, as in the past.Article contentArticle contentThe CBRM consists of towns from Louisburg to Florence. We are a sought-after destination with a massive tourism industry. We had an industrial past and we can have a responsible industrial future.Article contentArticle contentOversight is the responsibility of all CBRM residents. It is time to communicate with your elected official and communicate your thoughts about the direction of the CBRM. If you sit back and allow it to happen without public involvement, I can guarantee that it will go back to a handful of people benefiting from our political representation.Article contentArticle contentThe residents must come together and embrace the change. We must be thankful for Father Maroun and Sampson, and we need to stop pitting ourselves against each other as the rural municipalities do with Halifax and as the CBRM towns do with Sydney. We are all from the CBRM, and we all belong to the Province of Nova Scotia (for now).Article contentArticle contentRuss GreenArticle contentHowie CentreArticle content
LETTER: CBRM residents should monitor local politicians closely
