A band councillor’s work is never done. But Eskasoni councillor Jerod Francis Sr. making more work for himself, and loving every minute of it. The youngest member of the band council has decided to buy cedar trees with his own money and plant them on willing people’s yards to beautify the community’s newest neighbourhood around Eagleview Drive. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentHe’s young, he’s new and he’s charmingly idealistic. And the neighbours around Eagleview Drive area in Eskasoni love it! 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 contentAt 31, the youngest member of the Eskasoni band council, Jerod Francis Sr. is already making a name for himself as someone who loves his community. Last month he decided to put a little post on his Facebook page offering to plant some 4.5 foot cedar trees on lawns in the newest subdivision. As with most new neighbourhoods, construction had removed any of the trees and most of the lawns are still bare. Article contentArticle contentArticle contentAnd yet, situated high on the Eskasoni cliffs, most of the homes have stunning views of the river below. The area is already pretty, but Francis thought it could use a little more greenery. And so, he began his one-person “beautification project” as he calls it. Article contentHe went out and bought about 46 cedar trees and offered them to anyone who wanted them in Eagleview. He thought he would get a few responses, but he had no idea! Article contentClose to 100 requests poured in and he thought: “What did I do!” Article content“It was a massive response.” Francis, the father of four children says. Article contentThis is just a pilot project for the young councillor. His goal is to plant some trees every spring and fall. He plans is to buy them as he can afford them – he figures about 40 at a time – and plant 3-4 on lawns for people who want them because they’re pretty or they can be the start of a privacy hedge. Article contentArticle contentAnd yes, it’s kind of expensive. Article content“I can only do it in chunks.” Article contentBut Francis says it’s the kind of thing his father would have done and he wants to keep the family tradition of generosity going. He lost his Dad, Dennis, in 2010 when he was only 54 years old. Article content“I learned to be generous from my Dad. He was a good role model,” Francis says. Article contentHe says the subdivision is large, but he didn’t expect the response he got. Article content“I told my Mom ‘I’m in over my head. I may have to give away over a million trees!” he laughs. Article contentBut he does have help. He has a friend who comes with him to dig the holes and help plant the trees. And Francis’ girlfriend, Randi Johnson is “100 per cent” supportive. Article contentHe’s not doing this because he has nothing else to do. Francis is an entrepreneur who runs Unama’ki Bounce and Party Rentals – an event business. Article content“I’m pretty busy,” he says. Article contentAnd he’s about to get even busier. He now has a plan to buy about 200 pumpkins and have a pumpkin-carving contest before Hallowe’en. Article content“I’m proud of my community,” Francis says. “I love Eskasoni. People appreciate it when we do things for each other.” Article contentRosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government.Article content
‘May have to give away over a million trees’; An Eskasoni councillor’s beautification project
