Mayor Andrew Black addressing council on the proposed Rogers cell tower
Tantramar Mayor Andrew Black says there are two significant differences between his letter asking Rogers Communications to find an alternate site for its proposed cellphone tower and the letter Councillor Michael Tower wanted council to send to Premier Holt and various officials calling for immediate cancellation of the proposed gas/diesel plant on the Chignecto Isthmus.
In a narrow 5-4 vote Tuesday, council rejected Tower’s motion to send such a letter.
Black writes in an e-mail to Warktimes that the Rogers tower comes within the jurisdiction of the Town of Tantramar because it falls under the Antenna System Siting Protocol established by the Southeast Regional Service Commission in 2018.
The Siting Protocol says companies should avoid placing towers within urban residential zones, on ecologically significant natural lands or on sites of natural or cultural prominence.
Black’s letter to Rogers last February expresses concern about “the potential negative impacts this tower would have on the health of our residents, their property values and their overall quality of life.”
It also points out that the antenna location at 14 Crescent Street would be next to the Lorne Street flood control pond.
“The motion from Councillor Tower is asking for a cancellation of a project, outright,” Black writes in his e-mail, while his letter to Rogers asked the company to consider an alternate location within Tantramar.
During Tuesday’s council debate, Black argued that taking a position on the gas/diesel plant falls outside the scope of council’s roles and responsibilities.
Cell tower may still be coming
Percy Best
Sackville resident Percy Best, who owns the land at 14 Crescent Street, says in an e-mail, he’s hoping Rogers “will do something next spring, but we will just have to wait and see.”
He says surveyors set orange corner markers on the property two weeks ago to comply with the planning department’s requirement that Rogers use a much bigger piece of land than the original contract called for.
“It has been around five years for Rogers trying to find a place and they have had a signed contract with me for about two years…
“It has been a loooong haul,” Best adds.
He and his partner Sharon Hicks sent an open e-mail today to members of council about the proposed gas/diesel plant. It asks council to write to NB Power demanding answers “for the multitude of concerns which have been raised by local citizens.”
To read their e-mail, click here.
To watch a CBC report on a march organized by Mt. A. students, click here.
The provincial law is broad enough that “roles and responsibilities” are what you want them to be. Those who want the municipality to just be a service provider and subordinate to the provincial government say the role is narrow. Those who see the municipality as a democratic government that will challenge the higher-ups when needed want it to be responsive to the people. Contradictions abound. To amplify the government of Canada we put Ukrainian colours on the rink sign, remember that? The municipality has a foreign policy! But then, crickets on what is now the growing opinion that Israel is committing genocide in Palestine. Tantramar hasn’t caught up with the GoC, its apparent master, which now recognizes Palestine as a state.
Actions speak louder than words. I would like to know what the general public believes is the legacy of Mayor Andrew Black after so many years of public service? What will people remember him for, if anything? Election coming up in 2026.. might an interesting and surprising time in our small town if someone who is dynamic and focussed with a bit of drive and ambition and vision steps up for the jobs.
Sounds like a racist policy.
“To amplify the government of Canada we put Ukrainian colours on the rink sign, remember that… Tantramar hasn’t caught up with the GoC, its apparent master”
Any evidence that the municipality took actions such as this “To amplify the government of Canada… its apparent master”? Sounds like baseless partisan rhetoric bordering on conspiracy theory.
Support for Ukraine was widespread across the country. That’s why Ukrainian flags were everywhere, all across New Brunswick and Canada: in support of the victims of an invasion, in support of international law, in solidarity with Ukrainian Canadians who were concerned, and in support of the many Ukrainian refugees who came to Canada, including to Sackville.
Did you feel inclined to put a Ukrainian flag outside your home Jon? I’d like to identify you by your actions – let us know. Thanks.. as for what Ukraine is: its a incrediblly corrupt nation run by oligarchs who have zero concern for human life and don’t mind if their people are slaughtered anymore than they mind of the Russian people are slaughtered. Flag waving is soooo 2015.. isn’t it? When you consider the Maple Leaf flag was largely designed with a nod to the Canadian Military College you tend to want to disassociate with this behaviour rather than encourage it.. just my feels.. https://www.cmfmag.ca/at_home/canadian-flag-inspired-by-canadian-military-colleges-flag/ [ like the urge to wear poppy culture.. war is not something anyone would or should encourage if they were in their right minds.. war is a culling exercise and considering many people think the planet is overpopulated it only makes sense there are those who would cheer it on]
” like the urge to wear poppy culture.. war is not something anyone would or should encourage if they were in their right minds.. war is a culling exercise and considering many people think the planet is overpopulated it only makes sense there are those who would cheer it on”
… are you saying/implying that wearing a poppy is somehow encouraging war?
Is that what you truly think?
Disonance finally between Directors of Corporate Tantramar and their Owners former citizens. “Staying in your lane”, isn’t about vigorous debate to prepare the way forward.Three decades ago when “Policy Governance ” was introduced a professor at UNB, working with the auditor General saw no savings from Amalgation .In deed lawerence Bezeau saw little chance without a general up swelling of resistance from the public. Not many remember a Swat team brought into crush parents protesting the closure of their school. Their protest included marching with the school children and preschoolers in baby carriages . What about parents in Dorhester,and Riverside Albert calling the CBC and landing in Fredericton.. The minister was very quick to meet with them. The MTA professor has declared it a ” done deal”. There is no such thing. I feel bad for the New Premier a nice person being run rough shod by the real government. Bureaucrats. Never heard of a single person being fired for giving Holt decades old stuff to promote New Brubswick in Europe. The premiers needs to kiss down to the people. Nothing changes . First step is kissing the ring of authenticity and authority of citizens compared to what the Mayor has to kiss in Fredericton. It’s important for Citizens to know that it is O K. To be be rude back.