Columns and Letters

Letter: Margaree Air Strip – are Margaree resident’s lives about to radically change?

Dear editor,

So at last I read in The Oran the rumour’s that the development of the air strip may actually have some substance. Isn’t it great to find out from the newspaper that at some time in the future I will first be awaken in the morning to the sound of a screaming jet engine and then by then noise of a bus engine transporting a bevy of golfers to Inverness. I see from The Oran article that a proposal is close to being finished , a number of details being stated the biggest of which is the probable cost of the proposed expansion of some nine million dollars. How many bridges would that buy? That’s a heavy figure to invest in a handful of golfers . My guess would be if the number of flights per year will be 100 hundred jets then that probably that will be approximately 4,000 passengers, that is an average of 40 per flight. So that is a large investment of tax payer money. Is that the best use that could be made of nine million dollars to promote and sustain the tourist industry in Inverness County? What benefit will it really be to the Cabot Trail? The nine million is to expand the air strip. Where will the money come from to maintain its operation? This not just about doubling the length of the runway , which by the way, may well effect the newly constructed recreational pathway; it is also about building a new control tower, but wait a minute didn’t Inverness receive $250,000 about 4 to 5 years ago to just that. Where did that money go? It is also about runway lights, but wait a minute that means night flights; so don’t worry about being woken up because you may not get to sleep. Maybe there will also be servicing of planes; and keeping aviation fuel on the strip will also be involved.  

So this proposal has a lot in it! Wouldn’t you think it is important enough to advise the residents of Margaree what might be going on that is going to have a pretty dramatic affect on their lives and their property investments? Margaree is a tourist and residential area, its attraction is the river valley, people are attracted to come and live here because of its beauty and tranquility! And now to dump a commercial airfield in the middle without any dialogue, no information, and no public discussion; know how is this going to effect the Margarees? Make no mistake this is not simply a problem for East Big Intervale Road. Planes take off and land from and to the South East and the North West, and so the whole of the North East, Central, and Margaree Valley will feel the impact. It may be said that there will be an economic benefit and there may be, a few up front construction jobs and sustaining roles, but will such benefit be offset by the loss of a way of life, losses in property value, and losses of tourists who do not fancy waking up to the sound of a jet engine. What kind of economic studies have really been done? I don’t remember this development being suggested by the recent consultant proposal. Have comparative opportunities been examined?

This proposed development will effect the entire community of the Margarees; and at the very least deserves public debate; as was the school issue; as was the Heritage river designation proposal. Why has not the Municipal Council of Inverness come to Margaree to discuss the pros and cons of such a major development in the community? It is not too late. Do the right thing!

Sincerely,

Lester Wood

Margaree

 


Oran Dan - The Inverness Oran - www.invernessoran.ca

The Inverness Oran
15767 Central Avenue. P.O. Box 100
Inverness, Nova Scotia. B0E 1N0
Tel.: 1 (902) 258-2253. Fax: 1 (902) 258-2632
Email: [email protected]