Green Cove spat heats up again

Once again I believe Sean Howard has attempted to mislead the public regarding the Never Forgotten National Memorial (“Man behind the monument,” Cape Breton Post, Feb. 23).

Before Stephen Harper ever became prime minister, Green Cove was designated by Parks Canada as a recreational/educational area in its Park Management Plan. As a result they established a parking lot, boardwalk and, at one time, privies at Green Cove.

The National Parks Act clearly states in Article 4(1) that the parks are dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment.

Each park has its own management plan. The Cape Breton Highlands plan dictates that the park must preserve and present the culture and history of the park and most particularly in the Ingonish area. The historical/cultural connection of the citizens North of Smokey with the armed forces figures prominently in that regard. Over 450 citizens North of Smokey signed up for service during the two world wars. Fourty-six did not return home.

Howard and his partner Lee Ann Broadhead were the founders of the “Friends of Green Cove,” which over a period of several months misled the public in my opinion regarding what they called the pristine, wilderness of Green Cove.

In his latest statement to the media Howard said that he was never against the monument to veterans, but if you check the public records you will find that they said they did not want the memorial built anywhere.

Ray Stapleton Ingonish Centre