Rants &Raves
We discuss joyrides, downtown development and more
RAVE: For downtown development. Local businessman Parker Rudderham seems to have a knack for getting things done when he sets his mind to it (hello, Highland Hemp). So it was good to hear about his plans to reopen Smart Shop Place, perhaps as soon as this spring. The iconic building has been part of the downtown Sydney shopping scene for 113 years and it was a little sad to see it sit empty, at least at street level, for the past few months. Now there is talk about a tearoom, bakery and more. With any luck it could return to its bustling past glory just in time for the cruise ship season.
RANT: For joyriding. Thumbs down for the two knuckleheads – a man and a woman – who tore up a ball field in Glace Bay with their car last weekend, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. And to top it off there was a young child in the car with them, according to witnesses. Talk about questionable role models. In a fitting postscript to the mindless vandalism the car got stuck in the field and had to be abandoned. If there’s any justice maybe it can be impounded and used as a down payment to pay for the damages. Assuming, of course, the wayward driver even owned it.
RAVE: For financial support. One of the wonderful things about the nine-day Celtic Colours International Festival is its decentralization. Rather than everything being focused in downtown Sydney, the events are spread throughout Cape Breton Island communities – large and small. It is an important economic driver for our tourism season, attracting 12,000 visitors from 24 counties last fall alone. An announcement this week revealed that the festival will receive an estimate $1.4 million in government grants over the next three years. We believe it is a good use of taxpayers’ money.
RAVE: For making a difference. Krista Devoe has only served as Membertou First Nation’s physical education strategy co-ordinator for the past three-and-a-half years but that didn’t keep her from being recognized nationally for her work. It’s called the Most Influential Women award and it is designed to celebrate those who are having an impact in sport and physical activity across the country. Krista is working to “defeat barriers to participation” and building youth leaders. Nursing students Mary MacKinnon of Westmount and Wendy Russell of North Sydney, meanwhile, just returned from Ecuador where they spent 10 days volunteering at various clinics and orphanages. Community heroes all.