BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Port issue the topic of the day.
Loose lips may sink ships, but it appears the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s mayor and council are not willing to test the hypothesis that such unguarded talk could also torpedo a second cruise ship berth proposed for Sydney harbour.
On Thursday, councillors emerged from a lengthy behind closed doors meeting at city hall where they had gathered to discuss issues surrounding the Port of Sydney. The fact that the meeting was held in camera led to speculation that it may have been about the acquisition of a parcel of privately-owned land, located north of the existing cruise ship berth, that the CBRM covets for the proposed second berth project. But when asked about what had transpired, the elected Cape Breton Regional Municipality representatives had nothing to say. Or, to be more accurate, they refused to divulge details of what had been discussed in council chambers during the meeting that began at 9 a.m. and wrapped up shortly after 3 p.m.
Councillors Clarence Prince and Steve Gillespie were found talking outside city hall, but immediately clammed up when approached by the Cape Breton Post.
And, during an elevator ride to the top floor of CBRM headquarters, Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald also refused to spill the beans about the secret meeting.
“I’m sorry — I can’t talk about it, we can’t discuss what happens in camera and I don’t want to get in trouble,” said MacDonald, with a smile, as the elevator doors conveniently opened.
And, lo and behold, there was Mayor Cecil Clarke making his way down the fourth floor hallway.
Although headed for another meeting, Clarke stopped to respond to the question as to what he and council had been discussing.
“I can’t tell you the specifics, but I can tell you that we were discussing issues of the Port of Sydney in general,” he said.
Clarke said the in camera meeting is set to resume on Monday.
Funding for the $20-million project has already been secured.
The municipality, province and federal government are each contributing onethird of the cost.