Sign needs new words

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality council has thrown its support behind an initiative to make a change to the Welcome to Cape Breton sign that is affixed to the bridge at the Canso Causeway.

Earlier this week, the council passed a motion, put forth by District 8 Coun. Amanda McDougall, to support a request by Mi’kmaq elder Ma’git Poulette of Waycobah, to add “Unama’ki” to the sign.

McDougall said the addition of the Mi’kmaq word for Cape Breton, which translates to Land of Fog, would go a long way toward reconciliation and is aptly symbolic of the island’s shared history.

“This is overdue and this should have been done a long time ago, especially in light of all our efforts to unify our island and to recognize the importance of reconciliation,” she said.

A letter is being drafted and will be sent to the province’s Aboriginal Affairs minister, who just happens to be Premier Stephen McNeil.

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Public hearing set for proposed Big Pond RV park

CBRM council has set the time and place for a public hearing into the proposed RV park and campground in Big Pond.

The hearing is set for Tuesday, Feb. 20 in the city hall council chamber at 1:30 p.m. and will run until all of the presenters have an opportunity to speak.

A Calgary-based developer has asked the municipality to amend its land-use bylaw to allow for the development of a campground that could have as many as 541 full serviced RV sites.

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Councillor school to be held in spring Councillors from across Cape Breton are being given an opportunity to learn more of the intricacies of municipal government.

Representatives of Nova Scotia’s Department of Municipal Affairs have offered to hold an information seminar for municipal councillors from across Cape Breton Island interested in learning more about the roles and responsibilities of serving on a local council.

The session was to have been held last year, but was cancelled due to weather.

CBRM chief administrative officer Marie Walsh said she expects the seminar will take place at an as yet unknown date in either April or May.