RCMP charge two for threat and weapon offences
Proposal accepted for the design of a governance model
The Town of Yarmouth has accepted a proposal for the design of a governance model for its proposed arts and culture centre.
At its March monthly meeting, town council approved a motion to accept the proposal from the firm McInnes Cooper of Halifax for a governance framework. The cost of the work is $23,700 plus HST.
The town is looking to build an arts centre on the site of the Collins Street parking lot.
In recent months it has approved a proposal submitted by MacKay- Lyons Sweetapple Architects for a new arts and culture centre concept design and feasibility study phase. The Mackay-Lyons bid was $136,000 plus HST.
There have also been two concept design and feasibility study public sessions in the past couple of months and a third session is planned for March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rodd Grand Hotel.
The town has said it would be looking at municipal, provincial and federal funding, as well as sponsorship, to build the facility. There has been no official costing of an arts centre, but in the town’s capital budget and a list of future projects, a $3.3-million price tag was thrown out.
At its March 8 meeting the town also approved a motion to amend the definition of a community arts centre in its land use bylaw. The new definition reads: “Arts and Community Centre means any tract of land or building or any part of any building used for art or community related activities such as but not limited to classes, performances, and or functions whether used for commercial purposes or not.”
A report that came to the town said: “Traditionally these spaces have been non-profit in nature and owned by government agencies, however times are changing and there are now private entities that are interested in operating these centres for profit.”
It was recommended the land use bylaw be amended to encourage the establishment of community and art centres in the town of Yarmouth and support private business as well as nonprofit, the report read.
Meteghan RCMP have charged two people after threats were made towards staff at Saint Mary’s Bay Academy in St. Bernard, Digby County.
On March 6, Meteghan RCMP officers, with assistance from the Yarmouth Street Crime Enforcement Unit, began an investigation related to threats allegedly made by a 16- year- old male. Through the investigation, RCMP determined that a second individual, a 27- yearold man, may have been involved and in possession of a firearm. A search warrant was executed at his residence in Church Point. As a result, a firearm and ammunition were seized, reads an RCMP media release.
Joel André Gaudet, 27, of Church Point has been charged with Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose, Unsafe Storage of a Firearm, Breach of Recognizance and Breach of Probation x 2. The 16- year- old has been charged with Uttering Threats.
They appeared in provincial court in Annapolis last week and in Digby on March 12 for their first appearances. An update on the latest court appearance was not available at our press deadline. An update will be in next week’s issue.