DIGBY REPORT VALUES ANNUAL FERRY SERVICE AT $40M
September 19, 2007

The current Bay of Fundy ferry service between Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick is vital and essential to the economic infrastructure of southwest Nova Scotia, declares a report recently commissioned by a regional committee.

In its most compelling finding the Report estimates that the ferry service’s economic value to the area of southwest Nova Scotia to be in the order of $40m. annually

The economic impact study was commissioned by the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition, a committee comprised of representatives from local government and business.

The report was prepared for the Coalition by The Mariport Group Ltd.

Warden Jim Thurber of the Municipality of the District of Digby, and Chair of the Coalition, emphasized the Report’s findings as to the crucial nature a continuing ferry service played in developing and maintaining the region’s economic delivery infrastructure.

“We’re working on an aggressive new economic development strategy for our communities, aided by a new Regional Development Agency, “Thurber explained,” And the Report strongly underlines the inescapable fact that a dependable, convenient and affordable transportation infrastructure is absolutely vital to the success of our regional economic infrastructure strategy”.

“With the ferry service southwest Nova Scotia has the capacity and opportunity to attract badly needed new business – without it its moot as to whether new companies would even consider us, and whether existing ones would stay,’ Thurber said.

The Warden described the current situation as “a ticking time bomb, with commercial and tourism opportunities already having been lost due to the uncertainty”.

The Digby to Saint John Ferry Impact Study particularly pointed to the contribution of the ferry service to the regional fishery and tourism industries, in addition to the future of the Fundy region’s economic infrastructure.

According to the Report, the product value of regional fresh fishery exports in 2006 was at least $400 m., of which 60% is estimated to have moved via the ferry.

“This service is essential in maintaining our ability to serve that ‘just-in-time fresh seafood market,” said committee member and fisheries spokesperson Denny Morrow, “and without the service we just couldn’t guarantee delivery within 24 hours of the catch being landed”.

Equally adamant about the fundamental value of the current service were representatives of the regional tourism sector, who claimed that without it they would be effectively shut out of changing travel markets that emphasize shorter vacations.

“The emerging travel paradigm, particularly in eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S., is for quick and easy access to the holiday destination - and the current ferry service aids greatly in positioning our region to capture that market”, said Hal Theriault, Chair of the Digby Area Tourism Association (DATA).

Theriault also announced that DATA was also in the process of a major marketing and branding exercise for the area, with significant growth goals and that the role the ferry service played was essential in securing those objectives, as well as maintaining traditional business such as motor coach tours.

Both Morrow and Theriault said that fear and apprehension concerning the future of the service was already having a negative effect on their respective markets.

The Warden and the other members of the Coalition said that they appreciated the work that both provincial and federal government representatives were doing to support the continuation of the service.

“We’ve been particularly pleased with the continuing cooperation and support shown by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Ministry of Transportation, as well as the provincial Office of Economic Development “, said Warden Thurber, “They’ve been positive and approachable all through this process and we look forward to adding the knowledge we’ve gleaned from this Report to our ongoing deliberations.”

The Coalition’s Report is available by checking in at the web site http://www.mariport.com/papers.html


HISTORIC TOWN DESIGNATES ITS FIRST HERITAGE TREE
July 26, 2007

Today, the Town of Annapolis Royal is pleased to announce the designation of its first heritage tree. The tree, a majestic elm tree, belongs to Blaine Schumacher and Heidi Richells of Annapolis Royal. It was planted by Dr. and Mrs. Layton when they purchased the home in the spring of 1943 to commemorate the birth of their two daughters, Margaret Ann and Helen Ruth Layton. The tree is a significant part of the canopy on St George Street. “We believe this tree warrants protecting as a tree of historical significance as well as a healthy specimen of a species of trees apparently doomed to extinction due to the effects of Dutch Elm Disease”, said Mr. Schumacher. A historical celebration is planned for 7:00 p.m. in Annapolis Royal.

The Town is pleased to acknowledge the work of the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance who developed the definition of a heritage tree and the format and procedures for evaluating and designating heritage trees which were used in this case.

Please visit the list of Heritage Trees


ANNAPOLIS ROYAL AND ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND TWIN

Download the resolution here.

Visit the official Annapolis Maryland website:
http://www.ci.annapolis.md.us/

On June 13, 2007, two members of Annapolis Royal Town Council, Councillors Phil Roberts and Ron Boulding, the Town Crier and his escort, Peter and Val Davies, and members of the Musique 400 troupe are heading to Annapolis, Maryland for the Kinships and Windships weekend. This event is a predecessor to the celebrations being planned for 2008 that will see over 4 million people visiting Annapolis, Maryland for that City’s 300th anniversary. The Bluenose 11 will arrive at 9:00 a.m. on June 14, and it is expected that the Speaker of the Nova Scotia Legislature, the Honourable Cecil Clark, as well as members of the Annapolis Royal and Annapolis County delegation

Musique 400 is a group of costumed, strolling minstrels that plays music and performs dances from the 1600’s when Sieur de Mons and Samuel Champlain arrived and founded Port Royal.

While there, the group will tour the US Naval Academy, State House and Paca Garden. They will also attend a reception at the National Sailing Hall of Fame with local performers and various VIPs, hosted by Mayor Ellen Moyer. On June 15, they will take the Discover Annapolis Trolley Tour and learn more about an anniversary tapestry project patterned off the tapestry on display at Fort Anne. Later that evening, the group will participate in an informal evening of music at the Castlebay Irish Pub. The final scheduled event will involve seeing off the Bluenose at 9:00 a.m. on June 16, 2007.

The group will be representing the province, the County of Annapolis and the Town of Annapolis Royal at this event. This project was made possible through a contribution from the Province of Nova Scotia, the services of Trans World Tours & Travel, and an in kind contribution from Musique 400. The group also wishes to acknowledge the strong efforts of our sister City, Annapolis, Maryland, and especially the Special Assistant to the State Fire Marshal for the invitation and all of the logistics support.