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Shelburne County TODAY reports that the SWSDA was recently found in violation of the Nova Scotia freedom of information statutes and is being sued by Ed Cayer in Supreme Court to enforce the privacy commission ruling.
The SWSDA, South West Shore Development Authority, is also known as the RDA (Regional Development Authority). Created by the Province of Nova Scotia in the mid 1990s, the RDA, equally funded by three levels of government, is the economic and community development arm of the municipal units in Shelburne and Yarmouth counties and Municipality of Clare. Its focus is helping the community increase economic stability and growth. Its board of directors as representation from all nine municipal units in the three counties and five business persons from the region. This union creates a shared focus on community economic development and provides equal access to the tools necessary for growth.
However, it would seem that their shared focus and equal access does not apply to Freedom of Information!
At least that must be the way by Ed Cayer and Willa Magee feel about it! The pair delivered a letter Wednesday to the SWSDA, with copies to municipal leaders, to advise them that any disbursement of funds from a sale of “Shelburne Place” needed to be secured prior to resolution of the seven-year legal battle between OPI and SWSDA, in which OPI is claiming $4,000,000 in damages.
OPI (Ocean Produce International) are producers of kainic acid. Their products are forms of amino acids for use in the neurological research community. OPI managed to reduce prices to 50% – 75% less than other suppliers. Resulting in researchers in over 180 neurological labs in 35 countries using opika-1™ Kainic and Dihydrokainic Acid.
Shelburne Place is the old base and The Municipality of Shelburne want it for location of their offices into the buildings. The municipality also would like to see the old base now called Shelburne Park put to good use.
The lawsuit stems from an ongoing seven year long legal battle between SWSDA and OPI in which it is to be determined if the SWSDA is attempting to “hide�? assets by giving the Municipality of Shelburne the properties.
The law protects creditors against transfers made with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud them.
Cayeris reported to have said, “ that given what we hear in the meetings,�? we’re concerned they were going down that road and if they did we would in fact take action.�?
Shelburne County TODAY also reports that in a separate, but connected story, Municipality of Shelburne Warden Paulette Scott and her council have been meeting secretly with the proponents of the property deal. Scott had previously claimed conflict of interest at team Shelburne in discussing or voting on Shelburne Place and has been advised that legal counsel for the Municipality confirmed the conflict situation to Council.
Scott says the substance of the private meetings, one of which was convened after a council meeting Wednesday evening, which she says were called by the SWSDA, would be revealed in due time.
So, our question is, “What do you think”
Is the SWSDA, the group whose own Web Site states their purpose is to, “create a shared focus on community economic development and provide equal access to the tools necessary for growth”, doing so by hiding behind secret closed door meetings???
We’d be most interested in hearing your opinions, post them below or email us at customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com
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So, for YarmouthCounty.com, this has been Brian Hurlburt, and I invite you to Make it a great day!
Sincerely,
Brian Hurlburt
customerservice@yarmouthcounty.com
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