St. Ann's Bay Development Association

Meeting of 21 April 2008

In attendance:
Hugo Bordillon, Yves Despois, Gordon Douglas, Loreto Doyle, Dennis Laffan, Marcelle Lavoie, Chrissie MacEachern, Aaron Schneider, Ruth Schneider

Regrets:
Bev Brett, Jeremy Frith, Carol Kennedy, Merrill MacInnis, Angelo Spinazzola

1) Minutes of January 16, 2008:
Approved (moved: Ruth; seconded: Chrissie)

2) Finance Report: Chrissie

The SABDA account currently has $7,325.66, including a repayment of the $500 lent to the A Little Bit Out There festival.

3) Old business:

Community Arts Award—Carol and Bev have collected all information and are writing the proposal.
Red Island Trail—Initial spring clearing has been done by Dennis Laffan and Andy Watt.
The Little Bit Out There Festival—no report has come in regarding this year's plans.
CAP Site—John MacInnis has yet to speak to Dave Green about reviving the CAP Site.
Arboretum—SABDA has committed to planting a tree of Dennis' choice. So far, only three new trees have been requested. None of those requested and none of those species requested is available, so the planting date, originally scheduled for April 27, may be changed to the following week.

ACTION: Dennis will choose a SABDA tree, and will contact Marie Montgomery to send an email around should the date be changed.

4) SABDA Strategic Plan review:

The 1993/4 Community Survey report was explained and passed out, and the 1996 Strategic Plan was summarized (see questionnaire here, and original Strategic Plan here).

It was suggested that, since the demographics of the community have changed, it would be interesting to ask community members to respond to the same questions as were in the initial survey, to see what current residents would say. A discussion occurred on how best this might be done. The information gathered could help revise the Strategic Plan.

ACTIONS: Loreto agreed to research the possible use of the St. Ann's Community Web Site, or the potential of setting up a new website. Marcelle is checking on a mailing. Ruth is writing an introduction to the questions and attaching, it along with the questions and a request for responses, to these Minutes.

It was also suggested that there may be funding for small communities for the Democracy 250-year celebration being planned by the Province, or at least that there should be, and that we might think about what would enhance this community. Suggestions included something that might employ youth (but not be a "make-work" project), improving the Red Island Trail, creating a bike or walking trail along the Cabot Trail, etc.

ACTION: Aaron will research the possibility of funding. (Tuesday, April 22: a phone call and an e-mail have gone to the Premier's office requesting specific information.)

5) Other Business:

Bike Lane lobby—Velo Cape Breton has managed to do effective lobbying in Cape Breton County for bike lanes and bike parking. Can we do something here to strengthen the voices for a bike lane around the Cabot Trail? Susanna Fuller at the Ecology Action Centre is aware of what is being done in the Province.

ACTION: Loreto will contact Susanna at the EAC. (susannafuller @ gmail.com)
Transportation—Another concern is about the lack of transportation in this area, especially now that gas is getting more expensive. There was agreement that this is important, and recognition that the Health Centre is actively seeking a way to provide some transportation for the area. Penny Steele has put a proposal in to the Province.
Board Member Attendance#8212;the lack of Board members at meetings is making decisions difficult, particularly those that require a quorum. Current Board members include:

Marcelle Lavoie, Ernie MacAulay, Murdock MacDonald, Chrissie MacEachern, Merrill MacInnis, Ruth M. Schneider, Angelo Spinazzola

SABDA has four regular meetings a year. It was agreed that those who cannot attend these meetings should drop off the Board, and be replaced by others who are interested.

6) Next Meeting: 23 September 2008, 7 pm, at the Health Centre

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