Wednesday’s announcement from Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor Cecil Clarke presented a lot of what-ifs, and in return was met with mixed reviews.
A year ago, Clarke gave himself an ultimatum: He gave himself a year to get his municipality growing, or resign.
After presenting a number of initiatives at Wednesday’s $35-a-plate luncheon, Clarke said he’s staying.
As for those who think he shouldn’t: “They can have their opportunity to have a decision on October 19th next year,” Clarke said.
The mayor’s 30-minute speech on ways to revitalize Sydney’s downtown presented ideas including a pre-feasibility study into a new central library for the municipality and a downtown campus for Nova Scotia Community College.
“I believe we presented something the community will see as balanced and there are opportunities to grow all aspects of our economy as a result,” Clarke said.
Coun. Ray Paruch said the announcement didn’t live up to the hype.
“I think that what the hype was and expectations were is that ‘This is right around the corner, it's going to happen tomorrow and I'm here today announcing it,’” Paruch said.
“That did not take place,” he said.
Paruch said some “serious mistakes” have been made by those managing the municipality.
“I look at the divestiture of the harbour bottom and the negotiations with the aboriginal community… There are several events of that magnitude and that nature that I believe are mistakes,” he said.
Among the 250 attendees were representatives of one of Canada’s largest construction companies, Bechtel, which is said to be interested in developing the Port of Sydney.
“The port has enormous strategic positioning. It is arguably the most important piece of Maritime real estate on the east coast of North America,” said Barry Sheehy, a business consultant advocating for the port’s development.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore
