WHY IS WHO WE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT WE ASK?

Did you know.....information in this column is being gathered from firsthand experience; information passed from authoritative levels (government); public news media; various publications, and residents of Mount Uniacke, etc?

Did you know.....the toll free phone number to the municipal offices is 1-866-758-2299?

Did you know....there's a very interesting NO TRESPASSING sign in front of a home on the Etter Road?  At night the spotlights light it up and during the day you cannot miss the large block letters in bright red paint.  Sure does get the curiosity going.  Nice to see some folks taking a stand for what they believe in.  Would anybody care to share the reason for the sign with the rest of the community?

Did you know......you can donate your hair towards making a wig for children who have lost their hair due to their cancer treatments?  The wigs make a world of difference and give them a morale boost as they face many challenges.  There is certain criteria to follow.  Contact Headquarters Hair Solutions Clinic toll free 1-800-565-1882.  The editor of this Newsletter has grown her hair twice and donated it twice in the last 6 years.  Rosanne advises it is a great feeling and you can donate it in honour of someone special, if you wish.  Rosanne donated her hair in honour of a friend who died of breast cancer

Did you know.....we have been in touch with Canada Post regarding the re-installation of our photo mural in the Mount Uniacke Post Office and we have extended the request to Uniacke Heritage Society to assist with the tansfer of the mural back to its rightful home?  We anticipate having this completed ASAP, once Canada Post advises the procedures and the position on the wall of the community bulletin board.

Did you know......if there are questions that you need answered and you don't know where to go for the information that we will endeavour to secure the information for you?  Please read the following exchange of e-mails earlier in the month of June between a concerned citizen and the Uniacke Newsletter editor.

Letter to the Editor: "Greetings.  Today, Wednesday, June 18th at 3:25 PM I was coming into the Mount from Dartmouth when the train was crossing the track.  The light facing me was NOT flshing.  If I remember correctly in the e-mail you sent me in reply to the first time I brought up the question about the lights, it was stated that the lights that were there did work.  But, this ight was not working today."

After receiving this enquiry, we then sent an e-mail off to Steve Newson, MCIP Policy Advisor of NS Transportation and Public works.  The following is Mr. Newson's response:

"Thank you for your e-mail regarding the crossing in Mount Uniacke.  The signal was hit by lightning Wednesday, causing the signals to ring.  The railway received notification from the public that the FLB unit was continually ringing/flashing and turned off the FLB Unit.  If the signals are not working properly they will continually flash and ring (default position).  The railway reported they are flagging trains (Manual Protection) at this crossing: the flagman stands at the crossing and flags the train across the crossing.  They are still waiting for several items (on order) to complete the repairs.  Flagging is acceptable given the speed of the train (under 15 MPH) and Manual Protection.  Please note, they are operating one train a week between Windsor and Windsor Junction.  I appreciate your e-mail bringing the request to my attention.            Regards Steve Newson

Did you know.....there are approximately 20 photos capturing hte deplorable condition of the Etter Road that to be sent to the Minister of Highways as well as all supervisors working under him?  This will be don ASAP and follow-up requests will be sent to John MacDonell and Scott Brison.

Did you know.....the public meeting held on June 9th regarding the proposal from Cottage Country for a development on the shores of Long Lake was well attended?   It is NOT a done deal and there is a group of people who is intersting in stopping, or at least downsizing, this development.  It will effect ALL residents of this community in some way.  This is a wilderness area and enjoyed by many people for recreational purposes.  It is the one lake in our community that residents can access if they don't happen to own land on a lake.  It is nature at its best and the government has been contacted and is researching the situation to determine the best way to save this lake from another development.  If you are interested in joining the group to stop this development, please feel free to contact the Editor of the Uniacke Newsletter via the web site and add your name to the long list of People Who Care.

Did you know.......a list of unsighltly premises has been started and we are preparing to forward it onto the Municipality requesting that these premises be cleaned up and made more presentable.  The car park by the 103 exist is on the list.  It will be interesting to see who accepts responsibility for cleaning it up.

Did you know......an enquiry came in from a concerned citizen regarding disposal of batteries of all kinds?  We sent the request onto the Municipality.  Following is the response:

Batteries are not accepted curbside.  They are acceptable at our household hazardous waste events (HHW) - one is held annually in Mount Uniacke at the Fire Hall.  This yer's event will be in September.  Details to come out closer to the date.  All these items are also accepted at the permanent HHW facility at the Municipality's Waste Management Centre.  I know that is far for residents in your area, but it is another option.  Some batteries are also accepted back at retailers.  We encourage residents to inquire when shopping at their local "regular" retailers to see if they have return programs....as this is often hit or miss."  Andrea Tras, Municipality of East Hants

Did you know.......it has been brought to our attention that a meeting was held with members of this community and the Municipality and John MacDonell regarding the structural faults/stresses at the library?  A leter has been released indicating the results of an inspection carried out by the Municipal Building Inspector and recommendations for necessary repairs.  We will follow up on this and ensure that the necessary repairs are carried out prior to the end of the summer months.  Especially the area of the window in the Plicing Office as well as the "ant dust" or whatever it is that is continually blowing in from between the walls.  A report will follow in the next issue of the Uniacke Newsletter.

Did you know.....that is is our understanding that when representatives from the tax assessment division come to inspect your property to ensure their information is correct for tax purposes that you DO NOT have to let them in to inspect the inside of your home?  It's still your private property - not even RCMP or local police are allowed in your home unless they are invited or have a search warrant or probable cause.  It is our understanding that when an appeal is made it cannot be challenged without the home owner agreeing to an interior inspection.  Can anybody out there confirm this or add more information?  We will continue to research but we'd appreciate assistance on this one.

Did you know.....we have approximately 15 photos ready and labeled of the East Uniacke Road bridge?  They will be orwarded onto the Minister of Highways/Transportation as well as John MacDonell, Chuck Porter and Scott Brison.  This bridge is rotting out from under the pavement and it's just waiting for the most opportune time to cave in.  Let's hope it's not when you or I are on the bridge or when one of our school buses in on the bridge!!!!  There was a province wide alert put out on all wooden bridges in the province to be inspected adn upgraded.  Why was the bridge on the East Uniacke Road ignored?  It's not because we haven't asked.....

Did you know......there is nowhere near the number of streetlights on the Etter Road that there should be?  Each sharp curve should have a light, especially since the curves seem to be located on either a rise or a dip in the road.  Safet first?  We don't think so.  Saving money?  Hmmm, could be.  Since ALL residents in Mount Uniacke are paying for ALL streetlights in the community, we may as well put safety first for a change.  We'll include the streetlights at the same time as the request for proper upgrading of the Etter Road and the replacement of road signs.

Did you know......there is still some controversy over the damage done to homes in the immediate area of the Mount Uniacke Business Park when they were blasting the road in preparation for the Bio-Medical?  When blasting was being done to make way for the buildling, damage was done to the foundations of several homes in the immediate area as well as to Uniacke Pizza.  The issue is not dead and it will not go away until some assistance is given to the homeowners/businesses who lived through this "shattering" experience.  Patience is the key.

For those who do not know what this column is:  it IS information FROM the people FOR the people.  THIS IS A DEMOCRACY.

We are listening, reading and researching to pass info along to the residents of our community.  Knowledge is power.  If you have any information to share or have a question you'd like answered, our research team will do our best.  Look for our Did You Know? column in every issue of the Uniacke Newsletter.  Your name will not be printed if you don't want it printed.

Join us, won't you!?!?