GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE TO PROTECT HISTORIC LANDMARKS: RAYMOND

Friday May 28, 2004

Halifax – Halifax Atlantic NDP MLA Michele Raymond says the devastating loss of the lighthouse keeper’s house at Chebucto Head demonstrates that the provincial government must do more to protect Nova Scotian’s historic resources.

“This loss is a blow to our community, and our entire province,� she says. “You can’t replace buildings such as this, and Nova Scotia is diminished without them.�

“This should serve as a reminder to all of us – especially the provincial government – that our historic properties are precious, and need to be preserved and protected.�

“This may have been an act of vandalism, and if so it wouldn’t have been the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last unless we do something to signal, strongly, that our historic resources matter,� says Raymond. “The provincial government needs to be much more proactive in protecting our heritage buildings.�

“I would also like to see all parties lobby the federal government for stronger penalties for the deliberate destruction of cultural assets.�

Raymond commends the Chebucto Head Lighthouse Society for all their efforts to preserve the historic lighthouse keeper\‘s house. The group had recently been successful in obtaining the lease for the building, and was going to begin renovations this weekend. Earlier this month, Raymond presented a resolution in the Legislature congratulating the group on its efforts to protect the abandoned light station.

The NDP has long called on the provincial government to develop a plan to preserve the lighthouses that are being divested by the federal government. Raymond says the Hamm government has moved far too slowly, and has been sitting by while abandoned lighthouses fall into disrepair and are vandalized.

\“The government needs to send a signal that heritage buildings like this are important, and worthy of care and protection,\” says Raymond. \“Otherwise, they will continue to be neglected and vandalized, until they are lost from our province altogether.\”

-30 –

« Previous News Release
NDP MLA BUYS TIME FOR SPRYFIELD DAYCARE

Next News Release »
CHURCHES STILL BEING BILLED FOR USING SCHOOLS ON SUNDAYS