Campobello council hears about mail, healthcare concerns

In a tumultuous, sometimes rancorous meeting that went nearly two hours with a standing-room crowd on October 28, the Campobello council received community input on five unrelated matters. These included residents' ire at having mail opened, healthcare concerns, a proposed community centre, ongoing library issues and a funding request for the preschool program. Approximately 40 people attended the meeting.

Opening of mail upsets residents
Resident after resident spoke of their dismay at having mail opened by U.S. border officials and also that mail is often delayed apparently because of the scheduling of transportation, demanding that the council do something. Mayor Brett Newman pointed out that the council plans to send a letter to Canada Post to express the public's concern, but as they are a government agency the council could not dictate action. Councillor Candace Phinney expressed the common viewpoint by observing, "We're Canadians, and we need our mail like any other Canadian." When pressed for specifics on "What will the council letter say?" the position was reiterated, that all the council could do was urge that the public's position be considered.
Several urged, with many speaking at the same time, that tardy delivery is linked to the ferry issue, that the absence of year‑round ferry service is part of the problem, prompting Councillor Kevin Sawtelle to say, "The issues are not related. It is not council's position to tell Canada Post how to do their business." He then threatened to walk out if the uproar did not cease.

Healthcare concerns
Phinney also brought up the issue of the delivery of healthcare on the island, speaking of lengthy delays and the absence of emergency care. "I've been talking with Horizon Health," she stated, but answers were not forthcoming. One possibility that was raised is the recruitment of a resident nurse practitioner, which led to a discussion about the shortage of the housing that such an individual would require. A nurse in the audience pointed out, "We do have coverage, but we can't take emergencies. We never had that capacity; you must use the ambulance."
"I'm only saying what people tell me," replied Phinney. "You just gotta keep this moving."
Community centre proposal
Newman announced that a parcel of land had been gifted to the town to be used for building a community centre. The acquisition costs are only the survey and recording fees, he said, which will total less than $1,500 for the 24-acre parcel located along Route 774. Several residents asked how a community of "800 to 900 people" can afford to build and maintain a community centre; Sawtelle stated that much of the cost will be covered by the gas‑tax fund provided to the community several years ago that has yet to be utilized. "This is one of the usages that is specifically allowed by that fund," he said, pointing out that at this time there could be no specific plans until the land is available. "If the people of the island don't want this," said Newman, "it won't happen."

Dispute over museum
The library issue produced the most rancor, leading to a councillor angrily walking out of the meeting. Library matters have been discussed at nearly every council meeting for more than five years, with current and past members voicing frustration at the lack of cooperation -- often termed "stonewalling" -- from the library board of directors. Part of the current concern stems from the fact that the museum is not part of the library, thus outside of direct council control, but is housed in the same building. The council is responsible for partially funding library operations, but insurance on the museum collection has proven costly and is often not provided. The council is in the process of rewriting the library bylaws, said Sawtelle.
Meredith Browne, speaking as a representative of the museum, gave council members a letter she stated was from a lawyer and demanded to be part of the bylaw project. "That is not going to happen," replied Sawtelle. When she observed, "The rules are being written by a person who wants the museum to go away," he replied, "You have already said one untruth. You claim to have taken care of the library problem with Revenue Canada; that is not true." Browne, who is a member of the Adams family, termed herself a long-time summer resident.
By this point in the meeting as many as six people were loudly talking over each other, with many side discussions and widespread laughter; the clamor made a meaningful dialog impossible. This prompted Newman to interrupt, demanding "only one person at a time have the floor. It is not fair that people cannot hear what is being said." His demand produced results, but only momentarily, with the cacophony soon resuming.
The exchange between Browne and Sawtelle continued -- during which he termed the museum collection "trinkets" and questioned her residency status. She replied that she comes every summer and has a local mailbox. When Sawtelle pointed out that he has a box in Lubec but doesn't claim residency there, she replied by loudly accusing him of "talking too much." At that point he picked up his papers and left the meeting. When Newman suggested that Browne might want to follow him, she replied, "Talking to him is like talking to Trump," but she declined to depart. Phinney, however, rose to leave but returned after speaking with supporters at the door. Phinney's departure would have denied the council a quorum, as Councillor Katherine Breton was not present during this meeting.

Preschool support requested
On the final item, Campobello school Principal Daphne Carten spoke about the Kiddie Cove preschool operation housed in the school facility. She made it clear that neither she nor the school has any official role in the operation beyond providing space but that she strongly supported it and pointed out the many benefits it provided to the community. "I can show you how detailed the preschool program is," she said, pointing to two binders. Holding up one that was about an inch thick, she said, "This is the entire grades 9 to 12 English curriculum." Then she held up a much larger binder, perhaps three inches thick, saying, "This one is for the preschool program."
Kiddie Cove representatives discussed the operation and how it must follow detailed government guidelines including strict staff‑to‑child ratios. They then asked the council to consider funding the operation, suggesting maybe $5,000 per year. "This will allow us to keep our fees low enough that working families can afford it," one said. One by one, members of the public spoke in support of this proposal; none voiced opposition. It appeared that many in the room had come to speak on the Kiddie Cove matter but were not reluctant to express opinions in the earlier discussions.
Newman promised the Kiddie Cove group that the council would consider the request in a private meeting and then declared the meeting adjourned.