Campobello council sends plea seeking ferry issue resolution

Discussions regarding the ongoing absence of a ferry link to the mainland continue before the Campobello council, including during the August 27 meeting. As agreed during the previous meeting, a letter from the council was sent to elected representatives, including MP Karen Ludwig, MLA John Ames and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. The three‑page letter, dated August 15, has not been responded to so far, but it was noted that since it is campaign season a reply may be delayed.
The letter, signed by Mayor Stephen Smart, provides an overview of the situation, including cross‑border relations, and a brief history of the region. "The long-standing belief, voiced by past Conservative and Liberal provincial governments, that this community is better off than our neighbors on Deer Island and Grand Manan because of the 24-hour access provided by the bridge to Maine, is flawed," the letter states. "We are the only community in New Brunswick that must hold passports and must adhere to U.S. law regarding foodstuffs, agricultural supplies and tradespeople."
The letter continues on to warn, "If there is not a serious review and solution found of our transportation need, this community will transition to a ghost town, or a basically gated community for wealthy Americans. While this would no doubt lessen the demands on various government departments, I would hate to believe that it was seen as acceptable to our government." In conclusion, it adds, "With the absence of the ferry this season, the community presented an overwhelming plea to resolve this issue, with a permanent solution."
Smart, speaking of the feasibility report currently under way, stated, "Before it is issued I can't see the province doing anything at all." Additionally, questions have surfaced, he said, about who is allowed to complete the survey on which the study will be based. Councillor Candace Phinney expressed her frustration that "information has not been provided to me by the survey company."
As one example  of many  of the economic effect of the absence of ferry service, Whale Watch Motel operator Frances Langerfeld, during an interview, stated that as of late August "better than 70 cancellations so far" had occurred this season. Many of these, she observed, had been multi‑day reservations, thus losses were "in the thousands." Typically, she said, this time of year the business would be sending potential customers to other establishments, but this year they are "far from booked up."
"People hear there is no ferry service," she says, "so they cancel and go somewhere else."

Other business
In other business before the council, the question of Fogfest funding came up, with a request for $3,500 towards the 2019 event. "This is good for the local economy," said Phinney, "and good for business." The council voted 4‑0 -- in the absence of Councillor Kevin Sawtelle -- to provide the funds.
Relations with the Campobello Island Club also came up, with a suggestion from Smart that they "open up a conversation with some of our summer residents" to see if they could help with island issues. No specific action was suggested beyond the possibility that the club could provide help in a number of matters.
The council also approved a request from Clerk Pauline Alexander that the duties of island community clerk be split between her and Amanda Mitchell, who has been acting in an assistant clerk capacity for some time. The proposal was accepted, with the suggestion that the two alternate in attending council meetings.