NS: Town trying to ’sabotage’ development, says entrepreneur

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NS: Town trying to ’sabotage’ development, says entrepreneur

By Carla Allen, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Vanguard

[BARRINGTON, NS] - A developer in Barrington who has turned a decrepit high school into an attractive apartment complex connected to several businesses may find himself without water soon. Ken Anthony purchased the old Barrington high school from the municipality several years ago. At issue is a well located on municipal land that’s been supplying Anthony’s complex.

Ken Anthony is taking the Municipality of Barrington to court over two issues connected with the former high school property he purchased: oil contamination and water supply. Transcontinental Media photo by Carla Allen.

He appeared before council Aug. 17 requesting continued use of this well, the only water source he has to supply tenants and the only water source to his sprinklers.

He received a letter from the municipality one week before completion of the project informing him that he has 30 days to disconnect.

“This is after two and a half years of being hooked up, as well as the only water source when I bought the property,” said Anthony, who has considerable property holdings in the area and has been highly instrumental in local development, attracting Tim Hortons, the Atlantic Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Subway, and the Great Canadian Store amongst others. “The unfortunate part is this was the best project I have ever done in Barrington, taking an eye sore and vacant building and turning it into a 27 family and seven commercial tenants (project), over an acre of square footage and now having it completely full in Barrington’s biggest downturn of the economy. This truly was a very successful project and council, who say they want business to develop here, is trying to sabotage this project if this water is disconnected,” he wrote in an email.

Anthony says the municipality sold the property to him with the well intact, although they told him that the water source came from a different well – the one in front on the property he bought. He brought it to their attention that the water was actually coming from the well in back of his complex just recently. After his presentation, Anthony was advised by council that continued communication regarding the matter be done through their legal advisors.

“It should be a non-issue. I’m not asking for the world here. I’m just asking for the status quo,” said Anthony, who added that he had been assured by several lawyers his request pertained to nothing more than a “normal well easement”.

The 30-year old educational complex was closed in 2005 because of environmental reasons, which Anthony says he has fully addressed in the renovations. He indicated to members that the well on the property he purchased is believed to be too close to a contamination site to be used as a source of water for the development.

Another lawsuit by Anthony involving the Municipality of Barrington was filed last year after he says he discovered oil contamination on the same property. That case goes to court next month.

Tags:development, Municipality of Barrington

Comments:

Andy

Ha Another story of an end of the road town being stupid and ticking off a good revenue generater. I’d like to see the man pull out completely so they can wallow in their ignorance.

Aug 26/2009

Alone On A Raft

I am sorry to hear this but not surprised - i have seen much done tp prevent progress in the rural Community over the past few years. This is not the first time or probably the last time that Mr Anthony will have to endure this type of behaviour.

In past years I have seen many similar things with everyone to frightened to say anything.

Eventually there will be no more Mr Anthony’s just the vultures that plague towns that are down and almost out.

Where are the real tourists, the real investors, the real Bowaters - the real Ferry. I could go on forever - instead I am recounting my experiences and naming names in a book and when I am finished you will understand the comments of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce President … she said…. from memory…………87% of immigrants arriving in Nova Scotia leave within two years. ….60% of those arriving in Manitoba …….STAY.

Need I say more!

Wake up and take action, use your vote and take these idiots out of power… but much more importantly, hold them accountable for what they have done.

You live in a beautiful Province, be proud of it and don’t let these jumped up Napoleon’s take ever more advantage of you.

They Will!

Fresh from Book Writing on the Raft

Wait for the next instalment!

Aug 26/2009

paul m

some one is not teling the facts here. If this guy is so good and the town is so smart, the offer t purchase when the site was sold should have stipulated the water supply item. If not , the town should have done something before the deed and property were legally transferred. This is a legal documentation that the newspaper can research. Maybe the lawsuit about the oil contamination would go away if the town dealt with the water issue. Would I invest in Barrington when I see a town council act like this ? No way. So , Mr.Mayor, show us the documents, the accepted offer to purchase for the school, the survey for the land that the school is on and that the well is on , and then we’ll see who we vote for next election.

Aug 27/2009

swiftretaliation

What, you mean the South West Shore Development Authority and the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission, are not involved in this nonsense? I don’t believe it.

Aug 27/2009

Alex

Walt Kelly’s Pogo said it best years ago. “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Aug 29/2009

Nathan Blades

Andy - I take exception to your comment as a resident of Barrington Municipality. However, I do believe Ken Anthony’s words that he is being sabotaged by the Municipal Council… the same council that is supposed to be supportive of business. I just don’t see any common-sense based reason for the municipality to tell Mr Anthony that he cannot use the Well that supplies the building, that only supplies that building. Where is the issue here? What is the big problem? Obviously to me this action is nothing more than carrying out a petty grudge against a guy who has made massive investment in the community, has attracted many businesses to this community, and made this community his home for many years.

Municipality, Smarten Up and remember who you work for and where your funding comes from. Support Local Business, start helping instead of shooting this community in the foot.

Aug 31/2009

Tax Payer Wanda

Let’s look at this - there was a lawsuit first. The municipality is being sued and then the same person comes and asks for a favor. Would you give someone an easement that was suing you. I wouldn’t. I would expect the municipality to look after any investments they have, including land and wells and make the most of them for the taxpayers. Why not charge for a well easment - that is a common practice too. Please take care of the taxpayers and do what is best for them.

Aug 31/2009

Rod Green

Mr Anthony, I would love to buy you a coffee and have a chat. I am l
looking to purchase property in Barrington, both residential and
commercial, with the idea of immigrating to Canada in a couple of
years. If this is the flavour of the council I may need to rethink. I am
interested in progressive and can do people, not the can’t do or no
people the government seems overloaded with. I am an Australian, married to a canadian, I love Nova Scotia having laready invested
there, however it needs to realise the business people are the one’s
who can take the future and lift it.

Sep 10/2009

Ken Anthony

Mr. Rod Green, I can be reached at the enclosed e-mailed, would love to sit down with you anytime, regards KB

Sep 14/2009

J.C.H.

Well now , buyer beware…as to the lawsuit issue …what do you expect for 25 k and I believe that it was sold as is where is…however, if the property has been hooked to a well for more than 20 years he probably has adverse posession anyway.

Sep 16/2009