A Guy Named Geoff MacLellan Could Stop Mayor Clarke from Bungling the Sydney Port Development

Tl;dr I’m going to propose a way for MLA Geoff MacLellan to help salvage the potential for Sydney’s port development. It involves him breaking through all the secrecy and mismanagement of Mayor Cecil Clarke.

If there was ever a guy that desperately needed a relief pitcher, it’s Mayor Cecil Clarke. Touched up... and down by 10 runs in the 7th inning… but still clinging to the ball. He’s walked the bases loaded, pitched underspeed meatballs right into the sweet spot of the opponents bats, and all the while still manages to flash a wink at the media photographers.

In any other baseball diamond, that guy would be pulled from the game (possibly by an ear). But you see, Clarke isn’t just the starting pitcher with an unimpressive record. He’s also the team manager. And just about everyone in Cape Breton - except maybe Councillor Kevin Saccary - can easily see how that would lead to problems.

But hey… so what if you’re losing, as long as you still get your picture in the papers?

It really comes down to whether your goal is to win the game for your entire team and every baseball fan - or a more self-centered goal of fulfilling your need to be acknowledged standing on the mound.

Fortunately, for those of us who are good sportsmen and women, there may be a way to reestablish the integrity of the game.

Be it resolved, if there was ever a town that consistently produces guys and gals that know how to play ball, it’s Glace Bay. That’s both on the actual baseball diamond, and apparently in the political arena too.

Now just in case I got carried away with that elongated baseball analogy, just a quick heads up that we’re talking Cape Breton politics here.

The man may not be able to work miracles. At this stage it might be a bit of a mop up job. But it’ll be a tremendous impact on morale heading into a possible game two, three, or four... if we can hang in there. The late game rescue is still worth a shot.

Why is Geoff MacLellan in our Bullpen?

There are two reasons I’m talking about Minister MacLellan. Firstly, there are a couple of very important things he has already done. And, secondly, there’s a vitally important thing he could still do for the taxpayers of the CBRM, our entire island, and our province.

First, let’s start with an important video clip from CTV News. Geoff is shown speaking to CCCC (Quad C) representatives with HPDP’s Albert Barbusci, and Port of Sydney Development Corporation GM, Paul Carrigan by his side. It’s on the day of the port corp’s first controversial AGM (annual general meeting). Watch the 10 second clip below.

See Full CTV Interview

“We understand there’s a profit model there. Sydney wants to be a part of that, and Cape Breton wants to be a part of that. And we’ll do whatever we can to help. The doors are open and we’re looking to provide this opportunity…” - Minister Geoff MacLellan to CCCC Representatives

If it first it seems too simple in concept to be that important, take note of the following:

So when Geoff MacLellan immediately takes his first opportunity with CCCC to emphasize that Sydney and Cape Breton at large want to share in the profits, he sets the tone we need right at the outset.

That’s what a closer does.

MacLellan Takes the First Tangible Step in Buying Time with the Rail Line

Genesee & Wyoming, the rail line owners, say they are ready to pull up the tracks. They’ve discontinued service on the Cape Breton part of the line. And they were ready to apply for abandonment. Whether or not it was just an attempt to create a sense of urgency, the political buzz was that they planned to salvage it for scrap value of the rails.

The minister bought some time by putting the kibosh on immediate or accelerated abandonment.

The new regulations MacLellan announced require the company to offer the rail line for sale privately first. If no offers happen in 30 days, then the province has an opportunity to step in. On top of that, they’d have to provide specific information about the salvage value, costs of removal, remediation, and environmental considerations.

So Geoff just did about as much as he could do, when it comes to the rail line, to stall that process out a little bit.

But he is at a tremendous disadvantage in doing his job. And if Cape Breton and the Port of Sydney Development Corporation expect him to be effective, he’s going to need full access to everything.

As promised, I owe you a strategy that will position Geoff MacLellan to mop up the damages a little and maybe even turn things around for port development.

MLA Geoff MacLellan Needs to Join the Board of the Port of Sydney Development Corporation

Hypocritical perhaps? Afterall, I just finished writing a few different topics that emphasized how irresponsible the mayor is for staying on the board. I reminded you that he and other councillors are not qualified and not really authorized to continue being on the Port of Sydney Development Corporation board. 

And now I’m going to tell you it again for good measure. Read the highlights from the port corporation articles:

So have I actually done an about face? Not at all. Here’s why.

Article 5.02 would prevent MLA Geoff MacLellan from being on the board, as it does the mayor and our councillors. That’s because they are all elected officials. And it expressly notes (see above) in the articles that they are not eligible to serve on the board.

But...

If Mayor Cecil Clarke Can Twist Section 5.02 to Stay On the Board, So Can Minister Geoff MacLellan

And I’m not in favor of either of them being on that board. Here is the difference.

If Geoff is going to be in the position to keep the province active, involved, and supportive in the port development, he needs access to every bit of information that Cecil Clarke and friends have.

He can find out what is really going on inside those meetings and discourage nonsense like planning retreats for themselves. And he can get to know more about the relationship and background of the Harbor Port Development Partners (HPDP).

But ultimately beyond getting access to all that information, he has one primary focus in joining the board.

And that is to leave it and take Mayor Cecil Clarke and the councillors with him. He would be expected to take a proactive role in insisting that the board follow section 5.02 and expedite recruiting a qualified board.

The articles state that there is a very particular cross section of expertise that must be represented by the board members. Right now, they don’t have it. It’s dominated by the one role it isn’t supposed to have: elected officials.

And Cecil Clarke Cannot Say “No”

He can’t say “no” because it would be shooting the port development effort in the foot. How do you justify not allowing a key provincial representative to have oversight?

And he can’t say “no” because of Section 5.02 - restricting elected officials from being on the board - because he and the other councillors are in violation themselves.

What’s good for goose is good for the gander.

So it’s time for Cecil to relax his grip on that baseball. And call in a relief pitcher that can help get the job done.

Our MLA reliever can’t catch the corner with a perfect slider if he’s blindfolded. Let’s get a guy named Geoff full access. And for Cecil's remaining time as mayor, let's make sure he's making the right friends on behalf of Cape Breton.

If you support Geoff MacLellan joining the Port of Sydney Development Corporation Board, let him know via email at [email protected], or tweet this article to him on Twitter at @GeoffMacLellan.

Don’t forget to share it to your Facebook and Twitter if you think this strategy may help move the port development project forward with better provincial oversight and assistance.