MoB sends $1200 to help float ferry

Jim Thurber, warden for MoD says the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition has

approached at least 20 municipalities from Wolfville to Lunenburg for assistance.

The amount requested from each was derived from four criteria: proximity to the service, dependence on the service, assessment, and population of the area.

“The total amount we hoped to receive was $40,000,” said Thurber.

“The response to date has been good. Only one has declined and eight are willing to contribute,” he said.

The funds will be used to market usage of the service.

“This has been almost two years now that we’ve been dealing with this. We have a coalition of municipalities and businesses that feel this is an essential service for the economy, especially the fishery and tourism in western Nova Scotia. It’s a must and we are continuing to fight to make sure it stays long term,” said Thurber.

Progress reports will be supplied on how the money is being spent to secure the ferry service.

The current deal with Bay Ferries and the federal government expires in January 2009.