The Daily News (Halifax) - 05/05/2007:

I am a graduate of Riverview Rural High School, Class of ‘78, and have wonderful memories of my years there. It saddens me to read in the Cape Breton Post that RRHS and Sydney Academy renovations have been placed on hold in the midst of construction and great visible hope.

Both these high schools have produced graduates who have gone on to lead our communities, province and country, and to assume roles around the world.

Abandoning construction mid-flight is utterly disgraceful.

If the province had several hundred million for the Commonwealth Games in Halifax, then with cancellation of the games bid the province must have considerably more room within its budgetary capacity.

I suggest our premier should set an honourable and responsible example by giving these two very worthy high schools the funds they require to complete their modest renovations.

I reiterate that Cape Breton requires its own independent provincial governance. I encourage Cape Bretoners to write their representatives, local press and friends on the mainland to advise that Cape Breton now wishes to govern its own affairs as a province.

Mark Macneill
Chair, CBI Provincehood Campaign