Members of the Cobequid Dog Club, and those who joined them to discuss a proposed bylaw, were feeling muzzled by the county after not receiving any written response to their request to make a presentation to council.
Emily Gratton, on behalf of the group, had sent a letter to Colchester County Mayor Christine Blair and county council, requesting permission to make a presentation during the August 30 council meeting, addressing the proposed kennel development bylaw
She had asked for a response by 5 p.m. on August 23, but by August 27 had not yet received any response.
“We are extremely disappointed that our Council continues to behave in an unresponsive and undemocratic fashion,” said Gratton, who owns Trollhattan Kennels, in Upper Brookside. “Council is elected to encourage and promote small business development and growth, not hinder it.”
She said the bylaw would drastically change the way in which people could run kennels and keep dogs.
Colchester County CAO Rob Simonds said confirmation on whether a presentation could be made was not provided because council hasn’t met since first reading, and council will decide on August 30 whether they will entertain presentations at the meeting.
“The motion can be passed, not passed, amended, or sent for further revision,” said Mayor Christine Blair. “If it’s not passed, no one speaks. If it goes up for discussion, things will proceed and council will make a decision on a presentation.
“The biggest issue with this is people are not looking at it as an interim bylaw.”
She said she’d like to see a long-term bylaw developed an in effect within six months, but acknowledges that may not be possible because of the workload facing council and county staff.
A protest against the proposed bylaw is planned for Tuesday, August 28, with people gathering at noon and walking from Central Nova Animal Hospital to the county offices.
