I used to write many letters to the Irving papers about Partridge Island issue < the good old days >
These days, the public are not allowed to write on different issues.
Robert Linke told me years ago that the Irvings will have to investigate the issue before it gets printed!
Ok...never mind that!!!
Partridge Island could be the biggest tourist attraction in the Maritimes.
Can you imagine a cement walking bridge to that Island?
An Island in Quebec - Grosse Ile received 10 million dollars years ago to upgrade their island.
These islands have thousands of dead Irish citizens buried and do Saint Johners care?
Of course not!
I suggested years ago that they should sell the Island to the Irvings and allow them to upgrade the burial site.
The Irvings could even put a huge Irving sign on the Island in place of a lighthouse.
Hey? If the citizens could have access to the Island to visit the burial site?
I would agree with the Irving sign.
As we speak? Nothing is being done! It’s a darn shame!!!
Here’s the story in the Irving paper that was email to be this morning.
Charles,
maybe the citizens should buy this island......to keep it public
Island COULD be privatized
Warning University professor says his study could offer last chance to keep the island public
Michelle Porter
Telegraph-Journal
As published on page C1 on December 9, 2006
BOB MORGAN/TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL
Partridge Island at sunrise.
A new land-use study may be Saint John's last chance to develop Partridge Island's tourism potential, says business professor Dr. Keith Dewar.
"This is the last chance we have," said Dewar, who teaches with the University of New Brunswick in Saint John. "If this doesn't work, there's a good chance the island may be sold to private interests."
Dewar and colleagues Dr. Lee Jolliffe, Wen Mei Li and former student Karen Kwan have received a $20,000 research grant from the Saint John Development Corporation to prepare a feasibility study on Partridge Island access and development.
"We have to look at whether we can afford to have Partridge Island as a park. Our job is to show its value, what its going to cost and the possible financial resources that will make it possible."
The Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership saw the need for a feasibility study when it began to look for funding partners after working on possible designs for the island.
"When we were ready to approach funding partners we realized there's a missing issue here," said Ross Jefferson, general manager at the partnership.
To attract funding partners, the plan needed more than designs. It needed a business plan that looked at issues such as access, stewardship and sustainability.
That's when the corporation stepped in with money for a study.
Dewar and his colleagues are looking at other island parks across Canada similar in size and distance from shore. He is confident a model can be found to develop Partridge island. He is not so sure any scheme will last long.
"It's very easy to find capital money. I'm sure we could get money to clean it up, build a dock no problem. It's three years down the road that's the problem."
The biggest challenge, he said, is finding funding partners over the long term.
"How do we partner with the stakeholders and other people in the city to make this happen on a sustainable business? That's the question we have to answer."
One option he said the study will explore is the possibility of an endowment fund which would be able to cover operating expenses over the long term.
In mid-January he and his colleagues will hold a roundtable with interested groups and community members to present and discuss initial ideas and concepts.
A survey of people who have visited Partridge Island is also planned in order to assess the kind of long-term interest visitors may have in the island.
"We know that there will be initial interest. Everybody will want to get on the boat and go across once. But then what?"
The study should be close to completion in the spring.
Partridge Island is a National historic site.
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