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Home arrow News arrow Latest OI News arrow Oak Island Tourism Society votes to disband
Oak Island Tourism Society votes to disband PDF Print E-mail
Frustration plagues final meeting
By BEVERLEY WARE South Shore Bureau
Tue. Dec 8 - 4:45 AM
WESTERN SHORE — The Oak Island Tourism Society disbanded itself at a testy meeting Monday that saw a number of people walk out in frustration.

"This was a foregone conclusion. We knew what was going to happen before they held the meeting, really," said Charles Barkhouse, who said he has been "stymied" in his efforts to become a voting society member.

"It’s a kangaroo court."

There was a 16-1 vote at the afternoon meeting in favour of dissolving the society.

"Tomorrow, there will be another organization formed," Mr. Barkhouse said.

The board called the special vote, saying it has been unable to meet its mandate of establishing an interpretive centre on Oak Island. 

Ken Petrie, a former owner of Oak Island Resort & Spa, founded the society with the late MLA John Chataway. They hatched the idea over a meal in the resort’s dining room in 2001. Mr. Petrie said Mr. Chataway would have been sad to see the society fold, but he also would have seen the futility of their work.

"He was pragmatic. He would have said enough is enough."

Yet Mr. Petrie believes there is a market for Oak Island.

"Is there treasure there? I don’t know, but I believe it could be, should be, a world-class tourist destination."

The society has 160 members. Seventeen turned out to vote at the meeting.

"It’s very disappointing that 17 decided to dissolve an organization that 160 people belong to," said Mr. Barkhouse. "I think it’s undemocratic and unfair that those members paid money to join an organization and they can’t vote unless they’re actually in the room."

The society does not permit votes by proxy.

Board member Carol Nauss said the directors are exhausted and after eight years are no closer to their goal, so it’s time to pass the torch on to someone with fresh vision.

"For us, the logical step is to dissolve the society and let others get on with it."

Garnette Blankenship, who lives on Oak Island, told the society’s eight directors that they should just step aside and let others who are willing step into their shoes.

Joy Steele was the sole society member to vote in favour of keeping the society going.

"I don’t agree the funding can’t be raised outside of government. I think there’s a gold mine here."

She demanded that the society open its books and provide written proof it has failed to get support from the province and Oak Island Tours Inc. to open an interpretive centre. The company owns 78 per cent of the island.

Despite several fractious exchanges, society spokesman Danny Hennigar hugged Ms. Steele at the end of the meeting and wished her luck as she told him she wanted in her heart what is best for the community.

Mr. Hennigar said something positive will come of this. The society’s assets, which include some artifacts, will be handed over to the Chester Municipal Heritage Society, which will display them in the train station. 

Ms. Blankenship said those items should be displayed in Western Shore, not Chester, but Mr. Hennigar said the society hasn’t been able to find anywhere locally to display them.

Mr. Hennigar said some people who "left the room early and rudely" have been saying "nasty things" about him, his wife and other board directors.

"They made me so angry sometimes I’d see red," he said, claiming they "did everything to sabotage (society) events . . . but it’s over with now."
 
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