I am writing because of a situation which has really upset me. I've belonged to the Oak Island Tourism Society in past years and last year I along with about 25 other applicants tried to sign up before the Annual General meeting and were denied, this was against their own by-laws but one director in particular was I think afraid of being voted out . Right after the election they passed a by-law to make it illegal. But it was an illegal election. Elections are usually held in Feb.

Now they are playing to hold a meeting on Dec.7/09 and dissolve the society when there are people ,and very capable people who want to keep it going .They refuse and are giving all asset and artifacts to Chester Heritage society. This is not right Chester has lots of tourist attractions and Western Shore Area only really has Oak Island . It is the heritage of that community not Chesters and should not even be considered. This is a spiteful action of one person who thinks he is Oak Island and has even given in his letter to members that quote:

The reasons for such a dramatic move are many but I will offer two of the more important ones here for your understanding in no particular order.

Lack of clear direction from majority land owners and treasure hunters Oak Island Tours Inc. on whether or not we stand any reasonable chance at fulfilling our full mandate."

This is so untrue as the Oak Island Tour inc. has been more than good to the society even though they receive nothing from the group, They open up the Island every year they were asked and allowed tours to be run from the society, they even for two years paid the way for students to come, from away, and speak at explore days. This is a spitful act on his part if he can't be top guy then no one will. there are qualified people some much more knowlegealbe than him but he requires the lime light at all times.

Here is the list of directors not one local person most from Chester and two of the directors belong to the Chester Heritage Society board that they plan to give everything to.


Ken Petrie Chairman kennancy@eastlinnk.ca Mahone Bay

Danny Hennigar Vice Chair and Communication's flhs@eastlink.ca Chester Basin

Yvonne Hennigar Sect. treasurer same as above Chester Basin

Carol Nauss canauss@tallships.ca Chester

Rev. Kyle Wagner wagner.kyle@gmail.com Porters Lake

Larry Ryan ryanfamily@eastlink.ca Chester

Maresa Davidson peacewarrior@gmail.com Kentville

Glenda Reddon reddon.glenda@ns.sympatico.ca Chester

I hope the people in the area come to the meeting on Dec. 7 th at the Oak Island Resort at 2pm and speak up for their community, they won't know about it unless you publish this as they have only sent letters to members. Note time of the meeting most won't be able to come because of work and living a distance away.

All we want is to add members to their own board and if they don't want to reoffer let us try and see what we can do ,is he afraid we will do better?

One last quote:

"We have seen the greatest number of members ever this year with 161 and this past Explore Oak Island Days was the most successful one yet with over 700 people who are more aware of the history of Oak Island than ever before. However we feel that we do not have a reasonable expectation of accomplishing our main mandate, to pursue tours of Oak Island and to establish a world class interpretative center."

How can he make this statement and then dissolve it.