Wow, I didn't realise that Glen Breton was so uptown ($80/bottle!). Great for them, though, with all of the international business.
Anyway, here's some more CBRM news...
Municipality takes swipe at rundown Cape Breton buildings
Last Updated: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 | 11:36 AM AT
CBC News
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality hopes hundreds of derelict buildings will disappear under new rules designed to clean up unsightly properties.
Regional council passed a motion Tuesday night that would give the municipality the authority to fine property owners if they don't fix up their rundown buildings within a certain time.
It also recommends demolition in some cases.
Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger said he put forward the motion to bring in tougher rules because too many people are sealing derelict buildings with plywood and walking away, leaving neighbours concerned about their safety.
"They're 10 feet away from properties and people are living in fear," he said. "When they go to bed, they don't know if the place is going to be burned down."
People are also worried that these buildings could become homes for drug dealers and other criminals, several councillors said.
Under the current bylaw, the municipality has little authority over abandoned buildings if they're deemed structurally sound. Owners can avoid fixing them for years with no penalty.
There are as many as 300 vacant buildings in the municipality, said bylaw enforcement manager Rick Fraser, and the proposed rules would give the municipality greater power to act.
"We will be able to either fine that individual if they continue to board it up and not make some kind of attempt to bring it back into standard, or we can seek some kind of restitution to have the building demolished," Fraser said.
The new bylaw could be in place by the summer.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia...-derelict.html