Province Strikes New Tar Ponds Clean-up Team
TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Province Strikes New Tar Ponds Clean-up Team
The province has struck a new team to manage its involvement in the cleanup of the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens properties.
Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, today said the aim is to eliminate red tape and delays caused by overtaxed resources in several government departments. The team will also work with their federal counterparts in dealing with the co-ordination and implementation of projects or strategic actions associated with the tar ponds.
The Sydney Tar Ponds clean-up team will be led by Bob Fowler, as chief executive officer. Mr. Fowler will be joined by Gary Campbell, as executive director of the project, and Phonse Jessome as lead communicator. In making the announcement today, Mr. Russell said this new, highly focussed team will coordinate the provincial effort, and take on all provincial responsibilities connected to this massive project. This includes working with the federal and municipal governments, the community and the Joint Action Group.
"This is an effort to streamline our approach and focus all of our resources -- to make it less complicated," said Mr. Russell. "This team is dedicated to this project full time, and will have full access to the resources and people who have been working on this project to date."
Bob Fowler has spent 26 years in the public service of Nova Scotia, holding senior positions in consumer affairs, health, economic development and at management board. Prior to his appointment as chief executive officer, Mr. Fowler was the assistant deputy minister at community services.
Gary Campbell was most recently executive director of industrial properties at transportation and public works, with a significant involvement in the tar ponds initiative. Mr. Campbell's appointment will dedicate his knowledge and experience to this project full time.
Phonse Jessome is a veteran journalist with over 20 years of experience as a communicator. A native of Whitney Pier, he brings first-hand knowledge of the tar ponds and coke ovens issue. Mr. Jessome will spend a significant portion of his time in Sydney, working with residents from his newly established office on Frederick Street.
An on-site manager, from the Sydney area, will be named in the coming days. This position will provide on-site project management and will serve as an additional liaison with the community.
The team begins its work immediately. In accepting his appointment, Mr. Fowler said "I am excited about this new approach, in that we will be working more closely with the people in the community. I look forward to meeting those people in the coming days and weeks."