HUMAN RIGHTS Pictou Advocate column, Jan. 20, 1970 How Elderly "Unknown" Woman Eventually Got Her Title Deed By CARRIE M. BEST P rediction from Feb 29, 1968This I recorded in this column following the "Sale for Unpaid Taxes" Evening News, Feb 8, 1968. During 1963 and prior to the Pictou County Regional Planning Commission, Harold Verge, director, and Don Mason, his associate, began a survey of lands in Pictou Co. as a preliminary to prepare the Urban, Renewal Report released in 1965. During this period an extensive survey of the Vale Road area in New Glasgow was made and the area classified as "blighted" and recommendation made that the area be rezoned from residential to commercial. Don Mason, now Director, publicly recommended the renewal of the Area and announced that Public Housing is the answer. About the same time that the general survey was being conducted by the planning commission, extensive work was begun on the former Connolly property near the Potter's Bridge on East River
Road. Extensive bulldozing was carried on over a vast area
to Granville Street and across to
the old Vale Road. A giant sewer pipe has been laid, large segments of land in the Vale Road area purchased and old property claims brought up to date. This large lot of land purchased in 1914 by R. K. DeLong holds the key which will in future years open the door via Thorburn to the access to the Trans Canada Highway, both east and west. Early this year the New Glasgow press announced that a
$53,000 shopping plaza would be built on the Connolly property with parking for 2,000 cars. After 48 Years -- Sanitation Tenders for this phase of the work could be called in January and laying of pipe to start as soon as conditions permit in the spring. Tax Sale 1968 While it has been denied that any commercial plans are being formulated for the area, it is a matter of record that 21¾ acres of land in the Vale Road has been acquired in the area by one citizen. This has caused concern among the property owners there whose taxes are paid and who have been waiting for nearly a century for sewer services. They are a small but well informed group -- informed -- and vigilant after the shock
and fear of the Tax Sale. Owners Unknown This is a classical example. The "occupant" an ailing elderly woman, housekeeper to the late owner, although "unknown" on card 263, has lived in the house continuously for over 20 years. This was one incident where the non-violent Hell, recommended by Alan Borovoy, Executive Director of the Civil Liberties
Association of Canada was raised. This "unknown" had been paying taxes from her monthly welfare cheque amounting to less
than $50
There is a happy ending. On Friday, January 9th, while searching titles, I saw recorded in Pictou a Warranty Deed to the "Unknown" from the Town of New Glasgow, dated July 5, 1969. The property is assessed for $500. It was $700 before F.H. MacDonald took command. The occupancy tax is $100. The
"Unknown" is exempt. Such results are not the result of a mad rush on receipt of an assessment notice but a systematic search and you've got to be rugged and
determined. |