New Glasgow Nova Scotia

Maritime Steel eyes quick reopening

Abbas Jafarnia is forging ahead with his plans to reopen Maritime Steel and Foundries Ltd. in New Glasgow.

The plant’s former quality control manager became its new owner Thursday after Nova Scotia Supreme Court Justice C. Richard Coughlan approved his $1.25-million bid for the company.

"I’m hoping to start in September sometime," he said in an interview.

The century-old business has been in receivership since December when parent company Cameron Corp. Ltd. called in a $17.75-million loan.

The sale to Jafarnia was recommended to the court by receiver BDO Canada.

Coughlan didn’t rule on a technical issue related to the registration of the property but receiver Paul Goodman said that would be resolved quickly.

"It’ll be sorted out this afternoon," he said after the hearing.

New Glasgow municipal officials oppose Jafarnia’s plan to reopen the aged facility at its downtown riverfront site, which they want to transform into green space. Mayor Barrie MacMillan reaffirmed that stance Thursday.

"The town’s position remains firm that it is not in the best interests of the citizens and the community at large to have heavy industry operating in the downtown core due to environmental concerns," he said by email.

"We trust the provincial Department of Environment will address these concerns appropriately."

Jafarnia, who claims to have local support, expects to get a temporary permit to operate the foundry from the department this week.

Ministry spokeswoman Lori Errington said the permit application is still being reviewed.

"We’re hoping to provide him with an answer in the near future," she said.

It will take time to get the idle business up to speed, but Jafarnia said he hopes to have 100 people working there by the end of its first year of operation "if everything goes well."

He has suggested that he might eventually relocate the foundry but said it will take time and money.

Jafarnia plans to be in New Glasgow on Aug. 9, when the sale is expected to close, "to see exactly what we should do."

His original $3-million bid for Maritime Steel fell through after the province, which was owed $2 million by the company, refused to give him $2 million in financing.

Jafarnia said the department will lose about $1.2 million under his revised bid.

But department spokesman Toby Koffman said it is too early to estimate what the province might eventually recover.

Nova Scotia Gas Stations Running Short On Supply

What’s Happening With Nova Scotia Gas?

The Imperial Oil refinery in Dartmouth, N.S. has been shut down since July 21st when a thunderstorm knocked out the plant’s power. This Nova Scotia gas plant supplies all types of gas stations in the province both diesel and gasoline.

A shortage in product began on Friday between Halifax and Truro. Of course the long weekend offers many a chance to get away for a small vacation or head to the cottage, but a concert in Moncton, N.B. is also making the pumps more active. U2’s final leg of their 360 tour is a big draw. Besides this, Sackville, N.B. is hosting the Sappyfest music festival, a bluegrass festival is being held in Bible Hill, N.S. and the Riverfront Jubilee is up and running in New Glasgow, N.S. So, people are definitely travelling testing the limitations of Nova Scotia gas .

On Friday evening, many stations were out of gas, or running low. A station near the Halifax Stanfield International Airport and an Esso in Elmsdale were completely out of fuel while Brookfield, Stewiacke, Spryfield, Clayton Park, Fall River, Milford and Rockingham stations were running low.

When customers heard of the Nova Scotia gas problem, they began rushing to the stations to fill up their vehicles. Some people had to visit several stations after striking out at their regular station. Fortunately many stations received deliveries Friday night or Saturday and believe they have enough fuel to last a few days.

Vice-president of Wilson Fuel Co., David Collins, said in an interview that Imperial Oil was rationing their supply to Nova Scotia gas stations. Some stations are only selling a specific amount each day before shutting down the pumps.

Despite the problems with Nova Scotia gas , some experts don’t believe there will be too many problems after the busy weekend. Retailers will continue to be supplied with fuel and Imperial Oil is expected to resume operations mid-August.

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