Let's Show Our Children How to Stand Strong

Letter to the Editor by Dwayne Beaton The Inverness Oran - October 28, 2025

Dear Editor,

Betty Jane Cameron told me one time while Blackstone Construction was doing work for her that they, the Cameron family. had land expropriated for the development of the West Mabou park. I do believe she mentioned it was the same for numerous other families in the vicinity of the park that had not-insignificant portions of their property seized by the government to develop a public park for everyone to enjoy. I'm sure it seemed like a great idea at the time. 

It is not unfathomable to think some of that same land is now being considered for handing over to a billionaire corporation for nothing, with very little being offered in the way of economic or environmental impact studies.

Few in this community stand to gain more than I do personally with the proposal of this illegal land grab in West Mabou. Being the owner of a successful construction company (Blackstone Construction Inc.) and a newly created and already successful development company (Smithville Development Inc.), it would be an economic dream for me for this development to come to fruition. The thing is, it's not all about me... nor any other single individual who believes that their personal gain trumps the betterment of our beautiful community. Taking bribe money from billionaires is a sign of a weak and greedy person. That park serves us all. It's a landmark and a treasure that we Mabouers have always felt belonged to us collectively.

In the past several years we have watched more and more public money being funnelled into our community for projects that have accommodations for a new Cabot golf course in West Mabou written all over them if not in black and white, then certainly in grey. Almost as if someone has some inside information and is purposely subverting public consultation for backroom handshakes and the personal gain of a select few. I can only speculate here, but it's definitely not unthinkable, is it?

I went down the rabbit hole of looking into billionaire Cabot owner, Mike Keiser. In one interview, I discovered he suggests that the best possible outcome for our community is for it to turn into "a Cape Cod for Montreal and Toronto."

For those that don't understand what he is implying, Mr. Keiser wants our home to turn into cottage country for the millionaires and billionaires of Eastern Canada and the U.S. This, in turn, will effectively tax out the locals. That's the plan, folks! Their hubris makes them say the quiet part out loud, and it speaks volumes.

As a community we need to stand together and not allow these few greedy individuals to take what does not belong to them. We, the people, are the stewards of this land. Cabot can come in flashing their billions - that they're not even going to spend purchasing land! - pushing their weight around and offering milk and honey for all. However,

they've underestimated us; we, the locals, see right through their lies and deceit.

There has been amazing progress in our schools the last few years against bullying. We tell our children to stand up to it. That they should never let others take their dignity and self-respect away from them. Well, this is a real-life opportunity in real time for all of us to exemplify courage under fire. Let's show our children how to stand strong against these bullies and make sure this beautiful land stays as it was originally intended to be: a protected place for all current and future generations to enjoy - no matter how much money is in our bank accounts.

Dwayne Beaton 

Blackstone