I am a former resident of Port Hood, Nova Scotia with a strong connection to its culture and traditions. Recently, I completed the construction of my new house in hopes of returning to the place that has a significant influence on my life journey. My intention is to actively contribute to the community's growth, especially considering my planned return as a local Nurse Practitioner.

Regrettably, my new home stands powerless due to an upgrade that needs to be made on a line passing through the property of the Chestico Museum and Historical Society. This upgrade is essential to ensure a steady supply of electricity to my house. It's important to note that the proposed infrastructure won't interfere with the Museum’s land or its future plans since the poles are in ditches and edges of the property.

To the residents of Port Hood and those who value fairness and community support,

Since July 2024, we have been trying to secure an easement from the Chestico Museum and Historical Society so that Nova Scotia Power can complete necessary electrical upgrades to our property. This approval would have no impact on the museum’s land or future developments. However, our requests have been met with delays, ignored communications, and a lack of cooperation.

Addressing Chestico’s Concerns

Chestico Museum and Historical Society originally expressed concerns that they did not have a free and clear title to the land and feared that granting an easement would require them to return the property to the Crown. To address this, we sought legal clarification, and a lawyer confirmed that this was untrue. Chestico has been made fully aware of their legal rights and that granting the easement would not jeopardize their ownership in any way.

Their second concern was that the initial placement of the power poles might interfere with potential future development of the museum. In response, Nova Scotia Power adjusted the pole locations to ensure that there would be no impact on any future museum plans. At that point, we had met all of their requests.

Due to difficulty reaching the organization, we required the assistance of the CAO of Inverness County to help mediate discussions. When we requested a list of board members—who are the voting members of the organization—we were denied that information, for reasons unknown.

Cathy was in discussions with Susan Mallette, the president of the Chestico Museum and Historical Society, who confirmed that Chestico would vote in favor of the easement and that they supported our request to bring power to our home. However, in recent weeks, that conversation has taken an unexpected and hostile turn, and we have not been given a clear explanation as to why.

Real-Life Consequences of These Delays
• Cathy’s mother, a retired senior and recent widow, is a former local who grew up in Port Hood. She had planned to return home to live in this house, as housing in the area—especially for seniors—is extremely limited. Without these electrical upgrades, the home remains unlivable, forcing her to stay elsewhere.
• Cathy, a Nurse Practitioner, has been actively seeking jobs in the area, where healthcare professionals are in high demand. However, without a livable home, we cannot finalize our move, and paying for both temporary housing and an unusable home is financially unsustainable.

Why This Matters
• The Chestico Museum and Historical Society owns the adjacent vacant land, which they obtained from the Crown for $1 and is designated solely for a museum.
• Even if a museum were built, the requested Nova Scotia Power upgrades would not interfere with those plans.
• Nova Scotia Power only needs access to replace old poles, wiring, and transformers—ensuring our home meets modern electrical safety standards.
• The work would take place alongside a ditch on what appears to be unusable land and would not prevent any future museum development.

A Call for Fairness and Community Support

Beyond the legal and practical aspects, this is about being good neighbors. Port Hood is a small community where we support one another. Approving this easement is not just about electricity—it’s about helping neighbors, fostering goodwill, and strengthening our community.

We have sought assistance from Nova Scotia Power, the CAO of Inverness County, our MLA’s office, and even the Premier’s office—all of whom have been supportive.

The Chestico Museum and Historical Society remains the only barrier.

We urge Chestico Museum to do the right thing and approve this easement—not just because it’s reasonable and fair, but because kindness and community matter.

Sign and Share to Show Your Support

If you believe in a fair and reasonable resolution, please sign this petition and share it. Your voice can help bring attention to this issue and encourage Chestico Museum to act in the best interest of the community.

Cathy (and Lee) Awad