"We believe the only purpose of the Campobello Island Club is to attempt to get people to pay these dues," said Stephen Smart, mayor of the island community of Campobello, at the regularly scheduled council meeting held on June 27. He was responding to a local resident who questioned an "$1,800 bill for back dated fees." Stating that they had purchased the property three or four years earlier and that the fees in question were from "2006 or 2007," the council was asked for an explanation.
     "We cannot give you legal advice," said Smart, adding that it was the job of the solicitor at the time the property was purchased to explain the potential liability. "The club does not provide a benefit to the community," Smart said, saying also that "it is our belief that they cannot move against one without moving against all." MLA John Ames, now also provincial minister of tourism, was present during this discussion but did not comment. Smart has previously claimed the club, which holds covenant clauses on many island properties and restricts membership to owners of those properties, contributes to the "ghettoization" of the community by restricting commercial opportunities. The Campobello council has resolved to establish a committee to evaluate options regarding the club's operations.
     Michael Pruner of Chulota, Fla., who is currently listed as president on the club website, was asked by email to respond to Smart's comments. As of this writing Pruner has not responded; he also did not respond to an earlier request.
     The newly appointed superintendent of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, James Patrick Carr of St. Andrews, introduced himself with brief comments. Former Superintendent Ronald Beckwith was presented with a letter of commendation by Ames, expressing the legislative assembly's appreciation of his contributions to the community. Since leaving the park Beckwith has taken the position of chief financial officer at the Regional Medical Center at Lubec.
     RCMP Sergeant Pomeroy, who had come to update the council on police matters, was asked by Councillor Katherine Breton about recent incidents at the Campobello Island Health Center involving "dangerous situations" at the methadone clinic where one or more patients became "out of control." Pomeroy stated that he was unaware of these incidents and asked whether the RCMP had been contacted. At that point Councillor Kevin Sawtelle read from the minutes of the previous meeting, which did not include RCMP participation. "I have a hard time to believe that if the call was placed we wouldn't respond," said Pomeroy, who promised to look into the matter. He also asked about the role played by security personnel from Horizon Health Network, the center's operator.
     Kathleen Case appeared before the council on behalf of Fog Fest, asking that the $1,800 appropriated but not spent during the 2015 event be returned to their account for this year's event. During a lengthy discussion Case described how Fog Fest financial records are retained in the council office. "I don't want somebody asking me in three years how that money was spent," Case said. "I can't remember all that. I want to be able to point to the records. It's not my money."