There’s a lot of nonsense swirling around the proposed residential development on Thomas Road in Digby. It’s more than just the 23 Nimbies who seem to think they have a birthright to the ocean view – a view they could have secured themselves if they’d bought the land when it was available. The real issue is the deafening silence, the lack of public support for any development in Digby.

This isn’t an isolated incident; it’s a Digby Systemic Problem (DSP). There’s a reason people don’t speak up around here: reprisal. It’s how things work, or rather, don’t work.

But why the lack of support for this particular project? It’s not just the small group of protesters. It’s the quiet acceptance, the apathy of the rest of the town. Where’s the outcry for those desperately needing a decent place to live? Where’s the compassion for single parents struggling to make ends meet? We aren’t talking about handouts; we’re talking about homes for hardworking folks, the very backbone of any community.

This isn’t the first time “folks from away” have been driven away. Digby keeps chasing away new blood, new businesses, and developers. If this continues, the town will be stuck in the mud for another two centuries – stagnant, stuck, a ghost town clinging to a bygone era. Change is scary, especially for those clinging to the past. But clinging to a crumbling present? That’s just plain foolish. Digby needs to wake up before it’s too late, before the sun sets on its future for good.

I’ve seen a lot of sunsets, and a lot of changes. Digby reminds me of a stubborn old mule – proud, set in its ways, but digging in its heels when progress comes knocking. This “Don’t Change Digby” mentality is a dangerous delusion, a dream turning into a nightmare. Just look around. Digby is dwindling. Businesses belly-up, storefronts empty. It’s a sad, steady slide downhill. And this shunning of newcomers? It’s a self-inflicted wound. How can a town thrive if it closes its doors to new ideas?

This developer has spent two years and hundreds of thousands of dollars, believing he was doing good for the community. Now, silly rumors are circulating: Chinese money, ugly building, jobs going to outsiders, and, of course, the notion that the “Group of 23” somehow own the view.

Let’s be clear: this is a respected Canadian developer with a proven track record of building quality homes. Will he make a profit? Of course! It’s delusional to think otherwise. He’s already bent over backwards, abandoning one project. If he walks away from Thomas Road too, it’ll send a chill down the spine of every developer in the country. “Don’t Do Digby” will be the whisper, “DDD” the shorthand. Digby will be left with nothing.

This developer has a successful history with large projects. Digby could benefit immensely. Worried about outside workers? Think again. He trains locals, creating tradesmen. Just look at his loyal employees. As for the building’s appearance, the initial drawing was just a placeholder for size and height. The final product will be aesthetically pleasing, built with high-quality materials.

This developer is offering a win-win: much-needed housing, local jobs, trades training, and millions of dollars injected into the community. He’s already compromised significantly. If he walks away now, “Don’t Do Digby” will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.