Grand Manan divided over free ferry vote

The fate of a Progressive Conservative election promise to the people of Grand Manan could rest in the hands of the tiny islands voters on May 14.

Premier David Alward campaigned in 2010 on a promise to take the tolls off ofthe Grand Manan ferry.

However, the municipality addeda plebiscite questionto the election ballot, asking residents if they want the village council to pressure the provincial government to actually implement the free ferry.

Dennis Greene, who is running for another term as mayor, said he predicts the plebiscite result will be close.

"The island is very, very divided. It's something that we didn't need for the simple reason that it's got members of families arguing with members of families over this: One guy wants this, one guy doesn't," he said.

Greene, who is officially neutral on the plebiscite, said there are deep divisions over what a free ferry could lead to in the future.

The incumbent mayor said many islanders worry a free ferry will lead to longer lineups for residents, a change to the way of life on the island or cuts to service.

"My thing is, removing the tolls, do we have to give up something?"Greene said.

During the 2010 election campaign, the Tories estimated the election promise to remove the fares from the Grand Manan ferry would cost $1.7 million.

A plebiscite must receive 60 per cent support to be considered binding.

Although it is not a significant amount of money, the Alward government could use the plebiscite result to distance itself from an election promise.

The New Brunswick government is forecasting a $183-million deficit in 2012-13 even after announcing spending cuts, increases to some taxes and civil service reductions.

Business owners divided

Allison Ingalls owns a hardware store on the island and is one of the business owners who would like to see the tolls remain on the ferry.

"I dont think it should be free. I think there is too much business going to the mainland now that could be maintained on the island," he said.

However, there are many people who live on the island who would prefer the ferry to be free.

One resident said hes seen people on fixed incomes struggle to afford to get across the Bay of Fundy to see a doctor.

Another resident, said he felt like a "second-class citizen" having to pay a ferry toll along with his provincial taxes.

Jim Leslie, the operator of Marathon Inn on Grand Manan, said he views the toll removal as a potential economic boom to the village.

"A free ferry would generate a lot of business here, put more money intheir pockets," Leslie said.

"It would be an economic stimulus to the island to have a $1 million-plus, instead of being vacuumed up in that hollow boot in Fredericton."