Lunenburg offering temporary solution to businessman who sparked rally

A Lunenburg, N.S., businessman who sparked arally this weekafter he decided to stop investing in the community because of problems with the town's administrationsays the town is now offering a temporary solution.

FarleyBlackman said he lost more than $100,000after red tape from the town caused 18 months of construction delays, including issues over moving power wires at some of his Lunenburg properties.

But on Friday, Blackmansaidhe was told by town officials that a temporary power line will be installed, which will allow him to continue restoration of a buildingonMontague Street.

• Lunenburg mayor apologizes for 'huge misstep' that sparked rally for businessman

"I think it's great that it's happened and rather than dwelling on why it's taken so long, we'll just look at it as a positive step," Blackmantold CBC'sMainstreet.

"We'll be able to get our scaffolding up sometime next week and start to finish that exterior. So it's very, very good news."

Blackman and his wife Courtney moved to Lunenburg14 years ago. Since then, hehasinvested millions byrenovating theLunenburgOpera House, openingan art gallery and restoring several houses.

On Tuesday, about 100 people in Lunenburghosted a rally in support of Blackman and the work he's done in the community.

Mayor Rachel Bailey apologized to Blackman at the rally, and told him she hoped they could improve the situation.

CBC News contacted Bailey, but she hasn't responded yet.

While Blackman said the temporary fix was a welcome one, it still leaves another major project, a proposed cidery,up in the airbecausea permanent power line is required for the expansion.

"That's going to require a more permanent solution. And I have to believe given what we've seen happen the past couple of days, that the conversations will continue and I'm hopeful that we'll find a solution here soon," he said.