Community Rallies Around Homeless Isle Madame Couple

ARICHAT - While Hurricane Fiona largely spared residents of the Strait of Canso during its late-September rampage through the Maritimes, one Arichat couple is still reeling after their home of 20 years was destroyed when Fiona's high winds tore off the roof the trailer owned by Janasta and Vincent Chiasson. 

The couple, who did have insurance on their property, are now living with Chiasson's father on Veteran's memorial Highway in Arichat, since the storm not only deposited the bulk of their roof in the Chiasson's front yard but also flooded the interior, leaving it damp, moldy, severely damaged and uninhabitable. The situation is complicated by the Chiassons' current financial situation, as Vincent's back injuries have kept him off the tugboats that employed him up until 2015 and Janasta only has the salary of a long-term-care worker at St. Anne's Community and Nursing Care Centre in Arichat. 

However, fundraising efforts launched by Janasta Chiasson's sister Jennie Pardy and her nephew Cody Pardy have already borne fruit. A GoFundMe page that originally set goals of $5,000 and then $10,000 has now collected nearly $17,000 in donations, and close to a dozen benefit concerts and similar community fundraisers are taking place this fall in communities as far-removed as Antigonish and New Glasgow. These include an all-day event running Saturday, October 15 at the Acadiaville Community Centre in West Arichat. 

Along with additional Hurricane Fiona commentary from Richmond Warden Amanda Mombourquette, Port Hawkesbury Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton and Port Hawkesbury Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Terry Doyle, this week's edition of TELILE 24/7 also includes coverage of ceremonies held in Richmond County and Port Hawkesbury for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. There is also a brief interview with Warden Mombourquette regarding her desire to increase broadband internet coverage within the county, as well as raw footage from the latest regular monthly meeting of Richmond council that presents discussions on a potential upgrade to the council chambers in Arichat and the choices for prioritized secondary roads in the county, to be sent to the Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (DPW) to be considered for upgrades over the coming year.