Seeking a Mayor with Gusto and Smarts

While we are still waiting to learn about the number of councillors that will run in the 2016 election, it's now official that Kings County residents will elect a Mayor. This will end a 137-years history of Wardens having leadership responsibility for our rural municipality. 

Residents in large numbers recognized that the election of a Mayor held the promise of greatly improved governance and increased opportunities when hundreds were polled on the topic last fall. 

I think we are all very aware that those things that place all of our futures at some risk must be addressed sooner rather than later. Top of my hit list is our ageing population and a sluggish economy. These two problems are inter-related. 

I hope prospective Mayors for the county will bring strong platforms forward (and also insist that the required “bling” will be modest and locally produced).

Residents are now set to mark two ballots, and I fully support that.

But should we be marking two ballots?

1. A vote for a district councillor
2. A vote for a Mayor.

Or should we be marking three ballots? I would like to add a plebiscite question and seek a yes or no answer. Something like: 

3. Do you support conducting a study to determine if a regional government would serve residents more effectively and efficiently than four sets of governments?

The county currently has three town councils, and a county council. The goal is cooperation on development and other initiatives. But that isn't always the result as each government vies to increase development and tax revenues.

Ivany says: “It's now or never” and that municipal government must be streamlined. Let's get out there and get ourselves a Mayor with the gusto and smarts to help us find solutions together.

Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have questions or concerns. 902.670.2949.

Province to Decide if District 3 will be Split in Three

There will be less councillors and rearranged districts when this year's county election is held on October 15. That's for sure because the public has clearly stated a strong preference for fewer councillors. The independent consultant hired to determine the most appropriate number came to the conclusion that a reduction from 11 to 9 was the most appropriate way forward.

How many districts and where the boundaries will be drawn will be decided by the Utilities and Review Board. A date for a public hearing is yet to be set. The Board will either approve the boundaries applied for or it can rule that the independent consultant's recommendation is upheld, or it could rule that a different number of councillors or a different set of boundaries is more appropriate.

Ironically, council never did get to vote for the boundaries and number of districts recommended by the independent consultant we hired! Instead council, in a 6 to 5 split vote, approved boundaries put forward by the CAO MacEwan under the direction of Deputy Warden Hirtle.

If council's recommendation is accepted by the UARB your current district (i.e., District 3 --- 2007-2016) will be split in three. Below are the maps and a short description of the changes.

Centreville and District, Halls Harbour, and Gibson Woods will be joined to a new District 1 that encompasses Canning and a North East Kings expanded to the west.

Aldershot will be split. The east portion will be joined to the Village of Port Williams and the western portion of the Village of New Minas in a new District 2.

Aldershot's west portion, along with Meadowview will be joined to a new District 3 that crosses the Cornwallis River and expands into Coldbrook.The reproduction of the maps above is less than great! Copies of the maps for all districts have been left at the Centreville Community Hall and the Meadowview Community Hall. You may also request to see these maps during regular business hours by contacting the County of Kings at 902.690.6275.

In my respectful opinion, the boundaries that have been submitted for this reduction to eight districts are the very definition of a higgledy–piggledy mess.

They do little to keep communities of interest intact. They even jump from the north to the south side of the Cornwallis River.

I hope further examination by the Utility and Review Board will lead to adjustments rather than approval. The hearing will be a public one and the opinions of members of the public are welcomed by Elaine Wagner, Chief Clerk of the Board at 1.855.442.4448 or Elaine.wagner@novascotia.ca

As always, please do not hesitate to be in touch with me if there is anything you wish to say or discuss. I can be reached by email or phone.

902.670.2949 

paulineraven@gmail.com