Thoughts on a few key things...

This morning I was in the Centreville Community Hall parking lot by 7:30AM to offer a card with contact information to the hungry folks arriving for breakfast.  At the breakfast table I was asked a number of questions that all voters deserve an answer to.  Thanks for everyone for taking the time to talk.  

Here, in writing, are my perspectives on a few key questions. I hope these provide some insights until my campaign literature arrives in your mailbox or until you have a chance to meet me on the doorstep.

Why am I a candidate in the District 3 Kings County Municipal Election?

I believe in democracy. That means I believe in always giving people a choice. The folks in District 3 weren’t going to get a choice. They were going to have to like it or lump it for four more years because no one was running against the current councillor. That made my choice clear. I would have to get into the race in District 3 myself.  I soon found I was not alone in believing that an election is central to keeping democracy strong. Even with my late decision I had no trouble getting 11 residents across the district to sign my nomination papers.  Keeping democracy alive and well in District 3 is now about letting people choose who will represent them based on the issues and the skills of each candidate.

Why do I want to be on council?

I want to represent citizens the way I want to be represented, with honesty, trust and careful consideration of what is the “right thing to do.”

I take my politics seriously. I make an effort to be a good citizen, to get informed, to regularly go to council meetings and observe how we are governed.  At council it has not been a pretty picture.  Kings County Council clearly needs a shake-up.

In 2010 an independent consultant’s report tagged this council “dysfunctional” and targeted the constant pursuit of “personal agendas” as a big part of the problem.  We deserve better government than that. 

I’m running to be part of a new, vastly improved council. One that can help us achieve what is best for all of us.

What do I think will be the key issues for Kings County to face in the next four years?

Holding the line on taxes… That doesn’t just mean “fiscal restraint” — it can also mean using the money that we do have better. Call it smart spending.  It’s what we all do when money is short at home. Council needs to do a lot more of this.

Becoming a winning team… As part of a new council I will bring a full measure of good will and a focus on teamwork: teamwork at the council chambers, with the towns and villages and with you. We can move forward together if we open ourselves to truly collaborative ways of thinking and doing.

Building a brand new municipal complex, or not… This is a good example that marries the need for holding the line on taxes and smart spending.  It’s a hot issue right now.  Should council build a new municipal “complex” or should we retrofit the current building in downtown Kentville.  How much would a retrofit cost? A big cost—but not as big as building a whole new building—not these days! When did government ever do anything that came in on budget and on time? I think council needs to put a tight rein on this idea of a new complex or we may end up with a runaway horse.  Besides, many of our community halls need retrofitting too. I just can’t see a spanking new municipal building while our citizens struggle to heat and maintain the places that bring their communities together.  It would be like one relative living in a swanky mansion while their loved ones struggle to keep a modest roof over their heads.

Wind turbines, or not… The council decision to approve wind turbines blew up a storm of protest. When councillors found themselves in the eye of that storm—they cancelled their initial decision.  Does this demonstrate a functioning democracy or councillors asleep at the wheel?  Guess it’s a bit of both.

There is no doubt we need a green energy plan for Kings County. But it has to be one that fits for all of us.  That doesn’t mean we have to re-invent the wheel.  We can look at best practices in other communities around the globe and adapt those to our particular needs.  This must be done in consultation with citizens, small businesses, and community organizations. Many are already well-informed and ready to help create a custom plan that suits who we are, where we are. There are do-able small-scale strategies that would create long term local employment, reduce the energy costs for all our households and help wean us off fossil fuels.

Re-growth and new growth for our farm economy… Farming is, was, and I hope always will be, the heart and soul of who we are and what we do in Kings County.  A defining issue for us is what we will do to preserve and protect farmland for the farmers yet to be.

The concept of an Annapolis Valley Farmland Trust is to buy land from farmers who want to retire.  The land can then remain part of the agricultural district rather than being lost to development. I am proud to say that I initiated and helped organize the first annual event to raise money for the trust.  Over 200 people attended. 

My commitment to the strongest protection possible for farmland remains.  My concern that all farmers are supported in the important work they do to produce our food fuels me to buy local produce at every opportunity and to ask others to do likewise.  I will be urging the next council to work hard to convince the provincial government to act on the recommendations of the Agricultural Land Review Committee.  Those recommendations should already be leading us forward and strengthening our farm economy here in Kings County.