Regional Enterprise Network

You may have read the page 8 Editorial in the Kings County Advertiser entitled:

Regional focus the right idea. 
It asks Kings County Council and other valley muncipalities that can participate in the Regional Enterprise Network for our area to "get on board."  I couldn't agree more.  But it is understandable that Chief Administrative Officers and Councillors have had some questions and concerns to address before recommending REN to their respective councils.

What is a REN?
The RENs are potentially a powerful blue print for Economic Development.  They largely focus on the needs of business operators in the private sector.  They differ from the Regional Development Agencies, soon be gone, in that there is no place for Community Economic Development, such as brought the Grand Pre UN World Heritage Site designation to Kings County.

The editorial was a bit heavy regarding the degree to which the towns and counties of Annapolis, Kings and West Hants are "dithering."  The CAOs, Mayors and Wardens have worked hard to create a viable financial framework. For example, it is expected that Kings County alone will need to contribute close to $200,000.

The good news is that by April most, if not all of us, will likely have agreed in principle. Then it should be full speed ahead.

On Friday March 1, I attended the Rural Caucus meeting of the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities. There it was  abundantly clear that our region's REN has progressed beyond that of any of the others present. Some councils doubt they will become a part of REN --- whereas our hesitation is about having things suitably defined to move smoothly into a formal arrangement.

The local business communities of Annapolis, Kings and West Hants will be well served by the work done to date once, or if, our REN goes forward.  My bet is we will move forward soon.

What will our REN accomplish?  Here's what we have:

1. Several new councillors who are determined to see progress on the economic development agenda --- not only for Kings --- but for the entire region.
2. A REN structure providing a better mechanism for knowledgeable business people to influence outcomes.

Thus the accomplishments for, and through the business communities, located in our region should be many. Once "creativity, partnership and a broader focus" are unleashed through the REN  we will not only "keep the Annapolis Valley a vibrant, viable region" but hopefully do so side-by-side with businesses that will help create smart, stable, sustainable employment.

Summer Employment Opportunity --- Students 17-30 yrs old

Today I received the following information about a cost-effective way for a community group to complete an outdoor project during this summer. 

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SUNDAY FEBRUARY 24 BY MID-NIGHT.

Here are the details as received and being passed along to you... There's a website link at the end for those who wish to  consider applying.

Clean Nova Scotia is pleased to announce that the community partner project application forms are now available for the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps (NSYCC) 2013 summer program (see attached application form). This is an opportunity for Nova Scotian organizations to deliver an environmental project this summer with financial support for the wages of two to four youth. The NSYCC contributes 75% of project labour costs, while the community partner is responsible for 25% of project labour costs and all other project costs. Below is an overview of the program.

Program Overview:

The Nova Scotia Youth Conservations Corps (NSYCC) program’s goal is to build connections between young people and local community organizations to stimulate stewardship for the natural environment and the emergence of young community leaders. We do this through engaging youth in the environmental field through hands-on work experience and knowledge sharing with their peers and mentors, in an effort to empower and leave them with a sense of wonder about the natural environment. The NSYCC connects community-based organizations across Nova Scotia with enthusiastic summer interns (aged 17-30) to carry out innovative environmental projects throughout the summer. We provide training, support and green-job exposure to young Nova Scotians to build their competencies, knowledge and passion to become stewards of the environment and leaders in their community. This is accomplished by coordinating the placement of capable youth who offer people power for the local organizations to better undertake activities that address the environmental needs in their community.

Program Eligibility:

The NSYCC partners with non-profit community organizations, municipalities, and other community groups to provide meaningful work experience in the environmental field for youth age 17 to 30. The NSYCC does not consider projects that are of direct economic benefit to a business or that involve work normally carried out by unionized employees.

Community partners may submit multiple applications for different projects. Organizations may request crews of between two and four youth. The NSYCC contributes 75% of the labour costs, while the community partner is responsible for 25% of the labour costs and all other project costs. The NSYCC labour cost fee structure for the full summer program is as follows:

Number of NSYCC Crew Members	Community Partner (25%)	NSYCC (75%)
2	$1,968.96	$5,906.90
3	$2,953.44	$8,860.35
4	$3,937.92	$11,813.80

Student hourly wage is $11.15/hour. The students work 35 hours a week for nine weeks through the NSYCC program.

All project proposals must be submitted via email to Julia Pelton at jpelton@clean.ns.ca by midnight on Sunday, February 24, 2013. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact:

Julia Pelton | Managing Coordinator, Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps | Clean Nova Scotia
p: (902) 420-7932 | e: jpelton@clean.ns.ca | www.clean.ns.ca | 126 Portland Street, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 1H8

Debbie Nielsen
Municipal Sustainability Coordinator
Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities
Suite 1106, 1809 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8
Telephone: 902 423-8312

Cell Phone: 902 240-6922
Fax: 902 425-5592

Website: www.sustainability-unsm.ca

Nature-Deficit Disorder

I've just returned from the Western Nova Scotia Recreation Summit held at the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, Cornwallis, Nova Scotia. 

I attended with Councillor Hirtle, District 4.  We will be requesting time at Council of the Whole to provide a report to council.  But in the meantime I wanted to share with you the phrase that I am most likely to remember from this conference: “Nature-Deficit Disorder”.

It’s from the book: “Last Child in the Woods.” 

The authour of this book Richard Louv links a lack of outdoor play and access to nature to… “some of the most disturbing childhood trends, such as rises in obesity, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and depression.”

I've taken a quick on-line look at this book.  Reviews are strong. 

It matches research with practical tips to get us and our kids back to the great outdoors. 

I'll leave you to check out more about this --- if it intrigues you as much as it does me.  Perhaps Louv is right in his belief that: “The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need.”  He can be found at: www.richardlouv.com

Target Gaming Proposal for Steam Mill

Join us for a public information meeting on Tuesday February 5 at 5:30PM.  This meeting will happen right before the regular Council Meeting in Council Chambers.

This meeting is about an application to allow a target gaming operation at 1429 Lakewood Road in Steam Mill. 

If you haven't been to a Council Chambers before --- they are in the same building as the law courts (Municipal Complex, 87 Cornwallis Street, Kentville). 

A public information meeting:

• Provides an overview of all the relevant planning policies.
• Explains the proposal.
• Provides an opportunity for the public to ask questions and to make comments on a proposed development agreement.
• Is chaired by the Councillor for the district where the development is proposed.

Overall the public information meeting is designed to allow council and planners to get an "early response" from the public on a proposed development.

As a new councillor, this will be my first time chairing a Planning Meeting.  I am looking forward to that and to seeing you there.

 

Further information, specific to this proposal, is available.  Dawn Sutherland is the Planner assigned to this proposal.  Dawn is happy to provide information and can be reached by phone (678-1472) or by email at dsutherland@county.kings.ns.ca.

 

P.S. If there's a storm this information meeting will be rescheduled for Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 1:00PM.  It will be held at the same location. 

Launch of Cultural Map for Kings County

With great enthusiasm I'm passing along an invite to come to the launch of the Cultural Map of Kings County.

When:  Wednesday, February 6th at 6:30pm
Where: Room 2101 Kingstec Campus in Kentville. 

There'll be a demonstration of this web-based map.  You'll see and hear digital stories--they are inspiring.  There will also be a guided discussion of the overall project.

Volunteer extraordinaire Genevieve Allen gave council a sneak preview earlier this month.  I couldn't have been more impressed!  For me it was simply "Proof Positive" that we must find a way to keep more of our talented young family members right here at home.

If you want to explore what our cultural map is all about visit the Kings Cultural Map website.

2050 Vision Statement Released

Presentation of the 2050 Vision Statement at 11AM on Tuesday January 22, was cancelled.  The consultants couldn't travel from Halifax due to a snow storm. In the meantime...

Here's the link: 2050 Vision

I encourage you to take an up close and personal look at this vision statement. The idea is that this vision will guide the planning department in the years immediately ahead.

If you attended 2050 sessions and workshops ask yourself... Is this vision document an accurate reflection of what you understood participants to say?

If you weren't able to attend... I'd be interested to know if this document reflects what you and/or your neighbours think should happen in Kings County between 2013 and 2050.

There will be an opportunity to speak at the podium at the close of the COTW.

11Am on a workday is not the ideal time for the public to be present.  But if that time works for you a welcome awaits in council chambers!  Hope to see you there.

Mini-home park application closing

Mr. Fisher, developer and proponent of a mini-home park for Centreville that time it was determined that responses to the county for has failed to submit additional information required for the development process to proceed. 

The file is now officially inactive and in the process of being closed.

The planners tell me that: "The applicant may apply again for the same proposal, or even a different proposal, but the process would start again at the beginning. This would include all of the applicable fees and the need for a new Public Information Meeting."

As your councillor I would be specifically notified of any such application and, of course, I would promptly let you know.

I trust there will be a few well deserved celebrations in Centreville among all the folks who did such a terrific job in demonstrating their opposition to Mr. Fisher's planned development!

Please don't hesitate to call me 670-2949 or to email if you have any questions.