News

Not a lot of news right now – Centre Plan second draft should be available later today for consideration at the March 29 CDAC meeting, and the Green Network Functional Plan second phase (implimentation) has just been released. Lots of exciting stuff to read, but not real comments from me yet, still reading these critical documents. Let me know what you think, I am always eager to hear from residents.

Also residents should receive my next print newsletter Monday and Tuesday. Please let me know if you don’t receive it next week.

One quick note – we moved the participatory budgeting idea swap to April 10 at City Hall.

Participatory Budgeting Idea Swap & How To Meeting

Monday April 10 | 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Halifax Hall, City Hall

Come and find out more about submitting a project. Everyone is welcome to discuss priorities and ideas on how to improve District 7.

Public Meetings and Notices

Registration for Summer 2017 Recreation Programs begins March 23

HRM has over 50 community and recreation centres around the municipality, offering a variety of programs for children, youth, adults and seniors all year long. Registration for summer recreation programs (excluding aquatics) for all age groups begins March 23. To view the recreation catalogue or to register online, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/rec/ProgramsandActivities.php

Halifax Regional Council

Tuesday March 28, 2017 1pm | Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers

The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday March 28th at 1pm at Halifax City Hall. Agenda and reports are posted by noon on Friday prior to the meeting date and are available here: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

Halifax Transit Bus Operator Recruitment 2017

Thursday March 30, 2017 6:30pm | Halifax Forum, Maritime Hall

Halifax Transit is seeking bus operators and will be conducting recruitment information sessions in Halifax, Dartmouth, Sackville, and Cherry Brook between March 30 and April 10. These sessions include a staff presentation and Q&A, and all those interested in a career as a bus operator are encouraged to attend. For a full schedule and more information, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/transit/careeropportunities.php

Applications for 2017-18 Community Grants Program now open

The Community Grants Program provides annual cash grants to registered non-profit organizations and charities located throughout the municipality. There are grant options of up to $5,000 and capital grants of up to $25,000 available. For more information and details on eligibility, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/bccgrants/CommunityGrantsProgram.php

Integrated Mobility Plan Presentation

Thursday April 20, 2017 12-2pm | Halifax Central Library, Paul O’Regan Hall

After two rounds of successful public engagement, HRM staff will be on hand to present and explain the draft of the Integrated Mobility Plan (IMP). For more information and background on the IMP, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/integratedmobility/

Community events

CheerExpo National Championships 2017

March 25-26, 2017 | Halifax Forum

The CheerExpo National Championships returns to Halifax for the 14th year to present the largest cheerleading competition in Atlantic Canada. Thousands of cheerleaders from across the country will perform highly competitive cheer performance, combining gymnastics, acrobatics, stunts, aerial skills and dance. This is an all-ages event, and tickets are available at the door. For more information, please visit http://www.cheerexpo.com/

An Evening Around the World – Dalhousie International Night 2017

Saturday April 1, 2017 5:30pm | Dalhousie Student Union

Join the Dalhousie International Student’s Association for their 11th Annual International Night. The event brings together cultures from across the globe with live performances and traditional food. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/160110571164403/

WomenActive Trendsetter Awards and Fundraiser

Saturday April 1, 2017 9:30am | Delta Halifax

WomenActive NS advocates, educates, collaborates, and promotes meaningful active living experiences and leadership opportunities to enrich the lives of women and girls in Nova Scotia. The WomenActive Trendsetter Awards recognizes women who change attitudes, break down barriers and blaze trails as participants and leaders in sport, recreation and physical activity. To purchase tickets, visit https://register.esourceevent.com/event/group.aspx?EventName=WomenActive2017

One Way Streets – Spring Garden Area Business Association Open House

Monday April 3, 2017 6-8pm | Halifax Central Library

Join the Spring Garden Area Business Association for an Open House with Spring Garden area developers. This is an opportunity to ask questions and get an update on projects currently underway in the area, and to voice any thoughts on the proposed one-waying of Dresden Row (South) and Birmingham Streets (North). The following developers will be on hand to answer questions: Westwood Developments, Southwest Properties, Clyde Street Developments, and Dexel Developments. For more information, please email info@springgardenarea.com or call 902-423-3751.

Halifax Central Library Concert

Saturday April 8, 2017 1:30pm | Halifax Central Library

The Sackville Concert Band return to the Paul O’Regan Hall for their 3rd Annual Concert at the Halifax Central Library. This is a free concert that will have a selection for the whole family.

Le Jongleur De Notre Dame by Massenet.

Sunday April 9, 2017 2pm | Lilian Piercey Concert Hall

This concert stars Susie LeBlanc and is directed by Walter Kemp. It is produced by Opera Nova Scotia and presented by Cecilia Concerts. For more information or tickets, please visit www.ceciliaconcerts.ca

Carmina Burana

Tuesday April 11, 2017 7:30pm | Saint Andrew’s United Church

Carmina Burana, by Carl Orff, is performed by the Dalhousie Collegium Cantorum and Nova Voce Men’s Choir, conducted by Gary Ewer and accompanied two pianos and a percussion ensemble.

The HTML 150: Halifax

Saturday April 15, 2017 9am | Halifax Central Library

The HTML 150 is a free, one day crash course in HTML & CSS created by Lighthouse Labs to inspire more Canadians to shape their community through code. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own landing page, mingle with 149 new coders and be mentored by developers from the local tech community. For more information, please visit http://www.thehtml500.com/

ACORN Information Session on Landlord Licensing with HRM Councillors

Saturday April 22 | 2pm | Multipurpose Room, Dartmouth North Community Centre

Questions to be discussed include: do you believe that HRM has a problem with select landlords taking advantage of people’s living situation? Whether making landlords acquire a license in order to own and operate a rental property is a viable solution to the problems we are facing with slum lords? Whether the current landlord bylaws are enough to fight the problem, just more enforcement is needed. What do you think we should be working towards to fix the rental situations if not landlord licensing.

Help and more info

Call my office

Call our office for assistance with your municipal issues. Contact my Constituency Coordinator Melody Campbell by phone 902-490-2012 or email melody.campbell@halifax.ca or contact me directly. The best way to reach me is via email at my city email – waye.mason@halifax.ca or you can call my direct line at 902-490-8462.

311 – HRM’s Call Centre

HRM’s call centre is open 7 days/week from 7 am to 11 pm to respond to routine inquiries and complaints from HRM residents. Please use this service since it helps HRM keep track of issues that are of concern for residents (missed solid waste pickup, sidewalks not cleared, transit info or complaints, etc.) For more information please visit http://www.halifax.ca/311/

Regional Council Reports and Agendas

If you want to read reports coming to Regional Council (posted mid-day Friday prior to the Tuesday meeting) or to check the agenda please go to: http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

Halifax and West Community Council Reports and Agendas

Community Council meets on Tuesday evenings that alternate with Regional Council. Please check the webpage here for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times. http://www.halifax.ca/commcoun/west/index.php

District 7&8 Planning Advisory Council Reports and Agendas

The District 7&8 Planning Advisory Committee meets once a month to discuss and provide feedback to council on planning proposals for the two districts. Please check the webpage for agendas (usually available a week before the meeting), locations and times: http://www.halifax.ca/boardscom/D78PAC/index.php