News

Hi all! As promised there is a short blog up on my site listing who is running in the upcoming provincial election in the three ridings in District 7 along with their contact info.

Time is running out to submit a proposal for Participatory Budgeting 2017/18! If you have an idea to improve our district, contact us right away and we would be happy to help. We are looking for District 7 residents’ input on how to spend $94,000 in the community. The funds will be allocated using a Participatory Budgeting model whereby residents are invited to submit community project ideas and qualifying submissions are then voted on by the community.

The benefits of this process are that it encourages great ideas to come forward from local groups, builds community support and collaboration, and gives local residents a direct say in how they want the District 7 capital funds spent.

Proposal Submission Deadline – contact us if you need some time or help to complete your application!

Midnight | Monday, May 15, 2017

Email to melody.campbell@halifax.ca or by mail to Melody Campbell, Council Support Office, PO Box 1749 Halifax, NS B3J 3A5

Community Vote

Wednesday, June 14, 2017 | 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Lindsay Children’s Room, Halifax Central Library

District 7 residents of all ages are invited to vote on their favourite projects in person. Winners will be announced that night.

More info at http://halifaxsouth.ca/pb

This Week at Council

Halifax Regional Council approved the installation of crosswalk flags within the municipality in August 2014 in an effort to improve pedestrian and driver safety. Crosswalk flags are currently installed in 155 locations around HRM. At the May 9, 2017 meeting of Regional Council, councillors voted against a staff recommendation (Mayor Savage and I voted for the recommendation) to remove a third of crosswalk flags while allowing new flags at non-signalized intersections in the municipality, opting instead to keep all current crosswalk flag locations. Council also decided to put a hold on the approval of new crosswalk flag sites while HRM staff explore alternative crosswalk safety measures. A staff update is expected to come back to council in December.

Regional Council voted to defer a debate on a proposed 59-acre development by Armco Capital in Beechville pending further consultation with residents of the community. There were concerns raised from the historic African Nova Scotian community that there could be clouded title issues and other concerns that need to be explored.

Cuncil approved a recommendation by the Heritage Advisory Committee to allow a substantial alteration to the Clarke-Hallison House, a municipally registered heritage property located at 1029 South Park Street in Halifax. This is an excellent and sensitive heritage renovation that will help secure this historic home well into the future.

Finally, Regional Council approved a Transportation Standing Committee recommendation that HRM pay for an in-depth industry review and jurisdictional scan with recommendations on how to make taxis safer for both passengers and drivers. The report will explore the possible introduction of things like video or audio recording devices in taxis, GPS tracking, sensitivity and safety training, shields, and emergency alarm buttons. Council also approved a recommendation requiring decals showing the taxi license number be displayed in the front and back seats of all cabs.

Public Meetings and Notices

Public Meeting – Halifax Green Network Final Phase

Tuesday, May 16 2017 6-8pm | Atlantica Hotel Halifax

The Halifax Green Network Plan is nearing the final phase of development and HRM is seeking public input. This information meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss the draft directions for protecting a region-wide network of open space lands and waters. More information on the Green Network Plan is available at http://www.halifax.ca/halifaxgreennetwork/

Halifax Regional Council

Tuesday May 23, 2017 10am | Halifax City Hall, Council Chambers

The next meeting of Halifax Regional Council will take place on Tuesday, May 23rd at 10am at Halifax City Hall. Agenda and reports are posted by noon on Friday prior to the meeting date and are available at http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php

HRM Planning and Development Survey

The Planning and Development department at HRM is responsible for regional and community planning, urban design and heritage planning, land development and regulation, infrastructure planning and growth analysis, transportation planning, parking strategies, energy and environmental management, licencing, compliance and building standards. The municipality is looking to improve the way it communicates on planning and development issues. Residents are invited to share their thoughts and provide feedback by taking a brief online survey, available here http://fluidsurveys.com/s/LetUsKnowWhatYouThink/

Low Income Transit Pass Program

The Low Income Transit Program begins in July 2017 and will accept up to 1,000 qualified applications. The program is aimed at making monthly transit passes more affordable for low-income residents and are available for purchase at a 50% discount. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit http://www.halifax.ca/transit/LowIncomePass.php

Community Events

Police Day 2017

Saturday May 13, 2017 9:30am | Mic Mac Mall

Join Halifax Regional Police for their 2017 Police Day Showcase, featuring several specialized police units and displays, demonstrations, and activities. Police officers will be on hand to answer questions from the public, and residents will have the opportunity to jump into the driver’s seat of a police cruiser. The event is the kick-off to National Police Week which runs May 14-20. For more information, visit http://www.halifax.ca/police/PoliceWeek.php

Shredded Paper – Free Community Shred Event

Saturday May 13, 2017 10am | Mic Mac Mall

Shredding and recycling personal documents is an excellent way to help protect yourself from identity theft. As part of the Police Day Showcase at Mic Mac Mall, residents are invited to bring personal documents to a mobile truck to be shredded and recycled free of charge. Residents are asked to limit themselves to three file boxes per person, and to remove any heavy paper clips.

11th Annual Lebanese Cedar Festival

June 1-4, 2017 | Our Lady of Lebanon Parish, 3844 Joseph Howe Dr.

For four days, the grounds of Our Lady of Lebanon Parish in Halifax will be transformed into a busy Beirut marketplace for the 11th Annual Lebanese Cedar Festival. The festival includes three evenings of entertainment, authentic Lebanese cuisine, music and cultural shows, a children’s play area, and more! For more information, please visit http://www.cedarfestival.ca/

Sharing Dance Day

Friday June 2, 2017 11am-1pm| Grand Parade

Halifax is thrilled to be hosting one of five national Sharing Dance Day events. For this year’s dance performance, four Canadian choreographers – representing distinct styles of dance, cultural backgrounds and geographic locations in Canada – have collaborated to give voice and movement to a unique work that embodies and celebrates Canada’s diversity and artistic identity. You can learn the choreography online by following these tutorials http://www.nbs-enb.ca/Sharing-Dance/Videos/learn-the-choreography , or join a free dance rehearsal on one of the following dates at the Halifax Central Library:

May 16, 6-7pm

May 27, 2-3pm

May 30, 6-7pm

Everyone is invited to the big Sharing Dance Day event on June 2nd in grand parade, so bring your friends, family and neighbors.

Doors Open Halifax

June 3-4, 2017| various locations around HRM

Doors Open Halifax Heritage Society is happy to present a roster of nearly 30 venues for this year’s event. Buildings in the Halifax area will open their doors to the public for free and invite them to view interiors not usually accessible. People will have a chance to explore a variety of venues that represent the dynamics of our history, our culture and the industry that has shaped the region. This is a family-friendly event and will run from 10am-4pm. For more information, visit http://doorsopenhalifax.com/

Halifax Greek Fest

June 8-11, 2017 | St. George’s Greek Community Centre

Join the Greek Community in Halifax for a celebration of culture, food, and history! Throughout the four day event, there will be opportunities to experience traditional Greek dancing, view the exhibit room featuring Greek lifestyle crafts, art replicas and religious artifacts, or take a tour of the Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church. This event is for the whole family, and more information is available at www.greekfest.org

District 7 Participatory Budgeting Community Vote Night

Wednesday June 14, 2017 5-8pm | Halifax Central Library

All residents of District 7 are invited to come and vote on community projects seeking capital funds. The community vote will take place on Wednesday, June 14th from 5pm-8pm in the Lindsay Children’s Room of the Halifax Central Library and winners will be announced that night. Residents of all ages can vote, so bring your kids! Last year over 300 residents cast their ballots, so come out and support the great work being done by non-profits in our community. Residents are reminded that the proposal deadline for this year’s projects seeking funding is Monday, May 15th at midnight. Proposals can be emailed to melody.campbell@halifax.ca

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