H.R.M. District 3 Councillor’s Communiqué
May 2008 - Issue # 126

 		 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Emergency Preparedness Week is May 4th - 10th, 2008. Everyone should be prepared and able to take care themselves for a 72 hour period from any potential harm caused by a significant weather event or incident. The Eastern Shore area from Cole Harbour to Ship Harbour has established a local Joint Emergency Management Team ( ES-JEM ) to prepare our communities. ES-JEM motto is "Organizing to Respond". On Saturday morning, May 3rd, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM, there will be another ‘JEM Jamboree’ - a parade display of the ES-JEM partners - at the Porter’s Lake Atlantic Superstore parking lot. Their plan is to continue its efforts in promoting emergency preparedness, training, and to provide an organized approach for a coordinated response to any local emergency. Volunteers are needed so please call

ES-JEM at 827-5414 or www.esjem.ca

 

NSHCC 76TH BROADCAST

The NS Home for Coloured Children (NSHCC) will be conducting its 76th Broadcast for Funds on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th from 2-6 PM on Eastlink Television (Channel 10). This will be quite a departure from tradition because in the past this Broadcast was normally conducted at Christmastime. There were a host of reasons as to why the show was re-scheduled to a new time and place. The telethon show will be hosted live from the Auditorium Theatre at the new NSCC Waterfront Campus in Woodside. The general public is invited to watch the show either live in person ( free admission) at NSCC or on TV, or On-line from the comfort of your own Home. The telethon # 252-3300 or 1-877-252-3303.

  

TAXATION REFORM UPDATE

Back in November 2006 - Issue #108, and again in May 2007, Issue #114, I reported about the HRM Taxation Reform Committee (TRC) review process. HRM has mailed out to everyone, extensive information booklets about property taxes. You can review this municipal taxation information at : www.halifax.ca/revenue/Howyourmunicipaltaxdollarsarespent.html. The TRC has researched and gathered public input to propose changes to our municipal taxation system. The current HRM tax system is based on property values. The TRC believes a new municipal property tax system should be service-based and should consider one’s ability to pay. Now, the TRC wants to get public feedback on its ideas for a new system. It is proposed that:

1. There would be nine municipal tax rates, each levied at a flat rate per home / property, defined by services: hydrants, solid waste, local roads, local transit, sidewalks, community recreation facilities, regional roads, regional transit, and a broad regional tax (for police, fire, libraries, and other service costs).

2. Multiple unit buildings (apartments and condos) would be taxed at a reduced rate.

3. There would be an increase in tax relief support for lower-income families.

4. The deed transfer tax would be eliminated.

5. Assessment valued tax rates would remain on provincial services such as mandatory education and correctional services.

The new tax system should be based on principles that include equity, stability, simplicity, transparency and economic competitiveness.

There will be advertisements and post card notices to inform the broader community of when, where and how you can provide us with your insights and opinions on this proposal. This will help to ensure that different community issues and values are identified and appropriately considered. For more details; go to HRM Tax Reform Web-page: www.halifax.ca/taxreform/index.html

There will be a series of 12 public consultations throughout HRM. Please drop by any of the local open house forums:

Wed., April 30th - Lion’s Den - Sheet Harbour

Thurs., May 15th - Musquodoboit Rural School

Wed., May 21st - Cole Harbour Place

Thurs., May 22nd - Lake Echo Community Centre

Mon., May 26th - Dartmouth Sportsplex

or by e-mail; taxreform@halifax.ca , or call; 490-4886, or write to P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5.

We want to hear from you.

Community involvement and citizen interaction is critical
to the success to any tax reform.

  

Sincerely,
 Councillor  David  Hendsbee  
 H.R.M. DISTRICT 3 COUNCILLOR
PRESTON - LAWRENCETOWN - CHEZZETCOOK

1 Chamberlain Drive, Westphal, NS, B2Z 1B1
829-2465 ( Home Office ) 483-0705 ( Cell )
490-4050 ( Hfx. City Hall ) 829-3620 ( Fax )
david@hendsbee.ns.ca & hendsbd@halifax.ca