H.R.M. District 3 Councillor’s Communiqué
June 2008 - Issue # 127

HRM has launched a new civic pride initiative called "Good Neighbours, Great Neighbourhoods" (GNGN). It is about celebrating the great things residents are already doing to better their neighbourhoods and to inspire others to take positive action.

The theme of the initiative - "Great neighbourhoods don't just happen ... they happen one good neighbour at a time." - highlights the need for a personal commitment to creating welcoming, safe, vibrant neighbourhoods where we live, work and play By promoting values central to being a good neighbour, the GNGN initiative aims to increase civic pride, improve the local environment, and encourage residents to participate in community life. Many of HRM's neighbourhood initiatives rely on citizen participation to be successful and HRM will support residents' efforts to make a difference in their community by providing them with tools and resources they need. A Neighbourhood Toolkit, that will be available both online and at customer service centres, recreation centres and libraries, is designed to be a "how to" guide for popular neighbourhood activities such as organizing a neighbourhood clean up, a block party and how to start a neighbourhood association.

As a follow-up to March 2008, Issue #124, HRM is about to unveil its 20 year plan for community facilities throughout our municipality. The Community Facilities Master Plan ( CFMP ) will indicate what type of facilities will be constructed, improved, and recommendations for possible partnerships. It also incorporated an arena capacity study and future planning for outdoor facilities such as athletic fields, baseball fields, soccer / rugby pitches, and sport tracks. Open houses have been held throughout HRM. These open houses showcased research and planning done to date, outlined proposals for the CFMP, and provided an opportunity for the public to give input and insight to the CFMP Steering Committee and HRM staff. The CFMP is organized into 4 main

sections: Review of HRM Facility Infrastructure; Management and Operations of HRM Community Facilities; Finance; and Background and Support Materials. The CFMP recognized the importance of the 2004 Indoor Recreation Facilities Master Plan as setting the foundation for future facility development processes. The CFMP presents additional guiding prinicples, more socio-demographic research about HRM's citizenry,

implementation models for making decisions about existing and future facilities and site-specific recommendations. Once Regional Council has received the report, the document it will be posted on-line at www.halifax.ca/facilities/CFMP . The general public will have the opportunity to comment further on its findings and recommendations via e-mail to: CFMP@halifax.ca or by mail to:

HRM Regional Planning Project Office
c/o PO Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5

It is critically important to have a visible civic number on your property. By-Law C-300 regulates the posting of civic numbers. Make certain your civic address is see able from the street day and night so emergency responders can find you quickly. They can not help you if they cannot find you ! If you do not have a civic number or wish to verify your existing address, by e-mail civicadd@halifax.ca or call Toll-Free 1-800 - 835-6428 or 490-5347. PLEASE HELP US KEEP YOU SAFE !!!

The following HRM Fire Stations sell the "Blue & White " Civic Number signs for residential properites. The cost per sign is only $10, regardless of the amount of numerals on it or if it is two-sided or single-sided.