Community Visioning ( CV ) is an effective and widely-used community consultation exercise. It is holistic in scope and is intended to allow a community to determine its own priorities for the future. The Vision created by the community is a reflection of overall objectives for future community development and includes a wide range of local interests. The CV program is an important step towards implementing HRM’s Regional Plan. VisionHRM, launched in September 2006, began as a pilot project in Musquodoboit Harbour, Fall River and the Bedford Waterfront area. On October 30th, 2007 Council approved the Visions and Action Plans for these pilot communities. The approved Visions and Action Plans from the pilot projects can be found on the HRM web- site. These CV plans were presented to Council by members of their respective Community Liaison Groups (CLG). These volunteers guided local residents and other community stakeholders in the creation of the Visions. The approved Community Visions will help guide HRM Council and staff in service delivery and capital project planning. Community driven initiatives and partnerships will also be key to successful implementation. Following on the success of the pilot project, a region-wide, multi-year program was approved by HRM Council in March 2008. Over 33 communities from across HRM have been identified for this potential CV program. In addition to identifying communities for future years, the multi-year plan requires that certain studies and other foundational work, such as asset mapping and watershed management/servicing studies, which need to be undertaken in advance of any CV in other communities. In May 2008, CV was launched in the Penhorn area of Dartmouth, Middle Sackville and Spryfield. In 2009, the communities of Porters Lake, Woodside and Upper Tantallon are scheduled to be done, Then in 2010, North Preston & East Preston, Enfield and Sheet Harbour are expected to follow. Volunteers for CLGs will have to be recruited for these CV exercises. HRM Community Development staff will provide support and guidance to these groups. Each CLG will design an engagement process using their knowledge and understanding of their communities. The CLGs will host community events and activities to draw local residents together in the creation of a 25 year vision for their respective area. For more information about the CV process and VisionHRM, go to : www.halifax.ca/visionhrm
 

ELECTRONIC VOTING OPTION IN 2008

HRM residents will be able to enjoy the convenience of voting from their own homes in the 2008 Municipal and School Board Election. Council approved an internet/phone voting option in addition to the present system for advanced voting. With the new system, voters will be able to vote online or over the phone during the set advanced polling period only. Election Day (October 18) voting will remain the same as in previous elections; traditional advanced poll voting options will also still be available. Intelivote Systems Incorporated (ISI) in Dartmouth will be the E-Voting purveyor.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) is required by the Municipal Government Act to conduct periodic reviews of the number and boundaries of municipal polling districts whereby it must consider the number of electors, relative parity of voting power, population density, community of interest and geographic size. Last Summer, an application was made by a citizen committee to have the area of Cherry Brook / Lake Loon removed from District 3 and placed back into District 4 - Cole Harbour. NSUARB has subsequently granted this request. Therefore in the upcoming 2008 General Municipal election, this area will not be a part of District 3. Residents that live on Neilson Drive, Wilfred Jackson Way, Cherry Brook Road, Johnston Road, Lake Loon Road, Sparks Road, Riley Road, MacLaughlin Road, Prescott Drive, and in the Westphal Mobile Home Park and along that portion of Highway # 7 from Neilson Drive / Old Miller Road to Montague Road will have to vote for someone else. In the meantime, it is my honour to serve as your Councillor and I will continue to champion and advocate for local initiatives and community issues.

HAVE A SAFE & ENJOYABLE SUMMER