As another update to past newsletters ( Feb.’ 06 - #99; June ’06 - #103; Aug.’06 - #105; Sept.’06 - #106; July ’07 - #116 ) I can again report further progress on the paving of various subdivision gravelled “J”-Class streets in the Lawrencetown area. The next set of streets to be done this year are in the Vantage Estates and Town & Country Acres subdivisions : David Drive, Russell Drive, Colony Way, Atlantic View Drive and the Parkcrest Drive extension. The tender for Phase 3 is expected to be advertised and closed by late August or early September. The work should be done by the end of October.

This is the third straight year in addressing the multitude of gravelled streets in the Lawrencetown area. In 2006, eight streets in the Hayling Acres and a part of Carters & Romans Subdivision were done. In 2007, six streets were done in Keltic Gardens. Now five more this year. We still have at least 10 more streets left in the Lawrencetown area that have been eagerly waiting for paving. Hopefully we can address these over the next year or so.

I want to again thank and acknowledge the great efforts of Bill Dooks - Eastern Shore MLA - for his continuous cooperation and commitment in addressing our local roads. We are planning to conduct another joint general meeting in Porters Lake soon to explain the full paving process and to gauge the level of public interest to address the forty plus gravelled streets in that immediate area. A systematic approach of grouping streets in close geographical clusters has proven to work quite effectively well thus far.

During the month of September 2008, the Insurance Bureau of Canada ( IBC ) together with the Ecology Action Centre ( EAC ) and their Active & Safe Routes to School program are re-launching a program in HRM called Pace Car. The goal of Pace Car is to reduce speeding and calm neighbourhood traffic so that our streets are safer for children and families who choose to walk or bike to school/work.

It’s simple - drivers are asked to sign the Pace Car pledge then proudly display the Pace Car emblems on their car. By agreeing to drive the posted speed limit, cars become a "mobile speed bump", slowing speeding traffic behind them. Drivers also agree to be more aware of and courteous to other road users, especially pedestrians and cyclists. Many Pace Cars can effectively calm traffic throughout your community. The more people who join, the better it works!

For a general background of the Pace Car program and an explanation of how it originally came to be please visit:  http://www.lesstraffic.com/Programs/Pace%20Car/Pace%20Car.htm .

To find out how your community can become involved in the program please download the Pace Car Program Community Kit at:

http://ecologyaction.ca/asrts/school/safety.php

For any other queries; feel free to contact the IBC - Atlantic Division:

1969 Upper Water Street
Purdy’s Wharf Tower 2, Suite 1706
Halifax, NS, B3J 3R7

Phone 429-2730 or Fax: 420-0157.

Or contact, Janet Barlow at the EAC - Coordinator of Active & Safe Routes to School at 442-5055 or by e-mail : asrts@ecologyaction.ca .

A Public Information Meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 17th at 7:00 PM in the Lawrencetown Community Centre to discuss an Application by HRM to consider amending the kennel provisions within the old Halifax County Districts 8 and 9 ( Lake Echo, Porters Lake, Chezzetcook ), and the Lawrencetown Area Municipal Planning Strategies and Land Use By-laws. Let’s hear your concerns and wishes on this subject matter.

On Saturday, Sept. 20th, the Lake Echo Fellowship Baptist Church, on Peter Court, off Exit #18, in Mineville is hosting a breakfast and open house to celebrate its inauguration as a designated Community Comfort Centre. During recent expansion of its facility, renovations included amenities such as an auxiliary power panel, a transfer switch, and upgraded kitchen equipment to accommodate the greater public in any moment of community emergency. Drop in!

It's Back To School Time Again!!