Councillor’s Communique : JULY 2004 - Issue # 80 

FINAL INPUT ON O.H.V. REPORT
NS Voluntary Planning (VP) Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Task Force released its interim report back on Feb.12th. There are 48 recommendations as an attempt to make measures to improve public safety and provide more effective policing for recreational use of OHV’s. The report also addresses issues such as land use, environmental concerns, personal liability, strict enforcement of mandatory registration and vehicle identification for all OHV’s. The report recommends establishing an OHV infrastructure trust fund that would be used in trail system development and maintenance, training, self-policing and environmental education. It also recommends that fully licenced operators of OHV’s be 16 years of age or older. It recommends that no one under the age of 14 operate an OHV and that youths, ages 14 & 15, be required to successfully complete a training course and be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian. The task force also met with major OHV associations, environmental organizations, trail users, health and safety interests, enforcement agencies, conservationists and representatives of the insurance industry, plus held a series of public meetings. The report is online at www.gov.ns.ca/vp or at any Access Nova Scotia Centre. The public have now until July 31^st to provide feedback. Comments can be submitted by e-mail to volplan@gov.ns.ca , by fax at 424-0580 or by mail to Voluntary Planning, Suite 600, 1690 Hollis St., Halifax, N.S., B3J 3J9. For more details on the OHV report, contact VP at 424-5682 or toll-free at 1-866-858-5850.

CONGRATS TO ALL GRADUATES
At this time I wish to congratulate all the university, community college, adult learners, high school, junior high school & elementary students on their success of grading and graduating. May you all have the best of luck and success with your future endeavours. Please remember that education is a life-long learning experience. Enjoy whatever path in life you take. Have a happy & safe summer.

Councillor David Hendsbee: ($ 1,191.95)
Eastern Shore Wildlife Rehab Ctr. $200.00
Porters Lake Police Office $200.00
Lake Echo Day Camp Program $200.00
Lawrencetown Comm. Ctr. Survey $116.95
Orenda Canoe Club $100.00
W.A.D.E. Summer BBQ $ 75.00
Atlantic View School Bus Trip $ 75.00
Los Primos Student Band Sponsor $ 50.00
North Preston Cultural Association $ 50.00
Justin Coward Memorial Basketball $ 50.00
Chezzetcook Trails Association $ 50.00
Bell Park School 25th Anniversary $ 25.00

CONCERNS ABOUT FIRE RISK
With the oncoming drier summer season, a complete fire ban is expected to be ordered allot sooner this year due to the amount of fuel load still in the woods from Hurricane Juan. Woodlot owners and other residents are still trying to clean up. However; properties within the beetle quarantined zone ( North & East Preston, West & Upper Lawrencetown, and the western Metro side of Mineville and Lake Echo) are faced with problems caused by the Federal Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) imposing labourious restrictions that devalue any possible return on harvested wood. Property owners are being encouraged to find collective community solutions. There will be some lobbying of the 3 levels of government to come up with a coordinated effort to respond to this situation. As well local emergency plans for possible evacuation are being developed but the general public need to be apprised and aware of their own specific area’s action plan. It is recommended that you review your home insurance policy to see exactly what kind of coverage and other stipulations you have regarding protection against any wildfires. It is better to be safe and prepared, than sorry!